As the stakes continue to rise over Iraq and French support for their ally Saddam, Britain is aiming diplomatic shots at France in a way that hasn't been seen for a very long time.

Mader Blog found a transript of Jack Straw's "steal the show" U.N. speech on Iraq, full of replies to "Dominique." Note that in the French language, the use of the "tu" rather than the more formal "vous" can be considered a serious insult in the absence of permission or a close relationship (term is to "tutoyer" someone). Straw's speech was a clever extension of the principle, but you have to know French to catch it.

Here's more from Straw, via an interview. Did we mention that he isn't happy with the French? Then there's the British official who put it this way to the NY Times: "The French rejected our [disarmament] tests before the Iraqis. Enough said."

The French response? The diplomatic equivalent of "your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries... now go away or I will taunt you a second time." Though there are some outside of government having second thoughts about all this.