Somewhere in America

"Somewhere in America, it's starting to rain " (Counting Crows)

It's been some weeks since I've written during that time many events have taken my thoughts back to the USA. Firstly Hurricane Sandy, hurricanes seem commonplace in the Caribbean and the media soon loses interest, and indeed Sandy was of little interest when it ploughed it's way through that region. Things changed once it threatened the eastern seaboard of the USA and New York City in particular.

Now there are few places where I'm happier than in New York City, literally the streets seem to create energy. To watch TV and to witness such devastation and flooding in an area where you have visited, is an unusual experience for a European.

 

 

It was a stark reminder of why government should exist, while conservative America attacks the public sector, when emergencies happen it's government not private corporations that pick up the pieces, and help people get their lives back on track.

The extreme weather that hit New Jersey and NYC soon had an impact on the US Presidential election. Climate Change which had been an issue only in as far as Obama and Romney had avoided it now surfaced with vengeance. On the night of the election as ever I kept myself awake watching the results come in. While pleased Romney lost, I found little joy in Obama's victory. During the campaign I'd followed Jill Stein, the US Green Party's candidate on twitter. The two party politics in the USA stifles debate and ensures that many policy areas are never discussed.

 

November has also seen the start of the NBA season whisper it but the season has started rather well, the Knicks are 7-1 during the first couple of weeks and are definitely the form team at present. However the league is a long race and injuries and dips in form inevitably take their toll.

Finally last week I was reminded of the impact that American music has on me. In London I saw three American singer songwriters, Patterson Hood, Will Johnson and Craig Finn in concert. It was a wonderful evening in the unique setting of the Union Chapel in Islington. Patterson Hood whose new album is one of my favourites of 2012, talked about growing up in Alabama, life there, and the attitudes of its people. Listening to him explain the culture of his upbringing, I thought this is something deep rooted in Americana, and somehow lacking in British music. I need to give that more thought.