OK. It’s one thing that the Olympic uniforms were assembled in China, but let’s lay off the berets. As someone pointed out today, if it weren’t for the French, we might all be speaking with British accents today. Thank you Lafayette (who camped near my house with George Washington), Rochambeau (whom an ancestor of mine hosted along with George Washington on the retreat from Verplanck) and the unfortunate Louis XVI (who … well, you know). Merci pour tout! Bon Jour de la Bastille!!!
Happy Bastille Day!
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is greeted by French President Francois Hollande prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Friday, July 6, 2012. (APPhoto/Remy de la Mauviniere)
On the Occasion of France’s National Day
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateWashington, DCJuly 13, 2012
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of France as you celebrate Bastille Day this July 14. This is an opportunity for the American and French people to reflect on the lasting ties of family and friends that have guided our two countries for hundreds of years.
From the French war hero Marshal Rochambeau who fought alongside George Washington’s Continental Army, to the partnership between Eleanor Roosevelt and René Cassin who worked tirelessly to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Franco-American collaborations are as numerous as they are deep. Our cooperation on global challenges – supporting democratic aspirations, fighting poverty and disease, halting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and much more – stems from our history of shared democratic values.
On this 223rd anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, I send my deepest congratulations to the people of France and best wishes for peace and prosperity in the year ahead.
P.S. Thanks for introducing Thomas Jefferson to macaroni and cheese. Really!
I didn’t know that about Jefferson and the macaroni and cheese. I will have to tell Amanda. Mac & cheese is her favorite food. 🙂
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Yes. He is la personne responsable. I drive past Washington and Lafayette’s encampments daily. I also drive past Nabisco where Kraft is located. They make mac and cheese … in the same industrial complex is where they make Worstershire sauce. I always thought I was using something exotic. Nope. It comes from less than 10 minutes from my house. Also Florida Water (Scarlett uses it in GWTW) – not from an exotic place. Half hour from my house which is not in Florida or Louisiana. My illusions in shatters!
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Do you know where can I find NEW STATESMAN magazine in Ca? David M is the editor of this month and has a Hillary essay in it! http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/staggers/2012/07/new-statesman-cover-16-July
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Maybe you should get it through B&N or Amazon. I went to my local B&N looking for Foreign Policy Magazine with the HRC article and they don’t carry it. I could find it from them online though.
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Thank you so much ! As one of the best Hillary supporter in France (certainly the best), I’m feel so emotional reading the SOS statement. America gives a gift to me: OPTIMISM
Happy Bastille Day everyone !
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Have a good one, Kevin!
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