An Exchange Of Ideas About Hope, Liberty
Sweet land of liberty. That’s how Murad Khalliev and Ravil Nasybullov describe the United States, where political leaders are as near as a telephone call and people may say whatever they want.
“Here people can own land,” marvels Ravil, a passionate 16-year-old from Ulyanovsk, Russia. “But women are feministic. They wear pants to show they are equal.”
Murad is 17 and from Turkmenistan, just north of the Iranian border. He and Ravil are among 1,600 teenagers from the former Soviet Union spending this school year in the United States.
Competition to take the trip was fierce, but their English language skills won the two boys spots. There is no money for such travel in their fledgling countries, so American taxpayers pay the bill under the Freedom Support Act.
The goal is to share cultures and teach a young generation raised under communism about democracy.
Murad and Ravil left their adopted homes in Hayden and Rathdrum last week for five days in Washington, D.C. They watched both houses of Congress, visited the Supreme Court, met politicians and attended workshops on such issues as gun control and journalism.
“Terrible handgun laws here. Anyone can have a gun,” Murad says, shaking his head.
The boys like what they see here: people with a voice in government and can-do spirit, people who believe they count. They want to take some of that home.
But, “Our countries are not quite ready,” says Ravil, impatience burning in his gray eyes.
Their countries are struggling for stability after abandoning communism. Many old people still hate the United States, Ravil says. The economic situation is so bleak, people don’t think about much more than survival.
Murad and Ravil want to sell them on democracy, but know the time isn’t right.
“They won’t listen to us,” Murad says with disgust. “We’re kids. They’ll just pat us on the head.”
Just like in the United States.
Christmas elves
They rehearsed and rehearsed - and then they rehearsed some more. Now, Cheryl-Ann Rossi wants the kids in her Coeur d’Alene Theater for Youth musical theater classes to perform. So she booked them where she knew they’d be appreciated: Children’s Village.
Cheryl-Ann’s 20 kids will dance and sing excerpts from “Peter Pan” and “My Fair Lady” as a Christmas treat at the village this week. It’ll be an exclusive performance before some of the toughest critics: kids.
If you want to see any of it, try volunteering at Children’s Village. Or pop out there Wednesday evening to buy some of the Christmas cards the kids designed.
Deck the halls
Nothing is cozier than Christmas carols in front of a blazing fire. Lake City Playhouse probably will forego the fire this year after the recent blaze in the theater’s basement.
But the Christmas favorites are still there in “Make a Joyful Noise,” sung by the community’s favorites: Darcy Wright, Mandee Kaiser, Cheyenne Jackson, Julie Powell, Bobbi Kotula (who’s in everyone’s Christmas show this year) and Frank Jewett.
Give the playhouse the gift of your presence when it really needs it. Shows are at Coeur d’Alene High today through Saturday. Call 667-1323 for tickets.
Lasting gifts
The Inland Northwest Blood Center got a call last week from a Coeur d’Alene family that wants to give a special gift this Christmas.
The parents and two teenage children will give up the red stuff Dec. 27 when the bloodmobile spends the day in the Rosauer’s parking lot in Coeur d’Alene.
What enduring gift have you received or given? Bone marrow? Your time? Wrap up your story for Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814; fax it to 765-7149; or call 765-7128 and inspire me.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo