The Trump Card...

[ATeam]

Why the Straight of Horumz is Likely to be Closed for a Long Time

Why is the straight likely to be closed for a long time? I a word, mines.

Trump hailed the recent destruction of a dozen or so Iranian mine laying boats. Those boats did not just show up to begin work., They were busy earlier. The straight is already mined to a degree and additional mine laying is likely. Iran is said to have thousands of mines in its arsenal. They can be laid by any small boat, and Iran has a bunch of small, fast, combat boats. They are trailerable, can be hidden on land, and operated at night.

Iran is well equipped to close the straight and keep it closed because they have been planning this for years. For decades, they have been watching the US Navy operate nearby. They know the US equipment and tactics. They know how to fight an asymmetrical war. With mines now planted (some of which rest on the sea floor until remotely triggered to rise to the surface), it will take weeks to clear the straight, not days, and maybe longer if Iran can continue its clandestine mine laying.

The sea bottom is one level from which an attack can be launched. The surface is another, using unmanned sea drones. The sky is another, using drones and missiles with the easy, close range the narrow straight provides.

The US recently announced it has now struck over 6,000 targets. The Israel count tops 3,400. It's safe to presume that with the accuracy of modern weapons, all of these targets have been damaged or destroyed.

Yet the Iranian will to fight remains and they continue to attack. They have laid mines and it appears they can continue to do so. Yesterday they struck

• Four boats (2 bulk carriers, 1 fuel tanker, 1 container ship)
• A UAE military base
• Israeli cities
• US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait
• The Dubai airport
• A Saudi oil field
• And forced defenders to expend dozens of interceptor missiles, thereby increasing the drain of those assets.

What's the solution? Attack,9,400 more targets (assuming you can find the boats and mines to attack)? Bomb civilian targets to cut off power and water in hopes the Iranian people will somehow follow Trumps call to rise up?

That's the pickle Trump has gotten himself into. There is no clear end to this war, and no clear way out.

Congratulations, Mr. Trump. The forever war you promised to keep America out of is the war YOU started and will forever own.

 

[Ragman]

Why the Straight of Horumz is Likely to be Closed for a Long Time

Congratulations, Mr. Trump. The forever war you promised to keep America out of is the war YOU started and will forever own.

1. The plump one will have a concept of how to clear the mines in two weeks.

 

[ATeam]

1. The plump one will have a concept of how to clear the mines in two weeks.

Forming a concept implies a functioning brain. Are you sure you want to do that? Trump is displaying a profound detachment from the operational realities of the Middle East.

Example: Trump said yesterday, "Any ⁠time I want [the war] to end, it will end,"

Examples: Yesterday and today, Trump has explicitly and repeatedly claimed that the U.S. has already "won" the war

 

[ATeam]

Fuel Surcharge Question

With diesel prices increasing, I'm seeing news stories about independent owner/operators parking their trucks instead of operating at a loss. When my wife and I were in the business and fuel prices skyrocketed, relief was provided because fuel surcharges were paid by the shippers and passed through to us. We actually liked high fuel prices because our truck was built for fuel economy and we drove with a light foot. The fuel surcharge was a profit center for us because it paid more than what we actually spent on fuel.

I presume the owner/operators who are parking their trucks are not running for carriers that pay fuel surcharges, or are not skilled enough to negotiate their own when they book loads. Is that correct, or has the fuel surcharge regime changed from what it used to be?

 

[ATeam]

Trump is Losing Control, and he Never Had it to Begin With

The biggest release in history of oil from emergency stockpiles was recently announced. Oil prices continued to rise.

In another unsuccessful effort to move fuel prices down, and in a panic move, Trump lifted sanctions on the sale of Russian oil ... sanctions he himself imposed. Oil prices continued to rise.

Trump has repeatedly said "we won." The Straight of Hormuz remains closed to ships that have not been granted safe passage by Iran, Iran continues to attack, the new Supreme Leader was selected without Trump's input, and the Iranian people have not risen up to overthrow their government as Trump urged them to do.

Trump claims Iran is secretly looking for a deal but Iran denies that, continues its attacks, and says it is prepared for a long confrontation.

Trump has lost the support of the American people. Recent Quinnipiac and Reuters polls show the President's overall approval rating has dipped to 39%, and only 25% of the general American public approves of the war Trump illegally started.

Why do I say Trump never had control to begin with? Because his judgment and perceptions are seriously flawed and he acted unilaterally.

He did not build a case for the war in advance to gain war support from the American people, Congress, and our allies. The imaginary quick and clean outcome that resided in his impaired mind was groundless to begin with. But he pulled the trigger anyway and now we're all in a mess that could develop into World War III.

Nations worldwide are realigning around new realities, and most of them are leaving America out of their arrangements as much as they possibly can. Thanks to Donald Trump, America First has become America Worst in international eyes, and our nation will greatly suffer as a result.

 

[Ragman]

Trump is Losing Control, and he Never Had it to Begin With
......
Nations worldwide are realigning around new realities, and most of them are leaving America out of their arrangements as much as they possibly can. Thanks to Donald Trump, America First has become America Worst in international eyes, and our nation will greatly suffer as a result.

Of course Mushroom Minded Maga morons will continue to blame Obama and Biden.

 

[Ragman]

Fuel Surcharge ...... has the fuel surcharge regime changed from what it used to be?

Sorry Phil, I can't help with that one. I've been out of the game too long and really dont think there are any active owners with knowledge of the subject still using EO.

 

[ATeam]

Of course Mushroom Minded Maga morons will continue to blame Obama and Biden.

There will always be some. Even today, Hitler has a small fanbase. But the good news is the Trump cult is fracturing as the false hopes fade under the harsh light of reality. One hundred years from now there will likely be a small group of Trump fans. But 100 years from now, historians will still wonder how the American people came to be so misled and so duped as to put this evil, deranged, warmonger in office.

 

[ATeam]

Another Example of Trump's Imaginary World

"Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The problem is few if any countries have said they will send war ships to keep the Straight of Hormuz open and safe. Trump literally sits alone, dreams this stuff up, and posts it on Truth Social as if that is enough to make his dream come true.

What kind of people think like this? People who are literally insane. People whose perception of reality is so skewed that their words and deeds produce outcomes far different than they expect.

 

[ATeam]

Trump: "... we may hit [Kharg Island] a few more times just for fun.”

This is yet another example of how detached from reality Trump has become.

He's using our US military power and putting our war fighters in harms way, "just for fun." He is killing people on the ground, threatening oil facilities, prompting the retaliatory strikes on other oil facilities, and taking actions that will keep the Straight of Hormuz closed longer ... "just for fun" He is taking actions to slow or reverse the oil price rise and then acts in the opposite direction "just for fun."

I guess it falls on each of us to pay higher prices at the gas pump, just for fun.

I guess it falls on the families of our fallen soldiers to bury their loved ones just for fun.

This madman warmonger needs to be impeached now, before he decides that a nuclear strike will be fun too.

His "just for fun" comment was made in a recent interview with NBC News (source)

 

[ATeam]

Why is Trump Seeking Military Support from China?

On Saturday, Trump posted this on Truth Social:

"Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe. ... Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated."

Why is Trump hoping China -- a nation he has long lambasted as a US rival if not an enemy -- will send warships to help open the Straight of Hormuz?

Two reasons: (1) he is literally delusional, and (2) he is desperate.

Most of the nations he mentioned have responded with a firm or diplomatic "no." None have sent ships. Regarding this, it seems Trump is ship out of luck.

 

[ATeam]

The Eternal Two to Three Weeks

Two weeks ago, the White House said the war would be over in two to three weeks. A week ago, they said the same thing. Today, they said the same thing.

Two to three weeks that never arrive is not two to three weeks.

 

[ATeam]

Why Has Trump Not Sued Noel Casler?

This is old news to some. I just learned of this. Noel Casler is a talent coordinator who worked with Trump on The Celebrity Apprentice for six seasons and at various Trump-owned beauty pageants.

Casler made news by announcing that Trump is an Adderall user, and that Trump frequently wore adult diapers due to incontinence. Casler has described several incidents where Trump soiled himself in public. Casler either originated the nickname "Diaper Don" or was present when it came into use.

Like many Trump employees, Casler has signed a non-disclosure agreement but he openly violates it, even waving it in public to taunt Trump. The White House says Casler is a disgruntled employee making unsubstantiated claims.

Trump sues people and organizations at the drop of a hat, and he has sued for defamation several times.

If unsubstantiated, claims of stimulant use, diaper use, and soiling one's self in public are certainly reputationally damaging to Trump, and provide grounds for a massive lawsuit ... especially when a legally binding non-disclosure document has been signed. Yet Trump has not sued Casler for defamation.

Why not? Why does Casler get a free pass from Trump when he sues other people for statements that are less damaging than those Casler makes?

My guess is it's because the claims are true, Casler can prove it, and Trump does not want that proof entered into the public record.

 

[Ragman]

Why Has Trump Not Sued Noel Casler?

So basically, the claim is Trump is full of shlt.

 

[ATeam]

So basically, the claim is Trump is full of shlt.

Actually, the claim is he is NOT full of it. He lets it go unintended.

 

[Ragman]

Actually, the claim is he is NOT full of it. He lets it go with abandon.

 

[ATeam]

Actually, the claim is he is NOT full of it. He lets it go unintended.

I want to take a step back from this path. While it's easy to laugh about such things, I'm mindful that Trump is a genuine idol for a lot of folks who we interact with every day. It matters deeply to them that Trump succeed in every way and look good in all circumstances. For reasons you and I do not fully understand, Ragman, a large portion of MAGA adherents not only support Trump but identify with him.

When Trump looks good, they feel good. When he looks bad, they deny it and invent stories that make him look good. Mocking Trump in any way produces no good outcome that I know of. I'm sorry I went down that path.

When Trump goes down due to natural cause death, stroke, impeachment, Article 25 removal, mental snap that prompts him to retreat forever from public life, criminal conviction, or other such thing. for a good number of people it will be not the demise of a public figure, but a personal loss and/or a threat to the world view on which they relied for years.

Living in a deep-red county, I'm preparing myself for this aftershock and I hope I can proceed in a kind and compassionate way.

 

[Ragman]

I want to take a step back from this path. While it's easy to laugh about such things, I'm mindful that Trump is a genuine idol for a lot of folks who we interact with every day. It matters deeply to them that Trump succeed in every way and look good in all circumstances. For reasons you and I do not fully understand, Ragman, a large portion of MAGA adherents not only support Trump but identify with him.

When Trump looks good, they feel good. When he looks bad, they deny it and invent stories that make him look good. Mocking Trump in any way produces no good outcome that I know of. I'm sorry I went down that path.

When Trump goes down due to natural cause death, stroke, impeachment, Article 25 removal, mental snap that prompts him to retreat forever from public life, criminal conviction, or other such thing. for a good number of people it will be not the demise of a public figure, but a personal loss and/or a threat to the world view on which they relied for years.

Living in a deep-red county, I'm preparing myself for this aftershock and I hope I can proceed in a kind and compassionate way.

While I understand you're thoughts, I can not follow suit.
The damage Trump has done and continues to do to the standings and reputation to our fine land is unconsciousable and unforgivable.

 

[ATeam]

While I understand you're thoughts, I can not follow suit.
The damage Trump has done and continues to do to the standings and reputation to our fine land is unconsciousable and unforgivable.

I agree about Trump. That man belongs in prison. His deeds are unforgivable. I'm not talking about forgiving or having compassion for Trump. I'm talking about empathy for his many supporters, the majority of whom I believe fell under Trump's spell and will come to understand that after the witch is dead.

 

[ATeam]

Will Cuba Be Our 51st State?

During a White House news conference yesterday, Trump said, "I do believe I will be having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form." When questioned about this, he added, "Whether I free it, take it—I think I can do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth. They're a very weakened nation right now."

Taking Cuba, with all its problems does not sound very "America First" to me. People who monitor Trumps declining brain notice the disinhibiton Trump here demonstrates. Raw, self-centered imperialism. No concern whatsoever expressed for the good of America. Pure focus on his ability to exercise power because that is gratifying to him personally.