(02-03-2016 09:00 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 08:30 AM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 03:53 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:29 PM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:24 PM)VA49er Wrote:  That always helps. The wife and I will more than likely retire to South America but I need to up my Spanish game before then. Luckily I have a few years.

I hear Chile is doing quite well these days.

Santiago Chile





They were similar to Venezuela of today, 30 plus years ago, until the communist marxist leadership was ousted from power.

Santiago has some really, really bad areas too.

So does any other large city. There are places in Lima, Peru that I've never been and never will go. Same as NYC.

I agree but I'm just throwing that out there. A pretty picture doesn't tell the whole story. I've got a good friend from Santiago. Income disparity is pretty large due to the gov't overthrow. Some folks who were well connected got a lot of work, some took advantage of a situation, some sat on their hands and became Santiago's ghetto.

(02-02-2016 01:51 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:30 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:24 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:18 PM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:10 PM)VA49er Wrote:  Do you speak German?

Mein deutsch ist schlecht.



Enough to get by for now. Will try to improve once I arrive.

That always helps. The wife and I will more than likely retire to South America but I need to up my Spanish game before then. Luckily I have a few years.

Just curious. Why would you want to retire in South America?

Wife is Peruvian. Why would we retire to SA? Cost of living is a big reason that definitely includes health care. Also, climate, family, etc. As long as the place is stable politically it's a definite possibility to retire there.

Interesting. I've also considered moving there. Some South American countries have 50% English speaking populations. That's even better than the United States

(02-03-2016 09:17 AM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 09:00 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 08:30 AM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 03:53 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 01:29 PM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  I hear Chile is doing quite well these days.

Santiago Chile





They were similar to Venezuela of today, 30 plus years ago, until the communist marxist leadership was ousted from power.

Santiago has some really, really bad areas too.

So does any other large city. There are places in Lima, Peru that I've never been and never will go. Same as NYC.

I agree but I'm just throwing that out there. A pretty picture doesn't tell the whole story. I've got a good friend from Santiago. Income disparity is pretty large due to the gov't overthrow. Some folks who were well connected got a lot of work, some took advantage of a situation, some sat on their hands and became Santiago's ghetto.

I get what you are saying. We have friends on Santiago also and like most of SA, there isn't really a middle class. Folks are either poor or have mucho dinero. it's changing slowly but it's going to take a long while for a middle class to develop, if it ever develops. I almost went to Chili last summer for the Copa America, but my Peruvian inlaws weren't up with the idea. Apparently there's been some bad blood between the two countries in the past or something. Inlaws said they rather wait and go to this year's Copa America that is being held in the US.

(02-02-2016 12:52 PM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 12:50 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 11:31 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  My family is moving to Germany soon. We will accordingly adapt and conform to their culture without complaint or concern. Because it's their country.

Job opportunity? Whatever the reason, that's pretty cool.

Yes indeedy. And I've lived there before and loved it, so I jumped at the chance.

That's cool. Where/when were you there? You can't be old enough to have been stationed there same time I was.

(02-03-2016 08:05 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 11:09 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Alright, fine, if you want to be careful about Christmas in a school that is majority Asian like this one, go ahead.

But if anyone's offended by Thanksgiving turkey or Valentine's Day candy, tuff sheet. You live here now, deal with it.

If I were an expat in a foreign country, none of their local holidays would "offend" me. It's part of their historical identity and culture. I don't need anything watered down for me lest I feel 'suppressed.'

This why folks don't like Americans...

So we should just give up our traditions because someone has a stupid complaint?

(02-03-2016 10:55 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 08:05 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 11:09 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Alright, fine, if you want to be careful about Christmas in a school that is majority Asian like this one, go ahead.

But if anyone's offended by Thanksgiving turkey or Valentine's Day candy, tuff sheet. You live here now, deal with it.

If I were an expat in a foreign country, none of their local holidays would "offend" me. It's part of their historical identity and culture. I don't need anything watered down for me lest I feel 'suppressed.'

This why folks don't like Americans...

So we should just give up our traditions because someone has a stupid complaint?

Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

(02-03-2016 11:09 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 10:55 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 08:05 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 11:09 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Alright, fine, if you want to be careful about Christmas in a school that is majority Asian like this one, go ahead.

But if anyone's offended by Thanksgiving turkey or Valentine's Day candy, tuff sheet. You live here now, deal with it.

If I were an expat in a foreign country, none of their local holidays would "offend" me. It's part of their historical identity and culture. I don't need anything watered down for me lest I feel 'suppressed.'

This why folks don't like Americans...

So we should just give up our traditions because someone has a stupid complaint?

Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:09 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 10:55 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 08:05 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-02-2016 11:09 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Alright, fine, if you want to be careful about Christmas in a school that is majority Asian like this one, go ahead.

But if anyone's offended by Thanksgiving turkey or Valentine's Day candy, tuff sheet. You live here now, deal with it.

If I were an expat in a foreign country, none of their local holidays would "offend" me. It's part of their historical identity and culture. I don't need anything watered down for me lest I feel 'suppressed.'

This why folks don't like Americans...

So we should just give up our traditions because someone has a stupid complaint?

Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:09 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 10:55 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 08:05 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  This why folks don't like Americans...

So we should just give up our traditions because someone has a stupid complaint?

Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:09 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 10:55 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  So we should just give up our traditions because someone has a stupid complaint?

Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:09 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

You mean, at the expense of one's own. That's the way things are now.

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:09 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Technically, Christmas wasn't celebrated in America at the beginning.

Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

But how will people of other cultures learn about mine?

(02-03-2016 11:31 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

But how will people of other cultures learn about mine?

That isn't the point. Your culture isn't included hence the ignorant decision to ban everything.

(02-03-2016 11:34 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:31 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

But how will people of other cultures learn about mine?

That isn't the point. Your culture isn't included hence the ignorant decision to ban everything.

You are right. My culture is excluded. Where are the Social Justice Warriors?

(02-03-2016 11:40 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:34 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:31 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

But how will people of other cultures learn about mine?

That isn't the point. Your culture isn't included hence the ignorant decision to ban everything.

You are right. My culture is excluded. Where are the Social Justice Warriors?

They've won that battle, now they are on to confused people using the wrong bathrooms, etc.

(02-03-2016 11:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:15 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  Ok. But things changed after a while for a good reason. This decision is not a good reason.

Thanksgiving was here from the beginning.

When I was single during Valentine's Day, I didn't moan and demand its cancellation.

Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

You mean, at the expense of one's own. That's the way things are now.

Not at all. Kids learn their culture from their families. They learn other cultures at school.

(02-03-2016 01:16 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

You mean, at the expense of one's own. That's the way things are now.

Not at all. Kids learn their culture from their families. They learn other cultures at school.

That makes no sense. Applying that logic, then those of other cultures at schools should learn about traditional American culture at school. When American holidays/special occasion are omitted then that obviously isn't the case.

(02-03-2016 01:16 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:19 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Perhaps but it's not like they aren't allowing you to celebrate on your own time, just not at school.

I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

You mean, at the expense of one's own. That's the way things are now.

Not at all. Kids learn their culture from their families. They learn other cultures at school.

That is an awful big assumption that both are true.

(02-03-2016 03:19 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 01:16 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:21 AM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  I thought that school was learning about different cultures? I learned about Hanukkah in kindergarten.

Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

You mean, at the expense of one's own. That's the way things are now.

Not at all. Kids learn their culture from their families. They learn other cultures at school.

That makes no sense. Applying that logic, then those of other cultures at schools should learn about traditional American culture at school. When American holidays/special occasion are omitted then that obviously isn't the case.

Come on man, you actually think no one is learning about American culture while living in America?

(02-03-2016 06:27 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 03:19 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 01:16 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-03-2016 11:27 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Different cultures is correct. As in other than your own.

You mean, at the expense of one's own. That's the way things are now.

Not at all. Kids learn their culture from their families. They learn other cultures at school.

That makes no sense. Applying that logic, then those of other cultures at schools should learn about traditional American culture at school. When American holidays/special occasion are omitted then that obviously isn't the case.

Come on man, you actually think no one is learning about American culture while living in America?

So only Americans celebrate Christmas?