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dear herman cain...

i think you've misread what's happening in the hearts and minds of protestors on wall street.  i don't think many of them are looking at someone else’s' caddy and getting a boner over it.  i know the cadillac is just a symbol of prosperity but to simplify what's happening in the financial district and around the country as jealousy is simple minded.

i agree with you that americans have a collective entitlement complex- but i disagree that this situation illustrates your point.  the entitlement complex rules on wall street where the bourgeois bankers and lobbyist think they can do whatever they want and no one has the right to regulate or enforce the rules- especially the government.  it 

what's happening on wall street is disappointment turned to anger.  modern america has an expectation.  and modern america is disappointed to see it not come to fruition.  perhaps that expectation is unrealistic now but it's not entitlement and it's not playing the victim card. it is not entitlement to think completing the punch list to success (staying in school, going to college etc) should lead to a life where you can live modestly, not borrow above your means, and provide a basic living for your family (food, shelter, reliable transportation etc).

i am genuinely glad that your experience as a black man in america has not been plagued by the demon of racism.  but i imagine you to be in the minority in your experience.  talking about the reality of radicalization in america is NOT playing the victim card.  it is talking about a real tangible experience that many live with each day- without complaint and rise above with dignity and grace. it would be nice if you recognized that others may of had a different experience.

respectfully,

maureen okonkwo

i heard on npr yesterday an interview with young palestinians that was so disheartening.  the interviews took place in response to the attempt of mahmoud abbas' application to the UN.  there is mixed reaction to the palenstinian application and the US does not endorse it saying it is premature.

my opinion and understanding of the common and historic view of our country's policy on israel is heavily influenced by two things:  the holocaust and 20th century christianity's common embrace of dispensational theology (i'm not going into these reasons b/c they are involved and i'm just an ameatuer schmuck with some opinions ;) ).  our country's historic friendship with israel has often prompted us to support israel no matter the circumstance.  this has been a problem for our country in the middle east (in my estimation) and i don't think it has been to our benefit nor do i think israel is ALWAYS right. 

my point is the interviews were of young people doubting the validity of the very exsistance of israel.  this blew my mind. i knew there were extremists who believed the israel did not have the right to exist- but the way the interveiws were framed was that these kids were just normal people.  normal palestianians believing israel should not exsist is scary.  and it made me think about why those normal palestians would think that way- what caused them to entertain such intense views?  

i know both sides are part of the problem (meaning there are not victims and only participants in the porblems.  but it dawned on me at new level the missed opportunity by the israeli leadership to treat the peace process as a talk between peers deserving of diginity and respect.  

like i said- i'm an armchair observor who doesn't know much- but that's what blogs are for- to post stuff and opinions.  so there.

1. as perviously mentioned- we fly better than we drive.  travel w/ an infant to the developing world? no problem.  three of us passionate, opinionated people in a car for 16hrs? not.so.much.
2. canadians bike on highways. in mountains.  verdict? canadians are one part crazy and two parts hard core.
3. when you hear that french is the offical language of quebec- it actually means people speak french and signs are in french. including highway signs. this is not a myth and sometimes there is no work around other than knowing french. true story.
4. our canadian brethern love being outside.  eight of of ten cars in the region have bike racks kayaks or canoes on their roof.
5. from our time in canada- i was reminded of how much i enjoy being together as a family.  with graduate school and such an atrocious amount of work given to charles coupled with his incredible work ethic- i sometimes forget what he looks like ;).  it was good to be together as a family unit!
6. my husband is more detail oriented than he might lead you to believe.
7. i am less detailed than i might lead you believe.
8. the combination of points 6/7 may or may not of been the source of some interesting conversations.
9. could not get over how helpful the canadians we met.  'let me lead you there in my car and you can follow me- it can be confusing'. 'if you decide to go into montreal- here's my number and my family and i can meet you for lunch'. impressive.
10. we need to vacation more often!