Lively dinner discussions

 One evening there were eight of us at a dinner table. One couple from Brisbane Australia, two couples from Virginia. The man at one Virginia couple had been in the US Marines and then taught culinary arts at schools and community colleges. The other Virginia couple worked for PBS all their careers. Very nice liberal (Democratic) minded Americans. 

One of the Virginians had developed bronchitis and went to the medical centre. They gave her intravenous anti-biotics and had her report twice a day for bronchodilator therapy. She was flabbergasted that the bill was $10,000 USD which their insurance will likely pay. It included $300 for a COVID test which most people know can be obtained free in most countries.

Hugh and I are quite good at asking pointed questions. If we meet people from Texas I ask them how many guns they have in their houses - surprising numbers for some Texans. I also ask Texans about their views of Abortion. Many unaware of the social consequences of the Texan laws. The women more aware. They would say that if a women wanted an abortion they would have to go to Louisiana - but of course this may be impossible for a poor person.

At this dinner, Hugh asked a very general question about gun laws in the US. Andrew (from Queensland) gave us a funny Australian saying. He said Hugh was very good at “laying a dead cat on the table”!

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