‘He out-Kimmed Kim. Bravo Donald Trump!’

‘Read my lips. No more summit.’ Picture: AFP

“Persuasion is achieved by the speaker’s personal character when the speech is so spoken as to make us think him credible,” according to Aristotle. Whose credibility cut through the clutter this week? It’s the Readers’ Comments column. Let’s engage …

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In a stunning move, Donald Trump cancelled his meeting with Kim Jong-un, citing “anger and hostility” towards the US. Christopher gets Comment of the Week for his take:

“The more Trump does, the more I like him. He is revealing himself as a very astute leader on the world stage. He offers high praise for the conciliatory words from Kim whilst punishing him severely for the recent sabre-rattling.

“I can’t help but feel that this withdrawal from the proposed summit is also very firmly aimed at China. It demonstrates clearly that, under Trump, the US will be both fair but firm with regard to international diplomacy.

“My bet? Kim’s tune will change over the next few weeks, thanks in part to increased pressure from Beijing, and the talks will be back on, albeit at a later date.”

Michael was impressed:

“In a fundamental difference to his predecessors, Donald Trump has demonstrated that he is not interested in talks about talks. Kim and his cohorts are used to the Western leaders’ behaviour, so desperate for any kind of a deal they were prepared to tolerate kim’s antics.

“Indeed, they were prepared to accept the cheating in the deals signed, as well as cajoling and massaging the pipsqueak’s oversized ego, only to keep him engaged. What POTUS is saying in his letter is. if you are serious, let’s talk. If you are not serious, there’s nothing to talk about.

“Donald Trump had forestalled the idiotic path, which, normally, negotiations with NK take. He out-Kimmed Kim. Bravo Donald!”

Nuke size matters. Picture: AP

John’s take:

“Trump just keeps on kicking goals. The lefties will be apoplectic.”

Dean dipped his lid:

“Brilliant. KJU has never dealt with a western leader who takes words seriously.”

Balls, said Paul:

“The Man is a total baller. Fifty years of dealing with unions, bankers, divorce attorneys and NY city officials has tempered him to be a master negotiator. Your move NK, what’s your play now? Trump ain’t buying your nonsense.”

Another John suggested:

“People need to understand that Trump is not a conventional politician but a businessman first and foremost. If he thinks he can do a better deal then he’ll go for it. He’ll be polite and say that he welcomes further discussion but he’ll be chasing that better deal.

“He’ll put pressure on others to moderate their demands and come to the table if they want to make a deal at all. Perhaps a few other national leaders might learn from what he does.”

Arvid assented:

“Good. The childish offence and disrespect over comments is infantile distraction in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Calling his bluff means he has to play or pass risking what he has already lost.

“KJU has been Trumped. A master negotiator knows you must be able to demonstrate you can walk away from a deal if the terms, behaviour or integrity is not right. China needs the be further pressured over it expansion into the South China Sea and the islands returned to their natural state or opened to the public.”

Barb’s blast:

“He’s caught Kim the Dim on the hop — and struck first. Kim seriously needs to get himself some better advisers if he wants to keep on talking to a now sane and rational USA under Trump and I suspect that in N Korea, at this present moment, there will be a lot of bowing and scraping, serious lack of sleep.”

Little Rocket Man turns Demolition Man. Picture: AFP

Decisive, said David Baku:

“The little rocket man has definitely underestimated Mr Trump. I think that Mr Trump should be given as much support as possible by China and the rest of Asia.”

Dominic saw a decent deal:

“This also contrasts Trump with Obama. During the Iran nuclear deal, Iranian military held American sailors at gun point. Kerry later thanked Iran when the sailors were released and pushed on with the deal telegraphing a preparedness to be abused. A bad deal ensued.

“Trump has repeatedly made it clear that he won’t leave his country vulnerable to threats and intimidation as his predecessors were so willing to do.”

John read the fine print:

“The wording of Trump’s letter to the North Korean regime is fantastic. Read it carefully and you see the diplomatic blend of compliments, innuendo, proposals and realpolitik that are essential in a power play such as this.”

Rocket man, burn another fuse off, heading home. Picture: AFP

Brian wasn’t buying it:

“Trump seems to be making it all up as he shoots from the hip. Pence didn’t help with his comments about Libya and NK.”

Nor Janis:

“Looks like Trump shirked the meeting, didn’t win any deal. A weak pathetic old last century man with nothing but nuclear threats and sanctions, as he scurries away from the table, his tail between his legs. No statesman here ... just an ex- reality TV host past his use-by date.”

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Believa-Bill? Picture: AAP

Bill Shorten faces a nine-week fight to hold four Labor seats in Super Saturday by-­elections and shore up his leadership, as the ALP cries foul that the date clashes with its national conference. Douglas declared:

“And still there remain in parliament Labor members with possible dual citizenship!”

Paul pursed his lips:

“Labor is so bitter.”

Banjo duelled with Aunty:

“I just watched ABC`s Michael Rowlands give the softest interview of Mark Butler I have ever seen, he allowed Butler to rave on unfettered. Typical ABC modus operandi.”

Propaganda, said Peter:

“They are not ‘journalists’, they are taxpayer-funded Marxist propagandists ... Bill Shorten now has time to fess up and include Ann Aly and the TWO Emmas in the bye elections!”

Rolled Goldmember.

14K said Phil:

“Did Shorten give a rolled gold guarantee that the Labor conference would be on that date?”

Warrick was amused:

“Just have to laugh out loud at Labor. Seemingly cruising to an election victory next year, they are self-destructing. Dual citizenship, backbencher unease, border protection weakness, leadership speculation and continued leftist lunacy.

“Better they implode now than have the chance to apply their ‘rigorous processes’ to managing the Australian government.”

Grey beneath the blue suburban skies, Penny Wong. Picture: AAP

Pulse beat on Penny:

“Ms Wong can moan and groan and contrive all she likes. It was mostly Labor MPs that had to resign, knowing full well for months and months that they were ineligible to sit. She is becoming increasingly unhinged. Which says to me, that things are hotting up in Labor ranks.

“The Penny has dropped (no pun intended): The realisation that Bill Shorten is so distrusted, that it will be a stretch to get him elected.”

Kate was cooking:

“When Hewson asked Keating why he would not call an early election, Keating replied, ‘Because I want to do you slowly’.

“Perhaps the Government intends to do Shorten slowly. There is plenty of ammunition the Government can use to slow cook Shorten. I hope they use it.”

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White out: Outgoing Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Tim Soutphommasane ponders his achievements. Picture: Kym Smith

In his last 12 months in his $346,000-a-year role, Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane produced a report on cultural diversity in leadership roles, led a racism campaign supported by business and sport leaders, and held public forums on race relations. Institute of Public Affairs executive director John Roskam said it was a list of “so-called achievements” that demonstrated why the position should be scrapped. Peter was peeved:

“The Australian Human Rights Commission is nothing but an unregulated political agent of race based extortion. A star chamber which has proven to be unfair, dishonest, vicious, and itself fundamentally racist.”

John’s rejoinder:

“I’m not so certain that TS has done almost nothing. I think he’s managed to destroy common justice and impose ‘guilty until proved innocent’ on all matters that can in any way be related to race.”

Not colourblind, said Cecil:

“The activities of Dr Tim S have provided convincing evidence of his malice towards whites.

Any organisation that now employs him will have to deal with that.”

Paint a vulgar picture: Gillian Triggs does Archibald. Picture: Martin Philbey.

A jab from JibJab:

“Dr South and Gillian Triggs have demonstrably by their actions and mis-actions done more to destroy freedom of speech and opinion in Australia than anybody else in recent decades. “This is ironic in the extreme given the title of the AHRC. They have polarised the nation with divisive identity politics and done their best to undermine the democratic traditions of this nation.”

Andy was angry:

“No wonder people get angry when they are asked to pay more tax while Governments waste money on this kind of tripe. Tokenism at its very best.”

Roger raged:

“Well he shortened Bill Leak’s life, but I see he conveniently ignores his disgraceful part in that tragedy.”

Cathy considered:

“So someone born overseas and who has Asian parentage lands a $340,000 per year job in Australia. Gee, what a terrible, racist country we are.”

Alexia suggested:

“If only they would appoint a suitable commissioner. Names that come to mind include Mark Latham, Ross Cameron, Rowan Dean, Paul Murray and Andrew Bolt. Amongst the women there is Bronyn Bishop.”

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No nudes is good nudes.

The eSafety Commissioner has called off a Facebook trial in which users would send the network naked photos of themselves. Ridicule from Richard:

“What could go wrong! Facebook is completely trustworthy, and never hacked! Who’s ever heard of an account or phone being hacked to get nudes! LOL.

“P.S. If it does go ahead, where do I apply to help sort the pics?”

Good sense from Graeme:

“Why can’t they just use a facial image for their filtering? After all, if the victim’s face isn’t visible in any revenge porn they are not identifiable anyway.”

Bronwyn was bemused:

“This sounds like a really dumb scheme.”

Terry was terse:

“Trust Facebook?”

One thumb up. Way up. Picture: AFP

A jest, said Joan:

“I thought it was a joke when I first heard this. As if any sane person would trust Facebook or any social media outlet, to take care of their nude photos.

“Can you just imagine all those drooling weirdos sitting there sorting through all the photos and putting them in ‘yes’ or ‘no’ piles. The mind boggles.”

Catherine was confused:

“Is the The Australian or The Onion?”

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Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.