Many thanks for all the perceptive comments. Chickenhawk, as wrknight suggests, is a better term for Trump, or just plain warmonger.
"No matter who you vote for, you get John McCain" is a saying that holds a lot of truth. Thus Kamala Harris spoke highly of military lethality and said Iran was America's #1 enemy; bellicose words, though no one knows if she'd have attacked Iran as president. In essence, Seth Moulton says the Iran War is bad but that a war with China over Taiwan would be better; guess he never heard about the utter folly of fighting a land war in Asia.
The one thing few if any candidates ever mention is the USA at peace with the world. You can't be "serious" and mention peace. You have to be like Barack Obama, who said the Iraq War was bad but the Afghan War was good. And how did that work out?
I read an article in NYT, yesterday, saying Pakistan is making/selling electric motorbikes because no one wants to pay for gas. Guess where most of the parts come from--China. Trump and entourage are doing more for China than anyone. The owner of one of the "bike" shops says Trump is their best salesman. Yup, Trump is good for business (even if it's for other countries he terms our "enemies"/competitors). What a "smart" guy!
I heard Chris Murphy offer a similar criticism of Trump and then prattle on about Ukraine. They're all the same - they just choose the 'just' conflict that is not in America's interest.
Every male teenager during the 1960s - particularly after about 1966 - at some time had to ponder his future upon reaching the age of 18 and getting a draft number. Particularly knowing older brothers of classmates who went and didn't make it home alive was sobering. When I was 18, my draft number was 352 and I knew (in 1970) I wouldn't be called.
I can't blame someone who used deferments to avoid military service. Some like the author James Fallow have expressed an almost shame they were able to use the system to stay out of the draft while others of lower economic conditions couldn't. Molly Ivins had perhaps the most reflective comment on the war - no one had any good choices.
Having said that, those who found a way out of the draft but now are the most strident war mongers, and that includes most of the owner class, deserve nothing but contempt. The orange monstrosity in particular should be reviled. That he's not, among a segment of the population who consider themselves 'patriots', reveals how empty the term is.
I was also one of the lucky ones, having drawn a number in the upper 200s, all but ensuring I wouldn't be called. My 2-yrs-older brother and I had previously discussed what we'd do if facing the draft. We considered escape to Canada- only a couple hundred miles north of us; but my brother decided to starve himself to the point of failing any physical; while I figured I'd probably just refuse and go to jail. (I was so glad I didn't have to face THAT experience.) But both of us knew for certain we would NOT enter the military and certainly would not take up arms against any people defending their homes from a foreign invader.
VietNam was for me personally a wake-up call; not because it may have cost me personally but because it shattered any illusions my programming might have instilled about our so-called "democracy", its actual operational values (as opposed to its declared ones), or any such pretenses of altruism in its foreign affairs.
We marched with others- nearly a half-million in the Bronx march we joined; and were buoyed by the prospect that so many others saw what we did. That was then- 1969-70, I was at Fordham Univ. as a freshman. I was still yet unaware that VietNam was just one manifestation and part of a much bigger pattern of militarism and imperialism; but that all became clearer over the ensuing decades.
Yes. My eyes were opened about our country as I lived through that time, also.
Many of my college friends ended up in Viet Nam. Nothing was ever the same after that. You express the ensuing realization and disillusionment very well for many of us in that generation.
One of the tragedies of the Vietnam war is that for most - except those who suffered from it - it was forgotten as soon as was possible. There was no effort to put it into the context of the costs and evils of an imperial project.
I still recall G H W Bush talking about "putting the Vietnam syndrome behind us" as he spoke of the so-called victory in Gulf War 1. The owners said it loud - the only cure for a bad (i.e. lost) war is a new war that brings "victory".
I fear new wars are coming to put the bad war of Iran behind us. Cuba? Greenland? Or China?
Agreed. Tom. That remains for me a big part of my disappointment with the '60s anti-war movement- it was ephemeral... gone as soon as the draft, and the war that prompted it, ended.
It should not have taken anyone by surprise, however, that the political establishment would learn only one thing from that debacle: the essential importance of narrative control and proper care in the manufacturing of consent. No more tolerance for a news media that would do anything more than cater to the imperial establishment and amplify its messages. A complete capture of that media such that there would be no compunction about the abandonment of journalistic principles and ethics.
Thus, for the Empire's managers, "the Vietnam syndrome" refers not to the serious errors of judgment and morality by the US leadership, much less any broader rethinking of the imperialism and militarism that so regularly produces wars; but only to the grave 'mistake' of letting the public see or hear any truth about it.
We appear to now have reached an end-stage of those conditions; though maybe it will get even worse.
I do know that on much of the social media platforms, I often read complaints of censorship through shadow banning, algorithmic restrictions and outright denial of access, and other forms of censorship; and I have personally experienced this on Facebook, where I'm currently blocked in a couple of ways.
I believe personal, family, or tribal honor has to be maintained - even when in service to those who have no honor. That was the problem then, and is the same problem today.
In 1974 I was friends with an American Draft dodger who was a talented Artist. Wanting to encourage him I gave him a deposit asking he do my portrait.
Months went by until February 1, 1975, the Day I experienced the unexpected Spiritual Awakening I was not seeking. Later that night I was with friends but not telling them what happened to me earlier that Day because I didn't understand it.
By chance or design, Dave arrived with the finished portrait. I was expecting it to be conventional, not Dali like.
This excerpt of that surprise scene is from my 'Day of Awakening-David vs Goliath vs Armageddon' article describing what happened 51 years ago.
It was beautifully done in black pencil. Unfortunately the framed drawing was stolen in a break & enter, but fortunately I had a full size copy made of it, and the picture below this script is a reduced size, Asking. “Dave, that’s a jock looking type of image. I wish my body looked that good.” Pointing to what looked like a cowboy hat, I asked, “Is that a cowboy hat?” He answered, “No. It’s not that. That’s a shield and that’s a slingshot. You know. Like David and Goliath”
Imagine my surprise and wonder as he laid those words on my ears, not knowing what was happening inside me. I didn’t fully know what was happening inside me.
Examining it further, I noticed the the car, the symbol of the driving force of the economy and the license plate with the D between the legs. I asked Dave if the D was for his signature. He answered, “No. It’s not that. It could be Death. It could be Divinity. I have no idea.”
Again, I had to wonder what all this meant and how could I make sense of it all? It was the sense of Timing that was amazing. Studying the drawing further, I reasoned since a headless body could not stand, it took Days to realize it symbolized God of the Universe being the Head of the Human Body.
The automobile, the engine of the economy, is at a cliff with no place else to go, much as the Global economy has arrived at the point of stagnation requiring radical change. The bare veins of the Canadian Maple Leaf, the unfinished Canadian Mosaic, represents the theme in my earlier article ‘CanaDa.’
The head in the stump represents the earth bound man oblivious to what the Spirit is doing and the Signs of the Times.
I added the Canadian Coat of Arms after the fact to the shield:
It's pretty disgusting, really. The D's have become at least as comfortable sending others to fight wars of Empire. They only hesitate or protest when it's for political advantage- to criticize the ineptness of Trump, for example. The GOP is much the same. Trump initially was inclined to write off "Biden's war" in Ukraine; though he can't really stand up to the MICIMATT complex to end our continuing involvement, either.
As a guy denied a very sound claim for discharge as a Conscientious Objector in 1969 and subsequently an inmate in several Army stockades for refusing to deploy to Viet Nam, I disagree with the suggestion that we ignore the "bone spurs" fraud. It is so THOROUGHLY emblematic of the sleazy operations of the current POTUS. Roy Cohn was quite the mentor to young Donald. Upon learning of the morale issues reported on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, Donald implied the sailors are a bunch of wimps and their record-breaking (in terms of going without shore leave) continuous deployment was NOT LONG ENOUGH. Well, THAT'S sure gonna boost morale among the swabbies, huh? Meanwhile, it's reported the last carrier that had been stationed near China is being re-deployed to the Middle East. But this should not for a nanosecond lead anyone to believe the US is no longer hellbent on a war with China. :-(
"Upon learning of the morale issues reported on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, Donald implied the sailors are a bunch of wimps..."
What is it now, nine continuous months at sea, longest “deployment” (hate that euphemism) since WWII, you work your shift, go the cafeteria, perhaps shoot some hoops in the hangar, maybe go to the small library or watch some videos, have little contact with loved ones, go home to your bunk. Sounds kinda close to serving time in jail. Think Hegseth is insisting on better “lifestyle” accommodations in the next generation “Tom Cruise-class” aircraft carriers, with no estimate as to how much they’ll cost?
The problem is the U.S. has an obscenely expensive fleet of warships that is too small for the pretensions of the owners to be the hegemonic power. To sustain one ship on station basically requires three other ships (one going home, one coming back to deployment, and one in an extended maintenance period). And a fleet of supply ships (Global Sea Lift Command) that can provide a train of supplies over an 8,000 to 10,000 nautical mile distance in multiple theaters; it does not have that many ships.
The U.S. has spent trillions on defense, but can't provide sailors more than an inadequate meal of mystery meat and a tortilla. The country and military are 'led' by a bunch of dangerous dimwits.
You beat me to it on that comment! Testosterone happens to be a natural steroid. I suspect Crusader Rabbit Pete has to take supplements to keep his own levels elevated. Which would make his comical (but not funny!), absurd macho posturing understandable. "Overcompensation" it's called. :-)
I think we're well en route to that in USA. But it's in relatively slow motion. At some point a critical level of insanity will be arrived at, and anything will go. Actions do have consequences, as do failures to act. Right now no one seems capable of acting to pull our nation back from the brink. :-(
The logistical feat of supplying the Navy, Army, and Marines in the island hopping campaign across the Pacific meant Japan's defeat was inevitable. Extremely expensive, though, as one might I imagine, but such was the cost of victory. But it only had to last about three years, 'til the job was done.
Except we found out we now had developed a vital infrastructure. The campaign to conquer the world could now be unending, anywhere. And real turkey dinners on the holidays for the media to lap up! Smile all you reservists in your months-long "deployment" away from home.
I wonder if any troops are currently being subjected to involuntary extensions of their terms of service. That was going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I'm not hearing anything about it in the current War of Choice.
Haven't heard of anything... yet. But likely pushing the limits, carrier "deployments" are usually six months or less, not only tough on the crew, but also on the refit once back in port, which can then screw up the whole chain of "to, on, return from" station.
And I sincerely hope--would pray if that was "my thing"--that no vessel that will bear the name Trump in any way will ever get completed. Like that idiotic arch Donald thought could be erected in a few months, in time for July 4, these things take time. A lot of time. And it will require a return of Congress to Democratic Party control to cancel any contracts. And that is anything but a sure thing, given the GOP's tireless efforts to rig the game.
I may have misheard, wasn't in same room as the radio during a news summary, but I thought I heard the A. Lincoln had been 700+ days without a break! That would be well over nine months. But don't quote me on that figure.
Not to worry (too much), it's an innate, primeval instinct for survival, there's only so much crap we can take before being overwhelmed by it. Lather, rinse, then get back in the fray.
Republican leaders seem to favor forever wars in the Middle East. Democrat leaders seem to favor forever wars in Eastern Europe. "Not a dimes worth of difference", someone once said. True enough.
The advice to “forget the ‘draft dodger’ nonsense” and to read the “PS” are to be heeded. Note that there is no renunciation of military adventurism by Moulton and derivatives, instead it is attempts to avoid getting caught up in it that is the unforgivable moral failing. Otherwise you are expected to be ready to step up and confront China, thousands of miles away from the Pacific coast. And if China’s sole aircraft carrier (versus our eleven) should ever appear off the coast of California, be ready to buy and display on your front lawn an even larger American flag, and boycott the Chinese restaurants that have been in town for decades.
Agree with TomR. And certainly this Supreme Court will uphold any repeat of the treatment of the Nisei. Except things are different this time around. The Chinese ambassador to the U.S. with send a complimentary order of Gen. Gao's chicken to Trump, with the obligatory fortune cookie, the message inside this one being "Foolish move means debt called."
Special thanks for this, Bill. -- I was a willful refuser during Nam but, fortunately, was granted "conscientious objector" status, primarily due to having been born and raised a Quaker. And the Quaker faith overwhelmingly impels adherents to strongly reject war. I view it as an instrument of the Devil, designed to try to destroy God's creation. . . . and stupid as all get out.
Trump was a draft dodger because he was a coward. I like the draft dodger cognomen because it illustrates his cowardice. Bullies are just cowards in a wolf's clothing!
As a Canadian it distresses me so many Americans are so brain dead, especially the Senate Politicians who confirmed Trump's Personal Lawyer as AG, after he arranged the deal to bar the IRA from doing ANY TAX AUDITS on the Trump Family from the past when he and his Family made $BILLIONS during his 2 Administrations.
It disappeared in importance with the fast changing news cycle. Mafia Don is still getting away with it!
The excuse given in 2016 why he didn't release his Tax Returns customary for the Presidents before him, was because it was under Audit. The results were never made public because he was then President.
88 of the largest corporations in the U.S. paid $0 in federal income tax in 2025 despite reporting $105 billion in profits.
Among these corporations were: 3M, Citigroup, Halliburton, Hasbro, Honeywell International, Liberty Media, Kohl's, Palantir Technologies, PG&E Corp, Tesla, United Airlines Holdings, Venture Global, Yum Brans ... to name a few.
I don’t think it is so much whether Chins is strong as whether we are weak, which would lessen our ability to discourage China’s aggressiveness, sans any need for fisticuffs or the like. But I bet you know that little nuance to the duscusdion, B.
When was the last time China invaded a country? What's the count now up to for China? And the US? In the last say 50+ years, how many countries has the US invaded?
Look up China for yourself, and how it intervenes in other wats, too…don’t be simplistic… I don’t have to dismiss the U S in order to point to things China does. The one does not negate the other. Gad!
You see! You are NOT paying attention. That’s EXACTLY what I said, but you apparently did not pay attention, or you can’t understand anythung but your own droning monologue… I do NOT negate what goes on with the U S ( missing the mote in our own eye) in order to see what China is up to, as well. So go preach your hollow blah-blah somewhere else.
Many thanks for all the perceptive comments. Chickenhawk, as wrknight suggests, is a better term for Trump, or just plain warmonger.
"No matter who you vote for, you get John McCain" is a saying that holds a lot of truth. Thus Kamala Harris spoke highly of military lethality and said Iran was America's #1 enemy; bellicose words, though no one knows if she'd have attacked Iran as president. In essence, Seth Moulton says the Iran War is bad but that a war with China over Taiwan would be better; guess he never heard about the utter folly of fighting a land war in Asia.
The one thing few if any candidates ever mention is the USA at peace with the world. You can't be "serious" and mention peace. You have to be like Barack Obama, who said the Iraq War was bad but the Afghan War was good. And how did that work out?
I read an article in NYT, yesterday, saying Pakistan is making/selling electric motorbikes because no one wants to pay for gas. Guess where most of the parts come from--China. Trump and entourage are doing more for China than anyone. The owner of one of the "bike" shops says Trump is their best salesman. Yup, Trump is good for business (even if it's for other countries he terms our "enemies"/competitors). What a "smart" guy!
I heard Chris Murphy offer a similar criticism of Trump and then prattle on about Ukraine. They're all the same - they just choose the 'just' conflict that is not in America's interest.
Every male teenager during the 1960s - particularly after about 1966 - at some time had to ponder his future upon reaching the age of 18 and getting a draft number. Particularly knowing older brothers of classmates who went and didn't make it home alive was sobering. When I was 18, my draft number was 352 and I knew (in 1970) I wouldn't be called.
I can't blame someone who used deferments to avoid military service. Some like the author James Fallow have expressed an almost shame they were able to use the system to stay out of the draft while others of lower economic conditions couldn't. Molly Ivins had perhaps the most reflective comment on the war - no one had any good choices.
Having said that, those who found a way out of the draft but now are the most strident war mongers, and that includes most of the owner class, deserve nothing but contempt. The orange monstrosity in particular should be reviled. That he's not, among a segment of the population who consider themselves 'patriots', reveals how empty the term is.
I was also one of the lucky ones, having drawn a number in the upper 200s, all but ensuring I wouldn't be called. My 2-yrs-older brother and I had previously discussed what we'd do if facing the draft. We considered escape to Canada- only a couple hundred miles north of us; but my brother decided to starve himself to the point of failing any physical; while I figured I'd probably just refuse and go to jail. (I was so glad I didn't have to face THAT experience.) But both of us knew for certain we would NOT enter the military and certainly would not take up arms against any people defending their homes from a foreign invader.
VietNam was for me personally a wake-up call; not because it may have cost me personally but because it shattered any illusions my programming might have instilled about our so-called "democracy", its actual operational values (as opposed to its declared ones), or any such pretenses of altruism in its foreign affairs.
We marched with others- nearly a half-million in the Bronx march we joined; and were buoyed by the prospect that so many others saw what we did. That was then- 1969-70, I was at Fordham Univ. as a freshman. I was still yet unaware that VietNam was just one manifestation and part of a much bigger pattern of militarism and imperialism; but that all became clearer over the ensuing decades.
Yes. My eyes were opened about our country as I lived through that time, also.
Many of my college friends ended up in Viet Nam. Nothing was ever the same after that. You express the ensuing realization and disillusionment very well for many of us in that generation.
One of the tragedies of the Vietnam war is that for most - except those who suffered from it - it was forgotten as soon as was possible. There was no effort to put it into the context of the costs and evils of an imperial project.
I still recall G H W Bush talking about "putting the Vietnam syndrome behind us" as he spoke of the so-called victory in Gulf War 1. The owners said it loud - the only cure for a bad (i.e. lost) war is a new war that brings "victory".
I fear new wars are coming to put the bad war of Iran behind us. Cuba? Greenland? Or China?
Agreed. Tom. That remains for me a big part of my disappointment with the '60s anti-war movement- it was ephemeral... gone as soon as the draft, and the war that prompted it, ended.
It should not have taken anyone by surprise, however, that the political establishment would learn only one thing from that debacle: the essential importance of narrative control and proper care in the manufacturing of consent. No more tolerance for a news media that would do anything more than cater to the imperial establishment and amplify its messages. A complete capture of that media such that there would be no compunction about the abandonment of journalistic principles and ethics.
Thus, for the Empire's managers, "the Vietnam syndrome" refers not to the serious errors of judgment and morality by the US leadership, much less any broader rethinking of the imperialism and militarism that so regularly produces wars; but only to the grave 'mistake' of letting the public see or hear any truth about it.
We appear to now have reached an end-stage of those conditions; though maybe it will get even worse.
I do know that on much of the social media platforms, I often read complaints of censorship through shadow banning, algorithmic restrictions and outright denial of access, and other forms of censorship; and I have personally experienced this on Facebook, where I'm currently blocked in a couple of ways.
Hello TomR... I aked for, and Received 4-Medical Waivers... I Volunteered.... Tribal Honor Was Involved...
I believe personal, family, or tribal honor has to be maintained - even when in service to those who have no honor. That was the problem then, and is the same problem today.
In 1974 I was friends with an American Draft dodger who was a talented Artist. Wanting to encourage him I gave him a deposit asking he do my portrait.
Months went by until February 1, 1975, the Day I experienced the unexpected Spiritual Awakening I was not seeking. Later that night I was with friends but not telling them what happened to me earlier that Day because I didn't understand it.
By chance or design, Dave arrived with the finished portrait. I was expecting it to be conventional, not Dali like.
This excerpt of that surprise scene is from my 'Day of Awakening-David vs Goliath vs Armageddon' article describing what happened 51 years ago.
It was beautifully done in black pencil. Unfortunately the framed drawing was stolen in a break & enter, but fortunately I had a full size copy made of it, and the picture below this script is a reduced size, Asking. “Dave, that’s a jock looking type of image. I wish my body looked that good.” Pointing to what looked like a cowboy hat, I asked, “Is that a cowboy hat?” He answered, “No. It’s not that. That’s a shield and that’s a slingshot. You know. Like David and Goliath”
Imagine my surprise and wonder as he laid those words on my ears, not knowing what was happening inside me. I didn’t fully know what was happening inside me.
Examining it further, I noticed the the car, the symbol of the driving force of the economy and the license plate with the D between the legs. I asked Dave if the D was for his signature. He answered, “No. It’s not that. It could be Death. It could be Divinity. I have no idea.”
Again, I had to wonder what all this meant and how could I make sense of it all? It was the sense of Timing that was amazing. Studying the drawing further, I reasoned since a headless body could not stand, it took Days to realize it symbolized God of the Universe being the Head of the Human Body.
The automobile, the engine of the economy, is at a cliff with no place else to go, much as the Global economy has arrived at the point of stagnation requiring radical change. The bare veins of the Canadian Maple Leaf, the unfinished Canadian Mosaic, represents the theme in my earlier article ‘CanaDa.’
The head in the stump represents the earth bound man oblivious to what the Spirit is doing and the Signs of the Times.
I added the Canadian Coat of Arms after the fact to the shield:
https://rayjc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/day-of-awakening2.jpg
Ray, thanks.Some artists and writers seem to be able to look around the corner or beyond the mist to point out some truths to the rest of us.
It's pretty disgusting, really. The D's have become at least as comfortable sending others to fight wars of Empire. They only hesitate or protest when it's for political advantage- to criticize the ineptness of Trump, for example. The GOP is much the same. Trump initially was inclined to write off "Biden's war" in Ukraine; though he can't really stand up to the MICIMATT complex to end our continuing involvement, either.
As a guy denied a very sound claim for discharge as a Conscientious Objector in 1969 and subsequently an inmate in several Army stockades for refusing to deploy to Viet Nam, I disagree with the suggestion that we ignore the "bone spurs" fraud. It is so THOROUGHLY emblematic of the sleazy operations of the current POTUS. Roy Cohn was quite the mentor to young Donald. Upon learning of the morale issues reported on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, Donald implied the sailors are a bunch of wimps and their record-breaking (in terms of going without shore leave) continuous deployment was NOT LONG ENOUGH. Well, THAT'S sure gonna boost morale among the swabbies, huh? Meanwhile, it's reported the last carrier that had been stationed near China is being re-deployed to the Middle East. But this should not for a nanosecond lead anyone to believe the US is no longer hellbent on a war with China. :-(
"Upon learning of the morale issues reported on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, Donald implied the sailors are a bunch of wimps..."
What is it now, nine continuous months at sea, longest “deployment” (hate that euphemism) since WWII, you work your shift, go the cafeteria, perhaps shoot some hoops in the hangar, maybe go to the small library or watch some videos, have little contact with loved ones, go home to your bunk. Sounds kinda close to serving time in jail. Think Hegseth is insisting on better “lifestyle” accommodations in the next generation “Tom Cruise-class” aircraft carriers, with no estimate as to how much they’ll cost?
Hegseth is another fool.
The problem is the U.S. has an obscenely expensive fleet of warships that is too small for the pretensions of the owners to be the hegemonic power. To sustain one ship on station basically requires three other ships (one going home, one coming back to deployment, and one in an extended maintenance period). And a fleet of supply ships (Global Sea Lift Command) that can provide a train of supplies over an 8,000 to 10,000 nautical mile distance in multiple theaters; it does not have that many ships.
The U.S. has spent trillions on defense, but can't provide sailors more than an inadequate meal of mystery meat and a tortilla. The country and military are 'led' by a bunch of dangerous dimwits.
Dimwits, nitwits, and halfwits.
You're being charitable.
You beat me to it on that comment! Testosterone happens to be a natural steroid. I suspect Crusader Rabbit Pete has to take supplements to keep his own levels elevated. Which would make his comical (but not funny!), absurd macho posturing understandable. "Overcompensation" it's called. :-)
Someone is expecting entire nations to fall into ruins.
I think we're well en route to that in USA. But it's in relatively slow motion. At some point a critical level of insanity will be arrived at, and anything will go. Actions do have consequences, as do failures to act. Right now no one seems capable of acting to pull our nation back from the brink. :-(
The logistical feat of supplying the Navy, Army, and Marines in the island hopping campaign across the Pacific meant Japan's defeat was inevitable. Extremely expensive, though, as one might I imagine, but such was the cost of victory. But it only had to last about three years, 'til the job was done.
Except we found out we now had developed a vital infrastructure. The campaign to conquer the world could now be unending, anywhere. And real turkey dinners on the holidays for the media to lap up! Smile all you reservists in your months-long "deployment" away from home.
I wonder if any troops are currently being subjected to involuntary extensions of their terms of service. That was going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I'm not hearing anything about it in the current War of Choice.
Haven't heard of anything... yet. But likely pushing the limits, carrier "deployments" are usually six months or less, not only tough on the crew, but also on the refit once back in port, which can then screw up the whole chain of "to, on, return from" station.
And I sincerely hope--would pray if that was "my thing"--that no vessel that will bear the name Trump in any way will ever get completed. Like that idiotic arch Donald thought could be erected in a few months, in time for July 4, these things take time. A lot of time. And it will require a return of Congress to Democratic Party control to cancel any contracts. And that is anything but a sure thing, given the GOP's tireless efforts to rig the game.
"And I sincerely hope--would pray if that was "my thing"--that no vessel that will bear the name Trump in any way will ever get completed."
A garbage scow would be fitting.
I may have misheard, wasn't in same room as the radio during a news summary, but I thought I heard the A. Lincoln had been 700+ days without a break! That would be well over nine months. But don't quote me on that figure.
I think the figure is 271. More than long enough.
Good grief, is my hearing getting "dyslexic"?? Well, like I said, I couldn't hear the radio clearly. :-(
Not to worry (too much), it's an innate, primeval instinct for survival, there's only so much crap we can take before being overwhelmed by it. Lather, rinse, then get back in the fray.
Republican leaders seem to favor forever wars in the Middle East. Democrat leaders seem to favor forever wars in Eastern Europe. "Not a dimes worth of difference", someone once said. True enough.
The advice to “forget the ‘draft dodger’ nonsense” and to read the “PS” are to be heeded. Note that there is no renunciation of military adventurism by Moulton and derivatives, instead it is attempts to avoid getting caught up in it that is the unforgivable moral failing. Otherwise you are expected to be ready to step up and confront China, thousands of miles away from the Pacific coast. And if China’s sole aircraft carrier (versus our eleven) should ever appear off the coast of California, be ready to buy and display on your front lawn an even larger American flag, and boycott the Chinese restaurants that have been in town for decades.
Maybe they'll send all the Chinese-Americans operating those restaurants to ICE determent camps currently under construction.
We did it to Japanese-Americans during WW2.
Agree with TomR. And certainly this Supreme Court will uphold any repeat of the treatment of the Nisei. Except things are different this time around. The Chinese ambassador to the U.S. with send a complimentary order of Gen. Gao's chicken to Trump, with the obligatory fortune cookie, the message inside this one being "Foolish move means debt called."
The scary thing is that's a real possibility. "How do we really know they love America?"
Special thanks for this, Bill. -- I was a willful refuser during Nam but, fortunately, was granted "conscientious objector" status, primarily due to having been born and raised a Quaker. And the Quaker faith overwhelmingly impels adherents to strongly reject war. I view it as an instrument of the Devil, designed to try to destroy God's creation. . . . and stupid as all get out.
Chicken hawk is a better term. Trump is a coward who likes to pick fights using other people to protect him and fight his opponents.
Trump was a draft dodger because he was a coward. I like the draft dodger cognomen because it illustrates his cowardice. Bullies are just cowards in a wolf's clothing!
Seth Moulton is just another dirtbag pushing "China. China. China." He lacks total credibility in my book.
As a Canadian it distresses me so many Americans are so brain dead, especially the Senate Politicians who confirmed Trump's Personal Lawyer as AG, after he arranged the deal to bar the IRA from doing ANY TAX AUDITS on the Trump Family from the past when he and his Family made $BILLIONS during his 2 Administrations.
It disappeared in importance with the fast changing news cycle. Mafia Don is still getting away with it!
The excuse given in 2016 why he didn't release his Tax Returns customary for the Presidents before him, was because it was under Audit. The results were never made public because he was then President.
Speaking of taxes:
88 of the largest corporations in the U.S. paid $0 in federal income tax in 2025 despite reporting $105 billion in profits.
Among these corporations were: 3M, Citigroup, Halliburton, Hasbro, Honeywell International, Liberty Media, Kohl's, Palantir Technologies, PG&E Corp, Tesla, United Airlines Holdings, Venture Global, Yum Brans ... to name a few.
Didn't know you'd start a war right here on this page, did you, Bill?
Just a little microcosm of the world at large, today.
I don’t think it is so much whether Chins is strong as whether we are weak, which would lessen our ability to discourage China’s aggressiveness, sans any need for fisticuffs or the like. But I bet you know that little nuance to the duscusdion, B.
When was the last time China invaded a country? What's the count now up to for China? And the US? In the last say 50+ years, how many countries has the US invaded?
Just googled it. Apparently the US has intervened in over 80 countries in the last 50 years.
Look up China for yourself, and how it intervenes in other wats, too…don’t be simplistic… I don’t have to dismiss the U S in order to point to things China does. The one does not negate the other. Gad!
What's that quote in the bible. Oh yeah, here it is:
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" ~Luke 6:37-42
You see! You are NOT paying attention. That’s EXACTLY what I said, but you apparently did not pay attention, or you can’t understand anythung but your own droning monologue… I do NOT negate what goes on with the U S ( missing the mote in our own eye) in order to see what China is up to, as well. So go preach your hollow blah-blah somewhere else.
I can see you don't do well with bible quotes. I'm not the biggest fan of the bible either. But it does have some doozies here and there.