Think Progress

O’Reilly lifts boycott of France.

By Nico Pitney on May 8th, 2007 at 10:31 pm

O’Reilly lifts boycott of France.»

“In March 2003, Bill O’Reilly called on all Americans to boycott the use of French products because of France’s disagreement with the United States decision to invade Iraq… Through the years O’Reilly has claimed his boycott of France has cost the country “billions of dollars” (O’Reilly himself quoted that figure in the non-existent “Paris Business Review“).” But now that France has elected conservative Nicolas Sarkozy, the French can rest easy. O’Reilly said yesterday, “The Factor is lifting the boycott of France. However, ‘Boycott France’ bumper stickers do remain available on BillOReilly.com for nostalgia purposes, and you never know… we may have to re-impose it.




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97 Responses to “O’Reilly lifts boycott of France.”

  1. Namtillaku Says:

    Billions of dollars eh? Euro/dollar language aside, I’ve got one word - riiiiight.


  2. gummitch Says:

    Oh thank God! I have so been craving french fries!!!


  3. upstate guy Says:

    what a f***ing idiot he is. Chirac like Sarkozy is from the French right. And there’s little doubt that Sarkozy would have done exactly what Chirac did re: Iraq. I guess this is O’Reilly’s way of admitting he was wrong and an idiot.


  4. College Progressive Says:

    They act like a conservative winning in France is some sort of big victory for American conservatives…Hey guys, a “conservative” in France is a lot different than one in the United States!


  5. trueblue Says:

    He’s a D*CK.


  6. Gregor Samsa Says:

    And the French can finally sleep again…

    Thanks Bill O’Reilly.

    /sarc off


  7. Karim Says:

    Memo to my French friends…Mr. O’Reilly does not speak on behalf of the US. And we apologize for his crass behavior.


  8. Shane Says:

    Oh my goodness, his delusional sense of importance is just like … valiantvenus. As if his viewers were consumers of French goods, what a joke.


  9. Jim Wolf359 Says:

    WHAT an IDIOT! He does have a funny show on Faux Noise though. Thing is though, European Conservatives are, usually, nothing like their US counterparts. Bill-O might be in for a major dissapointment in Sarcozy. Oh well Cest le Vie!


  10. GSD Says:

    These assholes were talking about attacking France and treating them like the enemy for 4 years.

    Now they say “nevermind” and the zombie squad will start eating brie and baguettes by the droves.

    Must be nice to be an automaton.

    -GSD


  11. Paul Says:

    WORLDS BIG JACK ASS


  12. 1984 Says:

    He need to have his little hate parties for the viewers.


  13. the republic of stupidity Says:

    Dild O’Reilly indeed… one of the Reichwing’s leading “intellectuals”.


  14. Ashen Shard Says:

    OT, but go back to the Poe thread for a good laugh … it seems the conservatives are losing it over some of us referring to their Confederate heroes as traitors. Or it could be the same troll, still amusing nonetheless.

    And on this topic, Bill O’really, really likes to toot his own horn doesn’t he? If he is so good at leading causes, why doesn’t he try something positive, you know, like finding a cure for aids? Solving world hunger and poverty? Protecting the environment? Oh wait, thats right, those are causes for us ‘bleeding heart’ liberals. Oh well.


  15. PoliticalCritic Says:

    I guess you have to have a conservative in office for Bill Orally to go there.


  16. Exley Says:

    Finally TP references the historic and transformative election held in France this week — an election that may signal the death knell of the European left:

    Defeated Socialists search for scapegoats
    By Martin Arnold in Paris
    Published: May 6 2007 19:23 | Last updated: May 6 2007 19:23

    Let the finger-pointing begin. Ségolène Royal’s defeat on Sunday night left the French Socialist party in disarray and searching for someone to blame. There is hardly a shortage of scapegoats.
    It is the party’s third consecutive presidential defeat. The Socialists now face the question of whether they can ever regain power without ditching their anti-capitalist rhetoric, as the mainstream left has done across almost all of Europe.

    ”The left is not credible on so many issues, from the 35-hour working week to immigration and law and order,” says Dominique Reynié, professor at Sciences Po university.

    “It is the fault of the left collectively. Ever since their [parliamentary election] defeat in 1983 they have never questioned their fundamental ideology, only thinking they needed to change tactics,” he says.

    ”Her defeat will be extremely damaging for the left. Huge divisions will start to emerge at 8pm on Sunday,” says Eric Dupin, author of A Droite Toute, a book on the rightward shift of French voters.

    Jean-Marie Colombani, director of Le Monde newspaper, says: “Globalisation is still considered a threat and diabolised as the root of all evil. The left must get out of the ideological impasse in which it has been trapped for too long.”

    Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007


  17. Zooey Says:

    Imagine how relieved the French will be….


  18. Raven Says:

    O’Really might be testing the waters for a standup routine in Paris, seeing as he’ll be out of work in a year or so….
    Being laughed at will be better than being ignored.


  19. kasinca Says:

    Did Bill O’Lielly settle his sexual harrassment ordeal with his co-worker…the one where he was making sexual overtones to his producer? What a fucking perverted moron. Another sick winger hypocrite.


  20. Ashen Shard Says:

    Raven,

    I’m not that optimistic that he will ever be out … unless there is some other right-wing nutjob who can capture the attention of the 28%ers. Otherwise they will continue to watch him for their daily dose of unreality.


  21. Raven Says:

    I’m just doing a bit of creative visualization……;)


  22. Mad Max Says:

    It shows you how desperate they are on the right and how megalomaniacal. The election there means nothing for our rightwingers, it has no application whatsoever.

    And His Majesty is lifting the boycott? Because the French have voted for a Conservative? Who did he think was ruling the country for twelve years? The arrogance of the man equals his ignorance.


  23. FactsOnly Says:

    And who of course can forget the venerable “Paris Business Review” website

    http://www.parisbusinessreview.com/

    lamenting the Le Terrible Distastaire Economique sent on France by the King of Loofahs.


  24. CONservative Says:

    (eyeroll) Stupid @$$…


  25. Tau Says:

    Imagine how relieved the French will be….

    Comment by Zooey

    You know what this means don’t you?

    Oui Oui soaked trolls.


  26. djheru Says:

    Nicolas Sarkozy opposed the Iraq war as much as President Chirac’s handling of the diplomacy. He wants America to announce a phased withdrawal.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6631083.stm

    “a great nation like the United States has the duty to not create obstacles in the struggle against global warming.”

    “Quite the contrary, it should take the lead in this battle because what is at stake is all of humanity,”

    http://www.expatica.com/ actual/ article.asp?subchannel_id=25&story_id=39464

    I wonder how long before they’re back to cheese eating surrender monkeys in the eyes of our ever so enlightened conservative friends


  27. Tau Says:

    “blah blah ….BillOReilly.com for nostalgia purposes, and you never know… we may have to re-impose it.”

    You know in Bills own little world he really and truly is Emperor of his own mind.


  28. Zooey Says:

    Oui Oui soaked trolls.
    Comment by Tau

    Fantastic! :-D


  29. kvb Says:

    Yeah, the French are Really worried about not having stepped into this boondoggle with us, you douchebag.


  30. Tau Says:

    O’Reilly lifts boycott of France.
    Yeh, but can he lift a bicycle?

    Hello Zooey, Yeh, lol. It’s all your fault.


  31. John Scott Says:

    And the Frenchman says: “ou is dis Bill O’really”?


  32. tarazan Says:

    He got his first instruction from Rupert Murdoch after French elections…
    To lift the O’Reilly sanctions on France.


  33. paul Says:

    O’Reilly is just pleased that the French have finally come to their senses. Given up on the partisan bickering and realized what the real threats to our way of life are. Now, if we could just get American liberals on board, maybe we could save the western culture that so many of us take for granted.


  34. Emerald Says:

    The enormity of the Iraq failure, and France’s courage and willingness to stand up to BushCo before the invasion/occupation, elevates their statesmanship and diminishes America’s. O’Irrelevant’s lame attempt at a boycott (more bluster than impact, of course) of French goods was evidence of an adolescent maturity level.

    France was right, the neocons and their mediot henchmen were wrong, and O’Irrelevant has just refocused our attention on that. And as others have pointed out, a French conservative is far removed from the American kind…but then, over the past dozen years, American conservatives have been far removed from their own origins.


  35. Gregor Samsa Says:

    Comment by paul — May 8, 2007 @ 11:59 pm

    What the hell are you talking about?

    “Partisan bickering” by the French?

    What in the world does that even mean?


  36. TerrytheTurtle Says:

    Comment by paul — May 8, 2007 @ 11:59 pm

    A breathtakingly ignorant comment, matched only by its arrogance.


  37. Juan C Says:

    What in the world does that even mean?
    Comment by Gregor Samsa

    Gregor, be patient. He still playing risk.


  38. Herve Says:

    As a frenchman I would like to speak for my fellow comrades and thank Bill O’Really from the bottom of my froggie heart. This news rivals the announcement of the liberation of Paris in June of 1945. The people of France are pouring out into the streets and weeping tears of ironic joy. Today, at last, France can celebrate. The crippling boycott has been lifted!!!


  39. Briseadh na Faire Says:

    Does this mean we can French-kiss again?


  40. TerrytheTurtle Says:

    Who wants a ‘french letter’? I have a couple - only used once (each)


  41. Gregor Samsa Says:

    Comment by Juan C — May 9, 2007 @ 12:23 am

    With these trolls, sometimes I honestly don’t know whether I should cry or laugh at their capacity to type sheer idiocy.

    Who in the world do they think was president of France for the past twelve years? Do they think it was a “liberal” who opposed French involvement in the Iraq catastrophe?

    …ssheesshh…..


  42. Quizmos Says:

    What a waffler. I respect anyone who has an opinion and stands by it, but this guy is a fly-by-night idea-conic moron. The same people he threw all his hatred at voted for a guy he sees as on his side and Viva, French fries are back on his super size menu. Even Dial couldn’t make this guy smell good.


  43. JTitor Says:

    At the height of Mr. Bill’s NeoCon popularity he was pulling in a market share of about 19% viewership. Today it’s a paltry 7%. Across the board NeoCons are loosing their market share, and when they hold up a “French Conservative” as some kind of prize, then they’re grasping for anything to make their viewership still believe that the conservative revolution is still alive. It isn’t.

    First off, Nicolas Sarkozy would loose to Kucinich for being too liberal. Socially, he believes in Gay Rights, Euthanasia, and World Green Movement…so on.


  44. Zooey Says:

    Hello Zooey, Yeh, lol. It’s all your fault.
    Comment by Tau

    Have I had a bad effect on you? :-)


  45. Zooey Says:

    Does this mean we can French-kiss again?
    Comment by Briseadh na Faire

    It’s now required.


  46. Jean Duh Says:

    Wow, the boycotts lifted ? Now I can start buying frozen french fries and french dressing from our local SUPER WALMART again !
    Thank GOD its open 24 hours. I’m hopping in my HUMMER right now !


  47. Juan C Says:

    Do they think it was a “liberal” who opposed French involvement in the Iraq catastrophe?
    …ssheesshh…..
    Comment by Gregor Samsa

    Yes, but I would agree that Sarkozy is the same as Le Pen. Very strict, thug type, like Giuliani. We will have to wait and see, how it goes. But, of course, french conservatism is far left from US perspective.


  48. Juan C Says:

    About the boycott… hahaha. Thats all.


  49. Gregor Samsa Says:

    On a somewhat related note, all of you Bush cultists can now send your résumé freedom summary to the White House.

    They have problems finding “high-quality” people. I figure if Brown, Tobias, and Feith were qualified enough, so will any of you.


  50. JTitor Says:

    Somehow Hummer and WalMart just don’t go together.


  51. Gabe Says:

    You’re all too hard on Bull O’Really. Calling him arrogant, indeed! Don’t you realize that Bull is a self-made man, and worships his creator?


  52. Jean Duh Says:

    Hmmmm I may be uniformed, but if Sarkosy is so liberal,
    then why are cars burning, looting and riots happening ?


  53. Tau Says:

    Have I had a bad effect on you? :-)
    Comment by Zooey

    Well I never thought of pee soaked trolls before you dear.

    (….mentioned them that is ( Heh. =)


  54. Zooey Says:

    Well I never thought of pee soaked trolls before you dear.
    (….mentioned them that is ( Heh. =)
    Comment by Tau

    See? Now you can never say I didn’t give you something. :D


  55. Tau Says:

    You’re all too hard on Bull O’Really. Calling him arrogant, indeed! Don’t you realize that Bull is a self-made man, and worships his creator?

    Comment by Gabe

    I was not hard on Oreilly. Why just the other day I was saying what a great comedian he is. I have no idea how he keeps a straight face. War on Easter was hilarious!


  56. Juan C Says:

    which could very well be the death knell for the European left:

    Heh. Just wait.


  57. Zooey Says:

    Heh. Just wait.
    Comment by Juan C

    Hey, Juan. You were getting namejacked earlier.


  58. Herve Says:

    I think Bill lifted the boycott because he’s thinking of moving to France. He knows that Obama is going to be elected president and that Reagan’s conservative revolution is in its death throes here in the US. But over in France they elected a pro-American, law and order, anti-imigration white man. Someone said they heard O’Reilly humming ‘La Marseillais’ at the supermarket yesterday.


  59. Juan C Says:

    About France elections:

    View from the right:

    Le Figaro

    What a victory, what inspiration. The masterly election of Nicolas Sarkozy is one of those that will leave a lasting impact on the country’s history. It was an exceptionally vigorous and competitive campaign, with an immense turnout…and a result not achieved against the left since General de Gaulle… Empowered by the legitimacy conferred on him, the new president can now embark on a great transformation while taking care to reconcile the French people after a very clear-cut, divisive campaign. For years, the country has been afraid of change, its leaders convinced it was better to be prudent than enterprising.

    View from the left:
    Libération
    What emotion and sadness in the face of this defeat. The disappointment is great after so much fervour, such passion, such hope in renewal. France has made a clear choice. The campaign was dignified and passionate. Sarkozy is a legitimate president, without dirty tricks… We can find his programme alarming but he has a perfect right to implement it, to move towards a France of rightwing liberalism… It’s tough, but that’s the people’s will. Thatcher without petticoats? Get ready.

    Yes, I saw, Zoo. Thanks. I responded to a pair or two.


  60. Zooey Says:

    Yes, I saw, Zoo. Thanks. I responded to a pair or two.
    Comment by Juan C

    I wasn’t sure it was actually you.


  61. Tau Says:

    which could very well be the death knell for the European left:

    I just love these conspiracy articles with mention of a new world order.
    Did you know that we also have UFO’s and secret volcano lairs?


  62. Exley Says:

    Curious….My posting quoting the Financial Times article on the French election has been removed…I wonder why. Technical glitch?


  63. Juan C Says:

    I wasn’t sure it was actually you.
    Comment by Zooey

    ;) I am now, Daniella. Heh.


  64. Zooey Says:

    ;) I am now, Daniella. Heh.
    Comment by Juan C

    Heh. That’s me!


  65. Juan C Says:

    Heh. That’s me!
    Comment by Zooey

    Whenever something like that happen you know where to reach me, and please, know that I will never insult you or the regulars here. And, I can discuss with fellow progressives, obviously, but given the choice, I would rather dont push the issue than trying to score a debating point.


  66. SouthWest Bob Says:

    By Ron Hutcheson
    McClatchy Newspapers

    WASHINGTON - The bitter fight over the latest Iraq spending bill has all but obscured a sobering fact: The war will soon cost more than $500 billion.

    That’s about ten times more than the Bush administration anticipated before the war started four years ago, and no one can predict how high the tab will go. The $124 billion spending bill that President Bush plans to veto this week includes about $78 billion for Iraq, with the rest earmarked for the war in Afghanistan, veterans’ health care and other government programs.

    So, the French opted out and Bill punished them. . . while the USA has indebted ourselves for many, many generations, not to mention the lost lives and the many years of taking care of the wounded soldiers; rebuilding our military and never again being viewed as a leader in making the world a better place to live.

    I guess the French didn’t realize the opportunity to completely destroy their country when they had a chance.


  67. johnnyRocketpants Says:

    Has BillO ever accounted for his rediculous Paris Business Review BS? Anyone? Trolls? …Bueller?


  68. NakedEmperor Says:

    Hahaha. Thank you Bill O Rielly for making my day. That was funny.


  69. DanJoaquinOz Says:

    Hey johnny Rocketpants - Nope. O’Reilly never accounted for citing the non-existent Paris Business Review. Furthermore he blithely continued to lie about the “billions” his boycott cost the French, when in fact, imports from France actually INCREASED during the peak years of anti-French hysteria. For example according to the US Census (via Media Matters), in February 2002 (pre-boycott) the US imported 2.18 billion worth of goods from France. In February 2004, the US imported 2.26 billion worth of French goods. When the facts don’t support O’Reilly’s prejudices & positions he simply ignores them, makes up his own & cites non-existent sources. When he’s called on it he goes into meltdown, screams, interrupts, shouts down his critics, switches off their mikes or hangs up. Then he invents new facts
    and sources to justify his repudiated position. That’s why he calls himself the Spin-Free Zone. There’s nothing as nuanced as “spinning” going on - he generally prefers outright lies.


  70. Perry Logan Says:

    So…are we going to get moving on this global warming thing, as Sarkozy says?


  71. filkertom Says:

    #

    You’re all too hard on Bull O’Really. Calling him arrogant, indeed! Don’t you realize that Bull is a self-made man, and worships his creator?

    Comment by Gabe — May 9, 2007 @ 12:52 am

    I think it more aptly demonstrates the horrors of unskilled labor….


  72. truthfairy Says:

    i shall sleep better knowing this irish idiot is protecting us from the french and their fries


  73. Tobey Tall Says:

    Unfortunately the rest of the world is still boycotting your goods BIG time


  74. Dumb_Fox Says:

    Sarkozy earlier this year:

    http://www.iraqslogger.com/ index.php/ post/ 1676/ Frances_Sarkozy_Calls_Iraq_War_Historic_Mi

    Sarkozy re-stated his opposition to the invasion of Iraq, calling it a “historic” mistake, warning that the US should not make a similar one in Iran. US discussion of the military option is “useless posturing,” Sarkozy said, and he would not support any military action against Iran.

    **********

    Just in case anyone was in two minds about O’Reilly’s stupidity.


  75. Lynne Says:

    O’Reilly’s irrelevent. Quit giving him coverage.


  76. j swift Says:

    Wait! he can’t do that, someone has to clear that with the Commander Guy.


  77. Hits Says:

    What O’Reilly says doesn’t matter - that’s his opinion and maybe of some of his followers. The bottomline is that the French are mostly retards that would’ve gone the way of the Dodo, hadn’t others saved them - consistently throughout history. Come to think of it, the only reason they were worth keeping around was the food and drinks. We have Napa Valley now. Let’s quit worrying about the French now - sooner or later they’ll self destruct


  78. RAL Says:

    This marks the return of Vichy France.


  79. ccokz Says:

    http://ccoaler.blogspot.com/ 2007/ 05/ major-powers-discussing-about-iran.html

    Caertain very interesting developments in and around Iraq. Iran in the spotlight


  80. Detached_&_Disaffected_French_Guy Says:

    Uh, …. gee …. “thanks” ….


  81. Dumb_Fox Says:

    #74 - There’s a mistake with your name - the s is in the wrong place.

    Anyways, the French did invent the bikini so who really cares where they’ve gone wrong.


  82. Dr. Evil Says:

    Rush the magic buffoon

    Rush, the addicted buffoon lived by the Sleaze
    And frolicked in viagras grip on island made for Commies,
    Little Lackey Coulter loved that annoying mass Rush,
    And brought him oxycontin and cigars, blue sweaters other stuff.
    O’
    Rush, the magic addict lived by by the sleaze
    And frolicked in oxycontins fog with a man called big ‘C’
    Rush, the bumbling buffon flopped more than Romney
    And frolicked in the viagras grip in a land called boner me.

    Together they would travel - Rush that largest whale
    Lackey Coulter kept itself liplocked on Rushs’ tail,
    Noble lies and spin they spewed playing the blame game
    Pirates would sway their hips when Rush whored out his game.
    O’
    Rush, the magic buffoon lived by the sleeze
    And frolicked in the viagras grip in a land called horna lonely
    Rush the magic bloated Arse vegetated by the skeeze
    And frolicked in the Vaseline in a land made for the Commies.

    An addict lives not forever but neither does an erection
    Nipple rings and ingrown hairs make way for other joys.
    One tranny night it happened, Lackie Coulter came no more
    And Rush the blathering buffoon, his wanker really sore

    His brain was bent , his sleezy sweat fell like acid-rain,
    Rush no longer want play with his viagra vein.
    Without his adam appled fiend, Rush couldnt play sexslave,
    So Rush that mighty barnacle slid into his buttcave.
    O’
    Rush, the addicted buffoon, lived by the sleaze
    And frolicked in the viagras grip in a land of commie!
    Rush, the buttcave dweller masturbated by the TV
    Oh Lackey Coulter tranny when will you marry me!


  83. One Unhappy American Says:

    I wonder if BillO dream up another bogus set of facts from the non-existent report to say his boycott lifing is improving France’s economy. Look for it!


  84. Evil Spaniard Says:

    #74 I wonder how would have ended the USA revolution without the “cowardly” frenchs. Probably, The USA would keep being a colony of UK, as are the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, not too much ago Hong Kong…


  85. drew_ill Says:

    OK, fine, delete my previous comment. Those who are interested, read Bill Maher’s New Rules for 05/04/07, specifically having to do with France:

    http://www.hbo.com/ billmaher/ new_rules/ 20070504.html


  86. Kate Henry Says:

    And I bet that the French are sooooo relieved.


  87. Hits Says:

    Looks like we have a lot of French apologists here. Why don’t ya’ll just move to France and save us the trouble. That way we can give you “amnesty” when you try to sneak back into the homeland!


  88. Alexandra Says:

    I was already worried about the Sarkozy presidency. With the O’Reilly stamp of approval, now I know there’ll be trouble.


  89. DRxJ Says:

    The bottomline is that the French are mostly retards that would’ve gone the way of the Dodo, hadn’t others saved them - consistently throughout history.
    Comment by the (S)Hits — May 9, 2007 @ 8:31 am

    Hello Jake, j.j., valiantthehater.
    I see you’ve taken another name.
    Typical.

    Oh, and who was it that helped us defeat the British during the Revolutionary War???


  90. TheHeathen Says:

    Bile-O is as delusional as George-O


  91. Freedom Hater Says:

    Bill is a very powerful and merciful demi god


  92. lunacy Says:

    The French would do well to boycott everything American.


  93. Jeff Says:

    Bill O loves telling the world that he’s an “independent”, not a conservative…. But France elects a conservative and Bill lifts his French ban the NEXT DAY???

    hmmm.


  94. steerpike Says:

    Good. Maybe Colbert will lay off the bears, now.


  95. Devil's Advocate Says:

    What a relief! I can finally eat some “baguette et fromage” again! Why is this bubbling moron still on TV?


  96. yorch Says:

    France can rest this night, the lifting of the embargo will help France’s troubled economy… lol, what more can be said? oh yeah. O’Lielly: the biggest bafoon on television


  97. DYT Says:

    The boycott was a silly thing, but geeze, you guys at the top sound nasty and low class with all your bigotry and hate.



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