Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Four

And Spins....I agree with your observations "Those who are enemies of democracy thrilled.

And takes focus away from malfeasance of mr Orangeman." And happy there is some light for you with the Silver Box! :)

Bill....your story is fascinating! Leaving Canada must have been somewhat of a challenging decision. I can understand wanting to leave the cold and snow though!

Bill.

Can't wait for the next chapter!

Bill, thanks for your first chapterette. I am so looking forward to more.:)

Bill....your story is fascinating! Leaving Canada must have been somewhat of a challenging decision. I can understand wanting to leave the cold and snow though!

I grew up in Victoria with its 'Mediterranean' climate... where is doesn't get hot in summer or cold in winter. There's rarely snow (except for the winter of '68/'69 and the blizzard of '96).

I did spend many winters on ships covered in ice... and many summers in the north Pacific where for months there is nothing but: overcast, rain, drizzle, mist and fog. I used to stand on the bridge and say "My life is study in grey, black and white."

Bill....I can take overcast, rain, drizzle, mist and fog. At this stage in my life cold and snow are becoming unbearable! Thanks for sharing your life journey! Indeed fascinating!

Well, I'm afraid that I don't really share the same faith in democracy as others, and perhaps predictably in answer to the question what would you put in it's place then I am more opaque. There has to be something between the two extremes.

In the UK we certainly have a rather illusory democracy where virtually no voter has any influence over who becomes Prime Minister except extremely tenuously. And if the accounts I've read are correct that it cost $6.5bn for Americans to produce their chosen candidate for the White House, that implies to me that it is extremely wealthy narrow interests that will decide what government does and that the vote shows how desperate American marginalised society is.

The core conundrum in my view that will cause democracy to implode is that the natural bed-fellow of democracy is capitalism, and under that model inequality inevitably widens. Currently there are 42 people in the world that hold the same wealth as the worlds 3.7bn poorest ie nearly 50% of the world's population. The world's richest 1% get 82% of the wealth. Most people I think would like to see a fairer distribution of that wealth so that no one should be thirsty, hungry, cold or have an illness that will not be treated. And there is sufficient wealth in the world to achieve that.If that means that those 42 people will have substantially less, or that 1% substantially less, then I am all for it. What that inequality causes is the unrest and dissatisfaction we see in the world's democracies. Most studies agree that democracy is now in retreat having had it's hiatus during the opening of the East-European states. Now countries that were previously reasonably democratic like Turkey for example are losing human rights and freedoms gained over an extended period.

It seems to me that so desperate were the American electorate that the protest voters and the positive voters very narrowly placed a man in the White House that seems the least likely to be fighting for the poor and oppressed and for the interests of those that still seem to think of him as "their man". In the UK we have more people that are homeless and a whole increasing section of society relying on food banks to avoid hunger. The problem is that in a capitalist democratic society politicians have to promise the electorate things that they shouldn't be promising, and probably can never deliver and it is those unfulfilled cycle of promises that cause protest voting which produces a protest but also far more serious unintended or unwanted consequences like some would say Trump. I think it is that degree of increasing frustration and anger that will eventually be the catalyst for extreme dissatisfaction with the illusion of democracy. Democracy gives you the right to be extremely poor.

On the other side, it seems that the natural bedfellow of monarchies is benevolence of some sort and often with dictatorships and obviously communism comes some form of socialism and that produces dissatisfied people eager to be in control of their own destiny's and wish to be capitalists. Or so it seems. But it seems to me that on the whole the Chinese seem more satisfied now than they use to be ….. but how do we know? They seem more frustrated that they aren't getting rich quickly enough.

The system that has produced Trump and that has produced a completely emasculated government that we have and that produced the EU without any citizen voting for it has too many warts for me. I'm not clear how to produce it but what I want the outcome to be is a fairer distribution of wealth in the world. How? I do not know.

That's my aimless incoherent illogical ramblings over with for today! :)

l

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I'm with you all on the sorry state of American politics, and especially as a Puerto Rican ashamed on how we've been treated, but proud to be a citizen of this country as I have faith in its future.

Yesterday was a very rewarding day at my Drama Club, but the weather for driving was sort of scary. Hopefully our NY groundhog (was this the murdered one, Mudhen?) will be wrong in its forecast. I'm SO happy for Spins, the silver box is always a spring wish! Who else will be cruising soon?

"Staten Island Chuck I" was dropped on his head by Mayor DeBlasio....I'm assuming he died of a broken neck. Poor baby....

"Staten Island Chuck II" is alive and well and has not been touched by DeBlasio. He DID NOT see his shadow....Chuck, that is. Who knows ( or cares ) about Deblasio's shadow!

OH THE SILVER BOX!....That is, indeed, a wonderful harbringer of spring!

I've also just found out that Spins is on our TA in Sept! We're gonna have FUN! Yea!!!

these are dark days for America. Smacking of McCarthyism and HUAC.

Well, I'm afraid that I don't really share the same faith in democracy as others, and perhaps predictably in answer to the question what would you put in it's place then I am more opaque. There has to be something between the two extremes.

 

In the UK we certainly have a rather illusory democracy where virtually no voter has any influence over who becomes Prime Minister except extremely tenuously. And if the accounts I've read are correct that it cost $6.5bn for Americans to produce their chosen candidate for the White House, that implies to me that it is extremely wealthy narrow interests that will decide what government does and that the vote shows how desperate American marginalised society is.

 

The core conundrum in my view that will cause democracy to implode is that the natural bed-fellow of democracy is capitalism, and under that model inequality inevitably widens. Currently there are 42 people in the world that hold the same wealth as the worlds 3.7bn poorest ie nearly 50% of the world's population. The world's richest 1% get 82% of the wealth. Most people I think would like to see a fairer distribution of that wealth so that no one should be thirsty, hungry, cold or have an illness that will not be treated. And there is sufficient wealth in the world to achieve that.If that means that those 42 people will have substantially less, or that 1% substantially less, then I am all for it. What that inequality causes is the unrest and dissatisfaction we see in the world's democracies. Most studies agree that democracy is now in retreat having had it's hiatus during the opening of the East-European states. Now countries that were previously reasonably democratic like Turkey for example are losing human rights and freedoms gained over an extended period.

 

It seems to me that so desperate were the American electorate that the protest voters and the positive voters very narrowly placed a man in the White House that seems the least likely to be fighting for the poor and oppressed and for the interests of those that still seem to think of him as "their man". In the UK we have more people that are homeless and a whole increasing section of society relying on food banks to avoid hunger. The problem is that in a capitalist democratic society politicians have to promise the electorate things that they shouldn't be promising, and probably can never deliver and it is those unfulfilled cycle of promises that cause protest voting which produces a protest but also far more serious unintended or unwanted consequences like some would say Trump. I think it is that degree of increasing frustration and anger that will eventually be the catalyst for extreme dissatisfaction with the illusion of democracy. Democracy gives you the right to be extremely poor.

 

On the other side, it seems that the natural bedfellow of monarchies is benevolence of some sort and often with dictatorships and obviously communism comes some form of socialism and that produces dissatisfied people eager to be in control of their own destiny's and wish to be capitalists. Or so it seems. But it seems to me that on the whole the Chinese seem more satisfied now than they use to be ….. but how do we know? They seem more frustrated that they aren't getting rich quickly enough.

 

The system that has produced Trump and that has produced a completely emasculated government that we have and that produced the EU without any citizen voting for it has too many warts for me. I'm not clear how to produce it but what I want the outcome to be is a fairer distribution of wealth in the world. How? I do not know.

 

That's my aimless incoherent illogical ramblings over with for today! :)

There are many things wrong and many different reasons they are wrong. I'm not going to go into it on our cruise forum. But I will say it is a sad state of affairs in all sides.

I just want people mad at me because if this photo [emoji1]

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Doug,

Welcome to the Cooler which you clearly haven't realised was started so that non-cruise topics could be discussed without apology so do by all means join in. We have found that most post in an adult and courteous way and so it's a chance to exchange thoughts and ideas without input from some of the intolerant lunatics often encountered. I am sure that you have much more to offer. :)

I know you were bought up in my favouite US city, and I hope on your trips to Daglonega you panned for gold and found some. We did! I use to spend a lot of time at Windy Ridge ....... and eat at Cumberland Mall.

Great photo, kmndug. It's ok. I'll tolerate some snow if it means no scorpions in my house.

Love the Arizona desert. So picturesque.

Spins, congrats on the box!

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Hi All,

Heard from Sophia who sends her best to all. She is, like it seems too many of us currently distracted by other important family things and like all Coolers I know our thoughts and sentiments are with her.

Life can be a pig at times but I guess is preferable to the alternative. :)

My good thoughts flow towards Sophia!

And, a propos of cruise news, here are two additional luxury cruise ships....

http://links.scenictours.mkt5808.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MTg5NTQwNjMS1&r=MTM3NTc2Njg2OTgwS0&j=MTIwMDE4NjIxNQS2&mt=1&rt=0

Doug,

 

Welcome to the Cooler which you clearly haven't realised was started so that non-cruise topics could be discussed without apology so do by all means join in. We have found that most post in an adult and courteous way and so it's a chance to exchange thoughts and ideas without input from some of the intolerant lunatics often encountered. I am sure that you have much more to offer. :)

 

I know you were bought up in my favouite US city, and I hope on your trips to Daglonega you panned for gold and found some. We did! I use to spend a lot of time at Windy Ridge ....... and eat at Cumberland Mall.

This is a good thing to have, I would hope that people view me as a person even if my opinions differ. Seems like many throw the people out with the bath water instead of learning why they feel that way. Open eyes.

I'm visit here later. Can private messages be sent in this forum?

Thanks for your information. Are you the one who does the videos?

Doug

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Doug,

I think the one thing that we all have in common is simply a distaste for people who believe that it is impossible to like and be friends with people who hold different opinions to our/their own. The Cooler was started as an antidote to the sometimes intolerant behaviour seen around and with CC moderator approval to be a place where people could chat about non cruise interests. We're now on our fourht thread and I suspect that in total The Cooler has had around 600,000 views .....

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/search.php?searchid=122173001

This is the original idea. Do join in.

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showpost.php?p=39470485&postcount=1

Sophia...thinking of you!

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JP

Had to fend off a scorpion in my former office elevator of all places!

The elevator doors opened right into a parking lot on the Indian River. Somehow it ventured in...

The joke was it was placed there to kill all the lawyers.

Didn't work too well.

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Positive vibes coming your way, Sophia. Thinking of you and all of the other Coolers with difficult issues......

France 13 Ireland 15.

Shame we Irish don't confer Knighthoods- Arise Sir Johnny...

Greetings Coolers! More snow headed our way for this evening into tomorrow. I am sooooo done with winter!

Miss S. thoughts are with you and yours!

Spins....a scorpion in an elevator! EEEK! That is the stuff or nightmares!

Cam....glad you made it safely back and forth from your Drama Club. Hope things are progressing well with the cast!

J...yummy food on display!

Doug....welcome to the Cooler! You will find if you are honest about your allegiances, respectfully of others with different allegiances, polite and fun-loving that the Cooler Bouncer will be most pleased to keep your bar stool dusted and your favourite libation on hand.

Today's funny....

Have a great evening all!

First Day in China -

Three people came to meet me at the airport (CGO): The FAO who had looked after all my visa paper work on the Chinese side, a colleague I had been corresponding with, and the driver. We got my luggage into the car and off we went for lunch at a local hotel/resort. It was a good lunch typical of the local (Henan) food... which bears no resemblance to 'Chinese' food in the west. I had been informed my apartment would not be ready because the 'previous' tenant - a U.S. professor married to a Chinese woman - was still there. They were moving to the States, had a child born in China and were having problems/delays getting a U.S. visa for the kid. I was to stay in the university's hotel (all universities in China have their own hotels) until I could move into my (on campus) apartment. I would need some dinner that night and got an order of chicken/rice/vegetables 'to go'.

After lunch, we headed for the new, 'main' campus where the university's hotel is... but stopped at a 'supermarket' in town so I could get some supplies. I got some instant coffee, milk, sugar, snacks, instant noodles and a couple of Snickers bars etc. By the time we got to the hotel, it was dusk... and the hotel seemed to be closed... and it was! It was a Friday and the spring semester started on Monday - remember I said Chinese universities close completely during vacations. However, there was a student (sitting in the dark by an electric heater) at the reception desk to 'check me in'. We went up (in the dark, in the -5 degree C elevator/hallways to my 2nd floor suite. It was heated and the electricity was on (thank goodness). I was surprised how nice it was - large living room with a half-full, 18 litre drinking water dispenser, sofa, chairs, lamps and huge 'tea table'. The bedroom had quality furnishings, good lighting and a big flat screen TV (no English channels... not even CCTV 9), a king-size bed with an extremely comfortable mattress, quality linens and down pillows. The bathroom was ok, but idiotically designed - the door came within an inch edge of the sink counter when opening and closing. It was standard Asian 'wet room' design (no shower stall/curtain... when you shower, the whole room gets wet) with a 'western' (not squat) toilet.

I unpacked. To be continued...

Interesting start to your "new" life in China! Next chapter eagerly awaited Bill!