Vive la France

A copy of the New York Daily News got in my way yesterday to my dismay. Headlines and stories all echoed this sentiment (emphasis added):

New Yorkers reacted to losing the 2012 Olympics to London with a mix of cheers and jeers yesterday - but they all seemed to agree on one thing: At least France lost.

There's been a bit of bad blood lately between Olympic contenders Britain and France, with tacky remarks flowing back and forth like beer at a soccer meet. And we know, after 9/11, France unpopularly counseled caution when George W. had his heart set on Iraqi revenge. But really folks...

Can't we leave the tasteless humor and childish remarks to the South Park twins? And was it really so long ago -- okay, okay it was a couple of hundred years -- that France went bankrupt after bankrolling the American Revolution? Doesn't it count that we gained our independence in large measure with French munitions, soldiers, and, most importantly, naval power?

If it doesn't, it should. At least until we pay back the money Ben Franklin got France to loan us. Or maybe we should settle our tab at the U.N. first?