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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 11:34:45 GMT -8
I suspect it is more likely she will suck on straight Jameson, Irish cream being too slow working for her.
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Post by timothylane on Jan 2, 2020 13:41:44 GMT -8
It must be galling to the Fire Witch that the Queen this university is named after, whoever it was, wasn't named Hillary or any version of her name.
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Post by artraveler on Jan 2, 2020 15:07:32 GMT -8
She claimed to be named for Sir Edmond Hillary. The problem with that is she was born four years before he climbed Everest. One of so many blatant lies in a history of lies, deceptions, distortions and murders.
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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 17:51:53 GMT -8
Given the recent attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad and Trump's warning, I don't think this is a coincidence.
Soleimani was a very important and powerful figure.
An amazingly quick and profound message to Iran. I guess the Obamanation and some of the old stalwarts in the military-industrial-state-department-financial complex are gnashing their teeth with this action.
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Post by timothylane on Jan 2, 2020 18:21:46 GMT -8
Reports are still uncertain. Some say a drone was involved, but there also reports of a Katyusha attack. It's possible Trump and the military were able to use a reconnaissance drone and a captured rocket launcher to provide "plausible deniability". In any case, good riddance to very bad rubbish.
One advantage of hitting leaders is that while they're good at persuading their minions to sacrifice themselves for their 72 virgins, they're much less eager to join them. This goes back at least to Hassan bin Sabbah, who founded the Assassins over 900 years ago (their stronghold of Alamut fell to Hulagu Khan's Mongols in the mid-13th Century). Perhaps they know the 72 virgins aren't there. (One short piece I read had bin Laden finding out that it was actually 72 Virginians, including Washington -- and they were most annoyed with him.)
One FOSFAX correspondent wondered if the 72 virgins were usable as such only once. He suggested that they probably expected each virgin to be restored to virginity. This might be considered Hell for the women involved, but what Muslim male would care about that? And they might be spirits anyway.
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Post by artraveler on Jan 2, 2020 19:48:08 GMT -8
An amazingly quick and profound message to Iran. Now, that is something that the profit from Hawaii would never do. It's not a message its a promise Currently in the area: Truman Battle group CSG Persian Gulf, also MEU of Marines, about 1 battalion Reagan Battle Group CSG, Japan, also MEU of Marines, about 1 battalion Lincoln Battle Group CSG, South China Sea, also MEU of Marines, about 1 battalion America LHA South China Sea, reinforced MEU < two battalions Battan LHD South Atlantic, reinforced MEU <two battalions Estimated assets within 5 days steaming 3carrior strike groups 200+ aircraft LHA and LHD 30 f-35 aircraft helicopters and at least a reinforced regiment of Marines It is not enough for an invasion but should do to scare the crap out of some mullahs. |
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Post by timothylane on Jan 2, 2020 20:26:52 GMT -8
So many of us were unhappy that the invaders of the embassy grounds (legal US territory) got off so lightly. But targeting the leaders instead is even better. And who knows, with Trump we can dream of Qom being converted to molten glass.
And all of that comes from what is still a surgical strike. Trump's Twitter response was a full-color image of an American flag. No words were needed. Since the dead included a leader of the militia group, this ranks up there with the Black God getting Osama bin Laden. Note that many of the invaders had identified Soleimani as their leader. We should thank them for their assistance in telling us whom to target.
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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 20:47:06 GMT -8
You are right. It is also a message to numerous others around the world such as the EU, Red China and Russia. The US government has known of Soleimani for decades and has let him walk around unimpeded for just as long. It is part of the game which the likes of Clinton, W and the Obamanation played with many in the military like, I suspect, Mathis, Kelly. Of course, the CIA and State Dept. have played along. Everyone winked at each other while warning Iran and our other enemies of the terrible things which would happen to them if they didn't straighten up. In the meantime, all of those I mentioned have made fortunes from our escapades in the Middle East where we have spend a couple of TRILLION dollars with little to show for it.
Men like Soleimani have known for years that they could act at will without any major blowback from the US because out leaders have been venal and worse. Never doubt that this is a major reason the swamp hates Trump. He is disturbing the old order of things and costing them money. A few American lives have been the cost of doing business till now.
I am convinced Trump has been shaking his head at all the incredibly stupid things which have been done or allowed by America in foreign relations. As in our domestic politics, the swamp lies about what we are dealing with and what must be done to keep things from getting out of control. People like Mathis have been happy to leave troops in low-intensity wars which decide nothing. This type of thing makes no sense to a patriotic American whose military philosophy is, like Ronald Reagan's, "We win you lose."
What Trump is doing is putting America first, from the trade war with China to the erasure of Soleimani. Don't let those who complain that Trump's policies are hurting our economy and position in the world fool you. What Trump is doing should have never been necessary. Our leaders should have been looking out for the USA, not themselves and some vague Globalization.
I like Trump if for no other reason that it is clear that he loves America and is putting it first.
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Post by timothylane on Jan 2, 2020 20:58:49 GMT -8
Officially, the US cannot target a foreign leader for assassination. This results from a presidential executive order decades ago (I don't remember who issued it). I've often wondered why no one quietly canceled that executive order (perhaps the fear of being targeted by a foreign power, even though the sorts we would attack wouldn't be stopped by this notion anyway).
I don't know if Trump did this, or the fact that Soleimani was a military leader who has been involved in military activities against American forces made the standard ban irrelevant.
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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 21:04:26 GMT -8
This is much more significant that getting bin Laden. Bin Laden was a disconnected Has-Been who controlled almost nobody any longer and was not likely a future threat. I do agree it was good to get him if for no other reason than to show that America does not forget.
Soleimani was one of the most powerful men in Iran and had been acting with impunity for years. If one can believe what one has read over the years, he is a pet of Khamenei. I am almost 100% sure we have known his whereabouts at any given period for a long time. We have simply not chosen to eliminate him because we have been playing the old game which was put in place, latest, 2002.
Trump hinted at this months back when our Sky Hawk predator was shot down by Iranians. He lobbed a few missiles on some Iranian Guard bases as retaliation. When the MSM laughed at him for talking big and then changing his plans in the last half hour before that launch, Trump answered them very neatly. He said he asked his advisors how many innocent people would likely be killed if they went ahead with the initial plan. He was told that likely hundreds of innocents would be killed. He then said, no, we don't want to kill innocents so we need to launch a smaller strike to be safe yet send our message.
Then Trump said something which was a clear warning of his red-line in the sand. He mentioned that it was only equipment which we had lost, but no AMERICAN LIVES had been lost. But Iran should be warned that if they or their proxies attack us and any Americans are killed, we would strike back hard.
Trump reminded us of his intent just after the attack in Syria by Iranian proxies which killed an American. Once the US Embassy was attacked, I think Soleimani's fate was sealed. Frankly, I am wondering if that wasn't a setup. All Iraq forces responsible for protecting the US Embassy were pulled back or did not hinder the Iranian proxies from breaking into and damaging our embassy. Soleimani is in charge of such proxies across the Middle East and perhaps the successful attack on our embassy was a trap to get him to visit Baghdad. I know that is convoluted, but it is how one must think in the Middle East. In any case, I am sure many leaders in the Middle East are wondering about this. Even when they win, they lose.
Trump has now demonstrated that America is no longer playing the traitorous game played by our "elites" and that will send shock waves throughout the world.
I am now curious to see how stupid Iran will be. Trump has shown the EU and China that they have little say over our policy now and that they can count on doing even less business with Iran. Their pressure on us regarding the Iran deal is of little import.
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Post by artraveler on Jan 2, 2020 21:10:22 GMT -8
Officially, the US cannot target a foreign leader for assassination
True, but unofficially we have, Chile 73, we had agency teams in Gitmo for 20 years waiting for an opportunity to take out Castro. Let's not forget Libia, Regan's strike almost took out Qudifaie. And the disaster in Bengazi was directly due to the botched overthrow of him by the quisling Hillary and her pics SOB boss..
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 12,242
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Post by Brad Nelson on Jan 2, 2020 21:33:40 GMT -8
Maybe they were targeting his luggage.
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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 21:48:20 GMT -8
I get a bang out of baggage.
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Post by timothylane on Jan 2, 2020 21:49:36 GMT -8
The important thing is that Iran now knows that they no longer have immunity against attack -- especially a surgical strike aimed at their leadership. I wonder how noticeable an armed drone would be if it struck the actual Iranian leader, chief mullahcrat Khamenei, during a speech to the faithful in Qom. (I can dream, can't I?) And there might well be other leaders (Kim Jong Un comes to mind) who will be thinking of possible further implications.
Incidentally, I remember reading a story decades ago about some European conqueror taking aim at the Swiss -- only to find out the hard way that their citizen militia was trained in assassination. Perhaps Trump read the same story.
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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 22:08:49 GMT -8
One of Tom Clancy's books has a similar scene as its ending. The ayatollah's demise was brought about by a couple of special forces guys painting his front door with a laser and guiding the J-Dam to his front door. While they did this they also had a portable movie camera pointed at the door. President Ryan came on TV, asked the viewers to watch the screen and warned that this is what happened to those who tried to destroy America. As the ayatollah opened his door there was a hell of a flash on the millions of TV screens across the world.
I believe it is the same book in which the Japanese pilot crashed his 747 airliner into the Capital Building during a presidential speech to a joint-session of Congress. As Jack Ryan was the only cabinet member not in attendance, he became president.
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Post by kungfuzu on Jan 2, 2020 22:25:19 GMT -8
According to the Daily Mail, the US used a drone which launched 4 missiles. From the photos I saw, I would figure 4 Hell Fire missiles as the damage around the cars was not that extensive.
Everyone is talking about how the Iranians will retaliate. As I said before, I am curious to see how stupid they will be. One does not have to get into a full-fledged war with Iran to crush the country. Destroy their refineries as Bandar Abbas, Abadan, the South Pars Field and refinery plus a couple of more refineries and they will have no fuel.
The loss of Iranian crude in the world market will not be that important as the USA already has it under sanctions and others can easily make up any difference.
But the thugs, like Soleimani, who are in charge in Iran are not going to give away their wealth and power for the good of the people. So if they push things, it could get bloody.
The two big winners in the Middle East will be Israel and Saudi Arabia. I would not be surprised if this gave Netanyahu a boost in the polls. One can hope.
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Post by artraveler on Jan 2, 2020 23:36:58 GMT -8
I wonder how noticeable an armed drone would be if it struck This is the territory of the hyper-sonic that the media says the Russians have and we don't. The out of touch defense media has been saying for years that Russia and China are far ahead of us in hyper-sonic weapons and DARPA and DoD have been very quiet about what they are working on. My guess is the supposed weapons Russia and China are claiming are not operational and ours are---checkmate. If we used one they would never know what it was at MACH 7 its just a blur |
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Post by artraveler on Jan 2, 2020 23:45:23 GMT -8
The word I hear from Israel is that cooperation between Mossad and the Saudi's has been very close on the Iraian target, same with Egypt. Although, the profit from Hawaii tried to ruin that. My son suggested to me several years ago when we were in Israel, that an Israel/ Saudi/Egyptian joint defense effort could come to fruit in the 20s with Israel being the nuclear partner.
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Post by artraveler on Jan 3, 2020 5:48:26 GMT -8
My son tells me that the IDF went on alert 12 hours before the drone attack. He suggested that the Intelligence about his plane flight came from Mossad.
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Post by timothylane on Jan 3, 2020 7:10:25 GMT -8
Cooperation, at least at the intelligence level, between Israel and the US no doubt played a major role in Soleimani's well-deserved removal. It's hard to imagine US intelligence pulling it off alone.
Clancy's mini-series that began with a Japanese attack on Congress by crashing a plane into it (published before the 9/11/01 attacks) involved more than one book. Jack Ryan had just been confirmed as VP when it came, and thus was the successor once the President was killed. He also needed a new Congress as well as a Cabinet. Fortunately, most of the dead Senators could be replaced by gubernatorial appointees (at least temporarily, though the laws vary from state to state), so confirming a Cabinet could be done.
As for the scene KFZ mentions, I recall it. Ryan was giving a speech about the subject of retaliating for a terrorist attack, and announced that the US would be giving its response. I don't remember if the target was Iranian; he might have been an Iraqi or Syrian. Most likely the information is available on wikipedia. But it was a fun scene. Too bad Trump couldn't do something like that last night.
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