8
8 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2004
700 Monterey Way
Newer 1&2 BR Apartments
Fully Equipped Kitchen
1 BR $440
2 BR $515
On-site Laundry
Quiet Westside Location.
Great for Topeka
Commuters!
501 Colorado
2 BR 1 Bath $525
3 BR 2 Bath $625
660 Gateway Ct.
- DW, C/A, Micro.
- On Bus Route
- Laundry On Site
- One Cat May Be OK
1/2 Month Free
w/12 Month Lease
3 BR w/Garage $775
4 BR 2 Bath $840
- Pool/Tennis Court
- 9th & Michigan
2 BR Apts from $490
2 BR Townhomes from $510
- W/D Hookups
- Pool
- Laundry on Site
- On Bus Route
- Close to downtown and KU
- On bus route
Available Now & Aug. 1
Louisiana Place Apts.
1136 Louisiana
•1 BR's $505
•2 BR's from $565
Avalon Apartments
9th & Avalon
- 1 BR's $520
•2 BR's $620
•Gas and Water Paid!
Red Oak Apartments
2408 Alabama
*1 BR's from $430
*2 BR's from $470
Water Poid
*Water Paid Parkway Terrace Apts. 2328-2348 Murphy Drive
*Studios $370 w/garage
*1 BR's from $410
-2 BR's from $460
Call for more details
George Waters Management, Inc. 841-5533 www.apartmentsinlawrence.net
Don't blame French, government actions don't speak for all
The recent 60-year anniversary of Day on June 6 hopefully marked an important change in the minds of Americans. For the past few years the American media has conveyed again and again that Europeans, the French in particular, strongly dislike Americans and do not support this country whatsoever. The media has been extremely successful in touting this image. Freedom fries ring a bell?
The recent 60-year anniversary of D-
According to the Associated Press, President Bush told the magazine Paris Match, "I was never angry with the French. France is a longtime ally." President Jacques Chirac made similar remarks about the United States. Finally after the finger-pointing and the insult-swapping, the two countries found a way to smooth things over. They denied there ever was a problem in the first place.
However, on June 6 President Bush was in Normandy to commemorate the attack of the allied troops 60 years ago to liberate France. He did not go to change France's view on the situation in Iraq but to symbolically begin to mend relations with French President Jacques Chirac. And it's about time too.
During my stay last semester in France, I met several people who are angry with Europeans because of what they hear, read and understand from the media. But the most hate is directed toward the French.
I've met people who won't buy Bordeaux wine or Grey Goose vodka. Why? Because France did not follow President Bush into Iraq. At the time, Americans were outraged. Sept. 11, 2001 was still a recent reminder as to why retribution was deemed necessary. Perhaps for France and Germany, World War II souvenirs scattered throughout their countries were sufficient reminders as to why war should be avoided when possible — not jumped into like a circus campaign.
perspective
The problem remains in the eyes of many citizens. Can Americans change their minds as quickly as Bush does? If the media tells them it's OK. And yet most Europeans do not hold each and every American responsible for the actions of President Bush. They are
Katherine Jones opinioon@hansan.com
I've met people who won't buy Bordeaux wine or Grey Goose vodka. Why? Because France did not follow President Bush into Iraq.
aware of the situation regarding the election that allowed President Bush into office. They also know his views do not reflect an entire nation of 291 million people.
However, many Americans seem to hold entire nations personally responsible for the decisions of their governments. Many French people are not happy with their own government and indeed told me there just might be another revolution if things continue this way. Yet the American media loves to lump them together as a collective whole so that we can more easily point the finger.
The situation was ridiculous in the first place. I just hope that now those Americans can open their eyes and look at the facts themselves. Perhaps it is because of the cocky American attitude of I'm right and you're wrong,' or perhaps the public's affinity for people like Bill O'Reilly who seem to enforce division and propagate hate. Or perhaps it's those freedom fries that remind us that we have the freedom to be obese. Whatever causes and fuels this prejudice, maybe now Americans can finally learn to get over old stereotypes of hate and think for themselves the next time the media tells them what they should feel and toward whom.
Jones is a Wichita junior in French and international studies.