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‘Great television, I will say that’
March 04, 2025
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The mano-a-mano between the President of the United States and the President of Ukraine was more like the pre-match theatrics of WrestleMania than a diplomatic ceremony. But I suppose that with Alpha males in front of a camera arguing over US$350 billion (according to Trump), the outcome was unsurprising.
“What do you think? Great television. I will say that,” said Mr Trump as the clash faded away.
But are chest-thumping and head-butting the way diplomacy should be conducted when millions of lives and the geopolitical future of Europe is at stake? Are they consistent with the human dignity which the US has always championed?
What the world saw was diplomacy by humiliation and bullying. It was WrestleMania in the Oval Office. Vice-President Vance kept insisting like a peevish kindergarten teacher: “Just say thank you”, “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire time?”
Some American pundits were cheering when The Orange Man body-splashed Z the Destroyer and The Ohio Hillbilly executed a perfect piledriver. “I have never been more proud of the president,” said Senator Lindsey Graham. A conga line of politicians and journalists sang the same tune.
True, Zelensky should have been smarter. His job was to sign an agreement and he left without it. Epic fail.
It's hard to say how much damage President Zelensky has done to his brave country’s war effort. Perhaps he’ll learn how to eat humble pie and learn how to genuflect before a President who has been inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Speaking on Fox News, retired General Jack Keane compared Zelensky to Lincoln, as a leader who had bravely brought his country through three years of agony. But, but … “He should have understood going into the Oval Office today that when the cameras are on … the only answer to the questions should be, from Zelensky’s point, ‘Thank you, Mr President. Thank you, America. I’m going to work with you to achieve a peaceful end to this war.’ Period. He must say that five, six, seven times in different words.”
In other words, Zelensky was expected to perform the full kowtow before the Emperor -- "three kneelings and nine knockings of the head on the ground". I wonder if Americans appreciate how horrified the rest of the world was by the bullying, pettiness, and arrogance displayed by the President and Vice-President in the Oval Office.
Reports surfaced that the White House believed that Zelensky had been disrespectful because he had refused to wear a conventional suit. Why? His military garb is a symbol of his embattled country, one which he has been wearing proudly since Russia invaded. The White House didn’t demand that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi wear a suit. Louis XVI didn’t demand that Benjamin Franklin wear silk stockings and a perfumed wig when he came begging in 1776 for French weapons and aid to win the American Revolution.
The most worrying thing about last Friday’s incident was that US withdrawal of support could deliver Ukraine to an aggressive, expansionist, and unscrupulous Russia.
But the second most worrying thing is that Trump’s White House is taking on the trappings of an imperial palace, issuing edicts and summoning the leaders of tribute states to make their ritual obeisance.
“What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first,” said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. What the rest of the world witnessed was something altogether different. It was an American president putting America first by headlocking the president of a small and needy nation and bashing him till the blood flowed while his courtiers applauded. If that is what MAGA stands for, it’s nothing to be proud of. Benjamin Franklin would have puked.
What did you think of Zelensky’s failed mission?
Michael Cook is editor of Mercator.
Image credit: screenshot / The Australian
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mrscracker commented 2025-03-08 12:21:02 +1100I believe Mr Mouse this is a poultry vaccine, so it’s being handled by the USDA but who knows whether down the road we’ll need one for people. I sure hope not.
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Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-08 09:25:58 +1100mrscracker,
That’s wonderful news about the vaccine. But given recent comments from RFK Jr, I’m not convinced it will be implemented.
It just seems to me like the administration is stepping on multiple rakes as it tries to address this issue. -
mrscracker commented 2025-03-08 02:41:39 +1100Hello Mr. Mouse. I hope your day is going well?
I get the Farm Bureau’s newsletter email, each morning & it looks like the USDA has approved a bird flu vaccine made by Zoetis. Let’s hope it works.
I really appreciate my local extension service but seriously, the USDA hasn’t been the farmer’s best friend at all times & I’m sure there’s room for cutting back. Only something like 1% of people in the US still farm fulltime. And those tend to either be megafarms or the Amish who try to stay away from govt. assistance.
It’s getting a little better. I see our extension service reaching out more to small farms & out of the box type agriculture. One of our old friends who farms organically was offered a role in the USDA recently. Years ago he would have been advised to “Get big, or get out.” There’s always hope & there’s room for all kinds of agriculture, both big & small. -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-07 11:58:19 +1100mrscracker,
Be that as it may – Trump fired the CDC workers who were working on bird flu: https://apnews.com/article/usda-firings-doge-bird-flu-trump-fdd6495cbe44c96d471ae8c6cf4dd0a8
So, I’ll still lay (some) blame at his feet for not fulfilling his promise -
mrscracker commented 2025-03-07 08:51:28 +1100I believe the bird flu has had the greatest impact on egg prices & there’s not a great deal we can do about that sans a vaccine. That’s what the Dept. of Agriculture did years ago to combat Newcastle Disease.
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Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-07 03:09:14 +1100“ your hallucinations that 1+1=3 will never stand up.”
Kind of like Greenland, Canada, and Panama Canal going to the US? Or how about how it’s now the “Gulf of America”? Or that we’re going to rename forts back to honor confederate generals (that’s surely a good use of tax payer dollars, right?)
It’s amusing, your rant can be applied to Trump, and I don’t think you can see that. I bid you good day, Robert. -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-07 02:26:09 +1100“ And you want something to worry about, worry about that amigo!”
I’m more worried about egg prices. I thought he was going to solve those day 1? Meanwhile transwomen can’t compete in sports or serve in the military. Wondering how that’ll solve egg prices. -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-07 02:24:22 +1100“ The left leaning Democrats have had years of government to get things right and they did nothing but dig a larger economic black hole.”
Since Nixon, every democratic president has left office with a lower deficit than when they entered (Clinton even had a surplus until GWB tax cuts), and every GOP president has left office with a higher deficit than when they entered. Make of that what you will.
“ The trouble with the far left progressives is that “you just can’t let go”! ”
Isn’t Trump still asking potential staffers about the 2020 election and whether it was stolen? Talk about letting things go.
Everything is projection, Robert. -
Robert J Curro commented 2025-03-07 00:29:12 +1100And you are delusional if you think you can change anything with all your worry about Trump. The left leaning Democrats have had years of government to get things right and they did nothing but dig a larger economic black hole. You ‘ve had your turn, stuffed up badly so now let the “Conservatives” stuff things up for a while!
The trouble with the far left progressives is that "you just can’t let go"! No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you dream up your “progressive” (and I use that word with tongue in cheek) ideas, your hallucinations that 1+1=3 will never stand up. You push so hard but you forget that the plebs will only take so much and so you end up with a ?………..you guessed it, a TRUMP!
By the way, from what I hear and read, your last count of 1+1=96 (genders), or have I missed a few!!!
And you want something to worry about, worry about that amigo! -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-06 22:17:32 +1100“ So let’s worry about our own backyard and the country we leave our children and grand children, if you have any to worry about, and forget about Trump, he’s not your concern .”
We are worried about Trump, because he is making the country worse for our children.
And you’re delusional if you think the increased “savings”
(Again, republicans seek to increase the defection and debt, as their spending cuts are dwarfed by their proposed tax cuts). -
Robert J Curro commented 2025-03-06 19:41:10 +1100The thing about far leftist is that they read what suits their agenda! No one wants to see children starve. The aid going to Gaza, for example, goes to Hamas for distribution….I wonder who gets fed first? Aid going to Africa is not going to “all” the children in need, but to a chosen few! But you choose to ignore that, as long as the money is sent. Conscious is clear right, good lefty!
Australia did put Trump in power, neither did Europe and I certainly did not vote for him and I’m pretty certain you didn’t vote for him! The USA citizen voted for Trump and they did so unanimously! He is there to serve the US citizen, not you, not me and certainly not every other irresponsible countries in the world led by their left leaning leaders eg, Macron, Trudeau, Starmer, and most of Europe. All of a sudden the EU has found $800 billion Euro to fund its defence budget!
So suck it up and worry about the waste of taxpayer dollars in Australia that have been squandered for decades by various governments and funded every unconceivable useless ideology imaginable. In case you haven’t noticed, just to the North of us, on a few miserable small islands live 320+ million people, further North some 1.4 billion Chinese with a hostile Government in charge and a large contingent of Chinese nationals already living in this country and so on…..
So lets worry about our own backyard and the country we leave our children and grand children, if you have any to worry about, and forget about Trump, he’s not your concern . -
Emberson Fedders commented 2025-03-06 18:52:08 +1100The thing about conservatives is they would see children starve as long as they aren’t exposed to ‘woke’.
Republican voters are so het up about immigrants that they will vote away their own chances in life.
Crazy. -
Robert J Curro commented 2025-03-06 13:19:46 +1100Trump might be a crook, but by assuming that everyone else (politicians and so called “world Leaders”) are as well, he’s on the money my friend! Go reread your history books on the world’s “great leaders” past and present!! If you fail to know your history, you will fail to make the correct present day decisions!
Have you viewed some of Trump’s cuts to the supposedly aid funding? Millions of $ for “transvestite funding” in Africa (they need food, not crap ideology), funding to a non existent African nation (probably funding rebel arms?) and the list of idiotic woke and LGBTQ+ ideology funding throughout the US! The USA has just on 40 million people (citizens) living below the poverty line and you think it’s ok for the nations President to fund this illegitimate aid around the world to spread their extreme left and woke ideology like the previous Biden and his accomplice Harris administration?
Trump is far from perfect, 100% agree, but at least what you see is what you get, not like the charlatans before him. But what can I say, some people like to live with their head in the sand and pretend that all is “just fine” because their leaders tell them so! -
mrscracker commented 2025-03-06 11:40:14 +1100In many instances President Trump is not entirely wrong about that.
🙂 -
Emberson Fedders commented 2025-03-06 11:13:41 +1100Trump is a crook; therefore he assumes everyone else is as well.
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Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-06 01:46:33 +1100“ I think any leader worth his salt should question and query where this well meant aid is really going and in whose hands it actually ends up in!”
You mean like how the Trump foundation took charitable money and used it for personal purchases?
https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-7b8d0f5ce9cb4cadad948c2c414afd57
I feel as though, based on his own prior transgressions with money (not to mention his refusal to pay cities for services where campaign rallies were held) this administration is not the best to be conducting this audit. -
Robert J Curro commented 2025-03-05 13:36:51 +1100Too much ABC and a lot of well meant naivety! With all this Aid going to Africa, the middle east etc, we still have the starving masses with no sign of improvement. On occasion we get a glimpse of rebel fighters in Africa, the Hamas terrorists in Gaza all looking fit, healthy and well fed! Also nobody questions how is it for such needy and poor areas of aid requirement that these rebels and terrorists all carry guns and arms some of which are worth US $3 to 5k a piece! Where are the Aid$ really going? I think any leader worth his salt should question and query where this well meant aid is really going and in whose hands it actually ends up in! Of course if they have vested interest themselves in the Aid $, well then, just send it off, no questions asked! You worry about the wealthy in the US, not about the wealthy criminals that really benefit from the aid funds that should be going to the poor and needy!
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Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-05 11:55:56 +1100“In this case, you had to go with the one who seemed least likely to harm, who, at the time, seemed to be Trump. Life issues are important for me, for one, and Harris was atrocious from that point of view. "
Michael, I would ask who, in your view, is better for “life issues” for those already born – not just those in the womb. I would argue that Harris is better for those already born. Trump seeks to cut medicare/medicaid – which, I’m sure we can agree will cause some harm to those on Medicare/Medicaid. Trump’s cuts to social security will surely bring harm to the elderly. His cuts to USAID cost (almost cost?) $500 Million in spoiled food, which surely brings harm to the hungry.
He’s seeking to cut the Consumer Fraud Protection Bureau – an agency that has saved tax payers more than it cost, and protects the average consumer from malpractice of companies. Surely cutting this will bring harm to the average, every day person, no? It seems like it only benefits the very wealthy ownership class.
Not to mention these tariffs he’s imposing – which amounts to a tax increase on the lower classes, who have to pay higher prices for everyday goods. This surely is a harm to the living, is it not?
I hope that you continue to come around, and see just how awful Trump is for the US, and for the world. Now, if only Kurt would… -
Emberson Fedders commented 2025-03-05 11:20:29 +1100“In this case, you had to go with the one who seemed least likely to harm, who, at the time, seemed to be Trump.”
Seriously? Did you do any research outside of your own bubble? Trump is busy implementing Project 2025 which people around here were shouting warnings about for months. There is nothing advantageous in there for Americans (unless you are already fabulously wealthy that is). -
Emberson Fedders commented 2025-03-05 11:17:58 +1100Trump and Vance are children, too puffed up on their tiny egos to understand what it is they are doing. They just don’t take government seriously. Putin must have been laughing to himself through the entire episode at how easy it is to now manipulate America.
And Xi Jinping is no doubt rubbing his hands in glee. -
Michael Cook commented 2025-03-05 11:02:07 +1100@Anon Emouse — “But hey, Michael – Mercatornet seemed to be ok with a Trump presidency instead of a Harris one. Are you happy with that decision, still?”
That’s a fair question, in the light of Trump’s first 100 days. Happy with Trump, no. Happy with the decision, yes. US elections are always a choice between two flawed candidates. In this case, you had to go with the one who seemed least likely to harm, who, at the time, seemed to be Trump. Life issues are important for me, for one, and Harris was atrocious from that point of view.
But thanks for asking. -
mrscracker commented 2025-03-05 07:28:47 +1100I wish etiquette advanced peace more Mr. Mouse. I’d like to believe it can but realistically, making deals can be like making sausage. It’s better to enjoy the results without having to watch the process.
🙂 -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-05 07:01:33 +1100“ Sometimes that’s been the case Mr Mouse but let’s hope not this time.
🙂”
I don’t think the bad manners increased the likelihood of peace, mrscracker, and I hope on some level you’re able to see that. -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-05 06:25:00 +1100“ So it is not surprising that they make everyone extremely nervous. So who is the rude one?”
Trump. Trump lied on camera about origins of war and called Zelensky a dictator, while refusing to label Putin as such.
I don’t understand what’s so hard to comprehend -
Juan Llor Baños commented 2025-03-05 05:46:32 +1100When someone is invited to negotiate peace and takes the opportunity to show that his behavior is the best, do they really want peace? Or do they want to show that their reasons are worth more than peace? So it is not surprising that they make everyone extremely nervous. So who is the rude one?
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mrscracker commented 2025-03-05 02:33:52 +1100Sometimes that’s been the case Mr Mouse but let’s hope not this time.
🙂 -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-04 23:53:35 +1100“If the choice was between bad manners and WWIII I believe I’d choose bad manners.
🙂 "
Fortunately for you, you get both ;) -
Anon Emouse commented 2025-03-04 23:53:06 +1100“What does Zeleskin have better to offer Ukraine than peace, even if it is not in his full agreement? What does Zelesensky have to offer better? So, who was the rude one?”
He’s offered to step down if Ukraine is admitted to NATO…so there’s that
And it was Trump. Trump was the rude one -
Juan Llor Baños commented 2025-03-04 23:51:05 +1100Very good sentence, Mrs Cracker!!
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Robert J Curro commented 2025-03-04 23:49:09 +1100Do you really think you know who’s spending what and who’s buying what? Trump’s no diplomat and not much of a politician, but he knew how to throw the cat amongst the pigeons! Europe and their “Heroic” (tongue in cheek) leaders have done nothing to stop the war for the last three years, as has the US under Biden….they were all to busy selling arms to both sides! And since you brought it up the same goes for Gaza and Israel! Now, since Trump made a move for Ukraine’s mineral wealth, all of a sudden the European leaders (if you wish to refer to them as that) have come to life. Flights here and there, meetings left right and centre, a rushed up convention of the show ponies, Macron, Trudeau, Steamer, Scholtz and the rest of the brigade…..really? You think they’re concerned about Ukraine? All of them, including the US have made a fortune in arms deals in the middle east and when Trump stupidly says that he (the US) wants to develop the Gaza strip, they all (including EL Presidente of the UN) cry foul….it’s unhumanitarian……..really? What, letting them live amongst the rubble is the better option? This is much bigger than you or I will ever decipher, and it’s all about the $. Good night, and sweet dreams.
