War with Iran - DEFCON 3

[falafel]

It's as simple as using the Google machine and finding Rubio's speech. He goes through it.

Not sure if you are aware, but Rubio is not the President. Do you think it is a problem that Trump directly contradicted Rubio's objectives (even using the Google machine will tell you that)?

[PaloAltoCougar]

It's as simple as using the Google machine and finding Rubio's speech. He goes through it.

Are you referring to his March 2 statement, the one stating the purposes were to eliminate the threat of Iran’s short-range ballistic missiles and the threat posed by their navy? Even though he walked back part of the statement (as to Israel's imminent raid prompting preemptive action by the U.S.), it was a remarkably clear, concise statement coming from an administration whose messaging is the worst of any administration in my lifetime--very scattershot, unrehearsed, and almost always contradicted by statements made earlier or later by the speaker or others. Trump changes his mind more than his underwear, and continues to be like the kid who didn't do the reading but thinks he can bullshit his way through any question. But unlike most unprepared kids, Trump has such unfounded confidence in his reasoning and rhetorical gifts that he wants be called on.

Anyway, pointing only to Rubio for the war's purpose is rational and defensible. But Trump, Hegseth, Witkoff, et al. make a dog's dinner of any attempt at policy explanation.

[Northwestcoug]

Are you referring to his March 2 statement, the one stating the purposes were to eliminate the threat of Iran’s short-range ballistic missiles and the threat posed by their navy? Even though he walked back part of the statement (as to Israel's imminent raid prompting preemptive action by the U.S.), it was a remarkably clear, concise statement coming from an administration whose messaging is the worst of any administration in my lifetime--very scattershot, unrehearsed, and almost always contradicted by statements made earlier or later by the speaker or others. Trump changes his mind more than his underwear, and continues to be like the kid who didn't do the reading but thinks he can bullshit his way through any question. But unlike most unprepared kids, Trump has such unfounded confidence in his reasoning and rhetorical gifts that he wants be called on.

Anyway, pointing only to Rubio for the war's purpose is rational and defensible. But Trump, Hegseth, Witkoff, et al. make a dog's dinner of any attempt at policy explanation.

This highlights the worst part of the functionality of Trump's presidency. Let's say this war was a great idea (snicker), and there's clear evidence that an imminent threat was present (snicker). He couldn't care less about making this case to at least half of the country that is deeply skeptical. And he cannot for the life of him shut the hell up. He goes out of his way to muddle any coherent defense of his policies. There's a reason why he looks up to authoritarian leaders. He wants to be able to govern without having to persuade anyone outside of his base.

[SteelBlue]

It's as simple as using the Google machine and finding Rubio's speech. He goes through it.

I mean, I watched it in real time. It contradicted much of what his President had said at the beginning of the war, and continued to say after Rubio's speech. Which guy am I supposed to listen to?

[Maximus]

It's as simple as using the Google machine and finding Rubio's speech. He goes through it.

Lol come on man take off the blinders

[SteelBlue]

Embedded Tweet

I mean, it would be funny if it weren't so ridiculous. We had a better deal already and Fox and their ilk have mocked it for years and Trump tore it up as soon as he could. Now they get another 20 and lifted sanctions. The art of the deal.

[BlueK]

Trump now saying the Pope said Iran can have a nuclear weapon. Yeah, totally believable. It's like Trump is five years old.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/16/polit...rump-pope-iran

[Bo Diddley]

Embedded Tweet

I mean, it would be funny if it weren't so ridiculous. We had a better deal already and Fox and their ilk have mocked it for years and Trump tore it up as soon as he could. Now they get another 20 and lifted sanctions. The art of the deal.

If we were to get the enriched uranium out of Iran, that's a huge concession. But without inspectors, they simply reset their program and we kick the can down the road.

The sanctions have been working. If we lift those, will they continue to be a bad actor and fund their proxies?

No easy solutions here.

[Northwestcoug]

I mean, it would be funny if it weren't so ridiculous. We had a better deal already and Fox and their ilk have mocked it for years and Trump tore it up as soon as he could. Now they get another 20 and lifted sanctions. The art of the deal.

And an Iranian MP is claiming today they will charge a fee for merchant ships.

A worse Obama deal. How is the war considered anything other than a sigh of relief that it wasn't a worse fiasco?

[SteelBlue]

The more I read about this, the more I doubt any of it is happening. Feels like a market booster.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The more I read about this, the more I doubt any of it is happening. Feels like a market booster.

I am loving my portfolio right now.

[SteelBlue]

Embedded Tweet

Embedded Tweet

45 min ago.

[Jeff Lebowski]

RIP my portfolio on Monday morning.

[frank ryan]

RIP my portfolio on Monday morning.

JL, this is going extremely well, and all objectives have been met or will be soon. This is a smashing success! Cozy up. read the Art of the Deal and relax!

[Jeff Lebowski]

JL, this is going extremely well, and all objectives have been met or will be soon. This is a smashing success! Cozy up. read the Art of the Deal and relax!

Phew. Thanks man.