The French are enthralled by the three Americans who acted so swiftly to stop the Thalys gunman. In their news conference Sunday afternoon at the US embassy in Paris, they came over as archetypes of American masculine virtue: handsome, strong, modest.
Deep in the French gene, there is something that responds positively to this. It is the same spirit that is so grateful - 70 years on - for the American sacrifice in the Normandy landings: a recognition of the American capacity to join moral clarity with swift, decisive action.
Recognition, but also not a little envy. The press has made much of the fact that while the three Americans - and their ally the British businessman Chris Norman - have been feted with news conferences and all the rigmarole of instant fame, the Frenchman who also played a heroic part has preferred to remain anonymous.
I can on ly assume the Frenchman is worried about being targeted by ISIS.....Glad to see that the Americans are being awarded a French Medal for what they did. I wonder if the airman will be able to wear it on his uniform. Can't remember the rules of foreign awards, but seem to recall you can't. Still will look good on hid brag sheet!
You know one must wonder why ALL countries are not actively (directly) involved helping to wipe out ISIS. It is like the bullies in school who was always stopped by this one person, either through violence or diplomacy. Now that person has moved on. So NO ONE person is left to deal with future bullies. NOW all the other people MUST band together to conquer the Bully.
Simple but you get the point.
CEC
I believe that there is a good chance that ISIS will target these people. I hope not but they may recognize this as needing to be dealt with and need to correct "losing face" by murdering these brave men. I pray they don't!!
Contrary to what some prominent people think, Americans are exceptional. Running TO the problem and not away from it is one of our engrained traits. This episode and that of 9/11 are only 2 examples. The French can be complicated and I believe they are in awe of our military personnel but don't like to admit it. I've read several interesting stories concerning "joint" efforts in the Middle East, which largely involved Marines or Seals dropping in to swiftly take care of a "stalemate" between friendly forces and bad guys. I'll take a fellow American next to me in a dilemma anyday, thank you.
