I have the feeling that this "war" was always about seizing oil from Iran, seeing them as an easy target, similar to Venezuela. Trump is all about money, and therefore real estate. Why else would he send two real estate experts rather than professional diplomats to negotiate with Iran?
At any rate, neither side is trustworthy in the least, so I wouldn't count on any agreement of any kind being binding
Well, it would be convenient for that objective, of course. But no matter how you look at it, it's a horrendously expensive venture and Americans generally didn't like the idea to start with and I'm pretty sure they view it as a lot more dismal now. That, and the economy that's sucking the life out of everybody
The reason I think it was more about greed than diversion from Epstein is he had managed to avoid, and still is, the release of all the Epstein files. I don't see any progress in that direction up to this day, and I don't foresee any in the future
A lot more people would be alive if certain morons would keep their flies zipped. Imagine starting a deadly war to distract from your gross disgustingness
This war was and is the Epstein Diversion War. Every bad thing that has happened because of it was a by-product of that and completely unthought of by the Shitler Administration.
But how is the attack on Iran logical from the Epstein standpoint? He's managed to keep anything of real import regarding the Epstein files from being released. He's had it under control so far
Somewhere in his addled excuse of a brain there is still the image of the Nobel Peace Prize. Netanyahu whispered rubbish in his ear that it would be easy to achieve regime change and a civilian uprising to create a new government that would be pro Western….
Bibi'd been looking for a sucker for years. He finally found one clueless enough to buy into his con. Normally it's nice to watch a grifter get grifted, but in this case.... -growl-
I wanted to write both of my senators tonight but I’m so exhausted from the week’s reporting and developments that I just can’t. I’m not throwing in the towel, but GD how much more of this shit can we take. I say not much.
I know. I had been emailing my congress critters almost daily and often more than once a day but in the last week or two I have backed off. There will be no changing PA senators, Fetterman or McCormick.
Let’s cut to the chase. The Trump war which was designed to divert attention from the Epstein files is going to go well past July 9 unless we surrender. The economy is going to go straight into the toilet when gas goes to the $8.50 a gallon and diesel goes over $10 a gallon.
I don't know. Gas is already close to $8 a gallon here in the fourth largest economy in the world, and I for one am ready to toss the other 49 states off a cliff. Fortunately, we have solar and drive EVs. And for the next five or six months the state will run 12 hours a day on solar and battery storage alone. We thank Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown for this.
Why do you want to toss the other 49 states off a cliff? Your state has all the tech bros except for the ones in Texas. We lost 4000 federal jobs in our 6 million population of Maryland and we're not condemning anyone else except the creepy people in the Trump orbit and the GOP cowards. That's exceedingly unkind to the rest of us who are fighting not to have detention camps and boosting our Democratic senators like Van Hollen in and our governor Mr Moore.
Support your local elections and pay attention to those like your upcoming primary. Too many people focus on Trump and the presidency and forget that in November it's going to be who takes back the Congress and stands up to this 'Show' of utter foolishness in the people surrounding Trump.
My first thought when all the cuts started when Musk went crazy was the folks living in Maryland and Northern Virginia!!! I grew up in those burbs over the years...
You'll remember how well thst worked for South Carolina! The first traitor state! BTW the rest of the states came to help with the forest and city fires even from our small but feisty state!
Ellen, I understand you're thinking regarding the lack of widespread use of renewable sources in the rest of the states! California has long been a leader in that area. And one of the reasons it has been is because people like you have had the foresight to adopt renewable strategies. You are a leader, young lady! Keep up the good work!
“Except it has leaked out that Witkoff and Kushner proposed that part of the “rebuilding” of Iran will involve real estate deals in Tehran they will participate in.”
I gotta tell you that I look forward to the evening recap by Lucian Truscott...it's a rollicking take on the crap the white house orange muppet and his cronies are up to. He words the stories so I don't have to scream obscenities at the TV or my laptop. Thanks for the work you put in.
I would count on Trump squeezing at least one or two more market manipulations out of the war before he turns tail and runs off with his war profits. As for a Trump hotel in Tehran, ha ha ha. The Iranians are not a forgive and forget culture. The murder of thousands of innocent civilians will breed a whole new generation of Jihadists. You can be sure that Trump's reckless incompetence will fuel decades of future repercussions.
Imagine [insert here great chef you admire] preparing KFC chicken, to that company's specifications, day after day. That's Lucian having to write about this vile ship of fools. Thanks, Lucian, for saving the nice part for the last. Its name is off the Kennedy Center. But wait! Those physical letters were paid for with taxpayer money. Put them to use on another government building in D.C., run by the National Park Service. You can find it here: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/restroom-reflecting-pool-south.htm. Right. a public toilet. Let everyone using the facility feel at least one dribble of gratitude plopped on the re[utation of the person whose name would be on it.
Without a video of the full 2-hour meeting, I won't believe Trumps stayed awake for 2 hours. The Secuirty Team probably played poker during the naps.
Nothing is going to be resolved until Iran sends Israel back to the stone age. Israel is determined to obliterate Iran and Lebanon and has no reason to honor a cease-fire.
In the meantime, the whole world is likely facing a recession. The question is how deep and how long.
Here is my take. He has his ==== in a wringer and cannot find a way out that is not a HOOOGE loser for him. He is now paralyzed getween one of two deals either one of which is going to make him look even more impotent and powerless than what he is now.. He, and I am betting even the most head up ass of his advisors know there is no way Iran is giving up its nuclear material or missiles. So, check off two of the things Trump said HE was going to make happen . NO MATTER WHAT. On top of that there will be no regime change. The Ayatollah and IRG are going to be in charge of the NEW not so improved Iran just as they were before.
But, as they say on the late night infomercials........THERE IS MORE1 Now Iran has discovered they are THE most important nation in the Middle East, more important than Saudi Arabia because they control the keys to the gas station for 20% of the world's gas and oil including, drum roll , a lot of what the Saudis pump. So, here is a new word for Mr. Trump to get used to. REPARATIONS. Someone is going to have to pay for the trillions in damage Pete Hegseth and Raising Caine did to Iran. The only question is WHO? First, you are going to see the hundreds of millions in Iranian assets we have frozen unfrozed. But that won't be enough so Iran will ask for direct payments from us to compensate for our and Bibi's aggression on them. And, when we say no way Iran will simply say OK we are going to , along with our partners the Omanis , take a toll on every ship leaving the Gulf for time immemorial a toll in lieu of your payment. That way they will rub our noses in it and when other nations say "Hey, we weren't part of that" they will simply say, take it up with your partner the United States of America.
Trump because he is an ignorant and vain man has just turned Iran into one of the most powerful nations on Earth. And, he still is acting as if he has options. He does not. The "agreement " now being discussed is an extension to discuss the fifteen or so sticking points where the two sides are light years apart. Anyone making odd we get any of them reslolved to our satisfaction before the clock runs out?
He will continue to pain lipstick on the pigs but the Donald Trump now sitting isolated in the Oval awaiting the upcoming MMA specacle is a man alone. Alone with his delusions of grandeur, alone in believing he is the most powerful man in the world and, most of all, not in charge of anything much except his Cabinet which as we saw a few days ago are incapable of helping him at all. Hell, that group is incapable of organizing a picnic without forgetting the bug spray.
Who knows? But, in this case blood /religion may not be thicker than oil revenues and the two warring sides of Islam or at least the two nations representing both sides to the greatest degree may simply makie a business decision to agree to disagree on theology and collaborate on economics. Strnger things have happened.
I have the feeling that this "war" was always about seizing oil from Iran, seeing them as an easy target, similar to Venezuela. Trump is all about money, and therefore real estate. Why else would he send two real estate experts rather than professional diplomats to negotiate with Iran?
At any rate, neither side is trustworthy in the least, so I wouldn't count on any agreement of any kind being binding
- Karen Cooper
Karen — I have a feeling that this “war” was always about diverting attention from the Epstein files.
Well, it would be convenient for that objective, of course. But no matter how you look at it, it's a horrendously expensive venture and Americans generally didn't like the idea to start with and I'm pretty sure they view it as a lot more dismal now. That, and the economy that's sucking the life out of everybody
- Karen
That too! Pam Bondi today didn't take any responsibility!
She like Trump blames others.
She learned well!
PB = Pure Bullshit!!
Definitely!
The reason I think it was more about greed than diversion from Epstein is he had managed to avoid, and still is, the release of all the Epstein files. I don't see any progress in that direction up to this day, and I don't foresee any in the future
- Karen
But he hasn’t been able to completely shut down, even by going after every human being, living and dead, who’s ever crossed him.
He’d bury them all on a hole at one of his golf clubs if he could get away with it.
Maybe someone will steal the files, make a million, and put Trump behind bars!
That, too.
A lot more people would be alive if certain morons would keep their flies zipped. Imagine starting a deadly war to distract from your gross disgustingness
I guess we don't have to "imagine" this anymore. It's happening as we watch.
It the result of a number of psychopathic shmoos
RELEASE EPSTEIN FILES, NOW ll
Not mutually exclusive.
True
If that's the case, there must be some pretty damning evidence in those files. Who keeps files like that anyway? And what for?
Why can’t it be both?
Yes, it can.
No doubt in my mind that you are on the nosey!
TRUMPSTEIN DIVERSION...in common usage to describe any Trump move these days...
This war was and is the Epstein Diversion War. Every bad thing that has happened because of it was a by-product of that and completely unthought of by the Shitler Administration.
Planning? How does it work?
"'Planning'? Vas ist das 'planning'??"
I’m sure this will be “…his last territorial demand.”
"Thieves in our time! "
Everything Donald does is a diversion
But how is the attack on Iran logical from the Epstein standpoint? He's managed to keep anything of real import regarding the Epstein files from being released. He's had it under control so far
- Karen
Logical? No. Impulsive diversion.
That's a hell of an expensive and risky way to divert from something that doesn't need to be diverted from
- Karen
Doesn’t need to be diverted from? Huh?
Okay, let me start again ....
Trump succeeded in keeping anything relevant or important in the Epstein files from being released.
Why start a war to divert attention from the Epstein files when there is no need to?
The Justice Department clearly does not intend to release anything else from the files, they SAID SO.
They said that's all folks!
- Karen
Trump wants what he wants - whatever it is. A burger, a takeover, a woman. And what he wanted was people to shut up about Epstein. So - have a war.
Trump and his team are following the "Wag the Dog" script.
You assume...planning!
Could those two greedy, ignorant incompetents even be called real estate "experts?" They are certainly rank amateurs as diplomats!
I agree completely. The Gang of Two is more like it…
Somewhere in his addled excuse of a brain there is still the image of the Nobel Peace Prize. Netanyahu whispered rubbish in his ear that it would be easy to achieve regime change and a civilian uprising to create a new government that would be pro Western….
Yeah, that’s right, Grab ‘Em By the Peace Prize…
Bibi'd been looking for a sucker for years. He finally found one clueless enough to buy into his con. Normally it's nice to watch a grifter get grifted, but in this case.... -growl-
U can count on Iran's current leadership is likely even more anti American.
Can you blame ‘em?
Professional diplomats couldn’t be trusted to “align” with Trump’s financial interests.
I wanted to write both of my senators tonight but I’m so exhausted from the week’s reporting and developments that I just can’t. I’m not throwing in the towel, but GD how much more of this shit can we take. I say not much.
Take the weekend off and take care of yourself. That’s my plan. Sending hugs and support your way.
Vicky, thanks for the good advice and I will.
I'm of much the same opinion. "My" Senators are Lindsey Graham & Tim Scott, so you know how much good *that* would do. -snort-
Ohhh man!! And here I’m bitching! Do take a break!🤯
I’m sick of writing and calling my maggat rep!! He just repeats the orange shitweasel’s liiies!!
Stand firm and stand tall, my friend! I know you're doing a good job for us! Taking a few moments for some TLC is certainly acceptable, paisano!
I know. I had been emailing my congress critters almost daily and often more than once a day but in the last week or two I have backed off. There will be no changing PA senators, Fetterman or McCormick.
More winners!!!
Let’s cut to the chase. The Trump war which was designed to divert attention from the Epstein files is going to go well past July 9 unless we surrender. The economy is going to go straight into the toilet when gas goes to the $8.50 a gallon and diesel goes over $10 a gallon.
Get ready
I don't know. Gas is already close to $8 a gallon here in the fourth largest economy in the world, and I for one am ready to toss the other 49 states off a cliff. Fortunately, we have solar and drive EVs. And for the next five or six months the state will run 12 hours a day on solar and battery storage alone. We thank Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown for this.
Why do you want to toss the other 49 states off a cliff? Your state has all the tech bros except for the ones in Texas. We lost 4000 federal jobs in our 6 million population of Maryland and we're not condemning anyone else except the creepy people in the Trump orbit and the GOP cowards. That's exceedingly unkind to the rest of us who are fighting not to have detention camps and boosting our Democratic senators like Van Hollen in and our governor Mr Moore.
Support your local elections and pay attention to those like your upcoming primary. Too many people focus on Trump and the presidency and forget that in November it's going to be who takes back the Congress and stands up to this 'Show' of utter foolishness in the people surrounding Trump.
Yes and in PA I have started to support PA legislative candidates so hopefully in 2030 we will have Dems in charge to hold back any gerrymandering.
And get out on a protest bridge and tell the kids to join you. Action is the antidote to fear and anger.
No to seceding! We’re here and need our fellow citizens working with us for a better US.
Good question 🤓
My first thought when all the cuts started when Musk went crazy was the folks living in Maryland and Northern Virginia!!! I grew up in those burbs over the years...
Now what we need is to freaking finish bullet trains!! I’m tired of car dependent CA….oh, and let’s secede!
You'll remember how well thst worked for South Carolina! The first traitor state! BTW the rest of the states came to help with the forest and city fires even from our small but feisty state!
Check with XI
lol 😂
Ellen, I understand you're thinking regarding the lack of widespread use of renewable sources in the rest of the states! California has long been a leader in that area. And one of the reasons it has been is because people like you have had the foresight to adopt renewable strategies. You are a leader, young lady! Keep up the good work!
“Except it has leaked out that Witkoff and Kushner proposed that part of the “rebuilding” of Iran will involve real estate deals in Tehran they will participate in.”
Of course. Also Ludnik.
Well, naturally!! 👿🙄👎
Nutlick.
You referring to Howard?
👍
How about a Trump Resort Hormuz?
I am sure it is in the planning stages already!
If any of us are interested investors, I am sure we can get in on it by calling Ludnik INC — or some such — in the Tri-State area.
We aren't surprised by that.
Of course!! It’s no-security-clearance Kushner…
I gotta tell you that I look forward to the evening recap by Lucian Truscott...it's a rollicking take on the crap the white house orange muppet and his cronies are up to. He words the stories so I don't have to scream obscenities at the TV or my laptop. Thanks for the work you put in.
I would count on Trump squeezing at least one or two more market manipulations out of the war before he turns tail and runs off with his war profits. As for a Trump hotel in Tehran, ha ha ha. The Iranians are not a forgive and forget culture. The murder of thousands of innocent civilians will breed a whole new generation of Jihadists. You can be sure that Trump's reckless incompetence will fuel decades of future repercussions.
Any Iranian "moderates" left in Iran had best keep their mouths shut. Easily foreseen result.
Imagine [insert here great chef you admire] preparing KFC chicken, to that company's specifications, day after day. That's Lucian having to write about this vile ship of fools. Thanks, Lucian, for saving the nice part for the last. Its name is off the Kennedy Center. But wait! Those physical letters were paid for with taxpayer money. Put them to use on another government building in D.C., run by the National Park Service. You can find it here: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/restroom-reflecting-pool-south.htm. Right. a public toilet. Let everyone using the facility feel at least one dribble of gratitude plopped on the re[utation of the person whose name would be on it.
An excellent repurposing! I second your idea! What could be better than satisfying trips to Trump outhouses nationwide?
Hey Tracy, somebody needs a foot rub tonight. Not a kitty!
This is all too much for any of us.
Without a video of the full 2-hour meeting, I won't believe Trumps stayed awake for 2 hours. The Secuirty Team probably played poker during the naps.
Nothing is going to be resolved until Iran sends Israel back to the stone age. Israel is determined to obliterate Iran and Lebanon and has no reason to honor a cease-fire.
In the meantime, the whole world is likely facing a recession. The question is how deep and how long.
I’m all in for “The Strait of Just Resting His Eyes”. The sooner the better.
Or the Straight of Cankles.
How about The Strait of Jesus, put all the Christian Nationalists in mass rapture…
I did a birding (birdwatching) tour in Oxaca, Mexico back in the early 2000's.
Our nickname from one area we drove through was "Valley of the Diapers", due to the volume of trash along that stretch of road.
Maybe we can rename the Strait "Strait of Diaper Donnie"?
lol 😝
For me, the best news today was that he has to take his disgusting name off The Kennedy Center and it must remain open.
Trump is, no doubt, the most disgusting politician who ever lived except Mitch McConnell & John Thune.
July 9th is my 86 that's "86" birthday.
"86" has a nice ring to it.
Congratulations! You have a five year lead! I'll try and catch up but I have a suspicion you're going to maintain that lead!
In 75 as a union president a police chief agreed with me to to do away with neckties for uniformed police officers.
Thanks for your comment.
“How does “The Strait of Just Resting His Eyes” sound?”
Very good.
I am sure there is investment money to be made on it.
And I am further sure that Ludnik will know.
Thank you for your amazing work Lucian. If you have not stocked up on essential. Now is a good time to start.
Here is my take. He has his ==== in a wringer and cannot find a way out that is not a HOOOGE loser for him. He is now paralyzed getween one of two deals either one of which is going to make him look even more impotent and powerless than what he is now.. He, and I am betting even the most head up ass of his advisors know there is no way Iran is giving up its nuclear material or missiles. So, check off two of the things Trump said HE was going to make happen . NO MATTER WHAT. On top of that there will be no regime change. The Ayatollah and IRG are going to be in charge of the NEW not so improved Iran just as they were before.
But, as they say on the late night infomercials........THERE IS MORE1 Now Iran has discovered they are THE most important nation in the Middle East, more important than Saudi Arabia because they control the keys to the gas station for 20% of the world's gas and oil including, drum roll , a lot of what the Saudis pump. So, here is a new word for Mr. Trump to get used to. REPARATIONS. Someone is going to have to pay for the trillions in damage Pete Hegseth and Raising Caine did to Iran. The only question is WHO? First, you are going to see the hundreds of millions in Iranian assets we have frozen unfrozed. But that won't be enough so Iran will ask for direct payments from us to compensate for our and Bibi's aggression on them. And, when we say no way Iran will simply say OK we are going to , along with our partners the Omanis , take a toll on every ship leaving the Gulf for time immemorial a toll in lieu of your payment. That way they will rub our noses in it and when other nations say "Hey, we weren't part of that" they will simply say, take it up with your partner the United States of America.
Trump because he is an ignorant and vain man has just turned Iran into one of the most powerful nations on Earth. And, he still is acting as if he has options. He does not. The "agreement " now being discussed is an extension to discuss the fifteen or so sticking points where the two sides are light years apart. Anyone making odd we get any of them reslolved to our satisfaction before the clock runs out?
He will continue to pain lipstick on the pigs but the Donald Trump now sitting isolated in the Oval awaiting the upcoming MMA specacle is a man alone. Alone with his delusions of grandeur, alone in believing he is the most powerful man in the world and, most of all, not in charge of anything much except his Cabinet which as we saw a few days ago are incapable of helping him at all. Hell, that group is incapable of organizing a picnic without forgetting the bug spray.
What happens if the Sunnis and the Shias decide to work out a plan excluding Shiva Donald?
Who knows? But, in this case blood /religion may not be thicker than oil revenues and the two warring sides of Islam or at least the two nations representing both sides to the greatest degree may simply makie a business decision to agree to disagree on theology and collaborate on economics. Strnger things have happened.
Islam is the fastest Global religion.
.Christianityfell 1.8 percent.
Sumer/Elam
Fastest growing