There is a new French magazine called l'Empire, devoted to the United States. "Devoted" is perhaps the wrong word.
[From the editorial of the first issue, after a plea to please please please subscribe]
"Never in history has a sole power deployed its troops all around the planet. [The French prefer to forget that the British Empire existed.] Never has a model of civilization spread itself around the world with such force. [The French tried it too but it didn't take.] The United States of America weighs on the destiny of all the countries of the globe. Such a fact cannot leave anyone indifferent. It well deserves an attentive chronicle. This is what L'Empire proposes. Our judgment is critical. But, whenever possible [sometimes we can't help ourselves!] , free of prejudices and of ideological standpoints. It will be that of a Candide of our time. Curious and open to debate. Of course, we will apply ourselves to indicating the sore points.
"'Anti-américanisme!' some will cry. They are wrong. We love America. Its fascinating spaces, its rich culture, its inexhaustible energy, its spirit of enterprise. As Europeans, we recognize the common values we share with this great people. But we dare to say that this verse is a little short.
"Europe, like Asia, Africa and South America, has also developed in the course of its history distinct values which are not the same as those of the American model. We are attached to this diversity and think it must be defended.
"The difference on the war in Iraq is only an episode. America has a long tradition of using force in external affairs [luckily for France]. For the better and for the worse. This geostrategic fact should incite us all to vigilance. Many Americans are themselves conscious of the dangers of what we must certainly call imperialism. A simplistic and evangelical vision of the world risks blinding this great nation so much as to bring its decline into view. That would be as heavy in consequence for everyone as the nation's apogee.
"We must therefore open our eyes wide. We will do it together with you, listening to your questions, your objects, your propositions."
I read the whole magazine standing at the newstand. I refused to pay one sou for this piece of anti-American trash, whose attitude toward my country is summed up by the word used throughout the magazine for "Americans": etasuniens [Unitedstatesians]. This stupid neologism is a favorite of America-haters who buy the mainly Argentinian argument that we are not entitled to call ourselves Americans-- even though we have called ourselves that for nearly four hundred years-- since they, too, are Americans!
I was pleased to see there was no advertising. There had better not be.
Update: Never saw the second issue....Good riddance.
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