This title refers to how much of the world views US: whether we are tampering with other governments; maintaining a military presence; pumping oil out of other lands; or, just killing whatever foreign national might pose a threat to Sunday football – much-of-the-world has nicknamed us: the world eaters: which suggests that WE are steadily devouring the world…
An American buddy of mine was seriously contemplating a move to Australia and went to scout out the contemporary Ozzie scene. Now this buddy had not been to Australia for 20-or-so-years, having last visited Freemantle while he was a member of US Navy. And when he visited Australia circa 1995 – he found the Aussies very fond of Yanks (obviously this was pre Mel explosion and while Tom and Nicole were still an item) – so he remembered having a great time, and, wanted to recapture this nostalgic period of his life (which I corroborated with my recent visit to Oz).
Much to his amazement and dismay, however, were surly Aussie attitudes toward American affairs; particularly how they affect the Aussie dollar and Aussie autonomy (he didn’t fully appreciate how pissed off the Aussies were about plans for two, US marine bases in Northwest Australia to keep-an-eye on the Chinese and their removal of Aussie mineral and energy resources). The poor bloke wanted to run home to US 2 days after his return to Australia. He should have read my: “What are You Yanks Doing?”–which posed the question that so many members of the world community are asking these days.
Over dinner the other night, Minoo suggested that US is still the best place in the world to live. I countered by politely disagreeing and reminding her that we are as murderous as ever. Her husband added (and correctly, I believe) that the Brits still have us doing their dirty work – and that the Brits still-run-the-planet. This makes a great deal of sense to me – because I still haven’t met, seen, heard, or read about an American who can run the world, let alone run the US; I mean even WE agree that the Republican primary is comprised of a collection of clowns – performing their circus to the contiguous US: none-of-them has half-a-brain. And Obama, who promised so much, has delivered so little (as his opponents readily demonstrate!). I never appreciated the power of his teleprompter. Even Ron Paul’s cerebral well doesn’t seem as- deep-as-it-once-did.
I went shooting with a former marine (once a marine always a marine?) today. He was in Iraq for two years. Aside from teaching me how to handle a shot gun, his response to my contention of the coming revolution (my reason for owning firearms) was: as long as WE have McDonalds to eat — there will never be a revolution in this country. He believes that revolutions are fomented by hunger and no one in US can truly appreciate starvation.
His words caused me to think – because perhaps he is right – perhaps the true American enslavement is to Mickey Ds…but Mickey Ds has spread around the world like a virus; and folks worldwide are eating US while we consume them…perhaps there is a toxic symbiosis at work…?