With Trump sitting nearby, Macron calls nationalism a betrayal

[webfact]

With Trump sitting nearby, Macron calls nationalism a betrayal

By Luke Baker

 

French President Emmanuel Macron is flanked by U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as he delivers a speech before a lunch at the Elysee Palace, during commemorations for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of World War One, in Paris, France, November 11, 2018. Jacques Demarthon/Pool via REUTERS

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron used an address to world leaders gathered in Paris for Armistice commemorations on Sunday to send a stern message about the dangers of nationalism, calling it a betrayal of moral values.

 

With U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting just a few feet away listening to the speech via translation earpieces, Macron denounced those who evoke nationalist sentiment to disadvantage others.

 

"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism: nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism," Macron said in a 20-minute address delivered from under the Arc de Triomphe to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

 

"By pursuing our own interests first, with no regard to others', we erase the very thing that a nation holds most precious, that which gives it life and makes it great: its moral values."

 

Trump, who has pursued "America First" policies since entering the White House and in the run-up to the congressional elections this month declared himself a "nationalist", sat still and stony-faced in the front row as Macron spoke.

 

There was no immediate response from either the White House or the Kremlin to Macron's comments.

 

"OLD DEMONS"

In the week ahead of Sunday's commemoration, Macron spent time touring World War One battlefields in northern and eastern France, repeatedly warning in speeches of the resurgence of nationalism, saying it threatened the unity so carefully rebuilt in Europe over the past 70 years.

 

In one interview, he compared the political tone now to the 1930s, saying complacency towards unbridled nationalism then had opened the way for the rise of Hitler.

 

In part, his warnings seemed aimed at far-right parties that have gained ground across Europe in recent elections, including in France, where the National Front, now renamed the National Rally, has nudged ahead of Macron's En Marche movement in the polls ahead of European Parliament elections next May.

 

Besides France, right-wing nationalist or populist parties are on the rise or now have a stake in power in Italy, Hungary, Poland, Austria and Slovenia, among others.

 

There has been a similar resurgence in nationalist-populist sentiment from Brazil to Turkey and the Philippines, echoing trends in Russia and the United States and challenging the multilateralism that leaders like Macron are keen to preserve.

 

In his address on Sunday, Macron said that "old demons are reawakening" and warned against ignoring the past.

 

"History sometimes threatens to repeat its tragic patterns, and undermine the legacy of peace we thought we had sealed with the blood of our ancestors," he said.

 

Asked in late October what he meant when he described himself as a nationalist, Trump cited his love of the country and said it was about putting it first economically.

 

"We're giving all of our wealth, all of our money, to other countries and then they don't treat us properly," he said.

 

"For many years other countries that are allies of ours... they have not treated our country fairly. So in that sense, I am absolutely a nationalist and I'm proud of it."

 

(Additional reporting by Richard Lough and Laurence Frost; Editing by Laurence Frost)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-11-12

[Samui Bodoh]

"...French President Emmanuel Macron used an address to world leaders gathered in Paris for Armistice commemorations on Sunday to send a stern message about the dangers of nationalism, calling it a betrayal of moral values..."

 

I have to say that I haven't liked Macron too much; there was something too 'French' about him (apologies to my French friends!).

 

That said, I am warming up to him.

 

"...By pursuing our own interests first, with no regard to others', we erase the very thing that a nation holds most precious, that which gives it life and makes it great: its moral values..."

 

Hear Hear!

 

Sadly, I sincerely doubt Trump even understands the message.

 

I have said it before and (sadly) need to say it again;

 

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

 

God help us all.

 

 

[canuckamuck]

21 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...By pursuing our own interests first, with no regard to others', we erase the very thing that a nation holds most precious, that which gives it life and makes it great: its moral values..."

Very often nationalism is a defense of your moral values. 

When Genghis Khan is at your gate for example.

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

 

[Samui Bodoh]

8 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

Very often nationalism is a defense of your moral values. 

When Genghis Khan is at your gate for example.

If Genghis Khan was at my gate, I would want to have my friends standing with me for defense.

 

Wouldn't you?

 

 

[observer90210]

Macron is plainly a clown and a puppet of the financial establishment of France.

[canuckamuck]

24 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

If Genghis Khan was at my gate, I would want to have my friends standing with me for defense.

 

Wouldn't you?

 

 

In the 20th century all the western countries were nationalist and yet the alliances were vast. 

[mauGR1]

1 hour ago, observer90210 said:

Macron is plainly a clown and a puppet of the financial establishment of France.

That seems to be a rather exact description of any politician

[simple1]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

In the 20th century all the western countries were nationalist and yet the alliances were vast. 

After WW11 which Western ruling governments had a 'nationalist' policy in the context to which Macron was referring?

[simple1]

1 hour ago, observer90210 said:

Macron is plainly a clown and a puppet of the financial establishment of France.

Under Macron's leadership, what policies / enacted legislation support your claims?

[Grouse]

2 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Macron is plainly a clown and a puppet of the financial establishment of France.

What nonsense

[Grouse]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

In the 20th century all the western countries were nationalist and yet the alliances were vast. 

I'm glad you understand the reasons for WW1. Well put!

[quandow]

The real problem is Macron used words too big for the pussy-grabber-in-chief to understand.

[canuckamuck]

2 minutes ago, Grouse said:

I'm glad you understand the reasons for WW1. Well put!

What? I never said anything about mutual defense alliances and imperialism.

[Becker]

26 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Under Macron's leadership, what policies / enacted legislation support your claims?

I hope you're not holding your breath while waiting for an answer...

[Becker]

2 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Very often nationalism is a defense of your moral values. 

All too often nationalism is a defense of the indefensible.

[Grouse]

4 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

What? I never said anything about mutual defense alliances and imperialism.

If you read The Sleepwalkers you will understand that nationalism and alliances were indeed the root cause of WW1. It was entirely avoidable

[canuckamuck]

9 minutes ago, Grouse said:

If you read The Sleepwalkers you will understand that nationalism and alliances were indeed the root cause of WW1. It was entirely avoidable

People use the word nationalism to mean racism and aggression, they also use it to mean dedication to their country and pride in their communities and their mutual bonds. One cannot just declare nationalism as a cause for war unless the definition of nationalism is more narrowly defined. Globalism very easily becomes the betrayal of moral value Macron was talking about.  When we lose our independent identities we become amoral drones and slaves.

[moontang]

Macron should have consulted a dictionary, before making a fool of himself on a solemn occasion.  

[Becker]

6 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

People use the word nationalism to mean racism and aggression, they also use it to mean dedication to their country and pride in their communities and their mutual bonds. One cannot just declare nationalism as a cause for war unless the definition of nationalism is more narrowly defined. Globalism very easily becomes the betrayal of moral value Macron was talking about.  When we lose our independent identities we become amoral drones and slaves.

Maybe you can come up with some examples of people and cultures who have lost their "independent identities" (I assume you mean due to globalism) and have become "amoral drones and slaves"?

[Becker]

8 minutes ago, moontang said:

Macron should have consulted a dictionary, before making a fool of himself on a solemn occasion.  

Macron was absolutely right and the biggest fool in the room was sitting right next to him. 

[IAMHERE]

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

After WW11 which Western ruling governments had a 'nationalist' policy in the context to which Macron was referring?

Not sure but it was the ultra nationalistic De Gaulle that kicked out the american troops.

[Tug]

The difference between Macron and trump is president Macron has morals all Donald cares about is his definition of winning 

[canuckamuck]

10 minutes ago, Becker said:

Maybe you can come up with some examples of people and cultures who have lost their "independent identities" (I assume you mean due to globalism) and have become "amoral drones and slaves"?

Soviet era Russia

[klauskunkel]

[Krataiboy]

52 minutes ago, quandow said:

The real problem is Macron used words too big for the pussy-grabber-in-chief to understand.

I suspect Trump is a patriot rather than a nationalist, but doesn't know the difference.

[Boon Mee]

3 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Macron is plainly a clown and a puppet of the financial establishment of France.

Yes, Macron is dead wrong on this issue. 

[moontang]

Unemployment is over 9% in France....mirror anyone?  

[malagateddy]

Macron is plainly a clown and a puppet of the financial establishment of France.

Macron is a mere puppet for his former employer..Goldman Sachs I believe..he is a globalist and imo does not give a toss for the working man/woman..his god is money and power cos greed is good.

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[neeray]

1 hour ago, quandow said:

The real problem is Macron used words too big for the pussy-grabber-in-chief to understand.

Exactly !

I don't think Trump could even begin to understand these words, "Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism: nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism .....,". Way too complex for his little pea brain.