That was OS's post I copied Please see quotes
Might want to call it a night a fan.
That was OS's post I copied Please see quotes
NATO is more than a toasting & dining society. Combat power is what matters.a fan wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:00 pmThat's the dollars and cents. What about the ACTUAL relationships between Trump and NATO's leaders?old salt wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:57 pmhttps://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/78444427 ... y-spending
Dec 3, 2019
...those savings pale in comparison to what has been — despite Trump's frequent criticism of NATO's cost-sharing formula — a sizeable increase in U.S. outlays for military operations in Europe since he took office.
Sh*tshow. Surely you agree.
Then we're right back to Putin invading because Trump and then Biden were turning Ukraine into your porcupine. Real combat power.old salt wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:17 pmNATO is more than a toasting & dining society. Combat power is what matters.a fan wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:00 pmThat's the dollars and cents. What about the ACTUAL relationships between Trump and NATO's leaders?old salt wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:57 pmhttps://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/78444427 ... y-spending
Dec 3, 2019
...those savings pale in comparison to what has been — despite Trump's frequent criticism of NATO's cost-sharing formula — a sizeable increase in U.S. outlays for military operations in Europe since he took office.
Sh*tshow. Surely you agree.
old salt wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 11:17 pmNATO is more than a toasting & dining society. Combat power is what matters.a fan wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:00 pmThat's the dollars and cents. What about the ACTUAL relationships between Trump and NATO's leaders?old salt wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:57 pmhttps://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/78444427 ... y-spending
Dec 3, 2019
...those savings pale in comparison to what has been — despite Trump's frequent criticism of NATO's cost-sharing formula — a sizeable increase in U.S. outlays for military operations in Europe since he took office.
Sh*tshow. Surely you agree.
https://www.theatlantic.com/internation ... gy/661459/
The Accidental Trumpification of NATO
In a narrow but important sense, the world has become more amenable to the former president. And yet.
By Tom McTague
JULY 2, 2022
If Donald Trump returns to power in 2025, he will find a world starkly different from the one he tried to construct while president. All hopes of normalizing relations with Russia have been obliterated in the slaughter of Ukraine. China is more powerful than ever. Iran is closer to acquiring nuclear weapons. And Kim Jong Un is still behaving like Kim Jong Un.
But, in a narrow yet important sense, the world has become more Trumpian since he left office. The NATO that met in Madrid this past week to agree on a new strategy to defend the West has started to resemble the kind of organization Trump and his wing of the Republican Party said they always wanted. Sure.
NATO’s European members are paying more for their own defense, the alliance is more Eastern European in its outlook and positioning, and, for the first time, it is explicitly focused on America’s great-power rivalry with China. Trump is not primarily responsible for these changes—for that he can thank Vladimir Putin—but they nevertheless signal an important moment for the West, as Europe moves to more closely align itself with American domestic political concerns. Europe’s shift is part of a bid to protect the status quo that has existed since NATO’s founding, but which is now threatened both by Russia’s aggression and by the U.S.’s growing focus on its great-power rival in the 21st century: China.
It is indeed a sad story, one that happens when there isn't a recognition of a child by the parent, whether because of the lack of any remembered relationship or because of the political attack complication here of the Roberts' family and their counsel's alignment with Trump.cradleandshoot wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 4:55 pm How many grandkids does Joe Biden have? Is the answer 6 or 7? One little granddaughter has had her grandpa turn his back on her. Very sad optics Joe very sad.
I disagree. Joe Biden should be able to do both. He of all people should be able to give his son some very safe advice. If his son is smart he would listen to it.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 5:38 pmIt is indeed a sad story, one that happens when there isn't a recognition of a child by the parent, whether because of the lack of any remembered relationship or because of the political attack complication here of the Roberts' family and their counsel's alignment with Trump.cradleandshoot wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 4:55 pm How many grandkids does Joe Biden have? Is the answer 6 or 7? One little granddaughter has had her grandpa turn his back on her. Very sad optics Joe very sad.
I disagree about grandad turning a back on her being a fair statement. He's honoring his son's preferences at this point. But I would hope that the Bidens are thinking about how to address the reality that the child isn't being recognized, other than with some money, despite the DNA. And that's missing an opportunity to do better. Maybe they eventually will...
Biologically, she's Hunter's child and Joe's grandchild, though that may never be the normal relationship for any of them...but if there's a way to embrace her more fully, it certainly might be the sweet thing to do.
And sure, it may prove to be better "optics", though that really shouldn't be the motivator...indeed, it's very possible that trying to be nice could backfire politically if there isn't a reciprocal effort. Or worse, it's used a cudgel...
But the kid ain't at fault...
And it seems to me that Hunter's sobriety journey of "making amends" could benefit himself by finding a way to embrace the child.
Don't get me wrong, it would be the good thing to make happen.cradleandshoot wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:31 pmI disagree. Joe Biden should be able to do both. He of all people should be able to give his son some very safe advice. If his son is smart he would listen to it.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 5:38 pmIt is indeed a sad story, one that happens when there isn't a recognition of a child by the parent, whether because of the lack of any remembered relationship or because of the political attack complication here of the Roberts' family and their counsel's alignment with Trump.cradleandshoot wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 4:55 pm How many grandkids does Joe Biden have? Is the answer 6 or 7? One little granddaughter has had her grandpa turn his back on her. Very sad optics Joe very sad.
I disagree about grandad turning a back on her being a fair statement. He's honoring his son's preferences at this point. But I would hope that the Bidens are thinking about how to address the reality that the child isn't being recognized, other than with some money, despite the DNA. And that's missing an opportunity to do better. Maybe they eventually will...
Biologically, she's Hunter's child and Joe's grandchild, though that may never be the normal relationship for any of them...but if there's a way to embrace her more fully, it certainly might be the sweet thing to do.
And sure, it may prove to be better "optics", though that really shouldn't be the motivator...indeed, it's very possible that trying to be nice could backfire politically if there isn't a reciprocal effort. Or worse, it's used a cudgel...
But the kid ain't at fault...
And it seems to me that Hunter's sobriety journey of "making amends" could benefit himself by finding a way to embrace the child.
Kid already has enough stuff to worry about without the media machine grinding her into a pulp.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:14 pm
Don't get me wrong, it would be the good thing to make happen.
But Joe wasn't able to control his son's choices before, and I suspect isn't in control of Hunter now. (and should not be)..the hope would be that Hunter is on a path that allows this progress. Getting various lawsuits settled, including this one, may have been steps that needed to happen first...but "making amends" is a process that he ultimately needs to do himself, and not because Daddy insists.
But for the kid's sake, hope it can happen, preferably away from prying eyes. Which ain't gonna be easy.
Imagine Ronny d bugging out like a hypocritical biyach when someone comes after his family.NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:16 pmKid already has enough stuff to worry about without the media machine grinding her into a pulp.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:14 pm
Don't get me wrong, it would be the good thing to make happen.
But Joe wasn't able to control his son's choices before, and I suspect isn't in control of Hunter now. (and should not be)..the hope would be that Hunter is on a path that allows this progress. Getting various lawsuits settled, including this one, may have been steps that needed to happen first...but "making amends" is a process that he ultimately needs to do himself, and not because Daddy insists.
But for the kid's sake, hope it can happen, preferably away from prying eyes. Which ain't gonna be easy.
A 4 year old. Sheesh
Imagine if Joe had kids like Don Jr, Eric, Ivanka, and in-laws like Jared. Dude's taken 10x the lumps for 1/10th the actual scandals. Gish gallop in the house.Farfromgeneva wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:44 pmImagine Ronny d bugging out like a hypocritical biyach when someone comes after his family.NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:16 pmKid already has enough stuff to worry about without the media machine grinding her into a pulp.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:14 pm
Don't get me wrong, it would be the good thing to make happen.
But Joe wasn't able to control his son's choices before, and I suspect isn't in control of Hunter now. (and should not be)..the hope would be that Hunter is on a path that allows this progress. Getting various lawsuits settled, including this one, may have been steps that needed to happen first...but "making amends" is a process that he ultimately needs to do himself, and not because Daddy insists.
But for the kid's sake, hope it can happen, preferably away from prying eyes. Which ain't gonna be easy.
A 4 year old. Sheesh
I know some primary source stories from Jenna Bush’s college days. Only things I recall about Chelsea were her “highly idiosyncratic aesthetic features” that weren’t to my tastes.NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 11:03 pmImagine if Joe had kids like Don Jr, Eric, Ivanka, and in-laws like Jared. Dude's taken 10x the lumps for 1/10th the actual scandals. Gish gallop in the house.Farfromgeneva wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:44 pmImagine Ronny d bugging out like a hypocritical biyach when someone comes after his family.NattyBohChamps04 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:16 pmKid already has enough stuff to worry about without the media machine grinding her into a pulp.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:14 pm
Don't get me wrong, it would be the good thing to make happen.
But Joe wasn't able to control his son's choices before, and I suspect isn't in control of Hunter now. (and should not be)..the hope would be that Hunter is on a path that allows this progress. Getting various lawsuits settled, including this one, may have been steps that needed to happen first...but "making amends" is a process that he ultimately needs to do himself, and not because Daddy insists.
But for the kid's sake, hope it can happen, preferably away from prying eyes. Which ain't gonna be easy.
A 4 year old. Sheesh
Barron has been left alone and is smart enough to avoid the media, probably due to his mom figuring out how terrible the sitch is. Hunter's daughter has about caught up to Barron in terms of visibility.
Same with Chelsea vs. the Bush Twins.
Bigger magnifying glass for no good reason.
He's "relatable"...maybe your kind of guy?cradleandshoot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 1:48 pm Joe Biden has a neat nickname from the people who have to work closely with him...OLE YELLER... I guess humble old uncle Joe has a propensity for mother effing everyone around him when he gets ticked off. Who would a thunk it?
Maybe 20 years ago. In my line of work verbally harassing each other was our way of saying " your alright" in my book. If you want to go back to my time in the US Army being politically incorrect was the norm. My fellow soldiers and I were a bunch of heathens in every sense of the word. We were almost up there with some guy named Ted Kennedy... The Lion of the Senate. We never did get to enjoy a waitress sandwich.MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 2:11 pmHe's "relatable"...maybe your kind of guy?cradleandshoot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 1:48 pm Joe Biden has a neat nickname from the people who have to work closely with him...OLE YELLER... I guess humble old uncle Joe has a propensity for mother effing everyone around him when he gets ticked off. Who would a thunk it?
He’s his son.old salt wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:11 pm Biden is causing his own problems by stubbornly keeping Hunter in the spotlight. In your face to his political opponents.
That is not working out well.
He should limit family interaction to weekends & holidays at the Wilmington compound & Camp David.
Keep Hunter out of the WH & off of AF1. He's a huge political liability.
Whatever liability he has is a result of the coordinated right wing plot to make him one in order to damage his father for the 2024 election.Typical Lax Dad wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 8:45 amHe’s his son.old salt wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:11 pm Biden is causing his own problems by stubbornly keeping Hunter in the spotlight. In your face to his political opponents.
That is not working out well.
He should limit family interaction to weekends & holidays at the Wilmington compound & Camp David.
Keep Hunter out of the WH & off of AF1. He's a huge political liability.