1 minute ago, gargamon said:

I thought you said you were going away for the rest of the day. What happened? You're still here.

Yep, matter of fact, done searching what I was looking for, and just replying to a couple replies. Out the door again, as dog staring at me.

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Do you see that little blue star above-left in the image you posted?

That is Gemini. That is the Gemini AI talking.

Congratulations for using it, even though you had no clue you were using it.

I guess you must be one of those who are just lucky in life.

I'm hooked into what Google and or Chrome offers up, as don't stray off either. Keeps my laptop safe & secure. Fairly ads & scammer free.

Means also I don't read most of the links people post, as usually behind a pay wall or I have to register. No thanks, don't need all the spam that follow with registering or opening any of them.

13 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Beats running out of armaments. IR can't be taken lightly, as they've been at terror for decades, and quite good at it. If billions spent save US servicepersons lives, so be it. One less pine box works for me, not that we, USA military should even be there.

I'd rather provide Israel & Iran with a couple nukes each, and let them use them on each other, since they both preach the some, our way or no way. Kill the infidels.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1325294-politics-pc-un-pc-any-subject-satire-via-meme-or-vid-shorts/page/64/#findComment-20420837

Why do you think bringing in more firepower is going to reduce American military casualties? Destroying Iranian military infrastructure has not stopped them from launching drones.

1 minute ago, Alan Zweibel said:

The mods aren't fact checkers. Posts that get deleted aren't deleted for lack of links. The kind that would support your conspiracist allegations.

On the contrary one of the most common reason they get deleted is for links to dubious sources. The kind that among other things support conspiracy allegations. That and racist comments and making personal comments about other members.

I find when I obviously winning a discussion, and may have left out ... IMHO ... or a link, it's quickly reported by the loser of the discussion, and it's deleted for not stating a source. Even if a screenshot of facts, need a source, or the loser will report.

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I'm hooked into what Google and or Chrome offers up, as don't stray off either. Keeps my laptop safe & secure. Fairly ads & scammer free.

Means also I don't read most of the links people post, as usually behind a pay wall or I have to register. No thanks, don't need all the spam that follow with registering or opening any of them.

Your best policy will be to not stray from TV.

TV is very safe.

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Your best policy will be to not stray from TV.

TV is very safe.

But it so slow at times. Even got 'timed out' a couple times today. Yet I can scroll thru YT & FB shorts & reels with no problem. A bit telling.

14 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I find when I obviously winning a discussion, and may have left out ... IMHO ... or a link, it's quickly reported by the loser of the discussion, and it's deleted for not stating a source. Even if a screenshot of facts, need a source, or the loser will report.

Of course a screenshot of "facts" needs a link to a source. How to know if your alleged "facts" don't come from a Nazi website or the CCP? Just because something is posted to the internet, that doesn't make it a fact. Which is why evidence supported only by links to dubious websites gets deleted. And there's always something sad about someone declaring themselves to be the winner or use that as an excuse. Did you win the exchange with me about your allegations of a conspiracy to keep oil prices high? How did your allegation about oilprice.com turn out?

https://aseannow.com/topic/1389660-trump-pleads-for-allied-warships-to-guard-hormuz/page/4/#comments

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

(Bloomberg) -- US President Donald Trump said he is “demanding” that other countries contribute to the defense of the Strait of Hormuz as it remains effectively closed to oil tankers.

Trump said the US is in talks with “about seven” countries to get involved helping ships pass through the strait, declining to specify which nations are involved in the discussions.

In an interview earlier Sunday with the Financial Times, Trump said he could delay his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping if Beijing doesn’t help unblock the strait. He also warned in that interview that NATO would face a “very bad” future if member states fail to help in Hormuz.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-demands-help-other-countries-001639208.html

Threatening NATO is going to backfire. Already two of America's closest allies, Japan and Australia have said no to Trump's demand.

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

(Bloomberg) -- US President Donald Trump said he is “demanding” that other countries contribute to the defense of the Strait of Hormuz as it remains effectively closed to oil tankers.

Trump said the US is in talks with “about seven” countries to get involved helping ships pass through the strait, declining to specify which nations are involved in the discussions.

In an interview earlier Sunday with the Financial Times, Trump said he could delay his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping if Beijing doesn’t help unblock the strait. He also warned in that interview that NATO would face a “very bad” future if member states fail to help in Hormuz.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-demands-help-other-countries-001639208.html

Threatening NATO is going to backfire. Already two of America's closest allies, Japan and Australia have said no to Trump's demand.

4 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

How did your allegation about oilprice.com turn out?

Are you saying that the theory of Peak Oil has finally been discredited?

3 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Are you saying that the theory of Peak Oil has finally been discredited?

I don't see how this ties into the theory that as alternative sources come online demand for oil will decrease.

7 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

I don't see how this ties into the theory that as alternative sources come online demand for oil will decrease.

Right now, because of AI, I don't see that happening anytime soon. AI data centers are consuming an inordinate amount of water and electricity.

2 minutes ago, Alan Zweibel said:

I don't see how this ties into the theory that as alternative sources come online demand for oil will decrease.

What is Peak Oil theory?

Peak Oil theory states that once 50% of extractable oil has been extracted and depleted, then...

Catastrophic shortages will occur.

However, Peak Oil is no longer a popular theory these days, since it does not reflect reality.

If oil tankers can no longer pass through the strait, then resulting shortages will not be due to Peak Oil, of course.

Yet, maybe the effects will make the sudden shortfall feel as if we are on the drastic downward curve after Peak Oil.

3 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Right now, because of AI, I don't see that happening anytime soon. AI data banks, or whatever the are called, are consuming an inordinate amount of electricity.

AI Data Centers: We may see Peak-AI instead of Peak-Oil, maybe. We don't have enough generators to burn the oil to produce the energy required by an exponentially growing number of AI Data Centers.

Just now, GammaGlobulin said:

AI Data Centers: We may see Peak-AI instead of Peak-Oil, maybe. We don't have enough generators to burn the oil to produce the energy required by an exponentially growing number of AI Data Centers.

Oil isn't used anymore to power generators. At least not on a large scale. Now it's natural gas.

6 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

What is Peak Oil theory?

Peak Oil theory states that once 50% of extractable oil has been extracted and depleted, then...

Catastrophic shortages will occur.

However, Peak Oil is no longer a popular theory these days, since it does not reflect reality.

If oil tankers can no longer pass through the strait, then resulting shortages will not be due to Peak Oil, of course.

Yet, maybe the effects will make the sudden shortfall feel as if we are on the drastic downward curve after Peak Oil.

China is already experiencing a decline in demand for oil. Which should only accelerate as time goes by. And most other nations are increasingly following suit. And it is getting increasingly expensive to extract oil on average. So I suspect that sometime in the future the demand for oil will be for its use as a chemical feedstock much more than for fuel.

Starmer has refused Trumps rallying call to send ships to priotect the Straits, Japans refused, Australia has refused, now the UK and i suspect most European country's will refuse. Whats Trump's response ? threats and bullying again against NATO. Not realy looked how Asia is facing up to this crisis but i here there already having powet outages in Thailand and fuel will be hit if it carries on much longer which could impact Airline prices.

Trump is now threatening NATO. Excellent!

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that NATO faces a “very bad” future if U.S. allies fail to assist ‌in opening up the Strait of Hormuz, in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sunday.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-warns-nato-faces-very-024328185.html?guccounter=1

you cant invoke article 5 in an aggression war,

and not on overseas assets either.

US already has, as the only nation, invoked article 5,

in the al queda war

"WE WON!" No doubt the oil will be flowing to Australia by next week. Everything is fine!

38 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Threatening NATO is going to backfire. Already two of America's closest allies, Japan and Australia have said no to Trump's demand.

Germany will not take part in an international military operation to protect merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday.

"Will we soon become an active part of this conflict? No," Wadephul told public broadcaster ARD, addressing the war in Iran and the question of extending an ongoing EU mission to the Strait of Hormuz.

Wadephul said the German government has a very clear position on this, which Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius have made clear. "We will not participate in this conflict."

Germany will not protect ships in Strait of Hormuz, Wadephul says

4 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Could not have picked a better time to invade...

Both Navies are in a technoogy transition, which lends credence to Rubio's original assertion that Natanayhu and Katz bounced the US into this action.

2 minutes ago, connda said:

"WE WON!" No doubt the oil will be flowing to Australia by next week. Everything is fine!

Australia's reserves are low:

On March 3, Bowen told reporters ⁠that Australia had 36 days of petrol, 34 days of diesel, and 32 days of jet fuel in reserve, the highest level in more than a decade.

That ⁠is, however, still far below the 90 days' holdings International Energy Agency members are supposed to have.

Australia releases petrol and diesel from emergency reserves | Reuters

Hows it going now Yagoda your leader is slowly losing all his friends around the World and soon you will be on your own to win this war. No allied ships to help you, no Coalition will come to your aid if you need to have boots on the ground once you start your threats you become isolated. Already your being ignored by other Countrys sending ships. Its only a matter of time in my opinion you realize you cant win and you will do what you always do leave the field and let others clean up your mess.

7 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

So you're saying the most powerful navy in the world has no operational minesweepers? I find that hard to believe. ".

Yeah, I am saying that. Duties previously assigned to the Avenger Minesweepers are now taken on by the Independance class littoral combat ships (nicknamed by those who sail them as "little crappy ships" https://spoilsofwar.substack.com/p/rip-little-crappy-ships)

These ships aren't minesweepers. To make them minesweepers, the Navy has to fit them out with the Mine Countermeasures (MCM) package. The problem is these LCS's can't operate inside the mine threat zone. The Avengers, and the British Hunt class minesweepers were constructed in GRP-wood composite, giving them a low magnetic signature. The Independance class uses aluminium, which can be magnetized. So at best these are stand off minesweepers.

How Naval News reported last year in January

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/update-on-the-u-s-navys-littoral-combat-ship-mine-countermeasures-mission-package/

“The United States has the privilege, and I would say the challenge, of being the first ones out of the gate and putting it into theater. I’m not saying we got it right, I’m saying we’re first out of the gate.”

Captain Scott B. Hattaway, Director, SMWDC Mine Countermeasures Technical Division

Inspirational news for the sailors.

According to Captain Scott B. Hattaway, Director of the SMWDC Mine Countermeasures Technical Division, the 11 meter CUSV is currently limited by form factor, limiting the endurance of the platform and the weight of the cable for towed sonar depth. The current form factor of the CUSV is limiting the maximum performance that can be extracted from the AN/AQS-20C sonar suite.

Another limiting factor, according to Captain Hattaway, is the range offered by the CUSV. Line of sight between the LCS mothership and the CUSV is required. In heavy sea states, effectiveness is limited. Bandwidth is taxed by the amount of information that needs to be shared back and forth to the operator and the sensor suites. The U.S. Navy is working on methods to extend the range of deployed CUSVs, including the use of Starshield, the U.S. military’s arm of the Starlink satellite internet platform.

You know, maybe keep those Avengers around a bit longer, as these LCSs break a lot, and don't really work if there any waves.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/09/combat-ineffective-littoral-combat-ships-are-replacing-mcm-ships-in-bahrain/

Another point of concern is the current suite of sensors which are ineffective in locating mines in operational environments, leaving the MCM-equipped littoral combat ships with inadequate sensors and countermeasure platforms for turbid waters or deep waters. The sonars on the CUSVs are not a high enough resolution to identify specific threats. The lasers used on MH-60S helicopters require water that is not too turbid to operate in.

Because of the tidal environment, Hormuz is very turbid.

The Avengers were the best USN minesweepers in history, developed really with the Gulf environment in mind. The Avengers and Hunts could sail right into the Strait, and complete their mission to hunt mines. The LCS is stand off, and has to look from afar, hoping there aren't too many waves, the tide isn't too bad, the tow brackets don't break like last time, allowing the USVs to run off into the Indian Ocean.

If this war had happened in 2027, maybe, because at least the MCM will have more than 12 months operational experience. The sailors will do their best to make this work, but its notable that the Navy is saying they will not escort ships through the straits. They have no faith in the go fast billion-dollar boondoogles. They are replacing best in class with potentially worst in class.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-navy-tells-shipping-industry-hormuz-escorts-not-possible-now-2026-03-10/

https://navy-matters.blogspot.com/2025/01/lcs-mine-countermeasures-module-ready.html

The MCM module is becoming a real ‘Rube Goldberg’ collection of increasingly ridiculous, mismatched, and constrained components attempting to meet a bare minimum capability.

4 hours ago, Purdey said:

I was under the impression they bombed US military bases, but I take your word they bombed Qatari and Omani civilians

I did not state that Iran bombed Qatari and Omani civilians. However, now that you have raised the subject, Iran has launched multiple attacks on non combatant targets.

Oman: It had not allowed US military sorties from its territory. The Iranian drone attacks were at indiscriminate non military asset targets and resulted in the death of 2 civilians.

Qatar: 16 non combatant civilians have been injured due to the Iranian attacks. Iran also attempted military raids into Qatar.

In your world, does targeting hotels in Dubai, with no military use qualify as acceptable? If there were military personnel there, I could understand, but there were not. Iran has specifically targeted civilian infrastructure in KSA and UAE.

55 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

These ships aren't minesweepers. To make them minesweepers, the Navy has to fit them out with the Mine Countermeasures (MCM) package. The problem is these LCS's can't operate inside the mine threat zone.

Wow. The most likely, most obvious threat that could face a US military force - mines in the Persian Gulf or Straits of Hormuz - and they hadn't been properly preparing for that. That says much more about their midterm budgetary and strategic naval planning than just minesweeping... it probably means a lot more problems behind the curtain too.

Allies don’t need to guard Hormuz, providing they remain neutral and pay for their oil in Yuan they have free passage.

It does accelerate Americas decline somewhat, but who cares!

23 hours ago, Bannoi said:

If Trump really wants the strait open the first step would be for the US and Israel to stop bombing Iran not threaten to increase the attacks.

If that happens maybe Iran would stop and they could start talking.

Any deal with Iran is going to be a lot harder now than it would have been before.

Only after there is a deal and cessation of hostilities can the minesweepers operate effectively and safely.

"Any deal with Iran is going to be a lot harder now than it would have been before."

I think on any level Iran has shown itself, it is very difficult to deal with?

Even the 2015 JCPOA was deeply flawed.

26 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Allies don’t need to guard Hormuz, providing they remain neutral and pay for their oil in Yuan they have free passage.

It does accelerate Americas decline somewhat, but who cares!

Threatening the almighty Petrodollar with an alternative currency. Wasn't it Libya's Gadaffi who tried that at one point - before the US bombed his tent. I guess no one is going to bomb Beijing over that, but the problems just keep piling up for President MAGA don't they?