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Tariff wars, they have began


Wally Fairway

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8 hours ago, SimonBolivar said:

At this time I have no comment

 

 

 

(Ironically, I just bought two first editions of Gabriel Garcia Marquez books today.)

How am I supposed to understand a book where all the characters have the same name?

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6 hours ago, Valmy77 said:

Sure. But it chips away at the international structure we spent decades building up.

And makes countries regret ever deciding to trust us with uncertain consequences.

But I guess in the short term it will get us some short term benefits. Though what benefit we got there, Colombia agreeing to do something they already agreed to do, I am not sure.

This is a benefit. The logic of authoritarianism requires constant conflict and adversaries to face down or blame, both internal and external. America’s actual adversaries— Russia, China, Iran, North Korea— are dangerous and conflict with them carries the risk of real and immediate negative consequences to the regime. 
 

Petty quarrels with friendly nations and the slow dismantling of a system that benefits America offers opportunities by contrast.  There is a chance to win and trumpet small, stupid victories as proof of your strength.  There is the opportunity to frame low-stakes, expected negative reactions as intolerable insults to national strength, prestige, and sovereignty.  The long-term negative impacts of isolation and mistrust will bolster the narrative of a strong regime as the fortress against a hostile and unfriendly world. The Viktor Orbans and Robert Ficos and Alisher Aliyevs and Lukashenkas of the world delight in isolating their countries. 
 

And it is time to begin talking about “regime interests” as opposed to “national or American interests.”  We only have the former now, which will be cast always as inseparable from the latter. 

Edited by 956 Worldwide
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So a C-17 has got to cost like $20k-$30k an hour to operate, and would be an absolutely critical in-demand asset were a war in the Pacific to break out owing to its ability to deliver materiel to austere locations directly.  

They’ve even gamed ways to deploy one + a few F-35’s on a dirt strip, complete with fuel bladders and crew, for the inevitable destruction of Diego Garcia in a full shooting match…so let’s not log pointless hours on one?

Logistics reach has long been a key differentiator of a superpower, assets like C-17s and tankers should be protected so they don’t end up like the B-1, where serving as a low-altitude bomb truck for 20 years in the sandbox effectively clapped out the bulk of the fleet.  Heavy lift, long range, high speed and high altitude employment of stealthy cruise missiles sure sounds helpful in a war with China.  

And that’s 1% of why that was stupid.  Probably just to get that one photo.  

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11 hours ago, Valmy77 said:

Wasn't the whole issue was just using military planes? I didn't really get why we couldn't just use commercial planes to drop them off. But whatever. Don't know why such a small issue required a temper tantrum.

The whole situation was just bizarre. It is also why I don't like getting caught up in the daily spectacle of Trump bullshit. Most of it is absolute nonsense. Like the whole Greenland thing. Nothing is going to happen, and whatever does appear to happen won't actually change anything. It all just there to distract you from the bad shit that is actually happening.

 

I think it was more that the deportees were being "treated like criminals" in other words were handcuffed, transported on military planes, not given food or water on the flight, etc. 

So, now that Colombia is accepting the deportees, who really folded? Is the US using civilian planes and not handcuffing the deportees (Dotard folded), or is Colombia accepting them as is (Colombia folded)? I don't know the answer. 

But like Helobius said, DOatRd claims the win, no "news" calls him on it, magats suck his manly dick. 

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2 hours ago, High Plains Drifter said:

 

I think it was more that the deportees were being "treated like criminals" in other words were handcuffed, transported on military planes, not given food or water on the flight, etc. 

So, now that Colombia is accepting the deportees, who really folded? Is the US using civilian planes and not handcuffing the deportees (Dotard folded), or is Colombia accepting them as is (Colombia folded)? I don't know the answer. 

But like Helobius said, DOatRd claims the win, no "news" calls him on it, magats suck his manly dick. 

So ...

image.thumb.png.0a0f168764c4aebc75f1b636cb31904a.png

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On 1/27/2025 at 11:32 AM, High Plains Drifter said:

 

should have read this before posting. 

 

Colombia's threat to tariff American goods would have kicked American farmers square in the nuts, repeatedly. Not to mention making roses way more expensive for Americans right before Valentine's day. And, it fucked with our greatest South American ally who has been a huge cooperative partner on deportations and fighting illegal drugs. Have to keep a counter influence to BRICS in South America. Huge fuckup by Trump and team but nobody cares 

Edited by pacman
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