But before I say anything more on that, I am trapped in the new dirty wave from the American media pool. From witches to nannygate to whoregate, it is all captivating and entertaining. But none of it bodes well for rational discussions on pressing American issues like unemployment and the economy. So I am wondering, is Nepali politics this loony?
If there where any a motivation to learn Nepali, this would be it for me. So far, my political junkyiness only extends into the Americas, the UK, and sometimes Canada and the AU. But I would like to get a Nepali fix. My friend Rajib sends my wife updates on the Nepali scene that I find fascinating, but it is not enough. I want the “fill_in_the_blank_gates” that surely must exist, as those are what seem to dominate the press in the West. So does it here? You tell me!
The gubernatorial race in California is particularly torrid this year, as voters are deciding on the replacement for the "Governator” Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger. Two controversial candidates are now in the running: Old-time hippy and the e-presidential candidate from 1992 Jerry Brown is battling Meg Whitman, ex-eBay CEO from 1998-2008. On one hand, Jerry Brown is a charismatic “for-the-people” Democrat, while Meg Whitman is your typical big business executive turned Politian aka Sarah Palin.
The most silliest scandals have smeared both campaigns: Nannygate is all about Meg Whitman’s ex-maid, an undocumented worker from Mexico who claims Meg fired her when she found out she was in America illegally, and did nothing to help her after 9 years of employment – and Whoregate, which is about Jerry Brown and staffers calling Meg a whore, as caught on a phone answering machine after Jerry thought he had hung up the phone (ancient democrats do not handle tech very well). But the details of these “gates” do no justice for what they are named after: Watergate, where President Nixon (Tricky Dick) was caught red-handed illegally wire-tapping opponents. None of the 2010 Californian political smears involves anything illegal or sexual, unless you consider deal-making corrupt politicians anything but a whore.
Entire planet rejoiced, and we were happy for a moment until it was revealed that several miners had wives and mistresses, some greeting each other with “Whore!” It never ends, does it?
But many people actually think that using this type of language is grounds for dismal. For example, if I were writing in the US, I would be accused of using a racial slur by complaining, “Hey, why not call a spade a spade?” That is kinda like what the recently fired CNN reporter Rick Sanchez said when he referred to Barack Obama as the "that cotton-picking president of the United States.”
Are Nepalis this sensitive? My wife thinks not, hence her disinterest in American politics. But what did catch her attention was when Delaware’s senatorial candidate Christine O´Donnell told voters: "I´m not a witch." However, we also have tape of her recalling her coveted times in high school where her first date was a midnight tryst on a bloodied alter. While no one is really sure what to make of that, it is made for a lot of “Newt” Gingrich (ex-speaker of the house) jokes.
But my point is this: While the American media fills all their allotted spaces for sane political debate, all you are getting are silly smears and petty bickerings while the 10 percent + overall unemployment, failing national and state economies, astronomical budget deficits, and wars in Afghanistan/Iraq/maybe Iran blaze on.
But trysts within covenants, immigrant maid abuse, and an utter disregard for political correctness do fulfill something within me that I am not comfortable with, to be honest. I actually miss the the good old days, when there was lots of oral sex in the White House and thieves and crooks were sitting in the president’s chair, and when First Ladies went crazy in public, no problem. Now all we get are a few politically incorrect words, employment spats, and an odd witch or two.
But hey, what about those freed miners! Carried to the surface in what appeared to be a NASA rescue capsule, or perhaps a very large pencil holder. The entire planet rejoiced, and we were happy for a moment – once more – until it was revealed that several miners had wives and mistresses, some greeting each other with “Whore!” (not in the political sense.) It never ends, does it?
Writer is quirky kinda expat happily living in the Kathmandu valley with Nepali family, friends and a very large dog – and wished you all a great holiday season
herojig@gmail.com
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