[Merged] Iranian general Qassem Suleimani asassinated in drone strike / WWIII? - Page 3

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by trustbutverify

Brilliant analysis.

Agreed. That works.

JoeMorgue · 3rd January 2020, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by rockysmith76

And we'd hate to go down that dark "alley", wouldn't we.

A terrorist was removed, terror=bad. Done. Sorry to the lefties that's it's inconvenient that pesky other side did it. Likely they should have let it be known and maybe it was a distraction maybe not for those who don't give a rats ...... about partisan vitriol. It's done, the terror guy is dead. And yes another will pop up tomorrow.

This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said.

theprestige · 3rd January 2020, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Dr.Sid

Local expert on Iran warns the guy was just a public figure, not important in decission making. And that the act will unite Iran, where government actually has pretty low public support at the moment. As weakening Iran, I guess it won't work.
As of a gesture in style 'we will get you' it might work. But as a distraction from local problems, it works the best.

Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise?

I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill.

JoeMorgue · 3rd January 2020, 10:43 AM

I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shedding any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now.

That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation.

"Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything.

SuburbanTurkey · 3rd January 2020, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue

I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shading any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now.

That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation.

"Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything.

He's a bad guy. Just kill him. Who cares what happens after? Time is a flat circle, it's 2003 again. They will greet us as liberators.

alfaniner · 3rd January 2020, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey

He's a bad guy. Just kill him. Who cares what happens after? Time is a flat circle, it's 2003 again. They will greet us as liberators.

Within two weeks, after a major terrorist event, The PDJT will be saying "We didn't expect there would be such a retaliation. Nobody could have predicted that!"

JoeMorgue · 3rd January 2020, 10:55 AM

That being said I do agree with Suburban Turkey and others that that Democrats being up in arms is rather eyebrow raising.

The "But da President has to ask Congress" ship has sailed, circumvented the glob, and returned laden with fine silk and exotic spices at this point.

Giordano · 3rd January 2020, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by crescent

We keep talking about how Iran will react to this.

I am thinking the reaction of the Iraqi government might be more critical. They have two sponsors, they allow this guy free movement within Iraq, pro-Iranian politicians have great influence.

Forget what Iran does. We've probably just lost Iraq.

I was thinking this too. This killing is far from the taking out an underground terrorist hiding in some lawless territory. It was an assassination of a high ranking general from one country openly and legally visiting another country to meet with contacts and politicians within that country. Apparently the assassination took place without the knowledge of the host country's (Irag's) government and at a busy civilian airport (many other people were placed at some level of risk by this strike, although I am relieved that most were spared due to the precision of the attack).

This is certain to further alienate Iraq from the USA and to drive them still closer to Iran. Amazing the USA has been so stupid as to allow this to happen given Iran and Iraq had been such bitter enemies for so long.

It is also likely to re-solidify the Iran public's support behind their government (after the recent waves of dissent) and to further strengthen the power of the most militant members of the Iranian government.

Suleimani may have been truly evil (although that characterization typically depends on whose side one is on). Eliminating him may be a significant blow to Iran's plans (although I've heard that said about the killing of almost every terrorist and yet typically other people soon take over). My point here is that it is an enormous escalation that appears to not have considered the political consequences. And terrorism is really about influencing politics and public opinion, not obtaining actual military dominance (which is not what terrorists seek in these asymmetrical warfare situations).

I am now also curious: typically in the past government officials of almost all countries have found the concept of assassinating their enemy counterparts "distasteful" and have avoided it (with only a few exceptions; e.g. the CIA trying to poison Castro). Certainly not openly . I think the self-serving aspects of this are quite clear. But now is it open season? Are we about to see a wave of tit for tat killings of high end military, cabinet members, members of the legislatures, etc? Or will it continue to be just be us common citizens in the crosshairs (the innocents who have long been established targets for terrorists and considered as acceptable collateral damage in more organized military actions)?

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue

This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said.

you mean my sarcasm pointed at you spelling ot "alley" as opposed to Ally. You big silly......

Dr.Sid · 3rd January 2020, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise?

I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill.

Well, he was presented as 'expert on Iran', nothing more. I wouldn't put much into it.

But then, the general seems to be retired. For 10 years ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_A._McChrystal

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue

I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shedding any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now.

That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation.

"Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything.

neither is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

ChristianProgressive · 3rd January 2020, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey

Are we seriously ginning up a war because Iran killed some military contractor? Who gives a **** if he was an American, he was a literal mercenary.

No, we are ginning up a war because Trump needs to get the story about the unredacted emails that prove he personally held Ukraine aid off the media.

ChristianProgressive · 3rd January 2020, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by rockysmith76

And we'd hate to go down that dark "alley", wouldn't we.

A terrorist was removed, terror=bad. Done. Sorry to the lefties that's it's inconvenient that pesky other side did it. Likely they should have let it be known and maybe it was a distraction maybe not for those who don't give a rats ...... about partisan vitriol. It's done, the terror guy is dead. And yes another will pop up tomorrow.

The terrorist is still in the White House.

trustbutverify · 3rd January 2020, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise?

I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill.

To god's ears.

ChristianProgressive · 3rd January 2020, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by 3point14

Right out of the Maggie playbook.

I'd really like to live in a world where starting a war makes a politician less likely to be re-elected. Ho hum.

I'd like to live in a world where it would get such a politician executed.

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by alfaniner

Within two weeks, after a major terrorist event, The PDJT will be saying "We didn't expect there would be such a retaliation. Nobody could have predicted that!"

nope.

DuvalHMFIC · 3rd January 2020, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue

This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said.

Don't feed the troll.

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

No, we are ginning up a war because Trump needs to get the story about the unredacted emails that prove he personally held Ukraine aid off the media.

Always cuz TRUMP! Oh Noze! Or we capped a Mercenary Terrorist guy and the world will go on.

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

The terrorist is still in the White House.

You seem a wee bit obsessed, the dead terror-merc wasn't a nice guy so... yeah.

rockysmith76 · 3rd January 2020, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

I'd like to live in a world where it would get such a politician executed.

On to hoping for the death of an elected official (Like him or not), whose the wannabe terrorist?

trustbutverify · 3rd January 2020, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Loss Leader

There's been a lot of nonsense already in this thread, so let's just get some basic facts out of the way:

Iran is currently funding, arming and coordinating anti-government militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. These groups have as their purpose the creation of a Shiite state throughout the Middle East. They have been engaging US forces since at least 2002 to be conservative and really since the before the 1980's.

We already are at war with Iran. We have been for decades. Does this attack bring the Iran/US conflict to the forefront instead of allowing shadow politics and proxy wars? Yes. Does it change much of anything? No. Why was there an Iranian General in Iraq? Why was the US embassy in the green zone in Iraq under siege from Iranian-funded protesters?

I absolutely abhor targeted assassinations. They are never appropriate. And if the US took action without appropriate notice to Democrats cleared for such information, that is an attack by the White House on the institutions of our democracy (it remains unclear to me what the facts are regarding that). However, nothing much has changed. Frankly, I see two positive outcomes:

1. The role of Iran in causing violence across the Middle East will be highlighted in such a way that it cannot be conveniently ignored.

2. A drop in oil production in the ME (if such a thing happens) will help push America towards energy independence.

My major concern is that Iran, which cannot take on the US militarily, will strike civilians in Israel out of sheer impotent rage.

This is no place for sanity.

Captain_Swoop · 3rd January 2020, 11:31 AM

Trump retweeted

Jesse Kelly
@JesseKellyDC
If you’ve been to a VA hospital in recent years and seen a young man missing limbs, there’s a reasonable chance Qasem Soleimani is responsible for it. He’s unquestionably an enemy of America and I’m glad he’s dead and I’m bummed it was a quick death.

Liz Wheeler
@Liz_Wheeler
Soleimani killed 603 American servicemembers.
Soleimani maimed thousands more with IEDs.
Soleimani approved the attack on the U.S. Embassy.
He was plotting to kill more Americans.
Yes he deserves to be dead. If you’re lamenting his death, you hate Trump more than a terrorist.

Venom · 3rd January 2020, 11:31 AM

I'm afraid that we might start seeing a resurgence of the "golden age" terrorist tactics against Americans. But maybe hijackings and hostage takings would be too transparent this day and age.

Darat · 3rd January 2020, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise?

I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill.

All the reports I've read and listened to have all agreed he was a very important figure, most have described him as the 2nd most powerful man in Iran. He was not just a public face.

Captain_Swoop · 3rd January 2020, 11:36 AM

Pompeo

Quote:

There was dancing in the streets in parts of Iraq...people not only in Iraq but in Iran will view the American action last night as giving them freedom

Awfully like Cheney and his

Quote:

My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators in Iraq

Captain_Swoop · 3rd January 2020, 11:38 AM

Seems we are already back in the Bush era where if you weren’t pro war you were anti America. It was stupid then and it's just as stupid now.

Captain_Swoop · 3rd January 2020, 11:39 AM

Pompeo says the strike disrupted and 'imminent attack'
I wonder if it was going to happen within 45 minutes?

crescent · 3rd January 2020, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Loss Leader

....Why was there an Iranian General in Iraq?

He was there legally, coordinating activities with the Iraqi militias - the ones recognized by the Iraqi government. As many as seven of them were killed in the attack. Again, whether we like it or not, these militias are recognized by that government, they operate legally there.

Quote:

Why was the US embassy in the green zone in Iraq under siege from Iranian-funded protesters?

At least partly because the Iraqi government allowed them to. The government allowed the protesters to access the Green Zone, did not interfere in the protests for the first two days.

This suggests that the Iraqi government had no problem with this guy, or with the protests. Our strike puts us in opposition to the government of Iraq.

BrooklynBaby · 3rd January 2020, 11:41 AM

Here's an article from 2015 talking about the 2800 drone strikes authorized by Obama on Iraq and Syria without congressional approval. Hope this helps.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...rizing-islami/

Captain_Swoop · 3rd January 2020, 11:43 AM

U.S. to send 3,000 troops to Middle East after embassy attack, Soleimani killing

Quote:

The soldiers will join roughly 650 others already deployed to the region and stay there for some 60 days, officials said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/militar...ttack-n1110081

I thought Trump was bringing the troops home?

dudalb · 3rd January 2020, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza

Definitely WW III.
Quickly convert your assets into cash and buy Gold and Coffee from my prepper website.

I prefer Brains Grimlin investment advice:
I am advising my clients to invest in Canned Food and Shot Guns...

dudalb · 3rd January 2020, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by varwoche

At least we can rest easy that President Trump is telling us the truth about the threat, and that he always puts the interests of the USA above his own political interests, and he knows how to build coalitions, and he would never act rashly because he's a very stable genius who is keenly aware of geopolitical realities, and he knows more than the generals anyway.

If I were still in the US Army, I would be very afraid serving under a COmmander in Chief like that. History shows.that is a recipe for military disaster.

IMHO Qassam will not be missed....I have no sympathy for Iran's ambitions to bring back the Persian empire in the Mideast.....but Trump's action was ill considered, stupid, and served no real purpose.

trustbutverify · 3rd January 2020, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

I'd like to live in a world where it would get such a politician executed.

Goodbye Mullahs.

I Am The Scum · 3rd January 2020, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

U.S. to send 3,000 troops to Middle East after embassy attack, Soleimani killing

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/militar...ttack-n1110081

I thought Trump was bringing the troops home?

And I heard - from a very reliable source - that the killing wasn't going to make the situation any worse.

Venom · 3rd January 2020, 12:01 PM

I saw news about Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing revenge but it displayed a picture of Ayatollah Khomeini who died 30 years ago.

I Am The Scum · 3rd January 2020, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by crescent

This suggests that the Iraqi government had no problem with this guy, or with the protests. Our strike puts us in opposition to the government of Iraq.

Looks like it might get ugly. We should invade Iraq and replace their leader with someone more compliant. A "preemptive strike" if you will.

dudalb · 3rd January 2020, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Venom

I'm afraid that we might start seeing a resurgence of the "golden age" terrorist tactics against Americans. But maybe hijackings and hostage takings would be too transparent this day and age.

Problem is the classic methods of terrorism are hard to pull off because we have become better at security.
But Using a hand held Antiaircraft weapon to take out a passenger plane taking off is one of the more likely secnearios.

dudalb · 3rd January 2020, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by rockysmith76

You seem a wee bit obsessed, the dead terror-merc wasn't a nice guy so... yeah.

I shed no tears for Qassam, but taking him out has excalated the situation to the pointe where a strong response from Iran is almost a certainity.
Hope you will be just as gung ho when the body bags start coming home.

dudalb · 3rd January 2020, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue

This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said.

There is that old saying hell hath no fury like a non combatant....

theprestige · 3rd January 2020, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Venom

I'm afraid that we might start seeing a resurgence of the "golden age" terrorist tactics against Americans. But maybe hijackings and hostage takings would be too transparent this day and age.

They're a waste of resources. The state sponsors of terror are working towards local hegemony. They get a lot more bang for their buck by destabilizing their neighbors than by attacking the US directly.

3rd January 2020, 10:34 AM	#81
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by trustbutverify Brilliant analysis. Agreed. That works.
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 10:38 AM	#82
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 22,204	Originally Posted by rockysmith76 And we'd hate to go down that dark "alley", wouldn't we. A terrorist was removed, terror=bad. Done. Sorry to the lefties that's it's inconvenient that pesky other side did it. Likely they should have let it be known and maybe it was a distraction maybe not for those who don't give a rats ...... about partisan vitriol. It's done, the terror guy is dead. And yes another will pop up tomorrow. This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said.
	__________________ - "Ernest Hemingway once wrote that the world is a fine place and worth fighting for. I agree with the second part." - Detective Sommerset - "Stupidity does not cancel out stupidity to yield genius. It breeds like a bucket-full of coked out hamsters." - The Oatmeal - "To the best of my knowledge the only thing philosophy has ever proven is that Descartes could think." - SMBC

3rd January 2020, 10:43 AM	#84
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 22,204	I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shedding any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now. That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation. "Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything.
	__________________ - "Ernest Hemingway once wrote that the world is a fine place and worth fighting for. I agree with the second part." - Detective Sommerset - "Stupidity does not cancel out stupidity to yield genius. It breeds like a bucket-full of coked out hamsters." - The Oatmeal - "To the best of my knowledge the only thing philosophy has ever proven is that Descartes could think." - SMBC Last edited by JoeMorgue; 3rd January 2020 at 10:51 AM.

3rd January 2020, 10:46 AM	#85
SuburbanTurkey Master Poster Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Boston, USA Posts: 2,548	Originally Posted by JoeMorgue I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shading any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now. That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation. "Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything. He's a bad guy. Just kill him. Who cares what happens after? Time is a flat circle, it's 2003 again. They will greet us as liberators.
	__________________ Gobble gobble

3rd January 2020, 10:49 AM	#86
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 21,324	Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey He's a bad guy. Just kill him. Who cares what happens after? Time is a flat circle, it's 2003 again. They will greet us as liberators. Within two weeks, after a major terrorist event, The PDJT will be saying "We didn't expect there would be such a retaliation. Nobody could have predicted that!"
	__________________ Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting.

3rd January 2020, 10:40 AM	#83
theprestige Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,328	Originally Posted by Dr.Sid Local expert on Iran warns the guy was just a public figure, not important in decission making. And that the act will unite Iran, where government actually has pretty low public support at the moment. As weakening Iran, I guess it won't work. As of a gesture in style 'we will get you' it might work. But as a distraction from local problems, it works the best. Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise? I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill.

3rd January 2020, 10:55 AM	#87
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 22,204	That being said I do agree with Suburban Turkey and others that that Democrats being up in arms is rather eyebrow raising. The "But da President has to ask Congress" ship has sailed, circumvented the glob, and returned laden with fine silk and exotic spices at this point.
	__________________ - "Ernest Hemingway once wrote that the world is a fine place and worth fighting for. I agree with the second part." - Detective Sommerset - "Stupidity does not cancel out stupidity to yield genius. It breeds like a bucket-full of coked out hamsters." - The Oatmeal - "To the best of my knowledge the only thing philosophy has ever proven is that Descartes could think." - SMBC

3rd January 2020, 10:58 AM	#88
Giordano Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 16,177	Originally Posted by crescent We keep talking about how Iran will react to this. I am thinking the reaction of the Iraqi government might be more critical. They have two sponsors, they allow this guy free movement within Iraq, pro-Iranian politicians have great influence. Forget what Iran does. We've probably just lost Iraq. I was thinking this too. This killing is far from the taking out an underground terrorist hiding in some lawless territory. It was an assassination of a high ranking general from one country openly and legally visiting another country to meet with contacts and politicians within that country. Apparently the assassination took place without the knowledge of the host country's (Irag's) government and at a busy civilian airport (many other people were placed at some level of risk by this strike, although I am relieved that most were spared due to the precision of the attack). This is certain to further alienate Iraq from the USA and to drive them still closer to Iran. Amazing the USA has been so stupid as to allow this to happen given Iran and Iraq had been such bitter enemies for so long. It is also likely to re-solidify the Iran public's support behind their government (after the recent waves of dissent) and to further strengthen the power of the most militant members of the Iranian government. Suleimani may have been truly evil (although that characterization typically depends on whose side one is on). Eliminating him may be a significant blow to Iran's plans (although I've heard that said about the killing of almost every terrorist and yet typically other people soon take over). My point here is that it is an enormous escalation that appears to not have considered the political consequences. And terrorism is really about influencing politics and public opinion, not obtaining actual military dominance (which is not what terrorists seek in these asymmetrical warfare situations). I am now also curious: typically in the past government officials of almost all countries have found the concept of assassinating their enemy counterparts "distasteful" and have avoided it (with only a few exceptions; e.g. the CIA trying to poison Castro). Certainly not openly . I think the self-serving aspects of this are quite clear. But now is it open season? Are we about to see a wave of tit for tat killings of high end military, cabinet members, members of the legislatures, etc? Or will it continue to be just be us common citizens in the crosshairs (the innocents who have long been established targets for terrorists and considered as acceptable collateral damage in more organized military actions)?
	Last edited by Giordano; 3rd January 2020 at 12:27 PM.

3rd January 2020, 11:02 AM	#89
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by JoeMorgue This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said. you mean my sarcasm pointed at you spelling ot "alley" as opposed to Ally. You big silly......
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 11:02 AM	#90
Dr.Sid Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olomouc, Czech Republic Posts: 2,243	Originally Posted by theprestige Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise? I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill. Well, he was presented as 'expert on Iran', nothing more. I wouldn't put much into it. But then, the general seems to be retired. For 10 years ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_A._McChrystal

3rd January 2020, 11:03 AM	#91
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by JoeMorgue I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shedding any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now. That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation. "Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything. neither is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 11:10 AM	#92
ChristianProgressive Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,176	Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey Are we seriously ginning up a war because Iran killed some military contractor? Who gives a **** if he was an American, he was a literal mercenary. No, we are ginning up a war because Trump needs to get the story about the unredacted emails that prove he personally held Ukraine aid off the media.
	__________________ "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28

3rd January 2020, 11:12 AM	#93
ChristianProgressive Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,176	Originally Posted by rockysmith76 And we'd hate to go down that dark "alley", wouldn't we. A terrorist was removed, terror=bad. Done. Sorry to the lefties that's it's inconvenient that pesky other side did it. Likely they should have let it be known and maybe it was a distraction maybe not for those who don't give a rats ...... about partisan vitriol. It's done, the terror guy is dead. And yes another will pop up tomorrow. The terrorist is still in the White House.
	__________________ "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28

3rd January 2020, 11:20 AM	#94
trustbutverify Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,726	Originally Posted by theprestige Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise? I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill. To god's ears.
	__________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi Wollen owns the stage

3rd January 2020, 11:20 AM	#95
ChristianProgressive Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,176	Originally Posted by 3point14 Right out of the Maggie playbook. I'd really like to live in a world where starting a war makes a politician less likely to be re-elected. Ho hum. I'd like to live in a world where it would get such a politician executed.
	__________________ "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28

3rd January 2020, 11:20 AM	#96
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by alfaniner Within two weeks, after a major terrorist event, The PDJT will be saying "We didn't expect there would be such a retaliation. Nobody could have predicted that!" nope.
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 11:21 AM	#97
DuvalHMFIC Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,465	Originally Posted by JoeMorgue This 20 year military veteran who's actually been boots on ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa thanks you for the service of your incoherent babbling response that had nothing to do with anything I said. Don't feed the troll.
	__________________ Ben is sick ladies and gentlemen, thats right, Ben is sick.

3rd January 2020, 11:23 AM	#98
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive No, we are ginning up a war because Trump needs to get the story about the unredacted emails that prove he personally held Ukraine aid off the media. Always cuz TRUMP! Oh Noze! Or we capped a Mercenary Terrorist guy and the world will go on.
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 11:24 AM	#99
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive The terrorist is still in the White House. You seem a wee bit obsessed, the dead terror-merc wasn't a nice guy so... yeah.
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 11:25 AM	#100
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive I'd like to live in a world where it would get such a politician executed. On to hoping for the death of an elected official (Like him or not), whose the wannabe terrorist?
rockysmith76 Suspended Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 642

3rd January 2020, 11:25 AM	#101
trustbutverify Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,726	Originally Posted by Loss Leader There's been a lot of nonsense already in this thread, so let's just get some basic facts out of the way: Iran is currently funding, arming and coordinating anti-government militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. These groups have as their purpose the creation of a Shiite state throughout the Middle East. They have been engaging US forces since at least 2002 to be conservative and really since the before the 1980's. We already are at war with Iran. We have been for decades. Does this attack bring the Iran/US conflict to the forefront instead of allowing shadow politics and proxy wars? Yes. Does it change much of anything? No. Why was there an Iranian General in Iraq? Why was the US embassy in the green zone in Iraq under siege from Iranian-funded protesters? I absolutely abhor targeted assassinations. They are never appropriate. And if the US took action without appropriate notice to Democrats cleared for such information, that is an attack by the White House on the institutions of our democracy (it remains unclear to me what the facts are regarding that). However, nothing much has changed. Frankly, I see two positive outcomes: 1. The role of Iran in causing violence across the Middle East will be highlighted in such a way that it cannot be conveniently ignored. 2. A drop in oil production in the ME (if such a thing happens) will help push America towards energy independence. My major concern is that Iran, which cannot take on the US militarily, will strike civilians in Israel out of sheer impotent rage. This is no place for sanity.
	__________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi Wollen owns the stage

3rd January 2020, 11:31 AM	#102
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 23,285	Trump retweeted Jesse Kelly @JesseKellyDC If you’ve been to a VA hospital in recent years and seen a young man missing limbs, there’s a reasonable chance Qasem Soleimani is responsible for it. He’s unquestionably an enemy of America and I’m glad he’s dead and I’m bummed it was a quick death. Liz Wheeler @Liz_Wheeler Soleimani killed 603 American servicemembers. Soleimani maimed thousands more with IEDs. Soleimani approved the attack on the U.S. Embassy. He was plotting to kill more Americans. Yes he deserves to be dead. If you’re lamenting his death, you hate Trump more than a terrorist.

3rd January 2020, 11:31 AM	#103
Venom Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: United States Posts: 3,644	I'm afraid that we might start seeing a resurgence of the "golden age" terrorist tactics against Americans. But maybe hijackings and hostage takings would be too transparent this day and age.

3rd January 2020, 11:34 AM	#104
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 89,387	Originally Posted by theprestige Who's the local expert, and what's his expertise? I cited General Stanley McChrystal, also an expert in these matters, saying that this guy is a major player in Iran's strategy in the region, and killing him creates a leadership gap that Iran will not easily fill. All the reports I've read and listened to have all agreed he was a very important figure, most have described him as the 2nd most powerful man in Iran. He was not just a public face.
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

3rd January 2020, 11:36 AM	#105
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 23,285	Pompeo Quote: There was dancing in the streets in parts of Iraq...people not only in Iraq but in Iran will view the American action last night as giving them freedom Awfully like Cheney and his Quote: My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators in Iraq

3rd January 2020, 11:38 AM	#106
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 23,285	Seems we are already back in the Bush era where if you weren’t pro war you were anti America. It was stupid then and it's just as stupid now.

3rd January 2020, 11:39 AM	#107
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 23,285	Pompeo says the strike disrupted and 'imminent attack' I wonder if it was going to happen within 45 minutes?

3rd January 2020, 11:41 AM	#108
crescent Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3,323	Originally Posted by Loss Leader ....Why was there an Iranian General in Iraq? He was there legally, coordinating activities with the Iraqi militias - the ones recognized by the Iraqi government. As many as seven of them were killed in the attack. Again, whether we like it or not, these militias are recognized by that government, they operate legally there. Quote: Why was the US embassy in the green zone in Iraq under siege from Iranian-funded protesters? At least partly because the Iraqi government allowed them to. The government allowed the protesters to access the Green Zone, did not interfere in the protests for the first two days. This suggests that the Iraqi government had no problem with this guy, or with the protests. Our strike puts us in opposition to the government of Iraq.
crescent Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3,323	Last edited by crescent; 3rd January 2020 at 11:45 AM.

3rd January 2020, 11:41 AM	#109
BrooklynBaby Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 1,018	Here's an article from 2015 talking about the 2800 drone strikes authorized by Obama on Iraq and Syria without congressional approval. Hope this helps. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...rizing-islami/

3rd January 2020, 11:43 AM	#110
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 23,285	U.S. to send 3,000 troops to Middle East after embassy attack, Soleimani killing Quote: The soldiers will join roughly 650 others already deployed to the region and stay there for some 60 days, officials said. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/militar...ttack-n1110081 I thought Trump was bringing the troops home?

3rd January 2020, 11:52 AM	#111
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 46,524	Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza Definitely WW III. Quickly convert your assets into cash and buy Gold and Coffee from my prepper website. I prefer Brains Grimlin investment advice: I am advising my clients to invest in Canned Food and Shot Guns...
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein.

3rd January 2020, 11:58 AM	#112
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 46,524	Originally Posted by varwoche At least we can rest easy that President Trump is telling us the truth about the threat, and that he always puts the interests of the USA above his own political interests, and he knows how to build coalitions, and he would never act rashly because he's a very stable genius who is keenly aware of geopolitical realities, and he knows more than the generals anyway. If I were still in the US Army, I would be very afraid serving under a COmmander in Chief like that. History shows.that is a recipe for military disaster. IMHO Qassam will not be missed....I have no sympathy for Iran's ambitions to bring back the Persian empire in the Mideast.....but Trump's action was ill considered, stupid, and served no real purpose.
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein.

3rd January 2020, 12:00 PM	#113
trustbutverify Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,726	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive I'd like to live in a world where it would get such a politician executed. Goodbye Mullahs.
	__________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi Wollen owns the stage

3rd January 2020, 12:00 PM	#114
I Am The Scum Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,208	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop U.S. to send 3,000 troops to Middle East after embassy attack, Soleimani killing https://www.nbcnews.com/news/militar...ttack-n1110081 I thought Trump was bringing the troops home? And I heard - from a very reliable source - that the killing wasn't going to make the situation any worse.

3rd January 2020, 12:01 PM	#115
Venom Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: United States Posts: 3,644	I saw news about Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing revenge but it displayed a picture of Ayatollah Khomeini who died 30 years ago.