Chess, Checkers, or Go Fish
Are you paying attention to world events and geopolitics?
A few months ago I found myself really interested in what was going on in France. After I started watching some news reports on YouTube I found myself going down a rabbit hole of EU politics dating back to 2021. I started realizing there was a common theme across American and European politics. Immigration, assimilation, economic issues and leftist radical ideas are not just talking points for US voters and political pundits, they were also topics of concern in France, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Germany, the list goes on.
One country that jumped out at me while traveling down this rabbit hole was Poland. They actually erected a wall to keep illegal border crossers from coming through Belarus into Poland. Poland has a complicated relationship with illegal immigration and the EU's stance. Hungary is also in opposition of the EU Immigration and relocation policy. Italy in 2023 declared a state of emergency because record number of illegal immigrants landed on its shores. Denmark has a tough stance on illegal immigration and pushes back on EU. Germany just temporarily closed its borders placing check points for travelers from all bordering countries to monitor for smuggling of illegals.
The United Kingdom also is dealing with immigration issues and citizens are lashing out. Even though the socialist leaning party won the election opposing right leaning ideas, the overwhelming number of illegal immigrants are causing real issues that can't be ignored. The immigration issue has created odd bed fellows. The UK is seeking help from Italy's right leaning PM.
I think we had a lot of Go Fish and kumbiya kool-aid circling the glode the past 5 to 10 years. Less world leaders had that grit and skill set to navigate a chess board. So many just sat back playcating ignorant ideas rooted in ideology instead of fact and understanding historical significance of such ideas in the past not learning but rather reliving.
I understand world peace is a utopic ideal, but calm waters and coexistence would be nice. A good dose of common sense is needed across the entire globe, and people need to understand laws, rules, and societal norms are needed for civilized societies.
For more on this topic check out my previous essay post, Compassion verse Common Sense.
Compassion verse Common Sense
I have been thinking a lot about compassion, and common sense. What is compassion today? My opinions and feelings towards the chaos and radical ideas that flow across TV networks and all social media have me thinking I can't possibly be the only one feeling the way I do. There has to be compassionate, common sense like minded humans left on earth, ri…
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How timely that I should read this right now.
Yesterday I became aware of an argument that has left very hard feelings between a father and his adult daughter I know. Several months ago they were talking, and the father made reference to “illegal immigrants” and “aliens.” The daughter became angry and called him a “nationalist.” (She might have called him a “dirty nationalist.”)
The father talked about the need to protect borders. He asked his daughter if she locked her doors at night. She wanted to know what that had to do with it.
They haven’t spoken since.