#but i feel confident saying 'i dont want the united states to send money to the people committing genocide'
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whilomm Ā· 1 year ago
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some people are talking about "oh im not educated enough to talk about this" and yeah im not educated enough to fully outline a solution to longterm peace or whatever but i dont think you need much education to say "genocide is wrong and blowing up hospitals is wrong and there should probably be a ceasefire" like. i just dont think you need a fucking degree in political science to get there you know? why are people acting like ohhhh sorry i cant say a word on it im not educated..... motherfucker all you need to look at is the palestinian death toll to know that what israel is doing is probably bad, and it should probably stop. not killing people is better than killing people. mega easy starting point!!
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deeeelightfuldee Ā· 3 years ago
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Are you better at cooking dinners or making cakes/biscuits/sweets? baking definitely. I want to get more comfortable cooking.
Have you ever cut someone elseā€™s hair? yes. I used to be pretty good at doing my brothers hair-- even the fading. But Iā€™m sure Iā€™ve forgotten it all by now.
Who was the last guest in your house and what were they staying for? probably my sister or my nephews.
How many long term relationships have you been in? blegh. not many. Whenever Iā€™d know that it didnt have long term potential, id drop it. no sense dragging out the inevitable.
Do you sleep with all the lights out, or do you leave a lamp or even the television on? so for the longest time I kept my room super dark. I slept well. once miller died and kile broke my heart, I couldnā€™t sleep without the tv playing. I needed to hear something calming and voices talking so I wouldnā€™t be left with my thoughts. I still canā€™t turn it off.
Who is one person you have forgiven, but still have not ā€œforgottenā€ what they have done? i think its easy to sayĀ ā€œforgive and forgetā€ but the reality is that once we have endured trauma we donā€™t easily forget. I think its kind of unrealistic. Iā€™m trying to forgive kile but thats going to take.. i dont know how long. As for what it was... it was just betrayal.. lying. for six+ years. lots of laughing at me.Ā 
Are you a fan of Lana Del Rey? I like some of her songs.
Do you know your blood type? o+
Do you know your motherā€™s birthday? Yes. its coming up.Ā 
Have you ever been pregnant? I dont think so. I was really late after my assault but who knows.
How old were you when you first went on a plane? like 7ish
Have you ever had to take out a loan for anything? Yeah, student loans. 15k feels so daunting right now.
Are both of your blood parents still in your life? One is. My mom.
When was the last time you went apple picking? highschool maybe?
Someone asked you what you wanted, what would you say? money.. or a trip.
Have you ever been drunk at school or work? definitely not.Ā 
How many bedrooms are in your house? four.Ā 
Are you smart about computers? I know some stuff.
Have you ever played Just Dance for Wii? oh heckā€™n yeah
Do you own a Xbox 360? I had one from my brother for a little while but I traded it for the gamecube since Kile was going to send me one of the 15 he had lol. That didnā€™t end up happening, but its OK i really dont need more gaming.
Would you ever do a sex tape for a million dollars? oooooooo.. probably not.
So, do you need a nap? all day is full of naps to try and get over this.
What would you rather be doing? school
What sport are you the best at? maybe volleyball or swimming
Do you have a little sister? Whatā€™s her name? Nope, im the baby.Ā 
Do you complain a lot? no, i try not to. I find complaining to be the most unattractive and yet common human trait and while there are definitely situations worthy of complaining, most of the time it just makes a situation worse than it actually was.
Would you rather go to an authentic haunted house or an ancient temple? temple
Do you like fruity or minty gum? definitely minty
Are you looking forward to any day of this month? i was really looking forward to Kileā€™s birthday on monday, but since we arent talking anymore then there is no joy in that. all the other special dates have been ruined by covid.
Have you ever gotten detention? Nope. homeschoolers and detention arent a thing.Ā 
Is there a traumatic event that youā€™ve experienced thatā€™s changed your life? oh sure. heartbreak, deaths, assaults, etc.
Do you buy a majority of your clothes from a certain store, or do you just pick out items of clothing you could see yourself wearing, not caring about the store it came from? no, i canā€™t be super picky because not every store carries clothing long enough for me.
Have any of the artists youā€™re fond of released new albums recently? i havent got a clue
Would you ever keep your favorite animal as a pet? I mean Iā€™m very fond of cats & dogs
Ever cried so much you threw up? this is what happened the whole 2-3 weeks following finding out about Kile.
Who is your best guy friend? I suppose now that would be Nathan
What do you two do when you hang out? drives, game nights, get food/drinks, or just talk.
What is a movie that you thought you would hate but you ended up loving? Her
Do you even like horror movies? not particularly. Iā€™ll watch them if someone else wants to but its not my preference.
Do you live in the country? i live in the suburbs i suppose.
What is your favorite accent? Some southern and British accents. <same ... i have no idea how I made the font like this.
Have you ever had a boyfriend your parents didnā€™t like? Not that I can think of.
Do you drink Pepsi or Coke? diet coke
What do you plan to do on your 21st birthday? my family celebrated during the day and then I think nathan took me out on the town
Do you have any person in your family with an addiction to beer? nope.
Do you take a lot of pictures? man. this question is hard. I used to love taking pictures of myself. I had much more self confidence and some of it was because kile LOVED my selfies -- or so he said. and I just had so much fun doing that. Since the heartbreak, Iā€™ve maybe taken 10 selfies. I just donā€™t have any self confidence in my looks anymore. its so different now. most of my pictures now are of other people or scenery.
What kind of face wash do you use? cerave when I want to. otherwise i use water and a very particular type of fabric.Ā 
Does drama always seem to follow you? No, i dont think so.
Does anybody in your family race? like cars? running? no.
Are you closer to your mom or dad? My mom.
How much money did you used to get from the ā€tooth fairy?ā€ I think i got it like 2x and it was a dollar.
Do you have a laptop or desktop? Laptop.
Do you like your parents? i love my mom.
Do you secretly like someone? No.
Would you ever date your best male friend? I donā€™t see any romantic feelings developing between nathan and I
What are you currently listening to? I have gilmore girls on.
Do you want to be single? oooof. Um. I am torn on this subject. On the one hand, i really am ready to be loved, held, protected, cared for, etc. I love the idea of building a life together with someone and us both protecting our unit. I miss supporting, cherishing, loving on someone. Yet on the other hand, im fine being single. I have so much insecurity about myself lately that I dk that anyone else needs to deal with that baggage. Idk
Did you go out or stay in last night? I stayed in. ill be staying in for some time.
Have you pretended to like someone? romantically, no. professionally, yes.
How is your heart lately? Sad. heavy.Ā 
Are you wearing socks? not at the moment.Ā 
What do people call you? Di, diana, dee, ana, di-nan-na, dine-uh, deenah.
Do you get stressed out easily? no, I really dont
Have you ever been taken to the emergency room in an ambulance? yes
What is wrong with you right now? im sick. im heartbroken.
Do you own something from Hot Topic? not that I know of. if I do, itā€™d be from like middle school. I never shopped there but people tended to give gifts from there.
Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone? Alone. maybe I havent found the right sort of person to share a bed with.
Do you still talk to the person you last made out with? No.
Have you ever seen your best friend cry? Yes, several times.Ā 
Did you get any compliments today? No.
Have you ever gone to a beach? many many many times.
What would you say if someone asked you to get high right now? not my thing. at all.
Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? Yes.
Have you ever done volunteer work just because you wanted to? Yes.
Do you have long nails? they are healthy length. I want to grow them out a bit more.Ā 
Do you like the gender you are? Yeah.
Do you generally look nice in photos? Not anymore
Have you ever had a stick insect as a pet? no haha
What colour are your fatherā€™s eyes? Blue.
If I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer? uhhhhm, blue october
Would you ever get into a long distance relationship? maybe not anymore.Ā 
Whatā€™s your favorite hot beverage? hot chocolate from dunkin
Did you ever play an instrument? If so what? i did. no comment.
Would you rather carve pumpkins or wrap presents? oooooohhhhhhhhh man i love both.
Do you think youā€™re important? I mean i offer some importance to this world but eh.
Whatā€™s the best compliment youā€™ve ever received? Hmm no idea.
Have you been diagnosed with any mental disorders? no
Have you ever moved to another state or country? If so, how did it feel to be new? No.
Do you know how to properly eat food with chopsticks? Nope.
What was the first thing you ate today? I havenā€™t eaten since breakfast yesterday
If you could spend the day, doing absolutely anything, with anyone, anywhere, what would it be like? for the longest time it was to spend the day driving aimlessly and getting food and talking about everything and nothing with Kile. now, its just.. idunno. blank.
If I were to ask you how you are doing, and you were only able to answer completely honestly, what would come out? Iā€™m not doing well.
What is the one thing that you have been avoiding that you should do? Thereā€™s a few things related to school.
Is there anything that you wish you could take back? not really, no.
What, in your mind, could make you truly happy? this whole covid nonsense going away, heartbreak to soothe, and my miller back.
If you could change one conversation in your life, what would you say differently? Would it have REALLY made any difference? i dont know.Ā 
When is the next time youā€™ll change your hairstyle? Will you color it? I just changed it up so itll be a bit.
Do people normally say youā€™re a fast typist, or are you rather slow? Fast.
Have you ever been considered the ā€˜smartest person in school?ā€™ yes. several times.
How many drugs are in your system? lol lots of meds rn to kick this. usually none.
Whatā€™s on your schedule for tomorrow? the same as today.
Do you currently have any bite marks/hickeys on your body? No. i dont like the idea of bite marks but hickeys were fun for a time. in not visible areas tho.
Do you call anyone baby? Not anymore.
Whatā€™s your current mood? Bleh.
What were you doing before filling out this survey? Watching gilmore girls
How late did you stay up last night? I took PM meds at i wanna say 8? maybe 7? I donā€™t remember.
When was the last time you cried really hard? its been a few weeks since ive cried about Kile. Iā€™m in the numb stage.
Is your hair longer than your shoulders? hahahahahahah
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tkpro-scenarios Ā· 7 years ago
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Ooooo this seems fun XD My tsukipro babies are getting more love now im so happy TwT Could i request hcs for solids and quells ideal s/o? (If its too much, you can always split it into separate posts, i dont mind) P.s. wish you admins the best of luck running this blog!! ^^
Hello! Mods are also so very happy our precious babies are getting more love~ Thank you so much, weā€™ll do our best!!Of course you can request for my (mod nanaā€™s) SQ boys~!
Weā€™ll make an exception this time but the rules clearly state the max is 5 characters for headcanons, this includes requesting for units as a whole as well (i.e. requesting for SolidS already = 4 characters so you can only request for one more character) so please keep that in mind for future requests! Itā€™s fine to send in more than one ask but please keep them within the character request limit.
Since Vol. 4 already mentions a bit about the SolidSā€™ boysā€™ preferred types, Iā€™m going to expand a little on that for some of these - mod nana
SOLIDS
Takamura Shiki
Confidence is key when wanting to impress Darling
Someone that can keep up with him but is also notafraid to stand their ground.
Someone whoā€™s good at taking care of otherswould certainly catch his eye, especially if theyā€™re not afraid to be strictand scold him when heā€™s pushing his limits.
ā€œShiki go to sleep.ā€
ā€œSleep is for the weak.ā€
ā€œShiki go to sleep right now or so help me, Iā€™mgonna pull the plug off the monitor.ā€
Heā€™d like someone with a good head on theirshoulders, who thinks logically and overcomes situations with grace.
His s/o would have to be pretty independent.They should be able to go places and do things by themselves since he mostlikely wonā€™t be around most of the time. (But heā€™ll def more than make up forit when he gets the chance)
Anyone that can deal with SoliRadi!Shiki hasboth my blessings and condolences.
Heā€™s also not all that big on PDA so donā€™texpect anything much other than maybe holding hands.
His s/o needs to understandand be okay with the fact that he wonā€™t be very vocal about his affections sowhile he might not say ā€œI love youā€ all that often, they should know he verymuch means it during the times he does.
Someone whoā€™s passionate about something! No matter what it is, as long as itā€™s something they love and have a goal theyā€™re working hard for, it would definitely catch his heart.
Okui Tsubasa
Honey wants someone thatā€™ll give him attention and isjust fun to be around. Iftheyā€™re older, heā€™d probably like it if they spoiled him a little.
Again, confidence is key! But so is playing alittle hard to get, he likes the chase.
This shameless bitch boy does not shyaway from affection so be prepared to suddenly make out in the middle of a busystreet in broad daylight. Of course, he wouldnā€™t mind an s/o thatā€™s shy aboutPDA (heā€™d even find it cute) but if theyā€™re too shy then heā€™ll most likely getbored.
While he loves teasing his s/o, heā€™d love iteven more if theyā€™re able to turn the tables or pull the rug from underneathhim, so a quick wit would really get his heart racing. He loves people that cankeep him on his toes!
The outgoing, social type would catch his eye in a heartbeat. He will tend to get jealous pretty easily if his s/oacts a little too close towards other people though.
Being fashion forward would be a big plus. Heā€™d love to go shoppingā€”even just window shoppingā€”and look atdifferent kinds of clothes, accessories, etc. together or exchange opinions on styles
Heā€™s the type to hide his insecurities behind his cheeky attitude and work hard behind the scenes so someone that can see through that andconfront him about it in private, or silently watch over him to make sure hedoesnā€™t get too in over his head would definitely hold a special place in hisheart.
Sera Rikka
Since heā€™s the mom, always taking care of others, he definitely needs someone thatā€™ll take care of him.
Someone that he can act selfish around and is willing to spoil him when he needs it.
Someone that carries themselves well and has a graceful air about them would definitely turn his head.
While he is a model and an idol, his s/o doesnā€™t necessarily need to be fashion forward but it would be a plus point. Even if they donā€™t know much about fashion trends and whatnot, Rikka would probably just end up teaching them about it or help out in coordinating outfits.
Please cook for him or together with him. He will love that so so much.
Heā€™s always keeping an eye on those around him, the type that wants to avoid stepping on anyoneā€™s toes so someone thatā€™ll take the initiative to ask him what he wants for once would really leave an impression on his heart.
Heā€™d be pretty professional when out in public so PDA would most likely be just holding hands, maybe a kiss or two. Heā€™d love an s/o thatā€™d surprise him with quick pecks on the cheek or just random hugs.
Murase Dai
Heā€™s a very quiet person so someone thatā€™s comfortable with that. Heā€™d really appreciate someone who doesnā€™t mind passing the time with comfortable silence.
While his s/o themselves can be talkative, heā€™d like it if they understand that he wonā€™t have a comment or reply for every single thing.
Someone whoā€™s willing to buy desserts on his behalf. Or even make them for him.
Heā€™s a very shy person so his s/o needs to be patient enough to let him slowly get used to showing affections and initiate things.
PDA would be little to none, at least at first. Maybe holding hands? (but heā€™ll be blushing the whole time.) So someone thatā€™s okay with that.
Since heā€™s always treated as the little brother of the group, heā€™d appreciate someone thatā€™s willing to rely on him from time to time.
Heā€™s too shy to ask for things like hugs and kisses so someone that gets the message even without him having to explicitly say it. Please cuddle with this tsundere puppy.
QUELL
Izumi Shu
Heā€™d love someone that has a gentle aura around them, someone he can be comfortable around without the need for words.
Since he lost his mother at an early age, heā€™d probably be drawn to someone motherly.
Like Shiki, heā€™s also very busy and wonā€™t be around much so an s/o that understands that work takes up most of his time and is willing to watch over him.
He tends to take a lot of things upon himself so someone that pulls him aside and makes him talk about his worries and reminds him that he is not alone and doesnā€™t need to do everything by himself.
Someone that just really helps him relax and keeps him grounded. Makes him take a nap or takes him out somewhere to clear his head and just makes him talk about stuff and give their advice.
Someone that reminds him that he is loved. Shower this man with love and affection, he deserves it SO much ; w ;
Heā€™s a fairly affectionate person but more so in private so an s/o thatā€™ll kiss him silly when he needs an energizer and surprises him with kisses and cuddles.
Horimiya Eichi
He doesnā€™t really have a type as such. Just someone thatā€™s fun to be around and enjoys his company.
Heā€™s a rather active person so an s/o that can keep up with his energy. Someone thatā€™ll take a stroll with him or go on outdoor adventures together.
Being as obsessed with taking photos/videos as Eichi is (he was an AD after all), his s/o needs to be comfortable enough to let him do that. Lots of selfies and dumb videos. Of course itā€™s perfectly alright to be a little camera shy! Heā€™d never make someone do something they donā€™t want to.
An s/o that loves cuddling and hugging. Be warned though: once he has you in his arms, heā€™ll never let you go.
Someone that can remind him to take it down a notch when he puts too much on his plate as Quellā€™s mom and an idol. Heā€™s always taking care of the others so his s/o should remind him that he deserves to be taken care of as well.
An s/o that can cook! Please make him a home-cooked meal, heā€™ll be on cloud nine.
Heā€™d find it really hard not to show PDA. ā€œHis s/o is just so cute he wants to kiss them right then and there!ā€ā€”a person thatā€™s a little shy about that but still returns his feelings.
Kuga Issei
He would be drawn to the motherly type, but would also be attracted to a bright, outgoing person.
Being the quiet boy he is, he would like to be with someone that can help him break out of his shellā€”even just a little. The kind of person that can take him by the hand and show him new experiences.
Like Dai, he would also like someone thatā€™s comfortable with his quietness.
Of course an s/o that cares for and gets along with Ichiru is a must!
Heā€™s still learning how to be a proper idol and be more social so someone that he can lean on for support and can give him advice. Someone he feels comfortable sharing his worries with.
Because Issei often gets taken care of by Ichiru as well as by Shu and Eichi, heā€™d like an s/o that sees that he can be reliable as well. He is a big brother after all!
As far as PDA goes, he doesnā€™t particularly mind as long as his s/o is okay with it but he would rather do things like kissing in private. He doesnā€™t want someone thatā€™ll smother him with affection though. Sometimes taking it slow is fine, isnā€™t it?
His s/o should also understand that he does things at his own pace. Heā€™ll properly tell them his feelings when he does.
Kuga Ichiru
He would also be attracted to the motherly type, a shy person but one who isnā€™t afraid to speak their mind when they need to. Heā€™d probably have similar tastes as his brother.
At the same time, an s/o thatā€™s not afraid to bite back would definitely give him a run for his money!
Someone that can keep him grounded. He tends to leap before he looks and often loses himself to his emotions, so his s/o should be able to reel him back in and firmly reprimand him when he goes too far.
Heā€™s a bigger tsundere than Dai so patience and the ability to laugh off his (often unintended) harsh words will go a long way. Someone that understands that heā€™s not exactly the best at honestly expressing his feelings when heā€™s flustered.
His s/o should also be respecting and accepting of the fact that Issei will often take more priority than anything else.
He would instantly fall for someone that gets along well with both him and Issei.
Again, heā€™s a tsundere so his s/o should be prepared to get yelled at for surprising him with a sudden display of affection.
ā€œI-Idiot! Wh-What do you think youā€™re doing?!ā€
ā€œIā€™m just holding your hand. You donā€™t want to?ā€
ā€œHmph! I-Itā€™s not like I like doing this or anythingā€¦ā€
His blush and tightening grip say otherwise.
He doesnā€™t want an s/o that constantly spoils him or dotes on him. Just because heā€™s the youngest of the group does not make him any less reliable!
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viralhottopics Ā· 8 years ago
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Mexico braced for exodus to US as Trump effect hurts the peso
Donald Trump is actually giving Mexican workers more reason to head to the US, not less
In Mexico it is known as el efecto Trump: a barrage of taunts and tweets that rattle the economy and hammer the peso. For the new president, it is part of a strategy to pressure companies to move jobs back to the United States. Mexicos job will be to suck it up, accept the millions of people Trump has promised to deport, and pay for the proposed border wall.
Reality may soon disrupt this vision because Donald Trump, in one of the first great ironies of his presidency, has given impoverished Mexicans more reason to migrate to the US.
The pesos slump against the dollar has dramatically driven up their cost of living, fuelling angry protests and steeling the resolve of some to sneak across the border.
Youre going to see a lot more people from the south coming up here to cross, said Paulino Hernndez, 38, seated in a Catholic-run migrant shelter in Tijuana, on the border with California. People are feeling bad. Everything has become so expensive. The dollar now goes a lot further.
Hernndez, a construction worker who has lived illegally in San Diego since 2000, recently visited relatives in Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, and found young people clamouring to join him on his trip back to the US. They want to go north.
Trump stormed into the White House on vows to end an invasion of illegals, deport millions of undocumented immigrants, and seal the border.
The numbers trekking north had dwindled over the past decade as the Mexican economy improved, and the US economy struggled, but the mood now was bleak, and dreams of life in the US glowed anew, Hernndez said. My nephew begged to come with me. He doesnt see a future in Mexico.
Mexicos former president Felipe Caldern recently tweeted a warning to Americas new president: The more jobs you destroy in Mexico, the more immigrants the American people will have. Think a little!
Gordon Hanson, a UC San Diego economics professor who studies migration trends, said Trump had reversed the macro-economic climate and created uncertainty about Mexicos future. Greater instability could induce younger workers to start their careers in the US. It does ironically increase the incentive to move north. Everything were seeing now is the Trump effect.
Trumps victory over Hillary Clinton jolted an economy left vulnerable by anaemic growth and faltering reforms. The peso swooned from 18 to the dollar to 20 in the elections immediate aftermath and slid again to 22 in recent days as Trump ratcheted up the pressure.
He threw Mexicos car industry a sizable employer into disarray by threatening Ford, Toyota, General Motors and other manufacturers with tariffs unless they shipped jobs to the US. Ford denied any connection but announced the cancellation of a planned $1.6bn (1.3bn) plant in Villa de Reyes, saying it would expand a facility in Michigan. Trump greeted the move as just the beginning.
The president has also threatened to renegotiate trade terms, which sustain thousands of factories known as maquiladoras along Mexicos border. And to swipe remittances, money that immigrants in the US send to relatives in Mexico a multibillion-dollar lifeline to fund the wall.
Every time he says something, the peso weakens against the dollar, the El Mexicano newspaper lamented in an editorial after Trumps press conference last week. From those words, there are already results, a new blow against the Mexican economy.
Frustration boiled over this month, after gasoline prices jumped 20% in the wake of energy deregulation. The gasolinazo will have a knock-on effect on the price of food and public transport. Protesters marched in cities across Mexico and blockaded some border crossings.
I barely earn enough to eat, said scar Rosas, 40, who earns the equivalent of $8 a day washing cars in Tijuana. He sleeps in a friends car and wears donated, stained clothes. He yearns to cross the border fence and return to Los Angeles, home for 15years until he was deported last year. Life is so much better there. Easier.
Traditionally, migrants delay travel to spend Christmas at home, with numbers rising from late January.
Any surge would probably be modest compared with the influxes of the 1990s. Fertility rates have plunged, so there are far fewer young people. And border security has tightened, making the crossing expensive $7,000 is a common figure touted by smugglers and perilous, a gauntlet of thieves and kidnappers, fierce temperatures and terrain, with only a 50/50 chance of eluding the border patrol checkpoints, sensors, cameras and aircraft.
However, even a small uptick could reverse what was arguably the most overlooked fact of the presidential election: the Mexican influx has become a net outflow more Mexicans are leaving the US than entering.
It would be an interesting effect of an attempt to reduce migrant flows across the border, said Mark Hugo Lopez, of the Pew Research Center. It would not all be due to Trump. Mexicos own decisions are perhaps setting the stage for a growing migration trend north as gas price controls have been relaxed.
The pesos weakness made a dollar income all the more alluring, said Hanson, the analyst. Id say in the short turn youll certainly see increased pressures for migration. In the long run, those pressures could abate as Mexicos economy adjusted, especially if Trumps threats proved to be largely bluster, Hanson said. But if the president did overturn the economic order you dont know what comes next.
Father Pat Murphy, a Catholic priest who runs a migrant shelter in Tijuana, said a major concern was the US taxing remittances to help fund the wall. That money is what holds people together here. If that gets cut itll be another slap in the face of Mexico.
In previous eras, undocumented migrants used to return to Mexico for weddings, funerals and Christmas, then slip back into the US. With border crossing now so fraught, fewer risk it.
Hernndez regrets leaving his wife and children in San Diego to visit his mother and siblings in Oaxaca. Last week, purported coyotes people-smugglerskidnapped him and demanded a ransom from his wife. The former soldier escaped but lost his cash, phone and confidence about crossing.
If Trump further bolsters security with his big beautiful wall, undocumented immigrants will have all the more reason to never leave the US, he said. If you get in, stay in.
Read more: http://ift.tt/2kdsMjo
from Mexico braced for exodus to US as Trump effect hurts the peso
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viralhottopics Ā· 8 years ago
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Fear and loathing in Washington DC: progressives dread Trump inauguration
Amid splendid pomp and pageantry, the eyes of the world are on Donald Trump as the capital is set to stage a battle for the heart of America
Its for real. Donald Trump, billionaire businessman, reality TV celebrity and to his foes bigot and demagogue will place his hand on a Bible, repeat a 35-word oath and be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. What began with a stunt, lampooned as a joke and dismissed as a fantasy will at noon on Friday become historical truth. Trump will be the most powerful man in the world.
Only the wildest optimists believe his inauguration will deliver a moment of national healing and unity. It comes in the wake of another turbulent week that saw the publication of unverified documents alleging covert links between the Trump campaign and Russia. A chaotic press conference, in which Trump berated a CNN journalist for fake news, did little to instill confidence.
In Washington, hotels were booked and stands were erected in readiness for thousands of Trump loyalists, revelling in his upending of the political order, and thousands of protesters determined to gatecrash his coronation. Amid splendid pomp and pageantry, the capital is set to stage a battle for the heart of America.
This is unlike any inauguration weve seen, said Ben Wikler, Washington director of the progressive group MoveOn.org. Weve never seen a counter-inauguration that dwarfs the crowd at the inauguration itself. It will be unmistakeable where the energy is. It will be in the broad and diverse movement to oppose the Trump agenda.
The eyes of the world will be on Trump, derided by critics as a crude vulgarian who eschews books but is now asked to deliver an inspiring inaugural address just as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt and John F Kennedy did before him. There will also be a jarring contrast between him and outgoing president Barack Obama, who with his family will depart the US Capitol by helicopter.
Indeed, Trump and Obamas inaugurations will be every bit as different as the men themselves. In 2009, amid the symbolism of Americas first black president, the prevailing theme was hope. Well in excess of a million people braved the cold to fill the National Mall. Yo-Yo Ma played the cello, Aretha Franklin sang and celebrity turnout was unusually high. Four years later, at Obamas second inauguration, performers included James Taylor and Beyonc.
Trumps announced headliners are 16-year-old singer Jackie Evancho who shot to fame on the reality TV show Americas Got Talent, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Radio City Rockettes. Several leading entertainers declined invitations to perform. British singer Charlotte Church tweeted: @realDonaldTrump Your staff have asked me to sing at your inauguration, a simple Internet search would show I think youre a tyrant. Bye. Actor Meryl Streep spoke for many in Hollywood when she eviscerated the president-elect at last weekends Golden Globe awards.
Trump and Obamas inaugurations will be every bit as different as the men themselves. Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Trump, who at 70 will be the oldest person ever sworn in as US president, this week promised a very, very elegant day with massive crowds, a familiar boast at his campaign rallies. The joint congressional committee on inaugural activities, which oversees all ceremonies, is expecting 700,000 to 750,000 people well short of Obamas total.
The Republican, however, has outgunned Obama financially. Trumps presidential inaugural committee has raised a record sum, more than $90m in private donations, far more than Obamas two inaugural committees, which brought in $55m in 2009 and $43m in 2013. It says any money left over will be donated to charity.
Tom Barrack, the lead planner, told reporters he wanted to avoid a circus-like atmosphere in favour of a more back to work attitude that surrounds Trump with the soft sensuality of the place. Trump, whom Barrack described as the greatest celebrity in the world, is holding three inaugural balls. Obama had 10 after his first inauguration.
For the maverick businessmans voters, it will be a day to savour. Michael Barnett, chairperson of the Republican party in Palm Beach, Florida, said: Ive never been to an inauguration before. Weve worked so hard for the last 15 months and now we get to see our effort pay off. Im sure Ill be lost in the moment and it will take a while to sink in. Its going to be great but we know its just the beginning.
Barnett, a 39-year-old African American lawyer, believes Trump can help build unity. Your impression when you meet him face to face and talk to him is very different from what you see on TV, he said. Hes a really good guy and I really like him. Hell do a good job.
Benjamin Marchi, 38 and the owner of a healthcare business in Easton, Maryland, will also be present. Its going to be a great day, a wonderful day, full of excitement, he said. It might be similar to election night. He is truly our first independent president because of his willingness to not pander to segments of the Republican party that are typically pandered to.
Fear is an even stronger emotion than anger
But along with the celebrations, there will be a week of protest against a man who insulted Mexicans and Muslims and boasted about groping women. There were demonstrations against Richard Nixon in 1973 and George W Bush in 2001, but nothing on the scale Trump faces in Washington, a liberal bastion where he took just 4% of the vote (even Bush managed 9% in 2000).
About 30 groups have secured permits to protest before, during and after the inauguration. Photograph: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
Bill Galston, a former policy adviser to Bill Clinton, said: The tone and temper of the election campaign has people worried. There are a lot of people genuinely scared. Fear is an even stronger emotion than anger.
About 30 groups have secured permits to protest before, during and after the inauguration. District police and the US secret service plan to have some 3,000 officers and 5,000 national guard troops available, claiming this will be enough to ensure the inauguration goes ahead even if protesters try to disrupt it.
The biggest gathering will be on Saturday, the Womens March on Washington, which organisers say could draw more than 200,000 people. Actors Amy Schumer, Scarlett Johansson, America Ferrera and Felicity Huffman will be among those taking part. Its organisers did not respond to requests for comment but Wikler of MoveOn.org said: The march will send a message to every policymaker in Washington that the public is mobilised and ready to fight.
The public is overwhelmingly opposed to Trumps attitudes on womens rights, immigrants rights and LGBT rights. Progressives are banding together in a way we havent seen in a decade. People are dusting off their marching shoes. A massive march can show which way the political wind is blowing.
Inaugurations are traditionally a time of bipartisan solidarity, and Trumps will be attended by Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the shock loser in a uniquely poisonous election campaign. But some Democratic members of Congress are boycotting the event, among them John Lewis, a distinguished civil rights leader who told NBCs Meet the Press that he does not see Trump as a legitimate president, arguing that Russian interference helped get him elected.
On Saturday, Trump made his feelings about Lewis clear, using Twitter to say that Lewis should stop falsely complaining about the election results. Such critics, he said, were all talk, talk, talk no action or results.
Obama dedicates his final weekly address to the American people
Robert Schenkkan, a Pulitzer prize-winning playwright whose latest work, Building the Wall, tackles the rise of Trump, said: Its a tricky balance for the Democratic party. How much of this transition should be honoured in traditional ways and, given this is not business as usual, how much we should not be playing by the old rules?
Im among those who feel the Democrats are turning up at the gunfight at OK Corral with a knife. There is no polite resistance to this. There is nothing but all-out resistance.
Schenkkan, 63, said this inauguration was different from any he can remember. Its a deeply divisive day. There will be people there who are exultant because they feel theyve been wandering in the desert for the past eight years, but the majority of the country feels differently.
The social glue that holds politics together in this country is under assault. It feels like were entering uncharted territory.
The centrepiece of the day will be Trumps inaugural address. He told friends that Ronald Reagans style and Kennedys articulation of grand national ambitions were key to the drafting of his own speech, the Washington Post reported. Kennedys inaugural address, 56 years to the day before Trumps, included the now celebrated line: Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.
Bob Shrum, a political consultant, said: Kennedys address widened and deepened the definition of what it is to be an American. It had a rare eloquence.
I dont think you can expect that of Donald Trump.
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