‘Fox in the USA:’ Testimony of a Life in the Heart of American Democracy
July 21, 2024 Johnny Coke
‘Fox in the USA’ Bld. Promotional material from the publisher
The question is what is the explanation of one who has great affection for the country of his birth. In this reviewer’s case it was England. Journalist and American reporter Michiel Vos (53) has lost his heart in America, but in his book Vos in America, immigrants who become naturalized Americans are always outsiders, even if they try to fully assimilate.
‘Your mouth is like America’
Voss’s dentist makes one person’s two mixed nationalities clear on the last page of the book: ‘Your mouth is like America. Good on top, bitter on the bottom [ ] ‘That is the country where you and I live! ‘ The dentist gives good advice to his Dutch-American patient to do something in Dutch: Stop the urge to assimilate, don’t stress because you’ve become an American. Say no, like your Prime Minister – whatshisname… Rutte? He says rediscover yourself but at the same time be yourself. It would be good if this country had some stress.’
love
Voss proves flexible enough to conform to the American way of doing things and make fun of himself in the process. A young Dutch lawyer from Maastricht, moved to America twenty years ago. His love for filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi — actually the daughter of the famous former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi — kept him permanently in the United States.
Open doors
After some time, his political background as a leading member of the Democratic Party opened political doors that were closed to other foreign journalists. It might be jealousy, but Voss sees it as a given given her in-laws’ political connections. In an interview with the Volkskrant newspaper, he said: ‘If I’m a family member somewhere, I’m not a journalist. So I can take advantage of what I see, but if something is newsworthy, I keep my mouth shut.
President
In this way he divides his journalistic work with his wife for HBO documentaries and Dutch and Flemish media, whether together or not.
In the book Fox in America he presents himself as an observer and interpreter of the American way of life, and he can meet the presidents of the United States through ‘mother-in-law’ and shake hands with pop idols. Hollywood stars on camera. He describes with a soft pen how it feels in his background as a European.
Exciting times
It is clear from reading the book that this is still evident in the political and social life of America Life in Modern America By Professor Peter Bromhead. It was one of the textbooks during my English translator-interpreter training in the 1970s.
It is very clear: if you do not know history, you cannot fully understand the present. Either way, these are sure to be interesting times.
In their first recent political debate before the November election, Mr Trump and Mr Biden appeared to behave like two old men. Unfortunately, Voss via Holland Type Utjevers could not be reached for further comment on the actions of the two gentlemen and how they are now campaigning.
Leo Trump
At 80, Biden isn’t too old to keep going, and Trump, almost in his eighties, is clinging to his act as a roaring lion. Voters and top Republicans think it’s wonderful. Meanwhile, YouTube is full of unanalyzed videos of his behavior and actions supporting Trump.
The question arises whether the current situation has anything to do with democracy.
Michael Voss. 2024. ‘Fox in the US’. Holland’s Type Utkevers. Amsterdam, Antwerp. ISBN 97890488715201. pp 400. €22.99
Johnny Cook [at]Today and tomorrow[dot] nl
“Coffee fanatic. Friendly zombie aficionado. Devoted pop culture practitioner. Evil travel advocate. Typical organizer.”