The G 8 summit will be held in France this year. It should be interesting, given the strain in U.S. - France relations. The G 8 is composed of the U.S., Britain, Canada, Italy, Japan, Germany, Russia, and France. As you know, France, Germany, and Russia form the Axis of Weasels. Will they seek to make amends at the conference or continue to work together against the U.S.? Dominique Moisi of the French Institute of International Relations says France has burned too many bridges and needs to work to repair the damage. Colin Powell has been in France in advance and has made soothing noises, but did say that further confrontation in the U.N. could cause us to become seriously worried about our relations with France. Chirac has promised not to veto the U.S. backed resolution on post war Iraq, but has not committed to vote for it unless it is modified. While the conference gears up, Chirac has major problems at home. The education system has been shut down by teacher strikes. Transport workers have also been on strike. Since these guys don't fly commercial, that will not hurt the conference much. But, teachers have actually shut down roads and toll booths during the strike. In addition, a corruption trial is looming, as one of Chirac's former associates is set for trial on corruption charges going back to the time Chirac was mayor of France. This guy has alot to think about, does he not?