The boycotting of French and perceived-french products by the US is getting silly. "Freedom fries", "Freedom Toast" and the like are laughed at by the international community (mostly because neither french fries nor french toast are french in origin). Those behind these name changes and boycotts come across as immature at best.

If the US *really* wants to make a statement regarding its feelings about France, it should dismantle the Statue of Liberty and send it back to France where it originated. US lawmakers have been doing their best to kill freedom in the US over the past few years anyhow (DMCA, Patriot Acts I and II for starters) so what do you need the statue for anyway?

"Can I have my apple pie with a big scoop of Freedom Vanilla ice-cream?"

"I found the most delightful Freedom Tickler the other day."

"You smell like a Freedom Whore!"

Um, Zaphod?

http://www.sendbackliberty.us/whoarewe.php

--sean

Freedom's Mustard?

That has a certain ring to it.

The odd thing is that things like this are traditionally reserved for belligerents, as in the renaming of German foods during the World Wars, etc.

But where does it end if we start doing this with countries that simply refuse to go along with the war? Shouldn't we pre-emptively eliminate Swedish meatballs?

Edited by author 03-31-2003 08:15 PM
There is a sick part of me that wants them to do it -- "them" being The Octopus, The Syndicate, or whatever term you use for the twelve men in a windowless room who control the U.S. Government. This part of me wants clarity. Undeniable clarity that the other part of me which suspects these things is not crazy.

We need something like an American Holocaust. Completely undeniable, inexcusable evil. Something people will remember for generations, and claim that it can "never happen here" or "never happen again." This Vietnam War shit just isn't cutting it.

Sending back the Statue of Liberty would be a good first step. It's hard to deny the stupidity of losing one national treasure, and then willfully dismantling another in the political aftermath.

I'm of the opinion that Swedish meatballs should just be eliminated anyway. They've already been identified as being a known member of the Axis of Evil Foods.

and here's the most obvious, semicontradictory extrapolation:

freedom cuffs.

Well, if we're getting rid of all things Swedish too, count me in for a Freedom Massage.

--sean

Nationalism is my pet peeve. I hate it. I don't don't usually play at being an activisdt but this is so stupid I sent them an email. Here's the reply. Paraphrased "Nah uh we never said that"
:::

French's appreciates your comments and is always pleased to hear from their customers.

Please take note that French's -- in no way -- meant to be disrespectful or to distance themselves from the French. The press release was only written in response to several media outlets who incorrectly included French's mustard when encouraging their viewers to boycott all things French. This press release was not proactive, but rather, reactive. It is our job to educate and inform the public about French's mustard.

French's is proud of their American roots and is next year celebrated their 100th birthday. I should hope that this sheds some light on were French's is coming from, and hope that you will continue to use their products.

Sincerely,
Ellyn Small
French's Representative

<snip>

-----Original Message-----

<snip>

I won't buy your mustard again. It
isn't that important in the grand scheme of theings... but I'd rather support
someone with a mind of their own and some integrity.

Edited by author 04-01-2003 10:15 AM
The whole notion of renaming products or words because they are french or contain the word 'french' sounds completely mad to me. (The french also have been enforcing the use of french words/songs/product titles etc. over foreign ones by law for decades already)
And this companys actions put even more madness on top of this. As I'm german and nationalism/patriotism is and has been a no-no over here perhaps I cannot grasp all this renaming nonsense.
I prefer the idea of returning the statue of liberty to the french people and replace it with some 'freedom' product of US origin - a tank or something that represents 'America's unique role in preserving and extending an international order' (as mentioned at http://www.newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm) by leading members of the US government) better than this french statue perhaps?

Edited by author 04-01-2003 07:07 AM
Come Thanksgiving perhaps "Freedom Fowl" will be more appropriate?
Surely Turkey must be off the menu.

And to think the turkey almost became our national bird. At this rate we'll have to eat eagle on Thanksgiving ...

This morning my coffee is "Freedom Vanilla". Ahh, the bold, robust taste of liberty. . .

Edited by author 04-01-2003 10:25 AM
Here's another collection of words you might probably get rid of as they are origin in german words:

Achtung
Angst
Blitzkrieg
Hinterland
Kindergarten
Lebensraum
Noodle
Poltergeist
Rucksack
Schmooze
Schnitzel
Shlep
Verboten
Wunderkind
Zeitgeist

and even better:

http://french.about.com/library/bl-frenchi....htm?PM=ss14_french

hey boys you're in for a severe loss in vocabulary ...

The irony is how thin the American notion of freedom reveals itself to be. They may find themselves in a cul-de-sac.

I should say >some< Americans' notion of freedom.

Edited by author 04-01-2003 04:05 PM
Chalk another point up for the terrorists. The West's headlong descent into lunacy and madness is all they could wish for and more.

Who could have imagined all this idiocy going on just five years ago? People changing the name of foods purely because France wouldn't back war the way the US government wanted?

Take a long look at how the world is turning from a really nice place to live into a place full of fear, ignorance and madness and see how truly free you are.

Our grandparents suffered and died all over the world because of this kind of bullshit and we're heading right back into it.

Right up to the neck.

What amazes me is that anybody puts any credence into this crap at all. You ask if five years ago anyone could have imagined this idiocy while ignoring the fact that five years from now most won't remember it either. The issue isn't that this sort of stupidity exists, as it does in EVERY society, it's that our media portrays these tiny, isolated incidents as if they are indicative of society as a whole. Sorry, I'd bet that the vast majority of Americans feel that "Freedom Fries" is a profoundly stupid idea yet, due to our over-zealous media, it somehow has become the definition of the "American Way". Sad.

You know, what amazes me is what is happening here, that is what is really sad. Protesting the war is one thing and I do believe that it is OK for the French to do (even though I disagree with them protesting it, freedom of speech is something that I do support and believe in), but to see what the French have done is something totally different. That is why Americans are angry with France and the French people, not because of their lack of support in removing a dictator, but for the actions that the French people have carried out themselves. For starters, just the sight of what the French did to the graves of Americans in Normandy that died helping their country is nauseating. Friends, huh? I could go on and on with other examples, but it would use up all of the space on this web site. To summarize, the things that the French PEOPLE (not just the French government) have done has taken it to far, and all because they were scared and now they are embarrassed that they got caught having illegally sold items to Iraq and avoiding the UN resolutions that they are trying to tout so much about. Image what France would be like if we turned our back on them like they turned their back on the Iraqi people. America does not turn it's back on fellow humans when they are in need of assistance (just like the many times that we have helped France and others). That is what is sickening to the American public. Our family and many others like ours strongly support the boycott of French products. If France TRUELY wants to be part of the reconstruction of Iraq to HELP the Iraqi people and they are not doing it for the financial gain as they have stated, I purpose the following. France can be given the exact amount of reconstruction contracts that is equal to the amount donated by them to the Iraqi people.

P.S. - FREEDOM FRIES ALL THE WAY - Sorry Reverend, but it is not a stupid idea. What I call stupid are the steps that the French have taken and the miscalculations that the French people have made (for the whole world to see).

Edited by author 04-17-2003 07:27 AM
'Image what France would be like if we turned our back on them' - Take a hike...
France is and has been a very independent civilized country long before the first american settler has been living in a hut in the woods.
Have you ever been to France? Europe? Outside the U.S.?
Do you really think that a boycott of French products by the american people would even be noticed by the french.
I'm german and have been to france a lot of times. If you ask me the french people don't give a rats ass about your freedom fries idiocy. In fact they'll be strengthened in their already very strong national support.
I guess that you do not know that the french - decades before the 'freedom fries' hype - initiated laws that prohibit the use of foreign (especially english) product names for french products. The radio station are enforced to play a certain quota of french artists for each foreign artist (about 5 french songs per foreign song).

If you're attcking illegal weapon sales to Iraq you should perhaps check your own history more closely - like the Taliban fighters also Saddams troops have been equipped and trained by the U.S. before the american interests turned against Iraq.

One last question - what french products you're talking about exactly? French fries are not a french product at all. All you're doing is to damage your own economy.

Tobias

Edited by author 04-17-2003 05:22 PM
There is no relationship, nor has there ever been a relationship, between French's mustard and the country of
France. Indeed, their mustard in manufactured in Rochester, NY. The only thing French's have in common with France is that they are both yellow".

Perhaps French's Mustard should change their name to
"Ole Chap Yellow Mustard"? It would certainly decrease the confusion as to whether or not it is French. Just a thought.
Actually, just to see or hear anything that partains to France, repulses me. It's a little different with Germany, at least they are doing something to help our boys.

Well, Tobias. First off, yes I have been out of the US many times. And to also say, looks like time was on my side. I hate to change the subject here from French's mustard, but to respond American's boycotting French products has cost the French over $1 Billion (yep, with a B) dollars. And to say again, America didn't start this, but we will finish it. France wants to say that America did this as "Blood for Oil", but evidence now shows that it was the French that had reasons more along that lines. Why would France, who so opposes war, having nothing to do with Iraq (and they insist that it wasn't for money or oil), suddenly commit their troops to fighting in the Congo? They are the ONLY one that did this, no one else in the UN has done this. I thought that they were against war. And to say that America has done nothing for France is rediculous, just check your history books.

I hate French's mustard. I think it gives my country (.fr, freedom land, frogland) a bad name. This has been my opinion ever since my first encounter with the thing in 1957. Same with French dressing. I prefer oil and vinegar and pepper and salt in four different countainers and mix them myself. Even if you tell me Georges W. hates French's mustard, I will not yield.
More serious matter I live in Normandy. I can assure you that I have not heard, read or seen any damages done to an American cemetery this year. I cannot speak for the last sixty years.. If it had happened, it would certainly upset a lots of people here and it would be in local news. American cemeteries are big (only eleven) and run by American staff. I would say they are difficult to break in at night. They have too many visitors in the daytime to let silly things being done. British, Polish, Canadian, Dutch, Anzac, Portugueses are hundreds, small and often close to villages and to civilian graveyards. French and German graves are another subject. French too often defaced by people who hate the army (they think soldiers love war...) . I have not heard of complains about German places, maybe they are hushed up ? I think they are difficult to get in and very impressive, not showy.
I know what happened in Etaples (Picardy) in a WW1 British cemetery. I think it was done by stupid illiterate drunken people. It has been cleaned and apologies have been made.
Those people usually spend their Saturday night burning stolen cars but that does not get in International news.
You may have noticed they can't tell American from British ! and they can't draw a swastika either .
More about American boycott in France. Very strange figures. Tell you tomorrow.
Oh, let me tell you, I am not yellow, I am green. When the Martians land , they will be on our side, because they are green like us frogs and racists like the yanks who think we are yellow and chicken and worms and weasels. Aren't they a bit confused ? ever tated acadiab weasel soup ? I haven't.
/m22 /m20

That's some great soup!

i think that french mustared is the nicest foof in the world. i eat it with every thing, especailly peanut butter and mayonase. its really the best thing money can buy and i love to eat english mustard more because u french are a bunch of rite nob heads hu smell like my gr8 ant agis hu lives rite next to the riverdee in scotland o ye baby i eat french mustard with my coffee and tea so i rock all u french monkey ha8ers toes off up the japanese trench in alan tichmashes gardener to dunkick to fite in the civil warr wirth friday night fever dancin like a ceniticut radio with a nucleur missile on the top try ing a destroy the world in a total of 16 days 13 hours and 59 seconds. put that in ur pipe and smke it u large mongolian tree hugging bitch up with the nazis in world war 17, i was there so i no how to blow up a rubber dingy in the navy u can do it agen in da navy u can lik sum1s chin in the navy u can act like a bush and eat sausages fresh from the chippy on a saturdayt after noon in the mornin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

beacoup!!!!!!!!!!

Why is Mustard such a BiG DeAl to yall? It aint like it's the best gosh darn thang in the whole world. Well i just thank yall should get yalls priorities straight! Lord Have Mercy on Yalls souls!