Originally posted by Airhead
1) You are confusing your right to freedom of speech with freedom from responsibility for that speech. To suggest that France should maintain a "most favored nation" status in light of its opposition to the goals of America is to suggest you should bear no responsibility for the decisions you make as a nation.
2) It's generally established GWB started a precedent with the Iraqi invasion. However, Saddam Hussien was a brutal dictator who had to go, in the opinion of the vast majority of America. Agree or disagree, I'm personally glad America is the dominant military power in the world today. Who would you prefer the dominant military power to be- Russia? France? China? Germany, again?
3) What exactly has America done to France on an official basis? Have we instituted trade sanctions? For that matter, what the hell do we owe you? Nothing. If Americans choose not to buy French products or visit Paris then that's OUR freedom of choice. You have proven yourselves to be Anti American in the opinions of many Americans- why should we allow you to benefit off our dollars?
1. Im not saying you should like them, im saying you have no right
to put sanctions on them for deciding not to join. They are a democracy, they can choose what they want to do. No country as any right to tell them what they should do. Thats what democracy is all about, FREEDOM. Freedom to choose religion, to have opinion of your own without anyone pressuring you. If the US uses sanction against France then they are pressuring them to not go against them in the future. Its like a bully that takes your lunch money in school, only alot bigger.
2. I never said I liked Saddam, im glad hes gone. I dont care for dominant power much, I prefer equality. Dominance tends to make one arrogant.
3. Powell stated in an interview that France would face sanction.
Hes america's chief diplomat, so he knows.
Steve
Thats not right either since the French have the right to veto if they want to. UN gave them that right, now you got to respect it, plain and simple. Even if you dont like it. I dont like how veto works, but you dont see me complaining about it everywhere.
France should have to right to choose there own path just like US as. You cant say we are for freedom and then sanction someone for using that freedom. Its hypocritical.
If I came to these boards and said someone was a cheater for doing something, and someone showed proof I was doing the same, youd probably call me hypocritical. Thats basically what im saying.
