The Next President of the United States

[TightEnd]

Click to see full-size image.

[MintTrav]

James Mattis, who used to be a General, gave a short off-the-cuff speech to some soldiers in Jordan the other day, which included a request to "hold the line until our country gets back to understanding and respecting each other", which is being portrayed as another slight on Trump by one of his own top guys. I don't really think it was, but I'm gonna post this anyway just to show what an inspirational leader he is, able to connect with the troops on their terms and make them feel that he understands their situation, as well as showing up well at Senate hearings etc. Trump has made some questionable appointments, but I doubt he could have made a better choice of Defence Secretary.

[MintTrav]

The White House has taken decisive action to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. President Trump has declared a National Day of Prayer to be observed this Sunday in memory of those who died or suffered losses. The President was accompanied by VP Pence and sixteen religious leaders. The Day of Prayer is for everyone affected by the hurricane, which was reflected in the range of religious leaders present, who represented every belief from Baptist to Evangelical to er Baptist.

Hurricanes don't discriminate, and neither does this White House. No matter what kind of Baptist you are, this day is for you.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

The White House has taken decisive action to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. President Trump has declared a National Day of Prayer to be observed this Sunday in memory of those who died or suffered losses. The President was accompanied by VP Pence and sixteen religious leaders. The Day of Prayer is for everyone affected by the hurricane, which was reflected in the range of religious leaders present, who represented every belief from Baptist to Evangelical to er Baptist.

Hurricanes don't discriminate, and neither does this White House. No matter what kind of Baptist you are, this day is for you.

Click to see full-size image.

Those prayers, and $1.50 will get those affected by the hurricane a cup of coffee.

[Karabiner]

He what

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348990-report-trump-starts-plans-to-withdraw-from-south-korea-free-trade

[MintTrav]

The Trump Administration has been having an ongoing diplomatic tit-for-tat with Moscow for a while and on Thursday it ordered the closure of the Russian Consulate in San Francisco, with the building to be cleared by Saturday, when it would be searched. The decision was made directly by the President.

Are these missions full of spies up to no good, or does most of their activity just involve helping tourists from their country who have lost their passports and so on? Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova explained how the closure will just affect ordinary Americans and Russians getting visas, consular services, etc.

In unrelated news, the Consulate decided that Friday was the ideal day to get the fire going, despite San Francisco being in the middle of a fearsome heatwave. Friday was actually the hottest day ever recorded there, reaching 106°F. There was so much smoke that the Fire Department was called, only to be turned away at the Consulate, where the staff said they were just having a fire in the fireplace. Maria was on hand again to explain that the fire was just part of preserving the building. "Measures are being taken to preserve the building, which may include shutting the windows, pulling down curtains, turning off the lights, draining water, locking the doors, throwing away garbage, switching off the heaters… and much more." So there you are - nothing suspicious at all going on.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[Marky147]

The gift that keeps on giving

[TightEnd]

From FDR to Donald Trump – the decline of the American empire

http://www.newstatesman.com/world/north-america/2017/09/fdr-donald-trump-decline-american-empire

[hector62]

That is a great article Tighty, thank you.

[Karabiner]

Agreed.

Really excellent article.

[Marky147]

Read a few of them while I was getting my infusion this afternoon.

Very interesting stuff, and so comical what's going on over there.

Like Homer Simpson is running the gaff

[Marky147]

Sure seems real...

[TightEnd]

In the pantheon of visual metaphors for America today, this is the money shot.

Click to see full-size image.

[Marky147]

In the pantheon of visual metaphors for America today, this is the money shot.

Click to see full-size image.

What a superb photo.

Wouldn't want to be close enough to take it, mind.

[tikay]

Yup, amazing image. Taken, apparently, in Oregon. I did wonder if Mr Photoshop had gotten involved though.