@hhlurker other than Japan in 1945, I am not sure any country has been bombed into submission. We bombed the hell out of Germany, those pictures from Berlin 1945 show virtually no buildings left.
Again, maybe we can make Iran give, maybe their goals don't require waiting us out. I am not predicting gloom and doom. Iran might agree to what we will accept. My point is they might not. Winning by airpower alone doesn't have a rich history of success.
I hope we can reach a deal, but Iran seems to have a very big belief that they need a nuclear program and feel they have a right to a program. Is that a hill they are willing to die on? I don't know. What worries me is that I am not sure Trump and Hegseth know. Their comments indicate they had a belief we could shock and awe them to an easy win. And maybe they have good Intel that is true.
Gas hit $4.99 today, everywhere in town.
The somber mood at my workplace and at all our customers' was palpable. No one ranting and raving, but the fear of what might come next was in the air. It was very similar to the feeling when word of Covid was first arriving in January 2020, before anyone knew what was to come.
OTOH, my puny little portfolio is higher than it's ever been.
China can support Iran for a year or more. Iran enjoys taunting Trump.
Trump might decide his legacy depends on de-nuking Iran. He’s really got nothing to lose politically. Lame duck Prez.
Definitely looks like a stand-off.
@unclemark I was joking with my kid as we were driving this evening... I've seen a lot of 4.99 around but nobody is ready to put that 5 handle up.... Yet
Come to Chicago. We have a lot of $5 87 Octane gas. Have for a few weeks now in certain areas.@unclemark I was joking with my kid as we were driving this evening... I've seen a lot of 4.99 around but nobody is ready to put that 5 handle up.... Yet
@bradstevens I don't think I've ever seen a 5 handle in Indy. Early 2008 it got close. Apparently Indiana has the highest weekly price jump in the nation.
@bradstevens I don't think I've ever seen a 5 handle in Indy. Early 2008 it got close. Apparently Indiana has the highest weekly price jump in the nation.
It got over 5 in 2022.
@bradstevens I don't think I've ever seen a 5 handle in Indy. Early 2008 it got close. Apparently Indiana has the highest weekly price jump in the nation.
And Bloomington is always the highest in Indiana. Prices in Bedford yesterday were around $4.69 as opposed to the $4.99 that was nearly universal here.
Some for today, if interested:
Hegseth claims Iran ceasefire means War Powers stop
A little more on that. Ceasefire ‘stops’ War Powers clock on Iran, Hegseth claims
Soccer must go on! Trump says Iran can play at World Cup in US after FIFA confirmation | World Cup 2026 News | Al Jazeera
US military commanders to brief Trump on military options against Iran
Iran war's true cost closer to $50 billion, not $25 billion, U.S. officials say - CBS News
Iran war reveals vulnerabilities of US Middle East bases | Stars and Stripes
Iran Is Grasping for a Solution to an American Naval Blockade It Can’t Break - WSJ
So, according to Trump, we've "already won" the war. Won. Past tense. Over.
But he's not satisfied with Iran's latest proposal to end the war.
If this guy was the leader of some other country we didn't care much about, this nonsense would be comical. But he's OUR buffoon.
How far we have fallen.
Poll: 61% of US adults said it was a mistake for the U.S. to use military force against Iran in a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Friday.
Americans remain deeply skeptical of war in Iran, poll shows - POLITICO