We are always being lectured here at Pave by franchouilles and francophiles how America should look to enlightened France for exemplary conduct. You can imagine our perplexion. Where to begin remodeling America? Honest government? Astute diplomacy? Prison reform? Responsive civil service? Social integration? Social cohesion (something of a specialty in a France on the verge of disintegration for the past 200+ years)? Public order and safety? Economic justice? Open press practices? Civic pride? Simple courtesy?

France presents an abundance of improvement projects -- and when France improves in any of these areas, we may look to her for tips.

Meanwhile no less a French person than Jack himself suggests to his compatriots some needed improvements to la Nation qui tremblote dans le monde in the coming year. (Pave has reported and commented on many of the points Jack touches on. We have annotated Jack's address with links to illustrative posts, providing context and a year-end Pave review.)

VOEUX AUX FRANÇAIS
DE M. JACQUES CHIRAC, PRÉSIDENT DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE
[Wishes To The French From Jack, President Of The Republic]
PALAIS DE L'ELYSÉE, Paris, Samedi 31 décembre 2005

My dear compatriots, metropolitan, overseas and abroad,

On the threshold of this new year, I address to one and all my most cordial wishes. And in these festive times, I think first of all those who know disease, loneliness, and sorrow.

I also think of our soldiers who are engaged on every continent in the service of peace. And I want to say to the family of Bernard Planche, that the authorities are fully mobilized to obtain his release.

The year 2005 saw the expression of tensions and questions that traverse our society: the NON vote on the referendum and the crisis of the banlieues testify to this. In the background, a question, that of globalization: how to remain ourselves in a rapidly changing world?

But 2005 was also a year of success for France...

Jack here lavishes less than 130 words (in French) on a grand total of 4 French successes* from last year.

My dear compatriots, it is necessary to believe in France. Everyone must find the mobilizing force and a profoundly modern sense for the word "patriotism": To love one's country, to be proud, to serve it.

Together, we will swiftly act and dedicate ourselves in a collective project. This project is not contrived, it lives, in principles and in actions: this project, it is the Republic.

At the foundations of the Republic there is respect for the law and the rules. We will again intensify the fight against violence and delinquency. To fight more vigorously against clandestine immigration. To reform our justice, so that a drama such as Outreau never recurs.

And at the heart of the Republic, there is merit: to be able to succeed by one's work, one's will, one's talent, wherever one lives or whatever one's origin. To be able to advance, to succeed in society without being blocked by the barrier of class or privilege. School, it's the key to everything. We will better help institutions in need, to make training another path to success, to open wide the doors of colleges and universities to the children of modest means.

And then, Republican honor intensifies our action to serve the inhabitants of the districts in difficulty because there is no Republic without equal opportunity.

My dear compatriots, let us be uncompromising about the ideals of the Republic. Reject communautarism. Respect each other. Respect secularity. Fight against discrimination. Fight against racism and anti-Semitism.

French anti-Semitism? Who knew?

Otherwise we are not truly freed from all that debases, from all that sullies, from all that sows discord. Because diversity forms part of our history: it is a treasure. It is an asset for our future.

Jack then rhapsodizes about reforms, French vision and leadership in Europe, and coping with globalization. He ends with the stirring cliché of a France that emerges stronger, better, after screw-ups and beat-downs.

My dear compatriots, metropolitan, overseas and abroad,

Let us be ourselves. Let us make globalization an asset for our future. France has always overcome the challenges she has confronted. And each time, she emerges stronger. The response is ambition, fraternity, joining together, it is the Republic.

Vive la République ! Vive la France !

Yes, well, at least the sign-off displays a little spunk. Not a gifted speaker, Jack does not exactly inspire under the most favorable circumstances. Nor energize. But we are confident that the French will rally behind Jack in the year ahead to make France a really super great place.

* We do not count Jack's claiming economic growth a French success as this ignores his government's own forecasts. The French economy might achieve 1.5% growth for 2005 against the government's insistent forecast of 2.5%. Experiencing some growth is not the same as achieving targeted growth.

PFFT (What is this?): Mentorial flailing 3 | Rayonnement français 0

Bonjour,

Un fait oublié:l'antisémitisme US d'avant-guerre...

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=fr&ModuleId=98

En 1939 ,lors d'une manipulation les Nazis expulsèrent 1000 Juifs sur le paquebot Saint-Louis.
Le commandant du paquebot Schrôeder,un anti-nazi ,se démène alors pour les faire accepter aux USA.
Il écrivit même à Roosvelt.
Peine perdue:les Yankees refoulent ces malheureux pendant que se déroulent aux USA de violentes campagnes antisémites.
La mort les attend dans l'Allemagne nazie…
Par bonheur Schrôeder en se démenant demande le concours de la Belgique,la Grande-Bretagne,les Pays-Bas et la France qui accueillent ces malheureux.

Les USA sont-ils dès lors fondés à accuser la France REPUBLICAINE d'antisémitisme ??