The popular press is awash in facthoods. Celebrity sleaze, even of a literary bent, is apparently more interesting and saleable than accomplishment.

The wind knocked the tree over last night. Bam! It nearly scared me to death.

Last night we were awakened by the barking of dogs and yanging of a goose, and investigated to find that the man had neglected to house the geese and the dogs were killing them.

Diplomatic hogwash aside, ‘efficiency and effectiveness’ have nothing to do with the shutting of the Consulate. The decision is but a continuation of successive US measures aimed at “taking Jerusalem off the table” – as per Trump’s own words - of any future negotiations.