Somethings are just too good to pass up. I took some (mild) heat last week for writing an article in favor of cutting the French a break. Now comes an account of détente courtesy not of the French Government but of France 2 Television. From the Last of the Famous International Playboys comes this delightful account of American tsunami aid and French, well, impotence. All laid out on the nightly news:
For days now, the US military has been getting favorable coverage on the French nightly news due to its response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami. But tonight's broadcast was simply astounding. At 8 minutes into the broadcast, anchor David Pujadas begins a discussion of the disaster response and introduced a report on the American deployment:
First off, here is the powerful American machinery in action. For 24 hours now, there has been a landing ["débarquement"] taking place — there is no other word — while helicopters continue the distribution [of humanitarian aid].
The report begins with an improvised helipad and then shows US airmen distributing "survival packages" of food, clothes and demountable shelters. In addition to showing those in need that they have not been forgotten, these supplies will allow their recipients to live for another day, says the narrator.
The report goes on to contrast the American operation with the French:
Pujadas says that "the scale of need must not hide the failure to provide it." He introduces the next report: "... the failure of a French civilian rescue mission in one of the most heavily affected areas."
We learn that 100 French firefighters as well as rescue and response workers have been sent to Meulaboh to establish a field hospital but that 8 days after their deployment and 15 days after the disaster, only 25% of their supplies have been delivered "because France has no helicopters [to deliver them]."
One of the most enjoyable things in life is when a bureaucrat gets a good on-air spanking. Somehow, it's all the more pleasurable in French. The interview with Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is funny to watch, even if your French is a bad as mine. Squirming is an international language.
Read the whole post. It's funny and well-done. I'm going to keep these guys on the radar.
Thanks, Maggie.
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