Song to Aotearoa

There aren't many places in the world that cause someone to feel a certain admiration in when they read about it. No, in this cynical age all we mostly feel disdain for other nations, or laughing contempt, or even outright pity quickly erased by a very dark sense of humor. For instance, often times the only thing most Americans can talk about on the subject of France is their military track record. We all know this history too well, and we all know the jokes (Why do French rifles have rubber on the bottom? So they can throw them down without damaging them! OH NOES!). In academia, the joking takes a more professional turn when France is analyzed:

5 Republics
2 Empires
Innumerable Anarcho-Communal Interim Governments

Yes, simply put, the United States is full of cynical people now who probably delight more out of relishing the taboo and finding humor in the darkest situations one can find (A good example is an episode of Curb Your enthusiasm where Larry David finds out that his agent's cousin was a gay Jew in Poland, to which Larry laughs and responds "Some luck, eh?"). But every now and then someone will find a state or idea or person that they can trust and believe in and admire. For some, it borders on a philia as with the case of Anglophiles or even Europhiles in general. Of course, we can't overlook the otakus and their Nipponophilism.

For some time, I have considered myself an Anglophile. I love Parliament. Watching it on CSPAN is better than some pro-football games I've seen, with those Brits ranting and raving and what not. The Eye of London, Westminster Palace, 10 Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Ghille, Hyde Park, Trafalger Square, Buckingham Palace, Royal Albert Hall. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Stones, The Who, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Mescaleros. Douglas Adams, George Orwell, William Golding, HG Wells, Charles Dickens. John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, etc. You get the point.

Well, something happened recently to change my mind. The more I've been reading and studying it, I've falling more and more in love with New Zealand With many thanks to Jennifer Miller, I'm totally in the Zealophile camp. See, New Zealand is, without saying, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Despite it being thoroughly industrialized and developed, it has escaped the ravages of industrialization that would have otherwise ruined the beautiful landscape of the two emeralds of the South Pacific. Not only that, but they have a proud history of fighting alongside their brethren in the Commonwealth and are completely dedicated to the idea of the global community and international cooperation, but not the point where their unique political views and needs are sacrificed for the whole. For instance, a US-Australia-New Zealand defense organization (ANZUS) was nullified on New Zealand's part when they refused to allow nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships inside their water as it was against their national ecological laws. The US cancelled their obligations to uphold the mutual defense of a nation that picked and chose their parts of allowable defense. I see it as a nation asserting their will and not being afraid to stand up for themselves. Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.

Well, getting back to the lovely Ms. Miller, she sent me an email today with a collection of the greatest thing I have ever seen. A vodka company, 42 Below, has launched the greatest PR campaign since French Connection, United Kingdom (FCUK) launched their line of fragrances named cocaine, heroin, and so forth. Behold, I give you the greatest alcohol ads since Absolut confirmed Steve McQueen was the "absolut man."

Enjoy.








Thanks a ton, Jennifer