National Lampoon's Presidential Vacation: The Megathread

[garbon]

What a good job he did!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/angela-merkel-donald-trump-germany-us-no-longer-rely-european-union-climate-change-g7-a7760486.html

Angela Merkel says Germany can no longer rely on Donald Trump's America: 'We Europeans must take our destiny into our own hands'

The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has suggested her country and Europe can no longer rely on the US under Donald Trump.

Speaking at a campaign event in Bavaria, Ms Merkel emphasised the need for friendly relations with the US, Britain and Russia, but added: "We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands."

She said that, as the traditional western alliance is threatened by the new US presidency and Brexit, "the times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days."

While Germany and Europe would strive to maintain relations with America and Britain, Ms Merkel said Europeans "have to fight for our own destiny".

Her comments came after Mr Trump said he needed more time to decide if the US would continue backing the Paris climate deal, which has frustrated European diplomats.

Mr Trump, who has previously called global warming a hoax, came under concerted pressure from the other leaders to honour the 2015 Paris Agreement on curbing carbon emissions.

Although he tweeted to say he would make a decision next week, his apparent reluctance to embrace the first legally binding global climate change deal, signed by 195 countries, clearly annoyed Ms Merkel.

"The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying," she told reporters.

"There are no indications whether the United States will stay in the Paris Agreement or not."

G7 leaders went on to blame the US for the failure to reach an agreement on climate change, in an unusually frank statement which read: "The United States of America is in the process of reviewing its policies on climate change and on the Paris Agreement and thus is not in a position to join the consensus on these topics.

"Understanding this process, the heads of state and of government of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom and the presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission reaffirm their strong commitment to swiftly implement the Paris Agreement."

Mr Trump has reportedly told "confidants," including the head of the Environmental Protection Angency Scott Pruitt, he plans to leave the international agreement on climate change, the Axios news outlet reported, citing three sources with direct knowledge.

A source who has been in contact with people involved in the decision told Reuters a couple of meetings were planned with chief executives of energy companies and big corporations and others about the climate agreement ahead of Mr Trump's expected announcement later in the week.

It was unclear whether those meetings would still take place.

[CountDeMoney]

I would think, considering how everybody knows by now that The Donald doesn't have the faintest clue about policy and doesn't care, that any kind of discussion with him about anything would be talking to a wall. 
You want to know what he's going to do about the Paris Agreement?  Look at who he's hired for cabinet and agency positions.  There's your answer, and you knew it before he even arrived. 

He told them he's waiting a week before deciding because he wants to know from his advisors what to say, but he wanted to get out of there first, as he's the worst kind of bully--an immoral spineless coward when it comes to being confronted face to face about his previously documented smacktalk.

[CountDeMoney]

And fuck it;  I'm all about German rearmament now. Go for it, Heinz.

[The Brain]

Germany has some ketching up to do.

[Zanza]

At least you kept the Saudis as BFF. 

[The Larch]

I believe this little nugget escaped our coverage of the G7 meeting:

G7 leaders took a stroll in Sicily — and Trump followed them in a golf cart

President Trump rounded out his first foreign trip since taking office by joining other G7 leaders as they walked the streets of Taormina, Sicily.

There was just one difference: as the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan walked on foot, Trump followed in a golf cart.

"They walked the 700 yards from the traditional G7 group photo, taken at a Greek amphitheatre, to a piazza in the hilltop town, but Mr Trump stayed behind until he could take a seat in the electric vehicle," The Times reported.

It also noted that Trump arrived last for the photo as the 6 other leaders stood waiting for him.

[Maladict]

Greek amphitheatre

[garbon]

Greek amphitheatre

You know Greeks didn't have the only type, right?

[CountDeMoney]

Greek amphitheatre

You know Greeks didn't have the only type, right?

You know the one they're referring to in the story is actually of ancient Greek construction, right?

[garbon]

Greek amphitheatre

You know Greeks didn't have the only type, right?

You know the one they're referring to in the story is actually of ancient Greek construction, right?

And I thought that's what they were clarifying given that it was in Italy.

[The Brain]

Greek amphitheatre

You know Greeks didn't have the only type, right?

You know the one they're referring to in the story is actually of ancient Greek construction, right?

You know it likely is just a theatre, and not an amphitheatre?

[CountDeMoney]

You know it likely is just a theatre, and not an amphitheatre?

I know you're unfortunately not likely to die in a massive radioactive incident because of an inoperable dosimeter sometime this week.

[Razgovory]

Amphitheaters are noted for their ability to eat frogs, newts, and salamanders.   

[grumbler]

Greek amphitheatre

You know Greeks didn't have the only type, right?

You know the one they're referring to in the story is actually of ancient Greek construction, right?

You know it likely is just a theatre, and not an amphitheatre?

A quick google search indicates that it is an amphitheater but is probably of Roman build to a Greek design.

[Ed Anger]

I believe this little nugget escaped our coverage of the G7 meeting:

G7 leaders took a stroll in Sicily — and Trump followed them in a golf cart

President Trump rounded out his first foreign trip since taking office by joining other G7 leaders as they walked the streets of Taormina, Sicily.

There was just one difference: as the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan walked on foot, Trump followed in a golf cart.

"They walked the 700 yards from the traditional G7 group photo, taken at a Greek amphitheatre, to a piazza in the hilltop town, but Mr Trump stayed behind until he could take a seat in the electric vehicle," The Times reported.

It also noted that Trump arrived last for the photo as the 6 other leaders stood waiting for him.

Let the plebs walk.