Bush-Bickering

If you're bored, and interested in some good ol' fashioned Bush-bickering, check this out.

I wish I was still a hippie.

No Respect

The recent visit to the Netherlands by our beloved President Bush was, for the most part, rather uneventful. Bush's visit to an American WWII cemetary in southern Holland on Sunday was highly publicized and talked-about for the weeks leading up to it, and for good reason. Bush is not exactly well-liked among Dutchmen, so it was a perfect opportunity for them to practice one of their favorite hobbies: a protest.

Yesterday's headline in the local newspaper (a Reformed one to be exact) read this way: "Publiek komt voor de doden, niet voor Bush." In case you are not as awesome at Dutch as I am, that means "Public comes for the dead, not for Bush." The corresponding photos pictured Dutchmen, young and old, holding up various signs of protest. One elderly man held a sign reading "Not in my name."

The article read on to describe the various subjects of the protests, ranging from the Iraq war to North Korea. My personal favorite: a group of young people protesting about the level of noise that Air Force One emitted upon landing in the Eindhoven airport. Apparently they weren't around for the near-riots just days earlier in celebration of PSV's victorious season.

The fact that Holland doesn't like Bush is nothing new. They don't agree with his foreign policy, his plans for Iraq, and most importantly, "that his hand is in the pockets of big oil corporations." That's fine. They're entitled to their opinions. But a friendly visit to commemorate fallen freedom fighters is different. Have the liberated forgotten their liberators?

Not likely. Just a few weeks ago, I attended a Liberation Day ceremony here in Zwolle. Schoolchildren, city workers, and other citizens gathered to remember the 60th anniversary of Zwolle's liberation by Canadian troops. An immense wave of gratitude overcame the crowd - it was evident that the work of the liberators would not be forgotten any time soon.

So this leaves us with one conclusion: the deep anti-Bush sentiment in Europe has grown so strong that is has overshadowed America's role in the single-most important event in Dutch history.

I think what gets me the most is how readily the European youth have embraced this attitude. I have held many conversations with young Dutchmen throughout the past four months, and the mention of Bush comes up almost every time - their doing, not mine. As far as I can remember, all of them have expressed dislike for our president. When inquired as to the reasons why, a variety of intellectual responses came forth.

"He thinks everyone should have guns."

"He thinks he can invade any country that he doesn't agree with."

"He wants to take over the world." (I cut this guy a little slack - he wasn't exactly sober.)

With youth like this, our future relations with Europe don't look promising. Hopes for mending our differences might prove to be difficult.

So what do we do? Holland is a beautiful country, and I have grown to love it. But what if the dreaded German occupation were to return?

Would they still want us to stay out?

When in Rome

Being the final hoorah for this semester abroad, the NSPICE group decided to spend our Spring Break travelling up and down the Italian boot. With nine days to kill, we decided to give each of the three hotspots a taste: Venice, Florence, and Rome.

The obvious highlight of the entire trip was the presence of an American celebrity. No, not Sister Sister or Samuel L. Jackson. No, much greater than this. The one and only Coop Cooper. The week-long rendezvous had a special Italian flavor that is nothing like I have ever tasted before. For samples of each city, read on.

Venice: The city that's more water than land. By far the most confusing city to find your way around, but also the most charming. No cars; just canals covered with gondolas and covered bridges. Highlight: A hot date in the most romantic city in the world. You know how I roll.

Florence: The birthplace of the Renaissance and still the artistic capital of the world. The fabulous museums, squares and sculptures combined with the scenic Tuscan countryside made for a relaxing, cultural experience. Highlight: (besides seeing the perfect human body personified in Michaelangelo's David) The boys got all dressed up before going to an Irish Pub for the Chelsea v. Liverpool showdown.

Rome: One word: history. Walking around the Ancient City, you can't help but think of all the history that took place in the greatest civilization known to man. From Paul and Peter to Caesar and Constantine, the walls really do talk. The Colosseum was crumbly and the pillars were pearly, just as I hoped they would be. We even joined the thousands of pilgrims to the religious capital of the world, Vatican City, in hopes of catching Benedict peer out his second-story window onto St. Peter's Square. No such luck. Highlight: Actually a disappointment - the Sistine Chapel. It's OK, but everything else in the Vatican Museum that leads up to it makes for an anticlimactic experience.

Thus ends the chronicles of my travels through Europe. But you shan't be frightened; Europe is simply Book I in the exploration of the land we have come to know as Narnia. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be on my way. I've reached the lamppost and the Professor is calling...