I Guess Is Not An Answer

Anna Moneymaker / Getty 

When I was a young whippersnapper protesting the Vietnam War, I went head-to-head with my dad about it. We disagreed on almost everything except that people die in war and that regardless, our troops deserve our respect. Over the years, I have watched many interactions between a sitting president and the military. I have watched many dignified transfers on television. I even saw one taking place at JFK from my window seat on the plane at the next gate. What struck me was when the captain came on the speaker to direct our attention to the event, everyone who could, stood up and all conversation stopped. We watched, some with salutes, me with my hand over my heart, as the casket came down the conveyor and the waiting soldiers stepped in to carry the flag draped casket to a van. As the van pulled away, the soldiers walked in formation behind it. When we were seated, the woman beside me leaned over and quietly explained that it was probably a combat death (this was during the first Iraq War) and was a transfer to another flight. I asked her how she knew. She just shook her head and said, "Former military." 

What struck me about the actions on the tarmac was how everything around the area stopped and all eyes were on the casket. The silence in my own plane was punctuated with sighs and even a few sobs. The woman beside me wiped her own eyes. And I felt my breath come short in those moments as the casket was slid into the van. 

War is not a joke. Attending to a fallen soldier, especially by the President of the United States is a solemn duty, one to be handled with the utmost gravitas and respect. It does not include wearing a piece of political regalia. It's not a video game despite what the Gold-Plated House wants you to believe. Watch to the end and see the signature. THIS is what our government thinks of war. It is nothing more than a video game. 

In a TIME magazine interview, Eric Cortellessa spoke to President Clueless about the war against Iran:

Asked whether Americans should be worried about retaliatory attacks at home, Trump acknowledges the possibility. “I guess,” he says. “But I think they’re worried about that all the time. We think about it all the time. We plan for it. But yeah, you know, we expect some things. Like I said, some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die."

For a guy who is so hot for the Nobel Peace Prize and ran on a platform of being the president of peace, he has a strange idea of what constitutes peace. He has a history of attacks without planning for an aftermath. He currently has his eyes on Cuba as the next target. But nowhere, in any of this, do we ever hear about what comes next. He is delusional if he thinks the Iranian people are going to get together to sing Kumbaya while forming a new, democratic government. The country is splintered and the regime is not going to go pack up their tents and steal into the night....unless it is to form a new government in exile in some country that willingly takes their cash....just like in Paris after the Shah was deposed. The mess left in Afghanistan will look like a veritable picnic compared to what will happen in Iran. Just look at Gaza; Hamas never laid down their arms and they are re-arming as we speak. You think it's gonna be any different in Iran?

Meanwhile, back at the oasis.....

If you follow the money (like I keep saying) the path isn't always clear. My favorite underplayed scenario is that China, who currently gets about 90% of its oil from Iran, even though Iran masks its oil as Malaysian,  now has to find a new supplier. Russia provides much less than a lotta people think: less than 20%. After Russia, our good friends the Saudis provide about 14%. Currently, the Straits of Hormuz are blocked at the moment, which means not even Saudi oil can get through. President Felon is urging tankers to run the gauntlet, going so far as to say:

We're really helping China here and other countries because they get a lot of their energy from the Straits, We have a good relationship with China. It's my honor to do it.

Sure, we do. They just love his tariffs. 

But the Saudis do love President Felon. They love him so much they are paying him, via the family, billions. From the New York Times last November:

The Trump Organization is in talks that could bring a Trump-branded property to one of Saudi Arabia’s largest government-owned real estate developments, according to the chief executive of the Saudi company leading the development.

The negotiations are the latest example of President Trump blending governance and family business, particularly in Persian Gulf countries. Since returning to office, the president’s family and businesses have announced new ventures abroad involving billions of dollars, made hundreds of millions from cryptocurrency, and sold tickets to a private dinner hosted by Mr. Trump.

Mr. Trump is set to host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, in Washington next week.

The prince is overseeing a $63 billion project that is set to transform the historic Saudi town of Diriyah into a luxury destination with hotels, retail shops and office space. The Trump business has a history of lending its name to mixed-use projects touting “iconic luxury.”

 And you think the Saudis are doing this out of the goodness of their royal hearts? What do you think would benefit the Saudis in the long term? How about the oil business formerly known as NICO: National Iranian Oil Company who, because of the sanctions against Iran, have to utilize a "shadow fleet" ...which is where Malaysia happily comes in to provide shelter for illicit ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil so it can move though normal shipping lanes? 

That is one big, giant money-producing nut for Saudi Arabia, and do not think for one New York minute that generous cuts are not being handed out. Right now, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (aka MBS) is rushing around the globe to shore up new, international alliances to support the destruction of Iran. He's talking to anyone who will listen. Now, given the history of this dynasty, nothing is free or without strings. 

Use your imagination; it's not exactly a stretch. And if that doesn't work, have I got a bridge in Brooklyn for you!

And in other news, I attended a political fundraiser for Bree Fram. A rocket scientist (yeah, really) she was a colonel in the Space force..yep...you read that right.,, until retired (forcibly) by President Felon. Now, she wants to take the fight for democracy to Congress. Originally from Mendota Heights, her mom is a friend, she is running in the Virginia 11th, and I could not be more proud and excited to contribute to this race. 

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

Bree Fram 

 is an important candidate in an important race

for the heart and soul of American democracy.

Read her story and join me in supporting Bree!