I wouldn't fret too much, Kick, the pendulum is bound to swing the other way, sometime ...

I don't generally "fret" at all, Canada; I leave that bullshit for the finger-pointing foreigners. :)

I can understand how difficult it is to live in a wacko country that deems itself to be the leader of the free world.

Because you live in a "wacko country" while claiming it's one of those "lesser countries" (your description, not mine) an admitted follower and therefore self-absolved of the hypocrisies for which you point fingers and whine incessantly blaming the "leader of the free world" for everything under the sun that doesn't meet with your own personal preference? Rhetorical question.

I personally don't find it difficult at all to live in the United States, but I'm not one of those citizens -- or foreigners, for that matter -- who claims repeatedly to understand what it's like for other Americans.

But, the longer it takes to come to terms with the present reality, the harder it will be to change it.

Well, since we're "coming to terms with the present reality," I'll cut totally to the chase and give it to you straight up and real: There is no amount of your incessant pointing your finger at the United States and blaming America for all the things that don't personally please you -- including your own wacko country's furious drilling in the "present reality" -- that is going to "change it." Heh.

Despite everything, I continue to hold out hope. :)

No doubt while whining and holding out your hypocritically pointed finger. :)

Despite everything, I continue to hold out hope. :)

It always used to amaze me how many Americans find it so difficult, apparently, to see their own country in terms of it having a positive global leadership role.

Did you perchance consider the possibility you might be, apparently, deluding yourself regarding your abilities at reading the minds of Americans?

But, after decades of admittedly casual observation and being rather inspired by the concept of the promise of America and all that idea and ideal entails and especially with regard to America's global leadership role and the impact that has on the rest of the world - as perceived as a foreigner like me - I have concluded that the promise is little more than an illusion.

Did you perchance consider maybe it's a delusion and that it's definitely yours?

In a masterstroke of irony, it was the Biden administration that finally made a bit of a cynic out of me. I can obviously take a lot and a long while but I catch on eventually, given enough disappointment.

You shouldn't sell yourself short, Canada; you've obviously been a demonstrable cynic long before the Biden Administration ever came into existence, and one need only to read some of your archived comments to confirm that. :)

Well, Kick, they do say imitation is the highest form of flattery, or something. ;)

That isn't actually applicable when your words are being used to expose your own hypocrisy and total lack of self-awareness.

Maybe, if the so-called leader of the free world would actually lead on the climate file instead of Republicans and Democrats playing a game of one-upmanship over which party can win the 'Drill Baby, Drill' award, then lesser countries like my own might follow suit.

Maybe you could stop yourself from blaming America ad nauseam for every damn thing under the sun and the ridiculous comparative Party false equivalency exercises of yours, but then that would require some self-introspection and intellect versus the constant finger-pointing and whining routine you're playing at.

Too bad we'll never find out.

Your archived comments are ample proof you're not bloody likely to find out; on the other hand, you sure as hell do not speak for me or America. :)

But, after decades of admittedly casual observation and being rather inspired by the concept of the promise of America and all that idea and ideal entails and especially with regard to America's global leadership role and the impact that has on the rest of the world - as perceived as a foreigner like me - I have concluded that the promise is little more than an illusion.

In a masterstroke of irony, it was the Biden administration that finally made a bit of a cynic out of me. I can obviously take a lot and a long while but I catch on eventually, given enough disappointment.

Maybe, if the so-called leader of the free world would actually lead on the climate file instead of Republicans and Democrats playing a game of one-upmanship over which party can win the 'Drill Baby, Drill' award, then lesser countries like my own might follow suit. Too bad we'll never find out.

While America slept ...

... the Canadians to the North are drilling furiously:

In 2024, Canada could be the largest source of growth in global crude oil production. The country's expected jump in oil output of about 500,000 bpd is higher than the 400,000 bpd projected growth in the U.S.

Canada is non-serious on the file of climate change. They're nothing but hosers who talk a good game, but when it gets right down to it, they're not doing anything significant to stop the steadily increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide... unless you count whining and pointing fingers.

As an American citizen of the world, that is a hopeless comment. I'm almost ready to give up on you, Kick.

Oh, no... whatever shall we do? *grin*

I'm not overly altogether concerned you'll give up your perpetual whiney critiques of us and our America... nor should you. That's the beauty of it. :)

You be sure to let me know when my country surpasses your country for the role of 'leader of the free world', okay?

No need for that as you are inarguably a subjugate of Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith *pause for oxygen* and are most definitely likely to remain ever thus.

Be that as it may and still, we here in the United States, and me here in Texas, send our heartfelt congratulations to our friends to the North, most improvident global polluters of 2024 *claps* and extraordinarily perpetually mewling hypocrites.

You're welcome. :)

She reeled him in and played him for the lying fool he is... a master class in how to handle a narcissistic misogynist prat. Believe me when I say that Trump will add that ass whipping to his list of grievances of perpetual victimhood. Poor Donald. *shakes head*

Trump looked old. He looked angry.

He looked defeated... unhappy... weak... pathetic, and she trolled him relentlessly even before the debate about his being afraid to turn on the microphones and how he was capitulating to his handlers who decidedly wanted mics off. Harris and her campaign weren't actually demanding anything, they were deliberately pushing his buttons beforehand, and they also released videos of his own "best people" referring to him as "unfit" and mocking his crowds being bored and ditching his rallies while he was still rambling onstage like everyone's "drunk uncle."

And Trump looked like he was out of it and could never be trusted to represent our country ever again!

Narcissists like Trump are like Jekyll (ego) and Hyde (alter ego). She simply reeled him in and dismantled his ego so his alter naturally took over. That fragile ego of his cannot allow him (ever) to admit to his deep-seated fear and shame that he is not whom he pretends to be and actually does not much like who he is, so he'll claim (perpetual) victimhood and revert to the persona of an unstable toddler: It was rigged; it was three on one; I won the election; I won the debate, everyone knows it... lather, rinse, and repeat.

But, Russ, we also now have a proclamation of "concepts of a plan" so we can soon (never) stop waiting on that healthcare plan coming in *checks notes* "two weeks" but is closer to ten years (forever). :)

You be sure to let me know when my country surpasses your country for the role of 'leader of the free world', okay?

She beat him like a rubber pinata and made him like it.

He did claim it was his "best Debate, EVER" and something about it being a "THREE ON ONE." Verbatim quotes.

That 78 year old felonious Jack O'lantern probably has a concept for a plan to flee to crime-free Venezuela this morning.

Heh.

Notice how Convicted Felon Donold voiced his intent to commit a federal crime on live television. Seriously. Felonious Trump said that before he's even inaugurated, he would "get" peace in Israel. That is verbal expression of intent to violate U.S. Code Section 953.

Sure, it's obviously debatable whether or not he'd even be prosecuted, but it nevertheless and still constitutes an admission of intent by a private citizen to violate a federal law.

So much for global leadership. :(

We can't all be Canada...

... leading the world in oil production growth.

Taylor something or other. ;)

No, the US is non-serious on the file of climate change. Leaders talk a good game but when it gets right down to it, neither presidential candidate, let alone the current president, would do anything significant to stop the steadily increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide to the point where other feel-good measures to fight climate change are rendered meaningless.

So much for global leadership. :(