That political discussion with occasional humour thread

[Susannah]

To enjoy from The Guardian

In our 2 November issue of Saturday magazine, we ran a photo special spotlighting the 33 images that captured historic US presidential moments. Readers wrote in with suggestions of their own. Here’s what you said:

“The photo I most associate with President Trump is the one of him in a room full of men as they ban foreign aid to agencies that provide abortion counselling. It has hugely affected the work of agencies that promote sexual and reproductive rights and contraception.” – Clare Goodhart

“The photo of JFK speaking at his inauguration includes a remarkable assemblage of US presidents, past and present. Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy himself, Nixon and Ford are all in frame. So too are the First Ladies Wilson, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. Eleanor Roosevelt elected to sit among the crowd, rather than on the portico.” – Richard Scully

“One picture that comes to mind is also by Pete Souza: the one of president Obama fist-bumping a white house janitor. It’s hard to imagine Trump even bothering to notice a janitor, let alone acknowledging him in this way.” – Matthew

“The Trumps and the Obamas at the White House during the 2016 presidential transition. In my memory, it was difficult to decide who looks more uncomfortable.” – Alan Alexander

Plus: Gerald Ford tumbling down a flight of stairs; Ronald Reagan being carried into a car by Secret Service agents after being shot; the campaign-ending image of senator and Democratic presidential frontrunner Gary Hartwith model Donna Rice on a yacht, which proved that – despite Hart’s denials – the two were having an extramarital affair. (In the ensuing media frenzy, many mocked Hart’s shirt, which was emblazoned with the name of the yacht, it was unfortunately named Monkey Business.)

[JohnH]

@billybutcher

we had a 9-5 Aero

So did I and I still regret selling it. Now making do with an old school 900 convertible.

[John_Scully]

@JohnH

making do

Lovely car, not exactly making do

[AIIy]

I stopped identifying my cars as GB post Heysel. The hostility then was palpable. I’ve used these or a variation thereof since. They are an ice breaker.
I’ll take the fine before I put a UK sticker on.

[carlmt]

@John_Scully

Lovely car, not exactly making do

Agree 100% with that sentiment!

If I had had the chance and opportunity, a 900 convertible would have been my preference - but a suitable subject just wasnt available at the time.

[JohnH]

@John_Scully

Lovely car, not exactly making do

It’s 34 years old now and looks good, from a distance.

It’s the normally-aspirated 3-speed automatic so it isn’t going to scare the horses but I’ve got the motorbike if I want to go fast. The SAAB is for gentle trundling around the lanes.

[Jane_Williamson]

We used have a Saab. Lovely car.

[DrMarkH]

[David_Spardo]

An American, a Russian and a Ukranian are sitting on a train shooting the breeze.

The American wishing to show off says to the other two this is my best gun and promptly throws it out the window. The other two asked why he did that. The American replies well guns are so plentiful in my country that they are inexpensive.

The Russian, not wishing to be out done, pulls a bottle of expensive vodka out of his pocket and throws it out the window too. Again upon being asked why he did that he replies well vodka in my country is so common it too is inexpensive.

The Ukranian sits and thinks about the antics of his fellow travellers and not wishing to be outdone picks up the Russian and throws him out the window

[DrMarkH]

American cartoon posted last Friday

American reality four days later…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/19/mehmet-oz-trump-administration-medicare-medicaid

[billybutcher]

Link fixed

[Susannah]

I’m not sure this is really politics but rather than risk being shunted,

Sarah McBride responds to Republican policy banning trans women from some...

So sad.

Now let’s see what the laughably named Ethics Committee decides about whether to release a report on the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving Trump’s attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz.

[NotALot]

ELECTION MELTDOWNS GO METAL

[NotALot]

And for those that prefer rap to metal…

The Drill

[billybutcher]

[Ancient_Mariner]

[Ancient_Mariner]

Topical for those still living in the UK.

[Porridge]

Sticks and stones may break my bones but there will always be something to offend a feminist meme

Inspired by something I read recently … I can’t remember where …

[Ancient_Mariner]

I’ve a feeling this may be genuine.

[billybutcher]

I hear that he’s now more or less admitted that his campaign promises were lies and he won’t be able to make good on them.

Reminds me of the old joke:

While walking down the street one day, a U.S. senator is, tragically, hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there’s a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the man.

“Well, I’d like to,” says St. Peter, “but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you’ll be allowed to choose where to spend eternity.”

“Seriously? Then, I’ve made up my mind,” says the senator. “I want to be in heaven.”

“I’m sorry, but I have my orders.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him in days gone by.

Everyone is very happy. They’re dressed nicely and having a great time. They run to greet him, shake his hand and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the taxpayers. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it’s time to go visit heaven.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit heaven.”

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp, singing and worshipping the Almighty God. They have a good time and — before he realizes it — the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well now, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The senator reflects for a minute, and then he answers: “Well, I would never have said this before … I mean heaven has been delightful … but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it into black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday, I was campaigning. Today you’ve already voted.”