Free Republic

<p>In February 1977, a French count, Sanche de Gramont, became an American citizen and changed his name to Ted Morgan. The following year his book, "On Becoming American," was widely hailed. Writer David Halberstam called it "wonderful, funny and wise. As good and fresh a book about America and why it is different from Europe as any I have ever read.</p>

<p>BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Half of the U.N. humanitarian staff in Iraq has left the country over the last two weeks to make a possible evacuation easier in case of war, a U.N. official said Friday. Out of about 900 foreigners working for U.N. aid programs in the country, about 450 have left after a recommendation from headquarters in New York, the official said on condition of anonymity.</p>

Is it gauche to despise French over politics? "We have a massive love-hate relationship ... " 02/21/2003 By MICHAEL E. YOUNG / The Dallas Morning News Angered beyond the breaking point by a swaggering leader who refuses to listen to reason, furious at a nation that dares disdain the culture and values of the United States, many in America have decided to declare war - against France. Yep, with battle imminent against Iraq, home of Saddam Hussein, it turns out that in many minds the real enemy is our oldest ally, the French. From barbs in talk show monologues...

<p>"Last weekend, across Europe and America, somewhere between 1 million and 2 million people marched against a war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq. All protests against war are ultimately ethical in nature, and Saturday's placard-wavers did not break with tradition: "Give Peace a Chance," "Make Tea, Not War," "Bush and Blair -- the Real War Criminals." These are statements of sentiment, not power politics, and the sentiment is, or is meant to be, a moral one.</p>

<p>UNITED NATIONS — Less-than-damning assessments of Iraq's cooperation by the chief U.N. weapons inspectors coupled with massive worldwide protests against a possible war have sent the United States and Britain back to the drawing board.</p> <p>Speaking on condition of anonymity, diplomats said U.S. and British officials are toning down a draft resolution, and that the final version may not explicitly call for war.</p>

<p>NEW YORK — Foreign ministers from all corners of the globe took turns Friday reacting to reports from international chief weapons inspectors, who said that while Iraq is cooperating more than usual in the disarmament process, there is still much work to be done.</p>