Apres le jour

[tealin]

So ... what was up with Bastille Day this year?

I mean, not in France; obviously there were parades and fireworks and stuff. I mean in the U.S. of A. I never remember this much attention being paid to Bastille Day outside of 'Learning about the culture is just as important as learning the language' bloody useless French class. Did I just never notice it before? Is it a California thing?* Or is it, as I cynically suspect, because we have a new administration and thus it's OK to not hate France anymore so anyone with an international perspective is celebrating this by overcompensating?

*very much doubt this

Comments

[fairy-gany.livejournal.com]

My dear, I am certainly very glad you are not Francophobic (what kind of word is this, anyway ?).
But let's make something clear (and only one cause I suck at politics) : how were we not friends to your country ? By not going and attacking a country without any proof of their terrorism actions ?
a lot of Americans thought then that we had forgotten when you came and help delivering France from the nazi oppression. That is not true. The conditions were different : America was not asking for help because it was occupied, but wanted to go on an awful, unjustified war.
I think we were always friends to the USA, and are even more since Obama was elected. Then again we of course took bad decisions with stupid governments, but to me, the US did worse.
What I love about my country (and I mean that in a french way, not a crazy-fanatic american patriotism way), is that we have very important values, and those values are found in Man. Democracy, republic, separation between Church and State, liberty of choosing your religion, your political party (we don't forbid communism -which fundammentally, is very good principle-), etc.
I don't think I liked it that much when we were a "great nation". Revolution was an amazing action and thought, but it destroyed the very people who intended it. Then there was Napoleon and his stupid conquests, and before what ? Renaissance, kings ? It's part of our History and culture and helped building the way we think today, but when a country thinks of itself as a great nation, then it can think it's the master of the world, bringing war, and controlling others. At lesat, now we are a more modest country, making mistakes like everyone, and holding (even though elelctions do not always reflect it) to our socialism. Socialism is about working and making politics for the people, the workers, the families. To be socialist a little would be a very good thing to be for every nation.
I'd rather be in a country like France, or somewhere in europe where I feel safe, protected, without guns in the street, republicans in the government, death penalty, too much immigration control, and people who think they are the greatest nation in the world. That's FREAKY.

Now, I like you very much too, and I'm glad you want to know things about France (even though I can see some clichés here ;) ).
The only reason why I would be ready to move to the US, is because I'm in love. And nothing is more powerful than that.
See you soon !
PS. You actually stopped buying french products ?? That's crazy ! Poor little people try to make a living, and clack !
On the other hand, too bad for the american people : french food is one of the best thing that could happen to your country. Your bad ;)

[noodledaddy.livejournal.com]

I am eagerly looking forward to discussing these topics in person. They are better subjects for face-to-face discussions, not in a more sterile environment like Live Journal. Are you going to be up here in August?

[fairy-gany.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'll be able to come to SLC before Disneyboy's birthday... But I can't wait to see you and your family again !
GO, FRENCH FOOD !

[noodledaddy.livejournal.com]

Bring some with you!

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I never remember them buying French products when I was living there (French stuff is expensive!) – they must have started after I left for college in order to stop shortly thereafter.

Enjoying the tennis match...

[disneyboy.livejournal.com]

Now, Sweetie, you need to be careful with your words or people might accuse you of being Republicaphobic. ;) Some of my best friends are...ok, I can't finish that sentence without really sounding offensive to Republicans everywhere, but they really are some of my best friends (and family)!
That said, I thought you made some very good points. You should have also mentioned what you were telling me about the thingie you Frenchies ;) do every year(?) to commemorate the liberation of France by the American forces! Then again, ND makes a good point: selling WMD stuff to the Irates sounds like a pretty bad idea. But nobody's perfect. ;)

Re: Enjoying the tennis match...

[fairy-gany.livejournal.com]

I am for the Republic and don't know much about Republicans (why the opposition between Republicans and Democrats ??? I'm both !).
Then yes, we learn at school that the american soldiers came and helped delivering France in 1945 (we're not ungrateful brats), and they have ceremonies every year on the beaches of Normandie to commemorate them.
Then again, I didn't even know we had sold stuff to Iraq, bad idea alright, but you went and killed them all ;)
I have members of my family who would be more on arepublican side too I guess. I just disagree with them sometimes, but still love them (kinda) ;)
I love you, can't wait to see you again !