onetrack

I think one of the greatest determinants of the quality of a U.S. President (and primary "leader of the free world") is how often they make excellent speeches, encouraging the nation, and outlining their vision for America in the future. Trump has never given a Presidential speech that contains any value, insight, lofty projections, or encouragement. Compare Trumps speeches with past Presidents such as Truman, Eisenhower, Roosevelt - or even Kennedy ("Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country") and you'll find very little of take-home value in Trumps utterings. But you'll find plenty of self-aggrandisement in his speeches. But Trump is a master of invective, verbal abuse, arrogant statements (always about himself) - and vicious threats of retribution, to anyone who opposes him. He refuses to admit to any wrongdoing at any time in his career - yet he was judged as being complicit in the Jan 6 insurrection - and even a number of Republicans voted to impeach him. He surrounds himself with lackeys chosen for their loyalty to him, and nothing else. His first Presidency was described as "chaotic" by insiders close to him. He is easily manipulated by pandering to his massive ego. He curries the votes of Fundamentalist Christians, and then says, "MY beautiful Christians"!? Christians do not worship other human beings, they worship Jesus Christ - yet Trump wants the U.S. Christians to worship HIM, instead of Jesus Christ. His constant lying and manipulation of facts to make himself appear superior are legend. He makes promises, and breaks them as fast as he makes them. He's a convicted felon, remember he was found guilty of paying off a prostitute he utilised, for her to keep quiet, as any information she would have revealed about Trump prior to his 2016 election would have seriously dented his election chances. That's simple election interference.. He's dissed every single opponent with derogatory descriptions, disgusting nicknames, racially-abusive names, and simple outright vicious personal abuse. He refused to accept the 2020 election results and effectively orchestrated a band of lying followers to produce falsified or non-existence evidence of election fraud, claiming the entire election was fraudulent. Not a single shred of "election fraud" claims ever stood up in any court case that Trump launched - and he launched over 60 cases, claiming election fraud. His best mate, lawyer Rudy Giuliani, was found guilty of producing false claims of election fraud against two women who counted votes, and they were awarded US$148M in damages - because EVERYTHING that came out of Giuliani's mouth is a LIE. And Trump surrounds himself with these people! The U.S. President is expected to ensure that he does not make personal profits from being President. Trump has ignored this law and has CONTINUALLY enriched himself, by using his Presidential position. Foreign dignitaries are always accommodated at Trump Hotels and other properties such as Mar-a-lago. Trump bills the foreign nations huge amounts for these stays. At last count, it was reported that Trump had enriched himself to the tune of US$160M by using his Presidential position. His story of valuable achievements while he has been President, you could write on a single pocket notebook page. Trump constantly brays about "Make America Great Again", but that saying is a hollow election ploy - he never made America "Great" last time he was President, and I can assure you, he won't make it "Great" again this time around, either. But one thing I can tell you that WILL happen, and that's the robber barons of America will become much more wealthy again under this Presidency, as he funnels Presidential favours and Govt money to them, in huge amounts.

Clinton takes home the (virtual) meat tray, Bob Dylan it is! 👍

Actually, the story that Cass Elliot choked on a sandwich was a fabrication. She died from a heart attack. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Elliot

You have to remember that Hunter Biden has endured more than his fair share of trauma, injury, maternal loss, and constantly being pursued for news stories. He has suffered with addiction all his life and I would think the car crash in which his mother was killed, and Hunter suffered a fractured skull with traumatic brain injury, has had a lot to do with his problems all through his life.

Name the ancient rock star of the 1960's and 1970's. He's still playing at 83.

Trainspotter.

Spaghetti Western.

Two mates return to one blokes apartment after a long night of drinking and partying. The guest notices a giant gong on his hosts living room wall, and inquires about it. "Oh, that's my talking clock", answers his host. "A talking clock??, his mate replies. "Doesn't look anything like a clock to me, let alone a talking one?" "You don't believe me? Look, I'll show you!", his mate replies. He walks over to the gong, picks up a big lump of wood, swings it, and hits the gong with all his might. "BOOOOOONNNNNNG!!!!!" rings throughout the building. Immediately, from the apartment next door, a voice screams out, "For f***'s sake!!! - it's 2:45 in the morning!!"

The eagle has flown.

Taking the wind out of his sails.

Throw your weight around.

It's Michelle Philips from The Mamas and Papas rock group. Not looking too bad for someone who's 80 this year, and who has probably ingested a truck load of drugs. Cass Elliot didn't get past 32.

Alan Green, the founder of the Quiksilver surfing clothing and equipment brand, has passed away at age 77 after a brief battle with cancer. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-16/surf-brand-quiksilver-alan-green-dies/104824096

Party animals?

I think it's Jerry keystrokes that are the stroke problem.

I'm quite surprised at how cancer is claiming so many of the recent deceased, well-known people. I always wonder if it's their lifestyle, diet or job that gives them cancer, or if they simply have genes that are receptive to acquiring cancer.

You could give yourself endless work, leading on FB scammers. The site is full of them.

I reckon she's probably had a lot of plastic surgery done to her facial areas, it's pretty common with celebrities. She was certainly a very attractive lass when she was in her prime.

Here's what's going to help Ukraine, and Trump can do F-all about it. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/01/10/coalition-sends-30000-kamikaze-drones-to-ukraine/

Trump is the BS-artist to beat all BS-artists. Anyone with more than one working brain cell would know he has no ability to stop the Ukraine War in one day. He's full of it, someone must have swapped his rear orifice for his mouth. He's too thick to even grasp the fact that plenty of European nations are happy to keep providing weaponry to the Ukraine, while they still stand a chance of hammering the Russians to a standstill.

I think the photo of Barbara Eden has been "modified". She doesn't look that bad, and she is 94 this year.

Nope, a donkey in Esperance lost $3M to Nigerian scammers and the State Govt had to step in to stop him from sending other peoples money to the scammers as well. To top it all, he's a devout Christian and understood the scammers were good Christians, too. Talk about dumb!! 🙄 It sounds like Octave has come across a bunch of JW's, who continually fail to understand what "No", or "Not interested", means! https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/man-who-lost-3m-says-he-didnt-see-the-scam-ng-ya-103305

According to the Chaser, Boeing has made a New Years resolution to stop using Clag paste in the construction of their aircraft. 😄 https://chaser.com.au/business/boeing-announces-new-years-resolution-to-stop-using-clag-paste-in-airplane-construction/

Just a correction from Red's post above - Healthscope is not Canadian, it is owned by a North American private equity group, Brookfield. The row is all about BUPA and AHSA refusing to pay an extra hospital fee that Healthscope is demanding. All the other health insurers have already agreed to pay the fee. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-22/healthscope-ahsa-bupa-private-insurance-contracts/104633886