unicorn

I don't know enough about the case to be able to say whether he's simply nuts or simply an evil person. If he's not nuts, I agree with you that a substantial prison sentence would have been advisable. I think everyone would agree that he should never be able to fly an airplane again, and even that he should need to go through a substance abuse program in order to earn his license to operate a motor vehicle back.

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

I owe, I owe, so off to work I go... 😉

😉

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That was what my mother (who grew up with wealthy parents) taught me. When she'd see someone pass by wearing designer logos, she'd tell me privately "How vulgar!". Really classy people dress modestly. They don't need to try to dress to impress. My brother's wife was the CEO of a major corporation, and she took the subway every day from their place in the upper east side to her work downtown. Brother Day might want to consider investing more in his youth. A wise investment at age 23 goes a long way!

Time will tell, but the few clues we have from this last election suggest swing voters have had enough of Trump and his antics. Virginia is a swing state, which can easily vote for either party in statewide elections. Elections in that state are usually close, either way. The Democratic candidate for governor won with a 15% margin over her opponent. The Attorney General vote went to the Democrat by 5.5%, despite texts he sent in 2002: “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” the text reads in part, referring to Gilbert and the two dictators. (Gilbert was the Republican Speaker of the [Virginia] House at the time) https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/04/politics/virginia-democratic-nominee-attorney-general-facing-pressure For Lieutenant Governor, Ghazala Hashmi won by an over 10% margin--the first Muslim woman in the nation to win statewide office. Every single one of those 3 positions was previously held by a Republican. https://www.cnn.com/election/2025/results/virginia In New Jersey, the only other state with a governor's race, the Democrat won by an almost 14% margin. https://www.cnn.com/election/2025/results/new-jersey A Muslim also won New York City's mayoral race, with 9% more than his closest opponent (and 43% more than the Republican), even though Jews make up 12% of the city's population. Zohran Mamdani won every borough except Staten Island. https://www.cnn.com/election/2025/results/new-york-city-mayor In California, an election to abandon nonpartisan commissions' role in drawing US Congressional districts (in response to similar moves in Republican states) won by an almost 2:1 margin, even though only 45.3% of California's voters are registered as Democrats: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/50 https://www.ppic.org/publication/california-voter-and-party-profiles/ Elections are decided by swing voters. I believe we know what swing voters are thinking at this time. Where possible, Republicans are doing what they can to dilute votes from Democrats, and lawmakers in several states, such as Texas, have been successful in doing that. We were touring Maine last month, and Republicans had put forth a measure to make it more difficult to vote absentee/by mail. We saw plenty of "Yes on 1" yard signs throughout the trip (much more than no signs), and were worried. Maine is another swing state, with one Republican US Senator and one Independent. That ballot measure was trounced, by an almost 30% margin. (Also a gun control measure won handily). https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_Question_1,_Require_Voter_Photo_ID_and_Change_Absentee_Ballot_and_Drop_Box_Rules_Initiative_(2025) Much can change in 1 year, and Republicans continue their shenanigans where they can (without direct voter involvement). I think that independent voters now have a dim view of Republican misdeeds, at least as of this time, however.

Yes, except for the part about the guilt and shame adding up. Since he's a sociopath, I doubt he feels any guilt or shame. 😉It took a long time, but I think the swing voters are finally realizing that they elected a lifelong con-man: a smooth-talker who lies with every breath.

I can think of few things more unkind that ghosting someone who's shown nothing but kindness himself. All we can do in such circumstances is remind oneself that we were the ones being kind, and especially that we did nothing wrong. Clearly, the men @KeepItReal and @PeterRS were helping wanted to move onto a new chapter their lives. It wouldn't have taken but a modicum of decency for them to simply explain that. But that's simply on them. All one can do is cherish the good memories. Just remember that you did nothing but good, and had some happy times while doing it.

Obviously, not the norm for me either, hence the question.

You must be a brilliant conversationalist at parties... 😉