Good or bad. Trump is the only hope left for not just America, but the entire West, particularly Australia, which has had nothing but very bad politicians since John Howard.

Australians are in no position to judge the character of Donald Trump or anyone else, when they keep voting for the rubbish in Canberra as they do.

Australian police, the media and our MPs are terrified of the pro-Palestinian protesters. The police and politicians are cowards, and the media ignores the weekly anti-Semitic ranting on our streets.

We have 3 flags, representing how divided we are. No other country in the world has more than one official flag.

The ignorant judges of other people and countries, jabbering about Australia being the “best country in the world” wouldn't know if their arses were on fire.

Hi Again Yuyutsu,

Speculation about the origins of Christianity is interesting. In early writings "Christians" are not referred to as such, but rather called disciples and their practices and beliefs were that of Orthodox Jews. For example the concept of the "Resurrection Of Christ" didn't gain traction until about 70AD, and it divided devotees. James and his followers believed Christ had been executed by the Romans as a martyr, they certainly did not believe he had risen from the dead, or that he was "God". St Paul produced his Epistles (writings) around 48AD to 64AD, which radicalized Christian beliefs completely, and changed its direction to a point where it eventually become universally acceptable, particularly to the Roman establishment. The old school of Christian belief still exists today, read up on Messianic Jews.

Talking about flags?

The UK has many flags - including the Union Jack, the
Royal Standard, and of course the flags of individual
countries and regions.

There's also flags of the British armed forces, and flags
of the Commonwealth, the United Nations and other
international organisations.

Most countries have more than one flag.

.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Donald Trump is, or should I say has become a populist politician, which means that he alone knows what the people want, and he is the final judge of people’s rights because he and he alone represents the people.

That may seem to be democracy to some people, but it is not. Democracy is collective self-determination which means that we don’t let our political decisions be made by a king or president or whatever, we make them collectively ourselves, we together decide what laws we should abide by. That is the promise of democracy : rule by the people for the people.

Democracy also implies that we as individuals have certain rights and freedoms. We don’t just let the majority, the president, or the prime minister decide whatever they want, and tell us what we can think, do, believe, or say. In a liberal democracy, we enjoy a realm of freedom unimpeded by the government in which we are allowed to determine ourselves what we think, do, believe, or say.

To protect those rights and freedoms, we don’t just have legislation we also have a set of independent institutions to enforce the rule of law, because if we did not, a president or prime minister who did not like what we think, do, believe or say, could have us jailed with impunity.

With Donald Trump as president, the US is heading for a populist form of government. The key members of his future cabinet and administration are being chosen for their loyalty to Donal Trump, not for their competence or qualifications. They are then submitted to a gruelling cross-examination ceremony by the Senate before being admitted into the Trump team.

It reminds me of the recruiting ceremony of the Cosa Nostra. Hopefully, that’s where the similitude ends.

It is, however, a fact that populism inevitably leads to a dictatorship, which is why so many of the elite rich and powerful in the US are reneging on their formerly declared values and embracing those of Donald Trump.

Don’t hold your breath !

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Dear Banjo,

Trust is everything in politics. We need leaders we
can trust. Leaders who put our interests first ahead
of their own. Leaders whose actions matter more than
what they say. Who we can judge by their actions.
Who are out to make a difference - not a career and
grab for power.

Can we really trust Trump?

I'll repeat what you said - Don't hold your breath!