In just under an hour, Trump is to address the nation about the war in Iran. This thread is for non-Pitesque commentary about that. I have to teach a class from 08:30 to 09:15 so I will miss the beginning of it.
For Pitesque commentary, feel free to make such over in The BBQ Pit at this thread.
Yes sir, I have my waders on because the BS and Tears will coming hard and steady “ Like no one ever seen before “ As he says ! I’m figuring a straight good 20 minute burning NATO alone!
The only way I’m going to know anything about it is what is said here by people who can stomach watching it. I… can’t.
Me either. The sound of his voice makes me want to either throw up or stomp on something.
Maybe stomp on something, then throw up on it.
As it turns out, my students are fully invested in studying for another subject’s exam they will take this afternoon. I’m going to take one for the teeming millions.
Let’s all remember this thread is in P&E. I started it because a number of posters “just don’t do the Pit”. That being said, the Pit thread is the one I expect to be far more lively.
I’m avoiding the speech. I think I overdosed on news and current events earlier, when watching the Artemis rocket launch. So I’ll just look in here and get the high points.
Thanks for taking one for the team, Monty!
I missed the beginning.
He’s now saying Hormuz is safe.
“Most of their ships are at the bottom of the sea.”
Results of this war will be lower oil prices.
He just promised the US government will insure ships through the aforementioned “safe Hormuz”.
Oh man, watching it intentionally. Wouldn’t you rather get drunk or something?
I don’t drink. Oh, yes, though. I would much rather be doing something, anything else.
Stoned?
(Kidding.)
Wrong tool. You’ll need a submarine.
I’m watching. He’s all over the place. I can’t imagine he is sticking to the script. No big announcement yet, just repeating the same false statements he’s been saying for days - the Iranian military, Navy, Air Force are all decimated, etc, etc.
ETA: Jeez, he’s done already. 19 minutes of nothing. The most pointless address to the nation by any President that I’ve ever witnessed.
Nineteen minutes of nothing, Jerry. It’s a tv show!
CNN reports that while Trump was speaking Iran launched missiles at the United Arab Emirates.
It was not a lively speech. I think he was told he needed to give it to reassure the nation.
Of course, he failed miserably at that task. There were the usual superlatives - apparently we’ve already won the war - but nevertheless we need to continue for “2 to 3 weeks”. He mentioned high gas prices, and then boasted that the U.S. doesn’t need foreign oil, but then begged other countries to re-open the Strait (and also said it would open “naturally”).
He sounded old and doddering to me, but spoke like a child. His typical schtick.
By whom? Who can tell him what to do?
His handlers may know how to get him to do what they want him to, if it’s possible to flatter him into it: “Donald, the citizens love to hear from you, no one can reassure them the way you can. You’ll be so amazing when you speak, it will remind your supporters how much they love you. And the haters will be SO MAD, but they won’t be able to do anything about it.”
ETA: on reflection, leading DJT to do something you want him to do may best be accomplished by telling him it will piss off his opponents. He clearly loves trolling.
I’m guessing there are some influences on his daily routine. He is known to call people late at night; I think he solicits opinions from some select people. And anybody who is paying attention realizes that he has very poor poll numbers right now.
Maybe his handlers walk around with pockets full of M&Ms like you do when you’re working with kindergartners. Or treats with dogs.
Financial markets were not impressed. Stock market futures fell and the price of oil rose during his speech.
Stock futures slid during the speech, and oil prices surged. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were last up 3.5% at more than $103 a barrel, while Brent crude futures advanced more than 4% to top $105. At one point in the evening, Brent briefly hit $106 a barrel.
Guess where he started talking.
