Shortly after the start of the war in Iran on February 28, Iran declared that the Strait of Hormuz — which is used to transport about 20% of the world’s oil — was closed.
"[N]o indication of a strategic direction other than blowing stuff up and seeing what happens."
Real glad us taxpayers are helping fund a war which isn't officially a war but totally is a war, especially one that lacks a clear justification or any semblance of a plan. Top-notch stuff, America.
The maladministration thought the Iranians were cowards like they (`the maladmin) are and would instantly give up. They believed their own propaganda which convinced them that "shock and awe" were all that was needed, that the experienced military "leaders" were merely too weak or too woke and despite all historical evidence to the contrary, they would succeed in their M.E. "excursion" because this time, THEY'RE the ones doing it and they are exceptionally, especially special beings on account of they're rich and therefore are possessed of superior genes!
The minesweeper saga is especially ludicrous. Trump had four battle-tested Avenger class minesweepers *already* in the Persian Gulf. Old, yes. But extremely reliable, and with very experienced crews. Which Trump/Hegseth *sent home,* assigning only a single new Littoral Combat Vessel. Which has promising new, but untested, minesweeping capabilities. That appears to be malfunctioning. Now Trump is begging our allies for minesweeping assistance.
Meanwhile the price of gas at the pump reached $3.71; and continues to rise daily. The war is costing taxpayers up to $20billion/week. The entire world--8.3 billion people--are now paying 30% more for gasoline and cooking fuel because of Trump & Bibi's war of choice. Trump now has to either beg the Iranians for a ceasefire--or escalate with boots on the ground.
Trump is a draft dodger doesn't have any military experience and Hegseth is an alcoholic blowhard who mostly knows to do whatever Trump asks. I wouldn't be surprised if this war wasn't just a way to cover up and distract from issues at home. In fact, it just shows yet again what an incompetent government we have.
The war was created to divert attention from Epstein- pure & simple. This toad has cost the lives of American soldiers for something as criminal as that.
Oh my, the new unmanned ships are not reliable and one did not return to the "mothership"? No, no, no. You cannot unman something and call it a mother. Let's call Hegseth's ships the daddyships in honor of our complete moron of a defense secretary, or even broships because they act like an idiot who won't and can't control itself or those it brought with it.
I am in Germany. I am reading that our government does not want to "assist" Trump in the Strait of Hormuz. The stance of the EU is that this is not a conflict where the US is defending itself, but one of aggression. NATO allies are not required to help in such a situation. They have been telling Trump that diplomacy is the way to go.
As an American in the world, even though I am also a German, I feel we Americans are in greater danger because a Fatwa has now been administered for all Americans. So, those of us living outside of the US are particularly vulnerable to attack. In many cities outside of the US members of Indivisible Abroad are planning No Kings Day Rallies. Will we be a vulnerable collective for assassination? I guess we will find out. I am still planning our No Kings Day rally, and the other people in my group did not listen to Malcolm Nance discussing with his Muslim guest, how Fatwas work, so I am the only one worrying about this. We need to make a good safety plan. Luckily guns are not so common in Germany. Vehicles are often used to attack.
Germany is already a potential target of Iranian ire because unlike Spain and the UK, it has been allowing the US to use its military bases here to operate the war. Planes fly in and out of Ramstein to the Middle East, and probably from other bases here as well, and the wounded US soldiers are being brought to hospitals at Ramstein. In addition, the Israeli government jet , "Wings of Zion" is parked in the airport in Berlin. This is something they do when they have a conflict with Iran. Someone I know saw it there when they were leaving Berlin 2 weeks ago. So, this war of the US and Israel is endangering Iranians, people in other countries in the Middle East.
I attended an anti-war rally in my city last week. I wrote a piece, which is mostly pictures.
Only six words are needed anymore to describe the administration of the Queens real estate mob boss sundowning as President - Planning is hard. Chaos is easy.
This holds true for electing the wrong people...destroying the country and the governmental infrastructure is easy. Fixing it again is harder.
Let's protect our free and fair elections, and vote the right people into office this time. Don't listen to what they say, see what they do and how they vote in Congress.
Rubio said that Iran closing the Straits would be "suicidal". Funny how the willingness to do suicidal missions skyrockets when your opponent is actively murdering your side already. FFS, Netanyahu even promised to kill the Ayatollah's replacement before they were even named.
I agree with the countries that Trump is soliciting for help. It is not their war. However, they could play the situation the way Trump would and that is pay for play: You (Trump) do this for me forever (no tariffs, etc.) then I’ll consider helping you. He understands that kind of “negotiation”.
"In 1953, Iran’s new parliament decided to nationalize the British imperial oil concession there to fund social services for its emerging democracy. In response, a joint CIA-MI6 coup ousted the reformist prime minister and installed the son of the long-deposed former Shah in power. Unfortunately for the Iranian people, he proved to be a strikingly inept leader who transformed his country’s oil wealth into mass poverty — thereby precipitating Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
By 1954, Guatemala was implementing an historic land reform program that was investing its mostly Mayan indigenous population with the requisites for full citizenship. Unfortunately, a CIA-sponsored invasion installed a brutal military dictatorship, plunging the country into 30 years of civil war that left 200,000 people dead in a population of only five million."
Our feckless foreign policy dealing with Iran started in 1953. When will the media discuss our history with Iran every time Iran is discussed?
Golden Rule of Politics - When a country does a great deal of evil to a country that has caused it no harm - example Iran in 1953, it should not be surprised when countries it has never harmed want to destroy it before the country is able to harm them.
Iran was a FRIEND OF THE USA and then the USA decided to do great deal of evil to Iran.
USA has nationalized industries in peace time and War. Steel and coal may have been nationalized when Harry Truman was President.
Eisenhower used CIA to overthrow our FRIEND Iran because of oil and Guatemala because of business ties his administration had with United Fruit. The following article shows some of the business ties
In first, CIA acknowledges 1953 coup it backed to overthrow leader of Iran was undemocratic
The CIA decided to terrorize people in Iran for over 20 years after the overthrow. This led to the Iranian hostage crisis, bombing of our embassy in Lebanon, and the murder of our Marines in Beirut in 1983.
Did Israel's spy agency and Israel's military help CIA terrorize and murder people inside and outside of Iran?
One of main reasons illegal immigration is a major problem in USA - Eisenhower broke Central America.
The decision to attack Iran does not belong to the President. It belongs to Congress. When will members of Congress fulfill all their responsibilities dealing with the military? Congress could take full control of the military including control of nuclear weapons via Letters of Marque and Reprisal and make Rules and Regulations of the military.
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;"
There were draft riots during the Civil War. I expect future military drafts would have worse riots.
An Amendment to the Constitution that Eliminates the Draft as a Possibility
"I am glad you are talking about the importance of Declaring War with Iraq before we send significant numbers of land troops against Iraq. I hope people will write to members of Congress and demand that they start fulfilling all of their Article One, Section Eight War Making responsibilities."
What do you mean 'not at all responsible to the Congress of the United States'?
"The threat of SAM attacks on U.S. airliners was acknowledged in an FAA study in 1993, which noted that as passenger and baggage screening became more rigorous, the chances of missile strikes would rise. The U.S. government’s interest in the problem followed its decision to supply Afghan mujahedeen fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan — whose ranks included Osama bin Laden and many of his al-Qaeda lieutenants — with about 1,000 Stinger missiles in the 1980s. Pentagon officials credit the Stinger with downing about 250 Soviet aircraft."
I have believed for many years that White Christian terrorists in USA and Europe will blow up commercial aircraft on takeoffs, landings, and other times. Muslims may be blamed for attacking commercial aircraft when White Christians committed the attacks.
Most of the deaths would be on the ground if the jet fuel bombs crash into highly populated areas.
Iran may decide to attack commercial aircraft.
Less than 5,000 people died on 9/11. If the planes had been flown into the ground in highly populated areas, a lot more people would have died.
If you want to see what could happen, look at photos from World War 2 dealing with the firebombing of Germany.
"Sept. 11, 2001 — On the day of the terror attacks in New York and Washington, there are only 33 air marshals, none of whom fly domestically. The hijackings spur an overhaul of aviation security, including the hiring of more than 4,000 air marshals for the newly created Transportation Security Administration. The service is headed by Thomas Quinn, a former Secret Service agent."
Terrorists many years after 9/11 could have blown up as many planes as they wanted with cell phone bombs in cargo of planes.
Airplane security, airport security, and Federal building security were checked out by GAO many years after 9/11 and they failed.
A Perspective on Cockpit Security since 9/11
Has the airline industry mitigated risks? Yes, but it's an evolving process that requires everyone to participate.
Excellent historical review. Thank you for this. I would tell friends during the Shrub's years as president that Iran doesn't hate us for our freedoms, they hate us for wehat we did to their democratically elected leader and no one would know what I was talking about.
They'd complain about South American and Mexican immigrants coming here and ask why can't they just stay home and "fix their own country?" I'd ask them if they ever heard of the excesses of the United Fruit Company in the South Americas and no one would know what I was talking about.
This country has never been innocent and always been hypocritical. Now we've even grown worse due to interference, indifference and ignorance.
However, all is not lost and we can educate and motivate enough people to make positive change. Indeed, the change is happening already but there is still a long way to go.
Thank you for your cogent, well-informed, depressing reportage. Appreciate your work - hope it is widely reported. (I also remain horrified - and besmirched as an American)
"[N]o indication of a strategic direction other than blowing stuff up and seeing what happens."
Real glad us taxpayers are helping fund a war which isn't officially a war but totally is a war, especially one that lacks a clear justification or any semblance of a plan. Top-notch stuff, America.
The maladministration thought the Iranians were cowards like they (`the maladmin) are and would instantly give up. They believed their own propaganda which convinced them that "shock and awe" were all that was needed, that the experienced military "leaders" were merely too weak or too woke and despite all historical evidence to the contrary, they would succeed in their M.E. "excursion" because this time, THEY'RE the ones doing it and they are exceptionally, especially special beings on account of they're rich and therefore are possessed of superior genes!
Not a war, but a "Special Military Operation."
The minesweeper saga is especially ludicrous. Trump had four battle-tested Avenger class minesweepers *already* in the Persian Gulf. Old, yes. But extremely reliable, and with very experienced crews. Which Trump/Hegseth *sent home,* assigning only a single new Littoral Combat Vessel. Which has promising new, but untested, minesweeping capabilities. That appears to be malfunctioning. Now Trump is begging our allies for minesweeping assistance.
Meanwhile the price of gas at the pump reached $3.71; and continues to rise daily. The war is costing taxpayers up to $20billion/week. The entire world--8.3 billion people--are now paying 30% more for gasoline and cooking fuel because of Trump & Bibi's war of choice. Trump now has to either beg the Iranians for a ceasefire--or escalate with boots on the ground.
Or blame Obama or Biden.
Trump is a draft dodger doesn't have any military experience and Hegseth is an alcoholic blowhard who mostly knows to do whatever Trump asks. I wouldn't be surprised if this war wasn't just a way to cover up and distract from issues at home. In fact, it just shows yet again what an incompetent government we have.
Like, . . .,oh, Jeffrey Epstein for example?
The war was created to divert attention from Epstein- pure & simple. This toad has cost the lives of American soldiers for something as criminal as that.
With some calculated profiteering figured in there.
Oh my, the new unmanned ships are not reliable and one did not return to the "mothership"? No, no, no. You cannot unman something and call it a mother. Let's call Hegseth's ships the daddyships in honor of our complete moron of a defense secretary, or even broships because they act like an idiot who won't and can't control itself or those it brought with it.
Once again our defense dollars being spent on crap. Doesn't matter. Defense contractors and folks in Washington cashed in.
I am in Germany. I am reading that our government does not want to "assist" Trump in the Strait of Hormuz. The stance of the EU is that this is not a conflict where the US is defending itself, but one of aggression. NATO allies are not required to help in such a situation. They have been telling Trump that diplomacy is the way to go.
As an American in the world, even though I am also a German, I feel we Americans are in greater danger because a Fatwa has now been administered for all Americans. So, those of us living outside of the US are particularly vulnerable to attack. In many cities outside of the US members of Indivisible Abroad are planning No Kings Day Rallies. Will we be a vulnerable collective for assassination? I guess we will find out. I am still planning our No Kings Day rally, and the other people in my group did not listen to Malcolm Nance discussing with his Muslim guest, how Fatwas work, so I am the only one worrying about this. We need to make a good safety plan. Luckily guns are not so common in Germany. Vehicles are often used to attack.
Germany is already a potential target of Iranian ire because unlike Spain and the UK, it has been allowing the US to use its military bases here to operate the war. Planes fly in and out of Ramstein to the Middle East, and probably from other bases here as well, and the wounded US soldiers are being brought to hospitals at Ramstein. In addition, the Israeli government jet , "Wings of Zion" is parked in the airport in Berlin. This is something they do when they have a conflict with Iran. Someone I know saw it there when they were leaving Berlin 2 weeks ago. So, this war of the US and Israel is endangering Iranians, people in other countries in the Middle East.
I attended an anti-war rally in my city last week. I wrote a piece, which is mostly pictures.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/i-attended-an-anti-war-rally-in-bremen?r=f0qfn
Only six words are needed anymore to describe the administration of the Queens real estate mob boss sundowning as President - Planning is hard. Chaos is easy.
The Atlantic article were he says "I run the country and the world" keeps coming back in play.
This holds true for electing the wrong people...destroying the country and the governmental infrastructure is easy. Fixing it again is harder.
Let's protect our free and fair elections, and vote the right people into office this time. Don't listen to what they say, see what they do and how they vote in Congress.
The war is the result of having a president with frontal lobe dementia. Biden's mind was sound trump's is demented.
Rubio said that Iran closing the Straits would be "suicidal". Funny how the willingness to do suicidal missions skyrockets when your opponent is actively murdering your side already. FFS, Netanyahu even promised to kill the Ayatollah's replacement before they were even named.
How desperate does Trump have to become before he threatens the use, or actually deploys, a nuclear weapon?
Maybe if the elections go against him
I agree with the countries that Trump is soliciting for help. It is not their war. However, they could play the situation the way Trump would and that is pay for play: You (Trump) do this for me forever (no tariffs, etc.) then I’ll consider helping you. He understands that kind of “negotiation”.
Consider it. Promise it. But not actually do it, right? That's the way Trump deals work
What will it take for someone to voice out loud, to his face, in Congress, “In compos mentis”?
The Joint chiefs need to say stop and pull the troops out.
Consultant Alfred E. Neuman (with bright orange hair) is on standby.
part 1 by Kenneth Scot Stremsky
Wrote this to TomDispatch
OPED:
Alfred W. McCoy, How the Past Whispers to the Present in Iran
https://tomdispatch.com/imperial-decline-in-the-straits-of-hormuz/
"In 1953, Iran’s new parliament decided to nationalize the British imperial oil concession there to fund social services for its emerging democracy. In response, a joint CIA-MI6 coup ousted the reformist prime minister and installed the son of the long-deposed former Shah in power. Unfortunately for the Iranian people, he proved to be a strikingly inept leader who transformed his country’s oil wealth into mass poverty — thereby precipitating Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
By 1954, Guatemala was implementing an historic land reform program that was investing its mostly Mayan indigenous population with the requisites for full citizenship. Unfortunately, a CIA-sponsored invasion installed a brutal military dictatorship, plunging the country into 30 years of civil war that left 200,000 people dead in a population of only five million."
Our feckless foreign policy dealing with Iran started in 1953. When will the media discuss our history with Iran every time Iran is discussed?
Golden Rule of Politics - When a country does a great deal of evil to a country that has caused it no harm - example Iran in 1953, it should not be surprised when countries it has never harmed want to destroy it before the country is able to harm them.
Iran was a FRIEND OF THE USA and then the USA decided to do great deal of evil to Iran.
USA has nationalized industries in peace time and War. Steel and coal may have been nationalized when Harry Truman was President.
Eisenhower used CIA to overthrow our FRIEND Iran because of oil and Guatemala because of business ties his administration had with United Fruit. The following article shows some of the business ties
In first, CIA acknowledges 1953 coup it backed to overthrow leader of Iran was undemocratic
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/in-first-cia-acknowledges-1953-coup-it-backed-to-overthrow-leader-of-iran-was-undemocratic
The Dulles Brothers: How to wreak havoc in Guatemala and Iran
https://www.mohammadmossadegh.com/news/dulles-brothers/
The CIA decided to terrorize people in Iran for over 20 years after the overthrow. This led to the Iranian hostage crisis, bombing of our embassy in Lebanon, and the murder of our Marines in Beirut in 1983.
Did Israel's spy agency and Israel's military help CIA terrorize and murder people inside and outside of Iran?
One of main reasons illegal immigration is a major problem in USA - Eisenhower broke Central America.
The decision to attack Iran does not belong to the President. It belongs to Congress. When will members of Congress fulfill all their responsibilities dealing with the military? Congress could take full control of the military including control of nuclear weapons via Letters of Marque and Reprisal and make Rules and Regulations of the military.
Constitution
Article 1, Section 8
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;"
There were draft riots during the Civil War. I expect future military drafts would have worse riots.
An Amendment to the Constitution that Eliminates the Draft as a Possibility
Thursday, February 15, 2007
by Kenneth Scot Stremsky
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20070215-1
Preparing for Terrorist Attacks
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20030218-0
"I am glad you are talking about the importance of Declaring War with Iraq before we send significant numbers of land troops against Iraq. I hope people will write to members of Congress and demand that they start fulfilling all of their Article One, Section Eight War Making responsibilities."
What do you mean 'not at all responsible to the Congress of the United States'?
Monday, April 13, 2009
by Ken Stremsky
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20090413-0
I believe Congress has more control over our military than the President
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20070214-0
Dealing with Punishment
Thursday, November 19, 2009
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20091119-0
Does the way our Republic wages War bother Mr. Berg-Andersson?
Friday, November 20, 2009
by Ken Stremsky
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20091120-0
Letters of Marque and Reprisal
Monday, November 23, 2009
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/Vox/?20091123-0
How to Protect Airliners from Missiles
December 2002
https://time.com/archive/6924695/how-to-protect-airliners-from-missiles/
"The threat of SAM attacks on U.S. airliners was acknowledged in an FAA study in 1993, which noted that as passenger and baggage screening became more rigorous, the chances of missile strikes would rise. The U.S. government’s interest in the problem followed its decision to supply Afghan mujahedeen fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan — whose ranks included Osama bin Laden and many of his al-Qaeda lieutenants — with about 1,000 Stinger missiles in the 1980s. Pentagon officials credit the Stinger with downing about 250 Soviet aircraft."
I have believed for many years that White Christian terrorists in USA and Europe will blow up commercial aircraft on takeoffs, landings, and other times. Muslims may be blamed for attacking commercial aircraft when White Christians committed the attacks.
Most of the deaths would be on the ground if the jet fuel bombs crash into highly populated areas.
Iran may decide to attack commercial aircraft.
Less than 5,000 people died on 9/11. If the planes had been flown into the ground in highly populated areas, a lot more people would have died.
If you want to see what could happen, look at photos from World War 2 dealing with the firebombing of Germany.
Dresden: The World War Two bombing 75 years on
12 February 2020
Share
Save
Toby Luckhurst
BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51448486
Congress refused to harden cockpits.
History of the Federal Air Marshal Service
https://www.propublica.org/article/history-of-the-federal-air-marshal-service
"Sept. 11, 2001 — On the day of the terror attacks in New York and Washington, there are only 33 air marshals, none of whom fly domestically. The hijackings spur an overhaul of aviation security, including the hiring of more than 4,000 air marshals for the newly created Transportation Security Administration. The service is headed by Thomas Quinn, a former Secret Service agent."
Terrorists many years after 9/11 could have blown up as many planes as they wanted with cell phone bombs in cargo of planes.
Airplane security, airport security, and Federal building security were checked out by GAO many years after 9/11 and they failed.
A Perspective on Cockpit Security since 9/11
Has the airline industry mitigated risks? Yes, but it's an evolving process that requires everyone to participate.
https://www.flyingmag.com/a-perspective-on-cockpit-security-since-9-11/
Excellent historical review. Thank you for this. I would tell friends during the Shrub's years as president that Iran doesn't hate us for our freedoms, they hate us for wehat we did to their democratically elected leader and no one would know what I was talking about.
They'd complain about South American and Mexican immigrants coming here and ask why can't they just stay home and "fix their own country?" I'd ask them if they ever heard of the excesses of the United Fruit Company in the South Americas and no one would know what I was talking about.
This country has never been innocent and always been hypocritical. Now we've even grown worse due to interference, indifference and ignorance.
However, all is not lost and we can educate and motivate enough people to make positive change. Indeed, the change is happening already but there is still a long way to go.
Thank you for your cogent, well-informed, depressing reportage. Appreciate your work - hope it is widely reported. (I also remain horrified - and besmirched as an American)