``Today's youth should be as morally upright as are the leaders of the free world, and should never consider violence as a way of settling disputes, regardless of provocation, any more than NATO does.'' (Dan Rutter)
Isn't it nice the way the, uh, Free World is being led by such responsible people? Here's United States Congressman Pete King having a bit of a Tebbit moment (Real Player format) on the Today programme this morning:
Pete King: Well are we looking at French culture? I mean exactly what are we looking for with the French? I mean... I assume the French would be capable of going with us into Iraq so they could be there to instruct the Iraqis in how to surrender.... but, um, I really am not that impressed with the French to be honest with you.
Jim Naughtie: This is pretty crude stuff, Congressman.
Pete King: I think it's pretty objective....
By comparison, the French Ambassador to NATO was a model of politeness and calm. I happened to notice in the supermarket this morning that the Daily Mail (no website worth shit, [un?]fortunately) had a front page with a photograph from the D-Day landings and the headline `Ingratitude' in enormous letters. Can somebody remind me of Turkey's involvement in the liberation of France? It must have slipped my mind....
And a bonus factoid: did you know that NATO has a hymn? They're sufficiently clueful to have it in MP3 format on their web page (bottom of page). Sadly it doesn't seem to have lyrics. Perhaps somebody should make some up....