The leader of the free world is coming to Washington on Tuesday

[DemocratSinceBirth]

If you would have told me I would be looking up to the German Chancellor as a beacon of light to the free world when I was a kid you could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather.

[delisen]

1. Hand working, Focused, Persistent, Intelligent, Experienced, Thoughtful,Decisive

skillful, democratic, Human Rights Acknowedging, logical, proactive, coherent vision, no-charasmatic-
able to control impulsiveness, respect for rule of law, respect for people, calm, honest, inclusive, fair, not easily distracted or distracting, non-manipulative, ability to manage risk, belief in equality, strength of character,..................

Once we are able to appreciate positive leadership qualities, maybe we will be able to hold up a beacon of light again instead of a flame thrower,

[yankeepants]

2. Hand working?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. That too.

[littlemissmartypants]

22. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10182223

[Renew Deal]

4. The lady that wanted to starve Greece to protect German banks is hardly the leader of the free world

But she is the leader of European Banks

[paleotn]

11. she's the best we've got right now....

thus de facto leader of the free world. I'm trying to decide if the US is no longer a part of the free world or our prez couldn't successfully lead a latrine detail. I could go either way.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. Thank you.

She is also not asking Greece to impose economic conditions on themselves she would not impose on Germany.

[OnDoutside]

15. That's a very simplistic statement. Greece had been bailed out before and nothing changed in their

economy, it couldn't go on.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

16. What's the consensus on Thump in Ireland?

[OnDoutside]

17. 99% think he's a "langer" (dick !), but you do get the odd surprising one who are racist like him.

There's a genuine fear of the destruction he could cause, but for us caught in the middle with a very open economy, (and already dealing with the fallout from Brexit), there is huge uncertainty.

As you may know, Ireland has always been a very pro Democratic Party country, so next Thursday at the White House when Taoiseach Enda Kenny presents the traditional bowl of shamrock, it's going to be a very awkward occasion, especially as the Travel Ban is kicking in that day.

[Renew Deal]

18. So according to you they deserved it

I'm sure you have similar views of Medicaid and other programs.

[OnDoutside]

19. Again, that's a very simplistic statement. The Greeks had already been through 2 Economic

adjustments plus a recapitalisation, on the back of repeated promises that they would get their economy in order. Eventually it had to come to a head, and for all the talk of Syriza telling Europe where to go, eventually they agreed to the terms. If successive Greek governments had addressed the massive failings in the Greek economy, it would never have needed to get to the mess it had. As an Irish person we too had to face our issues, with the IMF arriving on our doorstep, and they gave cover to the government to bring the necessary adjustments in our economy. It's a pity the IMF left a bit too soon as the government had no cover when they brought in water charges, and eventually it was binned. I had 2 years unemployment myself when things were at its worst, but at least we are a better position now.

Re Medicaid, no, I fully support a nation looking after its citizen's health. No one should suffer for lack of healthcare. Our healthcare system creaks but no company would sack an employee for taking too much time off for chemo, as happens in the US.

[47of74]

5. Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

[greenman3610]

6. I thought you meant Obama was going to visit

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. He's already here.

[dalton99a]

8. I hope she doesn't let him hold her hand.

[hatrack]

9. Or give her a backrub . . .

"Angela? No angel as far as I'm concerned. Maybe a Three on a good day . . . maybe! Why am I wasting my time with this Kraut? Jesus, what's she gonna talk about, physics?!"

[BlueMTexpat]

10. Hopefully she will not be

detained when she tries to enter.

[DFW]

23. My wife is German, and it has happened two years in a row to her, so who knows?

If it happens again, she may just say the hell with it. I'm just scared that she'll say, "I know it's your country, and it's where our daughter lives, but I will not be treated this way, and I will not return." And who would blame her?

[BlueMTexpat]

24. I am so sorry that this

has happened to her!

I certainly wouldn't blame her for never wanting to return!

[DFW]

25. Both times were for completely bullshit reasons

When the supervisor got to her case, in both instances, he rolled his eyes, and let her go immediately. You could tell he wanted to make an apology, but for some reason couldn't. Last time, in December, the idiot CBP guy (himself an immigrant) said her fingerprints didn't match. She had the same fingers on her hand that she had the last 100 times she entered the USA, so the explanation was a little lame.

[BlueMTexpat]

27. Petty tyrants can be

found everywhere! The election of Trump seems to have enabled the worst of them.

But I have never had a bad experience returning to Switzerland or the EU or going through the UK. At least so far.

[DFW]

29. I rarely get harassed when I return here from the States.

Once an over-eager German customs guy stopped me and asked in English what was the reason for my visit to Germany? I said I had a very good reason, namely that I live here. He got snotty and said (still in English) that I had to learn German if I lived here. I told him I spoke fluent German. Switching to German, he then asked why I didn't speak German from the beginning. I said it was his country, and he was wearing the uniform, and he was the one who started speaking in English, and it wasn't my place to tell him what language he should be using. He didn't have a good comeback for that one, so he asked if I had any cash with me. I said of course I did, reached into my pocket and pulled out the $75 and €150 I had with me. He finally gave up. The USA doesn't have a monopoly on idiot customs officials.

[BlueMTexpat]

30. True!

But I loved your story!

[Equinox Moon]

14. True.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. Did you catch what name removed wrote?

Writing something that you know is going to be deleted strikes me as pointless, but Deplorables aren't known for their perspicacity.

[Equinox Moon]

21. No, I don't recall what the post above mine was.

[caroldansen]

26. If she's coming to Washington she's probably on their side. Don't be deceived.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

28. She's coming to save us from ourselves like we saved them from themselves.