Tag: United States

The regional jet CRJ-900ER and CRJ-700ER by Digital Aviation and Aerosoft

Post author By Stanley
Post date 13 October 2017

The reason for the delays and the positive side for the consumers

A virtual Bombardier regional jet CRJ-900ER (Aerosoft) with the Alaska Airlines colors is climbing after its departure from the Valdez virtual airport in Alaska (ORBX).

Digital Aviation & Aerosoft have finally completed their long awaited project to make a virtual CRJ-900ER and CRJ-700ER Bombardier regional jets. Months later than expected, the flight simulation enthusiasts can now try those two new virtual aircrafts. The CRJ is mostly used to link smaller airports and remote areas to the main hubs. The aircraft can rapidly reach its cruising altitude and stay there a long time, but it is not intended to be a really fast aircraft.

The company explains that, since the beginning, it had underestimated the complexity of the project and, because of ongoing delays, ended up having to catch up with the competition. In order to offer a superior product than the competition, Digital Aviation and Aerosoft had to review what it initially considered as an almost completed project.

Virtual CRJ-700ER aircraft (Aerosoft) with the Alaska Airlines colors airborne from the Valdez virtual airport (ORBX)

The CRJ-900ER and CRJ-700ER had their exterior almost completely redone; the consumer now ends up with a much better looking aircraft. The project manager says that it is only due to the patience and kindness of potential customers that the project was saved. It pays to be nice!

The first flight with the CRJ

Virtual CRJ-900ER aircraft with the Air Nostrum colors departing the St. Maarten international airport (Fly Tampa St.Maarten)

For the first flight, the manual recommends to first choose and activate one of the default FSX aircraft with the engine running. The pilot then selects the CRJ of his choice. It seems that doing so will prevent a lot of problems.

The virtual 2D cockpit

The virtual 2D cockpit helps save a few FPS. An easy access to the different sections of the cockpit is available since it is divided in several logical panels numbered from 1 to 9.

Navigation

The virtual pilot has access to an updated NavDataPro (May 2017) database for air navigation. It is the world’s most used database in aircraft. The aircraft is also compatible with the popular Navigraph database.

How does a standard computer deals with the new CRJ?

Virtual CRJ-900ER aircraft (Aerosoft) with the U.S. Airways colors airborne from the Denver International airport (Flightbeam Studios)

I have flown both aircrafts on several virtual airports like St. Maarten (Fly Tampa St. Maarten), Montreal international (Fly Tampa Montreal), Denver international (Flightbeam Studios) and Valdez (ORBX) without problems with regards to the computer’s processors and FPS. It was certainly out of question to try to land at the Courchevel airport (LLH Creations), with its short sloped runway, but a low pass at high speed caused no stutters.

A virtual CRJ-700ER aircraft (Aerosoft) with the Air France HOP colors is in flight over the Courchevel virtual airport in France (LLH Creations)

Flying the CRJ at low speed

The CRJ offers a good margin of manoeuver when it comes to flying at low speed. But due to the position of the engines, the aircraft’s nose will raise rapidly when the throttle is brought back to idle. In a constant and progressive descent, that does not cause a problem. But if the manoeuver is done on short final when the aircraft is still above 50 feet, the rapid change in the aircraft’s attitude could induce a stall.

The air brakes

One cannot rely too much on the air brakes to slow down the CRJ. They have limited efficiency, both for the virtual and the real aircraft.

Floating tendency

If the aircraft arrives over the threshold at a higher speed than recommended, it will float for a long distance before finally touching down.

Landing and take-off distances

A virtual CRJ-900ER aircraft with the Air Canada colours (Aerosoft) is approaching the Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau virtual airport (Fly Tampa Montreal)

The CRJ-900 and CRJ-700 operate on relatively short runways. The CRJ-700 needs 5040 feet for take-off (at maximum weight) and landing, under the standard ICAO conditions. The CRJ-900 requires 6060 feet for take-off and 5260 feet for landing. The maximum range has been established to be around 1300 and 1400 nm.

Managers that facilitate the use of the CRJ

For the CRJ, Digital Aviation & Aerosoft have created managers that allow choosing the number of passengers, cargo, as well as calculating the fuel weight, the center of gravity and the amount of trim required. There is even a FS2 Crew option if desired. Another manager facilitated the addition of liveries.

The flight simulation enthusiasts had been anticipating the arrival of that regional jet for a long time; some did not believe anymore that it would one day become a reality (that includes the company too!). The flight simmers now have access to a world class and high quality regional jet.

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Geopolitics

Political stability according to Donald Trump

Post author By Stanley
Post date 28 May 2017

The Iranian population chose a moderate leader during the 2017 election. This is good news for the country and also for their neighbours. At the same time, Donald Trump, who is visiting the Middle East, reinforces the importance of lowering the political tensions in the region.

But at the same time, the United States announce the signature of a 350 billion dollars contract with Saudi Arabia, a contract that will provide Saudi Arabia with armaments and support for the next ten years. Before that contract, Saudi Arabia was already the country that spent the most amount of money for military equipment in the world.

With Iran and Saudi Arabia not getting along very well, it is easy to imagine the impact that this military contract will have on the Iranian leaders.

If I don’t get along well with my neighbour and the latter signs a 350 billion dollar contract to acquire and maintain armaments, I do not believe that my natural reaction will be one of understanding and stability, and even less of demilitarization. First, I will ask myself what is the purpose of all the armaments and, if I am just a bit realistic, I will imagine that there are possibilities that my neighbour could eventually use those against me.

Every country around the world, even those who call themselves « neutral », have strategic interests to promote and defend. But to wish for stability with military contracts of such a nature is to live in dreamland.

For more articles on geopolitics on my web site, click on the following link : Geopolitics

Tags American government, American President, Donald Trump, Iran, Middle East politics, military contracts, political instability, political tensions, President of the United States, Saudi Arabia, strategic interests, United States

Novels

Smokey Nelson’s last days

Post author By Stanley
Post date 4 April 2017

The French novel by author Catherine Mavrikakis : Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson

Catherine Mavrikakis dedicates her French novel “Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson” to those “who die murdered by the governments of numerous States of America”. She also wishes to underline the work of “David R. Dow who, in Texas, tries to save them”. [my translation]

The author presents the faults of Middle America with, in the background, the sordid murders of of a family of four people in a motel, twenty years ago. Details of the crime are only incidental in the novel.

The crime is the opportunity for the author to present the very different lives of the people who were directly impacted by the drama. Through the personal history of these people are expressed the fear and the imbalances of the Americans. Catherine Mavrikakis has an original way of presenting the injustices lived because of a different skin color. She also skillfully develops on religious habits, mental illness, drug and alcool abuse, lack of education and extreme gaps in wealth among American citizens.

Another theme presented in the novel is the fear of their own government by many Americans who see it as a potential enemy and against which one must protect himself using firearms if necessary. An American citizen, like Timothy McVeigh, becomes a terrorist as he is so absolutely sure of “ the conspiracy of the State against his beliefs” [my translation].

Backcover of the book: Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson, by Catherine Mavrikakis

The novel also addresses the difference of treatment between Blacks and Whites in front of justice. This really is not a surprise. There are far more Blacks in jail than there are Whites, and far more that end up in the death row too.

The inequality of treatment between Blacks and Whites is also raised by the author when she brings back to memory the damages caused by the Katrina hurricane and the questions surrounding the destruction of the dams protecting the different neighborhoods.

Rumours are that some dams were volontarily destroyed in order to control the trajectory of the flooding. The will to protect wealthy neighborhoods, mostly inhabited by Whites, would have caused the destruction and flooding of the Lower Ninth Ward district, where a majority of Blacks were living. It is up to the reader to determine whether a further research is justified.

Some sections in the novel marvelously summerize the contradictions present in the religious discourse. On numerous occasions the reader witnesses a God proned to bragging, in front of which humans must prosternate in order to celebrate “His Glory”. A God approving the use of violence and justifying radical actions in order to win over a Satan who, sometimes, takes the liberty to take a break. This short absence is always an occasion not missed by God to fully shine.

At the end of the book, the death row inmate, after having taken a last hearty meal, reflects on the pertinence of meeting a priest before being executed. He has this snarky remark: [my translation] “A pastor is like a steak, at the last moment, it can’t be refused”.

Title : Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson

Author : Catherine Mavrikakis

Edition : Héliotrope

ISBN : 978-2-923975-49-8

For other novels, click on the following link:

Novels

Geopolitics

American politics: the construction of a wall between Mexico and United States

Post author By Stanley
Post date 7 February 2017

The importance of political face saving

The way Mexico is treated by Donald Trump’s government is not politically astute. Because of a disagreement on illegal immigration between the two countries, the American President has deemed necessary to solve the problem in the public arena by using statements that make the Mexicans lose face on the world stage. When a country’s government loses face, it is a sure recipe to stall negotiations and escalate political tensions. Saying to the Mexicans that they will pay for a wall that forbids them to enter in United States is reckless.

The economic input of Mexicans in United States

The American economic growth has always relied on a good proportion of workers accepting low salaries and poor working conditions, especially when they are considered illegal workers and come from Mexico and Central America. To eliminate that manpower and force the employers to double if not triple the salaries will only help increase the price of American products and risk a decrease in competitiveness. This will also impoverish Mexico and increase the inequalities between the two countries, since many “illegal workers” send money to their family abroad.

A wall that will be inefficient in controlling the influx of drugs into the United States

While generating endless tensions between land owners, political parties and countries, the wall will also require tremendous expenses that will in the end not really help to slow down the importation of drugs into the USA. Why? 95% of the containers coming in from Europe and Asia are not inspected in depth due to lack of human resources and material, as much as for the desire to expedite commercial operations. Time is money. So there are still important holes in the screening process. The book “Ninety percent of everything”, by author Rose George, develops on that very subject:

Business

There is no easy way of stopping the importation of drugs in America or any other country. The importation of drugs will continue until the most serious gaps have been filled, and that means efficiently controlling what is inside the containers. This is where the billions of dollars have to be invested, not in the construction of a wall…

For more articles on geopolitics on my web site, click on the following link : Geopolitics

Tags Asia, commercial pressures, container ship, Donald Trump, economic growth, Europe, illegal immigration, illegal workers, irresponsible speeches, Mexicans, Mexico, Ninety percent of everything, political tensions, President of the United States, Rose George, security, separation of communities by means of a wall, United States, weapons drugs and human trafficking

Terrorism

The Quebec Islamic community attacked by an unstable individual

Post author By Stanley
Post date 30 January 2017

The Quebec Islamic community has just lost six of its members. I want to offer them my sincere condolances as a Quebecer from Quebec City and as a Canadian.

It is hard for me to realize that in my city, which is so beautiful and peaceful, such a tragedy can happen. But all the citizens who have lived the same tragedy in their city tell themselves the same thing. Talk about it to the French or the Berliners. Quebec is not different.

The Quebec City mayor, Régis Labeaume, was recently mentioning how good the statistics were in Quebec when it came to violent acts : there had been only one homicide in twenty-one months. And now, in full Quebec Carnival period, at a time where the City invites its citizens and tourists to get out and be together enjoying the winter season, one Quebecer attacks his peaceful compatriots.

The word « terrorism »

I do not know why exactly but it seems that the Sainte-Foy, January 29th 2017 murders that have just been commited will be classified as a « terrorist » act. Possibly because it targeted a specific community that has a different religion than the shooter. Or because the act is aimed at terrorizing people. Or both.

The word « terrorism » is popular. In United States, the Donald Trump government has just closed its boundaries to selected countries, in case a potential « terrorist » would arrive in USA.

It is easy to forget that there are American citizens already living in United States that are even more dangerous, those who kill tens of thousands of Americans yearly with all kinds of guns that they have the right to possess according to a Constitution that did not anticipate the consequences.

In spite of the blooshed that includes tens of children in schools, it is not « terrorism » so there are no drastic actions taken. Politicians talk and hesitate for weeks after a tragedy and then everything comes back to normal. The « terrorist » murder has obviously a much stronger social impact than any other murder. And it allows to disregard the widespread « laisser-faire » when it comes to the right of everybody in United States to acquire almost whatever he desires when it comes to guns and to use them at will. But if you come from Irak, now that’s dangerous!

A few nice Quebec City photos

I take the opportunity to post a few nice pictures of Quebec City, as I did for France after the terrorist acts. They have been taken with a Canon 5DSR. This is another way of saying to local citizens and tourists that Québec, as for Paris, Nice or Berlin, is a beautiful city, normally very peaceful and filled with happy people. And that we are not going to be told how to behave or think by the most violent and often mentally fragile individuals of our societies.

Bonhomme Carnaval and Château Frontenac, Québec 2017

Snow, ice and wood creation made by a Sillery citizen in Quebec City in 2015.

Aviation Pioneers

Aviation pioneers: the Hindenburg on its first flight by Québec on July 1st 1936

Post author By Stanley
Post date 27 January 2017

The Hindenburg airship over Quebec in 1936. The Quebec bridge is visible in the background.

The particularly rare picture above shows the LZ129 Hindenburg airship just after it completed its flight over Québec, Canada on its fourth crossing of the Atlantic from Germany to Lakehurst, United States, on July 1st 1936. This fly-by had not been announced since the trip was normally done directly between Germany and United States.

The Hindenburg was the biggest airship in the world and it was destroyed in 1937 on the arrival to Lakehurst. The explosion of the hydrogen on board the airship caused the death of 34 passengers and crew members.

Far away, we can see the Quebec bridge, the longest cantilever bridge in the world, while it was the sole link between the two shores of the St-Lawrence seaway.

An excellent source of information (in French) can be found on the internet link included below. It recalls the citizen’s comments while the airship was approaching, the trajectory followed by the airship over Quebec City and how the citizens learned of the Hindenburg’s approach:

Le dirigeable Von Hindenburg au-dessus de Québec [1er juillet 1936]

Tags airship, aviation pioneers, Canada, Germany, Hindenburg, LZ129, Québec, Quebec bridge, Quebec City, United States

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation: a FedEx MD-11 inbound for the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

Post author By Stanley
Post date 20 January 2017

The flight simulator enthousiast will have fun trying this short flight ( 14 minutes) from the Eagle County virtual airport (KEGE) to the Telluride virtual airport (KTEX). The virtual flight, using FSX, was made during winter, on January 8th. The shots below represent an idea of what is visible while flying toTelluride. Use 14,000 feet, it should do it…

FedEx MD-11 on the take-off run at the Eagle County airport (KEGE) (FSX)

FedEx MD-11 airborne from the Eagle County airport (KEGE) (FSX)

FedEx MD-11 between Eagle County airport (KEGE) and Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

There are lots of beautiful mountains between KEGE and Telluride, and also some unpredictable weather…

The expected ceiling at Telluride was 8500 ft. On the way to the airport, the clouds and visibility were sometimes obscuring the mountains.

A FedEx MD-11 on a flight Eagle County (KEGE) to Telluride (KTEX) (FSX)

Telluride is a very inviting airport for a MD-11. The 7000 feet runway itself does not represent a big challenge, although its 100 feet are a bit narrow: this aircraft would normally require a 150 feet wide landing surface.

The virtual VFR approach made with the MD-11 was the most expensive way to do the trip, since it required a fly-by and a 270 degree turn to the right to align with runway 09.

FedEx MD-11 flies by the Telluride airport KTEX) (FSX)

The 270 degree turn at a 10-20 degree bank allowed to transit from 14,000 to 10,000 ft without doing anything radical. Just a turn while descending and gradually loosing speed to arrive at around 160 kts on final. The aircraft was now installed on long final, with flaps set at 50 degrees.

A FedEx MD-11 on long final runway 09 for the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

The high altitude runway’s 9078 feet msl elevation meant the pilots dealt with lower air density and heavy weight when approaching and, as such, the airspeed had to be adjusted accordingly to prevent stalling on final.

A FedEx MD-11 on final runway 09 for the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

Here is a view from the Telluride tower…

View from the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX) of a FedEx MD-11 on final for runway 09

Now with a view like that, you would not consider coming in IFR…!

A FedEx MD-11 inbound from KEGE on final for runway 09 at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

To prevent an overshoot and some additional expenses in fuel (which are already skyrocketing), an optimal approach was required.

Most accidents with the MD-11 happen when the pilot pushes on the stick when there is a rebound with the nose wheel, thus creating an even stronger rebound. When there is a rebound, there is no need to push on the stick, just wait and the aircraft sets itself quickly.

A FedEx MD-11 over the threshold runway 09 at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

Now with max breaking and thrust reversers…

A FedEX MD-11 slowing down at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

The MD-11 can easily turn at the first taxiway at Telluride. But in order to capture a wider view of the airport, I exited at the last taxiway (again adding to the already enormous expense in fuel…)

A FedEX Md-11 is exiting runway 09 at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

The employee on the ramp was worried that the MD-11 lower winglet would scratch N900SS while taxiing. But there was plenty of space (11 inches)…

A FedEX Md-11 is taxiing on the ramp at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

The MD-11 was parked temporarily in a spot needed by every aircraft. It was necessary to unload quickly the precious cargo and get out of the way.

Temporary parking for a FedEx MD-11 at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

Some expert handling would be needed to help move back that MD-11 close to the runway. But that was the Telluride’s airport manager problem and he had promised he would have something ready!

FedEx Md-11 parked at the Telluride airport (KTEX) (FSX)

The virtual scenery from departure to destination is a creation of ORBX programmers and the virtual MD-11 is made by PMDG Simulations (I am not sure it works with P3D though). For the weather, I used REX Simulations as the weather engine and REX and Cumulus X for the cloud textures. (Edit: PMDG does not support it’s MD-11 anymore).

For other challenging virtual flights, head towards the flight simulation section of my web site, under “challenging virtual flights”: there is something for everyone!

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation (FSX): a C-17A at the Block Island airport (KBID) in USA

Post author By Stanley
Post date 31 December 2016

Alex Geoff, the ORBX Block Island (KBID) virtual airport designer, asked flight simulator enthousiasts to try to operate the biggest aircraft possible on that airport ‘s 2502 ft runway.

Canadian military aircraft C17-A ready for take-off runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

Naturally, we are talking about a virtual flight. You must then forgive the landing of an aircraft which, in real life, would destroy the runway. You also have to disregard the fact that numerous trees would have to be chopped if the aircraft would elect to use the taxiway. I was almost forgetting the pilots and airport manager that would have to be fired following the authorized manoeuver.

The context of the flight having been presented, here is the data that will allow flight simulator enthousiasts to replicate the circuit around the Block Island airport with a Virtavia C-17A.

Contrary to the Cessna type aircrafts normally evolving around the airport, the total weight of the canadian military C-17A used for the flight was 405,000 pounds. The fuel was adjusted to 50% in all four tanks. Both pilots agreed to skip lunch in order to avoid adding any extra weight to the beast…

Flaps were adjusted to 2/3. I backed the aircraft to the beginning of the runway, applied the brakes, applied full throttle, waited for maximum regime, released the brakes and used ground effect to lift the aircraft before it was too late. The take-off was done on runway 10 with a 12 kts and 70 degree crosswind.

Canadian military aircraft C17-A airborne runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

Then, four right turns were made : 190°, 280°, 010° and 100°. During the flight, the aircraft’s altitude never went above 2000 feet.

Canadian military aircraft C17-A turning downwind runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

Wheels and flaps were brought down in base so that I did not have to make serious adjustments on final.

Canadian military aircraft C17-A turning base runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

Canadian military aircraft C17-A on long final runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

Canadian military aircraft C17-A short final runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

The speed eventually went down to 128 kts and, while the aircraft was still about two feet in the air, I used the airbrakes. The thrust reversers were fully activated two feet before touch-down (continued pressure on F2) since they take time to rev up. That is not necessarily the proper way to do it and you can wait one more second, until the wheels touch the runway, to use the reversers. The main gear touched at the very beginning of the runway and maximum breaking was then applied.

Canadian military aircraft C17-A landing at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport in United States (FSX)

It was possible to exit on the taxiway without having to back-track on the runway. The environment always coming second, some trees were cut so that there were no contacts with the aircraft.

Canadian military aircraft C17-A exiting runway 10 at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport (FSX) in United States

Canadian military aircraft C17-A taxiing at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport (FSX) in United States

If you decide to try it out, think of saving the flight when you are on final, in case you are not satisfied with your performance during the landing (scrapped aircraft, destroyed houses and vehicles in the neighborhood, burned forest at the end of runway 10, collateral victims, etc.).

Canadian military aircraft C17-A at the Block Island (KBID) virtual airport (FSX) in United States

Good luck!

For other challenging virtual flights, head towards the flight simulation section of the present web site.

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Flight Simulation

Flight Simulation: a B-52 from Montreal to Anchorage, Alaska

Post author By Stanley
Post date 9 November 2016

Boeing B-52 (FSX) airborne from Montréal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Intl to Anchorage, Alaska

Boeing B-52 (FSX) building up speed between Montréal and Anchorage

The Boeing B-52 is a Captain Sim creation and the Montreal airport is made by FlyTampa. The remaining scenery is designed by ORBX. Here are few basic informations for those of you who would be tempted to try a flight immediately after the download is completed. For the takeoff: pitot heat, 100% flaps down, YAW SAS Switch Engage, stabilizer trimmed, full throttle within four seconds, climb between 1500 and 2000 ft/min. The climb with flaps down is done at 180 kts. Adjust the thrust so that you have time to bring the flaps in totally; use 230 kts as maximum for zero degree flaps. Once in flight, brake to stop the wheels rotation then bring the gear up (although not before reaching 1000 ft agl).

Boeing B-52 inbound to Anchorage, Alaska (FSX)

For a normal descent: (note: keep 20 kts in surplus of the proposed speed when the aircraft is turning). The descent is done at about 240 kts, with airbrakes 4, gear down, throttle to idle. À 220 kts, you may start applying flaps (they take 60 secondes to be fully extended). Once in downwind, use153 kts with airbrakes 4 (for 225,000 lbs). No more than 30 degrees turns. The rollout is done at no more than133 kts.

Boeing B-52 with flaps and gear out on the approach for Anchorage (FSX)

Boeing B-52 with runway in sight in Anchorage (FSX)

Boeing B-52 and the parachute on the arrival at Anchorage (FSX)

The touchdown with airbrakes full up is done at 110 kts IAS. The drag chute is then deployed (never above 135 kts). Keep a slight angle only, with the rear wheels touching first. When taxiing, turn the YAW switch and the airbrakes to “OFF”. Those are only basic infos. By the way, when the drag chute is deployed, you will not see a difference in the breaking distance; the chute is there only for “graphic” reality. Have a good flight!

Boeing B-52 leaving the runway in Anchorage (FSX)

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Tags airbrakes, Alaska, Anchorage, Boeing B-52, Canada, Captain Sim, flight simulation, flight simulator, Fly Tampa Montreal, FSX, ORBX, United States, virtual flight

Geopolitics

Twenty reasons why Donald Trump cannot “make America great again”

Post author By Stanley
Post date 12 October 2016

Trump’s political slogan “Make America great again” does not make any sense when analyzed against the nominee’s words and actions.

You cannot make America great again if your political platform does not present a clear plan of action for the American population. Formulas like “Look at this crowd!”, “We’re going to build a wall” and “I would have liked to punch him in the face” are not promises for a brighter future.

You cannot make America great again if your economic ideas involve isolating America from its long lasting commercial partners. America created 255,000 jobs in the sole month of July (2016). For a country that, according to Trump, loses everything to its commercial partners, it sounds somewhat contradictory. A populist platform will not help the American population grow up and understand how business thrives.

You cannot make America great again by building up tensions between ethnic groups within the United States.

You cannot make America great again by constantly lying. Numerous declarations by Trump have been found untrue.

You cannot make America great again if the few general proposals you put forward contradict each other. Trump promises to lower the American deficit ($23 trillion dollars) and, at the same time, repeats that he will spend billions and billions of dollars to refurbish and bring the military capacity back to what it used to be. This is totally contradictory. It implies that the American population will pay for the new expenses while having to deal with serious cuts in the nation’s budget. Since the rich American does not want to contribute more than he actually does, and that the poor American is already almost unable to survive, it implies that a disappearing middle class will foot the bill. This will not make America great again but instead create the worst internal crisis ever in the United States.

You cannot make America great again by being rude, bullying, insulting and mocking whoever does not agree with you. That attitude does not help to build a greater America.

You cannot make America great again by being condescending towards prisoners of war. While some Americans where being made prisoners of war, Donald Trump was enjoying a comfortable living in the security of his home.

You cannot make America great again by lowering the political debate to a level never seen before.

You cannot make America great again by considering that dictatorship is synonymous of strong leadership. Under this angle, Hitler would be a great leader and we all know the consequences of his actions. Give the presidency to a gigantic and uncontrolled ego and the Americans, as well as the rest of the world, will pay the price.

You cannot make America great again by ridiculing Mexico, an extremely important neighbour. This country is a major commercial partner of the United States and has also a fantastic culture, for whoever is curious enough to open a book and read about it. But it takes curiosity and the feeling that there are other important people around the world than oneself.

You cannot make America great again if the republican vice-president and president nominees contradict each other about very serious matters on national TV, and if the vice-president nominee finds himself unable to defend the presidential nominee’s positions.

You cannot make America great again if the republican presidential nominee does not understand the consequences of being a populist nationalist. The Germans went through that in the past. I have included a video that is worth taking the time to listen to:

Let’s just hope that the current resentment from having received over one million refugees in Germany in a very short time frame will not help the extreme right to gain momentum and repeat the mistakes of the past.

You cannot make America great again by governing on fear. That does not make for a great future. You then have a population who needs several guns per person in order to be able to sleep at night.

You cannot make America great again if you continue to push for the population to be armed like no other country in the world. The shootings among Americans places the country in the top most violent country in the world. You can make America greater by reducing the number of guns in circulation and increasing the control on who can acquire guns.

You cannot make America great again if you do not understand, as a President, what is really going on in Syria in 2016. Summing it up to a simplistic description only adds to the confusion. In Syria, there are war crimes being perpetrated. The civil population and hospitals are deliberately targeted to protect and improve strategic military positions.

You cannot make America great again by stating that Hillary Clinton will be sent to jail if you are elected as President of the United States. This is done under authoritarian regimes around the world, and certainly is not a promise that will help the United States increase its credibility in the free world.

You cannot make America great again by destabilizing your NATO allies, or saying that you would use the nuclear bomb against Europe if necessary.

You cannot make America great again by promising that you will put forward tax reforms that will hurt your own businesses. Somebody who has fought to keep his hotels and casinos alive will not suddenly change his mind if elected President and start putting in place measures that will endanger what he has taken so much time to protect. It is nonsense. The person who is well positioned to modify a tax code that could hurt companies is someone who does not himself own the targeted companies.

You cannot make America great again by electing somebody who hates very frequent briefings. Being President of the United States requires being available, interested and able to listen to the frequent daily briefings. You must have the personality to cope with them, even if you would like to be somewhere else.

You cannot make America great again by staying silent on how to realistically lower the difference in revenues between Americans. I am not talking about equality between revenues, but lowering the extremes between the rich and the poor. This would certainly help to bring the American dream back to life, lower the social tensions and crime rate and give more sense to the theme “Make America great again…”. But I guess we are not there yet…

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