French fries? No thanks, say U.S. lawmakers. On March 11, Congress members changed the menu in three cafeterias in the House of Representatives. French fries are now called freedom fries.
Ohio's Bob Ney ordered the change, because France is not supporting U.S. war plans against Iraq. "It is a small but a symbolic effort to show the strong displeasure of many on Capitol Hill with the actions of France," he said.
Nathalie Loisau of the French Embassy says France is not worried about the name change. "We are dealing with very serious issues," she says. Besides, she adds, fries were invented in Belgium!