French deplore...jogging?

I swear, the Frogs have become a walking, talking, surrendering parody! Observe:

President Sarkozy has fallen foul of intellectuals and critics who see his passion for jogging as un-French, right-wing and even a ploy to brainwash his citizens.

Attacks on Mr Sarkozy’s pastime, which he has made a symbol of his presidency, began on the internet as soon as he bounded up the steps of the Elysée Palace in shorts when he took office in May. That moment has become the icon of his hyperenergetic administration. The grumbling has now moved to television and the press.

“Is jogging right wing?” wondered Libération, the left-wing newspaper. Alain Finkelkraut, a celebrated philosopher, begged Mr Sarkozy on France 2, the main state television channel, to abandon his “undignified” pursuit. He should take up walking, like Socrates, Arthur Rimbaud, the poet, and other great men, said Mr Finkelkraut.

“Western civilisation, in its best sense, was born with the promenade. Walking is a sensitive, spiritual act. Jogging is management of the body. The jogger says I am in control. It has nothing to do with meditation.”

Mr Sarkozy’s habit infuriates his critics – and some supporters – because he flaunts it so hard. ...

I don't even know what else to say, since I think this absurdity just kind of speaks for itself. I mean, French jokes are so easy to make, yet here they are just begging to be mocked yet again. Oh, well, I guess we should oblige them and mock to our hearts' content.

AndrewR at Ace of Spades wonders thusly:

I may be missing the point of all this, but I think what they're trying to say is that all the fat, lazy Americans who don't exercise and weigh themselves with livestock scales are really...progressives?