115 Comments
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Bob P.'s avatar

The President and Secretary of Defense is trying to sale the idea of a military success to the American people, but the adjectives that they’re using doesn’t match the reality of the situation. The enemy is still shooting and causing harm, and getting away with their actions. They probably have weapons in their hospitals and places of worship. I don’t know where they are hiding them, but they are certainly shooting them.

And like the bully that took your lunch money in school, they’re robbing the ships that sail through strait of Hormuz.

jabster's avatar

It really seems like Trump got Iran to agree to a ceasefire that Trump knew Iran would find an excuse not to honor, making Trump look like a reasonable mensch and the Iranian military look like perpetual warmongers. Iran is so flakey that Trump can roll back his demands a little to come across as more reasonable, and Iran will still find a way to break the deal. When (WHEN) the ordnance starts landing in Iran again, the pricetag for Iran will have gone up.

Trump knows what he wants and has been clear about it. He also knows his BATNA and is not afraid to impose it. He's giving this choice to Iran. The clock ticks.

As Mel Brooks said in History of the World Part I, "hump or death". Oh, and "It's good to be the king!" Oh, and "Jews In Space!!!"

Carmine Pescatore's avatar

I didn’t like the politics of Gen. Colin Powell but militarily he was spot on

Go to war only even you have to .

Have an end plan.

Throw in the kitchen sink if you have to in order to win.

Trump hasn’t done this. The hard liners will rearm during any truce.

Eric Rohrbach's avatar

I agree, Trump has to do more. I applaud him for seeking to resolve the IRGC threat but now that he has started he needs to see it through. He's literally bet the legacy of his Presidency on it as well as the reputation of the USA--and the hopes and dreams of the long suffering Iranian people.

Debra's avatar

As Erick has said, they will get a nuclear weapon and they will use it.

Tom H's avatar
3dEdited

Trump is a menace. We all wanted the first administration. He has come back as some kind of idiot who’s screwing everything up.

Consider tariffs, had the Orange Menace kept to just China, we’d be okay. Instead, he got on TV doing his stupid hand gesture and sucking air through his teeth, saying it was “liberation day.” Our economy would be screaming except for this stupid crap. We are getting shafted by the lack of wage growth. His “deals?” WORSE THAN WHAT WE HAD TO BEGIN WITH.

Then we have “Greenland.” He is freaking retarded to make it into such a thing as to say we are going to go to war for it. But there is the moron sucking air through his teeth.

Now, Iran. We could have left it alone. But the Orange Menace, aka Mr. Quadrillion Level Chess Master, starts the war, and now he’s going to leave it where Iran gets to charge a toll? He is out of his mind. And so are the fluffers running around placating him.

Trump has lost his damned mind, and I have had enough. His voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard, except every time he talks, it costs us something. The GOP better do something or this is going to wipe them out.

The fluffing of Trump needs to stop, and someone needs to have an intervention with him. Personally, I can’t stand him, and I went from a moderate supporter to wanting him out of office.

Joe Hatfield's avatar

I guess we could have kept giving Iran pallets of cash, like Obama did..... because, ya know, helping Iran get nuclear weapons.... a country whose leaders enforce a political philosophy of conquest and death (masquerading as a legitimate religion) on it's own people.... is a great idea..... Right?

Southern Planter's avatar

They are actually making more now than they ever did off of Obama’s cash.

Tom H's avatar

Yes. But the Trump Fluffers will run about saying it’s the “best ever!”

Tom H's avatar

I am for the war continuing. My problem is Trump just decided to stop and now he’s going to feed us a crap sandwich telling us all “it’s the greatest deal ever. No one has ever seen anything like it.”

Robert Lannon's avatar

You are seriously unhinged... Get some help before you hurt yourself or somebody else.

Tom H's avatar

Step back from the Flav-o-Aid.

Jason Klemm's avatar

this is why I think when Trump post on his Truth Social account, more often than not, he shows of how he has a lack of control on things, which in my mind validates what those left say about Trump. This is just my thought, what Trump posted on Monday about Iran on Truth Social is thing you do not "telegraph in advance" about when especially when during a military conflict that your own nation is conducting. Talk about the phrase back in World War 2 " Loose Lips, Sinks Ships".

Glen Franklin Koontz's avatar

Gosh! You are so amazingly wrong on everything!

Tom H's avatar

Like what? Pick one and prove it wrong.

Listen to the poeple around Trump. They sound like teenage girls with a crush.

Southern Planter's avatar

Warning you, Tom, don’t open the can of worms with Glen. He is Trumpier than Stephen Miller and loves him more than even slobbering Todd Blanche does. If Trump ever needs to replace that “Lying Barbie” Caroline Levitt, Glen would be perfect for the job.

Tom H's avatar

I see. I am a conservative. Accordingly, there’s only so much I can tolerate before I call BS.

I pray our next President is Rubio, DeSantis, or Bessent.

Southern Planter's avatar

Not Bessent. I think he is blowing Trump as much as anyone — and with him, perhaps literally.

Glen Franklin Koontz's avatar

You claim--wrongly--that the economy under Biden was better than the economy under President Trump II. That is demonstrably false. Wages are up, inflation is down, jobs are up, government is shrinking, both in real terms and in regulatory reach, the stock market is up, etc.

There. I picked one and proved you wrong.

Glen Franklin Koontz's avatar

Democrats are going to lose in Texas. It will not be close.

Tom H's avatar

I think you’re going to be very unhappy at the drubbing the GOP is about to get.

And it will be Trump and his Fluffer’s fault.

Tom H's avatar

No, Glen, I didn't. I said Trump was elected because people wanted a better economy. The top two issues he actually polls well on were IMMIGRATION and ECONOMY.

Wages are not up as much as inflation. Every time the economy looks like it's going to take off, Trump does something to distract or stop it.

He was elected to improve things, and he's not getting that done. And his spectacle is getting old. We will all suffer because his crapfest is going to put the Democrats in charge of at least the House.

Glen Franklin Koontz's avatar

Wages are up more than inflation. The economy is growing steadily. And you are merely demonstrating that you [and others] lack the necessary patience for things to turn around. Joe Biden inflicted great damage on the economy. It will take time to turn it around.

I have no idea how old you are, but I am old enough to remember President Reagan's tenure. There was a recession in 1982. By 1983-84, the country's economy was roaring, and thus began the greatest peacetime expansion of our economy ever. It took time to clean up President Carter's mess.

AND--"WORSE THAN WHAT WE HAD TO BEGIN WITH". These were your words. Not mine.

Tom H's avatar
2dEdited

Glenn, what Trump has done is NOT going to lead to the greatest expansion. First, the actions being taken are different. Second, Trump cannot stick to a strategy. He changes his mind often. Third, a President starts to own the economy after a year to a year and a half.

In his first term, Trump imposed tariffs on China, but it had no inflationary effect. Why? China manipulated its currency. I think it may have worsened its depression by doing so. But the entire world cannot do that.

The recession Reagan inherited came largely from bad policy that was largely fixed.

Also, the "wages up more than inflation" depends on what inflation index you use. I

GREG BROWN's avatar

Just torch their oil

Jake Roberts's avatar

If you talk to a Muslim they will tell you Taqiyya doesn't exist or not practices, just like Jihad is misunderstood, and peaceful. Like you say words having meaning and actions have meaning and history so we all learn not by just what they say, but their actions. I think it was Regan that said trust but verify.

Glen Franklin Koontz's avatar

Islam is a violent, political ideology that has proven throughout history that it cannot tolerate anything it does not control.

Southern Planter's avatar

Finally you are right about something! Congratulations, Glen!

Jake Roberts's avatar

Conquered by the sword everywhere they became dominant. You can't even have a civil dialog or discussion with many of them, I know because in seminary they were invited because of a paper called A Common Word years ago. Many did not answer our questions about certain topics.

Rachel's avatar
3dEdited

BTW, I noticed Rubio hasn't been out in front like he was the first couple of weeks.😒🤔

Rachel's avatar

I hate to beat a dead horse, but this is why our Founders wanted our war adventures to be sanctioned by congress, instead of on the whims of the executive branch. With a war declaration, members of congress put their 2 cents in by asking the questions we are so that objectives are clear and followed through AND most importantly, the executive branch is held accountable (as are the reps, which is what THEY don’t like).

Cheesefrog's avatar

Ideally, yes. But Congress is incapable of functioning at this point. It's nothing but team warfare. Congress is like a real life Spy vs. Spy cartoon.

Southern Planter's avatar

Maybe we should just tear up that pesky Constitution. ;)

Robert Lannon's avatar

Our congress couldn't close the border... They are inept. We need to clean house on most of them and get back to a functioning government. Democrats are basically Trump haters, they got no game but hate and are holding congress hostage by holding there breath. Had 4 years at the adult table with Biden and it was a hot mess. Biden probably goes down as one of the worst 1 term president in history. Last time Bush ran it through congress we never found weapons of mass destruction and started the forever wars.

Southern Planter's avatar

Well, I am a life long Republican and a Trump hater. Never made the mistake of voting for him even once.

Jason Klemm's avatar

unfortunately I have to disagree.

Patriot Paul's avatar

Erick thanks to you I just read “ The Unholy Alliance” by Michael Yussef, which chronicles everything you said here about Iran and the jihadist Islam faith… it’s scary but spot on! They “” will kill the Jews on Saturday and the Christians on Sunday” . I do t think for a minute however, that Trump won’t come back asap with a vengeance like we have never seen before. He won’t be double crossed and will not be made the fool imho… Fox’s Brian Kilmeade, just this am, said that Trump is simply reloading and may strike again long before the two week cease fire.. Hope he is correct. We can’t stand for a blocked Strait of Hormuz… it’s take to take them out for everyone’s sake!

Southern Planter's avatar

Maybe it will “be like nothing anyone has ever seen before.”

Cynthia's avatar

How do we as Americans get this message to the President?

Rachel's avatar
3dEdited

That's what congress is for, but they didn't declare a war - due to their cowardice at being held responsible, IMO - so there's no inclusion of our voices with the many questions and POVs that this entails.

Sheilah Ward's avatar

Cynthia, i know right???? Trump has to already know this fundamental truth about this regime, these leaders, the people who practice under the doctrine. Surely someone has explained it to him-Erick here has written it out and explained so even the most casual of observers get it. I support our president, but have to wonder why he is negotiating /listening to people for whom negotiating and dealing is NOT an option? It's their way or no way. It's in their spiritual DNA. They wish to die and kill others before they would deal w/ infidels. As Erick says, it's their belief system. Even Trump can't negotiate outta that. I am praying for Trump to seek guidance from the only One Who knows-Our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Nancy Brost's avatar

The last paragraph sums up everything perfectly. This isn't the time to wait. Iran is already making excuses and trying to backtrack. As Erick says, there must be more done. Iran will keep trying to bargain to prolong discussions. Americans are getting anxious to get this over and move on.

Sue Haggerty's avatar

It's been nearly 50 years of brutal rule, with the Iraian people beaten, broken, and forced into submission. Trump truly believes that the power of his words will be enough to inspire a revolt of its people. But they are unarmed. Thousands have already been slaughtered. So, how do you decapitate an ideology? We can bomb all we want, but it will never be enough. Trump thought his wild threats and rhetoric could do it, but the religious fanatics have had 47 years to build and hide their weapons. In the name of Allah, they use both their words and their weapons to imprison their own people. Not sure how we can "trump" that. God Bless our military for trying.

Rachel's avatar

The zealots are crazier and more unhinged. True believers, whereas Trump is transactional.

Joe Guerriero's avatar

Trump needs to finish this.

Robert Lannon's avatar

He is going to take the island and push Nato to enforce the safe straights. They still have all those troops there ready to go. I think he was giving them their last chance to be honest. And they showed it is the same game with no remorse. Also think they are in a definite communicattions quagmire in that anyone who deals with them will be killed by the hardliners and we kill all the hardliners, so whos talking to who and who to trust and how to get things done with out boots on the ground becomes a real issue. I think they have to continue to starve them out economically. If the troops are not getting paid its tough to have loyalty. Also block chineese and Russian arms shipments. Then, for like the next few years we will need to go over there and mow the grass when Isreali intelegence reports find they are rebuilding or resetting their arms capability. Eventually I think they get regime change but I think it will be swift and without a whole lot of media fanfare and little violence, Kinda like when the soviet uninion fell apart. I got to think there are efforts but that they are waiting for the irc to be completely demoralized, when the soldiers are out begging for food or trying to take from others is when they take back the government.

Tom H's avatar

He's not going to do anything. He's made a mess. Now he's going to TACO, claim some great victory, "unlike anything the world has ever seen," and leave a freaking unfinished mess.

Robert Lannon's avatar

Ohh like Biden bailing out of Afghanistan... Even if he leaves now the world is a much better place. And not near the FU that Biden was. In fact you can blame Biden and Obama for getting us to here in the first place. They were the ones that opened up sanctions and gave them pallets of cash so they could terrorize us and middle east. But I think your wrong. They didn't send all those troops over there to sail away, they are going to get some kind of a deal or take control of the island and cut off their oil. TACO, orange man, TDS. You all sound like a middle school name calling. It least Trump's name calling is funny... Pocohantos, little Marko... They are clever. Not stupid sounding numb nutz.

Tom H's avatar

Robert, step away from the Flav-o-Aid. He’s going to leave the job half finished. The Islamic Republic will continue. Then we will have to hear “it’s the greatest deal ever! There’s never been a better deal anywhere!” And the fluffers will swoop in to make him feel good about it.

Trump has made some seriously stupid mistakes. And the people around him seem to go out of their way to kiss his behind. That’s not a good thing.

Robert Lannon's avatar

The problem with you and the libtards is you work off a straw man arguement that you have some sort of better alternative. The democrat party is in disarray, they basically are we hate Trump and anyone else who doesn't also. You had 4 years at the adult table with Biden and screwed up everything you touched. So you all complain, drink your own KOOLAID that some how this world woulld be a better place without Trump. Put on your track suits and shiny new gym shoes and wait for the end of the world. What has he left half finished that democrats didn't put a stop too. Infact if right now they had it their way they would impeach Trump and start war resolution act to stop the war period. With nothing. No deal. No oil. No safety. Just because they want to stop Trump... Grow up.

Tom H's avatar

I think you need to read my comment again. I was a MODERATE supporter of Trump and I am not a Democrat. I am simply tired of TRUMP. His stupid tariffs are hurting the economy. His constant crazy posts undermine the office.

As to the Flav-o-Aid, you can't even get that right. Look it up.

Robert Lannon's avatar

Welll you sure sound like a libtard, either that or malcontent. Either way your an idiot. What is the old saying if you don't have anything nice to say keep your pie hole shut. What is your point? Get democrats back behind the wheel... How did that go for everyone. Glad you know enough about death cults to get the drink correct.

Glen Franklin Koontz's avatar

Funny. Your comments read just like something put out by the DNC. Or any host on MS NOW.

John Phillips's avatar

We can hope- you give Trump way too much credit but we can hope!

Nancy Irey's avatar

Exactly! Bomb the hell out of them; it's what the Iranian people want!