You Could have heard a pin drop!

[BigMac (SoCal)]

 JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaule decided to pull out of NATO.  DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible.
Rusk responded "does that include those who are buried here?
DeGuale did not respond.
 


You could have heard a pin drop


 
 
When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.
He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders.  The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.'
 


You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American.  During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims.  What does he intended to do, bomb them?'
A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency  electrical power to shore facilities; they have three  cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they 20 carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck.  We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?'


 
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?'
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'


You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...
Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.
"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked  sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."
The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."
"Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !"
The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard  look.  Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."


 
You could have heard a pin drop.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

 
I am proud to be of this land, AMERICA
 
 

 

 

 

[T.P.]

 

[MP]

   How soon they forget.
MP

[Sludge]

   agreed!

[Doc Moose]

I am just as patriotic for America as the next guy and love this country.  Please accept this in that spirit.

Each and every country has it's different culture and "lifestyle".  This diversity of opinions can cause strife, but can also strengthen us all if used positively.

Please remember:

The French contributed well over $100 million dollars during the  American Revolution that helped keep the cause for independance alive.  The American dream would have withered on the vine without this financial help - no matter what the reason for it.

The French contributed physical manpower, supplies, military to the American Revolution that helped improve our military position.

The contribution of the French Naval forces at Yorktown proved the decisive blow that forced the surrender of Cornwallis to the American forces led by Gen. George Washington.

Yes, we definitely have our difference of opinions with France.  I have poked fun at the French, as well as had it in return.

But I will not dis the French too harshly either, as America should be thankful for France's help during the American Revolution.  Just as they should be thankful for our assistance in WWI and WWII.
These were all noble causes that required each other's help.

Times and attitudes change, for better or for worse.  I for one am thankful for the support of the French during the American Revolution.

Different times, different motives, different peoples.  It all seemed to work out okay in my book.

We have many fine members of the VRCC in France, brothers/sisters of the Valkyrie!

Flamesuit on.

PS: My heritage, if it matters, is definitely from all of Great Britain (British Isles)and Canada.

[Willow]

Yes, we definitely have our difference of opinions with France.  I have poked fun at the French, as well as had it in return.

But I will not dis the French too harshly either, as America should be thankful for France's help during the American Revolution.  Just as they should be thankful for our assistance in WWI and WWII.

I agree, Doc. 

I'd also like to point out that within France, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, America and any other nation are people of varying political views and prejudices.  Although the news often reports, and perhaps revels in reporting, incidents of anti-American sentiment from around the world, I have also seen evidence of strong support for the U.S. of A. from around that same world, and in those same countries.

[Strong Eagle]

50  bux says it is a bullsh*t piece, designed to do nothing other than promote divisiveness and appeal to the red meat, gray matter deficient aficionados of this kind of writing.
 

[3fan4life]

50  bux says it is a bullsh*t piece, designed to do nothing other than promote divisiveness and appeal to the red meat, gray matter deficient aficionados of this kind of writing.
 

And you wonder WHY people here think that you're anti-American.


Mostly I took the original post that seems to have "offended" you as a joke, (it seems pretty tongue in cheek to me).


Some of my best memories from the 18 months that I spent stationed in Germany are of my many trips to Paris.

It's a great city and I'd like to go back sometime.

But, the French especially Parisians can be "quite" snobbish.


And, it does "Get the Goat" of most Americans when the French "thumb their noses" and show no gratitude for the thousands of good men who died on the beaches of Normandy.

In my oppinion the citizens of France owe those men a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

[Hoser]

Give it a rest, will ya eagle?  hoser

[3fan4life]

50  bux says it is a bullsh*t piece

From Snopes.com

This is not the first time the placement of America's war dead has been
      the subject of rancor. In the 1960s, France, under Charles DeGaulle,
      bolted from the NATO Nuclear Planning Group and established their own
      nuclear deterrent, an act which strained French relations with the United
      States. In 1966, DeGaulle asked that all American soldiers be removed from
      France. "Does that include the dead Americans in military cemeteries as
      well?" U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk reportedly asked.

This is an exerpt from a Snopes article referring to a false rumor that France had demanded that America remove all of its war dead from their soil.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/garbage.asp


While thankfully that is a falsehood, apparently the exchange between Dean Rusk and Charles DeGaulle did take place.


Snopes doesn't have anything about the rest.

The original E-mail has been widely circulated and the oppinions are mixed, in favor, against, true, untrue, etc.

But, I suspect that for the most part the exchanges did indeed take place.


And if it makes you feel better I did find one little snipet that picked on Germany instead of France:

An American pilot was having trouble navigating the German runway. When the air traffic controller yelled in his headset “Haven’t you been here before!” the pilot cooly replied “Yes, but it was 1943 and I didn’t stop.”

 

[Psychotic Bovine]

(tee hee)

Andromeda Outtake (France Joke)	powered by Aeva

i didn't think in a million years I could find a reason to post this!

[6shutr]

Thanks for the Post Dave, I loved it....  

6shutr        

[MP]

Even a non-partisan piece like this, just basically saying we are proud of our country, the USA, and Strong Eagle attacks it all as "Bullsh-t!".
This was not conservative vs liberal or anything, just pro USA.  So, the next time Strong Eagle says he loves the US, I will use his word,  "Bullsh-t".
Pure anti USA thru and thru.
MP

[Cruzen]

During WWII My father had been shot up on the left side of his body which put him into a hospital there.  40 years later he and my mom returned to France during a tour of Europe so he could see some of the places he had visited during the war.  When checking into the hotel he mentioned he had been there during the war and what had happened.  He showed them some pictures of himself in front of buildings and asked if these building still stood and where they could be found.  Mom and Dad were there for three days.  Upon checking out he was informed that their bill had been paid for by the hotel with thanks.  Dad was really surprised and had not expected this.  I don't know about their current political feelings but I know they treated my parents with honor and respect when they were there.

A side note.  Though Dad was shot up on his left side which resulted in him loosing partial use of his left arm, he did not have enough "points" to be discharged so after a lengthy stay in the hospital he returned to service for another 8 months.  I asked him about therapay before returning him to duty and and he said it consisted of helping to clean up in the mess hall and washing dishes.  Three years ago at the age of 84 he had another surgery to remove metal particles that had traveled through his system from his left side and surfaced in his right hand.

[Strong Eagle]

And you wonder WHY people here think that you're anti-American.

So tell me, what is 'anti-American' in expressing my view.  I said nothing about the content, I said that the post was divisive and served no purpose except to rile people... and whaddaya know?  It's done just that.  Red meat posts...

So tell me... what was the purpose of this post?  To illuminate?  To resolve a conflict?  To understand an issue?  Hell, no... it's there to jack people up... and jacked up they got... including you about my own post.

It seems to me that YOU think what I posted was 'anti-American'... and bubba... if that's what you think, you've seriously got a gear loose about what this country is all about.

[3fan4life]

During WWII My father had been shot up on the left side of his body which put him into a hospital there.  40 years later he and my mom returned to France during a tour of Europe so he could see some of the places he had visited during the war.  When checking into the hotel he mentioned he had been there during the war and what had happened.  He showed them some pictures of himself in front of buildings and asked if these building still stood and where they could be found.  Mom and Dad were there for three days.  Upon checking out he was informed that their bill had been paid for by the hotel with thanks.  Dad was really surprised and had not expected this.  I don't know about their current political feelings but I know they treated my parents with honor and respect when they were there.

I suspect that most if not all people living in France that also lived there during the Nazi occupation of France are eternally grateful to the American soldiers that helped to free them.

My guess would be that subsequent generations (just as they have in America) have forgotten the sacrifices of these men. And no longer appreciate the fact that the freedom which they enjoy today was paid for by the blood of these soldiers.

I wish that I knew the answer that would ensure that the heroes of WWII were never forgotten by any generation.  These men truly did save the world.

A study of the events of WWII reveals just how close freedom came to disappearing from the world entirely.  It was the sacrifices of these men that saved freedom not just for America but also for all of the free world.

For some reason the teaching of the deeds of these men have become politically incorrect and as such are bound to be forgotten.  If this is true in the  country of their birth then how much more so is it in the other nations of the world.

"A nation that forgets its past has no future" - Winston Churchill

   

[3fan4life]

It seems to me that YOU think what I posted was 'anti-American'... and bubba... if that's what you think, you've seriously got a gear loose about what this country is all about.

For starters the name isn't Bubba..... It's Mark.

And You're right I don't know a thing about Singapore (you say "this" country and that is where you are) but I do know about America.

You are the one with a bunch of loose gears.  You sit in a country that is thousands of miles away from America in both distance and philosophy and profess that you and only you know what is best for America.


I've said it before and I'll say it again YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION. YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

You rant about divisive posts and yet the majority of your posts are just that.

You can say that you are only the voice of dissention but the truth is that you post what you do in order to incite.

I know this so I try to ignore your rants.

However, sooner or later (usually sooner) you post something that is either so absurd or in the case of this thread you jump in to register a negative comment when it is totally uncalled for and I just can't hold my tongue any longer.

I know that the United States isn't perfect.

But, I was taught that it is the greatest nation on Earth.

As a matter of fact I was taught to be "PROUD" of being an American.


The "Blame America First" crowd wants our children taught to be ashamed of being an American.

They like you want everyone to believe that America is always wrong.


I grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in class before school everyday.

Now thousands of American school children never have.

It's because of "thinkers" like yourself and the ACLU that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school has become taboo.   



I not only grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, I have served my country under that flag.

And I have served in a combat zone during a time of war.

So don't you DARE to tell me that I know NOTHING about what it is to be an American or what America is about.


I suggest that it is YOU who has either forgotten (or never knew) what it means to be PROUD to be an American and that you and the members of your "club" are a great part of what is "wrong" with this country today.


BTW, in your last two replies to my posts you have resorted to some form of "name calling" rather than utilizing your great "intellect".  That tells me that whether you will admit it or not (and I know that you won't) that you realize you have already lost the debate.

   

   

[6shutr]

Thank you 3fan....Hooaah!...I feel your anger!....I think pharmboy in a previous post got it right, just best to ignore this guy.

6shutr

[Cruzen]

My guess would be that subsequent generations (just as they have in America) have forgotten the sacrifices of these men. And no longer appreciate the fact that the freedom which they enjoy today was paid for by the blood of these soldiers.

I wish that I knew the answer that would ensure that the heroes of WWII were never forgotten by any generation.  These men truly did save the world.

A study of the events of WWII reveals just how close freedom came to disappearing from the world entirely.  It was the sacrifices of these men that saved freedom not just for America but also for all of the free world.

For some reason the teaching of the deeds of these men have become politically incorrect and as such are bound to be forgotten.  If this is true in the  country of their birth then how much more so is it in the other nations of the world.

"A nation that forgets its past has no future" - Winston Churchill

   

My dad was born in a town in Illinois called Phoenix.  There were seven houses on his block at the start of WWII.  His family lived on one side along with two other familes and my mothers family lived on the other side of the street with three other familias.  Dad and four of his brothers served in WWII and from my mom's family there were 4 boys who served.  From those seven houses on one block, there were 18 boys who served in WWII.  My aunt said than anytime an unknown sedan came down the street the mothers would all start crying.

July 7th we buried my Dad's brother Ed ( 91 years old) who had also been in WWII.  He was given the ceremonial 30 gun salute ( actually only one gun fired three times).  The firing pin was defective and the blanks failed to fire.  I went and picked up the ejected cartridges and gave them to my dad.  We then looked at the flag that was flying about 50 feet away from the grave and it was flying upside down.  Now who remembers what that means??  Think Uncle Ed was trying to tell us something??

[Strong Eagle]

BTW, in your last two replies to my posts you have resorted to some form of "name calling" rather than utilizing your great "intellect".  That tells me that whether you will admit it or not (and I know that you won't) that you realize you have already lost the debate.

"Bubba" is name calling?  Or is it the 'gears loose' part?  Yer crackin' me up, 'Mack'!   
  

[3fan4life]

BTW, in your last two replies to my posts you have resorted to some form of "name calling" rather than utilizing your great "intellect".  That tells me that whether you will admit it or not (and I know that you won't) that you realize you have already lost the debate.

"Bubba" is name calling?  Or is it the 'gears loose' part?  Yer crackin' me up, 'Mack'!   
  

It's no secret that you meant "BACKWOODS BUBBA".


GIVE IT UP EAGLE......

You were wrong to jump into the middle of this post and say what you said.

It was simply UNCALLED FOR.


And no matter what you say it is obvious that you intended to incite others and you succeeded in doing so.


Like I said, I try my best to ignore you but sometimes the absuridty of your words is just too great to ignore.



Here's a thought, maybe you critcize America so much because you're frustrated from living in a country where criticizing the government can land you in jail.   

[Strong Eagle]

It's no secret that you meant "BACKWOODS BUBBA".

If I had meant to say "BACKWOODS BUBBA", I would have said, "BACKWOODS BUBBA".  If you think that be you there isn't much I can do about it.

You are crackin' me up even more, Josh, old boy!  I commented on a crap post and you have gone apoplectic.  I don't care if you think it was UNCALLED FOR.  I do mean to say you are misinformed and have a poorly formed world view of how things actually work.
 
I stand by my words.  The original post offered nothing positive in this world.  You have added nothing, either.  The only person busy 'inciting', my fellow Valk rider, is YOU.

And PS:  When I refer to THIS COUNTRY, it is the United States of America, the best country in the world... and I have lived and worked in a bunch.  I don't need your smarmy ass comments about my patriotism, "blame America first" (a fine crock of bullshit from those who have nowhere else to turn), and your lame ass comments that I "want everyone to believe that America is always wrong."  F*CK YOU on this one.
 
Oops.  I've called you another name... Josh, old boy.  Apologies for the F*CK YOU as well.

[3fan4life]

It's no secret that you meant "BACKWOODS BUBBA".

If I had meant to say "BACKWOODS BUBBA", I would have said, "BACKWOODS BUBBA".  If you think that be you there isn't much I can do about it.

You are crackin' me up even more, Josh, old boy!  I commented on a crap post and you have gone apoplectic.  I don't care if you think it was UNCALLED FOR.  I do mean to say you are misinformed and have a poorly formed world view of how things actually work.
  
I stand by my words.  The original post offered nothing positive in this world.  You have added nothing, either.  The only person busy 'inciting', my fellow Valk rider, is YOU.

And PS:  When I refer to THIS COUNTRY, it is the United States of America, the best country in the world... and I have lived and worked in a bunch.  I don't need your smarmy ass comments about my patriotism, "blame America first" (a fine crock of bullshit from those who have nowhere else to turn), and your lame ass comments that I "want everyone to believe that America is always wrong."  F*CK YOU on this one.
 
Oops.  I've called you another name... Josh, old boy.  Apologies for the F*CK YOU as well.

Touched a nerve didn't "we".      


Face it,

YOU have LOST this debate and I have WON!


The fact that you feel that you cannot get your point across without the use of profanity means you conceede that you have NO point.


And don't worry about apologizing for the cursing, I have been cursed by much better men than you and that would include every single down on his luck, drunken, homeless, Vietnam Vet that I have ever picked up out of the gutter that he was lying in.


PS

I commented on a crap post and you have gone apoplectic.

I wasn't being apologetic............... As I have absolutely nothing to apologize to you for.

[Serk]

I commented on a crap post and you have gone apoplectic.

I wasn't being apologetic............... As I have absolutely nothing to apologize to you for.

I am NOT getting into this silliness, but just need to point out apoplectic != apologetic...

apoplectic = Of, relating to, or causing a stroke... Showing symptoms of a stroke... I.E. "Freaking out"...

[Scanner]

Strong Eagle, I'm as Progressive as it gets, but you lost me on this one big time.  Each of the examples in the original is something I've ran into in my reading.  I don't see anything that, even if the words aren't verbatim, at least the sentiment and circumstances are accurate.

I don't see it as divisive at all...I appreciate this type of post much more than someones lame joke or misinformed /  uninformed opinion / talking point.

Just my opinion...
 

[3fan4life]

I commented on a crap post and you have gone apoplectic.

I wasn't being apologetic............... As I have absolutely nothing to apologize to you for.

I am NOT getting into this silliness, but just need to point out apoplectic != apologetic...

apoplectic = Of, relating to, or causing a stroke... Showing symptoms of a stroke... I.E. "Freaking out"...

ap·o·plec·tic
Pronunciation:\ˌa-pə-ˈplek-tik\
Function:adjective
Etymology:French or Late Latin; French apoplectique, from Late Latin apoplecticus, from Greek apoplēktikos, from apoplēssein
Date:1611
1: of, relating to, or causing stroke
2: affected with, inclined to, or showing symptoms of stroke
3: of a kind to cause or apparently cause stroke <an apoplectic rage> ; also : greatly excited or angered <was apoplectic over the news>
— ap·o·plec·ti·cal·ly  \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Hmmm,

I didn't pick up on the difference in the spelling.

Maybe Eagle "was" trying to impress me with his superior intellect.

Even though the fact that this word is in his vocabulary and that he found a way to actually use it in a sentence is impressive.

I'm still not sure that its use applies here.

Unless, he "stroked" out.

If that's the case than maybe I should apologize.

It was never my intent to cause the man physical harm.

[Zep]

I am thankful for men like my father who served in the Pacific during WWII.  He was a Grunt squad leader who fought on Okinawa and Leyte.  He was awarded the Bronze star for Valor when, under heavy enemy fire he directed tank fire on enemy posistions while he was in the open and subject to harm for an extended period of time.  He was finally knocked out by a sniper, damn near died before he was evacuated.

I am thankful for men like my brother. He and I served during the Vietnam war.  I know many brave men and women who have received little thanks for going in harms way during that conflict.

But I am also thankful for the millions of Americans who did not have to experience war because we stood in their stead.  The freely expressed opinions by many on these pages butress my thanks that we do not have to live in a martial society because of men like my Father and Brother.  I expect that many veterans who have passed on before us would, in response to the wickering verbal volleys across our fronts on these pages, say they dont mind it half so much because it is indicative of the healthy societal norms for which they fought. It is not trite to say they died that we might live out their dreams of a long life in America.  Let us do it honorably.......

Zep

[Hoser]

Is it over yet?  Please God, let it be over.  How long must we put up with this, Willow?  hoser

[MP]

Nice, inteligent reply, weak chicken! As long as "Bubba" and "Mack" instead of Mark is not name calling, weak chicken is not either.
MP

[Willow]

Is it over yet?  Please God, let it be over.  How long must we put up with this, Willow?  hoser

It's a no win situation.  If we step in someone will whine.  If we let it go on someone will whine.  Sometimes I feel like Rodney King (It was Rodney, wasn't it?) crying into the camera, "Can't we all just get along?"

Truthfully, some folks just don't like each other, some for good reason, some for less meaningful reasons.

Trouble is, when you point out to a jackass that he's a jackass, he seems to never just let it go with, "Oh, you're right.  My bad."

Anyway, it looks like this one's about to wind down.  Stay tuned for the next installment.   

[alph]

Once again this imbecile called “strong eagle” has put his talon in his mouth. 

During WWII my parents were in Italy.  If people objected to the government, they went to jail.  Thankfully, moron eagle has the freedom that tens of thousands of men from THIS country gave their lives to protect our freedom so that he won’t have to be placed in jail, for his ignorant rants.

And how does he thank those dead soldiers, by bad mouthing America from a foreign country, were, by the way, he doesn’t pay US income tax.

[3fan4life]

Truthfully, some folks just don't like each other, some for good reason, some for less meaningful reasons.

I can't say that I don't like Mr. Eagle because I don't know him.

I can say that I don't like the way that he chooses to express his views.

He has a right to his oppinion even if I don't agree with it (which I usually don't).

What I take real exception to is the manner in which he chooses to express his oppinion.

It's the, "I'm right, I'm the only one who is right and everyone who doesn't agree with me is STUPID" attitude that tends to get my goat.


Like I said, I try to ignore him (even if it seems like I don't) but sometimes you just have to call a spade a "spade".

And maybe just once I'd like to see him admit that his oppinion isn't the only one that matters.