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Post by kateln on May 16, 2015 19:29:58 GMT -4
Chonies, you and I grew up in the same county right? I was a year behind you in school--did you have a lot of Laotian and Cambodian classmates as well? I had a few in my elementary school classes who were refugees from the war and it's aftermath. I can't imagine what it was like for those poor kids. They were a 13-14 year olds stuck in 5-6 grade classes, separated by the language, surrounded by kids who, for the most parts, biggest worry was "Are my clothes in fashion?" The more I learned about the Pol Pot, the wars in Laos and Cambodia, the more I want to slap 10-11 year old me upside the head for what I'm sure was massive insensitivity.
I think for people my age, while I was born after the American occupation in Vietnam ended, I saw first hand in my direct family the impact of Vietnam. My mother was a widowed by the War, her kids lost their father, when she married my dad. My father was serving in Asia on sub during the war--and he lost friends there. I know that my family's situation, while unusual, wasn't unique in our generation.
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Post by chonies on May 31, 2015 22:04:46 GMT -4
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Post by Carolinian on Jun 19, 2015 12:06:05 GMT -4
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Post by Baby Fish Mouth on Jun 19, 2015 12:42:07 GMT -4
The relationships between current and former presidents are fascinating. There's even a book about their exclusive little club. Surprisingly, Carter is not well-liked by the other presidents. And Clinton's close friendship with both Bush 41 and 43 is really touching.
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Post by divasahm on Jun 19, 2015 14:07:21 GMT -4
I would imagine that Carter's consistent focus on humanity over politics would make even Bernie Sanders feel inadequate and uncomfortable.
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Gigiree
Sloane Ranger
Procrastinators Unite. . . Tomorrow.
Posts: 2,555
Jul 23, 2010 10:27:31 GMT -4
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Post by Gigiree on Jun 19, 2015 14:38:38 GMT -4
Jimmy Carter is, IMHO, the best former president we've ever had. No one else come close to his achievements in comparison. I would probably resent him, too, if I were a former president.
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Post by Martini Girl on Jun 19, 2015 19:01:49 GMT -4
The relationships between current and former presidents are fascinating. There's even a book about their exclusive little club. Surprisingly, Carter is not well-liked by the other presidents. And Clinton's close friendship with both Bush 41 and 43 is really touching. I wonder how long that friendship will last if it comes down to Hillary and Jeb? |
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Post by Baby Fish Mouth on Jun 19, 2015 19:58:59 GMT -4
I think Bill Clinton and the Bushes are able to separate politics from philanthropy. I hope that doesn't change. When Bush 41 kicks the bucket I fully expect Clinton to give a heartfelt eulogy.
According to the book, Obama has a standoffish relationship with the former presidents. That irks some of them because there's an unwritten rule that the current president should at least pretend to solicit advice from his predecessors when possible.
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Post by Carolinian on Jun 24, 2015 11:49:48 GMT -4
This is a charming story about a photo from 70 years ago (VE Day). I guess in England it's as iconic a photo as the sailor kissing the woman in Times Square is in the US, though I hadn't seen it before. Pretty cool that the War Museum was able to identify the women within 24 hours of their request to the public.
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Post by chonies on Jul 9, 2015 11:08:44 GMT -4
I haven't been following European politics as closely as I used to. Have there been leaders elected in the last decade whose biographies have a parallel trajectory to Obama's? I don't mean specifically black or of African heritage, but instead from a historically underrepresented ethnic background relevant to that country, and whose election might have been considered a cultural watershed moment. I know there are a few ministers or cabinet-type officials here and there, but what about higher up?
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