what did others think to the 'Sarko smackdown'?

[becstarsky]

I was a bit yesterday when I saw this on TV, and I've been pondering since what I think of it.

On the one hand, I do think the question was a bit off - but not terribly so, because I expect journos to ask politicians tricky and even aggressive questions, I don't like 'cosy chat' journalism when it comes to political leaders. But Sarkozy's ripost sounded like real antipathy towards the British. I get the distinct impression that both Sarkozy and Obama cannot stand us. Not just in a measured way, but on a visceral level. Sure, us Brits have got a lot to answer for. But few countries are blameless throughout their history, no?
What do other people think?

A racist frenchman.... the very idea! :) Sarkozy is increasingly irritated with the UK because we are outside the Eurozone and yet still an important EU member. He snapped at Cameron for telling them to get their act together in a 'you're not in our gang so bugger off' fashion. Obama is irritated with Europe full stop because Merkel, Sarkozy et al won't bring in the full might of the ECB (which is a bottomless pit of cash) and are asking for outside help.

He hates us Irish too.

c'est la vie!

He's just pissed off because Cameron accidentally kicked his soap box out from under the podium, just seconds before he was due on stage.

Think OF.

I can't watch that video on iPad so don't know what you are shocked at, but this question is not tricky and aggressive. It is downright stupid:

I asked: "It's evident that you and Mme Merkel, the two most powerful governments in Europe, are trying to change the governments of Italy and Greece. How is that just? And once it's started, where does it stop?"

They are definitely not trying to change the governments of countries who are currently in financial trouble. In fact, they would hate to see political trouble added to financial woes of these countries.

What they are trying to do is push strict financial controls and austerity measures down Greece's throat before it goes up with a bang and takes EU with it. Considering that Greece got into this mess entirely on its own, lying, cheating and being shockingly irresponsible, they are not at all being unreasonable.

"It's evident", no less

The plain fact is that EU has no solution to this problem other than bullying the Germany and ECB into bailing the other countries out. They will never agree to that. EU bureacrats and politicians know their dream is falling apart and there is nothing they can do. Greece and Italy have no functional Govts and unsutainable debt - they will default on it all.

France has the biggest banks in the World (BNP) so loaded with European Govt debt that the French state would lose its AAA debt rating if it had to save them. The US is flabergasted and annoyed because its banks wil fail if sovereign Govts fail in Europe. They are also so loaded with European debt the financial losses will drag down the US banks as well as European ones.

The financial market know it and its like watching a herd of buffalo being hunted by lions. They take down the weakest first and then move on to the next.

Like your explanation Ryoko That would explain the bad temper... I don't think the French and Germans are being unreasonable either Cote - they're footing the bill and the uncertainty this week must have been horribly stressful for all those trying to keep things afloat. Just had a vision of Angela Merkel drafting her AIBU OP with a "Long - Sorry!" at the end of it... so much back story. No doubt we would accuse her of drip feeding at some point!

And yes, you're right about the journalist's question. Since you can't see it, Sarkozy's response was something like ?You come from an island, so you cannot understand the subtleties of European construction" - but it was all in the delivery. Sneering. Reminded me of his 'racaille' gaffe (gosh that seems a long time ago now).

I think Sarkozy was daft to refuse to shake Cameron's hand at the other meeting too. I mean I'm no fan of DC, but refusing to shake another world leader's hand should be reserved for people like Mugabe and Assad surely?

Note new nn

The French and the Germans have to save the Euro. When Greece defaults it will be a blow. Spain is on the brink, Italy is NEXT, Ireland and Portugal are both fucked. These 5 countries should never have been allowed into the Euro, but the ambition of Germany to dominate European policies clouded their judgement.

I'm so happy this nn was available. again.

Greece should really be kicked out anyway, they lied to get in.

The EU should never have adopted the Euro, sure it sounded like a good idea but now in the cold light of truth we can clearly see how stupid it was, the likes of Greece could never be up there with Germany, best for everyone to have there own currency, at it's own rates.

I don't think Sarkozy hates us Brits at all.
It was a typical dumbed down question that we are used to on our TV news programmes, and it was treated by Sarkozy with the contempt it deserved.
I found it refreshing to see a leader of a country actually stand up for themselves instead of kowtowing to the meeja.

Even the BBC web page for the journalist shows teh same dumbed dumb disrespect

'The Sarko smackdown!'

Soon the BBC will possibly have dumbed down web pages like "Up Yours Delors" and "Turnip Head"

'Greece should really be kicked out anyway, they lied to get in', as did several other nations.

As for now seeing that the Euro was a mistake - that was evident from the get go. What is fascinating is watching the whole thing unravel - how far will Merkozy go to save the euro? Sarkozy needs it saved not because he is paying the bill, but because French banks have loaned so much to the Greeks (due diligence anyone?), and Merkel evidently feels for some reason she is on a mission, but it puts her at loggerheads with the German constitution. Lisbon has been over-ridden, and the treaty broken with regards to bail outs, so what next? If the politicians don't respect the law for their own ends, why should anyone else?

Just saw that Sarkozy and Obama got caught out with the 'these mics aren't switched on' classic gaffe when they were bitching about Benjamin Netanyahu before the press conference... He was clearly feeling irritable with more than just us.

Just read about the Netanyahu gaff, very funny and very true!

Obama's response was just priceless. He's going to get in trouble!