TELEVISION AND THINGS

There's a firemen's strike here, and I have already warned everyone who enters our house that they are not to discuss it, on pain of death. This action was necessary because it seems to be the sole topic of all newscasts and newspaper reports in this country. It's like the OJ trial, only, well, important.

One thing that seems kind of silly is that I've been watching more television since I got here this time. I mean, the thing that's silly about it is that it seems to help lessen culture shock. I've never been much of a television watcher, and I pretty well avoided it last time I was here, but there's something about watching all of this mundane kind of programming that makes things seem a bit more pedestrian, which lessens the shock.

Of course, it's irritating to a certain extent because this country is *so* much more fat phobic than the US. I didn't think that was possible. People here are brutal, cruel, and people on television say things that would get them crucified if you changed the words from "fat" to "black".

For example, Celebrity Big Brother is all the rage. Basically a bunch of somewhat-washed-up celebrities in a Big Brother household, with proceeds going to charity. One of the contestants is a fat (not obese even, just fat) middle-aged woman.

The tabloids, commentators, and talk show hosts are vicious. Absolutely vicious. Somehow it's all right to say, "I swear, every time she enters a room, I swear she's gotten fatter." I have literally heard that at least five times. If you changed that to, "I swear, every time she enters a room, I swear he's gotten blacker," you'd lose your job, and rightfully so. It's absolutely appalling.

The tabloids have published photo after photo of her eating. Oh, I'm sorry, I guess she was supposed to stay in the house for a month and never eat a meal.

The poor woman gets up every morning and gets on an exercise bike, and said she does it because she figures if she's going to be in the house for a while, she may as well use her spare time to get into shape. But people are utterly vicious about it. And when confronted, they're unapologetic.

From what I understand, she's annoying in whatever it was that she used to do. So, geez, if you have to find something nasty to say about her, then pick on one of those things. But being fat and middle aged?

Don't get me started on the racism I've encountered here.

What a bunch of bloody bigots.