Bringing over from the UK Gov thread. Trump and Vance were disgraceful, but sadly IMHO Zelensky got angry too and didn't play the limited hand he has well, which has only inflamed a situation (rather - given two ** looking for a fight he got dragged in)
Jeremy Bowen on BBC is reporting that among the press pack rumours are circulating that this was an ambush staged presumably for Trump's red meat audience. That as with these press conference staged meetings, the work has already been done behind the scenes and the 'discussion' between the leaders is essentially improvised around a defined script. And that T&V and their press shills never intended to stick to the script. Which makes him even more of a * than ever, but Z got played as collateral in that.
And so that's what we have to deal with, so deal with it we must.
(not sure why that has gone red bold, not my doing)
Of course he got angry, he was ambushed in Trump's throne room in front of the US media, and then humiliated by god-fearing Vance.
Zelensky probably felt trapped. Zelensky and Europe must be astonished that the 'leader of the free world' is siding with a mass murderer.
A vile display by two despicable useful idiots.
Seems to be a bit of dual standards form the suit police; musk striding about the Whitehouse in his black hat costume goes completely unchallenged.
The form horse does seem to be with Vance putting the boot in on the world stage. These could just be over stimulated outbursts or they could be part of a bigger scheme. It's hard to tell with someone who's business face appears a bit toddler trying to figure out if the last one was gas or liquid.
I'm feeling pessimistic and could be persuaded there is an anti Europe agenda in play.
toddler trying to figure out if the last one was gas or liquid.
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Anyone heard from Nigel Farage? For someone who's constantly crowing about his matey friendship with Trump,he's been rather quiet this week.
Its a week now since he last commented, saying that we shouldn't take what Trump says literally.
Well Nige, after yesterdays little display I think we most definitely DO need to take what he says literally
Nigel Farage has more important things to worry about
https://www.cityam.com/gb-news-huge-losses-continue-despite-sales-and-audience-surge/
EDIT: and on Rubio…
@kelvin Granted I only watch the full 50 minutes on a timeline search, but the only time that I spotted Secretary Rubio take part was when he commented on UK and European free speech v US free speech.
Did he only comment on the arguments later?
Anyone heard from Nigel Farage?
Anyone heard from Starmer? Two days ago he was laughing and joking with his new best mate but yeah, let’s focus on the MP for a shitty seaside town rather than the Prime Minister.
I'm feeling pessimistic and could be persuaded there is an anti Europe agenda in play.
Of course there is. The EU as a bloc is seen as a threat by both the Trumpists and Putin (and by the tech bros)
I was in GoOutdoors the other day, idly browsing, and saw a MSR Whisperlite stove. Always fancied one of those. Then I spotted Made in USA on the bo, so it went straight back on the shelf. Bollocks to 'em.
What about Primus?
Anyone heard from Nigel Farage?
Weird you focus on Farage when two days ago our very own Prime Minister was sat in the oval office laughing and joking with his new best mate. I note Starmer has also been very quiet since yesterday's shitshow. He's probably thinking what the hell he's going to do about the state visit he was premature in arranging to buy some favour with a fascist demagogue.
Weird you focus on Farage when two days ago our very own Prime Minister was sat in the oval office laughing and joking with his new best mate.
Watching Newsnight the other night, the general consensus was - even by those who've been hammering him relentlessly - that Starmer had played Trump on same level as Putin regularly does
I note Starmer has also been very quiet since yesterday's shitshow.
You've not been paying attention to the news today then? You really should try and keep up mate, or at least try to control that violently jerking knee that you always have such an issue with... 😉
Starmer gives ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’ after White House confrontation
I note Starmer has also been very quiet since yesterday's shitshow.
What did you want him to do, ruin any chance of rescuing this agreement?
Starmer gives ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’ after White House confrontation
Seems like a reasonable thing in the circs. (I can't read the Indy as a freeloader)
I wasn't surprised by yesterdays circus. I was pretty surprised they got to a point of signing something as I thought it likely to fall to pieces as the US wouldn't sign up to security guarantees. I use the phrase US there instead of Trump as he's head of their government, and he patently doesn't care at all about human beings.
I'm not surprised Zelensky got angry. You might not be bothered by 1000's of casualties, torture, rape and utter destruction but he is. I am not surprised Farage isn't saying much, he isn't stupid and he'll know this is bad. Starmer did the best he could.
I was however utterly appalled by JD Vance picking a fight for the TV. If Trump is bad I think he is worse, and genuinely evil. And if Trump dies he'll be president 🙁
And if Trump dies he'll be president
That really is a truly terrifying prospect.
Going back to Alex Brooker on the Last Leg last night who summed up his performance yesterday as 'that snidey little shit at school who gobs off at everyone because he's got his big, hard older brother stood behind him'
Thats pretty bang on!
Every time I see him I think of this. Actually that applies to most Trump supporters
I'm not surprised Zelensky got angry. You might not be bothered by 1000's of casualties, torture, rape and utter destruction but he is.
If that's aimed towards me; of course I am. Be in no doubt he was ambushed by a pair of c**** and it was disgraceful; he did well to not punch one of them.
But - and this is the but - in doing so he got played and against all that *should* have, I'm very sad to say, found a way to suck it up. Shouldn't have needed to but that I'm afraid is the current POTUS who holds the cards.
It's a shitshow and I'm very afraid; hopefully the adults can navigate a path through the next 48 hours.
My daughter is due to go to Camp America again this year to work. Probably New Jersey area. She went last year and had a blast, but I am starting to feel quite nervous about her going this year, is it a bit OTT to be anxious about that?
For those wondering what our PM is doing he is hosting Ukraine's leader at 10 downing St right about now.
My daughter is due to go to Camp America again this year to work. Probably New Jersey area. She went last year and had a blast, but I am starting to feel quite nervous about her going this year, is it a bit OTT to be anxious about that?
Obvs don't know exact circumstances but in general I don't think it's unsafe. Whether you want to be supporting the US economy and by extension its regime is another matter.
My wife and I have dropped our idea for a tour of the southern states for the time being; I don't know that my son would feel safe there with the emboldening of the anti-LGBTQ+ types, and while there are loads of reasonable people around still, it only takes one. NJ is a different place, and white straight girl (assumption, sorry) is a different situation.
By the same token - I can't in good conscience go on a lads trip to Budapest this year. The support (treatment, hormone therapies) I have supported him with would effectively make me a criminal in Hungary.
Tokenism, maybe. But matters to me.
"I don’t see what you expect Zelensky to have done here."
'Sucked up' - I'm afraid. Definitely not antagonise back - if Trump does now pull all support for sure he's the * but we're all *ed as a result.
"You're absolutely right Mr President, without your support we would be toast. I'm very grateful as are my people. That is why I am here, to ask for your continued support and to strike a deal that we both agree to over how we can compensate you with mineral rights.....
it's a sordid process, and negotiating with the likes of Trump only make it more so - neither of them are politicians or diplomats. It's possible to be 100% on the right side of the argument and still make a mess of being on that side.
Keeping his mouth shut and taking some punishment wasn't an option. They want a fight by one way or another so they think they can walk away and look good at home.
What value is there to any peace deal which relies on goodwill and trust without some backup? American guarantees without boots on the ground are worth zero. But it will be european troops now
(assume/guessing)
(guessing)
The situation sounds like
Sounds like you're just making wild guesses. My guess is that you don't really have any evidence to back up what you claim.
My daughter is due to go to Camp America again this year to work. Probably New Jersey area. She went last year and had a blast, but I am starting to feel quite nervous about her going this year, is it a bit OTT to be anxious about that?
Bigger picture beyond safety......
Trump didn't get this power unaided. He got it because the majority of the US population heard him speak and actively wanted him to have it by going out and voting for him. They actually like what he's doing and how he does it. And we are not talking about the uneducated underbelly of American society - we are talking about those with education and average or better household income.
So my question to her would be......why would you want to surround yourself with such total shit stains? Far too many of them have loathsome opinions and such ****ed up values to want to voluntarily put yourself amongst them. I'd go further......it says pretty poor things about you if you could hold your nose and go anyway - like those who holidayed in South Africa in the 80s because the beaches were so lovely and the hired help so cheap.
On a positive note , even the most gammony of my relatives thinks trump is a ****.
On a positive note , even the most gammony of my relatives thinks trump is a ****.
Keeping his mouth shut and taking some punishment wasn't an option.
Why not, what would have happened if he had let it slide? From what I saw JD Vance seemed to be mostly attacking Joe Biden in his little rant about diplomacy not being tried.
And Zelensky could have said "of course we are extremely grateful for all the help we have had from the United States" it would have taken away a stick which Vance was trying to beat him with, and it would have cost him nothing at sll.
Why did Zelensky produce those photographs in front of cameras in a press conference ? He could have shown Trump in private before/after the press conference if he felt that it was important to educate Trump on how serious the situation is.
I think it is quite obvious that it was a stunt designed to put pressure on Trump in front of the world's media, if you want to put Trump in a spot in front of the whole world then expect him to turn nasty. He is after all a pretty obnoxious narcissist to start with.
The King of Jordan had sit there next to Trump at a press conference recently in which Trump was talking about his unhinged plan for a Gaza Riviera which would involve Egypt and Jordan taking over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza. The King just sat and said as little as possible which was all that it required (although he did get stick from some afterwards) But the Jordanian government made it very clear before and after the King's visit that there was zero chance that they would accept Trump's plan. Jordan relies very heavily on United States aid btw.
Sounds like you're just making wild guesses. My guess is that you don't really have any evidence to back up what you claim.
Doesn't it just.
I think* they had agreed a deal, but whoever's the spy in the camp fed that back to Trump's handler and quickly Trump was told that if he agrees to continue to support then all the kompromat gets unleashed. Hence the sudden change and Z being wrongfooted and unable to adjust.
(* I don't but if we're making shit up I want in on the fun)
The bit I agree with is that Trump feels Biden gave too much too easily. I'm not even sure that rationally he does, but Trump's MO right now is that if Biden did it it must be wrong.
Keeping his mouth shut and taking some punishment wasn't an option. They want a fight by one way or another so they think they can walk away and look good at home.
I'm going to disagree again. It's a shit option but it was an option, and against all the other shit options might still have been the least shit one. Time will tell.
Trump appears strong to his MAGA fans, and hasn't given anything up. If Z had deflated and not given them the argument I agree they wanted they wanted, T&V would be looking even bigger ***** than they do today. He hasn't got his mineral deal is the only good part of the outcome, so there's a reason to come back to the table.
I think it is quite obvious that it was a stunt designed to put pressure on Trump in front of the world's media
Utter rubbish.
Trump started by belittling Z with a pissy comment about his clothes.
The planted question (by MTG's handler) about him not wearing a suit in the White House.
It's fine when Musk does it.
It was an ambush by two small men who hate Zelenskyy, and think Putin is a nice bloke.
No dealing with that - you can roll over (bad at home) or stand up to it.
It was a set up from the get-go to get at Zelenskyy as they both hate him. He's stood up to Trump before, and he will remember
Posted by: ernielynch
I think it is quite obvious that it was a stunt designed to put pressure on Trump in front of the world's media
Utter rubbish.
Trump started by belittling Z with a pissy comment about his clothes.
Obviously Zelensky didn't bring those photographs to the press conference in case Trump started to belittle him with a pissy comment about his clothes.
But okay if it is "utter rubbish" you will be able to explain to me why Zelensky chose to wait for a press conference which was going to be televised across the globe to show him a collection of photos, and why he didn't show them to Trump beforehand.
It is not normal to produce photographs not previously discussed at a press conference for two leaders.
And Zelensky could have said "of course we are extremely grateful for all the help we have had from the United States"
He did. And there you go… the repeated lie that Zelensky didn’t say thank you takes hold… despite the footage where Zelensky reminds them he has said thank you, many times, and says thank you again, many times.
“Trump appears strong to his MAGA fans, and hasn't given anything up”
Oh really? He’s lost the confidence and trust of his allies, lost America’s leadership on the world stage, possibly billions in weapons sales, who will trust America now? Sacrificed it all for what exactly, ?
I don't think Trump is impressed by the way Biden caved in to Z's demand (without any sort of compensation), or the way Biden simply gave away support for nothing.
Here are the facts:
The Department of Defense (DOD) Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Defense Budget (published 2021, pre-2022 invasion)
The United States military faces substantial challenges, emanating from countries like China and Russia, and from threats to global security, such as from climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• FY23 Budget supports and implements new National Defense Strategy (NDS)
– Recognizes China as our key strategic competitor and pacing challenge
– Russia remains an acute threat to interests of U.S. and our allies
Overview – FY 2024 Defense Budget
Even as we focus on the PRC as our pacing challenge, the NDS also accounts for the acute threat posed by Russia, demonstrated most recently by Russia’s unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine.
The Department’s investments will continue robust deterrence of Russian aggression against vital U.S. national interests, including commitments to our treaty Allies.
Overview – FY 2025 Defense Budget
Even as we focus on the PRC as our pacing challenge, the NDS also accounts for the acute threat posed by Russia, demonstrated by our continued efforts to oppose Russian aggression in Europe and their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. (slightly different to 2024 wording)
(Source) https://comptroller.defense.gov
Do you know what? That isn't so different from the FY2020 proposal, published in 2019 by President Trump
Congressional approval of the FY 2020 Budget will help us meet current operational commitments and outpace the threats posed by China and Russia through maintaining our competitive advantage, even as DoD spending remains near a record low as a share of the U.S. economy.
The challenges posed by Russia have been a constant for US DOD budget proposals. If you take the actual $$ then Ukraine has kept the secondary substantial challenge to the US outpaced year-after-year for a fraction of the DOD budget (approx. 7% of the current FY25 DOD budget), AND could allow "DoD spending remains near a record low as a share of the U.S. economy."
...(without any sort of compensation), or the way Biden simply gave away support for nothing.
That isn't true either. At least $20bn was paid for from interest on Russian assets held by the "west" (that $20bn was just one news item) and the majority of the remainder was spent in the US within the American defence industry preserving jobs, economic growth, R&D and free advertising, etc.
why Zelensky chose to wait for a press conference which was going to be televised across the globe to show him a collection of photos
It shouldn't be normal.
There should be smiles, handshakes and the real business goes on away from the cameras. Then they come out and seem professional again. They had TASS in the press pack FFS.
It was done for ratings. How do I seem like a big man? - I'll shit on a smaller country!
Ukraine gave up it's nukes with the promise of protection from the US. That deal looks worthless these days.
It's all show and you have swallowed the crap they are spooning out. It's not the first time
I mean in the eyes of his MAGA fanbase. And yes, I suppose he has lost the faith and trust of the rest of the world leaders, but I'd say he never really held much of that, everyone knew what a PoS he was.
Zelenskyy received by Starmer and a cheering British public today.
It's all show and you have swallowed the crap they are spooning out. It's not the first time
Yeah and with that you still haven't given any explanation at all as to why Zelensky waited for the press conference in front of the world's media before showing Trump the photographs. If they were relevant to the press conference then they should have been shown on a projector or something so that everyone at the press conference could see them.
Zelensky very obviously produced those photos to make a point and put pressure on Trump, which is absolutely 100% fine if you are trying to negotiate and bargain with someone. The problem is that you don't do that in front of TV cameras, you don't engage in negotiations and bargaining at press conferences, it is not the right place for it.
It was clearly designed to put pressure on Trump in front of the global media, not the cleverest move when you consider that Trump doesn't like you anyway (he had already accused Zelensky of being a dictator and starting the war) and he is known to be deeply unpleasant to people who he doesn't like.
There is a midway point between being unnecessarily sycophantic towards Trump at press conferences by producing a totally unprecedented invitation for a second state visit signed by King Charles lll, and unnecessarily trying to pressurise him in front of the US media.
the repeated lie that Zelensky didn’t say thank you takes hold… despite the footage where Zelensky reminds them he has said thank you, many times, and says thank you again, many times.
Fair point Kelvin, I did see Zelensky do precisely that, so yes I retract that comment. I think the point is though that bearing in mind that Zelensky was doing a press conference with two individuals who are clearly very hostile towards him he should have taken the wind out of their sails by emphasizing just how grateful he was to the American people for their help right at the very start of the media event. As it was the comment came out as a contradiction to a claim made by Vance, it was suggesting that the vice president was talking nonsense (even if it was actually true) so it was obviously going to get Vance's back up.
Diplomacy can be a minefield and I fully accept that Zelensky was in an extraordinarily difficult situation - his country's survival depends on the wims of a totally unpredictable psychopath who doesn't like you, the only card you hold is that you have rare earths which they desperately want to get their grubby hands on, it's not a great hand. I'm suggesting that with hindsight Zelensky could have done a slightly better job.
What photographs. This is the only place I can find any reference to Zelensky producing photographs.
What photographs. This is the only place I can find any reference to Zelensky producing photographs.
It is detailed here and elsewhere
https://unn.ua/en/news/zelensky-shows-trump-photos-of-ukrainian-military-after-russian-captivity
Video of the photos being shown - Trump doesn't look like it was a surprise or any sort of hijack of the meeting...
and unnecessarily trying to pressurise him in front of the US media.
I believe the TASS news agency was also inside the Oval Office and the argument was broadcast on Russian state TV. I would previously find it hard to believe even Trump's lunatic administration would intentionally allow that to happen but these days I honestly wouldn't be surprised to find they did
It was clearly designed to put pressure on Trump in front of the global media, not the cleverest move when you consider that Trump doesn't like you anyway (he had already accused Zelensky of being a dictator and starting the war) and he is known to be deeply unpleasant to people who he doesn't like.
There is a midway point between being unnecessarily sycophantic towards Trump at press conferences by producing a totally unprecedented invitation for a second state visit signed by King Charles lll, and unnecessarily trying to pressurise him in front of the US media.
The 'deal' would have already been done before Zelensky even arrived in the US. I'd guess Trump in his usual 'king of business' way moved the goalposts to the deal Zelensky thought he was getting didn't match what was on offer when he arrived in the US.
As for the state visit to the UK - I can't see that happening. And even if it does he won't bloody dare show his face in public.
It would be hilarious if Zelenskyy wore a suit for his meeting with Chuck.
An interesting comment by Obama’s policy advisor on channel 4 news tonight. He said that what Europe has to realise is that the Trump administration wants nothing less than the destruction of the EU
Did he say Trump, or Putin?
Keeping his mouth shut and taking some punishment wasn't an option. They want a fight by one way or another so they think they can walk away and look good at home.
That was always Trumps plan. And he got what he wanted for his pea brained MAGA hatted fan base.
Zelensky did incredibly well. He might have done better if he hadn't been shouted down. But he has made it crystal clear to the rest of "the West" that Trump’s America can not be trusted or relied on. All doubts are gone. The meeting this weekend knows what they have to do now, and do it quickly.
Trump has said tbar he believes the EUwas created to screw over the US. Trump and Putin are aligned on this. They both want to destroy the EU
So my question to her would be......why would you want to surround yourself with such total shit stains? Far too many of them have loathsome opinions and such ****ed up values to want to voluntarily put yourself amongst them. I'd go further......it says pretty poor things about you if you could hold your nose and go anyway - like those who holidayed in South Africa in the 80s because the beaches were so lovely and the hired help so cheap.
That's harsh, and in my opinion wrong. Working Camp America is not a holiday. And less than half of eligible American voters voted for Trump.
My lad was in the States in 2019 at the World Scout Jamboree, and came back convinced that America would tear itself in two from conversations he had with American Scouts on both sides.
I'd argue that a British mentor at Camp America giving a fresh world view to young Americans is probably a very good thing to be doing at this point in time.
We have a trip to NYC next month, if it hadn't been paid for in full it would've been cancelled.
We've agreed this will be our last trip to US for the foreseeable future.
Looking at that link about the submarines there's a poll of express readers lower down about if they support trump or zelensky. It's heartening to see that they are 75% for zelensky.That must put Lord Far Far in a difficult place.
That’s always been the thing though, Trump (and Trumpism) has always been deeply unpopular with the UK electorate, and getting too close to him won’t play well for any British politician. Has anyone heard from the nicotine-stained man-frog recently?
Has anyone heard from the nicotine-stained man-frog recently?
Careful, from a page or two back dazh will be after you....
when it suits he's just the MP of a small seaside town.
We have extended family in Tennessee and even there some are deeply embarrassed by Trumps actions, granted not Trump voters in the first place. It would be interesting to hear what some of the older generation feel about the apparent cosying up to the old enemy.
As a side note, OH stayed for a month or so lately, the cost of fresh food is high. Eggs over a Dollar each and vegetables like Broccoli a couple of dollars , fresh fruit even beige foods like a bag of ‘chips’ are 5 dollars a pop.
The rise in medication prices will certainly be noticed by the self employed guys I’ve spoken to with 10k deductibles on their health insurance.
I also heard Obama's ex advisor say this about the destruction of the EU but to me it's more united than ever. Speaking to US colleagues, prior to the US tag team onslaught, there's some real animosity towards those MAGA in what they call the flyover states.
Yes, the price of fresh food is becoming a big deal over there. I was listening to a US guitar podcast of all things the other day and it became a big talking point between the US presenter and a UK guest. They couldn't believe we could get 30 eggs in Asda for £4 where in the US, Walmart (same company) were selling a dozen for 15 bucks and running out - some shops were rationing them.
EDIT - perhaps calling them the 'flyover states' and the attitude of coastal americans to those that live in them might have helped start this whole MAGA thing in the first place?
Speaking to US colleagues, prior to the US tag team onslaught, there's some real animosity towards those MAGA in what they call the flyover states.
Out of interest I shoved CNN on tonight to get the take on it from an American perspective.
They’d done some polling to see who American voters blamed for yesterdays utter debacle. 50% said Trump, 45% said Vance, 5% said Zelenskyy.
Doesn't look like anyones buying the MAGA narrative. It’s pretty obvious to even the hardest of thinking that the whole thing was an ambush and the only winner is Putin. After the first days of Trump 2 it looks like there’s some buyers remorse going on, though god only knows what they expected?
I'd like to see Zelensky, when meeting Charles, ditching the combats and wearing the exact same outfit that Trump wore in the oval office mugging.
That's harsh, and in my opinion wrong.
You call it harsh....
I call it inconvenient if you are trying to justify needing an excuse to carry on doing what works for you.
Yes, not the entire nation are steaming shits but you'd be entirely deluded if you thought you were going to make a difference and change opinions as a one person envoy.
**** them. And to do otherwise is to be complicit.
As for the state visit to the UK - I can't see that happening. And even if it does he won't bloody dare show his face in public.
Well if it does go ahead there will be massive protest demonstrations in London as there was the last time. Although Trump managed to claim that the crowds were there to show their support for him!
And I hope that the Mayor of London enthusiastically supports the deployment of the Trump baby balloon as he did the last time
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/world/europe/uk-trump-baby-blimp.html
... Walmart (same company) were selling a dozen for 15 bucks and running out - some shops were rationing them.
US$15 for a dozen of eggs! 😮
I just hope that's not heading this way.
AIUI, the egg thing is due to bird flu, so entire flocks of battery hens have been killed. Event like this show that the President doesn't really have the control over the economy that people often assume. Presidents always take credit when the economy's good and try to disown problems, but they can't just snap their fingers and make things change. Unfortunately for Trump, I don't know if he understands that, he makes bold claims about how he will fix problems in a day, he said he was going to bring prices back down. Now he's finding that the president doesn't control grocery prices and there's nothing he can do to make hens lay more eggs. Not his fault, but he deserves to own it.
Interesting read - while the GOP is mostly blindly following their dear leader there are places still electing more moderate Republicans. Whether they stand up and vote enough to rein in some of his shit will remain to be seen, but he only has small majorities and is clearly now a long way from "traditional" Republican values.
BBC News - Most Republicans laud Trump after Zelensky showdown, but some express dismay
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnvz566n523o
Bloody hell , have I fallen into an alternate reality?
I suspect the picture hasn’t uploaded so look at the Sunday mail headlines.
You call it harsh....
I call it inconvenient if you are trying to justify needing an excuse to carry on doing what works for you.
Yes, not the entire nation are steaming shits but you'd be entirely deluded if you thought you were going to make a difference and change opinions as a one person envoy.
**** them. And to do otherwise is to be complicit.
I think you misunderstand the importance that a different world outlook and experience can have on young people. I'll bet the MAGA voters don't have many stamps on their passports, or foreign contacts.
How else do you break down dangerous echo chambers?
I saw that clip earlier on, who the **** do Americans think they are?
Seriously, "He was disrespectful to the American President ", the rest of the sentence should have been "Who's trying to screw his country for our own benefit "
I'll bet the MAGA voters don't have many stamps on their passports
probably don’t have passports
Well, PubMed appears to be down for me. Normally you'd just assume a technical issue, but these days the closing of the world's biggest archive of medical research would be just the kind of vandalism you'd expect from Trump's new appointee.
I cancelled our planned 2026 family trip to New England after Vance’s comments in Munich.
VP Vance cancelled his family trip to New England after Vance's comments yesterday. Fox News reported that the route to his skiing resort in Vermont was lined with protesters. Republican governor there as well
It isn't heavily publicised (wonder why) but you'll find Youtube and other bits
It isn't heavily publicised (wonder why) but you'll find Youtube and other bits
Exactly - Americans are not as MAGA oriented as the publicity that the freak show in chief generates would suggest.
I'm all in favour of people choosing to cancel US holidays and boycott US goods. The point I was trying to make earlier is that working Camp America is not a holiday, and is a chance to make a (tiny) difference.
Most Republicans laud Trump after Zelensky showdown, but some express dismay
The interesting thing is that despite the fact that Sen Lindsey Graham has "never been more proud of our president" he isn't a particularly strong Trump supporter and he has been openly critical of Trump in the past.
The problem is that many believe, with some justification, that Zelensky dealt with Trump very badly. If this archive link works here is a good example:
Where did it all go so wrong? First and foremost, Zelensky made the cardinal mistake of disagreeing with Trump and telling him that he was wrong. For instance, when Trump repeated his false claim that the US had provided more money to Ukraine than Europe, Zelensky corrected him three times. Was Zelensky right? Of course. Could Zelensky have been more politic? Also yes.
The Daily Mail's headline doesn't entirely suprise me, the Tory press and the Tory Party have always strongly supported Ukraine since Russia attacked it.
But it's worth remembering that the claim that Zelensky lacks gratitude for all the help and assistance he has received is not a Trump invention, it predates him. The previous UK government and the Biden administration were criticising Zelensky's alleged lack of gratitude almost two years ago along before Trump had won the US presidential election.
Edit: I don't understand, the archive links used to work on the old forum but they don't seem to work on the current one. Any here is the link if anyone knows how to find an archived article.
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/zelensky-knew-who-he-was-dealing-with-and-he-misstepped/
Edit 2 : I use this website to read archive articles btw, it works fine for the above article
The interesting thing is that despite the fact that Sen Lindsey Graham has "never been more proud of our president" he isn't a particularly strong Trump supporter and he has been openly critical of Trump in the past.
He also announced last month that he's running for re-election in 2026. Campaign funds and support from the sitting US President wouldn't go amiss, especially as his 2020 campaign was too bit close for comfort in the opinion polls
Where did it all go so wrong?
President Trump has two needs because that's what Trump told everyone that he can achieve: the need to do a deal and the need for an "immediate ceasefire", the same as his "EPIC ceasefire agreement" in the war in Gaza.
President Zelensky wants a secure peace, not a ceasefire where killings continue both during and after ceasefire negotiations as they did in Gaza.
Zelensky didn't do anything "wrong" other than state his position clearly, but as I already said ^^ Zelensky isn't known for his diplomacy, but he is an excellent and popular wartime leader who understands implications, which is why he's already said, "Sorry"
They couldn't believe we could get 30 eggs in Asda for £4 where in the US, Walmart (same company) were selling a dozen for 15 bucks and running out - some shops were rationing them.
Very minor point but Walmart don't own Asda anymore.
My sister lives in America and was over recently. Said it was interesting to hear our perspective about what's going on as most of the people she mixes with won't discuss politics.
Now he's finding that the president doesn't control grocery prices and there's nothing he can do to make hens lay more eggs. Not his fault, but he deserves to own it.
Firing the federal employees attempting to investigate and control bird flu in avians, as well as those attempting to do the same on the onward transmission to cattle and humans is very much the fault of trump's attack dog musk.
Putting a rabid vaccine sceptic in charge of public health.
These things are probably not helping.
I asked my sister-in-law for her perspective from just down the road from DC;
Ugh! The US is soo divided In our area you cant walk down the street w/out hitting a fed employee or fec contractor ...and they are all in chaos trying to survive The Doge’s psychological warfare. Americans are starting to reget the Fed rifs and did not expect that even on republican side. Traditional fiscally conservative repubs are not happy about the US fight with Z or lovefest with P but the dumb one just accept anything Trumps says even when its against their own interest.