Two world views in one country (again)

"Two world views. Two languages. Two sets of politics. We are like strangers living in what has become a strange land. Will we ever come to a place where we can talk to each other again, and not over each other? Will we ever love each other, or even like each other?" 

How in the world can we continue to be so very different? Everybody seems to think so, from city dwellers to outstate folks in Minnesota. In fact, recently I heard that many in Minneapolis refer to themselves now as living in the "country of Minneapolis", rather than the city of Minneapolis. Why is that? The world view in Minneapolis is so different, so twisted, than the rest of the state, they need to separate themselves. But it is not just in Minnesota - it is happening all over the country, wherever there is a big, blue city and a red landscaped outstate. 

This weekend, yet another innocent civilian was gunned down by an illegal immigrant. Or, as Trump would call them, "criminal aliens". It was a young eighteen-year-old college student, going for a walk with some friends by Layola University in Chicago. The perp was illegal and from Venezuela. He got into the country under Biden's watch (again). Her family is heartsick. What is the cry coming up from the left? Crickets (again). They don't care. The citizens and patriots care, but the ones of the left see this as only collateral damage to getting more illegals into this country.

What do those on the left really care about these days? Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) was on a news show this past weekend. The subject of ICE, the partial shutdown, and the Save America Act came up. What did this guy who loves to drink margaritas with illegal aliens have to say? Nothing. He wanted to talk about the two people who were shot in Minneapolis by ICE. He was really put out that Markwayne Mullen, in his confirmation hearings, did not apologize to the families of Goode and Pretti for referring to the two who were shot as "left-wing terrorists". He said he regretted those words but did not apologize.

Why is it then, when some innocent is killed by an illegal alien, the left is as quiet as a church mouse. Constantly. 100% of the time. And yet, two protesters in Minneapolis, who were doing things they should not have been doing, interfering with a federal police force, were shot and killed by ICE. And to the left, they are being lionized. The innocents on the other hand, who were murdered by illegals, they were just noise. Nary a peep is mentioned in their behalf.

Two world views. Two languages. Two sets of politics. We are like strangers living in what has become a strange land. Will we ever come to a place where we can talk to each other again, and not over each other? Will we ever love each other, or even like each other? 

Maybe if we all went to church together, that would be a good starting point. Or maybe if we (gasp) tried praying together. For peace. For understanding. For unity. Just an idea, as nothing else seems to be working. 

  

Choke point of the planet

"When Iran gives the world its word that it only wants uranium for peaceful purposes, that does not mean spit. These people are now and have been for decades, bald faced liars. They would build a nuclear weapon in a New York minute, and either threaten to use it - or actually use it." 

I will start by playing Devil's Advocate. Why can't Iran close off the Strait of Hormuz? Why can't Iran be the gatekeeper of the Strait and only let through ship that either pay a hefty fine, or ships from countries that Iran likes? Seems fair - right? No - not really. Why not? The Strait of Hormuz is not owned by any one country. Iran has no claim to it. It has been mandated to be an International Waterway. By whom you might ask? The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Any time Iran decides to board or detain a ship from any country, it is considered an act of piracy, and in violation of international law. Case closed.

What Iran is doing with the Strait can be added to the list of many "no-no" items it is doing in the Persian Gulf. But it might get worse. The other day, Iran said it might start to hit soft targets in any country at any time. Why? To share the pain. Recent intel indicates that during the period between Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, some nefarious actors from other countries were helping Iran to restock its missiles and drones. Bottom line? Iran has quite of bit left. They can make good on a threat to hit soft targets all over the region and maybe into Europe.

When Iran gives the world its word that it only wants uranium for peaceful purposes, that does not mean spit. These people are now and have been for decades, bald faced liars. They would build a nuclear weapon in a New York minute, and either threaten to use it - or actually use it. Why do I think that? Any country who would drone or missile attack soft targets from other countries is also capable of nuking them. Same principal, different scope of damages.

How will this end? Will this end? As Israel keeps picking off bad guys, and we keep picking off launchers, neither side seems to tire of this war as yet. Of course, the world's consumers are getting stuck with higher prices on gas and food. As the old saying goes, it is much easier to start a war than to finish one. Right now, this war with Iran appears to be headed towards a longer war instead of a shorter war. I hope I am wrong on that, but the current tea leaves point to more war and less peace.  

  

Dear Joe Kent - wake up and smell the coffee

 

 

The only good news about the two missiles fired toward Diego Garcia was this - one broke up over the ocean before it got there, and the other was intercepted by a SM-3 missile coming off a VLS on a Aegis Class destroyer. But the point is this - they are now very close to hitting us where it really hurts. B-2 bombers and soon the B-21 might nest there temporarily. Will they be safe there? What do you think Joe Kent?    

Back when I was in the Navy, there was a base you could be sent to which was in the middle of nowhere. Adak, Alaska. It was only a twelve-month tour (due to its isolation). But then there was another base which opened up that was even more remote. If was on an atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was Diego Garcea. It was a runway and a few operations buildings. To serve twelve months there - you had to be tough and resilient.

Why bring that up? We wanted to have that strategic airstrip in the middle of the Indian Ocean for only one purpose. It was far enough away from the Middle East to be out the range of fire, yet close enough to allow our bombers to have a much shorter trip into the fight. Our best intel showed that even though Iran's missiles were getting "longer legs", the maximum range on a ballistic missile out of Iran was about 1,300 miles. Diego Garcea was 2,500 miles away.

Joe Kent, the now former Director of National Counterterrorism Center, recently resigned his position for this stated reason - the Iranian war. Kent said Iran offered no immediate threat to us, so going to war with them was foolish. 

Here is a message for Mr. Kent. We were caught off-guard when last night two missiles were fired out of Iran and Diego Garcia was targeted. That means the 1,300-mile maximum range on a Iranian missile was really 2,500 miles. That means that all our bases in the Middle East, most of Europe, and Diego Garcia are now in range of the nut balls in Iran. Putting it in the common vernacular, Iran did offer a clear and present danger to Israel, our bases nearby, our Arabian allies, much of Europe, and our strategic outpost in Diego Garcia. What do you think Joe, should we have waited a couple years until the uranium was done being enriched to weapon grade, and Iran's missiles had the legs to deliver a nuke to Washington? Right now, Joe, we need leaders like Patton, and not like Neville Chamberlain.

The only good news about the two missiles fired toward Diego Garcia was this - one broke up over the ocean before it got there, and the other was intercepted by a SM-3 missile coming off a VLS on a Aegis Class destroyer. But the point is this - they are now very close to hitting us where it really hurts. B-2 bombers and soon the B-21 might nest there temporarily. Will they be safe there? What do you think Joe Kent?    

Land of the Lost - Part 2

 

"Where is the land of the lost, part 2? It is in Minnesota, specifically the Twin Cities. Been that way ever since the Floyd riots. That is when, under the watch of Watz and Frey, the "peaceful" demonstrators almost burned the entire city of Minneapolis down. It became a total warzone."

Two things happened recently when it was announced that Minneapolis would be awarded the "John F Kennedy Profile in Courage" award. First, I almost fell out of my chair in total shock. Just when I thought I have seen or heard everything - this comes along. Second, JFK must be rolling over in his grave. Why? He was not a progressive. He was a leader. A war hero. Not a perfect man, but a very good president. To allow this group of paid demonstrators and useful idiots to be associated with the word "courage" is way beyond the pale.

How about a profile in stupidity award for Walz and Frey for making Minneapolis a sanctuary city? How about the Minneapolis Chief of Police telling his force not to support federal law enforcement when they are in operations in Minneapolis? If the cops had been allowed to do their job, many of the protestors could have been kept at bay. The two people who were shot would still be alive. But that was not the narrative. The narrative (as it always turns out) is the "people" against Donald Trump. When the paid demonstrators saw ICE, all they could see was Donald Trump. The TDS which coats Minneapolis is like pollen in June - and it turned out to be very deadly.

The frosting on the cake, was when the corrupt media always referred to the paid demonstrators as "peaceful". Hitting, spitting, cursing (including taking the Lord's name in vain) is peaceful? On what planet? We need a new definition of peace it this is the example. These people were thugs and malcontents. Truthfully, the paid demonstrators, the latter-day hippies, the useful idiots - were all nothing more than miscreants. It is as simple as that.

Where is the land of the lost, part 2? It is in Minnesota, specifically the Twin Cities. Been that way ever since the Floyd riots. That is when, under the watch of Watz and Frey, the "peaceful" demonstrators almost burned the entire city of Minneapolis down. It became a total warzone. A "no-go" zone. Any chance for healing, where the miscreants will control themselves, and act like citizens? Not so long as the DFL is running the show. This is all from page one of their playbook.

Meanwhile, Minneapolis becoming "hollowed out". Our once fair city, which was fun to go into to, is now on its way to becoming another Detroit. How about a profile in courage for that one?    

Land of the lost - Part One

 

"Is Iran really the 'land of the lost'? It is right now. Will it be in the future? Not if Donald Trump and Bibi Netanyahu have anything to say about it. Freedom is a wonderful thing, and it is coming soon to Persia." 

The sooner we get rid of the scum who are currently ruling Iran and return it to the people - the better. The evil which this IRGC personifies is beyond comprehension. When the people recently rose up to peacefully demonstrate in Iran (NOT like the "peaceful" demonstrations in Minnesota), IRGC sharpshooters, as well as hired thugs from other countries, mowed down up to 30,000 citizens. All because they wanted a more representative form of government, and NOT a theocracy. 

One of the rising stars in Iran is a 19-year-old wrestler who had recently returned from a tournament. While at home, he took part in the street demonstrations. He was arrested and tried in an Iranian "kangaroo court". He was convicted of killing two policemen (false charges) and an unforgivable charge - disrespect to the Iranian deity. Yesterday, he was tortured and hung. It is a good thing we don't execute people for disrespecting our God in this country. We might lose half the Democrat Party.

This entire episode about this young man, barely old enough to shave, to be killed by his own government makes me want to retch. I have had antipathy towards the Iran revolutionary government ever since the 1979 revolution. The sooner we get rid of this crowd and replace them with duly elected citizens - the better. Besides being horrible neighbors to the nations which surround Iran, besides being a thorn in the side to Israel (and killing many of them), besides executing their own people for minor reasons, what good are the Mullahs or the IRGC? Time for the people to throw off the chains and become free once again.

I was hoping that once the war was over, and Iran needed some of their infrastructure rebuilt, the neighbors close-by could or would help. But after Iran has launched missiles and drones at just about everybody, and caused millions (maybe billions) of dollars in damage to other's oil and gas fields - that offer might be off the table. Meaning? It might be a long while for Iran to get back on its feet.

Is this war worth it? To the friends and family of the young men who were recently hung by their government, I would guess their answer is yes. How about Israel, where once the current regime in Iran is gone, and the peace can return to the shire. Again, I would say yes. How about world commerce who need to use the Strait of Hormuz without getting shelled, bombed or droned? That would be an absolute yes. 

Is Iran really the "land of the lost"? It is right now. Will it be in the future? Not if Donald Trump and Bibi Netanyahu have anything to say about it. Freedom is a wonderful thing, and it is coming soon to Persia. 

   

Hitting (and kicking) below the belt

"If Iran and the Arab states in the Persian Gulf start to hit each other's oil and gas infrastructure, it will soon get to be 'Katy bar the door.' It would not only be hitting each other below the belt (so to speak), but also it would be Iran's version of 'scorched Earth'." 

Okay - I will say it. Iran is a mess right now. They remind me of a spoiled child who could not get his or her way, lashing out at everybody. And when I say lashing out at everybody, that includes everyone on Planet Earth who needs the oil and gas which come from the Persian Gulf. Why would they try an alienate a large part of the world. Especially with nations who have not done Iran any harm. Because they are losing the war and losing it badly. Since they can't get at us, they will get at many others instead. Why? Blame this war on us.

So, what is Iran doing which is typical of "hitting below the belt"? The same thing that Russia has done to Ukraine in that war. Targeting energy resources. Turning winter weather into a tool of war, by not allowing civilians the ability to warm themselves. It is barbaric and inhumane.

What Iran is doing right now is not as deadly as what Russia is doing to Ukraine, but it is causing oil and gas to be either more expensive, scarcer, or both. Why is this happening? The escalation ladder. Israel grew tired of Iran constantly launching ballistic missiles (many topped with cluster bombs) and drones at their civilian areas. 

It all started when Israel wanted to send Iran a message by targeting their main natural gas field. This was supposed to be "off limits" per Donald Trump, as when the regime is finally driven out of Iran and the people take their country back, they will need oil resources for usage and trade. But the damage was done, and Iran retaliated by hitting the South Pars Mega Field in the UAE. It hosts the largest liquefied natural gas facility in the world. Why hit UAE? Because they are close, and more importantly, because they have a relationship with us.

If Iran and the Arab states in the Persian Gulf start to hit each other's oil and gas infrastructure, it will soon get to be "Katy bar the door." It would not only be hitting each other below the belt (so to speak), but also it would be Iran's version of "scorched Earth". Oil and gas are the essential elements of every nation's life blood in that area. For Iran to lash out like this is beyond being a fool's errand - it is economic suicide.

The problem is this - we have no clue who is running Iran right now. Heck, it could be the Persian version of Joe Biden's autopen. But until Iran is vanquished and peace once again returns to the Middle East, much, much damage could be done. The regime in Iran is deserving of all the punishment Israel (and us) could dish out to them. But the innocent Iranian people are not deserving of any of our punishment. Nor are the innocent Arabs in neighboring countries deserving of any punishment coming from Iran. 

Unfortunately, our main carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, needed to leave the fight and go in for repairs. Battle damage? Nope - creature comforts like backed up toilets and not enough suitable racks for sailors to use. It got to the point where the Ford had to leave the fight to get these items fixed. But with or without the Ford, the fight goes on. And the sooner Iran surrenders to Israel and the US, the better it will be for all. 

The current worthlessness of NATO

 

"We have asked very little (let me repeat that - very little) out of NATO for this war. As usual, the US is doing most of the heavy lifting. That is, the US AND Israel are doing the heavy lifting. All NATO can do is whimper and bitch. Like, whose side are they on?"

Some might think I am about to go on a major rant about how our NATO "buddies" stood us up over Iran. They are supposed to be a band of brothers, united against all terroristic and war like regimes worldwide. NATO was supposed to "stand in the gap", ever since the UN became feckless and useless. Sure, NATO underfunded itself, but after "Daddy" Trump twisted a few ears during his first term, many bellied up to the bar. Some however - did not. I could write three pages this morning about how much NATO has let us down over policing the Strait of Hormuz by Iran. I could, but I won't. I would rather talk about something which NATO has done which is far more disappointing.

Greenland. What NATO is doing to the US over Greenland is beyond the pale. Although a very parsimonious show of force, some in NATO sent some troops to Greenland - just in case Donald Trump was going to invade this cherished land and take it by force. What a joke! That was NEVER in the cards for us to do that! However, for reasons of security for the US as well as Europe, the US wants a larger presence in Greenland. We also want more of a military presence to deter any and all "adventurisms" by Russia or China. Why? The arctic is where it is at baby! Greenland would offer a HUGE front door for either Russia or China to waltz right in any become unwanted neighbors. 

Instead of (as Steven Covey would say) NATO trying to "seek to understand", they have rather treated the US, the country who saved most NATO nations twice during two world wars, like we are Russians or Mongols. Trump has been very clear on why we want a bigger footprint in Greenland. We want to extend our Golden Dome up into Greenland for maximum early warning in case of a missile attack. ALL would benefit from that. We also want to help mine the hard to get at rare earth minerals and oil in Greenland. The natives who live on Greenland would benefit greatly from the riches we could extract from that frozen soil. But NATO? To them, this deal that US wants to strike with Greenland and Denmark is next to radioactive. Who needs enemies when you have friends like NATO?

Here is the irony. Many speculated that one of the reasons that Putin wanted war with Ukraine was one of the side effects of that conflict would be a weakening of NATO. That never happened. However, the war to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear terrorist is dividing NATO. We have asked very little (let me repeat that - very little) out of NATO for this war. As usual, the US is doing most of the heavy lifting. That is, the US AND Israel are doing the heavy lifting. All NATO can do is whimper and bitch. Like, whose side are they on?

Between the Iran war and Greenland, I have about had it with this bunch of statists and socialists. No wonder Biden got along so well with NATO - he was cut from the same stock. 

And speaking of which, half of our government is also cut from that same stock as NATO. In these turbulent days when we need strong men and resolute women, half of our Congress still does not fully know what a man is or what a woman is. But that is a rant for another day.