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The media debate...

Since moving here, Wayne and I have had an on going debate on weather or not the media in this country is anti-American or not. I have always felt as if it is and Wayne says I am just sensitive and it's really not the case. I feel that the news always seems to have an anti-American spin to it when talking about anything relating to the US. Today, I found the following quote that I think confirms my opinion of not only the media, but the opinion of the British public on the American way of life ...

'America is often portrayed as an ignorant, unsophisticated sort of place, full of bible bashers and ruled to a dangerous extent by trashy television, superstition and religious bigotry, a place lacking in respect for evidence based knowledge. I know that is how it is portrayed because I have done my bit to paint that picture...' Taken from an article written by BBC's Washington correspondent Justin Webb, in a remarkably frank admission of his role in misinforming the British public about America and Americans (in all fairness - In that article Mr Webb praises Americans in a way that makes me want to shake his hand)

It's the sort of belief system that he speaks of in that quote, that has made it so difficult for me to be an American living abroad. I didn't have a fighting chance to find a way to make this place feel like home (case in point - read the response I got from Mr. Howitt the last time I wrote about this topic). I didn't have a fighting chance to fit in or feel accepted. To be honest, I'll be really glad to get back to a place where I fit in and I'm not judged because of what I am instead of who I am (although, a good part of who I am is that I am an American).
I really wish this experience could have been different. I had such high hopes for the experience of living abroad and experiencing the excitement of life in a different country. Maybe it's just a really bad time in history for an American to be living in a foreign country. Maybe another time with a different president - life here could have been different for me here, but in this time - Maybe our decision to move back to the US is for the best.

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Aniela said…
Hey dearie - just an add-on - was watching CBS Sunday Morning news yesterday and the host asked a British journalist what the UK public thinks of Charles' visit (he is here picking up an award for being an advocate of green energy, etc) and she replied that it is a PR move only as it is unlikely that "he could change Americans views on being environmentally conscious"!!!! I was like, excuse me, as I certainly see more recycling here and more hybrid cars here than I ever did in the UK, where I never noticed anyone being "environmentally conscious"!!! Hrrmmph.. made me want to come over and kick her Daily Mirror tush, although she is a "journalist" from the Daily Mirror, so that does say alot about her intelligence ;) Hope you are well!!! Speak soon, Aniela
8:22 PM
Erren said…
Aniela, True story - I just had someone ask me: 'Do they know about Global Warming in America?
My response was: 'For your information, my 6 year old nephew is very concerned about it and is always asking what we're going to do about it. So, I'd say yes we know about it.'
People really thin we're just horribly uninformed. Do we know about global warming?? You're kidding right?
9:20 PM
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