Melissa Barrera showed solidarity with Palestinians. Hollywood showed its persistent double standard.

[DFW]

32. It's the American students I run into

It's a slice, not the whole pie. But what I said does reflect the Americans of that age I run into, both here and in the States. Just today, on the train back from NL, there was an American family across from me discussing what their immediate travel plans would be. Parents maybe 50, children 20-25. All they were talking about were the sights they would see and how to get there, having no idea about any of the gerography, mispronouncing everything, and basically making me ashamed to be a holder of the same passport. If you run into many educated and aware American 18-25 years olds, then bravo. I sure don't. Check with me in 15 years, if I live that long, when I'll have an American (sorta) grandchild. Although my four grandchildren have (or will have) U.S. citizenship, none of their parents were born in the USA, or have English as their first language.

By the way, in the future, help me out with some specifics instead of abbreviations. I hear all these terms used all over, but as to what is meant by GenX, Millenials and Zoomers, I don't know, and can't be bothered to look them up every time. These are not terms used much here, and when I talk with back home, it's either for work, or else arranging visits with family or political types, with whom, in an an election cycle, we discuss election strategy, not show business personalities supporting one side or other in the MIddle East. After all, as far as I could see in the last 15 years, even Clint Eastwood only ended up preaching to a very small choir. I can't even say I get a broad picture of the American "celebrities," either, since there are basically only two Republicans I ever talk to. One is a total nut case--entertaining, but a dangerous, smart, very active 90 year old (and they call Joe Biden old) nut case--and the other is a personable, smart former southern governor who keeps his mouth shut when the going gets rough, leading me to think he might want to run for the Senate, or even his old seat in the governor's mansion. We will all be meeting up again over New Year's, so I'll hear more then, although what is said there is off the record. I need to tread carefully about what I repeat so as not to break the rules.