We all like to reminisce on the good old days, but when you actually stop to take a stroll down memory lane you realise that the street cleaners haven’t been around in quite some time and that we’re all better off in the present. So here’s a look at why 2013 is so much better than 2003.
2003 – Freedom Fries
One of the most idiotic episodes of 2003 was the Freedom Fries fiasco that swept the US after the Republican-controlled Congress officially renamed the menu item in Congressional cafeterias in response to France’s opposition to the proposed invasion of Iraq. Talk about petty…
The Freedom Fries/French Fries debate actually got quite serious in some states and many well-known restaurants followed Congress and changed their menus and shop fronts in order to keep their patriotic, French hating, overweight customers happy.
2013 – Good ole French Fries
Thankfully, the big wigs in Congress saw sense (although, the ‘Freedom’ of the fries did last for three years) and quietly changed the name on the menu back to French Fries in 2006 without telling anyone. Even one of the guys who brought in the changes, Walter B. Jones, said, “I wish it had never happened.”
2003 – First Call of Duty released
The very first Call of Duty was released back on October 29, 2003 and while it was a brilliant game, it made every other first person shooter at the time look and feel pretty crap. It was almost too good as it made every other game obsolete…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNj2vuhxBjc
2013 – 10 types of Duty
There are now ten main instalments in the Call of Duty series (can you name them all?) and a whole host of extra DLC packs and other Call of Duty themed media, so there has never been a better time for Call of Duty fans and gaming fans in general to be around. The latest instalment, Call of Duty: Ghosts is set for release later this year marking the 10th anniversary of the franchise.
2003 – The Spire
The Spire of Dublin, or the Monument of Light as it’s officially called (who knew?), was put up on O’Connell street back in 2003 at a cost of €4,000,000 to the tax payer *shudders*. Safe to say, there were quite a few people who didn’t like the look of the Spire and it was quickly labelled a ‘waste of money’ among some other rather unsavoury things.
2013 – The Spire, still standing
Even though quite a few people didn’t like the Spire back in 2003, no one really seems to bat an eye at it anymore – apart from the tourists, of course – and most people have forgotten that ridiculous price tag. At least you can walk down O’Connell Street now without feeling contempt for an inanimate object…
