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Myra Jolivet's avatar

Because of these events, I take issue with the idea of free will. We don't have free will as long as we are subjected to the demented and diabolical whims of sick people.

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DeeceX's avatar

Myra, I beg to differ. We, the American people, have free will, and we freely (if narrowly) chose this crud to be our president. Now we must live with those consequences, the same as we do of our others mistakes.

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Karen Sommer's avatar

I agree with you, that 25,000 US soldiers “ought not to be dying to protect Israel’s sovereignty.” Trump saying “We love you God” as he’s bombing Iran reminds me of the Christian Crusaders, as they pillaged & plundered town after town.

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S maltophilia's avatar

Iran will retaliate, but in a form of asymmetrical warfare, and not necessarily right away. They know damn well that the great blasphemer has a short attention span.

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DeeceX's avatar

A terrific analysis, Jim. It will be interesting to see further reporting over the next few days on how the decisions were made. Trump woke up at the golf course/spousal cemetery in New Jersey, then returned to Washington for an NSC meeting. Was there additional information? A catalogue of dangers to American interests? Or was it just, as Fareed Zaharia has suggested, FOMO — fear of missing out? The Israeli attack last week seemed successful, and Trump loves nothing more than success — especially if it's effortless.

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John S's avatar

One small quibble, and that is I don't believe Trump robbed congress of its war powers. Congress, over several decades, ceded these powers to various presidents, for reasons known only to the members of congress involved. Once again, congress fails to stand up and defend its powers, this time to a president who thinks he's a king to begin with. And, as usual, congressional Democrats clutch their pearls and shake their fists, but put up no meaningful resistance. I'm afraid the 2026 midterms will be even more of a landslide for the MAGAts and we'll see Trump destroy what's left of our democratic institutions in his remaining days. "We have met the enemy, etc."

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John Hamilton Farr's avatar

Well and cleanly stated. I wouldn't change a single word.

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MATX's avatar

They disgraced themselves. Is this a form of the original sin?

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Mike Pennington's avatar

Yes, and the God people here will be all in support on this one. The whole Israeli, Middle East, ethnic conflicts, including our involvement, all have a primitive “god” element at its core! And of course, oil, in our case anyway.

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Mick Scott's avatar

So. We're at war?

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Jim Bob Moore's avatar

That’s generally what it’s called when you attack another sovereign nation, no?

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