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[like or remotely reassured by any of the mood music coming out of DC right now.]

#1

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by mongers - Today at 07:01:48 PM

Edit: Incidentally this is purely vibes based - but I am not like or remotely reassured by any of the mood music coming out of DC right now.

Can't you call if for what it is, Bullshit.   

#2

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 06:58:48 PM

Care to elaborate?

Sadly, as I say, no analysis just vibes. It just feels like everything I'm seeing feels like this is going worse and turing out to be more difficult than they anticipated. I also think there seems to be a degree of surprise at the extent of Iran's response and capacity to respond (both in terms of domestic resilience and counter strikes).

As I say just on the mood music no real statements or anything I've read to get there.

#3

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Jacob - Today at 06:57:42 PM

So apparently there's a strong connection between the accents of Cork and Jamaica: https://www.tiktok.com/@autotunedvids/video/7612214549407649046?_r=1&_t=ZN-94RpnvYOMNi

#4

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Jacob - Today at 06:49:13 PM

Incidentally this is purely vibes based - but I am not like or remotely reassured by any of the mood music coming out of DC right now.

Care to elaborate?

#5

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Jacob - Today at 06:45:14 PM

Maybe his shriveled brain has convinced him he's in a really weird version of Apprentice.

My hypothesis is that he wants vassals. MAGA-type right wing populists governments in various European and Latin American countries can be conceived as vassals because they'll glaze him, and because they'll enable his corruption networks.

In a place like Venezuela, he believes he's replaced the leader with someone more amenable on those two points - they'll cater to Trump's ego rather than be defiant, and they'll facilitate corruption one way or the other. This is the same thing with his Palestinian "board of peace", and was also the template for his "peace" in Ukraine.

The approach to Iran is the same: "we have lots of power, we're going to swing it around and break shit until you start sucking up to me by acting like a vassal - in this case let me "have a say" in picking the leader - and help me facilitate my oligarch cronies and family pocketing more wealth."

He wants to be the top mafia boss in the world, and he's happy to use the US military to that end.

#6

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Valmy - Today at 06:24:52 PM

"The western hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security"

Ask her to find it on a map.

Our security requires that we control the entire world I guess.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Baron von Schtinkenbutt - Today at 05:58:58 PM

Are we ready for a world, as slim a chance as there is of it, where Wrexham are in the PL and the Spurs aren't?

#8

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 05:52:42 PM

Hope DC remembers to say "thank you" at least once:


Edit: Incidentally this is purely vibes based - but I am not like or remotely reassured by any of the mood music coming out of DC right now.

#9

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 05:49:47 PM

Oh my

Having been there a few times in the last few years Spurs are in a lot of trouble.

#10

Off the Record / Re: Iran War?

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 05:24:21 PM

I am sorry but there are American naval forces launching strikes against Iran aren't they? It would be irresponsible not to cripple the enemy's navy to the best of their abilities. It's a stupid war with a strategic disaster written all over it, but that doesn't mean they are forced to wage it in a stupid way on the tactical level.

There are bigger stakes than what second echelon mullah and their grandkids we happen to slaughter with an airstrike, or what hapless toy size frigate we send to the bottom with all its crew.  "Smart" tactics that make the US look like a monstrous bully and inspire disgust and hate around the world are not a net positive for US national security and influence.

December 7 1941 was the day that lives in infamy because while negotiations were ongoing to resolve a dispute involving sanctions and concerns of aggressive acts towards third countries, Japan launched an unprovoked surprise attack with no declaration of war.  Americans then and since were outraged by such perfidy to the degree that the offending nation was made the recipient of the only atomic bomb ever used in warfare.  What sort of day then is February 28, 2026?  Not one that makes me particularly proud of my country's conduct.