Me three agree. I nominate Gen. Hertling for our modern day Clausewitz on war and politics. And "amen" to his final comment: "because too much comfort with the desire to use force is rarely a sign of wisdom."
Years ago I read with great fascination the book "Will Catholics be Left Behind" by Carl Olsen. I am a cradle Catholic as well, and have read the bible many times, especially the New Testament. I also had never heard of the Rapture, or the various "Millennialism" theories, pre-, post- and another I can't remember. I guess one thing I learned is that even those who say they take the Bible literally have different interpretations of it.
Kristi Noem was a good soldier until the very end. She did everything she was asked and then some. She shoveled the red meat to the base faster than they could eat it until the hemoglobin load became too much. Her firing demonstrates the limits of a certain style of performative Trumpism and its limits and it all comes down to Minneapolis.
The citizens of Minneapolis demonstrated an America we weren’t sure existed anymore. Minneapolis started feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, ministering to those in prison and welcoming the stranger within our midst. Values we once thought were part of us, but had atrophied away a spirit of collective activism we didn’t know we still had. When people say empathy is toxic and compassion weak, I have one word: Minneapolis. The citizens of Minneapolis should take a bow as your empathy and compassion just took the first scalp of the Trump administration. Minneapolis and what happened there as tragic at it was ultimately sealed her fate.
Somewhere in a dark room Kristi Noem lies rocking in the fetal position, thumb in mouth while hugging her blankie whispering over and over, Minneapolis.
Trump was proud of her in Minnesota. He loves knowing that people will kill for him. Everyone else in the cabinet is in a contest to see who can kill the most. Rubio was way ahead, but now Hegseth is making his move. RFK is just letting people die, not actively killing them.
Noem's mistake was blaming Trump when something bad happened. While using force is Trump's first negotiating tactic, betrayal is is next favorite. Loyalty is always demanded, and it only goes one way.
I am sure Trump didn’t really care that CBP killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti, but he and others in the administration know that was a bridge too far for the public and, no she didn’t handle the aftermath well.
"Somewhere in a dark room Kristi Noem lies rocking in the fetal position, thumb in mouth while hugging her blankie whispering over and over, Minneapolis."
Nope. To do this, it would require she have some self-awareness and an introspective element to her psyche. I suspect that she does not.
Did this reprimand sting? For sure! I suspect though, unlike Cricket, Kristi is trainable. She sure as sh*t knows what will happen if she isn't.
She got appointed to some BS agency with a name that sounds like one from a super hero comic book. She won't get to shoot any cool commercials anymore and maybe will be deprived of that fancy plane she's been using. She landed ok as long as she gets a paycheck.
By standards we would apply to a non-deviant psychopathology.
She clearly loves big $$$, but I think she craves the spotlight even more. It would be Schadenfreude fabulous to watch her slink back to The Badlands that hatched her, but maybe a comic book appointment with no socmed opps is a fitting punishment?
Every time I see an interview of that numbskull MarkWayneGacy Mullholland, it drives home the idea that ANYBODY, even somebody with a yellow belly, and hamburger for brains, can win election to the Terran Imperial Senate. What the f*^k is going on around here???
There might be some interesting drama between Markwaynebillybob and Stephen Miller. I don't see Markwaynebillybob taking directions from anyone but Trump going well.
I'm watching oil spike every time I refresh the screen. Chances of a big recession are shooting up as we speak. It's going to get ugly: a lot of people decided to touch the stove, refused to listen to folks like us, and now we are all going to pay the price.
I have some oil royalty interests but any increase I'll get will be dwarfed by a job loss.
Someone should have told DJT that starting a Middle East war is the big boys club of stove touching, no matter how many sweet nothings Bibi whispered in his ear.
Thankfully I still have at least 3/4 of a tank of gas left and not much driving to do. Gas was 60 cents higher today than it was when I last filled the tank. Thank you Harris Teeter for your gas points and 4X Fridays—4 gas points for every dollar spent in the store on most items. 1000 fuel points = $1/gal off up to 35 gallons.
I appreciate General Hertling's experience-based assessment of the costs of war and the need to have a fundamental understanding that it is much, much more involved and consequential than the video game approach currently offered by the President and the Secretary of Defense/War/Whatever. And I say this in no way to denigrate what he wrote, but ... we get it. Most people will read his words and know already that the act of waging war and endangering human life and infrastructure is not one meant to be made casually, off-the-cuff, or without due diligence, and not mostly at the whims of one person whose own knowledge of such things is very limited at best. If we get it, so should he and they. Yet here we are, feeling like most of us could do a better job of it simply by applying common sense rules of thumb about what we risk relative to what we stand to gain.
Yes, getting rid of bad guys can be a good thing for the long term. But not at any cost. The video gamers in the White House orbit seem to feel that if they rack up enough points, they automatically win, game over, and all will be great as they move into the brag-about-it phase afterward and then move on to the next gaming scenario. (Cuba? North Korea?) Beyond the logistical issues of who will clean up the mess and under what terms once they are finished, there is the very real concern that we may be overplaying our hand, on multiple fronts. Are we putting ourselves at risk by overusing our weaponry relative to our ability to replace it? Spreading ourselves too thin in too many locations around the world? Picking so many fights that we eventually blunder into one that we cannot win, biting off more than we can chew and paying a heavy price out of hubris and overconfidence? And so much more. I'd say that General Hertling's text should be required reading among the current Washington power brokers, but that assumes that they have a mind open enough to do so and the capacity to read something more than a paragraph or two long. For the last 14 months that has been a fool's errand. We're no fools. Sadly, we cannot say the same about much of our leadership, at or near the top.
As for Noem, yes, it is a Schadenfreude sort of morning. Based on her attitude no less than her actions, she was long past her expiration date, and upon reflection it seems like it was a matter of time until her inevitable fate ran its course as she pushed too hard and too fast and too far. Maybe there is a lesson in that somewhere for our decision makers when it comes to war policy too. Perhaps the next enemy will become the bigger badass and the bridge too far. I hope we do not find out the hard way.
It's funny you use the video game metaphor because I think Hegseth dismissed drone warfare as tinker toys played by video gamers. Iranian drones will determine a lot of the tactical aspects of this 'special mission', and right now they certainly have the upper hand in the economics equation, both in terms of kill value and real economic impact in the Middle East.
Good point about drones' impacts on tactics. There's also the prospect of entirely drone-based operations, such as Ukraine's Spider's Web strike against Russia: concealed, forward-deployed drones launched by remote, hitting targets that would have been considered out of reach, or at least hours away from a bomb or missile.
I'm sure Iran was taking notes and is working on some version of this to be run against us and/or whomever else seems like the least prepared for this format of warfare.
I could easily see such a strike performed against US domestic targets. Drones flying at low levels are virtually undetectable as Russia has learned in the hardway. It's not just flying drones Ukraine has successfully employed. Their underwater drones have been just as effective.
One tiny word - whim. We are in a position where the whim of one wreck of a man has the power of his whim over this nation. This is the way of authoritarians. It's hard to comprehend.
Yes, and how long the whimeister gets bored of the Middle East and wants to move on. I have ‘I thought we had stopped talking about Iran’ on countdown.
The trouble? He has to keep posturing to keep up the heat. He has no locus of control within himself. He has to keep blustering and fighting. It's the "way of the shark." He's afraid of sinking.
Imagine an alternate universe in which President Mark Kelly is Commander-in-Chief of a military still comprised of our best and brightest, be they gay, trans, pick a skin color/religion. Our VA is well-funded, and taking care of ALL our vets with science-based innovation. Our soft power efforts, thanks to decades of hard work, are paying off in spades. Congress & SCOTUS respect and act upon their responsibilities laid out in our Constitution.
The entire war: the lack of strategic thinking, the lack of planning, the lack of "what if's" fully characterizes the stupidity of the Trump administration. It's why you don't hire Fox talking heads to run complex programs.
assumption #1) the closure of the Middle East's oil market can't hurt us; we export our oil. Reality: we export some kinds of oil and import others: our refiners can't use much of the domestic supply in our refineries. Any junior-level ChemE at Texas A&M knows this. Too bad you eschew "expertise" in favor of guys who look tough.
assumption #2) Iran can't close the Strait of Horumz. We destroy all 500,000 of their missles and drones overnight. and if we don't, we'll just send in the Navy. Reality: how would we even know where all 500,000 missles and drones are? They have been preparing for this for decades. And send the Navy into narrow waters, begging to be hit by these drones and small suicide craft? Also, if insurers decide the risk is too great, they won't insure, which is the same as shutting down the Strait.
assumption #3) Prices won't rise. I'm Trump and I can force companies to bend to my will. Reality: it's a free market and you aren't a dictator.
assumption #4) People are stupid and they'll believe whatever I tell them: Reality: Trump might be right on this one. I'm sure this will be Biden's/Obama's fault.
Now, if only Dems can capitalize. MAGA made those "Biden did this" stickers for the pump, even though he had nothing to do with throttling oil production. This is going to be 10X worse and directly a result of Trump's impulsive terrible choices. Can they capitalize?
I actually think people, not the most culty people, everyone else is not stupid and understands this is Trump’s war and our lives will get immeasurably worse because of it. And I think there will be a point where all the people who just gave a blank check to Trump will suffer some kind of consequence and loss. Maybe I am wrong and the gerrymanders are too extreme, but I think a lot of Republicans just fired themselves.
And thus we fall into what has become a repetitive historical cycle... Republicans make a mess of things, especially the economy, and Democrats have to come in and clean up their mess. Sad that people do not pay attention to what administrations have caused the most economic damage to our country. Democrats get very little credit thanks to right wing media constantly downplaying the effectiveness of the very actions and policies that help America recover.
We'll be lucky if Democrats even get to come in and clean up the mess this time around. This MAGA regime has no intention of ever giving up power and will do anything to stay in power.
ScottG - Terrific points! ...may I expand/expound a bit?
#1 - even if US could end ALL oil importation (we can't, as you explain), the price in the US would go up because oil is a worldwide commodity. No American oil co. will say, "sure the world price is ̷8̷0̷,̷ ̷9̷0̷,̷ ̷1̷0̷0̷ $110 a barrel but we'll keep ours at $70 where it was before Trump's war. The US petroleum industry has a long tradition of generosity toward energy-hungry Americans!"
Just paid ~ 40 cents more per gallon than last time. I love that America First also includes Scott Bessent helping out India with their crude oil supply issue due to our military operation.
Texas AG Ken Paxton is a crook. Trump is a crook. I'd be shocked if these two crooks couldn't come to some sort of arrangement. Trump just needs to make him an offer he can't refuse (preferably without killing any horses).
“Cheap Shots: Mike Johnson: We’re not at war it’s a limited military operation.”
Six service members dead, Three aircraft destroyed costing $150 million each to replace, and we don’t have enough defense interceptors to protect our fleets and interests in the region.
Not to mention, we’re spending a billion dollars a day in addition to our other military responsibilities around the world for the so called “special” military operation.
So the reality is that while we’re not at war, the results are exactly the same: It’s all about semantics! IMHO….:)
It's not a "war" because we don't have an objective, and Congress let Trump get away with not having to provide one. Even Bush had to say he was saving the world from WMDs, even if they didn't exist.
It also isn't a war because Trump can pull the troops out whenever he wishes. The jobs report is terrible. Inflation is rising. The tariffs are going away. The deficit is increasing. And the FBI record has reappeared about how a girl bit Trump's dick. The war has not pushed those things out of the spotlight. Now that the Ayatollah is dead, everything that happens in Iran will be messy, inconclusive, and expensive. More Americans will die for no clear reason. Trump looks like Netanyahu's fool, even worse than Putin's. The Republicans are now the party of death and pedophiles. Their only hope is voter suppression and bringing the troops home to "monitor" the elections.
Well said, and as far as Bush’s objectives for the Iraq war? Bush went from one excuse to another: regime change. liberty. Nuclear weapons within a year; sound familiar?
Bush may have had objectives, but they were just as nefarious; make money from war. For example, Haliburton stock and many others that are part of the Military Industrial Complex and Military Reconstruction Complex saw their stock prices increase over 550% in four years.
And as for Trump’s objectives: regime change. Destroy the Navy. Have complete air dominance. Most achieved and were the easy part.
The hard part: Regime change without boots on the ground. Not going to happen.
Bottom line; the objectives are accomplished using tactics, but tactics are not a strategy (integral part); however, tactics without a strategy, is a sure way to certain defeat. And yet, here we are: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM!…:)
And in the midst of it all, Trump orders troops to attack..... Ecuador? Just try and convince me that anybody in this messed up administration knows what the hell is going on. Can't be done. Has anybody even asked Hegseth, Leavitt, or Trump to explain this one?
Our country is broke, and we are getting broker we simply cannot afford this war. We cannot afford any of this. I do not know how we will pay any of this off as a country. In addition to everything that is wrong with this war, America is going to be crushed economically. I don’t know if we will be able to recover. During WWII there was a 90% tax rate on rich people to pay for the war, and we still had debt. You cannot cut income and increase spending while disrupting the global economy and think it is going to be okay. I thought Republicans got elected on reducing the debt, what the hell.
I feel that's why the USSR collapsed. They squandered their treasury in Afghanistan while we funded/supplied the Mujahideen on the cheap (as war funding goes). They ran out of money before we did. I also think Netanyahu wanted us to foot the bill for his war.
I’ve switched to a fiscal argument when phoning my three GOP congress stooges (since all my previous arguments against the Iranian war based on morality, duty, and logic fell on deaf ears).
Simply, we cannot afford both the war on Iran and against immigrants at home. Redirect the billions from ICE to the Middle East.
See former Representative Jane Harmon’s article: Congress controls the purse, regardless of the War Powers vote.
Marcia - I use similar when calling my Rep + Sens here in IN. One is bullgoose MAGA so no use trying any moral argument. The other 2 are pretend 'moderates' who vote straight party line but say an occasional soothing word - what I grew up calling 'country club' types so the financial angle might be harder for them to completely ignore.
Evidently, according to reporting yesterday, we are still paying off the Iraq and Afghanistan military incursions as part of the national debt America holds. You are right, we cannot afford this war.
Mullin just spoils all the joy I feel for Ice Barbie leaving. How long until he kicks in with his Hagueseth imitation? I say 2 weeks. The rock slides are coming faster now. I never imagined living in a remake of Inglorious Basterds.
MMA fighter Mullin offered twice to get into an actual, physical fight on the Senate floor, so he’s pugnacious enough to suit Trump. If he can manage not to be as showily self-aggrandizing as Noem, Trump should be quite happy with him. Even if they lose the masks, don’t expect a kinder, gentler ICE, though.
BruceWayneGacy Mulholland is a fool. Seeking out fist fights is a good way to get crippled, or killed. The outcome is never certain in such things. A rank amateur that is lucky in one moment can knock out a pro.
Trump cares not a whit about intelligence, expertise, competence, integrity ... anybody with those characteristics would just make him look bad. So America is left flailing in every department - political, economic, military, legal.... being lead to the abyss by a bunch of nitwits with no moral fiber. I'm not sure we can survive another 3 years of this dumbassery.
I think the word ' security ' which trumpy may express remarks on this coming Saturday, or so he said, will mean a permanent promotion for kristi gnome, security infers prison camps or private for profit lockups for maybe homeless/broke persons/ immigrants. she will still be making money off of other persons challenges
I’m looking forward to her legal fate, which I reckon will hinge on how horrific things become until regime termination. I would prefer her being prosecuted in a court of law. If things become less orderly before regime termination, I would like a tribunal to decide her fate. My least preferred option, would be a drum head trial. Those are carried out in wartime, are very short, and don’t tend to be televised.
“We’re not at war, we have no intention of being at war. The president and the Department of Defense have made it very clear . . . this is a limited operation.”
Well, if what's been happening for four years in Ukraine is a "special military operation". . . .
Mark Hertling uses two vital words alien to the orange narcissist-felon: "clear thinking."
This is a bridge far too far for the orange narcissist-felon, who 'thinks' by whim and acts without apparent thought, reason or logic, enabled by a 'team' of sycophants interested in their own survival, without consideration for the people, the nation, or the world.
Bringing General Hertling on was one of the best choices the Bulwark ever made. I always learn so much from his pieces.
I was just thinking the same thing. I appreciate General Hertling’s wisdom, sanity, and compassion.
Every time I hear him on Bulwark Takes or read one of his pieces.
I agree completely. A voice for intelligence, insight, and reason.
Me three agree. I nominate Gen. Hertling for our modern day Clausewitz on war and politics. And "amen" to his final comment: "because too much comfort with the desire to use force is rarely a sign of wisdom."
I'd be interested in his take on the reports that some Army commanders are telling their troops that the Iranian incursion is a battle for Christ!!
As a cradle Catholic, I never heard of Jesus being a warrior until the Evangelicals started spouting their Revelations nonsense.
Obviously, they don't know that when JC needs to have someone's ass kicked, He sends in Saint Michael the Archangel.
Years ago I read with great fascination the book "Will Catholics be Left Behind" by Carl Olsen. I am a cradle Catholic as well, and have read the bible many times, especially the New Testament. I also had never heard of the Rapture, or the various "Millennialism" theories, pre-, post- and another I can't remember. I guess one thing I learned is that even those who say they take the Bible literally have different interpretations of it.
They twist it to meet their means and ends. 😈
Hard agree...it's also very unfortunate that his expertise is so relevant and necessary!
Alas.
Anyone see the story in WaPo about Russia feeding Iran intel about the locations of US aircraft, warships, etc.? Wait! I thought Putin and Trump were good buddies! /s https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/06/russia-iran-intelligence-us-targets/
Someone asked the very serious press secretary about that and she actually said, it doesn’t really matter
🙄🙄
Absolutely agree
I agree he is an always read or listen for me.
Totally agree. His viewpoint is so valuable and he expresses it so clearly.
Kristi Noem was a good soldier until the very end. She did everything she was asked and then some. She shoveled the red meat to the base faster than they could eat it until the hemoglobin load became too much. Her firing demonstrates the limits of a certain style of performative Trumpism and its limits and it all comes down to Minneapolis.
The citizens of Minneapolis demonstrated an America we weren’t sure existed anymore. Minneapolis started feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, ministering to those in prison and welcoming the stranger within our midst. Values we once thought were part of us, but had atrophied away a spirit of collective activism we didn’t know we still had. When people say empathy is toxic and compassion weak, I have one word: Minneapolis. The citizens of Minneapolis should take a bow as your empathy and compassion just took the first scalp of the Trump administration. Minneapolis and what happened there as tragic at it was ultimately sealed her fate.
Somewhere in a dark room Kristi Noem lies rocking in the fetal position, thumb in mouth while hugging her blankie whispering over and over, Minneapolis.
Great 👍 post. ...and Miller must be made to slither back under the nearest rock.
Minneapolis Kind and Strong.
He will never be fired and there is no way to impeach him because his job isn't one that requires Senate confirmation.
The only way to do it is to get a stake, find his coffin...
And where he hides after midnight
Remember to keep looking up. He's probably hanging upside down from the ceiling.
Probably too evil and smart to say or do anything to really tick off 🍊 IT. The Joe Cohn replacement. You're right.
Trump was proud of her in Minnesota. He loves knowing that people will kill for him. Everyone else in the cabinet is in a contest to see who can kill the most. Rubio was way ahead, but now Hegseth is making his move. RFK is just letting people die, not actively killing them.
Noem's mistake was blaming Trump when something bad happened. While using force is Trump's first negotiating tactic, betrayal is is next favorite. Loyalty is always demanded, and it only goes one way.
I am sure Trump didn’t really care that CBP killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti, but he and others in the administration know that was a bridge too far for the public and, no she didn’t handle the aftermath well.
Yeah, when you inspire outrage and in self-defense say, “well, Trump told me to”, that is so wrong. You do not defend yourself, you defend HIM.
I'm not so sure that's a blanket.
and I'm not so sure that's a thumb.
Where's Corey!?
no longer using the bed inAirFuck one
Oy Vey!
"Somewhere in a dark room Kristi Noem lies rocking in the fetal position, thumb in mouth while hugging her blankie whispering over and over, Minneapolis."
Nope. To do this, it would require she have some self-awareness and an introspective element to her psyche. I suspect that she does not.
Did this reprimand sting? For sure! I suspect though, unlike Cricket, Kristi is trainable. She sure as sh*t knows what will happen if she isn't.
Is she more trainable than Cricket? I feel that is a low bar and unfair to poor Cricket.
Preach! Say it loud!
You got a way with words!
Thank you.
My pleasure!
Outstanding.
She got appointed to some BS agency with a name that sounds like one from a super hero comic book. She won't get to shoot any cool commercials anymore and maybe will be deprived of that fancy plane she's been using. She landed ok as long as she gets a paycheck.
By standards we would apply to a non-deviant psychopathology.
She clearly loves big $$$, but I think she craves the spotlight even more. It would be Schadenfreude fabulous to watch her slink back to The Badlands that hatched her, but maybe a comic book appointment with no socmed opps is a fitting punishment?
Excellent. She's from eastern South Dakota too, Minnesotans are next door neighbors.
JoeBob Mullen is nothing more than an ignorant Oklahoma redneck in an ill fitting suit from the Men's Wearhouse.
Every time I see an interview of that numbskull MarkWayneGacy Mullholland, it drives home the idea that ANYBODY, even somebody with a yellow belly, and hamburger for brains, can win election to the Terran Imperial Senate. What the f*^k is going on around here???
MarkWayne has demonstrated excellence in the only competency that counts in this administration: kissing Trump's sagging @$$
He's Cherokee and the only person in Congress without at least a bachelor's degree. Sounds like a DEI hire to me!
Yep. Dumb Egotistical Ignoramus.
Ha, ha perfect!!
Upside: when the White House needs septic tank judo, they already have their man
Excellent
There might be some interesting drama between Markwaynebillybob and Stephen Miller. I don't see Markwaynebillybob taking directions from anyone but Trump going well.
Agreed. I don’t see him and Homan paling around at Cava anytime soon either.
Unless the bag is filled with cashola.
Well, he's one more Republican out of Congress.
For sure.
"At least the economic numbers stink too."
As the high school basketball coach said: We may be short, but we're slow.
I'm watching oil spike every time I refresh the screen. Chances of a big recession are shooting up as we speak. It's going to get ugly: a lot of people decided to touch the stove, refused to listen to folks like us, and now we are all going to pay the price.
I have some oil royalty interests but any increase I'll get will be dwarfed by a job loss.
Someone should have told DJT that starting a Middle East war is the big boys club of stove touching, no matter how many sweet nothings Bibi whispered in his ear.
Glad we’re divesting from all those woke sustainable energy projects and electric cars. /s
The problem with those who refused to listen is that they will subsidize their brain by saying "it would be worse with Kamala"
Just filled the gas tank, ~40 cents higher per gallon over my last fill up. Merica!
Utah (where I live) has the fastest and highest gas price growth in the country. Up 60 cents in some areas since the beginning of March.
Thankfully I still have at least 3/4 of a tank of gas left and not much driving to do. Gas was 60 cents higher today than it was when I last filled the tank. Thank you Harris Teeter for your gas points and 4X Fridays—4 gas points for every dollar spent in the store on most items. 1000 fuel points = $1/gal off up to 35 gallons.
I think the sound I just heard is called a swish.
So, Lewis, you spend much time practicing shots from the 3-point line or do they just come naturally to you?
All net, no hoop.
I appreciate General Hertling's experience-based assessment of the costs of war and the need to have a fundamental understanding that it is much, much more involved and consequential than the video game approach currently offered by the President and the Secretary of Defense/War/Whatever. And I say this in no way to denigrate what he wrote, but ... we get it. Most people will read his words and know already that the act of waging war and endangering human life and infrastructure is not one meant to be made casually, off-the-cuff, or without due diligence, and not mostly at the whims of one person whose own knowledge of such things is very limited at best. If we get it, so should he and they. Yet here we are, feeling like most of us could do a better job of it simply by applying common sense rules of thumb about what we risk relative to what we stand to gain.
Yes, getting rid of bad guys can be a good thing for the long term. But not at any cost. The video gamers in the White House orbit seem to feel that if they rack up enough points, they automatically win, game over, and all will be great as they move into the brag-about-it phase afterward and then move on to the next gaming scenario. (Cuba? North Korea?) Beyond the logistical issues of who will clean up the mess and under what terms once they are finished, there is the very real concern that we may be overplaying our hand, on multiple fronts. Are we putting ourselves at risk by overusing our weaponry relative to our ability to replace it? Spreading ourselves too thin in too many locations around the world? Picking so many fights that we eventually blunder into one that we cannot win, biting off more than we can chew and paying a heavy price out of hubris and overconfidence? And so much more. I'd say that General Hertling's text should be required reading among the current Washington power brokers, but that assumes that they have a mind open enough to do so and the capacity to read something more than a paragraph or two long. For the last 14 months that has been a fool's errand. We're no fools. Sadly, we cannot say the same about much of our leadership, at or near the top.
As for Noem, yes, it is a Schadenfreude sort of morning. Based on her attitude no less than her actions, she was long past her expiration date, and upon reflection it seems like it was a matter of time until her inevitable fate ran its course as she pushed too hard and too fast and too far. Maybe there is a lesson in that somewhere for our decision makers when it comes to war policy too. Perhaps the next enemy will become the bigger badass and the bridge too far. I hope we do not find out the hard way.
It's funny you use the video game metaphor because I think Hegseth dismissed drone warfare as tinker toys played by video gamers. Iranian drones will determine a lot of the tactical aspects of this 'special mission', and right now they certainly have the upper hand in the economics equation, both in terms of kill value and real economic impact in the Middle East.
Good point about drones' impacts on tactics. There's also the prospect of entirely drone-based operations, such as Ukraine's Spider's Web strike against Russia: concealed, forward-deployed drones launched by remote, hitting targets that would have been considered out of reach, or at least hours away from a bomb or missile.
I'm sure Iran was taking notes and is working on some version of this to be run against us and/or whomever else seems like the least prepared for this format of warfare.
I could easily see such a strike performed against US domestic targets. Drones flying at low levels are virtually undetectable as Russia has learned in the hardway. It's not just flying drones Ukraine has successfully employed. Their underwater drones have been just as effective.
One tiny word - whim. We are in a position where the whim of one wreck of a man has the power of his whim over this nation. This is the way of authoritarians. It's hard to comprehend.
Yes, and how long the whimeister gets bored of the Middle East and wants to move on. I have ‘I thought we had stopped talking about Iran’ on countdown.
The trouble? He has to keep posturing to keep up the heat. He has no locus of control within himself. He has to keep blustering and fighting. It's the "way of the shark." He's afraid of sinking.
he's getting physically ill, physically aged, mental or emotional health, a whole 'nother can of worms.
His "immortality project" needs spackling! That's not good...
Imagine an alternate universe in which President Mark Kelly is Commander-in-Chief of a military still comprised of our best and brightest, be they gay, trans, pick a skin color/religion. Our VA is well-funded, and taking care of ALL our vets with science-based innovation. Our soft power efforts, thanks to decades of hard work, are paying off in spades. Congress & SCOTUS respect and act upon their responsibilities laid out in our Constitution.
Just sayin.
The entire war: the lack of strategic thinking, the lack of planning, the lack of "what if's" fully characterizes the stupidity of the Trump administration. It's why you don't hire Fox talking heads to run complex programs.
assumption #1) the closure of the Middle East's oil market can't hurt us; we export our oil. Reality: we export some kinds of oil and import others: our refiners can't use much of the domestic supply in our refineries. Any junior-level ChemE at Texas A&M knows this. Too bad you eschew "expertise" in favor of guys who look tough.
assumption #2) Iran can't close the Strait of Horumz. We destroy all 500,000 of their missles and drones overnight. and if we don't, we'll just send in the Navy. Reality: how would we even know where all 500,000 missles and drones are? They have been preparing for this for decades. And send the Navy into narrow waters, begging to be hit by these drones and small suicide craft? Also, if insurers decide the risk is too great, they won't insure, which is the same as shutting down the Strait.
assumption #3) Prices won't rise. I'm Trump and I can force companies to bend to my will. Reality: it's a free market and you aren't a dictator.
assumption #4) People are stupid and they'll believe whatever I tell them: Reality: Trump might be right on this one. I'm sure this will be Biden's/Obama's fault.
Now, if only Dems can capitalize. MAGA made those "Biden did this" stickers for the pump, even though he had nothing to do with throttling oil production. This is going to be 10X worse and directly a result of Trump's impulsive terrible choices. Can they capitalize?
I actually think people, not the most culty people, everyone else is not stupid and understands this is Trump’s war and our lives will get immeasurably worse because of it. And I think there will be a point where all the people who just gave a blank check to Trump will suffer some kind of consequence and loss. Maybe I am wrong and the gerrymanders are too extreme, but I think a lot of Republicans just fired themselves.
And thus we fall into what has become a repetitive historical cycle... Republicans make a mess of things, especially the economy, and Democrats have to come in and clean up their mess. Sad that people do not pay attention to what administrations have caused the most economic damage to our country. Democrats get very little credit thanks to right wing media constantly downplaying the effectiveness of the very actions and policies that help America recover.
We'll be lucky if Democrats even get to come in and clean up the mess this time around. This MAGA regime has no intention of ever giving up power and will do anything to stay in power.
I think this is a possibility too. It's not likely to age well either as the costs and end results become clearer.
ScottG - Terrific points! ...may I expand/expound a bit?
#1 - even if US could end ALL oil importation (we can't, as you explain), the price in the US would go up because oil is a worldwide commodity. No American oil co. will say, "sure the world price is ̷8̷0̷,̷ ̷9̷0̷,̷ ̷1̷0̷0̷ $110 a barrel but we'll keep ours at $70 where it was before Trump's war. The US petroleum industry has a long tradition of generosity toward energy-hungry Americans!"
#2 - don't forget about one of the oldest naval technologies: mines. Current story covers in some detail: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/middle-east-war-iran-can-turn-the-persian-gulf-into-a-minefield-israel-conflict-strait-of-hormuz-oil-supply-disruption/articleshow/129071041.cms?from=mdr ...not just a recent thought as this old story explains: https://news.usni.org/2012/06/17/mine-gap-iranians-and-strait-hormuz
#3 - drive by any gas station. Nuff said.
#4 - see #3; also updating my joke from yesterday for gas price I saw this morning in central Indiana:
MAGA 2024: $3.29/gallon? FJB! FJB!
MAGA 2026: $3.69/gallon? USA! USA! ...we shall see
Just paid ~ 40 cents more per gallon than last time. I love that America First also includes Scott Bessent helping out India with their crude oil supply issue due to our military operation.
wtf!!! Now THAT would make a great sticker to leave on gas pumps here in my red state wonderland
last week I told , well it was Saturday last week, I told my bro ( trumpy voter )
it will hit 3.80 here and last two months, but it may be higher, upper plains state
Missouri will be a little less
I'm sure Trump thinks he can command US oil exporters not to sell to the highest bidder. I'm surprised he hasn't already tried
We absolutely have to talk about this as Trump’s War or the MAGA war on Iran.
And I have to say that not only does The Bulwark bring on the best issue experts but that Gen Hertling is the best of the best at the best time.
When Trump says he never knew anything about it, that means he personally approved it.
He just thought that Noem would put him front and center in the videos.
Texas AG Ken Paxton is a crook. Trump is a crook. I'd be shocked if these two crooks couldn't come to some sort of arrangement. Trump just needs to make him an offer he can't refuse (preferably without killing any horses).
P.S. I pre-ordered something this morning.
I thought Trump would give DHS to Paxton.
He'd probably rather have Blondi's job.
there may still be time........
“Cheap Shots: Mike Johnson: We’re not at war it’s a limited military operation.”
Six service members dead, Three aircraft destroyed costing $150 million each to replace, and we don’t have enough defense interceptors to protect our fleets and interests in the region.
Not to mention, we’re spending a billion dollars a day in addition to our other military responsibilities around the world for the so called “special” military operation.
So the reality is that while we’re not at war, the results are exactly the same: It’s all about semantics! IMHO….:)
It's not a "war" because we don't have an objective, and Congress let Trump get away with not having to provide one. Even Bush had to say he was saving the world from WMDs, even if they didn't exist.
It also isn't a war because Trump can pull the troops out whenever he wishes. The jobs report is terrible. Inflation is rising. The tariffs are going away. The deficit is increasing. And the FBI record has reappeared about how a girl bit Trump's dick. The war has not pushed those things out of the spotlight. Now that the Ayatollah is dead, everything that happens in Iran will be messy, inconclusive, and expensive. More Americans will die for no clear reason. Trump looks like Netanyahu's fool, even worse than Putin's. The Republicans are now the party of death and pedophiles. Their only hope is voter suppression and bringing the troops home to "monitor" the elections.
We'll see if he can get out of this.
Well said, and as far as Bush’s objectives for the Iraq war? Bush went from one excuse to another: regime change. liberty. Nuclear weapons within a year; sound familiar?
Bush may have had objectives, but they were just as nefarious; make money from war. For example, Haliburton stock and many others that are part of the Military Industrial Complex and Military Reconstruction Complex saw their stock prices increase over 550% in four years.
And as for Trump’s objectives: regime change. Destroy the Navy. Have complete air dominance. Most achieved and were the easy part.
The hard part: Regime change without boots on the ground. Not going to happen.
Bottom line; the objectives are accomplished using tactics, but tactics are not a strategy (integral part); however, tactics without a strategy, is a sure way to certain defeat. And yet, here we are: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM!…:)
I don't know, Oaitw... I believe a bit more appropriate question may be: Do *we* get out of this?
And in the midst of it all, Trump orders troops to attack..... Ecuador? Just try and convince me that anybody in this messed up administration knows what the hell is going on. Can't be done. Has anybody even asked Hegseth, Leavitt, or Trump to explain this one?
Great points..:)
Hey! He just heard about the "operation" so give him time to come to his senses!🙄
Our country is broke, and we are getting broker we simply cannot afford this war. We cannot afford any of this. I do not know how we will pay any of this off as a country. In addition to everything that is wrong with this war, America is going to be crushed economically. I don’t know if we will be able to recover. During WWII there was a 90% tax rate on rich people to pay for the war, and we still had debt. You cannot cut income and increase spending while disrupting the global economy and think it is going to be okay. I thought Republicans got elected on reducing the debt, what the hell.
I feel that's why the USSR collapsed. They squandered their treasury in Afghanistan while we funded/supplied the Mujahideen on the cheap (as war funding goes). They ran out of money before we did. I also think Netanyahu wanted us to foot the bill for his war.
I’ve switched to a fiscal argument when phoning my three GOP congress stooges (since all my previous arguments against the Iranian war based on morality, duty, and logic fell on deaf ears).
Simply, we cannot afford both the war on Iran and against immigrants at home. Redirect the billions from ICE to the Middle East.
See former Representative Jane Harmon’s article: Congress controls the purse, regardless of the War Powers vote.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/congress-can-control-trumps-iran-war
Marcia - I use similar when calling my Rep + Sens here in IN. One is bullgoose MAGA so no use trying any moral argument. The other 2 are pretend 'moderates' who vote straight party line but say an occasional soothing word - what I grew up calling 'country club' types so the financial angle might be harder for them to completely ignore.
Evidently, according to reporting yesterday, we are still paying off the Iraq and Afghanistan military incursions as part of the national debt America holds. You are right, we cannot afford this war.
Mullin just spoils all the joy I feel for Ice Barbie leaving. How long until he kicks in with his Hagueseth imitation? I say 2 weeks. The rock slides are coming faster now. I never imagined living in a remake of Inglorious Basterds.
Yep, that punch-drunk doofus is going to be differently awful, and cowardly.
MMA fighter Mullin offered twice to get into an actual, physical fight on the Senate floor, so he’s pugnacious enough to suit Trump. If he can manage not to be as showily self-aggrandizing as Noem, Trump should be quite happy with him. Even if they lose the masks, don’t expect a kinder, gentler ICE, though.
BruceWayneGacy Mulholland is a fool. Seeking out fist fights is a good way to get crippled, or killed. The outcome is never certain in such things. A rank amateur that is lucky in one moment can knock out a pro.
Ah, it was all show, the macho male fluffing out his plumage to look tough. Both of ‘em.
I heard somewhere that his entire fighting career added up to less than 5 minutes spent in actual competition.
What an administration! Head of DHS is punch drunk and the SecDrunk is drunk on "punch"!
Linda - those two doing live TV pull-up competitions is gonna be LIT
I am feeling queazy
I can handle it long a Kid Rock doesn't make it a threesome. Of competitors doing exercises! ...what else would I have meant?
Trump cares not a whit about intelligence, expertise, competence, integrity ... anybody with those characteristics would just make him look bad. So America is left flailing in every department - political, economic, military, legal.... being lead to the abyss by a bunch of nitwits with no moral fiber. I'm not sure we can survive another 3 years of this dumbassery.
We can only hope that Noem lives a very uncomfortable life whenever she ventures out into the world.
I think the word ' security ' which trumpy may express remarks on this coming Saturday, or so he said, will mean a permanent promotion for kristi gnome, security infers prison camps or private for profit lockups for maybe homeless/broke persons/ immigrants. she will still be making money off of other persons challenges
trump probably told her to keep her grift out of sight and never mention his name again.
Nibbles - some say her bigger concern should be the NEXT world? 😇 👿 ---🤔
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB7XoJ8TJXk
I’m looking forward to her legal fate, which I reckon will hinge on how horrific things become until regime termination. I would prefer her being prosecuted in a court of law. If things become less orderly before regime termination, I would like a tribunal to decide her fate. My least preferred option, would be a drum head trial. Those are carried out in wartime, are very short, and don’t tend to be televised.
Amen
Department of Defense when we need to reassure, Department of War when we want to intimidate, feels like the Ministry of Truth always.
“We’re not at war, we have no intention of being at war. The president and the Department of Defense have made it very clear . . . this is a limited operation.”
Well, if what's been happening for four years in Ukraine is a "special military operation". . . .
We’re not at war! It’s that duck-like thing….
Lewis - what is this "Department of Defense" of which you speak?
It's "War."
It has always been "War."
- - signed, The Ministry of Truth
Mark Hertling uses two vital words alien to the orange narcissist-felon: "clear thinking."
This is a bridge far too far for the orange narcissist-felon, who 'thinks' by whim and acts without apparent thought, reason or logic, enabled by a 'team' of sycophants interested in their own survival, without consideration for the people, the nation, or the world.
It will all end with a bang, not a whimper.