Skin-Whitening Creme

America (in America) has become an orphan that nobody wants. We stand divided between those who bemoan what we have become and those who bemoan what we are not yet. All agree that America's present state is unsustainable. As such, a tug-of-war has developed between the two camps. The eventual outcome of any civil conflict is always heavily favored by tradition. In this case, however, the raw numbers are skewed by propaganda.

Here in India, one gets practically no indication that Obama is opposed at all. Everyone takes Obama's promises at face value. Should he fail, it'll be put down to the (still lethal) death throes of the ineptly evil, radical right-wing George W. Bush. Interesting too is that Obama's intent is seen here as improving America's position in the world; strengthening the dollar; boosting the economy and allowing stocks to soar. At the same time, he is expected to mitigate any weather-related 'acts of God' and bring peace and security to the region.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Here in the East, America remains well respected. When Hillary visited India last month, she received top press. Her words (Obama's words), though without substance, were warmly received. Indians like platitudes, as do Americans. They are pleased to believe that a country that has been good to so many of its own citizens has sent a man to the moon. Not in their wildest dreams do they think that America could be deliberately pushed to devolve into some sort of effete, Soviet-style gulag.

American's in this respect are a bit more up to speed. They've actually taken to protesting. Indians are blissfully unaware of this. They religiously watch the BBC. They are well informed about popular uprisings all around the world - except in America where (they are apt to believe) everything remains hunky-dory.

Eventually, the news is bound to filter out, one way or another. Indians will be shocked by this and attribute it to some sinister plot by extremist elements who cannot countenance a black commander-in-chief – a template with which they themselves are all too familiar. Why else would skin-whitening cream dominate the commercial content of evening TV broadcasting schedules?