Country Clubbin’ with The Jonses

At the tail end of two weeks and a few days of overindulgence in the US, ironically I caught this film on the flight back to Amsterdam.  I had never heard a thing about The Jonses, and I’ll admit it wasn’t the first flick I clicked, but I was so glad I did and I urge you to watch The Jonses. (It is newly released in The Netherlands)

Demi Moore @MrsKutcher and David Duchovny star as Mr. and Mrs. Jones; and the tag line is an understatement. They’re not just living the American Dream, they’re selling it.

Without giving away the plot, we all know people caught in the consumption cycle who are destroying their lives, whether we see the destruction or not, in a never ending quest to keep up with the Jonses. This film is funny, often in a pathetic but true social commentary, and it gives you plenty to ponder about what is real in your life and in the lives of those “closest” to you, maybe even right next door.

If you are a person who can’t stop believing the grass is always greener, maybe after The Jonses you will be able to see the Astroturf next door for what it really is?

Filed under Just for fun, Social Issues | Comment (0)

Born in the USA

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Call my interpretation naive, but I have always taken this quite literally to mean all people, not only those residing in the 48 continuous states, Alaska and Hawaii.  Born and raised in the heartland of America, I have always felt extremely fortunate, but never superior based on my birthplace.

A decade ago I burst out of the bubble that is the Midwest of the US and moved abroad.  I discovered that waving the dark blue passport with the golden eagle embossed on the front opens many doors and carries significant privilege. With this passport; the choice is yours, you are almost always welcome in foreign lands, no questions asked (even when questions should be asked). Your travel dilema is, “Which destination to book on expedia.com?”, not, “Will I get a visa and will they let me in?

If you are not holding an American or European passport, you are out of luck and may be subject to endless bureaucracy, restrictions and unwarranted suspicion. Many countries are simply off limits for you. (Honestly, I never knew.) Want to guess how many South Africans would be allowed to travel to the US to watch World Cup Football? Continue reading »

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Dutch Municipalities “go local” in the mail-order bride business

The Northern Dutch villages of Dongeradeel and Dantumadiel have introduced a shocking new initiative to cut spending on welfare payments; their aim is for jobless women to meet and “be kept” by rich men. The local governments make a special payment of 1,400 euros to each eligible jobless woman. This money is not for education or career services, it is to be spent exclusively for a makeover. The restyled women are then registered with a local matchmaking agency,  Mens en Relatie.

Local officials look to save 400,000 euros annually, by marrying off 70 jobless women.  Prostitution is famously legal here in the Netherlands, but this is an outrage! If local governments want women to prostitute themselves, they would be better off investing in these women to set up legal businesses in the sex trade. Then the women could get off of welfare and become financially independent at the same time.

The percentage of Dutch women who are financially independent is dismal, according to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics, less than half of Dutch women earn over 10,000 Euros annually. While the outside world often views the Dutch as progressive in their social policies; take a closer look at Dutch Villages and Dutch households, and you will find the conservative, old-fashioned reality is starkly different. This bizarre policy is simply a new way to keep women where Dutch Society deems appropriate, at home and off the career track.

If “Operation Makeover” doesn’t work, maybe the local governments will sweeten the pot with a dowry?

Here’s a link to the Dutch article on de Telegraf.nl

Here’s a link to the article on DutchNews.nl

Filed under In the news, Social Issues, Women | Comments (3)

One good reason to connect with old highschool friends and frenemies on Facebook?

People often search for old friends (and lovers) when they join a social networking site,  but  in many cases the “old friends” have little in common or don’t make the extra effort to genuinely reconnect.

One too many Mafia Wars or In God we Trust updates and these superficial friendships are a click away from oblivion.

Here is a refreshing story for a change, of high school friends connecting on Facebook to make a difference.  I am proud to say it is my very own, Mehlville High School in St. Louis, Missouri.

Operation Ozzy is a Facebook group that was created to literally rescue Mehlville’s all time number one fan, Tim Osborn “Ozzy” from hard times and homelessness.  It is difficult to describe the devotion “Ozzy” had to our school and our sports teams for so many years.  You had to see it to believe it and as a cheerleader, see it I did!   “Ozzy” was a fixture at the games; his enthusiasm and loyalty equally  impressive.  You can read more about Ozzy’s situation here at OperationOzzy.com.

Originally, a few alumni got together to see how they could pitch in to help out Ozzy once he was located.  This group has achieved so many practical (lifesaving) things like offering housing, arranging a job, applying for benefits and getting medical attention.  They also started planning a  benefit and the Facebook group has now grown to nearly 700.

Tonight’s Mehlville Panthers football game will be the biggest game of Ozzy’s life.  He will be officially honored as the MHS number one fan and all proceeds go to the Tim Osborn trust.  The organizers have captured the hearts of the media and rallied the community.  It is sure to be a success.

I feel very far away from Mehlville High School tonight and for the first time in ages, long to be part of my high school gang.  They have obviously grown up to be amazing, caring individuals, and unlike highschool, considerate as a group too!  Sure, I have made a donation and arranged to snag a t-shirt, but due to the distance, I find myself cheering from the sidelines.  Go Panthers! Go Ozzy!

Filed under In the news, Inspiring, Social Issues | Comments (2)