Muslim Grandmas Could Be Reunited With Their Grandchildren in 2021

I was working with a team in Silicon Valley that was developing a surgical robot in 2016. As is typical of teams full of specialists, it had folks from all over the globe.

An Italian on the team told me one day at lunch, "I kind of don't want Trump to win but I kind of do want Trump to win."
"Why?"
"Well, if you elect Trump it will make us Italians look less ridiculous for electing Berlusconi."

One of the robotic arms specialists was from Iran. Trump's Muslim ban meant that his mother could not come to visit his children. I said, "I feel like at least one American should apologize to you for this. I'm embarrassed at Trump's ban. I don't even see how it is constitutional. I'm sorry."
He was a gentle guy and he shrugged and said, "Well, we've had crazy leaders too."

Tomorrow Trump's Muslim ban ends, which was - among other things - another type of family separation program. There will be thousands of women from Muslim countries who will be able to visit their American grandchildren before the year is over.

And it will probably be awhile before we roll our eyes again at Italian voters.