This is great info, Michael--does 5calls report out on this every week? They should, I think--it would be helpful to know if/when volumes slip, for example.
Way to go Deborah! So proud of what you've accomplished!
Trump is not the first US President to try to show strength and power by bombing the hell out of some faraway place. But the Trump presidency has absolutely no redeeming qualities either. Total train wreck and messing unnecessarily with peoples lives. Enjoy your Sunday!
Today, Sunday, this arthritic novice banjo thumping member of the county DCC is meeting with an intermediate level ukuleleist member of the local Indivisible to plan for Music on the Porch day, August 30. Our Open and Affirming Episcopal Church has a bodacious porch. 🤓
Your post probably slipped under most people’s radar. Discussion was limited. I would like to make two points:
1) Any examination of US-Iran relations must take into account the 1953 coup against Iran’s democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, which was orchestrated by the CIA and MI6. Today, few Americans are aware of this – but Iranians have most assuredly not forgotten that it was the Americans who gave them the Shah and Savak, the Shah’s murderous secret police.
(Yes, the Shah was overthrown and replaced by something far worse: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s "Holy Fascism", with Khamenei as his successor as Supreme Leader.)
2) And now for a point that is likely to be unpopular: Unfortunately, the American-led attack against Iraq and removal of Saddam Hussein, who President George W Bush & Dick Cheney knew full well did NOT have WMDs, was very pedagogic. The lesson Iran took from this was clear: "This is what happens when you DON’T have WMDs."
Point One: For simplicity's sake, it was the Cold War, and Iran borders Russia (USSR), and Mosaddegh was essentially the Iranian Bernie Sanders -- popularly elected on a main theme of nationalizing Iran's vast oil deposits. Radical thought: Iran's oil belongs to Iranians.
These reformist democratic socialists became the Shah's greatest opponents.
And so, to counter the liberalization of Iranian society beyond what the Shah wanted, he reached out in favor of the religious fundamentalists. Radicals on the right who EVENTUALLY viewed the Shah as way too liberal for Iranian society -- but were glad for his support as they gained more power and influence. (Some of the most influential on the religious front were exiled.)
3) The world negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Deal. By and large, Iran was in compliance and was not developing a nuclear bomb. Trump changed that by unilaterally withdrawing from the Iran Deal – and it is this that hyper-accelerated Iran’s push to develop a nuke.
(Imho, this is a point Democrats should be pushing, again and again, that Trump bears a huge part of the blame for Iran’s hostile nuclear program.)
Point Two (of two): Regarding Saddam Hussein. He was a big darling of the Reagan Admin. Even after Saddam used chemical weapons to kill many hundreds of Iraqi Kurds, Reagan's Admin publicly tried to pin the blame on Iran at the time.
After the 2003 attack on Iraq, if the Iranians really wanted to acquire / build a nuclear weapon, they could have done so. After all, after the attack, North Korea redoubled its efforts and tested its first live nuke around 2006. Iran is certainly up to the level of Pakistan and North Korea.
In the centuries prior to the mid-20th, Baghdad and Tehran were home to thriving Jewish communities -- as was much of the Muslim / Arab world. There are still living witnesses to this.
Expanding on your last point: Jews were historically Iraq's second-largest religious group. In the 1917 census, Jews comprised 40 percent of Baghdad's population!
By the mid 20th century, after the founding of modern Israel, persecution of Jews had become widespread throughout the Arab and Muslim world. Today the Jewish communities therein are negligible.
Oh wow, Deborah, I had no idea so many Resolutions were in the works! Your example and Simon including you in last week's Zoom must have sparked folks. Yay!
I am continuing to push in NC! No traction yet, as I'm a political newbie and am not plugged in enough, but I have friends who are. I'll keep you all posted.
Simon was pretty surprised to hear Hopium members had resolutions planned or progressing in nine states! That's if my accumulation of chat comments, including live in Wed. Zooms, is correct.
I'm sure your count is correct. All people need are samples and knowing that others are working on the same task so their communities won't be out on a limb alone. I look forward to posting our example which offers another approach tomorrow.
Two things: my son-in-law is from Brownfield, Texas, and I’ve been there many times. It’s a sad and hollowed-out town with little hope—a population primed to believe the lies of better things ahead.
And, I’m so inspired by you, Deborah! Thanks to you and Simon for sharing the steps to make these resolutions happen. I intend to follow your example locally, asking my county Dem HQ for help.
He saw it as a tool that he can continue to use to manipulate the news cycles and keep people focused off of the bill…. While probably making huge profits. Also wondering if there are war powers he is seeking by not giving congress a choice in giving them to him.
I can't help but wonder if it's time for elected Dems to start talking about Trump's mental fitness and the incompetence of the people around him. We've gone to war, led by people who couldn't strategize themselves out of their own bathrooms.
By bombing Iranian nuclear facilities without Congressional approval, the GOP may have destroyed human life. By doing so the GOP has tacitly endorsed the creation of a new terrorist culture. When will this impulsive, deceptive and lawless party be held accountable for its atheistic decision making?
Last night in our community, fireworks were displayed for July 4th celebration. We are early birds. Then news of what happened in Iran. Such a contrast.
Trump and the other 3 looked scared. They should be. The will of the people are not with them. Probably will see his poll numbers drop and perhaps increase in gas as Iran has shut down the strait where 20% of our oil comes from. We'll see.
Found this interesting this morning from Adam Klasfeld substack. Pick up the phones and call Congress!
Thanks for the gift article about measles. The fact that the 48-year-old vaccinated dad had a breakthrough case is alarming. I'll call my doctor this week about getting a booster. I was born just after the vaccine became available, so I don't know that it will hold up. My own dad (84) attributes his hearing loss to a childhood measles infection. It's serious stuff!
I have seen in mainstream media (think it was CBS) that people vaccinated in the 1960s may need a booster, because the vaccine used in those first years was not as effective. So yes, please do check! I had the later MMR vaccine, but same reaction to the story: now I'm thinking of having the test to confirm immunity. The virus is more serious than I realized.
Yes! That guy in the article is 48, meaning he (presumably) got the vaccine in the the late 70s. He had to be hospitalized! And can you imagine the expense of having him and all four kids hospitalized?!
Yes, I have to have proof of Measles (among other things) immunity for work, and even though I had the childhood vaccine, I didn't show the antibodies for measles when I was tested, so I had to have the booster back in 2015. Ongoing vaccine regiments against the worst stuff is necessary. Immunity for anything can wane over time.
Simon, what is going on with the DNC right now? I've seen a number of articles whose negative tone and comments undermine Ken Martin's leadership. Is this an issue of powerful people who have been accustomed to controlling the DNC "getting back at" a new leader who is changing direction? What the h***is going on?
"Dems in disarray" is a common theme in corporate media. It's pure clickbait. Some staffer or random political hack (never named) gives comments on background shitting on the DNC and the media runs with it. And they're also trying to make hay out of the David Hogg thing (a big nothing burger IMO). The new leadership team at the DNC has only been in place for a few months, but is already doing big things like people's town halls, significantly increasing funding to state parties, and making a plan for a big voter registration push. My advice is ignore all these stories. We have zero control over what goes on in the DNC nor how it's reported in the media, and our time is best spent focusing on defeating MAGA.
Why do you think we see so little discussion of the current travel ban and its impact? There was a protest at LAX the first day but if there’s been more pushback I’ve missed it.
Interesting Data from Adam Klasfeld on 5calls totals from last week.
https://www.allrisenews.com/p/opposing-trump-war?r=2nn4w5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I'm taking Sunday to go see Giants-RedSox for the rubber match. Looking forward to a few hours of normal.
Go Giants! 🧡🖤🧡
Go Red Sox!
This is great info, Michael--does 5calls report out on this every week? They should, I think--it would be helpful to know if/when volumes slip, for example.
I couldn't find it on 5calls but I just reached out to Adam Klasfeld to see if he could help.
Enjoy Santa Fe! Have a red and green for us please!!!
Way to go Deborah! So proud of what you've accomplished!
Trump is not the first US President to try to show strength and power by bombing the hell out of some faraway place. But the Trump presidency has absolutely no redeeming qualities either. Total train wreck and messing unnecessarily with peoples lives. Enjoy your Sunday!
Today, Sunday, this arthritic novice banjo thumping member of the county DCC is meeting with an intermediate level ukuleleist member of the local Indivisible to plan for Music on the Porch day, August 30. Our Open and Affirming Episcopal Church has a bodacious porch. 🤓
Love this! Have a fabulous time on the bodacious porch!
Listened to the Adam Smith interview over breakfast. Terrific.
As a ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, he released a terrific response to the attack on Iran.
THE BOMBING OF FORDOW – and SOME KEY HISTORY ON USA & IRAN
Simon, yesterday you had a fascinating post and a terrific interview with Adam Smith about the US attack on Fordow and other Iranian nuclear sites.
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/struggling-and-unpopular-trump-goes
Your post probably slipped under most people’s radar. Discussion was limited. I would like to make two points:
1) Any examination of US-Iran relations must take into account the 1953 coup against Iran’s democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, which was orchestrated by the CIA and MI6. Today, few Americans are aware of this – but Iranians have most assuredly not forgotten that it was the Americans who gave them the Shah and Savak, the Shah’s murderous secret police.
(Yes, the Shah was overthrown and replaced by something far worse: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s "Holy Fascism", with Khamenei as his successor as Supreme Leader.)
2) And now for a point that is likely to be unpopular: Unfortunately, the American-led attack against Iraq and removal of Saddam Hussein, who President George W Bush & Dick Cheney knew full well did NOT have WMDs, was very pedagogic. The lesson Iran took from this was clear: "This is what happens when you DON’T have WMDs."
Point One: For simplicity's sake, it was the Cold War, and Iran borders Russia (USSR), and Mosaddegh was essentially the Iranian Bernie Sanders -- popularly elected on a main theme of nationalizing Iran's vast oil deposits. Radical thought: Iran's oil belongs to Iranians.
These reformist democratic socialists became the Shah's greatest opponents.
And so, to counter the liberalization of Iranian society beyond what the Shah wanted, he reached out in favor of the religious fundamentalists. Radicals on the right who EVENTUALLY viewed the Shah as way too liberal for Iranian society -- but were glad for his support as they gained more power and influence. (Some of the most influential on the religious front were exiled.)
"Yes, the Shah was overthrown and replaced..."
Yes, millions of Iranians joined together in "No Shahs" demonstrations. I recall those days well.
I'm also thinking of Ukraine, who learned the hard way what happens when you give up the nukes.
Good point!
Chernobyl is in Ukraine. I for one am thankful they gave them up. (My people come from eastern Poland.)
3) The world negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Deal. By and large, Iran was in compliance and was not developing a nuclear bomb. Trump changed that by unilaterally withdrawing from the Iran Deal – and it is this that hyper-accelerated Iran’s push to develop a nuke.
(Imho, this is a point Democrats should be pushing, again and again, that Trump bears a huge part of the blame for Iran’s hostile nuclear program.)
Point Two (of two): Regarding Saddam Hussein. He was a big darling of the Reagan Admin. Even after Saddam used chemical weapons to kill many hundreds of Iraqi Kurds, Reagan's Admin publicly tried to pin the blame on Iran at the time.
After the 2003 attack on Iraq, if the Iranians really wanted to acquire / build a nuclear weapon, they could have done so. After all, after the attack, North Korea redoubled its efforts and tested its first live nuke around 2006. Iran is certainly up to the level of Pakistan and North Korea.
In the centuries prior to the mid-20th, Baghdad and Tehran were home to thriving Jewish communities -- as was much of the Muslim / Arab world. There are still living witnesses to this.
Expanding on your last point: Jews were historically Iraq's second-largest religious group. In the 1917 census, Jews comprised 40 percent of Baghdad's population!
By the mid 20th century, after the founding of modern Israel, persecution of Jews had become widespread throughout the Arab and Muslim world. Today the Jewish communities therein are negligible.
I wish more Americans would become familiar with the "Lavon Affair" (Cairo - 1954) and the bombings in Baghdad -- 1950-51.
Oh wow, Deborah, I had no idea so many Resolutions were in the works! Your example and Simon including you in last week's Zoom must have sparked folks. Yay!
I am continuing to push in NC! No traction yet, as I'm a political newbie and am not plugged in enough, but I have friends who are. I'll keep you all posted.
Simon was pretty surprised to hear Hopium members had resolutions planned or progressing in nine states! That's if my accumulation of chat comments, including live in Wed. Zooms, is correct.
I'm sure your count is correct. All people need are samples and knowing that others are working on the same task so their communities won't be out on a limb alone. I look forward to posting our example which offers another approach tomorrow.
Thank you so much for this brilliant post. It sprung the beginning of hope. I love the Hopium Chronicles. Fantastic work.
Two things: my son-in-law is from Brownfield, Texas, and I’ve been there many times. It’s a sad and hollowed-out town with little hope—a population primed to believe the lies of better things ahead.
And, I’m so inspired by you, Deborah! Thanks to you and Simon for sharing the steps to make these resolutions happen. I intend to follow your example locally, asking my county Dem HQ for help.
He saw it as a tool that he can continue to use to manipulate the news cycles and keep people focused off of the bill…. While probably making huge profits. Also wondering if there are war powers he is seeking by not giving congress a choice in giving them to him.
I can't help but wonder if it's time for elected Dems to start talking about Trump's mental fitness and the incompetence of the people around him. We've gone to war, led by people who couldn't strategize themselves out of their own bathrooms.
And the director of the counter terrorism unit is a 22-year-old kid!
...who was an intern to Project 2025. It seems many of Trump’s appointees have actually crawled out from *underneath* the barrel!
He thinks stealth aircraft can't be seen by the naked eye.
He's calling to appoint a special investigator into the 2020 election.
He's nuts.
By bombing Iranian nuclear facilities without Congressional approval, the GOP may have destroyed human life. By doing so the GOP has tacitly endorsed the creation of a new terrorist culture. When will this impulsive, deceptive and lawless party be held accountable for its atheistic decision making?
Hold on there. We were NOT the first ones into this ... "destroying human life." Attacking Iran. Creating a new terrorist culture.
Maybe I should have used the term “ generation” instead of “ culture.”
Last night in our community, fireworks were displayed for July 4th celebration. We are early birds. Then news of what happened in Iran. Such a contrast.
Trump and the other 3 looked scared. They should be. The will of the people are not with them. Probably will see his poll numbers drop and perhaps increase in gas as Iran has shut down the strait where 20% of our oil comes from. We'll see.
Found this interesting this morning from Adam Klasfeld substack. Pick up the phones and call Congress!
https://www.allrisenews.com/p/opposing-trump-war?r=bz27b&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Thanks for the gift article about measles. The fact that the 48-year-old vaccinated dad had a breakthrough case is alarming. I'll call my doctor this week about getting a booster. I was born just after the vaccine became available, so I don't know that it will hold up. My own dad (84) attributes his hearing loss to a childhood measles infection. It's serious stuff!
I have seen in mainstream media (think it was CBS) that people vaccinated in the 1960s may need a booster, because the vaccine used in those first years was not as effective. So yes, please do check! I had the later MMR vaccine, but same reaction to the story: now I'm thinking of having the test to confirm immunity. The virus is more serious than I realized.
Yes! That guy in the article is 48, meaning he (presumably) got the vaccine in the the late 70s. He had to be hospitalized! And can you imagine the expense of having him and all four kids hospitalized?!
Yes, I have to have proof of Measles (among other things) immunity for work, and even though I had the childhood vaccine, I didn't show the antibodies for measles when I was tested, so I had to have the booster back in 2015. Ongoing vaccine regiments against the worst stuff is necessary. Immunity for anything can wane over time.
Simon, what is going on with the DNC right now? I've seen a number of articles whose negative tone and comments undermine Ken Martin's leadership. Is this an issue of powerful people who have been accustomed to controlling the DNC "getting back at" a new leader who is changing direction? What the h***is going on?
"Dems in disarray" is a common theme in corporate media. It's pure clickbait. Some staffer or random political hack (never named) gives comments on background shitting on the DNC and the media runs with it. And they're also trying to make hay out of the David Hogg thing (a big nothing burger IMO). The new leadership team at the DNC has only been in place for a few months, but is already doing big things like people's town halls, significantly increasing funding to state parties, and making a plan for a big voter registration push. My advice is ignore all these stories. We have zero control over what goes on in the DNC nor how it's reported in the media, and our time is best spent focusing on defeating MAGA.
Why do you think we see so little discussion of the current travel ban and its impact? There was a protest at LAX the first day but if there’s been more pushback I’ve missed it.