Ben Blake

Exactly. Britain and the USSR both thought they could conquer Afghanistan with their new technologies of the time. Both failed. Then the US tried with its own new technology, and failed. Big surprise.

Also he's horribly wrong (again). Bombing Cambodia and using napalm on innocents is not taking it easy. Vietnam and Afghanistan were both unwinnable wars.

Not by a single man. The threat comes from a GOP that has been heading this way for decades, and which spewed Trump up like a cat with a hairball.

I. Am. Reading.

All true, but a lot now depends on how the generals react. If they back Trump, or just stand aside and let events unfold, then it will show that Trump 'can' make things up as he chooses.

I'm afraid it may turn out that way.

Hmm, well, you can't have nice things because you voted for a Neanderthal fascist paedophile with an orange face.

Collectively, of course.

Oh, I'm not defending Reform. I just point out that the electorate feels betrayed and uncared-for, and voters are looking outside the traditional centre for answers. Hence Reform, the RN, Brothers of Italy, the AfD, Trump, etc.

And there in a nutshell is the appeal of Reform. Their support isn't mostly racists, it's people who can see the wealth growing but it's never for them. It's people who are sick of being told to work harder for less. Reform may not be the answer, but the traditional parties certainly are not.

Or the aliens from Footfall (Larry Niven). 50mg of Pastempeh-Keph please, and also a bottle of Chintithpit-Mang.

Sometimes we go to dark places. That doesn't matter; what counts is that we climb out of them. Good for you.

I thought it was an OK film. Predictable bubble gum, but pleasant enough for kids.

Agree - though the problem is that the issues afflicting America today have always been there. If America now is deeply unwell, and it is, then America has always been sick to the bone.

Not enough of you do.

That just happened here. Grass was brown and looked dead. Then 2 days of rain, and a week later the grass is as high as an elephant's eye.

Well, nearly.

Just guessing, but it might be because people are so thick.

Let's wait and see what the show is. Same as before? Victory. Changed in myriad subtle ways, or less forthright and outspoken? A slinking stinking piece of cowardice.

Shocker there.

Or Throaties, when they were STRONG. Chew one and you went numb from tongue to stomach. Fantastic stuff.

"The solid unmoving cattle of the majority."

The most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom.

I understand it. I have young daughters, they love Disney, and while they're becoming old enough to understand morality and the importance of our actions, they also still deserve to have joyful, innocent childhoods. It can be a tough balance to strike.

Really good advice.

Probably there is, because Mercury is not very massive. The odds of something in the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud being more massive, are quite good.

Well, yes, but I meant terrifying in a good way, if that's possible.

When we click, when we get the attack/defence balance right, we are going to be terrifying.

"There aren't any wars in Engiru these days..."

You can read a sample of my novel, The Scholar's War, for free!

Go to www.amazon.com/scholars-war-ben-blake/DP/1938888359/ and click the 'Free Sample' tab.

#amwriting #Fantasy #novel

I'm old enough to remember when cockroaches often did eat the last few pages.

Well, nearly.

I have young children. Some days I'm up so early I hardly have time to get into bed.

Great. I take co-codamol for my knackered back, and now I have a song for it.

Not his best, but still a very good read.

I love the sentiment.

Sadly though, for many, what divides Americans is more important than what unites them.