Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: Facebook Follies of Friend...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 12:28:36 AM

Got a link?

#2

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Zanza - March 06, 2026, 11:49:07 PM

I'm seeing reports the US has used more than 800 Patriot missile interceptors in the war. Any verification on this?

Read that too, but probably not the US alone as the Gulf States all have own Patriot batteries.

That's more than Ukraine used (or rather got) in four years.

#3

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by The Minsky Moment - March 06, 2026, 10:16:36 PM

I'm seeing reports the US has used more than 800 Patriot missile interceptors in the war. Any verification on this?

#4

Off the Record / Re: Facebook Follies of Friend...

Last post by Razgovory - March 06, 2026, 09:06:37 PM

GOP is smart enough to have contempt for people that either can't vote, don't exist in large numbers, or are not reachable.

Similarly, they are very good at making their voting base feel the target of contempt, whether it exists or not. And they are also very very good at using contempt of others as a unifying force for their voters.

The enemies of the modern GOP are both "full of contempt and utterly contemptible to them at the same time." Conveniently.

Certainly, and it's not very hard.  The contempt you demonstrated for people in my town is something I remembered quite well.

#5

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Razgovory - March 06, 2026, 08:52:30 PM

Right now a large proportion of Iran's population support the attacks by the USA...

Is that really so? Honest question. Obviously there are Iranians that support it, but "a large proportion"?

Probably not that big a portion.  It's weird juxtaposition.  The urban leftists of Iran support the American regime while the urban left in America support the Iranian regime.  Conservatives in both countries support their regime.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Neil - March 06, 2026, 08:25:02 PM

who was going to counter attack the sub off the coast of Sri Lanka?

Presumably any other Iranian ship or aircraft.  It's pretty paper thin, but it's enough. 

#7

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Neil - March 06, 2026, 08:23:27 PM

Something that I think may rise to being criminal are reports that after we sunk Iran's ship that was leaving India, we made no effort to save the surviving sailors. My understanding is we are signatory to the 1949 convention that requires us to at least attempt to render aid in such circumstances (and while I think there are some exceptions, I don't believe any apply to that situation.)

There's an exemption for ship safety.  A submarine in wartime being so vulnerable to counterattack is typically the argument used.  Like when the British sank Belgrano in the Falklands. 

https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2026/03/05/iranian-ship-was-leaving-indian-naval-exercise-when-sunk-raising-concerns-new-delhi.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_present_at_International_Fleet_Review_2026
See USS Pinckney.

The US Navy attacked a defenseless ship.  This is what Hegseth boasted about.

Attacking defenceless ships is what submarines are for.  That's the entire point of them.  It's predatory warfare.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by viper37 - March 06, 2026, 08:18:05 PM

Something that I think may rise to being criminal are reports that after we sunk Iran's ship that was leaving India, we made no effort to save the surviving sailors. My understanding is we are signatory to the 1949 convention that requires us to at least attempt to render aid in such circumstances (and while I think there are some exceptions, I don't believe any apply to that situation.)

There's an exemption for ship safety.  A submarine in wartime being so vulnerable to counterattack is typically the argument used.  Like when the British sank Belgrano in the Falklands. 

https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2026/03/05/iranian-ship-was-leaving-indian-naval-exercise-when-sunk-raising-concerns-new-delhi.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_present_at_International_Fleet_Review_2026
See USS Pinckney.

The US Navy attacked a defenseless ship.  This is what Hegseth boasted about.

#9

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by mongers - March 06, 2026, 07:48:31 PM

who was going to counter attack the sub off the coast of Sri Lanka?

It gives them enough wriggle room, 'look the Brits didn't stop to help people'.

Which I kinda misses the point about the Belgrano being with 100-150 miles of the Falklands and in a conflict zone vs this ship, which might have been what more than 1000 miles away from US navy surface ships??

#10

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by mongers - March 06, 2026, 07:45:01 PM

Not sure where else to put this, I think it's been going since the autumn - but just worth noting there are apparently worrying signs in the private credit market. Not saying it looks "pre-financial crisis" but....Apparently market watchers and commentators are looking at it with increasing concern right now.

You could give it it's own thread, something like "2026 - Global Economic Meltdown"