Comments on: Let’s Don’t be Beastly to the Germans

By: Alexander Crawford

Alexander Crawford — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 22:37:34 +0000

Hey did you guys see Daniel Henningers column on the opinionjournal today?

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/dhenninger/?id=110004036

What I was surprised by was the Gallup numbers he posted;

“Americans who toured Europe this summer reported finding animosity across the Continent, almost entirely related to the Iraqi intervention, support for which among Americans remains well above 60%. Reflexive national pride may play a role, but I think the reaction and division runs deeper. In April, according to Gallup, the percentage of Americans regarding Germany as an ally dropped to 27% from 40% three years ago; France fell to 18% from 50%. So quickly kicking away what others built up in the postwar period is quite an achievement for Messrs. Schr�der and Chirac (who this week allowed they’ll support reconstructing Iraq). ”

The UN wasn’t really viewed much better…

The CNN/USA Today/Gallup numbers on the ‘Percentage saying the United Nations is doing a “poor job”: Men (72%), Women (55%), Conservative (69%), Moderate (60%), Liberal (59%), Republican (77%), Independent (61%), Democrat (53%).’

Considering the political fallout German and French leaders will be feeling while only 27% and 18% of the US public views them as allies, hopefully British critics of Blair taking a long term gamble over Iraq will reconsider the soundness of his political instincts?

By: Sylvain Galineau

Sylvain Galineau — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 16:47:37 +0000

John,

France made Germany stick to the pact because…Germany is the one country that forced it down everybody’s throat. The disciplined Germans were afraid more profligate places like Italy, Spain and yes, France, would blow an inflationary hole into the whole system by spending their problems away.

So yes, there is a little glee in Paris at seeing Germany falling down on its face with the Growth & Stability Pact boxers around its ankles.

By: John Anderson

John Anderson — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:57:37 +0000

Perhaps Schroeder is finally realising being the junior partner in a relation with France gains no benefits. France insisted Germany hold to EC/EU budget-busting “balancing” a while back, now says France can and will defy the rules, which may have given him a heads-up.

And goodness knows we need trained Iraqi cops – and maybe rooftop lights for their vehicles in Falujah.

By: lex

lex — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 01:01:33 +0000

Yeah, this recent thing with the Germans has been regrettable. You expect it from the French. From the Germans you expect a little better. Yeah, the German military can make a big contribution even just doing training. The French however should be allowed nowhere near the place. I literally believe that they would contact and cooperate with the Baathists, reveal US plans, etc. to assist with the killing of GIs. I literally believe France to be an active enemy of the United States. Not the man on the street maybe, but its government.

By: Sandy P.

Sandy P. — Thu, 18 Sep 2003 20:20:50 +0000

I’ll knock Schroeder, but I won’t know the German armed forces. They’ve been wonderful during all this.

Rummy gave Germany an out last year. I see no reason to doubt him. As long as they stick the shiv into phrawnce, ok by me, contracts all around.