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Monroe wrote: Besides WWI and WWII you have the Vietnam War to thank the French for. So I think we've been more than adequate in repaying the frogs. That's not even counting the Marshal Plan.

No one forced America to get involved in Vietnam, it was a former French colony that didn't want to be one anymore. Why the heck did that require the US to get involved?

Mind you it did a pretty good job of screwing up the US Army.

Cpl Kendall wrote:

Monroe wrote: Besides WWI and WWII you have the Vietnam War to thank the French for. So I think we've been more than adequate in repaying the frogs. That's not even counting the Marshal Plan.

No one forced America to get involved in Vietnam, it was a former French colony that didn't want to be one anymore. Why the heck did that require the US to get involved?

Mind you it did a pretty good job of screwing up the US Army.

I didn't say it was a good idea.

Monroe wrote:
I didn't say it was a good idea.

Tue, I'm just wondering how it was France's fault. You guys didn't get involved in Malaysia, India or any of the UK's former colonies. What was it about Vietnam, too close to China?

Cpl Kendall wrote:too close to China?

Bingo. If it weren't for that, you think we'd have cared about some French colony's inability to control itself?

And ANZAC - really? Teaos' whole point was the fact that simply sending our forces to fight alongside the French wasn't itself cause for gratitude, so why should the same conversation include gratitude for the same type of thing?

Mikey wrote:

Cpl Kendall wrote:too close to China?

Bingo. If it weren't for that, you think we'd have cared about some French colony's inability to control itself?

*shrug* Looking at the domino theory through 30 years of hindsight and it makes about as much sense as a screen door on a sub.

And ANZAC - really? Teaos' whole point was the fact that simply sending our forces to fight alongside the French wasn't itself cause for gratitude, so why should the same conversation include gratitude for the same type of thing?

I'm not saying you should be grateful, I'm responding to your mention that NZ hadn't done anything for you. The war was a team effort, so even NZ's tiny contribution was helpful, to all the Allies.

I must apologies, I find the whole pissing match over who did what and who should be grateful to be immensely annoying. Especially after decades of hollywood movies and American politicians flogging it to death.

I remember when we used to cooperate a lot better and I know you do as well.

I'm kinda pissed that we used to laugh and say "wonder what those crazy Yanks will do next?". Now we're laughing (uneasily) and going "wonder if those crazy Yanks will get us all killed?".

I refer specifically to the government mind you, I'm from a border town I know most Americans aren't crazy.

I found something, well my dad suggested something, that the French Can do: Diesel engines. Over here, diesel are far more the rage than petrol (unless its a small engine such as a 1.0l to a 1.2l) but...Somehow, the French just make them right, and they go on for ever. Especially Peugeot diesels. A friend of ours had a 1989 peugeot 405 with a 1.9L diesel and its still going strong, and it has NEVER been maintained as the Peugeot dealership went bust in his town. Only enough little stuff to pass an MOT has been done.

Cpl Kendall wrote:I must apologies, I find the whole pissing match over who did what and who should be grateful to be immensely annoying. Especially after decades of hollywood movies and American politicians flogging it to death.

I have to agree. Let's face it, no country today would exist if it weren't for the help of other countries.

There's a lot to criticise the French for, but saying they should treat you well because of what you did 60 years ago is just as ridiculous as saying you should treat them well for what they did a couple of centuries ago. Basicaly, if you aren't a WW2 veteran then the French owe you nothing.

Reliant121 wrote:I found something, well my dad suggested something, that the French Can do: Diesel engines. Over here, diesel are far more the rage than petrol (unless its a small engine such as a 1.0l to a 1.2l) but...Somehow, the French just make them right, and they go on for ever. Especially Peugeot diesels. A friend of ours had a 1989 peugeot 405 with a 1.9L diesel and its still going strong, and it has NEVER been maintained as the Peugeot dealership went bust in his town. Only enough little stuff to pass an MOT has been done.

How do you screw up a diesel engine though? Even the worst I've seen (lol lets stick a former generator engine in an Italian Army design) was decent with it's problems completely the result of the engine unsuited for the role and crumby batteries.

Oh...you'd be surprised. Early Malaysian Diesels (cough...Kia) were so unbelievably underpowered for their size, and died constantly it was like driving a Lada Riva (and that is NOT something I would recommend doing).

Kia is Malaysian? Come to think of it, I don't believe they offer Kia with diesels here.

Rochey wrote:There's a lot to criticise the French for, but saying they should treat you well because of what you did 60 years ago is just as ridiculous as saying you should treat them well for what they did a couple of centuries ago. Basicaly, if you aren't a WW2 veteran then the French owe you nothing.

Am I the only person here who thinks not getting spit on, or not having some be a total shithead to you, or having a fight picked with you for no reason doesn't count as being treated nice but only as common courtesy?

Cpl Kendall wrote:Kia is Malaysian? Come to think of it, I don't believe they offer Kia with diesels here.

Ah, my mistake, they are Korean. however, the earlier Diesels they offered here (Sort of mid 90's) were unbelievably aweful.

Tyyr wrote:

Rochey wrote:There's a lot to criticise the French for, but saying they should treat you well because of what you did 60 years ago is just as ridiculous as saying you should treat them well for what they did a couple of centuries ago. Basicaly, if you aren't a WW2 veteran then the French owe you nothing.

Am I the only person here who thinks not getting spit on, or not having some be a total s******d to you, or having a fight picked with you for no reason doesn't count as being treated nice but only as common courtesy?

I'm with you Tyyr. I think simpley being human means that everyone owes you some basic courtesy, and likewise you owe everyone else that same courtesy.

Tyyr wrote: Am I the only person here who thinks not getting spit on, or not having some be a total s******d to you, or having a fight picked with you for no reason doesn't count as being treated nice but only as common courtesy?

No and I don't think anyone here is seriously arguing that.

Yet that's all I'm asking and people seem to have it in their heads that I expect comp'd hotel rooms, beer and strippers just because I'm an American. I don't. I just want some common courtesy.