Thursday, March 20, 2014

"Merkel Declares G-8 Defunct Given Crisis in Ukraine"

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared the Group of Eight leading nations defunct given the current crisis in Ukraine, in a clear message to Russia that the world's seven other major industrialized countries consider its actions in Ukraine unacceptable."
"As long as there is no political environment for such an important political format as the G-8, the G-8 doesn't exist anymore, not the summit nor the format," said Ms. Merkel, in Germany's parliament, the Bundestag.

"Russia is widely isolated in all international organizations," the chancellor said. read more
 Wall Street Journal

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Actor Ken Wahl Tweets -

Isn't it comforting that while #Putin is redrawing the map of Europe, BO is drawing up his NCAA brackets, and getting ready for Ellen? Pathetic.

Michael Haz said...

Bring in de noise; bring in defunct.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

It looks like Merkel has been pushed into having to talk the tough talk.

Awkward; considering the obvious historical implications, playing favorably for Putin.

Michael Haz said...

Removing Russia from the G8 will be a meaningless gesture. All Russia has to do is slow the flow of gas and oil to Europe and *bingo* they'll be readmitted.

Mitch H. said...

What does the G-8 *do*, exactly?

It seems like a venue for making meaningless promises the participants have no interest in actually fulfilling. It's a grossly expensive kabuki performance.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

The G8 is like a combination of uncle JR and the queen of England, a figure heads, in charge in name only.

The Markets are in charge.

Yellen misspoke and the markets set her straight.

The Dude said...

Putin will, no doubt, be crushed by that move. He's sensitive that way, you know.

ricpic said...

Sanctions cut both ways and guaranteed the soft citizens of the West (including moi) will show far less tolerance for economic pain than the Russkies, should it come to economic war. Remember, you heard it here first from the all knowing ricpic.

edutcher said...

Interesting who has the testosterone in the West, and who thinks he needs some Enzyte.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Ken Wahl - what was the name of that great TV series he was in about 100 years ago?

And yeah, it is so idiotic that Obama and his advisers think it is worthwhile for Obama to spend 30 minutes or so filling out his bracket.

I think Obama spends more time watching sports on TV than on his job.

Have you ever noticed how energetic and confident he sounds when he is blabbing about sports in contrast to when he is mumbling about his own job responsibilities?

The Dude said...

You listen to that nitwit?

Trooper York said...

Ken Wahl starred in "Wiseguy" which is available on Amazon Prime and Net Flicks.

He played a federal agent who went under cover to infiltrate the Mob. This series was innovative at the time because it had several episode "arcs" in which he infiltrated a different criminal enterprise.

He starred off in Atlantic City in the new casinos where the chief villain was the great Ray Sharkey. Joe Dellesandro did a great turn as a John Gotti like Mob figure. Later arc's included the garment center with Jerry Lewis doing surprisingly great work as a garment. With Ron Silver as his son. An arc with the music business with the black guy from Sounder whose name escapes me. The show also introduced Kevin Spacy as Mel Profit gun runner extraordinaire.

It was a great series that was ahead of it's time.

Trooper York said...

Two very impressive things about Ken Wahl.

He had Traci Lords guest star and he banged the crap out of her.

And he married one of the Barbi twins from Playboy.

The man had game back in the day.

Trooper York said...

Of course now he is just another old white guy who is disgusted about where this country is going.

So you can safely ignore his opinion and go listen to some affirmative action woman's studies professor who beats up school children because they are anti-abortion.

Trooper York said...

Actually Jerry Lewis was a garmento which was spell corrected before I posted it.

A garmento is New York slang for old school Jewish guys from the garment center.

Trooper York said...

Kevin Spacy had a particular freaky relationship with his sister played by the very sexy Joan Severance.

Trooper York said...

So that is more than you ever wanted to know about Ken Wahl and "Wiseguy."

Trooper York said...

Next up....an in depth analysis of "Joanie loves Chachi."

I'm Full of Soup said...

Thanks Trooper! Great background and color too.

Aridog said...

AJ Lynch said...

I think Obama spends more time watching sports on TV than on his job.

Close to what I think. I think he just sits in his office waiting for one of his staff to tell him what to do next, or whether he is even needed that day. Seriously.

Drawing brackets, playing tic-tac-toe, doodling, etc. all fit with his skill set.

I am convinced his handlers have a schedule for him that lists blocks to time for innocuous "face time" ... thus all the talk show and crap like his brackets.

Scary isn't it?