One topic is bugging me, in USA's attitude toward France. Or rather, the American's attitude toward France. (Francais's attitudes toward the USA is also mingboggling, but I'll talk about it later)

I do not think, historicaly, that there have been a country that helped more the USA in it's infancy than France. Off course, it was mostly to challenge the British Empire, but still.

Some people considered that the USA only helped France during WW1 because it was a payback for their help during the American Revolution. I don't think that's how it works, really. First, the USA only engaged in the war when on of their ship was sunk, and.. really, do you really think that the USA, at the time, could have standed against a German Empire that conquered most of Western (and eastern) Europe?

Same about WW2. You didn't intervened against the Nazi because of any gratitude to the French. You entered the war after Japan actually punched America in the nose. Again, it was to save itself that America acted.

So.. when you stand by with an ally, do you count the number of time he helped you, and you only substract when you help him?

Is an ally still an ally when he says "I don't think we should to in there. More trouble than it's worth"?

Is the ally still an ally when, on topics really important, they agree with you, and work to make the world agree more with you?




France helped you when you needed it, and you helped France when it needed it. No counting.

France tough that invading Iraq was way rushed, and did not agreed with it. Except for a President who wanted to reap political benefit by being seen as "The President who Faced America", France itself was not antagonist to the USA.

France is the most active european country in promoting sanctions against Iran. The most active, and the one who works the most to bring other EU allies into their fold.

They didn't followed you in Iraq because they tough they were wrong. So be it. You don't bury a friendship because you disagree on a topic. France is a good friend to America, and with Sarkozy as President, it is the right time to bury old grudges, and stop acting like Monty Python against them.