First blood to Trump

www.architecturaldigest.com/story/obama-white-house

This tribute to the Obama's private rooms positively oozes with unctuousness, yet no mention of their having picked up the cheque.

1993 POTUS Clinton

www.nytimes.com/1993/11/24/us/a-redecorated-white-house-the-way-the-clintons-like-it.html

I think the biggest outcry from taxpayers when it came to refurbishing the White House was when the President installed (of course, not as an actual plumber) a large number of bathrooms. I think it was Truman and I also think that there are still parts of the building where the "facilities" are still far and few between.

I love all this stuff about the Oval Office which, so far as I understand, is used pretty much exclusively for PR purposes – photographs with the President in return for support, funding etc. or simply press stuff. The real work is done elsewhere. I wonder if the new President will be signing golf balls too.

I will stay off Trump today and will go out to focus on 18th Century London but cannot prevent myself from sharing an article in yesterday's NY Times:
nyti.ms/2klFxo1

Trump Repeats Lie About Popular Vote In Meeting with Lawmakers
www. nytimes.co

On his 1st official meeting with congressional leaders, he blamed his nearly 3 million popular vote loss on illegal ballots.

The second most powerful person in the world and he's still insecure.

Anyone heard when Trump is going to take his various industries throughout the world back to America? I believe he is paying people he works in these industries very low wages. Such is populism. Let's lie then tell the media that they should support the populist leader by reporting these lies, and not undermining his legitimacy by reporting the truth.

Being the "second most" or even the most, powerful person in the world would surely make anyone slightly insecure.

Wasn't there a swimming pool underneath the Whitehouse ? Unused in modern times but I am sure it's still there. I am not keen on Obama's private rooms, they just look like any room in a upperclass pile. Nothing different apart from some tacky modern art work.

All Presidents and wives redecorate things, there may be many things to berate Trump for, but redoing rooms in The White House ain't one of 'em!

Rinouchka what is this about 18th century London, artwork, a lecture?

Rinouchka Tue 24-Jan-17 07:47:49
I will stay off Trump today and will go out to focus on 18th Century London but cannot prevent myself from sharing an article in yesterday's NY Times:

Thanks for that! Me, too... I have two essays to write, and in that vein will share this cartoon making the rounds (I removed the F word) Love the theme on your book cover!

Here's what Cameron spent on private quarters. Am sure much is perfectly in order.... however, during an austerity time?
www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/27/david-cameron-taxpayers-home-improvements

And the Blairs, same... much was probably needed. But.....
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/539026.stm

rosesarered I agree. Also, pieces get lent to the White House, it's a museum and art gallery as well.

I am sure the Trumps will put a lot of their own money in as well to get it to their acceptable level of gaudiness if their NYC and FL properties are anything to go by.

As a kid upon hearing there was a bowling alley in the WH was a big deal...can't believe how easily we were impressed as children LOL.

This site has a lot of public info on the buildings defences which are very hi-tech and we surely don't know half of it.
www.ibtimes.com/secret-service-security-breach-how-white-house-protection-works-1697072

And to think I've had the same kitchen for nearly 20 years!

Jackie Kennedy found many old pieces of furniture from the past in the White House storage. She put them back into the house as part of historical furniture.
Yes there is a pool as many amorous adventures took place there with JFK.

The Guardian is preparing to take on Trump. I can't provide links - perhaps someone can do it for me?

That underrated actress Meryl Streep has just been awarded her 20th nomination

Lewlew

I was surprised to hear the latest Mrs Trump compared to Jackie O

The thing is - these are public buildings and not spending what is allocated results in decay etc and can cost far more in the long term. From your link:

No 10 has confirmed that the full £30,000 grant for upkeep of the living accommodation, which is available to prime ministers annually, was used for the refit of 11 Downing Street, after the Guardian discovered the payment in the official spending records.

A spokeswoman said the money was spent on rewiring, plumbing and decorating but insisted the Camerons paid for the extras. "No public money was spent on furniture, fittings or accessories," she said

The other £653,192.34 was spent on external and internal renovation of the offices and reception rooms in Downing Street, including cabling, plumbing and energy efficiency improvements.

I understood the Camerons paid for the hi-tech kitchen themselves - which will be there for the use and enjoyment of future PM of whatever persuasion.

Didn't the Blairs take over the flat of No 11 because it was larger and they were expecting baby No 4? I wonder how neglected that was too. They obviously didn't spend much of the £1 million {shock] on rewiring and essential maintenance!
^Mr Blair's written parliamentary answers say the expenditure is "mainly attributable to the refurbishment of the state rooms and coverting the top floor of the building into office accommodation."

The answers estimate spending on wallpaper at approximately £1,200.

Mr Blair's close colleague, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, was widely criticised for spending £650,000 upgrading his official residence last year.

None of them have heard of Ikea or B&Q

Wasn't it Irvine who spent a kings ransom on wallpaper?He should have gone to Homebase!

That wallpaper should be good for 200 years
(even if the building falls down through lack of planned maintenance!)

But it can now be revealed that the empire Lord Irvine fashioned during six years as head of the English judiciary is being brutally dismantled. And, most galling of all, the notoriously expensive wallpaper is set to dignify the Westminster equivalent of a works canteen.

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/lord-irvine-s-163-650-000-wallpaper-to-grace-canteen-1-1410723


He is now a Baron. A title which belongs to the feudal system.

Anyone else noticed that POTUS is looking really tired in his latest pictures?

JessM... must be worn out signing all those executive actions and slagging off the media.

There was a piece on this morning's news that he is obsessed by the media and reads the printed press, tabloids, broadsheets, as well as watches the major TV station news. If there's a story on TV, there is an immediate Trump tweet.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4154228/Donald-Trump-s-media-diet.html

President Donald Trump likes warring with the media, but he watches all three cable channels and reads news constantly.

Trump watches Morning Joe and Fox & Friends, and tunes into CNN too - he was also a fan of Access Hollywood when his pal Billy Bush was a host.

He's old school in that he loves 60 Minutes and doesn't read his news online, preferring aides to print out articles for him to mark up with a Sharpie pen.

He must be exhausted!

Anniebach The media compared her outfit to one Jackie Kennedy had. Honestly after copying Michelle Obamas speech and now Jackies outfit I would like to see some originality.

Please England take us back!