I never thought it would be possible to write and believe in a sentence like this but here I sure am: Of those few political leaders living in the real world, Trump is living in the realest one.
It's just amazing. A guy who in so many respects has always been among the biggest schmucks around, who incurred bankruptcy after bankruptcy, who was a serial marriage-destroyer and offspring disappointer has turned out to be the one clear-eyed hardheaded and masterful geopolitical force we need.
If I were a different sex and living in a different time and place and had lotsa money I'd be lifting a glass of whiskey and gesturing with a fine cigar in my oak-lined library and raising an ironic eyebrow and grinning with huge enjoyment.
edit: On second thought I'll stay the sex I am. Just imagine Marlene Dietrich in that glazed leather chair.
It is the crucible Trump's lived through and lessons he's learned the last nine, nearly ten, years that have transformed him into the person he is today. The last seven months have been the most astonishing of the post-WWII era, maybe ever in American history, and the administration is still clearing away debris, not yet started to flex. [edited for grammar]
As I keep saying--if we hadn't paid the most monstrous cost to get to this point it would be the greatest time to be alive. But truly vengeance has never tasted so good.
In 2016 , they didn’t think they would win and had no team in place . This time we had 4 years to organize and plan e.g. project 2025 . It is really remarkable how effective they have been . Trump is actually trying to fulfill Hamilton’s vision ( Federalist 70 ) . A strong decisive unitary executive. He won’t get there but he is moving closer . Curtis Yarvin has a neat analogy. Steve Jobs built the IPhone . Imagine an IPhone built by the government of California . 17 year and 30 Billion dollars for a hi speed rail …and still not one foot of rail . We DO have a nice overpass in …Fresno . Why Fresno ? Welcome to California.
I think the difference this time is motivation, more than organization and planning. The treachery, betrayals, and attacks on Trump over the past 8+years appear to have gotten his attention.
And don't forget the CEO of the fantasy choo choo project wants to build it to Gilroy. Are these people for real?? Is there extreme demand for public transportation to the Garlic Festival? It's a 17 year boondoggle that neatly represents how much of a sideshow we've become.
Russia is winning the war and has no reason to stop draining European money and weapons
Can someone tell me which one it is, because if I was a betting man, watching them not jump for peace seems to smell like they think they can continue to hand us a defeat and drain us slowly. The long game
In other news:
Eugyppius points out that the media is upset that "Putin be treated as the leader of a major power on an equal footing."
Magically they all say the same thing, like a script?
Le Monde says "equal footing with the US"
Wall Street Journal says "one on equal footing with the US"
2) Russia is winning the war and has every reason to keep draining European money and weapons, as long as the Euros keep delivering them within easy reach.
Well observed. It's total insanity. (Also "Gleichschaltung" - ooh, did I actually say that?)
Of _course_ Russia is a major power. As Europeans (and Americans), we have to talk with Russia. You don't even have to like Putin (I don't), or what Russia has done in Ukraine (I don't either) for that to be true.
Eugyppius puts it very well. European "leaders" have this delusion that by _pretending_ that Russia is not a major power, by saying magic formulas, they can make this true. Russia can't be a major power because Putin is not nice. Apparently if you say this often enough, it becomes true.
I mean, come on. If they don't want Russia to be a major power, then they need to roll up their sleeves and _do something_ to turn Russia into a minor power. Are they up for that?
No, thought not. Anyway, Napoleon and Hitler already demonstrated how hard that would be.
Very observant! I recommend Smear by Sharyl Attkisson, published 2017. She has other examples there of "journalists" repeating exactly what they are told to say.
Yes, hard to ignore that he is the winner (to date) with the upper hand. Also difficult to understand Security Guarantees as a concept with America First policies.
Yes makes no sense to anyone. Even if the US decides to go keep letting Ukraine shoot NATO missiles with NATO and US SUpport for targeting into Russia itself, I anticipate the key word of this year will be "plausible deniability" when the Russians give HAMAS (or some other bad girls) big booms and say they did not know. Trump is dealing with a terrible hand right now
Of course the US has authority. If we shut off the internet from Elon skylink, and no longer provided guidance for targeting. Stopped sending supplies this would be over in a month
Ukraine has to fold without US intelligence. Let's see what the new Ukraine 'aid' package the boys from Kentucky /McConnell and So Carolina/Graham may do, those ol sly devils.
That is not the reality now. We stopped the $$$ to Ukraine in January, but made a deal with NATO to produce weapons that they would buy for Ukraine. The US is working to bring a peace agreement if it can between the two nations fighting.
Our border got shut down in 2 months . Zero. The best estimate is we have about 1 million fewer illegal immigrants now ..mostly due to self deportation .
Actual deportation seems to be rather difficult . Strangely Biden let them walk right in but you can’t just escort them back out .
Hmm. As usual, eugyppius has given us a nice brew.
I do think EU spending 5% and paying for arms for Ukr makes a difference to Putin.
Putin needs a win of out this deal, to take back to his people (who might be more the oligarchs than anyone else).
We do not know what Trump said privately. I hope more “realistic.”
For example, Putin needs to appear powerful. It is probably best if Trump does not make Putin bend the knee publicly at the public threat of economic collapse. But…. (and here, we hope, power moves become more subtle and hinted… how strongly clearly does T say it until Putin sees his real choice?)
Russia is losing a LOT of soldiers. Putin personally does not care, but some in Russia do care, but we do not know how meaningful this is.
Yes, Russia has a lot more bodies than Ukraine.
Key to this is the state of Russia’s economy. The war proceeds only as much as the economy can support it.
Some say the economy is stretched very thin now.
And, to some degree, Ukraine has the same problem. I think the EU supports Ukraine more than China supports Russia.
One guesses that Putin came to the table to forestall the economic sanctions that Trump threatened. And the tariffs on Buyers of Russia oil, which would take a big dent out of Russia’s income and hurt the Oligarchs.
My guess is that threat needs to be more present in Putin’s mind (and the Oligarchs’) if Putin will agree to a reasonable peace.
Note how many Oligarchs came to the meeting. We maybe care more about their reaction than Putin’s to the meeting and this “opportunity.” It is no doubt true they can smell the business opportunity on the other side of Peace. How much does Putin care about their opinion? Hmm. I suppose this part of the situation is very undefined, and everyone is “working on it” in real-time.
It may be that Putin the realist is more Putin the idealist - tilting at the windmill of storing the Russian Empire over 100 years. Idealism can make one too stubborn to take a small win now.
And I think, until Putin agrees to a reasonable ceasefire, then he shows no incentive to agree to a reasonable peace.
I am fine to give Putin inconsequential stuff (eg, the photo of the handshake), so long as we get something consequential.
If I were Putin, and I were not willing to agree to a reasonable peace deal soon, I would not walk beside any windows above the second floor.
Power is an ephemeral thing.
Let us not be surprised if a few Ukrainian missiles start landing in Russia, as a subtle hint.
But, for sure, it’s a long border and the cartels will find some holes.
I will guess that the holes will be used more for the high-profit stuff (drugs?) and less for low-profit (human trafficking). But I bet if you had enough money, you could get in. Via Canada would be cheaper, I’d bet.
Don’t get me wrong. Trump’s team is done a helluva job so far. For Govt, they are racing. Hugely impressive.
For the moment Trump looks like he is in the "real" world. The problem is that no one knows what he will do tomorrow. As others have observed before, Trump has the disquieting tendency -- perhaps reflecting his lack of clear convictions in anything other than himself -- of agreeing with the last person he speaks to. Whatever one thinks of Putin, one cannot seriously challenge his consistency.
Trump has always had a genuine revulsion for the carnage of war. In that he's never been a hypocrite. He didn't want to serve in war and military school clearly had on him the opposite effect to the one intended.
Trump is also a schmoozer to his core and he'll schmooze with anyone. I'm sure he likes Putin's ruthlessness to a certain extent--if these were two business rivals they'd be an interesting match-up--but as I said Trump does not like war and I think he recognizes that Putin has zero scruples about throwing what he sees as disposable bodies into the meatgrinder. Trump for all his flaws is the far better man.
Yes. Vance has the intel from sources who show him other perspectives like battle maps and the state of things. As well as the pulse of response by Americans towards these subjects.
I disagree strongly on the Trump-better-man, herein. Trump's "ok" get it done quickly but get it all done, by murder, eviction, and starvation, within Palestinian owned lands: property of Muslims and Christians, none of whom are Hamas---makes Trump the power killer alongside Anglo-Zionist funders and the Israeli state.
Trump has such a horror of the carnage of war that he reversed Biden's partial arms embargo of Israel to facilitate the continued, and accelerated, carnage (or genocide, if you like) in Gaza, as well as bypassing Congress to send additional arms to Israel.
There's never been peace in the Middle East ever in recorded and likely in unrecorded history. Perhaps that's because the sort of peace required would be of the Carthaginian variety.
Yeah. Not so much. I still think Poland will take back their historic lands from 1/2 of West Ukraine. Hungary and Romani will take the other part of the west which used to belong to them. There will be a rump state of Ukraine around Kiev and the rest will be attached to Russia or will be Russian controlled republics. Incl Odessa.
Interesting idea. Don't think it'll float though. Orbán might like to _talk_ about it (though Székely-land, in Romania, is much more popular for irredentists - never going to happen). But the EU would kick Hungary out if he took back Zacarpathia - Romania too if they went for Czernowitz.
You might say "well, would Orbán care?". I think he would: he plays a very subtle game between Brussels and anti-EU Hungarians. Challenges Brussels a lot (as he should): but I don't think he ever really wants Hungary to actually leave.
Maybe it’s just me, but following these 6 negotiations has lead me to believe that he’s extremely frustrated with a deal that he can’t close, because it’s not his to close. It’s Ukraine’s and Russia’s. The last move he made was to offer the EU weaponry, which was accepted. Witkoff met with Putin and Trump received the call that P wanted to meet-soon. Not listening to him would be missing an opportunity to learn what the absolute roadblocks are, and what is possible. Trump informed the people not to expect much, because he doesn’t hold to cards to close this, only Zelenskyy can. He informed us that if he walks out in 20 minutes, talks were over. But when he did walk out, apparently it was okay but not good enough. So he spent the flight home on the phone with European leaders, and set up an Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy. He wants his land back. This is a conundrum that was left for him by Biden. His purpose is to stop the massacre of populations young and old. If anyone can bring them to a peace treaty, it is President Trump, who obviously is the most devoted to the task. Ignore the corporate media headlines. They need to sell papers.
Those that voted for Trump in the latest election are fully aware of his flaws. In fact, they're a big part of why people vote for him. This man has turned out to be the most clearheaded force in this conflict, as well as the other one whose name shall not be mentioned (I have direct knowledge of "behind closed doors" negotiations for that one). He also, despite his "marriage-destroying" tendencies, turned out to be the one true protector of women. Perhaps it's possible that he may not be what the left and the media claim he is? Perhaps *they* have incentive(s) to fearmonger? One thing is for certain: for all his flaws, Trump is respected on the world stage in a way that Biden never was.
For self torture I watch leftie propaganda on the YouTube. The pseudo prof’s, the Maddows, etc…
The comment sections, full of the usual retarded emotional drivel, is also increasingly calling for violence against anyone they disagree with. TDS is reaching new heights. They’re increasingly open about gun violence and organizing more assassinations. They’re ramping themselves up into a fervor and foreign onlookers are participating in the chat are contributing.
It’s their agenda “or else” civil war, widespread chaos…. Maybe they hope the military would be called out to quell. It’s all about media optics.
"They’re increasingly open about gun violence and organizing more assassinations."
Yeah.
NOW they like guns.
Which leads to exactly the type of newbie clownshows you'd expect.
"Louisville police confirmed three people were injured due to the “discharge of someone’s gun” as members of the “Not F*g Around Coalition,” an all-Black militia, gathered in Baxter Park shortly before 1 p.m.
The victims, all of whom were members of NFAC, were transferred to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the police department said. There were no outstanding suspects..."
"After a weeklong trial, a federal jury in Louisville convicted Not F*g Around Coalition founder John F. “Grand Master Jay” Johnson of aiming a weapon styled like an AR-15 at one federally deputized task force officer and beaming his light at the detective and another cop..."
I'm not sure about the Louisville chapter, but that group has been around for a while. I'm all for more people getting into guns. Makes it harder to screw around with our rights.
The question isn't really *how* they vote, but *whether* (or not) they vote. If the gun owners were to show up en masse and vote according to their 2A rights, they'd be a huge force. Unfortunately, they don't show up unless something (or someone) is on the ballot that they really don't like.
I appreciate that. 😁 I do watch or read some lefty press because it's useful to me to see what the narrative is they're trying (and failing) to sell. When they talk about threats to democracy, they mean *THEIR* democracy. It never occurs to them that if they keep treating his supporters as sub-human, they will eventually lock shields, and it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy...
I almost think they’re trying to manifest it on purpose. Like a kid seeking attention which figures that negative attention for naughty behavior is still attention after all.
I was aghast that anyone supported a reality star who showed off his golden toilet eons ago. But I am happy beyond belief that he is president. I voted for him and I got Kennedy, Bhattacharya and Tulsi and even outfielder Tammy Bruce. And I've been very impressed with Rubio. As for someone living in LA who has always had a soft spot for the illegals, knowing they were lured here, things under Biden became out of control. We are still a mess but it is a bit better. If only I could do something about the "Boomsters" protesting every weekend trying out different cosplay.
From my perspective, for all of Trump's flaws, the Dems had only one job: offer something better. They failed. While I don't agree with Trump on everything, I'm at least willing to listen to the idea, and not just dismiss it because it came from Donald Trump.
Also, for what it's worth, the left threw EVERYTHING THEY HAD at him, and he kept getting up, coming back, and fighting again. Most of us wouldn't be able to survive that kind of onslaught, but he did, and I very much respect that. The fact that he did this, while putting together a team of former Dems (he himself is a former Dem), and inspiring people to follow a better path forward is the actual definition of leadership.
His solutions may not work, but at least he's doing SOMETHING, as the path we were on was completely unsustainable. We didn't get in this situation overnight, and we won't get out of it overnight. It's going to take some pain, but the end result will be worth it.
You voted for Trump and got 4-5 former democrats on your list.
Thems the facts.
Rubio was always a neo-con but appears to have curbed these tense for now. So all disparate pieces come together to make an interesting and fairly cohesive picture.
I have one light colored (ecru) linen ensemble (LOL) that I wear to work in the summer. The machinations I go through as to not get coffee spots on it... I only do it because it's comfortable and probably one of the most professional things I wear (which degrades into jeans and flannel in the winter, go figure).
I was the grief of every boss I ever had. My Manhattan office working uniform was black relaxed-fit jeans, black velcro sneakers and tops appropriate for the seasons. It was of course made worse by me always working for either the head of the organization or of a division. One could get away with a lot in those days if one could write excellent business letters and possess a matchless phone voice.
Democrats never incur bankruptcy because Democrat never attempt to do anything bold in the private economy. They are looters, not producers.
And "offspring disappointer"? What in the hell is that about? Trump's kids are all well-adjusted, brilliant and successful. Maybe your benchmark is the Biden kids?
Of course, if you track Trump’s behavior…. When he listened to Graham and Bolton he tripped on his own boy parts. When Vance has his ear he is a common sense dude. I will say I increasingly can’t listen to him though. Too much of the things people complain about. But, I was always results and policy oriented anyway. I never could remember a politician’s name to save my life.
Well said as someone who understands the geopolitics of the Ukraine and Russia. Hopefully good things are in store for the world as peace sets in .Slowly but surely .
To be clear, neither russia nor the ukraine actually wants to "win," whatever that's supposed to mean. They're both perfectly content with low-grade war for an indefinite period which both sides will use to destroy international geopolitics.
If america had entered into this kind of unconditional alliance with Ukraine in 1979, it would hsve rightfully be seen as a near-total soviet victory for dictating american policy in terms of internal Soviet politics.
like all political leaders, European political elites represent the views of a certain segment of the population, but they do not represent everybody's views.
They maybe represent the views of that segment of the population who don't use the internet so still get their news and opinions from newspapers and TV broadcasts. I know many older people who read a newspaper and watch the BBC news and will invariably tell me quite confidently that Putin Is Mad! Trump Is Mad! Covid Was A Plague! Millions Were Saved By The Jabs! Humanity Is Destroying The Climate! These are the people the elites rely on. The only thing to say is that they are older people who are further down the path to the grim reaper!
Don't be daft. Our "leaders" have no political history in their own parties. They are members of the Trilateral Commission or work for the major banks. They are certainly not politicians and do not represent anybody. In fact UK MPs are no longer required to represent the opinions of their constituents, merely to adhere to good practice guidelines. Their job description was changed this year.
yes, in matters of foreign policy, European politicians generally support the US line. they would do this even without the trilateral commission and even if none of them had anything to do with banks.
Frequently a critic of Soviet and American foreign policy, he expressed his resistance to imperialist ambitions and authoritarian regimes, including those of Francisco Franco of Spain, Augusto Pinochet of Chile, Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, António de Oliveira Salazar of Portugal, Gustáv Husák of Czechoslovakia, and most notably John Vorster and P. W. Botha of South Africa, denouncing apartheid as a "particularly gruesome system". His 1972 condemnation of American bombings in Hanoi, comparing the bombings to a number of historical crimes including the bombing of Guernica, the massacres of Oradour-sur-glane, Babi Yar, Katyn, Lidice and Sharpeville and the extermination of Jews and other groups at Treblinka, resulted in a temporary freeze in Sweden–United States relations.
Same goes for 🇨🇦 now. Look at Carney, he’s a perfect example. Lived in the UK for the better part of the last 15 years as a governor of the Bank of England. Then he popped up as economic advisor to the blisteringly incompetent and corrupt Turdeau. Once it became completely untenable for Justin to continue as PM, the Liberals installed Carney (who at the time held no parliamentary seat as an MP) as PM in an effective coup against the Canadian people themselves. The Modern Leftist Global strategy: Gotta destroy Democracy in order to save it.
There is a severe disconnect in the UK, with a huge gap between the public and those who govern. Not all politicians are slithering creatures, and not all are 'terribly well connected' if one knows what I mean.
Originally it said MP's must represent the interests and concerns of the public
Now it says MP's have no job description
According to independent watchdogs and political commentators, the UK Parliament recently updated its documentation and quietly removed the explicit requirement for Members of Parliament to “represent the public” from the formal job description. That line had previously been part of the generic MP role outlined by the Senior Salaries Review Body in 2001.
The current Parliament website still describes MPs as elected to “represent their interests and concerns in the House of Commons”, but critics argue that the formal job description used internally no longer includes that language. The change hasn’t been widely publicized, and there’s no official statement explaining the revision.
The US always achieves its geopolitical goals through proxies and deception. One of those proxies is Europe which mouths US neocon goals by a process of ventriloquism.
It is like we are going on a road trip. The problem is the driver can't drive and the navigator does not have the ability to read maps. He can just follow pretty pictures. It truly is something when Trump actually has a grasp on reality better than ALL of the European "navigator". We really are in trouble.
This is theatre. The European "elites" have no independence and are merely carrying out US deep state plans. The US wants to take on China and encircle Russia, and needs to pass the Ukraine war on to its European vassals and proxies, that is all.
Never forget the EU and Zelenskyy were deeply complicit in the Russia Russia Russia hoax and the first Trump impeachment. Many newly disclosed documents kept this central in Trump's mind as he set up this meeting with Putin. There is a price to be paid when you try to overthrow the king and fail.
European leaders are a joke. If they want the war to continue, they have near complete power to do so. All they have to do is provide the money, arms, and soldiers -- none of which they are prepared to do.
Absolutely true. Well stated. But it's even worse. If I may...
... (western) Europeans are not only not prepared to "provide the money, arms, and soldiers", they've lost the ability to even re-arm themselves. They've also succeeded in significantly reducing if not removing the cultural ballast or emotional fortitude needed by soldiers to fight and die for their countries.
Moreover, they've imported thousands if not millions of Muslims who suck up huge amounts of money (that could be used to re-arm) and who will not fight for their countries of residence. Were Europe to send large numbers of soldiers to Ukraine (and thus weaken the home-front, so to speak), those Muslims would look at that as an opportunity to take over.
They’d rather have the US send our troops and fritter away our blood and treasure, “defending democracy.” And then be left holding our d—k when China makes a move on Taiwan.
Ukraine was always going to lose this war. No amount of sanctions against Russia or another $175 billion of U.S. treasure into Ukraine is going to change that. We’re not putting boots on the ground in Ukraine and neither are you. So quit while you’re behind and get the best bad deal you can to end the slaughter. Zelensky was stupid to let the Brits convince him to eschew peace talks early in the war.
Ukraine was always going to lose? Perhaps so but they seem to fight on anyway. Examples throughout history often show the small defeating the larger. Had Ukraine been furnished adequate munitions at critical points Russia might have stopped. They still are resource poor as the East apparently has outproduced the West - a true shame.
Better to force a conclusion than more appeasement that led to even more war.
You don’t understand history, especially Russian history. There was never any chance that Ukraine could defeat Russia, which is why it was insane for the USA and NATO to provoke this war.
Hmm. Well, before the war everyone was certain Russia would just drive over and take Kiev. In 3 days or maybe 3 weeks. With maybe a bit of guerilla war after that.
Well, that did not happen.
Now every school boy knows that Russia’s is not the 2nd best military in the world. About all they have is some now very old tanks, some new drones, and a lot of bodies.
And still some missiles that, how shall we say, work a bit better than Iran’s missiles. (I would be good to know how well the missiles are working, compared to where aimed. And more on how many more missiles Putin has.)
And they are about broke. Ukraine too is broke, but the EU will bankroll them.
From the antebellum viewpoint, it is shocking that Ukraine has not by now been defeated.
So, Russia is a bit of a joke now, at least compared to the prior myth.
Let us hope that Germany and the EU awaken from their suicidal fantasy, and start acting like they want to survive for another 25 years, if not, to reference Churchill, another thousand years.
Ukraine is the proxy war of a leftist tantrum. It’s all just stomping feet, crossing arms and taking their toys home whenever the world doesn’t conform to their views. The world is a junior high playground to these people.
Zero seriousness amongst leftist thought leadership.
I just wish Trump would go further. As for the Europeans, they are pathological in how they always look to USA and screech and try to make Big Daddy USA do what they want. If Europe wants to support Zelensky to the bitter end in a war against Russia, they should say so and should pledge what it would take to do that. Which include European troops on the ground and willingness to risk a nuclear war with Russia.
My neighbour harangued me about how awful it was that Putin was greeted with a red carpet (as have most of the media). But how can we expect to achieve peace (and halt the deaths of around 1,000 a day, rather more than in Gaza) without talking to the Russian head of state? Should the talks have been conducted in a coal cellar? What goes on inside these people's heads?
Diplomacy (which Britain used to be rather skilled at, a century or two ago) involves talking to, and if needful glad-handing, some rather unsavoury characters. I'd love to see President Xi in a glass box in the Hague explaining his treatment of the Uighurs, but I'm extremely confident it will never happen. If Putin were removed from the scene, by the hand of God or a drone, it's almost certain that what would follow would be even worse.
Eisenhower invited Soviet dictator and subjugator of all Eastern Europe Nikita Khrushchev to visit the USA for a state visit for two weeks in September of 1959, and gave him the royal treatment.
All three are paranoid, and dream - hard to believe - that they will become the centre of power for the EU27. Now you see it - noise, delusion and paranoia, a dangerous combination.
Being European I probably shouldn't take so much pleasure in our increasing irrelevancy and impotence being so publicly on display. But it's just so delightful to see our malicious overlords humiliated. They're all but asking for it and fully deserve it.
'Two horrorclowns' Surely, that's a criminal offence in the New Germany to insult politicians like that? People - especially old people - have had their doors kicked in and hauled off to jail for less. Where's Faeser and Habeck to instigate legal proceedings?
“If we just believe the right things and say them loud enough all together one more time, we’ll get what we want.
For some reason, these futile exercises frequently culminate in numbered lists of The Way Things Should Be, even though none of our governments are in any position to make things be that way.”
BINGO.
The so-called “partnership” between the EU/UK and Zelensky is one that should be studied in forensic psychology for being one of the most absolutely incomprehensibly and utterly delusional geopolitical relationships perhaps ever, and on a truly unparalleled level.
Just boil it down to basics: what in reality does the EU or the UK on their own have to offer to Ukraine to protect or defend it in prolonging this war?
Zip, zero, nada - unless you count their “unity” and the items on their “numbered lists”.
They have arrogantly and stubbornly resisted even considering ending this slaughter at every turn for nearly four years straight, willingly sacrificing down to the very last male Ukrainian on their blood soaked battlefield with no end in sight.
Why? And for what? They can never quite answer those questions that in any way can possibly justify what they have allowed to occur over these last nearly four years.
Ukraine is the machine that launders the money of western governments. This is what they are defending.
It was also a great place to locate bio-weapons labs that their owners were quite NIMBY about. Labs that had to be secured quickly when Putin suddenly went on the offensive.
You are doing God's work for reading the leftwing drivel, so that we don't have to. I already have my fill of stupidity when reading my local paper. The cartoonist also have an unhealthy fixation with Trump. I kid you not, almost every second cartoon features him. You would swear Germany have a lack of things and politicians to mock.
"In the second place, Merz demanded a cease-fire; in the third place, he insisted “that borders cannot be changed by force” and bafflingly at the same time conceded “that Ukraine is prepared to negotiate on territorial issues”". His thinking must be: As soon as there is a cease-fire, any territorial change cannot be said to be the result of force anymore. Sounds stupid? Yeah, but never underestimate their studpidity. 😂
they are not stupid. They are trying to flee the scene of a crime they committed while pointing at Trump as the fall guy. I don't even like Donald Trump, that's not why I am saying this -- I'm just saying, these people are NOT stupid they are flinty eyed strivers. Oh lots of Ukrainians are dead now? Russians too? Who can I blame for that while I apply for my next post?
I never thought it would be possible to write and believe in a sentence like this but here I sure am: Of those few political leaders living in the real world, Trump is living in the realest one.
It's just amazing. A guy who in so many respects has always been among the biggest schmucks around, who incurred bankruptcy after bankruptcy, who was a serial marriage-destroyer and offspring disappointer has turned out to be the one clear-eyed hardheaded and masterful geopolitical force we need.
If I were a different sex and living in a different time and place and had lotsa money I'd be lifting a glass of whiskey and gesturing with a fine cigar in my oak-lined library and raising an ironic eyebrow and grinning with huge enjoyment.
edit: On second thought I'll stay the sex I am. Just imagine Marlene Dietrich in that glazed leather chair.
It is the crucible Trump's lived through and lessons he's learned the last nine, nearly ten, years that have transformed him into the person he is today. The last seven months have been the most astonishing of the post-WWII era, maybe ever in American history, and the administration is still clearing away debris, not yet started to flex. [edited for grammar]
Agree with you a billion percent.
As I keep saying--if we hadn't paid the most monstrous cost to get to this point it would be the greatest time to be alive. But truly vengeance has never tasted so good.
Germany may have to experience much more pain to get to a similar place.
Will there still be any pain after obliteration from industrial-, cultural-, moral-, energy-, science- and political theatre ??? ... 🤔🤔🤔
If anyone can rebuild, it's the Germans. As long as they can get out of their own way.
Thanks for the compliment and trust !!! 👍👍👍
But it's too late:
Since WWII permanent indoctrination and feelings of total guilt have taken very deep roots in their minds.
They have left two choices only:
- emigrate from the rotten place into regions with sound mental health or
- succumb to mass-migration of cultural aliens and perish in the homeland
(something that strangely seems to be acceptable for an awful lot of them)
In 2016 , they didn’t think they would win and had no team in place . This time we had 4 years to organize and plan e.g. project 2025 . It is really remarkable how effective they have been . Trump is actually trying to fulfill Hamilton’s vision ( Federalist 70 ) . A strong decisive unitary executive. He won’t get there but he is moving closer . Curtis Yarvin has a neat analogy. Steve Jobs built the IPhone . Imagine an IPhone built by the government of California . 17 year and 30 Billion dollars for a hi speed rail …and still not one foot of rail . We DO have a nice overpass in …Fresno . Why Fresno ? Welcome to California.
I think the difference this time is motivation, more than organization and planning. The treachery, betrayals, and attacks on Trump over the past 8+years appear to have gotten his attention.
They have certainly gotten the attention of others also.
Not the point but I’m not a fan of Hamilton. If modern day, Hamilton is CBDC and Palantir surveillance state in the name of efficiency, I’ll pass.
And don't forget the CEO of the fantasy choo choo project wants to build it to Gilroy. Are these people for real?? Is there extreme demand for public transportation to the Garlic Festival? It's a 17 year boondoggle that neatly represents how much of a sideshow we've become.
I heard a rumor that one of Trump's negotiation gambits is going to be to sweeten the pot by offering Putin California.
Hilarious! I may even have a drink before 5 pm!
Godspeed.
😂
As a San Diegan I think this is hilarious. Wouldn't mind 4 years instead of Newsom! 🏄🏼♀️ Imagine not to deal with the cold!
The Federalist 70 is Title II in the Constitution.
I am interested in "the team in place." Who are the players?
As a peripheral subject of a vassal state I only get the news I can find and our glorious CBC is hoping for an influx of American woke refugees.
I hope to live another twenty years so that an historian can review the planning and strategy which went into President Trump's second term.
Russ Vought
Steven Miller
Steven Bannon is still involved
Elon musk briefly but DOGE still operating
Hillsdale College and many Constitutional Professors and Constitutional lawyers. Men who love our country.
Putin is also clear eyed.
That is the subtext to my comment.
Remember when the msm said he was dying of cancer?
I think that was Joe saying HE was dying of cancer -- "oil cancer."
Next day was all, "what the *resident MEANT to say was..."
And we all need a coof shot?
One of these statements is true:
Russia is losing the war and needs peace
Russia is winning the war and has no reason to stop draining European money and weapons
Can someone tell me which one it is, because if I was a betting man, watching them not jump for peace seems to smell like they think they can continue to hand us a defeat and drain us slowly. The long game
In other news:
Eugyppius points out that the media is upset that "Putin be treated as the leader of a major power on an equal footing."
Magically they all say the same thing, like a script?
Le Monde says "equal footing with the US"
Wall Street Journal says "one on equal footing with the US"
Politico says "on equal footing with the US"
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2025/08/11/ukraine-avoiding-the-trap-of-the-russia-us-summit-in-alaska_6744259_23.html
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/trump-putin-summit-ends-without-breakthrough-7406d667?
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-us-russia-strategy/
Your premise is broken.
2) Russia is winning the war and has every reason to keep draining European money and weapons, as long as the Euros keep delivering them within easy reach.
Y'all have seen this, right?
Sinclair's script for stations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWLjYJ4BzvI
Thanks! I loved that video!
Well observed. It's total insanity. (Also "Gleichschaltung" - ooh, did I actually say that?)
Of _course_ Russia is a major power. As Europeans (and Americans), we have to talk with Russia. You don't even have to like Putin (I don't), or what Russia has done in Ukraine (I don't either) for that to be true.
Eugyppius puts it very well. European "leaders" have this delusion that by _pretending_ that Russia is not a major power, by saying magic formulas, they can make this true. Russia can't be a major power because Putin is not nice. Apparently if you say this often enough, it becomes true.
I mean, come on. If they don't want Russia to be a major power, then they need to roll up their sleeves and _do something_ to turn Russia into a minor power. Are they up for that?
No, thought not. Anyway, Napoleon and Hitler already demonstrated how hard that would be.
The corporate media all sing the same song without any thought or investigation of facts. That’s why they are losing audiences, and $.
Well, despite the Western opinion that Russia is merely a gas station, they still do possess the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.
Very observant! I recommend Smear by Sharyl Attkisson, published 2017. She has other examples there of "journalists" repeating exactly what they are told to say.
Yes, hard to ignore that he is the winner (to date) with the upper hand. Also difficult to understand Security Guarantees as a concept with America First policies.
Yes makes no sense to anyone. Even if the US decides to go keep letting Ukraine shoot NATO missiles with NATO and US SUpport for targeting into Russia itself, I anticipate the key word of this year will be "plausible deniability" when the Russians give HAMAS (or some other bad girls) big booms and say they did not know. Trump is dealing with a terrible hand right now
Not sure I understand, except that the US has no authority over the parties of the Ukraine-Russia war. If we did, it would have ended in January.
Of course the US has authority. If we shut off the internet from Elon skylink, and no longer provided guidance for targeting. Stopped sending supplies this would be over in a month
Ukraine has to fold without US intelligence. Let's see what the new Ukraine 'aid' package the boys from Kentucky /McConnell and So Carolina/Graham may do, those ol sly devils.
This is for the principals to figure out. The US is acting as host, agreement if possible. No more aid.
That is not the reality now. We stopped the $$$ to Ukraine in January, but made a deal with NATO to produce weapons that they would buy for Ukraine. The US is working to bring a peace agreement if it can between the two nations fighting.
Our border got shut down in 2 months . Zero. The best estimate is we have about 1 million fewer illegal immigrants now ..mostly due to self deportation .
Actual deportation seems to be rather difficult . Strangely Biden let them walk right in but you can’t just escort them back out .
You have to find them first. This is probably a 12-16 year project.
I'm in San Diego. They come in boats and are dropped off on our beaches before dawn. Every damned day. Hasn't stopped one bit.
Hmm. As usual, eugyppius has given us a nice brew.
I do think EU spending 5% and paying for arms for Ukr makes a difference to Putin.
Putin needs a win of out this deal, to take back to his people (who might be more the oligarchs than anyone else).
We do not know what Trump said privately. I hope more “realistic.”
For example, Putin needs to appear powerful. It is probably best if Trump does not make Putin bend the knee publicly at the public threat of economic collapse. But…. (and here, we hope, power moves become more subtle and hinted… how strongly clearly does T say it until Putin sees his real choice?)
Russia is losing a LOT of soldiers. Putin personally does not care, but some in Russia do care, but we do not know how meaningful this is.
Yes, Russia has a lot more bodies than Ukraine.
Key to this is the state of Russia’s economy. The war proceeds only as much as the economy can support it.
Some say the economy is stretched very thin now.
And, to some degree, Ukraine has the same problem. I think the EU supports Ukraine more than China supports Russia.
One guesses that Putin came to the table to forestall the economic sanctions that Trump threatened. And the tariffs on Buyers of Russia oil, which would take a big dent out of Russia’s income and hurt the Oligarchs.
My guess is that threat needs to be more present in Putin’s mind (and the Oligarchs’) if Putin will agree to a reasonable peace.
Note how many Oligarchs came to the meeting. We maybe care more about their reaction than Putin’s to the meeting and this “opportunity.” It is no doubt true they can smell the business opportunity on the other side of Peace. How much does Putin care about their opinion? Hmm. I suppose this part of the situation is very undefined, and everyone is “working on it” in real-time.
It may be that Putin the realist is more Putin the idealist - tilting at the windmill of storing the Russian Empire over 100 years. Idealism can make one too stubborn to take a small win now.
And I think, until Putin agrees to a reasonable ceasefire, then he shows no incentive to agree to a reasonable peace.
I am fine to give Putin inconsequential stuff (eg, the photo of the handshake), so long as we get something consequential.
If I were Putin, and I were not willing to agree to a reasonable peace deal soon, I would not walk beside any windows above the second floor.
Power is an ephemeral thing.
Let us not be surprised if a few Ukrainian missiles start landing in Russia, as a subtle hint.
Where can I find out more on this?
This needs to stop.
But, for sure, it’s a long border and the cartels will find some holes.
I will guess that the holes will be used more for the high-profit stuff (drugs?) and less for low-profit (human trafficking). But I bet if you had enough money, you could get in. Via Canada would be cheaper, I’d bet.
Don’t get me wrong. Trump’s team is done a helluva job so far. For Govt, they are racing. Hugely impressive.
But a long way to go.
That’s your sorry excuse of a Governor & sanctuary state!
Seriously? South Americans?
For the moment Trump looks like he is in the "real" world. The problem is that no one knows what he will do tomorrow. As others have observed before, Trump has the disquieting tendency -- perhaps reflecting his lack of clear convictions in anything other than himself -- of agreeing with the last person he speaks to. Whatever one thinks of Putin, one cannot seriously challenge his consistency.
Trump has always had a genuine revulsion for the carnage of war. In that he's never been a hypocrite. He didn't want to serve in war and military school clearly had on him the opposite effect to the one intended.
Trump is also a schmoozer to his core and he'll schmooze with anyone. I'm sure he likes Putin's ruthlessness to a certain extent--if these were two business rivals they'd be an interesting match-up--but as I said Trump does not like war and I think he recognizes that Putin has zero scruples about throwing what he sees as disposable bodies into the meatgrinder. Trump for all his flaws is the far better man.
Trump may not like war but he finds himself in one .
A clear eyed view of the battlefield would help a lot .
His first instinct and Steve Bannon’s repeated message is correct .
He had better shut this down or they will hang Ukraine around his neck like did LBJ Vietnam around Nixon’s neck
Yes. Vance has the intel from sources who show him other perspectives like battle maps and the state of things. As well as the pulse of response by Americans towards these subjects.
I disagree strongly on the Trump-better-man, herein. Trump's "ok" get it done quickly but get it all done, by murder, eviction, and starvation, within Palestinian owned lands: property of Muslims and Christians, none of whom are Hamas---makes Trump the power killer alongside Anglo-Zionist funders and the Israeli state.
Trump has such a horror of the carnage of war that he reversed Biden's partial arms embargo of Israel to facilitate the continued, and accelerated, carnage (or genocide, if you like) in Gaza, as well as bypassing Congress to send additional arms to Israel.
There's never been peace in the Middle East ever in recorded and likely in unrecorded history. Perhaps that's because the sort of peace required would be of the Carthaginian variety.
I don't think you really know much about the history of the area. Under Ottoman rule for 400 years (1516-1917) Palestine was quite peaceful.
Yes, those Ottomans, darling little enslavers and castrators that they were.
I appreciate them spreading semolina halva throughout the known world though.
Hell, it's *already* a desert...
It's generally not the desert parts that ethnicities fight over so relentlessly.
And there is the reality of the battlefield . I wish Trump understood this .
Why would Putin agree to a cease fire ?
So Ukraine can regroup , get more weapons , refresh exhausted troops and build stronger defense positions ? Sure , Putin will agree to that .
Yeah. Not so much. I still think Poland will take back their historic lands from 1/2 of West Ukraine. Hungary and Romani will take the other part of the west which used to belong to them. There will be a rump state of Ukraine around Kiev and the rest will be attached to Russia or will be Russian controlled republics. Incl Odessa.
Interesting idea. Don't think it'll float though. Orbán might like to _talk_ about it (though Székely-land, in Romania, is much more popular for irredentists - never going to happen). But the EU would kick Hungary out if he took back Zacarpathia - Romania too if they went for Czernowitz.
You might say "well, would Orbán care?". I think he would: he plays a very subtle game between Brussels and anti-EU Hungarians. Challenges Brussels a lot (as he should): but I don't think he ever really wants Hungary to actually leave.
Poland two years ago said it would take back their ancestral lands. That’s 1/2 of west Ukraine.
This is plausible, Chix.
Maybe it’s just me, but following these 6 negotiations has lead me to believe that he’s extremely frustrated with a deal that he can’t close, because it’s not his to close. It’s Ukraine’s and Russia’s. The last move he made was to offer the EU weaponry, which was accepted. Witkoff met with Putin and Trump received the call that P wanted to meet-soon. Not listening to him would be missing an opportunity to learn what the absolute roadblocks are, and what is possible. Trump informed the people not to expect much, because he doesn’t hold to cards to close this, only Zelenskyy can. He informed us that if he walks out in 20 minutes, talks were over. But when he did walk out, apparently it was okay but not good enough. So he spent the flight home on the phone with European leaders, and set up an Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy. He wants his land back. This is a conundrum that was left for him by Biden. His purpose is to stop the massacre of populations young and old. If anyone can bring them to a peace treaty, it is President Trump, who obviously is the most devoted to the task. Ignore the corporate media headlines. They need to sell papers.
Those that voted for Trump in the latest election are fully aware of his flaws. In fact, they're a big part of why people vote for him. This man has turned out to be the most clearheaded force in this conflict, as well as the other one whose name shall not be mentioned (I have direct knowledge of "behind closed doors" negotiations for that one). He also, despite his "marriage-destroying" tendencies, turned out to be the one true protector of women. Perhaps it's possible that he may not be what the left and the media claim he is? Perhaps *they* have incentive(s) to fearmonger? One thing is for certain: for all his flaws, Trump is respected on the world stage in a way that Biden never was.
BTW… Just wanted to share.
For self torture I watch leftie propaganda on the YouTube. The pseudo prof’s, the Maddows, etc…
The comment sections, full of the usual retarded emotional drivel, is also increasingly calling for violence against anyone they disagree with. TDS is reaching new heights. They’re increasingly open about gun violence and organizing more assassinations. They’re ramping themselves up into a fervor and foreign onlookers are participating in the chat are contributing.
It’s their agenda “or else” civil war, widespread chaos…. Maybe they hope the military would be called out to quell. It’s all about media optics.
I endure pain so you don’t have to. 😂
"They’re increasingly open about gun violence and organizing more assassinations."
Yeah.
NOW they like guns.
Which leads to exactly the type of newbie clownshows you'd expect.
"Louisville police confirmed three people were injured due to the “discharge of someone’s gun” as members of the “Not F*g Around Coalition,” an all-Black militia, gathered in Baxter Park shortly before 1 p.m.
The victims, all of whom were members of NFAC, were transferred to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the police department said. There were no outstanding suspects..."
https://archive.ph/1AJTo
"After a weeklong trial, a federal jury in Louisville convicted Not F*g Around Coalition founder John F. “Grand Master Jay” Johnson of aiming a weapon styled like an AR-15 at one federally deputized task force officer and beaming his light at the detective and another cop..."
https://www.coffeeordie.com/article/kentucky-militia-leader
I'm not sure about the Louisville chapter, but that group has been around for a while. I'm all for more people getting into guns. Makes it harder to screw around with our rights.
Those who have studied this topic think that this is a short-sighted metric.
https://waronguns.com/?s=%22how+do+they+vote%22
The question isn't really *how* they vote, but *whether* (or not) they vote. If the gun owners were to show up en masse and vote according to their 2A rights, they'd be a huge force. Unfortunately, they don't show up unless something (or someone) is on the ballot that they really don't like.
Love that you provided links thank you.
I appreciate that. 😁 I do watch or read some lefty press because it's useful to me to see what the narrative is they're trying (and failing) to sell. When they talk about threats to democracy, they mean *THEIR* democracy. It never occurs to them that if they keep treating his supporters as sub-human, they will eventually lock shields, and it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy...
For you bunker Bob.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=far+side+comments&t=iphone&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2F736x%2F83%2F27%2F24%2F832724413feb99187285c8cff2871ac2.jpg
I do miss the Far Side... 😁
I almost think they’re trying to manifest it on purpose. Like a kid seeking attention which figures that negative attention for naughty behavior is still attention after all.
He’s so universally bashed in western press, are people “allowed” to respect him?
Allowed? Odd question.
I was aghast that anyone supported a reality star who showed off his golden toilet eons ago. But I am happy beyond belief that he is president. I voted for him and I got Kennedy, Bhattacharya and Tulsi and even outfielder Tammy Bruce. And I've been very impressed with Rubio. As for someone living in LA who has always had a soft spot for the illegals, knowing they were lured here, things under Biden became out of control. We are still a mess but it is a bit better. If only I could do something about the "Boomsters" protesting every weekend trying out different cosplay.
From my perspective, for all of Trump's flaws, the Dems had only one job: offer something better. They failed. While I don't agree with Trump on everything, I'm at least willing to listen to the idea, and not just dismiss it because it came from Donald Trump.
Also, for what it's worth, the left threw EVERYTHING THEY HAD at him, and he kept getting up, coming back, and fighting again. Most of us wouldn't be able to survive that kind of onslaught, but he did, and I very much respect that. The fact that he did this, while putting together a team of former Dems (he himself is a former Dem), and inspiring people to follow a better path forward is the actual definition of leadership.
His solutions may not work, but at least he's doing SOMETHING, as the path we were on was completely unsustainable. We didn't get in this situation overnight, and we won't get out of it overnight. It's going to take some pain, but the end result will be worth it.
"Also, for what it's worth, the left threw EVERYTHING THEY HAD at him, and he kept getting up, coming back, and fighting again."
Including live fire. Epic.
He’s right though. All they needed was a better candidate, or one capable enough to convince the public how she was the better choice.
I agree with almost all of your comment.
You voted for Trump and got 4-5 former democrats on your list.
Thems the facts.
Rubio was always a neo-con but appears to have curbed these tense for now. So all disparate pieces come together to make an interesting and fairly cohesive picture.
Same way I thought in 2016. But didn’t want both Hill and Bill.
And that jaunty top hat.
extra points for the MD reference!
Not with a silk smoking jacket!
Ok, there's that. I was thinking of her tux get up.
Can you wear a silk smoking jacket after labor day or is that the other way round? Asking for a friend...
Well. I would never follow those rules. But then I don't wear white in any season, neither.
I have one light colored (ecru) linen ensemble (LOL) that I wear to work in the summer. The machinations I go through as to not get coffee spots on it... I only do it because it's comfortable and probably one of the most professional things I wear (which degrades into jeans and flannel in the winter, go figure).
I was the grief of every boss I ever had. My Manhattan office working uniform was black relaxed-fit jeans, black velcro sneakers and tops appropriate for the seasons. It was of course made worse by me always working for either the head of the organization or of a division. One could get away with a lot in those days if one could write excellent business letters and possess a matchless phone voice.
I was going to say - why can’t a lady enjoy a cigar and a whiskey now and again?
Well, to my grief I ain't no lady...
Democrats never incur bankruptcy because Democrat never attempt to do anything bold in the private economy. They are looters, not producers.
And "offspring disappointer"? What in the hell is that about? Trump's kids are all well-adjusted, brilliant and successful. Maybe your benchmark is the Biden kids?
Of course, if you track Trump’s behavior…. When he listened to Graham and Bolton he tripped on his own boy parts. When Vance has his ear he is a common sense dude. I will say I increasingly can’t listen to him though. Too much of the things people complain about. But, I was always results and policy oriented anyway. I never could remember a politician’s name to save my life.
Well said as someone who understands the geopolitics of the Ukraine and Russia. Hopefully good things are in store for the world as peace sets in .Slowly but surely .
Sorry, but showing weakness and try pass off surrender as "peace" does not lead to peace.
To be clear, neither russia nor the ukraine actually wants to "win," whatever that's supposed to mean. They're both perfectly content with low-grade war for an indefinite period which both sides will use to destroy international geopolitics.
If america had entered into this kind of unconditional alliance with Ukraine in 1979, it would hsve rightfully be seen as a near-total soviet victory for dictating american policy in terms of internal Soviet politics.
The European elites do not represent the people of Europe. They are installed by the globalists and are vassals of the US empire.
Do not confuse them with the population.
like all political leaders, European political elites represent the views of a certain segment of the population, but they do not represent everybody's views.
They maybe represent the views of that segment of the population who don't use the internet so still get their news and opinions from newspapers and TV broadcasts. I know many older people who read a newspaper and watch the BBC news and will invariably tell me quite confidently that Putin Is Mad! Trump Is Mad! Covid Was A Plague! Millions Were Saved By The Jabs! Humanity Is Destroying The Climate! These are the people the elites rely on. The only thing to say is that they are older people who are further down the path to the grim reaper!
They don't "represent" that segment, they "manufacture" that segment.
I think you are describing most Canadians.
Don't be daft. Our "leaders" have no political history in their own parties. They are members of the Trilateral Commission or work for the major banks. They are certainly not politicians and do not represent anybody. In fact UK MPs are no longer required to represent the opinions of their constituents, merely to adhere to good practice guidelines. Their job description was changed this year.
yes, in matters of foreign policy, European politicians generally support the US line. they would do this even without the trilateral commission and even if none of them had anything to do with banks.
Do you remember Olaf Palme...he stepped too far from the acceptable US post war goals...and I can think of more.
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Olof_Palme
Palme.
Frequently a critic of Soviet and American foreign policy, he expressed his resistance to imperialist ambitions and authoritarian regimes, including those of Francisco Franco of Spain, Augusto Pinochet of Chile, Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, António de Oliveira Salazar of Portugal, Gustáv Husák of Czechoslovakia, and most notably John Vorster and P. W. Botha of South Africa, denouncing apartheid as a "particularly gruesome system". His 1972 condemnation of American bombings in Hanoi, comparing the bombings to a number of historical crimes including the bombing of Guernica, the massacres of Oradour-sur-glane, Babi Yar, Katyn, Lidice and Sharpeville and the extermination of Jews and other groups at Treblinka, resulted in a temporary freeze in Sweden–United States relations.
Same goes for 🇨🇦 now. Look at Carney, he’s a perfect example. Lived in the UK for the better part of the last 15 years as a governor of the Bank of England. Then he popped up as economic advisor to the blisteringly incompetent and corrupt Turdeau. Once it became completely untenable for Justin to continue as PM, the Liberals installed Carney (who at the time held no parliamentary seat as an MP) as PM in an effective coup against the Canadian people themselves. The Modern Leftist Global strategy: Gotta destroy Democracy in order to save it.
There is a severe disconnect in the UK, with a huge gap between the public and those who govern. Not all politicians are slithering creatures, and not all are 'terribly well connected' if one knows what I mean.
https://x.com/Basil_TGMD/status/1940085638235312568
UK GOVERNMENT CHANGES MP's JOB ROLE
Originally it said MP's must represent the interests and concerns of the public
Now it says MP's have no job description
According to independent watchdogs and political commentators, the UK Parliament recently updated its documentation and quietly removed the explicit requirement for Members of Parliament to “represent the public” from the formal job description. That line had previously been part of the generic MP role outlined by the Senior Salaries Review Body in 2001.
The current Parliament website still describes MPs as elected to “represent their interests and concerns in the House of Commons”, but critics argue that the formal job description used internally no longer includes that language. The change hasn’t been widely publicized, and there’s no official statement explaining the revision.
https://citizenwatchreport.com/uk-government-deletes-mp-job-description/
The US always achieves its geopolitical goals through proxies and deception. One of those proxies is Europe which mouths US neocon goals by a process of ventriloquism.
What are you smoking? There never was such a requirement of MPs--there is a world of difference between "opinions" and "interests".
It is like we are going on a road trip. The problem is the driver can't drive and the navigator does not have the ability to read maps. He can just follow pretty pictures. It truly is something when Trump actually has a grasp on reality better than ALL of the European "navigator". We really are in trouble.
This is theatre. The European "elites" have no independence and are merely carrying out US deep state plans. The US wants to take on China and encircle Russia, and needs to pass the Ukraine war on to its European vassals and proxies, that is all.
Never forget the EU and Zelenskyy were deeply complicit in the Russia Russia Russia hoax and the first Trump impeachment. Many newly disclosed documents kept this central in Trump's mind as he set up this meeting with Putin. There is a price to be paid when you try to overthrow the king and fail.
Um. No. This was a Dem Show.
Hell yeah. Does the name Christopher Steele ring a bell?
Welp. Hell yeah - he was hired. By the Dems. 1776 and all that. Not on Gov service. He was too stoopid. Hell yeah.
But they had outside help.
European leaders are a joke. If they want the war to continue, they have near complete power to do so. All they have to do is provide the money, arms, and soldiers -- none of which they are prepared to do.
Absolutely true. Well stated. But it's even worse. If I may...
... (western) Europeans are not only not prepared to "provide the money, arms, and soldiers", they've lost the ability to even re-arm themselves. They've also succeeded in significantly reducing if not removing the cultural ballast or emotional fortitude needed by soldiers to fight and die for their countries.
Moreover, they've imported thousands if not millions of Muslims who suck up huge amounts of money (that could be used to re-arm) and who will not fight for their countries of residence. Were Europe to send large numbers of soldiers to Ukraine (and thus weaken the home-front, so to speak), those Muslims would look at that as an opportunity to take over.
But blame Trump for the incompetence of those who got the world in this position to begin with.
They’d rather have the US send our troops and fritter away our blood and treasure, “defending democracy.” And then be left holding our d—k when China makes a move on Taiwan.
"loomed over the European commentariat like an appointment with the oncologist.".....very nice.
Ukraine was always going to lose this war. No amount of sanctions against Russia or another $175 billion of U.S. treasure into Ukraine is going to change that. We’re not putting boots on the ground in Ukraine and neither are you. So quit while you’re behind and get the best bad deal you can to end the slaughter. Zelensky was stupid to let the Brits convince him to eschew peace talks early in the war.
Clearly that was a Johnson play to keep the gravy train rolling . Ukraine is still at the top of the list of corrupt countries.
Ukraine was always going to lose? Perhaps so but they seem to fight on anyway. Examples throughout history often show the small defeating the larger. Had Ukraine been furnished adequate munitions at critical points Russia might have stopped. They still are resource poor as the East apparently has outproduced the West - a true shame.
Better to force a conclusion than more appeasement that led to even more war.
You don’t understand history, especially Russian history. There was never any chance that Ukraine could defeat Russia, which is why it was insane for the USA and NATO to provoke this war.
Not the way to bet.
Hmm. Well, before the war everyone was certain Russia would just drive over and take Kiev. In 3 days or maybe 3 weeks. With maybe a bit of guerilla war after that.
Well, that did not happen.
Now every school boy knows that Russia’s is not the 2nd best military in the world. About all they have is some now very old tanks, some new drones, and a lot of bodies.
And still some missiles that, how shall we say, work a bit better than Iran’s missiles. (I would be good to know how well the missiles are working, compared to where aimed. And more on how many more missiles Putin has.)
And they are about broke. Ukraine too is broke, but the EU will bankroll them.
From the antebellum viewpoint, it is shocking that Ukraine has not by now been defeated.
So, Russia is a bit of a joke now, at least compared to the prior myth.
Let us hope that Germany and the EU awaken from their suicidal fantasy, and start acting like they want to survive for another 25 years, if not, to reference Churchill, another thousand years.
Ukraine is the proxy war of a leftist tantrum. It’s all just stomping feet, crossing arms and taking their toys home whenever the world doesn’t conform to their views. The world is a junior high playground to these people.
Zero seriousness amongst leftist thought leadership.
I just wish Trump would go further. As for the Europeans, they are pathological in how they always look to USA and screech and try to make Big Daddy USA do what they want. If Europe wants to support Zelensky to the bitter end in a war against Russia, they should say so and should pledge what it would take to do that. Which include European troops on the ground and willingness to risk a nuclear war with Russia.
You nailed it.
My neighbour harangued me about how awful it was that Putin was greeted with a red carpet (as have most of the media). But how can we expect to achieve peace (and halt the deaths of around 1,000 a day, rather more than in Gaza) without talking to the Russian head of state? Should the talks have been conducted in a coal cellar? What goes on inside these people's heads?
Diplomacy (which Britain used to be rather skilled at, a century or two ago) involves talking to, and if needful glad-handing, some rather unsavoury characters. I'd love to see President Xi in a glass box in the Hague explaining his treatment of the Uighurs, but I'm extremely confident it will never happen. If Putin were removed from the scene, by the hand of God or a drone, it's almost certain that what would follow would be even worse.
Yes this childish reaction, as if the red carpet makes any difference to the fact that Russia is winning and Ukraine is losing.
Eisenhower invited Soviet dictator and subjugator of all Eastern Europe Nikita Khrushchev to visit the USA for a state visit for two weeks in September of 1959, and gave him the royal treatment.
Hey, you aren't supposed to bring that up. LOL
Exactly.
There was harsh commentary from Prime Minister of Latvia.
Hold on.
Latvia - 1.8 million people
Lithuania - 2.63 million people
Estonia - 1.19 million people.
These three clowns are the EU27 version of Quebec.
Lots of noise, little else.
Who cares what the Prime Minister of a country almost the size of towns in many parts of Europe thinks about the discussions in Alaska?
And I read one of these clown countries (I think it's Lithuania) is teaching school children to build and operate drones to take on Russia.
All three are paranoid, and dream - hard to believe - that they will become the centre of power for the EU27. Now you see it - noise, delusion and paranoia, a dangerous combination.
Being European I probably shouldn't take so much pleasure in our increasing irrelevancy and impotence being so publicly on display. But it's just so delightful to see our malicious overlords humiliated. They're all but asking for it and fully deserve it.
'Two horrorclowns' Surely, that's a criminal offence in the New Germany to insult politicians like that? People - especially old people - have had their doors kicked in and hauled off to jail for less. Where's Faeser and Habeck to instigate legal proceedings?
“If we just believe the right things and say them loud enough all together one more time, we’ll get what we want.
For some reason, these futile exercises frequently culminate in numbered lists of The Way Things Should Be, even though none of our governments are in any position to make things be that way.”
BINGO.
The so-called “partnership” between the EU/UK and Zelensky is one that should be studied in forensic psychology for being one of the most absolutely incomprehensibly and utterly delusional geopolitical relationships perhaps ever, and on a truly unparalleled level.
Just boil it down to basics: what in reality does the EU or the UK on their own have to offer to Ukraine to protect or defend it in prolonging this war?
Zip, zero, nada - unless you count their “unity” and the items on their “numbered lists”.
They have arrogantly and stubbornly resisted even considering ending this slaughter at every turn for nearly four years straight, willingly sacrificing down to the very last male Ukrainian on their blood soaked battlefield with no end in sight.
Why? And for what? They can never quite answer those questions that in any way can possibly justify what they have allowed to occur over these last nearly four years.
These are evil, evil people.
Ukraine is the machine that launders the money of western governments. This is what they are defending.
It was also a great place to locate bio-weapons labs that their owners were quite NIMBY about. Labs that had to be secured quickly when Putin suddenly went on the offensive.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/world-news/corruption/us-its-secret-biological-weapons-labs-neocons/
You are doing God's work for reading the leftwing drivel, so that we don't have to. I already have my fill of stupidity when reading my local paper. The cartoonist also have an unhealthy fixation with Trump. I kid you not, almost every second cartoon features him. You would swear Germany have a lack of things and politicians to mock.
"In the second place, Merz demanded a cease-fire; in the third place, he insisted “that borders cannot be changed by force” and bafflingly at the same time conceded “that Ukraine is prepared to negotiate on territorial issues”". His thinking must be: As soon as there is a cease-fire, any territorial change cannot be said to be the result of force anymore. Sounds stupid? Yeah, but never underestimate their studpidity. 😂
they are not stupid. They are trying to flee the scene of a crime they committed while pointing at Trump as the fall guy. I don't even like Donald Trump, that's not why I am saying this -- I'm just saying, these people are NOT stupid they are flinty eyed strivers. Oh lots of Ukrainians are dead now? Russians too? Who can I blame for that while I apply for my next post?
But many wouldn't have commited the crimes they have if they weren't that stupid. And believe me: Mr Merz IS stupid.
"Oh lots of Ukrainians are dead now? Russians too? Who can I blame for that while I apply for my next post?"
That's exactly how ghoulish they are.