monitoring Trump and relevant contemporary events

This will sound terrible, but rather than some 59 bombs that don't matter for reasons that aren't our business, we should make a couple of bombs unforgettable when it is undeniably our business.

I never respected a man who talked a lot about nothing. The one to heed is the man of few devastating words.

When he talks, everyone listens.

"Worst Korea". (Applause)

I do understand your rationale. I've just rejected it over time.

I had not seen this yet, hightor. Thank you! Perlstein has written three very good books on the history of US conservatism from Goldwater on up. But as Trump became a serious contender this cycle, Rick recognized (and admitted this in a number of pieces and interviews) that he was going to have to go back and revise his thinking about the nature of modern conservatism. This is the first substantial piece from him since then. Can't wait to read it.

PS... if you haven't read about Viguerie, do so. He is a key figure in this story of modern conservatism.

Of course it's hypocritical if you are trying to be the police.

The lines aren't drawn on the basis of human decency and rights (although they could match up well with them). They are drawn up based on perceived threats to our interests and ourselves.

The male lion that fight off young challengers to his dominance of a pride or females and cubs isn't doing so because he's overly worried about his "wives" or cubs.

At least Trump (along with virtually every other president we've had) actually does care about the Americans over whom he presides. However he, just like all who came before him, is, will willing sacrifice some of us if he believes it is necessary to maintain position in the Great Game.

This strike posed a very minimal threat to Americans so Trump is way ahead of the curve when compared to stalwarts like Bush father and son, LBJ, and that real would-be lion, Wilson (to name but a few)

When would that be?

When we are threatened.

Well, that has never been the case.

It does sound terrible. Terribly naive.

59 cruise missiles were hardly an impotent gesture ("nothing"). I guarantee Assad (Russian, China and Iran) didn't see them as such and if he did he will cross the line again and then you'll get the big boom you desire.

The whole point of the strike was to make people believe in American words (or more aptly, threats) again.

Everyone is now listening to Trump when he talks about what he might do on the world stage. Mission accomplished.

You're the one who seems obsessed with a "Proxy War." Why do you think such things happen? Because neither major power wants to fight the war on their own soil.

Personally, I'm not going to be too fond of the president who waits until we get smashed before he shows the world his "devastating words," but then as we saw in another thread, you and I have a very different idea of the characteristics of a "hero."

As long as the rest of the world is playing this primitive power game (and they are), we have to as well. Even if I were willing to sacrifice my life before a foreigner died in a "proxy war," I now have a 6 month old grandson who I care about more than every single Syrian alive today.

You know it need not be this way. Brutal dictators like Assad are as or more responsible for proxy wars than the major powers. You should save your condemnation for evil men like him.

Except for the British invasion of 1812, Pearl Harbor, the Cuban missile crisis, and 9/11.

You should brush up on your American history.

I guess we'll be able to watch and see what comes of Trump's gesture. It seemed lame to me. Of course, this is what the world expects.

Btw, I'm certainly not "obsessed" with the proxy war; just making sure you recognize that it's happening.

You're self-deceived.

Those were all false flag operations where America attacked itself, just to stir up support for wars of aggression against innocents, eh Finn? Just ask Cammie.

Says one of the worst of the numerous cowards who flee any such discussions.

A typical lame, non-response that one always get from Americans on such issues.

Says someone that never seems able to respond directly to any comment that questions his pronouncements.

Yous made the comment that American has never been threatened.

I gave you at least 4 examples. Rather than responding with an argument for why I am wrong and you are right, you've insulted me.

Yes you are indeed JTT reborn.

Don't go baldimo or mcgentrix on us, Finn.

Shall I start a thread or do you want to, Finn?

I actually do respect your contributions to this forum (mostly ) but it just baffles me how you can consider something that has so many people (including you at one time, no?) warning of WWIII, as "lame."

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!"

Land of the "brave". What utter crap! Land of the cowards, always picking on the poor, the defenseless just to steal their wealth.

You are the one bringing up the expletive deletive, baldimo. Take a pill, have yourself a little lay down.

This whole Syrian thing (which was obviously the right thing to do, notwithstanding the cowardice of cheese-eaters) is a done deal.

Time to move on. To N. Korea, which promises to be more entertaining.