France, The New Red State

First we find out that the CIA totally hearts its French counterparts (the relationship is “one of the best in the world” and “extraordinarily valuable”); now we discover that Jacques Chirac is the next Jeff Foxworthy. At a gathering with Russian and German leaders, he revealed he hates British food! “The only thing [the British] have ever given European farming is mad cow.” Rimshot, please! “You can’t trust people who cook as badly as that.” We’re dying. Also, haggis is gross: “That’s where our problems with Nato come from.” Funny because it’s true! He’ll be here all summit, folks. — WONKETTE

Chirac: ‘The only thing the British have ever given European farming is mad cow’ [Telegraph UK]
Help From France Key In Covert Operations [WP]

UPDATE: The British respond as only they can, with polite earnestness and/or diffident acquiescence:

I don’t agree with Chirac about British food. In the last 20 years it has improved enormously. — Annie, Switzerland/ex UK

I have to agree with the Frenchman. I love French food. Serve me a dish of Magret de Canard and I shall be smiling. Serve me a burger with chips and I shall feel bloated. — Andrew Brown, Aberdeen, Scotland

Well at least we beat Finland! — Anthony Harrison, Wilmslow, UK

Do you agree with Chirac’s views on British food? [BBC]

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