Is there any such thing?

[jb]

I have certainly visit more country and city that you have see in all your life...

Do not make bets on that.

Have you been to?
Canada
Mexico
Cuba
Belize/Honduras
Guatemala
Panama
Japan
China
Taiwan
Korea
Singapore
Philippines
New Guinea
Guam
Australia
New Zealand
American Samoa
Tahiti
Peru
Argentina
Columbia
Equador
Venezuela
Brazil
Chili
Greenland
Iceland
England
Scotland
Ireland
Italy
France
Holland
Denmark
Germany
Switzerland
Greece
Spain
Finland
Russia
I know you've been to Ukraine, and yes, so have I,
South Africa
Turkey
Iran
Saudia Arabia
Israel
Egypt

Just to name a few of the places I've been to, off the top of my head.  I was also in the Navy, and was around the world twice before I was 25.

[mischief]

Oh, and by the way, the French said some really nasty things about America at the beginning of the Iraq war. Many Americans stopped buying French products and services. Personally, I haven't had a single drop of French wine since then. 

 

This line just killed me right there! I'm sorry, but it's sooo STUPID!!!! (reminds me the politics of the Soviet Union)…  every country is better at producing something or specialized at particular product… what can top Swiss watches and jewellery ???;  what about British tea???  The finest chocolates in the world are made in Belgium, lets not forget Belgian crystal too;   there is nothing better than French wines and bakery to my taste! (I badly miss French croissants here);  Italy is famous for it's design and art,  Span for it's leather products and footwear; hey, what about the best olive oil???   those, who tried Russian caviar, will never want to eat any other caviar … the list is endless!! And that is, what makes the world so beautiful and you can have the best of it!

How one could know that California's wines are the best if he never tried Chile, French, Italian etc. wines??  There is so much stuff in this world you can try and see the difference!

 

I'm surprised jb, that you've been in so many countries!!! People with such views and statements prefer to live in their own little world and not even wondering what is out there…  Europe is where american roots are… the adventures European with drive and desire for better life, worked very hard to make the US one of the best country of the world…

Education opens the minds to explore… it doesn't set the limits! I'm not sure Bruno is the one who needs it!

 

 

By the way, the first top consumers of French products are not Americans but Japanese!

 

 

[Bruno]

Yes for : Canada, Taiwan, Autralia, New-Zealand, Argentina, Venezuela, Brasil, Iceland, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, France, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa, Turkey, Saudia Arabia, Israel, Egypt

No for : Mexico, Cuba, Belize/Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, Philippines, New Guinea, Guam, American Samoa, Tahiti, Peru, Columbia, Equador, Chili, Greenland, Finland, Iran

Other : Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium , Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Congo, Corfu, Croatia, Curracao, Cyprus, Czech Repulic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, USA ... and maybe some other i have forget...

I have a big advantage on you... between my 20 year old and my 25 year old, each year, i buy a bus ticket from Euroline... around 250$ for trip how much i will during two month holiday in Europa... and Europa is a lot of country in one time... Second advantage, the size of our ship... with only 6 meter water needed, we was able to follow river and visit country who are not in contact with the sea... by example, for England, i have visit three time London... we was near the tower bridge on the side of a old ship from the WWII... i am not more sure of the name, i think HMS Belfast... direct in the center of city ...

So, we are two globetrooter... for me, all have slow down 3.5 year ago... when i have begin to be gardener... always several little trip in Europa ( week-end ) and a big one in ex-USSR... yep, we are only two hours railroad from Paris, London; Amsterdam, Koln, Luxembourg... when i was in Texa, i was surprised when local people use a full day of car for go fishing... USA is too much big, with big empty place between city... in some way, a little like Russia

[Turboguy]

Bruno,

While I don't expect a gardener to understand all this stuff,

Gosh jb, you have a lot of expertise and knowlege in many areas.   You have posted many things that are enlightning, well written and very informative but you sure can be rude in the way you respond to people.   It seems like almost every post I see of yours you are insulting someone.   What happened to the new nice board that was going to be kind and considerate.

I think you should be totally ashamed of yourself for judging someone as a gardener, or a shop keeper.   Henry Ford had an 8th grade education.   Ray Kroc was a milkshake machine salesman.  

I believe the value of a person is not in the amount of money they possess, or the title of thier job, or the size of thier palace, I think the true measure of a man is how they treat those they meet in their journey through life, both those who become entangled in their lives and those they mearly pass in the night.   You seem to choose to pi$s on those you pass in the night.

Bruno probably works harder to contribute useful information than about anyone on this board.  Some of his ideas may not be inline with what you believe or for that matter what I believe but some of his ideas and posts have been great.   As a matter of fact I would probably rate his posts as more helpful than yours.  You have made some good posts however.    I think somewhere under that gruff exterior is probably a pretty nice guy.  It would be nice to see more of him

[Bruno]

Forgive JB, the French people make the same... they are the specialist of boycot in Europa... they are enough "chauvinist" too... And Mischief, you know certainly good the texan people now... all is more big in Texa that in other place of the world, of same that other state of USA... The spirit of French people are not so far of these of Texan people... but sometime, they are good guy, both ... I am sure that JB don't need education but sometime, he have a big mouth... like French people... and myself, i have a little % of French blood :cool:... and with Italian and Holland blood too... If i marry a russian woman and have children, the cocktail can be explosif :cool: 

[jb]

The spirit of French people are not so far of these of Texan people

That's the cruelest insult of all.  Texans are nothing like the French.  You could not have lived in Texas for six months and not know this.

[Bruno]

The spirit of French people are not so far of these of Texan people

That's the cruelest insult of all. Texans are nothing like the French. You could not have lived in Texas for six months and not know this.[/quote]
:D:D JB, i know that you hate French people... but really, you have something in  common... For Texan people, all in Texas is bigger and better that in the rest of the world... and the French people think the same but about France...

I hope that you don't hate the French people because the problem at Fort William Henry the August 8, in 1757... " the fall of the fort was an incredible tragedy of epic proportions, an illustration of the nobility of the British and the savagery of both the French and the Indians, and an example of brutal primal rage. " ... it is over date...

If it is not too much personal, can you explain why you hate so much French people... they can be sometime a little special but they are good guys too...

Maybe for start the peace, you can visit :

TEXAN-FRENCH ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS

777 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77056
phone: (713) 985-3263
fax: (713) 572-2914
tfaa@consulfrance-houston.org
http://www.tfaarts.org

The first spanish mission, founded in 1690 near the Neches, was named Francisco de los Tejas after the so-called tejas [friends] in Native Americans. This is also the origin of the state's name. So, if you are a true Texan, be more friendly and all will be more easy...

And French people need to thank Texan for have save the French wine  : " Pierre Viala went to Texas to find Munson and ask him to help save the grapevines of Europe. Munson readily agreed, and with Viala they sent thousands of bundles of Texas rootstock to Europe, so that French varietals--cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, chardonnay, merlot, malbec, syrah, all the wines we know and value today--could be grafted to American rootstock. The experiment succeeded, and the wine industry of Europe survived. Accordingly, even today, there's a little bit of Texas in every glass of grand cru. " http://travel.msn.com/firsts/texas/dispatch6.armx ... a good link for you next fight against French people :D:D

[jb]

JB, i know that you hate French people.

Quite right, they are the worst form of human civilized life.

France, on the other hand is quite lovely, it just happens to be full of Frenchmen.

Regards the great vineyard blight in France, every Texan knows that story. Although California receives the most recognition for wine production in the United States, Spanish missionaries began producing wine in Texas around the 1700s -- almost a century before California vineyards were established.

In fact, over half on the species of grape worldwide are grown in Texas. German and Italian immigrants are credited with starting Texas winemaking.  When the great blight struck over six million acres of European vineyards, rootstock resistant to the disease was sent from Texas and grafted to the European varieties.

Wineries in Texas suffered their own setback as a result of the Prohibition passed by the 18th Amendment in 1919. The wine drought lasted until 1935 with repeal of the Prohibition.

With approximately 40 wineries in Texas the state ranks fifth in wine production -- the top wine states are California, New York, Washington and Oregon respectively.  That's not to say they produce the best wine.  More than a few Texas wineries lay claim to that privilege.

Unfortunately for the rest of the world, we drink almost all of it at home and export very little.

[Bruce]

How about a truce???

[Bruno]

How about a truce???

Why ? I am not in War !!! Like have say Misschief, each country have his advantage or problem... this apply to the people too... Misschief, a ex-Russian and new Texan show a opening of mind that several of us here need to take for example... and i include myself in the "us"...

 

[jb]

How about a truce???

On the other hand, how about a good and sincere apology from the french?  Not Bruno, but from the french people, and especially the gov't of France.  But I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime.

They were the ones who befouled and defamed the memory of thousands of brave men who died liberating those same french families from the bootheel of Nazi Germany.  They were the ones who said we should come and "take your garbage away", meaning the corpses of those dead Americans buried at Normandy.  They consider those men buried there to be "American garbage".  Frankly, I'd like nothing better than to repatriate the bodies of those men back to the USA and give them the honors they so richly deserve.

Anything would be better than leaving them in the care of people who now spit on their graves.

No, Bruce, no truce.  I have zero regard for anything French and I won't be turned around on the subject.  The French owe us much, and they repay us with insult and spit. I can't believe any American, who has his wits about him, can still enjoy a glass of French wine in good conscience

Lovely people, the french.  Defend the France and I will feel justified in saying bad things about it.

[Bruno]

On the other hand, how about a good and sincere apology from the french? Not Bruno, but from the french people, and especially the gov't of France. But I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime.

They were the ones who befouled and defamed the memory of thousands of brave men who died liberating those same french families from the bootheel of Nazi Germany. They were the ones who said we should come and "take your garbage away", meaning the corpses of those dead Americans buried at Normandy. They consider those men buried there to be "American garbage". Frankly, I'd like nothing better than to repatriate the bodies of those men back to the USA and give them the honors they so richly deserve.

JB, i have never listen about "American garbage"... all the previous year, in France and several other country, we have celebrate our liberation by your US guys... we have respect the memory of this...

I don't see anybody in the French Gouverment who can say this... of maybe one... Le Pen, boss of a extrem right party, the "Front National", a fascit, negationist and xenophobe party... yep, democraty imply to accept everybody, same so bad party...

But i am sure that the big majority of the French people respect the memory of your guys... Same me, who is born after the war, i respect the memory of your numerous guys dead in Ardenne near Bastogne in Belgium...

Don't judge a full country on what have say some crazy people... i don't like some of the act of US gouverment but US citizen stay good people... before my own eyes, i have see some of your guys go dead in Somalie because they have try to save a woman and one children who was attacked by a group of man armed with long knife... i and a lot of people go always respect  your guys who make a wonderfull work and always ready to help... and the act of these guys have nothing to make with politic...

Your hate to the French people can only make more strong these who have say these irrespectful words... meet several French people and you go see that almost all don't think that your guys dead for the freedom of France are garbage.

[jb]

Bruno,

You forget, I've been to France recently, I know these people.  They are a bad people, all of them, not just one or two.  None of them hold Americans in the high regard you claim...  What you have written is bullsheet, pure and simple.  If only one person says these things and the rest do not quash him, all are guilty of the same crime.

They would like for us come to Normandy and "take our garbage home".  As I said, I'd love to bring those men home, but in time of war, many were buried without benefit of casket or coffin, after 50 years of being in French soil, there'd be nothing left to repatriate...  

The french should learn to honor them and let the dead rest without spitting on their graves.

The french really piss me off.

[Bruno]

Bruno,

You forget, I've been to France recently, I know these people. They are a bad people, all of them, not just one or two. None of them hold Americans in the high regard you claim... What you have written is bullsheet, pure and simple. If only one person says these things and the rest do not quash him, all are guilty of the same crime.

France is a near Belgium...

All bad ???

- President Chirac :

" Since the very beginning, we've had a divergence of views over Iraq; we fully understand the American reaction, the Americans were feeling they were directly threatened, we can understand that. But the way this reaction was conducted, that was something we felt was ill-suited to the actual situation Of course we wanted to see Saddam Hussein neutralized, but we think there were other means, more effective, less dangerous.

That's why we have a difference of view on that specific point. But you know our countries have been friends for 225 years. So there might just be small spat as it happens in every family. But it doesn't mean that it has to have consequences. There's a very deep feeling across France, and I feel it too, this esteem and gratitude and friendship for the American people. "

The respect of the freedom of meaning and democratie don't allow us to "quash" someone who have a other meaning that the majority... everybody is free to open his mouth, same for say crazy thing... but you are not obligate to listen him...

Like Misschief have write ( sorry, again her )... all is a problem of education... i have try to educate you, i have hope that you understand that judge a full country with only a few situation case was wrong... but now, i give up... i think that it is too late for you... and that you will not analyse a other point of view... 

[Turboguy]

I have been to France 6 or 8 times myself.   My opinion of it has always been that it is a beautiful country.   It is a shame the French live there.  Other wise it would be a great tourist spot. 

In general, unless you are French and speak French without an accent, you will be treated very rudely.   Even if you are French Canadian, the accent will be enough to keep you from being treated well. 

However, that is a general rule and not an absolute thing.  I have had a few people in France that were great.   I have had a few people who went out of their way to help.  I have had a few that were warm and friendly.   Usually also if you are in a tourist driven business they are half way courtious.

My small business sells its product all over the world.   I have machines in all kinds of places including Russia and Belgium.   I do have machines in France too, but that is the most difficult place to sell unless your products are made in France.   The French do believe if anything or anyone is not French it is not worth fooling with. 

I don't know what the point of the discussion is but I do have to agree that France is not a very friendly place.

 

[Donna_Pedro]

Oh, and by the way, the French said some really nasty things about America at the beginning of the Iraq war. Many Americans stopped buying French products and services. Personally, I haven't had a single drop of French wine since then. 

 

Not just France, but the  rest of Europe reacted rather badly on American compaigns in Yugoslavia, first, and then Iraq.   Anyway,  I consider boikot of some country's products is a valid way to show your attitude to certain political events. Its one opf very few things one given citizen can do to show his civil position and if it demands to sacrifice some conviniences, luxuries and even necesities - be it. Thats the whole point of this action. A lot of people are so shallow that they  simply dont understand that you need to stand up for your views.  I respect  it,  though, as you know, I do not agree with american agression in Yugoslavia and Iraq.   

[jb]

It's the oldest of liberal argument, the black man says;  if one white man wears a white sheet and hood, all whites are racists and are KKK'ers.  If one christian says a bad thing against jews, all christians are anti-semitic. If one American is against Muslim extremist, all Americans are war mongers... I see nothing wrong with painting french with the same liberal brush.

If the shoe fits, they all should wear it.  But the french are in a class of their own.

P.S. Donna,
The boycott action is called "voting with your dollar", you can choose to support the french by continuing to buy their goods and services, or you can withdraw your support by not spending your dollar on their stuff.  The next time a muslim bomb goes off in a Moscow underground and kills 20 -30 Russians maybe you'll think twice about supporting the countries that are soft on terrorism.

It's real easy.

[Donna_Pedro]

jb

The next time a muslim bomb goes off in a Moscow underground and kills 20 -30 Russians maybe you'll think twice about supporting the countries that are soft on terrorism.


I am not supporting terrorism, you know... but neither I am supporting questionable motives that are being disguised as war on terrorism.  Lets not argue about it, you are certainly entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine.  And I respect the way you show your civil position.

[mischief]

The boycott action is called "voting with your dollar", you can choose to support the french by continuing to buy their goods and services, or you can withdraw your support by not spending your dollar on their stuff. The next time a muslim bomb goes off in a Moscow underground and kills 20 -30 Russians maybe you'll think twice about supporting the countries that are soft on terrorism.

It's real easy.

 

I fully believe in voting with my dollar, and in my individual actions being political and with "real" political consequences.  It's my right, my privilege, and my opportunity to have my small voice heard.

 

The whole point of a boycott is to force a corporation / company /country to change its behavior / service… like inequitable labor practices or racial discrimination … When some companies screw people and the environment, that's the time for you, being a consumer to go and vote with your dollar.

 

Can I ask you: "What is the aim of your dollar-voting?? What is the point of not buying French products??  To make them change their opinion or to keep their mouth shut??? Who is not with us, is against us??  Are you, being an American citizen, who wholeheartedly believes in freedom of speech and human rights, implying that the French don't have the right to their opinion???"

I really want to understand your position....

 

I think, you can change an action or procedure on a local scale but not a belief system with a limited action such as dollar voting on international scale! The US has boycotted Cuba (rinki-dink country with cigars and beaches only) for some 40 years without changing the belief system of the majority population… 

 

As much as I like French people I have to admit that as a group they make very funky moves and decisions…   They "want their cake and eat it to!" They can be arrogant, stubborn, stupid and lazy… but there are so many people like that in every nation! They are jealous of the US because the rise of the United States established a new superpower in world politics in which France can never compete! Too bad for them… Nevertheless, most of them are nice people and they have so many things to be proud of….

[anono]

i am also against the war in iraq. it had nothing whatsoever to do with 9-11. bush lied to us and should be impeached. the french, well, they didn't take too kindly to me when i was there at age 18 in 1974. they had an attitude then.

that's why it was very rewarding to go to gap, france in 1995 and watch the US 4-way skydiving team beat them for the first time in ten years.

[jb]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159953,00.html

It looks like I'm not alone in my opinions about the french.

[Bruce]

Just my opinion, but this thread is really getting way off. 

[Bruno]

Just my opinion, but this thread is really getting way off. 

Right,... maybe people can buy the book of the JB friend... "Hatting America : the new world sport" by John Gibson...

JB, it is not because you have help a friend in the past that the friend need to always agree with you and follow your own rule... Yes, America have help Europe during and after the WWII... but this don't obligate us to accept all make America now... Your parents was good people... and we don't judge them... when we don't agree with American, it is the actual American... and what they have make the last few year...

Since you have publish a link to John Gibson, i copy a part of interview of him :

FOX: Do you see any justification for this anti-Americanism?

Gibson: There are very good reasons it's happening. The first one is, and I quote this guy who is a German newspaper editor (and I don't know if this is his idea or he borrowed it from somebody else),  "the first rule of alliances is they fall apart when they succeed." So the Western alliance, which was Western Europe, the United States, and large parts of the Arab world, was an alliance against the Soviet Union. Once there was no Soviet Union there was no reason for these countries to be quite so closely allied with the United States. At the same time, Western Europe in particular began to fear the United States more because here's this huge monster military power (that was built up to protect them) that is now looking around for something to do.

This remember me something i have post before  ... You need a ennemy for justify your act... since you have no more... you have choose a new one... the muslim... seriously, Europe is tired of war... all the war destroy our economy, and country... Except Pearl Harbor and 9/11... you have not know a lot of fight on your territory... if you will fight Muslim, OK... fight them but in America and don't ask to us for participate... UK, your great friend, have some regret to have choose to follow US in his... Like several people in the world, they don't agree now with US but they don't hate US.... i don't agree with you, JB, but i don't hate you because of this... and i go never fight or boycot Texas because of this...

[Fiorella]

they are the worst form of human civilized life.  The AMERICANS should learn to honor them and let the dead rest without spitting on their graves.
They are a bad people, all of them, not just one or two.
The AMERICANS really piss me off.  

and we will see what reaction will be. By the way, the great vineyard blight in Europe came from US, same as potatoes beatles from Colorado. Why all disaster comes from US??? May be it is a time to stop to export crap to Europe?