by G.M. MallietI'm in the Netherlands at the moment, and I can tell you it makes a nice change (speaking of change) to see how excited and happy the Dutch and all Europeans seem to be about this election.
Everywhere we've visited, it's been a variation on the same theme: "So, this must be an exciting day for you Americans!" The first time this happened my husband, confused and jet-lagged, replied, "Well, yes, it's our anniversary. Thank you." But we quickly caught on. The election has been followed here perhaps more avidly than in the US. Even though they realize and we realize change isn't going to come overnight, they see this election as a sign America is becoming more European. I hope they're right.
Universal healthcare coverage, anyone?
9 comments:
"I'm in the Netherlands at the moment"
The headline on the lead story today's electronic edition of NRC Handelsbland is: "Barack Obama schrijft geschiedenis," which means "Barack Obama writes (makes) history."
Incidentally, if you read the lead paragraph of the story, you'll learn that the Dutch term for swing state is swing state.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Peter: LOL! (I don't know how to say that in Dutch.)
Delighted with your post; thanks for stopping by. I'll check out NRC and your blog - sounds like fun.
The "Widow Josiah Taft" that I wrote about yesterday, who made history by being the first female to ever cast a recorded vote in US history, would be very, very happy this morning. I know I am...
Happy Anniversary, G.M.!
As for this history-making election, most of my feelings are summed up with a big Whew! of relief.
How could the Dutch be following the election more avidly than we have. On the front page of today's Journal is a story about being addicted to election news. How can fiction hope to rival the story of this presidential election?
The NRC Handelsblad link is here. Now, go practice your Dutch: Swing state. Swing state. Swing state.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Glad to hear you're safe and happy, Gin! And today IS a great day to be American, isn't it?
I got an email congratulating me from my college roommate who lives in Germany. "You've finally come to your senses!" she wrote, meaning the whole country, not just me.
I don't think I've seen the folks on CNN so giddy for years! Wow - it was hard to go to sleep.
Happy Anniversary, G.M. and safe travels!
I'm envious that you got to be overseas to see the world reaction to the election results. My son would have still been in Kenya now (if the election violence over there last year hadn't sent him and all of the other Peace Corps workers out). Today is a national holiday in Kenya because of our fabulous election. Imagine being an American in the midst of that!
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