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Hey Dom

I have a great idea - let's start a rumour that there IS oil in Zimbawe, and see what happens...

TwistedHelix wrote: I know Americans have a bit of a reputation for general ignorance about the rest of the planet, which I don't think is any more deserved than for any other country, (in my opinion, the standard of education is at rock bottom in the UK), but I still found this Australian programme funny:

Thanks for sticking up for us ugly Americans Dom........I think

Unlike the people in the video, at least I know where the UK is. Just North of Britain and just South of England if I remember correctly.

Bob

LOL! Good job Bob, you get an A+!

You know, it seems any more, Americans have a bad reputation for a lot of things I love my country, but I am becoming worried about the social decline that is becoming ever more prevalant. I hope its just a phase.

I, of course, cannot ignore this thread.

Being the wife of an American Army officer who was diagnosed only two weeks after my husband deployed to the Ivory coast. Did I insist that he give up this mission and return home to be with me? Uh, no.

I sacrificed him to G W's cause of preventing the recruitment of terrorists, there. And, by establishing projects for medical, veterinary, educational, and municipal assitance. All, in spite of there being no oil, there.

All N. Africa, I know. But, once the problem of world terrorism is brought more under control, maybe we Americans can then get to solving the rest of the world's problems for them, such as those in S. Africa

Hi Minai,
I hope I didn't cause offence: I have nothing but the highest respect for those who serve their country and the cause of freedom, and for your husband to continue after his diagnosis is truly admirable.
Sadly I don't have the same respect for what appears to be the duplicity and questionable motives of many world leaders.
" I love my country, but I am becoming worried about the social decline that is becoming ever more prevalant. I hope its just a phase."
Same goes for this little island, Brock, let's get back to curing MS and then we can all rise up, take over, and get this planet back on track!

Hi all

I think it is time I jumped in here with a big fat apology - this started out as a light hearted thread, just exchanging some info about each other...And has ended up being offensive.

This was never my intention, and I apologise for touching on sensitive subjects in an insensitive manner - I was simply making a joke about Americans being bad at world geography, but I should have spoken about the friendliness of the folks from the States, their hospitality and generosity instead, which I have experienced first hand many times - I love the States, and worked as an RN in LA for a while, many years ago!

I am from the Uk, and it definitely has its' problems; I have lived in S.Africa for quite a few years, and it also has its' share of problems, but I don't think any of them warrant the deployment of American troops here - Nelson Mandela might not approve There is actually some oil here, though - it is drilled off the Cape Coast

I too have nothing but respect for people in uniform - I wish them all the best and a safe return home. I have worked at bomb scenes minutes after the blasts went off, so I have seen first had what terrorists can do - my husbands brother lost his leg to a land mine.
I will sign off by saying that I will not be participating in this particular thread any more and once more apologise to all who are offended.

Regards

TwistedHelix wrote:Hi Minai,
I hope I didn't cause offence: I have nothing but the highest respect for those who serve their country and the cause of freedom, and for your husband to continue after his diagnosis is truly admirable.

Thanks, Dom! No, no offense taken. You were just stating your opinion and I, mine. It's actually me who has the MS, not him. But, when he told me that he would return home to be with me, I told him, "no way, nevermind the MS!!" knowing that he was one of the few fearless team leaders who would be meeting, living, and negotiating with tribal leaders in Ethiopia (where most soldiers even fear going). I am quite proud of the work that he accomplished there, and in a few of the other African countries, too.

Hi AllyB,

AllyB wrote:I think it is time I jumped in here with a big fat apology - this started out as a light hearted thread, just exchanging some info about each other...And has ended up being offensive.

No, really, no apology needed! I actually enjoyed reading this thread of yours, in it's entirety, very much Was just adding my own opinion to a comment, or two. Thank you for such kind compliments:)

AllyB wrote:I am from the Uk, and it definitely has its' problems; I have lived in S.Africa for quite a few years, and it also has its' share of problems, but I don't think any of them warrant the deployment of American troops here - Nelson Mandela might not approve There is actually some oil here, though - it is drilled off the Cape Coast .

Am so very glad to know this, firsthand. Have heard that the situation in Nigeria and along the Cape Coast is quite out-of-hand and dangerous

AllyB wrote:I too have nothing but respect for people in uniform - I wish them all the best and a safe return home. I have worked at bomb scenes minutes after the blasts went off, so I have seen first had what terrorists can do - my husbands brother lost his leg to a land mine.
I will sign off by saying that I will not be participating in this particular thread any more and once more apologise to all who are offended..

And, I have nothing but admiration and respect for you, too! Your life experiences are quite unique and most enjoyable to read

And, am so sorry to hear about your husband's brother. And, about your firsthand experience with the devastation terrorism

I so want to visit Africa one day...was supposed to visit with my husband in Lamu, but was too sick to make the journey. And, we both want to visit S. Africa, too, where his grandmother was raised.

So, please, do not allow me to ruin your thread for you. I don't think that anyone has been offended, I know that I am not. Thanks for making it available to read

I wish you the best!!!

Gosh, going back and reading through the whole thread, everything seems pretty civil to me.....it's nice that apologies are offered, but I can't even tell what they're for?

People are too danged nice around here.

MIX IT UP A LITTLE, I'M BORED!

Bob

Hi Minai

I am so glad that we did not upset you (or anyone else!), as the last thing you need during this stressful time with your husband overseas and you not being too well, is more stress
It truly wasn't a question of you spoiling my thread - I just didn't want to open my mouth again and put my other foot in I know this is a forum to discuss ms, so this thread is kinda off topic anyway...

Nigeria is pretty hectic - don't go there if you can avoid it!

S.Africa is fine (there are no insurgents,wars, terrorists etc here) - we have a pretty high crime rate here, but if you are sensible and use the same common sense you would in a big city in the US (using the comparison because we also have "legalised" guns here, which I feel worsens crime), avoid certain areas, don't walk down a dark street at night by yourself, lock your doors etc, then it is "fine". Sincerely, it really is a great holiday destination and no worse than many other places Cape Town and the Cape Coast are fine - I go there a lot with my family as it is the most unbelievably beautiful place....
Also great to visit are Mocambique, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Kenya (getting a bit dodgey, but might settle soon), Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania - some african countries are reasonably safe - but malaria prophylaxis is essential for some of them, especially in summer.
But you must come to africa - it is like nothing else on earth and will steal your heart...

My brother-in-law was only 19 yrs old when it happened - during a clean-up operation to assist the Mocambique-an government - it was a few years ago now (late 1990's) and he seems to be getting on with his life as he has recently married, but it was very tough for a while, he was just a kid.
Perhaps it is time to reveal that I am actually from Belfast (Northern Ireland), which means that although I am a British citizen, I grew up in the "troubles". I try not to get into that as it is still such a sensitive topic that I usually just say I am from the UK

I also caught the tail end of the freedom fight out here, when the ANC were still bombing civilians in places like bars/nightclubs (it got real hot just before democracy!), and although I was actually a midwife (I trained as a general nurse during my degree and had ER experience, but loved delivering babies - I am fortunate that both the Uk and S.Africa have Midwives who do most uncomplicated deliveries), it was all hands on deck and straight to the scene as the hospital was so close to one particular blast, we felt and heard it!

The Truth and Reconcilliation Committee here did some great work after the coming of democracy (ArchBishop Desmond Tutu is a saint, in my opinion), and things have settled down politically, the government still has some issues to sort out, but they are social issues like poverty, housing, education etc.

Minai, thanks so much for your understanding and for encouraging me to ramble on some more! My life experiences are nothing compared to some of the people here - their strength and courage is remarkable - and I am sure that all of us have a tale to tell.
You are being very brave - I am not sure how I would handle ms and a husband in the army, far away, even though you have the strength of your belief in the good of what he is doing, it must be hard not to be "selfish" and want him home...
No matter what a person's politcal beliefs, everyone can only have respect and admiration for such dedication and selflessness. You are a very strong person.

I hope and pray that all goes well with you and that you get the opportunity to visit your husband soon (or that he returns to you) - one day you will look back on this and know that he (and you) made a difference and that the sacrifice was worth it. I also hope that you have some other close family or friends around to support you and help you as ms is a heavy weight to carry.

Take care and kindest regards

bob, sorry to be boring, will try to get back on form soon, it is just so damn hot here - 32C, and it is still Spring - we still have Feb to look forward to!
p.s. Any ideas from anyone who cooks, on how to prepare Christmas lunch for 20 people, without boiling myself in the kitchen in temperature of around 37C and humidity of 98%, would be gratefully appreciated (I am usually expected to do a full Turkey dinner, in the British fasion - rather like ThanksGiving in the States) and I don't want to disappoint anyone, but I cannot do it this year....

Sorry (again ) Don't know how the duplicated post happened - our technological retardedness (challenged-ness) here in darkest Africa...

Hi Minai,
At the risk of offending Bob for apologising too much, sorry for missreading your post – I thought it was your husband who has MS – so both of you are dedicated to his work, which is even more admirable. I can't really add anything to what Ally has already said, except to second every word.
Ally, I've never been further south in Africa than Egypt, but everyone I meet who has been there says it is stunningly beautiful. I know a couple of people from there, and they are full of love for their country and an achingly deep yearning to return and feel its spirit again. I too love reading about your life and experiences there, (though perhaps this thread would be better suited to the "life" board on this forum), and I've come to the conclusion that nearly every country has its share of amazing beauty and intractable social problems.
I've never been much of a cook, but surely in those temperatures couldn't you just prepare the turkey dinner, then leave it outside for a couple of hours?
And Bob, if you still think we're being too nice please feel free to PM me and I'll soon put your mind at rest,

TwistedHelix wrote: And Bob, if you still think we're being too nice please feel free to PM me and I'll soon put your mind at rest,

Now THAT is the lean and mean British fighting machine we have grown to love!

With all that apologizing I was beginning to think you might wear pink ribbons in your hair

Bob

Hi Dom

Thanks for the culinary advice - I have another bright-spark idea (I should probably have learned to keep these to myself... ) maybe I should leave the turkey outside for a few days and then post it to Bob as a Christmas present, though not sure it would make it through UPS...Hey Bob, hope you are not vegetarian?

AllyB wrote:maybe I should leave the turkey outside for a few days and then post it to Bob as a Christmas present, though not sure it would make it through UPS...Hey Bob, hope you are not vegetarian?

For some reason that brings a story to mind. One of my earlier jobs on campus was driving garbage truck, which I did for 20 years. One of the guys who often worked with me in the trucks was fastidious and I'm a hog. He and I are still good friends but his cleanliness has always driven me nuts.

Knowing that he was going to be driving the truck in the afternoon, one day on the way back from lunch at McDonald's, I stopped at one of the buildings we would be going to later in the day and wadded up half a hamburger and some fries in the bag and threw it on the ground. When we got to the building I "noticed" the bag on the ground, opened it up and nonchalantly started eating the hamburger and fries.

What I didn't expect was that he would puke all over the seat and steering wheel of the truck and no longer feel well enough to drive

The doggone thing about nasty tricks is that they ALWAYS backfire!

Bob