Thanks, Andrea. I'm glad I am, too.

Steve, technically you're right: the Queen is the symbolic head of state in the UK. But only symbolic. She has no power. The effective governing head of state is the Prime Minister. "State dinners" in the White House are typically reserved for real heads of state, not symbolic ones.

Robert, unlike most people here I have no idea who you are. However, I saw you on the BBC recently on "The Trap: Whatever Happened to Our Dream of Freedom", and I must have been the only person watching who was thinking "Hey, it's that bloke from Vimeo!"

I'm sure you are right in your state dinners comment. I'd only add that most Western democracies have symbolic heads of state, be they monarchies or elected, and a separate person as head of government. The USA is relatively unusual amongst "democracies" in combining both roles.

It's nice to have chatted, mate. This head of state business aside, I agree with everything you say.

I'd venture that pretty much anything is better than FOX News.

agreed

Agreed.

If I were a betting man, I'd say Thompson has the Republican primary sewn up (if and when he enters, officially). I'd also say he has a better than 50-50 chance of becoming the next president. Do not underestimate him. And do not underestimate his regressive conservatism.

Reduce short-term interest rates.

I will take that as a compliment.

Oh, it was. Sorry if it sounded backhanded. It was intended genuinely.