U.S.-French Discord: Friends Can Disagree

Thank you for pointing out that the vulgar Franco-phobic bombardment that has occurred in parts of the media and entertainment world is unfair (“Go Easy on French-Frying,” editorial, March 2). As a Frenchman who divides his time between Southern California and France, I have not experienced such anti-French hysteria in the 25 years I have lived here. France and the U.S. are friends and must remain so. After all, friends can sometimes disagree in a civilized world without endangering their relationship.

Also, boycotting French products would be pretty stupid, since the Franco-American cultural and economic relationship is a complex mesh of cross-border investments and joint ventures. Many innocent Americans as well as Frenchmen would unfortunately lose their jobs if such a boycott were to occur. Nobody talked about boycotting Saudi oil after 9/11. Many of the hijackers were Saudi citizens.

Francois Friedmann

Manhattan Beach

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French reluctance to engage in warfare is understandable. They usually lose their battles.

Philip Marlin

Woodland Hills

My raison d’etre has gone away.

My joie de vivre is in a trench.

My je ne sais quoi

Has abandoned moi,

Oh mercy, God, I hate the French.

Dave Gallup

Ventura