On 07/26/2017 11:22 AM, John Newman wrote: > 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.
>From the real work world (where people like Perry and Trump have never tread) Employers don't want qualified employees. They want to train them THEIR way. Rr
