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Why is Chickenhawk Don attacking Iran now?

Some ideas...
Failing poll numbers?
"Now that Obama’s poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate!" ~Draft Dodging/Chickenhawk Don, 2012

So he can get elected again?
"Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected, be careful!" ~Draft Dodging/Chickenhawk Don, 2012

To "save face?"
"I predict President Obama will at some point attack Iran in order to save face!" ~Draft Dodging/Chickenhawk Don, 2013

To show "how tough he is?"
"Remember what I previously said--Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is." ~Draft Dodging/Chickenhawk Don, 2013

Because he is "not skilled"?
"Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly-not skilled!" ~Draft Dodging/Chickenhawk Don, 2013

President Obama left office after eight years without launching a single military strike on Iran—instead, he brokered a working nuclear deal that kept inspectors on the ground and uranium under lock and key.
Then along came Chickenhawk Don, who shredded that deal not because it failed, but because it succeeded under a president whose birth certificate he spent years denying.
It's foreign policy as performance art: destroy what works, as long as it was built by the Black guy you can’t stop obsessing over.

No one projects like a republican and a narcissist republican is the worst. But I repeat myself.

President Obama left office after eight years without launching a single military strike on Iran—

Yes, but....as commander in chief..

“AI Overview
During Barack Obama's presidency (2009–2017), over 2,500 U.S. troops were killed in action, primarily due to the 2010 surge in Afghanistan. iCasualties.org lists 2,406 deaths in Afghanistan during this period. Including both Iraq and Afghanistan operations, the death toll exceeded 2,500, with over 1,700 fatalities occurring in Afghanistan.”

Yep, Obama’s Rules of Engagement.

We’ve officially reached Day 19 of the Iran War...
sorry, I meant to say "excursion."

Here's how things are going so far:
The US and Israel have now struck 15,000 targets (Including an unlawful strike on a school that killed over 100 children) in Iran since the war began on February 28th, per WSJ.

Other details include:
1. 50,000 American service members have now been sent Middle East to support the operation.

2. The US has destroyed more than 100 Iranian naval vessels.

3. Total US cost of Iran War is nearing $25 billion, or $11,500/second.

4. Average US gas price is now up +40% since December.

5. As of March 17, 2026, approximately 200 US troops have been reported injured in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

6. 13 US troops have been killed since the conflict began.

Lastly who remembers these artisanal, small‑batch falsehoods?...

"I’m not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars!" ~Draft-dodging Donnie, 2024

"I'm going to stop the wars! Russia's war with Ukraine, will end within 24 hours of me taking office!" ~Dishonest Don

"We’ve spent $8 trillion in the middle east and we’re not fixing our roads in this country?
How stupid. How stupid is it? And we’re not fixing our tunnels, our bridges, our hospitals, our schools? It’s crazy!" ~Crazy, Stupid Don, 2020

Chickenhawk Don,

Which military branch did President Obama served in?
Which military branch did President Biden serve in?

Hey LM,
Why did you stop posting about gas prices? TIA

"We’ve spent $8 trillion in the middle east and we’re not fixing our roads in this country?

Ever since Trump the Magnificent got what he wanted from Proles, their votes, he has been telling them where they stand in his value system:

May 1, 2025

Trump says US kids may get ‘two dolls instead of 30’ due to tariffs


“You know, somebody said, ‘Oh, the shelves are going to be open,’” Trump said, offering a hypothetical. “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls. So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/tr...

Now his water carriers are telling Proles, who are concerned about rising gas prices, because of his made up war, effectively "Shut up. Trump's project is more important than your ability to pay your bills".

Trump and his cronies are "JCs". To them, we Proles are nothing but expendable meat.

Steve

Hey LM,
Why did you stop posting about gas prices? TIA

What’s the problem?

Gas prices are still cheaper under President Trump than they
were under President Biden.

“Gas prices have once again become a major political talking point, with critics and supporters of both parties comparing average fuel costs during the presidencies of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Recent graphics show average gas prices around $5.16 per gallon during parts of the Biden administration compared with approximately $3.47 per gallon during Trump's presidency.”

imo, It’s a temporary situation.

imo, It’s a temporary situation.

So was the "$5.16 per gallon during parts of the Biden administration". What's your point?

Steve

Trump and his cronies are "JCs". To them, we Proles are nothing but expendable meat.

Another bit from TYT. Don't bother with the flourishes Cenk and Ana add. Just listen to the regime water carrier in the clip at the head of the piece: the impact of gas prices on consumers is "the last of our concerns right now".

Trump Adviser ADMITS That Americans Are LOWEST Priority

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR-WB6u2gX4

Hey MAGA. Two years ago, he told you what you wanted to hear, because he wanted something from you. You gave it to him. Now, you're being treated like expendable meat. Too late for buyer's remorse. No do overs.

Steve

We’ve officially reached Day 19 of the Iran War

Correction
We’ve officially reached Day 19 of The Epstein Files Held Hostage with Ted Koppel.

So was the "$5.16 per gallon during parts of the Biden administration". What's your point?

Steve

Biden inherited an average U.S. retail price for regular gasoline at approximately $2.33 per gallon. Lower in some parts of the Country. I wintered in Florida back then when the price of gas was at a low of $1.99 a gallon.

When Biden left Office the price of gas was still at a high @ $3.37

Trump is still giving us lower gas prices.

In my town the price per a gallon is $3.07

Biden inherited an average U.S. retail price for regular gasoline at approximately $2.33 per gallon.

He also inherited the Spankee economic crash, food shortages, AND the Spankee Plague.

Have you stocked up on:

1. Ivermectin,

2. Hydroxychloroquine,

3. lots of injectable disinfectants, plus

4. a "powerful light" (per Spankee)--and spare light bulbs !!--that will shine right through you and ONLY kill the Spankee Plague?

He also inherited the Spankee economic crash, food shortages, AND the Spankee Plague.

Baloney.

Don’t use the pandemic for the dems excuses they handled the economy and everything else badly.

“Biden’s Coronavirus Catastrophe”

https://cole.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns...

Don’t use the pandemic for the dems excuses they handled the economy and everything else badly.


Yeah, weird flex on that one. Nobody told Joe Biden to supercharge a growing demand-side surge with bucketfulls of boondoggle cash that ended up doing...nothing. But cause inflation, that is.

In my town the price per a gallon is $3.07

Where I live, the price this afternoon ranged from $3.89 to $3.99. So, what's your point?

Steve

Where I live, the price this afternoon ranged from $3.89 to $3.99. So, what's your point?

Steve

My point?
You must live in a Blue State.
I live in a Red State.

AI Overview
Gasoline prices are generally lower in Republican-led ("red") states, often concentrated in the South and Midwest, due to lower state taxes, closer proximity to refineries, and fewer environmental regulations. Red states frequently average lower gas prices, while coastal states, particularly California, face higher taxes and stricter regulations.

Thanks MAGA

When Biden left Office the price of gas was still at a high @ $3.37

Trump is still giving us lower gas prices.

In my town the price per a gallon is $3.07

Is the price lower than it was in your town when Biden left office?

It seems like you're comparing the national average of gas prices when Biden left office (which is still a bit wrong - it was about $3.13 on inauguration day) with the current price in your town. Which you've noted is lower than the national average. If you're going to look at today's price in your town, you'd need to compare that to the price in your town back on 1/20/2025.

If the price per gallon in your town today is $.81 lower than the nation average of $3.88, it must have been really low back when the national average was only $3.13. Like, certainly below $2.80. For example, Oklahoma has among the lowest gas prices in the country pretty regularly - right now they're about $3.20 per gallon - and when Biden left office they were about $2.70. Since your town has lower prices than Oklahoma today, they probably had lower prices than Oklahoma back then, too.

So while the increase in gas prices with the war in Iran hasn't approached the highest point during the Biden years, they're still much higher than when Biden left office. Even in your town.

Gasoline prices are generally lower in Republican-led ("red") states, often concentrated in the South and Midwest, due to lower state taxes,

Michigan has high fuel taxes, because, unlike most states, Michigan does not use any general fund money to supplement fuel tax revenue for road maintenance. General fund surpluses are used to give the "JCs" more tax cuts, instead.

numbers, Numbers, NUMBERS.

Michigan ranks 6th in the country for tax burden on motor fuels.

Gas Taxes by State, 2025

https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/gas-taxes...

But, because *no* general fund money is added to cover road maintenance, as most other states do, Michigan ranks 27th in center line mile road funding, 26th in lane mile bridge funding, and 39th in per capita funding.

Michigan Ranks 30th in Road Funding Assessment

https://crcmich.org/dennis_roadfundingindex

Michigan's road funding has improved under the current Gov. Previously, when the GOP had a 40 year lock on control of the legislature, thanks to gerrymandering, combined with frequent GOP Governors, Michigan's per capita road funding ranked dead last in the country. First priority was always tax cuts for "JCs". So we Proles paid high taxes, *and* had sukky roads.

Published February 13, 2014

Michigan ranks last of all 50 states on per capita road spending

Michigan spends less money per capita on its roads and bridges than any other state in the nation.

It spends $154 per person annually, according to the 2010 Census.

https://www.michiganpublic.org/transportation/2014...

Not surprisingly, one of the "JCs" running for the GOP nomination for Gov this year, is promising to cut spending enough to eliminate the state income tax.

Steve

Michigan has high fuel taxes, because, unlike most states, Michigan does not use any general fund money to supplement fuel tax revenue for road maintenance. General fund surpluses are used to give the "JCs" more tax cuts, instead.
etc, etc, etc.
Published February 13, 2014

Do you live in Michigan? I don’t. What’s your point?

My point?
You must live in a Blue State.
I live in a Red State.

Absolutely, gas prices are lower in Republican-led red states.

However, Democrat-led blue states have better educated citizens, more wealthy citizens, better healthcare, and a longer life expectancy.

According to CDC data released in 2025, the 2022 life expectancy for the 5 worst states (West Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Louisiana) was approximately 73+ years and for the 5 best states (Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut) was approximately 79+ years.

On average, 6 extra years!

AI Overview
Gasoline prices are generally lower in Republican-led ("red") states, …

Thanks MAGA

Life expectancy is generally higher in Democratic-led (“blue”) states.

Thanks science, fact based decisions, and government that works for its citizens.

Do you live in Michigan? I don’t. What’s your point?

To your question about red vs blue, I live in a state with high fuel taxes, but the high taxes on Proles, without benefit, are due to decades of generally red policies that are more concerned with the care and feeding of "JCs".

I used to tease DesertDave about how he could stand living in a bleeding heart liberal state: Texas. Seems that Texas does not allow firearms in bars. Open carry, by CPL holders, in bars is perfectly legal in Michigan, unless the bar owner has posted otherwise. Parading around near a school, with a loaded assault rifle is also perfectly legal.

Michigan's income tax is flat rate, not progressive, like those Commies in Ohio have.

Michigan also has exceptionally lax "burdens" on "JCs" for exploitation of state resources. Unlike those Commies in Texas, that burden oil and gas companies that remove resources, Michigan virtually gives away water to bottling companies. Michigan's tip fee for trash is also lower than what the Commies in Indiana and Ohio charge.

At 5, Michigan has one fewer Klan chapters than Mississippi.

So, I would say Michigan's laws and policies are generally redder than a lot of Bible Belt states, especially if you are a rich "JC".

Steve

Brent crude oil prices surge to $119/barrel this AM after Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure are followed by Iranian retaliation on Gulf energy infrastructure.

If you ever called Donald Trump the "peace candidate" or promised he’d bring "prosperity,"
please have the decency to delete your account, give your phone to a raccoon, (it would almost certainly contribute more insight),
and vanish quietly from political discourse.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Absolutely, gas prices are lower in Republican-led red states.

I live in deep red Utah.

Yesterday the lowest gas price in the town I live in was $3.99 and 9/10ths (why do gas prices still always end with 9/10ths of a cent...is there a good reason?), in other words $4.00.

These elevated prices (and they may go higher), will be temporary, so at some point Trump can say it was worth it.

But there will be other economic impacts.

Don’t use the pandemic for the dems excuses they handled the economy and everything else badly.

ROFLMAO !!

Spankee had control for OVER A YEAR *before* Biden took office. So, it is ALL SPANKEE, ALL THE TIME.

"Responsibility" is NOT something accepted by the RWNJs. Never has been, never will be.

Found those WMDs in Iraq yet?

Yesterday the lowest gas price in the town I live in was $3.99 and 9/10ths (why do gas prices still always end with 9/10ths of a cent...is there a good reason?), in other words $4.00.

Actually... technically..... 3.99 9/10 is "under" four bucks.

And therein lies your "good reason".

Actually... technically..... 3.99 9/10 is "under" four bucks.

I understand the psychology of that kind of pricing. What I don't understand is why it is still effective.

What I don't understand is why it is still effective.


The other day I told my wife, "I just paid three sixty nine nine" for gas.

Why didn't I simply round up to "three seventy"?

Funny, I asked myself the same question, even as I said "three sixty nine nine".

It fools us even as we think we are not being fooled.

Actually... technically..... 3.99 9/10 is "under" four bucks.

And therein lies your "good reason".

This is common knowledge..

Snip
“AI Overview
Pricing items at $3.99 (or other amounts ending in .99) is a traditional loss-prevention technique designed to force cashiers to use the cash register. By creating a price that requires change, it prevents a dishonest employee from simply pocketing a round-number cash payment ($4.00, in this case) from a customer.

Here is how this anti-theft mechanism works:
Forcing Register Usage: If a product costs exactly $4.00, a customer might pay with a $5 bill or four $1 bills. A dishonest cashier could easily take that cash without ringing up the sale.
Creating a Transaction Record: With a price of $3.99, the cashier must give the customer 1 cent in change. To give change, they must open the cash register drawer, which typically logs the transaction.
Theft Detection: The forced usage makes it harder to hide the transaction, as the cash in the drawer must eventually match the sales recorded on the register.

This method was popularized decades ago to combat employee theft before modern digital surveillance and computerized POS systems were common, though it remains a common practice today.”

Off Topic
Back in my High School Days my after school job was working at the restaurant where the HS kids hung out at.
My coworker and I would ring up a tab twice on the cash register ..that is if the bill was $4.75 we would first ring up $2.00 then $2.75. Each tab would count as one customer, making it appear we had a lot of customers and a busy night justifying our jobs.
The Boss never caught on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKMOatMzldE

Yep, those days were just like the song. sigh..

With a price of $3.99, the cashier must give the customer 1 cent in change.

Now that the penny has been eliminated in making change, they’re gonna have to come up with something else.

But I didn’t know the history you just now illuminated.

It makes sense…. But that’s reason enough in this world to abandon the practice.

Interesting.

Never heard the “reduce theft” explanation before. I always heard that it was psychological.

Here’s what AI replied to my inquiry:
Prices ending in .99, known as "charm pricing" or "psychological pricing," make items appear significantly cheaper by leveraging the "left-digit bias," where consumers focus on the first digit and perceive $19.99 as closer to $10 than $20. This strategy signals a bargain, increases sales, and reduces the perceived mental effort of purchasing.

Makes more sense to me for 3 reasons. Even if an item cost $4.00, there would be sales tax added, so you have to use the cash register. Also, how many people pay with the exact amount? Most people would pay with a larger bill and expect change. Lastly, cashier theft would show up in higher inventory shrinkage, triggering someone to examine what’s happening, even in the good old days.

Here’s a recent Readers Digest article on the subject:

https://www.rd.com/article/why-prices-end-in-99/

I understand the psychology of that kind of pricing. What I don't understand is why it is still effective.

Because people - in general - are dumb.

Exhibit 1. MAGA

—Peter

"Stock futures rise after report says Trump looking to end Iran war"

"Mission Accomplished"
The Iran Edition:

1) Proudly replaced one hardliner with an even younger, angrier Ayatollah, because clearly what the Middle East needed was more youthful energy in theocratic extremism!

2) Gift-wrapped the entire Strait of Hormuz, because who doesn’t enjoy giving their geopolitical rivals exclusive access to 20% of the world’s oil traffic?

3) Managed to lose the lives of American heroes and Iranian schoolchildren.

4) Burned through billions of dollars, because if Trump isn’t setting money on fire, is he even trying?

5) Let Pete Hegseth invest millions in major defense contractors prior to the attack on Iran! Cha-ching!

Imagine if Obama did this?

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/30/stock-market-today...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/hegseth-broker...

"Mission Accomplished"
The Iran Edition:

1) Proudly replaced one hardliner with an even younger, angrier Ayatollah, because clearly what the Middle East needed was more youthful energy in theocratic extremism!
2) Gift-wrapped the entire Strait of Hormuz, because who doesn’t enjoy giving their geopolitical rivals exclusive access to 20% of the world’s oil traffic?
3) Managed to lose the lives of American heroes and Iranian schoolchildren.
4) Burned through billions of dollars, because if Trump isn’t setting money on fire, is he even trying?
5) Let Pete Hegseth invest millions in major defense contractors prior to the attack on Iran! Cha-ching!

6) strangled the global economy for months, perhaps years to come
7) questioned US' commitment to NATO for no tangible reason
8) conquered the hearts and minds of Iran's population

1) Proudly replaced one hardliner with an even younger, angrier Ayatollah, because clearly what the Middle East needed was more youthful energy in theocratic extremism!
2) Gift-wrapped the entire Strait of Hormuz, because who doesn’t enjoy giving their geopolitical rivals exclusive access to 20% of the world’s oil traffic?....

How would he spin that into "winning"?

How would that square with the Israeli objective of crushing the regime and tipping the country into endless civil war?

His latest stand down expires next Monday. He likes to attack on a weekend, while talking "peace".

Steve

How would he spin that into "winning"?

By simply declaring it so. Our objective was to blow up their missiles and their navy, after all. No one said anything about preventing Iran from seizing the Strait of Hormuz. So we won the war! Keeping them from seizing the strait, or reclaiming it, wasn't part of what we defined the war to be. We won the hard part, which was dropping bombs and launching missiles. If other countries care about minor details like Iran seizing some of the most strategically important territory on earth, then they should come in and do the easy work of....well, probably seizing a hundred miles of defended mountainous coastline with ground troops.

And we know that most of his supporters will accept that declaration, agree that Trump has achieved an enormous victory that other Presidents were too stupid or timid to achieve, and pivot to the next thing in the attention cycle.

How would that square with the Israeli objective of crushing the regime and tipping the country into endless civil war?

It doesn't, and he won't care. Trump's all about Trump, as so many of his associates and supposed allies have learned over the years.

I did not have losing a war to Iran on my 2026 bingo card,
but it does fit the lifelong trend of embarrassing losses for Donald Trump.

... then they should come in and do the easy work of....well, probably seizing a hundred miles of defended mountainous coastline with ground troops.

Typical Republicans: create a situation, for their own benefit, that is disastrous for others, then given the others a lecture about "personal responsibility".

‘Learn How to Fight for Yourself’: Trump Says U.K. and Others Should Go to Strait of Hormuz and 'Take' Oil

“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just take it,” he said Tuesday morning.

https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/articles/lear...

While #2 is the well worn GOP "personal responsibility" lecture, option #1 is the preferred outcome: bid against USians, for USian oil, driving the price to the stratosphere, for the great profit of Trump the Magnificence's paymasters in big oil.

As I said, it is no coincidence that the Iran operation did not start until Trump appointed himself Generalissimo of Venezuelan oil.

Steve

It doesn't, and he won't care. Trump's all about Trump, as so many of his associates and supposed allies have learned over the years.

He won’t care?

He is incapable of caring, like all sociopathic narcissists.

And cult members are incapable of learning or empathy.

Over 40% of Americans are unable to cover a $1,000 emergency, most often through no fault of their own. Poverty breeds poverty.

Screw ‘em. I saved money so I don’t care about the “little people.”

And none of this goes away when Trump goes away. The Republican plan to fund tax cuts for billionaires is to cut healthcare and Social Security for the middle class and lower income Americans. We’ve burned farmers (twice now) and when a farm goes away, so does the food. Oil prices will likely stay high and look for inflation to stay as our companion. And we can’t rely on allies because Trump is alienating all of them, not being a proponent of “make friends before you need them.”

The damage done to America just through the amount added to our mountain of debt will cause pain into the future, not to mention the destruction of our governmental structure.

All great empires end, often through internal forces. I fear we are seeing the end of the American empire while a third of Americans cheer, and like their Dear Leader, incapable of learning or empathy.

We’ve burned farmers (twice now) and when a farm goes away, so does the food.

Not all farmers got burned. SMALLER farmers got chopped, but their land was sold to other farmers. A large corporate farm could add the productive land no problem. If the land was near a larger city, the farm would become another bedroom development for developers targeting people wanting to NOT live in the city--but willing to commute 30-60 minutes to/from work each AM and PM.

6) strangled the global economy for months, perhaps years to come
7) questioned US' commitment to NATO for no tangible reason
8) conquered the hearts and minds of Iran's population

France is now blocking weapons shipments to Israel. How is that not jumping in on Iran’s side?

It must be Tuesday.

France is now blocking weapons shipments to Israel. How is that not jumping in on Iran’s side?

Binary thinking at its finest.

France is now blocking weapons shipments to Israel. How is that not jumping in on Iran’s side?

Might that be because Israel is using those weapons to cavalierly kill innocent civilians, and not because they’re on Iran’s side (which they’re not)?

Binary thinking at its finest.

Sucking up to terror regimes is in the finest French tradition. They pulled this stuff with Reagan in the ‘80s.

Sucking up to terror regimes is in the finest French tradition.

Except that is not what’s going on.

The only terror being initiated in this current moment is by Trump & Bibi, and Europe and our traditional allies refuse to be dragged into this misbegotten war of choice.

I don’t blame them.

Unfortunately, we’re along for the ride.

The only terror being initiated in this current moment is by Trump & Bibi, and Europe and our traditional allies refuse to be dragged into this misbegotten war of choice.

100%.

If you look up the definition of terrorism, the first result Google gives is "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims."
Which is exactly what we are doing to Iran whilst cheering for "regime change."
The administration calls it "regime change" or "re-obliterating their nuclear program for a second time" because that plays better on "Fox News",
but the goal is the same: the use of extreme violence to force a political shift.

France is now blocking weapons shipments to Israel.

Not the first time. France was uneasy about the 67 war, so impounded some newly built patrol boats, before they were delivered to Israel.

The Israelis resorted to plan B.

The Cherbourg Project (or Boats of Cherbourg) was an Israeli military operation that took place on 24 December 1969 and involved the escape of five remaining armed Sa'ar 3 class boats from the French port of Cherbourg (Cherbourg-Octeville since 2000, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin since 2016). The boats had been paid for by the Israeli government but had not been delivered due to the French arms embargo in 1969. The operation was planned by the Israeli Navy, and was codenamed Operation Noa, after the daughter of Captain Binyamin "Bini" Telem.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherbourg_Project

The IAF also used the Dassault Mirage III fighter. Dassault developed a ground attack version, the Mirage 5, which fell afoul of the same arms embargo. The Israelis stole the plans for the Mirage 5, and built a knockoff in Israel.

IAI Kfir

By 1968, Dassault had finished production of the 50 Mirage 5Js paid for by Israel, but an arms embargo imposed upon Israel by the French government in 1967 prevented deliveries from taking place. The Israelis replied by producing an unlicensed copy of the Mirage 5, the Nesher, with technical specifications for both the airframe and the engine obtained by Israeli spies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAI_Kfir

Steve

Binary thinking at its finest.

True. But is *that* "thinking"? Which is ON? Which is OFF ?? No one can tell....

the use of extreme violence to force a political shift.

Turn Spankee over to the Iranians. Two problems solved.

France is now blocking weapons shipments to Israel. How is that not jumping in on Iran’s side?

Ummmm..."jumping in on Iran's side" would be sending weapons shipments to Iran.

Replying to wzambon
Sucking up to terror regimes is in the finest French tradition.

Except that is not what’s going on.

The only terror being initiated in this current moment is by Trump & Bibi, and Europe and our traditional allies refuse to be dragged into this misbegotten war of choice.

I don’t blame them.

Unfortunately, we’re along for the ride.

****************

Oh, right--Rev. Baloney is the guy who believes modern feminists want to have lots of babies and value being a mom of a large family as a primary objective in their lives.

This guy is a frikkin' genius.

Now he's lecturing us on what's going on and what's not.

This guy is so clueless and he doesn't even know it.

Oh, right--Rev. Baloney is the guy who believes modern feminists want to have lots of babies and value being a mom of a large family as a primary objective in their lives.

Why do you continue to cosplay a clueless asshole?

Perhaps because you are one.

By simply declaring it so. Our objective was to blow up their missiles and their navy, after all. No one said anything about preventing Iran from seizing the Strait of Hormuz. So we won the war! Keeping them from seizing the strait, or reclaiming it, wasn't part of what we defined the war to be. We won the hard part, which was dropping bombs and launching missiles. If other countries care about minor details like Iran seizing some of the most strategically important territory on earth, then they should come in and do the easy work of....well, probably seizing a hundred miles of defended mountainous coastline with ground troops.

Following up on my own post, the Administration's messaging today is really starting to indicate that this is the path they'll take. Rubio and Hegseth are echoing his suggestion that we'll abandon the war against Iran even though they still hold the Strait, hoping that someone else will come in and win the fight that we weren't prepared to.

It will be very interesting to see if his voters follow along and agree that this constitutes "victory." Seizing the strait actually increases Iran's ability to foment problems and exert power within the region - and there's a decent argument that it might even outweigh the losses in their missile program (which are likely to be temporary anyway). And now that they have it, it will be difficult to wrest it back from them. Which is probably why the Administration is considering just...not doing that. Because aerial attacks from a distance using bombs and missiles is one thing, but bringing our ships and troops within a few dozen miles of shore is a whole other matter.

If it looks like the MAGA base is buying the idea that this isn't a "win the battles but lose the war" situation, and accept Trump's decision to simply declare victory and quit, it seems likely he'll take do exactly that. Leave Iran in control of the strait, with no change to their nuclear program from the start of the war, still having a sizable number of missiles and a brand new revenue stream to rebuild the parts of the program we blew up, and allowing the regime to continue (under new management, but still the same regime).

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