"Unscripted media interaction." And yet, the absence of a certain 'intrepid' (Greenwald's term) reporter interaction seemed very scripted. A memo was passed around.
Trump did say "picking the beauties today", so I guess it's possible you just looked too scruffy. But that's all speculation. I prefer to believe, for now, that they knew who you were, that your questions would be too uncomfortable to ponder in public, and that they will probably correct the seating problem next time so you get no visibility.
I'm sorry, chief. Would have been cool for Michael T. to QA Trump & follow up, for the historical record.
Always enjoy reading your accounts as an also ran in the press scrum. Your willingness to make fun of yourself is my kind of humor in a world of preening peacocks. Don’t worry, your intelligence shines through and is appreciated more than you know.
Enjoyed the article. Got a great chuckle from this bit particularly - “The aide also called on a small child who was chosen as a children’s correspondent (?), and who asked Rutte if the children of the world could count on him to bring peace. Rutte said yes, they should trust him to do so, because he was getting NATO member-states to drastically increase their military spending.”
This is an excellent report,but I do have to ask about that overly long question to Donald Trump. Couldn't he just answer the question that he wish were asked of him(ok, so I am borrowing Robert McNamara, but perhaps so is Trump)? But first of all, couldn't that NOMAD android of the "tiny blonde woman" just rip the microphone out of your hand, partway through your question? And thirdly, would even 60 minutes be allowed to ask such an overly long question of that content to the prestiged national president in their own studios?
I do have a suggestion. Michael typically asks 2 or 3 somewhat related questions each time he is called. It's difficult for the listener, let alone for the object of the questions, to keep track of them. Michael should ask one question to make a real impact. It's easy to give fuzzy answers when you're inundated with multiple questions at once.
Loved your description of "the most frightening tiny blonde woman," and your futile efforts to get Trump's attention.
I like the way you give us the inside view of what goes on at these things, and you had me chuckling throughout.
Maybe you should buy a bright red suit jacket for your next chance at attracting Trump's attention, or wear a fedora, or sunglasses, or something. Then he'd say, "Okay, you, in the red jacket (or fedora. . . ).
It is a bit odd to hear how all the world leaders seem so eager for Trump's approval, while they're trying as hard as they can to keep the endless war machine going, while paying as little as possible for it.
Enjoyed your report on System Update last night, too. The general consensus in the live chat was that you ask the best questions.
Snazzy colourful suits is a hilarious idea to get noticed by Trump. I bet it'd probably work.
Michael Tracey needs to take up dressing like Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul if he's ever seen those shows, he's a lawyer who shows up at a job he wants fired from in red-and-blue suits; his 'cool boss' plays guitar at work, so he brings bagpipes. Etc
The defeat of the Iranian regime and the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza will lead to peace in the region. Yes, the human cost is high and tragic but it is a price worth paying; It should have been done long ago.
It could have been done long ago but vested interests distort the game; many people make their livelihood on the Middle East peace process. The death and destruction we are seeing now has been going on unnecessarily for 50 years mostly at a lower ebb.
This sharp spasm of killing will end the game and the attendant decades of long simmering death and destruction. This I think is the best we can hope for.
I believe for our liberal elite mercy is a passion, but for me it is merely good manners. I will let you determine which motive is the more reliable.
Trump just doesn’t give a shit for the niceties of libtard courtliness, he just blasts away at the hypocrisy: it is a beautiful thing to watch.
Our author has given us insight into the absurdity of the press game but I think he still plays a telling game of gotcha with Trump. Telling: maybe he underestimates the challenge involved with getting things done, you know, leadership. I think our author sees Trump as a buffoon , he fails to appreciate the brilliance of the man, Sui Generis and totally singular in our time. He is Hannibal chopping away at the Gordian Knot with his bare bodkin (sword).
Because they have a murderous philosophy, that’s dedicated the destruction of the state of Israel. That’s pretty straightforward.
Obviously, I’m on the side of Israel and you’re on the side of the Palestinian that’s pretty obvious as well. Not the first time societies have come to blows and it’s always resolved the same way one side wins the other side loses. The last 50 years, we have forstalled victory and defeat and it has proven to be a bad plan. I think that’s what I’m saying. Time to resume normal service.
The Israelis also "have a murderous philosophy, that's dedicated to the destruction of" Palestinians.
No, it's not the first time "societies have come to blows," but why do I, a hapless American taxpayer, have to help fund it?
The whole world has been watching Israel commit war crimes by bombing refugee camps, aid workers, ambulances, and -- recently -- starving people attempting to obtain aid. Israeli PR is no longer working, because the truth is all over the Inter Webs.
It would be nice if Israel could "resume normal service" on its own dime, for a change.
It’s 100% correct statement; Why do the American taxpayers have to pay for it? I guess the smarty-pants answer is because Israel is America. A second version would be a hegemonic ambition.
Comparing Trump to the Carthaginian Hannibal Barca is hilarious, are you sure you don't have him confused with Hannibal Lecter? BTW, a bodkin is an arrowhead, not a sword, and the Gordian Knot is a myth not even associated with Barca but with Alexander.
Thanks Michael for this instructive and amusing account.
"Unscripted media interaction." And yet, the absence of a certain 'intrepid' (Greenwald's term) reporter interaction seemed very scripted. A memo was passed around.
Trump did say "picking the beauties today", so I guess it's possible you just looked too scruffy. But that's all speculation. I prefer to believe, for now, that they knew who you were, that your questions would be too uncomfortable to ponder in public, and that they will probably correct the seating problem next time so you get no visibility.
I'm sorry, chief. Would have been cool for Michael T. to QA Trump & follow up, for the historical record.
Always enjoy reading your accounts as an also ran in the press scrum. Your willingness to make fun of yourself is my kind of humor in a world of preening peacocks. Don’t worry, your intelligence shines through and is appreciated more than you know.
Thanks for going!! Sad how truly intellectually incurious the mass of journalists are.
Enjoyed the article. Got a great chuckle from this bit particularly - “The aide also called on a small child who was chosen as a children’s correspondent (?), and who asked Rutte if the children of the world could count on him to bring peace. Rutte said yes, they should trust him to do so, because he was getting NATO member-states to drastically increase their military spending.”
This is an excellent report,but I do have to ask about that overly long question to Donald Trump. Couldn't he just answer the question that he wish were asked of him(ok, so I am borrowing Robert McNamara, but perhaps so is Trump)? But first of all, couldn't that NOMAD android of the "tiny blonde woman" just rip the microphone out of your hand, partway through your question? And thirdly, would even 60 minutes be allowed to ask such an overly long question of that content to the prestiged national president in their own studios?
But your work here is awesome!!
I do have a suggestion. Michael typically asks 2 or 3 somewhat related questions each time he is called. It's difficult for the listener, let alone for the object of the questions, to keep track of them. Michael should ask one question to make a real impact. It's easy to give fuzzy answers when you're inundated with multiple questions at once.
Others do this, as well.
One error does not excuse another.
I don't see it as an error.
Michael did that in his questions played last night on System Update, and the person being questioned had no problem responding.
It seems more like some viewers have a short attention span, to me.
Great question you would've asked. Thanks for the account of the backstage workings of these events.
After reading the questions you intended to ask, I understand why you were not called on. Nobody likes the kid who wants to pee in the punchbowl.
great writing michael. to get more questions, especially from trump, you must mog, you must become swole.
Excellent!
Loved your description of "the most frightening tiny blonde woman," and your futile efforts to get Trump's attention.
I like the way you give us the inside view of what goes on at these things, and you had me chuckling throughout.
Maybe you should buy a bright red suit jacket for your next chance at attracting Trump's attention, or wear a fedora, or sunglasses, or something. Then he'd say, "Okay, you, in the red jacket (or fedora. . . ).
It is a bit odd to hear how all the world leaders seem so eager for Trump's approval, while they're trying as hard as they can to keep the endless war machine going, while paying as little as possible for it.
Enjoyed your report on System Update last night, too. The general consensus in the live chat was that you ask the best questions.
Snazzy colourful suits is a hilarious idea to get noticed by Trump. I bet it'd probably work.
Michael Tracey needs to take up dressing like Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul if he's ever seen those shows, he's a lawyer who shows up at a job he wants fired from in red-and-blue suits; his 'cool boss' plays guitar at work, so he brings bagpipes. Etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uka17JlB81E
That's five questions.
Good effort Michael. You’re a good journalist and a good writer. Informative and humorous!
The author writes well that was quite enjoyable.
The defeat of the Iranian regime and the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza will lead to peace in the region. Yes, the human cost is high and tragic but it is a price worth paying; It should have been done long ago.
It could have been done long ago but vested interests distort the game; many people make their livelihood on the Middle East peace process. The death and destruction we are seeing now has been going on unnecessarily for 50 years mostly at a lower ebb.
This sharp spasm of killing will end the game and the attendant decades of long simmering death and destruction. This I think is the best we can hope for.
I believe for our liberal elite mercy is a passion, but for me it is merely good manners. I will let you determine which motive is the more reliable.
Trump just doesn’t give a shit for the niceties of libtard courtliness, he just blasts away at the hypocrisy: it is a beautiful thing to watch.
Our author has given us insight into the absurdity of the press game but I think he still plays a telling game of gotcha with Trump. Telling: maybe he underestimates the challenge involved with getting things done, you know, leadership. I think our author sees Trump as a buffoon , he fails to appreciate the brilliance of the man, Sui Generis and totally singular in our time. He is Hannibal chopping away at the Gordian Knot with his bare bodkin (sword).
The "expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza will lead to peace in the region"?????
Why should they be expelled?
Maybe Israel should stop trying to eradicate them, as if they were vermin, and treat them like fellow humans.
Because they have a murderous philosophy, that’s dedicated the destruction of the state of Israel. That’s pretty straightforward.
Obviously, I’m on the side of Israel and you’re on the side of the Palestinian that’s pretty obvious as well. Not the first time societies have come to blows and it’s always resolved the same way one side wins the other side loses. The last 50 years, we have forstalled victory and defeat and it has proven to be a bad plan. I think that’s what I’m saying. Time to resume normal service.
The Israelis also "have a murderous philosophy, that's dedicated to the destruction of" Palestinians.
No, it's not the first time "societies have come to blows," but why do I, a hapless American taxpayer, have to help fund it?
The whole world has been watching Israel commit war crimes by bombing refugee camps, aid workers, ambulances, and -- recently -- starving people attempting to obtain aid. Israeli PR is no longer working, because the truth is all over the Inter Webs.
It would be nice if Israel could "resume normal service" on its own dime, for a change.
It’s 100% correct statement; Why do the American taxpayers have to pay for it? I guess the smarty-pants answer is because Israel is America. A second version would be a hegemonic ambition.
You should be expelled from the US or wherever you're from, according to your own logic of "murderous philosophy" being a justification for doing so.
Comparing Trump to the Carthaginian Hannibal Barca is hilarious, are you sure you don't have him confused with Hannibal Lecter? BTW, a bodkin is an arrowhead, not a sword, and the Gordian Knot is a myth not even associated with Barca but with Alexander.