The War on Poverty

In March of 1964, President Johnson declared a "War on Poverty". Poverty has won the war.

I had always wanted to write this blog in a light hearted and humurous way but there are so many things here in America that are too, too sad and they make me very angry. I wish I could make people smile and have a little laugh at the wonderful differences between Americans and not just Australians but everyone else around the world because America does so many things so much better than everyone else.

But they also manage to convince themselves that they are just not worthy of their amazing success. They also believe some who tell them that everyone else around the world does pretty much everything better than they do.

To begin with today, let's talk about poverty. In a country where just about anything is possible tens of millions of people live in the most squalid and unimagineable poverty. Not far from where I live many people, sadly mostlly people of colour, live in and accept intolerable levels of deprivation. They live in houses that are falling apart. Most do not have a meaningful job if they have any job at all. Most do not have a decent education. Many have a criminal record. They live in neighbourhoods infested with drugs and the most appalling violence. Health outcomes and life expectancy for people of colour are unacceptable by any standard. Obesity and morbid obesity in African/American and Hispanic communities have become pandemic. The figures from the US government's Centre of Disease Control in Atlanta bear witness to this appalling condition.

The major causes of death for these deprived communities are gun violence, AIDS and obesity. Ban guns all you like but those people who kill with guns now are already barred by law from having a gun. The answer from many in the Democratic Party is to ban everyone else from having a gun. It doesn't make much sense but then many in the Democratic party rarely make much sense these days. As for Republicans they are not much better either.

America continues to throw money at these problems with little thought for the short or long term outcomes.

I wish I could be light-hearted and make you smile but when you meet a man on the street who is starving and cannot feed himself I cannot make a joke.

Yes the war on poverty is lost. The war on drugs is also lost and while we could decriminalize many drug offences we cannot ignore the deprivation of so many of our brothers and sisters who cannot shelter and feed themselves.

Is the answer more government spending. That is what has got us here in the first place.

President Johnson started the theft of the nation's wealth back in the 60's and politicians on both sides have allowed it to go on for far too long. It hasn't done any good and in fact has made it so much worse.

It is time for government ot get out of the way and be more of a servant than the one in charge.

Driving to Survive

If there is any difference between Australia and the US it is the side of the road on which we drive. Here in America of course we drive left hand drive cars on the right hand side of the road. In Australia it is reversed. And therein lies the biggest problem for any Aussie in America.

Its just not that we forget where the cars are coming from when we are walking but the whole driving thing can be quite dangerous. I have been here for nearly 6 years and it is just now becoming more natural. In the process I have found myself quite confused in both countries.

There have been times when I have walked to the wrong side of the car, either as the driver or passenger. One time I did get right into my car on the right side and wondered for a second or two just where the steering wheel was. A good thing I was by myself.

Even walking tends to be a little unoffically regulated to the right side prompting a few laughs and jokes about how I am on the wrong side when I instinctively move to the left.

What's the point? If you are thinking of coming to America and want to rent a car while you're here, think very carefully and if you go ahead, concentrate and drive even more carefully. Most people won't know where you're from and most likely you will be on the receiving end of some very unfriendly advice on your ability to drive. Of course the same applies to Americans going to Australia. You might not understand what is being said but you will know its not very nice.

And spring comes slowly.

Spring in the north east of the US comes slowly this year. Its much different from Australia. As I have said, winter is colder and the early part of spring is more like winter in Melbourne. Very cold and lots of rain. Right now people are coming out of hibernation; fixing the garden, walking the dog and re-introducing themselves to their neighbours. And yes there really is a driving season. I used to scoff at such an idea when I lived downunder. This really is the land of the road trip because there is so much to see and do. Not that there isn't in Australia but everything seems so much closer. Other cities are much closer and are easy to get to. Flying is another matter altogether. That has become no fun at all. Driving is a whole better. The roads here are very good, for the most part. Clearing the snow off them really wears them down and in states like Arizona the roads really are pristine. Yes the weather sucks right now and everyone has had enough of the cold but it will get better. When is another matter and everyone is getting impatient. Where is a little global warming when you really need it?

A Baby Ate My Dingo

Popular culture in America is a fascinating observation. The title of this blog first came to semi-popular attention many years ago on the release of the film 'Evil Angels' about the disappearance and tragic death of the 9 week old Azaria Chamberlain at Ayrs Rock, Australia. The film follows these events and the conviction of her mother Lindy Chambelain. Lindy, played by Meryl Streep utters the words, 'a dingo ate my baby."

The line itself would have faded into cinematic obscurity had it not been taken up in an episode of Seinfeld in which the character, Elaine delivers in the utterly inane remark that, "maybe a dingo ate your baby."

Its bizarre but from that moment on some Americans seem compelled beyond normal reason to say that line to any Australian they are meeting for the first time. Having not done a count of it I can't tell if this is the more popular line to, "that's not a knife." I suppose I could get very tired of it after a while but I am oddly pleased that so many Americans seem to know anything about Australia, including these inane lines from Australian movies. It would be easy to get irritated and impatient with this kind of repetition but I find it strangely comforting. In any case the fact is that Australians are exceedingly popular with most, if not all, Americans. I think we ar very unthreatening to them. They love our accent, and I will write more about that soon, and they want to know as much as possible about Australia and Australians.

Australians are still largely unknown to most Americans but they are eager to know more about us. They want to know why we drive on the wrong side of the road; they want to know all about how we live; they want to know about the sports we play. Most Americans won't ever get to the Australian shores but they still love Steve Irwin, Paul Hogan and Hugh Jackman. The Outback Steakhouse while having nothing to do with real Australian ciusine but it is hugely popular because of its Australian theme.

Come back within a few days and I will have a bit to say about the Australian accent. Look out for the title, 'I Paid a Lot of Money for this Accent.'

And the Snows Came

A snowless winter in upstate western New York? Not likely. Its been snowing for a few hours now. At first it looked like it would be very brief and with no accumulation, as they say on the weather forecast. No that's not happening either.

I am often asked, at this time of year, if it snows in Australia. Yes of course it does and then I proceed to rattle off the names of the more prominent and well known, down under ski resorts; Thredbo, Blue Cow, Falls Creek and Hotham. Very little snow falls anywhere near the big cities in Australia. If you want to go skiing then its at least a few hours in the car and plan on making a weekend of it.

Here in New York the snow is a regular and eventually very annoying reminder of just how cold it does get. As I have said before the white Christmas is a lot of fun but after that a few months of perpetual sub-freezing temperatures do not have a very positive affect on anyone.

The driving is tricky to say the least if not downright dangerous. Its time to slip the Jeep back into 4 wheel drive mode. Ah yes, its time for snow ploughs, snow blowers and snow shovels. Heart attack snow they call it. Get out and start digging the snow off the sidewalk (footpath) and you very quickly find out how unfit, read old, you really are.

So dear reader, I am off, snow shovel in hand, to clear the way. If I manage to make it from the garage to the door I will congratulate myself that I am fitter that I was this time last year. Just chest pain but a reminder to slow down and thank my neighbor for his generosity with his snow blower. Thank you Darren.

In Praise of Beer

'Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.' Benjamin Franklin circa; who cares. He was never more right about anything in his entirely glorious life.

Beer drinkers all over the world often mock American beers because all they know about are Bud, Coors and Millers. Hardly a glowing example of the brewer's art but there are hundreds of beers from every part of the USA. Saranac, Lake Placid, Sierra Nevada, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Sam Adams Lager, Old Thumper, and Eliot Ness Amber Lager are just a few of the almost infinite number of extremely fine beers being made in the United States these days.

Yes they are hard to get if you don't live here but it is almost worth the trip here by itself just to sample a few of them.

But if that weren't enough the range of beers from all over the world is even more amazing. It is in New York city that I was intoduced to Chimay. It is truly one of the finest beers in the world. Brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. Wherever you are in the world, if you see it on the shelf it is a must buy. It will be expensive but you must treat yourself.

Below are links to some very fine brewery websites. Visit these sites, anticipate and then come and enjoy.

www.greatlakesbrewing.com/

www.cooperstownbrewing.com/

www.saranac.com/

www.brooklynbrewery.com/

Winter Comes

In Australia the approach of December means warm days, barbeques and swimming at the beach or in the pool. Here in America for most it means that snows and extreme cold are not far away. It means being a whole lot more careful on the road. It means not going outside unless you absolutely have to.

The summer driving season and baseball are far behind us. We have enjoyed the fall, Halloween and the overindulgence of Thanksgiving but the diversions to come in our times of human hibernation are plentiful and varied. For just one there are the televised sports. For the few months there is plenty of professional football, basketball and hockey. Yes that is hockey played on ice. These are the days we are thankful for wide screen, high definition television and centrally heated air. The hardy pioneers of America's past would hardly recognise their modern cousins. The more adventurous will head for the ski slopes at Bristol Mountain and snow mobile tracks in the Adirondacks but most of us will stay at home secured against the deep freeze.

All across the northern plains, the midwest, the north-east and New England we will welcome a White Christmas and yes, it really is a magic time. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, the only thing white about Christmas was the sand on Cottesloe Beach. I am certainly not knocking the thought of a blisteringly hot Christmas day (I still miss those days) but there is something quite wonderful about snow on the ground, a warm fireplace and being all rugged up. Most Australians would give almost anything to experience just one White Christmas in their life.

Last night there was a little snow on the ground. It has melted now but soon it will be a permanent feature and we will shovel it or use a snow blower to remove it from the sidewalks. Yes, sidewalks. A little concession to our American cousins who get a bit confused when I say footpath. Snowblowers are, of course, something most Australians have little knowledge of, for very good reason, but in this part of the world if you have a driveway of any length you have to have a snowblower.

As an Australian it is a unique experience to live in America and I am so grateful for that opportunity. The winter will be long and by the middle of January the magic will be gone. Apart from the snow there is so much to write about. I will think about it so get back to me in a few days.