user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

On political forums all across the country, the top issues facing our nation today in world filled with daily crises are being discussed in clinical detail... of course I'm talking about Trump's handshake/handhold/small-hand/shoulder-grabbing/golf-cart-riding with/of foreign leaders during his recent "homerun" overseas tour... now my question is tough, because I'm asking you, the decrepit membership of the Attic to put aside your political differences, and judge simply on merit, who is more ridiculous?

A) The lefty people that feel compelled to point out these social faux-pas and minor discourtesies and disrespects that Trumps does on a daily basis (much the same as the group that whined about Obama's apology tour and saluting with a coffee cup in your hand)

or

B) The righty people that feel compelled to defend his actions, regardless. (the Montenegro PM said is was cool, he shoved him, but didn't yell move!)

Personally I find both hilarious... and Macon's comments on the handshake were too funny! anyway, go ahead and weigh in ... we tally it up if it reaches page 2. Please include specific quotes form whomever you're ridiculing. LOL

Keenan Loc: Central Coast California

I think it's pretty predictable what responses you will get, which will be based on which camp folks are in.

Having said that, I think French President Macron's approach was a reasonably balanced one. Obviously people were going to ask him about the white knuckle handshake, because it was noticed and blatantly obvious. Macron didn't make a big deal about it, but made a short comment about the reason he did it when he was asked about it by the media, and then moved on to other matters. He said, "We need to show that we won’t make small concessions, even symbolic ones, while not overhyping things either.”

When Trump shoved the NATO minister aside, obviously that was noticed as well, along with the Montenegro Minister's not making a big deal about it. The Montenegro PM showed that he has a lot more class than Trump, by brushing it aside publicly and not whining about it. However, Trump's rude bully stunt with the NATO ministers will not be forgotten, and will be added to the body of evidence regarding the kind of petulant child emperor impression that he has presented to the world. Trump's physical display of bully stunt screamed "America first!" and an attitude of competition, not cooperation and mutual respect. So did Trump's decision to ride in the golf cart while all the other ministers walked together.

Bottom line: Are these power handshakes and social etiquette snubs/symbolic gestures the most important issues in the world? Of course not. But should they be ignored? No. I think they should be noted for their effect on diplomacy and used to glean more information about people's attitudes. After all, diplomacy certainly involves lots of public protocol and symbology. So, these things should be noted and put into proper perspective, but not overhyped.

So, as far as the poll, put me down for B. The cultish way that Trumpsters refuse to believe their lying eyes/ears about any stupid/d********g/dishonest/despicable act that their Orange Sphincter Cult Hero does, or alternatively defend the indefensible, is a level of dishonesty and denial that is extremely ridiculous and unhealthy. Denying reality is never the solution.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

Trump's posturing has put him over the top in Latin America.

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

well stated... I sure you will now have to pay the price for presenting a clear lucid discussion regarding Trump's behavior without any name-calling.

usnpilot Loc: Ft Myers Fl

"Orange Sphincter Cult Hero" isn't name calling? Please define name calling.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

First of all is that it is just too early in the Trump presidency to make any definitive judgement on the success or failure of his administration. All this noise about back channel stuff is much ado about verry little. What bothers me most is that a fair amount of the American public want the president to fail. I was a Trump supporter for 1 reason only. The supreme court as I did not want a far left president appointing another left leaning justice. Almost anything that a president does can be undone by succeeding presidents but supreme court appointments are premanent. In that respect,so far, Trump has been a success.

Steven Seward Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Not to get off topic, but I think your post shows pointedly that most "news" is just a form of entertainment. Guys like Gerald Ford and Old Man Bush never made this much news because they were generally boring, though their jobs were just as important as the Orange Firebrand.

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

You truly are a whining little f*g boy.

mwalsh Loc: Houston

LoL...touche.

But you gotta admit, for something Cupcakes allegedly wrote, it was pretty tame on the potty mouth stuff...

nakkh Loc: San Mateo, Ca

He's failed.

The whole world knows it.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Regardless of what the As and Bs here think, the Art of Diplomacy is complicated and often invisible. Other World Leaders are watching Trump very closely. What conclusions for their countries will not become obvious until the next workd crisis happens. Will the others rally with us? One important point is that Trump did not endorse Article 5: when one is attacked, all are attacked. The key point is Is Trump Making Friends, worldwide. Wise diplomacy is key.

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

Public figures are fair game, I'm talking about the childishness that literally defines the Attic.... what we don't want our guests to see.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

He is the President of the United States.

The whole world knows it.

usnpilot Loc: Ft Myers Fl

True dat.

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

yeah, you'd think he's stop trying to impress people with that fact.