On Jul 26, 2017, at 11:49 AM, Razer <[email protected]> wrote: >> WASHINGTON — U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry optimistically >> discussed expanding American coal exports to Ukraine and other energy >> matters during a lengthy phone call this month with a Russian >> prankster who Perry thought was Ukraine's prime minister. >> >> Perry actually was talking with comedians known in Russia for >> targeting celebrities and politicians with audacious stunts, Energy >> Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said in a written statement. >> >> Pranksters Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov are sometimes called >> the "Jerky Boys of Russia," after an American duo who put out >> recordings of their prank phone calls in the 1990s. They have made >> faux calls to British singer Elton John >> <http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russias-putin-calls-elton-john-real-time-n432971>, >> who thought he was speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and >> others. >> >> "These individuals are known for pranking high-level officials and >> celebrities, particularly those who are supportive of an agenda that >> is not in line with their governments. In this case, the energy >> security of Ukraine," Hynes said. >> >> During the 22-minute call on July 19, Perry, whose department oversees >> the U.S. nuclear weapons program, discussed a range of topics in a >> business-like tone, including sanctions against Russia and helping >> Ukraine develop oil and gas. >> >> Perry said the Trump administration opposes Nord Stream 2, a Russian >> project to bring natural gas to Europe across the Baltic and that U.S. >> technology could help Ukraine develop gas. >> >> "Giving Ukraine more options with some of our technology is, I think, >> in everyone's best interest with the exception of the Russians, but >> that's OK," he said. >> >> Perry also discussed the Paris climate accord and coal exports on the >> call. >> >> The call, first reported by E&E news, was recorded and posted online. >> >> It happened about a month after Perry met with Ukrainian President >> Petro Poroshenko and his delegation at the Energy Department. >> >> President Donald Trump said last month that Washington plans to offer >> Ukraine more coal exports from the United States because the eastern >> European nation's industrial sector has difficulty securing coal from >> separatist-held regions. >> >> It is unclear how the United States would bring more coal to Ukraine >> but Perry hinted on the call that the Commerce Department was working >> on it. >> >> "The coal conversation at this particular point in time is with >> (Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross) and I full well suspect it will go >> forward," he said on the call. >> >> News of the call came the same day the U.S. House of Representatives >> voted overwhelmingly to impose new sanctions on Russia. [Reuters] >> > http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/russian-prankster-convinced-rick-perry-he-was-speaking-ukraine-prime-n786641 >
Funny ;) I lived in TX when Rick was governor and the guy is an absolute moron. He made a speech lit up on vicodin (or morphine or something) one time, and it was fucking hilarious. He also made a complete ass of himself during the 2012 republican primary debates when he couldn't remember the name/existence of the department of energy - of which he is now the head, heh. I suppose complete lack of knowledge or competency in the relevant field is the core requirement for a cabinet posting these days.
