To be fair, the bloke is a Rear Admiral with extensive military service who probably does care about and understand veteran needs. There may be better people qualified for the role, but its not the worst choice Trump has made, even if not for a reassuring reason.
Senior executive experience should be a taken rather more seriously. He may or may not know about the needs of veterans, he's more likely to than the man on the street but I assume a lot of military types are largely ignorant of the issues and services at work, even a lot of veterans likely don't know about the wider picture of veterans needs.
So it's not the worst appointment he's made. But it's also a bit like putting Martin Johnson in charge of the England senior team and hoping his standing will allow him to circumvent some normal interim roles not having been held prior to the new office.
I see your point, but anyone in that position is a figurehead. If the team underneath him have the detail (big if) then his role is to sell the policy and reassure people. On that basis, there are worse appointments made, of which the list is getting longer with an utter lunatic as NSA.
Seems fairly likely now the Whitehouse Doctor will not even progress to the Senate hearing stage with reports coming out on his aggressive leadership style, possibly over prescribing drugs (all to get Flotus through the day?) and drinking too much. Having been in the US a fair bit I know what they consider drinking too much would barely be considered drinking here so that report without any detail is meaningless to me. Trump is sticking by his nominee though, saying if he were the Rear Admiral he wouldn't go to the confirmation hearings as it's disgusting they'll ask him inconvenient questions.
This is quite serious as Trump seemingly views the Department of Veterans Affairs as a chance to spin off the money funded by government into private firms, private firm would obviously like as much of the $200Bn budget as possible, though there's no indication such a move is wanted by the actual Veterans (just to note there already is some allowance for Vets to go private if they're located a long way from 'local' VA services and/or the VA takes too long to respond to treatment requests)
There's a new video of Melania trying to avoid holding Donnie's hand during Macon's stay.
This seems to happen quite a lot.
Perhaps all the callouses on Trump's hands from the decades of hard graft are too much Melania's soft and sensitive skin, or maybe she just isn't too keen on the fat fuck?
Or maybe he sweats like a rapist and she prefers to avoid greasy palms as would all of us, though it can't be that warm and sticky in DC yet, she might be rather fond of him sweaty palms, looks, morals, behaviour and age aside
It seems Europe is queuing up to see who can be Trump's biggest bitch.
May looked to be winning the race with her unwavering support of bombing Syria without taking it to parliament first, but Macron's giggling, hand holding and back-slapping routine looks to have taken top spot for France and the French people.
All eyes are now on Merkel to see what she can do to derail the US-Franco lemon party.
Rumour has it May is considering a T.A military parade in Woking as a sweetener for Donald.
I do love the fact that the great liberal hope of Europe is now Trump’s best mate. It must be driving most of his hardcore supporters up the wall. Luckily, he’s realised that statesmanship is about engaging with those you don’t agree with and trying to temper their excesses, rather than worrying about people with placards. Kudos to him. Having to cosy up to the buffoon cant be easy but someone needs to do it.
Mellsblue wrote:I do love the fact that the great liberal hope of Europe is now Trump’s best mate. It must be driving most of his hardcore supporters up the wall. Luckily, he’s realised that statesmanship is about engaging with those you don’t agree with and trying to temper their excesses, rather than worrying about people with placards. Kudos to him. Having to cosy up to the buffoon cant be easy but someone needs to do it.
Seemed that way but now I dunno what Macron's doing. His parting press conference was a massive f*ck you.
Surprised Macron didn't visit Trudeau while he was over there. They really are two incredibly handsome and likeable blokes.
Mellsblue wrote:I do love the fact that the great liberal hope of Europe is now Trump’s best mate. It must be driving most of his hardcore supporters up the wall. Luckily, he’s realised that statesmanship is about engaging with those you don’t agree with and trying to temper their excesses, rather than worrying about people with placards. Kudos to him. Having to cosy up to the buffoon cant be easy but someone needs to do it.
Seemed that way but now I dunno what Macron's doing. His parting press conference was a massive f*ck you.
Surprised Macron didn't visit Trudeau while he was over there. They really are two incredibly handsome and likeable blokes.
It’s not the first time he’s said such things. Though, it is the first time he’s put it quite so bluntly and it was in the US. Hopefully, Trump will appreciate such an honest relationship. Can’t see it some how.
If Macron has burnt his bridges, I’m not sure who from Europe might be able to talk sense to Trump.
Mellsblue wrote:I do love the fact that the great liberal hope of Europe is now Trump’s best mate. It must be driving most of his hardcore supporters up the wall. Luckily, he’s realised that statesmanship is about engaging with those you don’t agree with and trying to temper their excesses, rather than worrying about people with placards. Kudos to him. Having to cosy up to the buffoon cant be easy but someone needs to do it.
Seemed that way but now I dunno what Macron's doing. His parting press conference was a massive f*ck you.
Surprised Macron didn't visit Trudeau while he was over there. They really are two incredibly handsome and likeable blokes.
It’s not the first time he’s said such things. Though, it is the first time he’s put it quite so bluntly and it was in the US. Hopefully, Trump will appreciate such an honest relationship. Can’t see it some how.
If Macron has burnt his bridges, I’m not sure who from Europe might be able to talk sense to Trump.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Mr Nigel Farage.
Quite impressed with Macca,.... he's bouncing around like one of the more cheerful Frog 9's. As trustworthy as a cheap sword but still a weapon.
Watching them interact I got the feeling Trump thought his being taller would be good for the photo's.... but when he realized how handsome the Froggie was in real life and just how sharp his French suit was,.... he started to crap himself.
kk67 wrote:
Seemed that way but now I dunno what Macron's doing. His parting press conference was a massive f*ck you.
Surprised Macron didn't visit Trudeau while he was over there. They really are two incredibly handsome and likeable blokes.
It’s not the first time he’s said such things. Though, it is the first time he’s put it quite so bluntly and it was in the US. Hopefully, Trump will appreciate such an honest relationship. Can’t see it some how.
If Macron has burnt his bridges, I’m not sure who from Europe might be able to talk sense to Trump.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Mr Nigel Farage.
Isn’t he already the U.K. Ambassador...ah, no, hang on.
Michael Cohen steps up to the plate and bravely confirms 'Based upon the advice of counsel, I will assert my Fifth Amendment rights in connection with all proceedings in this case due to the ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI and US Attorney for the Southern District of New York'
This case being the payments to the porn star.
Trump is of course a big fan of the 5th amendment, saying at various times (when it so suited him) that:
“If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?”
“The mob takes the Fifth”
At other times during the campaign Trump merely said staffers taking the 5th was disgraceful
WaspInWales wrote:Looks like May will get her tongue further into the orange anus
I just don’t get this. Are leaders just not meant to talk or host foreign leaders who we don’t like. Being a leader is about dealing with people and trying to bend them to your way of thinking. This is not about sticking your tongue up someone’s arse but being a grown up stateswoman. I’ll go back to the point that Europe’s great liberal hope couldn’t wait to give Trymp a state visit. That was viewed as Macron trying to mold and temper Trump’s more ‘extreme’ views. May does it and she’s sucking up.
WaspInWales wrote:Looks like May will get her tongue further into the orange anus
I just don’t get this. Are leaders just not meant to talk or host foreign leaders who we don’t like. Being a leader is about dealing with people and trying to bend them to your way of thinking. This is not about sticking your tongue up someone’s arse but being a grown up stateswoman. I’ll go back to the point that Europe’s great liberal hope couldn’t wait to give Trymp a state visit. That was viewed as Macron trying to mold and temper Trump’s more ‘extreme’ views. May does it and she’s sucking up.
How has May tried to mould and temper Trump's views?
WaspInWales wrote:Looks like May will get her tongue further into the orange anus
I just don’t get this. Are leaders just not meant to talk or host foreign leaders who we don’t like. Being a leader is about dealing with people and trying to bend them to your way of thinking. This is not about sticking your tongue up someone’s arse but being a grown up stateswoman. I’ll go back to the point that Europe’s great liberal hope couldn’t wait to give Trymp a state visit. That was viewed as Macron trying to mold and temper Trump’s more ‘extreme’ views. May does it and she’s sucking up.
How has May tried to mould and temper Trump's views?
Can’t say I’ve been privy to their conversations but she has rebuked him on a couple of ocassions in public. Most diplomacy is done away from the public eye. I just thinks it’s funny that, despite evidence to the contrary, Macron is using his statesmanship to temper Trump whilst May having actually kissed arse a lot less is doing the exact opposite.
More to the point, even if she hasn’t done much tempering I doubt she’s been sticking her tongue up his arse.
It is worth noting that Trump is largely irrelevant to policy making. He does not engage in dialogue with congress, he has a very poor understanding of the legislative process, and has no guiding vision whatsoever. His word on anything is worthless. Macron took an opportunity to speak directly to congress rather than go one on one with Trump, who's ear will be bent towards his close inner circle of white supremacists and corporate raiders of the public purse.
Mellsblue wrote:
I just don’t get this. Are leaders just not meant to talk or host foreign leaders who we don’t like. Being a leader is about dealing with people and trying to bend them to your way of thinking. This is not about sticking your tongue up someone’s arse but being a grown up stateswoman. I’ll go back to the point that Europe’s great liberal hope couldn’t wait to give Trymp a state visit. That was viewed as Macron trying to mold and temper Trump’s more ‘extreme’ views. May does it and she’s sucking up.
How has May tried to mould and temper Trump's views?
Can’t say I’ve been privy to their conversations but she has rebuked him on a couple of ocassions in public. Most diplomacy is done away from the public eye. I just thinks it’s funny that, despite evidence to the contrary, Macron is using his statesmanship to temper Trump whilst May having actually kissed arse a lot less is doing the exact opposite.
More to the point, even if she hasn’t done much tempering I doubt she’s been sticking her tongue up his arse.
May,
Campaigned to remain
Snap election to increase majority
"Hostile Britain" immigration policy
I just hope she keeps her trap shut whilst Donny is here.
WaspInWales wrote:
How has May tried to mould and temper Trump's views?
Can’t say I’ve been privy to their conversations but she has rebuked him on a couple of ocassions in public. Most diplomacy is done away from the public eye. I just thinks it’s funny that, despite evidence to the contrary, Macron is using his statesmanship to temper Trump whilst May having actually kissed arse a lot less is doing the exact opposite.
More to the point, even if she hasn’t done much tempering I doubt she’s been sticking her tongue up his arse.
May,
Campaigned to remain
Snap election to increase majority
"Hostile Britain" immigration policy
I just hope she keeps her trap shut whilst Donny is here.
Yep, she’s hopeless. I didn’t want her in the first place. Not that I wanted Leadsom, either. I was quite glad Leadsom dropped out as, otherwise, I’d have had to vote for May and that would’ve been hard.
I wasn’t defending May. Just pointing out how the reaction to both Macron and May’s relationship with Trump is so completely out of balance.
Hardly unusual for one to be both more critical (and protective) of one's own. Thus I criticise the Englnd rugby team far more than any other, this doesn't mean they lag behind others in my affection
Oh, I agree completely. Not that this thread backs up that assertion. Not unless we think Trump is Scottish. It seems to me that all perspective has been lost over May and Trump and that putting the two together leads to accusations that she’s licking his arse, when the poster has no idea about the relationship of the two. She’s even been on record denouncing some of his actions. Again, I thought she’d be a disaster when she stood for the leadership, and told my MP so who was on her campaign team, and she’s proved me right - which shows just how bad she is. I’m not defending her. I’m just sick of the overreactions and extreme views that are now part and parcel of main stream politics.
They've put themselves up for high office, neither is delivering when frankly you're going to take a shellacking even if you were delivering. If they don't want the criticism then quit
