The Brits say something GOOD about us!

[Elspeth]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/feb/10/longtermcare.liberaldemocrats


America respects the old. Here they are ignored

John Mortimer argues that the contrasting attitudes to John McCain and Ming Campbell puts our treatment of older people in a poor light

* The Observer,
* Sunday February 10 2008


To the many activities discouraged or forbidden by our present government - hunting, smoking, driving large cars and failing to eat green vegetables - must be added an occupation with which the country often seems to agree: you must not grow old.

This is not altogether true of America where Republicans are (somewhat) enthusiastically embracing John McCain in his hope to become President and where a 66-year-old Julie Christie has received a nomination for an Oscar. The old dad or granddad in American movies is always a respected figure seated in the corner clutching a glass of whiskey and making sometimes comic but also determinedly wise judgments on life. The foolish behaviour of the young is usually his material, along with informed speculation on the Super Bowl.

In Britain, it is a different story. One of the few figures who acted like a statesman was Sir Ming Campbell. A life at the Scottish Bar had trained him in the art of asking apparently simple questions which could pierce and deflate pomposity.

But Sir Ming had committed a serious crime; nothing to do with alcohol or dangerous drugs or rent boys, he had knowingly achieved the age of 66. Alarmed whispers spread through the Liberal party: 'Do you know that Ming is 66?' It was vital to get rid of this embarrassing old-ager and to hustle him off the scene as though he was deaf, dumb and doubly incontinent. It is no use being an accomplished statesman in our world if you cannot at least pretend to be young.....