Iran / Israel / US / Debt

Let's have a go at thinking this through

(Situation is as fluid as my opinion so be advised).

I wish more pundits out there would share that they are not so sure how to think on something, or would state that “this is complicated but let’s look at all the variables we know about.” I feel most popular pundits exude an undeserved confidence because they host a show of some kind; even the ones I like. I would love to have a more nuanced approach from thought leaders who can break down what they DO know, while making sure to identify the variables they do not know, so that the listener can take ALL of that information and form their own opinion. Until that happens, we need to read between the lines.

I woke up Saturday the same way most of America did. “We did what?” “We’re the only ones with bombs that blow up mountains?” “We’re the only ones with planes that carry bombs to blow up mountains?” I was not following the story close enough yet to understand Trump said he was thinking about bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities on Friday. I started listening after the fact and then went through a roller coaster of how I felt about the actual execution on Saturday.

At first I was exposed to John Stewart who asked the question “Why now?” He played clips of Netanyahu from 2015, 2018, 2021, etc. explaining how Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities were imminent. It was hard not to get angry and say “YEAH! WHY NOW? It obviously was not as imminent as you said it was back in 2015! Why should we trust you this time?” Then I switched over to CNN where they had John Bolton on. Bolton, who famously fell out with the president after being his National Security Advisor (later publicly sharing that Trump was unfit to be president), had nothing but praise for his decision to drop the bomb on Iran’s nuclear facility: “I want to be unequivocal about this and say Trump absolutely did the right thing about bombing Iran.” I am paraphrasing, but either way, I perked up as I always do when enemies praise each other because it lends credibility. “Yeah I hate him, but he did good here.” Or something like that . . . any time someone praises his adversary and acknowledges value (whether real or perceived), is a Radical Metal moment. He went on to explain how Iran was a corrupt theocracy that has failed miserably with human rights in order to maintain power and enrich themselves. He thought this would be a good opportunity for the people to rise up and take the power back; a population that was sophisticated and wanted freedom. I could hardly disagree with that! Maybe this IS an opportunity!

Then I watched a YouTube video of a guy who adequately broke down Iran’s nuclear program before, during, and after Obama’s nuclear deal. Long story short, he said there were multiple types of uranium say, for nuclear energy vice nuclear weapons, and that before the Obama deal, Iran had a ton of the energy-kind but not very close to the weaponized-kind, and then during Obama deal even the energy-kind went down dramatically. When Trump cancelled the deal, the uranium enrichment jumped up and yes was quite close to being weaponized. All to say, his point was compelling, to say that Trump is to blame for cancelling Obama’s deal. Had he kept it in place, we would not be bombing them. Hard to disagree with that as well!

Then there is the issue of dropping bombs without congressional approval. I get why people are upset and it harkens back to this “no kings” movement (a topic for another day). But if I am being honest, I admire the move. (Let me duck as everyone swings at me for this). When asked if he would bomb Iran, Trump said, “I am going to take a couple of weeks to think about it.” Then he did it the next day. Right or wrong (and it may be very wrong according to the law) I thought that was very clever. Talk about a geo-political head fake!

So if I am feeling ambivalent, just take a look at MAGA! A critical tenet of the MAGA movement is “no more unnecessary wars”; to only use our American might when it is absolutely necessary in defense of our country. Get your popcorn out ladies and gentlemen and watch Tucker Carlson’s interview with Ted Cruz. BTW - an interview that is the antithesis of Radical Metal’s tenet, “bring dignity to the discourse”. I admit, as a long time critic of both of these guys, I really enjoyed watching them give it to each other. Call it a guilty pleasure, but the division is real, albeit futile in counteracting the magnetic pull of Trump and his supporters. Haven’t we learned a long time ago, it really does not matter what Trump does; he will control the party. So good luck to Tucker and the other dissenters.

But like MAGA, I am also ambivalent and unsure, but if I am being authentic with you . . . as of right this moment anyway . . . I think I support this move. While this all could be a part of a plan to stay in power (by both Netanyahu and Trump), I am not sure how you deal with groups that want to kill Americans besides absolutely obliterating them. Either literally killing them or toppling them in a way where a more moderate group can take power and deal with them how they see fit. What else is left on the table that they refuse to come to? As with ALL my opinions, I am happy to be proven wrong; but when it comes to Hamas and Iran’s government (not Palestinians and not Iran’s people), I don’t know what is left on the table. The former throws gay people of buildings, the latter’s parliament chants “Death to America”. Their parliament!

I may eat these words if all this leads to World War III and American and (more) innocent lives are lost. (BTW - I eat my words all the time but will never let my ego get in the way of learning and evolving - if I did I would be a Radical Metal hypocrite). However, maybe this is the impetus for the Iranian populace to rise up, and say, “You guys are blowing it. Now, not only do we not have rights, not only are you syphoning national funds to line your pockets, not only are we run by hypocrites, but now we are also unprotected in a world where our government chooses to polk the bear, and putting our very lives at risk.” If that happens, where a new government comes in and with that, a new government that is moderate, respects human rights, and stops funding global terrorism . . . would this be worth it? I think it would.

Does this absolve execution without congressional approval? Could this be a means to an end to grab more authority? Is this a a beneficial distraction from our current debt crises? Is this a way to deal with our debt crises via military spending? None of this is clean and the secondary effects could be brutal, but for now, I feel optimistic about the outcome. Iran has never been weaker militarily and the iron may be hot for regime change with a little push. But like the big Lebowski said, “Hey like, that’s just my opinion man.”

Regardless the Left and and Right will use this to bash each other in misplaced anger. Another win for Trump by the way. “Keep arguing and fighting in the streets, don’t threaten me with a good time. Then I will declare Martial law and claim more power.” It’s another topic for another day but all of this is a distraction from what is looking more and more like an inevitability - a country collapse due to our national debt. If we don’t figure that out, a can kicked by ALL politicians across the spectrum, then we can start using the phrase “existential threat” with some credibility. English 101 would instruct you to never start a new topic in your last paragraph but here I go. I encourage readers to watch this video. It explains in great detail how we are at the final stages of country collapse with a 50% chance of civil war . . . all linked to our debt. See you next time!