While I get a bit of grim satisfaction from seeing Trump suffer politically from the stupid war he needlessly started the fact remains that tens, indeed hundreds of millions of people around the war are suffering substantially from something they did nothing to bring upon themselves.
I think US citizens (including those who didn't vote for him) need to take on board that the rest of the world looks upon your country as a not very bright rogue elephant, however wisely we may keep those thoughts to ourselves. You will never be looked upon as the leader of the free world again - or at least not in my lifetime.
Just as Hungary will have to work to re-establish their integrity, just as Germany, italy, Japan and other countries had to pay the price for their 'poor choices'... so will we. China has not been a beacon of integrity (even today), they just shine in comparison to Trump. It was only a couple years ago our beacon shined brightly in the world under Biden.
I think that while Americans will be viewed as 'idiots' for at least a while, for our poor choice in RE-ELECTING Trump, the nation will be able to restore some standing, especially if we take stronger stances vs Russian and Chinese 'agression'. For instance, quietly and quickly build up a strong hardened military base in both Taiwan and Ukraine. We have bases all over the world, why not there? Because they 'threaten'? What are they going to DO ?
But obviously Trump for all his 'loose cannon' nature, would never do that, because he has no concern with protecting others, no matter how he tries to 'spin' his choices which enrich Big Oil companies and boosted fortune of Russian oil (Hampered by Ukraine sabotage, but hey, Trump TRIED! And even removed oil Sanctions on Russia in the process...)
“Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Sledgehammer” both sound like the names of Special Military Operations, if you catch my drift. Wonder where he took that from.
It is fascinating to see James David Vance separating himself from this quagmire too - I suppose he fancies he'll be able to walk away from the Iran conflict by giving up the house when Trump croaks it....
The names they come up with to describe their actions sound like they were created by 8 years ago old boys playing army- Epic Fury, Operation Sledgehammer- what is next? I call for a good game of Whackamole and whack these buffoons into space, never to be seen again. They can float amongst the space rubble and watch us rebuild our country and remove any physical connection to them!
As to Netanyahu … am I the only one who’s noticed that he actually changed his name - from Binyamin to Benjamin - to snuggle up to Trump? Two corrupt brothers from different mothers.
It occurs to me that someone needs to tell Neanyahu and Israel in general that good friends don't cause their friends a lot of trouble while giving nothing in return. This is a country crying out for a bit of "America' First' treatment.
Trump’s much too narcissistic to make the deal you’re describing. When he said he doesn’t think about the American people at all, that was a rare example of him actually telling the truth. His whole life has taught him he can wish things into existence, because what’s always happened is someone else has stepped up to bail him out when he’s screwed up. I think he’s stunned that hasn’t happened already this time, but figures if he holds out a little longer it will, just like every other time.
Billionaires never ask permission, so Congress, NATO, and other allies were never consulted or invited to join in Trump's demented and impulsive act of war. Then, when allies refused to waste life and treasure to bail him out, Trump arrogantly insulted them on top of alienating them with his illicit global tariffs.
Ironically, Trump also alienated a lot of MAGAs who actually fell for his "America First" promise. Now, his only allies capable of keeping him in power without bloodshed (via corruption) are his fellow oligarch billionaires and techbros. Failing that, his last resort is his Jan-6 insurrection army, which is likely why a) he had Hegseth fire every competent general who might resist a second insurrection attempt, b) he pardoned his Jan 6 militia thugs, and c) is paying them off with 1776 cash so they know they will be rewarded for supporting Trump's next coup.
His followers need money for the basics, until they're called up for the next coup attempt. They will get paid while the lawsuits wind their way through the courts.
I doubt that Iran would accept the "compromise" detailed at the end of this article. Why should they? What guarantee is there that Trump will not launch another attack? They will hold onto the Strait of Hormuz long after this conflict finally ends.
The whole "Iran can not have a nuclear weapon" line would make more sense as an absolute, if North Korea did not already have Nukes, on Trump's watch and all he did about it was to fall in love with their 'god king'.
Russia has Nukes. Ukraine had given up their nukes in exchange for a promise to protect their borders, which Trump ignores. Pakistan has nukes. So, what makes Iran so very special?
Consider that the purpose of a nuke is to say "Do not threaten the survival of my country!", but iran already has that with their control over the Strait of Hormuz. Nukes would be redundant and harder to protect and harder to negotiate with.
Iran is not negotiating with Trump, because Trump has PROVEN himself, repeatedly on the world stage to never act in 'good faith' or to honor agreements, even ones he makes.
Trump can make offers to do things, and negotiate what Iran would do in response. this will mean Trump gives first, then Iran responds proportionately. At no point will there be ANY assumption that Trump will keep his word. Only actions will matter, and Iran is the one with the option to give something in return, or not. Because right now in this world that Trump created, Iran has much more integrity, respect and trust than the US.
Personally I do not see trump ABLE to follow that recipe for negotiating, so yeah, he is f***ed
While I get a bit of grim satisfaction from seeing Trump suffer politically from the stupid war he needlessly started the fact remains that tens, indeed hundreds of millions of people around the war are suffering substantially from something they did nothing to bring upon themselves.
I think US citizens (including those who didn't vote for him) need to take on board that the rest of the world looks upon your country as a not very bright rogue elephant, however wisely we may keep those thoughts to ourselves. You will never be looked upon as the leader of the free world again - or at least not in my lifetime.
Can’t argue with any of that.
💯
Just as Hungary will have to work to re-establish their integrity, just as Germany, italy, Japan and other countries had to pay the price for their 'poor choices'... so will we. China has not been a beacon of integrity (even today), they just shine in comparison to Trump. It was only a couple years ago our beacon shined brightly in the world under Biden.
I think that while Americans will be viewed as 'idiots' for at least a while, for our poor choice in RE-ELECTING Trump, the nation will be able to restore some standing, especially if we take stronger stances vs Russian and Chinese 'agression'. For instance, quietly and quickly build up a strong hardened military base in both Taiwan and Ukraine. We have bases all over the world, why not there? Because they 'threaten'? What are they going to DO ?
But obviously Trump for all his 'loose cannon' nature, would never do that, because he has no concern with protecting others, no matter how he tries to 'spin' his choices which enrich Big Oil companies and boosted fortune of Russian oil (Hampered by Ukraine sabotage, but hey, Trump TRIED! And even removed oil Sanctions on Russia in the process...)
Donald Trump always lashes out when he’s caught in some peccadillo
“Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Sledgehammer” both sound like the names of Special Military Operations, if you catch my drift. Wonder where he took that from.
It is fascinating to see James David Vance separating himself from this quagmire too - I suppose he fancies he'll be able to walk away from the Iran conflict by giving up the house when Trump croaks it....
The names they come up with to describe their actions sound like they were created by 8 years ago old boys playing army- Epic Fury, Operation Sledgehammer- what is next? I call for a good game of Whackamole and whack these buffoons into space, never to be seen again. They can float amongst the space rubble and watch us rebuild our country and remove any physical connection to them!
As to Netanyahu … am I the only one who’s noticed that he actually changed his name - from Binyamin to Benjamin - to snuggle up to Trump? Two corrupt brothers from different mothers.
It occurs to me that someone needs to tell Neanyahu and Israel in general that good friends don't cause their friends a lot of trouble while giving nothing in return. This is a country crying out for a bit of "America' First' treatment.
An excellent summary of the depravity and idiocy into which drumpf has sunk the U.S.
Trump’s much too narcissistic to make the deal you’re describing. When he said he doesn’t think about the American people at all, that was a rare example of him actually telling the truth. His whole life has taught him he can wish things into existence, because what’s always happened is someone else has stepped up to bail him out when he’s screwed up. I think he’s stunned that hasn’t happened already this time, but figures if he holds out a little longer it will, just like every other time.
Meanwhile, his enablers continue to enable...
Churchill moment???? Seriously???
What does Trump & Putin have on Graham?
Billionaires never ask permission, so Congress, NATO, and other allies were never consulted or invited to join in Trump's demented and impulsive act of war. Then, when allies refused to waste life and treasure to bail him out, Trump arrogantly insulted them on top of alienating them with his illicit global tariffs.
Ironically, Trump also alienated a lot of MAGAs who actually fell for his "America First" promise. Now, his only allies capable of keeping him in power without bloodshed (via corruption) are his fellow oligarch billionaires and techbros. Failing that, his last resort is his Jan-6 insurrection army, which is likely why a) he had Hegseth fire every competent general who might resist a second insurrection attempt, b) he pardoned his Jan 6 militia thugs, and c) is paying them off with 1776 cash so they know they will be rewarded for supporting Trump's next coup.
His followers need money for the basics, until they're called up for the next coup attempt. They will get paid while the lawsuits wind their way through the courts.
I doubt that Iran would accept the "compromise" detailed at the end of this article. Why should they? What guarantee is there that Trump will not launch another attack? They will hold onto the Strait of Hormuz long after this conflict finally ends.
The whole "Iran can not have a nuclear weapon" line would make more sense as an absolute, if North Korea did not already have Nukes, on Trump's watch and all he did about it was to fall in love with their 'god king'.
Russia has Nukes. Ukraine had given up their nukes in exchange for a promise to protect their borders, which Trump ignores. Pakistan has nukes. So, what makes Iran so very special?
Consider that the purpose of a nuke is to say "Do not threaten the survival of my country!", but iran already has that with their control over the Strait of Hormuz. Nukes would be redundant and harder to protect and harder to negotiate with.
Iran is not negotiating with Trump, because Trump has PROVEN himself, repeatedly on the world stage to never act in 'good faith' or to honor agreements, even ones he makes.
Trump can make offers to do things, and negotiate what Iran would do in response. this will mean Trump gives first, then Iran responds proportionately. At no point will there be ANY assumption that Trump will keep his word. Only actions will matter, and Iran is the one with the option to give something in return, or not. Because right now in this world that Trump created, Iran has much more integrity, respect and trust than the US.
Personally I do not see trump ABLE to follow that recipe for negotiating, so yeah, he is f***ed
MAGA sez Trump's detractors are just envious of the Führer's golden mane!