Hi there RUNNER & DAVID F...

I don't understand some of his ways, but when he says he'll do something he usually does. On the other hand, Mr. Barak OBAMA is probably the worst US President in my living memory. He certainly didn't seem to have the confidence, of his military people. That said, he did manage to locate and deal with BIN LADEN, which would've earned him a few 'Brownie Points' from his Military leaders.

As you say, Mr.TRUMP did manage to 'route-out' those far left 'news hacks' who've been forever peddling fake news, for so long now. And I should think Mr. TRUMP will be far more valued, after he's completed his second term. And the population can see just what it is, that he's done, that's been so beneficial, for the entire Nation. I have a mate, who's recently retired from the Bureau. He was the PFI for the entire West Coast. He and his colleagues won't stand a bar of anyone speaking derogatorily about Mr. TRUMP! So apparently even the FBI like him? Thanks RUNNER.

Hi DAVID F...

Thank you for your most comprehensive response to the questions I put to you, dealing with F/A's and the TRUMP Administration. Your thoughts and opinions are what I would expect from someone of your particular demographic. Though I would expect you'd opt for tighter gun laws, concerning their possession and use, however, you weren't all that bothered if someone had one and as long as they could legitimately justify their reasons?

Your various opinion's on Mr. Donald TRUMP wasn't as harsh as I expected. Your main criticism was, he's deficient in his knowledge of Science and the Humanities, as are most? Are both of those particular studies, vitally important, in order to make a good President? A lack of knowledge, of the Sciences and the Humanities? Useful perhaps, mandatory I wouldn't think so? Many thanks, DAVID F, I appreciate you answering my questions.

Mr Trumps'presidency has certainly caused a great
deal of controversy. The chaos of staff turnover,
two secretaries of state, two secretaries of defence,
two attorney-generals, three White House Chiefs of
Staff and a revolving door of senior West Wing aides.

The foreign policy by tweet. The chumminess with
adversarial authoritarian leaders such as Kin Jong-un
and Vladimir Putin. The blurring of ethical lines
supposedly the Trump White House from The Trump
business empire. The Russian collusion investigation
which has raised questions, so far not quite settled
about his true allegiance. And the list goes on.

Trump's administration has certainly been like no
other.

America needs Trump as the opposition has no equal leadership to match him.

Dear o sung wu,

I think it is extremely important that a national leader be knowledgeable in the science and humanities. We live in a world where we are the mercy of technology. Our military capacity, our communication, our economy, our health and our environment are all dependent on our technology. Trump thinks global warming is a hoax, and we can continue messing up the environment without suffering by it. Trump thinks by pouring vast amounts of money into the military he can maintain military superiority. In that he is a fool. 9/11 cost the terrorists very little. With box cutters and clever planning they cost the US a great deal. They were motivated by their religious belief.

As far as I am concerned religion is basically mumbojumbo with a gloss of mystery. A competent leader should know how it inspires people but should not be taken in by it. Trump has his base of support in people motivated by Protestant fundamentalism. Their vision of the world is no more sophisticated than the terrorists of 9/11. They do not appreciate the value of the separation of church and state put in the US Constitution by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. I think that separation is a big reason for USA predominance. I don’t believe Trump is a fundie, but he was able to use fundies as the basis of his support. I think the damage they can do to the USA is greater than the damage done by the 9/11 terrorists.

To make decisions concerning the welfare of the people of a country one should be knowledgeable in philosophy and literature. Philosophy asks the big questions, and good literature throws a light on people’s behavior. They help make a person an effective thinker. A leader of a country should be primarily concerned with the welfare of the people and the defense of the country. To make the best decisions in both those areas a leader should be knowledgeable in science and the humanities. I believe that Trump’s deficiencies in those areas make him unfit to be president.

Is Mise,

I wonder why you might think that any ordinary citizen in Oz or NZ, or even in the U.S., ought be able to possess a self-loading centrefire rifle or machine gun as a matter of right?

Now, please don't try to tell me that Oz farmers ought be able to own such to protect them from all the nasty critters abounding, or to mow down all those nasty feral pigs or goats. These days there can be good money in such ferals - but they need to be rounded up, or at least bagged in accordance with appropriate butchering standards.

Target shooting? Personal protection? Give it a rest, please.

Surely not a trained civilian militia? Like those doing such a great job maintaining law and order in so many places OS? East Timor comes to mind, in times now fortunately passed, or Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and so many other troubled near-lawless environs?

I have been a cattle farmer, and have been a shooter virtually all of my life - mostly target, fullbore, smallbore, pistol - and a little hunting (of late only of feral dogs), and have attained some dongs.
I've never felt the need for a semi-automatic of any kind, and alternatively have always endeavoured to apply absolute precision - including foregoing a shot if in any doubt of clean result.

White Supremacists seem to be the most vocal and determined on the need for ordinary folks (including many who are mentally disturbed, intellectually challenged or otherwise paranoid) to amass minor personal armories. Poor misguided (and dangerous) fools - in my view.

Trump appears to be in the pocket of the U.S. NRA (who appear absolutely in favour of a heavily armed civilian population).
Wow! Such a man! I wonder how much they contributed to his campaign, and are continuing to contribute - so long as he, Trump, continues to play ball?

Trump has tried to return thousands of long-term temporary visa holders to parts of strife torn Central America, but was stopped by the courts.
Such a man. He surely is larger than life? Phooey.

Saltpetre,

"I wonder why you might think that any ordinary citizen in Oz or NZ, or even in the U.S., ought be able to possess a self-loading centrefire rifle or machine gun as a matter of right?"

I share your wonder, I haven't owned a semi-auto centre fire for decades, and only had them then for study purposes, like you I'm all in favour of precision, that's why my favourite hunting rifle is a scoped, single shot, No1 Ruger in .220 Swift calibre.
For bunnies and hares, I use a single barrel 20gauge muzzle loading flintlock.

However as some self-loading rifles are slower to fire than some bolt action ones, then I see the ban on such as a bit unrealistic.

Blanket bans can be a bit silly; a learner driver in NSW cannot drive a Ford V8 of 60 horsepower but he/she can drive a 4 cylinder modern car of greater horsepower and almost twice the useable speed.