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1st Assault Accordians, Advance to Rear!

The question is, what is the relationship between this* and this.** Oh yeah, and this.***

*French hostage released.

** French foreign minister sees no long-term French troop presence in Afghanistan. 

Stratfor suggests harmonic convergence. News summary: “France does not plan to keep troops in Afghanistan, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said. Douste-Blazy’s announcement came hours before a deadline to pull French troops out of Afghanistan in exchange for the release of two French hostages.”

*** Sarkosy vows to pull French troops from Afghanistan.

But, mes amis, how can we hunt the deer without the accordian? Can’t be easy to be French. But they can take solace in the news that they hate themselves more than everyone else hates them.

Freed hostage Celine Cordelier on the people who took her hostage and threatened to cut her head off: “I will never forget that they gave me something to eat and drink and treated me with respect.” French self-respect threshold holds firm! I hope that other French hostage is also “treated with respect” and does not have his head cut off. And if it is because the election season finds the French in a bargaining mood, well, … c’est le accordian.

And then there’s this way of dealing with murderous terrorists. Each after his own fashion.

Topics: Afghanistan, France

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 12:10 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2007

17 Responses to “1st Assault Accordians, Advance to Rear!”

1. KAD Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 12:37 pm

   I think it’s time for a recognition that Europe is not an ally. In fact, they are a potential Islamist satellite continent and thus it is wise to keep our bases there just to keep an eye on these traitors.

   However, let’s no longer pretend they are allies. Our emerging strategic partners are India, Japan, Australia, perhaps Turkey, the Brits of course and Eastern Europe. I’d prefer a real coalition since the forced “Coalition of the Willing” got us those courageous partners Italy and Spain who now are busy trying US soldiers for murder for firing weapons in a war zone….imagine.

2. The_Real_JeffS Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 12:49 pm

   What’s the relationship? I dunno, Jules, it can’t be that they’re all French. C’mon now, we’re talking about France, man!

   The role model for diplomacy, the military power on the face of the planet, on the cutting edge of science and technology, economically secure, domestically tranquil, politically mature, and culturally dominant in the world.

   Why, even their wines are the best in the world! Ignoring the insignificant wins in wine tasting competitions by American and Australian vintners, of course.

   So, surely the common denominator isn’t France. Can’t be. No way, no how.

   /Euroweenie moonbat

3. RebeccaH Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 1:14 pm

   They probably need their troops at home to take care of their own inconvenient little Muslim problem. Oops, I forgot. French troops. Oh, well. Better stock up on those French wines, because when Mohammed al-Franki takes over, there’ll be no more alcohol for you, Pierre!

4. Bloodthirsty Liberal Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

   Douste-Blazy is an anagram for: a dolt, by Zeus.

   Talk about your convergences!

   BTL

5. Robert Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 2:33 pm

   “1st Assault Accordians, Advance to Rear!”

   accordion

   Now we see why you are the City Editor, not the copy editor.

6. CJ Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 3:17 pm

   Ah, the French…ptui!! I don’t think it’s a coincidence. They could learn a little something from the British hostage crisis in Iran. You didn’t them cowtowing to the captors. Silly French, war is for warriors!

7. CavMedic Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

   According to Wikipedia’s (excellent) Afghanistan ORBAT page, Fwance has probably between 1000-1500 troops in Afghanistan (my estimate based on the list of forces from that site). According to icasualties, they have suffered nine killed (seven from hostile acts). By contrast Canada has almost a brigade-2500-and has suffered 54 casualties (second only to our 382). I suppose the point I am trying to make is that I am grateful for Fwance’s help, but their contributions in Afghanistan are hardly irreplaceable. And that goes for more than them as well, Steyn had a piece on his website a year or so ago about how Norway had made it clear that the forces they were providing for Afghanistan were not intended for combat, and were to be kept well away from any fighting (some Army).

   Having said that though, when will we start seeing headlines about the “shrinking” coalition in Afghanistan as we do every time an Iraq ally decides to withdraw its forces. An ally is only worth having when the going in tough. We have been a reliable ally to the Europeans for many years now-they couldn’t even bring things to right in Bosnia and Kosovo without our help, and they know it-it seems pretty clear to me that whatever alliance that exists in largely a one-way street.

8. Bill's Bites Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 4:55 pm

   2007.04.29 Dem Perfidy // Islamism Delenda Est Roundup

   I don’t really want the Three Ratateers to die in the initial blast. I’d much prefer they die slow lingering deaths trapped in the rubble, preferably under the same rubble pile so they have time to congratulate each other on how well they managed the…

9. bdfaith Says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 4:59 pm

   Not surprising, really, just a natural result of evolution. 95% of the real men in France died in WW1 and the remainder in WW2. The only males around now are the ones with a dominate "run!" gene.

   I excerpted and linked at 2007.04.29 Dem Perfidy // Islamism Delenda Est Roundup

10. KAD Says:
    April 29th, 2007 at 5:25 pm

    I wonder about Europe though. When Iran and Northern Africa decide to annex it, and I believe they will, would the US help again. I doubt it. I don’t think Europe is worth on more American casualty. They are unreliable allies.

11. Jules Crittenden Says:
    April 29th, 2007 at 5:26 pm

    Thank you, Robert. Most definitely not the accordian player.

12. alphie Says:
    April 29th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    Some of us Americans haven’t forgotten that if it wasn’t for France, we’d still be an English colony.

    Thanks, Frenchie.

13. major john Says:
    April 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    But we always have to forget WWI and WWII, right?

    The French contribution to ISAF is fairly small, and clung to Kabul province with the strength of 1000 giant squid. I’d trade ‘em all for another Polish or Rumanian battalion.

14. The_Real_JeffS Says:
    April 30th, 2007 at 3:03 pm

    Major John, we could do with a few more Frenchmen like Lafayette, and whole lot less like Chirac and his toadies.

    Otherwise, I completely agree with you.

15. Purple Avenger Says:
    April 30th, 2007 at 4:59 pm

    Some of us Americans haven’t forgotten that if it wasn’t for France, we’d still be an English colony.

    That marker has been paid in full a few times over.

16. major john Says:
    April 30th, 2007 at 9:50 pm

    France is just following the Italian hostage policy in Afghanistan - grovel n’ ransom. Maybe it will become official EU policy!

17. saltydog Says:
    May 1st, 2007 at 2:10 am

    France is just following the Italian hostage policy in Afghanistan - grovel n’ ransom. Maybe it will become official EU policy!

    From what I’ve seen, it is official EU policy.

    P.S. I’m just trying code. If you don’t see italics, just imagine them.

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