Emigrating is for losers

[prosicated]

If one more person says they're fleeing the country I may spontaneously combust.
There's nowhere in the world where the Shrub hasn't made his influence felt, nowhere in the world you can run where there won't be a big red A on your chest for being American, nowhere in the world where someone won't want to graffiti in a "stupid" over your super hero American sign.
Nevermind the personal frustrations, nevermind feeling disenfranchised. Hell, nevermind the slapdash blindfolded pin the tail on the president game of electoral college votes. Pay attention to what you're saying.
If you care that much about the outcome of this election, then for fuck's sake, try to care about the outcome of world politics. How in the hell will running from the U.S. make anything better? Presumably you voted because you wanted to see something happen, right?
Before you say "one person can't make a difference," right after "the world's going to hell in a hand basket," notice the illogic of that. You're one person and you've been outvoted, how does that give Dubya, another one person, so much power? Take some back, damn it!

I know some people on my friends list voted for Bush, many for Kerry, and some for other candidates as well. I know most people on my friends list care a whole hell of a lot. I know everyone on my friends list is damn smart and engaged in the world around them. So where the hell does this escapist bullshit come from? You've all seen those good v. evil movies, where just before the happy ending the bad guy wrests the good guy's weapon from her hands, it's just laying there on the ground. There's dramatic music, a motion shot of the weapon, a close-up of the good guy's straining arm. Then the bad guy nearly gets it, and in the end good guys triumph. This may not be Hollywood, people, but you can't walk away just because your sword got knocked away. Fight! Stand up, be counted, do something!!!
I'm not saying the only things battling are good/blue/democrat and bad/red/republican, because I just don't believe in the efficacy of polarization. I'm not saying that life is Hollywood, or that a happy ending is necessarily on its way, I'm just saying that you won't know unless you try. What makes you good is trying, and believing.

I may not have played the "I voted. Pass it on." meme, but I did vote. I voted absentee in PA, legally, trying to put my vote where it counted most to me and to the election. You know why else? I voted in PA because I know all the local issues that were up for consideration, knew most of the candidates up for election, I know the area, and I love it. I couldn't have been as informed a vote in MA as I was in PA, but I will be before the next MA election.
Before you start in on the efficacy of absentee ballots, I called to check that my ballot had been received and that it was all in order. Those extra 5 minutes of my time are something I think a lot of people out in this country were unwilling to give. The 5 minutes to re-consider, to breathe, to re-affirm their role in policy.
So what if the electoral college demeans your concept of democracy? So what if you live in a "pre-decided" state? The popular vote is worth *something,* none of the states on the map are all red or blue, they're all purple! There are plenty of places where Americans have a say and can make a difference, this presidential election is the least of it.
There are elections every year, there are millions of groups out there fighting, teaching, and saving ALL THE DAMN TIME. Political awareness should not start and end on November 2, it should be a part of your daily life.

I know some of you disagree, vehemently, with my political opinions, to which I say "hurrah!" Tell me your ideas, tell each other! I don't believe I know everything, or that I've got everything right. Most of my political beliefs come from wanting to support/protect myself, my friends, and my world from what I see as negative impact. I want to ensure America's well-being domestically, I want to ensure the well-being of the world, I want to ensure the well-being of each one of us, and of people around the world whom I don't know. Beyond that, I'm guessing what would do that best. We all are. None of us have ever been politicians, none of us believe all the rhetoric and bombast of the candidates, none of us have all the answers. Not having answers doesn't mean they don't exist. They're out there and if none of us have them, the young, intelligent, active people that we are, no one person if ever going to have them. It takes concerted group effort to get to anything good, I think. What's the point of civilization if not to right wrongs, fix imbalances, and keep going? If that's not it, we might as well give up now. There's probably no perfect society, but we can strive for one, anyway.

I haven't done enough this year, but I'm going to change that in the coming years. My "activism" as such goes in spurts, and that's not acceptable. Being a member of this society is a full-time job, everything I do is influenced by it, and I might as well influence it right back.

• I believe in the value of differing opinions, third parties, no parties, and the futility of an plutocratic (and theocratic) autocracy. I don't believe in the artificial two party division system.
  I don't believe that that belief negates the following ones:
  
• I believe in social rights, like being able to choose abortion, extending definitions of marriage, government-aided health care and retirement, etc.;
  
• I believe in children's rights, like a good education, daycare that does some good, universal nutrition, varied educational programs including the arts, physical education, etc.;
  
• I believe in a foreign policy that's closer to "walk softly and carry a big stick," (though maybe without the sticks) than "act first, think later." Hell, I believe in a foreign policy that doesn't assume a culturally imperialist stance, and responds to the UN.
  
• I believe that capitalism and stewardship of the earth cannot continue to be mutually exclusive. I believe that conservation needs to be mandated and regulated.
  
• I believe that military spending should be cut drastically, and that an economical government isn't the same thing as a Republican government.
  
• I believe that more power at a local level would ease the bureaucracy of the big government that I've just advocated. I believe in decentralized, distributed control, and the power of the people themselves.
  
• I believe the American populace is smarter than they've voted (what choice did the political machine give them, though?), and that the seeds of change are germinating.

P.S. I know this ain't over till the fat Supreme Court sings, but that's not the point. The point is that this election isn't IT.
P.P.S. I'm not suggesting that no one ever move out of their native countries, I'm not suggesting that there's never been a reason for citizens to leave their native countries, and I'm not suggesting that someone unwilling should be made to fight whatever stagnant administration we get next.
I AM suggesting that we could all be doing more, all the time.

Comments

[nanila]

I linked this post. I hope that's OK.

I have to say, in my own defense, that I didn't leave the country because of the current political climate. I will continue to vote (or at least attempt to do so) by absentee ballot, and I have no intention of renouncing my citizenship. I may eventually apply for dual citizenship, but to me, that implies taking on more responsibility as a global citizen, and not any less towards either country.

I think that one the best things I can do while I'm in the UK is to talk to people about my own beliefs, to show the diversity of perspective amongst Americans. To be honest, as soon as they hear my accent, they don't give me much choice. Hopefully, it helps.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

You left before the election, and you left for a specific reason. I'm not advocating (I hope) that America should be a hermetically sealed country, simply that the going line on my flist is "I'm so leaving this country." or "I"m moving to Canada," or whatever, and that seems like such an awful viewpoint to me.
(In other words, I understand fleeing persecution, I support taking care of oneself, ones friends and one's family, but I don't understand expressing one's disgust by proposing leaving the country without trying to do something about it first.)
Dual citizenship would be a pretty big deal, and awesome -- are you and Marco that serious about staying in London?

[freak1c.livejournal.com]

Yeah, leaving ain't the answer - Hell, this is about the only country we can be Sure the Public Enemy #1 won't drop bombs on (well, not ones encased in steel).

Good entry, and it's far more organized than my thoughts are yet.

I'm trying to figure out when to take to the streets...

Oh hey, speaking of streets - sun_set_bravely and I are going to be in Boston this weekend - you guys wanna have lunch or somethin?

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

My parents are in town this weekend, but I'd *love* to see you two. When are you leaving on Sunday?

[charlotterusse.livejournal.com]

this was the kick in the ass i needed this morning. thank you. i hope you don't mind if i link this as well.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

you're welcome? This was kind of my cathartic whinging at an early hour, but I'm glad it helped!

[squirrella.livejournal.com]

thank you. i was just saying the same thing this morning as far as leaving goes. (that is, it's not the answer)

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

I would have been saying it, by Ry had left for work. So I posted it... =)

[foleyartist1.livejournal.com]

I <3 you, and also I agree (http://www.livejournal.com/users/foleyartist1/3134.html).

And I'm going to do more, too.

Look out world, here comes Alys and MegMegMeg! And all the rest of us! And we are power.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

I love you, Alys. You're awesome. I remembered that post, but I couldn't remember who'd written it... yay!

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Right on!

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

=)

[librissimma.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You touch on the real truths of this election, that our political eggs should not be put in one basket (the president). We need to take responsibility back for the creation of the society we want.
I went to bed last night disappointed, also wondering if it was time to move back overseas. I felt as if I'd lost my voice as an American, perhaps I'm not an American.
Reading your post first helped remind me that I am an Americican too. I can't let 1/2 the country tell me that I'm un-American. I can stand solid with 1/2 of the America that dreams as I dream.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Brooke. Your voice has been keeping me sane, I need to keep hearing that people of faith aren't all blind.
(Not to say, either, that people who disagree with me are blind, but that faith has reason, logic, empathy, and understanding, and that isn't always evident in Bush's talk. It's a real flaw that most of my friends are in a demograohic that doesn't include many religious sorts, but it's hard to know where and how to rectify that, since my friends are mostly from schools I've been to.)

[krues8dr.livejournal.com]

Cheers to you; I linked this post, too.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Your port is fabulous, too. I just told people to go do something, you setup goals and gave people ideas.... =)
I'm going to have to start linking political posts! =)

[cosmicserpent.livejournal.com]

I believe you are right.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

I do, too. Fancy that! =)

[axessdenyd.livejournal.com]

Well said. While I might not agree with all of your bullet points, the other parts I can stand behind 100% (which just happens to be the point.

People threatening to leave the country wouldn't be so bad if they all actually did it. Tee hee.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Tommy.

[margolia.livejournal.com]

I have to admit my first, knee-jerk reaction is to run away. And there is definite temptation there.

But, I'm not going to run, I don't think. You make a lot of good points; points that, when the rational part of brain kicks in sometime next week, I'm sure I'll be making myself.

I've stuck it out so far, and I am committed to my politics and my country. And, really, I do want to work for change. Just, right now, I want to go hide under a rock.

I believe the American populace is smarter than they've voted, and that the seeds of change are germinating.

I want to believe this too, I do. I hope to god (or Bunter) it's true.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

WIll you tell me who this Buster character is that everyone's hoping and praying to? (Well, you and Alys, at least)

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

A good chunk of this country was populated by people fleeing something else. Hell, it still is. That's where this escapist tendency comes from. It's our American Birthright.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Easily, but birthright isn't birthsanity, and honestly, the U.S. is big enough in global poitics to make your life hell wherever you run.
So yes, but I don't care. =)

[grapefruitmoon.livejournal.com]

i'd like to point out to our escapist friends that leaving the country is also logisitically very difficult. especially as there aren't too many places that are willing to give work permits or residence permits to americans without a damned good reason. "i don't like bush" does not qualify as a legally binding reason to emigrate! hell, i got married and i'm having a hard time with immigration! i think it's a bit of arrogance on the part of americans to assume that they could just move anywhere else and get a job... it's just not that simple!

and it's partly not that simple out of backlash against our own immigration policies which make it near impossible for anyone to get a green card and it's ridiculous!

so, to those people saying "well, i'm just going to move to canada." good luck. unless you've got some other really good reason, like a job or school or something, canada probably doesn't want you.

end rant by a disenfranchised pat-on-leave. (not ex-pat. i didn't leave for political reasons.)

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thank you for pointing out the perfectly pragmatic, completely forgotten point that emigrating is tough shit.
Have you seen Marry and American (http://www.marryanamerican.ca)??

you're a smart girl

[justamy.livejournal.com]

a friend of mine said this morning that the whole country was in an abusive relationship with the bush administration...them using fear to frighten the country into submission and not asking questions ...and the country bitching and moaning and wishing for change but still letting him come home and get into our beds night after night.

i wonder if its the same mentality with running away...a pipe dream...when in reality this whol thing should incense us to the point of taking the necessary steps to not only get OUT of the situation, but make sure it never happens again.

if all the people with differing opinions leave...we'll sit here and slowly float away with no indifference.

Re: you're a smart girl

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

I like the analogy, yes. I'm no smarter than anyone else, I was just innundated with "I"m moving to Canada" posts... =)

[4hour-ramona.livejournal.com]

i, too, have linked your post. i've been saying all along that if the good ones go, who will be left to fight the fight?

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

wholeheartedly agree. This post is hardly a battlecry, but I'm glad people are remembering that the election isn't everything.

[oceanic.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I'm amazingly impressed that you and krues8dr and the like are able to pick up and blaze on at the moment, or worried that somehow I disagree with you both about various things.
I think the lynchpin is that I find I no longer believe that America is "smarter than it voted." Because I'm not sure it has anything to do with smarts. Every exit poll I heard was talking about the surprising influence of "moral values" on this election. I feel ostracized and unwelcome by the majority of America, and that feeling has deeply wounded my naive conception of how many people in America were silently with me. People are voting their moral convictions and their fears. I'm made nauseous by many of the first and feel powerless to change the second. So, at this point, I feel surrounded by a country that concertedly wants to go in the direction that, to me, feels the most vile. I don't know how to reconcile that.

Granted, everyone on this list is pretty intelligent and thoughtful, and I seem to be the only person not saying "thank you for making me feel better"-- so perhaps it's just me. I can help out in my community and change lives locally and have it make no impact on my country's belligerent place in the world, the horrors it commits overseas, or the moral mandates it enacts at home. I'm not saying that local change won't make a profound difference, but... at this point when the shock is still new, all I'm feeling is a pervasive sense that every good hope I had for America has just been round up and shot in the head.

Perhaps this is the crash and burn phenomenon you were describing.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

all I'm feeling is a pervasive sense that every good hope I had for America has just been round up and shot in the head.
We're facing the optimist/pessimist divide. I am almost always on the pessimist side, but I'm fighting it this time, there's nothing else I can bring myself to. The "moral" issues everyone's voting for aren't antithetical to my beliefs, but the people elected to support those values are.
I don't think I can fault people for viting their "fears" when so many of the liberal, intelligent people I know are rapidly backpedalling and distancing themselves from the country we live it -- that's fear, too.

I've felt ostracized and unwelcomed by the majority of "America" for a long while, but I don't think it's the majority of the people, it's the rhetoric and the twisting of phrasing (look at how the marriage amendments were worded in most states and you'll see what I mean) that artificially builds even more divides than there would be otherwise.
The two-party system is at fault, bifurcating everything until there's only a black and a white. The Bush administration is at fault for helping characterize seeing nuances, graytones, and interconnected issues as a big picture, as flip-flopping.
You are not at fault, no one reading this entry is at fault, and you cannot and should not give up because of the stupidity in the white house.

[inlaterdays.livejournal.com]

*wild applause*

the fight moves from the big arena to several small arenas. that's okay.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

large arena=many small arenas combined. Makes sense to me.

well, someone has to say it!

[smalleen.livejournal.com]

well i have to admit that i feel your judgement and i take it personally. i live in san diego, a military town, which tends to be extremely conservative. i see military guys that one would usually suspect to be "pro-bush" ranting about how they just got back from iraq and they will flee the country before they will ever go back. my close friend's husband is being deployed for 8 months in january and they are spending, "maybe our last christmas together," as she says. my boyfriend is only 26 and with the looks of a draft coming from the bush adminstration, it could be possible that the draft goes up to the age of 28. he says he will flee the country if he gets drafted. what i have discovered, i discovered a long time ago. our votes, as an american person, really mean shit. i live on the west coast and i have to run to the polls in the morning to vote because otherwise it is pretty much already determined who won for president before i even cast my vote. i have NEVER felt like i have any political power in this country. so, maybe it is because i am almost 30, that i have given up the idea that you have the power to change the world around you. this is complete blurry-eyed innocence speaking. you can only change the things in your own life, and help the people you directly come into contact with. all the rest is up to the bureaucratic (sp?) fuckheads in office. basically, i can assure you that if the bush admin dissolves planned parenthood in america, as they did in mexico and other nations, and they overturn roe vs. wade, your own feminist ass will flee the country. if i were to leave, it would be because i refuse to live in a hypocritical society that pretends to be democratic and gives publicity to the power of free will and choice and then takes all of our civil rights away one by one. i am a big city girl. i encounter at least one crazy homeless person threating the people around them a day. this is thanks to the reagan admin. another great conservative "democracy" that believed that crazy people are "just fine" surviving in the world on their own. when you see the world going to hell all around you, you start to realize that it is only a matter of minutes, hours, seconds before you become entangled in the web of mass distruction.

Re: well, someone has to say it!

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Someone does have to say it, yes. My post is not some pure profound truth, my post is the anguished cry of someone who sees valuable, worthwhile, intelligent people with whom I want to share a country jumping ship like leaving was the new black.
No, not always even jumping ship, just threatening to and staying in the same damn place. I heard this 4 years ago -- the impassioned cries of "I'm moving to Canada!" and that means we're where we are now. If everyone had worked a bit harder, I don't know, but I think we'd be somewhere better than here.
These issues are going to follow you, if and when you leave, they're part of Western society now. Yes, you can only change things in your own life, but look how big that range is -- you're blaming a huge amount of society's current flaws on one person -- how different are you in substance than Reagan?
If you network, if you strive and struggle, you get something done. If no one strives, well then, leaving is the new black and the terrorists win, as the saying goes.
My feminist ass will flee the country when they come knocking for me, when I'm against a wall. Until then I'll be doing something other than turning my back on issues I believe in.
I'm queer, I'm feminist, I'm poor, I'm atheistic, I'm a woman, I've had an abortion, I'm politically active -- all of these are things I do not doubt will make the continuing regime dangerous to me, but that doesn't mean I can't do anything. There's nothing inherently disempowering about being in a minority, the inherent disempowerment comes of being oppressed and abused. If I haven't been knocked down yet, there's no point laying down.
Just to clarify, the draft is, in my mind, someone knocking on your door, worth jumping for. If Ry was up for draft I'd encourage him to run, if I were up for draft, I'd dodge. If I were going to be thrown in jail for posting these thoughts, I'd run. If I wer going to be deprived of my graduate stipend, or of my goals and aspirations, I'd leave. The loss of an election is none of these things, nowhere near the categories of persecution that I made an allowance for in my admittedly unencompassing, biased post. I don't want people who are in my minority leaving this country, and leaving this fight, not until there's nothing anyone can do.
You know what? It may be blurry-eyed idealism speaking for me, but you're just screwing your eyes shut -- no better, in my mind.

[smalleen.livejournal.com]

so maybe what you were really expressing was concern about being desserted on an island with a bunch of conservative foolios! perhaps it makes sense that you worry about everyone who is less conservative, and open-minded leaving the country. then we would really be in a position of ultra-conservative corruption. if this is the case, perhaps i judged you wrongly. i too am a feminist, i am a lover, a thinker, a fighter (just ask cessibaby) for equality, i have taken a morning after pill and if i conceived today, i would have an abortion because i am far from ready emotionally to be a mother. i just don't want to see our country end up in a civil war. i don't believe in war. i don't believe in violence. i don't believe in bush. i don't believe in religion. i don't believe we make all that much of a difference in the world. that is why we hold so much respect for ghandi or martin luther king jr. those were people who made a difference. i always believed i would be so much more. maybe it is not too late. but for now, i am just a starbucks barista, disgrunted with corporate america, the same fools that pay my own rent. i wanted so much more for myself and i wanted so much more for this country. the bush regime continues...and i continue to sit here in an akward silence trying to grasp why anyone would want to have a child in this country. people in my famly left ireland to find a better place to live. they sat cold, hungry, and diseased on a ship for months just waiting to see that freedom symbol, lady liberty. i really can't imagine they would've gone to such an effort had they realized that our america is turning into a witch hunt for the thinkers and do-ers and dreamers and idealists. maybe bush is right about something. there are weapons of mass distruction, his weapons that are destroying my passion about life.

"I don't believe in Bush" is the best quote yet!

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to have jumped down your throat -- reading this entry over today, I can see how self-righteous a lot of it is. Doesn't change my opinion, but it changes the timbre of my thoughts. Know what I mean?
We hold respect in this culture, overwhelmingly, for individuality, and the entity that is the individual. Think about Dr Phil's message of finding your authentic self, think about teenage rebellion, think about the social darwinism that hides our hierarchy, think about capitalism where the few individuals triumph over the rest... we mythologize and venerate these individual heros you've cited -- these Gandhis, MLKs, Zorros, Supermen, whatever -- individuals who do more than we think we ever could. But honestly, what did they have that you and I do not? What spurred them past the humble ranks of barista or graduate student? Adverse circumstances, perhaps?
This is the chance for our entire generation to become those heroes, to stand up to the ignorance and hatred, and take back power in some new way.
We're using old methods these days -- protest, disavowal, complaint -- that's not the way to deal with a new problem.

I want so much more for myself and for this country, too. Where you and I were butting heads was over what to do about it. I think we even agree something needs to be done, but we're stuck on what. Is it leave? Is it disband? Is it fight? Is it turn a blind eye to ignorance and hatred?
I read a book once, I no longer remember what it was, that talked about the concept of nation-building. It said that every nation goes through periods of tolerance and ignorance, and that the pendulum of acceptance would always be swinging. Look at France, where hate crimes have stepped up toward both Jewish and Muslim families and individuals, look at England where neo-nazi-ism is on the rise. This is a global phenomenon here, this is a global change. I can't help feeling like the U.S., land of milk and honey, sure, but also land of Japanese internment camps during WWII, land of McCarthyism, land of immigrant-hatred, and land of slavery and lynchmobs, is just part of a bigger pattern, something we can help avert. This country has never been the ideal your family was looking for, nowhere has ever been heaven.

[zahrah.livejournal.com]

people are scared. they are not sure if "life really moves on" after a tragedy such as bush getting elected. there's alot of talk about someone messing with the system, and there's i guess quite a bit of absentee ballots...

anyway, kerry seemed to give up a little early i think.

either way it's not about losing to a moron like bush but more or less when something just doesn't feel right anymore, i mean i don't enjoy being called an american. i am not the typical american. most countries hate america. i have family in scotland, england, italy, and australia. australians i think hate us as much as the french do... it's terrible because it's all for what this country stands for. and i'm not talking freedom... our freedom of speech is being taken away from us, our freedom to marry is being taken away from us, our freedom to change the way things are going down like logging are going to hell.

consider this: american isn't about freedom... so why stay? i don't enjoy being an american, i do enjoy being in portland, oregon... however, if things get worst, which they will we are looking to move.

you know, i hope the good guys win in the end... but i hope it doesn't take the END for them to win.

[unimag.livejournal.com]

" australians i think hate us as much as the french do"

Why are so many Americans adamant that the French hate you?
I mean I'm sure it grates on them every time some fuckwit (almost invariably from the south) says "we saved your asses in WW2", as much as it grates on me (English) - more, probably (because they saved your asses in your Colonial Uprising (Revolutionary War to you), and don't feel the need to mention it every 5 minutes...)

But - other than the general French attitude of being rude and ignorant to people who aren't French (which I think is bred from being part of a group of countries that have spent the past 1000 years kicking fuck out of each other) - they seem to quite like you lot.

The fact that they've spoke out against US policies is neither unsurprising nor unique. That seems to be the message your government wants you to believe - and, most surprisingly of all, vast numbers of you have accepted it at face value.

When was the last time you heard a French guy insulting America? When was the last French anti-US protest?

I mean, I hate the French as much as the next xenophobic Englishman, but the American attitude towards them is unfounded and ridiculous.

Unless you can enlighten me on it...

PS Yes, the Aussies do tend towards hating America. They're also pretty outspoken about it, being Australian (it's all they know, bless 'em)

[chachachana.livejournal.com]

...there are plenty of places where Americans have a say and can make a difference. This presidential election is the least of it.
There are elections every year, there are millions of groups out there fighting, teaching, and saving ALL THE DAMN TIME. Political awareness should not start and end on November 2, it should be a part of your daily life.

very well said. thank you!

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

I adore your icon.
Sounds like you're more equipped to say this un-hypocritically than myself, and I'm glad.
Hi. =)

[rushthatspeaks.livejournal.com]

Hi. Hoping this doesn't get lost in the shuffle, and anyhow it has nothing to do with the topic, but I just wanted to mention that I friended you, which I would have done a while ago except that I hadn't managed to connect online name with RL name. I hate it when I do that.

Lila

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

Hey, Lila! I've friended you back. Good to see you online. =)

[laddical.livejournal.com]

Hi, long-time no see.

You probably don't remember me; when I first joined LiveJournal back in January, 2001, you were the very first person to post a comment in my journal. Not even sure how you found it. But I was going through my archives and thought I'd drop by and see how things were going.

Good thoughts, by the way, regarding how one can't escape the American influence no matter where they go.