Prostitution of the pen and the dark side of the free market

[fpb]

Four years ago, the government of the French Republic took the lead in refusing to support the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq. The French, who had taken a very active and successful part in the first Iraq war, simply did not think that an invasion followed by the occupation of an Arab country was a good idea. That was their prerogative (see

Comments

[dirigibletrance]

While indeed it was a bit silly to say that France has always been our enemy (if they're our enemy at all, it's only recently), I also have to wonder if, perhaps, France's own motives for opposing the invasion were so pure either.

Standing against what can easily be portrayed as American tyranny and Imperialism is an easy way to create an opposing political block on the world scene. France has a huge amount of influence in the EU, and to some extent the policies that they set, the rest of the countries are likely to follow. They might find it convinient to begin setting the EU on a track towards opposing the United States.

It would, after all, benefit them economically in the long run. Creating an alternative, second Superpower in the world, in the form of the EU, would mean that many smaller countries no longer feel the need to Kowtow to America, that alternative markets exist for goods, and that America, itself, will have to walk a little softer from now on.

Just saying, France is no saintly country either. Had they the chance, I don't doubt that they'd gladly exchange places and power with the United States, and proceed to act in exactly the same way that the US has.

[jordan179]

It would, after all, benefit them economically in the long run. Creating an alternative, second Superpower in the world, in the form of the EU, would mean that many smaller countries no longer feel the need to Kowtow to America, that alternative markets exist for goods, and that America, itself, will have to walk a little softer from now on.

If I really thought that France was seriously trying to become the nucleus of a second, also peaceful superpower, I would cheer them on. The world could use a backup "globocop."

However, I do not believe that the French are realistic about this, and I believe that the Europeans are even less realistic. They are fantasizing about "soft power" while a darkness rises in the Mideast, stretching forth its hand to seize nuclear weapons; they are trying to lever us out of the area while imagining that they can appease the growing mass of Islamic Fundamentalists by throwing them both the Israelis, and their own daughters, as so many sacrifices.

Europe should reflect that the Muslim ideology holds that the reconquest of former dar al Islam territory takes priority over new conquests, and that parts of Spain, the Balkans, and Southern Italy were once Muslim.

If we pull out, we are no longer in the line of fire.

You are.

[fpb]

Sicily was once Muslim. Continental Southern Italy never was, except for a few brief occupations of coastal cities.

Most European countries are awake to the threat of Islam (I would say that Sweden, Norway, Belgium and to some extent Britain and the Netherlands are still in denial). They tend to deal with it mainly as a matter of internal security, on the assumption that the immigration from the third world cannot really be stopped; but action is being taken, and in this field, incidentally, the French have been blazing the way. At any rate, Islam is not the only threat, as has been shown by the recent Chinese riots in Milan and the incredible behaviour of the Chinese government.

[headnoises]

Most European countries are awake to the threat of Islam

*hugs*
That is the most reasuring thing I've read in a week.

It's like we're facing the hordes that tore down Rome, but we know about it, and just watching....