I posted a reply saying we won't go to France because of their non-support of the US in a war against Iraq. Well after thinking about it and seeing all the back and forth banter about how we helped them in 1945 I have talked to a few veterans "old I must say" about this too. one said he was upset about it but then remembering that France helped us in the 1700s. How do we measure how much we help each other? How far back do we go? We will go!

You can't base your travel plans on who helped one another. My god,we were all at war at one time or another. After all,the brits are our biggest allies,and I recall a big war in the 1700's. Live your own life and enjoy itand pay no worries to anyone else.

Geez doc, you remember the Revolutionary War.?? Tell us about it. You must be real old! <BR>And you can also tell us about Andy Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans in 1814 where they used alligators for cannons. To quote from Johnny Horton, We fired out cannons til the barrels melted down, so we grabbed an alligator and fired another round.<BR>We filled his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind. And we we touched the powder off the gator lost his mind. <BR><BR>Yessir, the old war of 1812 when the British burned DC and Dolly Madison did whatever it was she did to save the dinner dishes.<BR><BR>

I dont judge the peoples of a country based on what actions or believe their government have..Is not their fautes anyway..I am going to France in July and plan to have a nice time , war or not and hope for the best...

Political winds will change, but the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty will always be there (unless blown up by al-Qaeda).<BR><BR>The French government is just being politically minded. There are those that are anti-war and support Iraq's decision to defy UN resolutions. The government can get their vote. The government can always wait until the Iraqis use poison gas then say &quot;we are for invasion&quot;. By then, the war is over so the French save money by participating only in the last few days of the war.

The American media has always taken shots at Germany and France, and this no doubt is part of the psyche of the nation. Even in sit-coms, the shots at France in particular are commonplace. A general lack of knowledge of history and cultures does not help. The government is now doing the same, unfortunately. It seems that Mr. Bush, not being able to get his way as fast as his war-mongering spirit wants, has resorted to insulting other countries. It's nice to see tht TEXMAN is more objective than the leaders and can look at both sides of the issue.

Dear RDN,<BR><BR>Speaking of history, you are joining together the liberal media in support of a conservative administration?<BR><BR>Don't think so. <BR><BR>Politics and political viewpoints do not belong on this board.<BR><BR>If you want to go to France/Germany...Go. Has nothing to do with the political nature of things.<BR><BR>By the same token, if you want to make fun of France/Germany because of their lack of success in wars, go ahead. You can only be an Ostrich so long.<BR><BR>Curious

I take politics into account. I would like to visit Syria but do not because of the government. Mrs. Assad is attractive looking. I think she grew up in Acton, near London and met Dr. Assad when he was training to be a vitreoretinal surgeon (type of eye surgeon). Mrs. Assad is not the reason I want to visit.

too bad I cannot modify the above message. It looks silly. Dr. Assad (actually Mr. Assad according to the British tradition for surgeons) is the President of Syria.

Hiroshi, thank you for giving me a chuckle. I think Queen Noor of Jordan is rather attractive too, don't you; )?<BR><BR>Seriously, I don't think we can separate geopolitics from travel. But we can keep to the topic at hand; offer support, advice, or reassurance where necessary; and be civilized and respectful when opinions differ.<BR><BR>