Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation

 
ANOTHER BLOCKED BLOGGER

Well, I don't feel so bad about not blogging today now that I visited Rachel's blog and found she was also in a brain drain. Difference is she'll be blogging, probably before the end of the night. with rejuvenated fervor. And while she's in limbo, her previous wonderful blogs, plus the support of her great audience, will keep "Piquants" afloat. In fact, if you haven't dug into her archives, go there and start clicking. I'd like to say the same, but Alas! mine are not nearly as good as hers - plus, they're gone!


MAIL BOX - from Greg in Vancouver (via a Canadian relative, he says)

THE COMPLETE MILITARY HISTORY OF FRANCE

Gallic Wars - Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by (of all people) the Italians.

Hundred Years War - Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman."

Italian Wars - Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.

Wars of Religion - France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots.

Thirty Years War - France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.

War of Devolution - Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.

The Dutch War - Tied.

War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Francophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.

War of the Spanish Succession - Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved ever since.

American Revolution - In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."

French Revolution - Won, primarily due the fact that their opponents were also Frenchmen.

The Napoleonic Wars - Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.

The Franco-Prussian War - Lost. Germany's first play at the role of drunk Frat boy to France's lonely girl home alone on a Saturday night.

World War I - Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women finally find out what it's like to sleep with a winner who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French military bloodline.

World War II - Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.

War in Indochina - Lost. French forces plead sickness, take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu.

Algerian Rebellion - Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; "We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rule of Warfare of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.

War on Terrorism - France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe. Attempts to surrender to Vietnamese ambassador fail after he takes refuge in a McDonald's.

Classic Quote: "Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion."
--Donald Rumsfeld

posted by HCL at 8:06 PM