Parsad

They only have control if there is no ground war. Neither wants that...it would be brutal for both sides; economically catastrophic for the U.S., Iran, most of the world; and it would mean a long-term, drawn out war in Iran...where the regime would ultimately lose everything. Do you think the U.S. will not use a nuke to end a ground war if it is prolonged and means a lot of casualties? Iran has nothing to counter that. They named the Department of Defense...the Department of War! If it means 100,000 dead U.S. soldiers, they will use the bomb. Use game theory here. What are the plausible outcomes and what are the plausible desired outcomes. Then use probabilities to figure out the likelihood of the extreme outcomes versus the more plausible outcomes. The most likely scenario is that one side will give a little more than the other to avoid an extreme outcome. And at this point, it is more likely to be Trump if he can get a decade of no nukes, peace and call it a "win". The regime just wants to retain control and power...for now, they are happy to walk away somewhat intact and say they beat the satanic Americans who crave war. They want to live to fight another day! Cheers!

That may happen...none of us can predict the future. But if there ever was a time to, as Cubs put it "defang Iran" and bring some long-term peace to the Middle East, this may be it. I don't think it will happen, because even Trump doesn't have the balls to do what is necessary...which would be extremely painful for everyone...so he will make a deal that will bring some peace for a decade and chalk up another so-called "win"! Where is China? Where is Russia? Where is North Korea? No Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, etc. Lebanon under fire. Arabs don't like the bombings, but understand it would be better long-term. You will never get this opportunity again! And going forward, he needs to "defang" Israel a bit too. Netanyahu cannot run roughshod wherever/whenever he likes when this is over. A deal will be made here...neither Trump, nor Iran want this to go further, but Iran also wants to call it some sort of "win". They'll both give a bit and want a bit, with Trump probably giving up a little more than he expected originally...this is not the "easy win" Cubs likes to call it. But probably a "win" nonetheless! Cheers!

Historically yes...but it's been a mess either way since the GFC. Cheers! https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/2011/5/democrats-in-congress-ran-up-most-of-america-s-debt

No, what I learned is that he's somewhat of a chicken-shit! He loves himself too much to really blow things to hell...thus why he TACO's so much. But I also learned he's a very driven person...more driven than I actually expected and probably more than anyone else expected! People underestimate that drive and determination to get what he wants. He'll push the envelope and people to the breaking point...in other words, he's a fucking bully! Like most bullies, once you punch him back in the fucking face, he backs down and will look for a way to save face and usually placates himself with a deal that he calls a win. But words don't hurt him...he'll fight back with words. Only when his money is at risk, then he turtles and looks for a way out. Cheers!

Good comeback Blake! I don't think Greg was ready for that one. Cheers!

She has no clue around finance, trade or investment. I heard her try and answer some basic questions on finance...it was brutal! I'm sure Trump is just as ignorant about many things, but you know he was going to do things that were pro-business/investment/trade. So you are ok with 10M illegals and more pouring in through the southern border? What about the lack of direct investment/manufacturing in the U.S.? Ok with long-term large deficits and increased debt...although I'm not sure Trump is any more fiscally responsible, but generally the GOP is?! Also, the house isn't burning...this is more rhetoric. Yes, oil prices are high, will probably hit businesses globally, and increase the chance of a small, global recession, but the U.S. is in a better position today than it was a year ago domestically. Internationally, yes, a lot of unnecessary damage self-inflicted by the Orange Gooman that will last years, and damaged the U.S. reputation as the world's statesman and its relationships with allies. But domestically, there is a ton of investment coming into the country, borders are secure which will save money long-term and improve access to social programs that were being used by illegals, improving corporate earnings despite the tariffs, higher GDP growth, lower inflation and increased domestic manufacturing/jobs. You can bitch about his failures, but in all honesty, he's had some successes too. Have to call it like I see it! Cheers!

Yeah, in Canada you can use two pieces of ID...one government ID...one like a bill with your name and address. So it proves who you are, where you live, you reside at that residence, and that you are eligible to vote in that area/district. Although nowadays you can vote at any polling station as long as you have your ID's or vote at early polling stations as well. Mail in ballots are also counted...they are verified independently. Even in the U.S., those without their ID are verified independently...there was no realistic or degree of fraud that would have changed the election. It's just bullshit! Cheers!

If you serve up slop on two separate plates...you have no idea which plate of slop people will pick. There was nothing of substance behind Harris, and Biden was suffering from age and obvious mental issues. With Trump, maybe not any more competent, but he was going to make changes that many Americans agreed with. If Trump did just that, he probably would be more popular right now. Unfortunately, his personality, narcissism and mean-spiritedness detract from ANY sort of progress he does actually make. Can any Democrat honestly criticize what he's done with the southern border (naturally ignoring the lack of due process/deportations/family separations/etc). But that border is secure and cleaned up! He probably would have more wins if he actually listened to the generals and other qualified leaders he puts in place, rather than the numbnuts running many departments and then firing/dismissing the actual qualified people. Cheers!

That's true! There are jokes I have a hard time laughing at now about Trump...it's just too much of the same stuff, over and over. That being said, Obama didn't take even a tiny fraction of the cheap shots Trump takes...not just at other people, but his own people and staff! You reap what you sow! Cheers!

John, I think you've done a wonderful job over the years becoming a pseudo-moderator and peacemaker for TCOBF! If anything, you are an asset to the board. Cheers!

Wasn't hateful...he kept arguing and I told everyone to go back to posting. Everyone else listened...including most of the usual suspects. Cheers!

Sadly, I was! Cheers!

That's your opinion and that's fair. I have no problem with that and debating that. I just don't want people making it so personal that it gets confrontational. No one comes here to get into a fight...we're all here to make money, make friends and talk. Cheers!

Ahhhhhh! I feel like I just slept with 72 virgins or Margot Robbie! I'm asking you guys to be civil to one another when debating politics. These are all people around the world who share a common interest and simply want to be part of a community...where they can primarily discuss investing. Make that the primary focus...not all the shit and noise politicians and the media distract us with every single day of our lives! Cheers!

Yup, same for you...see you in 30 days! Your reading comprehension must be at a Grade 5 level! I'm going fucking nuclear on you fuckers now. Who wants to go next? Cheers!

Buh-bye! Fuck this shit! You are gone for 30 days! Cheers!

Why are you fucking arguing with me on this? Did I say "majority"? You don't think 10M people is a lot of people? Do you think I support the theocracy? I don't even believe in God! Why do you guys waste your fucking time arguing with people who don't want to argue? Fuck me!

Get off your fucking high horse Reds! Do you even read the threads on here? I have to go through all of them. There is so much shit on Muslim people on here, it's not even funny. I have to keep challenging people over and over, or threatening to ban them. Every time anyone has used the word "Zionist" or anything antisemitic, I've challenged them or banned them. There is just a handful of people on here who stir shit up...you are one of them amongst that handful. And if you disagree with me...who are the two dipshits that started this whole debacle right now...you and OurKid8! So I have a choice, either get people to behave nicer to one another and not call each other spiteful names or brand them terrorists. Or I can ban the shit disturbers! I don't win either way, so it doesn't matter to me. Now, you are going to have a tendency to want to respond to this post. I would take that energy and channel it into productive discussion instead of wasting it telling me how I can't see prejudice...like telling a black person he's never faced discrimination! Lots of people to talk to...lots of things to discuss...focus on that! Cheers!

First, I'm not trying to make you laugh! Second, I'm not saying it isn't pro-Iranian...a significant percentage of the Iranian population does support the theocracy without necessary supporting all of the objectives or policies. There is a difference! You may be Catholic, but support a woman's right to choice. You can be supportive of the Catholic Church...you can be pious...you can also have conflicting views to the church. Cheers!

I can't believe I never watched the series "Peaky Blinders" on Netflix! Unbelievable that I never paid attention to it. Fantastic show...especially if you love anything similar to Guy Ritchie movies...I'm hooked! Saw Season 1 on the weekend and working on Season 2. Cillian Murphy would have also made a superb James Bond. Oppenheimer was good, but he's just at a whole other level in this! If you are like me and had never seen this series...you won't be disappointed! Cheers! https://www.youtube.com/@PeakyBlinders

Try regulating it if it wasn't restricted to this thread! I would have to ban 10% of the board members! Cheers!

He's not spewing terrorism...he's trying to provide a perspective from the Iranian side...the Iranian people. Contrary to popular sentiment, the world doesn't revolve around the U.S...most people are not the U.S.' enemy...like fucking Canada or NATO! Yet, there is this growing hostility to U.S. allies, let alone actual enemies! There are extremist groups and leaders, who illegally control sovereign states or have access to resources, that target Western society or other groups. Most people in Iran have no interest in their current regime, let alone war...they just want a happy life! Ourkid8 has to watch it with the "Zionist" shit, but that's emotionally charged discharge similar to the Muslim's only believe in "jihad" or "fatwa" sentiment! Doesn't anyone on here actually have both Jewish and Muslim close friends? Am the only fucking one? What about Chinese, Vietnamese, Black, Punjabi, Greek, Hispanic, Filipino, Italian, French, German, English, Australian, Kiwi, etc? Do you guys all just hang around your own clique or ethnic group? I not only have close friends from each of those groups, I have in-laws, nieces, nephews, etc who are half of one or the other! My family is like the fucking United Nations! People are people...most are the same everywhere around the world. They are proud of their culture and heritage, no matter how barbaric or uncouth others may perceive them to be. Debate is a good thing...but making it personal is not appropriate. Everyone should keep it to just debating! Cheers!

Yeah, you are both pushing the lines here! You guys are making it personal. If I hear either of you talking to the other for the next 48 hours, you are both banned for a month. So move to a different thread or talk to different people. Cheers!

There is a significant difference between theoretical objective and actual action. Not Iranians in general, but the regime specifically (including the past and current Ayotollahs), is not only well-known for, but proven to be a funder of wide-spread terrorist activity...specifically to target Western culture and behavior. Not only is the objective a "jihad", it is practiced as a religious "jihad". So it certainly isn't Mandela calling out apartheid and practicing peaceful protest to end it. To say so, is just as extreme as what Cubs does here, while supporting and backing almost everything Trump does. Cheers!

https://www.hoover.org/research/threat-any-language Cheers!