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Jay Wilson's avatar

When our Sociopath of War Hegseth shrugs at the rules of war, he’s not projecting strength—he’s gambling with the lives of every American service member. The rules of engagement aren’t moral window dressing; they’re a fragile, reciprocal contract that helps keep captured pilots from being tortured, executed, or disappeared.

If we signal that mercy is weakness and “maximum lethality” is the only principle, we shouldn’t be surprised when adversaries adopt the same logic. In that world, a downed pilot isn’t a prisoner of war—just a target that hasn’t hit the ground yet.

Jack's avatar

The US military has been remarkably effective. Has been. Setting aside Trump & Hegseth (enough has been said about their incompetence), the rot is going deep. Top leaders have already been purged for political reasons, and this week we learned of four colonels whose promotions were denied personally by Hegseth, apparently because two are Black & the others are women. It appears that the four-star who disagreed with Hegseth has been retired, along with some other generals. Hard to keep up. Hegseth celebrated the Easter weekend by holding a service for Protestant Christians (no Roman Catholics) and firing the top army chaplain. So at the same time as he's replacing experienced, competent leadership with politically correct officers who adhere to the right kind of religion, he's crushing the morale of the rest of the service. An aviator down behind enemy lines, and all you hear from the CinC is "Take the oil?"

Lionel Beck's avatar

I'm fast reaching the point where I can't bear to look at this man's face, nor the faces of the goons that swear obeisance to him. I'm not usually given to hating people, but I'm getting dangerously close to it.

Ken C's avatar

Trapped in this nightmare of rolling kaleidoscopic buffoonery, the idiocracy is now becoming lethal and perniciously grave.

Pillars of our civilization are being toppled, delusional grandiosity is collapsing our economy, and active mind-numbing insulation from the clarion calls of reality persists in Trumpworld while our GOP dominated Congress remains paralyzed, staring into the abyss with their Kool-Aid drinking acquiescence to the MAGA cult doctrine.

Trump's war infatuation feeds his sadistic and grandiose fantasy explorations but remains actively antiseptic from reality and reason. What degree of financial erosion, international and domestic suffering, or escalation of blood sacrifice will it take before a firm intervention is executed terminating this delusional insanity?

Stephanie James's avatar

Once again, season two of "Rump F**ks the World Reality Show" totally sucks.

Ness P.'s avatar

Some days I can't be outraged, numb, or boggled; some days I just wonder if they're literally playing out the script of Wag the Dog. Act .. whatever we're up to now, bringing Good Old Shoe back from Behind Enemy Lines in Albania. Could someone wheel out Willie Nelson for a song, please.

Dave's avatar

You certainly have a way with words! I don’t know how you can keep it up daily. Breathe. 🙏

Jack McGowan's avatar

If this post needs a soundtrack. Everybody must get stoned!

Bradley  K Monson's avatar

Irrespective of the reasons we find ourselves in Iran, the most honorable decision so far was to attempt to rescue downed service members. Even at the peril of those rescuing...