# The specific clusterfuck of discussing war plans over Signal, a consumer cellphone app **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 26, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157 "2025-03-26T21:01:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/261 "2025-04-25T15:07:07Z")
An even better example was during the Gulf War when reporters noted that something was about to happen by counting the number of pizza deliveries to the Pentagon. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/262 "2025-04-25T15:16:07Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > OTOH: Not my circus, not my monkeys, not my government. Thank Godott! As Yemen, China, and Canada have learned, you don’t have to be an American to get fucked over by the Trump administration. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/263 "2025-04-25T15:45:32Z")
[**Yemen**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360666149/houthi-rebels-shoot-down-7-us-military-reaper-drones-worth-334m-recent-weeks), right? > Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven US Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than US$200 million (NZ$334m) in what is becoming the most dramatic cost to the Pentagon of the military campaign against the Iran-backed militants. > > According to defence officials, three of the drones were shot down in the past week — suggesting the militants’ targeting of the unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen has improved. I guess they are learning to read signal. And according to my biased fake numbers US$200 million is more than Yemen’s GDP. Great deal! ETA: The **[cost imbalance problem](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/19/missile-drone-pentagon-houthi-attacks-iran-00132480)** is not new, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/264 "2025-04-25T16:29:12Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > And according to my biased fake numbers US$200 million is more than Yemen’s GDP. Which by Trump administration statistical planning, means we’re winning. Excuse me, I meant to say Winning! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/265 "2025-04-25T17:48:12Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Metadata are valuable intel and worthy of protection too. Maybe in addition to MREs, troops should be supplied with colored felt markers and adult coloring books, to keep boredom at bay. > [@mnemosyne](#): > > See, I’m reading the “[Spy School](https://stuartgibbs.com/books-2/spy-school/)” series of books (alongside my son, it’s our very own book club!) and so while I firmly believe the _adults_ are all analysts sitting in cubicles, the 13-15 year olds are _definitely_ doing some James Bond style bad guy foiling and nuclear bomb **diffusion** stuff! DEFUSING, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/266 "2025-04-25T17:51:48Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > troops should be supplied with colored felt markers and adult coloring books And after the war is over they must donate them to trump’s library. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/267 "2025-04-25T17:53:54Z")
.[quote=“Pardel-Lux, post:266, topic:1016157, full:true”] > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > troops should be supplied with colored felt markers and adult coloring books And after the war is over they must donate them to trump’s library. [/quote] Ha! I can see the [America-hating fuckstick] Presidential Library. One room housing a flash drive containing all his tweets, and the next room is a huge refrigerator door, with troops’ crayon art affixed with magnets. Also: It’s adorable that you think the war will ever be over.. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/268 "2025-04-25T17:55:28Z")
Touché! I meant the battle, thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/269 "2025-04-25T19:11:26Z")
Libraries are for losers. He wants a theater playing clips from movies he was in and episodes of The Apprentice. Snack bar items will be priced bigly. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/270 "2025-04-25T23:27:32Z")
In my defense I once worked as a chemist… I’m very mad at myself for not noticing that! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/271 "2025-05-01T15:10:51Z")
Last Tango in Paris? No. Last _Waltz_ in the White House > **[Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy to leave posts in...](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-mike-waltz-alex-wong/)** > > President Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz and deputy Alex Wong are leaving the White House, multiple sources tell CBS News. > [@](#): > > National security adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, will be leaving their posts in the Trump White House, according to multiple sources familiar with their departure. > > They are expected to leave Thursday, sources say. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Journalist Mark Halperin first reported the departures. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/272 "2025-05-01T15:38:46Z")
I know: they want to spend more time with their families, amirite? How many Scaramuccis did they serve? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/273 "2025-05-01T16:40:39Z")
10.1 Scaramuccis (per wikipedia’s cite that the Mooch’s hiring was announced on July 21, 2017, and his dismissal on July 31. If Dopers use a different standard, please advise, and divide that standard into 101 days for Waltz and Wong). ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/274 "2025-05-01T16:55:23Z")
I like saying they rated a 10.1 on the Scaramucci Scale. Just because I like the term “Scaramucci Scale”. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/275 "2025-05-01T16:57:53Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > 10.1 Scaramuccis And they only lasted that long because Trump wanted to pretend that this wasn’t all about the Signal Screw up. > One source familiar with the situation at the National Security Council said the president thinks sufficient time has passed since the Signal incident that Waltz and Wong’s departures can be framed as part of a reorganization. The president has been hesitant to oust Waltz over the perception that doing so could be seen as bending to outside pressure. Sorry Donnie-boy, the only people stupid enough to fall for that are your MAGAts. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/276 "2025-05-01T17:04:23Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > the only people stupid enough to fall for that are your MAGAts. That may be all that matters, though. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/277 "2025-05-01T17:05:44Z")
True dat. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/278 "2025-05-01T17:05:44Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Sorry Donnie-boy, the only people stupid enough to fall for that are your MAGAts. Yeah, I immediately assumed this was a direct result of the Signal issues. MAGA folks aren’t going to care either way, but this could _potentially_ turn people away who aren’t sure about supporting Trump or don’t have a strong opinion yet. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/279 "2025-05-01T17:08:23Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > One source familiar with the situation at the National Security Council said the president thinks sufficient time has passed since the Signal incident that Waltz and Wong’s departures can be framed as part of a reorganization. That is an interesting insight into the temper tanTrump’s attention span. Actually, I thought it was even shorter. So 101 days is a long time? I once heard a toddler say something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157/280 "2025-05-01T17:21:52Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > That is an interesting insight into the temper tanTrump’s attention span. Actually, I thought it was even shorter. So 101 days is a long time? It’s even worse than that. 101 days is how long this guy had the job, but he started back in January when Trump took office. Signalgate only blew up on March 24th, so there were only 38 days since then, and even fewer since we found out who it was who really screwed it up. So that’s what Trump thinks is “Long enough” that people would have forgotten the screw up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157.md?page=15)