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The fact remains that more American and British soldiers gave their lives on behalf of the French than any other nations combined. I ask you -- how many Frenchmen have given their lives (with the exception of a handful in our own Revolutionary War) to preserve the freedom of Americans?
As an average American, I view the French as not giving one whit about American national security. I think you're smart enough to realize that France's opposition to war with Iraq is not grounded on moral principal, but rather political expediency....
One thing remains clear: No amount of liberal slander and punditry will dissuade our President from doing what he thinks is right [or] erode the overwhelming support he has from us, the American people. -- Walter Collins, Redlands, Calif.
I know the French are no angels. My grandfather and a whole family of cousins -- from 2 to 16 years old -- were deported by the French and gassed in Auschwitz. Then again, I'm here today, and so are a few other Jews, because there were some French people who risked their lives to save other members of my family. In the meantime, neither the U.S. nor any other "civilized" country were taking us in during that war. And my father, who managed to immigrate well before the war, changed his last name because of rampant anti-Semitism in the U.S. Army during World War II.
What is silly is the kind of generalization and denigration of entire cultures that is going on right now by some in the U.S. and some in France. -- L.B. (an American woman living near Nice)
I just wanted to react to your article by saying "merci." I'm very shocked by what I've heard these last weeks about Americans' opinion of France. I spent one year [living] in the U.S. and love [your] country. As you say in your article, I feel gratitude for what American, Canadian, and British soldiers did during World War II. I'm also proud of my grandfather, who was in the French Resistance (but not a communist) and who died in Germany for his beliefs. But, in our case, this is not the point.
It's so easy to make melodramatic (and false) judgments, to use propaganda to mask the real reasons of this war-to-happen.... But it's a shame for your government, for your democracy. I took part in the [antiwar demonstration] in Paris on Feb 15. to say NO to the war. And as a free citizen (like the citizens of Australia, Italy, Spain, England, etc.), I have the right to say and think that this war is a big mistake, despite Mr. Rooney and all the [pro-war] speeches being made.
P.S. I am not a Parisian waiter! -- C.E. (a French woman from La Réole in Southwestern France)
You ask how France should display gratitude if she disagrees with us? How about trying a bit of dignity? Just say "no," and say it's a matter of conscience and nothing more.
But La Belle France fancies herself a counterweight to America, and thus she must actively oppose us. Telling EU supplicants that they missed a great opportunity to shut up because they had the temerity to disagree with France strikes me as the height of hubris. Vetoing the efforts of NATO planners to prepare Turkey in case of war was downright despicable.
With friends like France, who needs enemies? -- Donald J. Madden, Orlando, Fla.
Don't get French people wrong. If Saddam Hussein has gone nuts or [becomes truly] dangerous, we will help "stop" him. If there is proven evidence of funding, supporting, and training of al Qaeda members in Iraq, we will help the USA to retaliate for September 11. We were deeply and truly touched by September 11. We even observed the worldwide period of silence for the victims, [something that] was not done for the victims of Islamic terrorism in Paris in the 1980s and in 1995. The Star Spangled Banner rang out in Elysée Palace.
[But] as long as people are bitching against France, Germany, and other countries that want a more diplomatic solution to this crisis, they're not reflecting about the true reasons of this war. [They need to gain] some distance [from] the myths the U.S. government is flooding them with through the media. -- François Grauvogel (a European citizen from France)
Thank you so much for your column "Stop Frying the French." I don't cry easily, but reading your words gave me such an intense feeling of relief that my eyes became a little wet....
You chose to back your opinion with facts and nothing but facts. Far from responding to passionate anger with more passionate anger (like we needed more of that), you just recalled the historical truth. Doing so you are giving the wisest answer to all those trying to contaminate the world with stupid and dangerous ideas like: • The history of humanity can boil down to a few catchy sentences and not much can be learned from it • American and French policies in the Middle East aren't about oil • It's O.K. to bite back when one has been bitten • A government that often quotes the Bible and refers to God can't be wrong, and • I saved your butt once -- now that I want to set the world on fire, it is your duty to say I'm right and to give me your matches. -- Gwenaël Le Dortz, Villemoisson-sur-Orge, France
The simple fact is this: President Bush wants to get this war over with before the next election. Otherwise, he may not get reelected.... It has been said that "now the grownups are in charge" and that "President Bush will do what he thinks is right no matter what!" Yet our foreign policy is amateurish, childish, and foolish. Maybe, President Bush doesn't know what's right. -- Michael Frassetto, Canton, Mich.
It's always the U.S. that in terms of lives lost and money bears the brunt of any modern war or battle. Just remember Mr. Peterson, it was us Americans who gave you the right to live [in France] for five years. I suggest you go back. -- Arron Gue, Phoenix, Ariz.
Peterson is a contributing editor at BusinessWeek Online. Follow his weekly Moveable Feast column, only on BusinessWeek Online Edited by Patricia O'Connell
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