188 Comments
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Abandoned Afghan Ally's avatar

I’m writing to you from afar as an Afghan veteran. I truly appreciate your work from the bottom of my heart; you are doing an amazing job serving the American people through the media. I just have one humble request, sir: please remember those whom America invested in for twenty years, only to abandon them in Afghanistan at the very end. I will never forget this betrayal as long as I live. Once again, thank you so very much. Be happy and healthy

Gail Rieder's avatar

Neither will I. It's absolutely wrong, evil and heartbreaking. I'm so sorry.

Mark McIntyre's avatar

John Roberts & The Supremes just handed Trump another victory for immigration enforcement. The ruling allows deportation of refugees who are here legally protected by U.S. law. Most of those targeted are people from Haiti and Somalia showing this is no doubt racially motivated.

Lest we forget, it was Trump who signed that deal with the Taliban known as the Doha Accord. They agreed the U.S. would withdraw by May 2021. By then Biden was president and extended it until August. A suicide bomber tied to ISIS-K, an enemy of the Taliban, killed American military personnel and Biden took all the blame. The exit was going to be messy no matter who was president.

Connie Yi's avatar

Thank you for writing this. This plus the many ways Trump subotaging the Biden presidency

Mark McIntyre's avatar

Trump never takes responsibility and always needs someone to blame.

Lilla Russell's avatar

I agree with all that Gail so perfectly expressed to you. It was unforgivable how we abandoned you and other Afghan Allies. Thank you. We won't forget this betrayal.

Charles G. Masi's avatar

Apologies for American navel-gazing while our sneaky far-right unreconstructed Confederate States of America remnant staged a back-bench takeover of the U.S. government, thereby wrecking everything for everybody throughout the world. We haven't forgotten Afghanistan, but those slimy good-for-nothings have done so much damage that it's hard to give each atrocity the attention we would like to. We are in the throes of the POHFF strategy (Put Out the Hottest Fire First).

Abandoned Afghan Ally's avatar

Thank you for your understanding and empathy. Hearing this from you means a lot to us. We know there are good people everywhere in the world. I hope a day comes when true peace and justice prevail. Thank you again for not forgetting us.

Dulcie Sussman's avatar

We’re mortified by the abandonment and are working hard for Dems to turn things around.

We are grateful for the AP and their fair reporting. There’s a heartbreaking story in our paper today about an Afghani legally being processed for asylum nabbed by ICE (while dropping off his kids at school) who died a day later after withholding his inhaler. And now there’s a coverup.

Corlis Robe's avatar

Thank you for your service.

Jean's avatar

We haven't forgotten you and your people. We are helping through the Afghan Girls Financial Foundation, which is trying to save girls by getting them out of the country and providing educational opportunities they can no longer get there.

Please don't lose hope. With all our efforts, the tide will turn.

Abandoned Afghan Ally's avatar

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for not forgetting us, and I truly appreciate your support. I hope the U.S. government will pay attention to the situation of us Afghan allies.

Anne H's avatar

We can all quietly discuss yesterday's soccer/football game while you rest.....

Kevin Patrick Tinsley's avatar

As a Brit I don't want to intrude on private grief...

Jamie Woodhouse's avatar

Dear Mr. Tinsley, I assure you thinking Americans believe the game's outcome just perfect, and an appropriate rebuke from the Almighty to our President.

Chicagoshirl's avatar

Indeed, I feel for the players but must admit I experienced much schadenfreude towards the orange cheating narcissist when the score popped on my phone.

Sherry Sauerwine's avatar

Truth is that the US men were beaten by a better team.

Mary Ann Yaeger's avatar

For whatever reason, yes. The US team was outplayed by the Belgiums in that game. End of story.

Karel Tripp's avatar

I feel sad for the players. They must have been demoralised by the fiasco.

Stephen Bosch's avatar

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.

And sometimes the arc of the moral universe is a left flank headed in by Charles deKetelaere.

Laura's avatar

Go Belgium!!!

John T. Cullen's avatar

He is not our president... never elected... there is no 'electoral college' in the U.S. Constitution. Trump is pure and simple what historians call A Usurper (one who unlawfully seized and clings to power).

Winston Smith London Oceania's avatar

I agree Trumpkopf usurped the election, but not for the reason you state. I believe voting machines were hacked, based on Trumpkopf's own words, speaking of Mu卐kRat: "He knows those computers better than anybody. All those computers. Those vote-counting computers, and we ended up winning Pennsylvania like in a landslide".

.

With that said, the electoral college is precisely described in the Constitution, Article II, Section I:

"The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector..."

https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/

bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

Belgium was the better side last night.

JMHO, Infantino's groveling added some pressure to the U.S. team, and gave somr motivation to Belgium.

Drew's avatar

I’m American but I lived in the UK for thirteen years. I’m a big England fan. I really want football (not gridiron football) to expand in quality and attention to expand in America.

Both games were really difficult to watch; but for opposite reasons.

Down to ten men England, for an hour in a foreign country on the road was hard to get through. Watching what is certainly a much better US team than what they showed last night was its own sort of torture. We looked like we had forgotten soccer basics. And our keeper’s timing coming way out from the area (his goal) to gift an empty net goal to Belgium told the whole story. Thanks to our Pres getting involved, I’m sure much of the world was enjoying it.

Kevin Patrick Tinsley's avatar

I didn't see the sending off, but a number of people I correspond with thought it too harsh, and that the foul was accidental. I don't know if that justifies your President's actions but it may be that the overturning was just - just as the result of the match was. Be great if the World Cup led to a major blossoming of soccer in the US and Canada.

Rena Stone's avatar

Au contraire, I was thrilled to learn that Chump's meddling in the game did not result in a victory for the US team - a victory that would undoubtedly have been tainted.

Gail Stewart-Iles's avatar

The US was the biggest loser after the corrupt intervention!

Kimberly's avatar

So, we had waffles this morning for breakfast. The US team got what they deserved. And a hardy piss off to the NYT for leading with what the US team did wrong instead of what Belgium did right.

Freddie Baudat's avatar

I suppose if Mr Trump hadn’t intervened, now that the US lost, he’d be saying “it was rigged—the game was rigged.” And then go on a long slanderous screed about the referee—including hundreds of posts and memes. I wonder if Belgium wants that ring they gave him back.

George Patterson's avatar

He'll do that anyway.

Freddie Baudat's avatar

I realized that after posting. No doubt the ref’s past will be called into question and FIFA will fire him. But what I say to Trump is “those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. That the glass is tinted in your tower won’t protect you. Epstein Files.”

David Zanoni's avatar

Oh God, I really don't want to re-live that debacle

Mary Lally's avatar

Take care of yourself. Good people are scarce.

Rebecca Davison's avatar

Take it easy. We will be here.

Jamie Woodhouse's avatar

Dr. Krugman, we share the same age cohort. Your production pace is incredible and admirable.

Aspenwood's avatar

Rest and return. And please stay cool. Thank you for taking care of yourself!

stuart burstin's avatar

I wonder how much of the wall you have hit is the onslaught to decency and reason one is faced with daily brought on be the Regime attacking the enlightenment’s slow progress toward a more fair and abundant world

Lilla Russell's avatar

Yes Stuart, I wonder the same thing! It is so difficult and painful to be awake to the pervasive lack of "decency and reason" on a daily basis. I'm so glad that Paul is putting his health above all else and resting today. One's health has to be the #1 priority. I hope Paul takes all the time he needs as we so need his voice, especially now, and his return. I also think that the level of corruption is weighing heavily on all of us. Take good care of yourself Paul. We're so grateful for you. Thanks for your comment Stuart. I so agree with you. After last night's news, I, myself, slept fitfully and also woke up with a headache.

Pierre Belley's avatar

Reposez vous bien. On traverse une période terrible, il faut rester rester solidaire et prendre soin les uns des autres. Bonne journée.

Rena Stone's avatar

Tout est vrai....

Kevin Patrick Tinsley's avatar

Take it easy mate. The stats aren't going anywhere.

The Justice Warrior's avatar

Self-care is crucial for creativity and productivity, Paul. Chill. Breathe. Get your groove on and resume when inspired.

Krispy's avatar

That goes for the rest of us too.

As Dr. Weil recommends, go on a NEWS DIET from time to time.

solvay peterson's avatar

Take care of yourself, please! Rest well!

Mike Fay's avatar

Take it easy, appreciate all your knowledge sharing Paul! And humour.

Lilla Russell's avatar

Thanks Mike. Besides so appreciating Paul's extensive "knowledge sharing and sense of humor, I would also like to add his expertly chosen "Musical Codas" which I love! Music is so healing. I hope Paul is also listening to music today and maybe spending time in nature as nature is equally healing. Take good care of yourself Paul as we need you back after you're feeling better.

Dawn's avatar

Take care of yourself!

Thomas Reiland's avatar

Congratulations to the Belgians, they were clearly the superior team and got to have the last laugh: https://x.com/BelRedDevils/status/2074315204704240101.

The dozing dotard's constant habit of sticking his corrupt orange nose where it doesn't belong put the US team in a lose-lose situation. I wonder what he will do to screw up the 2028 LA Olympics after ruining our 250th birthday and the World Cup.

George Patterson's avatar

Probably force them to put his mug shot on all of the medals.

Ron's avatar

I'm very sorry to hear that. Take a break, and get some rest!