For the past few months, I have been asked many, many times about what I think about the possibility of war with Iraq. Do I think it will really happen? Do I (and therefore all Americans) agree? What is happening in America? I have gotten pretty tired of the same old questions over and over again but the other day I was taken by surprise when a student asked me if Congress had really made a law renaming 'french fries' to 'freedom fries.' That was the first I'd heard about it so I said I couldn't imagine it was true but that it was probably a joke on one of the late night programs.

Well, since then, I've been asked again and again. As the war approches, the hottest topic in Japan seems not what will happen in the future or my opinions but rather that decision by some silly politician. Now instead of being the butt of criticism, America and, incidentally I, have become the butt of jokes. Last night I went out to eat with Jin and a friend. While deciding on our meal, they asked if I would prefer fried squid or freedom fries. I was amused. But, something good did come out of it...I won a 10,000 yen bet with Jin about whether or not it was a mandate of Congress. Of course, now we can't come to an agreement on the exact wording of the bet so it looks like no one will collect.

My french friend...er, freedom friend, mentioned that they are quite amused in France as well. So I don't think it had quite the effect intended. I think it just caused embarrassment to many American's living abroad. Can anyone tell me, do people drive up to McDonnald's drive through and really ask for Freedom fries?