View Full Version : A Widening War
So the Iranians and their proxies launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel from Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon. The great majority of them were intercepted by Israeli, US, British, French and Jordanian forces. Damage inflicted on Israel seems to have been fairly limited.
Apparently the Israelis are still debating their response. The US has announced they would not participate in any counterattack. I can’t believe the results of the Iranian strike will add much to their prestige in the region.
Iran is the North Korea of the Middle East. Nothing they do makes sense. They’ve needed to be taken out years ago.
I see that after this weekend’s flagrant act of self-defense, outraged protesters decided to block traffic all over the US.
I see that after this weekend’s flagrant act of self-defense, outraged protesters decided to block traffic all over the US.
They f*cked up Monday morning at O’Hare good. Blocked all 4 lanes of the highway into the airport. The ONLY surface way in. Protest all you want, but block the freeway? You deserve whatever motorists decide to dish out. Also a really good way to really piss off people who might otherwise be on your side.
gimmethesimplelife
4-15-24, 7:45pm
I have a different take on all of this. I'm thinking this could escalate to all of us being vaporized in a blinding flash of light. In that case, I realize that I am not without that of which to be grateful. I have found love in this crazy world, I managed to move up in a new industry AND get out of waiting tables (!!!!), I've had the chance to engage in activism and to stand up against this country. I've also been to Madrid and Marrakesh. I've prayed at St. Stevens Cathedral in the Homeland. I've relentlessly offshored all costs I realistically can to Mexico. I've had coffee in Innsbruck.
I could go on but I'll stop. Point being - I see this as a time to pause and reflect on something positive as we are in unchartered territory and who knows what is going to happen next in a world getting increasingly unstable? SO told me the other day that meeting me was the best thing that ever happened to him - and I feel the same way about him. If we all vaporize, at least I have known love. Rob
PS Phoenix would be likely to be on the vaporization list. We have Luke Air Force Base on the far West Side of the Valley and we also have Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant on the far far far west side of the end of suburbia. Juicy targets, no?
gimmethesimplelife
4-15-24, 7:54pm
Iran is the North Korea of the Middle East. Nothing they do makes sense. They’ve needed to be taken out years ago.I don't disagree that Iran is problematic and I truly wish it were not so. A close friend of my Mother's in Salzburg - her son married an Iranian woman and she has been nothing but wonderful to him - whereas to be honest, he experiences with Austrian women were not so positive. At any rate, she's a great cook and housekeeper, and he makes enough money to keep her at home, and they just had a daughter and I have so much respect for this man - marrying an Iranian is not exactly very Austrian. Beyond that, I've seen pictures of Tehran and it looks beautiful with tall snow covered Alp-like mountains in the background. Wonderul wool rugs are handwoven there to this day.
Were it not for religion and politics and the dark side of human nature, things could be so different for Iran - and for the rest of the world, too, meaning that we all could do without the racheting of tension between countries with nuclear weapons. Rob
They f*cked up Monday morning at O’Hare good. Blocked all 4 lanes of the highway into the airport. The ONLY surface way in. Protest all you want, but block the freeway? You deserve whatever motorists decide to dish out. Also a really good way to really piss off people who might otherwise be on your side.
Happened all over the country. Coming as they did so soon after that mostly peaceful Iranian attack, you have to wonder who’s handling their schedules. Doubt they won a lot of hearts and minds in either case.
I see that Israel ignored Biden’s advice to “take the win” and do nothing. The Iranians referred to the attackers as “infiltrators” rather than “Israelis”, which may mean they won’t or can’t retaliate anytime soon. Looks like the forces of righteousness may be limiting themselves to annoying commuters and degrading higher education for awhile.
iris lilies
4-19-24, 12:13pm
I don't disagree that Iran is problematic and I truly wish it were not so. A close friend of my Mother's in Salzburg - her son married an Iranian woman and she has been nothing but wonderful to him - whereas to be honest, he experiences with Austrian women were not so positive. At any rate, she's a great cook and housekeeper, and he makes enough money to keep her at home, and they just had a daughter and I have so much respect for this man - marrying an Iranian is not exactly very Austrian. Beyond that, I've seen pictures of Tehran and it looks beautiful with tall snow covered Alp-like mountains in the background. Wonderul wool rugs are handwoven there to this day.
Were it not for religion and politics and the dark side of human nature, things could be so different for Iran - and for the rest of the world, too, meaning that we all could do without the racheting of tension between countries with nuclear weapons. Rob
The Iranian regime is shit. Many of its citizens long for a more open society, one they knew before the Allytolah took over.
iris lilies
4-19-24, 12:17pm
I see that Israel ignored Biden’s advice to “take the win” and do nothing. The Iranians referred to the attackers as “infiltrators” rather than “Israelis”, which may mean they won’t or can’t retaliate anytime soon. Looks like the forces of righteousness may be limiting themselves to annoying commuters and degrading higher education for awhile.RE: degrading higer education
I was shocked and horrified to hear Quatar is pouring tons of money into elite American Universities. I heard this from one of Bari Weiss’ interviewees. This was in a discussion about major Jewish donors pulling their financial support from the Ivys after the train wreck at the Congressional hearings at recent Congressional hearings.
I was shocked and horrified to hear Quatar is pouring tons of money into elite American Universities.
Which universities, and how much $$$ are they dumping in?
I was thinking more class disruptions and antisemitic romps, but you’re right.
The People’s Republic of China has also been pouring cash into US universities for some time now.
gimmethesimplelife
4-19-24, 1:32pm
The Iranian regime is shit. Many of its citizens long for a more open society, one they knew before the Allytolah took over.I'm not saying Iran is wonderful by any means, IL. But one thing I'm trying to do less of is broadbrushing - even with the police. Here all I'm saying is that not all Iranians are bad news - I even know of one that's not. But yes the current regime IS problematic - granted and given. Rob
iris lilies
4-19-24, 1:48pm
Which universities, and how much $$$ are they dumping in?do not know. I highly doubt that is public information, which doesn’t mean it isnt happening.
Why don’t you use your contacts at Princeton to see if it is tainted in this way? Report back, I am i terested.
This is old but relevant
US Lawmakers Ask 6 Top Universities to Hand Over Records of Foreign Donations (voanews.com) (https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_us-lawmakers-ask-6-top-universities-hand-over-records-foreign-donations/6193983.html)
and from last year:
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/arab-funding-of-american-universities-donors-recipients-and-impact-2023
iris lilies
4-19-24, 3:53pm
This is old but relevant
US Lawmakers Ask 6 Top Universities to Hand Over Records of Foreign Donations (voanews.com) (https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_us-lawmakers-ask-6-top-universities-hand-over-records-foreign-donations/6193983.html)
and from last year:
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/arab-funding-of-american-universities-donors-recipients-and-impact-2023
thank you for the sources, Tybee. It’s all interesting.
I'm not saying Iran is wonderful by any means, IL. But one thing I'm trying to do less of is broadbrushing - even with the police. Here all I'm saying is that not all Iranians are bad news - I even know of one that's not. But yes the current regime IS problematic - granted and given. Rob
Current regime? It’s been a cancer since 1979. Or do you consider it the same regime since then?
I was thinking more class disruptions and antisemitic romps, but you’re right.
The People’s Republic of China has also been pouring cash into US universities for some time now.
Do you have details about this? Is it more money than they poured into president Emoluments Trump’s pocket during his presidency?
Do you have details about this? Is it more money than they poured into president Emoluments Trump’s pocket during his presidency?
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinese-money-american-universities-244bab09
It seems the Chinese have been the largest source of foreign money since 2013.
I assume there are conspiracy theory websites happy to answer your second question.
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinese-money-american-universities-244bab09
It seems the Chinese have been the largest source of foreign money since 2013.
I assume there are conspiracy theory websites happy to answer your second question.
Interesting. I wonder if they're getting their money's worth from the investments. At least Saudi Arabia waited until after Trump's son in law left power before they gave him his $2B gift. That seems like a smarter plan.
iris lilies
6-3-24, 5:48pm
One account of the potential cease-fire said Israel will not accept a Hamas government in Gaza. What do the Keffiyah Kids think about this? It seems reasonable to me.
I don't think the Keffiya kids are pro-Hamas. I think they pro-humanity. As long as the killing of innocent civilians stops in Gaza, I would think the protests would stop.
iris lilies
8-8-24, 5:53pm
I would just like to applaud the beautiful precision of Mossad in taking out that Hamas leader in Iran a couple of days ago. wow. That was an impressive operation. it points out to Hamas leaders that wherever they are, they are not safe.
Loud applause from me.
I was also impressed with Ukraine’s move across the Russian border. It’s gratifying to see nasty thugs like Russia and Iran learning they are not immune from the violence they create.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.