"Gimme Some Money!" -- Spinal Tap

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Why is it-- I am an American citizen, living in Israel for a year, and when I travel to Istanbul and Cairo, I say, "Ugh, damn foreigners!"


"... I have been a stranger in a strange land"

-- Exodus 2:22

Last night I returned from a 3 day trip to Egypt with my wife and in-laws.

Feel free to make a plethora of "slavery" jokes.

It was a learning experience.

First of all, I learned that Egyptians are awful.

And so are Israelis

And Turks.

People, in general, are just a pain in the ass.

Especially when they want your money.

I have been to open-air markets (or shuks, rhymes with “looks”) in all three countries… and all three varieties are godawful!
All these shuks are peopled with strange, smelly, hairy men shouting at potential buyers (i.e., anyone who makes eye contact with them), calling you “my friend,” and generally being pains in my ass.

It feels like the shuk is a seedy dance club, and I am a hot, drunk chick. Every guy thinks he has a shot with me and, in my mind, they're all just scuzzy potential sex offendors.


But God bless the shuk!
THAT is the only thing that keeps peace in the world-- financial interdependence!

I think I first heard Bill Maher say it. THAT will create peace within the global community--
"Oh, I hate you so much! I'd kill you... but I'd rather have your steady commission. So you may live... Just keep buying the stuff my country produces."

"There was never a good war or a bad peace."
--Benjamin Franklin

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."
-- Gordon Gekko, "Wall Street" (written by Oliver Stone)

"It doesn't matter if you're black or white. The only color that really matters is green."
-- Peter Griffin, "Family Guy" (season 3, episode 14)

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