Posted by
Over the Kohls on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 11:07:36 PM
Today's speech by President Nicolas Sarkozy of the French Republic was heart warming. For years now, French leadership, followed by its people, has stuck its collective finger in the eye of the United States of America. With the exit of Jacques Chirac comes the appearance of new leadership and a fresh new approach to French- American relations. Imagine, if you can, the French President calling the United States the “greatest nation in the world”. Unimaginable one year ago. Even more startling is Sarkozy challenging his own people saying “nothing is owed to them and that everything has to be earned”. In effect, he tells the French people to get off that 30 hour work week and get back to work. I for one very much appreciate Sarkozy’s expressions of “eternal gratitude” to the United States for all its effort in the two world wars.
This is a good first step to repair the damaged relations of our two countries. However, it has to be followed up with future supportive actions. I have reason to believe that Sarkozy will act as a friend to the United States but will he have the support the French populace? We have seen a full generation of America bashing by the French (excepting the two week period after 911) and it will take more than just one speech to change the hearts and minds of the French toward America.
We will be watching the French very carefully going forward but I sincerely hope that Sarkozy has begun a positive trend that could sweep through all of Europe. If this continues, I just may take that vacation to France that I have been avoiding all these years.