What is a dictatorship?

Wikipedia says (and this is a direct quote)...

'Dictatorships are often characterised by some of the following: 

• suspension of elections and civil liberties; 

• proclamation of a state of emergency;

• rule by decree;

• repression of political opponents;

• not abiding by the procedures of the rule of law; and

• the existence of a cult of personality centered on the leader.'

Does this remind you of anyone/anywhere?

We suggest adding a seventh test - declaring that all accusations that you are a dictator are 'fake news'

Picture credit: Wix AI

Trump takes credit for planetary alignment

President Trump today explained that his administration was responsible for the unusual planetary alignment that allowed no less than seven planets to be visible in the sky last night.

'Would never have happened with sleepy Joe' he told assembled White House reporters. 'This is a great day for American astrologers… astroturfers… whatever the hell they are.'

He went on to say that now the planets were obeying his bidding, it was time to think about opening hotel/casino resorts on other worlds.

'We’re calling it Mars-a-Lago, it’s gonna be great, the best thing ever. You get on one of Elon’s spaceships at Cape Canaveral, and assuming it doesn’t blow up on launch - and they’re getting much better, believe me - you’re there in 7–8 months.'

Asked whether people would really want to travel so far just to visit a barren wasteland with no atmosphere, he replied, 'People go to Atlantic City, don’t they?'

'Besides, that’s based on where Mars is now. We’re gonna be bringing it much closer. And by the way, don’t believe the people who say that would mess up gravity, or whatever, that’s just a Big Science conspiracy theory. Teach the controversy.'

Picture credit: Freepik AI

Trump's version of 'speak softly'

The current President of the United States seems to have adopted his own slightly modified version of Theodore Roosevelt's famous aphorism 'speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far'. The revised version amounts to 'yell incoherently and brandish a big stick wildly in all directions.'

It remains to be seen how far he will go.

(There is another version, of course: 'Whisper quietly in your president's ear while carrying a chainsaw.')

Picture credit: Wix AI