Friend or Foe: France's Relationship with America

Good question. The Franco-American relationship has always been rocky, says John J. Miller, who has written a new book on the subject. Among the things Miller points out, in the book and in his interview with Pat Robertson, is that France has never been a true friend to the United States, and has helped our country only when doing so suited their interests.

During the American Revolution, for example, France wanted to stick it to England, and they did. But they then tried to cut a secret deal with the British, at American expense. John Adams found out about it and, in violation of his own instructions, circumvented them. Maybe the French have never forgotten nor forgiven, even if this did happen prior to the French Revolution. Who can tell?

In every other case in which the French have done anything that could be construed as helpful to the USA, it has always been in the context of the wars they themselves were fighting, usually against England.

And then, of course, came the two World Wars. In each case, the Americans did far more than was necessary to repay any debt we owed the French for Lafayette's big favors. Furthermore, the French weren't exactly co-operative with the Americans, as the memoirs of Generals Eisenhower and Patton both make abundantly and nauseatingly clear. No, they weren't playing the Americans and British off against the Germans (well, Marshal Petain was, but he was an out-and-out traitor anyway). But they were showboating and repeatedly trying to claim credit where credit was not due.

And today--well, just have a look at their behavior. Bribery, acceptance of bribes--nothing they've done during this entire affair called the War Against Terror is at all respectable.

But don't just take my word for this. Read John Miller's book for yourselves.