(Article changed on October 19, 2012 at 20:35)
(Article changed on October 19, 2012 at 20:21)
I couldn't watch the debates. Those two guys should just sing a song in unison, "Everything you can do, I can do better" No, you can't, yes, I can., etc..etc".
It was the reaction of the MSM that bothered me; I felt a smell of a dead cat.
The cat comes from the book by Lyons Feuchtwanger "Arms For America'- the great historical novel, practically unknown in the US. In that book Feuchtwanger tells a story about Benjamin Franklin and his first mission to Paris as a Representative of the Continental Congress, his efforts to sign a treaty with France and the great help provided to America by the notorious and famous Pierre Baumarchet, the adventurer, arms dealer and a literary genius, author of the immortal comedy "Marriage of Figaro'. For the record, it was Baumarchet, who devised a plan by which French government could use his name to send arms and munitions to Americans. He wanted to sell those arms for profit and guarantee the delivery of American spices and sugar to France. In a long run he never got anything back but his debts were covered by French taxpayers which contributed to already catastrophic situation of then French budget.
The book is marvelous, full of wit, brilliant characteristics and historical narratives. It sparkles like a wine. It is also dedicated to Ben Franklin; he is a protagonist and the level of respect and even love towards great Ben is overwhelming. "Behold the man,"- says about him the French Prime-Minister Maurepat and that's how we see him- the first American, famous on both sides of the Ocean.
Franklin came to France in a very tough period for the US revolution: the British were winning on all fronts and even Philadelphia was taken. It was a matter of life and death to achieve a treaty with the French, gain their military support and a sizable loan. Meanwhile Congress could not offer anything to the potential ally except for the slim promises of preferential sugar trading after the victory . Franklin was sent on a mission from Hell.
But he succeeded immensely. Not only he secured the good rapport with the French government- he became a celebrity in Paris and was the first foreigner in the 18th Century granted full membership in the French Academy. His portrait was exhibited in Versailles, his bust was there too, he was called "An old man in an orchard' because he lived in a beautiful orchard. All was well except for one thing- the French King, Louis the 16th hated him and could not stand him.
The young King (he was barely 23 at that time) was very pious and he could not approve in his soul any dealings and especially treaties with the people who revolted against his English cousin thus openly violating the Divine principles of governing by monarchy. He even contemplated at one point to offer England the French fleet as a help. But his ministers were obsessed with the chance to pay England back for the previous misfortunes and they pushed and pushed him; even the Queen Antoinette was insisting on that treaty. Louis got really angry, announced that he would not even consider such a thing and in a paroxysm- imprisoned Baumarchet as a crook who tried to involve the French Crown in his shadowy deals.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).