It's stunning to watch the wreckage from the Trump regime pile up. Criminally stupid is as criminally stupid does. Millions of smart Amercans knew this was coming, millions more didn't. My heart goes out to the former. The latter is getting the government they deserve. We just have to hope against hope that Trump doesn't make this all much worse for the rest of the world.
Another good analysis, along with the great comment by Rob McBride, coupled with Rosie's late morning interview with Ambassador Douglas, makes for a satisfying brunch time accompaniment. Trump is a man of contradictions who may know that he's a man of contradictions, and knows that we know of his contradictions ... but, he doesn't care! One man with so much power, surrounded by so many sickophants (don't change my spelling, please). Wesley, I'm now 77 years old, a former military intelligence specialist who is usually more interested now in woodcarving, church choir, religious studies, and stuff. But, part of the "stuff" is watching the world of defence and security, which in itself would be enough. Old habits ... thanks for your part in my retirement journey.
Eventually China is going to have to say/do something as 40% of their oil goes through the Strait. For now they will just continue to watch as Trump weakens the US and the West in general.
Every day, I tell myself that it couldn't possibly get worse than this. Yet it does get worse, more often than not.
Trump has, somehow, managed to make one of the most loathsome regimes on the planet seem worthy of our sympathy, while also destroying America's reputation (which was never blemish-free, but certainly much better than Trump has made it).
And don't get me started on Israel. I don't see how that regime can persist, should the Americans decide to withdraw their support. They've essentially trampled on almost everyone in the Levant and beyond.
Agree, from a countryman in Ottawa. If you ever in any social media space take on the issue of Israeli policies, make sure you walk a careful line between religio-political or politico-religious issues, policies, and actions. Armour up.
You must realize, given the history of Zionism, of Israel, of the Palestinias and their interactions, everything is provoked. Unfortunately, I cannot continue to participate in this thread. I was hoping for reasonable discussion, perhaps including Wesley Wark. Best wishes.
This is a horrible decision. Not only will oil and gas not get through, but also food and medicine. Who needs a Jolly Roger when you have a "letter of marque from the king?"
Yeah, this makes the Strait more dangerous, and shipping companies' insurance will not insure them for that. If a ship goes though the Strait, and ends up hitting a mine, I bet Trump will act like it's "Oh well, they knew the risk" or something like that. I'm really hoping NATO partner ships steer clear of this place until it's been totally de-mined.
I heard a pundit say recently that one drone could block the Strait. I don't know if that is possible, but getting rid of mines would not get rid of the threat from drones.
This is a world leader, with a blindfold, trying to navigate through a maze. Of his own creation.
He's already stepped on a million rakes too.
Good one!
See ya!
An idiot in charge of the most powerful world entity — ever. What could go wrong?
??
It's stunning to watch the wreckage from the Trump regime pile up. Criminally stupid is as criminally stupid does. Millions of smart Amercans knew this was coming, millions more didn't. My heart goes out to the former. The latter is getting the government they deserve. We just have to hope against hope that Trump doesn't make this all much worse for the rest of the world.
Another good analysis, along with the great comment by Rob McBride, coupled with Rosie's late morning interview with Ambassador Douglas, makes for a satisfying brunch time accompaniment. Trump is a man of contradictions who may know that he's a man of contradictions, and knows that we know of his contradictions ... but, he doesn't care! One man with so much power, surrounded by so many sickophants (don't change my spelling, please). Wesley, I'm now 77 years old, a former military intelligence specialist who is usually more interested now in woodcarving, church choir, religious studies, and stuff. But, part of the "stuff" is watching the world of defence and security, which in itself would be enough. Old habits ... thanks for your part in my retirement journey.
I would go with psychophants
As long as you put in an appropriate hyphen to emphasize psych ...
So possibly Trump will drag the world into another war.
Or possibly China and other countries will electrify as quickly as possible and the demand for oil will drop a lot.
Eventually China is going to have to say/do something as 40% of their oil goes through the Strait. For now they will just continue to watch as Trump weakens the US and the West in general.
Every day, I tell myself that it couldn't possibly get worse than this. Yet it does get worse, more often than not.
Trump has, somehow, managed to make one of the most loathsome regimes on the planet seem worthy of our sympathy, while also destroying America's reputation (which was never blemish-free, but certainly much better than Trump has made it).
And don't get me started on Israel. I don't see how that regime can persist, should the Americans decide to withdraw their support. They've essentially trampled on almost everyone in the Levant and beyond.
Agree, from a countryman in Ottawa. If you ever in any social media space take on the issue of Israeli policies, make sure you walk a careful line between religio-political or politico-religious issues, policies, and actions. Armour up.
You must realize, given the history of Zionism, of Israel, of the Palestinias and their interactions, everything is provoked. Unfortunately, I cannot continue to participate in this thread. I was hoping for reasonable discussion, perhaps including Wesley Wark. Best wishes.
This is a horrible decision. Not only will oil and gas not get through, but also food and medicine. Who needs a Jolly Roger when you have a "letter of marque from the king?"
Apparently Iran has mined the Strait. Even if talks has succeeded, this is a huge problem.
“Iran Unable to Find Mines It Planted in Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Says”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/us/politics/iran-mines-strait.html
Yeah, this makes the Strait more dangerous, and shipping companies' insurance will not insure them for that. If a ship goes though the Strait, and ends up hitting a mine, I bet Trump will act like it's "Oh well, they knew the risk" or something like that. I'm really hoping NATO partner ships steer clear of this place until it's been totally de-mined.
I heard a pundit say recently that one drone could block the Strait. I don't know if that is possible, but getting rid of mines would not get rid of the threat from drones.