Is this some thinly velied stereotypical racism? (French Mars Mission)

[Tim]

Will the French launch a mission to Mars? Structures on surface 'look like giant snails' in pictures snapped by Nasa orbiter

Will the French launch a mission to Mars? Structures on surface 'look like giant snails' in pictures snapped by Nasa orbiter

• Unique structures are coils of lava on Martian surface
• 100ft across - bigger than any similar coils on Earth
• Found in imagery from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

It's just,......exasperating.

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[Kevin]

Seems more like the usual sniping that goes on between France & England as opposed to a type of racism.

 

[Tim]

I thought we'd grown out of it. I mean, I can make enough French jokes myself, but then I'm a 5th generation immigrant from there, so I'm allowed

This sort of open, main theme bantering on a national newspapers online site is a bit offputting though.

encule de francais!