They don’t love him because he speaks for them, or because he entertains them.

They love him because through him they deploy the only strategy that seems to work any longer – the strategy of terror.

“Take care of us or we’ll blow our country up.”

Ignited by anger, driven by fear. The worse the corruption and criminality, the more heartened his supporters. They glory in the hand-wringing and hypocrisy of legislators and judges who step into line to ratify his conduct.

Through him they have power. They have meaning. They are seen. People have to pay attention.

We are become our own enemy. And the Madih resting at the bottom of the Indian Ocean smiles in delight.