President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, vacationing within miles (km) of each other in New England, will have lunch on Saturday, opening what the White House called a new era in relations between the two countries.

(snip)

"I'm sure he'll talk about some international matters, but this is not a summit, this is not something with an agenda. The agenda is come by and let's visit," Snow said.

"It looks like we're on the verge of a new era of relations with the French, which is a good thing," Snow said.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't we had "relations with the French" for some time now? Weren't they part of the coalition of the Allies in that little unpleasantness in the early part of the last century in Europe, against the original Axis? Before that, didn't the "era of relations" include being part of the Entente Powers in "The War to End All Wars"?

Even before that, didn't our "era of relations" with the French go back even further, when they helped us out with a little skirmish - of some significance from what I've been told - when we were, in fact, "fighting them here" instead of over there. What was that called again.... oh yeah, the frikking Revolutionary War.

"New era of relations" with the French my ass.

Freedom Fries For Everybody!