Let's Start Enforcing Our Laws!

“An Act to Suspend the Commercial Intercourse between the United States and France, and the Dependencies Thereof.


SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That no ship or vessel, owned, hired, or employed, wholly or in part, by any person resident within the United States, and which shall depart therefrom after the first day of July next, shall be allowed to proceed directly, or from any intermediate port or place, to any port or place within the territory of the French Republic, or the dependencies thereof, or to any place in the West Indies, or elsewhere under the acknowledged government of France, or shall be employed in any traffic or commerce with, or for any person resident within the jurisdiction, or under the authority of the French Republic. And if any ship or vessel, in any voyage thereafter commencing, and before her return within the United States, shall be voluntarily carried, or suffered to proceed to any French port or place as aforesaid, or shall be employed as aforesaid, contrary to the intent hereof, every such ship or vessel together with her cargo shall be forfeited, and shall accrue, the one half to the use of the United States, and the other half to the use of any person or persons, citizens of the United States, who will inform and prosecute for the same: and shall be liable to be seized, prosecuted and condemned in any circuit or district court of the United States which shall be holden within or for the district where the seizure shall be made.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That after the first day of July next, no clearance for a foreign voyage shall be granted to any ship or vessel, owned, hired, or employed, wholly or in part, by any person resident within the United States, until a bond shall be given to the use of the United States, wherein the owner or employer, if usually resident or present, where the clearance shall be required, and otherwise his agent or factor, and the master or captain of such ship or vessel for the intended voyage, shall be parties, in a sum equal to the value of the ship or vessel, and her cargo, and shall find sufficient surety or sureties, to the amount of one half the value thereof, with condition that the same shall not, during her intended voyage, or before her return within the United States, proceed, or be carried, directly or indirectly, to any port or place within the territory of the French Republic, or the dependencies thereof, or any place in the West Indies, or elsewhere, under the acknowledged government of France, unless by distress of weather, or want of provisions, or by actual force and violence, to be fully proved and manifested before the acquittance of such bond; and that such vessel is not, and shall not be employed during her intended voyage, or before her return, as aforesaid, in any traffic or commerce with or for any person resident within the territory of that republic, or in any of the dependencies thereof.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That from and after due notice of the passing of this act, no French ship or vessel, armed or unarmed, commissioned by or for, or under the authority of the French Republic, or owned, fitted, hired or employed by any person resident within the territory of that republic, or any of the dependencies thereof, or sailing or coming therefrom, excepting any vessel to which the President of the United States shall grant a passport, which he is hereby authorized to grant in all cases where it shall be requisite for the purposes of any political or national intercourse, shall be allowed an entry, or to remain within the territory of the United States, unless driven there by distress of weather or in want of provisions. And if contrary to the intent hereof any such ship or vessel shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States, not being liable to seizure for any other cause, the company having charge thereof shall be required to depart and carry away the same, avoiding all unnecessary delay; and if they shall, notwithstanding, remain, it shall be the duty of the collector of the district, wherein, or nearest to which, such ship or vessel shall be, to seize and detain the same, at the expense of the United States: Provided, that ships or vessels which shall be bona fide the property of, or hired or employed by citizens of the United States, shall be excepted from this prohibition until the first day of December next, and no longer: And provided that in the case of vessels hereby prohibited, which shall be driven by distress of weather, or the want of provisions into any port or place of the United States, they may be suffered to remain under the custody of the collector there, or nearest thereto, until suitable repairs or supplies can be obtained, and as soon as may be thereafter shall be required and suffered to depart: but no part of the lading of such vessel shall be taken out or disposed of, unless by the special permit of such collector, or to defray the unavoidable expense of such repairs or supplies.

SEC. 4. And be it farther enacted, That this act shall continue and be in force until the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.

SEC. 5. Provided, and be it further enacted, That if, before the next session of Congress, the government of France, and all persons acting by or under their authority, shall clearly disavow, and shall be found to refrain from the aggressions, depredations and hostilities which have been, and are by them encouraged and maintained against the vessels and other property of the citizens of the United States, and against their national rights and sovereignty, in violation of the faith of treaties, and the laws of nations, and shall thereby acknowledge the just claims of the United States to be considered as in all respects neutral, and unconnected in the present European war, if the same shall be continued, then and thereupon it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, being well ascertained of the premises, to remit and discontinue the prohibitions and restraints hereby enacted and declared; and he shall be, and is hereby authorized to make proclamation thereof accordingly: Provided, that nothing in this act contained, shall extend to any ship or vessel to which the President of the United States shall grant a permission to enter or clear; which permission he is hereby authorized to grant to vessels which shall be solely employed in any purpose of political or national intercourse, or to aid the departure of any French persons, with their goods and effects, who shall have been resident within the United States, when he may think it requisite.

APPROVED. June 13. 1798.”

“so are you suggesting we stop trading with france now?”

“uh, yes.”

“How about a local law here, forbidding dogs from riding in the backs of trucks unrestrained. I see too many dogs jump out of moving trucks around here. The latest near my home was a 100+ lb. shepherd, who lost against some car.”

“why? because they pissed us off? they were opposed to u.s. policy and said so? most of the world was against us. we gonna stop trading with everyone except britain, australia, and a few minor countries? thats silly. that would be the height of childishness. that would be the political equivalent of pouting. by the way, anyone expect castro to change his ways anytime soon?”

“I'm not worried about Castro. I'm more concerned about when his screw-loose brother takes over. It'll be like having Kim-Jong Il in the back yard.”

“is this a bill that someone is trying to push through?”

“im curious, what good could come of giving france the cold shoulder? itll just agitate them more. besides, what do we care what france thinks, right? they have a weak military and theyre a bunch of liberal pansies, right?”

“i just noticed the 1798 date. well in 1798 slavery was still legal and we were commiting genocide on the indigenous ppl of this continent. so i dont hold much for a law passed in 1798.”

“I side with BB. Screw the French.”

“give me one good reason”

“I have seen way too many dogs jump out of moving trucks also. We do need a law about this. Just last week I seen a frenchbulldog jump out of a white ford truck (or was it thrown?). I hope Buddha Bears not driving around Houston. This same truck tossed out some french fries that hit my windshield. If all this French stuff is going to cause problems in the USA then we need to stand together and keep it out. I say No to french fries and french dogs but the french kiss can stay.”

“you mean, the FREEDOM KISS.”

“This was when Adams was president and Jefferson was vice president. The French were raiding are ships on the open sea and we were very close to war with France. Jefferson was totally against the Adams policy towards the French (remember in those days the vice president was the guy who came in second). Jefferson loved France and believed that Great Britain was on its way down the tubes and that France was the rising star in Europe (could he have more wrong), so to undermine the administration and its policy Jefferson was sending state secrets to the French government. Imagine that happening today the vice president turning over state secrets to a foreign government, he would be convicted of treason and maybe executed.”

“Main Entry:French kiss
Function:noun
Date:circa 1923

: an open-mouth kiss usually involving tongue-to-tongue contact
–French*kiss verb”

“thank you for the historical perspective, mh. i figured relations with france had to have been much worse than they are now to pass a law like that. and it is definetly a good thing we got rid of the policy of the runnerup being vice prez.”

“LOL, 2scoops. That was very witty.

I guess you could say that I am trying to do my part in showing my disappointment by not knowingly purchasing items imported from france. This proves to be really hard. I don't KNOWINGLY purchase much at all that is French. Not even wine or cheese. I am sure there is some list formulated with French companies, etc. but I haven't seen it.

I know I am only one person, but maybe it will make some sort of difference in the long run.”

“I don't think the French AKA Freedom kiss is actually a true import, but that is a little harder to give up.


Can't do it!!”

“hey vv, how about givin me a freedom kiss. you know, mom and apple pie, and freedom kisses. its the american way. support our troops! yeah rah!”

“you perv!!!

Go read the contributor page thread again.”

“Boycott French Goods.... get rid of anything French you own!!!!

I am willing to offer my time and energies to the proper disposition of your French goods!

Send me your French wines, Campagnes, Cognacs... etc.. and I will keep a count of everything that patriotic french hating TT'ers have disposed of in protest. I promise that all French beverages sent to me will go down the toilet (eventually).”

“how very thoughtful, ped!!! give me your addie. Hey, what about all these truffles I have just lying around.”

“i do have to make one concession. all french poodles must go!”

“Je ne'parle pas le stinkin Francaise.”

“VV: If those truffles are French, you should definitely send them to me from proper recording and disposal. If your not sure of their origin, it is probably best to send them to me - you wouldn't want to slip up and fail to do your patriotic duty.”

“If they're Belgian, send them to ME. This also applies to Porsches and bottles of Cristall.

You can ground ship those Michelins, too, if they have any decent tread left: 235/75 R15 LTX A/Ts, if ya got 'em... thanks!”

“I personally feel we should have the same standards for all nations. We let Cuba sit down there on a mountain of fine stoggies and 1950s cars but we kiss China's ass. WTF? We go into Iraq but continue to give the Saudis the sweet reach around. WTF? This is not to say that I'm not all for screwing the French government though...”

“get dominican cigars. theyre legal and just as good.”

“Yeah, but they aren't sealed with the sweat from some nubile Cuban maiden's thigh. Can ya just see me now smoking a Cuban and poppin' a chubbie thinkin' about how it was made? LOL!”

“i really didnt want to see that....”

“Get an Arturo Fuente...best smoke I ever had, although the price kept me from smoking more than one every 2 weeks or so.
When I was hooked I preferred a Te Amo for an every day smoke. Baccarat is a good beginner cigar, it has a kind of sweet flavor to it.
Those days are over. The cost of a couple a day plus the onset of an addiction scared me off.”

“"Baccarat is a good beginner cigar"

Does it come with training wheels? I like the Fuentas too. I used to take a couple every hike but as you said, the addiction. Lead me right back to cigaretts. What a dumbass I am.”

“Haha (dork). Ok you know what I meant, it wasn't real strong and "peppery" so to speak.”

“"I am sure there is some list formulated with French companies, etc. but I haven't seen it. "
vasque violet
06:50:47 PM
04/29/03

Here it is:

Air France.
Air Liquide.
Airbus.
Alcatel.
Aqualung (including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest).
AXA Advisors.

Bank of the West of California (owned by BNP Paribas).
Beneteau (boats).
BF Goodrich (owned by Michelin).
BIC (razors, pens and lighters).
Biotherm (cosmetics).

Car & Driver Magazine.
Chanel.
Chivas Regal (scotch).
Christian Dior.
Club Med (vacations).


Dannon (yogurt and dairy foods).
Dom Perignon.
Durand Crystal.


Elle Magazine.
Essilor Optical Products.
Evian.


Givenchy.
Glenlivet (scotch).
Grey Goose

Hennessy.


Jacobs Creek (owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989).
Jerry Springer (talk show).

Krups (coffee and cappuccino makers).

Lancome.
Le Creuset (cookware).
L'Oreal (health and beauty products).
Louis Vuitton.

Martel Cognac.
Maybelline.
Michelin (tires and auto parts).
Mikasa (crystal and glass).
Moet (champagne).
Motel 6.
Motown Records.
MP3.com.


Peugeot (automobiles).
ProScan (owned by Thomson Electronics, France).
Publicis Group (including Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising).
Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent)

RCA (televisions and electronics; owned by Thomson Electronics).
Red Roof Inns (owned by Accor group in France).
Renault (automobiles).
Road & Track Magazine.
Roquefort cheese (all Roquefort cheese is made in France).
Rowenta (toasters, irons, coffee makers, etc.).
Royal Canadian.

Sierra Software and Computer Games.
Smart & Final.
Sofitel (hotels, owned by Accor).
Sparkletts (water, owned by Danone).
Spencer Gifts.

Technicolor.
T-Fal (kitchenware).

UbiSoft (computer games).
Uniroyal.
Universal Studios (music, movies and amusement parks; owned by Vivendi-Universal).
USFilter.

Veritas Group.
Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
Vittel.
Vivendi.

White Flags
Wild Turkey (bourbon).
Woman's Day Magazine.

Zodiac Inflatable Boats.”

“i will now make it my goal to buy one item from each company on that list to protest this silly little anti-french pout.”

“Come on 2scoops we know you have a lifetime subscription to Woman's Day magazine.”

“Viva la France!



I will continue to buy what ever I please.
I love French brie and French bleu cheese.

Though I don't care for their schtick
I might even buy the Dixie Chicks

Those fine people stood tall against the tyranny of Bush
The rest of you fascist bastards
Can French kiss my BIG hairy tusch!

I say tend your own garden
And let other people's grow
Take care with your karma
This kinda crap could come back and bite ya, ya know”

“i only read it for the pictures of hot soccer moms”

“I'm not surrendering my Le Creuset.”

“Maybe you should go all the way and stop bathing as well 2scoops? 8)

BTW walking stick..."Baccarat is a good beginner cigar"

Why can't I stop singing to myself, "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love..."”

“Beginner cigar???


Whudda ya do, start with skinny ones, and gradually widen your hole?”

“and i vill adopt a reedeekuluss accent-ah, also!”

“Seems like Russia might be the better target of American ire at present. Putin is the one refusing to lift Iraqi sanctions. Although, France is courting India and China in a bid to stay relevant. Take that as you will.”

“To add to the history in the beginning of the thread...

...France seized some of our ships during Adams presidency. This was known as the XYZ affair. We sent our reps over to speak with the French Ministers, but were met with demands that give them a bribe of $250,000 and a 'loan' to the French gov't of 10 million. We refused and brought our people back. When they arrive, the sentiment in the U.S. was "millions for defense, not one cent for tribute (bribary)". The Americans seized some French ships but a formal declaration of war was never declared. Then, the Federalists 'seized' the opportunity to push through an agenda consisting of beefing up the army and navy and pushing through the alien and sedition acts. (Boy, this stuff sounds familiar, doesn't it). Jeeferson was against the A & S acts and sought to push through legislation called the "Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions." In a nutshell, it would give individual states the right to refute the federal laws put through in the alien and sedition acts if the state so desired...”

“Oh, and that is all history, so I couldn't give a rat's ass about Freedom Fries or the silly boycott. I blow my nose at you and fart in your general direction...”

“Jeeferson?

Non?”

“The Jeefersons!

'Movin' on up
To the East Side
To that deluxe apartment in the sky-i-i
Movin' on up...”

“Yeah man!

Snot rockets rock!”

“The more things change, the more they stay the same."
~First Corinthians, 3, 22.

1798?
Weren't the French our staunchest allie just 20 years earlier? Really - weren't they big-time responsible for our victory against the Brits?



Today's equivilent would be "didn't we supply Saddam with WMD during the Iran war blah blah blah..."

World politics is quite the ficklester...”

“Je ne pense pas les femmes françaises suis trop chaud. Ainsi je ne m'inquiète pas si le commerce avec elles ou pas.”