Dan Abrams
Franco-phobic nonsense sweeping the nation
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | Apparently, some members of Congress don't have enough real work to do, so as the nation prepares for war, they're spending time and therefore, taxpayer dollars on taking the "French" out of "French fries" and "French toast," ordering that the House cafeteria sell only freedom fries and freedom toast instead. They say it's a symbolic gesture to express the nation's displeasure with the French over a possible war with Iraq.
Even one of the big New York wine stores is now offering special catalogs that exclude the French wines.
Yes, they're still selling them at top prices, but for those who might become apocalyptic by just seeing Chateau Loire in the catalog, those buyers can get a special censored copy.
I'm convinced that a large part of the French opposition to using force against Saddam is based in anti-Americanism and that it's worthy of criticism. On the other hand, officials tell us the French have been extremely helpful in the war on terror, even more so than the British or the Germans. Another reminder that there's more to our relationship with France than just their obstinate and I think sometimes intellectually dishonest position on Iraq. Don't buy French wine if you don't want to.
Encourage your retailers not to sell French items if you think that's appropriate. But these "symbolic moves" just make us look stupid. French fries and French toast are no more French than Chinese checkers is Chinese.
You know, politicians love to name things, bridges,
streets, rest stops and now fried food - but this is serious
business that I think some are turning into a joke.
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JWR contributor Dan Abrams anchors “The Abrams Report,” Monday through Friday from 6-7 p.m. ET on MSNBC TV. He also covers legal stories for “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,” “Today” and “Dateline NBC.” To visit his website, click here. Comment by clicking here.
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