From the U.K. looking over the water, Trumps time in office turned the British ‘eye rolling’ that would normally accompany Americans telling the rest of the world they’re better than us, in to complete ‘belly laughing’! Maybe that superiority complex will surely be dampen down now? Trump’s daily outbursts made the USA News sound more like tuning in to The Simpsons! The only good thing from the UK’s viewpoint, it took the limelight away from our craziness, now Europe and beyond tune in to our version of Covid management topped off with a dollop of Brexit! I recall our conversation back in 2016 Meg, along the lines of ‘at least you get to vote him back out!’ Brexit, how we can turn that ship around is beyond me. The cracks have yet to form, it will see the voice for Scottish independence shout louder than Trump, when it suits the BBC to bring that to our ears. Look out for the Stampede, Scotland will sink under the weight! That reminds me, Rightmove!
Thank you... I love getting comments that are even better than my piece! :-) Really interesting! And yes, the weather isn't perfect, but plenty of coastline in Scotland! x
Yep, Scotland is possibly too North for me, I’m not a fan of cold weather, however I may suffer a few years of rain, Ireland is looking like quite an appealing gateway to Europe. I resent being the only none EU citizen in my family! Brexit didn’t just divide a nation, divided families too! Loving your writing Meg!
Good piece, but not your best. It's more of a cri de coeur rather than a logical essay, but I share your frustration.
I first experienced a different view of "American exceptionalism" when I lived in France during our last existential crisis -Watergate. Nixon was very popular in France, because he did not emphasize the "special relationship" with the UK, as Kennedy had done. They did not understand Watergate and kept on asking why we would want to replace a "strong president" with a weak one!
The day after Nixon resigned, my colleagues at the lab were literally clapping me on he back and saying how great the US was because "even the President has to follow the law!" That lasted until Ford's pardon, when we went back to being "just another country." That crisis pales before our current one, and our global reputation will be stained for decades if the Senate does not act responsibly. Unity be damned if if means collaborating with the enablers of that mob!
FYI, the treaty of Texas annexation (when Texas annexed the US, per their history books), DID give Texas the right to secede or (Heaven forbid!) break up into 5 states with 10 senators. Fortunately, they gave up both rights as the price of their readmission after the Civil War.
You're right... It wasn't my best... I couldn't bring it back around to answer the question. Needed more time to research and to put aside my disgust to think through what unity would mean.
Fascinating reaction to Nixon! I'd not known they were fans. But I can see how they would be disappointed by Ford. I used to think Ford's actions made sense. Not any more. Of course part of the question of pardon is will they commit a crime again. With Nixon, the answer is no. With Trump, it is the first chance he gets.
Thank you for the article - I will read in the morning!
Senator Cassidy surprised me with his actual commitment to being impartial. But I cannot believe these Senators are sticking with Trumpism. They have a chance to break free, but the cult holds them in. It's sickening.
I thought for sure you were going to tell me how we achieve unity. I think I feel better than you've said "be damned!". I felt inspired on inauguration day, but I don't see how it's achieved, so all we can do is out vote them...
That was a thought proving piece Meg.
From the U.K. looking over the water, Trumps time in office turned the British ‘eye rolling’ that would normally accompany Americans telling the rest of the world they’re better than us, in to complete ‘belly laughing’! Maybe that superiority complex will surely be dampen down now? Trump’s daily outbursts made the USA News sound more like tuning in to The Simpsons! The only good thing from the UK’s viewpoint, it took the limelight away from our craziness, now Europe and beyond tune in to our version of Covid management topped off with a dollop of Brexit! I recall our conversation back in 2016 Meg, along the lines of ‘at least you get to vote him back out!’ Brexit, how we can turn that ship around is beyond me. The cracks have yet to form, it will see the voice for Scottish independence shout louder than Trump, when it suits the BBC to bring that to our ears. Look out for the Stampede, Scotland will sink under the weight! That reminds me, Rightmove!
Thank you... I love getting comments that are even better than my piece! :-) Really interesting! And yes, the weather isn't perfect, but plenty of coastline in Scotland! x
Yep, Scotland is possibly too North for me, I’m not a fan of cold weather, however I may suffer a few years of rain, Ireland is looking like quite an appealing gateway to Europe. I resent being the only none EU citizen in my family! Brexit didn’t just divide a nation, divided families too! Loving your writing Meg!
Good piece, but not your best. It's more of a cri de coeur rather than a logical essay, but I share your frustration.
I first experienced a different view of "American exceptionalism" when I lived in France during our last existential crisis -Watergate. Nixon was very popular in France, because he did not emphasize the "special relationship" with the UK, as Kennedy had done. They did not understand Watergate and kept on asking why we would want to replace a "strong president" with a weak one!
The day after Nixon resigned, my colleagues at the lab were literally clapping me on he back and saying how great the US was because "even the President has to follow the law!" That lasted until Ford's pardon, when we went back to being "just another country." That crisis pales before our current one, and our global reputation will be stained for decades if the Senate does not act responsibly. Unity be damned if if means collaborating with the enablers of that mob!
FYI, the treaty of Texas annexation (when Texas annexed the US, per their history books), DID give Texas the right to secede or (Heaven forbid!) break up into 5 states with 10 senators. Fortunately, they gave up both rights as the price of their readmission after the Civil War.
BTW, I do subscribe to The Nation and you can read the full article here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b17k24p9nsawy6y/AACYwmIbI8Cf0_jQDiT45dZXa?dl=0
You're right... It wasn't my best... I couldn't bring it back around to answer the question. Needed more time to research and to put aside my disgust to think through what unity would mean.
Fascinating reaction to Nixon! I'd not known they were fans. But I can see how they would be disappointed by Ford. I used to think Ford's actions made sense. Not any more. Of course part of the question of pardon is will they commit a crime again. With Nixon, the answer is no. With Trump, it is the first chance he gets.
Thank you for the article - I will read in the morning!
Senator Cassidy surprised me with his actual commitment to being impartial. But I cannot believe these Senators are sticking with Trumpism. They have a chance to break free, but the cult holds them in. It's sickening.
I thought for sure you were going to tell me how we achieve unity. I think I feel better than you've said "be damned!". I felt inspired on inauguration day, but I don't see how it's achieved, so all we can do is out vote them...