So the Nazis could march in the shade! <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, all of our centers of population older than the automobile age owe their mature trees to the horse trade. It was simple necessity to provide shade for trade wagons. I also recall reading of a young french boy, who halted an entire german column simply by felling several trees across the road into town. Nationalist bashing over current political stances is unwise. We may need future lafayettes given the erosion of the constitution and freedom for security.

Uh it was a joke dude. Sorry if I offended you. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I took no offense. However, we do have at least one forum member who is french. We have an international forum here. A innocent comment in our culture or political perspective can come off very hurtfull to anothers.

Sorry ! Wrong answer ! go to the back of the class ...

As far as I know, the romans did plant trees along the roads they constructed, in order for their legions to criss-cross - confortably - the conquered lands.

If you like jokes, we had one in Lorraine (east of France) ; why are all the villages in Lorraine built on this same model : a long, straight, east/west, road with houses carefully aligned on each sides ?
So that invaders could come thru without causing too much damage ... and a short time after, go back east without hindrance, as fast as possible ...

Well, I never was really sure this one was good joke ... <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

France has been invaded many, many times by many people. Romans were just one of them ...
Some leaved with loot, some stayed ... and helped built a nation.
That's history.

I have to say the last invaders have been thrown back only with help coming from the other side of the ocean. Thanks.
Maybe your grandfather did land on Omaha beach (or Junon, Utah, Gold or Sword) in Normandie.
That's a way to learn geography ... a very hard way ...

Do you know where that name, NORMANDIE, come from ? from the NORD MEN who used to raid and loot this country, coming all the way from NORWAY...

Sorry ! that's not even a good example, no relation with your question ; they did not use shaded roads, they travelled by boats along costs ... and up the Seine river, up to Paris, once or twice.
That was their idea of nautical tourism ....
In those times, travel by sea was a long, boring and dangerous entreprise ...
I guess they had to have some fun, once ashore ... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Alain

As a mater of fact, we no longer plant trees along the roads.
On the contrary, we cut them down, because they have a tendancy not to move out of the trajectory of cars when those chose to leave the roads .... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Alain

Im sorry man. I didnt know. I know the french were and still are a strong militaristic force. Im sorry.

Don't worry.

I just wanted to point out you were wrong about the trees. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

In 1939, most of the French Army was ready to win ... the 1914/18 war again ... but was not prepared for this new type of war.

And about the attitude of French people, I can't say they all entered the Resistance in 1940. Those were only a few at that time.
Others collaborated with the occupant.
Most just suffered and tried to survived the best they could...
Not everybody was a hero from the beginning !! Nor was everybody a swine. Most were just ordinary people, lost in these terrible events, following this leader, who had been a great hero in the previous war !
So they endured but then some make choices and rebelled, in the following months/years, and not necessary with guns.
Then came Pearl Harbour and the USA entered that war.
And, on June, 6th 1944 help came from the other side of the channel : Brits, Yankees, Canadians etc ... (and some Frenchies too ...)
Thanks again !
(OK., O.K : it's the short version of the story <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

This world is not black and white. Grey is quite common.
And hopefully, there are other colors too.....

Well, let's talk about something else, O.K.??


Alain

That is a good joke. But I have been listening to the radio and heard that the French just threatened the countries that support the U.S. against Iraqi with economic sanctions using there European Union muscles. Since they also have veto power in the U.N. I think the French protest to much, and don't want us to find out that they have made lucrative sneaky deals with the enemy. But I do know one thing about the French when our missile batteries become activated and the machine gun bolts get locked back the French soldiers will have a good supply of Vaseline for invading troops.

Who's side do they think their on anyway!

My guess is that they indirectly support the terrorist and are trying to hide that fact because it has been very profitable for them to do so.