@Je Suis Russianbot: “…and today’s Order of the Brown Nose goes to…”

@Je Suis Russianbot: So your a Trump fan???

@TamuMassif2019: I’m guessing you were never very much of a Fr. Ted fan?

@Dave O Keeffe: The Bionic Tweeter?

@John Considine: Nah, it was too much like real life in the priesthood, funnier looking into it from outside rather than from inside out?

@Cal Mooney: absolutely agreed cal, and why are Europe going to import genetically modified soybeans when there not fit for human consumption just to please the big orange ***

@Gareth Daena Dolan: You could have also amended your “they’re”, whilst you were at it.

@Gareth Daena Dolan: What about Chlorine bleeched KFC anyone – delicious.

@Cal Mooney: Its called security of supply. The EU are ensuring that they cannot be held to ransom by a belligerent Russia. With this deal the EU could if need be, can tell Russia to shove their gas where the sun doesn’t shine.

@Cal Mooney: only 2/3 weeks the overgrown oompa lumpa criticised Germany for buying there LPG off Russia.

@Mick Jordan: wasting your time Mick. Most can’t we beyond their hatred of Trump. Some even still have Clinton posters on their bedroom walls.

@Mick Jordan: But they cannot be held to ransom as it is that is not the whole story, Europe gets energy from a very diverse range of sources. With US threatening Iran/sanctions prices are going to go up globally making US Gas cheaper, not safer, or more secure. Hence the US opposition to Nord Stream 2 its not about security it is just about flogging US gas all this sabre rattling is part of US trade policy.

@Austin Rock: absolutely Austin and Trump won, very simple. People will focus on the individual, but the US are the winners.

@Paul Fahey:
No they’re not … Trump can’t compensensate every industry in his own country in the long term as a result of the trade war he created.
It’s climb down after climb down with this guy – not clever politics.
In the meantime, elsewhere, the more sane are creating trade deals without tantrums, threats and ‘reality tv drama’

@Liam Doyle: companies he owns have been declared bankrupt and he got a multi million dollars rebate on the loses of those companies but as an individual he has not been declared bankrupt

@Liam Doyle: Trump’s companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at least six times since the early 1990s. Deny it all you want.

@Steve Mac: He has declared some businesses to be bankrupt, not himself personally. You think he’s been without money or assets, at any point, in the last 20 years?

@Steve Mac: you don’t understand what you’re trying to comment on. A company filing for bankruptcy and an individual being declared bankrupt are completely different things. Trump has never been declared bankrupt, some of his companies have gone bankrupt.

@Steve Mac: He’s also been involved in over 3000 lawsuits, many of them over him stiffing contractors.

@Liam Doyle: His record for failing to pay contractors and his refusal to reveal his personal tax returns (mostly because he’s been writing off his losses on them) don’t exactly engender confidence in the state of his finances though, do they?

@Harry Whitehead: I don’t really care tbh, I’ve never been one of his contractors and presumably he pays his tax to the US IRS so I’m not going to suffer or benefit whether he pays his taxes or not. Really don’t understand Irish people’s obsession with domestic affairs in a far flung land at all. As long as his economic policies don’t impact us too much and he doesn’t start any wars on our doorsteps then I’m happy, all the rest is for the Americans to concern themselves with.

@Liam Doyle: he was massively in debt, like 10’s of millions in debt. That’s what Ivanka said in an interview anyway

@Liam Doyle: So you’re OK with him poorly managing businesses, running them into the ground, systematically not paying debts of those businesses (many of which are US businesses) and concealing his taxes because it won’t look good to his base support, while criticising Harley Davidson, who have been successfully managed without failure for over 100 years and who pay their debts and taxes?
I’m no bike fan, but I know who I’d prefer to do business with.
You defend away though, it’s your prerogative after all.
Free country and all that.

@Danny Rafferty: how did i defend him? And why do you care about any of those things, Danny? Do you think watching a lot of US TV shows means you have some stake or involvement in their politics or governmental structures? Deluded headcase!

@Liam Doyle: I don’t watch television. You are attempting to distance Trump from his responsibilities as a company director and owner. I asked you a reasonable question which I note you avoided because you don’t like the answer.
I assume the immediate escalation to unfounded personal insults means I hit a nerve. You probably should avoid on-line debate if it causes you to become emotional or get annoyed.
Now back to the question, how do square Trumps criticism of Harley as they take action to protect their business with Trump’s poor track record with bankrupting firms and concealed record when it comes to tax?

@Danny Rafferty: *how do you square Trump’s…

@Danny Rafferty: why would i care Danny, I’m not an American! You also avoided my question, why do you care, assuming you’re Irish also? On a similar note, what are your opinions of the business dealings of Uhuru Kenyatta? You people were funny about a year ago, this ongoing obsession has unfortunately descended in the realm of the pitiful at this stage.

@Liam Doyle: I don’t know why you care Liam but you were exercised enough to comment on one of the largest Irish news sites in order to distance him from his fiduciary responsibilities as a company director.
I care because some of his recent dalliances in the field of international trade could negatively effect our economy and this article relates to tarriffs.
I don’t understand the “you people” reference. Is that similar to the “these people” Mr Trump referred to the other day?
In keeping with site etiquette I’ll comment on Uhuru Kenyatta only where the article relates directly to that person, their actions, statements or policies.
Now I’ve answered your question and I’m going to bed.
Are you going to have an answer to my first question by morning or are you still “too cool to care”?

@Danny Rafferty: so you care about the finances of companies he used to be involved because you’re unhappy with his stated intentions on trade tariffs (as am I incidentally, which is why i read the story)? I presume it would be asking too much for you to illustrate any relationship between these two entirely unrelated issues?

“…distance him from his fiduciary responsibilities” I corrected a comment. The OP claimed Trump had previously been declared bankrupt, that is untrue and worthy of correction.

You people are the non-Americans obsessed over an American politician. There is no reason anyone in Ireland should care if he pays any taxes other than on profits from Doonbeg. This isn’t being “too cool to care”, this is being aware I live in a different country.

@Danny Rafferty: also, “I’ll comment on Uhuru Kenyatta only where the article relates directly to that person” This article is about US/EU trade barriers, and you’re going on about Trump’s prior business dealings, his personal tax affairs, and his criticisms of a motorbike company. Staying on topic of the article only a loosely applied principle for you so?

@Danny Rafferty: Bit of friendly advice bud: Don’t let Trump get you so riled up, it makes you look unhinged. Stop letting him live in your head, rent free. Read a book, take up a new hobby, walk the dog… anything to help take your mind off him. This irrational hatred is awfully amusing to the rest of us but it’s not good for you. I’m worried about you bro.

@Je Suis Russianbot: why are they like this? What effect does he have on their lives that they obsess so much about him? It made some bit of sense when the election was going on cos that was pretty exciting in a political circus sort of way, but that was almost two years ago. I really don’t get it, and it’s not just headcases in comment sections, Irish journalists even seem to obsess over things like his taxes and the like. I can’t imagine Macedonians even cared this much about Roman politics way back when, and they were ruled by Rome! We haven’t been taken over by America while I wasn’t paying attention, right? Can you make any sense of this?

@Liam Doyle: reporting on American politics is nothing new. All modern presidents have attracted much media attention – this one provokes attention via twitter and lies a lot so he continues to be newsworthy. Only a fool would question this, as you have.

@Liam Doyle: No Liam, I care about the hypocrisy and lack of consistency of the positions he takes.
You’re happy to overlook this hypocrisy – fine.
So you corrected a comment – fine.
Why not just say so? Why get insulting and then pretend you didn’t care?
The “you people” comment is interesting.
There’s apparently a whole population out there who are some how deficient because they have reason to think Trump is a populist opportunist who is out of his depth and not beyond breaking the law.
His antics have the possibility to directly affect many people’s lives here, and nothing you’ve posted on this topic will change that.
Thanks for correcting the OP, but nothing you’ve written beyond that has been useful or convincing.

@Liam Doyle: You quite correctly differentiated between Trump’s personal finances and the poor management of some of his companies.
You did that to protect him from criticism.
I suggested this was the case and requested your comment on his hypocritical stance.
The Harley Davidson situation directly arose from an EU response to Trump’s steel tariffs. It is very much on topic.
Maybe you missed that episode.
Had you really not cared, you would have said “I’m just correcting the OP – I don’t care about the hypocritical or inconsistent statements he makes”, but instead you tried to wriggle out of it and throw insults around.
Not very convincing.

@Je Suis Russianbot: Thanks for the “advice” chief, but I’m not riled up. In fact I quite enjoy a good debate.
Nor do I hate Donald. In a dark sort of a way he has made current affairs unpredictable and entertaining – though I admit I’d prefer it were a bit more dull and predictable.
I note you are posting anonymously – indeed Liam’s account is looking quite fresh – but I don’t go in for entertaining “psychological advice” from people who don’t have the bottle to stand over their own statements.
But thanks for the “concern”.
You have a good night now.

@Je Suis Russianbot: why are you ‘worried’ about a guy that you don’t personally know ,dude? Wise up,dude..

@ Dec ; he was totally banjaxed in the early 90′s,when his assets were worth hundreds of millions less than his debts.But as there was a recession,the banks figured out that he was ‘too big to fail’..And the rest is history…

@Liam Doyle: course he has, come and join us in the real world, you are obviously one of those great Orange bolix fans

@Harry Whitehead: he should have a word will the despicable Bertie, he would teach him a thing or two about fiddling figures

@Liam Doyle: little islander Mr Doyle

@Danny Rafferty: wow, three comments between 330 and 4am to criticise a foreign politician about whom your opinion is essentially irrelevant anyway, and yet still fail to illustrate the relevance of any previous business dealing to the topic at hand. You’re right, I was wrong to call you a deluded headcase, you’re demonstrably stable and focussed. And I was quite clear what aspects I cared about (topic of article, militaristic foreign policy) and that I cared about little else in respect of US politics. Was my phraseology not to your satisfaction? Do you find you’re often accused of controlling or unhinged behaviour in your everyday life?

@Dave Harris: reporting =\= obsessing. Reporting on previous US presidents in European media focussed almost exclusively on the two aspects I’ve mentioned i.e. economic policies with potentially international impacts (reserve currency and largest economy on earth so this is always important), and foreign policy, particularly since Bush II, for obvious reasons. European media outlets reported some time ago that the current US president likes two scoops of ice cream for desert, and eats burgers in bed. Only a fool would fail to notice the wild and inexplicable difference in manner of reporting and obsessiveness this time around, as you have done.

@Gus Sheridan: it’s not reality TV or premier league football. Political figures don’t have foreign “fans” ffs. All politics is local, you can’t go supporting Man Utd just cos your local LOI team is useless in politics. It will never, ever, ever matter even the tiniest little bit whether you like/dislike, support/oppose a US president or any US political figure. Your opinion is completely and utterly irrelevant. You people really are morons, how can you still not grasp these obvious and stark realities after nigh on two years of your opinions obviously not mattering a jot?!

@Liam Doyle: You know what? This huge bug truck backed up my street at 3AM with the big loud beeper going…couldn’t get back to sleep. Been up ever since.
I was pointing out some of Donald’s failings but I think you’ll find that I was primarily questioning you and criticising your approach.
Your initial correction on this part of the thread only related to whether Donald was bankrupt or just some of his companies – not the other stuff.
I have never been accused of controlling behaviour or any other of the guarded, and not so guarded slurs, you’ve casually thrown in my direction, but I am demanding when it comes debate.
It is possible that I am none of those things and that you just can’t bear to admit that Donald is inconsistent, incompetent and hypocritical.
What do you think?

@Liam Doyle: As to your pount to Gus – Public opinion often informs government policy or positions in relation to various subjects: even foreign leaders.
If it didn’t why would foreign governments attempt to influence public opinion in other states?
Gus’s opinion does matter. That’s why you’re debating with him.

@Danny Rafferty: “Public opinion often informs government policy”, we’re not the public, we have no votes. Your scrambling for a vague sense of relevance is appearing increasingly pathetic; do you honestly believe US public policies would be in any way influenced by the opinions of foreigners with no votes in Ireland? If so, how, why, and cite a single instance in history where this was ever the case? And I’m not really ” debating” any of you, I’m mocking you, I thought that was pretty obvious.

@Liam Doyle: Irish and EU public opinion inform Irish and EU policy, and that does matter. For instance it would inform EU officials of how much leeway they would have in talks with the US.
I suppose I can see how you could be confused by that post so no biggie.
In relation to the rest of your post: I suggest mocking classes.
Thanks for letting us know by the way.
You have a good day now.

@Danny Rafferty: If I know what he meant so do you

@TamuMassif2019: pretty much all US soya is now GM and owned by Monsanto.

@The View Is Nice: Maybe the deal is for non-GM beans. Who knows.

@B9xiRspG: or the price. Or the time scale.
But sure Donald is meant to be good at deals.
He had a book written about it once.

@Phil Keenan: not if he has gotten the US a better deal. Still sticking to his election promises. Wish we had someone like him.

@Ronan Gallagher:”Still sticking to his election promises” – politicians can all make promises,but carrying them out is another…

Healthcare – millions losing it, costs going up & it’s a “welcome” back to the days of the junk policies
Immigration ; no wall,Mexico ain’t going to pay for it,zero tolerance policy a disaster,millions of illegal immigrants still living and working in the U.S.,DACA in limbo ,over 200,000 people from El Salvador (TPS) that ‘could’ end up being deported (51% of them have been living in the U.S . over 20 yrs) -wait until that **it hits the fan…
Infrastructure plan – nothing burger
Jobs and stock market – that was moving along nicely under Obama…

wish we had someone like that

@The View Is Nice: America first. He will get even more done during his second term.

@Ronan Gallagher: He would need to keep control of the Senate.And according to the latest polls,that ain’t looking good…So basically,it is looking like he will be much much weaker..

@Francis Mc Carthy: polls? Heard that one before

@Ronan Gallagher: people still believe that the pollsters got it wrong with Clinton,they didn’t. Here is a good article explaining it : http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/campaign/315145-one-last-look-2016-polls-actually-got-a-lot-right

If these polls turns out to be accurate then things are not looking good for Trump ..( the links on the article below are very credible )

https://www.vox.com/2018/7/25/17613518/2018-midterm-elections-polls-generic-ballot-democrats-kff

@Phil Keenan: Don’t believe a word he says, he lies…

@Danny Rafferty: Modern life?