Bring On The Booze

Submitted by linda (United States), Oct 14, 2006 at 20:04

1992. Entered cab in Manhattan. Agitated driver companied about Americans not understanding Muslims --says he doesn't understand why Americans hate Muslims. I had derived a love of jazz from drummer father and a love of literature from mother. Headed back from party to my apartment in Greenwich Village. Driver highly agitated, saying Americans don't appreciate Arabs. I tell him I love Khalil Gibran. I smoked cigarettes in those days. I asked if he minded if I smoked. He did. I asked why. He became quite upset. After I spoke about the beauty of Gibran's writings, he became even more upset. Would've told him about the great American musicians -- jazz musicians -- Oscar Peterson (greatest piano player, with the possible exception of Dave Brubeck), Louis Prima, my beloved father's era of fabulous, fabulous jazz -- such as Woody Herman and others hell-bent on spreading patriotism in time of war.

My father always was disappointed that he entered the Navy a bit too late, right before World War II ended. Patriotic. Cool. Full of love for his country. Please, Americans, as you accommodate Muslims, please remember those who came before. Big Band, Swing, Cool Jazz, real Americans. Sorry, but it's true.

So, cab driver in Manhattan, why the heck don't you understand Americans? Why do we have to bend over backwards to understand you? America is great. Go and watch a Louie Prima dvd. Learn about America. You just don't get it and you never will.

CAIR -- learn about America -- the America that is loved by Americans -- not the one that is hated by so-called Americans.

With the death of my beloved father -- UConn grad -- electrical engineer -- Navy Sonar Technician -- Jazz Drummer Extraordinaire -- you guys attempt to understand him -- not the other way around (although I realize you don't have what it takes to get it).

Right now, after my father has just died, I'd love to be in an American jazz club, with smoke and alcohol and people with hearts.

Go take your puritanical sickness somewhere else. By the way, a month after I had this particularly disagreeable cab ride, World Trade Center was attacked for the first time.

Real Americans you are not, no matter how much you demand and protest.

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