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In my new blog, I'll choose a different subject for each entry with a lot less focus on me |
| A few months ago, I let someone from my past stay with us. I hadn't seen Rob in thirty years, but I thought things would be OK for a short visit. Soon after he arrived, the conversation turned to politics, and Rob told me he supported Trump. Ultimately, we had to agree to disagree so that the rest of his visit wasn't spent arguing about politics. Something telling was revealed when he finally left. Rob stayed five nights, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner every night. He never offered to do the dishes, and after each meal, instead of offering to help, he went outside to smoke a cigarette. I hoped that before he left, he might offer to take us to dinner, but that didn't happen. I'm not saying all right-wing people are freeloaders, but on this occasion, he was. A few days ago, I received a text from Rob asking me how things are going. It was the first time I had heard from him since he left. I have a feeling he may be returning to Thailand soon (he went back to Australia after visiting us), and perhaps the idea of spending a cheap week with his 'old friend' was appealing. In any case, I was short in my reply and rest assured, he won't be welcome back here again...political differences or none. To get by in life, friends are not essential (I hope the president of the United States of America understands this concept on the world stage). But, they can be handy if trade, tourism or searching for support during a possible military conflict is of concern. My profile picture, which has remained the same for the last three years, shows both the Australian and US flags side by side. We (Australians) have always looked up to the US, and if you had told me one hundred days ago that I would feel how I do now about the US, I would not have believed you. I understand not everyone voted for Trump, and that I should not hold every American accountable for what is happening to the world because of his actions. In saying that, nothing could have prepared me for the changes I have seen, not just to our two countries' relationship, but to the world at large and the overall feeling of angst towards the United States of America. It is palpable to anyone who cares to pay attention, and you need only look at the reactions of the dignitaries at the recent funeral of Pope Francis to see just how on the nose the president is with the entire world. Russia's closest ally is China, and playing hardball with the latter, whilst cosying up to the former, is, to say the least, strange. Announcing tariffs and then postponing them (and then bragging publicly how much money his friends made that day, after tweeting, "A GOOD TIME TO BUY"), some would say, is Trump simply being the 'deal maker'. However, others might say something different...like insider trading. There are many theories as to why Trump would want to do all he has done in the first one hundred days in office. Tariffs? Trump still insists they are paid for by foreign companies, and not by the importers of the goods, who pass on the costs or go out of business. Threatening Greenland, Panama, Canada and Mexico with financial and military actions unless they do as Trump says is right out of the 1930s fascist handbook. Deporting people without due process isn't just unconstitutional, but a dangerous sign of what is to come for anyone, even American citizens, who are unlucky enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, or fall foul of the regime by protesting or voicing their right to free speech. Anyone in the media who speaks out against the injustices that are happening daily will eventually be targeted for deportation. Political dissenters...as seen in Russia, China and North Korea, will soon feel the wrath of tyranny unless everyone who sees the danger stands up and denounces this regime. Average Americans think it will never happen to them or their loved ones. But the fear people have in countries run by dictators could be replicated in the US very quickly indeed. Of course, Rob would defend Trump's actions to the end...as would the hardcore MAGA faithful. I want to believe there will be an uprising, and that eventually, Trump will do something so outrageous and illegal that no one, other than his cult-like following, will be able to justify. This morning, Nada and her son, who is visiting while he is on school holidays, left to apply for his new ID card. After they were gone, I turned on the TV and watched a YouTube channel called Large Man Abroad. I highly recommend him. He is an American who doesn't hold back on what he thinks should happen before America can become great again (if it ever can be). This is my new blog...it won't focus just on politics, but the times call for dialogue...and simply sitting back and hoping that things will be OK is not going to help stop the course we are all on. |
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