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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsGlad to be back ! Really Missed you ! 💖
We had an absolutely unexpected extra 10 days vacation. That's the fun part.
Another, not such happy, my sister in law had to be hospitalized in an emergency. She is deeply depressed and it has worsened since her mother's death, a few months ago.
I couldn't log on as my password is saved on my PC. I only had my smartphone.
However, I tried to do some good job on Twitter and educate a bit my European fellow citizens, who are really lost, having a hard time to understand what's really ongoing in the US.
I had a field day too, fighting both US and EU Trump supporters, delighted to turn them crazy.
cyclonefence
(4,483 posts)Every time someone posted "cartoons from Europe" or something like that, I thought "dear Syringis is back!" only to be disappointed. I hope your sister-in-law is doing all right. Depression is a terrible monster.
syringis
(5,101 posts)My bad, I should have noticed my password somewhere.
I'm back. I've saved a fair bunch of toons to share.
radical noodle
(8,009 posts)syringis
(5,101 posts)hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)I'm glad you were able to help your friends and relatives figure out the insanity that's happening here. You understand the situation in the U.S. better than 90% of Americans do.
syringis
(5,101 posts)I've even written an article to tear down a piece of crap news story from a well known far-right journalist, worse than the Fox News ones.
Rhiannon12866
(205,731 posts)We missed you! But it's good news that you had an extended and well deserved vacation! So sorry to hear about your sister-in-law, hope she's doing better. I lost my own mother 7 years ago this month, she was a victim of Hurricane Irene which devastated this area of New York and it's not something that you ever really get over.
Thanks so much for your efforts in educating your fellow Europeans about Trump, I cringe to imagine what the rest of the world must think, he's not just an embarrassment and a problem for us, he causes chaos and aggravation wherever he goes.
syringis
(5,101 posts)I'm almost afraid to read the news as things are getting tougher.
Whenever Trump does or says something, it's worse than the last!
Rhiannon12866
(205,731 posts)There are times I just can't take the news anymore - we aren't used to it being this frightening, day after day! I find it unbelievable that it's been allowed to go on this long! And back in the day the press used to dissect every statement President Carter made, since he promised to "always tell the truth." And then there was that time that President Obama chewed gum! And wore a tan suit!
syringis
(5,101 posts)They could and should stop this nightmare long ago!
Besides the internal damages, on the international stage, days when America was leading the world and weighing on decisions, are lastingly gone.
Enough to see how leaders are talking and acting when it comes to Trump and the US.
He has inflicted dire straits.
Even worse, Republicans' passivity has led to lasting mistrust and a sense that they don't really value democratic principles.
On this last point, there is no excuse at all! Unfortunately, it happens that a country ends up with a rogue president. But if politicians act properly, it limits the impact on confidence without destroying it. As McCain, for instance, would have.
Politically, I didn't support him at all, yet I've always respected him on the grounds of his true moral values, his sense of duty and his dignity. He was a man of honour who put his country before his party.
Although he was surrounded by his family and friends, I am sure he left tortured knowing his beloved country, which had served his entire life, was in a scoundrel's hands, sold to the enemy!
Rhiannon12866
(205,731 posts)We keep hearing the present threat to our democracy compared to Watergate, but this seems much more frightening to me because it involves an outside threat - and we've learned that it's still going on! And it took the Republicans to stand up and bring down Nixon - the current crop of congresspeople do nothing but enable Trump! They all deserve to be voted out!
As for McCain, he has always been his own person. I had some admiration for him when he ran back in 2000 because he was standing up to the Republicans more than the Democrats were! And he may not have won against Vice President Al Gore, but I felt he deserved the nomination back then - and would have had it but for Karl Rove's "dirty tricks!" That's when he was at his best - his "Straight Talk Express" - I think he was past it when he ran against Obama in 2008.
And I agree that what he saw had become of his party and country had to be heartbreaking for him. But the courageous arrangements that he made were near perfect! As President Obama said, John McCain got the last laugh...
syringis
(5,101 posts)As questionable as was Nixon, he had at least, some values, was educated and was not a traitor.
He is remembered for the Watergate, but he did some good things too. He didn't damage the US on the world stage.
Trump, in other times, would have been court-martialed!
Rhiannon12866
(205,731 posts)You're absolutely right, he knew how to deal with our allies, he opened up communications with China (who Trump offended with his first phone call - Taiwan - before he was even sworn in!), he for advocated environmental protection and he even had a universal health care plan in the works!
And former U.S. presidents is a pretty exclusive club. Traditionally, new presidents have reached out to their predecessors for advice - regardless of party. President Johnson had Eisenhower as an adviser, Jimmy Carter only had Nixon and Ford - and Ford (his former opponent!) helped him deal with Congress (and they became lifelong friends) and President George H.W. Bush used the resources of the Carter Center! And then there's this bunch:
syringis
(5,101 posts)Made wonder who's going to be the ultimate flat-active brain to take Trump's advice ? I'm laughing to the point Im close to wet...
Rhiannon12866
(205,731 posts)Apparently the Bush* twins reached out to the two young Obama girls, it can't be easy for kids in The White House, and that was a very kind gesture.
And from what we've been hearing, even those who work in the White House right now don't take Trump's advice!
MFM008
(19,818 posts)Terrific scenery is nice.
syringis
(5,101 posts)Thank you.
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)syringis
(5,101 posts)Thank you very much
I always feel like I'm back at home .
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)I love the part where his lawyer Dowd tells Mueller that he can't let Trump testify because of how stupid he'll look to foreign leaders!!
syringis
(5,101 posts)As if the whole world didn't know it!
DFW
(54,420 posts)Maybe in the German AfD (I don't know any of them, so I can't say)?
syringis
(5,101 posts)J'en ai plusieurs qui tenté de me dézinguer sur Twitter. J'ai la langue pendue, acérée et très méchante avec les crétins ! Ils n'ont pas tenu longtemps.
Dis, c'est Rock'n Roll chez vous !
Je commence à en avoir ras la soupière de tous ces mous du bulbe !
DFW
(54,420 posts)Avec la fille ui était tué par duex refugiés (un Syien et un irakien) l'extrème droite ici a eu une cause célèbre. Deux pourris dans 1 million, et toute de suite, ils sont tous des assassins........
Fla Dem
(23,715 posts)Glad you had a great vaca, and sorry to hear about your S-i-L's issues.
Listen, even WE in the States are lost and having a hard time understanding how we got to this point. The mid-terms elections are our first opportunity to start turning things around. Hopefully enough people have woken up and realize the future of our Nation is at stake and they vote to take back the House. We also need gains in the individual states. Governors, state representatives etc. They are the ones who have been gerrymandering the voting districts to favor the RW.
But enough politics for now. Just WELCOME BACK!!!
syringis
(5,101 posts)Its hard to believe this mess is real !!
Aristus
(66,434 posts)It's so good to see you!