23 Comments

1. 

   Pete George

    /  11th December 2018

   At least 16 associates of Donald Trump had contacts with Russians during the 2016 campaign or transition, according to public statements, court filings, CNN reporting, and reporting from other news outlets https://t.co/TXX6fdJEa3 pic.twitter.com/zy3TqkTfCZ

   — CNN (@CNN) December 10, 2018

   The Russian interference inquiry doesn’t look like it is fading.
2. 

   Pete George

    /  11th December 2018

   A difficult president to work for.

   CNN’s @JohnAvlon breaks down key departures from President Trump's White House now that senior staff turnover is at 62%, according to Brookings Institution https://t.co/oiK6Df2vTE pic.twitter.com/wE5jbHD90N

   — CNN (@CNN) December 10, 2018
3. 

   Pete George

    /  11th December 2018

   The smocking gun tweet:

   “Democrats can’t find a Smocking Gun tying the Trump campaign to Russia after James Comey’s testimony. No Smocking Gun…No Collusion.” @FoxNews That’s because there was NO COLLUSION. So now the Dems go to a simple private transaction, wrongly call it a campaign contribution,…

   — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2018
   • 

     Missy

      /  11th December 2018

     What is a smocking gun? Does anyone know?
     • 

       Blazer

        /  11th December 2018

       he means smoking…gun… 🙂
       • 

         Missy

          /  11th December 2018

         I do realise that Blazer, just being a little facetious…..
         • 

           Blazer

            /  11th December 2018

           touche.
     • 

       Gezza

        /  11th December 2018

       It’s like a covfefe except all the various definitions are taking longer to appear.
4. 

   Pete George

    /  11th December 2018

   Commentary: Mueller just brought Trump closer to prosecution https://t.co/dwIDyb871H pic.twitter.com/EJx2KLzUhy

   — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) December 10, 2018
5. 

   Missy

    /  11th December 2018

   After weeks of protests and riots Macron has (finally) addressed the nation, but more importantly, despite all his talk and bluster about sticking to his reforms, he seems to have given in to the Yellow vest protestors.

   Macron has announced that the minimum wage will increase by 100 Euros a month, he has cancelled planned tax increases for low income pensioners, and he has asked employers to pay workers a year end tax free bonus.

   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46513189?ns_linkname=news_central&ns_source=twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking

   I will see if I can find a transcript of his speech.
   • 

     Gezza

      /  11th December 2018

     That’s amazing. I don’t think it will save him at the next election.
     • 

       Missy

        /  11th December 2018

       That will depend on how France does in the interim years, and who he is up against. Also, how much he is perceived to listen to the people. The next Presidential election is 2022 so he has time to improve.
       • 

         Gezza

          /  11th December 2018

         One thing about the French is that when they don’t like something they don’t muck about moaning about. Up go the barricades and the smashing and burning focuses the politicians minds pretty damn quickly.
         • 

           Missy

            /  11th December 2018

           True, the French have a reputation for protesting… and rioting.

           Must say Macron didn’t seem to care when French fishermen were using violence against British Fishermen fishing just outside French waters earlier this year, but now he is quite concerned about the violent protests.
           • 

             Gezza

              /  11th December 2018

             You’re probably forgetting he’s a tosser?
           • 

             Missy

              /  11th December 2018

             No G, he isn’t a tosser, he is French (though probably the same thing!). 😉
           • 

             Gezza

              /  11th December 2018

             he isn’t a tosser
             Flies in the face of all the evidence.
           • 

             Gezza

              /  11th December 2018

             But I digress for the sake of amusement. That’s a stunning turnaround from any President. Shows there’s still such a thing as people power in France.
   • 

     Missy

      /  11th December 2018

     Macron has declared an ‘economic and social state of emergency’
   • 

     Missy

      /  11th December 2018

     Macron speech key points:
     1⃣ Minimum wage to rise by €100 per month from 2019 💶
     2⃣ Overtime should be paid without taxes or charges⏱️
     3⃣ Retirees earning less than €2,000 per month to get tax cut 👵
     4⃣ Wealth tax won't be reversed ❌
     5⃣ National debate will be held 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/2JlsHSBcIK

     — Oliver Miočić (@olivermiocic) December 10, 2018
6. 

   Missy

    /  11th December 2018

   If there is any truth in this, then Macron’s concessions today are meaningless.

   #YellowVests have announced that Macron's promises are "too little, too late" and that he should resign. "We are planning for major protests against #Macron this Saturday in #Paris and other cities."

   — WorldOnAlert (@worldonalert) December 10, 2018
7. 

   Missy

    /  11th December 2018

   Meanwhile, the EU have threatened sanctions on Italy unless they amend their budget, however, some are seeing the riots in France, and capitulation of Macron, as a positive for Italy.

   It is thought that the riots, and subsequent capitulation by Macron, will be seen as vindication by Italy for their budget spending, as they can argue that they need to spend the money to avoid social unrest. It is also seen that if France have a higher deficit (which they will have after Macron’s announcement) then it will make it harder for the EU to be tough on Italy.

   This is a good night for Salvini and Di Maio. They will use Macron’s U-turn as a proof that they were right all along in pushing for more spending to quell social unrest. A higher deficit in France will make it harder for the Commission to clamp down on Italy’s budget. #Macron

   — Ferdinando Giugliano (@FerdiGiugliano) December 10, 2018
8. 

   Alan Wilkinson

    /  11th December 2018

   On US vs China (more to it than the headline):
   https://pjmedia.com/spengler/did-the-deep-state-sandbag-president-trump-with-the-huawei-arrest/