Keep Trump out of the UK!

You can go to both Change.org and 38 Degrees to find petitions.

‘Open Britain defines itself as been open and inclusive’
Not deciding who should or shouldn’t visit our shores.

I’d rather just ignore the visit by Trump.

Caleo

fancythat

Love your enemies.

Jesus ate with sinners.

I wouldn't ban Putin.
Though I would feel uncomfortable.

Jesus also got violently stroppy with those people who were misusing the Temple for personal commercial gain. JC was no wimp. Loving your enemies does not imply cuddling up to them.

You still love them.
Jesus still ate with them.

But yes, of course he still abhorred some of their behaviour.
And said to walk away from certain people so as not to fall in with the same behaviour patterns by being in their company too long as to start becoming and behaving like them.

I meant to add, I dont want to derail this thread with this.
I am just one, of many interesting opinions about the Trump visit.

Have to commend whoever suggested September, when Parliament does not sit. Strategic planning.

Caleo

Terribull wrote:

"----totally false man huggy, hugs, sick making in the insincerity, that he and Macron indulged in, "

I guess Volodimir Zelensky is exceptional as a politician who is utterly sincere at all times.

I think any hugs that heads of state or other dignitaries show to Zelensky are entirely different to these faux shows of affection that fool nobody. Zelensky, is pretty much a one off, he's brave, he's vulnerable, more vulnerable than other presidents and he's standing up for his war torn country against aggression, and what you see in him, is what you get. Gestures are a way of expressing solidarity towards him in that context, in other situations, it's become a thing, it's just so unnecessary. What's wrong with the traditional handshake.

Caleo

But why quote Mandelson? Did you have had a reason to single him out?

If Mandelson were here on Gransnet there would be posters who , like myself, take issue with him. Mandelson is not God Almighty.

I don't particularly like Mandleson, I think he's just a realist that's all, not God Almighty a bit over the top I have to say just a mere mortal who has some clout.

I would rather have Trump come here for a visit, than any of the ones who sneak in to do us harm and try to be permanent, there are plenty of those arriving on a daily basis

We are a democratic society and Trump was voted in by a big majority

That would be relevant if we were visiting the USA, not the other way around.

Terribull, I feel uncomfortable with social hugging. Its .one of the reasons I don't attend church services. I suppose there is a history and anthropology of social hugging

I would rather have Trump come here for a visit, than any of the ones who sneak in to do us harm and try to be permanent, there are plenty of those arriving on a daily basis

Well exactly.
The type of people signing these ridiculous petitions are the same people welcoming any violent thug who enters our shores illegally.

It's called diplomacy. It's called defending this country's interests. It's called playing the long game. It's called statesmanship.

It will stick in everyone's craw of course - that is a given. But we cannot make an enemy of him.

Hopefully at some point nature will take its course and we will all be rid off him.

Trump paid a state visit before when he was POTUS first time round and he was received by the Queen. According to Craig Brown's book, the Queen found him difficult and unpredictable and found his visit as uncomfortable as the visits from Idi Amin and Robert Mugabe.

There is no question of getting up a petition to prevent the visit and for it to be accepted. This would be unconstitutional. Like the Queen, King Charles has to remain publicly neutral.

There is nothing to stop people publicly protesting about his policies as long as the protests are peaceful.

I do honestly think the hugs towards Zelensky are entirely different it's symbolic if you like, an outward show of support for him and his country. I find it nauseating and unnecessary between two heads of state in ordinary circumstances. I can't imagine de Gaulle wanting to being mauled around by whoever his British counterpart would have been, even if they'd dropped the stiff upper lip for such a visit. I imagine they'd have got a gallic "non! pas de bisous s'il vous plait" we knew where we stood, none of this duplicitous touchy feely nonsense. Just reminds me of The Godfather and the Mafia "I'll kiss you, then I'll kill you" exaggerating maybe, but lets face it France and Britain are not always at one both have their own vested interests that can be at odds. Imo there was more than a kernal of truth in Macron's assertion of making Britain too an attractive destination.

Diplomacy often means talking with people one doesn't like or agree with. Mr Trump is important and it is right to use all aspects of diplomacy in addressing him.

Kandinsky

*I would rather have Trump come here for a visit, than any of the ones who sneak in to do us harm and try to be permanent, there are plenty of those arriving on a daily basis*

Well exactly.
The type of people signing these ridiculous petitions are the same people welcoming any violent thug who enters our shores illegally.

Seriously? What a negative way to dismiss people who don’t share your world view. Good job you don’t have to be diplomatic with people you judge as having the wrong view

Seriously? What a negative way to dismiss people who don’t share your world view. Good job you don’t have to be diplomatic with people you judge as having the wrong view

Well, you could equally address this comment to whoever started this thread 😂

In Mandelson's quote from Terribull's post, he says 'he has a very quick and easy way of grasping',
or as Trump put it himself,
'grab 'em by ....'
He is beyond disgusting.
But the King and Queen will do a good job on our behalf.

I think he should receive the same courteous visit that Macron received, whether he’s liked, or not.
I mean KS was all over him like a rash handing out the state visit invitation.

Of course he should be made welcome. His mother was Scottish I thought - so he is probably entitled to a British passport if he wanted one.

Kandinsky I did respond to the OP. My view is we welcome t Mr T as the Potus. Diplomacy necessary and polite disagreements possible
🌞

Kandinsky...your last comment is spot on 😂I laughed myself, about the one you replied to..Setting up a petition to stop a visit by the POTUS is ridiculous. I hope the Mayor doesn't allow that stupid blimp to be flown again either it was so childish. Like it or not Trump was elected.

I would rather have Trump here, as elected President of the United States than the toady Mandelson, 'let's be honest' (really !!!) pushed into his position as one of the many 'friends' of Starmer.

Iam64

Kandinsky I did respond to the OP. My view is we welcome t Mr T as the Potus. Diplomacy necessary and polite disagreements possible
🌞

👍

Maremia, I agree with you about the excellent timing. I'm sure that the King et al will do the correct diplomatic thing- they are very good at this.
I dislike Mr Trump and am opposed to more or less everything that he has done since he has been in power, including allowing untrained and unmoderated " thugs" ( aka ICE personnel) rounding up people for incarceration and removal with no requirements for any evidence of illegality or wrongdoing.
It seems that my dislike of this practise means that I must ," welcome violent thugs who enter the country illegally" accordingly. I can't see the connection, myself.