Trump tears peace hopes into pieces.

I also believe Trump bombed Iran as a distraction for his growing problems at home. He operates like an unethical property developer, always they deal, with any lies or manipulation, threats to achieve his aim. He’s a dangerous man, his generals must know this.
His narcissistic personality, combines with the ageing of his brain to cause untold problems world wide

Remind me, when did a war to force regime change ever cause anything posituve

Mitch McConnel has been hospitalized since June 14th after an unknown medical emergency. No one has seen him since, though his aids and GOP leaders have said they havve spoken to him.

The fact that his wife was in China/left for China at the same time, then said she didnt see a need to rush home because his health didnt warrant it, has not helped.

Enter conspiracy theories.

Kentucky has a new law that has not been tested.

"The renewed focus on how Kentucky handles Senate replacements stems from House Bill 622, a 2024 law that repealed Kentucky’s long-standing practice of allowing the governor to appoint an interim U.S. senator. Instead, the law requires vacancies to be filled through a special election, with the governor’s role limited to issuing a proclamation calling that election.

Under the current statute, a vacancy occurring before Aug. 3 would trigger the process for a special election to fill the remainder of McConnell’s current term. But election law experts say the law, which has not yet been tested in court since taking effect in 2024, could face constitutional scrutiny."

www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/4639659/uncertain-status-mcconnell-health-create-legal-firestorm-potential-replacement-vacancy-law/

So the theory is that he has died, but they arent telling anyone until Aug 4th to stop a special election happening to replace McConnel, allowing it to roll into the November election instead.

The current make up of the Senate still gives the GOP an advantage without Mitch, so the GOP is not in a hurry to replace him.

My opinion is that they would wait until November with the hopes that they can win the general election. They flipped 4 Senate seats in 2024, so they may be holding onto that. And Kentucky is complecated anyhow because it is GOP controlled with a Dem Governor and there is huge discourse about executive power. Which is how this whole problem started in the first place as the state legislature repealed the Governors ability to appoint a successor.

Funny how that works isnt it?

This is coming off the heels of the NJ Congressman who missed work for 142 days. His staff said he had a medical issue. He still managed to fundraise, and win his primary.

He returned to work to disclose that he had been in inpatient treatment for depression. Which is great for him, however he has voted to take away this type of coverage for his constituents. To add insult to injury, he kept 4 months of full salary and health insurance without having to go on disability and receive only 66% of his salary, or lose his job, like the people of Kentucky would have.

Before that, there was Kay Granger from Texas. Who was quietly moved into assisted living for months for dimentia while still on the job and receiveing her paycheck.

I am sure there are others from both sides throughout history. Ill have to go look.

Iam64

I also believe Trump bombed Iran as a distraction for his growing problems at home. He operates like an unethical property developer, always they deal, with any lies or manipulation, threats to achieve his aim. He’s a dangerous man, his generals must know this.
His narcissistic personality, combines with the ageing of his brain to cause untold problems world wide

Remind me, when did a war to force regime change ever cause anything posituve

Remind me, when did a war to force regime change ever cause anything posituve

Trump must've been told words to that effect by his advisors, aides, military generals, etc.

You have to wonder whether he has a real grasp of the fallout from the war and the wider regional conflict, not to mention the effect on the global economy.

I have the impression that Trump views his war rather like a child reading one of those comics about conflicts specially designed for an immature brain - lots of colourful pictures and exclamations, "bang", "boom", "pow", "zap" etc.

sassenach512

At what stage are the American people going to say enough is enough and demand this demented, evil monster is removed from office? He's obviously a very sick man and the world looks on at his antics with disbelief and horror. Even his sycophants must know he's overstepped every line and he should go before he blows us all to hell and back. None of them have the guts to stand up to him, they stand behind him like grinning, nodding dogs when he spouts his gibberish, it's pathetic.
I just can't understand how he can get away with the abuse and outrageous things he's said to people without someone giving him some back. He certainly doesn't deserve respect for his office because he's a disgrace to his office

You’ve said it all, Sassenach.

Thank you Imaround I didn't know any of what you wrote and appreciate the information (as well as the hypocrisy shown) clearly thats a "dodge" that can be used for both positive and negative reasons
But is profoundly undemocratic!

Wyllow3

Thank you Imaround I didn't know any of what you wrote and appreciate the information (as well as the hypocrisy shown) clearly thats a "dodge" that can be used for both positive and negative reasons
But is profoundly undemocratic!

I too was very interested in all Imaround explained to us.

Thanks from me too

Cossy

I think, respectfully, we need to agree to disagree Oreo on what is and isn’t appropriate action and language aimed at Iran.

Wars such as these affect normal innocent citizens, who often end up being displaced from their own countries, where will they go? These wars affect many worldwide in many ways and I’m afraid I just don’t think it’s the answer.

I always find it interesting that those countries that also have despot regimes, yet have nothing the rest of the world want or a desire to deprive that country of things ie nuclear capability, are left to continue to commit genocide or otherwise torture their own citizens without batting an eyelid.

Each of us will have our own views, we need to accept gracefully that others may not agree with us.

I’m confused as to why you think we ‘need to accept gracefully that others may not agree with us’? Where have I said that others may not have a different opinion?
Trump is an idiotic man in many ways and corrupt I believe in his dealings with many things, but even he can be right sometimes as in NATO must increase its spending pdq and that Iran is a terrible regime for the rest of the world by getting hellish groups in other countries to do its dirty work.A poster on here made the incredibly naive remark that Iran hadn’t started any wars! Well they did, by arming hamas and encouraging them to enter Israel and conduct a massacre, which then concluded in the Gaza war.They also arm hezbollah and the Houthis among others.The Iranian regime are backseat murderers and war mongers and the US would be doing the Middle East and the West a favour if they manage to ever bring them under control and deny them the chance to acquire
nuclear capabilities.
My only problem with Trump and the US is that they won’t go far enough and don’t seem able to get a coherent strategy together.
That’s my own opinion….other views are available.

I agree with much of what you say Oreo, but I would say many other countries sell arms to very dubious countries.

I am just completely anti-war, I think on the whole, across the decades it causes more issues than it solves.

I’m not referring to our two WE, these were necessary for defence!

I agree we need to strengthen our own armed services too and spend more on defence.

So much is corrupt and topsy-turvy in this world of ours, it sometimes makes me despair.

Talking of Gaza, and Ukraine, I would have preferred Trump to “stop these wars” as he promised, than bomb Iran.

Only my opinion.

As to wars and conflicts in general there’s an old Irish expression ‘speak softly but carry a big stick’ and NATO sure needs a big stick with all the countries in it doing their part.

I fully believe he does understand the negatives, when he knows about them. He still doesn't care. I do not believe for one minute that they tell him much though.

The GOP (and Dems too!) have spiralled into its own "let them eat cake" moment, which is why the Democratic Socialists are winning Primaries. All of a sudden more people are realizing that the US can afford to cover healthcare for everyone and that insurance companies making billions on profits from people dying isn't a good thing.

I said before, this is our opportunity for massive change. I hope we don't mess it up again.

Mamdani is VERY popular right now. He just sent $750k to open a pet food shelter for Manhattan so that people hard on their luck don't have to give up a beloved pet.

He also texted the wealthy by setting a tax on second+ homes worth over $5 million that sit empty.

www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/04/mayor-mamdani--governor-hochul-announce-state-s-first-pied-a-ter

Guess who owns a lot of empty real estate in New York? He also just lost 3 times in a matter of days and now must pay out the $5m judgement to E Jean Carrol. The SC denied him twice this week.

Black Rock, the private equity company who buys up all the single family homes and drives market prices to unaffordable levels, has said they may disinvest from NYC because of it. I think that is the point. People are homeless and you are sitting on empty real estate worth millions you a-holes.

If it shows to be an effective strategy, cities all over the US will do it as well on much cheaper levels. At some point, everyone needs to pay their fair share one way or another.

I haven't been posting much because I am just sitting back watching it all happen. It gets more ridiculous by the day. Sending out "poll watchers" to Dem cities and states to intimidate people. The USPS refusing to deliver ballots for vote by mail. They are desperate because they know they are in trouble.

ICE is still killing people. A man was killed in Houston yesterday. We just no longer hear about it because the media has all been purchased by right wing billionaires and the feds are no longer publishing the stats.

Oreo

My only problem with Trump and the US is that they won’t go far enough and don’t seem able to get a coherent strategy together.

You are right there - a coherent strategy was required from day-one. A lot of joined-up debate and thinking. That would also require listening to those whose experience and POV might not necessarily align with Trump's, but if it made sense from a military and logistics angle, then it should've been at least considered, regardless.

I believe that's the problem with Trump. The moment he's made up his mind he wants something, or wants a certain course of action, it appears he's totally unwilling to listen to dissenting voices - even those that come from his own party.

If you don't agree with him - you're against him, and he takes it personally because he doesn't have the capacity for self-reflection.

I imagine that, behind the scenes in his own party there's quite a bit of hair-tearing and frustration... we occasionally see it when he says something idiotic, or loses track and verbally wanders down some avenue of thought that only he understands - an expression of dismay, or frustration fleetingly passes over the face of one of his own inner circle.

Yes, I agree Dickens

... thanks imaround - lots to digest from your post. You are like our US 'anchor'!

I was particularly interested in a previous post of yours (think it was on this thread but can't be sure) about the possible 'medical' cover-ups - something both the GOP and Dems have indulged in. I thought it was only so-called third-world countries doing that kind of thing!

iamaround I think we are hearing about all the stuff (some say McConnel is being kept alive on a machine) - and we know about all the other stuff you have posted, but it is as if we are all punch drunk. There is so much horror and corruption being perpetrated and I feel dazed by it all. We have our own political horror show going on in the U.K. it is all so difficult to keep commentating.

I wish I could be telling you all about the amazing things about the US. That day will come.

I am definitely dazed as well. It just keeps happening every day and it hits from all sides. It is on purpose, the tactic is called flood the zone. Steve Bannon, IIRC, brought this gem to the Trump team back in 2015.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_the_zone

Yes I remember that and something rather unpleasant involving s…t, still being used to Trump’s advantage.

And there were those before the election who imagined Project 2025 was all theory.

share any bits that occur, imaround. It's often the small stories that are the most telling, but internationally the war is keeping attention well away for domestic matters in the USA. Yes we have out own pre-occupations but in a way we need arming with real consequences in the struggles with the far right here.

Israel seems to be keeping quiet in all this. I wonder why?

Our new PM in waiting, has said that Labour was incorrect in its original statements concerning Israel and Gaza.

This will definitely appeal to the progressive vote in the U.K.

imaround

I fully believe he does understand the negatives, when he knows about them. He still doesn't care. I do not believe for one minute that they tell him much though.

The GOP (and Dems too!) have spiralled into its own "let them eat cake" moment, which is why the Democratic Socialists are winning Primaries. All of a sudden more people are realizing that the US can afford to cover healthcare for everyone and that insurance companies making billions on profits from people dying isn't a good thing.

I said before, this is our opportunity for massive change. I hope we don't mess it up again.

Mamdani is VERY popular right now. He just sent $750k to open a pet food shelter for Manhattan so that people hard on their luck don't have to give up a beloved pet.

He also texted the wealthy by setting a tax on second+ homes worth over $5 million that sit empty.

www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/04/mayor-mamdani--governor-hochul-announce-state-s-first-pied-a-ter

Guess who owns a lot of empty real estate in New York? He also just lost 3 times in a matter of days and now must pay out the $5m judgement to E Jean Carrol. The SC denied him twice this week.

Black Rock, the private equity company who buys up all the single family homes and drives market prices to unaffordable levels, has said they may disinvest from NYC because of it. I think that is the point. People are homeless and you are sitting on empty real estate worth millions you a-holes.

If it shows to be an effective strategy, cities all over the US will do it as well on much cheaper levels. At some point, everyone needs to pay their fair share one way or another.

I haven't been posting much because I am just sitting back watching it all happen. It gets more ridiculous by the day. Sending out "poll watchers" to Dem cities and states to intimidate people. The USPS refusing to deliver ballots for vote by mail. They are desperate because they know they are in trouble.

ICE is still killing people. A man was killed in Houston yesterday. We just no longer hear about it because the media has all been purchased by right wing billionaires and the feds are no longer publishing the stats.

That post with all the information about New York and other matters was just brilliant, imaround. I don't think we are getting the information actually as the press concentrate in the international front and I really like to know especially the growth of oppositional groups with a fresh slant on the old Biden days.

Whats happening in NYC 👏

What Burnham says or does in relation to Gaza, Iran or Ukraine are just words it's going to have very little effect on the main protagonists. Im expecting his focus to be on the economy, he's playing his cards close to his chest, there will be a few surprises.

It's hard to predict Trumps next move, with Iran insisting that they control Hormuz Im expecting him to blockade Iran for as long as he can. The US is quite capable of doing that long term at very little risk, Iran will hit back but will suffer a lot more damage.

What happens at the mid term elections?, the Democrats loathe Trump and Im expecting them to win, but what is their policy on Iran?, are they going to allow Iran to control the gulf region. I don't think we can assume a change in US policy a lot of Democrats support Israel so this conflict could go on for a long time.

David49

What Burnham says or does in relation to Gaza, Iran or Ukraine are just words it's going to have very little effect on the main protagonists. Im expecting his focus to be on the economy, he's playing his cards close to his chest, there will be a few surprises.

It's hard to predict Trumps next move, with Iran insisting that they control Hormuz Im expecting him to blockade Iran for as long as he can. The US is quite capable of doing that long term at very little risk, Iran will hit back but will suffer a lot more damage.

What happens at the mid term elections?, the Democrats loathe Trump and Im expecting them to win, but what is their policy on Iran?, are they going to allow Iran to control the gulf region. I don't think we can assume a change in US policy a lot of Democrats support Israel so this conflict could go on for a long time.

I’m really hoping AB does concentrate on the economy and hopefully can come up with a few quick wins. I don’t want to see our economy de-stabilised again nor this continuing division in both the LP and the country.

So if AB could look at these issues first? ….

Sadgrandma

Israel seems to be keeping quiet in all this. I wonder why?

I thought that! It’s worrying what Netanyahu might have up his sleeve now.

Very sadly I cannot believe any of those poor Israeli hostages are still alive and whilst I do understand the Israeli citizens hatred and anger towards Hamas, this continued war will simply damage, kill, displace more Palestinians as well as risk Israeli’s lives.

Here’s another example of Trump removing the institutions that act as a restraint on his power. He fears he can only win the mid terms by cheating.

Magenta8

What I can't understand is the logic behind Trump wanting to expand the number of US bases in Europe but also wanting to withdraw support for NATO. Am I being stupid?
Article 5 has only been invoked once, in 2001, following the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in the USA. There's gratitude for you.

I expect Trump is still feeling sore about Belgium beating the US four goals to one, despite his intervention over the red card.

The great orange one is still making noises about invading Greenland.

Will no-one rid us of this turbulent/troublesome POTUS?

No, Magenta, you are not stupid, no-one with the faintest grounding in logic would at one and the same time want to disrupt or do away with NATO and have more military bases in Europe.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump does not think logically.

I have serious doubts as to whether he actually can think at all, but that is probably due my having two university degrees to my name and having been taught from an early age to use my brain and to realise that actions have consequences.

Unfortunately, inciting people to commit criminal offences is in itself illegal, so I shall not do so, just remind anyone who is listening that Henry II of England is said to have remarked at dinner one day, "Who will rid me of this trubulent priest?" and the consequence of that remark.