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Certainly not on topic for this list, but I'll add a bit. Last
Christmas I was in Paris for 10 days. I found the French generally
happy with Americans like me and my family...some of us speak some
French, but must unhappy with W. They did make that distinction
often.
"Taverne shot back: "Since the Government is in favor of allowing
choice between sense and nonsense, will it also allow children to be
taught that the earth is flat and that the sun goes around the earth?
Since there is a crisis in math teaching in schools, and some
university chemistry departments are closing down, will the Government
also offer as an alternative the teaching of astrology and alchemy?"
"It is extraordinary," Taverne went on, "that a Government and a Prime
Minister who say they are in favor of science have allowed the
introduction into our schools of the worst features of American
fundamentalist, anti-science, pseudoscience nonsense."
http://www.the-scientist.com/2005/2/28/12/2
But I think it is entirely proper to inveigh against the introduction
of one aspect of American life that you don't like into your country,
and that, it seems to me is exactly what Taverne was doing. I don't
read his statement as arguing against all things American, just this
one thing.
p.s. my wife was a resident tutor w/ perks -- entertainment budget and
large apartment for a dorm. Rarely did the parties not degenerate
into anti-American / anti-VietNam involvement songs and rants. Of
course we were excepted.