A little bit of a hijack, but since we’re talking about France, the USA and the World Wars; who was it that said (something to the effect of), “Lafayette, we have arrived.” when entering France to fight against the Germans?
When was it?
I love that quote (even though I can’t remember it) I puts all this French-bashing in perspective. If it wasn’t for France, there wouldn’t BE a United States. Where would we get such delightful “ungrateful” commentary from the likes of ghuff1 then?
Pershing in 1917, on stepping onto the beaches of France.
Lafayette is one of my favorite characters from history. 
Right. It was your earlier post that mentioned Pershing being grateful that made me think of the quote, so maybe my memory is not quite as far gone as I thought. However, some other Americans’ memory, particularly of the role the French played in our Independence, seems to be less than perfect.
Right. Well, the funny thing about France is that it went through a “little bit” of political instability between 1776 and 2004. Depending on their interests, and partly their relations with England, they would either support America, fight America, or work around America, so the relations between the two countries are like a rollercoaster. Nowadays, being both democracies where the government changes fairly reguarly, there is very little one can “owe” to the other, other than acknowledging the history of relations, much like America and England do these days. I think Russia has better relations with the Bush admin than France does - but that could change, reverse, or stay the same come next January.
We need to acknowledge our places as equals at the table, not as anything else. We help them, they help us, who knows where we will be in 100 years. It is entirely possible that France could bail our asses out of something. A lot can change in even 10 years, as the post-WWII pre-Cold War era demonstrated.
Part of our problem is that our current administration (with some basis) views America as the sole superpower, and (with no basis) thinks that means our opinion and action means infinitely more than anyone else’s. We’re finally the big kid on the block after a couple of centuries of being kicked around and ridiculed, and we’re flaunting it. We need to remember that we are part of a community, and we have a role to play in interacting with our “neighbors.” I mean, in 100 years, if our economy collapses, a Mexican regime rich on some oil deposits decides they want their territory back and France is a large superpower with political influence across the globe from decades of fair dealing, we’re going to feel awfully silly having spent decades flexing our muscles and telling them they owe us.
Zagadka–
I was just poking around the old “inter-connected computing network” (or whatever you kids area calling it these days) and I found a source that says that Pershing didn’t utter that famous phrase:
But it’s the thought that counts.
If you ever publish an encyclopedia, let me know. If the rest of the entries are as beautiful as this one on the French, I’ll be the first to buy it. 
LOL! But perhaps the French attorney was simply an outsourced job by Geragos (or someone like him).
I have nothing against France. Saving someones ass 60 years ago should earn their gratitude for a long time, but it should not force them to go along with every action the US pursues to the end of time. If you beleived that they should, then we ought to still be rolling over for them every time for their help in keeping us from being forced to speak English, umm damn it, I mean break away from England. Yeah , what about the French attorney that wants to represent Saddam? What country should Saddam’s lawyer come from then?
Is “ghuff” short for “Gas Huffer?” :o I’m not implying anything, I’m just…you know…curious.
I used to have 'tude toward France. Oddly, the more bashing I see them take the less I dislike them… Don’t get me wrong, Parisians are on the whole bastards in my experience, but then Many of the Frenchies I know don’t like them either. And their gubmint sucks, but right now so does mine.
Are we suggesting that Saddam shouldn’t have legal representation?
Or that it just shouldn’t be French? Should it be American then? Iraqi? I suspect there might be problems and drawbacks obtaining either. Does the OP have anyone particular in mind?
I think a French lawyer would be an excellent idea, as they have shown far more bloody-minded individuality on Iraq than most other nations. It would avoid any suggestion of them being a US stooge. But whatever way, give Saddam the very best legal team that money can afford. So when he’s convicted there’s no excuses about it.
I should have ignored this thread as soon as I saw his name 
How certain do we have to be of someone’s guilt before we abandon any legal process? Shall we elect ghuff the world arbiter of this? Perhaps he would like to put all lawyers whose clients are found guilty in prison?
I agree competely, but if you’ll pardon me being a history pedant, were the French not aiding the Thirteen Colonies, rather than the United States? The British surrender at Yorktown took place in 1781, while the adoption of the Constitution by a convention of the states and ratification by the first state occurred in 1787.
If it weren’t for the French Resistance helping my father I might not be here today. I owe them.
IMO, the french were mostly aiding the french. There might have been volunteers, but it’s not like Louis XVI’s goal in life was to support nascent republics (as history proved latter). Taking revenge on the 7 years war, depriving the british from their colonies and more generally annoying them was most probably a way more attractive concept for him.
I just spent the last two weeks in Paris where I was treated with kindness, courtesy, and good humor.
But to generalize about their attitudes and values is as foolish as trying to pin down these qualities in Dopers in general.