Powell Says France will Face Consequences for Stannding up to the US

[SlowwHand]

I already stopped.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Spiffor
the sanctions on Austria were plain silly and counterproductive.

Were? Aren't they still going on?

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Spiffor
I don't recall the sanctions on Haider's Austria, but I recall the sanctions on UK bovines.


While the embargo on UK bovines was absolutely legitimate (huge public health issue),

Sanctions is the wrong word here. It was more a public health action than an economic co-ercion. The UK voted for the ban and IIRC the EU paid the majority of the compensation to the effected UK farmers.

Before that though it was the French who unilaterally imposed an illegal ban on British beef, without EU approval.

[TCO]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Thier economy isn't doing that well right now. That's the reason for the fear they exhibit.

They should stop being so socialist. And stop using striking as a sport. And get rid of the 35 hour work week.

[Sava]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
I already stopped.

No offense Slowwy, but I don't think your boycott of Mercedes was all your choice.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by GP
They should stop being so socialist. And stop using striking as a sport. And get rid of the 35 hour work week.

Agreed

[TCO]

Originally posted by Spiffor
GP :
We French usually get this **** only from former colonized people, and we usually don't listen, so we aren't used to it yet Especially since it seems to come only from the US. I am not aware of a change of sympathies towards France in any other country.

I also don't think there will be official trade sanctions. Partly because the **** must not hit the fan, partly because France belongs to the EU, and it is impossible to officially aim for specific national imports from within the EU. I suspect the American reaction has become a tool in our domestic politics, which explains its boasted importance : Chirac is losing popularity, and left-wing parties are happy with it (they couldn't criticize Chirac as long as he was anti-war). Business men stir the fear of losses in the US to get more opportunities and more pro-business policy to "compensate" the loss, etc.

I think the most important administration-led consequences will be opposition to France's African policy, its ousting from the Iraqi loot (obviously), and a general lowering of its role in any organization that limits US sovereignity.

Edit : about the sanctions, I think most French people remain against, as they are against for a very long time now. Chirac has to take care about this issue : left wing parties would jump at his throat if he favors too openly the lengthening of sanctions.

This is interesting.

Umm...I'm not saying get used to the abuse like you will get it from everybody. Just take your turn. We have to hear all the time, "yankee go home". It is always easier and seems almost fitting to pick on the top dog. When I was in grade school, I went through a stage of picking fistfights with the tallest boy in the class and actually thought I was in the right to do so...

[TCO]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Agreed

And you should change your avatar.

[DinoDoc]

To what?

[TCO]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
To what?

I donno. Something more pleasant. That goth gamer crap needs to go. How about something related to law or to Mississippi or to dinodocs?

[Sava]

Yeah, do the Mississippi state flag and be proud of your Confederate heritage.

[SlowwHand]

I'm only buying Silver Shadows.

And use this Doc.

[Spiffor]

Keep Dr Doom, DD. it matches your personality best !

[Bereta_Eder]

i will go to texas waiving a french flag to see what happens

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by GP
I donno. Something more pleasant. That goth gamer crap needs to go. How about something related to law or to Mississippi or to dinodocs?

Find me a decent picture of Grimlock and I'll change.