June 26, 2016

The EU will treat Britain like Greece

Inadvertently I put this in LBN instead of General Discussion. I think it's an important article which gives a good idea of the EU thinking on how they will treat the UK's exit.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/26/the-eu-will-treat-britain-like-greece/

Source: Sunday Telegraph

By Matthew Holehouse, Brussels


I arrived in Brussels as the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent in early June, 2015. A fortnight later, Alexis Tsipras snubbed Brussels, and called a referendum on the third bailout that was designed to save the Eurozone from collapse.

The terms he was later given - €50bn of assets sold and a de facto control of economic policy surrendered - were so harsh they were later denounced as a "coup".

It taught me two things: that in the cause of its salvation the European Union can be profoundly flexible and exceptionally brutal, and that events can swiftly take a momentum that is hard to control.

Nothing of that experience gives me hope for the years that now await our country.

June 26, 2016

The EU will treat Britain like Greece

Source: Sunday Telegraph

By Matthew Holehouse, Brussels


I arrived in Brussels as the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent in early June, 2015. A fortnight later, Alexis Tsipras snubbed Brussels, and called a referendum on the third bailout that was designed to save the Eurozone from collapse.

The terms he was later given - €50bn of assets sold and a de facto control of economic policy surrendered - were so harsh they were later denounced as a "coup".

It taught me two things: that in the cause of its salvation the European Union can be profoundly flexible and exceptionally brutal, and that events can swiftly take a momentum that is hard to control.

Nothing of that experience gives me hope for the years that now await our country.


Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/26/the-eu-will-treat-britain-like-greece/

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This gives a very good idea of what to expect from the EU. Now that the UK has taken its decision, this is about survival of the EU. The "European Project" must survive.

June 25, 2016

Calais Tells Britain: 'Take Back Your Border'

Here is the frontline of what the British far Right were complaining about, starting to come back to bite them in the arse.

French politicians are demanding that Britain takes back its border after voting to leave the European Union.

The Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart said an immigration deal which allows Britain to check passports in France, preventing migrants from crossing the Channel, should be renegotiated.

Ms Bouchart told French broadcaster BFM TV: "The British must take on the consequences of their choice.

"We are in a strong position to push, to press this request for a review and we are asking the President to bring his weight (to the issue).

"We must put everything on the table and there must be an element of division, of sharing."

June 22, 2016

Is it beyond other non-Hispanic Democrat politicians to become fluent in Spanish ?

All credit to Tim Kaine for becoming fluent in Spanish, but he's being set apart just because he can speak the language.

Are there any others, perhaps amongst the rising stars ? You would think it'd be a no-brainer for an ambitious politician to make it their business to add Spanish to their abilities.

June 21, 2016

Are people backing the wrong Trump ?

According to the FEC, there are a number of Trumps standing for President ..... http://www.fec.gov/data/CandidateSummary.do

June 15, 2016

Little Marco says he will "reconsider" running for re-election

Source: The Hill

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will reconsider his decision not to run for reelection, he told reporters Wednesday.


Rubio reopened the door to running after speaking with Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera, a close friend of his who is running to replace him.


Sunday's mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub that left 49 dead made him rethink his decision, Rubio said.


“Obviously, I take very seriously everything that’s going on — not just Orlando, but in our country,” he said. “I enjoy my service here a lot. So I’ll go home later this week, and I’ll have some time with my family, and then if there’s been a change in our status, I’ll be sure to let everyone know.”

Rubio has until next week to decide whether to enter the GOP primary for his seat.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/283642-rubio-says-he-will-reconsider-running-for-re-election

June 9, 2016

‘Trump Not Welcome’ protest group formed ahead of Irish visit

Coordinated protests in Clare and Dublin have been announced for Donald Trump’s arrival in Ireland later this month.

Organisers of the “Trump Not Welcome” group, formed on Tuesday, say they hope the demonstrations, if not seen by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee himself, will attract US media attention.

Mr Trump, who continues to exasperate with his comments in the run up to November’s election, is due to arrive at Shannon Airport on June 23rd and visit his Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare before leaving on June 25th. His itinerary, however, has not been confirmed.

The “Trump Not Welcome” group is a coalition of political and interest groups including the Anti Austerity Alliance, People Before Profit, Green Party, United Against Racism and the Irish Anti War Movement.

Socialist TD and organiser Paul Murphy said it was hoped a visible protest would help bolster the cause of various US based campaigns around issues including immigrant rights, women and climate change.

“The big thing is that people in America will know about it,” he said.

“There will be a lot of American media coverage around his visit. I think the fact that the [IRISH]Government doesn’t feel they should roll out the red carpet like they did the last time [Mr Trump visited Ireland], and Enda Kenny’s remarks in the Dáil, are a sign they know he is not popular.”

Pressed in the Dáil last week about his reaction to Mr Trump’s comments on immigration and the Middle East, Mr Kenny said: “If Trump’s comments are racist and dangerous, which they are, there is an alternative to vote for.”

However, despite those remarks, Mr Trump’s staff have not ruled out his potentially meeting Mr Kenny during his high-profile visit.

The Dublin protest has been tentatively scheduled for 6pm on O’Connell Street on Thursday, June 23rd but this is dependent on the anticipated schedule of Mr Trump’s visit.

The group also said contact would be made with others in Shannon and Clare to coordinate simultaneous demonstrations.

“The message is one of ‘Trump Not Welcome - International Solidarity against racism, sexism and discrimination’,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

It will involve migrant, women, disability and Muslim groups, as well as trade unions to support the protest. Further details will be announced at a press conference next week.

In June, 2004 about 1,000 people turned out to protest the arrival of US president George W Bush at Shannon ahead of an EU-US summit.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/trump-not-welcome-protest-group-formed-ahead-of-irish-visit-1.2676117

June 8, 2016

Exclusive video access : Trump finalises his Surrogate list

The bunch of sc*mbuckets being sent out today, on his behalf, reminded me of this

June 5, 2016

Trump and Classic Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)

The Mayo Clinic describe NPD as

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.


A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you're not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.

The Symptoms read like a Trump checklist

•Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
•Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
•Exaggerating your achievements and talents
•Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
•Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
•Requiring constant admiration
•Having a sense of entitlement
•Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
•Taking advantage of others to get what you want
•Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
•Being envious of others and believing others envy you
•Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner

Bearing this in mind, there is an obvious potential dividend in relentlessly mocking Trump, in order to get him to erupt in response. However is there a line here that the Democrats need to tread in pushing someone who is so obviously ill, too much ?

So far it has worked fantastically well with the intervention by Elizabeth Warren and then Hillary's speech during the week, but is there a danger that it can be overdone and have a negative effect with the public ?