Looking through the lens of popular thought on the left, which is, since about 2001 ‘the image’ of the United States throughout the world and Europe, particularly France, has been soiled. That darn George Bush. In that context, the newly elected President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, makes his first official visit to The White House, with a special luncheon at Mt. Vernon. He also spoke before a joint session of Congress.

The NYT version said . . .

In a speech to a joint meeting of Congress — a rare honor for a head of state — Mr. Sarkozy seemed to strike all the right notes. He spoke of his love of the American dream and cultural icons of the 20th century. He expressed admiration for American values. He thanked the United States for saving France in two world wars, rebuilding Europe with the Marshall Plan and fighting Communism during the cold war.

And here is the one and only NYT quote from Sarkozy himself. He said it before the joint session of congress . . .

“Every time, whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American Army did for France,” Mr. Sarkozy said as his audience applauded. “I think of them and I am sad, as one is saddened to lose a member of one’s family.”

What’s this ‘his audience’ crap? And why do you think they didn’t use his entire statement, like the sentence immediately before what they printed? He wasn’t at convention hall, he was before a joint session of Congress. Wouldn’t you expect mention of this visit to be on the front page? Sorry, it is buried in the ‘Europe’ section.

Then there is the Christian Science Monitor’s version. About which there was nothing Christian, no science, and unfortunately, no monitor either. In this story, ‘monitor’ is all they had to do. The visit ‘symbolizes a return to a more balanced and interdependent relationship.’ That’s one way to look at it, they elaborate . . .

With the new French president visiting a weakened and chastened America post-Iraq invasion, the tour of Mount Vernon symbolizes a return to the more balanced and interdependent relationship at the root of Franco-American ties. Just as Washington needed the France of Marquis de Lafayette to help break the Colonies’ bonds to England, today France prefers an America that needs – and knows it needs – its longstanding Western friends to achieve its goals.

I’m sensing an attitude here . . .

Sarkozy is visiting at the time of a humbler America, its go-it-alone tendencies clipped.

They certainly can have an opinion, but isn’t this a report about his visit? Then the CSM elicit the opinion of two ‘experts’ that speak to this attitude. Eh, the visit is just a bunch of ‘happy talk.’ They mentioned that Sarkozy was going to speak to Congress. NOT ONE quote from Sarkozy. It wasn’t on their ‘front page’ either.

OK fine. Now see what neither of them had the courage to print, let alone tell you about, except through their lens. To quote Rush Limbaugh about the visit, ‘Sarkozy understands American exceptionalism. If only American liberals and Democrats understood what Sarkozy understands. Here is a portion of what he said.’ These are Sarkozy’s words . . .

To the millions of men and women who came from every country of the world and who — with their own hands, their intelligence, and their hearts — built the greatest nation in the world, America did not say, “Come, and everything will be given to you.” Rather, she said, “Come, and the only limits to what you will be able to achieve will be those of your own courage, your boldness, and your talent.”

Wouldn’t you think that that is worth quoting? Does it sound like our image is so horribly soiled?

The America that we love throughout the world impedes this extraordinary ability to grant each and every person a second chance, another chance, because, in America, failure is never the last word. There is always another chance. Here — in your country, on this soil — both the humblest and the most illustrious citizens alike know that nothing is owed to them and that everything has to be earned. That is what constitutes the moral value of America.

Bravo! And this quote, which the NYT parsed by omitting his entire statement. His entire statement was this:

SARKOZY (via translator): America liberated us, and this is an eternal debt we owe America. (applause) Every time, whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. I think of them — (applause) — and I am sad as one is saddened to lose a member of one’s family.

Here’s the last quote that never was told, more ‘happy talk’ I suppose.

We need France to be stronger. I am determined to carry through with the reforms that my country has put off for all too long. I will not turn back. I will implement all of them, because France has turned back for all too long. I have come to present to you today a France that comes out to meet America, to renew the covenant of friendship and alliance that Washington and Lafayette sealed in Yorktown. Together, let us be true to their memories. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I say this to you on behalf of the French people: Long live the United States of America. Long live France. Long live French-American friendship!

After reading what Sarkozy actually said, does it look like either of those articles covered his visit accurately?

H/T to Rush Limbaugh for broadcasting Sarkozy’s comments and supplying the transcript. Doing the job the MSM should be doing.