Thursday, September 20, 2007

Viewing France Askance No More

LEFT: Mmmm, Blanc de Blanc. Evil sister who never gave up French product pictured.



A nice and neat little New York Times editorial by Roger Cohen sums up many Americans new view of France. Sarkozy might preside over a divided France, much as President Bush does here, but his talk and actions have done more to make Paris relevant on the world stage again than all the bloviating and equivocating of Jacques Chirac. Chirac dreamed of such importance. It could have been his, too. All it would have taken is some moral courage and well, morals. Instead Franco-American relationships languished and Europe seemed destined for the scrap heap of history. Well, we'll all end up there, eventually. France just seemed determined to get there sooner.

I don't know why, exactly, but a more solid relationship with our Gallic brothers is encouraging. The conflicts troubling the world seem overwhelming on a good day. To be at such odds with France, when France and America ostensibly hold many of the same beliefs dear was distressing.

No more French wine boycott for me (I wasn't alone). The cheese? Well, that wasn't such a loss. My sister kept France in their cheese and wine, though. I'm not sure my boycott mattered much. According to this, though, maybe it did matter. I take longer to make a decision and to unmake it than most, so I'm probably a boycott straggler. Actually, a trip to France sounds good about now. Who knows?

Isn't it just loverly to consider it?

5 comments:

kal said...

I don't drink french wine (well, it's quite rare that I do) but it's not a boycott for me. Rather, I feel that once you take the "pissy attitude" out of french wines, you are left with wines found in the great far northwest of the United States (Oregon wines being my favorite, specifically ). All the intricacies, none of the attitude!

Oh and cheese, sorry, but when it comes to blue (sorry, bleu) cheese, they can't beat Maytag (yes, the same family that makes the washing machine).

Sokol Blosser Wines: http://sokolblosser.com/

Maytag Blue Cheese:
http://www.maytagdairyfarms.com/aspx/welcome.aspx

Anonymous said...

M, I'll let you know... :)

Tina Boyer said...

Yes, Sarkozy seems to be a refreshing surprise. I had assumed his electoral rhetoric would not be followed up with any actions. His electoral rhetoric is now being followed up with presidential rhetoric (which is better than no rhetoric at all). Does he have what it takes to engage in actions? That is the question. I certainly hope so. France is a Roman Catholic country, deeply conservative, and France may be more aware of the threats facing the world than Britain or Germany, both of which are vastly more secular.

Just my thoughts.

Amy

Thomas said...

Hi Melissa,

You're welcome anytime! We might have to agree to disagree on certain issues, but I'm sure we can help make your stay quite bearable, at the very least :)

Alan, you already know you're welcome too, and I promise, no pissy attitude.

Say Hi to Hubby,

Thomas S

kal said...

ha! ha! I was wondering if you (Thomas) would see my post! It was a bit ribbing (some things never change).