MACRON: "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism."
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Today was the Ceremony for the 100th year anniversary of the Armistice for World War I. It took place in Paris under L'Arche de Triomphe.
Setting aside the shameful sight of topless female French protesters accosting our President on his way, the ceremony itself was the ultimate symbol of pomp and circumstance. Most of the biggest leaders of Europe were present on this dreary, rainy day. Everyone looked cold, no doubt wishing they were just about anywhere else but there.
At around ~ 10 minutes, President Putin arrived over to shake hands with POTUS and FLOTUS. But he did more than that. There were two gestures: a little thumbs up with a little smile and a friendly pat on the right arm. This was about the warmest thing that happened during the whole bloodless ceremony.
At ~42min, President Macron of France began to speak. The speech was extremely formal. It was about the Armistice and how it was meant to be an end to all wars. Macron perfectly played the part of a concerned leader speaking of the deaths of countless young soldiers during the first World War (bringing a whole new dimension to the meaning of the term “concern fag”).
But to be honest, his concern seemed more with how he sounded than what he felt. At least, until he got to the part of the speech that he actually cared about (~50):
The traces of that war have not faded from French soil, they have not faded from Europe, from the Middle East nor from our memories, of all of us from around the world. Let us remember, let us not forget, because the remembrance of these sacrifices urges us to be worthy of those who died for us, so that we may live free. Let us remember, that if we take away nothing of what was pure, of the ideals of, the lofty principles of our elders’ patriotism. This vision of France, as a generous nation, of French culture, France as the bearer of universal values, was displayed during those dark hours as the very opposite of the selfishness of a nation which only looks after its own interests, in FACT PATRIOTISM IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF NATIONALISM. NATIONALISM IS A BETRAYAL OF PATRIOTISM.
That was enough for me.