It can be awkward and painful. But when I give sexual harassment prevention training, I advise managers to give a gentle but firm and direct "no" to an underling seeking a personal relationship.https://t.co/XMYcXUsHNC
— WouldOrWouldn'tHat (@Popehat) July 24, 2018
Reader Interactions
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Mike in NC
As always, Putin calls the shots and is toying with Fat Bastard just to see him sweat.
zhena gogolia
The responses to this tweet are calling it homophobic. I don’t see why. The tweet has nothing to do with what KIND of relationship it is.
Lapassionara
So, they publically asked Putin before they knew whether he would attend. How very idiotic.
NotMax
Why specify just underlings? It ought to apply in every case.
Corner Stone
Putin was not sure the new USSR themed drapes would be ready in time to hang in the WH for his arrival.
Major Major Major Major
@zhena gogolia: do you not see the word ‘sexual’ there? The implication is very clear, and the kind of joke is very popular.
lamh36
Evening BJ peeps.
Getting ready for my trip to Miami next week to see Janet Jackson, but then I’ve got about 1 month and then I’m off to London for 6 nights. after Labor Day!
I saw an opportunity for a great flight deal…looked at the state of my budget…and booked the trip!
So…London in September…now what…LOL.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
@zhena gogolia: Besides that, there’s no hint of condemnation of homosexual relationships. Just that given the power dynamic, T should try to keep it more professional with his boss.
Something interesting with sexual harassment here in Seattle. The hotel room has a prominent sign in the room warning that the maids and room service have panic buttons in case of sexual harassment, and you’ll probably be kicked out of the hotel if they are forced to make the call.
The buses have similar anti-harassment warnings.
Makes me wonder a little about the history.
Brachiator
@lamh36:
Very cool. Do you have specific plans for the London leg of your travels?
Raoul
White supremacy may not be the perfect fallback. Sabato’s Crystal Ball (just one opinion, but hey – good news) has moved IA’s Steve King from safe R to likely R. Sabato moved 16 other races, all towards Dems.
NotMax
Dunno if folks saw the response to Dolt 45 from Iran’s Foreign Minister (Rouhani, sensibly, delegated the task).
Baud
@lamh36: You’ve been doing the Carmen Santiago recently.
Mary G
Popehat blocked me on Twitter, which is weird, because I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with him. He and Charlie Kirk are the only ones; I keep tweeting rude things to Sebastian Gorka and Twitler, but no blocking has resulted. I guess my follower count is too low.
In other news, the excerpt from the WSJ review of Sean Spicer’s book pictured in this tweet is hilarious.
His editor must hate his guts.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
@Major Major Major Major: And how is the implication homophobic?
To Alain: thank you for making the site usable on iPad. I almost hate to point out that there is still an issue: can’t edit comments.
The Dangerman
@Mary G:
He had an Editor?
ruemara
@lamh36: So jealous. Have a fantastic time in London!
On topic, you have to admire the way Putin keeps humiliating the world’s most powerful quivering bootlicker. Good lord. I’ve seen less debasement in public BDSM performances.
NotMax
Shocked, shocked.
Tariffs mean they can charge higher prices (above and beyond the added tariff cost, and claim it’s all tariff based), also too.
Major Major Major Major
@Ceci n est pas mon nym: the general thinking goes that it wouldn’t even cross somebody’s mind to make the joke if it were a man and a woman. At any rate, it stopped being funny about 10,000 iterations ago.
Mike in NC
@Mary G: Spineless Spicer’s suck-up book on Trump is published by Regnery, the far right wing publisher. Their garbage is usually remaindered within a few weeks.
RobNYNY
@Major Major Major Major:
I see the word “sexual,” too, but I don’t see why that is homophobic.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@lamh36: You’re really becoming the world traveler. Good idea to do it when you’re relatively young.
NotMax
Something good to report. Notice the original, pre-Dolt 45 date.
lgerard
@Mary G:
I doubt anyone at Regnery even bothered to read it.
That is a total embarrassment and complete fail considering the subtext
mike in dc
@Raoul: Knocking off Steve “Cantaloupe” King would be even sweeter than knocking off Nunes. King was the poster boy for white nationalism before Herr Drumpf took the mantle.
Mary G
@RobNYNY: Good op-ed in WaPo about this a day or three ago: No, your Trump-is-gay-for-Putin jokes aren’t funny.
lamh36
@Brachiator: not so far…other than…accomadations…but I’d love to of course hit all the usual touristy spots!
lamh36
@Baud: Let’s see, I’ve done Asia (India), Australia, North America (easy of course)…still got South America, Africa, Uh…does Hawaii count as Oceania?, Antarctica, and soon to cross off Europe.
Of all those…I’m not likely to go to antarctica…I barely like regular cold!
Mary G
More quotes from the WSJ review for Sean Spicer:
Baud
@lamh36:
Probably. It’s a very exotic place.
Major Major Major Major
@Mary G: this is a good piece, and while it’s not true that 100% of the Trump-Putin gay jokes come from a homophobic person, 100% of them *do* participate in the outlined discourse which is ultimately homophobic. Best to come up with a different joke, which has the added benefit of making your joke original.
Calouste
@lamh36: 1) Get the London Pass. Covers most major attractions, and you get to skip the lines. Get the public transport pass that comes with it. Also includes a tour of Windsor Castle.
2) Museums are free. The British Museum, the VA, and the Tate are highly recommended, but there are others as well.
3) If you’re interested in theater, go tour the Globe and see a play, and of course there are about two dozen other plays as well.
4) You can tour the Houses of Parliament if you book in advance.
And much more, I miss that town.
lamh36
GregB
A coquettish Vlad doesn’t want the world to think he is a whore.
frosty
@lamh36: Off the beaten path: if you’re interested in history, the Churchill War Museum. They shut the doors in 1945 and opened them up in the 90s. A real time capsule.
Also, Stonehenge is an easy day trip by rail. If you time it right you can see Salisbury cathedral too.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: Alot like Kenya.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@frosty: We took a day tour: Salisbury cathedral, Stonehenge, and Bath.
ETA: I, of course, had to see Abbey Road.
Patricia Kayden
Puppet come to Master.
Master don’t come to Puppet.
Millard Filmore
@lamh36:
What? You are going to miss out on one of those bobbing tourist boats that make you violently sea-sick?
bemused
@Lapassionara:
Stupid is as stupid does.
Wapiti
I’m amused by Putin’s response. I assumed (and still do) that he suggested a Washington meeting to Donald during their face-to-face. Can Donald remember what happened a week ago? Will he dare naysay Putin? Donald is weak; Putin is calling the shots.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Calouste: I’ll put in a word for the Museum of London, the history of the city, and the National Portrait Gallery is you’re a fan of English history. I had low expectations, I was just waiting for a storm to pass, and I loved it.
My recollection is you want to get to Westminster Abbey early, and have a plan for the British Museum, it’s overwhelming.
and Sir John Soames Museum is definitely worth a visit.
bupalos
@Major Major Major Major: Meh. Not great, but the joke isn’t really that he’s gay, that’s really not the slam. It’s that Trump is subservient to and in love with Putsy-Wootsy. I don’t think they’re really being presented as gendered at all. It’s more problematic as a hetero joke IMO, if Twitler was a lady-sort.
TS (the original)
@Calouste:
So do I. To quote Samuel Johnson
RobNYNY
I didn’t know that acceptable humor was bound by an outlined discourse. Whatever that is. Must make a note.
Major Major Major Major
@RobNYNY: “an outlined discourse. Whatever that is”
The discourse outlined in the article I was discussing.
Thanks for not @‘ing me, by the way, or I might have missed your *incisive* mockery.
frosty
@lamh36: South America: I recommend Chile. Also La Paz Bolivia if you speak Spanish. Beautiful city, it’s in a bowl with a 20,000 ft mountain in the distance.
ETA Read Travels in a Thin Country for Chile. Tierra del Fuego is on my (post-lottery win) bucket list.
West of the Rockies
@bupalos:
I don’t know, bupalos… The joke seems to have a sort of sniggering, homosexuals-are-deviant-and-laughable vibe to my eyes. I’m straight, but I think the joke is extremely tiresome, juvenile, and, yes, offensive.
zhena gogolia
@Mary G:
Like he should need a fact checker to know the difference between Michael Steele and Christopher Steele!!!!!
prostratedragon
Willie Colon, “Pena de Amor”.
Almost certainly recorded in NYC, 197something.
divF
@Baud: That’s Carmen Sandiego
What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?
@lamh36: I was in Rio Dr Janeiro a month ago and it was glorious. Highly recommend a visit. It’s as great as people say and maybe even moreso.
lamh36
@Calouste: all on the list for sure. Just found out the time that I’m going is also London Fashion Week, which explains why some of the hotel pricing seems a bit steep, but manageable
Yarrow
Was this news covered here yesterday?
zhena gogolia
@West of the Rockies:
In general I’m getting more immune to any joking about this matter. It’s too serious and depressing and alarming.
Baud
@divF: I have no idea where she is.
Frankensteinbeck
@West of the Rockies:
I thought the joke was that Trump praises Putin so effusively and gives him everything he wants in a way that suggests he’s in love. However, A) Other people might be using it as a joke equating male/male sex to dominance, and B) If there’s even confusion about it, I figure it’s best to drop the joke.
Ajabu
@lamh36:
When you do the Tower of London (and you will) prepre to be mazed at all the little suits of armour.
I thought they were for children but found out that Europeans of that period were kind of tiny. (Not like in the movies.)
As for Africa, please GET THERE. Talk about culture – and extremes: Tallest people, shortest people, hottest regions, coldest regions, deserts, rainforests, etc. And the people. You will recognize your relatives all over the continent. (Afrika, Ulimwengu Wote Kwanza)
divF
@Baud: So you say. Hmmph.
West of the Rockies
@Frankensteinbeck:
I agree about dropping the joke. Straight people don’t get to decide what isn’t offensive to the LGBTQA community.
Yarrow
@zhena gogolia: I’m with you. Trump’s obvious subservience to Putin would be kind of amusing if it weren’t so serious and terrible for us.
NotMax
@mike in dc
Thankfully mostly forgotten now, but – Tom Tancredo.
Calouste
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Yes, Museum of London is well worth a visit, and don’t miss the bit that’s left of the London Wall there. National Gallery is also very good, a great overview of how painting developed from the 14th century to the early 20th century.
I’ve been to the British Museum at least five times and I still haven’t seen it all.
Yarrow
Oh, hey. Russia supports Trump.
Major Major Major Major
@West of the Rockies: it’s played out anyway, so really we’re saving y’all from yourselves.
NotMax
@What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?
Brazil is too varied, too vast, for any one visit. Rio is grand and anyone going to Brazil must visit there, but for a bustling metropolis, São Paulo.
re: South America in general, Guyana and Suriname are both quite pleasant destinations in their own way.
Amir Khalid
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Did you get your picture taken on the pedestrian crossing?
Tokyokie
@lamh36: If you’re into that sort of thing, the Imperial War Museum London (the museum’s main site) is a good way to spend most of a day. (It’s south of the Thames at Elephant & Castle.) And then there’s the RAF Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of vintage combat aircraft in the world. (The closest tube station is Colindale.)
The flea markets can be fun. Portobello Road is the most touristy of the lot. Bermondsey is probably the best one, but you need to get there early, like before 7 a.m. And then there’s Foyles on Charring Cross Road, once listed as the world’s largest bookstore. I haven’t been there in years, and I understand it’s much better organized than before, which wouldn’t take much, as the holdings formerly were grouped by publishing house, rather than subject matter or author.
Mike in NC
@lamh36: Four years ago we were in London only for a couple of days, but got an outstanding 3-hour tour from a company that operated 1950-60s vintage red double-decker buses. Included a walking tour near Parliament and a great boat ride up and down the Thames.
NotMax
@Mike in NC
Minnow Tours?
:)
Soprano2
@lamh36: I’m going to put in a plug for the British Library. We went there because we had some extra time, and I was so glad we did. I saw the original score of the Benjamin Britten “War Requiem”, a piece our choir performed (gave me goosebumps to see that). I saw a letter written by Elizabeth I, and a diary-like book Lewis Carroll wrote “Alice in Wonderland” in. He had drawn pictures in the margins! If you like that kind of stuff it’s a can’t miss. Be warned if you go, it’s about 60 degrees in there.
Tokyokie
@Ajabu: My understanding is that most of the suits of armor were for children. Those that were worn into battle tended to wind up looking like a car from a demolition derby, so the armor that wasn’t used in battle is most of what survived. That being said, the Tower has lots and lots and lots of armor, and it becomes pretty tedious pretty quickly. But anybody going to the Tower should get there early in the day, or else spend several hours waiting in the queue. If you don’t get there early, it takes up a full day.
Kathleen
@lamh36: You are amazing. It takes me 3 weeks to plan a trip to Kroger store 10 minutes from my house. Jealous that you are seeing Janet!
Calouste
@lamh36: Just stay at an unfashionable hotel //
Assume that the major attractions (Tower, St. Paul’s etc) take about half a day, and the British Museum a whole day.
RobNYNY
@Major Major Major Major:
What a powerful article that must be if it governs discourse.
Omnes Omnibus
@lamh36: Tate Modern. Some time in an authentic, not touristy, pub. Walked the Embankment. And, just as a trivia bit, Marble Arch is basically at the location of the old Tyburn gallows where highwaymen etc were hanged.
Major Major Major Major
@RobNYNY: jesus, dude, go fuck yourself. Are you illiterate or you just like acting like it?
frosty fred
@Soprano2: Oh, good, I was just going to speak up for the BL.
SenyorDave
@Soprano2: I’ll second the British Library. When my wife and I were there we stumbled onto the library purely by accident. An amazing collection, more ancient bibles and korans than you can imagine. And I still remember the original Alice in Wonderland manuscript, it was one of the highlights.
Jeffro
@Yarrow: Oh, sending THAT one around to my favorite RWNJs like, yesterday…”hey, isn’t it great to see a hostile foreign power weighing in on our generals’ comments/responses? Why it’s almost like they’ve got our CINC in their pocket or something…”
Jeffro
@lamh36: Lucky you!
Take a trip out of town to see Stonehenge and Bath. In town, go see the Imperial War Museum, Tower of London, walk across London Bridge, and – why not – stop in at Harrods if you can. And avoid the “Harry Potter sites” tour guides – they won’t lead you to Diagon Alley no matter how convincing they sound. =)
A Ghost To Most
Conor Lamb +12 in House race
Duane
@NotMax: Trump will do that with purchases made pre-tariff. Ifinka Trump is closing down the fashion line. Rats and ships. It really is one big grift.
sgrAstar
@lamh36: London is incredible! Those “touristy” spots are really cool: the Tower, Hampton Court, and my favorite Westminster Abbey – Always fun to pay respects to Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. The big ferris wheel, the London Eye, gives you a needed perspective on the enormity that is London…and then there are the insanely great museums and galleries. And, great food produced by immigrants from all over the world. Taking ferries up and down the Thames is also v. fun. It’s hard to imagine what kind of damage Brexit will do to the astonishing diversity and complexity of London. Good you’re going now, lamh, younare really living life large. Inspiring!
Mnemosyne
@Jeffro:
One of my coworkers told me about a bus trip she did to see Stonehenge and Bath on the same day. They had to get up “at the ass-crack of dawn” (her words) but that meant the bus got them to Stonehenge early enough that they were allowed to walk INSIDE the stones, not just look at them from far away.
They continued on the bus to Bath but let the driver and guide know they would be taking the train back to London so they would have more time to see Bath.
Dan B
@lamh36: Museums can give one a bit of overload so pubs are a great antidote. I also loved Kew Gardens, on a tube stop: Kew Gardens! It’s a great national garden with lots of sites, many glasshouses including some ultramodern, and plants collected from all over the empire and the entire world. There are other world class gardens everywhere but Kew is grand and convenient.
I’ve seen Stmehenge twice and was twice underwhelmed. It’s not that big and right on a busy highway. Bath is great, been twice, but I really loved Oxford. The colleges and town are remarkably atmospheric and gorgeous.
Enjoy!
Uncle Cosmo
@Calouste: Re point 3: a) If you go to the Globe as a groundling, take comfortable shoes, a bottle of water (if possible) & something to sit on (cushioned if possible). The “ground” is concrete & standing on it for a couple of hours will really mess with your body. b) Leicester Square half-price ticket (TKTS) booth – seats for some amazing shows show up at the last minute, you could luck out.
Never heard of the Churchill War Museum, but the Cabinet War Rooms are worth it. As it the Imperial War Museum in Southwick – housed in Bethlehem Hospital, the original “Bedlam.”
Ruckus
@lamh36:
I volunteered for Antarctica when I was in the navy but they told me I’d have to re-up for 6 additional years to go and I thought that was a bridge way, way too far. I have been to the very southern tip of NZ which isn’t all that far from Antarctica though. Had a great lunch there, and had to choose between 2 restaurants, which I didn’t really understand, other than looking at the ocean there’s nothing there but one of those signs that gives the distance to other places.
Ruckus
@West of the Rockies:
It was meant to be offensive, but probably not in the way you mean.
Ruckus
@Ajabu:
My friend who passed last year went quite a while ago to look up her ancestry and she was extremely glad she did. I don’t know how much she found out but it was a major life moment for her.