Sorry I didn't get back sooner and I hate to disappoint you now but I have been traveling and very busy. There are no "simple" or "quick" answers to your questions RD et al. It really gets down to basic philosophies. For now I'll just say that, isn't it funny how twisted and slanted the other guy's point of view looks to our own straight clear-thinking point of view??? Yes I'm serious but not so that I can't take a step back and try to see a bigger picture. France has a checkered past (as does England with whom we fought 2 wars) as an ally of the US. More later. Stay tuned!!!