And still, we can't seem to get enough of the people to rise up against this. Too many people prefer oblivion. I also don't want to criticize others, I want to motivate them. I don't want to give up. I don't want to live on my knees, with no real freedom.
If, as You say Bill, the Executive Branch of this Government is in the hands of “crusading, dangerous, and delusional” men, what does that say about the Legislative Branch and whose hands it is in?
More importantly, what does that say about The American Citizen-Voter, who put those people in those positions of power in the first place, and then keep them there?
In any event, none of this started with Trump 2.0. All he is doing is building on what his predecessors Biden, Trump 1.0, Obama, Cheney/Bush II, Clinton, Bush I/Reagan, Carter, Nixon, and Johnson did and got away with; virtually always with the ever able and willing compliance of Congress.
We appear to be living in the Twilight Zone episode, "It's a Good Life", with Trump playing Billy Mumy's character, Anthony; and Congress, his father. Even as Anthony prepares to have it snow to kill off all the crops, his father is telling him it's good he's making it snow and tomorrow will be a better day.
Whether Congress ultimately approves the $1.5 request (for 2027) - is to be determined. But there is no pushback or even demands to know on what the money will be spent. Perhaps everyone believes the money will never be approved - and just hope to wait it out. But no one is prepared to face Anthony, or they will be banished.
But as in the Twilight Zone episode's ending, Anthony is going to make it snow - and Netanyahu is coming to DC tomorrow.
Until the USA has its ass handed to it in a war, it will stay blind to the light of reason. That Comic Book 'Captain America' is the veritable proof of this proposition. With great sympathy for the inevitable casualties and much regret for the necessity, but for the peace of the world, I hope that Netanyahu is successful in convincing or coercing Trump into a decisive attack on Iran.
I cannot for a microsecond picture Iran handing an attacking US military a major defeat. Sad to say. US technology is simply crushingly superior, and the number of bombs and missiles in US arsenal almost infinite. To be sure, Iran should be able to mount a better defense than Saddam Hussein's military did for Iraq, but still. This would be a largely one-way war, with massive air assaults to loosen up the target. US boots on Iranian soil? Ah, that would be messy, but the Iranian regime's "Revolutionary Guards" might not be as tough as we are led to believe. Beating up women in the streets for dress code violations is not the same as trying to fend off an invading US military behemoth. :-( [Memo to Hegseth: dude, let's see you out front leading the charge, your Crusader tattoos shining in the Persian sunlight for all the world to see!!!]
About those tattoos---I read shortly after he was confirmed that the designs are associated with Nazis/white supremacists. Anybody know if there's truth to that?
Apparently the largest tattoo visible on Hegseth resembles an Iron Cross, a design used by numerous nations on medals, not confined to Germany. But Neo-Nazi belief system of course ties in with the notion of "Christian" knights on white horses slaying the evil infidel Muslims.
It depends on how you define defeat? After June 13, Iran legitimately sees the US/Israel is forcing Iran into an EXISTENTIAL THREAT situation, and nothing will be held back if the US/Israel initiates the violence. The US/NATO is also forcing Russia into a similar EXISTENTIAL THREAT situation.
We can thank God, Putin has the patience and restraint so far, not to respond to US/NATO provocations. He understands, if the Americans don't, escalation brinkmanship means the End of so-called Civilization, and billions of Human Lives gone in a poof of Fire and smoke!
There are over 40,000 US troops within range of Iran missiles. In the War Israel started June 13, after 12 Days, Israel's missile defence was depleted. Iran showed they can penetrate Israel's most sophisticated defences and strike with pinpoint accuracy. Failing all of that, Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz or even attack the all the Oil sites in the Middle East, and crash to whole Global Economy on the large scale, like the US is causing in Cuba as the example.
Are you not aware of the US war gaming exercises that showed Iran would win? That was before Iran had drones and hypersonic missiles.
You’ll know already of course that the carrier group is staying well out of range of them, and that the Tomahawk missiles have that same range?
And those carrier-launched fighter-bomber jets would have to fly 1,000km to Iran and 1,000km back. Check out their operational range.
By all means you go for it.
And of course you know that despite all the superior technology the US was run out of Afghanistan by men in sandals with Kalishnikovs?
And just recently the US had to give up its fight with the Houthis because too many multimillion dollar drones were being shot down and drones and missiles fired at US naval vessels quickly depleted their stocks of interceptor missiles?
The technology for attack drones and defensive systems to neutralize such attacks is ever-evolving. I'll make no predictions about how things might play out in all-out joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. (On a much grander scale than the last operation, in other words.) Except the no-brainer that Iran would suffer exponentially more damage and human fatalities than the other side. Which requires no genius to predict!!
You discount the near term consequences of a collapsed Global Economy, no fuel, supply chains disrupted, no public services, and a US armed to the teeth following the US example of might makes right, everyone being in an EXISTENTIAL mode. WE see the consequences of that in real time in Cuba TODAY!
The global economy is already a house of cards awaiting a stiff breeze to collapse it. I don't see a US-Israeli all-out assault on Iran as being the match to set the world ablaze.
Obviously Gregory, you see "The global economy is already a house of cards awaiting a stiff breeze to collapse it" and you gave much thought to whatever possibilities could arise?
If you can't see my scenario being the match, and since Biblically, ARMAGEDDON starts with Israel, what other match or matches do you see that could set the world ablaze I don't see?
Wait for it, Gregory! It seems that you have not been following military developments or US wars for a number of decades. Can you name the war won by the US in the last 80 years, or ever by Air Power alone?
Never believe propaganda, especially that of your own side!
I said nothing about US "winning" a decisive victory. I simply indicated that Iran would not be able to defend itself against massive US airstrikes. That's how the US wants its undeclared wars, very lop-sided.
I can't give it a 'like' - but agree that it will take many, many body bags coming home - more than can be ignored by the MSM and no ability of the regime to shout jingoistic propaganda to incite the masses. But even then....maybe it will still take $10 per gallon gasoline and empty store shelves.
This must not be forgotten: Against whom did the "original" Crusaders wage war? Why, it was against those of the Islamic faith, of course. The ostensible purpose of those crusaders--their failed efforts stretched over multiple endeavors in different long ago centuries--was to "liberate" the "Holy Land" from Muslims and re-establish Jerusalem as the World HQ of Christianity. I haven't read as extensively on those historical events as I'd like to--so much to read, so little time!--but I recall the primary instigator of/agitator for one of the Crusades was deemed to be TOTALLY INSANE!! Hmm, that's appropriate. As is the track record of failure to cleanse "The Holy Land" of Islam. Beware of crusades couched in religious ideological verbiage. The real goal is to seize territory and milk it of its natural resources. If present day Iran was not rich in oil and natural gas, do you think the US Ruling Class would give the least hoot about domestic repression of dissent there??
It's worrying to me that the Felon wants to resume nuclear testing, and that there's been no attempt whatsoever to extend the START treaty (by Putin's decree?).
Obviously, various powers-that-be (i.e., outside pressures) have managed to forestall some of the Felon's worst impulses, such as the invasion of Greenland. But he can order nuclear deployment. What if, say, some official in some other country somewhere grossly insulted Dear Leader, he reacted in an incandescent fury, and ordered a launch? Would the military refuse? Or would we enter "The Dead Zone?"
And still, we can't seem to get enough of the people to rise up against this. Too many people prefer oblivion. I also don't want to criticize others, I want to motivate them. I don't want to give up. I don't want to live on my knees, with no real freedom.
If, as You say Bill, the Executive Branch of this Government is in the hands of “crusading, dangerous, and delusional” men, what does that say about the Legislative Branch and whose hands it is in?
More importantly, what does that say about The American Citizen-Voter, who put those people in those positions of power in the first place, and then keep them there?
In any event, none of this started with Trump 2.0. All he is doing is building on what his predecessors Biden, Trump 1.0, Obama, Cheney/Bush II, Clinton, Bush I/Reagan, Carter, Nixon, and Johnson did and got away with; virtually always with the ever able and willing compliance of Congress.
It says nothing good, Jeff.
We appear to be living in the Twilight Zone episode, "It's a Good Life", with Trump playing Billy Mumy's character, Anthony; and Congress, his father. Even as Anthony prepares to have it snow to kill off all the crops, his father is telling him it's good he's making it snow and tomorrow will be a better day.
Whether Congress ultimately approves the $1.5 request (for 2027) - is to be determined. But there is no pushback or even demands to know on what the money will be spent. Perhaps everyone believes the money will never be approved - and just hope to wait it out. But no one is prepared to face Anthony, or they will be banished.
But as in the Twilight Zone episode's ending, Anthony is going to make it snow - and Netanyahu is coming to DC tomorrow.
Hello TomR.... I agree that Nothing Good comes from Netanyahu visiting DC... Someone Commented that Israel has its own Branch of the USG....
"Last one to leave, please turn the lights out." Although things are likely to get very dark well before we can get out.
Hello X K .... Are You Paraphrasing Jim Morrison?....
To be honest, dunno where it originated, just kinda stuck with me since I first came across it.
Hello X K .... Listen to Jim Morrison's 'When The Musics Over'...
Kinda outta my musical comfort zone, Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, et al., but will check it out.
Hello X K ... We are both Dating Ourselves....
Just listened to it. Nope, not where I heard it.
Until the USA has its ass handed to it in a war, it will stay blind to the light of reason. That Comic Book 'Captain America' is the veritable proof of this proposition. With great sympathy for the inevitable casualties and much regret for the necessity, but for the peace of the world, I hope that Netanyahu is successful in convincing or coercing Trump into a decisive attack on Iran.
I cannot for a microsecond picture Iran handing an attacking US military a major defeat. Sad to say. US technology is simply crushingly superior, and the number of bombs and missiles in US arsenal almost infinite. To be sure, Iran should be able to mount a better defense than Saddam Hussein's military did for Iraq, but still. This would be a largely one-way war, with massive air assaults to loosen up the target. US boots on Iranian soil? Ah, that would be messy, but the Iranian regime's "Revolutionary Guards" might not be as tough as we are led to believe. Beating up women in the streets for dress code violations is not the same as trying to fend off an invading US military behemoth. :-( [Memo to Hegseth: dude, let's see you out front leading the charge, your Crusader tattoos shining in the Persian sunlight for all the world to see!!!]
About those tattoos---I read shortly after he was confirmed that the designs are associated with Nazis/white supremacists. Anybody know if there's truth to that?
Apparently the largest tattoo visible on Hegseth resembles an Iron Cross, a design used by numerous nations on medals, not confined to Germany. But Neo-Nazi belief system of course ties in with the notion of "Christian" knights on white horses slaying the evil infidel Muslims.
Good point!
It depends on how you define defeat? After June 13, Iran legitimately sees the US/Israel is forcing Iran into an EXISTENTIAL THREAT situation, and nothing will be held back if the US/Israel initiates the violence. The US/NATO is also forcing Russia into a similar EXISTENTIAL THREAT situation.
We can thank God, Putin has the patience and restraint so far, not to respond to US/NATO provocations. He understands, if the Americans don't, escalation brinkmanship means the End of so-called Civilization, and billions of Human Lives gone in a poof of Fire and smoke!
There are over 40,000 US troops within range of Iran missiles. In the War Israel started June 13, after 12 Days, Israel's missile defence was depleted. Iran showed they can penetrate Israel's most sophisticated defences and strike with pinpoint accuracy. Failing all of that, Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz or even attack the all the Oil sites in the Middle East, and crash to whole Global Economy on the large scale, like the US is causing in Cuba as the example.
Are you not aware of the US war gaming exercises that showed Iran would win? That was before Iran had drones and hypersonic missiles.
You’ll know already of course that the carrier group is staying well out of range of them, and that the Tomahawk missiles have that same range?
And those carrier-launched fighter-bomber jets would have to fly 1,000km to Iran and 1,000km back. Check out their operational range.
By all means you go for it.
And of course you know that despite all the superior technology the US was run out of Afghanistan by men in sandals with Kalishnikovs?
And just recently the US had to give up its fight with the Houthis because too many multimillion dollar drones were being shot down and drones and missiles fired at US naval vessels quickly depleted their stocks of interceptor missiles?
The technology for attack drones and defensive systems to neutralize such attacks is ever-evolving. I'll make no predictions about how things might play out in all-out joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. (On a much grander scale than the last operation, in other words.) Except the no-brainer that Iran would suffer exponentially more damage and human fatalities than the other side. Which requires no genius to predict!!
You discount the near term consequences of a collapsed Global Economy, no fuel, supply chains disrupted, no public services, and a US armed to the teeth following the US example of might makes right, everyone being in an EXISTENTIAL mode. WE see the consequences of that in real time in Cuba TODAY!
The global economy is already a house of cards awaiting a stiff breeze to collapse it. I don't see a US-Israeli all-out assault on Iran as being the match to set the world ablaze.
Obviously Gregory, you see "The global economy is already a house of cards awaiting a stiff breeze to collapse it" and you gave much thought to whatever possibilities could arise?
If you can't see my scenario being the match, and since Biblically, ARMAGEDDON starts with Israel, what other match or matches do you see that could set the world ablaze I don't see?
Wait for it, Gregory! It seems that you have not been following military developments or US wars for a number of decades. Can you name the war won by the US in the last 80 years, or ever by Air Power alone?
Never believe propaganda, especially that of your own side!
I said nothing about US "winning" a decisive victory. I simply indicated that Iran would not be able to defend itself against massive US airstrikes. That's how the US wants its undeclared wars, very lop-sided.
And that's exactly why Iran can do the damage it could do, in an EXISTENTIAL WAR started by the Global hegemony having NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE!
I can't give it a 'like' - but agree that it will take many, many body bags coming home - more than can be ignored by the MSM and no ability of the regime to shout jingoistic propaganda to incite the masses. But even then....maybe it will still take $10 per gallon gasoline and empty store shelves.
I don't like it myself, Tom, but I go where fact and logic take me.
This must not be forgotten: Against whom did the "original" Crusaders wage war? Why, it was against those of the Islamic faith, of course. The ostensible purpose of those crusaders--their failed efforts stretched over multiple endeavors in different long ago centuries--was to "liberate" the "Holy Land" from Muslims and re-establish Jerusalem as the World HQ of Christianity. I haven't read as extensively on those historical events as I'd like to--so much to read, so little time!--but I recall the primary instigator of/agitator for one of the Crusades was deemed to be TOTALLY INSANE!! Hmm, that's appropriate. As is the track record of failure to cleanse "The Holy Land" of Islam. Beware of crusades couched in religious ideological verbiage. The real goal is to seize territory and milk it of its natural resources. If present day Iran was not rich in oil and natural gas, do you think the US Ruling Class would give the least hoot about domestic repression of dissent there??
Excellent point, sir!
The Horrors of War. Never Forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1VL-y9JHuI
It's worrying to me that the Felon wants to resume nuclear testing, and that there's been no attempt whatsoever to extend the START treaty (by Putin's decree?).
Obviously, various powers-that-be (i.e., outside pressures) have managed to forestall some of the Felon's worst impulses, such as the invasion of Greenland. But he can order nuclear deployment. What if, say, some official in some other country somewhere grossly insulted Dear Leader, he reacted in an incandescent fury, and ordered a launch? Would the military refuse? Or would we enter "The Dead Zone?"
Norman Finkelstein’s words haunt me: “They’ll nuke China rather than give up their hegemony”
Freedom? Madness? Haven't seen a Randy Rainbow parody in a very long time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnR7CpH_aaI
“Ike? What’s Ike? You mean Ikea? I used to shop there but I stopped. Couldn’t find any gold lame drapes.” - President Donald Trump
David D’Amato : “I couldn’t say it any better than Mello.” (Greg Mello, Director of the Los Alamos Study Group)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/02/10/399300/
lasg.org
Hugh Gusterson speaks about the culture of the nuclear weapons industry and the fraught relationship between democracy and nuclear armament.
https://www.todaystotalitarianism.com/episode1