U.S.A. is the Biggest Threat to World Peace

[Kjesse]

I had to go check the CIA factbook on this because I was curious just exactly, by numbers, how we stacked up against France. It was about as expected. (And I was surprised to see the UK ranked 10, I thought they would have been higher). These figures are about 5 years out of date.

Yearly Military Expenditure --- 10 Billion Canada, 45 Billion France
Active Military Personnel --- 20,900 Canada, 169,300 France
Frontline Personnel --- 9000 Canada, 90,000 France
Aircraft--- 399 Canada, 2175 France
Armour -- 2194 Canada, 6875 France
Artillery --- 362 Canada, 1213 France
Missile Defence Systems --- 713 Canada, 2511 France (and think of that in light of our landmass)
Navy Units --- 34 Canada, 140 France

In other words, we're totally outmatched. Wouldn't even be a fair fight.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by Cowboy

What does prior history have to do with Frances ability to beat our ass today? If it came strictly down to country vs. country battle based on the capabilities of the military today and size of military, we would have our ass handed to us.

Well it's a silly argument, but you do have to have political will to use force and France doesn't have it. They can't even stop riots in Paris fro Cripes sakes. They can't pass legislation without bending to the rule of the mobs. I think they would have trouble convincing their people of making war againt Hitler right now, let alone Canada.
But, like I say, a silly argument.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by peter12

And the Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard were all French. Your point?

It wasn't because of the Imperial Guard or any other French troops that France won all those battles. It was because of Napolean - that's my point.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by Delgar

There's no question that France's military is stronger than Canada's. Its not even close. Further, there has never been a time that Canada's military could match up against France's --- not even on the occasions when France was occupied. (Assuming one could actually mobilize the remnants of their military during occupation.)

Canada's been on the side of the "winner" because we're usually teamed up with the best military machines the planet has to offer. Even when the history books say that in the only Canadian/American conflict, we thumped the Americans, we were really only a British colony. And the British were tops then and are still possibly in the top 5 militarily (but surely in the top 10).

We've made important (even critical) contributions to the wars we've been involved in but we're not a powerful player when you stack us up against most other industrialized countries, one on one.

White Doors backed off his comment pretty fast though.

hey, I agree with all of this 100%. I was not speaking to france's current war making abilities. It was more of just a humorous slight against the French. French and kicking someone's ass in the same sentence just HAS to be commented on. A couple of people caught it.



I would still take a Canadian Army soldier over French - soldier for soldier however.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Azure

I'm not discrediting the results, but there is no way you can make me believe France is a threat to world peace.

The idea of "world peace" in itself is a theory that will never be accomplished. Nations will always have a conflict of interests, based on military, economic or political ideas. War is a given until the end of time.

Who said France was a threat to world peace??

[White Doors]

The Poll I think..

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by White Doors

The Poll I think..

In 22 of the 23 countries polled, people felt Europe had a generally positive influence on the world.


France had the best reputation of the big nations, viewed favourably in 20 countries. French influence was opposed by a majority of people in the US alone, while its biggest supporter was its historical enemy, Germany, where some 77% felt France was a force for good.

xx

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by White Doors

The Poll I think..

Like I said in the original post, it says that France is seen as a benevolent force.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Delgar

In other words, we're totally outmatched.

Hey, so is Iraq. So was Vietnam. So was Afghanistan against the USSR.

When it comes to military numbers, yes, there is no question France would have a massive advantage. But you know what? When it comes to sheer willpower and a stubborn never-say-die attitude, I have rarely known a people more willing than Canadians to keep on fighting. This attitude has been shown in many battles in prior military conflicts.

I'm not saying we would beat the French, but I dont know too many Canadians who are quitters. The French on the other hand....

[Mr.Coffee]

What's this? A bunch of Canadians sitting around discussing how much ass Canada kicks, or could hypothetically kick?

This debate isn't biased at all.

Nope. Not at all.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

What's this? A bunch of Canadians sitting around discussing how much ass Canada kicks, or could hypothetically kick?

This debate isn't biased at all.

Nope. Not at all.

I think you must have read something different than what I read because I didn't see anything like "a bunch of Canadians discussing how much ass Canada kicks". The opposite maybe, but that's as close as it gets.

[J pold]

I am the biggest threat to world peace

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Hey, so is Iraq. So was Vietnam. So was Afghanistan against the USSR.

When it comes to military numbers, yes, there is no question France would have a massive advantage. But you know what? When it comes to sheer willpower and a stubborn never-say-die attitude, I have rarely known a people more willing than Canadians to keep on fighting. This attitude has been shown in many battles in prior military conflicts.

I'm not saying we would beat the French, but I dont know too many Canadians who are quitters. The French on the other hand....

Agreed. It certainly depends on the context of the battle. It's one thing to fight an enemy head-to-head, but the country that is fighting in their own back yard, always has an advantage. Especially countries like Afghanistan and Vietnam. Other countries with easier terrain, are easier to defeat - like France.

Canada's geography makes us nearly impossible to invade and occupy, assuming that we were willing to fight. France on the other hand, is an extremely difficult country to defend. All things being equal, it would be easier for an army to invade France and march to Paris and other major cities, than it would be to land on army on our shores and occupy our cities.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by White Doors

It wasn't because of the Imperial Guard or any other French troops that France won all those battles. It was because of Napolean - that's my point.

2 battalions of the Imperial Guard held off an entire corps of Prussian troops during the Battle of Waterloo.