". . . unless you are planning on sending a gunboat and establishing a colony."

Pots and kettles, Richard?

I am a citizen of a country that used to be a British colony (until we decided we didn't want to be anymore;   "Bloody cheek!!"). You might try learning a little of your own history. For example, that fairly extended era in which the boast was "The sun never sets on the British Empire."

I don't think the United States has any "colonies."

Don Firth

P. S. Someone a few posts back used the phrase, "terrorists and terrorist sympathizers." I'm amazed at the people on this thread who have tacitly declared themselves "terrorist sympathizers" in the literal meaning of the expression!!