War with...Iran?

[Vlip]

A former US to NATO (and Trump admin) official tells the Euros to shut it with criticisms over this war, if they can't be more servile like Rutte, or at least be "mellow" like Merz:
https://www.politico.eu/article/for...er-warns-huge-folly-criticizing-donald-trump/

The pedophile narcissist moron we elected is going to send the entire planet into a depression and god knows what will be the result of that but sure what is important right now is not to hurt the feefees of the manbaby we elected.

Fuck that noise.

 

[schnackenpfefferhausen]

A former US to NATO (and Trump admin) official tells the Euros to shut it with criticisms over this war, if they can't be more servile like Rutte, or at least be "mellow" like Merz:
https://www.politico.eu/article/for...er-warns-huge-folly-criticizing-donald-trump/

Kiss the ring. Or else the toddler with throw another tantrum.

 

[Zod]

A former US to NATO (and Trump admin) official tells the Euros to shut it with criticisms over this war, if they can't be more servile like Rutte, or at least be "mellow" like Merz:
https://www.politico.eu/article/for...er-warns-huge-folly-criticizing-donald-trump/

Fuck him! Neocon goon!

 

[chateauarusi]

But what amazes me is that in other countries like China and Iran, those criticizing policy have to do it in subtle ways, but here, there have been a number of anti-war movies. But I've seen viewers who just watched for the "cool parts" ignoring the liberal hippies, etc (Full Metal Jacket for example). To this day, either willingly or unwillingly, so many ignore the fact that Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." is actually a protest song.

The evolution of the "Jarhead" franchise offers a cautionary but instructive tale. The original memoir — and the movie made from it — is a cynical look at how the industrial war machine lures in idealistic young patriots, grinds them down into murderous robots, and spits them out as broken men when they're no longer useful. The sequel rights were then picked up by a producer with, let's say, antithetical views. Under his stewardship, there have been several more movies cranked out, all of which take a diametrically opposed thematic approach, catering to the "Call of Duty" crowd by reinforcing the noble-brotherhood aspect of soldierdom in between cheap and amateurish action scenes. It's hardly a high profile franchise, but its lifespan as propaganda has far outlasted its initial intent as criticism.

 

[Tijger]

Fuck him! Neocon goon!

I'm pretty sure such statements are now met in Europe with a shrug and a "Anyway, in other news..."

 

[Matisaro]

l. It was far from my intention to fill your mind with images of Secretary Hegseth shirtless, oily, and gyrating sensually on a slowly rotating mechanical bull.

This sentence is yet another warcrime Hegseth was involved in.

 

[Pericles]

The evolution of the "Jarhead" franchise offers a cautionary but instructive tale. The original memoir — and the movie made from it — is a cynical look at how the industrial war machine lures in idealistic young patriots, grinds them down into murderous robots, and spits them out as broken men when they're no longer useful. The sequel rights were then picked up by a producer with, let's say, antithetical views. Under his stewardship, there have been several more movies cranked out, all of which take a diametrically opposed thematic approach, catering to the "Call of Duty" crowd by reinforcing the noble-brotherhood aspect of soldierdom in between cheap and amateurish action scenes. It's hardly a high profile franchise, but its lifespan as propaganda has far outlasted its initial intent as criticism.

There an interesting video on the Folding Ideas YT channel on this very subject : Jarhead sequels
Maybe you've already watched it but it might interest others.

 

[acefsw]

A former US to NATO (and Trump admin) official tells the Euros to shut it with criticisms over this war, if they can't be more servile like Rutte, or at least be "mellow" like Merz:
https://www.politico.eu/article/for...er-warns-huge-folly-criticizing-donald-trump/

Fucking Volker? Screw him, the opportunistic little bastard. He was one of the cabal trying to strong arm Zelensky into opening an investigation into Biden before the 2020 election. He's also with BGR, one of the top lobbying firms in the US. That B stands for Haley Barbour, a totally despicable human being.

Edit: instead of former Nato envoy, Politico should have lead with former special representative to Ukraine, otherwise it makes it sound like they're whitewashing this asshole's past.

 

[cgo_12345]

The evolution of the "Jarhead" franchise offers a cautionary but instructive tale. The original memoir — and the movie made from it — is a cynical look at how the industrial war machine lures in idealistic young patriots, grinds them down into murderous robots, and spits them out as broken men when they're no longer useful. The sequel rights were then picked up by a producer with, let's say, antithetical views. Under his stewardship, there have been several more movies cranked out, all of which take a diametrically opposed thematic approach, catering to the "Call of Duty" crowd by reinforcing the noble-brotherhood aspect of soldierdom in between cheap and amateurish action scenes. It's hardly a high profile franchise, but its lifespan as propaganda has far outlasted its initial intent as criticism.

Didn't they do that with Sicario as well?
Original movie: "The war on drugs is a hopeless quagmire that only produces tragedy and horrors"
Sequel: "Let's kill us some turrist messicans!"

 

[linnen]

Didn't they do that with Sicario as well?
Original movie: "The war on drugs is a hopeless quagmire that only produces tragedy and horrors"
Sequel: "Let's kill us some turrist messicans!"

Compare and Contrast "Rambo - First Blood" with any of its sequels.

 

[Anacher]

Compare and Contrast "Rambo - First Blood" with any of its sequels.

I really liked that movie. Very moving.

 

[SedsAtArs]

I really liked that movie. Very moving.

Personally I enjoy the one where Rambo fights alongside the brave Afghan people against evil invaders more.

 

[Thank You and Best of Luck!]

trying to pretend middle east cultures can be adapted to american democracy etc.

I mean, given the state of American democracy it seems like they never needed to be adapted, they had a significant headstart on where the U.S. is feverishly aiming to go.

 

[Cthel]

And Trump cancels Witkoff & Kushner’s trip to Pakistan for indirect talks with Iran.

This must be that 5D chess I keep hearing about…

 

[karolus]

Although Trump can be quite capricious, were
Witkoff and Kushner even prepared for serious discussions? High-level negotiation appears to be a skill lacking in this administration.

 

[reimu240p]

NBC news reported that an (Paywalled) Iranian F-5 evaded all air defenses and performed airstrikes against Camp Buehring in Kuwait during the war.

 

[Technarch]

Didn't they do that with Sicario as well?
Original movie: "The war on drugs is a hopeless quagmire that only produces tragedy and horrors"
Sequel: "Let's kill us some turrist messicans!"

Soldado actually ends on the same hopeless note, but not before trying the hit squad thing. The problem is that these movies are generally told from the POV of a sympathetic American, which makes American audiences sympathetic to their side no matter what their side is actually doing. Hence the global cliche that "Hollywood war movies show how American military oppression makes American soldiers sad." Undoubtedly there are already scripts circulating about the dramatic rescue of the F-15 WSO shot down over Iran, glossing over the reason he was over Iran to begin with.

(Another problem with Sicario 2 is the change in director. Watch the two movies back to back. Sollima is a fine director but he's very different from Villeneuve.)

 

[chateauarusi]

Although Trump can be quite capricious, were
Witkoff and Kushner even prepared for serious discussions? High-level negotiation appears to be a skill lacking in this administration.

Per your second sentence, they aren't capable of serious discussions at this level regardless of the amount of preparation. It would be like trying to prepare a dog to drive an F1 car.

 

[Welcome to Darwin]

Per your second sentence, they aren't capable of serious discussions at this level regardless of the amount of preparation. It would be like trying to prepare a dog to drive an F1 car.

That's not fair!

The dog probably has a better shot at driving an F1 car.

 

[tigas]

More news of sailors going hungry are coming out.
https://www.newsweek.com/more-photos-emerge-meals-navy-ships-pentagon-denies-shortages-11867712

More images purporting to show poor‑quality meals served to U.S. service members deployed amid the war with Iran have been sent by a serving officer on board the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Gerald D. Givens Jr. is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force and the founder and CEO of Raleigh Boots On The Ground, a nonprofit that supports military families. Givens has been vocal about his disapproval of President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In the past week, he received the pictures from a friend of his, whose son is currently serving on board the ship in the Middle East.

 

[Technarch]

Peacetime:

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https://i.redd.it/fo8nz4xxtcxg1.jpeg

 

[SedsAtArs]

More news of sailors going hungry are coming out.
https://www.newsweek.com/more-photos-emerge-meals-navy-ships-pentagon-denies-shortages-11867712

Those poor sailors, lured aboard with the promise of a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla and one other thing, now just ending up with two eggs and what I assume is one other thing.

 

[goates]

NBC news reported that an (Paywalled) Iranian F-5 evaded all air defenses and performed airstrikes against Camp Buehring in Kuwait during the war.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the Kuwaiti F-18 shooting down the three F-15Es?

 

[Yagisama]

Although Trump can be quite capricious, were
Witkoff and Kushner even prepared for serious discussions? High-level negotiation appears to be a skill lacking in this administration.

I'm sure the "negotiations" were Vance style "Here are our demands" followed by "Iran did not agree to our demands."

 

[Locke]

I'm sure the "negotiations" were Vance style "Here are our demands" followed by "Iran did not agree to our demands."

It is infuriating that the media keeps buying into, without question, Trump assertion that the problem is Iran's leadership is in disarray.

The idea that the US team is full of ideologues, morons and failsons can't seem to get into their brains.

 

[Shavano]

I mean, given the state of American democracy it seems like they never needed to be adapted, they had a significant headstart on where the U.S. is feverishly aiming to go.

To be honest, it kind of started out the same, then for part of the 20th century looked like it might turn over a new leaf, then backslid.

 

[Shavano]

It is infuriating that the media keeps buying into, without question, Trump assertion that the problem is Iran's leadership is in disarray.

The idea that the US team is full of ideologues, morons and failsons can't seem to get into their brains.

One is reluctant to find what one is paid not to see.

 

[Wheels Of Confusion]

More news of sailors going hungry are coming out.
https://www.newsweek.com/more-photos-emerge-meals-navy-ships-pentagon-denies-shortages-11867712

I keep thinking about the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And the story about a Russian kitchen truck taken by Ukrainian troops, and how all they found in it was a few moldy onions and rotten potatoes.

 

[Technarch]

Lest anyone think this war will end anytime soon:

The fossil C-suites are gonna be swimming in cash.

 

[iPilot05]

Lest anyone think this war will end anytime soon:

[image removed for size]

The fossil C-suites are gonna be swimming in cash.

Just wait until the strategic reserves run out and Americans get to compete with the rest of the world for that oil.

Some people may make out like bandits but most will loose and will hopefully vote accordingly later this year.

 

[Technarch]

Just wait until the strategic reserves run out and Americans get to compete with the rest of the world for that oil.

Exactly.

Some people may make out like bandits but most will loose and will hopefully vote accordingly later this year.

Too bad the administration clearly doesn't give a shit about the election. Wonder why.

 

[Amateur Nerd]

Too bad the administration clearly doesn't give a shit about the election. Wonder why.

The GOPs efforts to gerrymander indicate otherwise. This kind of attitude is damaging.

 

[Welcome to Darwin]

The GOPs efforts to gerrymander indicate otherwise. This kind of attitude is damaging.

No one fears failure more than cheaters. I'll eat my hat (without condiments) if they don't have more than one plan to screw with elections in 2026 and 2028.

 

[timby]

No one fears failure more than cheaters. I'll eat my hat (without condiments) if they don't have more than one plan to screw with elections in 2026 and 2028.

I have said it many times: This, meaning the Trump administration and a few particular ghouls in specific, is not the behavior of people who have any intention of (voluntarily) leaving their offices in January 2029.

 

[Amateur Nerd]

No one fears failure more than cheaters. I'll eat my hat (without condiments) if they don't have more than one plan to screw with elections in 2026 and 2028.

The original assertion was:

Too bad the administration clearly doesn't give a shit about the election. Wonder why.

They obviously do give a shit, because of all the plans they are making. And one of the plans is to convince you'all that opposition is futile.

 

[Da Xiang]

The original assertion was:



They obviously do give a shit, because of all the plans they are making. And one of the plans is to convince you'all that opposition is futile.

I assumed that @Technarch was saying that the Republicans are not at all worried about the coming elections because they already believe they've done what they need to in order to guarantee the results they prefer.

 

[VividVerism]

No one fears failure more than cheaters. I'll eat my hat (without condiments) if they don't have more than one plan to screw with elections in 2026 and 2028.

It just means democracy will need to win more decisively. Like in Hungary recently.

 

[Shavano]

It just means democracy will need to win more decisively. Like in Hungary recently.

It means that it must win decisively and be prepared to reject whatever Republicans might do to try and hold on to power when un-elected.

 

[m0nckywrench]

All of this happens even if the Strait of Hormuz opens tomorrow. Anybody's guess what happens to the world economy after

The world get reminded why it should have diversified its energy sources (clean and dirty) and always be ready for war like other normal, periodic disruptions.

The tech response will be much more interesting than last time. CAD/CAM are affordable today. No drafting tables, instruments or physically skilled users required. Blueprints are long obsolete. Modern CNC tools were dreams in that ancient era. Communications were slow and media stovepiped. Today we've the libraries of history at our fingertips. A lifetime of reading fits a microSD card.

It just means democracy will need to win more decisively. Like in Hungary recently.

When one party fails sufficiently its opponents are given power until they fail and have it taken from them. The outcome was decisive for Orban, not for his party which survived to regroup and reattack.

Polls showing ~37 percent support for Fidesz among decided voters is hardly general repudiation. That's similar to current Trump poll numbers:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tr...-surge-amid-iran-war-reutersipsos-2026-03-24/

It means that it must win decisively and be prepared to reject whatever Republicans might do to try and hold on to power when un-elected.

Not even long forgotten Richard Nixon (who with his other antics prolonged the Viet Nam war to win re-election costing tens of thousands of G.I.s killed, wounded and broken) could unify opposition in a lasting way despite threat of impeachment driving his resignation.

The Democratic Party are not collectively dedicated to unite to break their enemies.
Refusal to normalize useful, legal political aggression isn't some moral high ground, it's cowardice born of soft rich entitled pampered white Epstein class leadership (and those aspiring to become them) too lazy to rock their boat.

 

[Shavano]

You don't defeat an ideology. You make it irrelevant.