The well known American favorite food, the French fry, has gone through a quick identity change.
The White House kitchen staff was notified recently that all foods containing the word “French” are to be replaced with the word “freedom”. This thought to be a subtle, yet very obvious stab at the French for not supporting Bush with his war plans on Iraq.
Bush claims this was done as a reminder of the hardships the U.S. military will go through to preserve America’s freedom. Since deciding to alter the name, many restaurants across the country have followed suit.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay spoke at a news conference recently saying that the U.S. does not need to retaliate because -“They’ve (France) isolated themselves pretty well”. This, giving the impression that only France is standing alone against the war, meanwhile the U.S. is standing alone for it.
On a historical note, it should be said that “french” fries are actually from Belgium, not France. Pomme Frites, as they are called in Belgium, are still prepared and sold on the streets by french-fry units, known as a Fritures or Frietkoets.
The average American eats 30 pounds of the fried vegetable, and French fries account for more than one fourth of all potatoes sold in the U.S. market. Well over 6 million pounds of potatoes are processed into frozen fries annually.
America’s taste for French fries may be traced back to the hungry soldiers stationed in Northern France and Belgium during W.W.I, when an American serviceman first tasted the thinly sliced Belgium specialty and quickly spread the news.
The name change includes French fries, French toast, and some adding their own humor – claiming “French kiss” may be banned as well. When all is said and done, this may be looked at as just plain immature and unpatriotic.
Anai Rhoads contributed above article to Media Monitors Network (MMN).