Latest Moan From You and Me 2025

I am so glad that I’ve visited nearly all the places in the USA that were on my wish list, apart from Yellowstone National Park. Even after the end of Trump’s term of office (assuming he hasn’t changed the rules so that he is in for life, and one of his sons will then take over his reign) I don’t think I would ever feel safe or comfortable there again.

 

I’m not sure a lot has changed there. Politicians just have permission to say out loud what they really think. The US gov has always put business interests before people, money before morals, acquisition above all else.

 

Just my opinion but Zelenski is pushing his luck, true what Trump wants is access to Ukraines minerals but trying to push America into a corner and wanting them guarantee defence from Russia in the future is potentially putting the US and Russia at war at some point down the line. Zelenski is almost wanting to be part of NATO via the backdoor.

And don't forget, what ever Trump and Zelenski say they still have to convince Putin, it's in danger of becoming very messy Putin on one side, Trump on the other and us stuck in the middle with Ukraine.

 

Does Trump want access to the minerals in the Russian occupied part of Ukraine too? I would love to see the map that he has drawn up. What does Russia think about all of this?

 

I thought it was shocking, Trump & Vance shouting. And Trump
saying this will make good TV.
I won't say what I want to say for the fear of being banned

 

Dare I say…..as long as we all wear suits, we’ll be ok

 

I feel for Zelensky. He has been nimble, energised, and determined throughout all this. Unfortunately, dealing with Trump has no playbook because he is so unpredictable.

Today’s reality is pretty unpalatable for Zelensky … but it may be the only thing on offer. That said, it is not Ukraine pushing the world towards war. It is Putin, end of. If thuggery wins out here, it won’t end.

 

An excellent example of the current US bullying tactics. Didn't even get their facts right and whilst both Trump and Vance were obviously hugely enjoying themselves, they came across as "unfit for purpose" IMO.
The US is only after money earning mineral rights - Ukraine wants something in exchange. I'd have thought Trump was quite used to bargaining over deals such as this. Much like his "negotiations" re Israel/Palestine, it's business - he cares SFA about the people - he just sees dollars.
Not a fan of the Royals but even I feel sorry for Charles if he is forced into receiving Trump on a state visit. Congrats to Scotland for refusing his efforts on his golf course

 

Amidst all the doom and gloom, at least a possible silver lining on the climate front. Once President Musk announces that the only vehicles that can be sold or driven in the US will be Teslas, emissions may plummet?

 

Depends how much he plans to use his Chainsaw I suppose - qite a lot of chopping off of federal employees

 

Way back in the 1980s we (me and my middle aged OH) made a coast to coast (including Hawaii) trip across the “United” States. We began in Hawaii. A lot of pineapples is all I remember. We were astonished at so many things, even then. Firstly, the bank in California that we had made a prior bank account arrangement with refused to accept our Bank of Hawaii bank notes. Not legal tender was the message we got from our conversation with the branch manager. So much for the united states. Secondly, we could not believe the number of destitute people on the streets in places like San Francisco and Los Angeles - rich cities not the dusty plains of the South. Lying on the pavement with not a thing to their name, just as we’d seen in India some years before. Thirdly, we were stopped at gun point, twice, by “law enforcement” for driving a rental car from out of the state. When they heard our weird English accents they got even more jumpy. Fourthly, a cousin that we had never met until that visit gave us a tour of The Sunshine State with a large gun on the front seat of her car. We sat in the back. Fifthly, when we arrived by plane in Alabama we were quite thirsty and walked into the nearest café to the airport and asked for two coffees, please. Our presence was met by a deafening silence - not a soul stirred. Not a soul was white. Coming from London where every second person is non-white it took us quite a while to work out why nobody was moving. We jokingly said that we were two thirsty British tourists and we’d love to try the local coffee and a cake if they had one. The atmosphere suddenly softened and we were offered a seat and a drink and a couple of cakes. We got talking to the locals and they were lovely people, not trying to beat us up or rob us of our possessions. Not a gun in sight. No, my memory of 1980s USA is not a happy one.

 

I could meet destitute people on the streets every day if I venture into town, which I avoid, because its pretty awful, like most of this country.
It mostly depends what parts you go to.

You obviously look dodgy @Tidemark

 

@cactus_girl It seems that Trump is trying to set up a deal with Putin to have access to the minerals in the occupied areas of Ukraine as well as screwing Ukraine over. The man is only interested in what's in it for him. I wouldn't be surprised if any deal agreed on access to minerals will be between Russia/Ukraine and his businesses.

 

At least Zelenski didn't appear to crawl as much as Starmer did, I admire that.