War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small “inside” group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.
I definitely take your point, but I’d argue that war is an inherently unique business, but a business, nonetheless.
A restaurant may sell food that is eaten, and – once eaten – needs to be replenished and for which new customers must be identified.
One and done does not a successful restaurant make.
While the metaphor risks me torturing it (excuse me: employing enhanced interrogation techniques against it), I think there’s validity.
Much the same can be said of any perishable product. The glaring difference in the military-industrial complex is that their revenue is capped until and unless their product is used by the end consumer. While its shelf life isn’t infinite, it’s probably quite long.
Which is, in part, why “war and peace” is probably the highest item on my list of “American Exceptionalism” and perverse incentives.
You seem to be downplaying what is clearly an extraordinary victory – possibly on a par {NPI} with Trump winning one of his own golf tournaments at one of his own golf courses.
But you are, of course, forgiven 
Registered as an independent voter I could request a primary ballot for any of the established parties in the state. This year I asked for the Republican ballot, mainly to give Andy Biggs, running for governor, a poke in the eye. Several positions had only one candidate and I did not vote for them as it only encourages them. Of the ones with two candidates I looked for one that was less MAGAt and voted for them. There was not always a difference I could find so I did not vote theirs either.
Just to show how complacent or disorganized they are, in Arizona the districts for the state House and Senate are the same, we just vote for two reps and one senator in each district. In my legislative district there was only one Republican for the house. Monday evening I got a text message from some guy who was running as a write-in candidate so there wouldn’t be only one Republican running for that district in the general election.
“The Hormuz Street”
If Biden said that…
Sigh
Why would Biden care about the republican primaries?
I know you mean No Pun Intended, but this is also the Spanish abreviation for Ni Puta Idea (~ No Fucking Idea) and it confuses me for a couple of seconds every time.
“Pinky Herman”
“The Communists want to take Mt. Rushmore down. They want to blow it up.”
“Go out and buy a Dell computer.”
“We’re building a tremendous military facility at the White House. It’s a ballroom with a drone port on top.”
Yeah, if you try to drive cars on it, they just sink.
It’s a tough call: is Trump actually convinced that the PRIMARY race = the General Election*? Or is he simply following his usual imperative to Declare Victory All the Time?
If it’s the first, it’s another example of delusional thinking that should make a difference to Republicans (but likely won’t). If it’s the second, it’s more a case of Donald’s annoying habits.
.
.
* Of course there are states in which the primary winners are nearly always the general-election winners, too. But Arizona isn’t one of them.
It’s occurred to me why Hegseth is so determined to inject T into the troops. It’s so whenever Trump meets one of them they will actually be “big, strong men.”
Who will be required to always carry a cut-open onion, for use in inducing tears when needed.
In their belts, as used to be the style at the time.
I thought chemical weapons were illegal?
It’s rather amazing how often the writers of that show have been able to predict our horrible present. (Not that Hegseth’s military IS already wearing onions on their belts…but who would be surprised if they were to start?)
I’ll worry even more when they start ranting that there are too many states these days
Port or target: You decide.
And then the fucking idiot tweets encouraging travel to… Lebanon.
Lebanon is, according to the US’s own State Department, at a Level 4 travel advisory meaning do not travel there. I would link but for some odd reason, state.gov will not load. You can find this info by searching for Lebanon travel advisory.
As previously mentioned, the Trump stench may be sufficient to eliminate the need for onions.