That's My Story

A WEE BIT OF CHEST POUNDING

Originally published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Nov. 16, 2009

This isn’t really about Baja or fishing, but is about living and being in Baja. Actually, perhaps it has more to do with being in America and being an American.

Having been in the newspaper, radio and TV business as a reporter and even as an average Joe in the U.S. your perceptions are understandably shaped by the views and reporting of what the media feeds you. I’m not suggesting anything sinister (that’s a whole different article for a different newspaper!), but you are what you hear, read and see.

I have the unique perspective of living outside the United States 80 percent of the time. Specifically, I’m down here in Baja. I get to watch Mexican TV and read local and national Mexican newspapers. Even my TV gets CNN, but it’s CNN from Hong Kong so it’s really British-slanted news.

But, more-to-the-point, I get to see and hear and talk to friends and associates at street level about their perceptions of what’s going on in the world and specifically the United States.

I was in Mexico with several dozen of my fishing clients when the World Trade Centers came down in 2001. What an odd sensation to watch tragic world events hit your country and to be an outsider looking in. It’s a pretty helpless feeling. And there was no way to leave Mexico and get home. All the flights had been canceled as the U.S. went into lockdown.

And now there’s 2008 and the elections. Given the state of the U.S. economy and the world economy in general that has been directly affected, I don’t think I’ve ever heard so much chatter and discussion about the elections among local Mexicans. If I only had a peso for everytime a conversation started with, “What do you think about the elections?” or “Who do you think will win…?”

In some respects, it was a little awkward. Many of my Mexican friends were actually better informed about the issues and politics than myself! Certainly, issues about the economy were primary, but many of my amigos also know enough about the war in Iraq, race, education, immigration and crime. It sometimes sent me scurrying to the internet to verify what I had heard.

Interestingly, just like Americans are affected by what they read and hear, not surprisingly, so were my Mexican friends subjected to the views of their own media regarding rumors, mud-slinging and hearsay between the candidates. I was often asked to verify what was truth and fiction as if I were somehow in-the know. (Frankly, I’m not. I love news, but I’m not a big fan of politicians or politics).

So, the election came and went with great anticipation. Yes, I voted absentee. I guess I’m a little disappointed. I don’t think I have yet to vote for a winning candidate. That’s my curse. If I vote for you, you will lose.

But from what I could see from the outside-looking-in and from what my Mexican friends tell me, we Americans should be awfully proud. Even ex-pats like myself.

As one of my friend said, “In Mexico, we don’t have many choices. You Americans should be proud that you get choices. So many of Mexicans think that it’s a gringo world north of the border, but it gives hope that ANYONE can rise above their status in America to be anything they want to be. A doctor, a businessman and even a president. You even had a woman running as well. That is something fantastic for you Americans.”

“I don’t think you Americans voted for a black man or a white man,” he added. “I think you vote for the best person you thought would help your country. It was above politics. I wish Mexico was more like that.”

Another told me, “We watched your candidates all the time. I think you use the word, “classy” in English. Unlike Mexico, no one threatened violence. There were no riots or demonstrations. The candidates acted like gentlemen and statesmen.” (Wow. He was talking about OUR politicians?)

Even after the elections, I had one of my business associates tell me how many Mexicans saw that America had “good losers.” He said, “After our last election, the loser threatens a revolution and people took to the streets. Your Mr. McCain congratulated Mr. Obama and shook his hand. I was impressed. Do you know how lucky you are to be an American?”

Yes, I do. That sound you hear is me puffing out my chest a bit. Everyone is watching. God bless us all.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.