http://athomeandabroadblog.com One broad's view of expat life, travel, current events, politics, science, health, gadgets, and food Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:34:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I can hardly write. I'm overwhelmed with the joy that only immigrants and American expatriates can know: the eager anticipation of an imminent move to the USA.  On March 14, the man and I will turn in out clogs and return to the land of the free(ish). More to follow... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=62 Too often in Europe, the pendulum of political sentiment swings wildly between fervent multiculturalism and democratic authoritarianism without stopping in the middle for a reasonable position.  It's dizzying, and it's no wonder that it inspires feelings of persecution and paranoia from the resident Muslim communities. The burqa issue is complicated.  There are legitimate ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=61 One of the best things about living in an international city like The Hague is meeting and socializing with people from all over the world.  I recently attended an informal gathering of such a group, and, unsuprisingly, the conversation turned to the upcoming US Presidential election.  One man, an Australian, ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=59 Is it just me, or is Sarah Palin getting the greatest praise from Fred Thompson supporters?  I started thinking that she's probably the closest thing to a female John McClain that's ever graced American politics.  And of course, she's running with his virtual namesake. I feel that's a connection worthy of ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=58 Capitulation is becoming an art in Western Europe.  Today brought news that the Dutch Van Abbemuseum has caved to the demands and threats of extremists who object to a planned march against the institution of Zwarte Pieten ("Black Petes"), the Dutch Santa's helpers. I've discussed Zwarte Piet previously, but as a recap, he is ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=57 Maybe McCain has been listening to the blogosphere, because I haven't heard the mainstream media or the Republican machine pushing for Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, and, until yesterday, it seemed likely that McCain would choose his Vice President from a short list of solid, yet uninspiring candidates. I'm pretty lukewarm about ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=56 There are plenty of legitimate problems with the American heath care system.  Medical insurance companies are bogging doctors down with truckloads of paperwork and ensnaring them in a Gordian knot of red tape.  Malpractice insurance is dramatically cutting into their profits, pushing a lot of them to retire or to leave private practice.  As doctors become scarce, ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=54 Russia invaded Georgia, perhaps with Georgian provocation.  Who's to blame?  Why, the United States, naturally. I don't expect the sport of 'Merikkka! bashing to fade in popularity any time soon, but I do wonder that there are people who take this kind of drivel seriously. http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=55 I've posted before about what "helpful" allies we have, but the Germans are at it again.  Ahead of Barack Obama's visit to Berlin, the German Social Democrat Party (SPD) cautioned him against calling for greater German participation in Afghanistan. "Obama should only ask of us what we are able to deliver," Niels Annen -- a ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=53 I've been doing a lot of traveling recently (London, Paris, Aachen, Prague, DC, and the Outer Banks just in the last 4 weeks) and I've unfortunately run into some really obnoxious people along the way.  Now, some of that is to be expected, because ALL tourists are annoying, myself included.  Tourists get ... http://athomeandabroadblog.com/?p=52