You Keep Using That Word …
The news says that Trump and Iran are close to signing a new peace deal. That’s good. Unfortunately, at the same time, the news says the U.S. carried out new strikes against Iran. We keep hearing about “ceasefires” and “peace accords” … and new conflicts. Are we no longer able to tell the difference?
Weapon of Choice?
It was abundantly clear in the last administration when the powers that be were using the DOJ as a political weapon against Trump and his allies. We all complained about it. Apparently … it's the new "thing." At least, it feels like it. Now the DOJ is launching a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll, Trump's accuser. Now that's not weaponizing the Department of Justice, right? Yeah ... right.
Really??
Along with the above story about a "peace treaty" and continued fighting, we also get this one. Iran still is trying to control the Strait of Hormuz … and intends to force tolls on Google, Microsoft, and Amazon … for the use of the undersea cables. Personally … I'd just tell them, "No" and shut off the cable to them. But, hey, no one really asked me, did they? (I mean, does Amazon actually deliver to Tehran during a shooting war?) (As a side note … no, they don't currently ship to Iran specifically because of the sanctions and embargoes.)
There Is No Peace
While the “peace accord” with Iran is muddling about, the U.N. is concerned that the war between Russia and Ukraine is getting out of hand. This week, Russia launched a major attack with missiles and drones hitting multiple cities. Patrick Henry, echoing Jeremiah (Jer 6:14), famously said, “Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace.” Still.
Shocking, I say!
If you don’t know, Temu is an online marketplace (a la Amazon) that is a Chinese offering. Not regulated by the rules of other places, it apparently came as a surprise that the EU would feel the need to fine the company 200 million euro ($232 million) for “illegal products like toxic or hazardous toys and unsafe electronics.” Wait … you're telling me that a Chinese company without the regulations of American or the European Union rules has violated the regulations? Shocking, I say! Or ... not. Caveat emptor--"Buyer beware"--should still be in play even in our "enlightened" and "basically good" world.
Your Best Source for Fake News
Apparently the Bee saw the news items I listed at the outset of this News Weakly in the same way I did. Their story says that Trump has announced the completion of the deal … except, of course, for all the important parts. I get it. In other news, you may not know this, but Canada has a program called "MAID"--Medical Assistance in Dying. So the Bee story is about an elderly grandma in Canada excited that her family is paying to hire her a MAID. Kind of dark humor. The story that made me laugh the most this week, however, was the one about the pope's new encyclical warning the world to slow down on using the AI (actual story). The Bee tells of him asking the chatbot known as Grok and Grok responds with its own 95 theses about how the encyclical is “thoughtful, balanced, and wrong.”
Must be true; I read it on the internet.
You Keep Using That Word...
ReplyDeleteJust like I'm the Israel-Gaza conflict, one side can declare ceasefire all they want, but if the opposing side continues to fire, what are they supposed to do, not retaliate? Over this whole time of ceasefire, it seems to me that we are only firing when fired upon.
Weapon of Choice?
I'm unfamiliar with the circumstances of this particular case, but there needs to be some balance between weaponized lawfare and normal justice. If she actually committed a crime, should she simply get a pass simply because she is part of the opposing party? We don't want to appear like we're attacking our opponents with the DoJ, so we simply won't prosecute them for any crimes? If it simply is retaliatory I'm certainly against it, but fear of appearing so shouldn't stop us from actually prosecuting crimes.
Really??
Has Iran issued a ceasefire? Have they made any attempt to seem reasonable or seeking peace? So yes, really! They need to appear as though they have the upper hand, that's what all brutal regimes do, regardless if they have the ability to actually back up their threats.
There Is No Peace
If the UN or EU wants Russia to stop fighting in Ukraine, there are only two possible solutions, neither of which anyone wants to do, nor admit they need to. Either we stop funding Ukraine and let Russia take back the old Soviet territory. Or actual war with Europe stepping in materially. Ukraine has done admirably, buy does anyone really believe Russia could defeat a united European army? There are two things keeping Europe out of this fight, simple cowardice, and a genuine fear of Russia using nukes. On the latter, I'm not fully convinced those are as much of a that as they were 40 years ago. I'm not sure how much Russia has kept up with their nuclear ballistic capabilities that the West hasn't already been preparing for for 80 years. Yell at Putin all you want, Europe, but he is just as crazy as Iran. The only answer to their type is force.
Shocking, I Say!
We've bought in so deeply to the "global family" that we've forgotten that there are nations out there that actually wish ill on us. China won't allow the same system of TikTok operate in their country, but are more than happy to let us destroy ourselves with it. I bet Temu doesn't sell the same stuff in China that it does elsewhere. But we've forgotten that there are bad actors out there that aren't looking out for the best interest of others.
Researching E. Jean Carroll's case isn't weaponizing, it's seeking to clear his name of her lies.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and given there are issues regarding perjury with regard to funding her case against a former president who's running again, that seems worthy of significant DOJ interest.
DeleteWhat the Biden administration did...and the Carroll case is without a doubt in the same spirit...is to find reasons to use the law against a political opponent simply because the opponent is a threat to Biden's administration and hopes for a second term. I would hasten to add that it's likely the Dem party itself, under Obama and other puppet masters, are all involved. Again, legitimate reason for DOJ interest.
This is more than simply revenge...though vengeance is a happy coincidence...but a more legitimate attempt to right wrongs. It does align with voter desire to see held accountable those who acted badly for political reasons.
Peace deals are often hammered out while fighting persists. There's nothing new here.
ReplyDeleteI think another interesting thing about E. Jean Carroll that gets no press and sure makes it look like she was joining in on setting up Trump, is that information found shows she has accused seven men in the past of sexually assaulting or raping her and there are no police reports on any of them.
ReplyDelete