The Unfeeling President by E. L. Doctorow
(via Jen's brother)
There was a fascinating story on NPR this morning about how there is a lot of activism outside the US to try and get Bush out. They focussed on a German group called Vote 44 whose mission is to encourage ex pat Americans to vote and specifically to mobilise them to vote against Bush.
One of these ex pats said something which resonated with me very strongly: "Bush has made me ashamed to be an American."
This resonated because I recognise that shame; the Conservative governments I grew up under made me ashamed to be British. Being led by moral dwarfs reduces everyone.
I have not recovered any pride in being British - the Conservatives were in power too long, the ethical desolation was too broad. I hope America can recover its pride by voting Bush out now before too much damage is done.
Posted by Dunx at October 6, 2004 04:14 PM
I know exactly how you feel. Pride in Britishness is anathema to me, and that's mostly Thatcher's fault.
On the other hand, I'm sort of happy to have been immunised against patriotism. Should I be thankful to the Tories for that?
"Being led by moral dwarfs"... Yup! Australia is not that much different.
Go, Little Johnny*, go go go. Far away, preferably.
I hope my postal vote gets in on time.
*John Howard. Not the pommie Michael one, the antipodean with the bad eyebrows.
There has to be a great Snow White / Moral Dwarf joke in there somewhere...