Romancing Argentina

i loved

2010-02-26T02:39:36.879-03:00

i loved

It is without question that The United States of A...

2010-02-16T13:57:17.159-03:00

It is without question that The United States of America has been the most generous nation when it comes to relief in Haiti. Any suggestion otherwise can only render the person suggesting it non-credible and not worth listening to.

My good friend in New York is the son of former Hatian Presdident Jean-Bertrand Aristide. He was the President that Bill Clinton was trying to "Install" in Haiti when he was overthrown by a corrupt military coup.

Bill Clinton was not trying to "Install" Mr. Aristide because he wanted to take advantage of Haiti's limited natural resources, he wanted to "install" Mr. Aristade because Mr. Aristade had already proven himself to be a proven and non-corrupt leader which is what the people of Haiti deserved.

You keep telling yourself that The United States is the big bad wolf, it won't prevent us from continuing to be the glue that prevents this world from melting into total chaos. If the day ever did come when the US decided to stop participating in world safety, you r very life would be in far greater danger than it is now. But you are not willing to accept that; you want to believe that the world would be a better place without US intervention.
You are dead wrong Marc.

Gracias, Diego. So there, Marc...Diego affirms wha...

2010-02-14T00:57:26.659-03:00

Gracias, Diego.
So there, Marc...Diego affirms what I was bemoaning--namely, the undeservedly harsh attitudes towards the US in Argentina, shown by surveys to be the most anti-US country in Latin America. If hatred were really based on misdeeds, as you suggest, why isn't the Catholic Church hated as much here or around the world? (And why don't Chile, Mexico, and Guatemala hate the US more, given the interventions were worse?) Why do you pointedly ignore the geo-political context of my comments in your rush to spout your ideology? And did you remember to contribute to the Haitian disaster? I bet you looked at gov't contributions--take a look at private ones too. I'm sure glad that most folks here are willing to look at me and not judge me by my passport. . . best not to judge a person by what their President or Congress does, as if I had veto power!

Gracias, Diego. So there, Marc...Diego affirms wha...

2010-02-14T00:57:20.746-03:00

The reason why Argentines hate the US so much is j...

2010-02-13T18:25:23.246-03:00

The reason why Argentines hate the US so much is jealousy, plain and simple. Argentines resent anyone who they perceive as being superior or more successful than themselves. It doesn't take a genius to realize that. Besides, the US makes the perfect scapegoat for all their problems, they blame the US for almost everything... The Argentine Government is well aware of this situation and knows how to exploit it, blaming the US so that the populace vents all their anger and frustration on the 'evil empire' and gets distracted from the real problems (the government's corruption, mismanagement, etc) I am an Argentine myself and have lived here all my life, I know what i'm talking about...

If that was really my point, I would accept your l...

2010-02-11T19:53:13.417-03:00

If that was really my point, I would accept your lashing, Marc. The demonstrations here are always AGAINST the U.S., never FOR the U.S. I was merely suggesting that it would be nice someday to see the U.S. get credit for something. I will not defend the US's misdeeds, but neither will I accept that it is always in the wrong. I live where people are a lot like you...quick to criticize and slow if ever to applaud. Okay, so the US was not the most generous per capita. Has it ever done anything that merited applause?

You don't seem to understand, your comment was 'Ge...

2010-02-11T14:36:24.972-03:00

You don't seem to understand, your comment was 'Gee, where were the demonstrations THANKING the U.S. for being the first and most generous to offer help? Hmmmm...'

Your country was not the most generous as I have stated, there has been a huge response all over the world, why do you ask for a special demonstration for your country?

Why wasn't Luxembourg thanked with a demonstration as it was more generous? The question is ridiculous, and of course nobody from Luxembourg would ask it.

It takes a rare breed of jingoism to ask that question but when the subject of that question is the USA, given the history of that nation's intervention in Haiti, it becomes frightening to ponder how thick the cloak of chauvinism of the inquirer.

Well, I rather like being in race to be generous.....

2010-02-11T13:18:35.942-03:00

Well, I rather like being in race to be generous...rather than in a race to attack. By the way, Marc, I am not in favor of toppling democratically elected regimes and in fact have protested US military interventions. (I am glad to say that I was not jailed or killed for that, as one might have been during the Argentine dirty war.) Admiring a virtue is not the same as admiring the whole kit-and-kaboodle. In fact, I think it is a really good idea to celebrate when a country or individual does something admirable. What have you got against that?

The US was first only by dint of its geographical ...

2010-02-11T12:59:02.111-03:00

The US was first only by dint of its geographical proximity (one could ask the more pertinent question why was Haiti like a disaster zone BEFORE the earthquake and come back to that same quirk of geography).

Any fair comparison (ie: by person or GDP) has the US behind numerous countries in the 'generosity' race that seems to be so important to your people. Countries as far away as Finland are above the US and they also have the added plus of not having a record of toppling democratically elected regimes abroad!
Prosper!

I hope the intervening weeks have dulled the memor...

2010-02-02T17:08:23.819-03:00

I hope the intervening weeks have dulled the memory of that truly awful day. When it rains, it pours! Sending you a virtual hug from Necochea.

What a great write-up on Buenos Aires, Gayle! I re...

2010-02-02T17:06:06.263-03:00

What a great write-up on Buenos Aires, Gayle! I read that article in the NY Times last week. While I thought some of the suggestions sounded interesting, I find that the majority of the articles churned out by the mainstream American media (and the NYT in particular) about BsAs always sound the same and appeal to the same aesthetic. I like your refreshing (and more affordable!) take on the capital.

Pozo Santo sounds incredible. I'll try to pop in there the next time I'm in BsAs. Thanks for the tip!

Hey, gracias, amiga! Just let me know when to exp...

2010-02-02T15:59:55.957-03:00

Hey, gracias, amiga! Just let me know when to expect you--and what museums and events tickle your fancy! Get a cheap RT from Miami, stay in the Wilton, and enjoy a great 4 or 5 days for less than a weekend almost anywhere else. Of course mi casa es tu casa if you want the authentic tour of the "interior." Time for a guide to that? Also, congrats on your beautiful book (love the cover!), "Around the World in 104 Days"!!!

You can be my tour guide any time, Gayle! Sounds l...

2010-02-02T10:58:55.900-03:00

You can be my tour guide any time, Gayle! Sounds like a wonderful trip. Hope my budget extends to international travel again soon...thank you for sharing this gorgeous spot with us!

Oh man that does sound like a bad day. It's crazy ...

2010-01-19T11:28:33.006-03:00

Oh man that does sound like a bad day. It's crazy to think that both policemen and public officials alike are so accustomed to working on bribes. I have heard similar stories where police officers will turn the other way on simple $100 pay offs... esta loco!

Anyway, great stuff. I was wondering if you also wanted to blog roll. I'm new to BA (and the blog world).

Best Regards,

Gareth L.
gleo30@yahoo.com
http://www.tourist2townie.com/

Ghah! Sorry for your horrible day. That's really...

2010-01-19T00:00:43.737-03:00

Ghah! Sorry for your horrible day. That's really too bad about Tonto and all the stress. I'm glad you were able to get your books. Hopefully they can help take you mind off things for a bit.

Hi Gayle, sorry about your bad day! When living in...

2010-01-16T13:55:45.798-03:00

Hi Gayle, sorry about your bad day! When living in Argentina, specially in a house, you have to take LOTS of precautions. It used to be extremely safe but the world has changed! Take care!

Gracias, amigas! A little compassion goes a long ...

2010-01-16T12:58:46.761-03:00

Gracias, amigas! A little compassion goes a long way!

I am so sorry about your bad day (poor Tonto!). Th...

2010-01-16T00:11:00.264-03:00

I am so sorry about your bad day (poor Tonto!). That sounds very frustrating and more than a little scary.

O dio mio, it sounds like it really was a bad day ...

2010-01-15T08:41:48.795-03:00

O dio mio, it sounds like it really was a bad day in Argentina! :-(

How do i comment back, Novato? Would be delighte...

2010-01-08T13:32:30.062-03:00

How do i comment back, Novato? Would be delighted!

I think you are RIGHT ! Comment back please (:

2010-01-08T06:23:26.836-03:00

I think you are RIGHT ! Comment back please (:

Last night I watched a Sarah Palin's interview, ma...

2010-01-07T13:42:56.723-03:00

Last night I watched a Sarah Palin's interview, many say she might be our future Presidenta...yikes!: I live in the States!!!. This morning I wake up and find your post about Cristina...Yikes!: I have plans to move back to Argentina.
I think I need much more than "positive coaching" in my life !!!LOL!!!
Please keep writing as I'd love to read the second part of the novela. The news written by an American living in Argentina are much better than the ones by Nacion or Clarin. Saludos y keep it up!!
Marcela

Saludos, Gayle! Thanks for your email! I worked u...

2009-12-24T14:29:22.362-03:00

Saludos, Gayle!

Thanks for your email!
I worked until 1:00 a.m. last night and will begin again on Sunday. I teach tango with my Argentine partner, Ruben Aybar, and this is a hugely busy season for tourists in town wanting a "toque de tango Argentino!"

Have a lovely holiday, and I hope we will meet in 2010!

Besos!
Felices Fiestas!
Cherie

A lot of what you wrote rang true for me too, Gayl...

2009-12-23T14:06:31.423-03:00

A lot of what you wrote rang true for me too, Gayle. I'm trying to make the most of what we have here, and I'm doing my best to incorporate some new traditions.

I hope that Christmas an New Year bring you love and laughter. That's what counts most.

Here's to good things in 2010!

Hi my name is Lucy. I’m not sure how close you are...

2009-12-18T14:42:10.631-03:00

Hi my name is Lucy. I’m not sure how close you are to Buenos Aires, but I wanted to let you know about a contest I am having where you can win two tickets to a tango show in Bs As. Please check out the link if you’re interested:
http://tangotix.com/blog/i-can-haz-tango-show/

Happy Holidays!