As a child, I was lucky to learn French as well as English in school. It's a beautiful language. Say what you want about France, but it is a pleasure to speak french, there's a majestic rhythm to the flow of the words; I should miss it, were it to go.
As a teen, I read much about France, marveling at its history, discovering the glory in its past. Say what you want about the french, but they have inherited a wonderful legacy; I would miss it, were it to go.
As an adult, today, I read much about France, her problems, her mistakes; the nation, and its people, find themselves at a crossroads. Which turn shall they take? Do they have the memory of France, that I have?
I would miss them, should those memories go.
Charles,
ReplyDeleteThanks. Periodically European readers tell me they think we are too hard on Europe. I guess many of us come off as arrogant Americans. I feel bad about that.
Your video and your writing shows a love for Europe that I share with you.
I have tried to differentiate between my hatred of the governments in Europe and my respect for European culture. Alas, I don't think I succeed on a regular basis.
But, you have done it here.
Thank you, Pastorius.
ReplyDeleteIn discussion, it's sometimes quicker to make one's point by saying, "Europe is this" or "that nation is that", neglecting the fine point that even collaborationist France during World War II had righteous citizens who hid jews from the depredations of the nazis, often at great risk to their own families.
Nations are not beehives or anthills, where the residents are identical, from sharing identical beliefs. There are generalities that can be persuasively argued, as you did recently in your post about Americans not waiting for other people to solve their problems for them... it's more the leftist, materialistic view to disregard the old saying, "like but not same", and instead classify people like insects or animals... Such points of view ignore the wonderful truth that people can be similar yet still be different, still be individuals.
Being a pro-American Canadian, I've had to learn the hard way how it feels to be a minority in a great flock following a different shepherd... so I sympathize when the pro-west European stands up to shout, "these people don't speak for me!"