Lousy Chocolate Makers

[reachout]

It's getting the point that I'm having trouble distinguishing between real articles about the Bush administration and parodies from The Onion. Is this a bad sign?



US derides 'chocolate makers' for EU military headquarters plans


WASHINGTON - The United States sneered at plans by four European countries to create an autonomous European military command headquarters near Brussels separate from NATO referring to the idea's proponents as "chocolate makers."


In unusually blunt language that drew surprised gasps from reporters, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher scoffed at Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg for continuing to support the proposal that they first introduced at a mini-summit in April.


He described the April meeting as one between "four countries that got together and had a little bitty summit" and then referred to them collectively as "the chocolate makers."


The derisive phrase appeared to target mainly Belgium, which is known for its high quality chocolate confections, and on Tuesday reiterated its support for the new headquarters.


After reflecting on his comments, Boucher immediately stood back, explaining that he had seen the phrase in press reports and saying that he should not have repeated them.


At the same time, though, he repeated US opposition to the plan first outlined by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who called the creation of a new European military headquarters "unnecessary" shortly after it was proposed.


<snip>

[ixion]

1. yeah, it's a bad sign

of the ever increasing hubris put forth by this illegitimate cabal.

[rock]

2. Re: reality vs parody

The media and the right wing have purposely developed an atmosphere of ludicrous outrageousness, just for that reason. You can no longer tell.

[CBGLuthier]

3. I would rather be known as a chocolate maker

Than the wholesale distributor of death and greed that the US has become.

[smirkymonkey]

4. I wonder if whistle-ass has ever

tried their chocolate covered pretzels?? I think it might win him over.

[Kellanved]

5. The term is valid in another context

France, Luxenbourg, Belgium, Italy and Germany defined what's chocolate and what's not (anything containing fat other than cacao-butter) in the 70s. The regulation phases out this year and wasn't renewed, despite the "chocolate maker's" protests.
This will allow British and Danish sweets to sold as chocolate in the whole EU.

[oasis]

6. "Old Europe" should get behind a winner. Who ever that is.

[Bake]

7. Yet another example of our "humble" foreign policy.

NOT!!

Bake

[cheapbeemr]

8. We're just a bunch of Dorito's makers.......

nothing the hell else made here anymore.

[mr blur]

9. Chocolate makers?

Yeah, but Europeran chocolate is so much yummier than American chocolate, don't you think? I tried American chocolate when I was there and it tasted like something had been left out - chocolate maybe? Disgusting stuff. Hershey? - the cat wouldn't eat it and, believe. me our cat will eat just about anything.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi mr blur!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: