Topic: Politics
I've been boycotting France and French products for about two years now because I was appalled by the country's behaviour in the run up to the war against Iraq. At first I thought it was merely a commercial matter of the French being annoyed at losing a customer for their arms industry, but I later read about the philosophical differences between France and the US/UK and the desperate need the French have to believe that they are different and superior. I was sickened by the sight of French people presuming the worst about America and Britain's intentions in the Middle East. Remind me why they speak French instead of German or Russian, can you?
But I don't intend to hold this grudge forever and I've been wondering what would be the occasion to forgive them. The No vote against the constituion might be just such a moment. However it's clear that part of the reason for its rejection was the French people's fear that the EU might become too Anglo-Saxon and liberal free market. Oh that this worry were justified!
Nevertheless, the French have the right to stick to their ridiculous featherbedding if they wish, as long as it doesn't drag everyone else down too. I'm reminded of the film 'Angels with Dirty Faces', where James Cagney is a gangster who befriends some young tearaways. At the end of the film, he's taken to the electric chair and realising that his young fans are in earshot, he screams and blubs like a coward in order that they will change direction and be spared the same fate.
That is the role that I would like France to accept - to go downhill, screaming and blubbering all the way, so that young and impressionable nations see what the 'social market model' has in store for them and avoid going down the same path. If they do that and deter others from making the same mistakes, then all will be forgiven.
_ DY
at 5:25 PM BST
