Wrwest

we talking geographically or politically? True the democratic Czechoslovakia was sold out to the Nazis and then the Russians. But the Czechs are a Western oriented nation. And that is why, in part, there was a Velvet Divorce with the more eastern oriented Slovakia.

Thank you.

Go ahead and believe what you want. Some folk, similarly, will go to their graves denouncing documented history as to why so many Americans died as the 1st trump administration fumbled the ball.

Only as a result of trump declaring Martial Law ... and then the outcome of the 2nd American Revolution. Perhaps apropos for this anniversary year.

Yesterday (Saturday morning here) was the Chiang Mai Expats Club monthly buffet breakfast at Duke's Restaurant,- Raumckak. Delicious as usual, although the restaurant was not full, unusual. Anyway, my point is I did not get to watch my usual morning news broadcasts. So, watching "Washington Week with The Atlantic" this morn (Sunday) I was impressed by the observation of the affect of the trump administration on the post-WW II world. I recommend watching for your reflection ... what does a post American world look like? 1. the USA had been a safe haven for international investors. 2. the USA was one of, if not the top nation attracting the most mentally able people to study in the USA 3. In international issues it was likely that the USA would gardener trust for the overall stability we provided. Certainly, as a student of history I am acquainted with our faults, as well, but ... The loss of the three things above and there is no one to fill that post WW II position. Wall Street, the UN headquarters, Harvard and other US higher education institutions, trust in agreements made with the USA by allies and adversaries alike being changed without consequential thought as to results? Surely, all can recognize the valid concern for the end of the USA role on this globe. Universal Values. Stability. Rule of Law. Loyal Ally. Stood (mostly) against authoritarian rule.

I would like to see the full light shown on all proceedings as I recognize both: 1. that there may be grounds for charges (a citizen Grand Jury has handed down an indictment determining that there is enough evidence to warrant a trial ... that is all that an indictment means). 2. And I recognize that resistance against Garcia's deportation and being forced to undo trump's ordered "mistake" is a huge embarrassment for trump. There is a well documented history of trump ordering actions of vengeance against anyone who defies his will. I do hope the citizen Trial Jury will weigh the evidence carefully and that there is a great Defense Team of Attorney's willing to seek a solid defense based on the evidence presented in open court. Do keep an eye out for attempts to cherry pick the Judge by the administration ... I already have questions about the Tennessee filed charges when he was deported as a resident from Maryland.

Yes, and anyone with critical thinking skills recognized this. Then again, higher thinking would also note first, the bad PR image involved and ... observed that , while we all will die, Joni with her privileged Congressional healthcare coverage stand a better than average chance of living longer than those from whom she is taking Medicaid.

" It's all politics as usual in the USA." You are not giving trump the credit due ... most assuredly it is not politics as usual under trump.

So, if I click on a "thumb up" response will this count against me if applying for a Student Visa'? Or are they going to limited the "vetting" of foreign student visa requests to just the words taken as criticism of current official US government policy/direct criticism of trump??? Asking for a friend ...

While it is speculation, projecting the findings and writing of Presidential administration history, I do think it will turn out to be a lie, yes. Oh absolutely, the faults will be observed based on the factual historical documentation. But overall, the Biden Presidency will be judged more positive than negative based on my study of history.

Confused. Why bring in the Bureau of Land Management. Sorry, couldn't help myself. 555 I'll show myself out.

I do appreciate the irony and confess to goading MAGA. I observe that after a lifetime of work, I cannot afford a working middle class retirement in my own country. Then the irony ... sentenced to be "outsourced" to a lower cost county, such as tropical Thailand with its excellent healthcare and other benefits. Then the goading ... reminding MAGA that I appreciate their working hard so that they can send me their Social Security contributions each month so I can survive my hardship retirement in Thailand. I can only imagine that there might be some "strokes" or "heart attacks" if anyone bothered to read my posting.

Certainly a large reason why I have been outsourced in retirement. Thus, I continue to identify with the working middle class squeezed by the economic policies of both parties for decades.

I, for one, do not "hate" trump. Hate seems to me an emotion based response. No, rather trump is anathema to me. He represents the worst of the American character. He is the embodiment of what my parents, teachers, Scoutmasters taught me not to emulate. And so it is, I oppose his policies, his actions as they are an attack on the best of the American ideals. I will confess to having little tolerance for those questioning my American citizenry based on my documented DNA going back to and participating in the country's founding.

Yep, it has happened already in history ...