In regards to the Karoline Leavitt complaining that the French are not appreciative enough of America's help during WWII and that “it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,” the French could claim that America is not appreciative enough of its help during the American Revolution, and that, but for France, Americans would be speaking....well, you get the point.
Cornwallis surrendered to GW at Yorktown because General Rochambeau's arrived with 7000 troops plus sufficient gold to pay the American soldiers' their long overdue back wages (which had led to desertion on the American ranks) and Admiral de Grasse defeated Admiral Graves at the Chesapeake Bay, preventing British supplies and reinforcements from reaching Cornwallis at Yorktown. Unless both things happened, Cornwallis does not surrender. And Americans do not realize how significant this was since I think this was the only significant naval victory by the French over a British fleet in the 18th & 19th centuries. So maybe our hep to France in WWII should be viewed as a thank you for France's help during the American Revolution, and not as an outstanding debt that remains unpaid.
Can't blame Rennes at all, especially given Trump's attitudes about sacrifice (especially in war), his disdain for traditional allies, his cruelty, and much more. His "big, beautiful" June military parade to celebrate his birthday (and as an aside that of the army's) is yet another example of how unfit he is.
And this syndrome must really be in high gear given the front-page headlines and excited attention that new Pope Leo XIV, an American no less, is receiving. The new pope has dominated the news cycle here, and he has a polar opposite view of the world than that of Trump.
This story is both heartbreaking & inspiring . It saddens me to hear that our country is no longer respected by good loyal allies. Yet , I applaud the citizens of Rennes for not supporting a country whose leaders have no sense of history of the past or vision for the future except in terms of Personal financial gain.
I am amazed at the degree to which the current occupant of the White House and his MAGA cult have poisoned international relations around the world in such a short time. America is, once again, widely reviled. I'm glad they didn't play Stars and Stripes in Rennes. It only would have resulted in derision from the audience, and rightfully so. The danse with America is over.
This administration is the symptom of a pox on the land; MAGA is the disease.
My grandfather emigrated from London to Halifax, Nova Scotia when he was 17. He crossed the border where the Peace Bridge now stands in British Columbia in 1906 to build his life in America, though he did return to Canada not long before he died. I think I'm going to start telling people I'm Canadian, where honor and civility still have a home.
As the daughter of someone who jumped at D-Day, that the US government has done this on the world stage would sicken that 22 year old dyed-in-the-wool Republican paratrooper.
No, I can't blame them, although I think appreciation for American's role in WWII will always remain. What shakes me is how quickly the relationship degenerated, and we may not have seen the worst of it if Trump continues to threaten Greenland (hoping that it stays at the threat stage...)
It is truly gut wrenching. I wake up every morning wondering what outrage I will read or hear about that day. At times it is multiple outrages. I am angry and disgusted, but mostly embarrassed.
Same here... this morning it was news of the arrest of a mayor enforcing local laws. And deporting unconvicted people to Libya. And twiddling their thumbs over air traffic control. And...
I can’t blame the people or Rennes either. Trump has burned bridges so badly one wonders how, if ever they can be rebuilt. I’m waiting for the churches in Normandy to replace the stained glass windows depicting American paratroopers.
In regards to the Karoline Leavitt complaining that the French are not appreciative enough of America's help during WWII and that “it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,” the French could claim that America is not appreciative enough of its help during the American Revolution, and that, but for France, Americans would be speaking....well, you get the point.
Cornwallis surrendered to GW at Yorktown because General Rochambeau's arrived with 7000 troops plus sufficient gold to pay the American soldiers' their long overdue back wages (which had led to desertion on the American ranks) and Admiral de Grasse defeated Admiral Graves at the Chesapeake Bay, preventing British supplies and reinforcements from reaching Cornwallis at Yorktown. Unless both things happened, Cornwallis does not surrender. And Americans do not realize how significant this was since I think this was the only significant naval victory by the French over a British fleet in the 18th & 19th centuries. So maybe our hep to France in WWII should be viewed as a thank you for France's help during the American Revolution, and not as an outstanding debt that remains unpaid.
Thanks for the history lesson, Jim.
Can't blame Rennes at all, especially given Trump's attitudes about sacrifice (especially in war), his disdain for traditional allies, his cruelty, and much more. His "big, beautiful" June military parade to celebrate his birthday (and as an aside that of the army's) is yet another example of how unfit he is.
It's tiny penis syndrome, Nancy.
And this syndrome must really be in high gear given the front-page headlines and excited attention that new Pope Leo XIV, an American no less, is receiving. The new pope has dominated the news cycle here, and he has a polar opposite view of the world than that of Trump.
This story is both heartbreaking & inspiring . It saddens me to hear that our country is no longer respected by good loyal allies. Yet , I applaud the citizens of Rennes for not supporting a country whose leaders have no sense of history of the past or vision for the future except in terms of Personal financial gain.
Nope, can't blame them. How sad this all is...
Thoughtful and well written, as usual.
Thanks, Ron.
I am amazed at the degree to which the current occupant of the White House and his MAGA cult have poisoned international relations around the world in such a short time. America is, once again, widely reviled. I'm glad they didn't play Stars and Stripes in Rennes. It only would have resulted in derision from the audience, and rightfully so. The danse with America is over.
This administration is the symptom of a pox on the land; MAGA is the disease.
My grandfather emigrated from London to Halifax, Nova Scotia when he was 17. He crossed the border where the Peace Bridge now stands in British Columbia in 1906 to build his life in America, though he did return to Canada not long before he died. I think I'm going to start telling people I'm Canadian, where honor and civility still have a home.
I wonder if they'd have me back.
It's stunning how quickly America's reputation collapsed.
We were just in Scotland - we apologized to everyone we interacted with. They were very kind and understanding. And, along with us, appalled.
Generally, that's the reaction we get. Thankfully people understand that this is all about Trump, not about (most) Americans.
As the daughter of someone who jumped at D-Day, that the US government has done this on the world stage would sicken that 22 year old dyed-in-the-wool Republican paratrooper.
I can't imagine what anyone who fought the Nazis would be saying about this mess. They'd be in tears, I think.
Nope, can't blame them at all.
Absolutely not.
No, I can't blame them, although I think appreciation for American's role in WWII will always remain. What shakes me is how quickly the relationship degenerated, and we may not have seen the worst of it if Trump continues to threaten Greenland (hoping that it stays at the threat stage...)
Yes, it dissolved so quickly.
It is truly gut wrenching. I wake up every morning wondering what outrage I will read or hear about that day. At times it is multiple outrages. I am angry and disgusted, but mostly embarrassed.
Same here... this morning it was news of the arrest of a mayor enforcing local laws. And deporting unconvicted people to Libya. And twiddling their thumbs over air traffic control. And...
I can’t blame the people or Rennes either. Trump has burned bridges so badly one wonders how, if ever they can be rebuilt. I’m waiting for the churches in Normandy to replace the stained glass windows depicting American paratroopers.