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I think the next four years will be good for America, compared to the past 28

Reader comment on item: What Rex Tillerson Thinks
in response to reader comment: Caste distinctions are out-of-place in America

Submitted by Michael S, Jan 11, 2017 at 04:00

Hi, Daniel

I appreciate the fact that you are worried about Donald Trump and his cabinet picks. I have pointed out, though, here and elsewhere, that one needn't worry about their "lack of experience" or "amateurness". Both of the men you mentioned, Trump and Tillerson, are world-travelled people with a good knowledge of not only the leaders, but also the laws, of countries around the world. Tillerson, for instance, knows Vladimir Putin well, a qualification that is a great boon to any Secretary of State.

By the way, my son-in-law is a businessman, not a politician; but he is a capable leader. After only a few years in business, he was travelling world-wide, and provided for some fifty-plus families working for him. My first grandson was conceived in New Zealand; and by the time he was one year old, he had travelled to every continent except Australia and Antarctica. My first granddaughter had an airline ticket in her name before she was even born. All the children (ages 3-9) speak four languages.

Businessmen do not just buy and sell: they have to deal with governments and leaders. My son-in-law, a relatively small businessman, was one of the business leaders cutting a free trade deal between Hong Kong and Chile. I have a photo of my daughter and grand daughter posing with the former Governor of Hong Kong and his wife. Businessmen have to deal with trade laws, travel laws, citizenship laws, you name it; and they have to know the nuances behind them. What's more, when a businessman makes an error in judgment, it costs him dearly; and he has to eat his mistakes. Contrast this with the political elite in America, which passes on its mistakes to the taxpayers.

We will see, how the Trump team fares. I dare say, the next four years will be a period of glory for America, when compared to the elitist presidencies from H.W. Bush through Barack Obama.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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Reader comments (31) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1Obama and tyrants [68 words]helenJan 13, 2017 13:13235317
Rex Tillerson, a true climate believer - NOT [91 words]ThomasJJan 8, 2017 12:38235209
3Tabula Rasa: "Make America Great Again" [414 words]RobertJan 8, 2017 11:53235208
American Business [96 words]diana s. hamiltonJan 11, 2017 16:12235208
Chill out! [128 words]Elspeth R HuntJan 8, 2017 02:31235202
1Caste distinctions are out-of-place in America [83 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Michael SJan 8, 2017 01:36235200
I think the next four years will be good for America, compared to the past 28 [325 words]Michael SJan 11, 2017 04:00235200
1Allowing a fallacious critique of Rex Tillerson shows bias [271 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Rich McJan 7, 2017 23:37235199
Hit piece on Tillerson [49 words]dgdJan 7, 2017 21:00235195
1So what [10 words]RealityCheckJan 7, 2017 20:30235191
1Funny how Democrats didn't mind Obama's sucking up to Erdogan [41 words]AnonJan 7, 2017 19:07235189
Re dictators... [89 words]KephaJan 27, 2017 20:27235189
2Bob who? [132 words]WartyJan 7, 2017 18:59235188
Tillerson [39 words]Fred SchwartzJan 7, 2017 18:22235187
1Shallow Thinking Makes For Weak Convictions [131 words]DaveJan 7, 2017 18:15235186
1Cuba [130 words]GaryJan 7, 2017 17:53235185
Tillerson As Sec of State [97 words]Martin SchaffelJan 7, 2017 15:37235184
1Tillerson [16 words]Morrie AmitayJan 7, 2017 15:16235183
4Ridding the Mideast of Authoritarian figures [97 words]Steve KleinJan 7, 2017 15:04235182
1Secular democracy in the so called Islamic land is everyone's business [152 words]PrashantJan 7, 2017 22:06235182
1The intent of Reader Steve Klein's message was not very clear [195 words]PrashantJan 8, 2017 14:47235182
Prashant, you understood my intent perfectly [101 words]Steve KleinJan 10, 2017 10:55235182
China - Secular Oligarchy & Sustainability [432 words]RobertJan 10, 2017 14:31235182
It's time for America to rally around our chosen leader [Trump] and stand up to our enemies. [747 words]Michael SJan 12, 2017 15:53235182
knowledge of the outside world [111 words]Erin CorriganJan 7, 2017 15:02235181
2Menendez 's take on Tillerson? Really? [67 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
PA StrongJan 7, 2017 14:40235180
...and I guess I wonder why don't. [7 words]P.A StrongJan 7, 2017 20:46235180
Is Cuba Really Going to be Trump's Foreign Policy Center Piece? [395 words]M ToveyJan 9, 2017 11:07235180
Businessmen can be leaders too -- and make money at it! [474 words]Michael SJan 10, 2017 10:50235180
1So much Kabuki theatre [283 words]jd willJan 14, 2017 13:24235180
3Time for a Different Strategy [38 words]Barry BlackJan 7, 2017 14:33235179

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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