‘What do you think of Trump’s war against Iran?’ I asked Camp when we met for our weekly beer-chat at the Pub by the harbour.

            ‘You mean Epic Fury? The most arrogant and foolish misadventure of any president or dictator in recent history. There were other vengeful wars started for personal hubris from the Peloponnesian wars to Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s disasterous invasion of Russia but nothing quite as senseless as this war with Iran. There is no plan, no clear objective and no easy way out. It’s just plain stupid.’

            ‘I knew you’d have an opinion, Camp. What’s really unfortunate is that this pointless war will impact everybody, everywhere and it will make life in Iran even harder for its citizens then it already was. More repressive, more isolated, more hopeless.’

            ‘I’ve read an essay by Peter Barker, former Chief White House correspondent. This is what he said last week: “Epic Fury captures the Trump presidency in its essence. It is a quintessentially Trumpian choice for the name of a war. Not for him an Operation Just Cause (Panama), Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti) or Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) or even Operation Iraqi Freedom or New Dawn. No uplifting sentiments like freedom and hope. Trump prefers rage. Everything Mr. Trump does, at least as he sees it, is epic — the biggest, the most, the first, “like we’ve never seen before,” as he likes to say. And much of what he does seems to be driven by fury. This is the Anger Presidency. Anger defines Mr. Trump’s decade on the political stage. Anger at foreigners who come to this country and change its nature. Anger at allies who take advantage of America. Anger at Democrats who cross him. Anger at Republicans who cross him. Anger at appointees he deems insufficiently loyal. Anger at prosecutors, F.B.I. agents, judges, journalists, law firms, elite universities, cultural figures, corporate leaders, pollsters, central bankers and the Norwegian Nobel Committee.”

            ‘Yes, that sums it up nicely,’ I said.  ‘It’s an Epic Tragedy for the whole world. To be ruled by an angry old man with nothing but hate and vengeful fury inside his head is indeed a tragedy unfolding.’ 

            ‘I’m waiting for the ‘No Kings’ demonstrations on the 28^th March. A big turnout is expected across the USA. Will it change anything?’ Camp asked.

‘Probably not. It will make Trump even madder,’ I said. He would probably love nothing more than to deploy the troops out into the streets of his own country to squash all dissent and opposition. He will take it personally, I’m sure.’

‘Unless the army brass refuses to attack their own citizens, as they do in Iran and other autocracies, there will be no change, only more retribution, hate and fear. More disruption and chaos.’

‘Something to look forward to including higher fuel costs, airline tickets and groceries. Nothing like shocking the world economy into overdrive. And we got three more years to go unless he chokes on a cheeseburger,’ I said.

We both drank to that and right on cue Vicky showed up with two fresh ones. 

‘Did I hear cheeseburger? I thought you two lived on beer.’