In a dystopian future the leader of the free world is a rotund man, devoid of empathy. A man whose features peer out from behind a mask of a radiant hue, a man who festoons his living quarters with the garish blandishments of opulence and entertains his guests with fast food while the citizens scrabble for the meagre offerings available to them. In this future, corrupt warlords visit to pay homage. Critics are silenced, shouted down for their impudence and his followers adorn themselves with his symbolism.
Pronouncements that would put Caligula to shame are issued on a daily basis. A harem of young women are offered to him by those seeking favour and the disdain with which he treats the female populace is not hidden from sight.
Like all good despots there are Jesters aplenty to entertain him, Jesters and Knaves abound in his court.
His kingdom is protected from interlopers by a high wall, guarded by the paramilitary and celebrated by the acolytes.
His devotees see him as almost religious figure; a Jesus without a conscience. He is a snake oil salesman with less integrity, a bile filled tyrant with a motto, a man without a moral compass.
This is not a preface to a science Fiction novel from the mid 1970s, this is not an unused Mad Max synopsis, no, this is America 2025. And it's leader is a cross between Baron Harkonnen and Immortan Joe, who cheats at golf and salivates over his daughter. All that's missing are hybrid cars roaring across the plains and skulls haging from lampsts in Washington.
Like most things that are real, truth is stranger than fiction and the reality of the current President's tenure is the stuff of future shock. Each day brings a new sound bite of dubious content. Each action and pronouncement is more bizarre than the last. The levels of denial and delusion are staggering, yet he prevails, his zealous fanbase lift him in his throne, his MAGA minions prop up his ego, polish his crown of thorns, belittle his opponents and the the term "fake news" as a weapon.
A quote, attributed to Abraham Lincoln (the antithesis of the current incumbent) is aposite:
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having said that;