Does "violence beget violence"? Or does "nature abhor a vacuum"?
Or perhaps the greater truth is that the struggles of men is cyclic, stretching back in history... or , more accurately into the fog of pre-history. We are far from divine.
I read quotes from the New Testament such as the admonition against swordplay in the Garden of Gethsemani when Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus from the arresting Roman Guard, and then I ponder why there is no context to these cherry-picked words. The specific context that Jesus then chose Peter as "the foundation upon which I will build".
Is it possible that Jesus understood the fallible nature of man better than man? Armed and capable men as protectors of the weak. That there will always be the weak that need protection and that weak men cannot provide that protection.
Surely, those that conspire to positions of power, armed only with lofty words will convince some that they should ascend to the throne, but is it actually a throne or does it become "the cuck chair" when given over to the wrong people?
Carter, Obama, Biden.... were all essentially pacifist. Not so Kennedy, Reagan and now Trump. All would attempt diplomacy but only some would sink into the cuck chair when diplomatic efforts failed. Why? However, the greater question is "why do voters' preferences for leaders vacillate between the two extremes?
This quote provides insight:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
As the Bible counsels: "To everything, there is a season"
Perhaps the alpha dog Trump is only responding to the dangerous vacuum created by previous, far more timid, elected leaders. Perhaps the voters instinctively sensed that the eroded and crumbling foundation of civilization now needed radical repair. That the weak ultimately needing protection from their own weakness should not occupy positions of leadership.
Dear poor deluded Ed: I'll certainly take that bet! Very hard times are coming for 'merica (massive debt compounded by stupid wars and zero positive investment). A forgone conclusion. Will that prove to you what a weak and insecure man Trump really is? Give him 6 months to create a serious depression and national hardship and panic--for all of us, even you.
So, decades of “entitlement payouts” given over to disincentivize entire native born populations, is now to include support for the flotsam and jetsam of rogue foreign nations illegally dumped on our nation as something to be embraced, but any act to defang religious death cults simultaneously bent on the destruction of our same civilized nation is now wrong? Is that it Ed? I just wish progressive suicidal nihilists with “Alligator arms” and an aversion to our laws would stop trying to take the rest of us down with them.
Six months, eh? What should we bet? How about your USA Passport, and no, your handwringing panic doesn't count, it's a given.
BTW; whatever happened to Trump's much ballyhooed tariff inflation?
I follow these things very closely and the only inflation I see is a creeping wage inflation from Biden's cumulative 20% "Inflation Reduction Act". The 9% inflation from 2022 alone with skyrocketing energy costs, as setting a new record.
I love these "Trump avoided the draft" memes. Frankly I can't come up with a better self-administered IQ test that garners a failing grade, than any that would elect Biden, who dodged the draft using "asthma" as his excuse, while charging Trump with the same draft dodging over "bone spurs". This lack of self-awareness is pathetic as well as hilarious,
A classic response from those who have no facts to support their case. Just their unrelenting anger.
The irony is that the more successful Trump is the more hate he will be met with. The haters will never admit to their failure as events unfold right in front of their eyes. Never understand that in their haste to judge the "book by the cover" they never learned a thing of value - for themselves or for anyone else.
Therefore, the intercession in Gaza, then Panama, Caribbean drug runners, Venezuelan Marxist dictators, now Iranian death cult leaders - will just seem like so many disconnected data points. So much "foreign nation belligerence" on the part of Trump.
The pattern of events, the impact on those whose boots (and asses) the TDS haters and the leaders they elected, had licked (with Vlad and Xi now hemmed in and vapor-locked), goes right over their heads.
Cognitive dissonance allows for no other reaction to what is occurring than simply...more hate.. now to also be directed at the more perceptive half of the population.
But the real issue for them is that those of us who do see what is actually going on. See the planning, the genius and the guts on display and cheer on the "man in the ring" as he rolls back the advances of our enemies, are also witness to the angry Drama Club kids' failure to understand - thus, even more hate pours out as they are increasingly made even more irrelevant.
The haters have no other option now as no one assigns them any credibility in serious matters. Would be like trying to teach your dog to play chess.
As the majority of Iranians, presumably shite, celebrate around the world, Billy boy Bonner makes this moronic and ignorant statement “After all, was there a better way to alienate 300 million Shiite muslims, and motivate them to mischief, than martyring their Supreme Leader?”
Better move to Texas and get registered to vote for your comrade Crockett.
Trump on the campaign trail: “We are finally putting America First. Our policy of war regime change and nation-building is being replaced by the pursuit of American interests… It is the job of our military to protect our security, not to be the policemen of the world.“
Really, Stiff --only the ignorant believes whatever this draft dodging, convicted felon says
Can't believe you believe he is a convicted felon. Like that whole bullshit trial wasn't a setup. A $500MM loan, paid back in full, on time, with interest by a bank that said they had no problem with it and would do it again. Yep, Convicted felon. Makes sense. As of today we have seen zero proof of pedophilia, what ever happened to innocent until PROVEN guilty? Not by the MSM, or social media but by a fair trail? Up until today that's all you got. MSM bullshit and biased social media. nothing more. Only the ignorant don't understand this.
You are one stupid prick. Your stupid pedo president has complete screwed this up. Th world effing hates Americans. Bonner is spot on, always has been. Trump bought all that real estate in the mid east at YOUR expense, which the iranians have now blasted into smithereens - inflation will rocket in your daft country and your happy! Trump has made you MAPA - Make America Pedo Again.
I just loves you sophisticated anger. Did you learn that from Allah? Maybe you could find a more Christian way to express you discontent? If not, I will turn the "other cheek" whilst you define me as an apostste, as Bill says a win/win deal.
nope, just want a fair playing field and not made up shit to support a leftist cause. I know that is a lot for you to accept, but it really use to be that way. BB is using his platform to make shit up in support of his cause. Simple as that. Post fact and I will not have a problem with his prose.
It amazes me how stupid the MAGA crowd are on this chat. Even when Trump shafts the american people - they still think the sun shines out of his pedo arse. Go figure?
Please spell America with a capital letter. Ignorance or worse, disconsolate anti-American attitude, shouldn't be worn on one's sleeve. BTW: the only pedo that has been proven to be an Epstein fanboy was Prince Andrew. Bill Clinton according to court testimony and a host of others - with the singular exception of Trump. In fact, had others alerted authorities to Epstein's strange proclivities, as did Trump in 2006, a lot of pedo activity could have been prevented.
But what do Democrats really care about child sexual abuse? If they did, they wouldn't have so passionately accommodated Bidens open border that ultimately lost over 300,000 children to their exploiters.
Furthermore, if Trump was truly implicated with Epstein's on his island, who in their right mind would think that both Obama and Biden would have acted to shield him from any consequences. Only the hate-inspired morons on the Left are incapable of doing this sort of basic analysis.
This article is so ridiculous that it’s difficult to comment. I can’t waste my time on the ‘moron’ writing this. These comments are beyond Brain-dead. If someone keeps screaming that they want to kill you; chances are you should take it seriously.
Abe: But like your colleagues, you just can't bring yourself to leave. Now Steve L. really has guts and unexpected integrity. He is nowhere to be seen today.
I only made it in about three paragraphs before I had to stop. We did not make a new enemy, it is the same one who has been screaming "Death to America" since 1979 and has actually acted upon it numerous times. I am a Christian, and if you read the Bible, it is full of war, death, destruction and justice. Not all pretty, and as in any case, the person that writes it controls the narrative.
Brainless dickhead. Iran was never your enemy. And yes you now have more enemis whilst your pedo president profits from it all. There is much truth in the say as "Stupid as an american"
Now that’s funny. There’s a certain tendency toward sarcasm in these comments so I don’t know how to take this, so could be dangerous. I’ll take the risk of looking like a fool and say thank you, Tom
And too caught up in our upbringing and dogmas such as believing we are better than anyone else simply because we're Americans. Even hyper-critical I can’t deny that our country has done many great things. RkJ, Tom and Angry cause me to reflect back to Chinese people’s reaction to just seeing/touching/meeting us Americans 10-20 years ago. It seemed then like everyone would try to have their kids’ pictures taken with me on the Great Wall or try from a long distance to attract my attention. They have never done that with my Filipino partner who was/is vastly more attractive, intelligent, friendly than I. I was some kind of celebrity/god-like figure for ONE reason: they knew I was/am American. They also knew the history of Americans doing the impossible and even dying to save their families from the Japanese, how we had and knew so much and how we were so “different”and representing something their children could become.
As a result I am no longer the tallest person in the subways (far from it) and they no longer fall over each other to touch me, but they are invariably polite, and regardless of the degree of idiocy or ignorance they read or hear from us, they never argue or even become rude. And I wager that they are dismayed more than happy or proud that our soldiers can’t march “correctly” or that the USA is no longer the undisputed credible leader of the world. Most people reading this probably see it as deluded propaganda, but I think humanity is better off by being inspired by our USA and then excelling so markedly . And, if the Chinese could excel in only 40 years, so can any of the countless distinguishable groups of human beings. We Americans (at least our American parents and grandparents), set the bar. Egomaniacs like people like Bush, ‘bama, Biden and Big Man dropped it. Maybe our kids and grandkids will learn from others how to set it even higher.
Our struggles made us stronger; however, they were experienced within a certain moral framework. Now we’re soft and spiritually meandering. Maybe it was hubris that dimmed “the shining city on a hill.”
12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;
13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.
One can justify any action or belief by quoting Bible scripture,but don’t quote too much.The principles of all of Biblical scripture will never lead you astray.
An example of a wager that cannot be won (notwithstanding the house vig), by moron & genius alike, is one on the "end of the world" because either you're wrong & lose your bet or you're right & can't collect. H/t: KD
No single development signals the state of the U.S., if not the West, better than the rise of online betting/gambling/“predicting”. One problematic aspect is the increased appetite for risk, which is likely driven by fear and or greed to “get it while you can”. The other is the corruption caused by trillions of funny money with nothing but promises to back it.
"Violence begets violence. And he who promotes it, eventually succumbs to it."
Damn right it does, Mr. Bonner. And the vile, evil ayatollahs, mullahs, imams, etc., running Iran have just learned this truth. The hard and permanent way. They have reaped what they have sown. Only a totally consumed Type-1 TDS'er can't see this.
I was flying F-14's in the eastern Mediterranean when the US Marine Corps barracks was bombed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists. Lost a USNA classmate when his A-6 was shot down over Lebanon. The sh!tbags running the islamic "republic of Iran have been murdering innocent people for decades. The world is a much much better place with them having received their magic carpet rides to allah. Only a totally consumed Type-1 TDS'er can't see this.
The one thing totally consumed Type-1 TDS'er CAN see is President Trump being cheered by Iranians worldwide for ridding their country and mankind, of these evil islamic monsters...and they can't STAND it. Shame on you.
I am sorry to learn that you lost a USNA classmate when his A-6 was shot down over Lebanon. It does however beg the question as to why was he flying over Lebanon half way around the world posing no danger to the American people.
The calls for Death to America can largely be attributed to America's interference in the state of affairs in countries which have nothing to do with America. Korea Vietnam Iraq Afghanistan Venezuela to name but a few. A certain way to make enemies and budget deficits
As you were also flying an F-14 in the eastern Mediterranean at the time perhaps you would be happy to inform this forum as to why little Lebanon was a threat to mighty America thousands of miles away.
Perhaps you are able to explain why you believe that those being attacked by the US airforce are certain to become our close friends. Perhaps you might also wish to explain how the US deficit is to be reduced while spending close to $ i trillion annually on the military.
Steve Witkoff’s Fox News appearance yesterday finally gave **the first on‑record description of what was actually said inside the negotiating room**. His account fills in the gaps that Oman’s summaries never covered.
## 🧭 What Witkoff says the Iranians *told* him and Kushner
Across his Fox News interviews, Witkoff described several explicit statements made by the Iranian negotiators. These are the clearest public disclosures to date.
### 1. **Iran boasted about its enriched uranium stockpile**
Multiple outlets summarizing his Fox News comments report that Iranian officials **openly stated** they had:
- **460 kg of uranium enriched to 60%**
- **Enough to produce 11 nuclear bombs if further refined**
Witkoff emphasized that this was said **“with no shame”** and presented as part of Iran’s opening position.
### 2. **Iran insisted it had an “inalienable right” to enrich uranium**
Witkoff said the Iranian delegation repeatedly asserted:
- They have an **undeniable / inalienable right** to enrich all uranium they possess
- They would not accept limits that prevent them from reaching weapons‑grade levels
This was framed as a non‑negotiable principle.
### 3. **Iran claimed it had evaded oversight protocols**
In another Fox‑based summary, Witkoff said Iran **boasted** that it had:
- **Evaded international oversight**
- Built its enriched stockpile outside the view of inspectors
This was presented as proof of their capability and leverage.
### 4. **Iran warned the U.S. it could not be stopped**
Witkoff recounted that Iranian negotiators told them:
- The U.S. and Israel **“cannot stop”** Iran’s enrichment program
- Iran is now too far advanced to be rolled back
He described this as an attempt to intimidate the U.S. delegation.
## 🧭 What Witkoff and Kushner *said back*
Witkoff summarized the U.S. response in several ways:
- The U.S. told Iran that **Trump believes the U.S. has the right to stop them “dead in their tracks.”**
- He and Kushner made clear that **any enrichment capability approaching weapons‑grade was unacceptable**.
- They expressed **shock** at Iran’s declarations, with Witkoff saying he and Kushner exchanged “embarrassed glances” as Iran laid out its nuclear ambitions.
## 🧭 Why the negotiations collapsed, according to Witkoff
Witkoff said the talks fell apart because:
- Iran **refused to accept any limits** on enrichment
- Iran **openly declared its ability to produce nuclear weapons**
- Iran **treated its nuclear capability as leverage**, not a bargaining chip
He described the atmosphere as one where Iran was **posturing**, not negotiating.
---# 🧭 What this means in context
Witkoff’s account is the first detailed, first‑person description of the Geneva exchanges. It paints a picture of:
- Iran using its nuclear progress as a pressure tactic
- The U.S. delegation being stunned by the candor
- A negotiation that was effectively doomed from the opening statements
This is a far more confrontational picture than the neutral summaries Oman provided.
Bill neglected to finish his Alan Cole story. chatGPT says: Alan Cole won a total payout of about $470,300. That gave him a profit of roughly $128,000, or about a 37% return on his stake.
I know there is at least one located in Ireland.
Does "violence beget violence"? Or does "nature abhor a vacuum"?
Or perhaps the greater truth is that the struggles of men is cyclic, stretching back in history... or , more accurately into the fog of pre-history. We are far from divine.
I read quotes from the New Testament such as the admonition against swordplay in the Garden of Gethsemani when Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus from the arresting Roman Guard, and then I ponder why there is no context to these cherry-picked words. The specific context that Jesus then chose Peter as "the foundation upon which I will build".
Is it possible that Jesus understood the fallible nature of man better than man? Armed and capable men as protectors of the weak. That there will always be the weak that need protection and that weak men cannot provide that protection.
Surely, those that conspire to positions of power, armed only with lofty words will convince some that they should ascend to the throne, but is it actually a throne or does it become "the cuck chair" when given over to the wrong people?
Carter, Obama, Biden.... were all essentially pacifist. Not so Kennedy, Reagan and now Trump. All would attempt diplomacy but only some would sink into the cuck chair when diplomatic efforts failed. Why? However, the greater question is "why do voters' preferences for leaders vacillate between the two extremes?
This quote provides insight:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
As the Bible counsels: "To everything, there is a season"
Perhaps the alpha dog Trump is only responding to the dangerous vacuum created by previous, far more timid, elected leaders. Perhaps the voters instinctively sensed that the eroded and crumbling foundation of civilization now needed radical repair. That the weak ultimately needing protection from their own weakness should not occupy positions of leadership.
That only "strong men" would be up to that task.
.
Dear poor deluded Ed: I'll certainly take that bet! Very hard times are coming for 'merica (massive debt compounded by stupid wars and zero positive investment). A forgone conclusion. Will that prove to you what a weak and insecure man Trump really is? Give him 6 months to create a serious depression and national hardship and panic--for all of us, even you.
So, decades of “entitlement payouts” given over to disincentivize entire native born populations, is now to include support for the flotsam and jetsam of rogue foreign nations illegally dumped on our nation as something to be embraced, but any act to defang religious death cults simultaneously bent on the destruction of our same civilized nation is now wrong? Is that it Ed? I just wish progressive suicidal nihilists with “Alligator arms” and an aversion to our laws would stop trying to take the rest of us down with them.
Six months, eh? What should we bet? How about your USA Passport, and no, your handwringing panic doesn't count, it's a given.
BTW; whatever happened to Trump's much ballyhooed tariff inflation?
I follow these things very closely and the only inflation I see is a creeping wage inflation from Biden's cumulative 20% "Inflation Reduction Act". The 9% inflation from 2022 alone with skyrocketing energy costs, as setting a new record.
Yeah here's your "strong man"! SMH
https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/trump-who-avoided-draft-5-1694745
I love these "Trump avoided the draft" memes. Frankly I can't come up with a better self-administered IQ test that garners a failing grade, than any that would elect Biden, who dodged the draft using "asthma" as his excuse, while charging Trump with the same draft dodging over "bone spurs". This lack of self-awareness is pathetic as well as hilarious,
You're trying very hard to sound intelligent! Just another boot-licker!
A classic response from those who have no facts to support their case. Just their unrelenting anger.
The irony is that the more successful Trump is the more hate he will be met with. The haters will never admit to their failure as events unfold right in front of their eyes. Never understand that in their haste to judge the "book by the cover" they never learned a thing of value - for themselves or for anyone else.
Therefore, the intercession in Gaza, then Panama, Caribbean drug runners, Venezuelan Marxist dictators, now Iranian death cult leaders - will just seem like so many disconnected data points. So much "foreign nation belligerence" on the part of Trump.
The pattern of events, the impact on those whose boots (and asses) the TDS haters and the leaders they elected, had licked (with Vlad and Xi now hemmed in and vapor-locked), goes right over their heads.
Cognitive dissonance allows for no other reaction to what is occurring than simply...more hate.. now to also be directed at the more perceptive half of the population.
But the real issue for them is that those of us who do see what is actually going on. See the planning, the genius and the guts on display and cheer on the "man in the ring" as he rolls back the advances of our enemies, are also witness to the angry Drama Club kids' failure to understand - thus, even more hate pours out as they are increasingly made even more irrelevant.
The haters have no other option now as no one assigns them any credibility in serious matters. Would be like trying to teach your dog to play chess.
As the majority of Iranians, presumably shite, celebrate around the world, Billy boy Bonner makes this moronic and ignorant statement “After all, was there a better way to alienate 300 million Shiite muslims, and motivate them to mischief, than martyring their Supreme Leader?”
Better move to Texas and get registered to vote for your comrade Crockett.
Really, Billy - what an ignorant statement.
Trump on the campaign trail: “We are finally putting America First. Our policy of war regime change and nation-building is being replaced by the pursuit of American interests… It is the job of our military to protect our security, not to be the policemen of the world.“
Really, Stiff --only the ignorant believes whatever this draft dodging, convicted felon says
Can't believe you believe he is a convicted felon. Like that whole bullshit trial wasn't a setup. A $500MM loan, paid back in full, on time, with interest by a bank that said they had no problem with it and would do it again. Yep, Convicted felon. Makes sense. As of today we have seen zero proof of pedophilia, what ever happened to innocent until PROVEN guilty? Not by the MSM, or social media but by a fair trail? Up until today that's all you got. MSM bullshit and biased social media. nothing more. Only the ignorant don't understand this.
Stiff — I understand your defensiveness. If your Dear Leader was my hero, I likely would fault his detractors too.
More: If you write the Nobel Prize Committee on his behalf, then — unlike your Dear Leader — be sure to address your letter to the correct person.
Trump complained to Norway’s Prime Minister that he didn’t get the Peace Prize.
This person does not award these prestigious prizes. The correct name and address is in the Oslo phone book.
But, really, you and the rest of humanity now know Trump will never get any Nobel Award. He might get impeached however.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE IS A LEFT WING LEMMING. Sorry for the caps but I ain't going back to fix it :-)
Defensiveness I'm not, just fact based. If you can't see through the leftist communist bullshit I cannot help you.
You are one stupid prick. Your stupid pedo president has complete screwed this up. Th world effing hates Americans. Bonner is spot on, always has been. Trump bought all that real estate in the mid east at YOUR expense, which the iranians have now blasted into smithereens - inflation will rocket in your daft country and your happy! Trump has made you MAPA - Make America Pedo Again.
I just loves you sophisticated anger. Did you learn that from Allah? Maybe you could find a more Christian way to express you discontent? If not, I will turn the "other cheek" whilst you define me as an apostste, as Bill says a win/win deal.
Tom, I would not turn any cheeks to riffat! You might get an unpleasant surprise.😬
...most folks know it's not nice to insult people.
Ignorant folks don't understand...
Dear Angry, thanks for turning over a new leaf. I never would have bet on this.
If I'm not mistaking, Angry isn't saying what you are thinking! :-)
How are things in Qom going for you? Typical muzzle, do as I say not as I do - you are the laughing stock - moron
PS: Did President Trump take away your EBT benefits?
lol
Working, Is there a place where I can bet that you and your ilk will find a way to demonize Bill, no matter what he writes tomorrow?
nope, just want a fair playing field and not made up shit to support a leftist cause. I know that is a lot for you to accept, but it really use to be that way. BB is using his platform to make shit up in support of his cause. Simple as that. Post fact and I will not have a problem with his prose.
confirmation bias???????? Bill has seemingly had that for years!
Not really
Orange man is so tough he got 5 deferments. lol
https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/trump-who-avoided-draft-5-1694745
It amazes me how stupid the MAGA crowd are on this chat. Even when Trump shafts the american people - they still think the sun shines out of his pedo arse. Go figure?
Please spell America with a capital letter. Ignorance or worse, disconsolate anti-American attitude, shouldn't be worn on one's sleeve. BTW: the only pedo that has been proven to be an Epstein fanboy was Prince Andrew. Bill Clinton according to court testimony and a host of others - with the singular exception of Trump. In fact, had others alerted authorities to Epstein's strange proclivities, as did Trump in 2006, a lot of pedo activity could have been prevented.
But what do Democrats really care about child sexual abuse? If they did, they wouldn't have so passionately accommodated Bidens open border that ultimately lost over 300,000 children to their exploiters.
Furthermore, if Trump was truly implicated with Epstein's on his island, who in their right mind would think that both Obama and Biden would have acted to shield him from any consequences. Only the hate-inspired morons on the Left are incapable of doing this sort of basic analysis.
Amazing that you are here insulting everyone regarding circumstances you cannot prove.
And resorting to lies to try to make a plausible case. Which is why Iran's leadership is now decapitated. We are not a nation of Dimi's.
This article is so ridiculous that it’s difficult to comment. I can’t waste my time on the ‘moron’ writing this. These comments are beyond Brain-dead. If someone keeps screaming that they want to kill you; chances are you should take it seriously.
Abe: But like your colleagues, you just can't bring yourself to leave. Now Steve L. really has guts and unexpected integrity. He is nowhere to be seen today.
Believe me
I only stay because of the members comments
I only made it in about three paragraphs before I had to stop. We did not make a new enemy, it is the same one who has been screaming "Death to America" since 1979 and has actually acted upon it numerous times. I am a Christian, and if you read the Bible, it is full of war, death, destruction and justice. Not all pretty, and as in any case, the person that writes it controls the narrative.
Thou shalt not kill. What part of the Bible do you follow? Love your neighbour.
...thou shalt not "murder".
Killing is essential for food and protection.
Brainless dickhead. Iran was never your enemy. And yes you now have more enemis whilst your pedo president profits from it all. There is much truth in the say as "Stupid as an american"
... I see you have acquired a new moniker for yourself: "brainless dickhead."
But we already knew this...
Maybe he merely learned something from your (and your ilks') past comments!
...no.
My "ilk" does not refer to genitalia as descriptions of other body parts.
Your ilk likely does due to the difficulty in distinguishing the difference.
Boy you are really into the "dick" culture. You might have more satisfaction with a porn site. It might more satisfying...Just saying.
Perhaps this slant should be directed at riffat.azad and his "ilk".
I am merely responding at the same level....
Yes, first mistake I have ever made :)
This place is becoming nasty and unproductive.
The people who have been swearing for months never to read Bill again just can't let go.
Oh, they don't read Bill. they read you and your ilks comments, much more interesting.
Now that’s funny. There’s a certain tendency toward sarcasm in these comments so I don’t know how to take this, so could be dangerous. I’ll take the risk of looking like a fool and say thank you, Tom
Why do you think that is? perhaps too much emotion and not enough thought?
... I have noticed some folks think they get points attacking the person.
Needless to say, they only make themselves look desperate...
And too caught up in our upbringing and dogmas such as believing we are better than anyone else simply because we're Americans. Even hyper-critical I can’t deny that our country has done many great things. RkJ, Tom and Angry cause me to reflect back to Chinese people’s reaction to just seeing/touching/meeting us Americans 10-20 years ago. It seemed then like everyone would try to have their kids’ pictures taken with me on the Great Wall or try from a long distance to attract my attention. They have never done that with my Filipino partner who was/is vastly more attractive, intelligent, friendly than I. I was some kind of celebrity/god-like figure for ONE reason: they knew I was/am American. They also knew the history of Americans doing the impossible and even dying to save their families from the Japanese, how we had and knew so much and how we were so “different”and representing something their children could become.
As a result I am no longer the tallest person in the subways (far from it) and they no longer fall over each other to touch me, but they are invariably polite, and regardless of the degree of idiocy or ignorance they read or hear from us, they never argue or even become rude. And I wager that they are dismayed more than happy or proud that our soldiers can’t march “correctly” or that the USA is no longer the undisputed credible leader of the world. Most people reading this probably see it as deluded propaganda, but I think humanity is better off by being inspired by our USA and then excelling so markedly . And, if the Chinese could excel in only 40 years, so can any of the countless distinguishable groups of human beings. We Americans (at least our American parents and grandparents), set the bar. Egomaniacs like people like Bush, ‘bama, Biden and Big Man dropped it. Maybe our kids and grandkids will learn from others how to set it even higher.
Our struggles made us stronger; however, they were experienced within a certain moral framework. Now we’re soft and spiritually meandering. Maybe it was hubris that dimmed “the shining city on a hill.”
it's under the "I may not agree" category! I prefer to read stuff I may or may not agree with....I wish everyone did that!
Yup
Well the last paragraph sums up the sad state of many peoples thinking.
Trust in gold, it's worked for over 5000 years.
Jim Marshall
Book of Mormon
1st Nephi 4: 12 & 13
12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;
13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.
One can always find something in a "holy" book to support their beliefs and opinions..
One can justify any action or belief by quoting Bible scripture,but don’t quote too much.The principles of all of Biblical scripture will never lead you astray.
Beware of ‘’cherry picking’’ verses.
Bill, are you calling for someone to assassinate Dear Leader?
An example of a wager that cannot be won (notwithstanding the house vig), by moron & genius alike, is one on the "end of the world" because either you're wrong & lose your bet or you're right & can't collect. H/t: KD
No single development signals the state of the U.S., if not the West, better than the rise of online betting/gambling/“predicting”. One problematic aspect is the increased appetite for risk, which is likely driven by fear and or greed to “get it while you can”. The other is the corruption caused by trillions of funny money with nothing but promises to back it.
The primary reason is ignorance of the Word of God, the Bible. It tells you how to avoid these types of pitfalls and other snares of the devil.
"Where are the morons?" Everywhere!
"Violence begets violence. And he who promotes it, eventually succumbs to it."
Damn right it does, Mr. Bonner. And the vile, evil ayatollahs, mullahs, imams, etc., running Iran have just learned this truth. The hard and permanent way. They have reaped what they have sown. Only a totally consumed Type-1 TDS'er can't see this.
I was flying F-14's in the eastern Mediterranean when the US Marine Corps barracks was bombed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists. Lost a USNA classmate when his A-6 was shot down over Lebanon. The sh!tbags running the islamic "republic of Iran have been murdering innocent people for decades. The world is a much much better place with them having received their magic carpet rides to allah. Only a totally consumed Type-1 TDS'er can't see this.
The one thing totally consumed Type-1 TDS'er CAN see is President Trump being cheered by Iranians worldwide for ridding their country and mankind, of these evil islamic monsters...and they can't STAND it. Shame on you.
I am sorry to learn that you lost a USNA classmate when his A-6 was shot down over Lebanon. It does however beg the question as to why was he flying over Lebanon half way around the world posing no danger to the American people.
The calls for Death to America can largely be attributed to America's interference in the state of affairs in countries which have nothing to do with America. Korea Vietnam Iraq Afghanistan Venezuela to name but a few. A certain way to make enemies and budget deficits
Do your own research as to why.
As you were also flying an F-14 in the eastern Mediterranean at the time perhaps you would be happy to inform this forum as to why little Lebanon was a threat to mighty America thousands of miles away.
Perhaps you are able to explain why you believe that those being attacked by the US airforce are certain to become our close friends. Perhaps you might also wish to explain how the US deficit is to be reduced while spending close to $ i trillion annually on the military.
You oversimplify.
Regardless, not my job to explain. At the time, I didn’t make US foreign policy. I was just the last few miles of it.
Bill.
Please be sure that You, Dan & Tom make time to read this one.
It is very long, but potentially very important.
https://endtropy.substack.com/p/operation-epic-follyfury-part-1-us?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Thanks for Your Great Work and Relentless Dedication.
With Respect,
Brian
Steve Witkoff’s Fox News appearance yesterday finally gave **the first on‑record description of what was actually said inside the negotiating room**. His account fills in the gaps that Oman’s summaries never covered.
## 🧭 What Witkoff says the Iranians *told* him and Kushner
Across his Fox News interviews, Witkoff described several explicit statements made by the Iranian negotiators. These are the clearest public disclosures to date.
### 1. **Iran boasted about its enriched uranium stockpile**
Multiple outlets summarizing his Fox News comments report that Iranian officials **openly stated** they had:
- **460 kg of uranium enriched to 60%**
- **Enough to produce 11 nuclear bombs if further refined**
Witkoff emphasized that this was said **“with no shame”** and presented as part of Iran’s opening position.
### 2. **Iran insisted it had an “inalienable right” to enrich uranium**
Witkoff said the Iranian delegation repeatedly asserted:
- They have an **undeniable / inalienable right** to enrich all uranium they possess
- They would not accept limits that prevent them from reaching weapons‑grade levels
This was framed as a non‑negotiable principle.
### 3. **Iran claimed it had evaded oversight protocols**
In another Fox‑based summary, Witkoff said Iran **boasted** that it had:
- **Evaded international oversight**
- Built its enriched stockpile outside the view of inspectors
This was presented as proof of their capability and leverage.
### 4. **Iran warned the U.S. it could not be stopped**
Witkoff recounted that Iranian negotiators told them:
- The U.S. and Israel **“cannot stop”** Iran’s enrichment program
- Iran is now too far advanced to be rolled back
He described this as an attempt to intimidate the U.S. delegation.
## 🧭 What Witkoff and Kushner *said back*
Witkoff summarized the U.S. response in several ways:
- The U.S. told Iran that **Trump believes the U.S. has the right to stop them “dead in their tracks.”**
- He and Kushner made clear that **any enrichment capability approaching weapons‑grade was unacceptable**.
- They expressed **shock** at Iran’s declarations, with Witkoff saying he and Kushner exchanged “embarrassed glances” as Iran laid out its nuclear ambitions.
## 🧭 Why the negotiations collapsed, according to Witkoff
Witkoff said the talks fell apart because:
- Iran **refused to accept any limits** on enrichment
- Iran **openly declared its ability to produce nuclear weapons**
- Iran **treated its nuclear capability as leverage**, not a bargaining chip
He described the atmosphere as one where Iran was **posturing**, not negotiating.
---# 🧭 What this means in context
Witkoff’s account is the first detailed, first‑person description of the Geneva exchanges. It paints a picture of:
- Iran using its nuclear progress as a pressure tactic
- The U.S. delegation being stunned by the candor
- A negotiation that was effectively doomed from the opening statements
This is a far more confrontational picture than the neutral summaries Oman provided.
---
Trump spent billions getting U.S. assets within range.
Not sure who would think nothing was going down...
Except for some Iranians, I guess.
Thank you. It will go over the heads of some of the people here, however.
Gold, Silver,Platinum... USD EURO down. Dow S&P down .
Could this be what we have all been waiting for?
Bill neglected to finish his Alan Cole story. chatGPT says: Alan Cole won a total payout of about $470,300. That gave him a profit of roughly $128,000, or about a 37% return on his stake.