Praising him with faint damn

[jon-nyc]

My guess is he’ll promote his son as successor. If he’s still alive. And after he gives up on a third term.

[Renauda]

The Emporer Trumpigula.

[LuFins Dad]

Nope. Youngkin.

[Horace]

I had my heart set on Vance.

[Tom-K]

I think it's Vance. The "no" was to prevent Vance from getting to uppity.

[Jolly]

@Tom-K said in Praising him with faint damn:

I think it's Vance. The "no" was to prevent Vance from getting to uppity.

I think you're right.

[Doctor Phibes]

What does 'successor' mean?

Maybe Vance will turn out to be a kind of Richard III character. Both of Trump's adult sons will suddenly and mysteriously vanish, leaving only a trail of expensive and over-done cologne to give a hint of their whereabouts. Vance will suddenly divorce the current Mrs. Vance and wed Melania in a huge public celebration of something really weird, and then into view will come the Mighty Lurch, the third son, 7 feet tall and pissed, destroying all before him....

Well it could happen.

[Jolly]

When Trump was vetting people for VP, the word was he was looking for certain things...

1. Loyalty, of course.
2. Belief in his economic program
3. Belief in a fundamental change to the GOP, making it more populist and blue collar.
4. The ability and willingness to fight with the press and The Swamp.
5. A possible successor.

[Doctor Phibes]

Meh.

It's all transitory.

I remember when Tony Blair was going to change the world. Anybody know what he's doing now?

[Jolly]

Back up far enough and everything is transitory except God.

[Doctor Phibes]

@Jolly said in Praising him with faint damn:

Back up far enough and everything is transitory except God.

Mankind has been here for millions of years. God was invented/discovered (depending on your beliefs) about 4000 years ago. So that claim doesn't really hold.

Alternatively - what was the big fella doing for all those millions of years when dinosaurs ruled the earth? Not much, if you belief the blokes in silly hats.

[Jolly]

Alpha and Omega, babe.

Before the foundations of the world...

[Doctor Phibes]

I think there's some serious questions here. The biblical stories really kind of assume not a whole lot happened before mankind arrived, and that's really not true.

Unless of course you believe that stuff about dinosaur fossils being placed there to test our faith, which feels faintly ridiculous.

Anyway, getting back to Tony Blair, the point is, nobody has a clue what he's doing now. Hopefully the same will be said of Don Jnr and that other brother whose name I can't recall in 10 years time.

[Renauda]

Ah yes, when challenged employ the trusty old Acme Alpha and Omega Spackle gospel and parable.

[Doctor Phibes]

I don't think Alpha and Omega really existed before the Greeks. The stoneage people probably referred to them as grunk and gronk, or something similarly edifying.

And Christ alone knows what the dinosaurs thought about all this nonsense.

[Renauda]

And Christ alone knows what the dinosaurs thought about all this nonsense.

Probably very little.

The big question is how Neanderthals and other prehistoric hominids perceived the natural world or whether they even bothered to give it much thought.

[LuFins Dad]

My understanding is that Vance was never meant to be the heir apparent, though it has been presented that way.

[Axtremus]

@LuFins-Dad said in Praising him with faint damn:

My understanding is that Vance was never meant to be the heir apparent, though it has been presented that way.

So ... like Kamala?

[AndyD]

Blair and Trump(CF) have much in common. Property aquistion (with family legacy that goes along with it) seem the Blairs' main concern.

[bachophile]

@Doctor-Phibes

I asked ChatGPT

As of February 2025, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair remains actively engaged in various initiatives, focusing on technology, leadership, and international relations.

Advocacy for Digital Identification and Technology in Governance

Blair has been a proponent of implementing national digital ID systems and utilizing technologies like live facial recognition to address issues such as populism, illegal immigration, crime reduction, and benefit fraud. He emphasizes the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing public services and achieving cost savings, suggesting that a universal digital ID could streamline government interactions and empower individuals. 

Publication on Leadership

In September 2024, Blair released a book titled “On Leadership: Lessons for the 21st Century,” offering advice for political leaders based on his experiences as Prime Minister. The book discusses the personal challenges faced by senior officials, including managing social media pressures and achieving work-life balance in demanding careers. 

Engagement in Middle East Diplomacy

Blair continues to leverage his extensive contacts in the Middle East to assist current political leaders. He has been working with Labour leader Keir Starmer, facilitating introductions and building relationships with regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Blair’s efforts aim to assure the Israeli government of consistent UK policies should Labour win the next general election. 

Advocacy for Artificial Intelligence

Blair has become a prominent advocate for artificial intelligence, viewing it as a transformative force comparable to the Industrial Revolution. He criticizes governments for being slow to embrace AI’s potential and emphasizes its capacity to improve government efficiency, economic growth, and public services like healthcare and education. He also acknowledges public concerns about AI and stresses the importance of government oversight to balance innovation with public interest. 

Through these endeavors, Tony Blair continues to influence global policy and governance, focusing on technological advancements, leadership strategies, and international diplomacy.