The Old Punchbowl Analogy

 I had a dream the other night that I haven't been able to forget.

I was, for reasons the dream didn't reveal, a member of the recent gathering of European leaders in Washington.

I knew it was in Washington because the room looked like a mid-19th Century whore house: gold dripping off the walls, ceiling, mantles and place tables.

There was barely room for the people.

One of the Europeans coughed nervously and said, "one feels as if the Atlantic Alliance has become a giant punchbowl".

Quick as a wink another said, "and the turd is still in the other room".

We all had a great laugh.