@consulardude.bsky.social
Interested in international relations, history, travel, literature, and music. Post reflect my own views.
Reposted
This past year has been unlike any other.
In the face of layoffs, budget cuts, and uncertainty, our community has stood firm—challenging reckless policies that threaten to undermine the Foreign Service and diminish America’s global leadership.
In the face of layoffs, budget cuts, and uncertainty, our community has stood firm—challenging reckless policies that threaten to undermine the Foreign Service and diminish America’s global leadership.
May 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This past year has been unlike any other.
In the face of layoffs, budget cuts, and uncertainty, our community has stood firm—challenging reckless policies that threaten to undermine the Foreign Service and diminish America’s global leadership.
In the face of layoffs, budget cuts, and uncertainty, our community has stood firm—challenging reckless policies that threaten to undermine the Foreign Service and diminish America’s global leadership.
On this Memorial Day, I am humbled and grateful to the men and women in uniform who sacrificed their lives in service to the United States of America. Let us be worthy of their service to our nation.
May 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
On this Memorial Day, I am humbled and grateful to the men and women in uniform who sacrificed their lives in service to the United States of America. Let us be worthy of their service to our nation.
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NEW COLUMN: US diplomats are suspicious of a relatively new conservative organization whose members are getting top State Department jobs. I talked to the group’s founders about their aims: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Not-So-Secret Society Whose Members Run State
A group named after Benjamin Franklin is attracting scrutiny, and suspicion, as its members gain top diplomatic slots.
www.politico.com
May 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
NEW COLUMN: US diplomats are suspicious of a relatively new conservative organization whose members are getting top State Department jobs. I talked to the group’s founders about their aims: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I tried to watch Etoile on Amazon. Zut alors! The yelling and histrionics. Gave me a headache. Really bad writing. None of the characters are remotely appealing. Horrors of horrors for the NYC people to be told they are to be sent to (gasps): Paris!
May 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I tried to watch Etoile on Amazon. Zut alors! The yelling and histrionics. Gave me a headache. Really bad writing. None of the characters are remotely appealing. Horrors of horrors for the NYC people to be told they are to be sent to (gasps): Paris!
We hosted a very shagadelic Austin Powers movie nite in Kampala this evening.
May 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We hosted a very shagadelic Austin Powers movie nite in Kampala this evening.
I watched “Nonnas” on Netflix last night. It tried hard, it’s a feel good movie, but I think it made a mistake by having two story arcs with the Vince Vaughn character and then the four Nonnas. Anyways, it wasn’t awful.
May 10, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I watched “Nonnas” on Netflix last night. It tried hard, it’s a feel good movie, but I think it made a mistake by having two story arcs with the Vince Vaughn character and then the four Nonnas. Anyways, it wasn’t awful.
Liz likes the new pope.
In an era that looked as if it might be defined by an American man of depraved cruelty, corruption & shame, what a magnificent thing the Catholic Church has done. The elevation of an American man of goodness, grace, humility, mercy & faith to the Throne of St. Peter is moving & momentous for us all.
May 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Liz likes the new pope.
Great, another airport to avoid.
Do not fly in and out of Newark without watching @maddow.msnbc.com's segment tonight. Air traffic controllers say it's not safe and even THEY are traumatized.
Newark Radar Failure Left Controllers Blind for 90 Seconds
Air traffic controllers guiding planes bound for Newark Liberty International Airport lost radar and radio communication for more than a minute early last week before flights at the key hub were snarl...
www.bloomberg.com
May 6, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Great, another airport to avoid.
Seriously I will avoid flying in to DCA if possible.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he will ask Defense Department officials why an Army Black Hawk helicopter violated flight restrictions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Army Black Hawk helicopter forces two jetliners to abort landings at DCA
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he will ask Defense Department officials why an Army Black Hawk helicopter violated flight restrictions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
www.npr.org
May 4, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Seriously I will avoid flying in to DCA if possible.
Today is Foreign Service Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the service of current and retired members of the U.S. Foreign Service. Thank you for your dedicated service and sacrifices. And yes, I know it's now called Foreign Affairs Day. #USForeignService #ForeignAffairsDay
May 2, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Today is Foreign Service Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the service of current and retired members of the U.S. Foreign Service. Thank you for your dedicated service and sacrifices. And yes, I know it's now called Foreign Affairs Day. #USForeignService #ForeignAffairsDay
Watched In the Land of Saints and Sinners and really enjoyed it. Great screenplay and cinematography and a strong performance by Liam Neeson.
April 28, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Watched In the Land of Saints and Sinners and really enjoyed it. Great screenplay and cinematography and a strong performance by Liam Neeson.
I am not a religious person but I am sorry to hear the news about Pope Francis. He seemed like a kind person. I will leave the timing of his death to others.
April 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I am not a religious person but I am sorry to hear the news about Pope Francis. He seemed like a kind person. I will leave the timing of his death to others.
A little more than halfway through reading George Shultz’s memoirs. What a statesman and gentleman!
April 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
A little more than halfway through reading George Shultz’s memoirs. What a statesman and gentleman!
Just a reminder that President Reagan often wore a tan suit, and no one melted down over it.
April 5, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Just a reminder that President Reagan often wore a tan suit, and no one melted down over it.
Well this is sad news. I really liked him as an actor. RIP.
Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in The Doors, Batman Forever, Top Gun, and Heat, has sadly passed away. Rest in Peace.
April 2, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Well this is sad news. I really liked him as an actor. RIP.
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#Thailand just hit by a very large (7.7) #earthquake at 1.26pm local time, origin Myanmar. Felt right across the country. Water in high-rise hotel pools sloshing down buildings, and the big Mahanakorn building downtown (if you know it) seen swaying back and forth. Too early for damage reports.
March 28, 2025 at 6:45 AM
#Thailand just hit by a very large (7.7) #earthquake at 1.26pm local time, origin Myanmar. Felt right across the country. Water in high-rise hotel pools sloshing down buildings, and the big Mahanakorn building downtown (if you know it) seen swaying back and forth. Too early for damage reports.
How come on TV the cops and detectives yell “”Police, freeze!” when they are like 50 yards from the suspect, thus enabling the suspect’s escape? No one talks about this.
March 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
How come on TV the cops and detectives yell “”Police, freeze!” when they are like 50 yards from the suspect, thus enabling the suspect’s escape? No one talks about this.
I think every US citizen should have a passport. Even if you have no immediate plans to travel.
March 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I think every US citizen should have a passport. Even if you have no immediate plans to travel.
Is anyone else watching The Residence on Netflix? Some of the characters are way over the top with histrionics, but Uzo Aduba is great as Cordelia Cupp. I like Randall Park as Edwin Park, who sort of plays the Watson foil.
March 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Is anyone else watching The Residence on Netflix? Some of the characters are way over the top with histrionics, but Uzo Aduba is great as Cordelia Cupp. I like Randall Park as Edwin Park, who sort of plays the Watson foil.
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A massive acid spill at a Chinese-run mine in Zambia has contaminated the Kafue River, the country’s most important waterway.
China Faces PR Challenge in Zambia
An acidic waste spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine has contaminated the country’s most important waterway.
foreignpolicy.com
March 20, 2025 at 11:30 PM
A massive acid spill at a Chinese-run mine in Zambia has contaminated the Kafue River, the country’s most important waterway.
I started watching Lockwood & Co. on Netflix and it's pretty good. At first glace may seem more of a young adult series, but it's well-done, acting is good, great story line. So suitable for grups.
March 20, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I started watching Lockwood & Co. on Netflix and it's pretty good. At first glace may seem more of a young adult series, but it's well-done, acting is good, great story line. So suitable for grups.
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Edesia Nutrition, a North Kingstown, R.I.-based nonprofit that works to feed malnourished children around the world, has laid off 10 percent of its approximately 150 total employees due to a lack of government funding, the organization said.
‘We couldn’t wait any longer’: Edesia Nutrition lays off 10 percent of staff amid federal funding delays - The Boston Globe
The North Kingstown nonprofit relies heavily on US Agency for International Development funding to feed malnourished children in 25 countries.
www.bostonglobe.com
March 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Edesia Nutrition, a North Kingstown, R.I.-based nonprofit that works to feed malnourished children around the world, has laid off 10 percent of its approximately 150 total employees due to a lack of government funding, the organization said.
Beware the Ides of March!
March 15, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Beware the Ides of March!
Last night I finished rewatching season 1 of Severance. I must have been severed the first time I watched because I didn't remember anything, yikes. Glad I rewatched.
March 14, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Last night I finished rewatching season 1 of Severance. I must have been severed the first time I watched because I didn't remember anything, yikes. Glad I rewatched.
Reposted
Sudan borders seven other African countries and the Red Sea, through which a quarter of the world’s seaborne container traffic travels.
africacenter.org/spo...
africacenter.org/spo...
March 13, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Sudan borders seven other African countries and the Red Sea, through which a quarter of the world’s seaborne container traffic travels.
africacenter.org/spo...
africacenter.org/spo...