1 hour ago, BLMFem said:

So due to the war in Iran the US strategic oil reserves have dropped to their lowest level in 40 years. I'm just waiting for someone to go on air on Fox explaining that this is all Biden's fault.🤣

I thought that the US strategic oil reserve was now called Venezuela?

1 minute ago, Roadsternut said:

https://www.news18.com/world/iran-rules-out-talks-with-trump-says-will-wait-until-his-term-ends-in-2029-10264715.html

Iran on Monday has ruled out any future negotiations with the Donald Trump’s administration, saying it will wait until the US President’s term ends on January 20, 2029, according to Iranian outlets and a post by an adviser to Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf.

Do you suppose that is because they hope to get a better deal for the Iran or for the US?

Clearly they are not getting what they want from Trump, yes?

Just now, JAG said:

I thought that the US strategic oil reserve was now called Venezuela?

That worked out pretty well, yes?

I remember when Biden drew down the reserves on the runup to the mid terms, all the lefties were going on about how it was out date and no longer needed.

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

If I were a gambler I would place a significant amount of money on the likelihood that Vance becoming president is under 10%. He is the very definition of an empty suit and he's an incredibly unlikable character. Perhaps even more so than Harris was. And his proclivity for eyeliner probably doesn't help his cause.

At the moment, he is the only person who can replace Trump. He only needs 13 votes to be President in October 2028. And the cabinet are a pretty spineless lot. Only a President Vance can give them the pardons they need, because of the increasing unpredictability of the current President.

As Vice President, it is by no means certain Vance will get the nomination. And if there is a normal nomination process, it's going to be an utter blood bath, as the Republican Party tears itself apart. Those interested in the "Project" don't want to risk that. Vance is reliable. He may well not win in November 2028, but he likely has a better chance than literally any other prominent Republican out there; the so-called decent ones have been purged already.

1 minute ago, Roadsternut said:

At the moment, he is the only person who can replace Trump. He only needs 13 votes to be President in October 2028. And the cabinet are a pretty spineless lot. Only a President Vance can give them the pardons they need, because of the increasing unpredictability of the current President.

As Vice President, it is by no means certain Vance will get the nomination. And if there is a normal nomination process, it's going to be an utter blood bath, as the Republican Party tears itself apart. Those interested in the "Project" don't want to risk that. Vance is reliable. He may well not win in November 2028, but he likely has a better chance than literally any other prominent Republican out there; the so-called decent ones have been purged already.

Which were the "decent ones" that were purged?

On 8/10/2026 at 6:53 PM, spidermike007 said:

The dimwits that he's sending over to negotiate are likely outclassed by the Iranian negotiators by 60 IQ points. It would never occur to somebody like Trump to use a very effective negotiator with a proven record. Kushner is utterly despised throughout the Middle East as he seems to sympathize with the ultra Zionists, and Witkoff is a true imbecile, and a man of stunning ignorance.

Yes, but there again, you have got to work with the best you have got...

1 minute ago, JAG said:

Yes, but there again, you have got to work with the best you have got...

Is it your position that Iran wants better negotiators to deal with?

They do not they want people that will cave, and give them another JCPOA

Edited August 11Aug 11 by Yellowtail
sp

3 minutes ago, JAG said:

Yes, but there again, you have got to work with the best you have got...

That’s not saying much about you not having much anything to work with.

2 minutes ago, JAG said:

Yes, but there again, you have got to work with the best you have got...

Unless there was never an intention of achieving an agreement, just looking like you are achieving an agreement. Even after the work of Doge, the State Department is crammed full of extremely experienced negotiators. Its possible there are some (the Heritage Foundation), interested in a bigger picture, who want the President to fail, and want to personalise that as much as possible, so there is no hint of any Trump family influence remaining.

This is Technocracy at work; Trump provides the opportunity to create real change that actually realigns US politics. He has no personal politics, he never even read their 900 page manifesto. Vance is a technocrat. The technocrat doesn't believe charisma is needed to gain support, just doing a good job. While Thatcher was a Conviction Politician, her government was really more like a technocracy, pushing through the tough and unpopular policies that needed to be done. The American system of candidate nominations is nothing more than a beauty contest, with figures saying anything to be liked, and not saying the things people don't like, but need to hear (in their view).

Technocracy, while it claims to be anti-politics, is still as much a political movement as socialism, and probably just as wrong. But the exponents still believe in things.

Anyone can give away the farm

Time to call FUBAR, declare victory, and go home. Wouldn't be the first time.

Vietnam (1965–1975)

Lebanon (1982–1984)

Somalia (1992–1994)

Iraq (2003–2011)

Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Libya (2011)

End game: https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/1von2bp/donald_trump_says_he_will_declare_strait_of/

22 minutes ago, Point Arguello said:

End game: https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/1von2bp/donald_trump_says_he_will_declare_strait_of/

His latest declaration is one of the most amusing to date. I seriously doubt the Iranians are going to cooperate and he is certainly not going to bomb the country back into the stone ages, as he would be spending the rest of his life in prison once he was impeached.

Bazaar but possible. Wonder if he actually believes this is possible.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

His latest declaration is one of the most amusing to date. I seriously doubt the Iranians are going to cooperate and he is certainly not going to bomb the country back into the stone ages, as he would be spending the rest of his life in prison once he was impeached.

spidermike007...Shhhhh!!!!!!!

If Donny declares the Strait of Hormuz US Territory, that means maybe 45-50 million of Iran's 93 million can vote, just like in Puerto Rico and Guam.

I'm just going to guess they will not vote Republican.

43 minutes ago, Wingate said:

spidermike007...Shhhhh!!!!!!!

If Donny declares the Strait of Hormuz US Territory, that means maybe 45-50 million of Iran's 93 million can vote, just like in Puerto Rico and Guam.

I'm just going to guess they will not vote Republican.

Why would you guess that?