Thanks for that David, I'll take it on board, and change my opinion of Jefferson. What is your assessment of George Washington?

Bad luck Shonky, feeling left out of the conversation. Tut tut.

Dear Paul,

Washington was an unusual person. People respected him, and he wasn't power hungry. He could have been president for life, but he resigned after two terms.

https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/slavery/ten-facts-about-washington-slavery/ tells about his relation with slavery.

Except for John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Millard Fillmore all of the 15 presidents before Lincoln owned slaves.

The Bible accepts slavery and doesn't condemn it. In questioning slavery Jefferson and Washington questioned the Christian morality of their time.

The Patriarch of Moscow enthused over Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and the German churches mostly supported Hitler. I question the Christian morality of my time.

Village idiot,

This thread is about Xi and his effect on China something you clearly are supremely ignorant of.

If you and your fellow blowhard wish to wander off-topic to babble about irrelevant trivia then I am delighted to exclude myself.

Hi David,

We have new titles, thanks to the Village Nazi, 'Blowhards', because we talk of these people of interest. I know little of the American 'Founding Fathers', Washington, Jefferson and Franklin being the best known. I think Americans might tend to over eulogise these men, Washington in particular, viewed as a living saint of the times. I'm sure they had their faults just like the rest of us, I do believe George Washington had very bad teeth, but I don't believe he was incapable of telling a lie.

BTW; We want to see the Musical "Hamilton", I could learn some fact from that.

Does China do industrial espionage against the interests of its friends and citizens?
Does it try to manipulate and control the price of energy?

Apparently the West does.

I've heard it reported in several places now over the last day that Truss sent an 'It's done' text message after the Nordstream pipelines were blown up.

Liz Truss sent an "It's done" SMS to US' Blinken, moments after Nord Stream pipelines were blown up.
http://youtu.be/6WDlvlDAdO4

"NUCLEAR WAR With US in Final Phase" Says DPRK. Truss Sent Blinken "It's Done" Message.
http://youtu.be/4B8ueGvSwAc

NYT, talks up Sevastopol attack. Sanctions on Russian grain, food shortages. It’s done.
http://youtu.be/BBI-rMdA588

Anyone wants to winge about the price of energy, Call Biden or Johnson or Truss, ask them for a rebate.
That's ok the Australian people will gladly borrow billions to pay for their 'partners' actions.
- Must keep the war going -

How bout NZ helping kids learn about how the government steals from you?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/01/new-zealand-authorities-apologise-for-encouraging-parents-to-tax-halloween-sweets