Not All Talk is Cheap

When everyone else is either a flunkey or a foe, there is no particular reason for spending good money on diplomacy; and the Trumpster and his head-tribble are following up recent economies at the State Department by closing consulates and macerating missions across five countries and three continents. Their Imperial Majesties' Loyal Opposition duly objected on the grounds that American isolationism may cause the less emotionally stable races to fall prey to the subtle suasions and insidious inveiglings of the Heathen Chinee; but perish the thought that yellow fever should be the only patriotic deterrent. Ever mindful of fundamental republican and democratic values, the critics also carped at the financial savings, which are unlikely to be large enough for translation into appropriate political rewards.