Do you want Freedom Fries with your Liberty Steak?

The United States has always seemed to take an "us" vs. "them" attitude on many foreign political issues. When we are right, "they" are wrong and when we are wrong... well, we are still right and "they" are more wrong. So the story goes with french fries. The French opposed the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003, so we (the U.S.) retaliate by renaming the fried potato?? No longer called a french fry, this staple to our food group was affectionately renamed the freedom fry to publicly portray our displeasure with France for not supporting our actions. Many United States citizens also boycotted French imports and businesses. And this is not the first time in history that the United States has thrown the proverbial temper tantrum. Sauerkraut was called liberty cabbage during WWI, because of the similar anti-"they" sentiment (in this case we were mad a Germany). During WWII, many other euphemisms sprung up, including the liberty steak, formerly known as the hamburger. Evidently, the word hamburger was derived from the German city of Hamburg, and therefore, was in desperate need of a new name.
The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 was signed into law by GW Bush with the stated purpose of fighting terrorism and strengthening National Security. Our phone communications, mail, bank accounts and luggage were now able to be monitored by the government.
The Espionage Act of 1917 was somewhat similar in that it also promoted National Security. This Act, which was signed into law shortly after entering WWI, made it a criminal offense for any person to convey any information with the intent to interfere with the success of the United States Armed Forces, or promote the success of it's enemies.
The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were, again, passed in wartime and supposedly designed to protect the U.S. from enemy powers and stop seditious attacks from weakening the government. Opponents of the Acts hailed them as being unconstitutional, however one (The Alien Enemies Act) is still in use today.
Freedom Fries and Liberty cabbage are both perfect examples of freedom of speech working. As silly as it may be to rename food, it is a political statement and our rights to voice our discontent with those who do not support us are protected by our constitutional right to free speech.
The Patriot Act, Espionage Act and Alien and Sedition Acts may be very important aspects to Homeland Security, but they all, in one way or another, violate our freedom of speech. the same holds true for freedom of press.
So are we always right and "they" always wrong? Is it worth it to have such an "us" vs. "them" attitude about everything? After all, this is America...a nation of immigrants...the melting pot of the world...the land of the free, home of the...liberty cabbage?????