The last time I was in the US, Sept 22, there was a real different feel to previous (pre-Covid) trips. It's not as welcoming, everyone seems on edge, MAGA caps everywhere
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U.S Presidential Election
- Thread starter Chiang Mai Tiger
- Start date
The last time I was in the US, Sept 22, there was a real different feel to previous (pre-Covid) trips. It's not as welcoming, everyone seems on edge, MAGA caps everywhere
I read in the paper today that noted ant-vaxxer and nutty conspiracy theorist, Robert Kennedy jnr has announced his bid to compete for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the next election. Am just picturing the presidential race between him and trump 
If we thought the US ( and the world) was *smile* before, you ain’t seen nothing yet
( I wish they’d hurry up and have one way trips to Mars already)
If we thought the US ( and the world) was *smile* before, you ain’t seen nothing yet
( I wish they’d hurry up and have one way trips to Mars already)
The thing is the US has always been a fractured country. They call it the land of the free, IMO it couldn't be further from the truth. Yes they abolished slavery in what 1866, but anyone that has been to the US can see how segregated suburbs are compared to other western countries. Here in Australia most cities are integrated between all races of people. You could live next to an Asian immigrant, a black immigrant, an indigenous Australian etc and no-one bats an eyelid. In the US, most suburbs are primarily white, black or hispanic. There is no integration. White people don't go "downtown" as thats where the dangerous black people hang out etc.
These racial overtones have been there for decades if not centuries. Martin Luther King made his I have a dream speech 60 years ago in August yet has anything really changed from then until now. Nope not really. Still communities segregated by race, its slavery but in a different form.
These tensions have been simmering now for probably the last 20 years under our noses. It started when Obama became president and the black voters finally realised they have a voice in their country. It should have been a pivotal moment in time that allowed their country to integrate and finally pull its status forward into the country that they seem to think they are, but its actually done the opposite. Obama becoming President made the white upper / middle class scared that they would lose out in this revolution of sorts, so they armed themselves to the teeth. Look at the FBI stats on this, from when Obama was elected President in 2008 (he took office from 2009).
Then Trumpism kicked in and drove the division in society even further away from each other, leading to a nation that is essentially at war with itself.
Scary place to be and I don't see a way out of this for the US, they simply don't want to help themselves and are essentially sanitised the amount of killing they do amongst themselves.
These racial overtones have been there for decades if not centuries. Martin Luther King made his I have a dream speech 60 years ago in August yet has anything really changed from then until now. Nope not really. Still communities segregated by race, its slavery but in a different form.
These tensions have been simmering now for probably the last 20 years under our noses. It started when Obama became president and the black voters finally realised they have a voice in their country. It should have been a pivotal moment in time that allowed their country to integrate and finally pull its status forward into the country that they seem to think they are, but its actually done the opposite. Obama becoming President made the white upper / middle class scared that they would lose out in this revolution of sorts, so they armed themselves to the teeth. Look at the FBI stats on this, from when Obama was elected President in 2008 (he took office from 2009).
Then Trumpism kicked in and drove the division in society even further away from each other, leading to a nation that is essentially at war with itself.
Scary place to be and I don't see a way out of this for the US, they simply don't want to help themselves and are essentially sanitised the amount of killing they do amongst themselves.
Just stuff them all in Elon's fancy, mine's bigger than yours rocket. Don't need to worry about one way all the way to Mars. Elon's fancy toy blew it's load in under 5 minutes.
I have been to the US probably 25-30 times in my life mainly working but I have only been once since 2010 and that was 5 years ago. I have really good memories of being there and still have friends and colleagues from those days I stay in touch with.
I decided after the last trip that I would never go to the US again. I don’t see the US ever being what it was again.
I went twice last year and in March, will go again in July (for work)
Lived there in 2010 after visiting heaps.
There is a real edge at the minute
Far right fake news nutcase reactionaries on one side, an octogenarian who looks like he should just relax and retire on the other.
The most damning thing for me was when the supposed greatest military power in history turned-tail and ran out of Iraq when a few ute loads of armed hillbillies rolled into town.
The joint looks buggered.
The most damning thing for me was when the supposed greatest military power in history turned-tail and ran out of Iraq when a few ute loads of armed hillbillies rolled into town.
The joint looks buggered.
I'm going the other way. Completely lost interest in visiting the USA. have no intention of going any time soon
I went to NYC over Christmas New Year and heading back to do a West Coast and desert trip in August. Can’t wait.
To be clear these are all work trips.
There are plenty of other places to visit for holidays!
Did the drive LA to Vegas.
A desert trip would be interesting
Again it was a work trip, but its an interesting way to see the country.
This mongrel has been found guilty of sexual abuse. First of many convictions I hope. How can the GOP allow this man to lead them? It would say everything about their values and beliefs if they did.
Of course it's not really a laughing matter. But I couldn't help myself doubling down on a jab at his manhood (a combination - left, right jabs).
If only it were a criminal conviction. If only the other women he assaulted had gone forward to trial - they could have used the same 'access Hollywood' tape as evidence again and again and again.
If only it were a criminal conviction. If only the other women he assaulted had gone forward to trial - they could have used the same 'access Hollywood' tape as evidence again and again and again.
Is there such a thing as right wing woke ?
This is madness. The man behind this is the alternative Republican candidate to Drumpf.
https://www.theage.com.au/culture/b...rida-as-pornography-20230516-p5d8t2.html?btis
This is madness. The man behind this is the alternative Republican candidate to Drumpf.
https://www.theage.com.au/culture/b...rida-as-pornography-20230516-p5d8t2.html?btis
That isn't some sort of alternative woke, what it is, is what the right have done for hundreds of years, old fashioned book banning. Next they'll start burning them on bonfires.
Woke is about respect for others, for people who have been disadvantaged for one reason or another.
Book banning is all about limiting the ideas people have access to, controlling their information.
There is no comparison.
DS
