Lawmaker: Chirac not welcome in Louisiana

[Evilmav2]

Lawmaker: Chirac not welcome in Louisiana

No Gumbo for You!

By Cain Burdeau The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana legislator is mounting a drive to keep French President Jacques Chirac from joining President Bush at a ceremony to mark the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.
State Rep. Almond Gaston Crowe, R-Slidell, has drafted a resolution to rescind Louisiana’s invitation to Chirac for the Dec. 20 celebration because of Chirac’s refusal to join the United States in the war against Iraq.
‘‘My name is Almond Gaston and I play the French horn, so I’m as French as you get,’’ Crowe said. ‘‘I don’t have anything against the French — just against the current leader’s devastating decision to not support this war against terrorism and our effort to the liberate Iraq.’’
Crowe drafted the proposal Monday and plans to solicit support before the opening of the state legislative session March 31.
Neither Chirac nor Bush have said they do not intend to make the trip to New Orleans. But the clash between France and the United States over the Iraqi war has cast a shadow on the pending ceremony.
‘‘I mean, God, we bailed them out of World War I and World War II and they didn’t show much appreciation. What we’re doing is going to enhance France’s right to freedom for many years to come,’’ Crowe said.
The meeting is supposed to cap a year of festivities in Louisiana dedicated to the Louisiana Purchase.
Chirac, Bush and Spanish King Juan Carlos were invited to the Dec. 20 re-enactment of the signing of the land deal that opened the way for American expansion. Carlos was invited because the Spanish crown once owned Louisiana and took part in the 1803 negotiations.
In part, Crowe said he was motivated to keep Chirac away because his three nephews, who are reservists, have been called up to fight.
‘‘This war could have been avoided if France and other countries had joined with us. That is what Bush and our allies were trying to do,’’ Crowe said. ‘‘And we wouldn’t have lost a single soldier and the destruction from the bombing would not have taken place.’’
David Marcantel, a board member of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, said Crowe’s resolution would not find many friends in the Legislature. ‘‘It’s not in the interest of Louisiana or the United States,’’ he said.
Phillip Jones, secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said many of the Louisiana Purchase events in the state are possible only because of cooperation with France, which is loaning Louisiana items such as artwork and historical documents.
‘‘It would cause us great embarrassment, particularly in France,’’ he told lawmakers Tuesday.
‘‘We don’t think it would be very helpful to the tourism,’’ he said, noting the state is in the top five tourist destinations for Europeans. Marcantel said it is tragic that many in the United States seem willing to throw away a deep friendship that has existed for more than 200 years.
He pointed out that without the help of France in the American revolution, there is a strong possibility that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would have been hung as traitors by the British.

[Chiwas]

<< He pointed out that without the help of France in the American revolution, there is a strong possibility that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would have been hung as traitors by the British. >>

It was a long time ago. Things have changed a lot since then. Weird that the same British are the best allies of the US nowadays, not to mention the different path followed by the French.

[LRB]

Double Post

[LRB]

I wouldn't invite the SOB either. He is little better if any that Saddam Hussein. He has politically allied himself and his country consistently with terrorists and monsters such as Saddam. He has even gone so far as to oppose humanitarian aid to Iraqis so his country can gain financially. Good job Chirac kill some innoncent Iraqi children by delaying humanitarian aid to pad French pockets. This guy has an extra warm space in hell reserved for him.

[Evilmav2]

I don't know if Chirac would to visit the state that took the overrated cuisine of France and greatly improved it anyway...


Jambalaya... Mmmmmmm....

[Drbio]

JAMBALAYA! Yummy!!!!

Toss in some mudbugs my friend....and I eat them by the dozens..yes...dozenS!!!

[Evilmav2]

Good, good, boiled Mudbugs with lemons...

[OzMavs]

mudbugs?

aren't they yabbies?

[Big Boy Laroux]

Mudbugs? Mudbugs?

not in cajun country, boys. those are simply crawfish. the northerners call em mudbugs.