November 2008
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Letter from Washington
Editor Oscar Bartoli
Oscarb1@starpower.net
www.ilgonline.com
www.oscarb1.blogspot.com
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(Beyond the News)
Circulation 12,000 in Italian and English
Thank You, President Obama
When a person is a bit long in the tooth and has been through the mill, cynicism tends to dampen emotions. But this evening when CNN’s electronic scoreboard announced at 11:01 pm that the next President of the United States was Senator Barack Obama I got a lump in my throat and was teary eyed.
And thank God.
When the President to be spoke in Chicago to an immense crowd of people cheering him on and to the world and gave his acceptance speech, while the TV showed the tears of joy of so many white and of color women, of the Rev. Jesse Jackson who has spent his life fighting for the rights of blacks, when the crowd started chanting the “Yes we can” that the next President has evoked as a symbol of what the country has achieved over the past 200 years, even I had tears in my eyes and for this
I thank God
because my outer shell of dried up superficiality was broken.
A nation of 300 million people, bordered by two oceans, an immense continent that takes almost as long to fly over as going to London, a stew of races, cultures, faiths, centuries old misunderstandings, of very good and very bad people, in just a few hours was able to demonstrate what it means to live in a democracy. It might not be the best of all possible worlds, but folks, it sure feels great to be an American.
We may be a bit dim and not as sophisticated as many European snobs, but we are genuine and committed to our choices and in so doing we can change the world. And when things don’t work out we are capable of making a sharp turn and start all over again by getting rid of all the accumulated garbage.
And instinctively, while President-elect Obama was delivering his magnificent speech, I remembered the images of the cemetery in Colleville sur Mer in Normandy, the burial place of thousands of American young men who died for my freedom as an Italian and that of children. (I say this while clutching my Italian passport.) And to those “dim” Americans who got themselves killed on distant shores and who were able to elect a black President I send all of my love and thanks. (And I say this while clutching my American passport.
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Chronicle of a Vote
At 8:35 am Franca said: “I’m going to vote!” “What do you mean?” I asked her. “We are a couple and up until now we have always gone to vote together.” She replied, “I am going to vote because I don’t want to stand in line all day.”
I had been watching the TV broadcasts of long lines of people throughout the US patiently waiting to exercise their right to express an opinion on this embattled country.
“If we go now we’ll find a long line because people are voting before going to work” I said trying to reason with the maiden with whom I have been paired for decades.
“I am going to vote!” was her final reply.
And so we left the house and walked the short distance that separated us from the elementary school at the Hardy Recreation Center and its two free tennis courts at 500 Q Street. Outside supporters of the various local candidates were handing out fliers which we politely refused.
Inside there were about 50 people already voting at the various machines. We went towards the counter staffed by volunteers. In front of each volunteer there was a sign listing the letters of the alphabet under their control. We went to sign A-F.
“Oh, Mr. Barto’li” as usual my last name was mispronounced. (I must point out that in the US if I pronounce my name correctly no one understands it. But if I stress the “o” then it’s alright. Whatever – in France they put an accent on the “I” at the end.)
I handed over my voter registration card and driver’s license (which in the US is the key to everything). I mumbled a tentative and correct “Bartoli” and the volunteer smiled and said “Did you know, I am a faithful reader of your newsletter?” I didn’t, but I was pleased. I signed in the register next to my name and I was given a little card where I signed again.
I then went to a nearby table where a lady was licking closed an envelope. She also smiled and excused herself for having made me wait a few seconds. “How do you prefer to vote: electronically or paper ballot?” I chose the paper ballot because there had been reports of electronic voting failures in Richmond, VA. Plus that way there is a paper trail. A black gentleman who was working with the lady gave me an envelope with voting instructions and the ballot. To my right other people were casting their votes in the electronic voting booths.
I went to the section for paper ballots.
A black aide asked me if I needed a pencil and handed me one -#2. I took the ballot listing the name of all the candidates with an arrow pointing to a black space next to each name. Voting consists of making a mark in the space next to the chosen names. I voted for Barack Obama, for Biden, for the democratic candidates for the Senate and the House, for Washington DC and for my neighborhood. But most of my Italian friends who have been in the US for years as I have, are on the right and voted for McCain.
The black aide pointed out the optical reader that scanned my vote in real time. At the exit a young woman gave me a sticker with “I Voted!” on it and I stuck it on my jacket with a pride. Yes, because it was a historical moment for “We the People.”
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Poor Italy!
Maurizio Gasparri, Italy’s Senate Majority Leader issued the following statement to the GR3:
“With regard to the fight against international terrorism Obama will be put to the test. The United States as the main democracy is the bearer of value threatened by terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism. Many questions have been raised about Obama; perhaps with Obama in the White House, Al Qaeda will be happier.”
Senator Maurizio Gasparri suffers from verbal incontinence. The Italian media, for the most part, devotes daily space to the statements of this street level politician.
This time he has really stepped in it. And the result is a diplomatic problem for the Prime Minister who was already scanning the international horizon trying to find some way to establish a good rapport with the new American administration – something put at risk given Berlusconi’s recent reckless visit with his dear friend George W. Bush.
President-elect Obama does not need our advice. He is a natural and he is a reserved “don’t touch me” Anglo Saxon type of person who will not tolerate loud and unruly persons.
In any event when Mr. Obama does meet the effervescent Italian Prime Minister, we suggest that he not allow himself to be hugged and that he turn down any invitations to spend time in one of his many mansions throughout the world. Unlike Putin.
As for comrade Gasparri, we await his next official visit to Washington with pleasure.
He will take to explain to whatever low ranking presidential officials are willing to receive him the true meaning of his Obama –Al Qaeda link.
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Dear Italians: who are your leaders?
(from Messagero, November 6)
Ugly gaffe made by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today in Moscow. During a new conference with the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, he told the Russian leader, speaking in Italian through a translator, “ Obama is young, handsome and also tanned, so he has all the qualities to agree with you.”
In response to the questions posed by journalists regarding the reaction to his undiplomatic remarks about the US president-elect, the Italian Prime Minister replied, “
If they have no sense of humor then they are imbeciles and they can go f... themselves.”
Open Letter from an Imbecile to Mr. Berlusconi
Dear Mr. Berlusconi:
I belong to the group of people you call “imbeciles” and that was taken aback by your having once again committed an enormous gaffe, this time regarding the President-elect of the United States.
As for you, you belong to that group of people categorized by verbal incontinence and is duly represented by the Senate majority leader Maurizio Gasparri.
I am also convinced that the trash that feeds on your TV broadcasts will be ecstatic over the “liberties” you take in referring to other heads of state.
You are a man of great economic and political power. But, unfortunately, you are not equally gifted in areas of proper manners, perhaps because you have been operating for too long in circles where all that counts is money and using it against others.
Here in Washington in recent years we have become the object of laughter and scorn of diplomats from other countries who are constantly commenting with acid humor on your infelicitous remarks.
Since you are surrounded by legions of yes men, no one dares to remind you that a high ranking person such as yourself should keep a constant watch on his behavior and image and should muzzle himself to avoid making remarks that may be considered offensive.
And no one bothers to suggest that you change the tone of your comments, even though it would be in your interest. This insisting on women and sex, on Communists hiding in the bushes (was your dear friend Putin educated by nuns?), on barroom jokes, has contributed to giving you an image that is pathetic, besides which your age and physical problems call for a different type of attitude.
Having been categorized by you as an “imbecile” I will not however follow your friendly suggestion that I can go f... myself as reported in the press.
It’s a sport in which I cannot compete because I do not have the necessary talent.
But since you are all knowing, perhaps you will be able to provide some guidance based on personal experience.
I wish you all the best, at least for as long as you are in the difficult position of having to represent that wonderful country called Italy.
OB, imbecile.
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Moon Mission Times Cut
NASA officials have stated that the timeframe for the Moon mission currently set for 2015 could be cut from 5 to 4 years. This means that between the last shuttle, which will be eliminated after 30 years, and the Moon launch there will be a gap of 4 years. Many in Congress are worried because once the shuttle is grounded all links to and supplies for the space station will rely solely on Russian rockets.
Stun Guns
The police in Washington DC shut down a news stand in a dangerous part of the capital where stun guns were illegally for sale.
Every 90 seconds a woman in the US is the victim of sexual assault. 17.6% of all women in the US have been the victimized by an attempted or actual sexual assault and according to a National College Women Sexual Victimization study, one woman out of four has been the victim of attempted or actual sexual assault while in college.
That is why there has been an increase in the sale of illegal weapons of defense such as stun guns and tasers which release a high voltage current that neutralizes assailants up to a distance of 5 yards. Tasers are used by 30% of the nation’s police force. Also widespread is the use of mace and pepper spray, both of which blind assailants. But these forms of defense are useless if kept in one’s purse.
This type of weapons is illegal in 7 states but they are nevertheless widely available to women seeking to protect themselves.
The Catholic Church in Santa Monica
Sunday morning, 9:30 Mass, hundreds of faithful in attendance, many of them young. There are musicians and a choir of young girls. The priest cannot be older than 30.
His sermon lasts all of 7 minutes. He speaks of how God wants us to show our love for others and of the duty to be hospitable. He tells of his experience in Casablanca when he was caught in the rain and couldn’t find his hotel. He asked a storekeeper for help and the man not only wrote down the address in Arabic but accompanied him in the rain and helped him get a taxi. An Arab, says the priest, one of those people we consider to be terrorists.
The Mass is set to rhythmic music, the choir and the singing of the faithful. There is much energy and participation. The Our Father set to rock music is beautiful.
When leaving we run into Gov. Schwartzenegger and we greet him. “Look at these Italians” he says to a friend “they are always all dressed up –What a nice suede jacket Oscar!”
The governor of one of the most important states in the US isn’t surrounded by bodyguards unlike any minor Italian cabinet member. He is holding the hand of a lovely blond child who wants to leave while his smiling wife joins in the conversation.
Those who know him well say that Schwartzy is bored and there might be political possibilities for him in Washington. His reputation for caring about the environment might serve him well with present-elect Obama.
Several homeless men are stretched out on the lawn in front of the church. Santa Monica is full of homeless people and beggers.
Emanuele Urso, the King of Jazz
They played at my home in Rome years ago before we left for the US.
Alessio, the father, a scholar with a passion for the bass and the lute. Adriano, nine years old, chubby, and already an excellent pianist and Emanuele, seven years old, with a boisterous personality and already a very good clarinet and drum player.
Today Emanuele heads up a jazz group in great demand throughout Italy. The US Ambassador in Rome, Spogli, in recent years has wanted only Emanuele and his band for the 4th of July celebrations at Villa Taverna in Rome.
Some purists object to Emanuele’s flights of fantasy at the drums but it’s a matter of showmanship and people like to have fun. Emanuele knows both how to amuse and impress people with his talent.
We are talking about musicians of great preparation and experience. Adriano and Emanuele have degrees in piano and clarinet and Emanuele also teaches at a conservatory.
For years they have been performing in double breast suits.
“You have to respect yourself if you want the respect of others” says the young, but wise Emanuele. Our listeners should check out these virtuosos – its worth it. Go to my blog www.oscarb1.blogspot.com – look in the October archives.
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The Watts Towers
Watts is a area of Los Angeles known for riots in 1965 and again in 1992 both resulting in deaths, injury and widespread looting and damage of white-owned property.
Both times the rioting was set off by the behavior of white police officers but was essentially an explosion of pent up rage at mass unemployment, poverty and discrimination in this African American ghetto.
But Watts is also famous for its towers. The Watts Towers were built over a span of 33 years by an Italian immigrant construction worker, Sabato (Sam) Rodia between 1921 and 1954.
The towers are a complex of 17 inter-connected structures, two of which are over 99 feet high. Sabato Rodia built them using scrap material, steel pipes, cast off porcelain and tile.
His work, which now is considered to be a superb example of vernacular architecture and American naïve art, was repeatedly threatened with destruction and was vandalized by neighbors.
As for the municipality of Los Angeles, its intention was to condemn and raze the whole thing to the ground. In 1959 an actor, Nicholas King and and a film editor, William Cartwright, visited the site, saw the neglect, and decided to buy the property for $3,000 in order to preserve it.
King, Cartwright, and a curator of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, along with area architects, artists, and community activists formed the Committee for Simon Rodia's Towers in Watts.
The Committee negotiated with the city to allow for an engineering test to establish the safety of the structures. For the test, steel cable was attached to each tower and a crane was used to exert lateral force. The crane was unable to topple or even shift the towers, and the test was concluded when the crane experienced mechanical failure.
Today the Towers are the site of a vibrant community arts center.
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American Factoids
In an interview with the London Times, Barack Obama said that if elected one of the first things he would ask for at the White House was the installation of a basketball hoop so he could practice his favorite sport. As for this flaws, Obama said he was a bit lazy and did not like to get up as early as his co-workers wished.
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There is an increasing number of suicides among middle aged women due to the economic crisis, divorce, abortion, too many responsibilities (children to raise and aged parents to care for), competition in the workforce and sexual competition.
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Malibu, Paradise Cove: a restaurant where you are served the usual enormous plates of fish that tastes like plastic. There are pictures on the walls of actors and actresses, snap shots of whaling ships, sailors, and old time musical trios. The price: $50 per person, without drinks.
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Malibu: even though it is prohibited, there are a lot of crazies who, high on beer and cocaine, engage in nightime surfing. A few end up on the rocks and the police and firemen have to come to the rescue, sirens blaring.
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(Beyond the News)
Circulation 12,000 in English and Italian
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Translation by Prof. Maria Enrico --- m.enrico@att.net
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