Perhaps your minor in history didn't cover The Great War, the
Napoleonic Wars, or the Seven Year's War.

Look those up and then come back and discuss France's place in world
history.

Wow, that's really impressive. Not.

Try to keep up, please? We weren't talking about France's "place in
history" -- we're talking about their national behavior in World War II,
their current status as a former world power, and their current role as the
butt of much disparaging humor in America.

But it's well and good that you bring it up, since France's legitimate
history as a great power makes their current status more pathetic -- not
less -- and serves to further explain the reasons for their being the target
for jokesters in the US and elsewhere.

Are these jokes fair or appropriate? Often not. But the discussion is
about *why* these jokes exist, not whether or not they are legitimate.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"