The Observation Deck

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included
Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of the countries.

Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.

He then asked "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these
conferences rather than speaking French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."

You could have heard a pin drop.

.

Those jokes are funny and all.

But are they fair?

France was the first nation during World War II to take on the brunt of German forces. That's more than we can say for the Scandinavian countries, which were also occupied for much of the war.

ryan costa wrote:Those jokes are funny and all.

But are they fair?

France was the first nation during World War II to take on the brunt of German forces. That's more than we can say for the Scandinavian countries, which were also occupied for much of the war.

It is a joke... contextual unto itself and no more.

France helped start our country and without her, we simply would not have beaten the British. We entered WWII late because of anti-war sentiment and isolationist policy, even as England was getting pounded, we could not make up our mind - and Chamberlain was just sure that he could talk sense with a maniac. Bloody hell.

No this is simply a barb at a lingering Nationalistic trait that flourished under De Gaul and more recently Chirac --and still lingers. I hope we can repair relations, but both parties will have to give some respect to each other. Time will tell.


.

Dustin James wrote:No this is simply a barb at a lingering Nationalistic trait that flourished under De Gaul and more recently Chirac --and still lingers. I hope we can repair relations, but both parties will have to give some respect to each other. Time will tell.
.

Did you mean "barb FROM a lingering Nationalistic trait that...still lingers?" I can't tell.

This is purely conjecture, but had we entered World War II early we'd probably have suffered at least a million more casualties. Even if we'd only fought Japan. We weren't really even isolationist: we moved mountains supplying the allies for years before entering the war directly.

The Axis inflicted and suffered millions of casualties before the U.S. entered and still didn't feel they'd won or lost. The allies inflicted and suffered millions of casualties before the U.S. entered and still didn't feel they'd won or lost.

While it is the most morally unambiguous war we've had the fortune of succeeding in, it wasn't totally cut and dry. The system of alliances could have shifted pretty late into the game. The Soviets could have allied with Germany: The Soviet Union and Germany were each others most important trading partners during the war until Germany declared war on the Soviet Union. Or we could have allied with Germany against the soviets(midway into the war).

It maybe was the coolest industrial war. We had enough tanks and planes to prevent trench warfare. any teenager could be taught to run them in a few months. But it wasn't all computered up. There was still enough slack for a lot of marching and street to street and up close combat. Hollywood was making cool movies about it before it was even over. Kids and babyboomers grew up in awe and maybe in envy, trying to live up to a very short burst of history.

ryan costa wrote:This is purely conjecture, ...

...It maybe was the coolest industrial war. We had enough tanks and planes to prevent trench warfare. any teenager could be taught to run them in a few months. But it wasn't all computered up. There was still enough slack for a lot of marching and street to street and up close combat. Hollywood was making cool movies about it before it was even over. Kids and babyboomers grew up in awe and maybe in envy, trying to live up to a very short burst of history.

Uh trying to connect to the thread. I get the purely conjecture part though

Phil Florian wrote:

Dustin James wrote:No this is simply a barb at a lingering Nationalistic trait that flourished under De Gaul and more recently Chirac --and still lingers. I hope we can repair relations, but both parties will have to give some respect to each other. Time will tell.
.

Did you mean "barb FROM a lingering Nationalistic trait that...still lingers?" I can't tell.

Yeah, funny. A barb BACK at a French nationalistic trait... if that helps.

A "barb" is a euphemism for a jab, retort, zinger. If you don't get the joke, maybe there are some in the "Jokes we like" thread that are more clear for ya.

Dustin James wrote:

Phil Florian wrote:

Dustin James wrote:No this is simply a barb at a lingering Nationalistic trait that flourished under De Gaul and more recently Chirac --and still lingers. I hope we can repair relations, but both parties will have to give some respect to each other. Time will tell.
.

Did you mean "barb FROM a lingering Nationalistic trait that...still lingers?" I can't tell.

Yeah, funny. A barb BACK at a French nationalistic trait... if that helps.

A "barb" is a euphemism for a jab, retort, zinger. If you don't get the joke, maybe there are some in the "Jokes we like" thread that are more clear for ya.

Oh, I get it. I read enough "If you speak English, thank a Marine" bumper stickers to get it. I think my response was kind of a jab, retort or zinger. If it isn't clear enough, maybe there are some in the "Jokes we like" thread...

This explains why so many people in Europe speak english.

Why do we speak english in America? Thank small pox. heh.

Phil Florian wrote:Oh, I get it. I read enough "If you speak English, thank a Marine" bumper stickers to get it. I think my response was kind of a jab, retort or zinger. If it isn't clear enough, maybe there are some in the "Jokes we like" thread...

Well zung.

Semper Fidelis (Latin for "always faithful"). If you feel it's hilarious that we rescued the French to allow them to retain their nationality, then I guess it's a real knee slapper

I thought the Marines were mostly active in the pacific side of World War II...