14 Comments
User's avatar
Strawberry's avatar

Whatever happened to congressional approval for was?

Expand full comment
Patti Larsen's avatar

Thanks, Ron. It’s also an example of the importance of independent journalism. We know we cannot believe anything Trump says. We

need third-party confirmation and thoughtful analysis.

Expand full comment
A.mlek Alhendi's avatar

The tremor of fear that threatens America's position as the unrivaled, unipolar power is Netanyahu's gateway to persuading the US administration to wage war on Tehran.

American policy was not this foolish even in the Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq wars, despite the setbacks in those wars.Decision-making was collaborative with the White House decision-making bodies.

Trump's second term as White House president is a disaster as he is a megalomaniac. He brings up the childhood complex he lived through, and here I present to researchers a research project that Trump suffers from a phobia of sexual harassment in his childhood that caused him to lose his virginity, which was reflected in his actions and decisions in which he tries to regain the dignity of his lost childhood.

America and its people will have to pay a heavy price when maritime navigation is closed to America and China emerges as a rising power to which Trump has offered the Middle East on a diamond platter.

Expand full comment
Charles E. Smith's avatar

It's a good point--Trump's method is threats and bluster, and then when things inevitably go wrong it's obfuscation, denial and his tried and true whataboutism--probably about Joe Biden who wisely refused Netanyahu's urging of US to bomb Iran--he's been at this since Obama. But God forbid any of our troops get hurt--those on bases in the area are in the line of fire literally of Iranian missiles--because what we will get will be similar to Trump's meltdown during the virus. We've seen this movie before.

Expand full comment
Patrick Rizzo's avatar

If the first casualty of war is the truth, we may have witnessed a murder last night.

Expand full comment
Ron Fournier's avatar

Well put

Expand full comment
Daniel Beegan's avatar

Even If Trump had an ability to negotiate, bombing Iran was a dumb move that could trigger World War 3. So much for no new foreign wars.

Expand full comment
Mike Harkreader's avatar

Good advice all around Ron, time will tell.

Expand full comment
Ron Fournier's avatar

Thanks, Mike. Trying to keep a level head

Expand full comment
Alan Stamm's avatar

Your final item among the baker's dozen of smart questions starts with a phrase that fits this president again and again: "What was with that awkward . . ."

Expand full comment
Alan Stamm's avatar

Useful insights and perspective, Ron.

On a personal level, I imagine this weekend brings the latest gratitude you can observe and post from the sidelines rather than on the beat, abruptly leaving family again on a Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Emeritus status has its advantages, as I also thought while seeing Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) commenting from home on CNN an hour ago. Glad your voice, like his, remains in breaking news conversations.

Expand full comment
Ron Fournier's avatar

Indeed, this has got to be a horrible strain on every family involved. Mine had been through enough. It’s time for me to be present.

Expand full comment
Alan Stamm's avatar

. . . while still giving readers the present of your takes.

Expand full comment
Ron Fournier's avatar

I get up early for that ;)

Expand full comment