McCain Calls For Collegiality With Allies, But Forgets His Condescending French-Bashing»

[RedEarth]

In a speech before the Los Angeles World Affairs Council today, Sen. John McCain will argue “for the United States to work more collegially with democratic nations and live up to its duties as a world leader.”
But missing from both McCain’s remarks and the pre-coverage of his speech is “a fresh acknowledgment” of the fact that McCain has often acted less than collegial towards international allies with whom he disagrees.

........

For instance, during the rush to war with Iraq, McCain took great joy in childishly bashing France for it’s opposition to the war:

MCCAIN: remind me of an aging movie actress in the 1940s who’s still trying to dine out on her looks, but doesn’t have the face for it.


MCCAIN: Look, I don’t mean to try to be snide, but the Lord said the poor will always be with us. The French will always be with us, too.


more............

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/26/mccain-france-bashing/

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm reading

a book about Ben Franklin's visit to France in the 1770's - "A Great Improvisation." The more I read it the more I like the French. If it weren't for them we probably would not have won the Revolutionary War. I knew of their involvement but this close look at Franklin's visit makes it clear their involvement was a whole lot more then what we might find in High School History Books.

I fail to understand mccain's "charm" or "appeal."

[SoCalDem]

2. French people ( and Italians too) believe in living well & enjoying life

apparently that's become un-american:shrug:

[BOSSHOG]

4. I recall a funny moment

back in the 80's my wife and I went to Club Med in the Bahamas and had one helluva good time. All the Yanks were rather raucous; one night at dinner we were doing the taste great, less filling thing. Lots of alcohol, lots of fun. Lots of volume. I overheard one elderly British Lady say that all these Americans want to do is have fun.

[mitchum]

3. If it weren't for the French, Americans would be speaking English