Registered: Jul 2000
Location: zanzibar
Posts: 10477

House cafeterias change names for 'french fries' and 'french toast'

Move reflects anger over France's stance on Iraq

By Sean Loughlin
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) --The cafeteria menus in the three House office buildings changed the name of "french fries" to "freedom fries," in a culinary rebuke of France stemming from anger over the country's refusal to support the U.S. position on Iraq.

Ditto for "french toast," which will be known as "freedom toast."

The name changes were spearheaded by two Republican lawmakers who held a news conference Tuesday to make the name changes official on the menus.

Across the country, some private restaurants have done the same.

"This action today is a small, but symbolic effort to show the strong displeasure of many on Capitol Hill with the actions of our so-called ally, France," said Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, the chairman of the Committee on House Administration.

Ney, whose committee has authority over the House cafeterias, directed the change, after colleague Walter Jones, R-North Carolina, circulated a letter suggesting such a move. Jones said he was following the example of a local restaurant owner in his North Carolina district.

"I represent a district with multiple military bases that have deployed thousands of troops," Jones said in a statement. "As I've watched these men and women wave good-bye to their loved ones, I am reminded of the deep love they have for the freedom of this nation and their desire to fight for the freedom of those who are oppressed overseas. Watching France's self -serving politics of passive aggression in this effort has discouraged me more than I can say."

The name change was criticized by one young man in a House cafeteria.

"That's completely ludicrous to me," he said.

France has pressed the United Nations to give weapons inspectors more time in Iraq, saying the U.S. and British-led move to war is premature.

Its stance has angered some U.S. lawmakers.

Rep. Jim Saxton, R-New Jersey, has introduced legislation in the House that would block any French company from receiving U.S. government aid or financing in any reconstruction of Iraq. Another measure discourages American tourists, businesses and the government from participating in the 2003 Paris Air show.

But House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said he didn't think Congress needed to take any formal steps to signal its disapproval of France.

"I don't think we have to retaliate against France," he said. "They have isolated themselves. They have resigned from any responsibility for the war on terror."

Asked why he was focusing on France when other nations, including Germany and Russia, oppose the U.S. position on Iraq, Jones said it was because France had taken the lead in challenging the United States.

Officials with the French Embassy in Washington could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

-- CNN Congressional Correspondent Jonathan Karl contributed to this report.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: zanzibar
Posts: 10477

I want to write to these two, and whoever else supported such a change, and tell them that they probably have enough work to do without worrying about what the food we pay for them to eat is called. Freedom toast? Give me a break, don't they have ANYTHING to do?

In the name of this newfound whatever it is, maybe this weekend I will wander around and look for a girl to freedom kiss.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35656

This is a piece of extreme childish petulance on the part of some congressmen.

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 13002

I agree with the smug one.

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Just to the right of the moon
Posts: 3141

I'm going to go and have a freedom wank

No such thing?

There is now. (it involves snails)

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35656

How does America at large see these stories? Fighting back at France through removing the word 'French' from the language, at least where it describes something good?

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Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Southeast Iowa
Posts: 6

The propaganda machine strikes again.. sucks that people can be so unstable in their respect for other cultures. In WWII sauerkraut vendors were constantly being harrassed, and restaurants that served hambugers lost alot of business. People are sheep.. stupid fucking sheep.

I like hamburgers, even if it makes me a Nazi. I like french fries even if it makes me the fourth musketeer.

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 13002

I have to say this whole 'freedom fries' thing is rather silly and petty. Having said this, the British Passport Office's HQ used to be in a street called 'Petty France' deliberately named to annoy them. So who am I to comment really?

Where I live I couldn't boycott french things even if I tried. Thames Water is owned largely by a French company linked to another called Connex, so bang goes drinking anything with water fron the taps in it. No washing machine, no dishwasher, no baths, no showering. I'll be buggered if I am doing it all with bottled water from errrr France. Connex also run the trains into London from where I am. No shopping or piss up meeting in town. Yes I could get a bus, but the bus company down here as links to errr Connex as well. I would have to avoid going in my friend's cars as well, they have a mixture of Peugeot, Renault and Citroen. Actually, Smug you would have to stop driving the car you drive sometimes too. I don't think my computer would be working either. Sadly the electricity supply in Kent and the South-East of London is physically provided by another French utility company as far as I am aware. Utter chaos would ensue if I boycotted French things on principle to be sure. Better to just know they are twits and leave it as that

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Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Here
Posts: 181

Does this mean "Freedom kissing in the USA" is to be re-recorded?

Oddly however, the deliberate removal of words from official language is something the French do to retain the "purity" of France. Along with the enforced Franco-lising of regions and immigrants, it does raise questions about the dynamism of French culture in years to come.


PS - Phil your sig sounds like a quote from "Yes Minister". Was it?

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 13002

quote:

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Originally posted by lifeisgood
PS - Phil your sig sounds like a quote from "Yes Minister". Was it?

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yes, many more wonderful quotes in the 'Let's Laugh at Politics' thread.

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