I just spent 10 days in the U.K. and Ireland (as in the Irish Republic).  Mostly I was there for work—research on neurological and related genetic disorders, mostly focused on the commonalities among bipolar illness, PTSD, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and now traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is the signal injury of this war, as troops survive horrific blasts because of the superior nature of their armor. The high protectiveness of their head armor allows them to survive a blast but results in their brains being shaken tremendously within their helmets after an IED (improvised explosive device).  The effects can be short-term or long-term, and many soldiers are coping with the consequences  4 and 5 years out of their release from active duty—some most likely permanently. Their loss of certain functions mimics some of the losses found with stroke and Alzheimer’s, and not every soldier experiences the same symptoms, so we are trying to understand the anatomical, physiological, and genetic factors involved, so as to find the best treatments. The brain is one complicated and mysterious organ, that’s for sure. The one thing we share with the British is soldiers who need our help.

I also had time to visit one of my sons, who was doing a summer semester abroad in Stratford-upon-Avon in central England. He travelled to Dublin with me and then up to some Belfast  veteran’s clinics before we headed back to London for a few days.  He had already spent 4 weeks in England as “an American abroad” and had lots of interesting pub stories to tell about his political conversations, which are woven into my comments below.

During my travels I engaged everyone I could about American politics. Sometimes I didn’t have to initiate the conversation—cabbies were the most excited to talk once they found out I/we were from the States.  I was amazed at how engaged the U.K. and Ireland are in this American election cycle (the Irish are proud that Obama has Irish roots!). Maybe cabbies are better informed than anyone else as they universally seemed to have followed the primary, they knew about the battles between Hillary and Obama, and they have watched McCain with some disdain and disbelief. I have to say their assessments were incredibly fair and on the mark. They thought Hillary was an impressive candidate who made an indelible mark on American politics, but they worried tremendously about Bill and the baggage he carries. They are ardent admirers of Obama and hope he will win, but worry about his foreign policy experience. I felt that they were better informed than most Americans.  They have the benefit of emotional detachment but are very involved.

As for others I encountered (mostly scientists and clinicians) they too were hopeful about Obama. I cannot tell you how many times I heard people say that Obama reminds them about what they love about America. Really—I ‘m not making this up. I was in the U.K. three years ago—in fact, I was in London on 7.7.05, the day their Tube was bombed. Many Londoners indirectly blamed that terrorism on us, rightly or wrongly—at that time anti-Americanism was quite strong. They still had troops in Iraq/Afghanistan and they were pissed and tired of us and Dubya’s war. They are much closer geographically to these conflicts and resent Bush’s ham-handed and cavalier handling of things. They still have damage from the Blitz on their churches and homes and don’t take war as lightly as we do. Some of these people slept in subway stations during WWII to survive. This isn’t a drill for them.

But this time was different. I was amazed that Europeans seem to love Americans again, based on my limited assessment. I stayed at a few places where the hotel staff were young people from Eastern Europe—the Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Georgia—and when they knew I was from “the States” they could not stop asking me questions about Obama.  Many knew his story—that he had been born in Hawaii, that his father was from Kenya, that he was raised in Kansas. I was really amazed. Some had read his books. One older hotel staffer told me that he had read “The Veracity of Hope” in Russian! Wrong title but impressive nonetheless.

My son had an Obama button on his backpack and people, including railway and airline security staff, treated him with kindness and concern—just because of his button!  I actually think he was granted special favors—like not having to remove his shoes in airport security—because of his Obama button. Restaurant staff asked if we were for Obama—cautiously—and when we said we were they could not stop their enthusiasm. They would stand at our table and talk, talk, talk. In my 10 days there I did not encounter a SINGLE PERSON who was hoping for a McCain victory. Not one. And I tried, I really did, to find one. I asked lots of people how they felt about McCain and none were happy about the prospect.

So, maybe Europe needs Obama as much as we do. I have to say that after this trip I was humbled and stunned at how much public opinion had changed about “America.” I felt good about it. I tried to assuage their concerns that we would screw it up again. Interestingly, many many people said, “well, we can kind of understand 2000, even with the election problems, but you really screwed it up in 2004—HOW HOW HOW did that happen?” I had no answers for them, but they get it. They really do.

So, I said on a previous post that I would report back, and there it is. Anecdotal and unscientific and I’m sure the TPM turkey vultures are ready to swoop in. Go right ahead.  I was glad to get back on U.S. soil for many reasons—not the least of which is the WEAK dollar, but mostly because I just love this country so much and I was so encouraged by our reception abroad .I just wanted you all to know that we still have lots of fans. They still love us and we need to live up to their expectations. I am really excited about Obama’s trip abroad in the coming weeks, and so are they!