Wiley and I seem to be on the same wavelength
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Friday, October 22, 2004
Comments:
I don't know anyone who would argue that the French are faultless or that we should respect their opinion more than our own. I would just say that they are not "the enemy" and that there are things about France and the French culture that we should respect, and not toss them out in this kind of reflexive jingo that I'm seeing all over the place.
PZ Myers
Division of Science and Math
University of Minnesota, Morris
jc,
may I suggest you take a gander at Berube's post (link on right Pharyngula menu) on American Street this week. I think he presents a well grounded analysis of why many of us are interested in the cultural 'superiority' of Canadians and Europeans. When US cultural 'superiority' seems to be rooted in us being god's favored children it really is hard to figure out how we move forward without unleashing jihad.
I am only one generation removed from Canada myself, and have relatives there. They aint perfect, but the facts indicate they are a considerably more rational bunch.
Desert Donkey
a reality-based atheist
Myself, I'm not a big fan of the French.
Xenophobia is an easy outlet for stress, frustration and complexes of persecution and inferiority. It helps people feel better about themselves. Mental masturbation, if you will. The regressive monkey part of the human brain manifesting itself.
"The great trouble is that the preachers get the children from six to seven years of age and then it is almost impossible to do anything with them." --Thomas Edison.
I like the French, and I also like mayonnaise on my fries. Tartar sauce, also good. Seriously, you should try it sometime.
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As an expat of very, very long standing I am find myself often in an untenable situation, on the one hand I am very aware of the faults cultural and political that have caused me to be a long distance citizen and on the other hand I am very aware of the faults and hypocrisies of the countries I have lived in.
I truly can in no way understand how Kerry´s knowledge of the french language can be any sort of a political issue, which it seems to be, even if it´s a minor one (please tell me that it´s minor, at least). Of course when the electorate feels that Ronald Reagan is the great communicator and is comforted by the image (shudder) that Bush is just a regular guy...
However,I do find it disturbing when perfectly reasonable
hard fighting and honest thinking liberals pander to some concept of inherent european moral, political and cultural superiority, which they as nations and groups have no more claim to than the average american.
Can anybody really believe that the french govt., its officers and policies are in any way morally and historically superior to American?
As I learned during the time of resistance to the Vietnam war, just because you don´t want to swallow the crap your own government is dishing out doesn`t mean you have to believe the other guys aren`t just as full of shit or more so.