@Marmaladeagain
no they're laughing rainy - they have become figures of ridicule. They provide laugh out loud moment of bemused shock. They are not taken seriously by anyone.
I agree.
They want to be perceived as worthy and credible but continually shoot themselves in the foot.
They could have left the RF and moved to the US without any of the drama that has ensured.
That path would have involved communicating, negotiating and compromising.
They chose not to do this and the consequences of those choices are theirs to own, be they financial, security orientated or public perception.
There are of course some people that admire their determination to to things "their way".
However, I think most people realise that life is often a series of negotiations and compromises.
It's very rare in life to have your lemon cake and eat it - especially when the expectation is that all the expensive organic ingredients are paid for by someone else.
Most people simply laugh at their audacity.