I Told You So: The French

As someone who actively demonstrated against a pre-emptive Iraq invasion, and also as someone who publicly questioned the veracity of Colin Powell's United Nations presentation on weapons of mass destruction, I am in the unique position of being able to say "I told you so!" to almost anyone and everyone I know. It's a good feeling.

(Of course, it would have been nicer if all that work could have actually done anything to prevent the war, but I'll take what I can get.)

Now, thanks to the crystal clear vision that is hindsight, lots of people all over the world can join me in my "I Told You So" chorus. Today we examine...the French. Read on for a stroll down Recent History Lane.

No doubt you remember the whimsical decision by Neal Rowland, owner of a restaurant called Cubbies in North Carolina, to serve his customers freedom fries rather than french fries. Rowland was riffing off the idea that foods with German names were renamed during World War II. I consider his idea enterprising, especially since, according to the CNN article, "his business has a lot of local military troops as customers."

Fair enough. But this story became stupid when it seeped out of the "Offbeat News" section: Reps. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and Walter Jones (R-North Carolina) saw to it that the three House office buildings would evermore serve freedom fries and freedom toast, rather than their unpatriotic counterparts.

In case you don't remember, this was of course all because France thought we should maybe give weapons inspections more time in Iraq. Wow, what a crazy idea.

[Jones said in a statement,] "Watching France's self -serving politics of passive aggression in this effort has discouraged me more than I can say."

...

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."

House of Representatives, and particularly Reps. Ney and Jones: France told you so.

In more current news also related to greasy food
Do you love ketchup, but also America? Well, now you don't have to choose between one or the other, thanks to W Ketchup. "You don't support Democrats. Why should your ketchup?"

Of course, Heinz -- a company in which John Kerry's wife holds 4% ownership -- is entirely non-partisan. And W Ketchup is similarly unrelated to George W. Bush. But don't let that stop you from buying a more expensive, inferior product. Just remember that I told you so.