As a former European who was living there during the last bout of him, I would encourage Americans travelling in Europe to let rip. He is widely and deeply REVILED in Europe, not least for his infinite vulgarity and tackiness which is seen for what it is: a poor man’s idea of a rich man. The people asking you about him are often seeking some assurance that Americans haven’t all lost their minds and that there might, just might, be some fight left in them. Because the consequences for Europeans are enormous.
I agree. My husband and I lived in Prague in 2017-2018. We met people from several different countries while we were there and he was universally loathed by all. My favorites were Linda and Paulis, an absolutely delightful couple from South Africa. Paulis and I had a fun conversation recounting the sins of both Cinnamon Hitler and Jacob Zuma.
At a restaurant one night our waiter, who knew a bit of English, very proudly stuck his middle finger in the air and proclaimed “Fuck Trump!” 😆 He got a really good tip.
I don’t think Americans understand enough that the results of US elections affect the lives of countless people around the world. SO much hangs in the balance, for people who can have no impact on the outcome. And right now that’s especially the case in Europe, alas. So yeah, let them know there are many, many Americans who see what they see and will hold fast against it!
And I guess my own response to people in other countries asking about our president would be, “I didn’t vote for him and I do not feel represented by our country’s leadership.”
“France, too, has dabbled with ultra-right politics in recent years, although when the founder of National Front, their most reactionary political party, died a few weeks ago, the French took to the streets to celebrate his death, causing the current Interior Minister to upbraid the celebrants, saying “Nothing, absolutely nothing justifies dancing on a corpse.” “
Was the last good celebration of an infamous dead person in the United States the party about Henry (fucking) Kissinger? You’ve given me hope by reminding me Trump will eventually die too, hopefully without a full dictatorship.
This passage says it all “Yes, discretion is sometimes the better part of valor, but sometimes valor is the better part of valor. Courage is not what we do when we have nothing to lose; it’s what we do when we have everything to lose. It’s what we do when our values are being assailed. What is worth fighting for? If not your values, then what? On the other hand, if you don’t have values beyond money, then I apologize. I hope one day you have enough.”
You might consider extending your stay abroad; nothing good is happening here for a while. Your short conversation with the Frenchman re. DT reminds me of when my family and I were in Italy in 2002 while George W was in the WH, post 9/11. We were often asked by locals what we thought of him and we always replied “We didn’t vote for him, don’t blame us”.
As a former European who was living there during the last bout of him, I would encourage Americans travelling in Europe to let rip. He is widely and deeply REVILED in Europe, not least for his infinite vulgarity and tackiness which is seen for what it is: a poor man’s idea of a rich man. The people asking you about him are often seeking some assurance that Americans haven’t all lost their minds and that there might, just might, be some fight left in them. Because the consequences for Europeans are enormous.
I agree. My husband and I lived in Prague in 2017-2018. We met people from several different countries while we were there and he was universally loathed by all. My favorites were Linda and Paulis, an absolutely delightful couple from South Africa. Paulis and I had a fun conversation recounting the sins of both Cinnamon Hitler and Jacob Zuma.
At a restaurant one night our waiter, who knew a bit of English, very proudly stuck his middle finger in the air and proclaimed “Fuck Trump!” 😆 He got a really good tip.
Oh I love those kind of moments so much!
I don’t think Americans understand enough that the results of US elections affect the lives of countless people around the world. SO much hangs in the balance, for people who can have no impact on the outcome. And right now that’s especially the case in Europe, alas. So yeah, let them know there are many, many Americans who see what they see and will hold fast against it!
And I guess my own response to people in other countries asking about our president would be, “I didn’t vote for him and I do not feel represented by our country’s leadership.”
“France, too, has dabbled with ultra-right politics in recent years, although when the founder of National Front, their most reactionary political party, died a few weeks ago, the French took to the streets to celebrate his death, causing the current Interior Minister to upbraid the celebrants, saying “Nothing, absolutely nothing justifies dancing on a corpse.” “
Was the last good celebration of an infamous dead person in the United States the party about Henry (fucking) Kissinger? You’ve given me hope by reminding me Trump will eventually die too, hopefully without a full dictatorship.
'Fuck that guy' is always the correct response. We cannot be polite when it comes to fascists.
"I like the way they think" 💛
"There’s so many of them they’re almost like tech billionaires at Trump’s inauguration." OK, I'll say it. Data Privacy is dead.
This passage says it all “Yes, discretion is sometimes the better part of valor, but sometimes valor is the better part of valor. Courage is not what we do when we have nothing to lose; it’s what we do when we have everything to lose. It’s what we do when our values are being assailed. What is worth fighting for? If not your values, then what? On the other hand, if you don’t have values beyond money, then I apologize. I hope one day you have enough.”
You might consider extending your stay abroad; nothing good is happening here for a while. Your short conversation with the Frenchman re. DT reminds me of when my family and I were in Italy in 2002 while George W was in the WH, post 9/11. We were often asked by locals what we thought of him and we always replied “We didn’t vote for him, don’t blame us”.
Move on down to Australia!
Si, on danse gaiement sur le défunt.
You just hope that maybe the English will forget all about you now.
I'm kidding.
I enjoyed this note so much. You are a hard hitting but lovely writer.
His prose is elegant.
Merci (French for Marcy)