JAG

And NBC, and the BBC, and just about every other major broadcaster. Of course they may all be part of a major global conspiracy, dedicated to making Mr Trump appear a fool; which casual observation suggests is unnecessary as he is doing it remarkably well by himself! Anyway Karoline Leavitt (aka "Taco Belle") confirms that he got the hump, climbed onto Air Force One ( know known as "Panda Express" as it delivers orange chicken) and flew home.

Bloody hell, and I thought it was all powered by Chang!

It is I suppose possible that the Cambodia has been "detected" reccenoitring gun positions within range of the Thai border. Not emplacing guns but registering positions. A relatively simple process, especially now that GPS has greatly simplified the "survey" process. There again, I should imagine the Thais are doing the same.

Yet they did rather well the last couple of times. Thailand has greater numbers, and greater firepower, but...

A large proportion of the Cambodian Army's artillery comprises the Soviet D30 gun, a robust, simple yet effective 122mm gun. That has a range of 21 Kms. Given that onc emplaced - which with trained crews takes a matter of minutes) such (virtually any) artillery piece can fire a variety of munitions on any target through 6400mils out to 21 Kms then of course they have the capability to fire into Thailand. Given that the Thai Army has a large (and bewilderingly varied) array of 105mm and 155mm artillery of similar and greater ranges, then they too have the same ability. Even if both sides are keeping their artillery out of range of the border, guns are mobile, and that can be sorted out in a couple of hours. A bit of a false alarm.

I think someone has rattled your cage!

I doubt whether there is any intelligence, gosh, expanding on that comment took some resisting! Bhutan entrants to the US probably numbers in the dozens annually. It is on a par with putting tariffs on islands solely inhabited by penguins!

Bhutan is particularly notorious for those!

Yes I wonder? I know Barbuda and Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis well and can't imagine why they are on the list, Bhutan seems pretty harmless.

It's not actually about immigration any more. As ever Trump has moved on. He has assembled a rag tag army of various "Federal Law Enforcement Agencies", turned them into paramilitaries and used them to pick a fight in Los Angeles. He tried, and proved that he can take over and deploy the National Guard, tried and succeeded in deploying regular "active duty" troops as well; and having established those precedents, is moving now to do the same thing in States and Cities run by his political opponents.

Gold coloured phones apparently! Made in China?

"Never, in the field of political celebration, have so many marched in front of so few". Draws upon cigar and takes a refreshing draught of Cognac.

Hmmh, I can't help but arrive at the conclusion that there is no such dissertation - maybe you are being, how shall I put it, a little ambitious in your claims? Unfortunate really, given your repeated enthusiastic condemnation of so many of us as "liars", but there we go!

That is exactly what I am doing. You mentioned your dissertation, I would like to read it - it is, as you say an open topic.

Now, certainly in the UK, dissertations are held in the library of whichever academic institution they are written for; I assume that is also the case in the US. Could you possibly tell us in the library of which institution you dissertation is lodged - since it presumably describes, examines and sets out to prove your often quoted hypothesis that Fascists and NAZIS were actually socialists, I, and I am sure others here would be fascinated to read it!

Yes, but the big leasing companies who provide "I not go Somchai" with their cars on a daily lease basis are "people of influence"!

Will all vehicles working on the ride hailing apps being required to have missing seatbelts, a broken meter covered in an old towel mounted on top of the dashboard and be driven by a chap in a sweaty blue shirt, it's collar protected by a piece of paper held in place by two paperclips? Only fair!

Were the soldiers not being paid? That may have gone some way to explaining the lack of enthusiasm as they shuffled past the reviewing stand, out of step and wearing unpressed combats! A definite lack of grip, and certainly no "bags of swank"!

Oh I say, but Philadelphia is a two hour drive away! You Canadians, no sense of scale!

Rather makes up for no one coming to his birthday parade I suppose! NFL cards, sneakers, watches, bibles and crypto currencies issued by Trump - there aren't half some gullible people knocking around! One question though - if you buy his currency, do you pay in cold hard cash?

I really don't know what all the fuss is about! He is Californian, Latino and a Democrat politician. What further justification is needed for a good slapping by the Federal Goons?

Yes but Kristi Noem has a really good dressing up box - she is not known as the "Cosplay Queen" for nothing!

What if we had a parade, and hardly anybody came?

Leavened perhaps, with a dose of good old fashioned racism? I actually don't think his planning or awareness of consequences extend anywhere near that far. Amongst the factors which underpin MAGA and Trump's political philosophy (they are pretty well indivisible) is a deep rooted xenophobia and racism. This results in a confirmed if often illogical belief in American exceptionalism (white Americans of course), and nostalgic harping back to those halcyon days, before global trade, when America and Americans were self sufficient. They don't believe that they need other countries, and other peoples are responsible for "diluting their bloodlines". We must also remember that Trumps business success has been built upon property, largely inherited and leveraged against, shall we say dubious banking practices, to produce cash to support his extravagant lifestyle! His other ventures: high end foods and drinks, commercial academia, airlines and notably casinos have all failed; he was rescued by "reality TV". He simply does not understand manufacturing, agriculture or most service industries; let alone international trade! Unlike previous Presidents, from either party, he makes no effort to learn about, be informed about or understand them. Everything is black or white, or perhaps red and blue? He personally is able to continue enriching himself, either through the grifting enterprises which he continues to enthusiastically promote, or by soliciting contributions from others (foreign or domestic) who see opportunity in being associated with him. He is fortunate to be in apparent relatively good health (although perhaps not as remarkable as his doctors would have us believe, and therefore simply does not care about medical provision for others. Likewise social programmes, they merely soak up money which should be at the service of he and his supporters. Consequences? What are they? If anything minor inconveniences like not enough "Barbie Dolls". Now some will say that I am a dyed in the wool opponent of Trump and MAGA. They are correct, I loathe the man and what he stands for, and what he is doing to America, it's society and, by extension the rest of the World. I have, I hope, gone some way to explaining why. "Happy Birthday Mr President". So sad that the gorgeous Marilyn Munro was not there to sing it for you. I wonder why Taylor Swift did not do a cover version for you?

Leavened perhaps, with a dose of good old fashioned racism? I actually don't think his planning or awareness of consequences extend anywhere near that far. Amongst the factors which underpin MAGA political philosophy is a deep rooted xenophobia and racism. This results in a confirmed if often illogical belief in American exceptionalism (white Americans of course), and nostalgic harping back to those halcyon days, before global trade, when America and Americans were self sufficient. They don't believe that they need other countries, and other peoples are responsible for "diluting their bloodlines". We must also remember that Trumps business success has been built upon property, largely inherited and leveraged against, shall we say dubious banking practices, to produce cash to support his extravagant lifestyle! His other ventures: high end foods and drinks, commercial academia, airlines and notably casinos have all failed; he was rescued by "reality TV". He simply does not understand manufacturing, agriculture or most service industries; let alone international trade! Consequences? What are they? If anything minor inconveniences like not enough "Barbie Dolls".