We pay for Europe's defense—yet Europe is denying us the barest minimum of assistance to fight a battle that benefits them, insisting on sneering at us while freeloading off our generosity.
“But what made this gaffe so uniquely worthy of derision wasn’t just how many editors it made it past at the vaunted New York Times. It was the way it sneered down at the United States from atop that mountain of ignorance. “.
This is the old, “I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say about me, bounces off and sticks to you” analogy. Not that you should ever look down on anyone. BUT, it’s been a long time since the NYT should feel comfortable looking down on anyone. The people they employ these days are a collection of “damn dummies” as my dear Dad used to say.
Often in a failed marriage, the spouse that files for the divorce gets blamed for the separation, despite the years of disrespect or abuse caused by the other spouse.
The "disgraceful New York Times" as I have come to think of it. Not for gaffs like this, but for abandoning its commitment to cover the news "without fear or favor." Like Harvard, it's in need of new management.
It’s true, but I think Trump’s point is: we don’t need their airspace, even though it would be convenient for us. He is giving Spain a chance to be on our side and they are failing. He is letting them fail.
Many European countries are run by girly men, spineless eunuchs or mindless twits. They should be mercilessly mocked, along with the NYT and the rest of the legacy media. Trump is the leader of the free world and operates with clarity of thought and purpose. That’s really pisses the Euroweenies 🌭 off.
The USA should establish security in the Straits and charge $10 per barrel as a toll as ships pass through to pay for the security. No more arguing. You pay to play.
As far as the NYT goes. They are a mess and they are irrelevant. They only have 12 million subs globally and their writing is sold out to DEI and foreign interests.
Just in the USA there are 130 million households so the NYTs penetration is less than 10% and it's mostly snooty Dems, federal politicians and people who want to be something.
Trump kept bullying and confusing our allies with tariffs, insulted them by name, and entered a war they didn't want without warning them. Plus he is very unpopular with their voters, even on the right wing. Gee, I wonder why NATO's leaders aren't eager to help.
Article 5 is for when we are attacked on our soil, we are the attackers here! We started the process of closing the strait by our attack. A War not agreed to by Congress. Our allies came to our assistance immediately when we were attacked on 911! That is how NATO is supposed to work. We are in the wrong because our President listens to Putin plain and simple. Putin’s wish is to end the greatest alliance in the history of the world for obvious reasons. Anyone who thinks otherwise is uneducated and deceptive, like Trump.
One of our biggest mistakes in WWII was letting the French and Charles de Gaulle think that they actually helped liberate France. We then let de Gaulle go his own way and let the French people think that they had been noble and courageous, where only a small handful were. The French then used that mistake to build themselves in their own minds as a courageous and brilliant people, where in reality they are only good for cheese, wine, and copying Greek and Roman architecture.
What’s interesting is those who support Liberal policies and drifted away since 2016. Many are actually seeing the errors of their Votes/Positions and are questioning their Leaders
I think EURO Leadership & MSM are manipulating volume of the Left & are worried with what’s happening
FAFO is in Europe, and as you pointed out: they are begging to Find Out
With the launch of Iranian missiles at Diego Garcia demonstrating range of 2500 km, the threat to most of Europe has gone from a potential concern to an immediate danger.
The Europeans go too far when the deny access to airspace to our airbases, but it is ridiculous to expect them to help “open the strait” [presumably by military force] when WE started this conflict. Our military has known for decades that Iran has one play (truth be told, any idiot knows Iran has one play). To have attacked Iran (which I 100% support) without a plan for the Strait is on Trump here. History will not judge him kindly and whining about the lack of allies HE has spent the last year threatening and intimidating does not help his case.
TDS - with its brainless, knee jerk rejection of anything Trump - is real. No doubt the New York Times and Europe have it in spades. But be careful that you don’t suffer from brainless, knee jerk support of anything Trump.
I support Trump and his desire to end this 47 year conflict with Iran. I support our military and I applaud its ability to do damage to Iran. And as an American I support our continued hegemony in the world. Whining about Europe - when we unilaterally chose this path - does nothing but show weakness on Trump’s (and by extension our) part.
Does anyone seriously doubt the U.S. military has the ability to "open" the Strait of Hormuz anytime it wants? What exactly would be the strategic advantage to "opening" the Strait at this time? Is it not more accurate to say the U.S. has "control" of the Strait? The U.S. is already providing liability insurance and escort vessels for tankers, under the coordination of Central Command. Sure, the Iranians could launch drones, fast attack boats, and missiles, and a few might reach their targets, but the Strait would essentially be open.
While the Strait is "closed" Iran is denied an estimated $100 million a day in oil revenue hard currency needed to sustain its defense/aggression and its economy, China is denied oil to fuel its economy and Trump has leverage over Europe. The Strait's "closure" even provides Trump with a bargaining chip with Putin because the U.S. effectively controls the price of oil, a commodity Russis relies on heavily to fund its economy and war with Ukraine.
When viewed in the context of U.S. action in Venezuela, and the oil embargo of Cuba, it seems pretty apparent to me that Trump is operating from a position of strength of his making!
"Does anyone seriously doubt the U.S. military has the ability to "open" the Strait of Hormuz anytime it wants?"
I truly hope not, but the longer Trump whines about the Strait (instead of telling his generals to open it), the more he undermines that hope. This isn't funny anymore & he's killing whatever political strength and capital he may have gained had the Iran conflict gone as well as it should have gone given the YEARS we had to plan it.
"When viewed in the context of U.S. action in Venezuela, and the oil embargo of Cuba, it seems pretty apparent to me that Trump is operating from a position of strength of his making!"
That was true - absolutely - right up until he started whining about no one answering his call to rescue us in Iran (after he spent a year telling our allies that we don't need them anyway). There is no strength in that no matter how one may try to shine that turd. He is literally undermining what immense strength and clout we gained in Venezuela. And he's undermined any action he may want to do in Cuba. And make no mistake, he's made a Democratic victory all but inevitable.
I'll tell you, I voted for the guy. I want him to be successful and to Make America Great Again. On no uncertain terms: incessant whining about Europe isn't doing that. Causing a recession - through self inflicted policies and actions - isn't doing that. Increasing costs for an electorate who elected him to lower costs isn't doing that. Feigning (or worse being) too weak to open the Strait ourselves, isn't doing that.
I understand what you are saying Lance. For myself, I learned long ago never to take what Trump says, or how he says it, at face value. After all, even a petulant, whiny child gets what it wants on occasion. Is the higher price of gas resulting from the war hurting the very people who voted for Trump? Of course! But the next election is seven months away and people have short memories. They also like winners. So if Trump's strategy, whatever that may be, succeeds, he and we may be better off in the long run. Only time will tell.
Assuming you’re being serious…. Because we started the conflict. We are - by definition - responsible for all outcomes. Like it or not, accept it or not, that is the reality we will be judged on. And that’s true no matter how hard some wish to stomp their foot and say otherwise.
The conflict started when our Embassy was captured and several hundred Americans were held hostage. It had been continued over the years through various terrorist attacks of both the US and of our allies.
Perhaps it wasn't the best time to do so, how long must we suffer at the hands of these evil people?
And if we are, indeed, making a mess of things, why should't it be Europe to come clean it up for themselves? How many European messes did we clean up for them -- WWI, WWII, and the Cold War are all examples that come to mind --at what point is turnabout fair play?
“But what made this gaffe so uniquely worthy of derision wasn’t just how many editors it made it past at the vaunted New York Times. It was the way it sneered down at the United States from atop that mountain of ignorance. “.
This is the old, “I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say about me, bounces off and sticks to you” analogy. Not that you should ever look down on anyone. BUT, it’s been a long time since the NYT should feel comfortable looking down on anyone. The people they employ these days are a collection of “damn dummies” as my dear Dad used to say.
Often in a failed marriage, the spouse that files for the divorce gets blamed for the separation, despite the years of disrespect or abuse caused by the other spouse.
Trump should pull our troops from Europe and save taxpayers the tens of billions of dollars we spend protecting those ungrateful bastards every year.
My grandson would come home then. Or get transferred to SE Asia where he would like to be stationed.
How hard is it for a French man or Spanish woman to learn how to speak Russian?
Western Europe acts like a satellite welfare state of the United States—Much like our own resident elite class does
The "disgraceful New York Times" as I have come to think of it. Not for gaffs like this, but for abandoning its commitment to cover the news "without fear or favor." Like Harvard, it's in need of new management.
The NYT has been in bad shape only for about 100 years now. Chronically addicted to communism and the weakening of our capitalist republic.
I wonder what Spain would do if we used their airspace anyway? Write a strongly worded objection to the United Nations?
It’s true, but I think Trump’s point is: we don’t need their airspace, even though it would be convenient for us. He is giving Spain a chance to be on our side and they are failing. He is letting them fail.
Excellent idea. We should do it just to again show European impotence. There’s no enough Viagra in the world to help someone like Macron.
Why did he marry his mother?
Remember Walter Durranty, NYT station chief in Moscow during the 1930’s? Denied the Holomodor in Ukraine was happening to support communist USSR
Many European countries are run by girly men, spineless eunuchs or mindless twits. They should be mercilessly mocked, along with the NYT and the rest of the legacy media. Trump is the leader of the free world and operates with clarity of thought and purpose. That’s really pisses the Euroweenies 🌭 off.
Thank you Batya! Both the Europeans and the NY Times are ignorant or indecent!
What I find astounding is that Europe still imports Russian oil!
The USA should establish security in the Straits and charge $10 per barrel as a toll as ships pass through to pay for the security. No more arguing. You pay to play.
As far as the NYT goes. They are a mess and they are irrelevant. They only have 12 million subs globally and their writing is sold out to DEI and foreign interests.
Just in the USA there are 130 million households so the NYTs penetration is less than 10% and it's mostly snooty Dems, federal politicians and people who want to be something.
They really don't matter.
Trump kept bullying and confusing our allies with tariffs, insulted them by name, and entered a war they didn't want without warning them. Plus he is very unpopular with their voters, even on the right wing. Gee, I wonder why NATO's leaders aren't eager to help.
they didn't have tariffs on us?
Article 5 is for when we are attacked on our soil, we are the attackers here! We started the process of closing the strait by our attack. A War not agreed to by Congress. Our allies came to our assistance immediately when we were attacked on 911! That is how NATO is supposed to work. We are in the wrong because our President listens to Putin plain and simple. Putin’s wish is to end the greatest alliance in the history of the world for obvious reasons. Anyone who thinks otherwise is uneducated and deceptive, like Trump.
One of our biggest mistakes in WWII was letting the French and Charles de Gaulle think that they actually helped liberate France. We then let de Gaulle go his own way and let the French people think that they had been noble and courageous, where only a small handful were. The French then used that mistake to build themselves in their own minds as a courageous and brilliant people, where in reality they are only good for cheese, wine, and copying Greek and Roman architecture.
Thank you Ms Batya for saying what has to be said
I have friends & acquaintances across Europe
Many are Conservative, just happened
What’s interesting is those who support Liberal policies and drifted away since 2016. Many are actually seeing the errors of their Votes/Positions and are questioning their Leaders
I think EURO Leadership & MSM are manipulating volume of the Left & are worried with what’s happening
FAFO is in Europe, and as you pointed out: they are begging to Find Out
#WakeUpAmerica
With the launch of Iranian missiles at Diego Garcia demonstrating range of 2500 km, the threat to most of Europe has gone from a potential concern to an immediate danger.
The Europeans go too far when the deny access to airspace to our airbases, but it is ridiculous to expect them to help “open the strait” [presumably by military force] when WE started this conflict. Our military has known for decades that Iran has one play (truth be told, any idiot knows Iran has one play). To have attacked Iran (which I 100% support) without a plan for the Strait is on Trump here. History will not judge him kindly and whining about the lack of allies HE has spent the last year threatening and intimidating does not help his case.
TDS - with its brainless, knee jerk rejection of anything Trump - is real. No doubt the New York Times and Europe have it in spades. But be careful that you don’t suffer from brainless, knee jerk support of anything Trump.
I support Trump and his desire to end this 47 year conflict with Iran. I support our military and I applaud its ability to do damage to Iran. And as an American I support our continued hegemony in the world. Whining about Europe - when we unilaterally chose this path - does nothing but show weakness on Trump’s (and by extension our) part.
Does anyone seriously doubt the U.S. military has the ability to "open" the Strait of Hormuz anytime it wants? What exactly would be the strategic advantage to "opening" the Strait at this time? Is it not more accurate to say the U.S. has "control" of the Strait? The U.S. is already providing liability insurance and escort vessels for tankers, under the coordination of Central Command. Sure, the Iranians could launch drones, fast attack boats, and missiles, and a few might reach their targets, but the Strait would essentially be open.
While the Strait is "closed" Iran is denied an estimated $100 million a day in oil revenue hard currency needed to sustain its defense/aggression and its economy, China is denied oil to fuel its economy and Trump has leverage over Europe. The Strait's "closure" even provides Trump with a bargaining chip with Putin because the U.S. effectively controls the price of oil, a commodity Russis relies on heavily to fund its economy and war with Ukraine.
When viewed in the context of U.S. action in Venezuela, and the oil embargo of Cuba, it seems pretty apparent to me that Trump is operating from a position of strength of his making!
"Does anyone seriously doubt the U.S. military has the ability to "open" the Strait of Hormuz anytime it wants?"
I truly hope not, but the longer Trump whines about the Strait (instead of telling his generals to open it), the more he undermines that hope. This isn't funny anymore & he's killing whatever political strength and capital he may have gained had the Iran conflict gone as well as it should have gone given the YEARS we had to plan it.
"When viewed in the context of U.S. action in Venezuela, and the oil embargo of Cuba, it seems pretty apparent to me that Trump is operating from a position of strength of his making!"
That was true - absolutely - right up until he started whining about no one answering his call to rescue us in Iran (after he spent a year telling our allies that we don't need them anyway). There is no strength in that no matter how one may try to shine that turd. He is literally undermining what immense strength and clout we gained in Venezuela. And he's undermined any action he may want to do in Cuba. And make no mistake, he's made a Democratic victory all but inevitable.
I'll tell you, I voted for the guy. I want him to be successful and to Make America Great Again. On no uncertain terms: incessant whining about Europe isn't doing that. Causing a recession - through self inflicted policies and actions - isn't doing that. Increasing costs for an electorate who elected him to lower costs isn't doing that. Feigning (or worse being) too weak to open the Strait ourselves, isn't doing that.
I understand what you are saying Lance. For myself, I learned long ago never to take what Trump says, or how he says it, at face value. After all, even a petulant, whiny child gets what it wants on occasion. Is the higher price of gas resulting from the war hurting the very people who voted for Trump? Of course! But the next election is seven months away and people have short memories. They also like winners. So if Trump's strategy, whatever that may be, succeeds, he and we may be better off in the long run. Only time will tell.
That’s the sincere hope!
just remind me....why are we solely responsible for opening hormuz?
Assuming you’re being serious…. Because we started the conflict. We are - by definition - responsible for all outcomes. Like it or not, accept it or not, that is the reality we will be judged on. And that’s true no matter how hard some wish to stomp their foot and say otherwise.
The conflict started when our Embassy was captured and several hundred Americans were held hostage. It had been continued over the years through various terrorist attacks of both the US and of our allies.
Perhaps it wasn't the best time to do so, how long must we suffer at the hands of these evil people?
And if we are, indeed, making a mess of things, why should't it be Europe to come clean it up for themselves? How many European messes did we clean up for them -- WWI, WWII, and the Cold War are all examples that come to mind --at what point is turnabout fair play?