"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
Mark Twain "Innocents Abroad''
Thanks to Jacky's brother-in-law for highlighting this particularly appropriate classic quote by America's most famous and internationally celebrated Gold Rush journalist and author, the inimitable Mark Twain.
I was introduced to Jacky, a fellow British/American (though she undoubtedly has double the colorful stories of my meagre repertoire, as a consequence of arriving on the frenetic, flower-powered shores of San Fran back in 1964) at leisurely lunch with my book group pal Jennifer, down at Della Fattoria.
A seasoned photographer and retired music industry survivor, Jacky makes a terrific recent addition to Petaluma's eclectic bunch of international transplants. Must get her down to Aqus for coffee to meet the crowd!
So what did we all make of the first big debate last evening? Coming hot on the heels of Palin's interview with CBS anchorwoman and America's darling Katie Couric, it is mind boggling to imagine the Republican candidate for VP ever possibly stepping into Presidential pumps for such a showdown with the opposition party - plus the rest of the watching, waiting world.
When pressed as to her lack of any international experience whatsoever, Palin responded with a shrill outcry as to the decadence of donning a backpack after school and seeing the world. "NOOOOO" she decreed. "I was not one of THOSE types."
I rest my (suit)case....
Yes, the lack of passports in many areas of the US has a lot to answer for regarding attitudes to world politics....
Posted by: Lindsey | Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM