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Brian ally's avatar

James, this was a fascinating read. Although a bit younger than yourself, and in no way connected to the foreign service, i've long been aware -- or tried to maintain an awareness as best i can -- of what is happening in the rest of the world. And i was among those who rolled their eyes at the ridiculous suggestion that it would all be rainbows and unicorns after the Berlin Wall came down. Not that there wasn't reason for some cautious optimism. And there have been some positive, and remarkable, developments. But i see quite clearly that there are going to be challenges ahead. With the rampant disinformation that we now face -- far, far beyond anything that could be cooked up in decades past -- it is quite disturbing to ponder whether the liberal democracies will keep their collective heads above the water.

Any chance that you might consider composing the memoir that's yearning to get out?

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James L Bruno's avatar

Many thanks for your feedback and your own insights, Brian. Of course, many of us worry about the path of the country and consequences for the world should the right-wing populism that has been surging actually resulted in their control of our government again.

Memoir? People occasionally ask me this. The thing is, my career was not much different from many others - State Dept, CIA, military, etc. Many of my colleagues have met tougher challenges. Anyway, I'll think about it. Maybe my kids would appreciate such a thing after I'm assigned to a new dimension

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Brian ally's avatar

I can appreciate that you're mindful that there were many others doing much the same things as you -- and even some who had greater adventures. But, the publisher's marketing dept. aside, it needn't be sold as a Netflix thriller. And, as you said, your children (and perhaps even some former colleagues) might find it both interesting and useful.

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James L Bruno's avatar

Funny. Others are also urging me to write my memoir. What I may do then is to start a stream-of-consciousness mind dump and see where it goes. Thanks for reading my newsletter and for your kind feedback.

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Thomas Viola's avatar

Excellent tie in to today's domestic troubles.

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James L Bruno's avatar

Lots of reasons to lose sleep these days. All we can do collectively is to keep fighting the good fight. “You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.”

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Jeff Stein's avatar

Terrific column, Jim. You may know my friend Colin Thompson from your Laos years.

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James L Bruno's avatar

Thanks again, Jeff. Colin doesn't ring a bell. But then my dysentery-addled brain and bombed out ear drums aren't working like they used to. Love your own articles. Think together we can save democracy?

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Jeff Stein's avatar

Big war, lotsa people. I've had a number of people ask me though the years whether I knew so-and-so, because they, too, served in VN. . . Save democracy? Back in Jan. 2017, I was watching Trump's inauguration and thought aloud to friends that there'll come a time when many Americans, including—maybe, especially—liberals, will cry out for our generals and troops to stop Trump. I stand by that today, more than ever.

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