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Opinions: They're called French fries for a reason


America and France remind me of two brothers growing up together: they squabble, they trade punches, but they'll stick together in the end.

Sure, we fight. France led much of continental Europe in opposition to the Iraq war, and we responded by temporarily renaming our fast food. But "freedom fries" didn't last, and neither did the chill in Franco-American relations. Now France has Sarkozy in office, the same man who, as Minister of the Interior, said to Americans: "We must never again turn our disagreements into a crisis."

The relationship between our two countries has, for two hundred years, swung like a pendulum from friendship to anger — and, on one occasion in 1798, war. But every frost has had its thaw, and now France is one of America's strongest European allies against the Iranian nuclear program.

Why are we again working with people whom we call "cheese-eating surrender monkeys"? Why does the nation that won't accept a McDonalds without first adding wine to the menu deign to cooperate with us?

Well, first there's the throw-aways: a Frenchman designed Washington, D.C. The French made and shipped us the Statue of Liberty. We still read Tocqueville's study of early America. We like wine.

More importantly, histories show a closer connection. For all the pride America deservingly takes in its revolution, things wouldn't have gone nearly so well if not for French troops under the Marquis de Lafayette. In 1917, the American Expeditionary Force repaid the favor with the call of "Lafayette, we are here!" The French and Americans found themselves allied again during World War II, and even, though complexly, in Vietnam. We cannot deny that France and America have given blood and treasure for one another.

On a still deeper level, France and America share basic values and culture. While the two nations differ in their perceptions of role of the state and the importance of international multilateralism, both are strong democracies with long liberal traditions. Britain may have given us Hobbes and Locke, but France gave us Voltaire and Rosseau. We share fundamental precepts on human rights.

Undoubtedly, France and America have great differences; but the key is that they are less different than other nations. France stands closer to America than Russia, China or the Middle Eastern nations. The situation in Iran is a fine example of shared interests forming a bond between the two nations; both countries have much to lose from a nuclear-armed Iran, so they will stand together against it.

To put it simply: France and America will bluster over the import of GM food, but when there are nukes floating about, they'll come to their respective senses.

I can't say that I haven't cracked a few jokes on France in my time. I think the beret is a ridiculous piece of headwear. But neither can I forget that the fields of France are riddled with the graves of American soldiers.

Seth Pate likes this joke: Why are the streets of Paris lined with trees? Because the Germans like to march in the shade. Disagree with him at: spate@asu.edu.


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