Political Posts

[UK]

 

[SharperDingaan]

47 minutes ago, changegonnacome said:

 

Right - and I guess in their defence each fuel supplier for future inventory refills is facing exploding working capital requirements which needs to be part funded by sweating the existing inventory!

 

Its funny the BBB architects designed it beautifully to deliver nice big chunky tax refunds in April......looks like a good chunk of that surprise tax refunds that were meant to delight midterm voters with a Trump 'dividend' are going to have to be spent on a surprise energy shock expenses created by none other than the same guy - Captain Chaos

 

Nah ... it's just price at whatever the market will bear. 

 

Go next door until their tank runs dry, then pay my price until his next delivery arrives .... on which he will charge more than what I'm charging you; gotta love competition  No change in working capital, as suppliers partially fill their tanks for faster turnover, and motorists buy less per fill while filling more often.

 

All about that Roman SPQR!  (Small Profit Quick Return).

 

SD    

Edited March 14 by SharperDingaan

[cwericb]

7 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

Straight of Hormuz is open, the only thing prohibiting transit

is Iran shooting at ships.

 

 

This, from the 'Secretary of War'? 

Absolutely hilarious ... and I thought Trump was an airhead!  WELL DUH!

Edited March 14 by cwericb

[RichardGibbons]

33 minutes ago, Blake Hampton said:

 

Arguing with Cubs be like:

 

 

Cubs is reminiscent of Tom Parsons in 1984. The diversity of humanity is endlessly fascinating.

[cubsfan]

50 minutes ago, Blake Hampton said:

 

Arguing with Cubs be like:

 

 

 

I'm really starting to like you Blake.  That's hilarious!

 

I always wanted a statue in my name - one I can plant in front of Parsad's house when you figure out Trump is the greatest President in 100 years!

[changegonnacome]

3 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

They deserve to get removed but that’s easier said than done.

 

100% - nobody on here should be supportive of the regimes in these places. They are unelected, unaccountable and exist to keep their people in defacto open air prisons to the benefit of a few.

 

As you say wanting to remove them and actually removing them are two different things - the central tenet of CONSERVATISM is an understanding that dismantling the status quo can easily lead to worse outcomes. In foreign policy its a deathly important lesson.. The history of recent US foreign escapades is exactly that - a desire to change the status quo that completely fails flat on its face not because the intentions arent good (they are) but the reality is that on the other side of change is not 100% assured greener grass. Quite the opposite sometimes. 

 

Its ironic that the conservative movement came up with Captain Chaos as their candidate the last three times out. He's a change agent no doubt - the question is whether things are demonstrably better or worse after radical departures from orthodoxy.

 

Trump has three overarching grand radical change experiments at play at once (1) trade policy - tariffs etc (2) dismantling US multilateralism & underwriting global institutions/norms established since WWII & (3) labor & immigration as an engine of US prosperity..............its important to point out that the systems Trump are dismantling led to an unprecedented period of prosperity and peace for the United States over the last number of decades and to be a Trump supporter I guess you need to argue that even greater prosperity and even greater peace sits just on the far side of all the change & voluntary chaos he's instituting.....I dont know the answer, the report cards arent in yet so we'll see but that's what the 'conservative' voters of America plus a few low information & low propensity voters stacked on top decided for us in 2024! Very interesting times to live in!

 

Edited March 14 by changegonnacome

[cubsfan]

42 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

Blake [ @Blake Hampton ],

 

Mike [ @cubsfan ] is quite thick-skinned, experienced, mature, grown-up, likely close double your age, very successful investor and can likely take this. But if Mike feel offended, you owe him an apology, in my book.

 

What makes CofB&F going around is different options, different angles, different approaches and discussions interpartes between the disagreeing.

 

It's all good John..... a mere flesh wound, funny one too.

 

How would I exist without LC, Change, Deal and now Blake. All highly intelligent and worthy. They will figure out I'm right one of these days!!

[ourkid8]

2 hours ago, Castanza said:

@ourkid8

 

A test…

 

Scenario One: Iran has nuclear weapons. Israel disbands its military and sells all of their offensive and defensive equipment. They say they will exist peacefully hence forth. It is guaranteed there will be peace from Israel hence forth. Does Iran take advantage of this situation or do they choose to coexist? 
 

Scenario Two: Israel has nuclear weapons. Iran says they will disband their military, stop the funding of terrorist groups, sell all of their offensive and defensive equipment. Democratically elect new leadership. Assume there is 100% chance peace is carried forward from Iran hence forth. Does Israel take advantage of this situation or do they choose to coexist? 

 

edit: I also think your claim of citizens supporting the regime is bullshit. Basij forces are actively telling citizens if they go to the streets they will be killed. Israel is actively starting covert operations to take out lower level leadership.

 

 

Your scenario analysis is not even realistic so I am not going to waste my time on it. Let's look at both countries and how they treat their minorities and why don't you tell me where you would want to live?   

 

Iran - Has a significant Jewish and Christian population.  (In fact, I have been invited as a guest to attend numerous events in a Synagogue and they regularly attend events in Mosques in peace and harmony.)

 

Outside of Israel, Iran has arguably one of the largest Jewish population in the region.  Jew's live in peace and harmony in the country.  Here is a clip that just came up on Youtube that is perfecr for this discussion:

 

"In Iran there is the absence of anti-Semitism"

"I feel safer here then in the United States"

 

 

 

Now let's look at Israel  - Has a significant Muslim and Christian population who are Occupied and considered second class citizens. They are constantly under fear of imprisonment, death or being attacked.   I'll avoid the Muslims but let's look what a Christian Pastor has to say or watch the population spit on them: 

 

 

 

Edited March 14 by ourkid8

[John Hjorth]

2 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

It's all good John..... a mere flesh wound, funny one too.

 

How would I exist without LC, Change, Deal and now Blake. All highly intelligent and worthy. They will figure out I'm right one of these days!!

 

Mike [ @cubsfan ],

 

 

You're a US citizen, located in the Chicago area, financially well situated, because of hard work, saving & investing. Politically engaged the last nine years or so, in US politics.

 

Naturally, your voice matters, also here on CofB&F, also to me, to understand the whole picture. I'm reading, listening, thinking.

 

Quite a few of your points are not just points, they are indeed facts. Please keep them coming, you naugthy young boy with too much energy at disposal here!  [Where the h*** do you find all that energy? ]

[73 Reds]

10 minutes ago, ourkid8 said:

 

Your scenario analysis is not even realistic so I am not going to waste my time on it. Let's look at both countries and how they treat their minorities and why don't you tell me where you would want to live?   

 

Iran - Has a significant Jewish and Christian population.  (In fact, I have been invited as a guest to attend numerous events in a Synagogue and they regularly attend events in Mosques in peace and harmony.)

 

Outside of Israel, Iran has arguably one of the largest Jewish population in the region.  Jew's live in peace and harmony in the country.  Here is a clip that just came up on Youtube that is perfecr for this discussion:

 

"In Iran there is the absence of anti-Semitism"

"I feel safer here then in the United States"

 

 

 

Now let's look at Israel  - Has a significant Muslim and Christian population who are Occupied and considered second class citizens. They are constantly under fear of imprisonment, death or being attacked.   I'll avoid the Muslims but let's look what a Christian Pastor has to say or watch the population spit on them: 

 

 

 

More nonsense and distortion.  Iran's Jewish population has DECREASED by more than 90% since the Regime took over.  Christians in Israel are not "occupied" and there are some very wealthy Arab communities in the heart of Israel.  The "occupied" territories you refer to harbor terrorists armed and funded by your beloved Iran and leadership has managed to squander and pillage ever last dollar of aid provided for the benefit of otherwise innocent residents there who don't otherwise stand a chance in life.  Garbage in, garbage out.

[ourkid8]

1 hour ago, Parsad said:

 

This is not accurate...it's like someone putting up a Youtube video eating Big Macs for a month and not dying of a heart attack.

 

The same thing happens in India and Muslim countries.  Most people recognize foreigners and it isn't enforced and they aren't attacked for their dress.  But if you live in villages, communities, even major cities, the cat-calling, assaults, etc are real in many places. 

 

Tehran is also a fairly cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, Dubai, etc...the restrictive nature of the theocracy isn't as self-evident there...it's enforced through religious indoctrination, elections, suppression of protests, restriction of media, etc.  Cheers! 

 

Please stop, you are acting like you have been to Iran but just sharing propaganda from US/Israel. - I know you are smarter then that.  I searched a random youtube walking video in Tehran video and just watch the first minute how many woman are without Hijabs.

 

 

 

[cubsfan]

5 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

 

Mike [ @cubsfan ],

 

 

You're a US citizen, located in the Chicago area, financially well situated, because of hard work, saving & investing. Politically engaged the last nine years or so, in US politics.

 

Naturally, your voice matters, also here on CofB&F, also to me, to understand the whole picture. I'm reading, listening, thinking.

 

Quite a few of your points are not just points, they are indeed facts. Please keep them coming, you naugthy young boy with too much energy at disposal here!  [Where the h*** do you find all that energy? ]

 

John - it's an American thing I guess. Locker room talk where the boys pimp each other. No harm, no foul.  Once in a while, the coach @Parsad, has to come in a slap the players around.  Hopefully he doesn't have to cut anyone from the team!

 

I can only speak for myself. I've learned a lot from the boys here, in spite of our difference and venting. You included - it's good to love your country, culture and tradition - and it's distressing when you see it going the wrong way (as has been the case in the USA recently). I've never considered myself political - I just have my mind made up as to what is worth fighting for... and that happens to align with the current guy in charge, who is roundly despised here. 

 

 

[changegonnacome]

1 hour ago, SharperDingaan said:

Nah ... it's just price at whatever the market will bear. 

 

Go next door until their tank runs dry, then pay my price until his next delivery arrives .... on which he will charge more than what I'm charging you; gotta love competition  No change in working capital, as suppliers partially fill their tanks for faster turnover, and motorists buy less per fill while filling more often.

 

All about that Roman SPQR!  (Small Profit Quick Return).

 

SD    

 

Yep your right....perfectly competitive and perfectly rational behaviour......who gets squeezed in the chain (apart from consumers) out of interest? I guess fuel distributors who deliver to the gas stations - sounds like a lot more truck rolls with smaller loads per stop and perhaps they bear some incremental working capital squeeze? Never a market I went through the value chain of too much to understand the economic incentives at each layer.

[cubsfan]

15 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

More nonsense and distortion.  Iran's Jewish population has DECREASED by more than 90% since the Regime took over.  Christians in Israel are not "occupied" and there are some very wealthy Arab communities in the heart of Israel.  The "occupied" territories you refer to harbor terrorists armed and funded by your beloved Iran and leadership has managed to squander and pillage ever last dollar of aid provided for the benefit of otherwise innocent residents there who don't otherwise stand a chance in life.  Garbage in, garbage out.

 

I'm amazed at that response as well. It's well know that many Muslim countries that have succumbed to radicalization have purged their Christian and Jewish populations - especially since WWII. With the rise of ISIS and Iran those moves have only accelerated.

 

Kid thinks we were born yesterday.

[ourkid8]

18 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

More nonsense and distortion.  Iran's Jewish population has DECREASED by more than 90% since the Regime took over.  Christians in Israel are not "occupied" and there are some very wealthy Arab communities in the heart of Israel.  The "occupied" territories you refer to harbor terrorists armed and funded by your beloved Iran and leadership has managed to squander and pillage ever last dollar of aid provided for the benefit of otherwise innocent residents there who don't otherwise stand a chance in life.  Garbage in, garbage out.

 

Ok there, only you can believe your nonsense.   

[ourkid8]

7 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

I'm amazed at that response as well. It's well know that many Muslim countries that have succumbed to radicalization have purged their Christian and Jewish populations - especially since WWII. With the rise of ISIS and Iran those moves have only accelerated.

 

Kid thinks we were born yesterday.

 

Please do not include your Epstein class aka. ISIS with other Muslims.

 

"Knowledge of U.S. and Allied Strategy: In correspondence dating back to 2013, Epstein reportedly claimed knowledge that the U.S. was supporting ISIS in Syria as part of efforts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad."

Edited March 14 by ourkid8

[73 Reds]

1 minute ago, ourkid8 said:

 

Ok there, only you can believe your nonsense.   

How long has Iran as a civilization been in existence - thousands of years?  Israel has been a country since 1948.  Despite being surrounded by enemies and constantly at war, it has succeeded economically, socially, culturally and militarily.  Iran is now decimated.  The Iranian people deserve better than the Regime and the likes of you. Hopefully their time is coming - thanks to the US and Israel. 

[adesigar]

8 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

Straight of Hormuz is open, the only thing prohibiting transit

is Iran shooting at ships.

 

 

Im guessing that for these morons Iran would have to build a great big beautiful wall across the strait of Hormuz for it to be closed. 

[ourkid8]

12 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

How long has Iran as a civilization been in existence - thousands of years?  Israel has been a country since 1948.  Despite being surrounded by enemies and constantly at war, it has succeeded economically, socially, culturally and militarily.  Iran is now decimated.  The Iranian people deserve better than the Regime and the likes of you. Hopefully their time is coming - thanks to the US and Israel. 

Iran is being attacked as expected but not being decimated. US / Israel has asked for two cease fires so far and Iran has rejected both attempts. 
 

Trump's crypto czar - David Sacks says: 

 

“Israel is getting hit harder than they have ever been hit before in their history, and we're only two weeks into this. If this war continues for weeks or months, then Israel could just be destroyed or very large parts of it. Then you have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon, which would truly be catastrophic.”

 

 

Edited March 14 by ourkid8

[73 Reds]

1 minute ago, ourkid8 said:

Iran is being attacked as expected but not being decimated. US / Israel has asked for two cease fires so far and Iran has rejected both attempts. 
 

Trump's crypto czar - David Sacks says: 

 

“Israel is getting hit harder than they have ever been hit before in their history, and we're only two weeks into this. If this war continues for weeks or months, then Israel could just be destroyed or very large parts of it. Then you have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon, which would truly be catastrophic.”

 

 

Iran is defenseless.  Figures you get your news from a crypto czar.  What you can't understand is, of the two Countries, only one set of leaders places a value on human life.  And the days of the other are consequently short lived.    

[cubsfan]

Iran is pretty much toast and everyone knows it.

 

The real issue is whether there will be regime change for the people. Definitely an open issue.

 

A defenseless Iran is a beautiful thing for the Middle East.  Just wait till the Abraham Accords get restarted. An entirely different Middle East is possible.

 

You can thank Trump & Bibi later.

[Spekulatius]

On 1/8/2026 at 10:43 AM, Spekulatius said:

He did not rename the defense department into Department of War for nothing. Imperialism requires a large army and foremost Navy and that comes at a cost. One has to pay and build the toys first before playing with them. 
 

The last time Imperialism was tried it didn’t end too well.

Welk that name change certainly meant something, that for sure.

[73 Reds]

Just now, cubsfan said:

Iran is pretty much toast and everyone knows it.

 

The real issue is whether there will be regime change for the people. Definitely an open issue.

 

A defenseless Iran is a beautiful thing for the Middle East.  Just wait till the Abraham Accords get restarted. An entirely different Middle East is possible.

 

You can thank Trump & Bibi later.

Right, they've managed to alienate every friend they had in the World and for the first time in history, Arabs and Israelis are in alignment for the common good.  They even earned a sanction from the useless UN.  Who'd have thunk?

[ourkid8]

22 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Iran is defenseless.  Figures you get your news from a crypto czar.  What you can't understand is, of the two Countries, only one set of leaders places a value on human life.  And the days of the other are consequently short lived.    

btw: where is Nethanyahu? He seems no where to be seen. Even his son’s twitter account stopped tweeting 6 days ago. 
 

Iran who is defenceless and supposedly decimated yet their whole leadership was walking amongst the people on Friday during the Al Quds day rally for hours.  They were taking selfies and enjoying the protest!    - the selfies must be a sign of decimation. lol 

 

I guess this is how decimated people act? Millions upon millions are in the streets supporting the current government  

 

 

Edited March 14 by ourkid8

[Spekulatius]

8 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

Iran is pretty much toast and everyone knows it.

 

The real issue is whether there will be regime change for the people. Definitely an open issue.

 

A defenseless Iran is a beautiful thing for the Middle East.  Just wait till the Abraham Accords get restarted. An entirely different Middle East is possible.

 

You can thank Trump & Bibi later.

Next chapter is assymetrical warfare and the play is outlasting the US on patience. The Iran could well be as toasty as Vietnam was in 1966 and I think the regime can take a punch. I sure hope boots on the ground won’t happen because then we are going to see coffins  with flags coming back as a regular cadence.

 

I also expect to see terror acts against US assets and possibly on US soil. I hope I am wrong on all the above.

Edited March 14 by Spekulatius