Is the reason the US is now a laughing stock.

[BIGUN 1,507]

44 minutes ago, Phil1111 said:

“Mr. President, I invite you to see your big beautiful face on a banner in front of the Department of Labor — because you are the transformational president of the American worker, along with the American flag and President Roosevelt …and I was so honored to unveil that yesterday.” 

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. 

Edited Wednesday at 01:26 PM by BIGUN

[Phil1111 1,202]

6 minutes ago, 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. 

IMO Putin was the first to calculate the praise-flattery angle with Trump. The post Alaska summit with NATO-EU leaders was a perfect example of how world leaders also got the message. 

Endless praise and flattery changes the whole dynamic in Trump's brain on how he views any subject.

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you’: A diplomat’s guide to dealing with Trump Christian Science Monitor Aug. 21.

[billvon 3,134]

3 hours ago, Phil1111 said:

“There is only one thing I wish for: that the Nobel Committee finally gets its act together and realizes you are the single finest candidate since this Nobel award was ever talked about to receive that award. Beyond your success, is game changing out in the world today, and I hope one day everyone wakes up and realizes that.” 

Surely as soon as he bombs a few more facilities in Iran, and kowtows to more murderous dictators, and sends troops to invade more US cities, they will give it to him!  And he's gonna keep bombing and invading until they do.

[Phil1111 1,202]

1 hour ago, billvon said:

Surely as soon as he bombs a few more facilities in Iran, and kowtows to more murderous dictators, and sends troops to invade more US cities, they will give it to him!  And he's gonna keep bombing and invading until they do.

Agree, but in parallel with that thinking Trump puts 100% sanctions on Norway until they give him one or two Nobel peace prizes. The committee itself will never give it to Trump because of his unlimited support of the Gaza-Netanyahu war. But what if Trump figures that out before the end of his presidency?

Shaking down Norway for such awards is certainly within his wheel house. I'm personally surprised that Pete Hegseth hasn't nominated Trump for the Medal of Honor. After all Trump is the commander of the military. He has already saved the lives of over 75% of the countries population. Even Audie Murphy can't claim that.

[JoeWeber 2,976]

3 hours ago, Phil1111 said:

Nah this is the real reason: Trump’s Cabinet Meeting Was Stuffed With Flattery for Dear Leader

"Every so often, Donald Trump will convene his closest advisers at the White House and smile as they lick his boots to a mirror shine. These Cabinet meetings are effectively televised devotionals to the president’s greatness, with his appointees taking turns lauding him shamelessly. Attorney General Pam Bondi went so far as to credit Trump with saving the lives of 75 percent of America’s population, during a Cabinet meeting back in April.

Trump held another Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It was no different, with the table full of lackeys dutifully praising Trump for rescuing the United States from the brink of destruction. The spectacle lasted over three hours as Trump fielded questions from the congregated media. The adulation clearly went to his head. “I have the right to do anything I want to do,” he said of sending federal troops into cities. “I’m the president of the United States.

Here are some of the most shameless examples from Tuesday’s roundtable of the Trump sycophants running the government praising their leader:"

“This is just such a great opportunity, really, to recognize your leadership as a true champion for working people. … I know we’ll hear, as we go around the table here, how your focus singularly on putting the well being and interests of the American people first is that common thread that we’re seeing your policies being implemented across your administration.”

Gabbard has spent the better part of the summer attempting to redirect public attention away from the administration’s bungling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and towards conspiracy theories about former President Barack Obama and the 2016 election. Trump rewarded Gabbard’s efforts with praise of his own, congratulating her on “becoming a bigger and bigger star every day” within his administration. 

“Mr. President, I invite you to see your big beautiful face on a banner in front of the Department of Labor — because you are the transformational president of the American worker, along with the American flag and President Roosevelt …and I was so honored to unveil that yesterday.” 

Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was referencing a literal banner of Trump’s face that has been hung on the facade of the headquarters of her department, alongside a similar banner depicting former President Theodore Roosevelt. Both banners carry the slogan “American Workers First.” 

“There is only one thing I wish for: that the Nobel Committee finally gets its act together and realizes you are the single finest candidate since this Nobel award was ever talked about to receive that award. Beyond your success, is game changing out in the world today, and I hope one day everyone wakes up and realizes that.” 

Witkoff, not technically a Cabinet member but still invited to the party, later told the president that “working for this government – for you – is the greatest honor of my life,” and praised Trump for supposedly ending “more than seven” international conflicts in the last eight months, although what those conflicts were was left unspecified.

“First of all, thank you for the opportunity to work for you. You made this country safe. You opened up the economy. You enforce the law. Now people can get up and provide for their families and go to work every day and be confident in that.” 

Noem repeatedly praised Trump for a supposed wholesale transformation of the American economy towards unbound prosperity and safety, never mind that the president recently fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for reporting stagnating economic and labor growth in their monthly report. 

“Thank you for saving college football, by the way. We’re very grateful.”

Was college football in such a precarious position that it required saving? No. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order requiring universities to preserve and expand scholarships for women and Olympic athletes at the collegiate level, as well as reform pay-for-play structure out of college sports. 

“As we’ve said very often, economic security is national security, and our country has never been so secure, thanks to you. You have brought us back from the edge. You have the overwhelming mandate from the American people. You are restoring confidence in government.” 

Bessent said that one of the primary ways Trump is restoring trust in the government is by trying to take control of the historically independent Federal Reserve. The president a day earlier attempted to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, a nakedly illegitimate action with no legal basis. Cook’s lawyer said Tuesday that she is not leaving her post and will sue over the move.

“You were elected the president of working Americans and that’s why this Labor Day is so meaningful — that’s why this is the most meaningful Labor Day of my life, as someone with four jobs.

Trump has been gutting the government since he took office in January and installing loyalists in key positions, which is why Rubio is not only the Secretary of State, but the head of the National Archives, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Trump’s National Security Adviser. Rubio on Tuesday went on to tout Trump’s leadership, describing him as the “Peacemaker in Chief.”

A better example of getting the government you deserve can't be made. The rest of the world looks on and laughs abit with fear. I've read this story a couple times and the more I laugh the less I fear the certain outcome of all of this.

Most concerning was Bondi's assertion that boaters, even in the Pacific Ocean, will be targeted for drinking over Labor Day weekend. 

[JerryBaumchen 1,474]

14 hours ago, kallend said:

It's no wonder we're a laughing stock when Taylor Swift's engagement and Cracker Barrel's logo change seem to be more of a concern to much of the population than the country's rapid descent into authoritarian dictatorship.

Hi John,

I was completely dismayed when NBCNews ran extensive stories on both items last nite.

I'm thinking it is the rise of the cell phone that has made us a people with a very short attention  span.

Jerry Baumchen

[nigel99 652]

Regarding the title of this thread. I don’t think we see the US as a laughing stock. I think there’s generally a sense of pity and concern for US citizens and also a recognition that the US is too dominant and a bully in the international community. 

There’s lots of introspection going on about how we should relate to a rogue nuclear state that is in a rapid state of decline. 

Trump is definitely the laughing stock along with his cabinet members, but not the US.

[gowlerk 2,287]

9 minutes ago, nigel99 said:

Trump is definitely the laughing stock along with his cabinet members, but not the US.

I am not laughing either. Some pity, some concern and a whole lot of wondering just how far the madness will go.

[nigel99 652]

20 minutes ago, gowlerk said:

I am not laughing either. Some pity, some concern and a whole lot of wondering just how far the madness will go.

I think it’s past the tipping point. America that we all knew a year ago is gone for good (although the decline started a long time before that). My guess is that within 20 years it will be the equivalent of today’s Russia. 

I don’t know how Americans will react to widespread deployment of the military, which appears to be on the cards. It’s easy to be a keyboard warrior, but not so easy to take action, or even know what action is effective.

[Phil1111 1,202]

2 hours ago, nigel99 said:

Regarding the title of this thread. I don’t think we see the US as a laughing stock. I think there’s generally a sense of pity and concern for US citizens and also a recognition that the US is too dominant and a bully in the international community. 

There’s lots of introspection going on about how we should relate to a rogue nuclear state that is in a rapid state of decline. 

Trump is definitely the laughing stock along with his cabinet members, but not the US.

So you think that Trump became president by royal decree? Instead of the votes of more than 50 million Americans?

That the policies Trump has implemented are not supported by those who voted for him?

That the failures of his policy, failures of his charter, failures and blind obedience of his party. Have not embarrassed the US?

That the insults of other world leaders, insults of other countries, from Trump, his party, his cabinet leaders. Is blamed upon republicans instead of the US? Is blamed upon Marco Rubio, secretary Vance, instead of the US?

If individuals in other countries separate Trump from the the US itself. Why would these ratings have fallen?

Edited Thursday at 02:29 AM by Phil1111

[nigel99 652]

2 hours ago, Phil1111 said:

So you think that Trump became president by royal decree? Instead of the votes of more than 50 million Americans?

That the policies Trump has implemented are not supported by those who voted for him?

That the failures of his policy, failures of his charter, failures and blind obedience of his party. Have not embarrassed the US?

That the insults of other world leaders, insults of other countries, from Trump, his party, his cabinet leaders. Is blamed upon republicans instead of the US? Is blamed upon Marco Rubio, secretary Vance, instead of the US?

If individuals in other countries separate Trump from the the US itself. Why would these ratings have fallen?

Being pitied and disliked isn’t the same as laughing at you. 

Granted the American public voted in large numbers for Trump and arguably those people deserve what they get and that includes those too lazy to vote. 

[Phil1111 1,202]

7 hours ago, nigel99 said:

Being pitied and disliked isn’t the same as laughing at you. ....

Agree, even AI couldn't find statistics on the humour component of international attitudes towards America's Trump blight.

[richravizza 28]

On 8/26/2025 at 8:32 PM, billvon said:

So no problems with Biden keeping such documents in his garage!  I will remember that.

It's all in the context Bill. Considering Biden's cognitive state and the info that was revealed via the ghost writer that could be simply edited, if, it was even needed,and yes. Never warranted a public investigation, but we're glad we got it. Like Pardons Bill it's just what they do, and there's nothing  we can do about it.

When it comes specifically to these types of matters being Presidential, they are usually seen to privately, with discretion and not considered a "justice dept issue". But a precedent was set, lawfare the approach. Scusami Sir. I'm diverging again,I'm trying to stay in tune.

To JoeW credit; I think it's a language issue and our divergence is  based on our divergent constructs of the most basic words.I don't want you thinking i'm plagiarizing... But of course,I am. lol  So credit to Mr.Ludwig Wittgenstein for the observations.

Peace

[richravizza 28]

12 hours ago, Phil1111 said:

Agree, even AI couldn't find statistics on the humour component of international attitudes towards America's Trump blight.

It was once said by a Great Matriarch,"You Wait till your Daddy gets home."

[billvon 3,134]

3 hours ago, richravizza said:

It's all in the context Bill. Considering Biden's cognitive state

Then considering Trump's is even worse - and going downhill fast - perhaps we should be taking them away from him.  "Secretary of Homeland Security Cristie Kerr"  "I stopped wars with France" George Washington "took over the airports" etc etc.

I know, that's OK because it's Trump and you like him.

 

[jakee 1,611]

5 hours ago, richravizza said:

When it comes specifically to these types of matters being Presidential, they are usually seen to privately, with discretion and not considered a "justice dept issue".

Yes exactly - and that’s what they tried to do with Trump. They just asked for the documents back. Over and over and over again they just asked for them back. He refused. Even when the DoJ first got involved, they just privately asked for them back. Then Trump not only continued to refuse, he deliberately lied to the FBI about what he had. 
 

If Trump had done what is usually done in private with discretion, the Mar a Lago boxes wouldn’t even have become a story, let alone a legal case that required a deeply corrupt judge to save him from the prison sentence he deserved.

[JoeWeber 2,976]

On 8/27/2025 at 7:27 PM, Phil1111 said:

So you think that Trump became president by royal decree? Instead of the votes of more than 50 million Americans?

That the policies Trump has implemented are not supported by those who voted for him?

That the failures of his policy, failures of his charter, failures and blind obedience of his party. Have not embarrassed the US?

That the insults of other world leaders, insults of other countries, from Trump, his party, his cabinet leaders. Is blamed upon republicans instead of the US? Is blamed upon Marco Rubio, secretary Vance, instead of the US?

If individuals in other countries separate Trump from the the US itself. Why would these ratings have fallen?

We spend most of the year out of the US. We associate with Europeans more than Americans along the way. We feel like we are taken for who we are, admittedly liberal Americans, and have yet to feel slighted because of Trump or Trumpism.  

[BIGUN 1,507]

3 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

We feel like we are taken for who we are, admittedly liberal Americans

Is there like some cool t-shirt that says liberal so I can feel safe while traveling? 

[wmw999 2,606]

Well, mine doesn't say "liberal," but I do speak French and Spanish, and am polite. Never had an issue (yes, not even in France). I have a feeling it's that polite part that really helps, and not thinking that we have the solutions to all of the world's problems.

Wendy P.

[Phil1111 1,202]

5 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

We spend most of the year out of the US. We associate with Europeans more than Americans along the way. We feel like we are taken for who we are, admittedly liberal Americans, and have yet to feel slighted because of Trump or Trumpism.  

Thats understandable. Its well known thought the world that MAGA republicans seldom leave the state in which they were born.I was recently on a dive boat with all of the rest of the divers Americans, mostly from Florida. I knew enough to keep my mouth shut about politics.

You don't perhaps have a Canadian flag on your baggage-backpacks do you?

Kidding aside travelling Americans likely appreciate how the rest of the world functions. Furthermore wouldn't bringing up US politics be a direct insult? Unless of course you're in Hungary, Israel or Turkey.

This may help: How to pretend you’re Canadian when you travel

They are all From TEXAS!

Edited 13 hours ago by Phil1111

[gowlerk 2,287]

2 hours ago, BIGUN said:

Is there like some cool t-shirt that says liberal so I can feel safe while traveling? 

We get American visitors often in the summer. They are treated the same as everyone else. No one brings up the current madness, and if it does get mentioned, they invariably state that they are against the regime. And we take that at face value and don’t question it.

[JerryBaumchen 1,474]

7 hours ago, BIGUN said:

Is there like some cool t-shirt that says liberal so I can feel safe while traveling? 

Hi Keith,

Just for you:  Cheap Custom T-Shirts: Design Online w/ Fast Shipping

Jerry Baumchen

[JerryBaumchen 1,474]

6 hours ago, wmw999 said:

Well, mine doesn't say "liberal," but I do speak French and Spanish, and am polite. Never had an issue (yes, not even in France). I have a feeling it's that polite part that really helps, and not thinking that we have the solutions to all of the world's problems.

Wendy P.

Hi Wendy,

I have had the opportunity to have travelled to a lot of foreign countries.  I have learned to NEVER talk politics while in any of them.  It is their country, not mine.

Jerry Baumchen

PS)  I have also learned to never tell an American joke in another country; they usually do not understand them.

[wmw999 2,606]

17 minutes ago, JerryBaumchen said:

Hi Wendy,

I have had the opportunity to have travelled to a lot of foreign countries.  I have learned to NEVER talk politics while in any of them.  It is their country, not mine.

Jerry Baumchen

PS)  I have also learned to never tell an American joke in another country; they usually do not understand them.

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.

[JoeWeber 2,976]

3 hours ago, wmw999 said:

I have a feeling it's that polite part that really helps, and not thinking that we have the solutions to all of the world's problems.

Without a doubt this. Also, I do think being from Oregon helps. We seem to have a favorable reputation amongst Europeans and Scandinavians. (No clue if being from Texas or speaking with a southern accent are problematic) Could be not flying a giant American flag like the bubbas fly on their trucks or starting right in on politics gives a positive first impression, too. We have no languages impediments, usually. Even in groups with mixed nationalities everyone naturally defaults to english, even helping each other for our benefit.