unicorn

So stupid. Instead of intimidating Poland, the bald-headed dumbo is just pissing them off. One of these days some Russian or Belarussian plane will stray into Polish airspace on its way to Kaliningrad, and I hope the Poles shoot the plane down, just like the Turks did. He's already pissed off Lithuania. Now, the smooth-headed idiot pissed off the other country Kaliningrad borders.

If not to prison, at least to a rehab center and/or mental health facility. What an odd dollar figure...

You hit the nail on the head. One can only wonder how things would have gone if Biden hadn't developed dementia, but one of the most terrible aspects of dementia is that most often the person with dementia doesn't understand his cognitive loss. We're seeing it again in Trump. I suspect the country will be in a shitty spot by the time of the next US Presidential Election. I also suspect whoever the Republican candidate is will have better answers as to how he'd have done things differently from Trump.

You tell 'em! 😉

Yet at no point, I suspect, did @Suckrates ask himself if he was the one being rude... 😉

You're hallucinating. I had only one (relatively young--he was 25 when we first met) Latin lover--the lyin' Paraguayan. You need a reality check. I didn't start this string. The original poster specifically asked other posters to summarize their last year (and listed his year, as did other responders). If you're not interested, don't read the responses (and shut up about it). And, for the record, I didn't feel taken advantage of (although he did lie to me). We had some great times together, and I don't regret our time together (though I won't put up with being lied to). When other posters recounted being ghosted after those posters showed the young men kindness, I offered my support and words of encouragement. I don't see any other explanation for your disagreeable comments, other than jealousy. You're the one starting things up with nasty comments, then comment on my demeanor?

While most Americans probably don't understand the reality of trans people as of this time, the overwhelming majority of Americans understand the reality of same-sex marriage at this point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_opinion_of_same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States "...A 2023 New York Times/Siena poll found that 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage and 22% oppose it. Younger generations report higher approval; in the 2022 General Social Survey, almost 80% of 18–34 year olds either agreed or strongly agreed that same-sex couples should have the right to marry. Garretson (2018) writes: "The transformation of America's response to homosexuality has been — and continues to be — one of the most rapid and sustained shifts in mass attitudes since the start of public polling...". Degree of public support for same-sex marriage by state in 2024:[1] 80–81% 70–79% 60–69% 50–59% Had the SCOTUS reversed its previous ruling, I think this would have further inflamed the bulk of the American public against the GOP. Yes, I suspect Thomas and Alito probably would have like to reverse the ruling. However, the other three conservative justices probably saw the wisdom in not shaking the hornets' nest. While there were few significant elections in this last round, most voters have shown significant displeasure at the far-right swing from the 2024 elections. It will probably take another decade, maybe two, for Americans to understand trans people. Trans people in the public eye will probably be important drivers for public understanding.

While one can certainly extend the trip for touring before and/or after, the conferences I go to run from 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM. None of the costs are tax deductible for me (transportation, hotels, meals, conference fee).

January: Quiet month! February: medical conference in Fort Lauderdale Late March-April: Belgium & Paris May: Cruise--Barcelona, Toulon, Cinque Terre, Rome, Capri, Valletta, Messina/Taormina, Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Granada (Alhambra), Portimao, Lisbon, further travel to Sintra, Batalha, Tomar, and Alcobaça. June: fabulous Flag Day party at my place! July: Saugatuck Michigan, Grand Rapids, Mackinac Island. August: fabulous party at my place! September: quiet month! October: Sensational New England leaf peeping tour, including the easternmost point in the Continental US/closest place in the US to Africa (West Quoddy Head, Maine), topped by a medical conference in Providence RI November: just finished a quick trip to Las Vegas, preparing family dinner for Thansgiving December: Antarctic Cruise, with extension in Santiago