Of course it's flattering to France. Indirectly? Sure. It also indirectly slams America for her bad behaviour to the French since 9/11. Because the last time anyone in France said anything about being American (We are all Americans now) America slammed the door in her face and idiots in the American government did rude things like rename French Fries "Freedom Fries".
Garrison Keillor has a sophisticated audience despite his folksy style. His listeners and readers know this.
The best evidence for his statement that we won the jackpot is that someone representing France said such a nice thing despite the atrocious way we treated France the last time they said something similar.
At least that's how I read it the first time and how I still read it.
You have no idea how extensive AND intensive the French-bashing is in the media until you actually start noting things down, which is a dreary thing to do.
Maybe one day I will do it, just for the sake of demonstration. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
It's just like the left calling the Paulson bailout "socialism" for the rich. Even as it criticises the bailout, it validates the use of "socialism" as an insult.
Keillor validates the use of the French as a target, and as a knee-jerk anti-American grup. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
I'm just having a hard time thinking that he fits into the category of serious "English language media commentary on France".
I'm sure I don't notice it as much as you but I really do notice French bashing in the media. And ... unlike my compatriots in this thread, I don't mind if you want to call each and every instance out of even borderline France bashing out. I like to do that with lawyer bashing :)
