The French

[4X4]

Lol. Is that some kind of joke? I understand baguette, but slipping in frog? Too funny.

[CrusaderPi]

CIA world fact book entry on St. Pierre and Miquelon.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/sb.html

[Ford Prefect]

Let the negotiations begin will a lifetime supply of their best cognac and pate for all Canadians. I'm willing to sell some international seabed in exchange for a lifetime supply of good cognac and pate. Otherwise they can zark off.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

I thought it was a different area, the "baguette" claim was denied back in the mid 90's

According to that article I linked, the "baguette" was what they were granted back in 1992. They wanted a whole lot more.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

According to that article I linked, the "baguette" was what they were granted back in 1992. They wanted a whole lot more.

oops my bad, I am glad I said thought, but I was sure there was another claim that was denied sometime around 1996

[valo403]

Originally Posted by peter12

I actually think it's kind of valid. The Anglo world did end up bailing them out, especially in the 2nd World War, only to be repeatedly backstabbed by the Free French under de Gaulle through the remainder of the war and the post-war period.

It's a strange country driven by a fierce brand of nationalism/jingoism that exceeds anything we could possibly understand.

So because Anglo nations, among others, participated in these two wars France is forever indebted to them? Interesting that without the help of the French the United States likely has a vastly altered history. So does that mean the US should be forever indebted to France?

See why it's a ridiculous argument? Not to mention the fact that Britain's engagement in WWII was just as much about self preservation as it was about regaining control of France.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by valo403

regaining control of France.

the English controlled France???????

[valo403]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

the English controlled France???????

Yeah, that's exactly what I said. Nice work.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by valo403

Yeah, that's exactly what I said. Nice work.

it may not have been what you meant.....but it is what you said:

Not to mention the fact that Britain's engagement in WWII was just as much about self preservation as it was about regaining control of France.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

it may not have been what you meant.....but it is what you said:

Not to mention the fact that Britain's engagement in WWII was just as much about self preservation as it was about regaining control of France.

Battle of Britain determined that the Allies were able to maintain air superiority thanks to the Spitfire (if I was in world war 2 they'd call me spitfire)

[valo403]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

it may not have been what you meant.....but it is what you said:

Not to mention the fact that Britain's engagement in WWII was just as much about self preservation as it was about regaining control of France.

Did I say that Britain was attempting to regain control of France so that they could claim it as their own, no.

Anyone with half a brain can tell that I am referring to the effort to expel the occupying forces and restore France to the control of the French. My apologies that you don't appear to fall in that group.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Battle of Britain determined that the Allies were able to maintain air superiority thanks to the Spitfire (if I was in world war 2 they'd call me spitfire)

True, but if Nazi Germany was able to sit across the channel something was going to give eventually. And the very fact that the Battle of Britain took place supports my argument that British involvement was motivated by aspects of self preservation.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by valo403

Did I say that Britain was attempting to regain control of France so that they could claim it as their own, no.

Anyone with half a brain can tell that I am referring to the effort to expel the occupying forces and restore France to the control of the French. My apologies that you don't appear to fall in that group.

Using personal attacks to make a point are considered bad form around here. Just saying to help you avoid ignore lists.

[valo403]

Thanks, but it became pretty clear on page one that he wasn't interested in an actual discussion with me.

I'll try to avoid it in the future.

[DESS]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

It sorta looks like the small island of St-Pierre-Miquelon is sorta operating outside of France. I've never heard of this island before, but from what I just read (albeit the comments under the story) they're within the country of France, but operate on a sovereign level.....?

I was there in 2000. It's a totally trippy place to be - you'd think they'd market themselves as a cool tourist destination for people visiting Newfoundland, but they actually aren't set up well for that at all. There are only a couple of places to stay and the people that run the stores don't speak any English. Everything is imported from France to maintain their French culture. Even the cops and other officials are cycled in on two year (or something) stints so they don't get slack once they get to know everybody. You can't even use North American electrical gizmos there as everything is European.

The weirdest part was while I was there, a plane full of businessmen from Calgary landed on the Island, signed some contracts of some sort, then took off and flew back to Calgary. They were on the island for maybe one hour. WTF was up with that?

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by valo403

Thanks, but it became pretty clear on page one that he wasn't interested in an actual discussion with me.

I'll try to avoid it in the future.

True, but you were winning the debate on merit until you got personal. No biggie.

[DESS]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

True, but you were winning the debate on merit until you got personal. No biggie.

Calling a spade a spade took nothing away from his argument. If somebody is being an idiot it's okay to call them an idiot.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

True, but you were winning the debate on merit until you got personal. No biggie.

Ya, I've gotta cut out that last line. Sometimes I just can't help myself.

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by DESS

I was there in 2000. It's a totally trippy place to be - you'd think they'd market themselves as a cool tourist destination for people visiting Newfoundland, but they actually aren't set up well for that at all. There are only a couple of places to stay and the people that run the stores don't speak any English. Everything is imported from France to maintain their French culture. Even the cops and other officials are cycled in on two year (or something) stints so they don't get slack once they get to know everybody. You can't even use North American electrical gizmos there as everything is European.

The weirdest part was while I was there, a plane full of businessmen from Calgary landed on the Island, signed some contracts of some sort, then took off and flew back to Calgary. They were on the island for maybe one hour. WTF was up with that?

Interesting, it was probably done so that French law would govern the contract rather than Canadian law.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by DESS

I was there in 2000. It's a totally trippy place to be - you'd think they'd market themselves as a cool tourist destination for people visiting Newfoundland, but they actually aren't set up well for that at all. There are only a couple of places to stay and the people that run the stores don't speak any English. Everything is imported from France to maintain their French culture. Even the cops and other officials are cycled in on two year (or something) stints so they don't get slack once they get to know everybody. You can't even use North American electrical gizmos there as everything is European.

The weirdest part was while I was there, a plane full of businessmen from Calgary landed on the Island, signed some contracts of some sort, then took off and flew back to Calgary. They were on the island for maybe one hour. WTF was up with that?

Sounds like a pretty interesting place to visit if just for the absurdity of it. Same reason I'd like to visit the Falkland Islands, I'm curious to understand the connection these people have to a country they've likely never visited but are nonetheless subjects of.