David Short

'Semi-sentient haystack' 🤣. You ought to copyright that expression. Thank you for making me chuckle. 🤣

I feel cruel saying this, because it's not the children's fault and everyone is entitled to their own credibility, but I'm beginning to think there are too many Boris genes around. Of course, they could turn out to be so much better than their dad. For their sake and ours, I hope so.

This is David from England. Goodness, so 40+ is 'over the hill' then, is it? To use an expression from this side of the Pond, crickey! 😮

True! 😃

...... and for any non-Brits reading this, Rookie's comment is abrieviated Cockney rhyming slang. 'Syrup of Figs' = 'Wig'.

Yes 🙄

To answer your question directly (and sure you know this), the problem is that you're only preaching to the converted. The people who NEED to see your messages won't be, and even IF they did, they would dismiss them out of hand.

🤣

I heard Sebastian Gorka, Donald Trump's 'special adviser', oh BBC's 'World at One'. He is a highly unpleasant, aggressive, bully. The interesting thing to me, though, is that he is SO unpleasant, he must turn off neutrals who might actually be prepared to give the Trump administration a hearing.

I knew that, Alom. 🤣 I hope that shaving cut heals quickly, and carry on minding the jugular. 😃

I'm sorry to read of your bad start to the day, Alom. I'm sure it'll improve. 😃 The sun is shining, at least, and the Wysteria in my garden is looking lovely. 🌞

Thank you for keeping us updated, Eugene. The United States may have gone over to the 'dark side' under Trump, but the rest of the free world is, on the whole, still aware of which party is the evil one. Your reporting is vital. Putin cannot be allowed to win. (David in England)

Nice pun! Amazing discovery, too.

Brilliant! 🤣

I'm 67 now, and for the previous decades of my existence, Patty, I have been living a complacent life, believing a liberal free and expanding world was the future. Instead, we have an America well on the way to dictatorship and much of Europe with an expanding far-right. The future is scary. 😣

I'm reading this in the UK, and you're answering (partially at least) a question I have been asking myself for a while. What the heck happens if the American military is required/requested/ordered to take action to destoy/protect the constitution? I can only see a divided military and thus chaos.

Beautiful 💛

(David in England)

Congratulations to your boys on a thoroughly deserved Premier League title. Liverpool (and Arne) have been class this season. Brilliant goal from Mo yesterday, too. Great he's signed his contract and we can continue to see his talent in the Premier League. (From this Charlton Athletic fan)

I love the new Tortoise Media-owned Observer. Thank you. (Mind you, I loved the old Guardian-owned Observer, too.) Wishing The Observer, a long and successful future. We need you!

😢🙏🙏

🤣

I mirror that completely. (David in England)

Gosh, you are going through a lot. My deepest sympathy to you. 🙏

Signed!

Sadly, unsurprising from that rag.

You're right, of course, Paul, and that lack of education has probably brought America to the state it is now. I love the French too, and that's despite the fact that they defeated us in 1066, too. (David in England) Seriously though, Macron is great, and his actions today said a lot.

This is good! (David in England)

A surreal nightmare. It's so shocking because, until recently, this was the country that was the leader of the free world. Now it's on a par with Russia and Myanmar. (David in England) Oh, and wishing you the best in your election. Carney all the way, please. 🙏

I am speaking from the other side of the Pond, Forest - as an Englishman. I take a very active interest in politics and world affairs, and the Trump presidency and its possible future knock-ons is/are filling me with dread. Your reply fills me with a great deal of comfort.

....... but, does the prospect of a Vance presidency fill me with less dread? Absolutely not. 😞