RA1

It further felt the need to explain the phrase, in French, which the Guardian re-translates to the best of our ability here: “Literally, shithole means hole of shit, and refers to toilets and, by extension, backwaters, ‘ratholes’.” Courrier’s headline, however, declared “pays de merde” to be the word of the day. The headline in Poland’s liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza, based in Warsaw, referred to “Donalda Trumpa” slamming “imigrantach z zapudia”, which means immigrants from either shitholes, hellholes or “nowhere”. Meanwhile, in some of the countries Trump insulted, there was no confusion. Digital news site La Pagina in El Salvador referred in its headline to “agujeros de mier…”, which is the equivalent of saying “s…holes”. Advertisement Haiti’s oldest daily newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, ran a coy and cryptic headline in French meaning simply: “The Haitian government condemns Trump’s words.” But in the body of the story itself it dispensed with both modesty and asterisks and referred plainly to “un trou de merde”. Given that Trump didn’t specify which countries in Africa he was referring to, it was tricky for some nations to know how to respond. At least Trump appeared to know that Africa is a continent not a single country, unlike 2008’s vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Still. The government of Botswana posted a tweet announcing that it has “enquired from the US Government, through the ambassador, to clarify if Botswana is regarded as a “shithole” country.” It said it viewed “the utterances as highly irresponsible, reprehensible and racist.” In the US, policies differed widely. The Washington Post, which broke the story, wrote shithole in its headline and within the story. But although the Post’s article was syndicated for use in the Salt Lake Tribune, in Utah, word for word, the newspaper in that more conservative patch of America chose to employ a censor’s pencil and doctored the headline and body of the story to read “s---hole”. USA Today used the word within the story but headlined it: “Report: Trump uses crude term while attacking protections for immigrants.” The Associated Press wrote primly: “Trump dismisses Haiti, African countries with vulgarity.” On New York radio station WNYC on Friday morning, host David Greene cautioned listeners sternly: “I want to warn you, according to our sources, he used a word that might offend you,” before clearly enunciating the offending word. The Guardian published the word in full in its headline and story. Network TV news programs were careful. NBC Nightly News repeated the word just once and anchor Lester Holt warned viewers beforehand. CBS and ABC did not use the word. PBS News Hour went with “S-blank-hole countries.” But CNN wrote the word out in full on its chyron, the headline along the bottom of the screen. Friday morning’s GMA breakfast show on ABC had host George Stephanopoulos explaining that the station’s policy was “not to repeat the profanity.” But he then expressed his own dissent, saying: “I think that’s probably a mistake.” Topics https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/12/trump-shithole-countries-lost-in-translation I have been in countries where birds don't fly but not one where birds don't lay eggs. Darwin likely would prevent such as that. Best regards, RA1

Maybe, but I was unaware she was a past President. Best regards, RA1

There is no past President that I would like to see elected today. I keep hoping for better. Unfortunately better seems to be a forlorn hope. Best regards, RA1

Because all cars will be driverless? Best regards, RA1

What civil war? You mean the war of yankee aggression? Best regards, RA1

As in catharsis? Unfortunately I believe far too many have not averted their eyes and in fact are just not looking full stop. Best regards, RA1

You cannot save the world. You will be lucky if you save yourself. Best regards, RA1

Why resist the urge to not be sane? Best regards, RA1

Drink more whiskey and outspend them in dollars and lives. The American way. Best regards, RA1

He just stepped out for a smoke, as per current airline regs. Best regards, RA1

I think I was treated once by the rod of Ascelpius.. Best regards, RA1

Perception is everything. Best regards, RA1

Oh, it is far more complicated than that. But I certainly agree that everything is subjective. Best regards, RA1

It only takes a moment to get insight, doesn't it? That is, if one receives insight. Best regards, RA1

You certainly like to delve into camera obscura. Keep on doing it. Best regards, RA1

At least you grew up (presumably). Best regards, RA1

As you very well know, "early" children were viewed as extra hands to provide labor and whatever else they could to help support the family. I am not so sure that they were thought to be independent as they were provided benign neglect. As to your upbringing, was it as you describe or were you (as was I) a product of simpler times when we could play outside until called in by our parents? Best regards, RA1

Unless parents start much earlier than 11-12 years old, the children will have already been "exposed" to nudity. Unfortunately we have children of that approximate age who are parents themselves. They probably were exposed to nudity at some point. PC has completely run amok. Do as I say, not as I do. Best regards, RA1

You cannot actually leave the Congress critters out of the USPS equation. They have to vote to agree to increase the postage rates. The Congress pays what is called a foregone profit which subsidizes various forms of mail to include foreign voters, blind folks, Congress critters themselves, etc. Although these "programs" are not a direct tap on tax money, for me they are close enough. As you know, government spending has to first be sucked from us, the taxpayers. Best regards, RA1

I am almost completely unaware of what The Donald is aware. Considering I was very afraid of Hilarious I am very much less than satisfied with DT. Best regards, RA1

Does anyone really think that government workers generally are supporters of Trump? While the USPS is no longer a part of the Federal government, it still is a monopoly that can tap tax money. It also puzzles me that FEDEX and UPS can deliver cheaper than the USPS. (Not really, just adding fuel to the fire.) Best regards, RA1

Correct. Best regards, RA1

The world in general and the US in particular cannot seem to "get over" the royals. Who cares? They should sneak off and get hitched by a JP. Best regards, RA1

I get the same feeling about US aircraft carrier construction. The best in the world but scary to see happen. Best regards, RA1

Those look like last year's dates. Don't know about the plums. Of course last year's dates still look good. Best regards, RA1