Phil1111 1,260 #51 August 29 27 minutes ago, wmw999 said: I've actually been OK with minor discussion. How else would I have found out that the cab driver in Florence would be appalled for us, but happy for Italy, if we elected Trump in 2016 (because electing Trump would make everyone forget Berlusconi ). But minor, focusing on how people live and react to their lives can just include politics. I'm not that great at connecting, so I have to go with what I can manage... Wendy P. I thought that Berlusconi was worst than Trump during Trump's first term. But this Trump term blows the windows out. Most of Berlusconi's bad reputation arose from his bunga-bunga parties. Berlusconi had corruption issues but nothing close to Trump. Obviously politics can be discussed without offending others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 3,021 #52 August 29 On 8/27/2025 at 6:26 AM, BIGUN said: I think most of us are of a mind not to kiss anyone's ass. I quit kissing the Bishop's ring at 14. Can't imagine how disgusted they are with themselves when they look in the mirror at night. I'm guessing that Cabinet Level ass kissing show was staged to make clear that no matter the seriousness of Trumps obvious medical infirmities and/or mental decline no one should be counting on relief from the 25th Amendment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 3,021 #53 August 29 6 hours ago, BIGUN said: Is there like some cool t-shirt that says liberal so I can feel safe while traveling? Absolutely! You can borrow one of mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,170 #54 August 29 1 hour ago, JoeWeber said: I'm guessing that Cabinet Level ass kissing show was staged to make clear that no matter the seriousness of Trumps obvious medical infirmities and/or mental decline no one should be counting on relief from the 25th Amendment. Dunno about that. If anyone intelligent were planning a 25th Amendment remedy, they'd be kissing ass the hardest right now so that Trump trusts them, and won't wonder why they are walking around collecting signatures. Of course, Trump has done his level best to keep any intelligence out of the White House, but one might have slipped in accidentally. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 3,021 #55 August 29 Just now, billvon said: Dunno about that. If anyone intelligent were planning a 25th Amendment remedy, they'd be kissing ass the hardest right now so that Trump trusts them, and won't wonder why they are walking around collecting signatures. Of course, Trump has done his level best to keep any intelligence out of the White House, but one might have slipped in accidentally. Miss Deer in the headlights? Great disguise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 682 #56 August 30 7 hours ago, billvon said: Dunno about that. If anyone intelligent were planning a 25th Amendment remedy, they'd be kissing ass the hardest right now so that Trump trusts them, and won't wonder why they are walking around collecting signatures. Of course, Trump has done his level best to keep any intelligence out of the White House, but one might have slipped in accidentally. JD absolutely has this in mind. He’s never liked Trump and has already openly said that “God forbid if anything happens I’m ready to step in” I sense the wolves are closing in. Mike Johnson’s decision to delay the vote and some recent other comments by GOP that even if Trump is in Epstein files they should be released. The second great purge is going to happen. Trump has laid the groundwork and the “competent” real threats will replace him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 3,021 #57 August 30 Just now, nigel99 said: JD absolutely has this in mind. He’s never liked Trump and has already openly said that “God forbid if anything happens I’m ready to step in” I sense the wolves are closing in. Mike Johnson’s decision to delay the vote and some recent other comments by GOP that even if Trump is in Epstein files they should be released. The second great purge is going to happen. Trump has laid the groundwork and the “competent” real threats will replace him. Well that's affirmative. Maybe I'll just sign up for your news letter and stop all of my needless fretting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 3,021 #58 August 30 President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made a harsh statement about US President Donald Trump. In his opinion, the American leader is "objectively a Soviet or Russian agent," reports Euronews. "The supreme leader of the world's largest superpower is objectively a Soviet or Russian asset," said de Sousa on August 27 during a speech in Castelo de Vide. Trump's efforts to present himself as the main mediator in reconciling Ukraine and Russia did not make a good impression on the Portuguese president. De Sousa noted that Trump's attempts to "settle" the war were not beneficial for Ukraine. "Objectively, the new US leadership strategically contributed to Russia," he added. I've never been prouder to be a Portuguese resident. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 1,260 #59 August 30 So its come out now as to why India has additional tariffs for buying Russian oil and China doesn't. Even though China buys twice as much when nat gas is included. As the whole world knows Trump covets the Nobel Peace prize. President Obama was awarded this in 2009 for "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". Which of course Trump has done everything in his power to destroy. But I digress. Trump claimed to have single handed achieved peace between Pakistan and India for their latest skirmish. This pissed off the prime minister of India Modi. Pakistan of course playing the praise the Trump angle nominated Trump for the award. This at the same time when Pakistan was negotiating a new weapons buy from China. Modi called out Trump on this lie by stating that India and Pakistan had negotiated the peace themselves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 682 #60 September 25 https://www.youtube.com/live/BvPU559no_k?si=vy6XrFcscyzE2z1o I’m really impressed by our Prime Minister’s address to the UN. He diplomatically navigated a quiet rebuke to Trump by referencing authoritarianism and the need for diplomacy without explicitly naming the US. He talked about global changing alliances and a world in need of addressing climate change. Sorry Joe, I know you don’t like videos, but hard to summarise 20 minutes of meaningful dialogue . Trumps 55 minutes is pretty easy “blah blah blah I’m the best and the messiah of the world”. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 3,021 #61 September 25 Just now, nigel99 said: Sorry Joe, I know you don’t like videos, but hard to summarise 20 minutes of meaningful dialogue Not true, I do like videos although I must admit they often have little meaningful dialogue. Here, I don't like when they are used as a replacement for thought and the willingness and ability to articulate a position in words. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 682 #62 September 25 1 hour ago, JoeWeber said: Not true, I do like videos although I must admit they often have little meaningful dialogue. Here, I don't like when they are used as a replacement for thought and the willingness and ability to articulate a position in words. I can relate! Mind you half the time the narrative that accompanies those posts make Trump seem like a master orator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 682 #63 September 25 1 hour ago, JoeWeber said: Not true, I do like videos although I must admit they often have little meaningful dialogue. Here, I don't like when they are used as a replacement for thought and the willingness and ability to articulate a position in words. I can relate! Mind you half the time the narrative that accompanies those posts make Trump seem like a master orator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
