Brits

I've had three separate experiences with foreigners this trip that have kind of choked me up. Two Germans and a Portugues didn't just tell me how much they admire and appreciate Anerica, but did so in the most articulate and sincere way. The first time was a couple of weeks ago when a German guy named Merlin told me how much he appreciates the U.S. doing the civilized world's dirty work and being taking so much shit from other countries who we defend with our military, etc. Another German guy, Klaus, a 70 year old German got kind of emotional when he thanked the U.S. (via me) for rebuilding Germany and not holding its citizens responsible for the crimes of the nazis. I told him I'd pass those thanks along to my elders who were way closer to the action than me. The Portugues guy, Pedro echoed Merlin's sentiments. He focused on the American service people who die in strange lands and for strangers - but almost always for the right reasons.

I'm staying at a decent hotel tonight and while sitting in the lobby I started talking to an older Englishman who was traveling with a group of other old Englishpeople, most of whom were sitting nearby drinking some sort of nightcap. Pimms or something. One old hen says to me 'So, what doo you think of your mister Trump!?'  I joked about how ungracious it was of her to 'go there' without introducing herself but replied seriously that he probably ensured that Hillary would be the next president. They were aghast at the thought. It turns out that this group is a bunch of retired conservative businesspeople.

Another woman then asked me if I could even believe what Obama said about the Brexit when he was in the UK last week. "He (Obama) shall be solely responsible when I cast my vote to leave the European community", she sniffed.

I was kind of proud of my response which was a good natured 'he just said that the U.S. supports a strong UK as part of Europe, because if you're not, Most US European headquarters will move to the continent or IRELAND (boom!) and Scotland exit will exit the UK to join Europe.  That's all he meant. The US really doesn't care one way or the other.'

Of course I don't really know what the hell Im talking about but they all kind of shut up about trashing the US.