I rarely, almost never, get into these things but I was rather pissed off when reading on the AOL main news boards that a number of US Congressmen have apparently issued orders to whoever is in charge of menus for the House and Senate dining rooms to remove any reference to French Fries and French Toast and to substitute the word "Patriotic" for "French".

I fully realize I may be in the minority here as it seems a large percentage of f150online members support an invasion of Iraq. At age 63, I have seen a lot of water go under the bridge and frankly I do not see that a case has been made by our Government but at the same time I fully respect the opinions of others and only ask that my opinion be given the consideration I give others who support such action.

Now, to the business of "French Fries vs. Patriotic Fries" I find it hard to accept that this is an acceptable way to carry out the "Business of our Government" as politicians are so fond of saying they do. Frankly, as an American, I am embarres
ed to see this type of thing done and publicized around the world.

To tie in with f150Europe (CeesJan's) posting on IQ tests, I noticed that the US was not included. Don't shoot the messenger, but did we fail to meet the cut number to be included?

Sorry for the rant, but it galls me to see our politicians grab on to what is obviously an issue that for many governments is a make or break issue and to see them trivialize it by changing the menus at our Congressional (probably free for them) dining rooms.
Bill

 

Personally I don’t have any problems with them removing the word “French” from the menus.

I would rather have them do that then tell France to go screw themselves when they come running to us to save their @ss as we always have to do. At least we are not stabbing a good friend in the back because of MONEY as the French are doing to America.

The French government is ONLY worried about the OIL and MONEY and nothing else including fighting terriosm. I believe the French seriously believe that if they do need help in the future because of terriosm us American’s will be at their aid once again since they can never seem to do anything for themselves.

They are a very lazy bunch to, worried about all their liberal programs and perhaps that is why the OIL and MONEY is so important to them (need money to fund all them give-a-way- programs).

It is one thing to disagree with a friend and try to reach some conclusion. It is a whole new story to try and publicly make your friend out to look like some EVIL bad guy.

Nope, the French screwed up BIG TIME this time. The least of their worries is for politicians to remove the word “French” from a menu.

You have to remember these are the same people that DID NOT realize they had any worries or problems until one day they saw some troops marching through their country with a German flag. Then of course they come whining to America for HELP. I don’t feel sorry for the French government they have very weak spines, and basically no ***** what so ever.

They are the ones that go up to the school bully and ask if he would like more money then he has been demanding. Dooh…

 

I think we should declare France an enemy. I would like those American soldiers laying in rest there to be transferred to US soil. Then I would like to inform every country that would listen that they can go full bore at France, as we won't step in at all to help them again. Let them all learn what it means to fight for their freedom and (try) to win...

 

i agree cp but since they are a "free" country, we dont have to be afraid of them. although we should reduce some of our aid, if we send any to them. changing some names of food items on menus will not do anything but increase the hatred by the americans towards the french, who i could care less about. they are a paria to the world, but that is my opinion and noone elses.


thanks!

moose

 

I don't neccessarily hate the french, but I do support a war in Iraq. We gave him guidelines, he did not meet them, he should be removed from power. IMO, anyway.

 

You don't know the meaning of 'disrespect' until you've been an American visiting Paris. The French support Iraq because millions, maybe even billions have been made by the French selling Iraq spare parts. Then you have the Germans that build their bunkers. "Water under the bridge" makes no difference to these 2 countries. A worm is a worm is a worm....

 

The father of girlfriend of a guy I know ... anyway, a French guy that came to the states 5 years ago drives around with a bumper sticker that says "Bomb Iraq, then France"

 

Bill,

You had to read the fine print to find that all those scores were compared to the US which was the benchmark at 100.

 

I don't usually post in on these topics, but here's a very short volley and I'm out.

My suggestion for everyone here is to "focus". We should all know by now we have a large number of morons, excuse me, politicians on capital hill. What they do with their lunch menus is of no interest to me at all. To a much larger degree, what the French are doing and saying right now is of no interest to me either. I've been to France a number of years back and was pissed on like so many other American visitors. The point I'm trying to make here is that we have soliders on the ground in Afghanistan, a potential war unfolding with Iraq, and an economy that needs some help to rebound. Those are the locations for our focus. I doubt the 60 soldiers and one aircraft the French would contribute would make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things anyway. I simply hope the Bush administration takes note of the French attitudes and comments and rewards them accordingly after all this is over. But for now let the insignificant things pass by and let's focus on what's important.

Just my $.02 (maybe more like .$10).

 

Hey...Wait a minute. Isn't the name "Chevrolet" French? Maybe GM (or of course, us) should rename the marque. I believe "Cadillac" is of the French persuasion too.

 

You make good sense Bill Murray. Our congressional leaders, the big thinkers, the people we entrusted to make and uphold our laws, yeah, those guys and gals. What's their lofty response to the French disagreeing with our take on Iraq. They take congressional time, money and energy and rename the French Fry. Bravo you learned men and women. Great response, makes me proud to be an American. (They'd better rename Russian Dressing and several other things mentioned by MROLDV8). For God's sake, use that valuable time to try to understand why the French and the Russians are thinking the way they are. Is is oil money, balance of trade or just fear of the possiblility of a mushroom cloud drifting over their school yards? Maybe they're just being extremely cautious of Saddam waving a big stick ( he ain't used it yet, he's just waving it.) By golly my fellow Americans, he farted in our general direction, let's cream his A$$. I'm not sure that way of thinking will win friends and influence people.

 

With all due respect, the French were being extremely cautious during WWII with Hitler. Then came the German flag marching through their country. You would have thought they learned from history.

What the French did learn from History is it's ok to be one of the biggest wussies in the world when your BIG brother is the United States.

Sorry little brother (France) if you want to play games and make me (your big brother) look like the bad guy, your (France) @ss whooping is LONG overdue.

We DO NOT need to understand WHY France feels the way they do. Not when they are making us look like the Evil ones, or worse then Saddam. France has asked for this back lash and they are getting it, I just hope it gets MUCH worse for the little ******...

 

You know, you have to kind of admire the French. They will do whatever is best for them and screw anybody else. That might be surrendering to the Germans or ignoring international trade laws as they see fit.
France has never got over the fact they were once a world power (about 300 years ago) and are no longer up there with the big boys. They are doing this primarily because they detest the USA and us Brits because we saved their sorry asses during the 2nd world war.
France has never forgiven Britain for not surrendering immediately at the start of WW2.
Secondly, it's about money. During the Bagdad trade show last year, there were 0 American firms represented, 1 British (Boo) and 81 French firms. What does that tell you?
During the Falklands War in 1982, France continued to supply weapons to Argentina while we were fighting them even though they are supposed to be our Nato partners and European buddies. By the way, during the same conflict, Belgium refused to resupply us with ammo.
Similar deal for the Russians. They have no huge moral objection to a war with Saddam. However, he does owe them $8 BILLION for all the Mig's and Tanks he has and they have just signed a $40 BILLION oil trade agreement with Moscow.
Hmmm, wonder if that has anything to do with it.

 

Wrong. The congressman wrote a 5-minute letter on his own time. Even if it did cost a few $$, its money well spent. I never have liked naming something after a country that only washes once or twice a week.

 

Bill, I had hoped that your post was in jest or at least in error.
To my dismay I found the story.
It's a sad day for the US.

I believe the idiot congressman from NC and the idiot congressman from OH should get full credit for their endeavor.
What I want, what I really want, is to be locked in a room with these two. Just them, me and a baseball bat. I want to explain to them that I paid $23,000 in taxes in 2002.