Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy
No. of Recommendations: 3
It will not open when Iran capitulates, but when Trump capitulates.
When will that happen?
Who knows? Things are about to get much worse. How much pain can Trump stand?
How much pain can Republicans in Congress stand?
Midterms coming up.
Steve may be right about Trump not caring. But maybe not.
But it’s a sure thing that Republicans running for reelection might have a different opinion about the advisability of continuing Trump’s war, or even his presidency.
Eight dollar gasoline can have a clarifying effect.
No. of Recommendations: 1
But it’s a sure thing that Republicans running for reelection might have a different opinion about the advisability of continuing Trump’s war, or even his presidency.
According to the Beeb tonight, things appear to be escalating. Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon, including on a truck carrying Lebanese soldiers, killing three. CENTOCM claims two Iranian drones shot down, without saying how many were in the attack, that they missed, while the US attacked more Iranian radar sites.
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 5
Hey, the majority of Americans voted for this. So, now they're getting it. It's a shame that we, who were smart enough NOT to vote for the dementia-addled Felon, also have to suffer. But that's democracy for you.
The MAGA-ites are likely to be hurt the worst. I'm not sure how to do it, but Dems need to be able to show them that it's their own fault for voting for the wildly unqualified candidate, and maybe they should choose a different path. Though I'm not holding my breath. It's a difficult message to get across under the best of circumstances, and Dems are lousy at messaging.
If the Felon truly does not care about anything but appearances, as albaby asserts, he'll let the Strait remain closed, and fuel prices will continue upward. Of course, prices at the pump are a bad look. So, which does he hate more? Being seen as a loser with Iran, or being seen as a loser who couldn't bring gas prices down?
No. of Recommendations: 17
...the majority of Americans voted for this. So, now they're getting it.
Technically, they voted for "America first": no foreign wars, money taken away from foreign aid and used for the benefit of USians, revitalization of USian industry so there are better jobs available than polishing a "JC's" private jet. But, in typical "JC" fashion, Trump told them what they wanted to hear, to get what he wanted from them, right then. As soon as the Proles gave him what he wanted, they because expendable, and he proceeded to to what benefited him.
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 8
Technically, they voted for "America first": no foreign wars, money taken away from foreign aid and used for the benefit of USians, revitalization of USian industry so there are better jobs available than polishing a "JC's" private jet. But, in typical "JC" fashion, Trump told them what they wanted to hear, to get what he wanted from them, right then. As soon as the Proles gave him what he wanted, they because expendable, and he proceeded to to what benefited him.
MAGA awakening to that set of facts proceeds at a slow pace.
It’s difficult to admit that you got taken to the cleaners.
Unfortunately, only having reality slap you in the face over and over works for many of them. That process has barely begun.
And in the end, there will still remain a small portion who will watch the devastation and still proclaim Trump as the champion of democracy, freedom and prosperity.
No. of Recommendations: 10
Hey, the majority of Americans voted for this.
A majority of Americans did NOT vote for this.
Trump got a plurality of the vote, not the majority.
Of course, the U.S. president is elected using electoral votes (of which Trump’s 2024 election ranked 44th out of 60 and in 2016, 48th).
The Electoral College, an antiquated system born mostly by the need to entice slave states into the Union, is so well respected that no other country in the history of the world has ever adopted it.
You know, American exceptionalism.
No. of Recommendations: 7
Technically, they voted for "America first": no foreign wars, money taken away from foreign aid and used for the benefit of USians, revitalization of USian industry so there are better jobs available than polishing a "JC's" private jet.
Like I said, those of us smart enough NOT to vote for the obvious lies of the dementia-addled Felon...
Though, I did not see us attacking Iran a year ago. Or kidnapping the leader of Venezuela. So, I can't expect MAGA to have seen it, either. But it was still pretty obvious we were in for four years of ineptitude and mismanagement. 1poorlady is still not ruling out a Marcos-style "declaring martial law" so he can keep being POTUS. (She lived through that for real while she was in school.)
No. of Recommendations: 4
****Breaking News****
The Beeb reported this evening, that God and Savior Trump says he could secure a "deal" with Iran and end the war in days....just like he has been saying for about two months.
Are we pleased, titillated, astounded?
Bubblevision is showing crude futures up about 2.5%, right now. What???? They don't believe the assurance of Trump the Living God, that peace is at hand????
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 8
The Beeb reported this evening, that God and Savior Trump says he could secure a "deal" with Iran and end the war in days...
Yeah, right. Jon Stewart is now taking good shots at how long he has been saying this. One wonders "this is not an endless war" from which point onwards he would define his war as "endless".
Meanwhile, in the real world...
Trump demands Israel and Iran ‘immediately stop ‘shooting’’ as fresh strikes imperil ceasefire
Israel and Iran are trading the worst strikes in months. Trump previously urged Netanyahu not to retaliate, according to a US official.
No. of Recommendations: 7
Trump demands Israel and Iran ‘immediately stop ‘shooting’’ as fresh strikes imperil ceasefire
One also wonders at what point a nominal ceasefire stops being a ceasefire. Instead of an endless war, we seem to be having an endless ceasefire.
You'd think that bilateral exchange of munitions would end any ceasefire. If not, you might as well just declare a ceasefire at the start of any war to make it not seem so bad, much like Russia's four year ceasefire with Ukraine.😊
No. of Recommendations: 2
Trump demands Israel and Iran ‘immediately stop ‘shooting’’ as fresh strikes imperil ceasefireTrump-the-peacemaker-who-was-cheated-out-of-the-Nobel-he-was-entitled-to-because-the-award-was-rigged, also demanded Iran come to the table and negotiate. Translation: "I want to carry on with the kabuki dance, as the world exhausts it's reserves, and the price of crude soars, to the great profit of the oil companies who bribed me".
This morning, oil price increases have moderated, because Iran supposedly has said it's punitive strikes on Israel have ended, unless Israel starts attacking Lebanon, again. Well, that should last about six hours.
Iran announces ‘end of military operations’ against Israel, but warns Lebanon strikes could trigger escalationhttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/08/iran-end-military-... Jon Stewart is now taking good shots at how long he has been saying this.From the same link: umpteenth verse, same as the first:
“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a “Final Deal” is reached. Things should move quickly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president earlier posted that both countries should stop “shooting.”Carry on with the kabuki dance.
Steve
No. of Recommendations: 5
Trump demands Israel and Iran ‘immediately stop ‘shooting’’ as fresh strikes imperil ceasefire
It bears repeating ...
"Stopping a battle is much harder than starting it. Starting it only requires you to shout ‘Attack!’ but when you want to stop it, everyone is busy."
Monstrous Regiment — Terry Pratchett
