myrmepropagandist1d ago

"Why can't Trump get his story straight about the nukes?"

No one on the CNN panel will *really* answer this question: Trump just ... says stuff.

Creates a kind of halting problem:

“We obliterated the regime’s nuclear program”
(but then there is no reason for war so he says)
"They are close to nuclear"
(but that sounds like we messed up so he says)
“We obliterated the nuclear program”
(but then there is no reason for war so he says)
♾️

etc.

Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago
It is surreal to watch people who are experts at using the English language, people whose whole profession and skill is centered on communication trying to parse the words this man speaks. Like someone investigating a splatter of bird poop as if it were tea leaves or art.
Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago

There is a cover story for why the US attacked Iran. One that is almost believable. The argument goes like this:

Iran was developing a drone and missile program rather like the Iron Dome that would make it "impossible" for the US to bomb them, and that would mean it's impossible to stop them if they wanted to make nuclear weapons. So they had to be stopped from doing this now.

Does Iran have the right to defend itself? It's an ugly argument.

Show threadhazelnot 1d ago
@futurebird so basically a repeat of the Cuban Missile Crisis but with even less of an excuse since nukes are actually dangerous 🙃
Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago

@hazelnot

I am shocked by the number of world leaders who do not understand that the only reason our allies and our homes cities are not being attacked is because no one wants to do that. If someone wants to hurt us badly enough, if they don't care about the escalation because the US has shuttered all paths to the nation having any real future, then we are cooked. We could strike back but everyone loses.

Some things are beyond US control.

Show threadInky says "What the hell?!"1d ago

@futurebird @hazelnot I will drop this here. The implications are disturbing and aggravating.

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/iran-will-retaliate-in-the-us-we-may-not-see-it-in-time

Iran Will Retaliate in the U.S. We May Not See It in Time.

Historically, the U.S. has managed to thwart Iranian operations on its soil. Now, this administration may have us unprepared.

Default
Show threadmyrmepropagandist

@InkySchwartz @hazelnot

This administration is not interested in diplomacy or intelligence. These are the things that keep us safe. I would feel even safer if Iran was a trade partner and our economies were linked, if there were sports games and academic conferences between the nations. If Teharan was a tourist destination for all of the remarkable archeology.

Apr 2 at 12:31pmWeb
Show threadmyrmepropagandist1d ago

@InkySchwartz @hazelnot

But the US sees Iran as a lesser nation. A region of resource extraction with exotic annoying natives they think we can learn nothing from.

That is the chauvinism that will lead to bloodshed.

Show threadInky says "What the hell?!"1d ago

@futurebird @hazelnot And has led to such as well.

Also I'm reminded of the sacking of the China Hands at the State dept. A move during the Mcarthy era because the ones who were informed were undersirable and seen as unloyal.

Not what we see here but there are parallels.

Show threadAriaflame1d ago
@futurebird @InkySchwartz @hazelnot Though to be fair the USA sees *every* other nation as a lesser nation.
Show threadInky says "What the hell?!"1d ago
@ariaflame @futurebird @hazelnot Currently yes. At other times? Your milage may vary depending on which other countries.