Category: news

The War on Fries continues to gain momentum in the US: “House restaurants change name of ‘french fries’ and ‘french toast’“. I’m glad to know that they have achieved some tangible progress on that important issue.

On a related note, while watching CNN last night, which I wouldn’t normally admit to doing, I was appalled to notice their casual reference to peace activists as “anti-Americans”. In particular, the comment was that directors and producers wouldn’t be comfortable making movies that feature “anti-Americans” (i.e., pro-peace), and that we could expect the Academy Awards to be affected. Reminds one of the Hollywood communist blacklist, doesn’t it?

Well, what did I expect from CNN? Balanced, unbiased reporting of the news?

BBC News: “Martin Sheen: ‘President’ under fire“

Picture this. At the border between Quebec and Maine, there’s a gas station located only 15 metres on the US side of the border. The gas station has a driveway opening on the Canadian side. The nearest border-crossing is some distance away by car. Townsfolk routinely cross the 15 metres into Maine to fill their tanks.

One day, a forestry worker, Michel Jalbert, crosses to buy gas and is stopped by border guards. Because he’s on his way to a hunting trip, he happens to have his shotgun with him in the truck. He’s arrested and spends 35 days in a US jail. Today he pleaded guilty and his lawyer believes that Michel will never be allowed to enter the US again.

Well this should set an example to all those terrorists who like to fill up their tank on the border.

Commentary by Rex Murphy

Article on Canada.com

Article on CTV.ca

Last week, CNN reported that a North Carolina restaurant owner had renamed his French fries “Freedom Fries”. A change of menu wouldn’t normally catch the attention of a major media corporation, but in this case it was in response to the French opposition to a war in Iraq. Reporters were all over it in seconds. I suppose if CNN says it’s a patriotic act, then I guess I’ll have to believe it.

I would like to urge all Canadians to adopt the following changes to menus:

• Change California roll sushi to Canuck Roll
• Change Philly cheese steak to Sudbury Sandwich
• Change Texas toast to Maple Leaf Toast
• Change KFC to KFC (Kelowna Fried Chicken)
• Change New England clam chowder to Chowder, Eh?
• Change Boston clam chowder to Red Chowder, Eh?
• And finally, beer should be called Liquid Canada.

That last one doesn’t have to change, but we really like our beer in Canada.

That’ll show those unpatriotic people in the White House that we mean business.

Don’t you hate it when you can’t find what you’re looking for?

Thanks, Carmen, for the links.

On November 18, I wrote about how mainstream media ignored worldwide protests against a war in Iraq (Thousands protest. No one notices.). Well, if news websites are any indication, this time it appears that at least Canadian politicians are getting the message.

In this quote, Gilles Duceppe hits the nail on the head:

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe was among the Montreal marchers who felt the United States cannot act alone against Iraq.

“The United States defence minister told us last week how it was unfortunate they can’t use chemical weapons, and that the use of atomic weapons was a possibility,” Duceppe said. “My God, it makes no sense for people who are supposedly responsible to use such language. I am very happy the (UN weapons) inspectors showed there’s not enough proof to go to war with Iraq.” *

And Vancouver mayor, Larry Campbell:

“If this conflict continues, they will be coming for your children, for the young people here, to go fight in their war,” he said. “If they drop a nuclear bomb [here] you will be breathing it. This is very much a problem for our city.” *

And finally, PM Jean Chretien in this speech in Chicago on Thursday. Well, it’s about as forthright as the guy’s ever going to get:

The price of being the world’s only superpower is that its motives are sometimes questioned by others. Great strength is not always perceived by others as benign. Not everyone around the world is prepared to take the word of the United States on faith. *

Maybe, eventually, someone in the Whitehouse will start to listen. I can just imagine Dubya’s next speech: “Awww. You people never let us have any fun.”