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So, my husband and I are very lucky in that we get to travel frequently for our jobs.  We have been especially lucky in that we have been able to spend quite a bit of time in Italy over the years.  Anyone who has been there knows the difficulty of getting around- the ticket agent at the train station window doesn't know what time, or even if, there is a train later today to a certain city; the bus may or may not show up; stores may or may not open when the sign indicates they will.  All of the general inefficiencies of Italian life, though, are made up for in la dolce vita.  The cultural mythology here rings true- long meals, drinks on the piazza, and a sense that there is no hurry.  In some ways, though, trying to get around in Italy is more third-world than first.  This summer, our travels also brought us to Spain for the first time.  We didn't know what to expect- would it more first- or third-world in its efficiencies and amenities?  Well, it was clear from the outset- the heat is on in Spain.  The trains were as nice or nicer than ours.  The metro was fantastic, the culture is vibrant, thriving, and forward looking.  Good friends who have spent time in India and Thailand have the same sense- that there is a kind of life, or maybe striving, that characterizes the cultural mood.

 

Such travel often occasions reflection about the state of one's own country.  Upon return to the US, we could not help but feel that we were closer to the third world than to the first.  The Houston airport was a mess- open, unfinished construction; a lack of signage (recalling for us the blank information kiosk in Rome's airport- hello postmodern world!); and no one around who could offer us the information we needed.  Next was the poorly run shuttle back to our town, further compounding the sense that we- as a society- weren't really trying very hard.  We can point to many instances of such decay- my years in Chicago recall the decrepit el.  I love NY, but the subway there is third rate next to many countries.  For the strong hearted, check out this moving and devastating photo essay of Detroit: http://www.jamesgriffioen.net/

And the current debate over healthcare only confirms this.  One does not get the sense that we really have what it takes to prosecute such an undertaking.  You could say that there's just no heat on our culture. 

 

I am not offering this to be critical, but as a lamentation.  When we talk about the decline of empire, it often takes up the conversation from the perspective of economic, or military, outlay.  But I am interested to hear if others here also have the sense that the life has gone out of us in some way, culturally. 

 

The left is lamenting that Obama made a foray into the Gates affair, but I have to wonder if he didn't know what he was doing.  He was uncharacteristically bold in his statement, which leads me to believe that he had calculated what he was going to say.  His more typical response would have been to offer a reserved, diplomatic answer.  I can't help but think that perhaps he has determined that it is to his advantage to have the media coverage of the press conference be on something other than the health care debate.  Which is better for him on the health care front- to have Rush and friends talking about health care, or race?