“Please, make good decisions.” ???? pic.twitter.com/7jUFMr4u1F
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) July 15, 2018
Trump’s one-on-one meeting with Putin starts at 6:20a ET (1:20p local) tomorrow at Finland’s presidential palace, the White House sched says.
Other staff are scheduled to join them an hour and a half later.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) July 15, 2018
To be fair, employee evaluations are usually private.
— M. Chupacabras (@top_scientician) July 15, 2018
CBS News: What is your goal for the Putin meeting?
Trump: "I'll let you know after the meeting."— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 15, 2018
This sounds exactly like someone rationalizing pulling life support from a terminally ill patient. https://t.co/UsTPDTCFhc
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) July 14, 2018
How it’s playing in Russia: “Putin comes to Helsinki after a stellar World Cup, with strong cards to play on Syria, and growing clout. Trump arrives after a difficult NATO summit and British protests. He can not and will not negotiate from a position of strength…” https://t.co/Ak3FvxtTUz
— Alex Kliment (@SaoSasha) July 15, 2018
Maybe their meeting is for a mundane reason, like maybe it’s time for Putin to replace the battery in the bug he implanted behind Trump’s ear when they met in the White House last year.
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) July 15, 2018
If Kim Jong Un was able to thoroughly fleece Tang the Conqueror with ease, what do you think will happen when he meets privately with a career Russian spy? https://t.co/qzVXg0UU5Y
— Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha) July 15, 2018
90 minutes alone with Putin will give Trump plenty of time to lift sanctions against Russa, promise to get Russia back into the G-7, and trade Alaska for a small bag of magic beans
— Doug Mataconis (@dmataconis) July 15, 2018
…when DT asks for the tape, Putin should hand him a copy of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".
— Mark Vang (@chmod777Mark) July 15, 2018
Cheryl Rofer
Ugh. So it will be ending about the time I start looking at the internets in the morning.
Cheryl Rofer
I find it bizarrely amusing that they will be meeting at the exact anniversary of the Trinity test of the first atomic bomb.
terraformer
It still amazes – and saddens – me that this meeting and everything about it doesn’t seem to worry a sizable portion of the US population, and too many media organizations. But maybe it’s cuz I grew up with Red Dawn.
Sister Golden Bear
Reposting from the dead morning open thread downstairs (hey, it’s morning here in Thailand and I wasn’t awake when I posted…)
Just wanted to thank everyone again for the well wishes.
@Elizabelle: Yes, Mom died two weeks ago. I have had a lot my plate this past weeks, a lot. Silver-lining is that everything happened while I was still there. Mom had wanted me to go ahead with the surgery — the waiting list is more than a year-and-a-half — and my worst fear was that she would die while I was here and unable to return.
@SiubhanDuinne: I’ll probably be commenting more than usual, since I live near San Francisco and my day job is really busy, so normally I only get a chance to comment on the late-night threads. Though there’s likely to be radio silence from the 20th-27th while I’m in the hospital, since I’ll be on some pretty heavy pain killers.
Of course, I just realized with the time difference, I may end still only being open to comment on the morning threads and the late-night threads.
JPL
@Cheryl Rofer: I find it mildly amusing that he doesn’t have any idea what you are commenting about. (not)
BC in Illinois
I have sadly come to the conclusion that Jamison Foser spells out:
The root of the word “collusion” is that people are “teaming up,” working together when they are supposedly on independent teams. Trump is not “teaming up” with the Russians. He is on their team.
I dread the coming three months.
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
Yeah, I’m sure this will fly when the petrol profits are down.
JPL
@BC in Illinois: The GRU still has the DCCC information to release at opportune times, but we have to be determined to fight back.
Elizabelle
@Sister Golden Bear: We are so glad to have you. And do spill, about Thailand and whatever. What a wonderful place to recover. Got to be better than the US of A these days.
JPL
@Sister Golden Bear: Happy thoughts for a quick recovery.
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@JPL:
Will it still work? In 2016, we didn’t know any better. The general public wasn’t aware of the ratfucking capabilities that were being trained on him. Has 2 years of coverage on this left us hypervigilant?
SiubhanDuinne
What the hell is Dana Houle talking about? Putin hasn’t set foot in the White House since GWB was in office. I mean, I get the humour, such as it is, but he could have made his point without tossing in an untruthful and confusing assertion.
(Yes, I know I’m overreacting to what is, after all, a throwaway line in a twitter. I’m a bit grumpy ?. )
JPL
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: Hope so. Every debate, the democratic candidate should avow not to use hacked materials, and call on their opponents to do the same. They need to keep the fact that russia interfered with our elections in the forefront. Will it work, I don’t know.
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@SiubhanDuinne:
It still amazes me that Putin was first elected in 1998. I was 3 then.
Sister Golden Bear
@BC in Illinois: Normally, Trump’s Razor (the stupidest explanation is the correct one) appies, but in this case, I agree Occam’s Razor is more apropos.
SiubhanDuinne
@Sister Golden Bear:
I rarely have a chance to converse with you — in general I’m asleep during the liveliest overnight exchanges, though I do try to read everything I’ve missed the next day. Anyhow, will look forward to your comments whenever they happen. And again — thinking of you, wishing all success, and so glad you’re able to do something that will help you feel whole and happy and aligned.
chris
Sounds like the last Russia hawk is gone from the National Security Council. Obviously John Bolton’s position on Russia has “evolved.”
Adam L Silverman
@Sister Golden Bear: My sincerest condolences and good thoughts for your surgery.
Villago Delenda Est
Pompeo is as incompetent as Donald. I’m still amazed Pompeo managed to graduate from Hudson High, first in his class, no less.
SiubhanDuinne
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:
I was 56, but I take your point.
Mandarama
Open thread? I just wanted to report that I’m in WV, purty near the Cole mansion (if I have the location right). Our family is on the first leg of a big college tour road trip for oldest kiddo. I’ve never been to this part of the country and it’s really beautiful.
I posted about this trip a couple weeks ago—Immantize and Immp are heading south to see schools, and we’re heading north! Trading places. I thought of asking for recommendations, restaurants etc., but it feels like we will just be speeding from campus to campus, city to city.
I hope we’ll still have some fun. Trying to ignore news of Trump kissing the ring tomorrow.
Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.)
There’s no way in hell this is going to end well. There’s no earthly innocent reason for this guy to speak to Putin alone. There just isn’t. And 35% of the United States will cheer him on. As long as Democrats are angry about it, that’s all they care about.
Adam L Silverman
@chris: Nope, Fiona Hill is still the Senior Director dealing with Russia on the National Security Staff. Though my understanding is that the previous times that the President has met with Putin in 2017, he didn’t have Hill with him because they met one on one with no deputies. I’m also unclear from the reporting if she was actually in the Oval Office for his meeting with Kislyak and Lavrov in 2017. I know McMaster was there, but not sure if Hill was (she should’ve been, but given the way the President acts towards and around Russian officials, anything is possible).
oatler.
Occam’s Razor? Can that razor gut, clean and spit-roast a useless, treasonous carcass?
Steeplejack
Autographed by Putin, not Elton John.
Spanky
IN Finland’s Presidential palace? The Finn’s will have that bugged nine ways from Sunday, and of course Putin knows this. And doesn’t care.
So our allies will have a pipeline to the private talks, so at least there’s that. And we’ll be the last to find out what happened, unfortunately.
Steeplejack
I guess I will bestir myself to check in with Morning Joe to see their live(?) coverage.
Mandarama
@Sister Golden Bear: I’m so sorry you are dealing with so much. Hoping for a quick recovery for you.
The Ancient Randonneur
Major Major Major Major
So all the takes will be good and hot by the time I wake up. Excellent. That’s the way I like my news.
different-church-lady
TPM:
TRUMP: I can still use the safe word, right?
PUTIN: *snicker*
SiubhanDuinne
@Mandarama:
Will your family be able to meet up with the Imms? Do your paths cross? Because that would be a fine kind of BJ meet up!
P.S. Agree totally about West Virginia. It’s a beautiful state, and I always love driving through on my way to or from Canada.
Sister Golden Bear
@Elizabelle: Thanks. Just wrapped up a two day “vacation” in Bangkok itself. A friend who’s having her surgery the day before mine (happy accident), so we’re traveling together and decided to see a little of Bangkok, plus allowing a two-day buffer in case of any travel delays.
Found a nice hotel — Riva Arun Bangkok, highly recommend — right by the river, within walking distance of several of the major sights, including the Grand Palace, which has a temple complex (Thailand’s holiest Buddhist site) within the grounds, as well as Wat Pho, which includes the Temple of Reclining Buddha (a 46-meter long statue). The latter is a working temple and not nearly as touristy, so you can find some tranquil spots there.
We also spent part of yesterday afternoon wandering the Amulet Market, which is only about 5 minutes walk from the Grand Palace but surprisingly off the beaten path. J. and I were the only Westerns there, and definitely got some looks, although that may in part because J. has pink hair. OTOH, right next to the Amulet Market was a Western-style shopping plaza, complete with Dunkin’ Donuts, albeit with some ridiculously cute donuts — one was decorated to look similar to Hello Kitty, and another was the “Sandy Beach” donut, which looked just like you might think, complete with little starfishes.
Today J. and I are packing up, and at noon we’ll met the driver who’ll take us to the clinic itself, which is in Chonburi, a beach town about 50 miles east of Bangkok. Unfortunately, it’s no Phuket, it’s more of an industrial town and unless you’re there on business or for medical tourism, non-Thai don’t really visit. That said, the surgeon has a “beach house” (more like a mini-mansion) and twice a month he offers field trips there to the patients who feel up to doing so. Supposed to be a nice afternoon, and way to break the monotony of recovery.
Cheryl Rofer
Article on Putin by Fiona Hill. She’s good.
Jay
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:
Nope,
https://largegreenbird.blogspot.com/2018/07/god-there-is-just-no-end-to-malignant.html?m=1
#walkingaway
J R in WV
@Sister Golden Bear:
Best wishes from us here in WV as well. Hope everything goes smoothly and you recover rapidly and well, with everything you ever hoped for accomplished. We will think of you often as we wait to hear from you about your recovery.
Major Major Major Major
@Sister Golden Bear: The amulet market was my favorite find when I was there last spring.
SiubhanDuinne
@The Ancient Randonneur:
Oh SNAP (as the kids used to say).
Mary G
@Sister Golden Bear: I am so sorry you lost your mother so recently before your surgery, but sure she’s going to be with you in spirit. Wishing you an easy recovery.
PsiFighter37
It bothers me that the polite people in DC think this is okay at all. If anything, I would not be surprised if this is an opportunity for Putin to record Trump and get him saying more idiotic stuff and using it as blackmail (on top of the pee tape).
Viva BrisVegas
@Spanky:
Every button on Putin’s jacket will be a bug, with full 1080p video.
If after the secret meeting Putin leaks that Trump was OK with Crimea and Ukraine (even if he wasn’t), how will Trump counter that? What could Trump say that would have any credibility?
I think Trump would just shrug his shoulders and say “Sure, why not?”.
Essentially, the outcomes of this meeting will be whatever Putin says they were.
sdhays
@The Ancient Randonneur: He’s not confused about which team he’s playing for. Too many Americans are.
Mandarama
@SiubhanDuinne: it would be so cool! I’ll try to email, or maybe Immantize will check in here. Our kids are the same age and have similar interests. And we will be in Boston on Thursday (I think? I’m tired!)
Adam L Silverman
@Cheryl Rofer: I know Fiona, not well, but I know her. She’s very, very sharp. Of course that doesn’t get you very far if the principal you directly report to on behalf of your actual principal ices you out.
tobie
@Sister Golden Bear: Good luck with your surgery and wishing you a swift and easy recovery.
oldgold
What is the stated rationale for Trump and Putin meeting with only interpreters present?
I cannot think of any legitimate reason for doing so.
Teddys Person
@oldgold: When asked, Trump replied, “I’ll let you know after the meeting” or something like that.
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@oldgold:
Trump being Trump. That’s probably it. That, and since he’s the President, under his powers under the Constitution, he can meet with foreign leaders any way he wants. Nobody envisioned this could happen.
Barbara
@Mandarama: Just adding re WV, if your drive from WV takes you in the direction of anywhere in Maryland, consider stopping for lunch or dinner or for any reason at all in Shepherdstown, WV, one of the “canal towns” along the Potomac that is very charming. It’s close by Harper’s Ferry, but Harper’s Ferry is hard to visit (almost no parking) and more of a monument to the Civil War than a true town.
danielx
@oldgold:
Well, see, there’s your problem right there. You’re using concepts like “rationale” and “legitimate” in connection to this whole goat rope.
Shell
Well seeing as Trump congratulated Putin on the World Cup after France won, Id say….
Viva BrisVegas
@oldgold:
Putin probably speaks better English than Trump. So the question probably should be, what is Putin’s interpreter actually meant to be doing during the meeting?
randy khan
I’ve decided the way I’m going to deal with MAGAs who argue against the Russian indictments is to ask them if they’re on our side or the side of the foreign country that interfered with our elections. The latest one said he was in favor of “justice,” which was a hoot. I just told him he obviously wasn’t a patriot.
NotMax
A few offbeat things which caught the eye.
1) Northern north north Floriduh.
2) Snake on a plane brain.
Adam L Silverman
@Barbara: Be sure to bring iron implements and plenty of salt!!!
https://www.destinationamerica.com/tv-shows/ghosts-of-shepherdstown/
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@randy khan:
Yes! Flip the scrip! Put them on the defensive.
How did the moron react to having his patriotism questioned?
NotMax
@NotMax
Code fail. Not fatal, just annoying. Awoke from a siesta only minutes beforehand. Ought to read:
Snake on a
planebrain.Platonailedit
Definitely, putin is coming off on a well run world cup high. Unlike, the traitorous thug’s NATO and UK disasters.
Adam L Silverman
@NotMax: We have franchises. Call now. All lines are open. All operators are standing by!
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@Platonailedit:
Someone should remind Putin that non-whites beat his superior Master Race Russians. That’ll wipe the smile off that sociopath’s face.
divF
@oldgold:
It was Putin’s idea, but he pitched it to Trump using the words Stalin spoke to Bukharin, 1928:
NotMax
From a WaPo story. Would bet the farm that’s not Dolt 45’s former lawyer whose name is being mentioned.
danielx
@Adam L Silverman:
I just know there’s a true concept* behind the idea of a 24/7 cable channel devoted to the exploits of Florida Man/Woman.
*Hollywood buzzword. So they tell me.
JCJ
@Sister Golden Bear: Best wishes for your surgery. About a dozen years ago I went to the Tiffany show in Pattaya. It was great. Might be worth a visit during your recovery. I hope you liked the Grand Palace. I was first there 30 years ago and have been there many times. 2 years ago we went there for the first time in a few years – the number of tourists was stunning. I always like the peacefulness of Wat Po. Enjoy some chicken fried with basil leaves – it is one of my favorites.
Adam L Silverman
@NotMax: Here’s the bio:
https://www.hrc.org/hrc-story/staff/ty-cobb
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@NotMax:
Umm… they do know who Putin is, right? Defender of Orthodox Christianity and white supremacy? He won’t do a fucking thing. Hell, he, along with lawmakers in the Duma, have made flying an LGBTQ flag an arresting offense.
Adam L Silverman
@danielx: Mutual of Florida’s Wild Kingdom.
Elizabelle
@Viva BrisVegas: Putin, no doubt, has a better and more sophisticated vocabulary than der Trump. Tremendous.
Jay
@danielx:
It used to be called “Cops”,…..
Platonailedit
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:
Oh, putin is just happy that he got the referee to fix the final against the Ukraine supporting Croatians.
Adam L Silverman
Holy Crap! Also, the fact that this was caught on camera #86 is the universe having far too much fun.
chris
@Adam L Silverman: Agree about Fiona Hill but it sounds like she will be pretty much on her own. I have to wonder how long she will last.
chris
@Cheryl Rofer: She is and that article is not scary at all. Nope.
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@danielx:
I saw a few months back a show that supposedly showed the exploits of police live, all across the country. I thought it was a stupid, insipid concept that could only tarnish the credibility and reputations of the participating police departments.
Taped, like Cops, is one thing. Still bad. But live? How is any of it genuine? How do you get the alleged perps to sign off. And in real time?
NotMax
@Adam L. Silverman
One can but savor the thought of someone in the retinue whispering into an orange ear, “Thought you should know that Ty Cobb traveled to Finland to protest against you” and leave it at that.
Platonailedit
@NotMax: Ty Cobb really did that?
SiubhanDuinne
@Jay:
“Floriduh man, Floriduh man,
Whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?”
Adam L Silverman
@NotMax: My guess is he’s probably a relative of the President’s former lawyer.
Adam L Silverman
@SiubhanDuinne: Usually it’s run, shoot at the cops, run while shooting at the cops, shooting at the cops while running, running while being shot at by the cops, being shot at by the cops while running, or some combination thereof.
Jay
@Platonailedit:
Different Ty Cobb, but it’s Treason Twitler Трамп,
So he might think it’s his former lawyer,
Or the dead baseball player,
depends on the day and the fit of the Depends.
NotMax
@Adam L. Silverman
Or vice versa.
:)
Aleta
Guardian
? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?
@Adam L Silverman:
I don’t like people [email protected]Platonailedit:
Doesn’t France support Ukraine?
randy khan
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:
He said it was “typical spin.” I told him I’d given him a choice, and he’d chosen the Russians over his own people, so he’d failed the test. No response to that so far. It’s possible he’s now realized it’s a losing game.
Platonailedit
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:
The french definitely don’t support the russian thug.
Omnes Omnibus
@Platonailedit: France won. Deal.
Adam L Silverman
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: Yes, France, as well as the rest of NATO and the EU is supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia.
Aleta
https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2018/07/g7-foreign-ministers-statement-on-mh17.html
EBT
@Sister Golden Bear: Sympathies for your mother, congratulations on your surgery.
Cheryl Rofer
@Viva BrisVegas:
As far as I’ve seen, Putin’s English is far from perfect. Even if it were, it would make sense to have an interpreter. Gives Putin more time to think about his answers and allows him to check with the interpreter to make sure he understands what Trump is saying.
That makes me realize: I’ve seen comments from interpreters on how difficult it is to deal with Trump’s word salad. I can imagine.
Shell
@Adam L Silverman: Dont forget, make sure you’re shirtless.
sukabi
@The Ancient Randonneur: high, fully expect ‘crooked Hillary’ rage tweets soon.
Mandarama
@Barbara: Thanks so much for this suggestion! It’s possible that our way back South will pass by that way, since we have to come home through Maryland. I’ll check the maps.
Captain C
I wonder if any of Putin’s interpreters or retinue will be doctors or at least have medical training. I would imagine they’ll want to make an assessment of Trump’s mental and physical health.
Steeplejack
@Cheryl Rofer:
It is to laugh.
Steeplejack
@Mandarama:
There are several great restaurants in Shepherdstown. I had an excellent lunch at the Bavarian Inn last year. Kind of a “we’re not trendy” vibe, but the food and service were excellent.
efgoldman
@JPL:
In congressional and state elections, most people vote on local and personal issues. Dems should mention it, but not to the exclusion of local issues and personalities.
DissidentFish
@Barbara: So, not to be disagreeable, but the Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park is worth the stop. Park at the top of the hill at the park headquarters, and take the NPS bus down to the town. The historical park commemorates John Brown’s Raid, spotlights a 19th century industrial town, and tells the story of African-Americans in the region post-civil war, as well as the founding of the NAACP. Oh, and the railroad too!
Shepherdstown is the Paris of West Virginia, for sure, but there is a reason why Harpers Ferry is the national park.
(And if it is Civil War tourism you’re after, you’re better off 15 miles up the road at Anteitam National Battlefield in Maryland).
karen marie
@? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: Amazing how a reality TV star who lies 24/7, has demonstrated he is completely ignorant about everything is given blanket benefit of the doubt where the black guy was questioned constantly. It’s obvious that much of the media believes the public to be stupid enough to not notice. Really mind blowing. You’d think they’d be concerned but apparently not.
Platonailedit
@Omnes Omnibus: GFY