Have any of you ever heard of the group called The French Will Never Forget ? Their tagline is “We cannot, do not, and will not ever forget the ultimate sacrifice American heroes made during the two World Wars to liberate France” – They are being promoted by the French Consular network of late. I vaguely remember the D-Day beach picture, other than that I never heard of them till they started showing up in Consulate news feeds.
The is a point where if a satire is sufficiently good and if one’s stupidity is sufficiently deep both become indistinguishable. I don’t know which one Mr. Moylan used, but it’s well beyond that point.
Concerning Gawker’s err, well, state of the art exemple of journalism of it’s kind, it seems that the comment are rather negatives towards the “journalist” rather than France itself, save for a few usuals loonies… I may be nevertheless a bit too optimistic about that, though. Concerning twitter : well it is too depressing to right now for me to comment, and anyway those people will follow any trend instead of thinking by themselves. I mean if tomorrow, all the anglosphere media, stars, even Murdoch and it’s crumbling empire, start to sing France’s praises, you could be certain that the tweet would be far sweeter for us. So tweeter isn’t relevant except for what is hic and nunc, no real deepness, and that’s all. The last article is rather interessant : it loathes France but at the same time it is mingled with in-depth and bizarre sense of envy even, one might say, admiration. This guy berates France for being an oppressive country, yet he can’t help but defend the fact that we were ruthlessly agressive and powerful, in the past. In fact this isn’t really surprising : if there is anything on Earth that Americans loves and respect, it is force and power. Have you ever considered how the conservatives, even the most right wing francophobic and anti government, are thrilled about the Old Régime (particularly Louis XIV), when they have notions about History of course ? This, for me, a smashing paradox.
Well that’s right, Jean-Paul ! This is a major problem with any french bashers is that very few have their facts rights, and their use of some pseudo french expressions, or what they think as french expressions, is making them a laughing stock for the french who fails to feel seriously insulted, even if that remain their main goal. But I do not think this invalidate what I’ve said earlier.
dans un autre exemple de francophobie massive
http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2011/07/18/97001-20110718FILWWW00254-service-en-anglais-air-canada-condamne.php
La situation au Canada est très différent du French-Bashing auquel nous sommes confrontés dans le cadre de Miquelon.org. Dans ce cas c’est un rejet de l’activisme linguistique judiciaire d’un individu qui a financièrement profité de la situation. Je connais ce genre de personne pour les avoir fréquentés dans la communauté Francophone canadienne. Certains sont animés par une volonté inébranlable et sont persuadés que le pays qui se dit officiellement bilingue devrait l’être à tous les niveaux. Il y a en face de ceux-ci des francophobes aux paroles violentes qui représentent le dernier soubresaut des mouvances orangistes, protestantes et anti-Françaises des siècles passés.
Well it’s historical fact weaved into a story and the points about the French police, the historical denial of France’s role (Pompidou et son ‘voile’), Vichy’s popularity vs. De Gaulle’s role before the last two years of the war are all accurate. However the last point about wanting to save the city of Paris from destruction in exchange for deporting Jews is utter bullshit. The two historical facts are not linked in the least. It’s not French Bashing with we deal with historical facts. It’s French Bashing when the facts are subsequently presented as uniquely French.
My apologies, I was never able to setup an online viewing of Educating Jay for technical reasons. We now seem to have solved that, so we’ll wait for the fall so we can have a proper invite to you all !
Lol, I am French, but the jokes make me laugh on us. But what hurts me is that you think all French arearrogant and slutty. I understand you just because you think all French are parisians.. You know there are big differences between the southern French and Parisian. I come from a small country of France(Ardèche) and when I go to Paris, I found people really disrespectful to me (not all, thankfully), it shockedme was how Paris is different from the rest of France, they are like in their little world and they feelsuperior.
And stop saying we do not like people from other countries, where I am really we accept people of allcountries and cultures (it is for her that France is a land of reggae). It is in the south of France has the largest immigrant because there is more acceptance of different cultures. When we meet people on the street we say hello, whether foreign or not.
You know, we can also say that Americans are idiots who eats burgers while watching TV, but we knowthat this is a “legend” and fortunately they are not all like her =). But if you tried to hatred of the French, it is because you watch too much TV and the media.
I am French, I love my country and my culture, but I love all other countries, meet people from around the world is a great thing =), without you we would be nothing, Our differences are our strengths.
Sorry for my very bad english x) (but it’s true that we are really bad at speaking other languages ^ ^ ‘)
I guess in diplomatic circles, it’s common to raise an issue and show good faith with self-criticism – but by doing so, you are in fact validating the “symmetrical” argument : Anti-French prejudice in America is justified by Anti-Americanism in France…
It is September, 2011 and I still hear and see a few individual Americans make insulting remarks. Now days, though, they often look stupid to observers.
Hello my little French friends! I think you are getting a bit to wound up about the “10 things we should send back to France” article. It’s fairly harmless stuff really and is written in a fairly tongue-in-cheek style.
Poking fun at mopeds, bayonets, etc. is hardly virulent anti-French propaganda. I think this type of humour is very anglo-saxon and not really understood by the French.
At least there were no comments about the French military!
To Jim C. at Route 66 TV, with a cc to the bonnes gens at Michelon.org. This is me playing matchmaker, regarding a movie. Marc Albert Cormier (from Michelon.org, a person whose English is far better than my French) has a newly released movie called Educating Jay. It’s the adventures of some rogue Canadians (that may be redundant) who travel on Route 66 into L.A. in an effort to educate Jay Leno about the realities of French history and the French people. I love this idea for many reasons, including because about a quarter of my ancestry is from French immigrants to Vermont (aka. “Quebec South”).
More here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK10J1hSqdY and here http://www.miquelon.org/2011/06/20/sneak-preview-to-educating-jay/. This might be worth mentioning one way or another to the Mother Roadies, especially when the film’s more widely available. I can’t wait to see this!
Kell Brigan
Sacramento, California
I love the way American people insist so much about us ! (french people) Actually it shows how much we are important to you , and how much (and i’m sorry about that) we broke your heart. You are a sensitive country and we disapointed you , as a best friend who’s been unfaithful. I can understand this hatred …. love
Location: Huntingtown United Methodist Church
Date: 9/23/2011
Time: 7 PM
Duration: 00:00
The public is invited to Huntingtown United Methodist Church when the children’s drama group presents the delightful comedy-adventure Illinois Jane and the Pyramid of Peril. When a map to a long-lost pyramid is discovered, only the greatest adventure hero of all time can unlock its mysteries – Illinois Jane, cartographer extraordinaire! Illinois and her reluctant sidekick, Sid, will face the French villain, Pierre LeMalodeur, and a number of dangers in order to discover the secret of the Tomb of Hatshepsut. Meeting every challenge with style, panache and a bit of light-hearted French bashing, Illinois Jane rushes to the rescue in a harrowing climax as she matches wits with LeMalodeur in the heart of the Pyramid of Peril! This adventure comedy is suitable for all ages. There is no charge for this performance, but donations are gratefully accepted. The church is located at 4020 Hunting Creek Road. Call 410-257-3020 for more information.
I am really not too sure about all of this. My first response is that a ton of the comments seem to come out of England and New England. Most reflect zero sense of reality.
I could easily say this project foments hatred and you have a chauvinistic, intolerant attitude – what you accuse others of.
Hate is a strong word and you conflate this with the wrong things. The French don’t like the English – I know I’m Irish and the French keep telling the us this when they visit, however I have known the French to have a good sense of humour.
Your idea whilst laudable is way off mark as what you are retweeting are jokes – from people who may be French themselves. You can hate the French language but the French language is not exclusive to France – Spanish, English and Portuguese are widely spoken. You should also look closer to home and look at hatred in your own country (as we all should) instead of pointing your judgemental finger at others.
By the way, noticing your retweets – The French did surrender. It’s not nice but get over it. You equate telling the history of what happened as a form of hatred. Do a little history and you’ll see every country has a dark past and dark actions – done by governments not the people. England was involved in slavery and imperialism as were France too. Oh if you want to talk about hatred should we mention the veil? You are really Stupid (capital S) with this project – it won’t solve anything but entrench positions and create more hatred.
To believe that the country that has given so much and started Liberté, égalité, fraternité has resorted to this petty minded idiocy.
Shame on you for you bring shame to France and your great history (you supported the Irish in their rebellions against the English).
@NotTelling thank you for your lecture. Whilst I know more than you think about the history of Ireland, including the French campaign in Wexford and Enniscorthy, I appreciate your feedback and would like to make a few points here.
If someone says they hate something, either they do hate it with an intense passion, or they do not measure the meaning of their words. In both cases, they deserve to be retweeted by my account. They are free to express themselves, I am free to retweet them.
Secondly, I do not represent France. That has always been clear here from the get go. I am French citizen who is tired of a relentless campaign against our citizenry that has equated a historical fact to a character trait. Such association is the basest form of bigotry and deserves to be denounced.
As for history, there was a surrender in 1940 when the French government and leading officers back-stabbed the French people and French army in countless ways. As the French officers and government surrendered, over 100 000 men in uniform had died defending the country and contributing to the miracle that was the saving of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk with the Lille Pocket. On the topic, I suggest you read our entry – About That “French Surrender” Thing – from 2009.
On a final note, so far I have not seen any French citizens in the retweets. There is certainly self-hatred everywhere, but most of the noise has come from sports fans from the UK, Ireland, Australia and from jingoistic users from the United States who get their history from late night jokes.
As for hatred in France, just like elsewhere, it is to be denounced and fought. But don’t hold me responsible for those issues. I do not subscribe to the symmetrical argument where our issues are moot because someone raises the Tu quoque defense.
Morning Joe (MSNBC) had another, totally absurd, bashing segment this morning. This anti-French retoric showed a total lack of any class. They blamed all of France for the humor of a couple of teenagers visiting America!
I was so angry this morning that this whole day has been a downer. More than anything, it was the tone and the “humph” of the conversation. I will look on msnbc.com and see what I can find. I am hoping that I am wrong as to the extent of the abuse.
I’ve tried it three times and it freezes up a quarter of the way in. Not even positive that it goes as far as the conversation (The issue was a bridge between tow segments). Watching these people 3 more takes, and, maybe, they simply were not with it this morning. They all sounded a bit hungover and bitter at the whole world!
2 French teenagers are staying with one of the anchors family (MIKA) and they did drawings of some americans that were revealing. The two that I remember from the conversation were 1. a hungry wall street type eating money (stuffing it in his mouth) and 2. an overweight american teenager (i think). Seems that there was a third. Seemed harmless until the other anchor (Joe) and commentator (Barnicle) decided to go on the attack.
Again, the whole thing just got me mad and, like we all know, when mad, retention can be distorted. Just thought that you all needed to be aware that this existed.
Really impressed! Everything is very, very clear, open is a description of the problem.It contains the information.I wanted to let you know that I linked to your site with a dofollow links so visitors can come to see your blog.It is all very new to me and this article really opened my eyes,and I guess since I like reading your blog, others will too.You can find the link to your site here:
Interesting…..I wonder why I do not see hundreds of comments today from my compatriots making fun of Pearl Harbor anniversary? Just another difference between us Frenchies and France-haters.
Shame on you! You are tying to cover up anti-French prejudice. We are trying to hold a mirror up to the anti-French, anti-intellectual, xenophobic element that has taken over the GOP. Why do you wish to sweep this under the rug?
Shame on US ? Are you kidding ? You are exploiting base Anti-French Prejudice in the Republican party by appealing to Anti-French Prejudice. This is a pathetic video and will not serve the purpose you claim, instead it will be shared mostly by Anti-French Republicans.
Your efforts are only going to radicalise the Republican Ticket.
Who do you think you are pretending the Republican base isn’t already radicalized? Your pathetic editorial will only help sweep the GOP’s anti-intellectualism under the rug further.
Tiens ! Nos bons amis Démocrates si francophiles à l’oeuvre… Un peu ce que j’ai dit sur Superfrenchie il y a quelques années (Ah! Le bon vieux temps ! Il m’arrive encore de musarder sur FF.com, par nostalgie…).
Name calling now ? Tsk tsk. We’ve been monitoring anti-French prejudice for the last ten years. This site started in 2003 and we’ve been very active in denouncing anti-French prejudice in political circles and in the entertainment industry.
We believe we have had a serious impact on various targets, some of which have clearly abandoned anti-French rhetoric.
Once again, I strongly believe your video will only feed the trolls and nothing else. May I be as bold as ask you if your PAC is really pro-Democrat? Is this not some shenanigan from a rival Republican candidate?
Onion, je ne crois pas que ce PAC est aussi sincère qu’il n’y paraît. Le PAC en question n’a aucun historique. Outre le discours de TJ Walker qui dit être en faveur des candidats démocrates, ce groupe est fort probablement un organisme sous-marin d’un candidat anti-Romney… suivez mon regard.
And I have worked for Democratic candidates and liberal causes for professionally for 27 years ago. And I think you are a shill for Republicans and that you are trying to mask their bigotry.
Ce qui est sûr c’est que ça me rend Mitt Romney assez sympathique. Il est séduisant en fait. Il va du coup devenir très populaire en France. Cela ne fait pas honneur aux Démocrates d’utiliser ce genre de ficelle.
Oui, Miquelon, je commence aussi à me demander pour qui ce type travaille VRAIMENT… ça va être genre règlement de compte à OK Corral au GOP… Et encore attendez que Ron Paul entre pour de bon dans la danse. Là ça va être divertissant…
re: Miquelon Says: You need to do some background work on what we do here. Seriously.
Actually, you were the first to start smearing me without investigating my background. I literally wrote the book “It’s great to be a Liberal” and I have a lifetime of working for progressive causes and I get attacked by right-wing reactionary forces every day. I don’t need your ignorant BS tossed my way too.
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