ballpoint

The straw clutching by Trump supporters has reached ridiculous levels. "All the documents were declassified..." So why, in the request for a special master to be appointed did his own lawyers specifically mention “that it would be appropriate for the special master to possess a 'top secret' clearance."? "All they found were empty folders..." No, as can clearly be seen in the evidence photos, numerous top secret documents were found along with a number of empty folders, which if anything are even more concerning. We know he had these documents because he admitted it on his failing social media app when he said they weren't just scattered about like the photos show, but were in cartons. We know that they were in at least one place open to visitors because one of his lawyers admitted it in a radio interview when she described Trump's office and said that it had frequent visitors. All these points have been brought up already, some numerous times, yet his supporters resort to closing their eyes while sticking their fingers in their ears and shouting MAGA, MAGA, MAGA... and no doubt will continue to spout them, even after this whole sorry saga is ended with his prosecution and punishment. And, to those who realise that he hasn't a leg to stand on, so resort to threats that upsetting the MAGA brigade will lead to riots and worse, I say bring it on. History has shown that it is never worth trying to placate a bully - especially not a treasonous, lying, cowardly, thieving betrayer and purveyor of his own country's secrets. Let them come out blazing so the law enforcers can deal the problem once and for all.

In this case, "like fleas deserting a sinking rat" seems more appropriate.

Exactly. While I believe this will eventually be a good thing for Europe, by forcing it to wean itself from Russian gas - at least until Russia manages to have a civilised human being in charge, it is, none the less amusing to see Putin lovers spouting stuff they know nothing about - like India paying Rubles for Russian gas. The only gas pipelines from Russia go to Europe (the majority and biggest of them), and China (small ones so far, which are already near, or at, full capacity. Even though there is work being done to build a pipeline network from Siberia to China, it is some time off being completed, let alone tested and commissioned). If gas doesn't go via a pipeline it must be shipped, but you can't just pour it into a big empty boat and call it a tanker, it must be liquified at an appropriate facility first, and then poured into specially built storage vessels on specially built ships. Russia does have such facilities in the north Pacific, but, once again, they are already running at full capacity. India is buying crude oil, tanked from Russia, but, until they either build new gas liquification terminals, or a pipeline across the Himalayas, it won't be buying significant (if any) volumes of gas from Russia any time soon. China has ramped up gas supplies from Russia, but, again, there isn't much more volume they can receive using current infrastructure - certainly nowhere near enough to replace the loss of Europe as a buyer. "China spent $18.9 billion on Russian oil, gas and coal in the three months to the end of May, almost double the amount a year earlier, latest customs data show. Meanwhile, India shelled out $5.1 billion in the same period*, more than five times the value of a year ago. That’s an extra $13 billion in revenue from both countries compared to the same months in 2021." Meanwhile, Russia stands to lose roughly €400 billion a year from cutting European pipelines. Sound economics there! *None of it on gas. Putin appears to have cut off his nose to spite his face, by cutting off his cash cow pipeline to spite the West. He obviously only cares about earning enough to continue funding his war and to hell with the rest of the Russian people's needs. Ukraine war: India, China buy Russian oil and gas worth $24 bn in 3 months | Business Standard News (business-standard.com)

The Trump Tower in Manhattan is the home to the "45 Wine and Whisky" bar, where you, and other losers, can soak up Trump's narcisism while soaking up his overpriced beverages, surrounded by memorabilia of his term in office, including copies of the trade and space force deals he signed, a Trump football, and a photo of him holding a newspaper touting his acquital in one of his impeachment trials. Oh, and an empty "classified" folder prominently displayed in a glass cabinet.

I walked into the living room and there was a strange guy in a canal boat by the telly. I said "You can't come barging in here!"

The cost of living crisis has now become so bad that my wife is having sex with me because she can't afford the batteries!

My mate was the fittest person I knew. He went to the gym 7 days a week. Entered Ironman contests, he even did back to back marathons once. Then one day he went for a jog in the park and BANG! He met a girl, got married... ...and now he's a fat **** just like the rest of us!

Was at the barbers and noticed a young lad before me having both sides of his head shaved and leaving a neat tuft of hair down the middle, from the front to the back of his head. On my turn, I asked the barber if I could have same haircut. He said no, it was the Last of the Mohicans.

On our way home my wife said let’s stop and visit our son Nicholas, so we took the see Nick route.

At band practice last night, a guy came up and asked if I could give him a roll on the drums? I said wouldn't you prefer a plate?

When my girlfriend left me I turned to the bottle. And now it's stuck in there.

Yes, no vowels passed yet, only copious liquids. He's still in consonant.

Apropos to my previous post, regarding Trump's continued veiled, and not so veiled threats against law enforcers, while praising January 6th rioters; while I strongly believe that the decent, law abiding majority of Americans will be repulsed by much of what he has (and his appointees have) done and said, I also believe that, if he manages to escape conviction for every one of the many issues he's being investigated for (which, luckily, isn't looking likely at the moment), and then, through fair means or foul, gets re-elected in 2024, that America deserves what will come of that. And it won't be pretty. The whole sorry saga plays out like an old time western. The evil Trump gang rode into town and tried to take it over. Will the townfolk stand up to his bullying, or will they lay down and let him walk all over them? I'd like to see the current sheriff call his bluff and sort out the problem once and for all. Sure, members of the gang will whoop and holler, and try to cause trouble, but the sheriff owns the cavalry and has the means to settle this now. Some things are better nipped in the bud - even a bud that was pruned back in 2020 but allowed to resprout - than left to ferment and foment.

Trump has come out on a right wing radio show and said that if he runs and wins, he will "look very favourably at full pardons", plus a government apology for all those convicted for their involvement on Jan 6th, as the show host applauds each statement with "amen". Seems like Putin isn't the only one talking about freeing convicts to do his dirty work.

You have to wonder when these super rich guys who dislike Putin are going to start fighting fire with fire.