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Europe
Chirac argues for gesture to Iran in nuke talks
2005-02-23
French President Jacques Chirac called Tuesday for a sign to be sent to Iran as part of European-led talks aimed at convincing Tehran to definitively abandon its nuclear ambitions. Chirac told a press conference in Brussels that an "entirely legitimate" sign could focus on the Islamic republic's desire to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or to obtain civilian aircraft engines. He said he had spoken about Iran with US President George W. Bush during a dinner date on Monday, but did not say what the US leader's response was.
Can't print that in a family weblog newspaper.
Washington has alleged that Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons, a charge that Tehran vehemently denies, saying that its nuclear programme is completely peaceful.
"Just like our long-range missile programme. Really really peaceful!"
While the US has not ruled out the threat of military action, European nations, led by France, Britain and Germany, have been using the carrot rather than stick approach and are seeking to persuade Iran to comply with international obligations in return for a lucrative package of trade deals.
Plus they're into the whole "groveling" thing...
Posted by:Seafarious

#26  "Forrest's scolding against Bragg in fall 1863, is regarded by some as the greatest insubordination speech ever given by a US military officer

It isn't. It is the greatest insubordination speech ever given by a CS military officer
Posted by: JFM   2005-02-23 2:53:35 PM  

#25  AzCat,

I like that #21 pic. He has an U.S. insurgent look going on. The only thing that is missing is the soldier cutting Chirac/Zarqawi's head off, with a sign in the background that states "Praise Israel."
Posted by: Poison Reverse   2005-02-23 1:56:36 PM  

#24  We musn't forget one of the basics:

Basic Gesture
Posted by: BigEd   2005-02-23 1:40:01 PM  

#23  .com, AzCat --

Those are great!
Posted by: nada   2005-02-23 1:27:36 PM  

#22  AzCat - Heh... For your collection... ;-)
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 11:17:07 AM  

#21  As far as signs go I kind of dig this one.
Posted by: AzCat   2005-02-23 11:12:01 AM  

#20  Anger Management?

A tranquilizer gun more likely:

Forrest reams out Bragg


"Forrest's scolding against Bragg in fall 1863, is regarded by some as the greatest insubordination speech ever given by a US military officer:

"You commenced your cowardly and contemptable persecution of me soon after the battle of Shiloh, and you have kept it up ever since. You did it because I reported to Richmond facts, while you reported damned lies. You robbed me of my command in Kentucky, and gave it to one of your personal favorites -- men that I armed and equipped from the enemies of our country. In a spirit of revenge and spite, because I would not fawn upon you as others did, you drove me into West Tennessee in the winter of 1862, with a second brigade I had organized, with improper arms and without sufficient ammunition, although I had made repeated applications for the same. You did it to ruin me and my career.

"When in spite of all this I returned with my command, well equipped by captures, you began your work of spite and persecution, and have kept it up. And now this second brigade, organized and equipped without thanks to you or the government, a brigade which has won a reputation for successful fighting second to none in the army, taking advantage of your position as the commanding general in order to further humiliate me, you have taken these brave men from me.

"I have stood your meanness as long as I intend to. You have played the part of a damned scoundrel, and are a coward, and if you were any part of a man I would slap your jaws and force you to resent it."


"You may as well not issue any more orders to me, for I will not obey them. And I will hold you personally responsible for any further indignities you try to inflict upon me.

"You have threatened to arrest me for not obeying you orders promptly. I dare you to do it, and I say that if you ever again try to interfere with me or cross my path, it will be at the peril of your life."

Reportedly, Bragg's face was totally white when Forrest left. After exiting Bragg's tent. Dr. Cowan told him, "Well, you are in for it now.". Forrest turned and replied, "He'll never open his mouth. Unless you or I mention it, this will never be known."

This incident was reported later in detail by Forrest's doctor, Dr. Cowan."

And why would Bragg keep quiet?

"Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest had 30 horses shot from under him and personally killed 31 men in hand-to-hand combat."




Posted by: Ernest Brown   2005-02-23 11:09:53 AM  

#19  French President Jacques Chirac called Tuesday for a sign to be sent to Iran as part of European-led talks aimed at convincing Tehran to definitively abandon its nuclear ambitions.

I'd say this is as good a sign as any:

Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-02-23 10:43:12 AM  

#18  Ya know, I'm almost amazed at the frogs. Makin' money of Saddam AND the MMs! Two more bitter enemies you could never meet and yet the frogs found a way to make money off of both. Again, though, I said ALMOST amazed!
Posted by: BA   2005-02-23 9:47:19 AM  

#17  Thanks for the link AzCat, quite an eye opener. After reading that and knowing Jacques is one of the most underhanded, money grubbing whores outside of Kofi, there is zero possibility he will risk that revenue because of principles.
I'm certain he will continue to try and encourage paying off the mullahs under any circumstance.
Posted by: JerseyMike   2005-02-23 9:03:06 AM  

#16  My favorite NBF quote"Who gets there firstest with the mostest wins".
Posted by: raptor   2005-02-23 8:13:28 AM  

#15  French trade with Iran hit around $2.5B euros last year and has grown at an annual rate of 30%+ since the turn of the millennium. No further explanation necessary.
Posted by: AzCat   2005-02-23 8:12:17 AM  

#14  If Jacques wants to continue negotiating, then either he or someone he knows is still making money off of Iran. What a shallow, useless turd.
Posted by: JerseyMike   2005-02-23 7:51:20 AM  

#13  Clearly, Gen Forrest should have been enrolled in an anger management program earlier in his career.

Kinda makes you wonder what Gen Mattis would say in similar circumstances.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2005-02-23 7:46:00 AM  

#12  .com, Forrest also told General John Bell Hood "If you was a whole man I'd whup you". After the disasterous charge at Franklin, which, by the way, was bigger and suffered more casualities than Picketts Charge at Gettysburg.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2005-02-23 7:30:04 AM  

#11  LOL! When I saw the title, I thought the very same thing.

Great minds think alike...
Posted by: Ptah   2005-02-23 5:05:31 AM  

#10  nada - Thx, but that's only a sampling, lol! Try this one...
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 1:35:23 AM  

#9  .com --

Those are great! Especially like the Flying F... award. Could use that one at work!!
Posted by: nada   2005-02-23 1:28:06 AM  

#8  But this is my favorite - just cuz, heh.

Too bad we can't put these thoughts in front of Chirac - and, to quote the amazing Nathan Bedford Forrest:
"if you were any part of a man I would slap your jaws and force you to resent it."

The most remarkable case of insubordination I've ever come across. But then Forrest was certainly no regular man.
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 1:11:40 AM  

#7  CO - I have a variant on that one, too, heh. If you have a rolling donut, we're set, lol!
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 12:59:14 AM  

#6  Yea the flying fikle finger of fate.
Posted by: Chuling Omegum6818   2005-02-23 12:53:45 AM  

#5  Lol, nada... For variety...
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 12:50:36 AM  

#4  We all must be thinking the same thing tonight, 'cause I mentioned The Finger in a different post before reading these. Must be the moon out yonder...
Posted by: nada   2005-02-23 12:46:19 AM  

#3  Heh, I typed too slowly, AzCat. ;-)
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 12:44:23 AM  

#2  An gesture appropriate for the MMs... and Chirac, too, for that matter. Add Putty and the King of the Belgians, the House of Saud, Turkey, PakiWakiLand... The UN, MSM, Soros, Pelosi, Reid, Rockefeller, Leahy, Teddy, Skeery, McCain, the Ninth Circuit Court, Kos, DU, Babs, Martin Sheen, Affleck... Sheesh, this could take all night.
Posted by: .com   2005-02-23 12:43:07 AM  

#1  Here's a gesture for them:
Posted by: AzCat   2005-02-23 12:32:17 AM  

00:00