The post today is one of travel, you have to travel to get it.
My interview with Expat Magazine is online here.
My other recommendation is that you visit Long way home who began her post with this:
“…this article today actually connects to a discussion with an older Moroccan man I had on the train who used to live in Miami. He told me sort of sadly that he had lost all faith in the American government, which had used to be a shining light for him, and that it was nothing but spin--if you scratch the surface nothing is there. I argued back a little, but it was hard to disagree with a lot of his points--I'm depressed about transparency, campaign funding, and lobbyists too. What I find interested is that my first reaction was to shrug and announce "All politics is like that." And he said, sort of sadly, "No, it doesn't have to be."
I think one of the things I am most profoundly angry with the Bush administration about is the fact that now, when I am confronted about America's supposed evil, I have to take pause--long pause--where I feel ashamed of what we have done. I never felt ashamed before. To be fair, we've done terrible things in the past as well. And there are a lot of exemplary things about my country. Truly great things. But this Moroccan man felt bad for us --for US, the American people, not for our foreign politics, but for what he saw as the erosion of civil rights in exchange for security. He knew Morocco was worse, but he used to look up to us, and now he didn't. "When you are the most powerful nation in the world, you have to set an example," he said.”
She goes on to post a very interesting and disturbing article.
Tomorrow: the Osama Train!!! CNN and IHT; CIA and MI6 can't get a recent photograph of Osama? We bring you an exclusive from Morocco!! ...and other interesting things as well.
29 comments:
My husband and I traveled to London a few years back and this past March I was in Paris. I found that the people in both places were lovely (except for Louvre employees for some reason) but I did notice a marked difference in the opinions and statements from local people about America in just a few years' time. Bush has done America much harm and no favors. I am a staunch Democrat and did not vote for him either time. I am of the opinion that he was not the rightful president during his first term. That does not change the fact that I am embarrassed and ashamed by what he has done to our country. It will take decades to repair the damage, if indeed we ever do. The candidates for our next president do not give me much hope, to be honest. But like many Americans, I am at a loss as to what we can do. There are so many people in this country (alas, many in my state) who are closeminded, scared, painfully conservative, radically religious or just completely oblivious. It is so sad, very scary and I fear it will eventually be irreversible.
That's quite sobering. And to think, I am generally an optimist.
It seems to me that there are two distinct Americas - the one of legend, Abe, George and so on which most people believe exists and the other America of financier driven cynical foreign policy and this is the bit you're ashamed of.
Loved the interview! I had really been looking forward to reading it, and I was not disappointed.
Well, there was one thing . . .Texas? Oh, Lady M, the heart just breaks!
Lovely interview Lady M. Honest and thorough - what these should be. I've been invited to do one too but am not sure about tackling it so close to the move - it gets quite melancholic. But I'll let you know if I do.
Excellent Interview, Lady M!!! I really enjoyed reading through it!
And yay for the Osama train!
As for the Bush administration... yeah. I makes me angry, embarrassed, ashamed, and angry again. Disgusting stuff.
Very interesting interview, Lady M. Now I know why you're there and how you got there! I also like your attitude to living abroad.
kaycle
Oh my I hope not "irreversible"; I refuse to believe that just because it is too terrifying. Of course I also choose to believe in fairies, Saint Nicholas, and John Wayne (the movie version).
I am an optimist because as long as there are Americans like you, my daughter, and our friends from America I think it can get better. You all will stay involved and the course will have to change.
thank you for coming by.
lord straf-ruhr
I think that is true; let's hope it improves as there is so much at stake.
thank you for coming by.
mama zen
Thank you. Well one of my ancestors stumbled in there while running away from an angry father in New Orleans - which was why he left the Highlands in the first place!
thank you for coming by.
good woman
thank you. oh do it! let us all know when. I think doing it on the cusp of the move makes it all the more interesting - if you have the time.
thank you for coming by.
brillig
thank you and just wait until you see it! he he
if we are all concerned citizens of the world and stay involved, I think we can steer a better course.
thank you for coming by.
welshcakes limoncello
thank you, I do appreciate that.
thank you for coming by.
Very interesting. Enjoyed reading it and, having noted your descriptions of your hair, was fascinated to see it in the flesh, as it were....
Really enjoyed the interview Lady M, CC... Let me go on record here, I think you've been extremely brave, curious, supportive (or daughter) and adventurous in going to Morocco, but mainly brave.
The MRI/neurosurgeon episode was of huge personal interest to me but your advice about needles/sterility supports my view: with my various medical problems, I need not apologise for remaining in the UK.
My own sense of adventure has to be cultivated on a more homely level - self-education in whatever new interest takes my fancy...which goes to show how different our lives can be, and yet be the same in essence.
Lady MacLeod! You are such a pretty lady. We must talk, I want to have the names of everything and everyone you have used...
Loved the interview! Makes me want to visit Morocco, except aren't the market sales people kind of 'in your face' - that would do my head in!
As for Bush? Can I tell you how angry I get when people here tell me they don't vote? Intelligent, well educated people who want change but can't be arsed voting for an alternative? Grrrr! I would dearly love my citizenship red tape to be completed by Nov 2008 so that I can get a vote in!
annie
Thank you. With the sales people it is a developed skill.
don't get me started on any person who lives in a country where his/her vote actually counts and they don't use it!! grrr! indeed
thank you for coming by.
dulwichmum
Oh thank you (shuffle the foot, blush a bit, and cock my head to the side..just so) he he
We shall have to have lunch and exchange list!
thank you for coming by.
shirl
Thank you for the kind words.
The UK can be quite adventurous at time eh?
Just the curiosity to learn something new is the trick don't you think?
thank you for coming by.
omega mum
Thank you, and thank you for coming by.
I posted my feelings about the USA on Scarlettscion's site, so haven't much to add here. Save to say that I too feel we are in unsafe hands with the Bush administation. And to wonder if Americans themselves feel that there is currently a better alternative on offer? Hillary Clinton perhaps? Rudolph Guiliano? (Scratches head and sighs,deeply.)
Why is it, do you think, that in a huge country which must contain so many sound and clever people, the presidential options are usually so profoundly uninspiring? Is it purely financial do you think - that is to say that only the very rich are able to mount successful campaigns? That would be a terrible indictment of modern politics, it seems to me...
We feel much the same here in Britain mind you, on the question of Prime Ministers....
On a different note......... have you heard the story that's running here at present, about the British woman who has just married the son of Osama Bin Laden? An estranged son, it's true - but a son nonetheless.
This woman says that if she ever gets to meet her new father-in-law, she will ask him straight, of 9/11: "Why did you do it?"
Some question, some fatuous hope, eh!
Lady M, a new look! I love the new photo in the header, although I liked the other one too.
It seems I now have to move my head to read the posts instead of only my beady eyes so I am getting neck exercise.
The interview was very interesting although a lot of it I had read on the blog. But there's still more for us to find out about you.
When are we going to get some more John story? Soon I hope.
regards
Great to see what you look like.... and loved the interview
jmb
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. On the "stories of John" I shall as soon as possible as it is a joy for me as well. At present I am working to finish up/complete a presentable amount of my work in various genres for the writer's conference. My goal is to leave with an agent (crossing toes, fingers, eyes..). I am taking three classes this quarter, one of which is work-intensive, writing an ending for the "Three for Matilda" story with a 3 August deadline, and writing the blog..so! I can't just now, but soon I promise, and thank you for the request.
I know you have your walking exercise, I thought I would help with your 'upper body' routine with the new template.
thank you for coming by
sally
thank you and thank you for coming by.
i beatrice
Thank you for your comments, as always. Great bin Laden story; my imagination went straight off with several possible scenarios.
thank you for coming by.
Loved the interview - although I think it was rather rude of them to ask your age. Having said that, I was astounded at the reply!
As always, I find your post really amazing. I wish I could visit Morocco someday. I love reading your blog and the one from en.maroc-emotions.com I think you're a lovely woman with a lot to share.
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