Yes We Have No Bananas

Come Mr. Taliban, tally me banana
(Daylight come and me wan' go home)
Come Mr. Taliban, tally me banana
(Daylight come and me wan' go home)
DAYO (The Banana Boat Song) -


I should have stayed in college.
What would you be if you had stayed in college?
I was in the black studies program. By now I could have been black.
Woody Allen -- Bananas

The International Center for Humor and Health is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, whose purpose is to spread the healing art of laughter. The center was founded in 1988 upon the principle that laughter is a strong curative that the world needs.
International Center of Humor and Health, Edmond Oklahoma

I wonder if Osama ever has a laugh in his cave. I somehow doubt it. But if only he and his ilk could start becoming human, and laugh (in a non sinister manner, that is) I am sure the world would be a better place.

Watching a New York comedian parodying Belafonte's Banana Boat Song, and the episode of South Park with the boys wearing anthrax-proof gas masks, it came home yet again to me, that life IS meant to be enjoyed, and that the world is not such a bad place after all. Bin Laden et al may want to make it miserable, denying women the right to self expression, and insisting on killing off their young men, joie de vie, laughter and compassion, but there's no way they'll win.

Journeying home from work last week, sitting in a bus going uptown on First Avenue I, like the rest of the passengers, was getting increasingly annoyed by the whining voice of a three year old. He was distraught by the fact that his mother had let his big brother push the tape that signals the driver to stop at the next stop, "You can do it next time", she kept repeating. To no avail.

The child whined on and on. The passengers glared at the mother, the child, and nerves were jangled after a stressful week of work and commuting through a grid-locked city. Whine, whine went the boy. Car horns beeped all around as he bus jerked its way over potholes and around cabs. "I wanna push the tape", "You can press it next time" Over and over again... And then, over the bus intercom, in perfect Cosby deadpan, words from the bus driver.

"You can press it NOW!"

We laughed, the tension eased, the boy looked proud and the mother smiled. And for a moment, all of us strangers had something in common.

It must be sad to be an Islamic Fundamentalist. So serious and life-repressing. They remind me of single-issue lobbyists who can see no further than their own narrow cause. Lighten up, you feel like saying. Get real.

Such people have, by definition, no broad view, no understanding of the fact that the world is made up of people, not ideological concepts separate from the rank and file. To talk of "America" as if there is such a sentient entity is truly bizarre.

I'm reminded of a reference in one of Bush's speeches last week, to the comment of a four-year-old girl. On hearing the comment that the terrorists wanted to kill Americans who they didn't even know, she asked, "Why don't we just tell them our names?"

I watched some of the "But People" (what-the-terrorists-did-was-wrong-BUT") on the telly last night. A woman demonstrator (against the US) who looked as if she'd never had a day's fun in her life, was explaining to the reporter how America was going to war for oil. A bit of research PLEASE! The motives may not be 100% pure, but speeling out the same old cry is getting boring. Standing near the UN in Manhattan, this woman seemed unaware of the way women are treated in Afghanistan, or what the Taliban stands for. All she knew was that she wanted to be in the "hate America group". I felt sorry for her.

On the Bin Laden South Park episode, when talking to some Afghani kids , one of the American boys (they've trekked over there to return a goat...) asks why two thirds of the world "hates" Americans. "Because you don't know that two thirds of the world hates you", comes the reply.

Americans are talking about the world hating them, more and more. They just don't understand. I must admit I don't either. I can see why many don't like America's foreign policy, but why the hatred of American people? The American themselves seem honestly perplexed. The whole scenario has taken on the feel of a school playground where one gang doesn't like another gang because of what their parents do or did, or what their grandparents did. Other wars have been fought for territorial reasons, or to promote (?) religion or political dogma. This one is because one group doesn't "like" another group.

If the potential consequences weren't so dangerous, it'd be funny.

Your Say

Elizabeth

Hi Kate, As an expat Australian in Michigan I am also somewhat dismayed at the attitudes of the Australian press and many friends. I am gettimg weary of the yank bashing by people who have never known Americans or lived and worked here for any length of time. It's fine to bash the US as long as it comes to the aid of the Pacific allies if someone threatens Australia! Thanks for the refreshing view that counteracts some of the zenophobic, insensitive nonsense I've read.

Anne Marie

As an American, who has lived in London for many many years, and who was raised in two cultures (Greek and American) I thank you for your intelligence, your compassion and your wisdom.

It is indeed disturbing to hear of the slurs and hatred that exists. I wouldn't consider myself particularly patriotic (I have been an ex pat for most of my life and have only returned to NY a year and a half ago) and I would gladly live in Europe again in the future - so you can imagine that if someone like me (who has experienced what you talk about and can even see 'both sides of the coin' when it comes to scrutinizing foreign policy and the proliferation of US culture) feels disgusted by the ignorant, insidious attitude you describe, then I can't even begin to imagine, as you quite rightly say, how someone who has lost a loved one feels.

I have often found that sometimes people get caught up in being anti-American because it is fashionable, or has been repeated so many times that its further repetition almost occurs automatically, or is unfortunately seen in some circles as being politically correct. Once again, all this demonstrates is a profound sense of ignorance about a nation full of people coming from every race and background imaginable.

Thanks again,

Roland

Aussie Aussie Aussie

I saw Midnight Oil at the 9.30 Club Washington DC Monday night, they were absolutely brilliant. If any Aussie wants to feel like home and have a great time for a couple of hours the Oils are it. It was really loud, so ear plugs are essential. They played a good selection from 10 - 1 to Redneck Wonderland. Here and there there's a gentle hint the US way might not always be the best way too. Yes it's treason, but so politely done.

Keep up the good work.