France does not rule out nuclear response anymore

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
What hypocrisy? Self-defense is enshrined in the UN Charter. If a terrorist state attacks with, say, nerve gas (a WMD, btw), why isn't a nuclear response off the table or hypocritic?

Because a nuclear response to nerve gas is plainly ludicrous?

[Dauphin]

It reads to me primarily as a statement for a specific audience to understand (e.g Iran). The comments are not contrary to a sane position and does not represent a new policy. It could also be a necessary statement to remind certain people.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by polarnomad


One kid on the block being a moron doesn't justify all kids on the block being morons.

what Chirac said was not moronic.

[Elok]

I think he was refering to the crackhead Iranian prez, not Chirac.

BTW, the Economist recently speculated that the reason the French hate America is that, deep down, they're the same as us...they just like to pretend otherwise.

[Fake Boris]

Remember, he was pronouncing his speech in a submarine base, most likely to a military audience. It was most likely a rhetorical figure intended as a general statement, to please his audience.

[StarLightDeath]

Bit liberal with your use of the word genius.

Yep, and Europe has always been known for their amazing diplomatic skills that make America look like a bunch of brazen cowboys. In fact, they have recently discovered that WWI and WWII are a result of American Imperialism and Bush's poor diplomatic skills. Just more proof that all of the world's ailments can be blamed on the evil American empire and Bush.

[mrmitchell]

the quite persistent boycott on all French products by many consumers here in Europe.

What are you the Danish Bill O Reilly?

[Winston]

What do you mean? I was talking about the actual boycott that several public figures encouraged (including our Prime Minister at the time) and millions of people undertook during the 1990's, in response to France's ongoing nuclear testing in the Pacific. It was a massive consumer manifestation here, not like many before it - or since, for that matter.

[Dauphin]

It even made its way into a computer game. Worms 2.

[mrmitchell]

Originally posted by Winston
What do you mean? I was talking about the actual boycott that several public figures encouraged and millions of people undertook during the 1990's, in response to France's ongoing nuclear testing in the Pacific. It was a massive consumer manifestation here, not like many before it - or since, for that matter.

Okay. Bill O' Reilly (windbag on American TV, I'm sure you heard of him) claimed on his show that he started a tremendous boycott that had brought France to its knees. But France wasn't on its knees!

I thought that you meant a recent boycott of France (inspired by "omfg they don't support the Iraq war they are all surrender monkeys"), not one in the 1990s. I stand corrected.

[Winston]

No sweat.

Oncle Boris wasn't much better at connecting the dots a while back. Of course, I don't expect him to actually say it out loud like you did.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
This should be feasible, given that the correct spelling is Québécois. Alt+133 dude!!!

I've always spelled it Québecois

And it's alt+130 on my keyboard

[Dinner]

Likely this is just talk but either way I fail to see how France loses anything.

[Thorn]

France nuking someone hahaha....!!!

that'll be the day....

like when the free world thinks its a good idea to give Germany nuclear weapons..... (yes even now)

[Seeker]

"This should be feasible, given that the correct spelling is Québécois. Alt+133 dude!!!"

We maudit anglais will NEVER give in to the vicious Quebec-ian Accent-Tyranny!

Down with all stupid 'accents', whether 'gue' or 'grave'!