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This is not intended to be a political thread, so let's keep it Billy-approved
I'm not overly paranoid, or a big believer in complicated conspiracies, but the tanker attacks just don't smell right to me. The U.S. was quick to blame Iran for the first round a few weeks back while others, even after an investigation, would only say they appeared to be coordinated by state actors. The U.S. immediately blamed Iran again today, while others are holding back waiting for evidence. Is Iran truly guilty and looking for a conflict? That wouldn't seem smart. Is the U.S. trying to provoke a conflict? Justify another military build-up in the Gulf? That also wouldn't be smart, but we have certainly used less to justify more in the past. Or, is it something else entirely? Admittedly, I'm somewhat ignorant about that part of the world and don't necessarily understand the intricacies of the politics, religions and historical disputes. What's the consensus?
I Love the smell of nitrocellulose in the morning. It smells like........Victory
I'm not up to date on this, but it wouldn't be the first time Iran fucked with us on a boat. Remember a few years ago when they captured our men and women, and made them say stuff on film like, "We were treated very well. They are very friendly." When they was obviously under duress.
Iran thinks they're a big deal, so my fishy detector doesn't go up if they screw with our boats in the gulf.
By using Iran, to terrorize shipping in the Straights of Hormuz, the Russians seek to control Iraqi and Kuwaiti oil shipping exports (bound for Europe and the US) out of the Persian Gulf. The Russians want the US out of the Middle East so they can have it all to themselves. In addition, by financing terrorism in Yemen and Somolia, the Russians seek to control shipping out of the Bab al-Mandab Straight and therefore, the Suez Canal.
Russia is a dictatorship and is able to run their global policies over a period of decades. In the US and Europe, whenever a new President or Prime Minister is elected, global policies can and do change. Russia and China (like the US) try to monopolize all natural resources flowing out of their minion countries. However, unlike Russia, Europe and the US have stopped using their military and stopped financing terrorism to gain economic control over other countries. Russia is still taking over countries with violence. Yes, the US will finance anti-Russian rebels in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Central & South America to keep a balance of power. With the exception of building military bases in the South China Sea, China seems to have stopped using violence after their takeover of Africa in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Whether or not, the US is justified in its attempt to stop Russian expansion is always a good question, that I will not attempt to answer here.
Russia was supporting the Pirates, that held ships hostage for ransom, off the Somali coast a few years ago. The European navy, mostly French, put an end to the Pirates. Now, it appears, the Russians are resorting to torpedoes instead of Pirates. Russia has the power to put an end to Iranian fuckery but, they are supporting it for long term gains.
Walt wrote:But when the hour is nigh, and the lights are low, and I got a little toothpick of a shwag joint in my teeth, and my friends want to hear me play "Into the Void", or "TNT", "or "Cemetery Gates"...I plug my 600 dollar guitar into my 150 dollar amp, and I am a Rawk gawd.
Walt wrote:But when the hour is nigh, and the lights are low, and I got a little toothpick of a shwag joint in my teeth, and my friends want to hear me play "Into the Void", or "TNT", "or "Cemetery Gates"...I plug my 600 dollar guitar into my 150 dollar amp, and I am a Rawk gawd.
gah that was so embarrassing. Horrible leadership in the Navy, just no one giving a fuck. They blundered right into the Iranians. I think some officers were court martialed.
The problem here is Russia is really cheesed off about our liquified natural gas coming into Europe and breaking their monopoly. And nearly losing Syria rattled Putin's cage, made him look weak and foolish.
If it's to be believed, we (the U.S.) have video "proof" that a small Iranian boat removed an unexploded mine from the hull of one of the ships, at least according to Pompeo. A few questions... 1) If it is Iran, is it being authorized from the top, or some off-shoot faction? The "Supreme Leader" of Iran is not stupid. A despicable hater of the U.S., sure, but not stupid. Iran openly attacking the ships makes no sense, even as a show of power or defiance against continuing sanctions and economic pressure 2) Whoever is in the boat - wouldn't they know they were being watched? It just seems so amateurish that the use of the video feels very calculated. I can't help but be suspicious of the intended outcome 3) Neither of the tankers is ours. The one with the worst damage was flying a Japanese flag and Abe was in Tehran at the time (hmmmm...). Regardless, no matter who is responsible, the act wasn't against a U.S. vessel. I wouldn't advocate backing away from commitments to our allies, but shouldn't we have let Japan respond to this first? The eagerness to jump-in to the fray also has me suspicious - and concerned
I Love the smell of nitrocellulose in the morning. It smells like........Victory
Yesterday, without any proof, pompeo blamed Iran for numerous events. Some occurred in Pakistan of which the Taliban has already claimed responsibility.
We are not even being shown fake proof anymore to start wars, now they just say something and expect the sheep to believe them.
If it's to be believed, we (the U.S.) have video "proof" that a small Iranian boat removed an unexploded mine from the hull of one of the ships, at least according to Pompeo. A few questions... 1) If it is Iran, is it being authorized from the top, or some off-shoot faction? The "Supreme Leader" of Iran is not stupid. A despicable hater of the U.S., sure, but not stupid. Iran openly attacking the ships makes no sense, even as a show of power or defiance against continuing sanctions and economic pressure 2) Whoever is in the boat - wouldn't they know they were being watched? It just seems so amateurish that the use of the video feels very calculated. I can't help but be suspicious of the intended outcome 3) Neither of the tankers is ours. The one with the worst damage was flying a Japanese flag and Abe was in Tehran at the time (hmmmm...). Regardless, no matter who is responsible, the act wasn't against a U.S. vessel. I wouldn't advocate backing away from commitments to our allies, but shouldn't we have let Japan respond to this first? The eagerness to jump-in to the fray also has me suspicious - and concerned
Japan are our friends
'The world is literally vomiting' ~~Carlos Santana
If it's to be believed, we (the U.S.) have video "proof" that a small Iranian boat removed an unexploded mine from the hull of one of the ships, at least according to Pompeo. A few questions... 1) If it is Iran, is it being authorized from the top, or some off-shoot faction? The "Supreme Leader" of Iran is not stupid. A despicable hater of the U.S., sure, but not stupid. Iran openly attacking the ships makes no sense, even as a show of power or defiance against continuing sanctions and economic pressure 2) Whoever is in the boat - wouldn't they know they were being watched? It just seems so amateurish that the use of the video feels very calculated. I can't help but be suspicious of the intended outcome 3) Neither of the tankers is ours. The one with the worst damage was flying a Japanese flag and Abe was in Tehran at the time (hmmmm...). Regardless, no matter who is responsible, the act wasn't against a U.S. vessel. I wouldn't advocate backing away from commitments to our allies, but shouldn't we have let Japan respond to this first? The eagerness to jump-in to the fray also has me suspicious - and concerned
Japan are our friends
I get your point, but in the present day, they are our allies...
I Love the smell of nitrocellulose in the morning. It smells like........Victory
Iran/Russia want to weaken Western aligned oil producers in the Persian Gulf... Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and especially, Iraq. If Iran/Russia can reduce or stop oil shipments out of these countries, it will weaken them all economically and therefore, militarily, making them easier to bring under Russian influence. It will also force Europe, Japan and any other country who buys Persian Gulf Oil to look to Russia as an alternative source. With Iraq under Iranian control, the Iranian military (backed by Russia) will have a direct land route to Syria... and Israel.
Walt wrote:But when the hour is nigh, and the lights are low, and I got a little toothpick of a shwag joint in my teeth, and my friends want to hear me play "Into the Void", or "TNT", "or "Cemetery Gates"...I plug my 600 dollar guitar into my 150 dollar amp, and I am a Rawk gawd.
TurboPablo wrote:Let's not leave out the migrant crisis those situations create that have put pressure on EU democracies.
That's less of an issue than the media makes out, the far right love it though.
Gear Gibson les paul Traditional, les Paul signature T, U.S strat, Japanese Strat , 1970s Greco Tele, Charvel So-Cal Pro Mod style 1, Fernandes TEJ-85, 70's Greco tele. Marshall JVM 205c (Dan Gower modded), JCM900 SL-X, some pedals, Yamaha THR10
Well my country has fought just about every country in the world including the US.
Japan was an Allie in the first world war.
Gear Gibson les paul Traditional, les Paul signature T, U.S strat, Japanese Strat , 1970s Greco Tele, Charvel So-Cal Pro Mod style 1, Fernandes TEJ-85, 70's Greco tele. Marshall JVM 205c (Dan Gower modded), JCM900 SL-X, some pedals, Yamaha THR10
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