The “All-New” American Dilemma
February 1, 2013As politicians bicker over the economy and the impending war of the next generation, our seemingly fearless leaders are losing sight of an epidemic eating away at the American landscape like a social plague. Now, I’m not suggesting there aren’t larger issues at hand. Education in our great nation is desperately reaching for a bar that we scoffed at only 30 short years ago. The environment is suffering and healthcare is being wrangled by people trying to protect the already sick and others who are trying to save the impending diabetic legions to come. Even our beloved constitution is in question over whether or not it’s appropriate to give a semi-automatic death machine to a guy because he has $50 and two of his teeth. With those aside, the issue that is being overlooked is one that has gone unaddressed for far too long, and frankly has the ultimate potential to repair the damaged social sectors I’ve addressed here, and others that you might not have even perceived. The issue at hand is of no interest to democrats, republicans, or even local municipalities, yet it is inherently shaping our entire society, it’s the curse eating away at our legendary global status of premier quality of living, social order and freedom. It’s civilianism.
Pre-Board Chat – Episode 3
February 1, 2013Good Evening, Everybody. Welcome to another sit-down with the world’s most observant traveler. Today we discuss nationalist superiority. Why wouldn’t we? I’m taking an afternoon flight to Paris out of New York’s JFK airport and already, I’m envious.
From quite a young age I’ve always looked at Europeans differently than my American counterparts. The general perception of our mother continent is that it’s just like good ol’ America but older, weaker, and far too behind the times. Since the beginning, America has prided itself on our brash innovation and social evolution. We always do things in the biggest way. Not particularly the best or most tasteful way, but always the biggest. Sandwiches measured in feet, corn-based soda drinks sized so that you can bathe your overweight kids in, and motor vehicles that seat over a dozen, making room to tow your super-sized life around. This is where we’ve always excelled, excess.
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Pre-Board Chat – Episode 2
February 1, 2013Good Evening, Friends. I’m your host Meena Dimian and welcome to the second installment of Pre-Board Chat. This evening I’ll be sharing a tale that will seem to be a whiney, saccharine rant regarding my recent encounter with The International Sky Team’s frequent flyer policies. When in fact, it is a story about the triumph of the human spirit. Or, its miserable failure – still unclear.
This morning when I was about to start my final day of shooting (I host a talk show in the Middle East, for those of you just joining us), on another lovely, mild Beirut day. I received a call from our travel coordinator alerting me to the arrival of my Silver Level Sky Team Advantage card. Frankly, I was excited. I’ve been traveling consistently for almost 4 years now, and I thought I was about due for some perks.
Posted in Pre-Board Chat | Leave a commentPre-Board Chat – Episode 1
June 29, 2012Good Evening Everyone. Welcome to Pre-Board Chat, the show where I resolve my personal issues one trans-Atlantic flight at a time. I’m your host, Meena Dimian. On today’s program we’ll be discussing buying. The uncontrollable urge I have to swipe my Amex for the gratification of the sound of printing receipts, and nothing more.
At the JFK terminal, I’m surrounded by a barrage of global consumerism. A newsstand, designer watch store, and of course, a Costco-sized duty free shop. Amid the item parade numbing my senses in perfect correlation with my fading frugality, I see a wall of Tumi luggage, arranged and lit so meticulously, you can smell their sporty Italian essence at almost ten yards away.
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