JAG

The US is out of NATO to all intents and purposes. They have threatened, bullied and demanded, and now have launched a war of aggression which they expect NATO to join. NATO will evolve into a European alliance, along with Canada. The USA is not really going to play a part in it. We will wait and see what happens on the American political scene, but we can be sure, neither Europe nor Canada will trust them for a very long time.

The primary principle of waging war is "to identify and maintain the aim". The US under Trump has no clear aim, and constantly hops from one reason to another. Ignoring that primary principle defeats the object of waging the war. The quagmire they are in will ultimately result in them cutting and running, a defeat more ignominious and damaging to their power, status and reputation than their defeat in Indo China 50 years ago. That took them what, a decade and a half, nearly two, to recover. This may well take longer. It also may be putting at risk the very existence of Israel - although they have the opportunity to change their government in October and get out, I hope for their sake they take it. All, essentially, to deflect from the foul scandal which is assailing and sticking to their President

I'm not the greatest fan of The Guardian's political stance (although I find it's news coverage generally fair) and of course it is one of the only broadsheet English Language newspapers not to put it's journalism behind a paywall, but this Op Ed piece hits the nail on the head!

A competent President would have been at the forefront of International efforts to establish a treaty which would have prevented Iran having a nuclear weapons programme. Such a treaty could (was) internationally verified, would/was leading to Iran trading more freely which in turn would have reduced the tensions and international pressure/sanctions which sustained the mullahs' regime. Such a treaty was established, it was unilaterally torn up by the Fragrant Leader because it had been established during the tenure of his (competent) predecessor. Now we have a war, the repercussions of which will reverberate throughout the world for years to come, damaging economies and at great cost of innocent lived. Iran has been described as a parish state; a title now rapidly being embraced by the United States!

They also serve, even those who mince around in Ruritanian Comic Opera uniforms!

The grift, both the scale and the openness is quite amazing. The world has always had corrupt politicians, autocratic or elected, but Trump's administration takes it to a new level. The worry of course is that this becomes "the new normal" - which will finish the great American experiment completely! Military adventurism can be reined in, political stage strutting, domestic and international can be ridiculed, democracy can reassert itself, political cults can fade, their dynasties fail, religious enthusiasiasms diminish, racial bigotry can be overcome, but this sort of corruption, if unchecked and accepted will become the end game.

Off to make a cup of ginger tea to start the day, For crying out loud, can't somebody do something about that bloody clear edit button? Since the last "upgrade" it is on screen for a split second, and the result is this sort of bloody nonsense! Anyway, off to make a cup of ginger tea to start the day. Dogs pestering for their breakfast. Both these conversations seem particularly pointless, like trying to swim in treacle!

I suppose that if you really wanted one there is one out there. If this were a court of law, and you were a barrister acting for the defence, then you could, I suppose, demand one be deposed! But, as you do need to be occasionally reminded, this is a discussion forum, not a court! There are however many of us who remember watching the broadcast of that particular draw dropping example of condescending racial ignorance!

Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous!

1) it was the USA which rocketed the girls school and killed the children. 2) These attacks took place in The Netherlands. 3) Nuking Israel, serious?

Sorry, have to chip in my 5£ worth! Just had to chip in my £5 worth: sorry about the multiple quotes - that nonsense with the edit quote button only appearing for a split second - I really wish they would sort it out!

You really don't read what I post, do you?. It is not a fake name, it is my Initials. Almost by definition, that is hardly anonymous! Hells bells, I even gave my Skype ID, which includes my name, as a contact on my "page" - I know Skype is now a dead duck but you wouldn't exactly need to be Sherlock Holmes to put 2 and 2 together! You however change your name regularly, and expect us to believe each new identity is a different person! Now I really don't give two hoots that you do that, it is quite bizarre, some of us find it amusing and if I was really bored I suppose I might speculate on why (I don't) but it doesn't fool anyone, and you are the one blethering on about irony!

Goodness me, do you not see the irony in someone who reinvents their identity (albeit failing entirely to convince anyone that they are a "new person") at least every six months talking about "lefty internet guys who don't live in the real world"? Incidentally, and really I suppose off topic but never mind, you initiated the personal attacks, do you really imagine (as a paradigm of self proclaimed common sense) that anyone, including those who manage this forum, does not realise that @khaosokman is not @Harrisfan , @sue ,Bignok, or goodness knows how many others before?

You are wildly off in estimating my age, and completely misunderstand my expressed political views - a bit of a failure of common sense perhaps? Have I been on this forum for 23 years? You must have done your research. I have been associated with Thailand for rather more than 23 years. Totally lacking in common sense I feel no need to reinvent myself every 6 months! Edit: I have just "looked myself up", gracious, you are right! A member for 23 years! I see you have just visited my page as well, I am flattered! Incidentally I am not that concerned about the anonymity - after all JAG are my initials, John Anthony G****!

You really are a broken toy, aren't you!

Isn't that rather what The Fragrant Leader's goons have been doing to Latinos these last few months?

Yes, I would put it in terms he and his base would understand: "<deleted> off, you started it." Possibly a case could be made for "demining" operations once the shooting war has ended, Independent of US command and in agreement with Iran. It would have to be after the fighting has stopped, if only because there is a not insignificant risk that some gung ho Septic would bomb or torpedo one of the minesweepers!

But he was completely exonerated, he told us so himself!

Come now, surely you are not doubting the "putting a bomb in a pickle barrel" claim which has been around since the 1930s. An article of faith for those magnificent men in their flying machined (not just those of the various US air arms to be fair). Just because it didnt work in World War 2, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and now the pickle barrel in Iran is proving to be illusive, doesnt mean that bombing the living daylights out of a civilian population, with massive air delivered firepower is not an effective way of convincing them of the righteousness of your cause, nor a means of ensuring democracy and peace for generations to come! Besides it makes for some great TV for the more atavistic! Have faith...

Are you sure? Perhaps there was a blueprint, a concept of a plan even, on The Laptop? Perhaps the tenacious bulldog like James Comer could hang his jacket on the back of his chair and resume his investigations? Once things quieten down on the blowing civilians to kingdom come front, it may provide a welcome (and considerably cheaper) distraction from one or two of the ongoing scandals!

Well of course you will get that when such a sharp, intellectually agile leader engages in such an incisive manner with the pressing problems of the day. I'll bet there were a lot of hats sold as well, possibly some orders taken for Trump sneakers, Trump bibles, Trump watches and Trump mobile phones! Sorry if I left anything out, it was of course representative rather than an exhaustive list of the grifting!

If I may quote the poster rather making the running on this one: "Do you have information to dispute him other than a picture of damage from an explosion?"

Umh, so why was the big hole blown in the stern of that Thai ship the other day? The Secretary of State for "War" talks fluent <deleted>!

One can't help but wonder what the member of Parliament for Clacton is doing grandstanding in Gloucestershire?

Yes I agree that is a real problem. That is why I suggest proportional representation, fixed terms out of synch with general elections (perhaps make the term 6 or even 7 years, or reduce it to 3 years?), prevent a whipping system and prevent "seamless progression". That would go some way to breaking the party managers hold, and help encourage the sort of candidates you envisage.