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US state of the union in a nutshell
May. 19th, 2025 09:47 pmOne can’t describe any better 2025 USA than this short standup clip about Amtrak (by someone born in a ex-communist country). And don’t bring up excuses like population density (which does not apply on Northeastern train routes) or the amazing air travel alternatives (which makes one take shoes off on every takeoff, line up like cattle for a silly security kabuki dance and packs all in steerage with zero elbow and knee room and hands out 1/2 oz pretzels and one can of soda as free refreshments). #1 my foot. How the mighty have fallen.
LE: I forgot to mention that 2025 USA requires that one needs to be careful about what she says or writes (especially on social media) and if they have been indiscrete in the last few years, they might have to spend a few hours scrubbing their social media posts or bring a burner instead of personal phone on US trips lest they risk a nasty encounter with the brown shirts at the border. For the few of us that were born behind the Iron Curtain, there is definitely a very bitter sense of deja vu along with the realization that the pendulum of autocracy swings unimpeded even in those places where its inhabitants sincerely believe that their country is a beacon of democracy while their dear leader is sucking up to and colluding with the top autocrats in the world, has stacked its top court already and is working hard to muzzle any last ember of its much vaunted “free” (corporate) press.
LE: I forgot to mention that 2025 USA requires that one needs to be careful about what she says or writes (especially on social media) and if they have been indiscrete in the last few years, they might have to spend a few hours scrubbing their social media posts or bring a burner instead of personal phone on US trips lest they risk a nasty encounter with the brown shirts at the border. For the few of us that were born behind the Iron Curtain, there is definitely a very bitter sense of deja vu along with the realization that the pendulum of autocracy swings unimpeded even in those places where its inhabitants sincerely believe that their country is a beacon of democracy while their dear leader is sucking up to and colluding with the top autocrats in the world, has stacked its top court already and is working hard to muzzle any last ember of its much vaunted “free” (corporate) press.
