26 February 2000 - Echelon
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“We are shocked, shocked at the allegations of U.S. industrial espionage,”
said French legislator Rene Galy-Dejean, speaking in English for reporters.
“The gang of English-speaking slubberdegullions is flagrantly infringing
on a traditional European monopoly, and we’re not going to take it
lying down. French national technical means allow us to disclose
new information about Bill Clinton’s infidelities. Take that, U.S.A!”
clue:
State industrial espionage is illegal in the United States (which is not
to say that it doesn’t occur), but it has a long tradition in Europe.
“National technical means” is diplomatic language for spy satellites,
radio listening stations, and so on.
give me a clue so sweet and true
copyright 2000, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott
<jay@satirist.org>