As proud members of the World War II online community, we the French and French speaking members are outraged by the many intolerant messages posted on the Off topic Board. Those messages were in most cases direct or indirect insults toward people from France, because of the decision taken by French government not to support war. Even if we strongly believe that everyone is entitled to have his own opinion we do not think it is appropriate to insult, bash or threaten French people, culture or history.
America and France always shared a special link. France was always fascinated by the states and its achievement, Americans on their side always admired French culture. It’s true that there were always tensions between English speakers and French speakers, which probably date to the Britain and France wars including the 100years war in the middle ages and Napoleon campaigns. However this rule seemed to not apply fully between France and America, probably because of the independence war, when French troop under the command of La Fayette fought along Americans against the brits. It’s maybe true that this action was done more to defeat Britain than to help Americans, but since then, both countries respect each other and most importantly inspire each other. One good example is the French revolution that was inspired by the democratic regime in the US. Indeed France and the USA are the two oldest democratic countries in the world.
Both countries share many historic similitudes and fought many wars together. French troops shed blood with their American comrades in WWI, WWII, Korea, the first Gulf War, Yugoslavia and more recently in Afghanistan. France stood next to the US during the cold war and would have used its nuclear weapons against USSR if America was attacked, even if that meant total destruction of France.
In World War II 18 year old kids died on the beaches of Normandy so that we the French can live again in a free country: a country which is democratic, a country where you can express your thoughts freely. American kids died so that we can speak freely and give our opinions without being threatened, bashed or insulted by an unfair regime. That is the basis of freedom, everybody is entitled to think freely and speak freely. By insulting people thinking differently than you, you become no better than the people we fight. It is everybody’s right to criticize the policy of a government but no one has the right to criticize a group of people based on their nationality, language, race or religion.
The American or French populations are no better than any other population on the world, they are not more: intelligent, courageous, or have better values.
America is not the only country which has been subject to terrorism. France has been under terroriste threats for more than 50 years (we don’t have a big ocean to protect us). In fact France and USA have both the same objective, destroying all the terrorist networks that pollute this world. France and the USA are both working together to eradicate this threat, good example is Afghanistan, where French troops are involved in securing this country. In regard to Iraq France is by no mean coward or hypocrite. France wants the same thing than US, but does not think that the use of force is appropriate at this moment. You can agree or disagree with this policy, but this does not give you the right to insult us.
Finally we want to thank the rats and the different moderators of the Off Topic forum for their great job. We know it is a tough job to keep this forum clean. We appreciate all the efforts that were made.
For the record: This message was written by the French World War II community which is composed of both anti and pro-war members.
-PlopPlop
-Sab
-Fred25
-Leclerc
-Koctel
-YoupiMan
-Athes
-Gus
-Ranulf
-Cdar
-Carbonized
-lh2Or@n
-W2totor
-Klyde
-Mouchote
-Eldars
-Fleau
-Manfred
-Baluchon chonchon
-Foxbob
-Manchot
-Bibtou
-MysteeX
-Guil
-Meldon
-Mr Jules
-Cocalos
-Joffre
-Edouard
-Benouboy
-Heyman Bigbalou
-Lehor
-Lafarge Hokum
-Menfin
-Messer
-Zebee
-Soloje
-Carpoleon-Chopin
-Deadshade
Original here :
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