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Marrginally on-topic. I'm often asked why I still have a British "Oxbridge" accent when I've lived most of my life in the USA. The answer is that it gives almost automatic credibility.

That's what got us into this mess to begin with. It is perfectly legal to show up in the US and request asylum. You CANNOT do this outside the US. You legally MUST do it within the US. Such people get a court date. Due to republican obstructionism, that court date could be five years in the future. You then get released into the US. You are now a legal refugee seeker - but you cannot legally work. At that point you have several choices: 1) Die 2) Go on assistance programs 3) Work illegally Most people choose 3). Which is honestly what I would do if I was an asylum seeker. THAT is where most illegal aliens come from. And we are going to have that problem until republicans get the hell out of the way.

I don't particular see it getting better either. And I see opposition growing and with it the demonization of immigrants and with it a rising comfort in treating them like dogs. I understand there is no easy answer. But choosing to treat people humanely is a minimum we should strive for.

Increase funding for border patrol, for autonomous patrols (drones) and for hiring more border patrol agents. Hire enough legal people and INS people to process the people we get. Fund biometric scanning and processing to find the repeat offenders and the criminals from other countries. Increase funding for flights back to their place of origin (for the criminals.) Allow people who apply for asylum to legally work while their cases are being decided. Allow people who have a history of work (and no history of crime) to apply for citizenship if their claim is denied.

Trump Ordered to Pay $355 Million and Barred From New York Business Couldn't happen to a nicer sociopath.

I confess I don't understand why the Dems seem so passive in the face of the Great GOP Lie Machine.

I know it has been a few days since your post, but at your wingloading and experience you are fine on the Sabre3 (I say that as someone on the internet who is taking you at your word. Getting advice from an experienced coach / instructor who has watched you land will be worth a lot more) Also, a lot of people say they won't downsize, but as you get more jumps and get more comfortable, they do and likely you will too. Downsizing isn't terrible to do, downsizing before they are ready is where people get hurt.

Thoughts and prayers for the GOP's impeachment case against BIden: NYT: Ex-F.B.I. Informant Is Charged With Lying Over Bidens’ Role in Ukraine Business

Blue Skies, Henry! I've been away (far too long), but Henry is one of those excellent people you want to call friend. I admired his dedication to the sport, his friendly and competitive manner, and his reliability. The hardest part of this sport is knowing so many quality people, and then having to say goodbye.