Why the French REALLY Hate Lance

"J Jones" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Because he doesn't cry when he wins.

Maybe Lance should've shed a few tears along the way toward 7 TdF

victories,

Quoted message said:

and the French would have embraced him.
Jeff

Watch that first one again. In the ESPN interview after he won the prologue
he was pretty choked up... he apologized for being unable to complete his
sentences. Of course the "hatred" started a little later.

"Geraard Spergen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:1125420113.9b245e6c94b9a53ac60569ca0c85d13b@teranews...

Quoted message said:

"J Jones" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Because he doesn't cry when he wins.

Maybe Lance should've shed a few tears along the way toward 7 TdF

victories,

Quoted message said:

and the French would have embraced him.
Jeff

Watch that first one again. In the ESPN interview after he won the
prologue
he was pretty choked up... he apologized for being unable to complete his
sentences. Of course the "hatred" started a little later.

Yes, that was before he became completely obsessed with crushing any and all
TdF comers - after which, he showed little/no emotion, no remorse, just
absolute focus on utter destruction of his rivals. That's a fairly
"American way" (thank God), and one that doesn't resonate well with the
French. But, look at his popularity in the US - he's a megastar because
he's a winner. In France, he's hated because he's a winner.
Jeff

Jeff Jones said:

Because he doesn't cry when he wins.

Quoted message said:

Maybe Lance should've shed a few tears along the way toward 7 TdF
victories, and the French would have embraced him.

There was nothing Lance could have done
to make the French embrace him.

He is an unapologetic American with an
American name, who lives in Texas, who
rides bikes with the President, who, it
seems, has good relationships with his
children, who has a new girlfriend, who
has made a lot of money, who has
dominated their Tour for seven
years, who, circumstantial evidence
aside, has never failed one of their
drug tests, despite their best efforts
to disgrace him, who has retired and
seems at peace with himself.

J Jones said:

Quoted message said:

Yes, that was before he became completely obsessed with crushing any and all
TdF comers - after which, he showed little/no emotion, no remorse, just
absolute focus on utter destruction of his rivals. That's a fairly
"American way" (thank God), and one that doesn't resonate well with the
French. But, look at his popularity in the US - he's a megastar because
he's a winner. In France, he's hated because he's a winner.
Jeff

What a strange way to view the world!
In fact, my understanding is that some disdained Anquetil because he
would calibrate his effort just enough to win, as opposed to Poulidor
who would routinely split his guts in vain.
Nor do I recall a particular hatred of the French for Merckx, who
certainly could have had that same focus as Lance--and then some.
As for the "utter destruction of his rivals...a fairly 'American way'
(thank God)"--I think you're capturing rather well the image many have
for our country abroad. No, I won't thank God.

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Az0Re.8569$fP.2597@trndny08...

Quoted message said:

J Jones said:

Quoted message said:

Yes, that was before he became completely obsessed with crushing any and
all TdF comers - after which, he showed little/no emotion, no remorse,
just absolute focus on utter destruction of his rivals. That's a fairly
"American way" (thank God), and one that doesn't resonate well with the
French. But, look at his popularity in the US - he's a megastar because
he's a winner. In France, he's hated because he's a winner.
Jeff

What a strange way to view the world!
In fact, my understanding is that some disdained Anquetil because he would
calibrate his effort just enough to win, as opposed to Poulidor who would
routinely split his guts in vain.
Nor do I recall a particular hatred of the French for Merckx, who
certainly could have had that same focus as Lance--and then some.

European guys, all. Lance is a "cocky American" who has laid waste to all
the Euro-challengers. Of course, the French are going to hate him. I'll
never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it wasn't
for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII, who knows how the
world may have turned out.

Quoted message said:

As for the "utter destruction of his rivals...a fairly 'American way'
(thank God)"--I think you're capturing rather well the image many have for
our country abroad. No, I won't thank God.

Are you sure you don't live in France? Or, maybe you're from France? ;-)

Quoted message said:

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

J Jones said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it
wasn't for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII, who knows
how the world may have turned out.

The French collaborated with the Germans.
The majority of them may have wanted
Germany to win the War.

in 483093 20050830 182953 'J Jones said:

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it wasn't
for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII ...

It's quite simple - attitudes like yours are why the French, and others, dislike you!
(ABTW you had the 'assistance' of a few Russians, Brits, Canadians, Aussies,
etc etc etc)

"N. Silver" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

J Jones said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it
wasn't for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII, who
knows how the world may have turned out.

The French collaborated with the Germans.
The majority of them may have wanted
Germany to win the War.

Who are these, "the French?" Certainly not the ones who took on the Germans
at Bourg d'Oisans or the ones who helped one of our local senior citizens
who was OSS in Paris, caught and tortured by the Gestapo. He escaped and
was saved by 'the French" underground. But you're aware of all that.

B. Lafferty said:

Quoted message said:

The French collaborated with the Germans.
The majority of them may have wanted
Germany to win the War.

Quoted message said:

Who are these, "the French?"

The puppet Vichy Governemnt, Marshal Petan, etc.

Quoted message said:

Certainly not the ones who took on the Germans at Bourg d'Oisans or the
ones who helped one of our local senior citizens who was OSS in Paris,
caught and tortured by the Gestapo. He escaped and was saved by 'the
French" underground. But you're aware of all that.

More then a half century later, we are not going to
settle this. However, note, I said the "majority may
have wanted." Although not a historian, I can find
evidence for that. We all should have the utmost
respect for the French underground.

"Bob Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in 483093 20050830 182953 'J Jones said:

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it
wasn't
for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII ...

It's quite simple - attitudes like yours are why the French, and others,
dislike you!

That's fine if my 'attitude' pisses you off. I just know if my country's
entire existence was saved by the blood and guts of some other nation, then
I would make at least some effort to understand history, and would tend to
be fairly appreciative of that nation.

Quoted message said:

(ABTW you had the 'assistance' of a few Russians, Brits, Canadians,
Aussies,
etc etc etc)

I never said we didn't have assistance - that's stating the obvious. That
doesn't change the fact that we were in charge of the operations. Why is it
so difficult to accept that truth?
Jeff

J Jones said:

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Az0Re.8569$fP.2597@trndny08...

Quoted message said:

J Jones said:

>
Yes, that was before he became completely obsessed with crushing any and
all TdF comers - after which, he showed little/no emotion, no remorse,
just absolute focus on utter destruction of his rivals. That's a fairly
"American way" (thank God), and one that doesn't resonate well with the
French. But, look at his popularity in the US - he's a megastar because
he's a winner. In France, he's hated because he's a winner.
Jeff

What a strange way to view the world!
In fact, my understanding is that some disdained Anquetil because he would
calibrate his effort just enough to win, as opposed to Poulidor who would
routinely split his guts in vain.
Nor do I recall a particular hatred of the French for Merckx, who
certainly could have had that same focus as Lance--and then some.

European guys, all. Lance is a "cocky American" who has laid waste to all
the Euro-challengers.

Who said anything about waste?

Of course, the French are going to hate him. I'll

Quoted message said:

never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it wasn't
for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII, who knows how the
world may have turned out.

Quoted message said:

As for the "utter destruction of his rivals...a fairly 'American way'
(thank God)"--I think you're capturing rather well the image many have for
our country abroad. No, I won't thank God.

Are you sure you don't live in France? Or, maybe you're from France? ;-)

I like the French--sue me.

Steve

Quoted message said:

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

J Jones said:

"Bob Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in 483093 20050830 182953 'J Jones said:

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it
wasn't
for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII ...

It's quite simple - attitudes like yours are why the French, and others,
dislike you!

That's fine if my 'attitude' pisses you off. I just know if my country's
entire existence was saved by the blood and guts of some other nation, then
I would make at least some effort to understand history, and would tend to
be fairly appreciative of that nation.

Quoted message said:

(ABTW you had the 'assistance' of a few Russians, Brits, Canadians,
Aussies,
etc etc etc)

I never said we didn't have assistance - that's stating the obvious. That
doesn't change the fact that we were in charge of the operations.

Wasn't that Al Haig's line?

Steve

Why is it

Quoted message said:

so difficult to accept that truth?
Jeff

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

N. Silver said:

J Jones said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it
wasn't for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII, who knows
how the world may have turned out.

The French collaborated with the Germans.
The majority of them may have wanted
Germany to win the War.

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=728841

in 483110 20050830 185739 'J Jones said:

"Bob Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in 483093 20050830 182953 'J Jones said:

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

I'll never understand why the French dislike America in general - if it
wasn't
for the US liberating them and defeating Germany in WWII ...

It's quite simple - attitudes like yours are why the French, and others,
dislike you!

That's fine if my 'attitude' pisses you off. I just know if my country's
entire existence was saved by the blood and guts of some other nation, then
I would make at least some effort to understand history, and would tend to
be fairly appreciative of that nation.

It didn't [censored] me off at all - I was merely pointing out what seems obvious to
most people. And it wasn't one other nation - it was many. All but yours are happy
in the knowledge that they did what they could, they don't expect (demand?) eternal
thank-you's.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(ABTW you had the 'assistance' of a few Russians, Brits, Canadians,
Aussies,
etc etc etc)

I never said we didn't have assistance - that's stating the obvious. That
doesn't change the fact that we were in charge of the operations. Why is it
so difficult to accept that truth?

When I said you had assistance I was being sarcastic. Russia was the major
factor in the defeat of Germany. And you weren't "in charge" - it was an alliance.
Sorry, but you do have an approach to this (60-year-old) subject which can get
up other peoples' noses!

Actually, it's because he didn't have an "epic struggle" a la Anquetil
v. Poulidor or Hinault when he got thrashed by Fignon in '84. (See,
they don't even embrace their own super-champions until they show
vulnerabilities).

If LA wanted to win the adoration of the French he should sit out for 2
years and then come back and win the thing by 11 seconds after crashing
twice and getting thrashed on the Tourmalet by a phalanx of Spanish
climbers.

Or, he can just stay retired and keep telling people how he never
doped. What a life.

J Jones said:

Quoted message said:

It's quite simple - attitudes like yours are why the French, and others,
dislike you!

Quoted message said:

That's fine if my 'attitude' pisses you off. I just know if my country's
entire existence was saved by the blood and guts of some other nation, then
I would make at least some effort to understand history, and would tend to
be fairly appreciative of that nation.

Dear Xenophobic Dumbass,

"Lafayette, we are here."

Some French Navy at Yorktown links for you:

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/AmericanRevolution/YorktownBattle.htm

http://www.xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/capes_2.htm

http://www.patriotresource.com/battles/yorktown/page4.html

http://darter.ocps.net/classroom/revolution/ytown.htm

You're welcome,

Ben

p.s. Irony of fate.

Hey - Steve - the French PRESS loves the losers. The French people are
much like Americans and are often steered astray by a press gone power
mad.

Dan Rather anyone?

"N. Silver" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

B. Lafferty said:

Quoted message said:

The French collaborated with the Germans.
The majority of them may have wanted
Germany to win the War.

Quoted message said:

Who are these, "the French?"

The puppet Vichy Governemnt, Marshal Petan, etc.

I'm afraid there might be some small gaps in your knowledge of French
history.

Benjo

J Jones a écrit :
...

Quoted message said:

I never said we didn't have assistance - that's stating the obvious. That
doesn't change the fact that we were in charge of the operations. Why is it
so difficult to accept that truth?
Jeff

Let us remember all the GI's fallen in Stalingrad, shall we ?

B