A recent Bill Maher comment:

"New Rule: Conservatives have to stop rolling their eyes every time they hear the word “France.” Like just calling something French is the ultimate argument winner. As if to say,”What can you say about a country that was too stupid to get on board with our wonderfully conceived and brilliantly executed war in Iraq?” And yet, an American politician could not survive if he uttered the simple, true statement “France has a better health care system then we do, and we should steal it.” Because here, simply dismissing an idea as French passes for an argument. “John Kerry, couldn’t vote for him, he looked French.” Yea, as opposed to the other guy who just looked stupid.

Last week France had an election, and people over there approach an election differently – they vote. Eighty-five percent of them turned out. You couldn’t get 85% of Americans to get off the couch if there were an election between Tits and Bigger Tits and they were handing out free samples. Maybe the high turnout has something to do with the fact that the French are never asked where they stand on evolution, prayer in school, abortion, stem-cell research, or gay marriage. And if the candidate knows about a character in a book other than Jesus, it’s not a drawback.

The electorate doesn’t vote for the guy they want to have a croissant with. Nor do they care about private lives. In the current race Ségolčne Royal has four kids but she never got married – and she’s a Socialist. In America, if a Democrat even thinks you’re calling him Liberal, he grabs an orange vest and a rifle and heads into the woods to kill something. Madame Royal’ s opponent is married but they live apart and lead separate lives. And the people are okay with that for the same reason they are okay with nude beaches – because they are not a nation of six year olds who scream and giggle if they see pee-pee parts.

They have weird ideas about privacy – they think it should be private. In France, even the mistresses have mistresses. To not have a lady on the side says to the voters, “I’m no good at multitasking.”

Now like any country, France has it’s faults – like all that ridiculous accordion music. But their health care is the best in the industrialized world, as is their poverty rate. And they’re completely independent of mideast oil. And they’re the ‘greenest’ country. And, they’re not fat. And they have public intellectuals in France – we have Dr. Phil. They invented sex during the day, lingerie, and “the tongue”. Can’t we admit we can learn something from them?

So from now on, all you high-ranking Bush administration officials: because the French are righter than you on most things, when France comes up in conversation you are not allowed to roll your eyes. The only time you get to that is when you hooker from Ms. Julia is blowing you."

Well, consider the source and it is all put in perspective.

Where can we send donations to help pay for Bill Maher's move to France? If he likes it so much, he can move there. The good ol' USA will be a better place for it!

Just a bunch of hot air like most of the liberal, left wing Hollywierd folks.

Remember when Alec Baldwin said "If Bush gets elected I'm moving to Canada"? Did he move? Nope. More hot air from the idiots in tinsel town.

Shoot the messenger, eh Skybill? Yea, Maher leans hard left. But look at the points he makes, which are nonpartisan:

-French health care better than U.S.
-French poverty rate better than U.S.
-much greater participation rate in elections
-greener environmental policies
-independence from Mideast oil
-judging candidates more by the solutions they offer than by the lives they lead.

These are all admirable qualities in a country and it's people, ones that (even you must admit) we need to do better at.

And why do you keep throwing out that "if you don't like it here, leave" claptrap? I LOVE it here, and it pisses me off when things get so far out of whack. America in general and Oregon in particular needs to do so much better, and I'm willing - and you should be also - to stand up and complain, protest, do what it takes to set things right. If I ever move out of Oregon (or even the U.S.) it won't be because I "don't like it", it will be because I can no longer make my livelihood here.

And remember: Washington DC is just Hollywood for ugly people.

"consider the source"

How about debunking the comments, especially this one: "What can you say about a country that was too stupid to get on board with our wonderfully conceived and brilliantly executed war in Iraq?"

"If he likes it so much, he can move there."

You put words in Maher's mouth. Perhaps I should do the same. Since you're wrecking my country with pro-Bush ideology, I should send YOU to another country where the masses will easily swallow your nonsense. Hmm?

A recent Bill Maher comment:

I stopped reading right there.

I understand. As a conservative, the ugly truth can ruin your whole day.

Edselehr said; "And remember: Washington DC is just Hollywood for ugly people."

Agreed, but add stupid too! After all they reelected a whore mongering, crack head, convicted felon as mayor!

We saved France's bacon twice in the last century alone. They're a bunch of ingrates.

Here's my favorite French line:

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." —General George S. Patton

-French health care better than U.S. In whose opinion? Socialized medicine is just that. A socialist program. When I had our insurance thru my employer, I paid (and dearly) for my premiums as well as a deductible each time I went to the doctor. And I already pay plenty in taxes. I don't want to subsidize anyone else’s health care any more than I already do. As I have said before; If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait till it’s free. It's just like public transportation. I make my car payment, insurance payment and pay out the wazoo (as does everyone else) for gas. Why should I subsidize someone’s ride to work on the bus or train? Charge them what it really costs to provide that ride. No free ride on the tax payers.

-French poverty rate better than U.S. This is because the government intervenes more in the work place. We could lower our unemployment if people had to WORK for their welfare checks.

-much greater participation rate in elections This is good. There should be a $100 fine in the US if you don't vote. Doesn't matter who you vote for, but you MUST vote

-greener environmental policies Maybe good, maybe not. Depends on the policies. May also equal more government interference.

-independence from Mideast oil We could too if the damn tree huggers weren't so concerned about a few reindeer and polar bears. The tree huggers raised the same concerns about the Trans-Alaska pipeline. There have been only a few problems associated with that and not the disastrous "end of the arctic" that the huggers predicted. From the website; http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/04/06/130522.php "Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, is demanding that the Commerce Department release detailed reports on which companies are exporting U.S. oil, how much and where it went.

Last year the nation exported 268 million barrels of oil. Shockingly, according to Dept. of Energy figures, that's about equal to the amount of oil we imported from Iraq in 2001, the year before our latest war with that country began." If we would KEEP our oil in the US and not export it we too could cut our oil imports. And everyone that is a resident in Alaska gets a check from the pipeline each year. Last year it was a little over $1100.

-judging candidates more by the solutions they offer than by the lives they lead. If a person can't lead an honest and honorable personal life, HOW can we trust or expect them to be honest with us and the country? This is just an excuse for what is becoming more prevalent in society. "Do whatever makes you feel good, because there is no right or wrong"

Yeah, there are problems here and no the US is not perfect, but it is the BEST country in the world. Bar none. We could stand some change. A good place to start would be to dump half of the socialist government programs.

Besides, in a few decades France will be virtually unrecognizable. They are being inundated by a sizable Muslim immigrant population. From what I hear, those French immigrants are not treated that great and are pretty irritated. Those immigrants won't be stay in their ghettos for long.

Herb

Just like our Mexican immigrants (I'm talking the legal ones), who we do *not* roll out the red carpet for - I'm sure they'll be leaving soon, too.

When's the last time anyone here has been overseas? When you get a chance to leave US soil and look back, and hear what others think about our nation, it's one the best learning experiences you can have.

My brother has lived overseas for 12 years as a teacher. 4 years in Ryhiad, Saudi Arabia (during the first gulf war). 5 years in Hong Kong and most recently 3 years in Vienna. Living in different parts of the world gives you a perspective that can be eye opening. I lived overseas for 6 months as a 6th grader and to this day it was one the best experiences I could have had.

Last year my daughter and I visited my brother and his family in Vienna and it was great to among a different culture. However it was very easy to pick out the American's. Most were rude and loud and made it a point everyone knew they were American's.

Thankfully many overseas don't view all American's as they view the Bush administration.

"...However it was very easy to pick out the American's. Most were rude and loud and made it a point everyone knew they were American's."

While neither behaviour is popular, I'd rather be rude...than in France's case, retreat.

Herb

Skybill's basic message: "I've got mine, so the heck with everyone else. I'm not here to help my fellow American."

I'm paraphrasing, of course.

Thanks for proving the point about rude Americans, Herb.

"While neither behaviour is popular, I'd rather be rude...than in France's case, retreat."

What kind of false dichotomy is that? Any reason to diss the French...your hatred of that country and its people is almost clinical.

Think we should we send the Statue of Liberty back to those surrender monkeys, Herb?

And let's not forget the way those surrender monkeys retreated when faced with the British during our revolutionary war.

There are types that just thrive on not liking French things. That's fine, I guess. It seems like an inordinate amount of energy is spent on it though. I looked for a Youtube clip of that Bill Maher clip to post here ( I DVR it every Friday and saw it live and was eager to share it too ) but the text was good enough.

He was proven right in this very thread. It's silly. It makes Americans look rediculous...to fellow Americans. Absolutely rediculous.

It's amazing that a God fearing man like Herb is SO full of hate for the French??? What happend Herb that has you do venomous about one country??? WOW!

Warner, I have absolutely no issue with helping others. That's a basic tenet of the Christian faith.

However, to make it government sponsored and mandatory is simply put, socialism. That is something I’m against.

When American boys are put at risk because a duplicitous Frenchie like Chirac sells out to Saddam, then I say Patton was right.

Herb

When American boys are put IN HARMS WAY because an American President's FAULTY intel says there MIGHT be WMD's and INVADES a country I think that's asinine.
As I typed the above 6 more of our boys just got killed!
Thanks DUHbya!!!!

So Herb I'm trying to figure you out. Instead of mending fences you are willing to show the worst side of our culture to prove what?

Why is it that a person like you and those who feel the same as you want to help create more of the problem and not be apart of the solution. To me it's bullying and not productive. So please fill me in. Am I missing something here?

Folks who hate are bound by certain prejudices. This is human nature. The French are an easy target. It is chic now. Why it has anything to do with World War Two is a mystery. Perhaps this is a revelation, but the Vichy did not represent the French people.

Conservatives could pick on countries that profited from providing technology and manufacturing to both sides of the war, but that would include our land, and their power base. It would also require a deeper view of history.

Didn't GM sue our government for bombing their factories? Didn't those factories build machines that killed Americans, Brits and others?

Conservatives could hammer on the Germans for being a totalitarian regime that murdered millions. But, since the current government is busy with old ideas from "Totalitarianism for Dummies" it would be silly to expect such reasoning.

So, go ahead, enjoy the racist prattle. Let the whole goddamn Googling world see your bigotry. I will spin some Edith Piaf, watch a Jacques Tati movie, and thank the French for helping my fledgling nation gain Independence. Go choke on a freedom fry.

"..because an American President's FAULTY intel.."

We've been over this before. The CIA had the same corroborating intel that the europeans had.
If you want to be mad at someone, look to the CIA and NSA. Besides, if Mr. Clinton would have acted when Osama Bin Laden was in our sights, things might look a tad different.

Herb

"Instead of mending fences you are willing to show the worst side of our culture to prove what?"

Chris-I'm simply agreeing with French voters. They chose someone I agree with. My views are now more in line with the French public than yours seem to be.

Herb

Herb writes:
I'm simply agreeing with French voters.

But you disagreed with American voters in 2006 I take it? Maybe you should trust the judgement of your fellow countrymen over some surrender-happy crepes-eating Frenchies?

Andrew

I'm opposed to those who, after voting to put our troops in harm's way, like Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Edwards, then try to cut them off at the knees because it's politically expedient.

Herb

So you disagreed with American voters in 2006. Right, Herb?

Andrew

"I'm opposed to those who, after voting to put our troops in harm's way, like Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Edwards, then try to cut them off at the knees because it's politically expedient."

The AUMF did not send anyone into harm's way. It handed the power to make war from Congress to the President regarding Iraq, giving him the sole ability to put people in harm's way. The mistake the "yeas" on the AUMF made was trusting Bush with that power.

Because Bush violated their trust that he would use that power judiciously, they have every right to rescind that power.

Once more, if you're going to blame anyone, blame the europeans, our CIA and our NSA.

What you're essentially saying is that if a president has faulty intel, then our spy agencies have no blame. It was with strong democrat support that we went to war. Deny all you want, it's a fact.

Herb

Doesn't mean that it was right. Now or then.
That's a fact too!

Herb, following your arguments is like trying to follow someone driving drunk.

For someone who doesn't have a "dog in this fight" one way or another about Bush, you sure bend over backwards to defend him.

If we're not going to blame Bush for faulty intel, the we can't blame Democrats or Republicans for voting to "go to war" either, because they had the same intel (probably less).

I also didn't say our spy agencies have no blame. But, our spy agencies are under the executive branch, who is under the president. Ultimately it therefore *is* his responsibility if we have faulty intel.

The AUMF passed the power to go to war with Iraq from Congress to the President, and the President made the final call. Not saying that the congresspeople that voted for the AUMF are blameless - they were damn stupid to pass that authorization, and I'm glad that they are looking into rescinding the AUMF.

Where's your anger for all the Republicans who voted for the AUMF, and are now voting for timetables for withdrawal? You sure spend a lot of time blaming Dems when many Republicans across the aisle are doing the same thing.

For someone who doesn't have a "dog in this fight" one way or another about Bush, you sure bend over backwards to defend him.

*PLONK!*

Herb- I'm glad you seem happy with him.

So Herb whens the last time you spent time abroad?

When I lived in Australia and going to school we did all we could to blend in with the culture. My dad had to learn to drive on the left side of the road, we wore uniforms to school and both my brother and I played Aussie rules football. Which by the way is sooooo much better than watching our wimpy little football. These guys don't wear pads and hit just as hard as our football. I love that game.

We had been living down under for about 3-4 months when an another American kid showed up. He was from Florida. His parents put him in school so they wouldn't have to deal with him during the school day. That kid was totally selfish, arrogant, and made life miserable for those 2 weeks he was in my classroom. The ugly American's kid!! I was never happier to see an American leave. I saw some of that while in Vienna last year and it just makes me sick. Thankfully my brother and others like him have shown a far more respectable face while living overseas.

"These guys don't wear pads and hit just as hard as our football."

Which help explains why Australians aren't the creative sorts in developing cutting edge technology and things requiring sharp intelligence.

"Where's your anger for all the Republicans who voted for the AUMF..."

My point wasn't that I'm angry for going to Iraq. I'm not. But for democrats to deny that we wouldn't be there without their support is simply false.

As for the intel, it's simply a blame game that everyone is playing, including Mr. Tenet.

Herb

Skep...Well that is one way to look at it.

Herb writes:
My point wasn't that I'm angry for going to Iraq. I'm not. But for democrats to deny that we wouldn't be there without their support is simply false.

Right - that's like saying, when a man asks his wife for $500 for the mortgage but instead of paying the mortgage, he loses it on the horses...that the wife is equally responsible for his gambling losses. Or COULD it be that her husband lied to and misled her??? You, it seems, want to point the finger at the wife instead of pointing it where it belongs: at the lying husband.

Andrew

"As for the intel, it's simply a blame game..."

To you, yes, Herb. It is simply that.

"So Herb whens the last time you spent time abroad?"

I'll take it that the usual non-response dodge means "never" or at least, "not since Nixon was alive".

It's safer to just stay at the compound and keep enjoying your box wine, Velveeta™ and guns, right HerrB?