The EU and Japan Hint They Might Do Something to Protect Shipping in the Strait of America

I don't believe them. This is very gauzy and gaseous.

Trump should just declare that only ships transiting to the Western Hemisphere will be protected. All other ships? Iran, do your worse.

Jacqui Heinrich
@JacquiHeinrich
NEW: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, & Japan issue joint statement expressing "readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, welcoming nations engaging in prep/planning & coordinating SPR releases and ways to increase output.
Calls for Iran to "cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817"

"Appropriate efforts" means "we issued this paper statement."

The statement commits to nothing:

We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.
We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable.
Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.

That's the extent of their commitment: they express their readiness to "appropriate efforts" and welcome the commitment of other nations to "preparatory planning."

Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 12:13 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 No, I believe JAPAN might.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at March 19, 2026 12:13 PM (zjgNU)

2 sponge

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:13 PM (Zo6AB)

3 Howdy Ace

Posted by: Doof at March 19, 2026 12:14 PM (zcJ6r)

4 It seems we need to switch our which of the small island nations we consider a solid ally.

Ditch Britain. Closer ties to Japan.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at March 19, 2026 12:14 PM (zjgNU)

5 That's the extent of their commitment: they express their readiness to "appropriate efforts" and welcome the commitment of other nations to "preparatory planning."

There is no life in your words of tofu for all men to see.

Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:14 PM (Riz8t)

6 I enjoy the casual assumption that economic calamity in Europe will have no negative effects in America, as if we don't rely on Europe to buy $1.1 trillion of our stuff every year.

The GOP is going to get absolutely obliterated in the midterms.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:15 PM (pn+sm)

7 Argentina has sent two frigates.

https://x.com/dcopechatter/
status/2034241714668331421

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:15 PM (Zo6AB)

8 My guess is Japan will actually send some ships, while all of Europe will find out they don't have any that could be of any help anyway.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at March 19, 2026 12:15 PM (zjgNU)

9 Nooded.

Posted by: Nazdar at March 19, 2026 12:15 PM (NcvvS)

10 Narrator voice...
They will, in fact, not contribute

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 19, 2026 12:16 PM (affD0)

11 Japan is sending Gojira.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at March 19, 2026 12:16 PM (Cqx++)

12 Argentina has sent two frigates.

Methinks that's why the Brits aren't helping. They're afraid they couldn't take on the Argies today.

Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:16 PM (Riz8t)

13 Japan actually COULD do something. They actually have working ships.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:17 PM (bss/y)

14 OK people we can't allow this to stand. If Japan doesn't get oil they can't make movies. If they can't make movies I can't watch them.

And sorry, America hardly makes any movies with sexy tentacles.

DO SOMETHING PEOPLE

Posted by: Kurt Eichenwald at March 19, 2026 12:17 PM (sKqQm)

15 I'm waiting for that moment when Trump says it's "Go time"m for the Iranian people to overthrow the IRGC.

Gotta happen sometime. gonna be bloody, briefly.

But without a boots-on-the-ground counter-revolution, the regime will remain in place.

Posted by: zombie at March 19, 2026 12:17 PM (Av6i5)

16 Brent is still under $100 a barrel by the way.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:17 PM (Zo6AB)

17 Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:15 PM (pn+sm)

Are you under the impression that a Europe in the midst of economic collapse won't still need the shit they buy from us? Or do you think that a Europe with zero industry will suddenly start manufacturing all the shit it needs for itself? Like a military, perhaps.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:18 PM (ExV1e)

18 I don't believe them. This is very gauzy and gaseous.

it's funny because this is about gas shipments

Posted by: anachronda at March 19, 2026 12:18 PM (v3pYe)

19 Japan actually COULD do something. They actually have working ships.

They are already fulfilling a role as an ally. They are on the front line to help us defend Taiwan. I can live with that.

Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:18 PM (Riz8t)

20 I get nervous when I hear of Japanese War ships. It's just a reflex I guess.

Posted by: Frank Barone at March 19, 2026 12:18 PM (IifOV)

21 That is the sound of 100 sleeves rolling

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:18 PM (dcz8F)

22 I suspect Trump is trying to kill two birds with one stone here - get rid of the Mullahs and damage the leftwing parties running Europe

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (sKqQm)

23 (approves laying of mimes)

Posted by: zombie Marcel Marceau at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (8zz6B)

24 Japan actually COULD do something. They actually have working ships.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:17 PM (bss/y)

They also have a Constitution which says that they're not permitted to use them for this. It'll be interesting to see if Sanae can find some way to wiggle around that.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (ExV1e)

25 22 I suspect Trump is trying to kill two birds with one stone here - get rid of the Mullahs and damage the leftwing parties running Europe

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (sKqQm)

======

I suspect 90% of it is actually China.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (Zo6AB)

26 Driving around doing errands and I had NPR on (I know, I know). The godless commie bitch started her program by saying "Trump's thirst for hegemonic power remains unquenched"

It went downhill from there.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (tOcRr)

27 Trump was asked by a Japanese reporter just now why we didn’t tell Japan about attacking Iran, Japan was very surprised. Trump asked him why Japan didn’t tell us about Pearl Harbor. Japanese prime minister looking at the floor. Trump went on to quietly explain about surprise needed to be successful.

Posted by: Jen the original at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (8moFs)

28 I suspect Trump is trying to kill two birds with one stone here - get rid of the Mullahs and damage the leftwing parties running Europe

Concur. Those Euros who still have a sense of shame must be utterly mortified.

Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (Riz8t)

29 We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.

i say we hit them with a major, i mean *major*, leaflet campaign.

Posted by: arnold j. rimmer, bsc ssc at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (v3pYe)

30 Gauzy and gaseous is no way to go through life, son.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (pDt9x)

31 They also have a Constitution which says that they're not permitted to use them for this. It'll be interesting to see if Sanae can find some way to wiggle around that.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (ExV1e)

She was talking about changing the constitution.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (bss/y)

32 26 Driving around doing errands and I had NPR on (I know, I know). The godless commie bitch started her program by saying "Trump's thirst for hegemonic power remains unquenched"

It went downhill from there.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (tOcRr)

======

We are the hegemon.

Not using that power in the people's interest is governmental malpractice.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (Zo6AB)

33 30 Gauzy and gaseous is no way to go through life, son.
Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (pDt9x)

Cybil Sheperd and Joan Collins take note.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (bss/y)

34 Y'know who else was gaseous?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (Kt19C)

35 Trump was asked by a Japanese reporter just now why we didn’t tell Japan about attacking Iran, Japan was very surprised. Trump asked him why Japan didn’t tell us about Pearl Harbor. Japanese prime minister looking at the floor. Trump went on to quietly explain about surprise needed to be successful.

That was a very stupid thing to say. Takaichi is a very good ally, and there's no benefit to humiliating her that way.

Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Riz8t)

36
We express our deep concern

We call on Iran

etc.

---------

Holy shit. It's an exact parody of these suicidal parasites, but it's also real. It's what they actually said. They had time to think it over, and they said it anyway.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (VWtfl)

37 Y'know who else was gaseous?

Nurgle?

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (sKqQm)

38 The Royal Navy suffered a hernia just getting HMS Dragon to sail, sail to Cyprus and not the Indian Ocean AO.

Posted by: Anna Puma at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (PqZeM)

39 Did they explain what they would consider inappropriate efforts?

Posted by: davidt at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Q+gd/)

40 15 I'm waiting for that moment when Trump says it's "Go time"m for the Iranian people to overthrow the IRGC.
_____

Bro he already did that. Pay attention.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (pn+sm)

41 Not sure what everyone in Iran is waiting for. The time is NOW for a people-powered overthtrow of the government.

Start seizing regional police offices.

Start street executions of regime morality police torturers.

Kurd rebels need to seize land inn the north, declare an independent Kurdish state.

Snipers need to target any visible iRGC troops in the streets.

Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.

Posted by: zombie at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Av6i5)

42 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (affD0)

43 26 Driving around doing errands and I had NPR on (I know, I know). The godless commie bitch started her program by saying "Trump's thirst for hegemonic power remains unquenched"

It went downhill from there.

man, if i had a nickel for every time i heard the radio news break spout off "...without evidence...". not npr, thank dog, but still.

Posted by: anachronda at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (v3pYe)

44 >> Brent is still under $100 a barrel by the way.

Huh? Right now it’s 109. It’s been above 100 since 12 March.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (n9XW8)

45 Oil wise I don't really care about the the Whoremuse. Oil prices in the west were at $100/barrel where they were at $150/barrel yesterday in Europe. So some divergence has occurred.

Unfortunately, a lot of fertilizer goes through there, so that will have a food price effect.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (n5tGW)

46 suspect Trump is trying to kill two birds with one stone here - get rid of the Mullahs and damage the leftwing parties running Europe

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:19 PM (sKqQm)

Gives one a little tingle in the Square of the Forbidden

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (dcz8F)

47 42 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII
Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (affD0)

WWI did a lot of heavy lifting.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (bss/y)

48 Separately from this, Javier Milei is sending Argentinian ships to the strait. This allows him to dunk on both Europe in general and the UK in particular, which I'm sure plays well in Argentina.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (2ocoG)

49 They are already fulfilling a role as an ally. They are on the front line to help us defend Taiwan. I can live with that.
Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:18 PM (Riz8t)

Yes. Their constitution, which was imposed upon them, remember, prohibits them using their military for foreign adventures. But they can keep a weather eye on Chyina and the Norks in the Western Pacific, thereby freeing up U.S. ships for the Iran engagement.

Posted by: zombie Marcel Marceau at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (8zz6B)

50 41 Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.

well, trump did tell them to hunker down while the bombs are flying...

Posted by: anachronda at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (v3pYe)

51 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII

Don't forget a couple of hundred years of the best and brightest leaving for the New World

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (sKqQm)

52 Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.

That's the obvious explanation, and, I think, the correct one.

Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (Riz8t)

53 I know it takes a little while to get up to speed but escorting merchant cargo ships is one of the oldest and most well-known things you do at war. Its taking this long to get people to get to it??

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (PYyV9)

54 She was talking about changing the constitution.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (bss/y)

Yes. She campaigned on it. I think - not sure, though - that her party's massive victory in the recent election will make that easier. I wonder if Trump calling out Japan is designed, in part, to make it easier for her to get it changed.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (ExV1e)

55 42 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII
Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (affD0)

World War I was a major French and British slaughter also. Their leaders were nothing but damned fools.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (pDt9x)

56 Welcome Pete! How do you type with your hands full?

Posted by: Get A Grip! at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (oftw2)

57 Japan Hint They Might Do Something

Dive bomber or torpedo bomber?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (Kt19C)

58 I'm waiting for that moment when Trump says it's "Go time" for the Iranian people to overthrow the IRGC.

Already happening. Iranian citizens say they're magically finding guns and ammo as of a day or two ago and putting it to good use on Basij and IRGC types.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (2ocoG)

59 Well, damn.

Posted by: Archimedes = Europe at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (Riz8t)

60 I get nervous when I hear of Japanese War ships. It's just a reflex I guess.

You’re not alone.

Posted by: Donald Stratton at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (EXyHK)

61 Fake and Gay

The Starmer way

Posted by: melodicmetal at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (cq1bP)

62 Did they explain what they would consider inappropriate efforts?

Everyone nude on the ship? Sailing blocks of cheese instead of ships?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (PYyV9)

63 44 >> Brent is still under $100 a barrel by the way.

Huh? Right now it’s 109. It’s been above 100 since 12 March.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (n9XW

======

I'm seeing conflicting info, so it's probably which market is trading it. There's a bifurcation happening.

$96:
https://markets.businessinsider.com/
commodities/oil-price/euro

$110:
https://tradingeconomics.com/
commodity/brent-crude-oil

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (Zo6AB)

64 I see the leftwing talking point right now is that yeah sure the Mullahs are bad but any increase in the price of oil is an outrage.

From the people that told us we need to stop using oil and that they would raise the prices of it to make it so normal people could no longer afford it...

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (sKqQm)

65 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII"

We helped!

/ The Somme

Posted by: man at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (XuXeR)

66 Japan probably will do something, but they are constitutionally limited in how they deploy their military overseas. Look for them to provide some kind of support vessels.

Posted by: No Name Today at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (8mulE)

67 52 Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.

That's the obvious explanation, and, I think, the correct one.
Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (Riz8t)

When we get down to 'Tehran's evil dog catcher was killed by an Israeli dropping a lawn dart out of a sopworth camel- they're just playing now!' It will probably be time.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (bss/y)

68 I love the small contingent of the butthurt that only surface when things seem to be going bad for Trump slash MAGA.

Your shtick is still on Windows XP. Do an update. You were never right and war on Iran is never gonna make you so.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:25 PM (dcz8F)

69 Already happening. Iranian citizens say they're magically finding guns and ammo as of a day or two ago and putting it to good use on Basij and IRGC types.

Cubans are getting busy as well, blowing up and burning communist party buildings and police stations, etc. That one should go a lot faster, maybe a week or two.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:25 PM (PYyV9)

70 but escorting merchant cargo ships is one of the oldest and most well-known things you do at war"

During pride month?

Posted by: man at March 19, 2026 12:25 PM (XuXeR)

71 Willowed:

"CBS NEWS INVESTIGATION: A salon, a modeling agency, and 89 hospices? We visited a 3-story LA building being called "ground zero" for fraud. We went to look for ourselves."

Well that is interesting. I'm pretty sure Bari told them to get their ass out there and, you know, do some investigative journalism.

Posted by: WisRich at March 19, 2026 12:26 PM (G0vdT)

72 Japan Hint They Might Do Something
--------

A step in the right direction. They were at one time known for their lack of hints.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:26 PM (dcz8F)

73 >>That was a very stupid thing to say. Takaichi is a very good ally, and there's no benefit to humiliating her that way.
Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Riz8t)
__

That wasn't an insult, but rather a compliment. He was pointing out that the Pearl Harbor attack was successful because it was a surprise.

Posted by: Frasier Crane at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (bNf8H)

74 72 Japan Hint They Might Do Something
--------

A step in the right direction. They were at one time known for their lack of hints.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:26 PM (dcz8F)

=====

They're inscrutable, though.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (Zo6AB)

75 Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.
Posted by: zombie at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Av6i5)

It will never be safe to start doing those things. But a time may come when the chance of success exceeds the chance of failure.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (8zz6B)

76 Separately from this, Javier Milei is sending Argentinian ships to the strait. This allows him to dunk on both Europe in general and the UK in particular, which I'm sure plays well in Argentina.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:22 PM (2ocoG)

The UK traded their ships for flying carpets.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (snZF9)

77 That's the extent of their commitment: they express their readiness to "appropriate efforts" and welcome the commitment of other nations to "preparatory planning."

-------------

Was it written by Hans Blix?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2xKnx39VAE

Posted by: bearski at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (Bhsk7)

78 Japan probably will do something, but they are constitutionally limited in how they deploy their military overseas. Look for them to provide some kind of support vessels.
Posted by: No Name Today at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (8mulE)

They could send catgirls to keep the troops entertained.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (ExV1e)

79 The PM of Japan is in the Oval Office as we speak.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (viF8m)

80 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (TMQBy)

81 UK ICE Futures, bro. Not sure what that other stuff is.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (n9XW8)

82 78 Japan probably will do something, but they are constitutionally limited in how they deploy their military overseas. Look for them to provide some kind of support vessels.
Posted by: No Name Today at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (8mulE)

They could send catgirls to keep the troops entertained.

are the strike witches available?

Posted by: anachronda at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (v3pYe)

83 Japan Hint They Might Do Something
--------

They're going to hit Pearl Harbor again aren't they...

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (affD0)

84 They could send catgirls to keep the troops entertained.

How do you wear pants if you have a tail?

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (sKqQm)

85 zombie

There is still more to degrade in Iran before Go Time.

1) Kill the local enforcers, which we are doing. Getting targeting info from Iranians makes this a faster process.

2) We go after the 31 HQs of the Mosaic Defense plan. Kill all the people that can input targeting info into the remaining, irreplaceable missiles and drones.

But we are getting a lot closer.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (u82oZ)

86 The PM of Japan is in the Oval Office as we speak.

With or without cat ears?

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (EXyHK)

87 Gauzy and Gaseous is my new band name.

Posted by: Jordan61 at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (DRSnL)

88 Japan is an ally, but they have a couple of big problems nearby. Any help is appreciated.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (pDt9x)

89 Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.
Posted by: zombie at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Av6i5)

It will never be safe to start doing those things. But a time may come when the chance of success exceeds the chance of failure.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (8zz6B)

I read some reports that armed iranian "revolutionaries" were out taking care of business against the regime thugs. Whatever that means.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (snZF9)

90 54 She was talking about changing the constitution.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:20 PM (bss/y)

Yes. She campaigned on it. I think - not sure, though - that her party's massive victory in the recent election will make that easier. I wonder if Trump calling out Japan is designed, in part, to make it easier for her to get it changed.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (ExV1e)

I believe they are also looking into ways to call escorting tankers a "Defensive Operation", thus making it legal...

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (dmDsy)

91 Japan needs to hold the line against China. Maybe send a couple of frigates at most.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (4NO2D)

92 Strategic Kaijus from Japan would be pretty nifty.

Posted by: Darth Randall at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (L3L3q)

93 Isn’t the UK Navy now a few sailboats and a Boston Whaler? Maybe given their current population shift, add a few dhows.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (n9XW8)

94 When you get that kind of declaration from a military powerhouse like The Netherlands, astute mullahs should take note and back down.

Posted by: Count de Monet at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (wVcYX)

95 Japan will send some leftover zeroes for a kamakazie mission.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (TMQBy)

96 They could send catgirls to keep the troops entertained.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (ExV1e)

From Korea?

Chastise me if you must. *grin*

Posted by: No Name Today at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (8mulE)

97 Two B-1s about 3 minutes from the Strait. Just turned ID off.

Posted by: Frasier Crane at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (bNf8H)

98 Sefton and I talked about this on our new podcast.

I think this may be a catalyst for a discussion about NATO, and whether we should be spending our military budget in Western Europe.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (n9ltV)

99 >>With or without cat ears?

She might have slipped into her catsuit once she got inside but she greeted Trump in a suit and a big hug.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (viF8m)

100 Posted by: Jordan61 at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (DRSnL)

Well well well.........

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (dcz8F)

101 86 The PM of Japan is in the Oval Office as we speak.

With or without cat ears?
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 19, 2026 12:28 PM (EXyHK)

What would formal, classy catgirl ears look like?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (bss/y)

102 35. He humiliated the Japanese reporter. The jerk asked his question in an accusatory tone.

Posted by: Jen the original at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (8moFs)

103 A better example for Trump to use is Case Yellow.

War was on for six months but nothing was happening after the fall of Poland. And then *bang* blitzkrieg and France fell in six weeks.

Posted by: Anna Puma at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (PqZeM)

104 Basij and the other goons are still on the march in Iran. They just hung a few athletes and there is video of the women burka goons going after girls.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (n9XW8)

105 "I enjoy the casual assumption that economic calamity in Europe will have no negative effects in America, as if we don't rely on Europe to buy $1.1 trillion of our stuff every year."

Asia suppliers are now raising prices. Those will increase prices in the USA.

I think the mid-terms were long gone anyways. I think voters have completely forgotten what Democrats do and assume they are just the "smart" opposition party.

And they will have to be reminded that they are worse than the GOP.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (IuIym)

106 They could send catgirls to keep the troops entertained.

And ninjas to entertain the enemy

How do you wear pants if you have a tail?

They all wear skirts

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (PYyV9)

107 Strategic Kaijus from Japan would be pretty nifty.
Posted by: Darth Randall

That would be awesome.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (EHbhi)

108 I saw a funny farcebook exchange go by.

A state Dem apparatchik just across the border was crowing about how his area has affordable housing. That affordable housing is just under $1m for the average house in his district.

A bunch of people called him out on it and he pointed out that's much cheaper then the toniest areas in Boston and shut up people the schools are worth it.

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (sKqQm)

109 74 72 Japan Hint They Might Do Something
--------

A step in the right direction. They were at one time known for their lack of hints.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:26 PM (dcz8F)

=====

They're inscrutable, though.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:27 PM (Zo6AB)

Something in their eyes, maybe?

Posted by: Denny Crane - That is NOT Meant To Be Racist!! Merely An Observation! at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (dmDsy)

110 Sweden is going to send war ships, but they are flat packed.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (dcz8F)

111 Welcome Pete! How do you type with your hands full?
Posted by: Get A Grip! at March 19, 2026 12:23 PM (oftw2)

Not all *that* full.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (/HDaX)

112 >>Sefton and I talked about this on our new podcast.

>>I think this may be a catalyst for a discussion about NATO, and whether we should be spending our military budget in Western Europe.

We mere mortals have been discussing it down here in the lower depths.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (viF8m)

113 I'm seeing conflicting info, so it's probably which market is trading it. There's a bifurcation happening.

$96:
https://markets.businessinsider.com/
commodities/oil-price/euro

$110:
https://tradingeconomics.com/
commodity/brent-crude-oil

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (Zo6AB)

96 euros is 110 in USD

Posted by: Sjg at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (aqZN1)

114 Classy cat-ears?

Simple black of course, nyah.

Posted by: Anna Puma at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (PqZeM)

115 I read some reports that armed iranian "revolutionaries" were out taking care of business against the regime thugs. Whatever that means.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2026 12:29 PM (snZF9)

I saw a video of a drive-by in Tehran that looked more like South-Central LA. If that was the extent of the revolution, it's going to be a long fight.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (n9ltV)

116 R A W S A L E R T S
@rawsalerts
#BREAKING: Officials say that a U.S. F-35 fighter jet had been forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after taking fire from Iran. The pilot is in stable condition

https://tinyurl.com/ywfxda2w

Posted by: redridinghood at March 19, 2026 12:32 PM (NpAcC)

117 I think Europe is rapidly losing relevancy in the Persian Gulf.

For instance:

Headline (ThePrint - India):

"Pakistan joins Riyadh bloc’s condemnation of Iranian strikes. What it means for pieces on the board

(subhead)

"The condemnation spotlights the growing alliance between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan against the backdrop of Pakistan’s Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia."

Me:

All three countries border Iran. Turkey and Azerbaijan both have ports on waters bordering Russia (Black Sea and Caspian Sea). The IDF has recently bombed Iran's Caspian Sea naval base at Bandar Anzali.

Posted by: mrp at March 19, 2026 12:32 PM (rj6Yv)

118 That wasn't an insult, but rather a compliment. He was pointing out that the Pearl Harbor attack was successful because it was a surprise.

I can't tell if you're being facetious or you really believe that.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:32 PM (Riz8t)

119 Good afternoon Ace and everyone

Posted by: Skip at March 19, 2026 12:32 PM (W8qJN)

120 How do you wear pants if you have a tail?

They all wear skirts

A skirt in a war zone has some issues you know.

Posted by: Baby Doll from Sucker Punch at March 19, 2026 12:32 PM (sKqQm)

121 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII
Posted by: Truck Monkey

Best wiped out in WWI. Remainder wiped out in WWII.

Posted by: From about That Time at March 19, 2026 12:32 PM (sl73Y)

122 Sefton and I talked about this on our new podcast.

I think this may be a catalyst for a discussion about NATO, and whether we should be spending our military budget in Western Europe.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

That would be a resounding NO.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (EHbhi)

123 I saw a crazy video of some Iranian dudes in a car doing a drive by shooting with an AK I think at a govt checkpoint. It was weirdly funny, like they were gang members or something.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (n5tGW)

124
Cubans are getting busy as well, blowing up and burning communist party buildings and police stations, etc. That one should go a lot faster, maybe a week or two.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:25 PM

Bay of Pigs II: This time with Air cover

Posted by: Frank Barone at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (IifOV)

125 Still need a hole in the back fabric for the tail.

Posted by: Anna Puma at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (PqZeM)

126 Asia suppliers are now raising prices. Those will increase prices in the USA.

I think the mid-terms were long gone anyways. I think voters have completely forgotten what Democrats do and assume they are just the "smart" opposition party.

And they will have to be reminded that they are worse than the GOP.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (IuIym)

Good thing you stocked up on black pills before the price increase!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (8zz6B)

127 113
96 euros is 110 in USD

Posted by: Sjg at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (aqZN1)

======

That would be it.

Still, there's WTI which is under $100.

Remember, we were promised $150-200.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (Zo6AB)

128 Iran declared war on the non Islamic world

Posted by: Skip at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (W8qJN)

129 98 Sefton and I talked about this on our new podcast.

I think this may be a catalyst for a discussion about NATO, and whether we should be spending our military budget in Western Europe.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (n9ltV)

Link or it didn't happen!

Oh, wait...

LOL

I encourage everyone to listen to that podcast, sincerely.

Posted by: Denny Crane - I'm Soaking In It Now! at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (dmDsy)

130 I have been wondering if the USA should stop worrying about the price of oil here.

I'd start seizing / sinking Iranian tankers in a tit for tat if they attack other crude oil tankers.

The problem is these are other countries' ships.

Maybe specifically hit Iranian facilities if they strike ships.

Make it explicit tit for tat.

That's what Iran did for Issrael hitting their gas field.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (IuIym)

131 The gas field strike put the market into a dip. Agree with Jack Straw about Trump rhetoric.

Posted by: Meh at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (aWdMf)

132 Well well well.........
Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (dcz8F)

=====

Yes?

Posted by: Jordan61 at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (DRSnL)

133 101 What would formal, classy catgirl ears look like?

hello sanae > hello kitty

Posted by: anachronda at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (v3pYe)

134 A skirt in a war zone has some issues you know.
Posted by: Baby Doll from Sucker Punch

*Scotland has entered the chat

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (EHbhi)

135 Japan is helping us already, by protecting South Korea (which needs little help) and working sub rosa with Taiwan.

This frees Pac Fleet assets to surge to the Sea of Oman.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (u82oZ)

136 Posted by: Europe at March 19, 2026 12:21 PM (Riz8t)

I would have preferred him to have gone with "To fool your enemies you must sometimes fool your friends". Let's be honest, there's a better chance Japan would have kept the secret than that dem congress critters would have. Still "need to know" would indicate Japan didn't actually *need* to know.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (lFFaq)

137 Joe Kent went on Tucker and said some comical stuff such as "Charlie Kick totally called me and begged me to stop Trump from attacking Iran just before he died" and "It is against Islamic law to have Nukes, the Iranians never tried to get them."

Its like a festival of stupid.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (PYyV9)

138 Also, how is Iran still launching drones and missiles?

Obviously its impossible to fully suppress this, and from Houthis we learned the same lesson.

Navies cannot fight forts. Anymore.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (IuIym)

139 I got beat on a comment, which I frequently do. LOL

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (n5tGW)

140 Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financ (BZ=F)

105.86 +2.94 (+2.86%)
As of 12:23:28 PM EDT. Market Open.
NY Mercantile

Posted by: DJIA Deathwatch at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (4NO2D)

141 110 Sweden is going to send war ships, but they are flat packed.
Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (dcz8F)

Silence! Ikea!

Posted by: Swedish Man at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (PiwSw)

142 Yes?

Posted by: Jordan61 at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (DRSnL)

(...she spoke to me)

{{{beams}}}

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (dcz8F)

143 The best of Europe was snuffed out in WWII

==

They chose to be losers. Had plenty of time to...regenerate. Once France got rid of the guillotine in 1977..it was over.

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (GD0B3)

144 Yes, we should defend everything Trump says, no matter how stupid and insulting.

The reference was in bad taste and incredibly thin skinned. There were other was to handle that.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (n9XW8)

145
That was a very stupid thing to say. Takaichi is a very good ally, and there's no benefit to humiliating her that way.
Posted by: Europe

=============

It was a stupid question. Sounds like the press is the same everywhere.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia's Phone at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (n7rxJ)

146 106 They could send catgirls to keep the troops entertained.

And ninjas to entertain the enemy

How do you wear pants if you have a tail?

They all wear skirts
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (PYyV9)

Not all.

https://tinyurl.com/ya3k4zuf

That was the most SFW one I could find from that photo set.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (bss/y)

147 Still need a hole in the back fabric for the tail.
Posted by: Anna Puma at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (PqZeM)

Or a long tailsock sewn in.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (8zz6B)

148 Cubans are getting busy as well, blowing up and burning communist party buildings and police stations, etc. That one should go a lot faster, maybe a week or two.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:25 PM

Bay of Pigs II: This time with Air cover
Posted by: Frank Barone

Bay of Pigs II: A-10's Up!

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (EHbhi)

149 You can't continue blaming WWII for Europe's crappy choices over the last 80 years.

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (GD0B3)

150 104 Basij and the other goons are still on the march in Iran. They just hung a few athletes and there is video of the women burka goons going after girls.
Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:30 PM (n9XW

videos abound

https://tinyurl.com/38w2tujf

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (w/O5Q)

151 "Good thing you stocked up on black pills before the price increase!"

No, I'm getting the price increases.

I hope we can wack Iran faster but I am gloomy.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (IuIym)

152 "It is against Islamic law to have Nukes, the Iranians never tried to get them."

Yeah, right. The phrase "the Islamic bomb" has existed since shortly after the 1979 revolution.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (2ocoG)

153 I think Europe is rapidly losing relevancy in the Persian Gulf.

I think the "Trump was mean to us" excuse is just that: they are trying to avoid admitting that their entire military consists of three mules and a guy with a slingshot

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (PYyV9)

154 I saw Preparatory Planning open for Useless Waste of Fucking Oxygen in Philly back in 95.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:37 PM (dcz8F)

155 >>Also, how is Iran still launching drones and missiles?

What happens when they run out and can't make any news ones because their factories got blown up?

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:37 PM (viF8m)

156 WTI is already topping 99.00. This is pain territory. This crap is also stating to impact inflation. The enemy knows that, including Russia. It’s why they are trying to drag this out by giving specific targeting info to what’s left of the IRGC.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (n9XW8)

157 Just watched Tousi.. He's a hoot but has good info.. I especially liked all the middle Eastern rulers furious remarks against Iran attacking them... He also wonders what exactly the Euroweenies are offering in the way of "help".

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (h9LkS)

158 Crude Oil Apr 26 (CL=F)

98.33 +2.87 (+3.01%)
As of 12:27:44 PM EDT. Market Open.
NY Mercantile

Posted by: DJIA Deathwatch at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (4NO2D)

159 Would be awesome if Japan had 3 aircraft carriers and attacked Iran

Posted by: Skip at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (W8qJN)

160 What happens when they run out and can't make any news ones because their factories got blown up?

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:37 PM (viF8m)

They will fight with vibes

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (dcz8F)

161 "Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume."

They protested in January and got 20,000 killed.

I think its not as powerful a movement as we assumed.

And riots like that have a tendency to burn out.

I am very worried that Iran is not really 100% anti-mullah.

Maybe its 20% or 30%.

It may be harder than we think to topple them.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (IuIym)

162 i say we hit them with a major, i mean *major*, leaflet campaign.
Posted by: arnold j. rimmer, bsc ssc

Campaign for the Lessening of Iranian Terrorism Overall and Reduction of Islamic Supremacy. The only problem is...

Posted by: Oddbob at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (Fs0KI)

163 Classy cat-ears?

Simple black of course, nyah.
Posted by: Anna Puma at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (PqZeM)

In velvet.

Posted by: Count de Monet at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (wVcYX)

164 Sick unto death of the EU. They INVITED the muzzie invasion. Let them sink or swim without USA. Out of NATO AND UN. Period.

Posted by: Pamazon at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (b5MGU)

165 Also, how is Iran still launching drones and missiles?

I saw a graphic, no idea how accurate it is, but it showed the very rapidly declining numbers of missiles they fired off day by day. It was like watching me try to run a 100 yard dash, starts out great and then by the end crawling and gasping

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (PYyV9)

166 I would have preferred him to have gone with "To fool your enemies you must sometimes fool your friends".

If there is one thing for which Donald Trump is justly famous, it's verbal subtlety.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (ExV1e)

167 It’s why they are trying to drag this out by giving specific targeting info to what’s left of the IRGC.

==

well, we are ahead of schedule, so whatever they are doing is... Yang Poon

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (GD0B3)

168 155 >>Also, how is Iran still launching drones and missiles?

What happens when they run out and can't make any news ones because their factories got blown up?
Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:37 PM (viF8m)

I saw where "we" are blowing up ships "supposedly" on their way to Russia... Perhaps they are getting arms through....

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (h9LkS)

169 "What happens when they run out and can't make any news ones because their factories got blown up?"

Let me know when you think that happens.

Better happen sooner rather than later.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (IuIym)

170 Yes?

Posted by: Jordan61 at March 19, 2026 12:34 PM (DRSnL)

(...she spoke to me)

{{{beams}}}
Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:35 PM (dcz8F)

Has she given you bacon?

Posted by: Doof at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (zcJ6r)

171 149 You can't continue blaming WWII for Europe's crappy choices over the last 80 years.
Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (GD0B3)

Tend to agree. Their leaders have been fools, across the board, with a few exceptions here and there.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (pDt9x)

172 This is very gauzy and gaseous

—

I dare say it’s also gauche.

Posted by: Heroq at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (zh37m)

173 Yeah, right. The phrase "the Islamic bomb" has existed since shortly after the 1979 revolution.
Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (2ocoG)

And the muslim Pakis, right next door, have had an "islamic bomb" for several decades.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (8zz6B)

174 "I saw a graphic, no idea how accurate it is, but it showed the very rapidly declining numbers of missiles they fired off day by day. It was like watching me try to run a 100 yard dash, starts out great and then by the end crawling and gasping"

Those increased at the end. Drones also seem to be doing much better than missiles.

They are still hitting the most valuable stuff.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (IuIym)

175 You can't continue blaming WWII for Europe's crappy choices over the last 80 years.

A YouTube commenter, of all things, turned me on to a better explanation.

You know how everyone's saying AI will eliminate 90% of jobs and so there should be more socialism?

Europe believed that about the industrial revolution 100 years ago and actually did the "more socialism" thing. That had the effect of freezing their laws and industries in amber and caused them to not be a serious player in the next two revolutions after that, the information revolution in the 60s/70s, and the Internet revolution in the 90s/00s.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (2ocoG)

176 A lot of masters of the obvious this morning.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:41 PM (4NO2D)

177 I am very worried that Iran is not really 100% anti-mullah.

Maybe its 20% or 30%.

The idea that there was a majority virulently opposed to the Mullahs was unlikely.

Most people there as most people everywhere just want to focus on their own lives.

But now Trump has influence - the people that were kind of anti-Mullah know that things will keep getting worse until they do something aligning their very nominal political views with the things they really care about...

Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:41 PM (sKqQm)

178 Mmmmmmm.......bacon........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at March 19, 2026 12:41 PM (TMQBy)

179 Japan is still the best Ally we have, despite idiot streamers trying to ruin it for us.

Posted by: XTC at March 19, 2026 12:42 PM (6Uni8)

180 Seriously, it's pretty good.

Sefton calls the Qataris "Well-dressed barbarians" which made me lol...

still listening...

oh...CBD says "Fuck Europe."

Another lol...

Posted by: Denny Crane - I'm Soaking In It Now! at March 19, 2026 12:42 PM (dmDsy)

181 179 Japan is still the best Ally we have, despite idiot streamers trying to ruin it for us.
Posted by: XTC at March 19, 2026 12:42 PM (6Uni

Idiot streamers? That seems axiomatic.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:42 PM (bss/y)

182 Would be awesome if Japan had 3 aircraft carriers and attacked Iran
Posted by: Skip

They left three in the Coral Sea.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 12:42 PM (EHbhi)

183 >>Separately from this, Javier Milei is sending Argentinian ships to the strait.

Do you have a link to a legitimate news source for that?

It seems that some random dude with a Facebook account "Donald Trump for President" is where it originated.

Posted by: one hour sober at March 19, 2026 12:43 PM (Y1sOo)

184 We mere mortals have been discussing it down here in the lower depths.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (viF8m)

At least you admit that RI is in the lower depths!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 19, 2026 12:43 PM (n9ltV)

185 It appears that MeAgain has gone full Tucker.

https://is.gd/6Wbekf

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (ndZc7)

186 Japan has to work itself up to do anything. They have huge cultural baggage to work through and with their shame culture, they have to really justify themselves if they do anything 'aggressive'.

So we'll see what they do. They're one of the few shipbuilding nations left, so we need them badly.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (xcxpd)

187 Truth Social:

Five European countries and Japan announced Thursday that they are ready to assist with reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan issued a joint statement, saying: "We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (EHbhi)

188 We need the Japanese to keep China in check with Taiwan.

The rest can pound sand.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (wBaIH)

189 >>Let me know when you think that happens.

>>Better happen sooner rather than later.

They've been hitting them constantly for the last week+.

I really don't know why people on our side are panicking. We've lived with the threat of the largest sponsor of state terror, that includes Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others, for almost 50 years. They've killed and maimed thousands of Americans in the Iraq War and helped Venezuela flood our country with drugs and gangs. They are the nexus of terror and evil. How much do you think that has cost us over the last 50 years?

So gas prices go up for a few weeks, maybe longer. It's absolutely a bit of pain I am willing to endure to end the mullahs once and for all. Maybe we can stop worrying about leftists bitching about gas prices and focus on winning and what that will bring.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (viF8m)

190 40 15 I'm waiting for that moment when Trump says it's "Go time"m for the Iranian people to overthrow the IRGC.
_____

Bro he already did that. Pay attention.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete

50 41 Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.

well, trump did tell them to hunker down while the bombs are flying...
Posted by: anachronda

Yes, trump overtly stated to hld off the start of the counter-revolution until the bombs stopped dropping, to avoid freidnly fire incidents.

But I'm not sure that's wise. I think an internal assault on the iRGC needs to happen simultaneously with the external assault. Having the two halves of the war happen sequentially allows the IrGC to concentrate on each enemy threat one-by-one, rather than be overwhelmed.

Posted by: zombie at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (Av6i5)

191
The $100 a Barrel price is a psychological trigger for the markets. However with inflation, it's really only $79. So the new freak out trigger # should be around $120-$125

Posted by: Frank Barone at March 19, 2026 12:45 PM (IifOV)

192 I think the "Trump was mean to us" excuse is just that: they are trying to avoid admitting that their entire military consists of three mules and a guy with a slingshot

The mules have hoof and mouth, and the slingshot needs a new rubber band.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:45 PM (Riz8t)

193 The entirety of the statement is no more than a small fart with little odor emitted in a large room

Posted by: Shit Jefferson said, Vol IV at March 19, 2026 12:45 PM (zafwz)

194 We allowed Europe to make bad choices because we provided for their security. They thought a nuclear umbrella would be enough and they didn’t need conventional armies. So they spent all that defense money on socialist pursuits. It allowed them to take all the idealist positions and throw stones at the people who were protecting them. It allowed them to be arrogant and judgmental. It allowed crap like the Greens to rise up.

Ukraine and Trump woke them up to that. We aren’t paying 100% anymore, so pay your share or suffer the consequences.

Posted by: Vengeance at March 19, 2026 12:45 PM (n9XW8)

195 >>At least you admit that RI is in the lower depths!

Barely above sea level.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:45 PM (viF8m)

196 That was then, this is now.

New York Gov Kathy Hochul:

2022: [to Republicans] "jump on a bus and head down to Florida, you don't represent our values, you are not New Yorkers."

2026: "maybe the first step is to go down to Palm Beach and see who you can bring back home, our tax base has been eroded."

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (ndZc7)

197 The islamic regime in iran is like a big old glob of radioactive waste. Started out as real dangerous, but it is decaying exponentlially. The hazard wil never go to zero, but it will eventually be small enough to be mostly disregarded.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (8zz6B)

198 So gas prices go up for a few weeks, maybe longer. It's absolutely a bit of pain I am willing to endure to end the mullahs once and for all. Maybe we can stop worrying about leftists bitching about gas prices and focus on winning and what that will bring.

Is a big social media screech fest right now and guys are hired to come to here and shout woe and doom but... if this is all over by, say, August with a free Iran and Cuba, and by then gas prices will be way down again... people will barely remember these days at all.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (PYyV9)

199 Rhode Island is a fake Hollywood state, like East Dakota and Delaware.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (4NO2D)

200 I am very worried that Iran is not really 100% anti-mullah.

Iran is not 100% anti-mullah. It's estimated to be about 70% anti-mullah. The pro-mullah people have ~98% of the weapons.

Why haven't the people risen up? Because Trump, Netanyahu, and Pahlavi have all told them to wait until the bombing campaign is done. This question has been answered, repeatedly, but I suspect it'll be asked yet again as soon as later today.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (ExV1e)

201 185 It appears that MeAgain has gone full Tucker.

https://is.gd/6Wbekf
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks
-------
The ungrounded ones are the most likely to do astonishing flip flops. Also see Joe Kent. Libertarian to Bernie Saunders voter to supposed MAGA.

If you don't have core grounding principles and values from religion and existing traditional Western ethos, then your actions are grounded mainly in service of self, not others.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (E4rtv)

202 Winning is just hard for some to take on face value. Interesting psychological implications.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (pDt9x)

203 Now seeing on X that there is a large convoy of trucks heading into Iran to drop off "humanitarian aid", Hamas-style.

Posted by: Kareem of Wheat at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (8JR9p)

204 Would be awesome if Japan had 3 aircraft carriers and attacked Iran

They currently have two. Oh, pardon me, those are "helicopter destroyers" or some such. They just happen to have F-35s parked on them.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (Riz8t)

205 Did not see anything about Argentina sending boats but I saw that they left the WHO.

Posted by: NR Pax at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (NR6c1)

206 171 149 You can't continue blaming WWII for Europe's crappy choices over the last 80 years.
Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:36 PM (GD0B3)

Tend to agree. Their leaders have been fools, across the board, with a few exceptions here and there.
Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (pDt9x)
-----------
How bad are there choices? This bad:

A diversity hiring policy affecting the recruitment of judges and public prosecutors in Berlin has come under renewed scrutiny...

Under the law, recruitment procedures must ensure that applicants with a migration background are invited to interviews in numbers reflecting their share of the population. In Berlin, around 40 percent of residents...are individuals who themselves, or at least one parent, were not born with German citizenship.

Posted by: WisRich at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (G0vdT)

207 Why haven't the people risen up? Because Trump, Netanyahu, and Pahlavi have all told them to wait until the bombing campaign is done. This question has been answered, repeatedly, but I suspect it'll be asked yet again as soon as later today.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (ExV1e)

I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (bss/y)

208 Figured I would get it out of the way.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:48 PM (bss/y)

209 Stuttering Starmer and Mincing Macron may hold each other and pose like Rose and Jack on the bow of a ship.

That's the extent of their help, and thank you for your attention to this matter.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at March 19, 2026 12:48 PM (WONhk)

210 Driving around doing errands and I had NPR on (I know, I know). The godless commie bitch started her program by saying "Trump's thirst for hegemonic power remains unquenched"

It went downhill from there.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Gal
+++
I watched a local tv newsreader a couple days ago begin her segment with
"As the war in Iran drags on with no end in sight"
I don't know what she said after that. I changed the channel.
Total propaganda.

Posted by: Florida Peasant at March 19, 2026 12:48 PM (Lo97M)

211 Tousi, fwiw, says that there are at least 5M IRGC and Islamist holdouts.

That's a lot to kill or mindfuck.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:48 PM (4NO2D)

212 Sweden is going to send war ships, but they are flat packed.
Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (dcz8F)

Hopefully they come with detailed illustrated instructions and the Allen wrench needed to assemble them.

Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 12:48 PM (mFhj8)

213 Their leaders have been fools, across the board, with a few exceptions here and there.

Their leaders are in power. They remain in power. They get rich from being in power.

The people get 'free' healthcare, month long vacations, and are constantly told that they're important to the world. And all it costs is some terrorism a random sexual assaults.

Who is the fool?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:49 PM (ExV1e)

214 Nothing will happen.

Posted by: Nothing will happen person at March 19, 2026 12:49 PM (Jt2TP)

215 .41 Not sure what everyone in Iran is waiting for. The time is NOW for a people-powered overthtrow of the government.

Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume.

-Zombie
_____________

Goodness gracious man, what in the history of the United States makes you think that aerial bombing is going to prompt a popular uprising? Where has that worked?

I swear, you can't teach Neocons a damn thing.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:49 PM (pn+sm)

216 Propping up the EUrofags sure has gotten tedious.

Posted by: NATO - No Ascertainable Testosterone Onboard at March 19, 2026 12:49 PM (TbWk/)

217 207 Why haven't the people risen up? Because Trump, Netanyahu, and Pahlavi have all told them to wait until the bombing campaign is done. This question has been answered, repeatedly, but I suspect it'll be asked yet again as soon as later today.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (ExV1e)

I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (bss/y)

That's all well and good, but the question is- when the hell are the Iranian people going to rise up????

Posted by: Denny Crane - I See a Bandwagon, I Jump On It! at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (dmDsy)

218 212 Sweden is going to send war ships, but they are flat packed.
Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:31 PM (dcz8F)

By way of China where all Ikea crap comes from now...

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (VE6XX)

219 200 I am very worried that Iran is not really 100% anti-mullah.

Iran is not 100% anti-mullah. It's estimated to be about 70% anti-mullah. The pro-mullah people have ~98% of the weapons.

Why haven't the people risen up? Because Trump, Netanyahu, and Pahlavi have all told them to wait until the bombing campaign is done. This question has been answered, repeatedly, but I suspect it'll be asked yet again as soon as later today.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

The recent ancient Zoroastrian flame ceremonies, which the mullahs hated and tried to stamp out, went largely unhindered two days ago. The surveillance and repressive basiji and IRGC has broken down to some extent over there. They no longer command the streets. Dunno about the comms with Elon smuggling in lots of Starlink terminals and jamming breaking down.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (E4rtv)

220 Rhode Island is kind enough to sell alcohol on Sundays, for people who live in Connecticut and have alcoholic parents who come visit on a Sunday.

Posted by: Jordan61 at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (DRSnL)

221 But I'm not sure that's wise. I think an internal assault on the iRGC needs to happen simultaneously with the external assault. Having the two halves of the war happen sequentially allows the IrGC to concentrate on each enemy threat one-by-one, rather than be overwhelmed.
Posted by: zombie at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (Av6i5)
----
The planning on this has been incredible, so I'm going to go with them. I wargamed going against SS-300s and the threat rings were super serious, and yet not a single combat loss in our aircraft. Not one.

That's frickin' insane. We are moving slowly, because we can. The Dems and RINOs and cucks want to push us into premature moves, but time is on our side. Iran is under siege. That also puts China under siege. What do you do when you are prosecuting a siege? Take your time.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (ZOv7s)

222 Why haven't the people risen up? Because Trump, Netanyahu, and Pahlavi have all told them to wait until the bombing campaign is done. This question has been answered, repeatedly, but I suspect it'll be asked yet again as soon as later today.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:46 PM (ExV1e)

I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (bss/y)

(I truly lol'ed.)

Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (mFhj8)

223 Same people who were screeching about muhPriceOfEggs now think $4 gas is no big deal.

Posted by: Maga lol at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (/RnUX)

224
Euroweenies have a comic superiority complex.

Canadians imitate it but just can't puff themselves up to that absurd level yet.

Posted by: Auspex at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (Y8DZL)

225 Trump should call a prime time address to the nation and announce that we are leaving NATO. The Europe American alliance in defense and trade benefits them, not us. The Cold War ended forty years ago. We’re done.

Posted by: Mike W at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (bxgfd)

226 Note how the Left's story changes every day.

Distraction from Epstein!
Boots on the ground!
Blowing things up is mean!
Martyrdom is what they want!
No plan!
Shrimp dinner!
Running out of equipment!
Trump against the world!

They'll find one that works to win the news cycle and settle on it for a couple days, then change it again.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:51 PM (dcz8F)

227 185 It appears that MeAgain has gone full Tucker.

https://is.gd/6Wbekf

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Damn It Feels Good to Be a Trumpster! at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM

Confirmation that Both MeAgain Kelly & Tucker Carlson are both going through Perimenopause or full blown Menopause.

Posted by: Frank Barone at March 19, 2026 12:51 PM (IifOV)

228 We'll send small red pocket knives.

Posted by: The Swiss at March 19, 2026 12:51 PM (Jt2TP)

229 Better happen sooner rather than later.
Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:39 PM (IuIym)

A couple of days ago they launched a total of 10 drones and *zero* missiles. Sounds like we're pretty nearly there.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 12:51 PM (lFFaq)

230 Dunno about the comms with Elon smuggling in lots of Starlink terminals and jamming breaking down.

There are a lot more posts on X from people in Iran since the censorship building got blown up.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:51 PM (2ocoG)

231 gonna write a sternly worded letter to the mulluhs!! Maybe even make a movie about writing sternly worded letters to the mulluh!!

That'll show em!!!

Posted by: girl boss pEU prez'snit at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (cO6oP)

232 All of our enemies and most of our allies know America has a short attention span. Accordingly, the mullahs probably have long known that if America attacks the only way to win is to wait us out. Sooner or later all our airplanes and ships will leave and go to some other hot spot.

The problem we face in Iran is who lasts longer, us, or the Mullahcracy?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (qdKsA)

233 228 We'll send small red pocket knives.
Posted by: The Swiss at March 19, 2026 12:51 PM (Jt2TP)

Ooo ooo ooo, with the tweezers and toothpick?

Posted by: So many features! at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (TbWk/)

234 I've seen some loud Trump skeptics on X start to change their tune because they're finally seeing what is going on. We could be sweeping mines right now. We have the ships. But we're not. We are keeping huge amounts of stuff in reserve.

Besides, minesweepers are the one boat Europeans have. They are small and cheap. So make THEM use them.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (ZOv7s)

235 Turns out the EU was a not so smart thing to do. Although I think the common currency was probably helpful.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (n5tGW)

236 Wait. Second thought. Maybe I don't want to know how Pete is typing.

Posted by: Hunt 'n' Peck? at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (oftw2)

237 Euroweenies have a comic superiority complex.

But it's brittle. They're teenagers mouthing off to their parents - the ones who provide them with everything.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (Riz8t)

238 sampling of bad choices : France importing all of Algeria and giving then full citizenship. Europe forcing idiot Clinton to bomb Serbia, dismember Yugoslavia and allow a few new European majority muslim states to rise. Or, trying to crush American economy with something called the EU, that only elites in Europe wanted. Remember when a number of countries held accession election 10 times just to get the result they wanted.

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (GD0B3)

239 Same people who were screeching about muhPriceOfEggs now think $4 gas is no big deal.

Posted by: Maga lol at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM

This doesn't make any sense. Is it a google translation?

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (4NO2D)

240 So gas prices go up for a few weeks, maybe longer. It's absolutely a bit of pain I am willing to endure to end the mullahs once and for all. Maybe we can stop worrying about leftists bitching about gas prices and focus on winning and what that will bring.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (viF8m)

For most of us, gas is an ongoing expense, so it makes sense to average out the price over a longer timeline. Gas was way high all through the Biden junta, and began to come down when Trump was sworn in, and continued to drop until this current Iran war ramped up. It will likely stay up until the war is won, which will happen in a few weeks. Average that out to a per-annum gas price, and we still come out ahead.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (8zz6B)

241 17 Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:15 PM (pn+sm)

Are you under the impression that a Europe in the midst of economic collapse won't still need the shit they buy from us? Or do you think that a Europe with zero industry will suddenly start manufacturing all the shit it needs for itself? Like a military, perhaps.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic
-------

Well, if they have to spend money on oil they have less money to spend on other stuff. I shouldn't have to explain this to you.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (pn+sm)

242 Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at March 19, 2026 12:48 PM (WONhk)

LMAO

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (dcz8F)

243 Trump asked him why Japan didn’t tell us about Pearl Harbor.

What? Too soon?

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (JRP2U)

244 They'll find one that works to win the news cycle and settle on it for a couple days, then change it again.

Hegseth and Caroline Levitt both have been calling the Democrat catchphrase of the day retarded pretty much every day. And of course they both back that up.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (2ocoG)

245 From the people that told us we need to stop using oil and that they would raise the prices of it to make it so normal people could no longer afford it...
Posted by: 18-1 at March 19, 2026 12:24 PM (sKqQm)

Under my plan, the cost of energy would necessarily skyrocket...

Posted by: Shit JugEaredFuck said, Vol IV at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (zafwz)

246 228 We'll send small red pocket knives.

Posted by: The Swiss

You'd better also send fondue sets, or we'll taunt you a second time.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (Riz8t)

247 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?

Because they don't have the tools. If the US and Israel keep to The Plan, eventually the IRGC and Basij will be reduced to the point where torches and pitchforks will suffice but we're not there yet.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (Fs0KI)

248 240
It will likely stay up until the war is won, which will happen in a few weeks. Average that out to a per-annum gas price, and we still come out ahead.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (8zz6B)
_____

"A few weeks." Lol, Neocons.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (pn+sm)

249 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:47 PM (bss/y)

https://youtu.be/fymimDyzjFY

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (ExV1e)

250 Turns out the EU was a not so smart thing to do. Although I think the common currency was probably helpful.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM

The common market was a good idea. The common currency is what is killing them.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (4NO2D)

251 Gauzy and Gaseous has already been used as a band name. Stevie Nicks was in it briefly before she joined FM.

Posted by: Rock On! at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (oftw2)

252 >>Same people who were screeching about muhPriceOfEggs now think $4 gas is no big deal.

Same people who completely ignore the massive inflation under Biden caused by insane spending on green boondoggles that were never going to work and served only to funnel money to Democrat supporters are now bitching about a temporary spike in gas prices because we are finally taking down one of our biggest enemies that has been injuring and killing Americans for 50 years and refused to stop illegally developing nuclear weapons they swore they would use against Israel and the US.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (viF8m)

253 One of the prime indicators of impending success in our conflict with Iran is how Iran's neighbors are reacting to the war.

My comment at #117 mentioned that Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan have all signed on quite recently to a pledge of support for Saudi Arabia's opposition to the Iranian regime. Pakistan, in particular, did so despite having a significant Shi'a population in its western provinces. All three share borders with Iran.

Posted by: mrp at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (rj6Yv)

254 The problem we face in Iran is who lasts longer, us, or the Mullahcracy?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (qdKsA)

How many fires has Trump started and not put out.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (dcz8F)

255 Godzilla can doggie paddle a tanker thru.

Posted by: DaveA at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (FhXTo)

256 243 Trump asked him why Japan didn’t tell us about Pearl Harbor.

What? Too soon?
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (JRP2U)

Awkward... I laughed.. .

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (VE6XX)

257 What Trump Said is right up there with
What The Pope Said

"Relax" - What Aaron Rodgers Said

Posted by: Bad Andrew at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (DgMqy)

258 The common market was a good idea. The common currency is what is killing them.

===

makes you wonder where they got all that money to support the Euro , no ?

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (GD0B3)

259 Ships are going through so no mines...

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (VE6XX)

260 All of our enemies and most of our allies know America has a short attention span. Accordingly, the mullahs probably have long known that if America attacks the only way to win is to wait us out. Sooner or later all our airplanes and ships will leave and go to some other hot spot.

The problem we face in Iran is who lasts longer, us, or the Mullahcracy?
Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (qdKsA)
---
Maybe you missed the two decades we spent in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are used to long engagements, and bombing Iran is just plain fun. It's not like we are five months into it.

Besides, the Israelis never get tired of dropping bombs. Bombing Muslims is their national pasttime now.

The mullahs have no money. No air cover. We can kill their police eating lunch. We're killing off everyone of flag rank. Eventually they get sick of it and quit.

But even if they don't, we can fly top cover on them indefinitely. We did it from 1991-2002 and then kept right on going. No one cares about air rotations.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (ZOv7s)

261 All I would like to see, primarily, is a militarily and terroristically destroyed Iran. Their ongoing governance is secondary, for me.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (pDt9x)

262 234 I've seen some loud Trump skeptics on X start to change their tune because they're finally seeing what is going on. We could be sweeping mines right now. We have the ships. But we're not. We are keeping huge amounts of stuff in reserve.

Besides, minesweepers are the one boat Europeans have. They are small and cheap. So make THEM use them.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
______

Allowing American-flagged and -crewed vessels to get blown the fuck up by mines to own the libs.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (pn+sm)

263 Yes, they should be helping. But even a tepid, papaer-only agreement legitiizes the operations (not that they NEED legitimization, but it helps to put whining leftists in place when you can point to their erstwhile heroes as supporting the war effort).

Posted by: can of spam at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (14gFN)

264 I really don't know why people on our side are panicking. We've lived with the threat of the largest sponsor of state terror, that includes Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others, for almost 50 years. They've killed and maimed thousands of Americans in the Iraq War and helped Venezuela flood our country with drugs and gangs. They are the nexus of terror and evil. How much do you think that has cost us over the last 50 years?

So gas prices go up for a few weeks, maybe longer. It's absolutely a bit of pain I am willing to endure to end the mullahs once and for all. Maybe we can stop worrying about leftists bitching about gas prices and focus on winning and what that will bring.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 12:44 PM (viF8m)

I'm not panicking. I'm enjoying the show. Every time I hear a bell ring I know some islamic asshole was sent to hell, and we did him a solid by setting him on fire first.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2026 12:56 PM (snZF9)

265 That's all well and good, but the question is- when the hell are the Iranian people going to rise up????
Posted by: Denny Crane

You have roughly 125k IRGC members before this war kicked off and about 1 million or so Basij. Many of the Basij did it for the money. The IRGC is like the CCP in China, they ran the state and economy, the Basij were the hired help in repressing the Iranians.

Now, the money is worthless even if you could somehow pay the Basij (we nuked their bank that did that along with computers), the Basij face death from above or from their own countrymen on the down low, and the IRGC is getting hammered.

They cannot meet in groups anymore (see the Israeli attacks on sports facilities being used as assembly points), their comms are likely shaky and compromised, and they are hunkered down in safe houses that can be exposed by Iranians calling in fire from the sky.

Waiting game until the Basij crack and the IRGC's military assets are destroyed--trucks, logistics, arms depots, etc.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 12:56 PM (E4rtv)

266 When Iran has their freedom elections will they use leftover purple paint from Iraq?

Posted by: Maga lol at March 19, 2026 12:56 PM (/RnUX)

267 Has she given you bacon?
Posted by: Doof at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM

*nods*

This is how you know you have the favor of the Bacon Wench.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 19, 2026 12:56 PM (kgE5c)

268 Not just that jack, it was also: let's kill 5 million chickens to save 1 million.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at March 19, 2026 12:57 PM (bss/y)

269 "I saw a graphic, no idea how accurate it is, but it showed the very rapidly declining numbers of missiles they fired off day by day. It was like watching me try to run a 100 yard dash, starts out great and then by the end crawling and gasping"

Those increased at the end. Drones also seem to be doing much better than missiles.

They are still hitting the most valuable stuff.
Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:40 PM (IuIym)

Ben Shapiro had the numbers on yesterday's show. It's a dramatic drop off- from thousands to maybe dozens per day. Drone use is substantially down too

Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 12:57 PM (mFhj8)

270 Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:53 PM (pn+sm)

The moment the wind blows in a different direction you will slink away again. Enjoy your few hours in the sun.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 12:57 PM (dcz8F)

271 The common market though came with all kinds of bureaucratic regulations so business is difficult.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:57 PM (n5tGW)

272 Now, the money is worthless even if you could somehow pay the Basij (we nuked their bank that did that along with computers), the Basij face death from above or from their own countrymen on the down low, and the IRGC is getting hammered.

They cannot meet in groups anymore (see the Israeli attacks on sports facilities being used as assembly points), their comms are likely shaky and compromised, and they are hunkered down in safe houses that can be exposed by Iranians calling in fire from the sky.

Waiting game until the Basij crack and the IRGC's military assets are destroyed--trucks, logistics, arms depots, etc.

Well sure, when you put it like THAT!

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:57 PM (Riz8t)

273 We will gladly protect your ships next Tuesday for a barrel of oil today...

Posted by: Europe J. Wellington, III at March 19, 2026 12:58 PM (Pu/zx)

274 The common market was a good idea. The common currency is what is killing them.
Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:54 PM (4NO2D)

The common government is what is killing them.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 12:58 PM (ExV1e)

275 People pay attention to the price of stuff. People are also eminently Bulshittable, and the Left are Masters of Bullshit.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 12:58 PM (pDt9x)

276 oof , trolltastic day? I guess Joe Kent implosion is not going over well, must redirect!

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 12:58 PM (GD0B3)

277 I'll bet that once the mullahs finally fall, there will be an EXPLOSION of bacon consumption in Iran. It's been almost 50 years since they had any.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 12:58 PM (Riz8t)

278 If we haven't make significant progress by July 4th, I will start to worry.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (4NO2D)

279 Allowing American-flagged and -crewed vessels to get blown the fuck up by mines to own the libs.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (pn+sm)
---
You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (ZOv7s)

280 Those countries won’t lift a finger as long as they think America is going to take care of the problem. Trump has to convince them that we’re tired of being chumps.

Posted by: RebeccaH at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (VFung)

281 RedMindBlueState

I mentioned the Bacon Wench to my friends after I got back from the Tx MoMeet. And dancing with Bunny.

There was a long pause as they evaluated the wayward path I was on.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (u82oZ)

282 They cannot meet in groups anymore (see the Israeli attacks on sports facilities being used as assembly points), their comms are likely shaky and compromised, and they are hunkered down in safe houses that can be exposed by Iranians calling in fire from the sky.

Waiting game until the Basij crack and the IRGC's military assets are destroyed--trucks, logistics, arms depots, etc.
Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 12:56 PM (E4rtv)
---------------

Sounds like some version of The Purge.

Posted by: WisRich at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (G0vdT)

283 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Aetius451AD

I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?

Posted by: Amy Schumer at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (EHbhi)

284 Pig farms in Isfahan and Qom!! Progress!!!

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (pDt9x)

285 260 "Maybe you missed the two decades we spent in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are used to long engagements, and bombing Iran is just plain fun. It's not like we are five months into it."
_______

"Remember that dumb wasteful shit that sent us trillions into debt, killed thousands of young men, drove thousands more to suicide, and accomplished nothing? WE'RE GONNA DO IT AGAIN."

The sad thing is you may be right.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (pn+sm)

286 It takes a pretty special kind of subnormal IQ to think that Trump is a neocon.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (PYyV9)

287 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Aetius451AD

I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?

It's funny because someone said someone would ask about this after it had already been answered.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (Riz8t)

288 ...Waiting game until the Basij crack and the IRGC's military assets are destroyed--trucks, logistics, arms depots, etc.
Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 12:56 PM (E4rtv)

whig, buddy, sorry, I was just making a (sort of) joke, I glommed onto another posters funny question... your comment was spot-on, though, so there's that.

*smiley face*

Posted by: Denny Crane - Sometimes I Am Really Obtuse. at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (dmDsy)

289 Trump and Hegseth know the score: No one cares about the use of American air power.

The Navy, yes, because the crews get homesick and the ships need longer repairs, but we have been rotating Airmen all over the world since 1991. Nobody cares.

So we've hit on a tactic that they cannot counter, and that we can sustain indefinitely.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (ZOv7s)

290 I haven't read all the comments but, has anyone noted that the Iranians haven't risen in revolt yet?

Posted by: that guy that hasn't read all the comments at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (3lBO+)

291 Allowing American-flagged and -crewed vessels to get blown the fuck up by mines to own the libs.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete
=======
US flagged vessels, particularly tankers, are almost non existent most do Jones Act protected shipping from US port to US port, not the Middle East.

To the extent that you have some Marshall Island flagged tankers, they are often foreign owned and crewed with whatever sailors world wide that can be scraped up for the lowest cost.

Fracking changed the equation. US is a net exporter now of LNG and oil. Most of the rest of the industrialized world is not.

Simply put, we need very little from the Persian Gulf, our putative allies like Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Japan (not to mention China which is not an ally) do need that oil.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (E4rtv)

292 This doesn't make any sense. Is it a google translation?
Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (4NO2D)

AI trolls, but without the I.

Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (mFhj8)

293 You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (ZOv7s)

His keyboard would get so sticky, he could no longer post here.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (8zz6B)

294 Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

Glad you pointed out our planners.

This has been the work of decades to get force structure, weapons, training and doctrine to where we can execute it well.

It looks seamless from the outside, but we both know there are challenges met every day inside the joint forces. Even Flail-Exs. This attack is at an amazing level of performance.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (u82oZ)

295 "Remember that dumb wasteful shit that sent us trillions into debt, killed thousands of young men, drove thousands more to suicide, and accomplished nothing? WE'RE GONNA DO IT AGAIN."

The sad thing is you may be right.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (pn+sm)
---
Wow, you are absolutely CRUSHING the scenario you made up in your head that has no relationship with reality.

Keep up the good work. God bless you!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (ZOv7s)

296 "Relax" - What Aaron Rodgers Said

---

I said it first!!!!!

Posted by: Frankie at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (8JR9p)

297 279 Allowing American-flagged and -crewed vessels to get blown the fuck up by mines to own the libs.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (pn+sm)
---
You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
______

No what I would like is for the United States to have a plan from Day 1 to keep the strait open. Failing that, I would like us to get it open pronto, without pretending that Trump is playing some sort of nine-dimensional Chutes & Ladders to embarrass Germany.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (pn+sm)

298 I haven't read all the comments but, has anyone noted that the Iranians haven't risen in revolt yet?
Posted by: that guy that hasn't read all the comments at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (3lBO+)

love this place.

Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (mFhj8)

299 But even if they don't, we can fly top cover on them indefinitely. We did it from 1991-2002 and then kept right on going. No one cares about air rotations.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:55 PM (ZOv7s)
==============
Well, air power might or might not be enough to win it, so (in hopes it is) I'm in favor of continuing to escalate until the mullahs cry uncle. If they hold a public execution, like they did yesterday, bomb it. As far as two decades in Afghanistan goes, do you really think the American public will tolerate another lengthy mini-war over there? Seriously?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 19, 2026 01:03 PM (X1iDB)

300 Well, I guess I’m officially old. I have sent my poop through the US Postal Service.

Any other time, I probably would have gotten in trouble for that.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at March 19, 2026 01:03 PM (GRl+6)

301 This is very gauzy and gaseous.

For some of us, gaseous is where it's at!

Posted by: Eric Swalwell (D-CA & Cuck-CCP) at March 19, 2026 01:03 PM (0sNs1)

302 "Relax" - What Aaron Rodgers Said

---

I said it first!!!!!
Posted by: Frankie at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM

Don't do it.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:03 PM (4NO2D)

303 makes you wonder where they got all that money to support the Euro , no ?

That's just it: they didn't have any. They were no richer upon joining forces than they were as distinct entities. The hilarious high valuation of the Euro when it was announced was not due to any valid economic considerations or backing, it was just "Europe > America"

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:03 PM (PYyV9)

304 293 You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (ZOv7s)

His keyboard would get so sticky, he could no longer post here.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (8zz6B)

Ol' Pete seems to have succumbed to the same malady that took out Boulder Terlit Hobo ...

#sad

Posted by: browndog says woof at March 19, 2026 01:03 PM (3sXRv)

305 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Amy Schumer at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (EHbhi)

'Tis a mystery. They are in the Middle Yeast, after all.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (8zz6B)

306 I mentioned the Bacon Wench to my friends after I got back from the Tx MoMeet. And dancing with Bunny.

There was a long pause as they evaluated the wayward path I was on.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM

Some things can't be explained. They have to be experienced.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (kgE5c)

307 295 "Remember that dumb wasteful shit that sent us trillions into debt, killed thousands of young men, drove thousands more to suicide, and accomplished nothing? WE'RE GONNA DO IT AGAIN."

The sad thing is you may be right.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (pn+sm)
---
Wow, you are absolutely CRUSHING the scenario you made up in your head that has no relationship with reality.

Keep up the good work. God bless you!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
_____

You said that we have patience for long wars. I do not. America does not. Neocons who learned absolutely nothing from the past 25 years have that patience. But they're the only ones.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (pn+sm)

308 I guess Joe Kent implosion is not going over well...

I imagine that the worst possible thing for a mid-level bureaucrat/wanna-be-politician is finding out that you're not nearly as important as you thought you were.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (Fs0KI)

309 His keyboard would get so sticky, he could no longer post here.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (8zz6B)

I doubt a barrel that short could manage the range.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (ExV1e)

310 Question Mark and The Contrarians. Obscure reference snark.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (pDt9x)

311 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up?
Posted by: Amy Schumer at March 19, 2026 12:59 PM (EHbhi)
===================
always love it when Amy chimes in

Posted by: Huck Follywood at March 19, 2026 01:05 PM (X1iDB)

312 No what I would like is for the United States to have a plan from Day 1 to keep the strait open. Failing that, I would like us to get it open pronto, without pretending that Trump is playing some sort of nine-dimensional Chutes & Ladders to embarrass Germany.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (pn+sm)

Hmmm maybe destroying the motherfuckers who threatened to close it for the last 50 years is a good start? Just thinking out loud here.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2026 01:05 PM (snZF9)

313 Sounds like some version of The Purge.
Posted by: WisRich

Exactly what it is. We are testing the hypothesis that if you kill enough leaders and the thugs that keep an unpopular and murderous regime in power, then a more civil society will emerge.

Ironically, by pissing off the neighbors and literally cutting off the oil supply to the Euros, India, Chicoms, etc., Iran is running out of any international counterbalancing that is willing to keep them in power.

It is also killing the green dream to some extent revealing that solar cells and windmills cannot and do not run a modern industrialized economy. You need coal, nukes, nat gas, oil, etc. even if your cars are EV.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:05 PM (E4rtv)

314 Glad you pointed out our planners.

This has been the work of decades to get force structure, weapons, training and doctrine to where we can execute it well.

It looks seamless from the outside, but we both know there are challenges met every day inside the joint forces. Even Flail-Exs. This attack is at an amazing level of performance.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (u82oZ)
---
Well, it was my part-time job for 13 years. You know, weekend and long vacations.

I dare not even suggest to my wife that I reenlist, but there is a part of me that wants to be a part of this effort. i would love to be wargaming the shit out of this right now.

And I guarantee, someone has, and it shows.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:05 PM (ZOv7s)

315 I love when the trolls talk about "plans". What the fuck do you know about military planning?

Posted by: Frankie at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (8JR9p)

316 The sad thing is you may be right.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (pn+sm)
---
Wow, you are absolutely CRUSHING the scenario you made up in your head that has no relationship with reality.

Keep up the good work. God bless you!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (ZOv7s)

I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (dmDsy)

317 I guess everyone has to have an opinion about things of which we have little knowledge and no control over. What will happen will happen. Worrying will not change one of my gray hairs back to blond.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (4NO2D)

318 Maybe South Korea will send the K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Posted by: wth at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (UjdFS)

319 "Unless you have every single scenario perfectly worked out in advance in a perfect plan that goes right exactly as planned every time YOU ARE A NEOCON DISASTER WHO LOVES TO SEE AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE"

that's a pretty strange argument

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (PYyV9)

320 I guess Joe Kent implosion is not going over well...

I imagine that the worst possible thing for a mid-level bureaucrat/wanna-be-politician is finding out that you're not nearly as important as you thought you were.
Posted by: Oddbob at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (Fs0KI)

*nervously cackling*.

Posted by: Kamallala H. at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (mFhj8)

321 On a different note.... They sure are going after Caesar Chavez . It took them 50 years ?Could it be because he was against illegal aliens ?

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (VE6XX)

322 299 But even if they don't, we can fly top cover on them indefinitely. We did it from 1991-2002 and then kept right on going. No one cares about air rotations.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
_______

Yeah that worked great, totally toppled Saddam.

I swear, a Neocon will tell you every movement in an obscure battle in the Punic Wars but can't learn anything from a war that occurred in the past decade.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (pn+sm)

323 It takes a pretty special kind of subnormal IQ to think that Trump is a neocon.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:00 PM (PYyV9)

Summer of 2016 he lectured me that Trump was a liberal unprincipled con artist ripping me off for my vote, long after many much smarter people had caught on that may very well not be the case. Well after he was the nominee. And so self assured about it. Then mysteriously disappeared and came back to gloat when Trump "lost" in 2020.

And now 10 years after his initial bullcrap he's back again to prove HE WAS RIGHT.

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (dcz8F)

324 I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

I wonder, that doesn't sound lie him at all to me.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (PYyV9)

325 298 I haven't read all the comments but, has anyone noted that the Iranians haven't risen in revolt yet?
Posted by: that guy that hasn't read all the comments at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (3lBO+)

love this place.
Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (mFhj

Right???

And the cool part is, I think that may have been an organic comment that just happened to slot into this thread seamlessly!

*grinning emoji*

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:08 PM (dmDsy)

326 Exactly what it is. We are testing the hypothesis that if you kill enough leaders and the thugs that keep an unpopular and murderous regime in power, then a more civil society will emerge.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:05 PM (E4rtv)
---
The ChiComs are terrified by what they are seeing. There are constant uprisings in China right now, and a clean "decapitation" war would probably cause their government to immediately fall. China is an empire, not a nation-state.

Iran is more coherent, but the gulf between rulers and ruled is just as large. So they wait, as they should. Bessent was saying Treasury can see the money moving out of the country.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:08 PM (ZOv7s)

327 I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

That thought also occurred to me, but then I remembered he's been around for a long while, so maybe the chronic onanism is starting to tell on his brain.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:08 PM (Riz8t)

328 319 "Unless you have every single scenario perfectly worked out in advance in a perfect plan that goes right exactly as planned every time YOU ARE A NEOCON DISASTER WHO LOVES TO SEE AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE"

that's a pretty strange argument
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor
_______

This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place. Obviously we were under prepared for Iran's entirely predictable actions in the strait.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:09 PM (pn+sm)

329 Trust the Plan!

Posted by: Trust the Plan Guy at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (wVcYX)

330 Iran is more coherent, but the gulf between rulers and ruled is just as large. So they wait, as they should. Bessent was saying Treasury can see the money moving out of the country.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:08 PM (ZOv7s)
-----------------

If he can see it leaving, can we assume he knows where it's going.

Posted by: WisRich at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (G0vdT)

331 Could it be because he was against illegal aliens ?

Yeah that is the speculation, gotta undercut him because he harms their latest message

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (PYyV9)

332 I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

I wonder, that doesn't sound lie him at all to me.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (PYyV9)

Check for DNA. He leaves plenty laying around.

Posted by: toby928(c) has an ultraviolet light at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (4NO2D)

333 325 298 I haven't read all the comments but, has anyone noted that the Iranians haven't risen in revolt yet?
Posted by: that guy that hasn't read all the comments at March 19, 2026 01:01 PM (3lBO+)

love this place.
Posted by: LASue at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (mFhj

Me too... On a serious note about this.. Iran just executed a 19 year old wrestling champion who was arrested for protesting in January...

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (VE6XX)

334 This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place.

Soooo....never, according to you.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (Riz8t)

335 400 high end vehicles stolen
The theft of 400 high-end vehicles in Metro Detroit is a significant and alarming incident that highlights the vulnerabilities in the auto industry. The operation, which spanned from mid-2023 to mid-2025, involved the systematic collection and export of these vehicles to markets in the Middle East, where demand for luxury cars remains strong. The investigation revealed a sophisticated and organized scheme that operated quietly, with most owners unaware of the fate of their vehicles. The indictment of eight suspects involved in this international car theft and smuggling ring underscores the need for vigilance and prevention efforts to protect communities from such crimes.

Posted by: SMOD at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (RHGPo)

336 >>259 Ships are going through so no mines...

Fifth Fleet isn't concerned about Iran's mines. If they were, they would not have sent 2 of their 3 minesweepers out of the AOR. Both ships were docked in Malaysia on Sunday and have since docked in Singapore.

Posted by: one hour sober at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (Y1sOo)

337 I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

Apparently it's actually him and he's now leared the Truth About The Jooos.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (2ocoG)

338 Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

tried to get in after 9/11. No go.

I've aged out of watches on the bridge of a ship. But that was a big part of my life for a few intense years.

I understand wanting to be a part of this incredible team.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (u82oZ)

339 No what I would like is for the United States to have a plan from Day 1 to keep the strait open.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:02 PM (pn+sm)

We do have a plan, and it is very well executed. Destroy their ocean-going navy, destroy their anti-ship missile launch capability, then go after smaller and smaller boats until their capacity to close Hormuz is gone.

But it is war, and that sort of stuff isn't instantaneous.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (n9ltV)

340 whig, buddy, sorry, I was just making a (sort of) joke, I glommed onto another posters funny question... your comment was spot-on, though, so there's that.

*smiley face*
Posted by: Denny Crane

No problem. But the you did voice concerns via your joke that others that are lurkers may be harboring. Wars are unsettling things and figuring out how to stick the landing (and our leaders cannot tell us what the plan in advance is because it a) depends on enemies not knowing exactly what it is, b) the enemy always gets a voice in these things).

Strategic ambiguity as to intentions of US and Israel allows space for maneuvers that unconditional surrender does not.

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (E4rtv)

341 I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM

Seriously. When did Masturbatin' Pete become such a wanker?

Wait a second....

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (kgE5c)

342 I am very concerned with the lack of planing. Hegseth should be fired. Right now.

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (GD0B3)

343 That thought also occurred to me, but then I remembered he's been around for a long while, so maybe the chronic onanism is starting to tell on his brain.

They did warn us about that in those old army and school films.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:11 PM (PYyV9)

344 Seems like somebody missed the famous quote about war.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 01:11 PM (n5tGW)

345 Yeah that worked great, totally toppled Saddam.

I swear, a Neocon will tell you every movement in an obscure battle in the Punic Wars but can't learn anything from a war that occurred in the past decade.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (pn+sm)
---
Oh, we learned. No boots on the ground. Just own the sky and let the regime twist in the wind. We can keep this up all day.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:11 PM (ZOv7s)

346 Now that we solved that, did you see the look Japan's PM gave that reporter ??

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:11 PM (GD0B3)

347 I'm a bit surprised it's Australia, but still, good on 'em.

This should have been on the front page of The New York Times.
I speak to students in America and most have no idea that more than 30,000 Iranians were killed for protesting and demanding freedom.
No names. No faces. No coverage. This silence kills me.💔

Thank you, Australia.

https://is.gd/wjq6YS

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (Riz8t)

348 346 Now that we solved that, did you see the look Japan's PM gave that reporter ??
Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:11 PM (GD0B3)

I did.. If looks could kill... LOL

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (VE6XX)

349 327 I haven't seen Whackin' Pete here in quite a while, but I don't remember him as being such a prissy twat... maybe some troll is socking him?

That thought also occurred to me, but then I remembered he's been around for a long while, so maybe the chronic onanism is starting to tell on his brain.
Posted by: Archimede
_____

Yeah, been around forever. Been around long enough to see friends get killed and maimed over Mideast wars that accomplished nothing. Been around long enough to remember when MAGA meant America First. Been around long enough to understand that we should have transactional relationships with politicians and not just say "mmm smells delicious" when Trump farts in our faces and blames it on Chuck Schumer.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (pn+sm)

350 Soooo....never, according to you.

The perfect is the enemy of ... taking any action whatsoever.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (PYyV9)

351 I wonder why the Iranians are not rising up, ese?

Posted by: Carlos Mencia at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (TbWk/)

352 It's me donna

The Shia Mullahs are killing the best Iranians. Truly a death cult. They should be as influential as the Flat Earth Society in a just world.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (u82oZ)

353 Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (dmDsy)

I don't remember him being like that either, but the last couple of times he's been around he's been very contrarian to the point of trollishness. I figure *everyone* has at least one issue they're trollish on, but I also skip their posts when they get started.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (lFFaq)

354 This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place. Obviously we were under prepared for Iran's entirely predictable actions in the strait.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:09 PM (pn+sm)

Who gives a shit about the Straits of Hormuz, anyway? America needs none of the oil that passes through it. Chy-nah buys a lot of it. So do the Eurofags. Are they running you?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (8zz6B)

355 >> Been around long enough to see friends get killed and maimed over Mideast wars that accomplished nothing. Been around long enough to remember when MAGA meant America First. Been around long enough to understand that we should have transactional relationships with politicians and not just say "mmm smells delicious" when Trump farts in our faces and blames it on Chuck Schumer.

Just go back to stroking it in the corner.

Posted by: garrett at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (erF49)

356 What the fuck do you know about military planning?

Look, there are some basics that must be followed in every war.

1. Make sure everyone knows what you’re going to do before you do it, especially Internet commenters.
2. Goals are less important than plans and schedules.
3. Your opponent will never lie.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (EXyHK)

357 I wonder why Trump and Hegseth had no plans for the Strait of Hormuz ! This is so terrible and shocking!

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (GD0B3)

358 Trump was asked by a Japanese reporter just now why we didn’t tell Japan about attacking Iran, Japan was very surprised. Trump asked him why Japan didn’t tell us about Pearl Harbor. Japanese prime minister looking at the floor. Trump went on to quietly explain about surprise needed to be successful.
Posted by: Jen

Just saw that while wifey was watching.
"Who likes surprises more than Japan... Pearl Harbor..."

He could have had more lead-up to the punch line.
Japan actually felt that they had done a shameful thing, attacking w/o warning. They had actually planned on dropping their declaration of war literally as the bombs were falling. See, see you were given 5 seconds warning....
For us it is a distinction w/o difference, for Japan it was a big dishonor, even as they were literally practicing catching babies with bayonettes in China.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (/lPRQ)

359 We could have waited until we had a better plan in place.

I'm not really sure what plan you think could have been better. Iranian leadership wiped out, Iranian military power nearly wiped out, virtually no US losses.

In the annals of American military operations, this has been pretty fuckin' good.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (ExV1e)

360 Muldoon made the main page.

Really makes us look like assholes, too.

*sadface*

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (Zz0t1)

361 That thought also occurred to me, but then I remembered he's been around for a long while, so maybe the chronic onanism is starting to tell on his brain.
Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:08 PM (Riz8t)

I had to look up "onanism"... wow, what a classy way to say "Pullin' Pud"!

LOL

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (dmDsy)

362 I may be a bit pessimistic, but I think Iran is a real problem. But problems don't always have neat easy solutions.

So my worries aren't necessarily OMG WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS.

Its more: OMG THIS SUCKS BUT MAYBE WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (IuIym)

363 I hear Poland is sending to Fleet Carrier Groups.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (/lPRQ)

364 I was waiting when someone would notice this shocking lack of foresight and planning! I am very concerned !

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (GD0B3)

365 345
---
Oh, we learned. No boots on the ground. Just own the sky and let the regime twist in the wind. We can keep this up all day.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
_______

You didn't learn anything about the success rate of toppling times by bombing them and hoping for a popular uprising.

It's zero. It's fucking Zero.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (pn+sm)

366 I figure *everyone* has at least one issue they're trollish on, but I also skip their posts when they get started.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (lFFaq)

Honestly, anything that has Jews even tangentially involved sends some around the bend.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (4NO2D)

367 My fellow Americans, on my direction we have selected a plan: Masturbatin' Pete's plan, which he came up with a minute ago.

Just fuckin' with ya. We will continue destroying the Deep State and its centuries-old system of infiltration, subversion, endless war and financial enslavement, on every continent at once. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Posted by: Papi Trumpo at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (rJjpq)

368 Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (pn+sm)

Maybe some recognition of the fundamental change in the Oval Office and the Pentagon? Because neither of those places are interested in prolonged wars.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (n9ltV)

369 Masturbatin' Pete

I don't blame you for being cautious of US politicians after what Bush II, Obama, and Biden have done. But a broad enough brush may cover some good by Trump and his amazing team.

Trump's behavior is very different.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (u82oZ)

370 Really makes us look like assholes, too.

Some of us are more used to it than others

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (PYyV9)

371 Check for DNA. He leaves plenty laying around.
Posted by: toby928(c) has an ultraviolet light at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (4NO2D)

Gross, and funny as fuck!

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (dmDsy)

372 We are taking out the missilr batteries which are the external threat and the basij which is the internsl threat

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (bXbFr)

373 Currently we are in a weird position:

We could try to let as much oil flow as possible to lower the price shock.

But that might keep IGRC in power and give them leverage.

or we could say "gloves are off if you touch more shipping"

But then you risk really crazy oil prices.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (IuIym)

374 The EU will send a nice fruit basket.

Posted by: Dirac_Delta at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (fC/km)

375 This is taking way too long, and the price of eggs and lack of planning for Hormuz will kill the Europeans. I also want to know why the Iranians are not rising up !

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (GD0B3)

376 Who gives a shit about the Straits of Hormuz, anyway? America needs none of the oil that passes through it. Chy-nah buys a lot of it. So do the Eurofags. Are they running you?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (8zz6B)

I agree, but we can use it as leverage... And it looks like it might be working if the Euroweenies are serious about helping.... Trump positing what it would look like if we cleared it out ourselves and how we could control it probably had something to do with their "change" of heart...

Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (VE6XX)

377 I doubt a barrel that short could manage the range.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 01:04 PM (ExV1e)

???

!!!

LOL

Posted by: OneEyedJack at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (zafwz)

378 Well, I guess I’m officially old. I have sent my poop through the US Postal Service.

Any other time, I probably would have gotten in trouble for that.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe

I did too. Then I found out it was just supposed to be a smear.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (EHbhi)

379 Pete has never played Risk and has no idea why Trump insists on taking Kamchatka.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (2ocoG)

380 This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place. Obviously we were under prepared for Iran's entirely predictable actions in the strait.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:09 PM (pn+sm)
---
Seriously? No aircraft down or ships damaged (other than a laundry fire on the Ford). One stray missile hit.

But sure, no planning.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (ZOv7s)

381 This doesn't make any sense. Is it a google translation?
Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 12:52 PM (4NO2D)

Does Google have a Leftist to Normal translator?

Posted by: No Name Today at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (8mulE)

382 This is another quagmire !

Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (GD0B3)

383 Been around long enough to understand that we should have transactional relationships with politicians and not just say "mmm smells delicious" when Trump farts in our faces and blames it on Chuck Schumer.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:12 PM (pn+sm)

Iran has been murdering Americans for a generation.

It's about time they get their shit pushed in for it.

And there are very few here that don't call Trump out when he earns it. The "Trump is never wrong" image pasted on us is bullshit.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (Zz0t1)

384 353 Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 19, 2026 01:06 PM (dmDsy)

I don't remember him being like that either, but the last couple of times he's been around he's been very contrarian to the point of trollishness. I figure *everyone* has at least one issue they're trollish on, but I also skip their posts when they get started.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 01:13 PM (lFFaq)

He's been a flaky more MAGA than thou type for quite a long while now. Years. If you haven't noticed it until now, it's because he seldom shows up here anymore. Because he's more MAGA than thou.

Posted by: Pete's Empty Kleenex Box at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (+aL9E)

385 "You didn't learn anything about the success rate of toppling times by bombing them and hoping for a popular uprising.

It's zero. It's fucking Zero."

OTOH, Japan surrendered after two nukes.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (IuIym)

386 Nood. Sadly, nothing will happen.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (ExV1e)

387 On a different note.... They sure are going after Caesar Chavez . It took them 50 years ?Could it be because he was against illegal aliens ?
Posted by: It's me donna at March 19, 2026 01:07 PM (VE6XX)

Apparently his granddaughter is running for office against a party anointed somewhere in CA, so that might have something to do with it as well.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (lFFaq)

388 The nukes in Iran obviously couldn't happen, but their funding of worldwide terrorism was the thing I am glad they are taking it in the squeaker.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (n5tGW)

389 Well, I guess I’m officially old. I have sent my poop through the US Postal Service.

Any other time, I probably would have gotten in trouble for that.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe

I did too. Then I found out it was just supposed to be a smear.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM

So you ... unleashed?

https://youtu.be/Mu12X2cu6Y0

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (4NO2D)

390 But sure, no planning.

No, don't you see? If anything ever in any way doesn't go exactly perfectly, THE PLANNING WAS A DISASTER AND UTTERLY LACKING AND ITS FOREVER WARS AGAIN AND WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!1!1!!!

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (PYyV9)

391 382 This is another quagmire !
Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM (GD0B3)

I mean, if we can’t win a war in a month, heads should roll.

Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (pDt9x)

392
I saw a crazy video of some Iranian dudes in a car doing a drive by shooting with an AK I think at a govt checkpoint. It was weirdly funny, like they were gang members or something.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 12:33 PM (n5tGW)

It's like none of you Morons have ever seen The Great Escape. James Coburn is at the Paris cafe with some Nazi officer shit heads at another table. When the waiter pulls him from his table to take a phone call, they all duck behind the bar while some Frog resistance fighters do a drive-by on the Nazis. With an MG42.

Setting up an armed resistance takes time. I'd reckon that it'll be at least a month before the Persian Resistance can get in full gear. Even with us Ugly Americans and Evil Joos blowing up every regime thug we can pin down.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (y9nCu)

393 Yeah, been around forever. Been around long enough to see friends get killed and maimed over Mideast wars that accomplished nothing. Been around long enough to remember when MAGA meant America First. Been around long enough to understand that we should have transactional relationships with politicians and not just say "mmm smells delicious" when Trump farts in our faces and blames it on Chuck Schumer.

Dude, I know you've been around, and I'm not going to trash you as much as some just because of a disagreement, but since you've been around, you know that I was never one of the Trump worshipers. In fact, I took a lot of heat over my preference for deSantis in the last election, so please spare me the implication that I'm unwilling to criticize Trump. In fact, I did it on this very post concerning his comments to the Japanese reporter. Be better.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (Riz8t)

394 359 We could have waited until we had a better plan in place.

I'm not really sure what plan you think could have been better. Iranian leadership wiped out, Iranian military power nearly wiped out, virtually no US losses.

In the annals of American military operations, this has been pretty fuckin' good.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic
________

The Strait of Hormuz is a no-go zone and it's going to cripple the global economy. That was not remotely planned for.

If your response is "lol who cares fuck Europe," I invite you to consider how a downturn in the global economy will affect the fortunes of the GOP - and Trump's agenda - this fall. And when President Newsom starts arresting MAGA in 2029, I hope you remember.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (pn+sm)

395 "This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place. Obviously we were under prepared for Iran's entirely predictable actions in the strait.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:09 PM (pn+sm)
---
Seriously? No aircraft down or ships damaged (other than a laundry fire on the Ford). One stray missile hit.

But sure, no planning."

People want perfection.

But any war with a large country like Iran probably will not be painless...PLAN OR NO PLAN.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (IuIym)

396 Me too... On a serious note about this.. Iran just executed a 19 year old wrestling champion who was arrested for protesting in January...
Posted by: It's me donna
=========
There will be more that die, it is the nature of war and uprisings, some will die so that others may live. Harsh, unfair, and unpleasant and it often seems only the good truly die needlessly.

Before Roger Waters went nuts and totally anti semitic, in the album, the Final Cut, he wrote a haunting elegy "The Gunner's Dream" FWIW, his father died in at Anzio beachhead in Italy during WWII. Verse two is appropriate about what US forces are trying to do.

"A place to stay, Enough to eat
Somewhere old heroes shuffle safely down the street
Where you can speak out loud
About your doubts and fears
And what’s more, no-one ever disappears
You never hear their standard issue kicking in your door
You can relax on both sides of the tracks
And maniacs don’t blow holes in bandsmen by remote control
And everyone has recourse to the law
And no one kills the children anymore
No one kills the children anymore"

Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (E4rtv)

397 > I dare not even suggest to my wife that I reenlist, but there is a part of me that wants to be a part of this effort. i would love to be wargaming the shit out of this right now.

And I guarantee, someone has, and it shows.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
-----------
Pick up a copy of "Command Modern Operations." It's computer simulation/game. Pretty complex. Steep learning curve. Not visually exciting, as it's played on a 2-D map (globe) but it's hyper-realistic.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (AkEZC)

398 I'd love to see the magical plan that would have guaranteed the Strait would stay open in any attack against Iran.

Fucking dumb.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (viF8m)

399 This is another quagmire !
Posted by: runner at March 19, 2026 01:16 PM

Giggity.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:19 PM (4NO2D)

400 400 high end vehicles stolen
The theft of 400 high-end vehicles in Metro Detroit is a significant and alarming incident that highlights the vulnerabilities in the auto industry. The operation, which spanned from mid-2023 to mid-2025, involved the systematic collection and export of these vehicles to markets in the Middle East, where demand for luxury cars remains strong. The investigation revealed a sophisticated and organized scheme that operated quietly, with most owners unaware of the fate of their vehicles. The indictment of eight suspects involved in this international car theft and smuggling ring underscores the need for vigilance and prevention efforts to protect communities from such crimes.
Posted by: SMOD at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (RHGPo)

Hmmm. I'm guessing mostly Democrats were victimized. Of course banks and insurance companies will pass the costs along to us normies. But what route did these stoeln vehicles take to get to Asia? By ship through the St. lawrence Seaway? Or by car carrier to an East Coast port?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2026 01:19 PM (8zz6B)

401 *smiley face*
Posted by: Denny Crane

No problem. But the you did voice concerns via your joke that others that are lurkers may be harboring. Wars are unsettling things and figuring out how to stick the landing (and our leaders cannot tell us what the plan in advance is because it a) depends on enemies not knowing exactly what it is, b) the enemy always gets a voice in these things).

Strategic ambiguity as to intentions of US and Israel allows space for maneuvers that unconditional surrender does not.
Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:10 PM (E4rtv)

Well said! There's yet another newsletter I must subscribe to!

Posted by: Denny Crane - My Inbox Is Going To Be Full, IF You Know What I Mean! at March 19, 2026 01:19 PM (dmDsy)

402 Would you say I have a plethora of shitposts?

Posted by: Not The Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:20 PM (wVcYX)

403 We could have waited until we had a better plan in place.

I'm not really sure what plan you think could have been better. Iranian leadership wiped out, Iranian military power nearly wiped out, virtually no US losses.

In the annals of American military operations, this has been pretty fuckin' good.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (ExV1e)
=======

Yeah, we could have planned and waited, and then re-planned while Iran developed (or bought) their nukes.

Imagine the planning we'd have to accomplish if we faced a nuclear-armed Iran and the PRC decided it was time to settle the Taiwan matter. Add Russia pulling the energy pipeline plug to Europe on Armageddon +2.

Posted by: mrp at March 19, 2026 01:20 PM (rj6Yv)

404 161 "Why not happening? I suspect they're waiting for word from Trump that it's safe to start. I can only assume."

They protested in January and got 20,000 killed.

I think its not as powerful a movement as we assumed.

And riots like that have a tendency to burn out.

I am very worried that Iran is not really 100% anti-mullah.

Maybe its 20% or 30%.

It may be harder than we think to topple them.
Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 12:38 PM (IuIym)

Well, yeah. The GDR had about 20-25% support of the population.

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:20 PM (kBisb)

405 385 "You didn't learn anything about the success rate of toppling times by bombing them and hoping for a popular uprising.

It's zero. It's fucking Zero."

OTOH, Japan surrendered after two nukes.
Posted by: Harun
_____

Well, you got me there. Bombing the two most Christian cities in the country and killing 150,000 civilians probably would end this war.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:20 PM (pn+sm)

406 Europe is the lead beneficiary they have also been the ones that dmpowered thr iranian regime in the last few years

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at March 19, 2026 01:21 PM (bXbFr)

407 One thing we should consider with Iran, is we don't need to keep going forever.

We can always pause, or stop.

Its not like they will become MORE ANGRY with us.

That's one advantage here - decap strikes help deter them. Even if you can't replace them.

You're not bombing moderate Iranians and getting the IGRC...the IGRC was already in charge.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:21 PM (IuIym)

408 Yeah, we could have planned and waited, and then re-planned while Iran developed (or bought) their nukes.

It's a good think MP wasn't in charge of D-Day.

Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:22 PM (Riz8t)

409 "A place to stay, Enough to eat
Somewhere old heroes shuffle safely down the street
Where you can speak out loud
About your doubts and fears
And what’s more, no-one ever disappears
You never hear their standard issue kicking in your door
You can relax on both sides of the tracks
And maniacs don’t blow holes in bandsmen by remote control
And everyone has recourse to the law
And no one kills the children anymore
No one kills the children anymore"
Posted by: whig at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (E4rtv)

The Final Cut makes me want to slit my wrists.

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:22 PM (kBisb)

410 Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (4NO2D)

Those people I make a mental note to ignore all the time.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 19, 2026 01:22 PM (lFFaq)

411 403
Yeah, we could have planned and waited, and then re-planned while Iran developed (or bought) their nukes.

Imagine the planning we'd have to accomplish if we faced a nuclear-armed Iran and the PRC decided it was time to settle the Taiwan matter. Add Russia pulling the energy pipeline plug to Europe on Armageddon +2.
Posted by: mrp
---------

I was assured last June that we had obliterated Iran's nuclear program with Operation Midnight Hammer.

How did they get nukes back so fast? Or was Trump bullshitting me about the success of that operation?

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:23 PM (pn+sm)

412
I mean, if we can’t win a war in a month, heads should roll.
Posted by: tubal at March 19, 2026 01:17 PM (pDt9x)

We've been winning wars swiftly for over 50 years. Every one of them.

The problem is what happens AFTER we win the war, when ass-spelunkers like Colin Powell assert themselves with their nation-building bullshit.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at March 19, 2026 01:23 PM (y9nCu)

413 "Well, you got me there. Bombing the two most Christian cities in the country and killing 150,000 civilians probably would end this war."

I don't think you need to bomb Christian cities in Japan to get Iran to surrender.

But yes, it might require massive damage.

I don't think we need to regime change necessarily.

Operation Praying Mantis didn't regime change.

Just killing a ton of their people makes the next bunch maybe a little less eager to plot shit.

Proxy bullshit is less effective etc,.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:23 PM (IuIym)

414 Scanning comments, I see there are experts of war here, who attend the Situation Room daily.

I have no idea what is going on because I don't listen to podcasts or go off the rails if I can't control things. I am barely controlling my own life after a virus. I might have had the new killer virus the news mentions! Like war, it is hell. I slept better last night so have more clarity vs mush brain.

Apparently on the "other blog" I ran off the raking leaf/saving bug woman simply by politely disagreeing with her. Weird. She's not a troll but I think I discovered why she's no longer married. I honestly did not mean to run her off in a snit. My powers are greater than I thought!

Another guy, who screams "neocon" about everything, stated that THIS WAR was influenced by THE SAME PEOPLE who advised GWB for Iraq. I asked politely who, then listed all the dead people like Cheney. He's the guy I argued with about Fuentes.

It's the podcasters, y'all! Like Levin (who I've never listened to). I politely told him no talking heads influence my vote, and I doubt Trump, and he said ok and that ended that.

My theory is that people have morphed GWB with Trump and that makes no sense to me.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at March 19, 2026 01:24 PM (WONhk)

415 This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place. Obviously we were under prepared for Iran's entirely predictable actions in the strait.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:09 PM (pn+sm)
---
Seriously? No aircraft down or ships damaged (other than a laundry fire on the Ford). One stray missile hit.

But sure, no planning.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
===

Oh, there is a plan. Virtually every country that we might have to invade we have a plan for and war game and revise every couple of years. It is what staff does.
/ former peon staffer

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 19, 2026 01:24 PM (/lPRQ)

416 "I was assured last June that we had obliterated Iran's nuclear program with Operation Midnight Hammer.

How did they get nukes back so fast? Or was Trump bullshitting me about the success of that operation?"

We obliterated their ability to make more enriched uranium. But they already had a fair bit.

You keep saying shit like Iran is a nice guy and we pissed them off.

The fact is the reason we are at war with them is they didn't take any offramp offered...even Obama's was bullshit.

So yeah, we crippled PART of their nuclear bomb system,.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:25 PM (IuIym)

417 398 I'd love to see the magical plan that would have guaranteed the Strait would stay open in any attack against Iran.

Fucking dumb.
Posted by: JackStraw
_____

Seems like the kind of thing that Trump would have mentioned early on it or was inevitable. Instead he was declaring victory on Day 4.

We got caught with our pants down but the first rule of MAGA Club is Trump never makes mistakes, only brilliant chess moves.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:25 PM (pn+sm)

418 You didn't learn anything about the success rate of toppling times by bombing them and hoping for a popular uprising.

It's zero. It's fucking Zero.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:14 PM (pn+sm)

And uprisings occur with no bombings (re: 1989 in Eastern Europe).

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:26 PM (kBisb)

419 The Strait of Hormuz is a no-go zone and it's going to cripple the global economy. That was not remotely planned for.

If your response is "lol who cares fuck Europe," I invite you to consider how a downturn in the global economy will affect the fortunes of the GOP - and Trump's agenda - this fall. And when President Newsom starts arresting MAGA in 2029, I hope you remember.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:18 PM (pn+sm)

That is just a straight-up fucking lie.

Who the fuck do you think you are???

Posted by: Denny Crane - I'm Denny Crane. at March 19, 2026 01:26 PM (dmDsy)

420 Seems like the kind of thing that Trump would have mentioned early on it or was inevitable. Instead he was declaring victory on Day 4.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:25 PM

You should write your Congressmen.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:27 PM (4NO2D)

421
Oh, there is a plan. Virtually every country that we might have to invade we have a plan for and war game and revise every couple of years. It is what staff does.
/ former peon staffer
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 19, 2026 01:24 PM (/lPRQ)

Truth.

- retired logistics officer

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:27 PM (kBisb)

422 "Seems like the kind of thing that Trump would have mentioned early on it or was inevitable. Instead he was declaring victory on Day 4."

I agree with this. Trump was dumb to declare victory.

Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:27 PM (IuIym)

423 Wing Attack Plan R!

Posted by: Major Kong at March 19, 2026 01:27 PM (wVcYX)

424 Remain Calm!

Posted by: pudinhead at March 19, 2026 01:27 PM (pZ64F)

425 Its a sloe zone but not a no go zone

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at March 19, 2026 01:28 PM (bXbFr)

426 415 This was a war of our choosing. We could have waited until we had a better plan in place. Obviously we were under prepared for Iran's entirely predictable actions in the strait.
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:09 PM (pn+sm)

We’ve had plans in place for about 50 years.

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:28 PM (kBisb)

427 416 "I was assured last June that we had obliterated Iran's nuclear program with Operation Midnight Hammer.

How did they get nukes back so fast? Or was Trump bullshitting me about the success of that operation?"

....

So yeah, we crippled PART of their nuclear bomb system,.
Posted by: Harun
_______

That was not what Trump and Israel said last year. Israel said they were set back several years.
Are you willing to agree that they were bullshitting you?

https://is.gd/H705DT

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:29 PM (pn+sm)

428 I don't think we need to regime change necessarily.

Operation Praying Mantis didn't regime change.

Just killing a ton of their people makes the next bunch maybe a little less eager to plot shit.

Proxy bullshit is less effective etc,.
Posted by: Harun at March 19, 2026 01:23 PM (IuIym)

Praying Mantis wasn’t about regime change.

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:30 PM (kBisb)

429 Trump's behavior is very different.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 19, 2026 01:15 PM (u82oZ)

He doesn't like Trump, said he could never win, and wants you to know HE WAS RIGHT

Posted by: ... at March 19, 2026 01:30 PM (dcz8F)

430 427 416 "I was assured last June that we had obliterated Iran's nuclear program with Operation Midnight Hammer.

How did they get nukes back so fast? Or was Trump bullshitting me about the success of that operation?"

....

So yeah, we crippled PART of their nuclear bomb system,.
Posted by: Harun
_______

That was not what Trump and Israel said last year. Israel said they were set back several years.
Are you willing to agree that they were bullshitting you?

https://is.gd/H705DT
Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:29 PM (pn+sm)

The march of the Isolationists and Code Pinkers…

Posted by: Cow Demon at March 19, 2026 01:30 PM (kBisb)

431 So Baghdad Bob, Joe Isuzu, and Masturbatin' Pete walk into a bar . . .

Posted by: Count de Monet at March 19, 2026 01:31 PM (wVcYX)

432 >>eems like the kind of thing that Trump would have mentioned early on it or was inevitable. Instead he was declaring victory on Day 4.

Seems like anyone with an IQ above 5 who has been watching Iran threaten to close the Strait and actually doing it over the years knew that this was likely to happen.

I realize DeSantis getting smoke and TDS has warped your ability to reason but you never once come up with another solution for what the DNI and head of CIA was indeed an imminent threat from Iran. All you do is make up reasons why Trump is a doo doo head for not forcing the military planners who have been war gaming action against Iran for 50 years to come up with a magical plan that would decapitate the mullahs and all of their supporters instantly while not harming Iranian citizens or the countries infrastructure so it wasn't a smoking ruin for the people to fix after the war is over.

We get it. You hate Trump.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 19, 2026 01:31 PM (viF8m)

433 The planning on this has been incredible, so I'm going to go with them. I wargamed going against SS-300s and the threat rings were super serious, and yet not a single combat loss in our aircraft. Not one.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at March 19, 2026 12:50 PM (ZOv7s)

No longer accurate.

F-35 brought down by Iranian fire. Pilot made an emergency landing and is stable.

Posted by: Gotterdammerung at March 19, 2026 01:31 PM (G1ktt)

434 419 The Strait of Hormuz is a no-go zone and it's going to cripple the global economy. That was not remotely planned for.

___
That is just a straight-up fucking lie.

Who the fuck do you think you are???
Posted by: Denny Crane - I'm Denny Crane
______

It's Schrodinger's Strait: "It's open because Trump is brilliant and makes no mistakes, but also it's closed because Europe won't help, haha fuck those Eurotrash."

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:32 PM (pn+sm)

435 I thought Hormuz made chili and Spam.

Posted by: wth at March 19, 2026 01:32 PM (UjdFS)

436 I think regime change is necessary, whenever you have a crazy islamic end of the world seeking leadership it has to go.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 19, 2026 01:33 PM (n5tGW)

437 Hormuz has been a "problem" since the days of the "tanker war" between Iran and Iraq.

Ever since the radical mullahs took over they've used that bottleneck to their advantage. I believe it was anticipated the Iranians would fuck with it. It's one reason we sunk almost every ship in their navy early in the war.

It's also, still, a highly contested space. Probably why the LHA Tripoli and the embarked aircraft, helicopters and Marines are heading to the area.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 19, 2026 01:33 PM (AkEZC)

438 Seemsl like anoxia is setting in

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at March 19, 2026 01:33 PM (bXbFr)

439 WTF am I reading here this morning?

Jesus wept.

Good thing Bastogne didn't happen yesterday. The candy-asses in the US would have surrendered already.

In war, the fuckin enemy gets to shoot back until they can't shoot back anymore.
It takes longer than a mission on Call of Duty to win a fuckin war, especially when a bunch of limp-wristed cocksuckers give the enemy four fuckin decades to get ready.

Posted by: sifty boones at March 19, 2026 01:34 PM (SQ0l5)

440 It's a good think MP wasn't in charge of D-Day.
Posted by: Archimedes at March 19, 2026 01:22 PM (Riz8t)
=========

I was being sarcastic, chief.

As for D-Day, I would have said "Go", too.

Posted by: mrp at March 19, 2026 01:35 PM (rj6Yv)

441 432 ...the DNI and head of CIA was indeed an imminent threat from Iran. All you do is make up reasons why Trump is a doo doo head for not forcing the military planners who have been war gaming action against Iran for 50 years to come up with a magical plan that would decapitate the mullahs and all of their supporters instantly while not harming Iranian citizens or the countries infrastructure so it wasn't a smoking ruin for the people to fix after the war is over.

We get it. You hate Trump.
Posted by: JackStraw
______

There was no imminent threat. If there was, then Israel and Trump lied to us last year when they said that Iran's nuclear program had been set back years by it bombing. So which is it?

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:36 PM (pn+sm)

442 Sick to my ass of people who want to read the Cliff's Notes of the reaction video to the review of the Youtube video about an article about the war and proclaim it lost.

I hope these candyasses declaring defeat never encounter pantyhose on their dates because then the fuckers will never get laid.

Posted by: sifty boones at March 19, 2026 01:37 PM (SQ0l5)

443 I remember when tariffs were going to destroy the economy and we were all going to be real sad then too. It's funny how these Krugmanesque doomsday scenarios never materialize.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at March 19, 2026 01:38 PM (1M0ma)

444 437
It's also, still, a highly contested space. Probably why the LHA Tripoli and the embarked aircraft, helicopters and Marines are heading to the area.
Posted by: Martini Farmer
_______

"Heading to the area"???
Bro we chose this war. We attacked when we wanted. If we took the threat of attacks in the strait seriously we would have been there already.

Why can't anyone admit that this is a fuckup? Why are you all so committed to accepting that Trump is fallible?

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:38 PM (pn+sm)

445 I believe that Japan will send some of their navy. Japan is reliant on Arab oil, the new PM is conservative, it would be a useful training, and ingratiates them to Gulf states. It would be a very smart, far-sighted move.
My son was in the Navy and while stationed in Sasebo, Japan he participated in joint exercises with our Asian allies. He was extremely impressed with the professionalism of his Japanese officer counterparts.
But exercises are fake and I think Japan realizes that their navy needs real world experience. They know they are being challenged by China. There are many strategic reasons to support a mission to open the Strait of America, or Hormuz as some call it.

Posted by: kraki at March 19, 2026 01:41 PM (cG6Xc)

446 430

The march of the Isolationists and Code Pinkers…
Posted by: Cow Demon
_____

No substantive argument, just name calling. But I do wear the isolationist label with pride. We should have been isolationists after 9/11. We should have closed the borders and focused on ourselves.

You know I'm right.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:41 PM (pn+sm)

447 There was no imminent threat. If there was, then Israel and Trump lied to us last year when they said that Iran's nuclear program had been set back years by it bombing. So which is it?

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:36 PM (pn+sm)

Yes or no: Iran possessed capabilities to threaten and damage the United States using non-nuclear means.

Posted by: Gotterdammerung at March 19, 2026 01:42 PM (G1ktt)

448 Yes or no: Iran possessed capabilities to threaten and damage the United States using non-nuclear means.
Posted by: Gotterdammerung
_____

I can name 200 countries that can do that. Maybe we should start wars with them, too.

Posted by: Masturbatin' Pete at March 19, 2026 01:46 PM (pn+sm)

449 I don't reply to trolls. Even quoting them is repugnant.

That being said, the same people who complain about "why now" are usually the same kind of people who whine why the Western powers didn't hammer Germany when Mustache Man seized the Rhineland in 1936. Doing nothing when provoked can be as determinant as doing something.

Posted by: mrp at March 19, 2026 01:47 PM (rj6Yv)

450 No longer accurate.

F-35 brought down by Iranian fire. Pilot made an emergency landing and is stable.
Posted by: Gotterdammerung at March 19, 2026 01:31 PM

Link? Asking for a friend.

Posted by: toby928(c) at March 19, 2026 01:49 PM (4NO2D)

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