Press Mess

Submitted by Michael, Feb 27, 2017 at 03:58

Hi again, Moh

Concerning New Zealand, it is now considered a separate continent ("Zealandia") from Australia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealandia

Having had many ties to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and UK, I like the idea of the "English Speaking Union" that some have favored over the years. In practical terms, though, half of my own country looks upon me as a "deplorable"; and I question the sanity of the half that thinks that way. To make matters worse, I live in a "blue" state, so I am something of an alien in my own country.

Of all the English-speaking countries, the US is unquestionably the most fervently Christian, the most Jewish and the most pro-Israel. In my mind, that's the real divide between us. Again, it's a little odd, that the most Jewish parts of the US are the most anti-Israel. I also note that Ireland is English-speaking, and that more people of Irish descent live in the US than in Ireland. It's a complicated mess. Then there's the problem of what to do with the Queen. She has a considerable following here; well, to be precise, Kate Middleton has quite a following. The same can't be said about the Irish.

Concerning the latest fumbles in the White House, the leaks are a serious domestic problem that has international ramifications. After a recent briefing with the President, Press Secretary Sean Spicer immediately took his people aside and, with lawyers present, demanded that they present all their electronic devices to scrutiny. He also ordered everyone in the room to keep mum about the meeting. It was immediately leaked to the press. We have a big problem there. If we were any more sloppy in these matters, we would start looking like Europeans.

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