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Marine Le Pen spotted at Trump Tower but insists she was just having a coffee

Asked about her visit, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said: ‘It’s a public building.’

FAR-RIGHT FRENCH presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was spotted at Donald Trump’s New York headquarters building today but aides to the US President-elect said no meetings were planned.

The Front National leader was seen having coffee at Trump Ice Cream Parlor on the ground floor of Trump Tower, with three men including her partner Louis Aliot, the party’s vice president.

Also sighted with Le Pen was George “Guido” Lombardi, an Italian businessman who lives in Trump Tower and was described in a Politico profile as Trump’s “self-professed contact to Europe’s far-right parties.”

Asked by journalists if she was there to meet Trump, Le Pen refused to respond.

“She is not meeting with anyone from our team,” Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks told reporters.

Earlier, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said curtly:

No meetings. It’s a public building.

Le Pen’s campaign manager, David Rachline, had said earlier in Paris that Le Pen was on a “private” visit to New York and would not be meeting with the future US president.

In November, Le Pen, who describes herself as “anti-establishment,” rejecting the politics of both right and left, was among the first foreign politicians to congratulate Trump on his surprise election victory.

And she saluted Trump after he said he had persuaded American automaker Ford to produce a certain model in the United States rather than Mexico, though Ford said its decision was based purely on business considerations.

Opinion polls in France predict that Le Pen, an unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2012, will make it to the second round of French elections in May to determine a successor to socialist President Francois Hollande.

Trump Tower, in an area with many popular shops, remains accessible to the public, though stringent security measures have been put in place since his election on 8 November.

© – AFP 2017

Read: Three elections that could cause a political earthquake in Europe in 2017 >

Read: Francois Fillon takes strong lead in French presidential primary >

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    Mute Mikhail Valtazar
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:34 PM

    What a dynamic duo Trump and Le Pen would make. They would set the world right after years of liberal mismanagement.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:53 PM

    Explain how it was liberal, though. Over the last 10 years I have seen forced austerity, refugees forced on unwilling people, excessive bureaucracy, increased censorship, etc. That’s not liberalism. It is, in fact, the antithesis of liberalism. You, like a quickly increasing number of people, are either using the wrong term or blaming the wrong people. I’m a liberal, and I’m just as annoyed with how things have transpired over the last 10-15 years.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:53 PM

    His team seemed fairly eager to dismiss the notion of a meeting

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    Mute Mikhail Valtazar
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:09 PM

    @Brian let’s see the world is a total mess and left wing liberal Obama has been in power 8 years. In France the place has seldom been worse and Let Pen seeks to replace left wing liberal Hollande.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:13 PM

    Obama is left wing, but his policies are not liberal. Hollande is also left wing, but again not liberal. Liberalism does not adhere to the traditional left-right political spectrum. You can have left wing liberals, right wing liberals and centrist liberals. Both Hollande and Obama were in favour of increased state control, be it through things like Obamacare or increased bureaucracy. That is not liberal.

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:22 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: I’ve seen how irritated genuine liberals get which is why I use inverted commas generally when referring to ‘liberals’. But frankly, real liberals need to start taking on what’s being done in their name more effectively. It is self-proclaimed liberals who have been pushing the identity politics, the ‘anti-racism’ islamophobia agenda, the ‘libertarian’ open borders and all the rest of it.

    The reality is that the idea of liberalism – of individual rights, freedom of speech and conscience etc- has become completely debased and is now used to justify the appeasement of violent religious fundamentalism provided its engaged in by people with generally darker skin colours and to oppose any sane border control policies on the basis that they limit personal freedom.

    The liberal idea of the importance of values in politics is also being used to silence discussion of the very real economic interests that stand behind those policies. Liberalism itself needs to engage in some reflection and self-criticism.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:26 PM

    Thank you, Marlowemallow! At least someone understands how irritating it is when the wrong people are blamed.

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:30 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: There is also a massive problem with how liberalism is defined. You seem to be of the laissez-faire, limited-state variety. But liberalism is not so easily defined in my view. Old-fashioned conservatism was and is just as opposed to excessive statism and bureacracy. And modern limited-state liberalism is very much influenced by US-centric Ayn Randian-influenced libertarianism rather than the 19th century laissez-faire tradition.

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    Mute HOTBank
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:33 PM

    You mean like the way Obama has handed a vibrant US economy to Trump while Trump’s buddies Vlad, Bash, Rech and Bibi preside over middle East mayhem?

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    Mute Mikhail Valtazar
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:35 PM

    Brian you are describing classic liberalism a school of thought long since replaced by modern big government, “progressive” liberalism.

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:35 PM

    @Mikhail Valtazar:
    “let’s see the world is a total mess and left wing liberal Obama has been in power 8 years”

    He was Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000, President from 2000 to 2008, and again Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012

    guess whos that above? Does he have any culpability? or one rule for….

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:47 PM

    @Marlowemallow:
    “There is also a massive problem with how liberalism is defined”
    Because it shouldn’t be defined, or conservatism, thats how we start putting people into categories. The reality is peoples mind change every day. they will have a leaning but it will change.

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:56 PM

    @Stephen Coveney: That’s the core insanity of postmodernism. Refusal to categorize anything on the basis that things change is ultimately a rejection of the human capacity for abstract though. Because all abstract though relies on our ability to categorize. Without that, our rickety rational brains have a predictable tendency to run off the rails. There’s a world of reason in between the extremes of refusal to categorize at all vs. refusal to adapt obsolete categories to changing realities.

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:50 PM

    Yes most of our instincts have been built up from evolution to categorise danger from non danger. But humans have moved away from that binary view so we can indulge ourselves in the benefits other beings bring.

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:52 PM

    And if i read your response correctly, you think we should be all put into separate boxes based on certain criteria?

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:53 PM

    @Stephen Coveney: The tendency to engage in binary thought is hardwired in those who like to ‘indulge themselves in the benefits other beings bring’ – whatever that means – just as it is in everyone else. Nor is binary thought a bad thing in itself. There is no escaping the human condition that easily.

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:58 PM

    @Stephen Coveney: No. I’m talking about the categorization of abstract concepts.

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Jan 12th 2017, 10:43 PM

    So now you’re saying that no one “different” brings any positives to a society. I can only deduce that you believe we should all build walls around the borders we have now? No outsiders allowed unless they have something we want?

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 11:00 PM

    @Stephen Coveney: You haven’t understood a word I’ve said I’m afraid.

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Jan 13th 2017, 1:05 AM

    You seemed to have tripped yourself up or the pages of your thesaurus got stuck together

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Jan 13th 2017, 6:44 AM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: I struggle with this question myself. I am coming round to the notion that the political divide has shifted because of the Stalin, Kim Yung 2, Castro types. It shifted to a divide based on accountability and non-accountability. On one side you have globalism, borderless states, unlimited immigration, climate change hysteria, wind mills, abortion on demand, blind eye being turned to foreign human rights abuses.

    On the other is a return to the nation state, accountability, compliance with the law. Trump is quite leftie in same ways

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:35 PM

    It will be a different world if we have a President Le Pen. Trump in the White House is nothing for us compared to what Le Pen in the Elysee would mean.

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    Mute John003
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:41 PM

    Well whoever wins in France will bring big changes..France is done with socialism

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    Mute Nathalie Vassard
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:04 PM

    @Mike: It would mean nothing because she would not have a majority in Parliament as it would be composed of mainly Républicains and Socialists MPs. The most seats the FN could get (out of about 550) is 80 and that’s very optimistic (at the moment they have 2). Even if she’s elected she won’t be able to apply any of her policies. I’m not anti-Le Pen, I don’t mind her this is just the reality of it. Bloomberg has a video on it today and one of the journalists confirm that as well.

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:31 PM

    @Nathalie Vassard: I was looking for that video on Bloomberg but found this on Bloomberg insteadL

    “If she wins, the European Union would be badly and perhaps fatally wounded. By comparison, Brexit would be a minor nuisance.”

    This is from an editorial on the 26th Nov 2016. https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-11-25/france-needs-someone-to-stop-le-pen

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:32 PM

    Can you post a link to that video please?

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:35 PM

    @Mike: The EU is dying a slow death. Nationalism is on the rise across Europe and it’s just a matter of time before it dismantles the project one way or another.

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:24 PM

    @Nathalie Vassard: One of those guys spoke of the “post truth” world implying that it led to Trump and Brexit. Anyone who can spout such rubbish as that won’t get much respect outside of their own echo chamber.

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    Mute Fred
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:34 PM

    @Mike: for better or worse populism is what will win, across europe, the left is completely in its own echo chamber and insists that everyone who disagrees with them are idiots. le pen will win in france, mark my words.

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:56 PM

    @Marlowemallow: I just want it to be sooner rather than later. It looks like we have a path to “less EU” now for the first time. None of it is in our hands her in Ireland though. I don’t think there is any Eurosceptic options here. We had our chances to make a difference I guess but we were forced by the mainstream parties to vote again. It’s odd having our interests so heavily vested in the outcomes of all these countries elections.

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 10:00 PM

    @Mike: I hope you’re right:-) Oddly in Ireland we have far left populism, and “I’ll give ya a medical card, council house, free water, higher dole etc etc.” buying us with our own money populism.

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 10:05 PM

    @Mike: I suspect that for many Irish people the EU plays a role of almost a talisman separating the dark, impoverished, cleric-ridden Past from the Celtic Tiger, liberal, prosperous present. It’s not an entirely rational belief but the association is so strong that the prospect of leaving, or of it leaving us, seems to trigger extremely strong fears. It’s understandable.

    No there are no Eurosceptic choices here and I think those fears are the reason why. As you note, it’s becoming clear to people that this is a process entirely out of our hands in any event. We’re minnows. But Irish people will need some self-confidence if we’re going to be ready to make the best of these changes.

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Jan 13th 2017, 6:34 AM

    @Fred: Hope you are right. I am not far right, I believe in good social services and the welfare state, but anything is better than the commie, leftie greenie liberals

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    Mute Imnotrodten
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:37 PM

    Why is there a far right tag?

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    Mute Early Cuyler
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:50 PM

    @Imnotrodten: because all conservatives are far-right now apparently.

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    Mute Nathalie Vassard
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:10 PM

    @Imnotrodten: You’re right in the last 2 years their social and economic policies are quite left-wing. It’s changing direction.

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    Mute HOTBank
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:30 PM

    Not true Early. There are decent conservatives like Francois Fillon and John McCain. And then there are the less decent but at least politically committed ones like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. Then there are the batsht crazy ones like Carson and Wilders. And then there are the neo-Nazis who have re-branded themselves Alt Right.

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:40 PM

    @Early Cuyler: The meaning of terms like liberal and conservative is hugely in flux right now just like the left-right divide. Essentially anyone who questions particular trigger issues – that would be the usual immigration and Islam – is moved from the respectable conservative category into the realm of some form of sneer-word. Which issues are assigned to liberal/conservative, left/right, changes over time.

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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:17 PM

    HOTBank, “….branded themselves…”, or been branded Alt-Right? Genuine question.

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:07 PM

    She’ll win the election. Writing is on the wall for the EU for the next decade at least.

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    Mute Fred
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:37 PM

    @Mr Snuffleupagus: frequent terrorist attacks across europe are signing the deal for all the far right parties, the left got it completely wrong on immigration and this is the result.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 13th 2017, 12:30 AM

    She won’t win. Fillon will crush the degenerate.

    France has not forgotten the last time fascism was in town.

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    Mute Brian McDonnell
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:53 PM

    Oh wow, a politician from a country I don’t live in or have a vote in, has a coffee in a building owed by a politician from a country I don’t live in or have a vote in……not fake news, just feckless news.

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    Mute KEV
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:32 PM

    She can’t even lie straight.

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    Mute Simon and Co
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:39 PM

    Why does she have a passport and leave France, travel abroad? All these idiots want their countries for themselves only, so they should lead by example by tearing up their passports and stay in their own countries for the rest of their lives…

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    Mute John B
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:56 PM

    We’re you born a moron or did you have to develop that side of yourself?

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    Mute John B
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:56 PM

    Were*

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    Mute Simon and Co
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:01 PM

    Why would I be a moron? Because I travelled and lived in multiple countries, learned four languages fluently and keep an open mind?
    Where would the world be with closed borders and close minded individuals?

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    Mute John B
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:04 PM

    I guess I need to explain. You demonstrate the typical attitude of the modern neo-liberal, framing everything in a nationalist construct. Someone who wants to control immigration, for example, is thus branded narrow minded etc. Why cannot be worldly wise but still want to retain their national identity?

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    Mute Mike
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:44 PM

    @Simon and Co: “Why would I be a moron?” – Because of your post. The good people reading this page do not have the pleasure of having their eardrums gently caressed with the beautiful sound that surely stems from your multilingual self. Alas, instead of being regaled with stories of far away sights and wonders scarcely imaginable of this world, we have your post and that is all you are on this page; a very moronic post.

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    Mute Fred
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:43 PM

    @Mike: that is possibly the greatest reply i have ever read. Congrats sir!

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    Mute Brian Mc Elwaine
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    Jan 13th 2017, 5:29 AM

    Medal award time

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    Mute Liam Sheahan
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:06 PM

    Show her the Statue of Liberty and tell her what both countries once stood for and hopefully still do.

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    Mute John003
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:10 PM

    True the Statue of Liberty represents open borders….. If was president Kennedy who stopped the open border policy

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    Mute Marlowemallow
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:36 PM

    @John003: I think they started restricting immigration in the 1920′s.

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    Mute Frantz Harband
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:59 PM

    To think that she’s the worst that could happen to France,you are so wrong .Valls would scare me a lot more….

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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:35 PM

    **Conspiracy theorist alert**

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    Mute Mikhail Valtazar
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:36 PM

    Interesting to see the journal citing a member of the alt-right as a source (Jack Posobiec)

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    Mute Goldberg
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:57 PM

    Maybe she had to take a leak…

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    Mute Alex Falcone
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:11 PM

    @Goldberg:
    The old ones are the best eh?

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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:05 PM

    Just having a coffee,really? Gathering the troops more like it!

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    Mute aido.b
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:27 PM

    Who cares

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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:49 PM

    You stupid woman!

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    Mute Donal Proctor
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:55 PM

    @donal proctor: must say in stupid french accent

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    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:40 PM

    @Donal Proctor: LOL

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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jan 12th 2017, 9:25 PM

    Listen carefully, I will say this only once.

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    Mute Eileen Down
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:12 PM

    Hmmmm

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    Mute Revolting Peasant
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    Jan 12th 2017, 8:25 PM

    Ahhhhhh

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jan 13th 2017, 11:09 PM

    @Revolting Peasant: Oooooooooooo…

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    Mute winston smith
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    Jan 12th 2017, 7:51 PM
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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jan 13th 2017, 5:16 AM

    It would seem that history is to repeat itself with a democratic twist. Before WW1 Britain and France were allies opposing German influence. Ireland though part of the U.K. was seeking Home Rule. Russia was holding its own.
    Two world wars later, the remnants of these Empires now wearing the cloak of democracy decided to make unions of one type or another. This worked well until the Soviet Union fractured. Now the European Union is also fracturing. Britain has reverted to a pre WW1 stance. France with Le Pen is heading the same way. Germany could not win WW11 but has won out economically and now controls Europe more effectively than if it has won WW1 or WW11. Russia is now re asserting its influence under its new Czar Putin. WW111 will be mainly an economic war with real wars by proxy. America and Chine will stay isolationist in nature but expand economically. China will eventually control large areas of East Africa economically. World Wars will not be necessary in the military sense because the ordinary people will be in a state of economic enslavement. The future is about control not war.

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jan 13th 2017, 11:08 PM

    If there was anything to this then they wouldn’y meeet in public?

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