Mark Small

Far too nuanced for most exchanges in USA. Slovenia was under Tito so wasn't part of Sov bloc but considered "red" by red-baiters because - well, it just was

Tito was smart enough to realize that if he courted the west (and its money) too openly, Russia would do to Yugoslavia what it did to Hungary. So he played up his communist credentials and made sure Moscow had no reason to doubt him.

True - but that system also gave us the Yugo ... just sayin'

Wasn't the Yugo basically a glorified Trabant? (unpopular opinion?)

I had to read up ... I don't think so + ppl say Yugo was better!?

There is nothing harder on the kidneys than a bouncing tuk-tuk (3 wheeler) in Sri Lanka!!!

There was a joke in East Germany that was popular: Q: Why does the Trabant have a heated rear window? A: So you can warm your hands while you're pushing it. Never let it be said Germans have no sense of humor.

I will choose not to respond. But: never did I imagine that I would be singing the praises of a German Chancellor. I have enormous respect for Angela Merkel. A professional world leader. And has a moral/ethical compass. Rare traits.