I sit here in Cambodia, an 'ex patriot' American watching what is happening in my country, and my jaw just drops lower every day. In this little country that the US has condemned for decades they have managed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. They are limiting entry, insuring everyone who comes in is tested, and then und…
I sit here in Cambodia, an 'ex patriot' American watching what is happening in my country, and my jaw just drops lower every day. In this little country that the US has condemned for decades they have managed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. They are limiting entry, insuring everyone who comes in is tested, and then undergoes quarantine at home even if they test positive. They banned the export of the most commonly used rice, insuring there would be no hoarding and constantly remind everyone to beware of Covid, distance themselves, and wear a mask in crowds.
No one is complaining. There are no lines in the stores. There are no shortages.
There is fear. A good part of this economy, especially where I live, is centered on tourism. I was here through the GFC in 2008/9 and it took the better part of 2 years to restore some semblance of order. This will be much worse, and a lot longer I fear.
BUT, people are working together. Our US charity funds several programs here, but the most critical now is a food distribution program for people who have lost their jobs. We've raised money from around the world, galvanized dozens of volunteers, Khmers and foreigners, to help repackage food and get it out to those in need. We work in harmony with the government: national, provincial, district, communal and village. We call it the TOGETHER Program because it is a lot of people working together to help their brethren.
There is no screaming. No one is chastised for wearing a mask. And everyone is helping each other.
Sorta what I would have expected from Americans. Now I am just embarassed.
Perhaps the world should step away from the US and find another way to handle the problems we have created for ourselves; all to often at the behest of American interests, not humane interests.
I was an Army officer as well and I am so embarrassed by our country in so many ways... Ithe most galling thing is that we put up up with this corrupt phony libertarianism and the trump/Koch/Mercer/Bannon/Addelson/FoxNews mob continues to rule and get rich. We truly have become sheep being led to slaughter.
I have ONE thing I will happily give Trump credit for, and that is for sending in some wolves to wake up the sheep! Many are still following the one in front of them, but so many are starting to get themselves involved. Me Too. Black Lives Matter. Government employees willing to stand up to the bullying at their personal expense.
I sit here in Cambodia, an 'ex patriot' American watching what is happening in my country, and my jaw just drops lower every day. In this little country that the US has condemned for decades they have managed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. They are limiting entry, insuring everyone who comes in is tested, and then undergoes quarantine at home even if they test positive. They banned the export of the most commonly used rice, insuring there would be no hoarding and constantly remind everyone to beware of Covid, distance themselves, and wear a mask in crowds.
No one is complaining. There are no lines in the stores. There are no shortages.
There is fear. A good part of this economy, especially where I live, is centered on tourism. I was here through the GFC in 2008/9 and it took the better part of 2 years to restore some semblance of order. This will be much worse, and a lot longer I fear.
BUT, people are working together. Our US charity funds several programs here, but the most critical now is a food distribution program for people who have lost their jobs. We've raised money from around the world, galvanized dozens of volunteers, Khmers and foreigners, to help repackage food and get it out to those in need. We work in harmony with the government: national, provincial, district, communal and village. We call it the TOGETHER Program because it is a lot of people working together to help their brethren.
There is no screaming. No one is chastised for wearing a mask. And everyone is helping each other.
Sorta what I would have expected from Americans. Now I am just embarassed.
Perhaps the world should step away from the US and find another way to handle the problems we have created for ourselves; all to often at the behest of American interests, not humane interests.
And I was an officer in the US Army.
I was an Army officer as well and I am so embarrassed by our country in so many ways... Ithe most galling thing is that we put up up with this corrupt phony libertarianism and the trump/Koch/Mercer/Bannon/Addelson/FoxNews mob continues to rule and get rich. We truly have become sheep being led to slaughter.
Absolutely. And ironically, they are leading THEMSELVES to the slaughter.
I have ONE thing I will happily give Trump credit for, and that is for sending in some wolves to wake up the sheep! Many are still following the one in front of them, but so many are starting to get themselves involved. Me Too. Black Lives Matter. Government employees willing to stand up to the bullying at their personal expense.
We needed the wake up.
I like the idea of ‘TOGETHER’ program.
Good to know, thank you! It defies all understanding, what is happening here.