Independence Day
Jul. 4th, 2003 12:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakHaving finished the first season of West Wing now, I wish I could live in that reality. Considering that non-American citizens are just as affected by the current administration and its decisions, you know.
If there wasn't so much to love about the US, I don't think I'd be nearly as upset each time I come across a new quote by Bush & Co. Growing up in the second half of the twentieth century in Western Europe means you grow up with American music, American movies, American TV shows; you have as likely as not at least one American relative in the family and try to visit as soon as possible. Which I did. The first time I was in the States, as part of a students exchange, I was 14. This year I will be 34. In between were more visits than I can count, sometimes lasting as long as three months, and many friendships I treasure. A spontaneous helpfulness and kindess from most Americans I've met which has never failed to charm me. When 9/11 happened, I was horrified, both because of the thousands dead and because of the symbolism; due to remembering the Twin Towers, and the view from one at night as one of my first impressions of America, on the evening of my arrival, surrounded by countless tourists from all nations. Then it had seemed to embody the miracle which America could be.
And now. Many thousands more have died since 9/11. Homeland Security and PATRIOT acts read like something of a dystopian, deeply cynical novel. I went to a lecture yesterday, and somewhat predictably the lecturer included the John Quincy Adam quote you see quite often in the papers since more than a year now. About the danger of a country losing its soul.
But then, he also pointed to the devastating periods each of our European countries went through. Change is constant. Which is disturbing and comforting at the same time.
Going back to reality as presented in novels and on TV:
Here is a fascinating analysis of Harry Potter in terms of narrative patterns.
Which Blake's 7 villain are you?
this quiz was made by Auntie Krizu(:>)
Slayer
Which Buffy archetype are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
If there wasn't so much to love about the US, I don't think I'd be nearly as upset each time I come across a new quote by Bush & Co. Growing up in the second half of the twentieth century in Western Europe means you grow up with American music, American movies, American TV shows; you have as likely as not at least one American relative in the family and try to visit as soon as possible. Which I did. The first time I was in the States, as part of a students exchange, I was 14. This year I will be 34. In between were more visits than I can count, sometimes lasting as long as three months, and many friendships I treasure. A spontaneous helpfulness and kindess from most Americans I've met which has never failed to charm me. When 9/11 happened, I was horrified, both because of the thousands dead and because of the symbolism; due to remembering the Twin Towers, and the view from one at night as one of my first impressions of America, on the evening of my arrival, surrounded by countless tourists from all nations. Then it had seemed to embody the miracle which America could be.
And now. Many thousands more have died since 9/11. Homeland Security and PATRIOT acts read like something of a dystopian, deeply cynical novel. I went to a lecture yesterday, and somewhat predictably the lecturer included the John Quincy Adam quote you see quite often in the papers since more than a year now. About the danger of a country losing its soul.
But then, he also pointed to the devastating periods each of our European countries went through. Change is constant. Which is disturbing and comforting at the same time.
Going back to reality as presented in novels and on TV:
Here is a fascinating analysis of Harry Potter in terms of narrative patterns.
Which Blake's 7 villain are you?
this quiz was made by Auntie Krizu(:>)
Slayer
Which Buffy archetype are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
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no subject
Date: 2003-07-04 10:13 am (UTC)Servalan sounds like Honorificus' soul sister. I doubt they'd get along, though. The universe can support only so many Fashionista Uber-Bitches. Just ask Lilah.
well now....
Date: 2003-07-05 05:35 am (UTC)Bayban: It's an honour, Sir.
Vila: The honour is mine.
Bayban: That's what I meant.
As for the universe's ability to support only so many Fashionista Über-Bitches, I'll leave you with a Servalan quote:
Jerky Federation Bureaucrat: Come on - a woman like you?
Servalan: There are no women like me. I am unique.
Unique...
Date: 2003-07-07 03:30 pm (UTC)Hehe.