Friends, good news: the U.S. Senate has declined to place limits on the authority of President Trump to use force against Iran. Only one Republican -- Rand Paul -- voted to handcuff DJT, while only one Democrat -- John Fetterman -- voted to maintain the President's freedom of action. Of course, none of these votes matter in practice, because any resolution requiring the President to disengage from hostilities would, we assume, be vetoed by that same president. Still, it's significant that the Senate is willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt, for now, since, according to polls, most Americans are not. I personally take Trump at his word that there will be no extended "war" with Iran, and no U.S. occupation of Iran. Instead, we are doing our best to facilitate a takeover of the country by secular, moderate elements, although whether such elements will emerge remains to be seen.
https://www.ms.now/news/trump-iran-war-powers-senate
President Trump is greatly irritated by Spain's refusal to allow U.S. military forces based in that country to join in hostilities against Iran. He has threatened, in fact, to place an embargo against all U.S. trade with Spain. The Europeans naturally regard any such suggestion with horror, and they say that our trade deal with the EU precludes any such action. Does it? I dunno, but sooner or later I would advise President Trump to use his power to embargo other countries, because it would be a felicitous demonstration of his executive authority, especially in light of the Supreme Court's decision to impose burdensome restrictions on his ability to use tariffs. An embargo, needless to say, is a heck of a lot more serious than a mere tariff, and, as long as President Trump retains the ability to embargo our adversaries, he will enjoy enormous leverage in our trade negotations with friend and foe alike. If all he does is posture and vent, on the other hand, embargoes, or potential embargoes, will frighten no one.
RAY TO DR. WADDY
ReplyDeleteSurprised we still have forces in Spain. Not surprised that those arrogant people won't allow our forces there to join our other forces who are operating against Iran.
RAY TO DR. WADDY
ReplyDeleteDamn! All this unpleasantness going on in Iran could have been resolved peacefully if President Trump had sent Donna Shalala over there in the first place.