American Affairs


Feature Writer: Frank W. Hardy
Frank , Frank Hardy

From heroes to zeros American Affairs will be a stomping ground for domestic and foreign policy from 9/11 to hurricane Katrina recovery, global warming to the Presidential election race.

Is secret surveillance destroying American civil liberties? Is the economy going to survive the growing national debt and military spending? Will Americans vote at the polls or just for reality TV? In an ever changing world, change is absolute.

Here we'll talk about Iran, Iraq, Afganistan, weapons of mass destruction, Korea, Abu Ghraib, George Bush's legacy, US employment trends, the sinking dollar, Democrat and Republican hopefuls, and the nightly news and talk shows that make and report the news. Email me with questions or post in the discussion forum.

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North Carolina Supreme Court, Kimberly Field
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Frank W. Hardy

The Economy, Jobs and Trade

In: American Affairs (general)

Free versus fair trade; productivity and outsourcing; good or bad jobs; minimum wage vs. unemployment are opposing concepts indicative of American political principles. more...

Clinton Wins Ohio and Texas

In: US Elections

Victories in Rhodes Island, Vermont, the Buckeye & Lone Star states gave Hillary Clinton positive momentum. Can PR reduce Obama's delegate lead & get her the nomination? more...

NAFTA - A Bad Trade Agreement

In: US Trade Policy

US presidential candidates are arguing about the destruction caused by the North American Free Trade Agreement. Make it fair or get rid of it, is their claim. more...

What Is the Texas Two-Step Primary

In: US State Policy

Unlike most primaries in the USA's Democratic presidential selection process, Texas citizens can vote anytime during a two week period, twice - the Texas Two-Step. more...

Obama Should Win Texas Primary

In: US Elections

The Texas state Democratic primary, with an intricate system of caucuses and primaries, strongly favors Illinois Senator Barack Obama. more...

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Frank W. Hardy

Apr 16, 2008

Six Weeks Across Europe

The rising euro and falling dollar led me on a quest to determine whether Europe was still affordable to the average North American. The unequivocal answer was Yes & No!


Andorra la Vella, Barcelona, Pamporovo, Paris, Toulouse and Vienna in 1.5 months.

Barcelona, Spain: was my first stop. The capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second largest city, is160km south of the Pyrenees Mountains on the Mediterranean Sea. Several acts of violence occurred in neighboring Basque but 5 days at the Tryp hotel were enjoyable.

Andorra and the Pyrenees: The 16th smallest country is nestled in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Co-governed by France's President and Spain's Bishop of Urgel I spent two days spring skiing.

Toulouse, France: Seven days in Toulouse turned into two weeks when a racially motivated neo-Nazi attack knocked me silly (I was mistaken for an African Immigrant.) My stay in the four star Crown Plaza, located in the heart of the Ville Rose, was still exceptional.

Paris, France: Having made numerous trips to Paris my feelings changed little: Paris is best left to Parisians. The four star Sheraton Airport Hotel was my domicile; however, I was still recovering from my Toulouse escapade and my impressions were jaded

Vienna, Austria: was inspired for historical reasons and I found it one of the more enjoyable places on this trip. Rapidly becoming a wind energy leader in Europe, Wien’s surrounding area is amazing. The four star Hotel Stefanie, located in the heart of the city, had me as a guest for 7 short days.

Pamporovo, Bulgaria: The further east I went the cheaper the prices: one day in Paris was worth nearly one week in Bulgaria. The five star Grand Monastery, was my lodging for 10 days. Located in the Rhodopes Mountains and 30 km from the Greek boarder, I had some of the best spring skiing in years. Side trips to Smolyan presented the classic European atmosphere one expects and a 1.5 hour drive landed me on Greece’s Aegean Sea.

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