really have the clout, and International influence his vitriolic minders, and spin doctors elude to, as part and parcel of his magnetic charisma and persona ?

Ironical. Howard donated $ 1B(AUD)in Aid, following the destructive Indonesian Tsunami, May.2006. The people of Aceh, Nias, are still suffering the aftermath ,even today. Wide spread destruction of electricity, water and basic essentials are still lacking, despite centres to manage and distrubute Funds earmarked for victims. Evidently, the earlier skirmish with Djakarta still prevails, and the subjugation of local dissadents is alive and well. Curiously, how much is this exercise in off-shore diplomacy going to cost us anxious taxpayers Kevin ?

For all the Public clamour and derison, have we learnt anything from other Nation's follies ? After Abu Gharib, torture cells, bestial admonishments, denials, and Dick Cheney's holier-than-thou Gitmo concentration facilities, the holocaust, Auschwitz death camp etc ?
On the other hand, there are many who would trade their mother-in-law for stardom and celebrity status, for paltry dimes and nickles.

Finally, we have the brain-child of Adolph and Himmler: " the Final Solution." That people of Aryan Race should populate the World, and inferior races i.e Jews,Poles, Gypsies, Slavs etc obliterated, exterminated like vermin. All in the name of Ethnic cleansing. The Master Race, eventually to delussionaly rule the World - if only !

Is there some moral turpitude and parallel ?