Thursday, February 2, 2017

That's right you a-holes...DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION!



No, wait....that was the movie Animal House.  Yesterday's big news was from the WHITE House.

It seems that yesterday Prez Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn got ahold of a microphone and said that Iran's recent ballistic missile test violated our nuclear agreement of last year, and that we were putting them ON NOTICE!



Fear and panic in Tehran!

Ummm....what exactly does "on notice" mean, anyway?  Is that like when the big kid on the playground backs a little kid into a corner demanding his lunch money, or more like when the Allied powers in WWII told Adolf Hitler they were going to kick his ass?  Big difference!

Kinda makes you wonder....well, me at least....if this was just another of President Donald Trump's knee jerk reactions to something he didn't like.  I would hope that if he approved of putting someone "on notice" he would have thought it through carefully, discussed it with the Defense Dept, State Dept, the CIA (if they'll take his call), our allies (if we have any left), etc, and put together a realistic, tiered plan of action.

Then he should have sent word via diplomatic channels to the Iranians, explaining that we expect them to abide by all the terms of our agreement, no exceptions, and lay out what will happen if they don't.  But that doesn't appear to be what happened.  The Iranians light off a missile one day, and Trump sent Flynn in front of a hot mic the next to threaten them.  

I'm no diplomat or military guy, but I have to wonder if either State or Defense can put together a detailed plan of action like that in just one day?  I agree that we need to call the Iranian's hand on this treaty violation, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.  He can still pursue his agenda without leaving a trail of wreckage behind.

America's new Fire Chief...er...Secretary of State (as of last night) Rex Tillerson, has his hands full delivering flowers to many of our decades-long allies who his Arsonist-In-Chief boss has already torched in just his first two weeks in office.  IMO the Republican Party needs to assign a minder to make sure President Trump takes his daily meds.
  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And how about those buffoons in Congress?


2016....Senate Democrats are outraged....OUTRAGED!....when Republicans won't vote and confirm President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court.  "Republicans are despicable scum!"


2017....Senate Republicans are outraged....OUTRAGED!....when Democrats threaten to sabotage President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court.  "Democrats are despicable scum!"

How can they, Democrats and Republicans alike, look us in the eye and lie like they do?  If we look up, that thing we're seeing is the underside of the bus both parties have thrown us under.

S

LATE EDIT:  Could "On Notice" be Prez Trump's green light code for the Israeli's to go get 'em?  Heehee....hold my beer!




14 comments:

  1. To keep the school-boy theme going, that's for Trump to know and them to find out...if they want.

    Regards the SCOTUS fury about Obama's pick being tabled, my brother was nominated for federal judge in the district of Atlanta by Bush 1, the summer before the election. He called Joe Biden's office to find out when the hearings might be so he could plan his summer. He was told specifically and rather condescendingly, "Unless you are black or a woman, there will be no vote hearings until after the election." He did not get the position until several years later and when he was appointed by President Clinton. Don't even talk to me about Washington politics, they all play the same game and throw the same stones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Considering the US track record of drawing "red lines" and such, if I were the Iranians and was threatened with "notice", I'd think it was just another toothless threat. I'd call the bluff. If Trump would tell them privately we will do specifically X, Y, & Z, and leave nothing in doubt, that might make them see their folly. Regarding Congress, agreed, they all play the same game and throw the same stones, and that's my point. They look after their own partisan political advantage first and foremost, the country be damned. The whole bunch need to be sent home.

      Delete
    2. We don't know if there hasn't been any specific direct warning without broadcasting it, probably smart if that is the case, no reason to force any one to lose or save face. Trump may or may not be a loose cannon, it may be good for Nations not to know.

      Delete
  2. I'm still waiting for Trump's "really big" secret plan to wipe out ISIS that not even the generals are smart enough to think of. "Believe me." For that matter, I'm still waiting to see his tax returns.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Our enemies must be laughing and feeling great as America comes apart at the seams. I think this was Putin's plan, no matter who won.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pootie Pooh is indeed looking like the big winner here. His power seems much bigger than his puny economy suggests it should be.

      Delete
  4. I'm sure the new Secretary of State would love for his old company to get its hands on all that oil in Iran. And our president's best friend Putin I'm sure would like a cut of it too. Of course Putin has resumed his invasion of Ukraine and his buddy Trump is completely silent on that front.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that is to be seen Pat. I heard him address his State Dept personnel today and I'm thinking he just might be one who can stand up to Trump's wild scattershooting. He might be able to put some distance between him and his oil industry background. I'm now mildly optimistic about him.

      Delete
  5. Remember how we are so proud of the "peaceful transfer of power" in this country? And just like that it happened...the title "most powerful person in the world" went from Obama to Angela Merkel.

    I have a feeling that as time goes on, the U.S. will be left out more and more of international decision making.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betina, with the EU crumbling, Merkel might try currying a little favor with Donnie John hoping he doesn't walk away from NATO or start a trade war. As a strong exporter, that would be very damaging to Germany. We are definitely turning inward, and away from as much worldwide interaction as we once did.

      Delete
  6. We have a fucking nut for president, and we're all being pollyanna, hoping for the best. Wait until he decides, on whim or seeing a blog or some twitter, that we need to invade or bomb country x, y or z. It's the third week of his rule by fiat (twitter), and already he's demonstrated he's a danger to the world. And he's our guy......

    ReplyDelete