Here in the US of A, we do enjoy our French fries. And our French toast. You can get your fill of those two “French” inspired foods at your nearby you-name-it-drive-thru fast-food emporium or at just about any casual diner serving breakfast chow. In either venue, these culinary delights will fill you up and up as they go down very easily.

Then there are much more authentic French delights to be had such as quiche lorraine, ratatouille, bouillabaisse, crepes, escargot, coq au vin, foie gras, charcuterie, beef bourguignon, or creme brulee. And so many more dishes in which to indulge when the Franco Jones hunger pangs hit. Of course most of the above loftier dishes are enjoyed at a restaurant. Perhaps at a very expensive destination. Special occasions destinations. The priciest place to indulge in very elegantly prepared French delights in Chicago is Alinea. Want tiny portions and a huge tab? Then it’s Alinea that beckons: $500 per person. That does not include drinks. Wow. How exclusive. Must be the hedge fund barons or uber-mojo investment bankers who don’t think twice about dining there. They don’t need a special occasion. Maybe not even a reservation.

What would be a special occasion that specifically connotes things French? Special in what context? Well, how about today, July 14, 2025? Can you say Bastille Day? Okay, that’s the Americanized moniker for what the French refer to as “La fete nationale” or 14 juilliet.  On July 14, 1789, French peasants, craftsmen, shop owners all banded together and literally stormed the Bastille, a royal fortress and prison that symbolized the French monarchy’s oppressive power. The goal was to seize weapons and ammunition and free the unjustly incarcerated. Three years and two days after the Bastille was attacked, the monarchy fell. By 1799 the French Revolution was complete.

Liberte, egalite, fraternite!

The U.S. revolutionary war was taking place at about the same time (1775-1783). France today is a republican state and a parliamentary democracy. Meaning it has an elected President who then appoints a Prime Minister. Today, we here in the USA have an elected President, an elected congress and a congressionally appointed Supreme Court. Until about 5 months ago, this system of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial provided a “checks and balances” function as proscribed in our Constitution, wanting each branch to ensure that no individual branch could become more powerful than the other two. I say until about five months ago, because, well folks, neither the congress nor the Supreme Court show any interest in reigning-in the current President-who-would-be King. Perhaps you have noticed?

Then and now…

…Bastille Day, July 14, 1789. 236 years later, the French have that above noted President/Prime Minister/parliamentary democracy. 242 years after the U.S. Revolution we have a pseudo, quasi, crypto, ersatz, virtually unchecked President, along with a very unbalanced three branches of government. The U.S. just again observed its Independence Day of July 4, 1776. As usual, fireworks. backyard barbeques, NASCAR, apple pie and baseball, and an annual hot dog eating contest (the winner of which this year ate 70.5 “tube steaks” in 5 minutes!). And Old Glory flapping high on a flagpole, on lapels, buttons, T-shirts, coffee mugs, even a tattoo or two.

Well, for the majority of the country it’s now not as usual as it usually has been. Did you pig-out or protest? I know there were protests but no prisons were stormed. No beheadings. But the momentum may be building. Remember, July 4, 1776 and July 14th, 1789. Long held grievances between the haves and have nots simmering, kindled with the firewood of oppression and injustice, heated by flames that sucked the air from gasping commoners, causing the pot to boil over and stain the floor of history forever! (with kudos to the writers of the 1970 film Start the Revolution Without Me).

Okay. Revolution is not a laughing matter, but I, for one, cling to my snarky sense of humor. And an appetite for justice. It’s as simple as eating French fries and plotting a reply to our disappointments. To the ramparts! Storm that Bastille. And when we emerge victorious, we can all have a big belly laugh at the expense of the vanquished.

And we celebrate with French fries, French toast or an all-American hotdog or two. Or 70.5. Damn straight! The American way.

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