(04-10-2023 08:16 PM)banker Wrote:  We haven’t had a war on our soil involving another nation in over 200 years. When will we learn that we are better off embracing a healthy level of isolationism? Take our far flung military bases and move them to our coasts and borders. The only allies we need are Mexico and Canada. F everybody else.

The invasion advantage or our geography doesn't translate to nuclear war.

They can bomb us and contaminate our land and just go on with their lives. They don't need our land or us. If it becomes more expedient to just wipe the continent in radiation, they might do it.

It's a two-way street.

Macron insists won’t be US ‘vassal’ on Taiwan

Quote:French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments on Taiwan , saying that being a US ally did not mean being a “vassal”.

Macron — wrapping up a state visit to the Netherlands during which he has also faced protests over pension reforms — said France still backed the “status quo” on Taiwan.

But the French president appeared to stick by remarks in an interview at the weekend, in which he said Europe should not be a “follower” of either Washington or Beijing or get caught up in any escalation.

“Being an ally does not mean being a vassal… doesn’t mean that we don’t have the right to think for ourselves,” Macron told a press conference in Amsterdam with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Macron, who visited China last week, said that French and European policy on Taiwan “has not changed” despite the furore over his remarks in an interview with Politico and Les Echos in which he backed Europe’s strategic autonomy.

“France is for the status quo in Taiwan,” he said, adding that Paris “supports the One China policy and the search for a peaceful resolution to the situation.”

– ‘Honour of the workers’ –
Macron’s weekend interview drew praise as “brilliant” in China — which rejects US support of what it sees as a breakaway province — but raised eyebrows among Western allies.

Former US president Donald Trump said meanwhile that “Macron, who’s a friend of mine, is over with China, kissing his ass”.

Macron however refused to rise to the bait, saying that he had “nothing to say about the comments by former president Trump because he is taking part in this escalation”.

The pomp of the first state visit to the Netherlands by a French president in 23 years has not stopped Macron from facing pressure on a series of both domestic and foreign issues.

Dutch police detained two demonstrators who ran towards him outside Amsterdam university in an apparent protest against France increasing the pension age from 62 to 64.

“For the honour of the workers and a better world — even if Macron doesn’t like it, we are here,” one protester chanted, using the words of a French protest song, as he was pinned down by several security officials in Amsterdam.

Police arrested one male and one female protester “for running towards the president, for disturbing public order and threatening,” Amsterdam police spokesperson Lex van Liebergen told AFP.

Around 40 people protested when Macron left the university’s science faculty, in an event to promote the signing of a “pact for innovation” between France and the Netherlands.

– ‘Accept controversy’ –
Macron later said reforms inevitably caused protests, citing recent rallies by Dutch farmers against environmental plans.

“We must sometimes accept controversy, and we must try to build a path for the future,” he told an audience of French people living in the Netherlands.

The arrests came a day after protesters heckled Macron during a speech on European sovereignty in The Hague on Tuesday.

The demonstrators had shouted “Where is French democracy?” and unfurled a banner saying “President of Violence and Hypocrisy”.

Macron’s state visit was meant to promote the renewed closeness of the two countries since Brexit, when the Netherlands lost a key EU ally with Britain’s departure.

It also featured a trip to an exhibition of works by painter Johannes Vermeer at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and talks with Rutte on a canal boat.

Earlier, Macron’s wife Brigitte and Dutch Queen Maxima toured the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, where the tragic teenage Jewish diarist hid from the Nazis during World War II.

France a ‘reliable’ US ally but needs to engage China: minister

Quote:France is a “strong and reliable” US ally, the country’s Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told AFP on Wednesday, while underscoring that it remains important to continue engagement with China.

The minister’s comments, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s spring meetings in Washington this week, came after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Europe should not be a “follower” of the United States in the event of conflict with China over Taiwan.

Macron’s remarks, made in a recent interview, risked creating confusion among his Western allies, analysts say.

But Le Maire stressed on Wednesday: “We intend to remain strong and reliable allies of the United States of America.”

This is also at the core of French policy, he added.

Before going to China, Macron spoke with US President Joe Biden, with the aim of having “deep coordination” with Washington in relation to Beijing.

Asked about Taiwan, Le Maire said the key issue is asking China to “de-escalate.”

On the economic front, Le Maire lamented the view that some in the United States think Western countries should be decoupled from the Chinese economy — even while the US-China trade volume “has never been so high.”

He believes that Europe should not step back while other countries continue trading.

Le Maire said there was a need to continue engaging with China as well on issues like climate change, debt restructuring and not supplying weapons to Russia.

“We need the support of China, and we need China to be on board,” he said.

Next time we just won't come. Deal?

Macron ‘vassal’ remarks on US ‘unfortunate’: German minister

Quote:German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday criticised French President Emmanuel Macron‘s warning against Europe being a “vassal” of the United States as “unfortunate”.

Asked on a visit to Mali by German public broadcaster ZDF about Macron’s controversial remarks, Pistorius said: “I found this comment unfortunate but I think the Elysee Palace has corrected it somewhat.”

“We have never been in danger of becoming or being a vassal of the United States,” the minister added.

Macron raised hackles on both sides of the Atlantic at the weekend in an interview in which he said Europe should not be a “follower” of either Washington or Beijing or get caught up in any escalation over Taiwan.

The French president stood by his controversial comments on Wednesday on a visit to Amsterdam, saying that being a US ally did not mean being a “vassal”.

“Being an ally does not mean being a vassal… doesn’t mean that we don’t have the right to think for ourselves,” Macron told a press conference in Amsterdam with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Pistorius said it was key for the European Union to be “able to speak on foreign policy and security policy and to determine its own positions, also in consultation with the transatlantic ally, the US”.

“That is our task and it doesn’t help driving wedges between the various stances — or allowing them to be driven — in the end that only helps Chinese foreign policy,” he said.

Macron’s weekend interview drew praise as “brilliant” in China — which rejects US support of what it sees as a breakaway province.

French President Macron Sold The West Out To China For An Ego Boost

Quote:French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his state visit to communist China this past week. His behaviors during the visit and comments afterward revealed him as a useful idiot of the CCP as well as an ungrateful and unreliable partner of the United States.

Macron went to China with the European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Before the trip, Macron hoped to persuade China’s leader Xi Jinping to “reason” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Instead, Macron let himself be played by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) like a fool.

The CCP deployed a typical divide-and-conquer strategy during Macron’s visit, intentionally treating Macron and von der Leyen differently. Before leaving for China, von der Leyen called for a “bolder” EU policy on China because Beijing has become “more repressive at home and more assertive abroad.” Her Chinese hosts responded by giving her cold shoulders — they didn’t roll out a red carpet for her and excluded her from certain state functions between Xi and Macron.

In contrast, the CCP showered Macron with pomp and pageantry, including a full red-carpet welcome at the airport and an extended meeting between Macron and Xi that lasted four hours. Macron concluded his state visit by having tea with Xi at a garden in Guangdong, a province Xi’s father used to be in charge of.

A video clip demonstrates how far the CCP would go to stroke Macron’s outsized ego. Macron was seen walking down a street as crowds of Chinese people eagerly tried to shake his hands as if he were beloved in China. The “lovefest” in China starkly contrasted with violent protests on the streets of Paris, where Macron was condemned for his unpopular pension reform.

Anyone who knows the inner working of the CCP understands that the party plans diplomatic events in minuscule detail and never allows the Chinese people to interact with foreign leaders freely. Thus, Macron’s walk and warm welcome by the Chinese people was a highly-choreographed event by the party, and “the crowd” was likely selected by the government to create an illusion.

Although von der Leyen was not in China for a state visit, some European officials in Brussels were still reportedly upset that the Chinese government didn’t extend her the same respect and courtesy as Macron. By treating the two European leaders differently in public, the CCP meant to send the message that those who criticize China will be punished, and those who toe the line will be rewarded. Instead of putting up a united front with von der Leyen, Macron relished the special treatment and extra attention he received.

To please his host in Beijing, Macron reportedly spoke on issues such as Taiwan and China’s human rights in a tone that “was far more conciliatory than von der Leyen’s,” which betrayed the supposed unity of the European Union’s China policy. Macron was either clueless about how the CCP works, or he willingly played his part in the CCP’s propaganda as long as it boosted his own ego. Whatever Macron’s motive was, allowing himself to be manipulated by the CCP like a fool was embarrassing and sad.

Besides driving a wedge between the two European leaders, the CCP sought to use Macron’s visit to weaken the transatlantic alliance between the U.S. and Europe. Politico says China’s Xi Jinping and the CCP “have enthusiastically endorsed Macron’s concept of strategic autonomy.” Encouraged by China’s endorsement, Macron and Xi issued a joint statement, announcing the two nations would deepen their economic and military ties.

On the economy, Macon agreed to welcome Chinese technology companies such as Huawei to France, even though many of France’s allies, including the U.S. and the U.K., banned Huawei from their 5G networks out of national security concerns. On the military, Macron agreed that France would deepen its military exchanges with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theater, which covers China’s military operation in the South China Sea.

The joint announcement came a day after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a bipartisan congressional delegation in California. During the meeting, Speaker McCarthy pledged more U.S. military support to help Taiwan defend itself. The CCP was so furious with the meeting that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy launched a series of live-fire drills from last week to early this week and imposed a blockade around the island for a few days, interrupting the region’s busy international shipping activity.

The Macron and Xi joint statement delivered Xi and the CCP a vital propaganda victory and caused a rift between Europe and the U.S. At the same time, Macron received little in return — Xi never promised to “reason” with Putin and end the Russia-Ukraine War as Macron had hoped.

Yet on his way back from China, Macron doubled down by telling reporters that Europe must not become a follower of the U.S. on the Taiwan issue or “get caught up in crises that are not ours, which prevents it from building its strategic autonomy.” Macron also called on Europe to reduce its reliance on U.S. weapons and energy. But he’s all talk with no actions. According to Politico, France “has contributed far less to the defense of Ukraine against Russia’s invasion than many other countries.”

Whether Macron likes it or not, his country and the rest of Europe’s security and economic well-being largely depend on the United States. American weapons and intelligence have kept Putin from occupying Ukraine and expanding his European control. American energy has helped keep Europe’s lights on and prevented the continent from falling into an energy-driven economic recession.

Needless to say, Macron’s comments drew criticisms from both sides of the Atlantic. In an interview, Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said, “Macron’s comments play into the CCP’s strategy to divide America and Europe.” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., demanded to know if Macron speaks for Europe. A member of the European Parliament quickly responded on Twitter, stating, “Macron doesn’t speak for Europe. But his vanity is deeply damaging to Europe.”

Unfortunately, even if Macron doesn’t speak for Europe as a whole, he’s president of the largest country there. His words and actions will affect how the continent will respond in the event of China’s invasion of Taiwan and whether its response will be effective.

As The Wall Street Journal editorial points out, Macron only wants “the U.S. to ride to Europe’s rescue against Russian aggression but apparently take a vow of neutrality against Chinese aggression in the Pacific.” Suppose the Biden administration had counted on Europe’s support in defending Taiwan and imposing economic sanctions on China. In that case, now is the time to rethink America’s strategy and preparations, including reassessing partnerships and allies.

Macron’s behaviors in China and his comments revealed that he is a useful idiot of the CCP and an ungrateful and untrustworthy partner of the United States. It’s worth asking: With a friend like this, who needs an enemy?

They will salute Xi like they did Hitler. It's the French way.

(04-11-2023 07:29 AM)Claw Wrote:  

(04-10-2023 08:16 PM)banker Wrote:  We haven’t had a war on our soil involving another nation in over 200 years. When will we learn that we are better off embracing a healthy level of isolationism? Take our far flung military bases and move them to our coasts and borders. The only allies we need are Mexico and Canada. F everybody else.

The invasion advantage or our geography doesn't translate to nuclear war.

They can bomb us and contaminate our land and just go on with their lives. They don't need our land or us. If it becomes more expedient to just wipe the continent in radiation, they might do it.

It's a two-way street.

Sure---they can do that---assuming they dont mind a nuclear response that wipes their nation from the face of the earth leaving only a radioactive glow. If we stay in our lane, its fairly unlikely anyone would jack with us. Just as Russia never really had anything to worry about. Nobody was going to invade Russia because Russia would use nukes if they thought they might actually lose. Nukes have been around since 1945 and no nation with nukes has ever been conquered---hell, nobody has even tried to invade a nuclear armed nation. Well, Israel I suppose----but Im not sure the Arab coalition of nations in the Yom Kippur war believed Israel actually had operational nukes at the time. Point is, since their introduction to the earth, no nation who has proven publicly to possess operational nuclear weapons has ever been conquered by force....in fact, no government has even considered invading such a nation.

(04-10-2023 02:48 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(04-10-2023 02:34 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  Normally I would say "up yours, frenchy".
But with the idiot we have in charge now... can't say that I blame them.

Agreed, but really I think we’ve past the point where even a non-idiot as President can make the difference. I think we as a nation simply do not have the capacity to help out on the same scale that we once did.

Yep

Even still, I wouldn't piss on a Frenchman if he was on fire.

Sent from my SM-F721U using Tapatalk

France caused WWI because they couldn't handle losing to little old Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War and then no longer being Europe's Big Boy. Never underestimate how petty the French are.

(04-13-2023 02:47 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  Well, Israel I suppose----but I'm not sure the Arab coalition of nations in the Yom Kippur war believed Israel actually had operational nukes at the time.

And since Yom Kippur--when they found out that Israel DID have nukes--they haven't tried again in 50 years.

Now they just use the Palestinians as proxy warriors.