# Is it time to just go our separate ways: France and the US **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 17, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742 "2005-06-17T19:36:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742/41 "2005-06-19T16:53:39Z")
[Basic statistics on the United States.](http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html) [Basic statistics on the European Union.](http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ee.html) ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742/42 "2005-06-19T16:56:35Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > No idea. I was hoping someone would come up with something as a point of debate for what ‘going our separate ways’ means in real terms. > > -XT Precisely I can’t see any way it could be done. Breaking diplomatic relationships? That’s done only in the most extreme situations. Suspending trade? That doesn’t make sense. Refusing to cooperate just for the sake of it even when both countries are in complete agreement (to take a recent example : the syrian occupation of Lebanon). It’s not like France and the USA are part of the same federal state. They’re already both going their own way, cooperating when it suits them and opposing each other when it doesn’t. What more could be done? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742/43 "2005-06-19T17:29:19Z")
Every time I see this thread title I hear Phil Collins singing: _You have no right to ask me how I’m feeling You have no right to speak to me so kind Some day I might (I might) find myself looking in your eyes But for now, we’ll go on living separate lives_ ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742/44 "2005-06-19T20:34:05Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Every time I see this thread title I hear Phil Collins singing: > > _You have no right to ask me how I’m feeling > You have no right to speak to me so kind > Some day I might (I might) find myself looking in your eyes > But for now, we’ll go on living separate lives_ Not Journey? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742/45 "2005-06-20T04:48:17Z")
> [@gum](#): > > [This might have something to do with it:](http://www.worldviews.org/key_findings/transatlantic_report.htm) > > EUROPEANS ARE READY TO TAKE ON SUPERPOWER STATUS > > Europeans appear ready to take on a stronger world role. When asked if the United States should remain the only superpower or the EU should become a military and economic superpower like the United States, 65% of European respondents opt for the latter. The French (91%) and Italians (76%) are the most supportive of this notion, with the Germans (48%) the most cautious. Of those desiring the European Union to become a superpower, 9 out of 10 indicate they support this as a way for Europe to better cooperate with the United States, not compete with it. A majority of these would support increased defense spending if necessary to attain this status. Woo hoo. Finally. Knock yourselves out. Europe can bring troops over to the US and use all the bases that we’re closing. Can’t wait for my tax refund. As far as the French are concerned, they’ve played a major role in US history as have the United States in theirs. We are culturally more similar than different so I don’t see that relationship changing. Viva La France and all that. Love your wine, love your statues. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-just-go-our-separate-ways-france-and-the-us/308742.md?page=2)