So, just to recap and interject some reality:

Trump’s idiotic, useless Iran bombing at Israel’s command, like a good little lapdog, has accomplished nothing— beyond (being generous) slightly delaying the enrichment of uranium. Now of course he has to pretend he got rid of the “threat.” Obviously more bullshit from the moron in office.

But what’s interesting is this: Trump has to pretend that this was a success, because everything he does is a success (in his dream world— which a third of the country and the Republican Party and media go along with). So in this world, he “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear threat. Okay.

But Israel needs that threat as a cover to attack Iran further. They were saying Iran was two weeks away from the bomb 13 years ago. Now what? Now they have to go along with pretending the strikes solved the issue — because they need their lapdog. Guess they’ll need another excuse soon. Or perhaps just upset the pile of shit in office, since he’s ultimately irrelevant anyway. Who knows?

Will be fun to watch. And hilarious to hear the cult representatives on the philosophy forum regurgitate the official opinions the algorithm on Twitter has fed them.

Israel started looking critically vulnerable as purportedly the economic damage it suffered threatened to cause a crisis after only twelve days of war and limited penetration of its air defenses.

So I think this strike was meant to bail Israel out, while giving Iran an off-ramp.

That is, unless there's a follow-up operation coming, which is definitely a possibility.

Yes, I was talking about the conflict between the DRC and Rwandan-backed rebels. — NOS4A2

And you understand that Rwandan military and the M23 are two different entities and that DRC is fighting mainly the M23 and that the agreement was between Rwanda and the DRC?

What war in the Middle East? — NOS4A2

You did notice that Trump attacked Iran, didn't you?

You didn't comment much then, when the strikes were still happening. Noticed your silence.

But then I did write a week ago this:

At best, the US is now on board with Bibi, as Bibi wanted, on this perpetual conflict of "war off - war on" where two sides stop for some time with announcements from Israel and the US that the nuclear threat has been now thwarted/eradicated... only for the next bomb strikes to happen later. But that will be enough for the MAGA-morons.

Once few weeks (or less) have gone and Israel and the US halt their strikes and declare victory, all these MAGA people will rejoice victory and the wisdom of Trump and deride those who opposed this war.

I think my forecast was quite accurate, if it just went on for 12 days. And btw, even Trump talked about a 12-day war. Hence it's very telling that you are trying to deny any war happened. At least, I was very accurate week ago just what your reply would be. :grin:

But no war, one precision strike, and an extraordinary de-escalation brokered once again by the US, while the EU leaders and your failed international institutions did nothing. Trump play in Iran was nothing short of brilliant. Everyone is saying it. Sorry. — NOS4A2

So then we will wait for the next time Israel/US will want to hinder the Iranian nuclear program with another short strikes. Could it happen in some years still in the Trump administration? Perhaps.

And you understand that Rwandan military and the M23 are two different entities and that DRC is fighting mainly the M23 and that the agreement was between Rwanda and the DRC?

And you understand that the UN Security Council and other western nations found that the Rwandan military were supporting M23, and actively participating with them in the DRC, despite their denials?

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/4/rwanda-backing-m23-rebels-in-drc-un-experts
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc16004.doc.htm

You did notice that Trump attacked Iran, didn't you?

You didn't comment much then, when the strikes were still happening. Noticed your silence.

Yeah he attacked their nuclear capabilities after diplomacy failed, then essentially ended the war between them and Israel. I noticed haven’t mentioned any of that.

I think my forecast was quite accurate, if it just went on for 12 days. And btw, even Trump talked about a 12-day war. Hence it's very telling that you are trying to deny any war happened. At least, I was very accurate week ago just what your reply would be. :grin:

Right, he was going to annex Greenland, Panama, start a war with the cartels, and strike Iran; a recession and the collapse of the FBI—and something about tacos. You’re on a winning streak. Very accurate!

And you understand that the UN Security Council and other western nations found that the Rwandan military were supporting M23, and actively participating with them in the DRC, despite their denials? — NOS4A2

That was known, but the main issue is what happens to M23 or what it does. Is it capable of fighting the DRC without backup from Rwanda? And anyway, many countries have put their troops and support into the mess that DRC is in. Basically earlier the African countries had their version of WW1 in the Congo.

There's still time to start a war with the cartels. Iran has now already been bombed. And Greenland, just as Canada, won't be annexed, unlike you think I've said. Panama I guess has also avoided a true conflict.

The FBI, just like the Department of Defense, will not show at all just how detrimental the ineffective leaders will be. Only later historians can write books about it, but that will take time.

And anyway, there's still the likely recession, the debt problem. And if the Democrats win in the midterms, what will that then give us in the end.

Big Bad Bill Adds Tax That Could Cripple Wind and Solar Power Generation (New York Times gift link)

Senate Republicans have quietly inserted provisions in President Trump’s domestic policy bill that would not only end federal support for wind and solar energy but would impose an entirely new tax on future projects, a move that industry groups say could devastate the renewable power industry.

The tax provision, tucked inside the 940-page bill that the Senate made public just after midnight on Friday, stunned observers.

“This is how you kill an industry,” said Bob Keefe, executive director of E2, a nonpartisan group of business leaders and investors. “And at a time when electricity prices and demand are soaring.”

The bill would rapidly phase out existing federal tax subsidies for wind and solar power by 2027. Doing so, many companies say, could derail hundreds of projects under development and could jeopardize billions of dollars in manufacturing facilities that had been planned around the country with the subsidies in mind.

Those tax credits were at the heart of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Democrats passed in 2022 in an attempt to nudge the country away from fossil fuels, the burning of which is driving climate change. President Trump, who has mocked climate science, has instead promoted fossil fuels and demanded that Republicans in Congress unwind the law.

But the latest version of the Senate bill would go much further. It would impose a steep penalty on all new wind and solar farms that come online after 2027 — even if they didn’t receive federal subsidies — unless they follow complicated and potentially unworkable requirements to disentangle their supply chains from China. Since China dominates global supply chains, that measure could affect a large number of companies.

“It came as a complete shock,” said Jason Grumet, the chief executive of the American Clean Power Association, which represents renewable energy producers. Soon after the Senate bill was made public, Mr. Grumet said that phones started ringing at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday with “everyone saying, ‘Can you believe this?’”

The new tax “is so carelessly written and haphazardly drafted that the concern is it will create uncertainty and freeze the markets,” Mr. Grumet said.

Even some of those who lobbied to end federal support for clean energy said the Senate bill went too far.

“I strongly recommend fully desubsidizing solar and wind vs. placing a kind of new tax on them,” wrote Alex Epstein, an influential activist who has been urging Republican senators to eliminate renewable energy subsidies. “I just learned about the excise tax and it’s definitely not something I would support.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also criticized the tax. “Overall, the Senate has produced a strong, pro-growth bill,” Neil Bradley, the group’s chief policy officer, posted on social media. “That said, taxing energy production is never good policy, whether oil & gas or, in this case, renewables.” He added: “It should be removed.”

Wind and solar projects are the fastest growing new source of electricity in the United States and account for nearly two-thirds of new electric capacity expected to come online this year. For utilities and tech companies, adding solar, wind and batteries has often been one of the easiest ways to help meet soaring electricity demand. Other technologies like new nuclear reactors can take much longer to build, and there is currently a multiyear backlog for new natural gas turbines.

The repeal of federal subsidies alone could cause wind and solar installations to plummet by as much as 72 percent over the next decade, according to the Rhodium Group, a research firm. The new tax could depress deployment even further by raising costs an additional 10 to 20 percent, the group estimated.

The only voices in favour are fossil fuel energy lobbyists. And, of course, Trump, the universal wrecking ball.

(Also worth noting that Musk, having returned to his sinking ship, thinks it a terrible plan: “The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country! It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future.” Wish he'd had that realisation last October.)

Great News! “Senator” Thom Tillis will not be seeking reelection. — Donald J. Trump · Jun 29, 2025

By now, it's clearly about Trump versus non-loyalists.
What does that mean for the voters, though?
(I imagine their kids are watching, too.)

Surely some media somewhere must be tracking the Trump Damage List? Trump is attacking so many fundamentals that it’s hard to keep track:

• Democratic institutions (i.e. purging of civil services, stacking the bench, withholding congressionally-approved funds)
• Abolition of agencies (U.S.A.I.D., Voice of America, public broadcasting)
• The constitution - by undermining the authority of Congress and the Judiciary
• Science and science education - abolition of NIH grants, attacks on vaccination and medical science
• Universities
• Climate Change - abolition of green energy transition, undermining of renewables
• Economics - tariff policies generate inflation and slow economic growth

There are probably many other issues. Surely by this time next year many of these issues will be having serious consequences for a lot of Americans.

Don't forget Trump's war on international institutions, like the ICC and the UN.

In economics I'd say Trump is at war against international trade and globalization. The sad truth is that many are for this, when they would basically want more fair income distribution, not for higher prices and more inefficiency in the economy (by going against trade).

People close to him say he's conflict habituated. He'll make something to fight against if there is nothing. It's just the way he is...

Trump ends sanctions against Syria. Hopefully they can utilize the moment for reconstruction and prosperity.

Make Syria great again!

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/09/world/video/make-syria-great-again-trump-billboards-ward-vrtc

Trump ends sanctions against Syria. Hopefully they can utilize the moment for reconstruction and prosperity. — NOS4A2

At least here I can say that this is a good thing.

And also that Trump has gotten the 5% defense expenditure in NATO going forward... and he didn't leave NATO.

Of course, now governments are having think tanks on just what expenditure can be put into as being defense spending. (The Nordic idea of Total Defense will give lots to spend on).

So that's the rare positive feedback on Trump.

But now I guess the time to make those beautiful trade agreement before the "liberation" tariffs set in is coming to an end. And Trump has done... one with the UK?

But now I guess the time to make those beautiful trade agreement before the "liberation" tariffs set in is coming to an end. And Trump has done... one with the UK? — ssu

Just today, he's crashed the negotiations, sending out his inane missives on his social media platform that he's slapping 30% tarriffs on EU and Mexico, who were in the middle of intricate and apparently promising negotiations to lower trade barriers.

It's clear Trump has no idea what he's doing with these tarriffs. He's driven by pique, whim, imagined vengeance, and a total misunderstanding of basic economics. The share market is 'irrationally exuberant' only because of the belief that he'll back down again, but if he doesn't, and the resulting inflation and contraction begins to appear, then it might be a very different outcome.

Yep, now it's time for the usual actions of the Trump administration.

And this is just his first year. I start to anticipate that we really can have the big "dollar crisis" during Trump's second term. Just have Trump being similar as he has been now for a year or two, with similar "Liberation Day" and TACO stuff going around.

In reality there's going to be just one thing that will really put Trump to a tight spot: the bond market, the absolutely crucial lifeline for the US government of selling treasuries. A lot has to be rolled over this year, and the debt will rise even with the additions of few trillions that the "Big beautiful bill" will give. (Which btw people won't feel the positive aspects as the tax cuts are basically extensions of earlier tax cuts)

As of July 03, 2025, total gross national debt is $36.22 trillion.

Debt held by the public is $29.03 trillion.
Intragovernmental debt is $7.19 trillion.

Assuming the average daily rate of growth over the past three years continues, the U.S. will reach $37 trillion by approximately December 02, 2025.

At that rate, an increase of another trillion dollars would be reached in approximately 194 days.

I would urge people to notice if the intragovernmental debt starts ballooning, or the treasury holdings held be the Federal Reserve. That would be a bad sign.



But just as long you can use the credit card, no worries...

So now when Trump is saying there's no Epstein client list, will Ghislaine Maxwell walk free and have evidence dropped?

Talk about where Trump & friends put the FBI and DOJ.

A farce:

BREAKING NEWS: Trump Asked Point Blank If Bondi Told Him His Name Appears In Epstein Files
^{— Forbes Breaking News · Jul 15, 2025 · 1m:29s}

A farce — jorndoe

Nope, reality of the Trump presidency. Which is something like a tragicomedy.

(the Standard, 16th July 2025) The family of disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has said new evidence such as “government misconduct” could be used to challenge her imprisonment.

The 63-year-old was found guilty in December 2021 of luring young girls to massage rooms for paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein to molest between 1994 and 2004.

She was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court in the southern district of New York (SDNY) in June 2022.

The US government has faced a backlash from President Donald Trump’s support base following words from Attorney General Pam Bondi that there was no evidence Epstein had a “client list”.

Just last year Maxwell lost the appeal against her sex trafficking conviction. But this year... it's the Trump administration, and Trump FBI, Trump DOJ.

If it's possible to overdose on schadenfreude, then I'm in trouble. But it's just hilarious to see the whole 'MAGA' movement convulsing over the very conspiracy theory that they themselves cooked up. There's news footage of Kash Patel and Dan Borgiono - now director and deputy director of the FBI - braying on Fox, before the election, that there's a deep state conspiracy involving the 'client list' - now the foxes have been put in charge of the henhouse, and suprise! not a pretty outcome. Pam Bondi, a glove puppet if ever there was one, said into the camera in February, 'we have the client list'. Now they're all having to say, nothing to see here folks.

Honestly I find the situation more depressing and infuriating given that Trump just signed a bill that would gut $1 trillion from medicaid and leave tens of millions of the most vulnerable people uninsured all to fund tax breaks for the richest and yet this is what gets people outraged. As far as I see it Epstein is just a symptom of an oligarchy which they are more than happy to vote for again and again. We don't deserve to see the files.

I really think there’s nothing to see, although that does make wonder why they don’t just put them up. I guess they’re saying Trump won’t release them cause he’s in them, a reasonable surmise. But overall agree, it’s a real horror show all up.

You don't think they're hiding anything?

The only thing that seems likely is something about Trump’s relationship with Epstein. But if you look at what all the Trump followers were saying before the election, I think it was completely over the top. When Patel and Borgano were shown the actual data, they both had to admit there was no evidence of murder or of much else, but they’ve whipped up such a frenzy of expectation that MAGA refuses to let it go, But as you said, the real scandal is Trump’s action in Government.

Assuming it is true, it would explain a thing or two.

For the record, I think it is more likely true than not.

Assuming it is true, it would explain a thing or two.

For the record, I think it is more likely true than not. — Tzeentch

I agree with you. I think it might very likely truly be true, the World is simply such a crazy place.

And years ago I remember one US media (I think it was saying that this is the last scandal that actually people want to be opened up, because it's of a bipartisan nature. With possibly two US presidents from opposing parties involved in the sex ring, this isn't something that either the establishment or the staunch partisan defenders of MAGA or DNC want to hear.

But ah, FBI Director Kash Patel and former podcaster and FBI Deputy Director Bongino are indeed making my FBI forecasts to be true (that Patel will really damage the FBI). First Trump attacks Iran, then this. :smile:

(CNN, Sat 12th July 2025) Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino has told people he is considering resigning amid a major clash between the FBI and Justice Department over the continued fallout from the release of the Jeffrey Epstein memo, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

This comes after a heated confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the case earlier this week.

The infighting over the case came to a head during a Wednesday meeting, which included Bongino, Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, the sources said. Bongino and Patel were confronted about whether they were behind a story that said the FBI wanted more information released but was ultimately stymied by the Department of Justice, they said.

It's so nice to now to watch the comments on the Epstein issue the present FBI director Kash Patel made when he was just the author of Trump children's books:



I'm just waiting when @NOS4A2 will come here to enthusiastically defend Trump. :lol:

I think it's pretty obvious what the relationship (given the numerous photos and quotes from both people, plus Trump's own uncomfortable reaction to releasing the files) is which is why I find the shock in MAGA world so funny. Then again Democrats were shocked at Biden being senile last June when that was obvious too so I guess people just want to believe what they want to believe.

Speaking of which it seems like a narrative is forming that the government is covering the files up because of connections to another government. It'd be funny if this is what gets the right to turn on Israel, but you know this is bad when the right prefers to think they voted for a foreign puppet over an actual pedophile. Personally I think it's both.

I'm just waiting when @NOS4A2 will come here to enthusiastically defend Trump. :lol:

You disappeared for a couple weeks there. Did you finally find a little angle to exploit?

The most worrying thing about this isn't Trump. This is way, way bigger than Trump.

The implication is that these (virtually unaccountable) intelligence agencies are running massive human sex trafficking and pedophile rings.

Rumors relating the CIA to such networks have been floating around for decades.

Tzeentch finally discovered QAnon

You disappeared for a couple weeks there. — NOS4A2

Last time I wrote was two days ago, so couple of weeks is a bit of an exaggeration.

And having a summer vacation...

Did you finally find a little angle to exploit? — NOS4A2

Well, what do you think Patel and Bongino are doing to the credibility of the FBI with the turns and whims in the Epstein case?

Tzeentch finally discovered QAnon — frank

Lol, :snicker:

Well, QAnon is the classic way that every actual conspiracy is made so bonkers that no sane person can believe it. From starting that Epstein had ties to intelligence services to then believing in flat Earth. When you can link the two, then you can say everybody thinking that Epstein had ties to intelligence services is a Flat Earther. Right?

Let's just remember pizzagate... and the pizza place with the basement that wasn't.

:up: The world is a weird place.