I'm an American citizen/native that now lives in the United Arab Emirates. 

The United Arab Emirates is a rapid growing Middle Eastern country that borders Saudi Arabia. It its made up of 92+% expats and is a new hot tourist destination. It's an amazing place. And though it's smaller than my home state (Oregon); Dubai is about 5x larger than any city there. 

I've liver here four years - and I enjoy it. Infact, I moved back for one year (back to Oregon) and decided to move back here again. I enjoy it here. The culture, the clubs, the rich life. I mean - you gotta love it.


So, I just wanted to inform you all that us Americans DO have a place in the Middle east. (Not just for Iraq anymore!)

But, thats not why I posted this blog. I posted this blog to inform everyone (Americans and NON-AMERICANS) that Bush has rouined our rep.

===========This is not to be raging liberal, or say conservatives are bad. I respect both and honestly haven't chosen a side yet. But, FROM AN EXPAT POINT OF VIEW, being conservative has screwed us. People hate us due to the current president and our nationalistic take on things. Plus, not everybody's Christian.==========

During the Clinton administration Americans could not have been more loved. All throughout the globe, we we're known as good people. We we're liked. You could say your American with pride, and have anyone from (most) anywhere be happy with us. We weren't just the powerhouse, or stupid southern nationalists...We were Americans. More blue than red. 

But, suddenly, things took a turn for the worse. Bush got elected. Things got crazy. Wars got started and taking in that funny accent became expected. Stupid comments from the leader of "the greatest country on Earth," seemed about as usual as breathing and being confused with the government was also expected. This did NOT give us Red, White & Blues a very good look.

Now, if I'm not getting made fun of for a southern accent (which is weird because I have no accent. I'm from Oregon; not Texas), I'm getting picked on for being fat. (I'm about 5'11 and 135lbs. Not the fattest kid you've seen [But Americans Are!])

So, now, when I get picked up in a cab. I'm "Canadian," or something like that. People don't understand that Bush's approval rate is less than 40%, and that people in the STATES don't like him (anymore). They just judge a book by it's cover and a country by it's leader and WE have to pay.

Now, at a party when you see me, don't mind if I say, "What's up eh?"  Or wear a hockey jersey. It's only because I get too much shit for wearing my Boston Celtics one, or I'm just another tourist American fag. 

Thanks Bush, you're awesome.

Hopefully the next president represents us a tad better. (Sadly, McCain and Clinton aren't....)


Love,
your expat inside source,

M