An open message to George Conway

[Pototan]

Last edited Mon Jun 10, 2024, 05:59 AM - Edit history (1)

George,

You don't know me, but I'm a great admirer of yours. I am familiar with your bio. For instance, I know your mother was born in the Philippines. So was my wife. I also was born and brought up North of Boston and, like you, I am a huge Boston Celtics fan. I am aware you attended Sunday Night's game with Mark Cuban (I heard you say it on the Midas touch podcast).

I retired 2 years ago to a town just outside of Iloilo on a 10-hectare (25 acres) farm. I currently hold a 13a visa giving me full residency rights (except I am not allowed to vote in the Philippines). My wife is a dual citizen.

Now, to my point, because your mother was born in the Philippines, you can obtain dual citizenship with the US and the Philippines. Take it from me, this country will love you. If the worst happens, you no doubt will be on Trump's "retribution short list". Consider coming home until the dust settles and America becomes a sane country again, if the worst happens.

Keep up the good work and let's hope my suggestion becomes unnecessary.

[Karadeniz]

1. Hes a favorite with me......

[rubbersole]

2. He'll have to explain to St Peter why he married Kellyanne.

And alternative facts are taboo. 🥺

[Pototan]

3. George Married Kellyanne

before she sold her soul to the Devil.

[Layzeebeaver]

5. There is no devil

and there is likely no 'soul'.

She just decided to 'do stuff' for money - and that 'stuff' was (IS) shite.

George must be getting something special from her...

OR... they had kids before she went wonky - and he's staying because of them.

[pnwmom]

7. Wikipedia says they separated last September nt

[Layzeebeaver]

11. Fair enough.

Can't see that union prospering much.

[Pototan]

8. My reply was to the post referring

to St. Peter at the pearly gates. He refers to Kellyanne as his Ex-wife.

I responded in that vein. I wasn't turning this into a theological discussion.

[Layzeebeaver]

10. neither was I. I think we are on the same page

[Layzeebeaver]

4. THIS

The mind boggles... as we say here in the UK.

[brooklynite]

6. I wouldn't take that offer...

Yes, an expat can live comfortably in the Philippines, but ‘lolI point out all the posts about Duterte in the back catalog;. No assurances that future election choices won’t be equally bad. Add to which, a political figure like Conway would effectively be in exile there.

[Pototan]

9. Duterte participated in a peaceful

transfer of power.

How'd America do?

You can speculate on future Dictators in nearly every Democracy. Italy, France, Hungary, Germany and Turkey.

But if Trump wins (and that's the whole point of the OP), you don't need to speculate, and it won't be hypothetical.

And Duterte oversaw extra-judicial killings by police. What other country have I seen that? And what do you think a second Trump term will bring?

[hlthe2b]

12. No offense intended, but with the spawn of Duterte (Sarah) and Marcos (Ferdinand) back on the political scene...

Is there not considerable worry about authoritarianism returning there as well? Trump would dearly love that...

[Pototan]

13. Ya, I've been living here for nearly 3 years

and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has been President for nearly my entire time here is nothing like his father and Sara is nothing like hers.

Just as RFK Jr. is far from a reflection of his father or Ronald Reagan Jr. is anything like his.

Marcos Jr. has proven to be a reliable and loyal ally to the United States and the Biden administration. He has visited the White House twice during Biden's term and the American President has heaped lavish praise on him. And the Vice-President, Sec. of State, Secy of Defense and the Sec. of Commerce all held high level meetings here. Hell, Zelensky was here just last week to meet with Marcos Jr. Marcos Jr. has opened up the press and has been praised be former dissidents under Durerte.

I have felt safer and more respected here in the Central Philippines than I ever did in the US. It may more be because of my age (71) than my ethnicity (Italian-America). Taxes, medical checkup (I still pay Medicare) and other instances require me to return to America for about 8 days a year. It's worst 8 days of the year for me.

Please do research on the subject before jumping to conclusions

[hlthe2b]

14. I appreciate your information & assessment, but not your rude last sentence. I asked for your experience

and impressions and you say to me "Please do research on the subject before jumping to conclusions?" Damn. That is waaay out of line.

This is a discussion group. You are living there. It has been reported that both Sarah Duterte and Marcos JR lean authoritarian in the paths of their respective fathers. I'm pleased to hear that is not the case, but even a limited review of US commentary on the matter over the past years, suggests that there have been such concerns among our own in government.

My question to you was respectful and seeking your thoughts. That rude retort was definitely not.

Please rethink how you treat other DUers who mean you nothing but respect and want nothing more from you than cordial and collegial discussion.

[Pototan]

15. For you to conclude

that Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte are anything like their fathers shows an opinion with lack of research. People who are voting for RFK Jr. just because of his name, do the same thing.

Some offspring actually act like their parents. Don Jr. and Erik come to mind. But his Neice, Mary Trump, is nothing like her uncle. I criticized your knee jerk reaction based on the individual's lineage. You're being a bit unfair.

Each person should be judged on their own merit. I will confess to you that I, too, was apprehensive about a Marcos Jr. Presidency in the Philippines. The Island I live on (Panay), the capital City (Iloilo) and the Province I live in all voted 2 to 1 for Marcos Jr.'s opponent. My wife's family was a bit split, with most voting for Leni Robredo. Yet, Marcos Jr. and Sara won, nationwide by 2 to 1.

But as I have watched Marcos Jr. and his actions, I have been pleasantly surprised. His courage in standing up to China, aligning with the Biden administration on global issues, including climate change and Ukraine, his penchant for publicly criticizing his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte and the fact that Sara (there is no "h" in her name) is not coming to her father's defense makes the nuance of evaluating them require an understanding of the Philippine government and culture.

For the past 4 years I have had a subscription to the Manila Times. Every day I read the NY Times, the Boston Globe and the Manila Times. After all, I'm 6,500 miles away, have great internet service and all the time in the world.

I'm sorry if you think me rude, but your opinion is quite common among Americans. After all, it's hard enough to keep up with US politics, let alone an obscure 3rd world country, for most people. But the consensus opinion about the Philippines is not accurate, in my experience.

I am an American living in a foreign country. The fact that 45% of my countrymen think Donald Trump should be President is quite disappointing.

The Philippines works very hard to establish and secure a fledgling Democracy (new constitution was established in 1987). Can America say the same?

[hlthe2b]

16. I asked the question and concluded NOTHING. I also was very polite and collegial to you, explaining that a curosory

google search makes the same commentary that I asked you to assess and address. Your continued rudeness, rather than a very deserved apology is so OTT that I am done with you. THat you cannot appreciate the need to both discuss cordially and yes, to educate based on your experiences is part of the social contract on a discussion board such as DU is pretty sad. I wish you well in Indonesia, but kindly ignore my posts in the future as I will yours.

[Pototan]

17. I'm sorry you feel insulted

but in a civil discussion I don't think it's inappropriate to ask someone to do research on a subject he or she may be unfamiliar with before they form an opinion.

I would not be insulted if the tables were turned.