"After all that kissing arse at the Vatican, in Jerusalem and Saudi Arabia, I'm all touched out" says exhausted POTUS. Trump continued.

[illegitimateMortificadospawn]

In haste, I will post the old thread shortly.

Interesting, Gumpendorf. Though I didn't observe what he claims was the immediate Official Government Narrative of "lone wolf" bomber. Doesn't it mean it didn't happen, but it couldn't have lasted long, to fit in between the message of "We don't yet know what's happened" and "Threat level raised because there's an organisation out there."

But it's grim, isn't it?

Sowing mistrust is hugely effective, because it ties up resources in investigating everyone we deal with, while also seriously hobbling co-operation with everyone we deal with.

So the leaks were cheap to do and hugely effective. (I suppose they could still have been by some individual for petty personal motives, but after the second tranche I'm struggling to believe that.)

lively debate on Twitter on whether the UK is too secret about this information.

In the middle of operations? Within the 36 hours the police said they needed for arrests? Nice way to deflect, Twitterers.

Do they not understand that it's not about being secretive but about not tipping off the associates that the security services are on to them and will be kicking in their doors shortly?!

Not sure if Hannity's propogation of Seth Rich's murder conspiracy, Fox's retraction of the story, Hannity's continued tweeting/veiled broadcasting on the story, people contacting advertisers to pull their ads off his show etc has been covered on this thread but here's the latest:

Oliver Darcy‏Verified account
@oliverdarcy

—@kimguilfoyle said on "The Five" she will fill in for @seanhannity. He's apparently going on vacation for 2 days. Unclear if preplanned.

Tara Palmeri‏Verified account
@tarapalmeri

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Trump really can't help himself: He brought up size of his election victory AGAIN to EU leaders @JunckerEU & @eucopresident, per EU official

Oh I'm not disagreeing with you Microwave. I just don't know what was said by the sources 'delivering' the intelligence, who those sources were, purportedly, and who wrote the piece which delivered the intelligence to the public. I imagine that the NYT have had - or are having - a very full analysis of all of that.

Not sure when they're in, microwave.

I saw a tweet yesterday that I now can't find where someone said there was a special election in their state a few years ago and the Dem candidate only won by 1% despite the Rep candidate being convicted of sexual assault.

Sadly, I wouldn't be shocked if this spurred on the anti-establishment feeling and more people voted for Gianforte because of what he did yesterday.

It would be a big ask for Quist to take Montana in any case. That started off as a (R+Huge) if I recall? It's anyone's guess what they'll do now, I think - Montanans are a quirky lot.

I think Trump led by over 20 points.

I would like to think that though the assault may not stop GOP voters from voting for him it would galvanise the Dem or swaying voters to get out and vote.

Matthew Gertz‏Verified account
@MattGertz

A Fox News reporter witnessed a GOP congressional candidate assaulting a journalist last night.

As of 8 am she has yet to appear on air. 1/

This is what Fox News is doing instead of putting on-air their reporter, who says she witnessed an assault 2/

[Media Matters‏Verified account
@mmfa
Fox & Friends parrots Gianforte's defense for assaulting reporter, doesn't mention the Fox reporters who witnessed t.co/4NPIerO0lS ]

Here's Brian Kilmeade saying that Fox reporter Alicia Acuna witnessed the "Montana situation" and has a "great column" on what happened. 3/

What is the point of sending a TV reporter to cover a race if you won't put her on-air when she witnesses a candidate assaulting someone?

Goes without saying that if a Fox reporter had witnessed a Democrat assaulting someone they wouldn't be covering the story like this. 5/5

As students of the infamous trump handshake can we all just take a moment to enjoy this picture of Macron shaking hands with Trump. I imagine him saying, in a delicious french accent, "so, you want to shake my hand Mr Trump?" Before giving a little laugh and possibly showing off a little gallic shoulder shrug.

The Montana results will start rolling in after 8pm tonight MDT (3am Friday in London).

sos.mt.gov/elections/election-results

As far as the NYT, I'm afraid it's a combination of an editorial staff brain fart and the philosophy of 'if it bleeds, it leads'. It isn't the first time a media outlet really, really hasn't 'thought things through'. There were a couple of really appalling photos that appeared in the media right after the Boston Marathon bombing that were quickly cropped and blurred after people (rightly) complained about how invasive and horrific they were. Not the same as publishing evidence photos, but the same philosophy of wanting 'the big scoop' overriding discretion and common sense.

I will also say that it is not terribly uncommon (unfortunately) that US media outlets reveal information they shouldn't. Time and again during a crime or stand-off local authorities will appear on TV and plead with the media not to photograph/film police action or not to release certain details or pieces of evidence as they don't want a potential suspect to know how close they're getting to them. I remember one Sheriff so angry he was red-faced and swearing at reporters because they had release a particular detail in a murder investigation that tipped off a suspect.

Hopefully, lessons will be learned and the NYT (and others) will be more careful in the future.

Macron has a firm grip on Donny there

Hopefully.

And to be fair, briefly, Pain, the Fox reporter gave a witness statement to the police - hence the charge which I believe has been put on Gianforte. She may not be allowed to publish a subsequent column.

And here is Bernie talking about the TrumpbBudget.

Sorry.

You'll be aware that he's using the old CBO figures. It's no longer 24 million - just (!) 23 million - for example.

Ah I didn't know that cozie

I stand corrected on my remarks. Alicia Acura did publish a report of the incident - see the link in the attached Daily Beast piece. Of course, I don't know if it's what she might have originally wanted to publish.

Gianforte charged

Sorry. Alicia Acuna.

NYT are defending their publication of the photos. An apology would be nice.

Just read this...

Colleague's description of Trump-Macron handshake. Quite something..
"They shook hands furiously with Trump trying to pull his hand away and Macron holding onto it. Trump's knuckles turned whiter. ("It was Screw You in handshake form" said someone who was in the room)

It would have been, Cave. What did they say?

Here is footage...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/25/knuckles-turned-white-donald-trump-emmanuel-macrons-awkward/

Emmanuel is not going to be pulled towards DT and ain't letting go!

Lordy - that is some handshake!