Tag: US Troops

What If They Say NO?

A regular visitor and reader of IST John at https://johnrieber.com/ (visit often for some wonderful stuff)….in a recent comment he asked what would happen if the generals that were chastised by Hogsbreath and Donny refused an order…..

I found this article that may answer his question.

…

Increasingly, then, the question is: What will the military leaders do? Let Trump turn full blown Kim Jong Un? Or say, “No sir!”

About saying “NO!”… It isn’t just legal — it is compulsory under the current conditions, and this will only become more apparent. According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ, Article 92, service members have the duty to obey only lawful orders and to refuse unlawful ones. An order is unlawful if it violates the Constitution, US laws, military regulations, or international law. Obeying illegal orders can result in criminal liability.

At Quantico, by remaining silent, by not applauding, by not smiling at Trump’s “jokes,” the generals and admirals gave some of us at least a sliver of hope that they understand the weighty responsibility upon their shoulders.

Perhaps they will not, after all, go quietly into the night.

What Would Happen if the Generals Refused to Follow Orders?

This may not be a definitive answer to the question but it could give us an idea an d ask questions of our generals, our military commanders.

If we go by the Uniform Code of Military Justice there are several things that could be levied against one who breaks the code….

Punishments under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) range from less severe administrative penalties to severe criminal punishments, including reprimands, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, extra duties, restriction, confinement, and punitive discharges like a bad-conduct or dishonorable discharge. The specific punishment depends on the severity of the offense, and for the most serious crimes, penalties can include life imprisonment or the death penalty. 

Common punishments
  • Reprimand:A formal verbal or written disapproval of conduct.
    Reduction in rank:Demotion to a lower pay grade.

    Forfeiture of pay:A portion of the service member’s pay is withheld.

    Extra duties:Being assigned additional duties outside of the normal work schedule.

    Restriction:Being confined to a specific geographic area, such as a base.

    Confinement:Physical imprisonment, with options for hard labor without confinement.

    Fines:Monetary fines can be imposed.

    Punitive discharges:These are severe penalties that result in separation from the military and can have significant consequences:

    Bad-conduct discharge:Imposed for more serious offenses.
    Dishonorable discharge:The most severe type of discharge, used for the most serious offenses.
    Dismissal:The equivalent of a dishonorable discharge for an officer.

Death penalty:Can be imposed for the most extreme offenses, such as treason or espionage.Severity and process

Non-judicial punishment:

Minor offenses are typically handled by a commanding officer through a process known as Article 15 or non-judicial punishment, which avoids a criminal conviction.

Courts-martial:

More serious offenses are tried in a court-martial, which is a military trial.

Sentencing and review:
A court-martial conviction can lead to severe punishments. If the sentence includes a punitive discharge, dismissal, or confinement of more than one year, it is subject to review by an intermediate court.
More specific….what about disobeying direct orders….

Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) covers the Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation. Service members accused of failure to obey orders, regulations or performing their duties in a negligent or intentionally poor manner may be charged under this article.

This is one of the most commonly charged offenses in military justice. It can apply to a wide range of misconduct, including dereliction of duty, failure to follow safety protocols, and refusing to carry out a lawful order.

Violating a lawful order in the military is serious. The government may launch an investigation into:

  • Refusal to carry out orders
  • Negligent performance of duty
  • Drunk or incapacitated on duty
  • Failure to follow standing safety procedures
  • Dereliction of duty that causes injury or death

Even a single mistake can lead to nonjudicial punishment (Article 15), a GOMOR (General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand), administrative separation, or even court-martial.

I know it is a lot of information but this is the jest of what someone who disobeys a direct order can look forward to getting.

Now the question is will any of the generals show that sort of fortitude after in vesting much of their adult life to the military?

I hope this helps understand what is expected if one does not follow a direct order.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Plenary Authority?

Recently that little bald Nazi adviser to Donny brought up an interesting term that needs explanation….’plenary authority’….

First of all what the Hell is ‘plenary authority’?

A plenary power or plenary authority is a complete and absolute power to take action on a particular issue, with no limitations.

What is its purpose?

The purposes of the plenary is to: draw together what has been learned, to highlight the most important rather than the most recent points, to summarize key facts, ideas and vocabulary, and stress what needs to be remembered; generalize from examples generated earlier in the lesson.

What brought this seldom used term to the forefront was an interview with Herr Miller on the use of troops in American cities…..

Stephen Miller’s assertion that President Trump has “plenary authority” to deploy the National Guard to US cities has ignited fresh debate and confusion over the limits of presidential power, leaving both legal experts and the public questioning what the White House may attempt next, Newsweek reports. The White House deputy chief of staff made the assertion on CNN Monday while discussing efforts to send federal troops to Portland, Oregon, despite a judge blocking such action. His abrupt silence after making the claim led to speculation on social media, with some users suggesting he was told to stop talking, though CNN attributed the pause to technical difficulties. The network did not include the phrase “plenary authority” when it edited the video to post on social media, HuffPost reports.

Asked if Trump would abide by the judge’s order, Miller said, “Under Title 10 of the US Code, the President has plenary authority, has—” before pausing, blinking, and failing to respond when the interviewer repeated his name a few times. After the show returned from a break, Miller continued, “I was making the point that under federal law, Section—Title 10 of the US Code, the president has the authority anytime he believes federal resources are insufficient to federalize the National Guard to carry out a mission necessary for public safety.” He said the administration would “abide by the ruling insofar as it affects the covered parties” but that Trump also has “many other options … to deploy federal resources and assets under the US military to Portland.” Online searches for “plenary authority” increased after the clip, WUSA reports.

Plenary authority, rare in the US, gives one of the three branches of government total control over one area (such as presidential pardons). Legal experts quickly weighed in. Matthew Mangino, a former Pennsylvania district attorney, described “plenary authority” as “complete and absolute power,” noting, “The office of the president is not endowed with it.” He added that US governmental checks and balances give Congress and the courts the power to keep a president from overstepping. Richard Painter, the former chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, clarified that while Title 10 of the US Code allows the president to federalize National Guard units in certain circumstances, it does not grant unchecked power, and significant limitations remain under the Posse Comitatus Act.

Everyone of the sycophants are dancing hard and fast to find reasons for the occupation of American cities by troops.

More info available….https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/plenary-authority-stephen-miller-cnn-dictator-b2841627.html

This ‘authority’ is not a blank check and Donny needs to be made a ware of it use and misuse.

Now you know what Herr Miller was popping off about….and trying to set some sort of legal groundwork as cover.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

The Insurrection Normalization

The popular meme falling from the lips of Donny in his late night stupidity is the term ‘insurrection’ that he has been throwing around to justify his insane plan to use US troops in our cities…….sorry our ‘blue’ cities.

Donny keeps saying that our cities (Blue cities) are suffering from an insurrection (have you seen any evidence of that?).

President Donald Trump took a major step toward invoking some of the most extreme emergency powers available to a sitting president and claimed an “insurrection” is underway in Portland, Oregon.

During an interview with Newsmax host Greg Kelly, Trump said he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act as a way to “get around” a judge’s order blocking the administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland.

“If you take a look at what’s been going on in Portland, it’s been going on for a long time, and that’s insurrection. I mean, that’s pure insurrection,” he said. “And then you’ll have a governor get up and say, ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong.’ And you see these places are burning down.”

The only fires reported in Portland, Oregon, on Monday were smoke coming from the boiler room of a local high school and a mobile home engulfed in flames, according to Portland Fire & Rescue’s X account. No injuries were reported in either incident.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-now-claims-an-insurrection-is-underway-in-portland-in-dark-march-to-martial-law/

All that rhetoric is pure manure.

Because of all this fake chaos, which he alone is causing, he has stated that he may want to invoke the Insurrection Act.

Do you know what that means?

President Donald Trump said he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act to send the military into cities if courts block his deployment of National Guard troops.

“I’d do it if it was necessary. So far, it hasn’t been necessary. But we have an Insurrection Act for a reason. If I had to enact it, I’d do that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Oct. 6.

With that said let’s look at the Act he keeps threatening to invoke…..

The Insurrection Act is a US federal law that gives the president the power to deploy the military or federalize national guard troops inside the US to quell domestic uprisings.

The law is commonly referred to as the Insurrection Act of 1807, the year Thomas Jefferson, the president, signed it into law. But the modern-day Insurrection Act is an amalgamation of statutes passed between 1792 and 1871 outlining the role of US military forces in domestic law enforcement.

Generally, federal military forces are not allowed to carry out civilian law enforcement duties against US citizens except in times of emergency.

The law enables troops to take part in domestic law enforcement activities such as making arrests and performing searches, functions they are generally otherwise prohibited from engaging in.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/07/trump-insurrection-act-explainer

If you are interested in what can be done and how this could happen then this link has some great information.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/06/politics/insurrection-act-trump-portland-chicago-explainer

The question is will Donny choose this course of action?

To that I say yes he most certainly will….he has to make a case with lies, misinformation and pure BS…..if he tries will the Supreme Courts back him up?

I think they will….but I have been mistaken before.

Thoughts?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

No Fatties Allowed!

Time for another of the old professor’s look into our history.

Recently the Sec of War had a pep rally with every commend general and admiral to point a new way for the military….just a few of the highlights from his presentation….

Ethos: “The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” he said. Specifically, “no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction, or gender delusions.”

Non-toxic: He also promised to push back harder against complaints of “toxic” leadership within the military. “We’re undertaking a full review of the department’s definitions of so-called toxic leadership, bullying and hazing, to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second-guessing.”

Fitness: “Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops,” he said. “Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon. … Whether you’re an Airborne Ranger or a chairborne ranger, a brand new private or a four star general, you need to meet the height and weight standards.” He said all members of the military, at every rank, will now have to pass a fitness test twice a year.

Facial hair: “No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression,” Hegseth said. “We don’t have a military full of Nordic pagans.”

Basically he was saying no fatties, hairless soldiers and mindless drones.

But being a historian I checked back to the early days of the Continental Army and their fearless leader, George Washington…..

Ten new directives, he said, would strip away what he called “woke garbage” and restore what he termed a “warrior ethos.”

The phrase “warrior ethos” – a mix of combativeness, toughness and dominance – has become central to Hegseth’s political identity. In his 2024 book “The War on Warriors,” he insisted that the inclusion of women in combat roles had drained that ethos, leaving the U.S. military less lethal.

In his address, Hegseth outlined what he sees as the qualities and virtues the American soldier – and especially senior officers – should embody.

On physical fitness and appearance, he was blunt: “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world.”

He then turned from body shape to grooming: “No more beardos,” Hegseth declared. “The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.”

As a historian of George Washington, I can say that the commander in chief of the Continental Army, the nation’s first military leader, would have agreed with some of Secretary Hegseth’s directives – but only some.

Washington’s overall vision of a military leader could not be further from Hegseth’s vision of the tough warrior.

For starters, Washington would have found the concern with “fat generals” irrelevant. Some of the most capable officers in the Continental Army were famously overweight.

His trusted chief of artillery, Gen. Henry Knox, weighed around 280 pounds. The French officer Marquis de Chastellux described Knox as “a man of thirty-five, very fat, but very active, and of a gay and amiable character.”

https://theconversation.com/where-george-washington-would-disagree-with-pete-hegseth-about-fitness-for-command-and-what-makes-a-warrior-266530

This whole exercise was useless and a waste of time…..but like everything in the Donny admin there must be controls within all systems especially the military for he may need them in the near future.

This exercise would have been just effective in an email but the two clowns had to have their day on the stage.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Send In The Troops

Our dear Clueless leader has declared war on cities that apparently did not vote for him in the past….First DC then on to Memphis and now into Portland Oregon…..ICE and the Nat Guard are being used to subjugate the city and its people….now fast forward to the silly pep rally that Hogsbreath and Donny forced generals to attend and one thing stood out for me…..the use of combat troops in our cities as a training exercise….

Does any of this smell funny to anyone else?

Could any of this bolster be for real?

A senior White House official accidentally leaked details of plans to send an elite army unit to Portland, in the latest intelligence leak by the Trump administration.

Anthony Salisbury, a top deputy to Stephen Miller, the influential White House policy adviser, was observed using Signal in a public place to discuss a plan to deploy the army’s 82nd airborne division to Portland, the Democratic-run Oregon city which Donald Trump has repeatedly castigated as being “war-ravaged”.

The Minnesota Star Tribune obtained images of Salisbury’s Signal messages, which it said were sent while the official was “in clear view of others” in Minnesota.

…

“82nd is like our top tier [quick reaction force] for abroad. So it will cause a lot of headlines,” he added. “Probably why he wants potus [Trump] to tell him to do it.”

The 82nd airborne division is an elite unit that specialises in parachute assaults and forcible entry operations. It was deployed in both world wars and the wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan. A recent commander was the last American soldier to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2021.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/04/us-military-portland-oregon-trump-administration

Sending an elite combat unit to an American city (for training purposes) should have all Americans up in arms…..

One small thing for now but it could go to SCOTUS….

US District Judge Karin Immergut had issued a temporary restraining order blocking the mobilization on Saturday. Oregon had argued that the president exceeded his constitutional authority in mobilizing federal troops for local duty, per the Times, and probably violated the 10th Amendment. California has won a similar case. Immergut’s ruling said she expects a trial court will agree with the state. An attorney for Oregon said in court that Trump’s actions “represent one of the most dramatic infringements on state sovereignty in Oregon’s history” and “radically reshape the balance of federal-state power.”

Trump, who appointed Immergut, complained about her decision in a post Sunday, per CNBC. “I wasn’t served well by the people that picked judges,” he wrote, saying the judge “ought to be ashamed of herself” because “Portland is burning to the ground.” Mayor Keith Wilson said Portland is looking for legal means to halt the deployment. Kotek said that 101 California National Guard troops arrived by plane on Saturday night and that more were on the way. Federal officials have not said what duties they would carry out other than assisting ICE operations.

This is all retaliate against Dem lead governments…..should not our limited resources be better used?

Judge has told Donny ‘no can do’ for Portland….

A federal judge on Sunday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon, including the California National Guard, the AP reports. California and Oregon sought the temporary restraining order after the president sent guard members from California to Oregon earlier in the day. On Saturday, the same judge temporarily blocked the administration from deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland. A Pentagon spokesperson said in a statement that about 200 federalized members of the California National Guard who had been on duty around Los Angeles were being reassigned to Portland. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said about 100 arrived Saturday and around 100 more were en route Sunday. Kotek said there had been no formal communication with the federal government about the deployment.

But how does this involve the 82nd?  Or does it involve it?

Anybody that supports this type of crap is no f**king American…..PERIOD!

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Another ‘Brilliant’ Idea

Over the past months there has been a wealth of ‘brilliant’ ideas floated by His Lord High Dipstick and now we have one of his best…..

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced plans to station U.S. troops back in Afghanistan. The president, who campaigned on minimizing U.S. involvement in foreign entanglements, said he is in talks with the Taliban to regain control of Bagram air base.

The announcement came as Trump criticized the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, which ended America’s longest war, during a press conference. Trump, arguing that he would have pulled out while retaining Bagram, described his efforts “to get it back,” without providing much detail.

“That could be a little breaking news,” Trump said. “We’re trying to get it back, because they need things from us. We want that base back.”

The president suggested that the Afghan air base, originally constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, would serve a strategic purpose for Washington against China.

Without evidence, Trump alleged that “it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” In recent months, he has repeatedly mused about the air base—claiming falsely that it is occupied or “controlled” by Beijing, and baselessly asserting its close proximity to Chinese nuclear weapons plants.

(newrepublic.com)

It’s unclear how the Taliban will respond to Trump’s proposal to reoccupy part of Afghanistan. Last week, Washington made a prisoner exchange deal with the Taliban that is part of a larger effort to normalize US-Afghan relations.

Seriously?

Is this really a good idea?

How long will it be before fresh attacks on Americans commences?

Anyone else see the folly in this thoughtless plan?

The biggest question is….WHY?

That war lasted 20+ years do we really want to chance another 20 for some vague bullshit?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Is The Plan Coming Together?

Is the plan to eliminate Venezuela’s leadership finally coming together?

President Donald Trump euphorically concluded his White House press conference on September 2 with breaking news: the US military had just blown up a small motor vessel in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. He alleged that the skiff came from Venezuela and was loaded with illicit drugs headed to the US.

On social media, he further embellished his story by saying that the crew were members of the Tren de Aragua cartel, which Trump claims is controlled by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump alleges that this cartel is “responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence across the US.”

…

All the elements, especially US impunity, are in place to eventually attempt a decapitation strike eliminating the South American nation’s leadership.

Trump ominously boasted at his press conference “there is more where that came from” for Venezuela. Just four days earlier, Washington’s “historic partner” Israel had assassinated the Yemeni prime minister and his civilian cabinet. Arguably, the word “partner” understates the intimate level of integration between the two. The Israelis have been perpetrating a live-streamed genocide in Gaza for over 700 days while receiving daily airlifts of military supplies under both Biden and Trump.

https://original.antiwar.com/Roger_Harris/2025/09/08/all-elements-in-place-for-a-us-decapitation-strike-on-venezuela/

As usual the Congress is asleep at the wheel…..a position they relish for they do not have to do anything just a nod and collect their rewards….

Military tensions in the southern Caribbean have rapidly grown following President Trump’s decision to launch an airstrike on a boat allegedly smuggling drugs near Venezuela. As the U.S. announced the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to bolster its forces in the region, a pair of Venezuelan planes flew over an American warship in a move that the Pentagon described as “highly provocative.”

All evidence suggests that a broader military operation could be in the offing. Last Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to continue the attacks and said regional governments “will help us find these people and blow them up.”

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asked whether the end goal is regime change in Venezuela, told Fox and Friends that the Pentagon is “prepared with every asset that the American military has” should Trump choose to move forward with such an operation.

The rapid escalation seems to have put Congress on the back foot. While many lawmakers moved quickly to condemn Trump’s attacks on Iran earlier this year, strikingly few members of Congress have shown the same level of enthusiasm when it comes to Venezuela.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/venezuela-war/

People you do realize that Donny does not care about some illegal drug problem…..it is nothing more than an excuse for his actions.

Once again the US will go into the breach simply for regime change….been done before and did not always end well….how about this time?

How many American lives is this adventurism worth?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Attack On Mexico

News came out that there are plans for the US to attack Mexico and the cartels……after Donny threatening to do so will he make good on those threats?

The Trump administration has directed the military to prepare for lethal strikes against cartel targets inside Mexico, three military sources tell us. The Top Secret planning order, issued in late Spring, directs Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to manage the attack plans, which are to be ready by mid-September.

Though U.S.-Mexico military relations are broad and cooperative, any military action south of the border is considered extremely sensitive for both Washington and the Mexican federal government and is rarely discussed in public.

“Not only is Donald Trump uniquely focused on TCOs [transnational criminal organizations, the official name for cartels], having designated them terrorists in one of his first Executive Orders, but he has shown himself to be willing to take unilateral action despite potentially negative political ramifications,” says one senior intelligence official. He and the other sources say that military action could be unilateral — that is, without the involvement or approval of the Mexican government.

The unprecedented order was discussed at a July meeting at NORTHCOM headquarters in Colorado Springs that was led by Colby Jenkins, the unconfirmed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. Within days, Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of NORTHCOM, hosted the two highest ranking Mexican military officials: Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Secretary of National Defense, and Adm. Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Secretary of the Navy.

“Today, more than ever, the challenges we face demand a joint, coordinated, and adapted response,” Morales said after the Colorado visit, trying to impress upon Pentagon and military leaders that any potential operation be conducted by the two nations together.

https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/military-preparing-attacks-on-mexican

Is this a good idea?

What will happen when Mexican civilians start dying because of our military actions?

I think this is a crap idea?

How about you?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Under Pressure

The US for far too long has threatened China over Taiwan…..originally it was over the Chinese doings in the South China Sea but then the focus went to Taiwan (I guess there was more of a case they could make for going to war over the island nation)…..for the past 3 or more years the war drums have been beating and now under Donny the pressure is being put on our Asian allies to get on-board….

The Pentagon is pressing Japan and Australia to make clear what role they would play if the US goes to war with China over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported over the weekend.

The report said that the Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, has been pressing the issue in recent meetings with Japanese and Australian officials, an effort that has frustrated officials in Tokyo and Canberra.

Appearing to confirm the report, Colby said in a post on X that the Pentagon is implementing President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy by “urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense” in both Europe and Asia. “Of course, some among our allies might not welcome frank conversations,” he said.

Colby is a China hawk and a major proponent of the US preparing for war over Taiwan despite the risk of nuclear war. The FT report said that his meetings with Australian and Japanese officials were Colby’s latest effort to convince allies in the region to “raise deterrence” and prepare for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

Sources told the paper that the US has been asking allies to raise military spending, but the request for commitments related to a potential war with China was a new demand. The US is for clarity on the issue despite maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity over the question of whether or not the US would intervene if China attacked Taiwan.

https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/14/us-pressing-japan-and-australia-on-what-they-would-do-if-the-us-goes-to-war-with-china-over-taiwan/

There has been lots of crazed macho chest beating over the situation and massive assets have been moved into the region for the coming conflict and in return China has been beefing up their forces and assets  in response

All the pieces are being put into place and the wait begins.

So is how firm is the commitment to Taiwan?

At first glance, Washington’s informal but very real commitment to defend Taiwan and preserve its de facto independence seems quite secure.  Over the past decade, Taipei’s security relationship with the United States grew steadily closer – with strong bipartisan approval in the United States.  Not only was that development apparent during Donald Trump’s first administration, but also, to the surprise of many experts on East Asian affairs, the trend persisted throughout Joe Biden’s presidency.

The prevailing assumption was that Trump’s return to the White House would be very good news for hardliners in Taiwan who want to push the envelope on independence.  Elbridge Colby, the official whom Trump chose to be undersecretary of defense for policy in his second administration is renowned for being an avid supporter of Taiwan.  Indeed, Colby embraces a hardline approach toward Beijing on a range of issues throughout East Asia.

However, Trump’s early statements indicated that Washington’s support for Taiwan’s security was far from unconditional.  He immediately pressured Taipei to raise its yearly defense spending – reportedly to 5 percent of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  That is the same demand Trump is making to all members of NATO, and it is consistent with the U.S. president’s rhetorical commitment to an “America First” foreign policy overall.  One of his complaints dating from his 2016 presidential election campaign is that too many U.S. allies engage in “free riding” on Washington’s military exertions.  Trump’s insistence on greater “burden sharing” by America’s security clients has been a consistent theme of his tenure in the White House.

https://original.antiwar.com/Ted_Galen_Carpenter/2025/07/14/how-firm-is-washingtons-commitment-to-taiwans-security/

Muscle flexing 101….

Nearly 40,000 troops from 19 nations, including the US, have converged on northern Australia for the largest Talisman Sabre military drills ever, sending a hard-to-miss message about unity in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. The live-fire drills held over three weeks involve artillery, rocket launchers, and tanks from the US, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and other allies, the Wall Street Journal reports. “Everyone is seeing the aggressive activities that China is doing,” said Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, who commands the US Army’s I Corps. “That’s why they’re more interested in what they need to do to protect their sovereign interests.”

The scale and diversity of the force, which includes partners from Europe and across Asia, reflect growing concern over Beijing’s actions in the region. China’s military buildup and recent maneuvers—including live-fire naval drills near Australia and increased activity around Taiwan and the South China Sea—have spurred the US and its allies to expand joint exercises. This iteration features new elements: the debut of America’s Typhon missile system west of the International Date Line, drone operations inspired by the Ukraine war, and the first Talisman Sabre activity in Papua New Guinea. A ceremony kicked off the biennial event on Sunday.

Can the US afford another lengthy war?

How will the conflict be met by the American voter?

At what point is enough enough?

Just wondering.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Disturbing Words On Iran

By now all the faithful have heard the news and may be rejoicing about the attack by Israel on Iran……but cheer if you must there could be a darker side on this conflict….

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Sunday that American forces “could get involved” in the intensifying military conflict that Israel started late last week with a barrage of attacks on Iran, prompting large-scale retaliatory strikes and warnings of a prolonged and catastrophic war.

Trump toldABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott that the U.S. is not currently involved in the conflict, which is false. The U.S. has helped Israel shoot down Iranian missiles, and American fighter jets are reportedly “patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations.” One Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that “there was full and complete coordination with the Americans” on Israel’s early Friday bombardment of Iran, which set off the conflict.

But Trump’s remarks Sunday signaled the potential for a deeper U.S. role in the war, setting off alarm among lawmakers who have warned that such involvement would be illegal as well as disastrous.

“If President Trump intends to get the U.S. more involved in the war between Israel and Iran by attacking Iran, he must come to the Congress, make his case, and secure an authorization before he pulls our country into yet another war in the Middle East,” said Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) as Republican war hawks expressed support for U.S. intervention.

Brian Finucane, a senior adviser for the U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group, stressed Sunday that “any U.S. attack on Iran would almost certainly be illegal.”

“Hope President Trump realizes that letting Netanyahu drag him into an unnecessary war will make him look weak,” Finucane wrote on social media.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-iran-war

Seriously?

Is it really in the best interest of the US to get ass deep in another unwinnable war?

The only nation that will benefit will be Israel….

Have all these lame war hawks considered what will happen?  Are they ready for body bags at Dover?  (which Trump will probably miss for a golf game).

This lunacy.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”