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In response to my daughters question about whether she should still give me French cologne for fathers day, I emailed the cologne company, based in Miami, the following query:

Subject: P**l S*******n Cologne for Men.

Dear Sir or Ma'am:

I am certain that you are aware of the current American consumer outrage at
products that are either made in France or by French owned companies. I have
used P**l S*******n Cologne, exclusively, since my daughter brought me my
first bottle for Father's Day in the mid '80's. I should care NOT to stop.

However, being a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, I am sensitive to those
country's that betray the United States. The French are free in their own
country and free here to make and sell their products. A freedom that was
purchased at great price by Americans that can be attested by the graves
in Northern France along Normandy. Graves of young Americans that will
never have a daughter or son to give them French Cologne for Father's Day.

However this freedom, brought at such great price, means I am free to
buy French products, or spurn them for domestically produced colognes and
fragrances. "Old Spice" may not be chic, but it is American. Many of the
American soldiers, now asleep in Normandy, annointed their face with "Old
Spice", after their last shave on June 5th, 1944, the night before D-Day.
Perhaps American's should "smell" American again.

The question is, as St. Exupery would express, a complication.

Therefore, I have left it to my daughter, to make the decision for me.
If she feels that French Cologne still deserves the honor of enhancing an
American veterans face, then if she buy's it for me, I will wear it.

If not, we will find a domestic substitute and buy the same for others with
the explanation that those things French, have lost their fragrance and have
become merely, an "odor".

Regrettably,

Wonderful letter. I'm mailing to my email list.

Your note was too long and too personal. The recipient will not read beyond the first sentence.

P**l S*******n Cologne for Men.

You are not slandering the product in any way. This is an opinion about the source of the product.

Say the name!! It's OK, really.