The not so short lived non argumentative political thread.

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Comments

  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    It would seem with American politics, an exchange of politicians.
    Automatically leads to an exchange of bodily fluids ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • VesperMelogranoVesperMelograno The SouthPosts: 901MI6 Agent
    Thank you for that image.
    I've always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    55b69eb21400002f002e0fc9.jpg
    Who couldn't resist ? :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,825Chief of Staff
    AA_OLD_MAN_3.jpg
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    I feel sorry for Melania Trump in this situation. :#
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,825Chief of Staff
    I feel sorry for her in any situation!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Melania knew what she was doing. I'm guessing she's hoping his real Medical
    evaluation was not that Good ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,462MI6 Agent
    Once again, TP's signature seems appropriate to his post! It makes one wonder about a From Russia With Trump movie where he is ensnared by a Stormy Daniels-style Russian adult porn star. Could happen, now we know what has been alleged on home turf.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    The US president's candidate to lead the CIA has run a torture program. Let that sentence sink in :(
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Don't know if this is a "thing" in Europe or America but some British politicians have adopted a Power stance for photos. Which is basically standing with your feet wide apart !
    Personally I think it looks ridiculous and reminds me of the "Blackadder the third" episode were Prince George got a couple of actors in to help with his speeches. As they suggested such a stance for him :)) could this be a case of life imitating art ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Agreed, it looks stoopid, and as though they have constipation.
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) Yes, Instead of me thinking " Look at that amazingly Powerful man " ( or woman ).
    I'm actually thinking ,........ " Has thay guy just shat himself " :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    :)) :)) :)) or not shat himself, as the case may be...
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    Sorry interpret this important exchange, but Trump has just pulled the US out of the Iran treaty against the advice of their closest allies. Trump did the unorthodox and risky thing in Korea, and so far it looks like a success. Will it work again?
    Saudi Arabia and Israel must love this decision, even though the top Israeli general supports the deal.
    Hopefully this will lead to a tougher deal with Iran: expanding the treaty to beyond 2030, banning them from developing long-range missiles and perhaps even stopping their support of armed groups in Syria and Yemen.
    Or perhaps Iran will go for atom bombs 100%, making Egypt and other countries in the region do the same.

    Speaking of Iran: Oliver North of Iran-Contra fame was elected leader of the NRA today. The man who sold weapons to Iran and lied to congress and perhaps President Reagan. Yay!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Trump, by doing what no other politician would have, just might be more successful.
    Could obviously also blow up in his face but so far he seems to be Lucky..... who could
    have seen N.Korea wanting to engage in talks ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    Stop saying what I said, just better and using fewer words! X-( :v
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I have many words, ..... I have the Best words. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,825Chief of Staff
    :D :D :D
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    I have more words too, some of them are even in English.
    Even though Europe stays in the agreement the US leaving will make things difficult economically. European companies such as French oil interest will have a hard time since they can't use American banks anymore.
    It can be argued that the Iranian government used the money from oil they sold because of the treaty to finance Hamas, Hezbolla (spelling?) and missiles instead of nicer things, so that's an issue.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    It turns out the oil price will go up because of Trump's sanctions against Iran, filling Norway's coffers and securing my pension. I have now decided I support Trump's Iran policy on strictly moral grounds. :v
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    I'm still reading "Team of rivals", a thick book about Abraham Lincoln. I noticed this passage, commenting on events in1864: "[Congressman Wood] who had often and bitterly denounced the Republican administration and the war, threw a great party and invited Republicans as well as fellow Democrats. Republicans were expected to stay away, but many actually attended, as did abolitionists of the most ultra stripe. Stoddard found it one of the most charming features of life in Washington, that political animosities were not carried into social life [....]

    I wonder if this is still the case? If they could during the civilian war, they should be able to talk now too.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I regard all politicians as snake oil salesmen, they argue in public.
    While behind doors, they're the best of pals, all with their snouts
    in the trough X-(
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    I suspect many (most?) Republican and Democratic politicians in Washington today don't socialize together anymore. Traditionally politicians in a democracy see politicians from other parties as people with other solution to problems. They may not agree on the solution, but that's what they negotiate or quarell about. Maybe US politicians don't even agree on what the facts are, let alone what the solutions are. People with other opinions are enemies, not someone you negotiate with. I think this is sad and even dangerous. Politicians can of course get too cozy and not engage real problems, and that can be destructive. But I don't think politicians in Washington are the best of pals behind closed doors. Perhaps 15 or 20 years ago, but not now.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    edited May 2018
    It's not that bad yet, but it's certainly moving in that direction in some places.

    To go back to the Iran issue: Saudi Arabia has said if Iran develops atom bombs so will they. So far they have relied on the US for conventional military support and at the same time they are under the Pakistani nuclear umbrella. Egypt will probably try to develop atom bombs too if Iran develops them. I'm not sure if any other countries in the region are capable, but Sudan will probably want atom bombs if Egypt gets them. Syria and Libya are out of the game for many years. If Europe (and Russia and China?) can't convince Iran to stay in the Treaty that's what may very well happen.
    Best case, Trump manages to force Iran to sign a new treaty that goes further than the current one.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    I understand there's a referendum in Ireland this week about their abortion law, perhaps the strictest one in Europe. I know it can be a touchy subject, but it would be interesting if one (or more) of our Irish members could post about it.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I see Russia has been named and shamed for shooting down the passenger plane over Ukraine.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    According to a new poll the support for the EU hasn't been higher since the early 1990's. Mind you, the support is still at only 60%.
    There is als a lot of "local" variation. 81% of the Irish and 79% of the Germans like the EU, but only 39% of the Italians feel the same. One has to wonder how Italy would do without the EU. There is a government crisis in the country and the former PM might get impeached, and this is a pretty normal week in that country :D
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I would like to know the wording on that poll, just what was the question. Also
    what " Independent " body carried it out and how big was the sample used.
    Another question could be why respect any majority ( In a poll or otherwise) as
    if it doesn't go the way you want, You simply make the people have another one.
    Which the EU had done several times in the past. ;)
    Everyone's a democrat when things are going their way. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,311MI6 Agent
    edited May 2018
    Good questions -{

    The poll was made by Kantar Public. They asked 27 601 people in 28 EU countries. I looked up Kantar in Wikipedia. Kantar Public is part of a big company with headquarters in London. There is no mention of any link to the EU or any government or pro- EU organisation

    This is my translation of the question asked: "Generally speaking, do you think your country's membership in the EU is ....
    -A good thing
    - Neither good nor bad
    - A bad thing
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,825Chief of Staff
    why respect any majority ( In a poll or otherwise) as
    if it doesn't go the way you want, You simply make the people have another one.

    Could you tell that to Nicola Sturgeon, please? :#
This discussion has been closed.