"Aux armes citoyens!"

We carefully watch America deal with itself. Massachusetts fills its vacant senate seat with a Republican. Interesting, perhaps. Barney Frank gets in a snit over a $1.00 ferry discount on his way to a gay festival. This is the mind that oversees financial regulation. Blagojevich decides not to speak his mind on the record. Who knows? Signs of growing up? A kid, a 22 year old PFC snitches a bunch of military files and has the “audacity” to release them to the taxpayers and the rest of the world. And Obama says it’s illegal? Huh? Mon Dieu? What next? Open government? And then. From across the pond comes the news that the French have declared WAR on al-Qaida. And this is just days after telling girls to drop the face masks. Qu’est que c’est que ca? (What’s going on?) Do you need a weatherman to tell which way the wind is blowing?

America seemingly cannot lead. Our motto has become "avoid sacrifice and frugality."  Avoid risk.  Avoid toughing it out.  Just keep doing the same thing over and over again only add more borrowed dollars to it.  We, at TheFundamentals, have no idea what happened to our cojones to use the new language of this republic. It may just be too much multi culturalism at work. Too much pot; not enough melting. But, alas, we think it is a bit more diabolical. It may be others are way ahead of us. Perhaps it is time to stop talking and start listening. Maybe we could learn from others.

TheFundamentals has visited la France. We admit, we like France and we like the French. We like them for many reasons. Not the least of which is that without their support, their money, their troops, their navy, there well may not be a US of A. We like the national anthem of le France. Below are excerpts from La Marseillaise. It is recognizable around the world. It is a wonderful and powerful statement of a people. We would invite you to read a few of the stanzas, first in the native language because there is no substitute for the power of these verses in le francais. Then, for you disinclined Francophiles, an English translation. Do not discount the power of the French. Do not discount the power of others to lead. America take note. There are many powerful voices in the world. Let’s recognize them; let’s stand back and listen to them. Let’s respect the discipline of others and let’s follow others when others move to lead.

“Allons enfants de la patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé! Contre nous de la tyrannie, L’étendard sanglant est levé! L’étendard sanglant est levé! Entendez-vous dans nos campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats? Qui viennent jusque dans nos bras Egorger nos fils et nos compagnes!

Arise children of the motherland, Our day of glory has arrived! Over us, the bloodstained banner Of tyranny holds sway! Oh, do you hear there in our fields The roar of these ferocious soldiers? Who came right here in our midst To slaughter our sons and wives.

Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons! Marchons, marchons, Qu’un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons!

To arms, oh citizens! Form up in serried ranks! March on, march on, May their impure blood Flow in our fields!

Amour sacré de la patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs! Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs! Combats avec tes défenseurs! Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents! Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire! (chorus)

Supreme devotion to our Motherland, Guides and sustains avenging hands! Liberty, oh dearest Liberty, Come fight with your shielding bands! Beneath our banner come, oh victory, Answer your soul-stirring cry! Oh come, come see your foes now die, Witness your pride and our glory! (chorus)

Nous entrerons dans la carrière Quand nos ainés n’y serons plus; Nous y trouverons leur poussière Et la trace de leurs vertus. Et la trace de leurs vertus. Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre Que de partager leur cercueil, Nous aurons le sublime orgueil De les venger ou de les suivre! (chorus)

Into the fight we too shall enter, When our fathers are dead and gone; We shall find their bones laid down to rest, With the fame of their glories won, Oh, to survive them care we not, Glad are we to share their grave, Great honor is to be our lot To follow or to venge our brave. (chorus)”

Excerpts from La Marseillaise by Rouget de Lisle

Vive la France!!