# What price will the US make the French pay for crossing us? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 20, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680 "2003-03-20T00:51:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Demise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@Demise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demise)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/21 "2003-03-20T04:42:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Is there any real world price the Bush administration is going to make the French pay for leading the sentiment against us in the UN? \*\* The price of international marginalization? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/22 "2003-03-20T05:20:46Z")
I agree w/ Sam. We’ll cooperate w/ France when it suits us, but we’ll never trust them again. We will stop the charage that they are a world power and treat them more like the 2nd rate posers that they are. Mexico and Germany did not have veto authority to do the damage to the US that France had. BTW, remember the “which country is the most free” debate from a week ago or so? Denmark, that bastion of freedom, is one of the few 1st world western democracies squarely on the side of the US. I find that very interesting. Must drive the lefties crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Philosophocles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Philosophocles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philosophocles)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/23 "2003-03-20T05:29:47Z")
In the history of the U.N., France has exercised its veto power only 18 times–13 in support of the U.S. position. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/24 "2003-03-20T07:32:10Z")
For crossing the US ? _For crossing the US ?_ Don’t you mean France’s leaders disagreeing with the US’s leaders about how to deal with a third country’s leader ? I don’t think they “crossed the US” as much as they had a different take on the issue from what the Bush government does, which isn’t _exactly_ a unique position internationally. Are you seriously equating disagreeing on a course of action with “crossing the US” ? So the choices are ‘100% fully support and agree with Bush’ or ‘you are crossing the US’. Please tell me I’ve been wooshed, or that you were just using extreme hyperbole. Otherwise I’m scared. ---
**Author:** ![CyberPundit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@CyberPundit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyberPundit)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/25 "2003-03-20T07:44:58Z")
The fact is that there is very little the US can do to hurt France. The French economy depends on the EU far more than on the US. It’s a nuclear power and doesn’t face any serious military threat from anyone. Diplomatically it’s the US which is more isolated. As for “trust” I suspect it’s the US which has lost the trust of many countries not least because of the fiasco of the various pieces of phony “evidence” it’s presented. In general I hope people realize that the US depends on many countries for intelligence co-operation in its fight against terrorism. That is likely to be the case for a long time. Gratuitously pissing off countries out of spite isn’t likely to enhance its security. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/26 "2003-03-20T07:51:39Z")
Can’t we just start making fun of the French? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/27 "2003-03-20T07:52:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > However, what the U.S. won’t do is trust France. Not for a long time. That’s okay, I doubt they’ll trust us for a long time, especially since we _promised_ earlier that UN Resolution 1441 didn’t have any automatic triggers for war… ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/28 "2003-03-20T08:13:22Z")
Furthermore, France can be a useful partner at times. For one thing, they are one of the few powers willing to send large numbers of troops into harm’s way, outside of their region. When genocide was occuring in Rwanda, the US and the rest of the world community sat on its collective hands and arses. \* It was France who finally put a stop to the killing. I, for one, will not forget that. * * * - Politics: Yes, this was under Clinton. He later called it a mistake. W, during the debate with Gore, said that the US had the correct policy at the time. I disagree, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/29 "2003-03-20T09:00:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Mace \* > **I agree w/ Sam. We’ll cooperate w/ France when it suits us, but we’ll never trust them again. We will stop the charage that they are a world power and treat them more like the 2nd rate posers that they are. Mexico and Germany did not have veto authority to do the damage to the US that France had.** You’ve heard of Russia and China too, right? Another two nations in Coalition of the Unwilling, but for some reason Americans remain obsessed with France “crossing the US”. > [@](#): > > \*\*BTW, remember the “which country is the most free” debate from a week ago or so? Denmark, that bastion of freedom, is one of the few 1st world western democracies squarely on the side of the US. I find that very interesting. Must drive the lefties crazy. \*\* I’ll see your Denmark and raise you El Savador and Colombia. Another two great “democracies” both on the side of the US. What does it mean? Nothing, just like your Denmark example. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/30 "2003-03-20T09:27:08Z")
France didn’t agree with the US position, so it decided not to support it. Democracy? Debate? Freedom of choice anyone? So is Bush currently making all the MILLIONS of Americans who didn’t vote for him “pay the price” for crossing him? ---
**Author:** ![IEatFood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c5a1d2/32.png) [@IEatFood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IEatFood)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/31 "2003-03-20T09:28:12Z")
> [@](#): > > BTW, remember the “which country is the most free” debate from a week ago or so? Denmark, that bastion of freedom, is one of the few 1st world western democracies squarely on the side of the US. I find that very interesting. Must drive the lefties crazy. To add to that, Denamrk has a very leftist orient gov’t as well. What a hoot! > [@](#): > > You’ve heard of Russia and China too, right? Another two nations in Coalition of the Unwilling, but for some reason Americans remain obsessed with France “crossing the US”. > > … > 'll see your Denmark and raise you El Savador and Colombia. Another two great “democracies” both on the side of the US. What does it mean? Nothing, just like your Denmark example. Ok Narrad, that’s amature reasoning there, bud. You cannot sit there and say “There were other NON VOTING countries besisdes France against this,” and then say “but the NON VOTING countries who _support_ the US, no, they don’t count, um, for some reason.” :rolleyes: I will now refer you to the case of the Goose Vs the Gander. sheesh. For the record, it is common knowledge in the diplomatic community that Russia will likely change their tune when the US makes it more obvious that we want to invest in deveoping resource management in eastern siberia (something that has the incidental potential to make Russia an economic superpower, by the way.) As for the OP here (sorry about the rant there, but I just couldn’t leave that one uncorrected, lol), I think the long term effects are that France will regret winning the revolutionary war for us here, low those centuries ago. Seriously though, I see harsh words, and the sneering of noses at each other, but in the end, economic & cultural ties will allow common sense to prevail. Much as I do support this war (Both Parents are French, btw), Bush is a one termer, & Chirac, for all his bluster, is known to be a waffler at home. I see tensions being eased much more when our respective leaderships are changed again. For those predicting (almost hoping for it sounds like, especially from the leftist american and right wing french crowds),some kind of Cold War over this, keep dreaming. Both France & Russia will not have much patience with an arms buildup between NK & the people’s republic of China, and that’s something we (The US), already see eye to eye on. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/32 "2003-03-20T10:25:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by IEatFood! \* > **Ok Narrad, that’s amature reasoning there, bud. You cannot sit there and say “There were other NON VOTING countries besisdes France against this,” and then say “but the NON VOTING countries who _support_ the US, no, they don’t count, um, for some reason.” :rolleyes: I will now refer you to the case of the Goose Vs the Gander. sheesh.** Try to follow. One: **John Mace** cites Mexico and Germany, finding them more blameless than France, which possesses veto power. I pick out the obvious omissions of Russia and China, two nations who opposed the United States, and incidentally, hold veto power. Two: The next paragraph which includes the examples of El Savador and Colombia addresses a DIFFERENT point. It is in RESPONSE to **John Mace** ’s supposition that the fact that Denmark is supporting the United States is any way relevant. My citing of the corrupt regimes of El Savador and Colombia who also support the US negates the proposition that the pro-war camp should take succor from the fact that Denmark is a liberal nation. Two different points. Not connected in any fashion. There’s no goose; there’s no gander. Are we clear? > [@](#): > > \*\*For the record, it is common knowledge in the diplomatic community that Russia will likely change their tune when the US makes it more obvious that we want to invest in deveoping resource management in eastern siberia (something that has the incidental potential to make Russia an economic superpower, by the way.) \*\*Please provide a citation for this wonderful snippet of “common knowledge”. ---
**Author:** ![Henry\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d78d45/32.png) [@Henry\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henry_B)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/33 "2003-03-20T15:40:12Z")
The truth in a plain form is this: **1)** France asked that there would not be any war against Iraq, as long as the UN inspectors are working. How long time they need was up to Blix &Co. \*\*2)\*\*France asked a few day ago, that UN inspectors would be given still 30 days. This because Blix &Co believed that they would be ready at that time. In reality Blix wanted 45 days. \*\*3)\*\*USA did not give the 30 days. **The rest is pure Bushista-propaganda.** Please, read papers all over the world. You will find their English editions in the Net. Meanwhile You can just see what we that are not living in USA can read, there is some US articles also: Here is some. For news and some for research of the past. I have got many of these links from this boards, from You! Thank You very much! I did not take FOX News and his sisters here. They are “with the story”, but just click ‘home’ and You are at somebody’s home;). Maybe my home? My main search is: > **[Google News](https://news.google.com/topstories?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en)** > > Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News. The top news is usually the “main (money) media = propaganda fo everyone. But, under every news there is “and 1.234 related”’ **Click that, and You find an ashtonishing world!** [http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle...storyID=2387563](http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle...storyID=2387563) Reuters: Cheney Disagrees with IAEA Nuclear Report on Iraq (This guy knows everything!) [http://www.albawaba.com/main/index.ie.php3?lang=e](http://www.albawaba.com/main/index.ie.php3?lang=e) (Middle-East) [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/defaul...8-3-2003\_pg4\_12](http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/defaul...8-3-2003_pg4_12) (Pakistan) [http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/03/19/bush030319](http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/03/19/bush030319) (Canada) [http://www.jordantimes.com](http://www.jordantimes.com) (Jordan) Palestine [http://palestinechronicle.com/artic...030317091843662](http://palestinechronicle.com/artic...030317091843662) > **[Photostory: Israeli bulldozer driver murders American peace activist](https://electronicintifada.net/content/photostory-israeli-bulldozer-driver-murders-american-peace-activist/4449)** > > On 16 March 2003 in Rafah, occupied Gaza, 23-year-old American peace activist Rachel Corrie was murdered by an Israeli bulldozer driver. Rachel was in Gaza opposing the bulldozing of a Palestinian home as a volunteer with the International Solidarity... * * * [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy)…-2003Mar16.html > **[Media Lens](https://www.medialens.org/)** > > Correcting for the distorted vision of the corporate media [http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID...16-081604-3955r](http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID...16-081604-3955r) (UPI) [http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Dai...2003031537.html](http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Dai...2003031537.html) ([ArabicNews.com](http://ArabicNews.com)) > **[Google News](https://news.google.com/topstories?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en)** > > Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News. [http://www.uruklink.net/iraqdaily/10092/page1.htm](http://www.uruklink.net/iraqdaily/10092/page1.htm) (Iraq) [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/co...255E663,00.html](http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/co...255E663,00.html) [http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=318902003](http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=318902003) [http://canada.com/national/story.as...D81B7EEC67D8}](http://canada.com/national/story.as...D81B7EEC67D8%7D) [http://www.zmag.org/content/showart](http://www.zmag.org/content/showart)…=15&ItemID=3235 [http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=23746](http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=23746) (Saudi Arabia) [Business and finance news from Guardian US | The Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/)…,914592,00.html [http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20030311IE1](http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20030311IE1) (Finland) > **[Latest & Breaking News Melbourne, Victoria | The Age](https://www.theage.com.au/)** > > The Age has the latest local news on Melbourne, Victoria. Read National News from Australia, World News, Business News and Breaking News stories. [http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0311/schanberg.php](http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0311/schanberg.php) [http://www.gulufuture.com/news/kate\_adie030310.htm](http://www.gulufuture.com/news/kate_adie030310.htm) and [http://www.gavinsblog.com/2003/03/14.html](http://www.gavinsblog.com/2003/03/14.html) (How to treathen BBC and other journalists) [http://www.iht.com/articles/89441.html](http://www.iht.com/articles/89441.html) (International Herald Tribune) [http://www.zmag.org/content/showart](http://www.zmag.org/content/showart)…=21&ItemID=3204 [http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion...nts-headlines](http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion...nts%2Dheadlines) [The Times & The Sunday Times](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/articl)…-571972,00.html [http://www.dailystarnews.com/200303...0801.htm#BODY10](http://www.dailystarnews.com/200303...0801.htm#BODY10) [http://www.mediawhoresonline.com/](http://www.mediawhoresonline.com/) [http://www.radio4all.org/unwelcome/archive.html](http://www.radio4all.org/unwelcome/archive.html) [atimes.com](http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/EC06Ak02.html) (Asia Times) [http://allafrica.com/stories/200303040484.html](http://allafrica.com/stories/200303040484.html) (All Africa) [http://observer.co.uk/international](http://observer.co.uk/international)…,905899,00.html [http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/arc...03-0-25-32.html](http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/arc...03-0-25-32.html) [http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0127-08.htm](http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0127-08.htm) > **[MSNBC News - Breaking News and News Today | Latest News](https://www.msnbc.com/)** > > MSNBC breaking news and the latest news for today. Get daily news from local news reporters and world news updates with live audio & video from our team. [http://www.globalissues.net/article/654](http://www.globalissues.net/article/654) Facts about Iraq: > **[AllRefer - Fun Facts & Trivia](http://reference.allrefer.com/)** > > Fun Facts & Trivia Maps: [http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/featu...g=-40.029324320](http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/featu...g=-40.029324320) [http://www.atlapedia.com/online/map...l/Saudi\_etc.htm](http://www.atlapedia.com/online/map...l/Saudi_etc.htm) [http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/iraq.htm](http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/iraq.htm) (also facts about Iraq) Have anyone found good maps about ME and Iraq? [http://www.rense.com/general35/facts.htm](http://www.rense.com/general35/facts.htm) [http://www.smh.com.au/specials/iraq/index.html](http://www.smh.com.au/specials/iraq/index.html) > **[FAIR](https://fair.org/)** > > FAIR is the national progressive media watchdog group, challenging corporate media bias, spin and misinformation. [http://slate.msn.com/](http://slate.msn.com/) (Slate is very good). [http://www.media-alliance.org/media...nipulation.html](http://www.media-alliance.org/media...nipulation.html) [http://www.angelfire.com/linux/pear...s/bush-911.html](http://www.angelfire.com/linux/pear...s/bush-911.html) For those who has questions about Russia: [http://www.rosbaltnews.com/2003/03/12/61710.html](http://www.rosbaltnews.com/2003/03/12/61710.html) [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/indexes/01.html](http://www.themoscowtimes.com/indexes/01.html) [http://www.sptimesrussia.com/](http://www.sptimesrussia.com/) [http://www.interfax.ru/one\_news\_en....id\_news=5624249](http://www.interfax.ru/one_news_en....id_news=5624249) [http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stori.../03/13/009.html](http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stori.../03/13/009.html) [http://www.ru/eng/index.search.html](http://www.ru/eng/index.search.html) [http://www.wired.com/](http://www.wired.com/) Crazy about languages: [http://german.about.com/library/blt...ussian+language](http://german.about.com/library/blt...ussian+language) [http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/text.html](http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/text.html) [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google](http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google) [http://shakespeare.about.com/](http://shakespeare.about.com/) [http://www.flowgo.com/greetings/dirtybaby/dirtybaby.swf](http://www.flowgo.com/greetings/dirtybaby/dirtybaby.swf) (listen to this) **It is a must!** Humor, not dirty! (Short download) [http://www.idleworm.com/nws/2002/11/iraq2.shtml](http://www.idleworm.com/nws/2002/11/iraq2.shtml) **This is also a must!** Ironic, but shows that there is all kind of ants in the heap. (Short download) [http://hometown.aol.com/](http://hometown.aol.com/) [http://www.washington-report.org/](http://www.washington-report.org/) Just for someone really interested in Republicans etc. [http://www.geocities.com/alanjpakula/triplecrown.html](http://www.geocities.com/alanjpakula/triplecrown.html) Other/whatever: [http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/C...aq\_CIAHits.html](http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/C...aq_CIAHits.html) [http://www.livejournal.com/talkpost...uiem&itemid=709](http://www.livejournal.com/talkpost...uiem&itemid=709) [http://www.fff.org/comment/com0212i.asp](http://www.fff.org/comment/com0212i.asp) [http://home.earthlink.net/~cacceco/1905.html](http://home.earthlink.net/~cacceco/1905.html) [http://www.heart7.net/mcf/hambone/postwar.html](http://www.heart7.net/mcf/hambone/postwar.html) [http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/waryearsp5.html](http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/waryearsp5.html) [http://www.wealth4freedom.com/Elkhorn6.html](http://www.wealth4freedom.com/Elkhorn6.html) [http://www.uta.fi/FAST/US2/REF/pk-ft102.html](http://www.uta.fi/FAST/US2/REF/pk-ft102.html) [http://www.democraticunderground.co](http://www.democraticunderground.co)…05\_killing.html [http://www.nmhschool.org/tthornton/...se/gulf\_war.htm](http://www.nmhschool.org/tthornton/...se/gulf_war.htm) [http://www.web.net/~icact/mewg/Iraq\_ICApolicypaper.html](http://www.web.net/~icact/mewg/Iraq_ICApolicypaper.html) [http://www.rantburg.com/gw1/Invasion.asp](http://www.rantburg.com/gw1/Invasion.asp) [http://www.motherjones.com/cgi-bin/.../ma\_273\_01.html](http://www.motherjones.com/cgi-bin/.../ma_273_01.html) [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...satoday/4938243](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...satoday/4938243) [http://www.democraticunderground.co](http://www.democraticunderground.co)…ID61/18939.html You maybe have a lot of these, but I am too tired to check out that there is no “over-lapping”. **Read carefully - do not take anything as a given fact - cross-check, see what is most believeble and look for counter-arguments.** And do not be another lamb in the flock. Have a nice read. Henry from Finland (living in Russia). ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/34 "2003-03-20T16:02:35Z")
The biggest paybacks will come in the form of reneged oil/business deals by the new government of Iraq. And they will be substantial. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/35 "2003-03-20T16:14:23Z")
No more cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/36 "2003-03-20T16:24:11Z")
I hope everyone can forgive the French for being an independent nation. Bush got the regime change attempt he wanted, Rumsfeld is talking about potential casualties right now. The French have offered to help us in the event of a chemical attack or some other circumstances. It’s an olive branch. I would like to go back to Paris some day. [sub]Maybe riding on the back of a M1 Abrams. Muhahahahahaha. That’s my humor. It may not be funny, but it’s mine. [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/37 "2003-03-20T17:10:14Z")
I would be more worried about what the French are going to do to the US. I hear they are already spitting in the wine and cheese before it sending it over… ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/38 "2003-03-20T17:29:13Z")
I’m a lot more worried about the price the world will make the US pay for crossing it, and how long it will take for the US to be trusted again. The answer to the latter is, I think, January 20, 2005, at noon Washington time. Or maybe the same date in 2009. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/39 "2003-03-20T17:42:42Z")
How dare those French leaders actually represent the opinions of their own people, instead of a foreign government’s! The ultimate doublecross!! ---
**Author:** ![bayonet1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@bayonet1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bayonet1976)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680/40 "2003-03-20T18:00:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*How dare a supposed “democracy” vote in a fashion approved by an overwhelming majority of its people! The gall of the Gauls! Did the French hold a referendum on how to vote in the UN SC? Dare I say it? Cite? Not a public opinion poll, not a bunch of op-ed pieces, but an actual vote? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-price-will-the-us-make-the-french-pay-for-crossing-us/162680.md?page=3)