May I suggest that those of you who are planning to boycott France watch the video &quot;9/11&quot;? This is the film that was shown on CBS, which was made by two FRENCH brothers: <BR><BR>&quot;On September 11, 2001, brothers Gedeon and Jules Naudet, who for the past three months had been making a documentary on the Engine 7, ladder 1 firefighters, were in Lower Manhattan when Jules suddenly heard a roar from above and turned his camera upward. In doing so, he captured the only known video of the first plane striking the World Trade Center. Cameras still rolling, Jules followed the firefighters into the heart of what would soon be known as Ground Zero. Gedeon also rushed to the scene with members of Ladder 1. Over the next several hours, Gedeon and Jules Naudet captured events as they unfolded on video, including footage from inside the North Tower as the rescue effort was underway and dramatic scenes of escape in the minutes before the building collapsed.&quot;<BR><BR>It's available for rent at Blockbuster (and probably just about anywhere else) and proceeds from rentals benefit the Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund. <BR><BR>http://www.blockbuster.com/bb/movie/details/0,7286,VID-V+++265838,00.html?<BR><BR>I'm guessing that the members of the FDNY are able to distinguish between individual French people such as the Naudet brothers and the decisions made by Chirac.<BR>

sjoerd,<BR><BR>You are so right it is about oil!<BR><BR>French oil contracts worth $65 billion are sure as heck influencing the French!<BR><BR>And if it were about oil for the US...we would have recommended that the sanctions be lifted so we could buy it..and if we really wanted oil we'd just take over Canada or Mexico..they're closer and we wouldn't need our miltiary to sit in a desert!<BR><BR>Looks like you missed that one...nice try!<BR><BR>US

Charlie: First, so sorry to hear about your father's death at Normandy. However to characterize all French as cowards in WW2 is grossly inaccurate. I believe the French death toll at Normandy was several hundred thousand, as was ours. Also, the French Resistance movement played a key role in the liberation of France, knocking out vital German communication networks and raising havoc with the SS.

Its the least they could do after they rolled over!<BR><BR>US

Charlie, I would love to know your take on all that is going on right now. I still wonder how protesters can think (which is what I assume by their stance) that iraqi life is not worth saving as much as French life. I heard yesterday that 60,000 iraqi babies die each year because of the conditions there...whether it is SH or containment...things are &quot;broke&quot;...they need fixing. Got any any answers? <BR><BR>

wren: How many Iraqi's(and Americans) will die when we invade Iraq under the guise of &quot;making the world safe for democracy&quot;.

Beatle,<BR><BR>No one knows...but what we do know is that Sadam has killed over 1,000,000 of his own people and you are protecting him with your naivette!<BR><BR>BTW, still want to be a human sheild...tough to catch one of those cruise missles!<BR><BR>US

Beatle,<BR>Brush up your English. <BR><BR>First of all, there is no &quot;guise.&quot; GWB and gang have made it quite clear why we're going into Iraq. Did you miss something?<BR><BR>Secondly, no one knows how many people will die when we go into Iraq. Perhaps in your infinite wisdom you can tell me how many people will die at the hands of SH between now and when we invade? How many people will die if we don't remove the murderer SH? Apparently you have all the answers, so I'm eagerly awaiting your telling me the answers to these questions. <BR><BR>It sounds like you think you know what's best for the Iraqi people. I'm interested to hear what that's based on. If the Iraqi people are dancing in the streets after we liberate Iraq will you eat your words?

My husband Walter, is at this very moment removing the french doors in our diningroom. When will this madness stop?

Beatle, If GWB is protective of unborn life, don't you think it is only rational that he would be as protective of American and Iraqi life? Use you brain!!!!!

wren,<BR><BR>that would be a first<BR><BR>US

Magnus- First, I wholeheartedly agree with your description of the admin as &quot;GWB and gang&quot;. Oh my yes, they made a clear-cut case for war, I guess the rest of the world was wrong, or didn't get it- oh, excuse me, except for the Brits(who are wavering) and Spain. Wow, what a summit!! Estimating death tolls, come on, I won't bother asking you to tell me in your &quot;infinite wisdom&quot; how many young American soldiers lives will be cut short. One thing that the &quot;gang&quot; has made very clear is that they have no clue as to troop strength in Post War Iraq. Oh sure, we'll have the photo ops with some Iraqis in the streets. But as that fades, what are the chances of a new wave of terrorism- Sorry, that's not my infinite wisdom, that came from the CIA Director. Speaking of the CIA, I'm not convinced that they could not take out SH. <BR>Wren: Re &quot;use you brain&quot;- well &quot;me&quot; brain tells me your &quot;abortion rational&quot; is bizarre.

Unc- I admit, that was a good comeback to wren- you showed on another board you could laugh at yourself, so can I- No matter the diverse opinions, I guess everybody has at least some common ground.

Yawn boring- Reread my post and you should be able to comprehend that I question how &quot;clear&quot; the admin. makes a case for war when so many countries aren't buying it. Anyone can criticize a post- at least back it up with your opinion on the subject being discussed. Otherwise, it becomes ironic when you use the words foolish and idiot. Even though I may not agree with Magnus, and we may have a spirited debate, I don't believe we've stooped to name calling.

Re: Magnus' comment: &quot;GWB and gang have made it quite clear why we're going into Iraq.&quot;<BR><BR>People usually make a &quot;clear&quot; case for something when you agree with their position. <BR><BR>On the other hand, if you don't agree with their position, you usually don't see it as quite so &quot;clear.&quot;<BR><BR>To me, Dubya's rationale for going into Iraq seems to have shifted as much as his rationale for tax cuts.

Beatle,<BR><BR>you're assumption is fallible. You appear to be making the assumption that the countries that are opposing the actions Bush proposes are doing so for honorable reasons...that is not so!<BR><BR>France...$$$ and European power<BR>Fermany...Ditto<BR>Russia..$$$<BR>China.. .jst because its the US<BR>unalligned...they despise anything we do<BR><BR>Now many of these countries if hy were pushed to the limit may agree...but this is not really about the right or worng of Bush's policy..this is about personal interests!<BR><BR>If not how can you explain chirac virtually saying no before the UK and the US had a proposal off the press!<BR><BR>US

Unc- Some good points. Yes, I'm sure France and Germany are thinking about their multi billion dollar contracts, but also they(and others) are not convinced of the &quot;threat&quot; factor that Iraq poses, and the timetable that has been imposed, and a concern about post war Iraq etc.etc. War is essentially giving up, but I guess that has been argued many times here. And it's just too late to discuss how &quot;honorable&quot; our justification is for war. Re your last statement, even though Chirac said he would oppose any proposal with a timetable, I tend to agree that he shouldn't declare his opposition until the proposal is completed in its entirety. <BR>That's it-early morning tomorrow.

Daily exports of Iraqi oil during January 2003:<BR><BR>Americas: 1.20 million barrels<BR>Europe: 0.43 million barrels<BR>Asia: 0.14 million barrels<BR><BR>Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iraq.html<BR><BR>Riddle: WHO is largest importer of Iraqi oil?<BR><BR>Hint: starts with &quot;U&quot;

wmer<BR><BR>did you say somethng?<BR><BR>US

Magnus- Re &quot;when the people of Iraq are dancing in the streets will you be eating your words.&quot; I think that is way out of line. Isn't that the equivalent of me asking you &quot;If our troops suffer heavy losses without finding MWD, if post war Iraq is a nightmare, if we see a new wave of terrorism, will you eat your words.&quot; How absurd! Instead I would assume that you would share my sadness re the above scenario. Likewise, if we have minimal losses, if the Middle East is &quot;stabilized&quot;, if we see less terrorism, we would share happiness. Regardless of one's political leanings, it's not a case of &quot;anyone eating words&quot;