Thread: So whats so wrong with being able to speak French?

It is being widely reported in the UK media that the Newt Gingrich is "attacking" Mitt Romney in a video which states:-

Just like John Kerry, he speaks French too’.

Now I have no real opinion about the 2 republicans but I would have thought an understanding of other cultures and language would be a positive thing rather than a negative one.

As it stands it implies to me a stance of isolationism and xenophobia would be the norm amongst US politicians, am I wrong?

Sources:-
BBC News - Mitt Romney lambasted in attack ad for speaking French
Newt Gingrich ad attacks Mitt Romney for speaking French - 'just like John Kerry' | Mail Online
US election 2012: Mitt Romney attacked by Republican rival for speaking French - Telegraph

Its a sad state of affairs over here . In the last few years it seems that intelligence and intellectualism is frowned upon. It seems to me that they are appealing to the lowest common denominator. I like the Idea of having a leader who not only speaks different languages but at lesst makes at the very least an attempt to understand other cultures. People seem to get caught up in issues that have nothing to do with the job at hand as well .But then again I also like someone who can feel strongly about an issue then learn something new on the topic or understand it from a different perspective and adjust there own view based on fact. Thats just me .

There seems to be a strong anti-intellectualism movement in this country now.

France specifically; I believe all the French hate started when they did not support the Iraq invasion. Remember the "Freedom Fries" episode in washington.....?

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

There seems to be a strong anti-intellectualism movement in this country now.

France specifically; I believe all the French hate started when they did not support the Iraq invasion. Remember the "Freedom Fries" episode in washington.....?

Started before that even, Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986, they wouldn't let our jets overfly their country to go thump Libya. We flew around and thumped them anyway. Don't know why that surprised anyone, let's just say the French have never been huge fans of tactical operations of any sort (and that's as far as I'm gonna take that.)

As far as the Mitt speaks French remark, I'm as Republican as they come and I'm absolutely over these two guys ceasing any opportunity to bash one another. I can't be certain but I believe Gingrich was, in an underhanded sort of way, infering that relative to national defense Mitt, like John Kerry, would take a less than aggressive stance (hey, not bad, two paragraphs about the French and not one incendiary comment.)

I recently saw the movie Idiocracy. Yeah, it's meant to be comedy but life imitating art was absolutely shocking. As much as it pains me to admit, now more than ever, Americans seem to celebrate their ignorance bad judgement and self absorbed attitudes.

PS: I voted Democrat for the 3rd time in my life today (Mitt Romney). The other two were Charlie Crist and John McCain It would appear the GOP has gone largely Progressive and is no longer the bastion of conservative politics it once was (i.e. Goldwater/Ronaldus Magnus)

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Ronaldus Magnus

I laughed adgdag

Its all very interesting, for me the ability to speak French would mean the ability to communicate more effectively with nationals of several European countries, several African countries, several Island nations and Canada. Rather than meaning a person would have some kind of elitist attitude or affinity with another country's foreign policy.

We suffer some anti-intellectual attitudes here politicians are expected to have the common touch. Personally I think we should have the best academics and business leaders in our government but we seem to resent paying politicians the kind of money that would attract the best. So as one would expect the have, mostly, got monkeys because we are paying peanuts.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

PS: I voted Democrat for the 3rd time in my life today (Mitt Romney). The other two were Charlie Crist and John McCain It would appear the GOP has gone largely Progressive and is no longer the bastion of conservative politics it once was (i.e. Goldwater/Ronaldus Magnus)

The interesting is that you only have the GOP itself to blame for that.
Only registered republicans get to vote in the primaries. If republicans as a group voted for actual conservatives, those conservatives would be on top of the heap, at least as far as the GOP goes.

Im not sure what he ment by it. But id does come across as an ignorant statement. It is very sad over here. You would be hard pressed to find a Politician who really is who they appear to be. Sad! But I dont trust any of them. Expecially our current Pres!

There all screwing us but the democrats use Vaseline! LOL

Originally Posted by Bruno

The interesting is that you only have the GOP itself to blame for that.
Only registered republicans get to vote in the primaries. If republicans as a group voted for actual conservatives, those conservatives would be on top of the heap, at least as far as the GOP goes.

Not true in every state. Iowa does not limit their caucus to Republicans. There are democrats messing with primaries in a lot of states.

My biggest problem with this primary is the _mistaken_ assumption that only Romney can beat Obama. I don't agree.