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US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has dismissed an upcoming book on his campaign and administration as “full of lies” and invented sources, after unsuccessfully attempting to block its release.
“I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist,” Trump tweeted in reference to Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.”
“Look at this guy’s past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!” Trump wrote.
It was unclear to whom Trump was referring, with possibilities including Steve Bannon, his former chief strategist, and Steve Rubin, the president of Henry Holt and Company, which is publishing Wolff’s book.
The book quotes key Trump aides, including Bannon, expressing serious doubt about his fitness for office.
Trump has been enraged by the betrayal by Bannon — a man who engineered the New York real estate mogul’s link to the nationalist far right and helped create a pro-Trump media ecosystem.
After Trump instructed his lawyers to try to block the release of the book, the publishers responded by moving the release date up by four days to today.
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7.30 on a wet dark Saturday night they decided to go kayaking???
Are they fulfilling a bucket list or just plain mad!!!
And wasting resources that could be used for someone who got themselves into difficulty through no fault of their own
They didn’t go kayaking at 7:30. It’s reported that they lost their paddle at that time, not that they went paddling then.
As for a wet day – well, this is whitewater – if you want to go whitewater paddling in Ireland, you’re usually going in or after the rain because Irish rivers with any significant whitewater drain quite quickly. To get any reasonable levels, you’re usually getting into your gear in the rain.
With all respect, while it may initially not look the best, many many incidents of kayakers in difficulty get reported inaccurately.
It’s happened a few times that services have been called by needlessly concerned onlookers to curragower playwave in limerick thinking that people were “stuck” on the feature.
I’m delighted that whoever this pair were, they had the good sense to bring a phone and used it when they needed it.
In terms of being stranded on an island – this river is a relatively narrow one and “island” is more likely to translate to “cluster of mid-flow rocks”.
Well said Tony, as a avid kayaker onlookers sometimes ‘think’ that what they see is kayakers in difficulty, these lads were somewhat prepared. All the same they should of had safety cables connected to their paddles.
Kayaking is safe, excellent fun and a brilliant way to spend a day (as long as they have all safety requirements met).
Paddle leashes can be lethal in whitewater – risk of strangulation etc..
Better off just holding on tight.
Absolutely Avina – the real solution is a spare set of paddles (splits) for whitewater. But, seeing as there are little details, it’s very possible they had them with them but they may have been separated from their boats also, not just their paddles.
Totally agree Tony – I’m just saying that paddle leashes are a bad idea in whitewater.
Wonder how they kept themselves warm overnight?
Well said Tony, they went kayaking got in a spot of bother, called for help, got rescued. No harm done, more than likely members of ICU , pay insurance for this every year…
As one of the kayakers this story has so many inaccuracies. We got into trouble at 4.20pm. Fellow paddle swam out of her boat and after hurting her leg in the swim she got to safety on an island. We feared the leg was fractured and so did not attempt any drastic escape from the island, however we did look at some possibilities but it started getting dark about 5.20, one hour later. I still had my kayak and paddle, so went to get help, (there is no phone reception in the black Valley so that spiced things up). I got help and later the coast guard were called at 7.30. Unfortunately the media seems to be following a post by the coast guard Facebook page. I returned to the riverbank with a local and and some blankets and supplies which I was able to throw onto the island over the rapids in a heavy duty bag. I later returned to the Island with my kayak and paddle as help was going to take a few hours and I knew they would probably not be equipped to do much for her and she was getting very cold. More locals and parents arrived with more supplies and with the help of the killarney Lake rescue we were able to transfer clothes, food, sleeping bags, tarps and a small shelter to the island. A unanimous decision was made to wait until the morning to try getting my friend off the island, when the river would have reduced in flow. Her leg had improved and we had assessed it and there was just some bruising. There was no storm as was reported a beautiful clear night full of shooting stars. We were woken in the morning in by the killarney Lake rescue and parents (our parents are keen outdoor people also and some have volunteered with mountain rescue before.)
We didn’t have much choice about the helicopter as it was ordered before we awoke, we were winched the 50ft to land. I took the helicopter option as well for the experience. I then went back upstream and retrieved the missing kayak with some help from KLR.
Fair play buddy, great to read what actually happened.
Constant “waste of resources” and “are they stupid” comments anytime our rescue teams are called out. Fair enough, sometimes they’re valid, but I don’t think people realise that there are NGBs for outdoor activities that provide training etc. When you sign up, MCI ICU ISA etc you usually pay some sort of insurance fee in the case of needing rescue.
These rescue cases are then used on training courses to educate people, part and parcel of the whole outdoor activities.
Its always better to make the call if your out of your dept. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Up sh**s creek
Canou believe it?
Anyone in Ireland last night spent the night on an Island…stop bitching about it
What is it with people in Kerry – they are like children who run out of the house when you’re not looking and get themselves lost as soon as possible.
The lakes, rivers and mountains in Kerry are beautiful, but also dangerous, which is why there are dedicated, experienced rescue teams on call 24/7 – in case some clueless idiots from Dublin, or any other county get into trouble.
If any ordinary hard working person calls out an ambulance or the fire services they will be billed for same . Will these 2 be billed for the rescue helicopter and the rescue services time?
Would you rather be reading a story about 2 dead kayakers this morning?
What makes you think that these are not “ordinary hard working” people?!!
Why should anyone in difficulty not call rescue services? You seem to be suggesting that these folks were acting irresponsibly – what evidence/experience do you have to support that?
OK Conor
My Granddaughter aged 2 set off the panic button of their house alarm and my daughter had to beg not to pay the fine which I know was over 100 euro.
All sports are great. But I wonder if this couple had asked advice about going out on this particular night would they have gotten the go ahead?
And Tony if I ever spot kayakers who I might think are in trouble should I just assume they are not and walk on by??
No Mary, tony is just making a valid point as are you. What might be out of your comfort zone is not necessarily applicable to everyone. They knew what they were at, just unfortunate to loose their paddles. If your ever in doubt just shout at them, “do you need help”. If they wave both hands across their heads they probably need help.
Mary, with respect – I know nothing about skydiving, so I don’t really comment on it. I do however know about kayaking.
To address your points:
Did they ask advice? What advice exactly? You appear to have no idea about the decision making process around whitewater safety. Any kayaker worth their salt will measure their ability against the technical requirements. They’ll also be prepared with equipment and understand the character of the river. Your suggestion that they SHOULD have sought advice is void – we have no idea of their skill level as yet and whether they had sufficient training wrt arming themselves for making good decisions.
The go ahead? Jaysus – Irish water have gone pretty far if they’re now responsible for allowing people to go kayaking…. Go ahead from who?????
Walking on by? Perhaps give a wave – see if the response you get makes sense. In kayaking, a typical signal of “I’m ok” is to pat yourself on the head a few times – or to simply give a thumbs up. It’s not complex and a lot of river signals can be understood pretty easily even if you haven’t had training.
have your say