I suspect the names are mostly remembered because they sound kinda quirky to the anglophone ear, rather than due to any widespread interest in the story itself.
I mean, yeah, guys getting tossed into a furnace would normally be pretty memorable, but doesn't really stand out too much from the rest of the ubiquitous wackiness in the Old Testament.
Meanwhile, I see that our PM Starmer is visiting the Orange Emperor in the latter's Court today. No doubt Sir Keir will be respectful and pragmatic, but I do most sincerely hope that he will refrain from inviting the Orange Emperor to the UK...
Hopes once again dashed. Time to warm up the protest songs and produce the placards, even without Janey Godley, and have millions on the street declaring we don't want the Crooked Orange One here. A good warm welcome from the UK.
The invitation was from the Palace, not Downing Street. Perhaps Charles wants to disabuse Trump of his misconceptions about Canada. It was noticeable that the President returned the Royal letter to Starmer to disclose the contents. Could he not read HM's notorious handwriting, or can't he read?
The invitation was from the Palace, not Downing Street. Perhaps Charles wants to disabuse Trump of his misconceptions about Canada. It was noticeable that the President returned the Royal letter to Starmer to disclose the contents. Could he not read HM's notorious handwriting, or can't he read?
I guess it's the protocol for one Head of State to invite another HoS, but I hope the PM won't invite the God-Emperor to address Parliament.
No date has yet been set AFAIK, but protests and petitions are being organised. Maybe the God-Emperor will be delighted at the bigliness of the crowds who don't turn out to adore and worship him...
The invitation was from the Palace, not Downing Street. Perhaps Charles wants to disabuse Trump of his misconceptions about Canada. It was noticeable that the President returned the Royal letter to Starmer to disclose the contents. Could he not read HM's notorious handwriting, or can't he read?
In yet another triumph for British journalism, The Times front-page report on yesterday's White House meeting stresses Trump's 'offers' while making virtually no mention of the Prime Minister.
Just for once, I feel a bit sorry for King Chuck and Queen Vanilla, who will have to put up with the awful Orange God-Emperor's visit, and will have to look as though they're enjoying it...
Just for once, I feel a bit sorry for King Chuck and Queen Vanilla, who will have to put up with the awful Orange God-Emperor's visit, and will have to look as though they're enjoying it...
They put up with Prince Andrew, I think they'll be okay.
It's the government who decides who should be invited, not the monarch. The royals just sign it.
"Invitations for state visits are sent by the Royal Household with supervision by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office." Wiki.
Trump and Vance have just behaved utterly disgracefully, insulting Zelensky as though he were a toddler, and through him, the entire Ukrainian nation. I think it is the most disgusting display of political arrogance I have ever seen.
If that is how they behave and are prepared to behave in public, that makes the USA no longer a friend or ally that any other country should be prepared to want or be associated with.
IMHO also, Trump and Vance have deeply shamed the country they lead, and its citizens, collectively and each one of them personally and individually.
I've not been following the rest of this thread, but I believe this is so outrageous that it must be said, publicly and repeated.
So where is Trump going here? He is bullying Zelensky, and admiring Putin. So does the US sit on its hands, while Russia slices pieces off Ukraine? As others have said, its worse than Munich, as Chamberlain was buying time.
I can’t quite work out from the BBC coverage whether Zelensky actually walked out - or whether it was simply the joint news conference was cancelled and he then left.
Yes, but if they set out to ambush Zelensky, to what end? Humiliating him is intended to help Putin, or force Ukraine to accept being an American colony? Or both.
According to CNN via the Guardian: “Trump ... directed Secretary Rubio and his national security adviser Mike Waltz to deliver the message: it was time for Zelensky to leave”.
Every PM in Europe, from Ireland to Poland, seems to be coming out in support of Zelensky.
I didn't see and don't want to see, but I have a question. How did Zelensky handle it?
He did his best to stay calm under pressure, listen and put his case. Then Trump put an end to it, the press conference was cancelled, and Zelensky was told by Rubio he wasn't welcome in the White House today and should leave. So he left.
According to CNN via the Guardian: “Trump ... directed Secretary Rubio and his national security adviser Mike Waltz to deliver the message: it was time for Zelensky to leave”.
Every PM in Europe, from Ireland to Poland, seems to be coming out in support of Zelensky.
According to CNN via the Guardian: “Trump ... directed Secretary Rubio and his national security adviser Mike Waltz to deliver the message: it was time for Zelensky to leave”.
Every PM in Europe, from Ireland to Poland, seems to be coming out in support of Zelensky.
I wonder what our PM will do.
Straddle the fence like a pasty colossus, pleasing no-one.
There is one good thing about this though, Zelensky left without signing away Ukraine's mineral rights.
So Toddler Trumpkin didn't get his own way...
Starmer is hosting a Ukraine defence conference this weekend, to be attended by most European leaders, so he won't be able to sit on the fence very comfortably, even if he wished to do so.
There is one good thing about this though, Zelensky left without signing away Ukraine's mineral rights.
So Toddler Trumpkin didn't get his own way...
No. Just as well, but what next? Those minerals are in demand.
I fancy Starmer is going to be playing a leading role in negotiations and developments on this side of the Atlantic. He spoke to Trump in his own language yesterday using some of his favourite vocabulary and it worked very well. Zelensky didn't do that. He made no attempt to flatter Trump. I'm not blaming him but it is the approach that works best.
Btw did anyone notice that comment about Hunter Biden's laptop?
He threw a tantrum, made himself and his staff look awful. He's basically blown any chance of making a deal with Zelensky, at least not one that heavily favours the US over Ukraine (I can imagine a scenario where Zelensky comes back to offer Trump some worthless bauble in exchange for a significant gain and the chance for Trump to say he's made a deal). Trump demonstrated the art of not making a deal.
Trump and Vance were bullies and their behaviour was awful. However, I get the impression that Zelenskyy thought that Trump was going to get him a deal which would be some sort of a win.
Trump and Vance were bullies and their behaviour was awful. However, I get the impression that Zelenskyy thought that Trump was going to get him a deal which would be some sort of a win.
I don't quite understand your point - surely as leader of Ukraine obviously Zelenskyy must be trying to strike a deal to get his country support? That was the whole point of the visit, wasn't it? And Trump had given the impression that this might be at least possible. But perhaps he never meant it at all.
Trump is reminding me more and more of Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup.
'If you think this country's bad off now, just wait till I get through with it.'
Comments
Trump: Did I say that I don’t remember.
No mineral deal = Zelenskyy is a dictator.
Mineral deal = Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people are very brave.
I will make no further comment
I guess it's the protocol for one Head of State to invite another HoS, but I hope the PM won't invite the God-Emperor to address Parliament.
No date has yet been set AFAIK, but protests and petitions are being organised. Maybe the God-Emperor will be delighted at the bigliness of the crowds who don't turn out to adore and worship him...
Maybe he was just bullying Starmer.
Anyway, Trump's not interested in Ken Kevin Keir - he just wants to have tea with the Queen, like last time.
He will need a spiritualist.
They put up with Prince Andrew, I think they'll be okay.
It's the government who decides who should be invited, not the monarch. The royals just sign it.
"Invitations for state visits are sent by the Royal Household with supervision by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office." Wiki.
Trump and Vance have just behaved utterly disgracefully, insulting Zelensky as though he were a toddler, and through him, the entire Ukrainian nation. I think it is the most disgusting display of political arrogance I have ever seen.
If that is how they behave and are prepared to behave in public, that makes the USA no longer a friend or ally that any other country should be prepared to want or be associated with.
IMHO also, Trump and Vance have deeply shamed the country they lead, and its citizens, collectively and each one of them personally and individually.
I've not been following the rest of this thread, but I believe this is so outrageous that it must be said, publicly and repeated.
Playground bullies.
Every PM in Europe, from Ireland to Poland, seems to be coming out in support of Zelensky.
The tinpot little comedian-turned-dictator may not be a tall man, physically, but he stands head and shoulders above the odious Orange One.
This, if it could be achieved.
Dear God in heaven.
There is one good thing about this though, Zelensky left without signing away Ukraine's mineral rights.
He did his best to stay calm under pressure, listen and put his case. Then Trump put an end to it, the press conference was cancelled, and Zelensky was told by Rubio he wasn't welcome in the White House today and should leave. So he left.
Wtf.
I wonder what our PM will do.
Straddle the fence like a pasty colossus, pleasing no-one.
There is one good thing about this though, Zelensky left without signing away Ukraine's mineral rights.
So Toddler Trumpkin didn't get his own way...
Starmer is hosting a Ukraine defence conference this weekend, to be attended by most European leaders, so he won't be able to sit on the fence very comfortably, even if he wished to do so.
No. Just as well, but what next? Those minerals are in demand.
I fancy Starmer is going to be playing a leading role in negotiations and developments on this side of the Atlantic. He spoke to Trump in his own language yesterday using some of his favourite vocabulary and it worked very well. Zelensky didn't do that. He made no attempt to flatter Trump. I'm not blaming him but it is the approach that works best.
Btw did anyone notice that comment about Hunter Biden's laptop?
I don't quite understand your point - surely as leader of Ukraine obviously Zelenskyy must be trying to strike a deal to get his country support? That was the whole point of the visit, wasn't it? And Trump had given the impression that this might be at least possible. But perhaps he never meant it at all.
'If you think this country's bad off now, just wait till I get through with it.'