#22
July 3, 1999


Back in the USSA

Yes, so here I am, back in the comfortable womb of the USA. And just in time for the 4th! Reminds me of a Minutemen song "I Felt like a Gringo", which has the line 'how could I spend the 4th in somebody else's country'. And, of course, my regular readers know how patriotic I am.

So I flew into LA couple days ago, and I am now back under the protective wing of my beloved mother. Ah yes, thirty-two years old and once again living with mom. At least I have a good excuse this time, what with me less 5 feet or so of intestine. Looking forward to multiple doctors visits and tubes stuck into vulnerable parts of my body. But lets not go too deep there, eh?

Now while I have some more Russian stuff I'd like to get off my chest, I figured this time to write about my first impressions on coming home, while it's still fresh. Ah yes, the many differences between the USA and Russia. And while, of course, in many aspects America come out on the plus side of most comparisons, in many aspects Russia certainly holds it's own.

After the touchdown of my Boeing made Aeroflot flight, the first thing I encountered was, of course, customs. This was the first time in 14 years that I had come into America from a different country (other than driving to Tijuana), while I had the opportunity of going through Russian customs twice. The first thing that blew my mind was the amount of passport check counters at LAX. There were about a dozen counters to choose from, and the lines were almost negligible. This is a far cry from flying into Moscow, where if there are three you are lucky. And the lines were nice and orderly, while in Moscow it's just a kind of mass where you have to constantly elbow people and hold your spot like your with constant vigilance. You would think that the Russians, with their history of lines for everything from food to shoes, would have a better concept of waiting for your turn, but that isn't so. No matter where you are, at the market, at a train ticket counter, even at Mc Donalds, if you leave one-inch old space between you and the person in front of you, someone will wiggle in. This was something that really got me going while I was there, me with my orderly American mind. I got good at pushing babushkas back in their place. But at LAX everybody was nice and courteous and wanting to strike up a conversation. And to tell you the truth, I don't know which I prefer. It became a kind of game for me, the pushing and rudeness of Russia, and all this well intentioned 'you only have one bag, go in front of me' stuff threw me for a loop, and seemed fake. And the last thing I have ever wanted in somebody I can care less about asking me where I'm from and what do you do and the like.

So they look at my passport and ask all these pre-programmed questions, then I get my luggage and go to the customs counter, where, surprise surprise, they choose my stuff to pull out on the table and go through. In the last ten years, without fail, whenever travelling by airline in the US, I am patted down and asked lots of questions, and anybody that has traveled with me can verify this. And so now, here I am, coming from a different country, so of course they're going to go through my underwear. Not once, in all my flights in or into Russia and Europe, did any of this happen to me. And while going through my stuff, there were the usual scripted questions, 'How long were you gone', 'What did you do', which led to 'How did you teach English', 'What were you're students names', etc. All followed with an apology scripted by the customs service or whoever obviously committed to memory. Yeah yeah yeah.

One of the things I looked forward to the most about coming home was TV. I know that might sound pretty gross, but I can't count how many times when I got home from work I wanted to veg out on the tube. And watching TV in Russia, trying to translate what was being said is not that relaxing. My mom, of course, has cable, so I couldn't wait to sit on my ass and drool. So I get to my moms, plop down on the couch, and grab the remote. First thing I see, Motel Williams. I ran screaming. After calming down, I go and switch the channel. I couldn't believe my eyes, although what I saw was completely normal when I left. A high-speed car chase caught live by the chopper-cam on a mighty Southern California freeway. And yeah, it was on every channel. Why should I be surprised? I mean, did I think everything would have changed? I mean, I know there's crap on Russian TV, but when you don't understand what they're saying it's not that bad. But the main difference between Russian and American TV is, no surprise, the amount of commercials. When watching a shoe like ER in Russia, while it will have more commercials than a normal TV show, it still ends up lasting only 45 minutes or so. Here, that same show lasts an hour. After three days I have narrowed the thousand channels I have to choose from down to CNN, Comedy Central, and ESPN. And even those I can only take in small dosages.

Now I'm staying in Del Mar, an upscale San Diego suburb on the beach where my mom moved once the kids had left. Not indicative of America as whole, since the median income must be a couple hundred thousand a year, but America none-the-less. But the day after I returned, one of my brothers came down with his family, and yesterday we went to that bastion of Americanism, the county fair. Everywhere you turn, you can't but be reminded that yes, you are in America. And this leads me to what I feel is one of the large differences between the two places that I have noticed so far. The majority of Americans are fat, ugly, and have no class. Now I admit, county fairs have always seemed to be fat and ugly people conventions, and if admission into them where based on who hasn't slept with a cousin revenue would be drastically cut, but it is still a truly American cultural institution, one that shows an accurate reflection of American life. And today, I went to Costco, a massive buy everything-in-the-world membership mega-warehouse place, where my earlier judgement was confirmed.

No matter where you go in Russia, the people dress nice. You'll be at the zoo, and the women will all be wearing dresses and the men sport coats. You can always spot the westerners by their T-shirts and shorts (myself included). Sometimes you'll see a lady in pants, but it is definitely the exception, and they most likely will be teenagers. The men are always freshly shaven, will their hair neatly combed. The people there seem to have a style and a way of carrying themselves that is lacking here in America. Sure, you go to a nice restaurant or a play and Americans look sharp, but on an everyday level, Russians, indeed most eastern Europeans, have a grace to their being, while Americans seem to be permanently disheveled. And I definitely include myself in that category. I don't know how many times that I would feel like a dolt when I would get on the metro and be the only man with stubble. And I refused to wear T-shirts to work. What would my smartly dressed students think if I taught class in my Joe's Bar and Grill shirt?

There are many more things I can write on about, but I'll conclude with this point. Russia is a fucked up place, no doubt about it. But I think America is just as fucked up, but on an entirely different level. The thing is, America has all its problems politely glossed over, a nice pastel paint covering everything, and while in Russia, it's more directly in your face. America is beautiful and rich and pleasant, but seething underneath is a comprehensive morass of shit that at any moment can burst out, and at times, does. But in Russia the societal decay is right there in your face, and there's no getting away from it. It's like a blunt instrument that hits you on the head every day. Sure, the people can be ruder, and the inefficiency of everything can grate on you, but there is a refreshing lack of superficiality about everything. Life is more honest. And while that may lead to more cynicism and apathy about how they're getting screwed, there is no inane sense of denial about what a complete mess everything is. Does that make sense? Whatever. I apologize if I can't really collect my thoughts right now, I'm kinda having a manic episode. Where's the lithium?

* * *
For those of you that remember Budget File #11, it has been re-published in the Summer 1999 edition of Big World, a well-done travel magazine, under the title 'The Importance of Being'. Hey, the first time I've been published in something with a glossy cover! Still ain't getting paid, though. Nevertheless, Big World is an alternative travel magazine, with lots of stories and tips on traveling abroad. For those of you that like to travel, or at least like to think about it, and can't stay at the Hilton, Big World is the magazine for you. For a list of places where you can but it, or to order a copy, check out http://www.bigworld.com. While the mag isn't put on the website, the site is still a great source of travel information. And while I haven't met him, the editor seems to be a real cool guy. He even sent me a Lonely Planet Central Asia phrasebook once just out of the goodness of his heart. I only hope one day I'll get to use it.

* * *
So now I'm at my moms on my own computer, but she has switched to AOL for some reason, and for some reason I can't pull up the non-scientific poll results. It just doesn't show up on my budget file page. The last I remember, Canada was in first place regarding who the US should bomb next, followed by the Vatican and France (my own personal choice). Anyway, that's the last poll, at least until I can figure out what's going on. Thanks to those who participated. And now, on to letter landÖ

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Johnnie,

The reason I'm writing is this: a few weeks back the news in LA did a special report about how bad the Russian economy has gotten & its effect on the general Russian populace's morals. They went on quite a bit about how much prostitution has been increasing & made it sound like prostitutes were covering every street corner. Here's the clincher though: they said that 25% of all Russian high school girls interviewed said they would like to be a prostitute when they grew up! WHAT????? What's your take on this? IS it really that bad? Ever hear any of your students voice such aspirations? Just curious. The news' take on things seemed pretty extreme & I wanted to hear what you knew/saw/heard of any of this.

Heather

Reply-
Yeah, I got a definite opinion about this. What a load of crap. During my first week in Moscow I went to check out Moscow State University, the top school in Russia, and there was an American reporter doing a piece about how Russian girls want to be prostitutes. It ended up being the first thing I wrote about, and you can read it in Budget File #10. The name of the piece is 'Same Old News' and your letter confirms to me that it was an appropriate title, for here I am, nine months later, hearing this bull once again. My thing was originally published in my schools newsletter, which I edited for one issue. Soon after, one of the Russian staff thanked me for writing it, and agreed with what I said. She said she had a normal Russian son with normal friends and none of them wanted to be hookers or Mafiosi. And I asked my teenage students what they wanted to be, and, first of all, I had a lot more female students than male, and lawyer came out as the number one choice by far (of course, this might be scarier than them becoming prostitutes). Stuff like this really pisses me off. The American media just can't stop demonizing Russia no matter how hard they may try. Hell, it's how they treat the whole world. As long as they remind ignorant America about how screwed up the world is in comparison to the US, they can bomb whomever they want, and continue to oppress half the planet in the name of free-market economics, with little domestic repercussion. GrrrrÖ Check out Budget File #10.

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Hey Johnny,

Just thought I'd let you know (although your continuing travels have probably already brought this to your attention) that Petersburg seems to have a wider variety of American fast-food chains. There's a big KFC on Nevsky Prospekt, and the Pizza Huts are still up and running there, too. Also, there used to be a Subway, but I think the owner was gunned down, and now it's just a restaurant that looks like a Subway (yellow walls and New York subway wallpaper) and serves Subway food (they even cut the bread that funky way) but isn't called Subway (now it's called Minuta, I think).

Of course, I've always thought that Petersburg was a more tourist-friendly town--and the huge number of tour groups and the English-language signs you see in Petersburg and confirm that.

As for your continuing travels, I would say stick with Russia. However, I just got back from a year-long stay in Moscow myself and am currently going trying to remember if my home was always this boring.

Lisa Gihring
Garrison, Iowa

Reply-

Yes, indeed St. Pete's had a KFC and a Pizza Hut. But still no Taco Bell! In fact, the first place I ate after getting off the plane was Taco Bell, and I couldn't believe how salty it was! I had to force down my two bean burritos. But I'm sure my love of taco sludge will come back soon enough. As for Minuta, we stopped in there to get a bite to eat, and we noticed that the interior was all done-up Subway like, so we hit the streets. As for the rest of St. Pete's, more of that in the future.

As far as going back to Russia, I don't think so. It could still happen, but I'm thinking Azerbaijan or Georgia this week. And though I ain't in Iowa, but Southern California, I too am already bored senseless.

* * *
Your poll,

I couldn't vote in it. I'm almost 52, a lifelong passivist...I just can't bring myself to call out a bombing raid. But if I were going to call one out, my first choice would not be one on your list. If I were going to call out a bombing raid in the name of justice and human rights, I'm afraid it would be on Washington DC.

Peter Rashkin
Long Beach

Reply-
Good point.

* * *
Oh yeah, and another thing...$3.50 for a pack a smokes! In Russia, 90 cents for Marlboros. And you can smoke everywhere but public transport! Until next time...



#23
July 15, 1999


The Most Racist City in America

Last week, U.S. government authorities launched a civil investigation into the Riverside Police Department's use of force and treatment of minorities. This investigation coincides with an FBI criminal investigation into the fatal shooting by police of Tyisha Miller, who died in a hail of police bullets after she had allegedly reached for a gun. Her own family had called the police to the 24-hour gas station after she had passed out in her car. Following the shooting, protests and acts of civil disobedience stated taking place in Riverside led by that stalwart of the oppressed, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and on one occasion Jesse Jackson even showed up. The civil investigation of the Riverside Police Department will be the first project in the U.S. attorney's new civil-rights section, which Mayorkas also unveiled Thursday. Once again, Riverside is in the news.

I was in Russia when all of this happened, and yet, even in Russia, I heard about this case. After the shootings, officers were seen high-fiving each other. One cop called the relatives who had gathered at the scene a 'Kwanzaa gathering' , while another referred to a 'Watts death wail' when people showed up crying. Ah yes, my hometown. Now racist police departments aren't anything new. In New York you hear of brooms being shoved up some immigrants butt, and, of course, here in Southern California, we'll always have Rodney King. But LA and New York are the two largest cities in the country. They are always in the news, hell, they are the centers of the news. Riverside is a suburb of about 250,000 people, 50 miles east of LA. It doesn't make national news very often. But when it does , it is always because of some racist bullshit.

A couple of years back, I was in New York at Model United nations Conference. So there I was, sitting in the actual UN building, with delegates from around the world, when someone comes up to me and asks 'You're from Riverside, right?' Why, yes I am. "I just saw on the news where some Riverside cops chased these illegal immigrants for like 50 miles, and then when the Mexicans pulled over, the cops beat them senseless. It's all on tape!" Once again, Riverside in the news. Here I was amongst my peers from all over the world, and my city is making international news because of some racist beating. But did this news surprise me ? No. In fact, I feigned pride. 'That's right! We know how to keep our minorities in line in Riverside!' It reminded me of when the second in command in The Nation of Islam was shot in my town. That made headlines in San Francisco, where I was living at the time. Anything to get in the news!

The bonus to this beating was, when I got home, my friends told me the name of the cops who had done the beating, and I knew one of them! I had gone to high school with him, and had seen him at a local bar a couple of times. He was good friends with some acquaintances of mine.

Last summer I was in Prague. I picked up an issue of the local English language paper, the Prague Post, and in the paper I notice a small article with the dateline Riverside, CA. Needless to say, I was surprised. But then I read the article, and what it was about was indeed no surprise. It seemed that a new high school was being built in a cluster of new subdivisions. The school board had decided to name the high school Martin Luther King Jr. High School. No big deal, you might think, many school have been named after the civil rights leader. But what made the news was the outrage that this created in the community! The parents were pissed! People might think that the school is located in some ethnic slum, not in an area of new $250,000 homes full of upwardly mobile types. Who would want to move into an area with a high school named after a black man! Just think what would happen to property values! Hell, this might even encourage minorities to move into the neighborhood! Yes, once again, Riverside was making the news.

This brings us back to the recent shooting, and it's aftermath. After months of doing nothing, the police department finally decided to offer up the shooters as a sacrifice, firing the four officers involved. The rank and files response? You're not going to believe this, but in a sign of solidarity for their comrades, they shaved their heads! Yes! How sick can you get? The RPD has now embraced their racism to the full hilt, and now skinheads with badges patrol the city. I mean, why hide it anymore? Everyone knows. The Most Racist City in America? Maybe not, but top ten at least.

(A much more in-depth 'analysis' of the Tyisha Miller shooting, and its aftermath, written by Budget File regular Richard Tater, will be available in The Budget Press Review #3, which should be available in August. Be sure to keep an eye out in future Budget Files for the announcement of publication.

* * *
Just a quick follow-up note on the Israeli elections, and its aftermath. I know you all can't wait. The new cabinet has been formed, and it excludes many parties on the left so as to include the religious parties. Barak has jettisoned his traditional allies to build his coalition. This coincides with the the so-called 'third-way' politicians such as Clinton, Blair, and Shroeder, in which the left-leaning parties have been moved into the so-called 'center', in effect, embracing with ever more frequency the policies and practices of the right to the detriment of the traditional left. The swing to the right throughout the world continues apace. Not a good sign, is it?

* * *
I'm proud to announce the newest Budget Press publication, 'Angels and Pinheads' by David Miller. Take a ride from God and Adam to the end of the journey of life with this excellent collection of poems. David's poems, covering childhood, drunkenness, old jobs, and even Aqua Man, leave me with a quiet understanding that this is a guy who has thought through what he is trying to say, and in this he has succeeded, for each poem brings you closer to understanding the writer himself, as well as causing one to reflect upon ones own life experiences. Well, whatever, I ain't no lit crit. 'Angels and Pinheads' is some good stuff, and you can check out one of the poems from the homepage http//:www.angelfire.com/ca/bpress. Be sure to order your copy from Budget Press. It's free! All I ask for is two stamps to cover postage. Send in your order to johnnie b. baker 2764 Caminito Cedros Del Mar, CA 92014. And now, off to letter land…

* * *
dear johnnie,

glad to be back? so i am sitting in a lovely bungalow in the suburbs of mumbai, attempting to escape the onslaught of nationalism brought on by the recent war with pakistan in kargil. over the past few weeks i have been here, while speaking with relatives and friends, the concept of america in international politics, and more generally of american culture, if such a thing exists, comes up without fail. the idea that life is easy, that we all have money, or at least can get money, that we all have cars, is generalized into statement s like "it is easy to be american." and from my own family i have heard "you are one of them." (as opposed to being indian or having any sort of understanding of india i suppose). why the generalizations occur is less interesting to me than the question of the impact of such generalizations on societies around the world. the answer to me is as varied as the cultures of the world. any comment?

another question: did you find russia to be very nationalistic or patriotic? a major issue i am debating here with cousins, etc. is the immense growth of hate for pakistan and love for india. but that is a story for another time.

and a note to peter rashkin: i agree. if the chance ever arose to find one suitable solution to problems of human rights and violent conflict, its answer would surely be to get rid of DC.

sincerely,
bina
chicago/denver/mumbai
(i am dying for a double decker from TB, or a burrito as big as my head from some place in chicago!!!!)

Reply-

Hollywood. That's one reason. There is an American culture, and everyone in the planet can watch it on TV or at the movies. If the only ideas of America they get is by watching mass media, every American has a couple of cars, and lives in a big well furnished apartment or an even bigger house. In Russia, the number one band? Metallica. Every radio station play Ricky martin and the Offspring. What does everyone drink? Coke or Pepsi. While almost every country in the world is struggling through economic 'reforms' forced upon them by the west, reforms that cut away at indigenous social programs and make it harder for the average person to survive, the US's economy is stronger than ever. While in some ways this impacts different societies in different ways, I think in a general sense the increasing proportion of the world's wealth in the US and Europe affects Ecuador the same it effects India. The pressure to privatize state assets leads these assets to be bought by foreigners, because they are the only ones to have the money, thus causing more capital to leave the respective countries, and makes the west richer. Then the international financial institutions pressure the governments to cut social spending and protective trade policies and to end price supports as a way to increase revenue and ensure a free market, which allows the west to dump goods onto those countries at a price that undercuts local goods. So the price of goods goes up, and the profits made leave the country, while any help that the local governments might have made available in the past have been shut down.

I do have some respect for India because they are one of the few countries that stands up to the west, in both the political and economic fields, and they get a battered. I can understand why they might feel more antagonistic to the west than others. As far as their comments, hey, it is easier being an American. I mean, the poorest shmuck in America is better off than a good many people in India, or Russia. I'm not saying that life in America is easy, hell no, it is harder in ways that people in poorer countries might not be able to understand, but at least we have 40 different fast food restaurants on every block. As far as 'You are one of them', that is the burden of being an American travelling abroad. Generalizations. What can you do but understand that there are bitter fools everywhere, but there are also people that know each individual is different, and judge accordingly.

Is Russia nationalistic and patriotic? Damn yes. But then, so is America, right?

* * *

[You are] almost as patriotic as the Israeli border guards who "entertained" me on the way in and out of Gaza. They asked if I was going into Israel to celebrate the Fourth of July. Somehow, that seems truly ironic…

Not all Americans are fat. San D'angeles is more a bifurcated city--filled with the extremely healthy and the obese, with nothing in between…

[About bombing D.C.] hey, just announce your flight paths and preferred targets. Or, if your nuking, give me a few hours notice, s'il vous plait.

Donovan Rinker-Morris
Washington D.C.

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Until next time…

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