Note to China

Just wanted to publicly tell all those who might be lending the U.S. money--I'm not paying the bill.  There is no more income and we cannot afford to pay any more debt.  The people in DC are signing on the dotted line to borrow money that I cannot pay back; debt that I do not intend to honor.  Just saying.

Congress thinks this country is wealthy and that in the long run it will all take care of itself as it always has in the past...after all they are just talking numbers.  They have no comprehension of the meaning of the numbers.  They authorize the printing of new 100 dollar bills, but what makes those pieces of paper worth anything?  The industriousness of the American people have always put the value behind that paper (after being taken off gold as the standard).  But the American people are losing jobs, losing their resources-still the government takes a majority of their fruits.  American industriousness is being quickly used up.

They are borrowing against the future golden eggs, but killing the goose that lays 'em.

I see my country going down in flames.  The strong, the ingenious and the crooks will all survive, even thrive; the rest will perish.

Interesting how this statistic comes out at the same time..."Washington D.C. Adults are Nation’s Top Drug and Alcohol Abusers."  Seems they have too much money and overindulge in hedonistic pleasures.

Just Another Brussels Protest

There is a protest just about every week in Brussels, they are scheduled like concerts.  Most are political protests, some are social protest and in this case, an impromptu protest.

Video

This happened very close to my residence, I actually drove thru the very first part of it.  Apparently a taxi driver who was not licensed to pick up passengers at the airport did just that.  Then when a policeman wanted to check his registration papers he ran over the officer and drove with him on the hood for 2 km.  The officer, trying to get the car to stop shot at the driver and mass chaos ensued.

Welcome to Brussels 

It is Official

Its official - I don't like this post.

Don't hate it or I'd be leaving here tomorrow, but it will NOT go down as one of my favorite postings.  I've been here 265 days and I don't like much more than when I arrived.

The job satisfaction is right up there with my previous job in a "private bank," come to think of it the morale is just about as high.

My bid list should come out in the next few months and if I'm lucky I might get out of here by next May.

Rare Glimpse

Okay, my friends are always asking about what it is like working for the Department of State.  Most of the time my answer is very general, as we are very protective of what we do, which we feel is very important.  The Department and "diplomats" are often painted unflatteringly in the media, but you will rarely hear a public rebuttal from the men and women who serve with that unique American sense of honor. 

U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Cynthia Stroum Resigns. 

Here is a rare glimpse behind the scenes.  It is an interesting read, though it may have some dry parts-it is an Inspector General's report after all.  This is all public information.

There is so much to learn here, more in what you don't see than what is overtly stated.  Diplomats by nature avoid high emotion, preferring long term, objective, factual reporting.  In diplomatic-speak this is actually quite extraordinary.

And though some would laugh at how this could be important-this is Luxembourg!?!!  It is exactly the low key, consistent work that your representatives do everyday in small (and big) posts all over the world that serve our interest so well.  Officers make contacts, build relationships and show themselves to be people of good character.  This reflects well on all Americans.

When the day comes that we need something from our counterparts - be it help with criminal banking transactions, repatriating U.S. citizens, or a kind word on our behalf to a friend-of-a-friend nation - those relationships matter.  And it truly is important that our ambassadors are people of character, with a strong sense of decorum and well developed manners.

First Snow

I have heard so many conflicting stories about Brussels winter weather.  Those who do not live here are convinced it rains all the time and the winters are brutal.  Those who do live here are split between horribly cold winter and not so bad...we shall see.

There were snow flurries on Thanksgiving day, but it was sunny and mild over the weekend.  The last few days it has gotten noticibly colder and this morning I awoke to what would be a major snowfall for Tennessee.  The ground is covered, but green grass is still visible.  The sky is just grey, but I think that is the norm. 

I hear there are predictions for a "dump" tonight.  I have no idea just how much snow that could really mean, but it is rather pretty.

Warm Towels

I adore the radiator style heat in my home.  They keep the house very comfortable.  The ceramic floor in the bathroom is warm because warm water runs beneath it and the radiators on the wall gives out so much warmth.  The very best thing about it that I can take my big fat fluffy robe and put it on the radiator which makes getting out of the shower like jumping into towels fresh from the dryer!

Learning French

I've been taking French classes since shortly after my arrival.  I am surprised at just how quickly I have picked it up, but I'm certainly not a speaker of the language yet.  I can put together a few sentences and read more of the signs around town.  Now I just need to find a friend who is a native French speaker!