My only surprise at the news that President Trump had, in effect, just assassinated the Deputy 'President' of Iran was how long it took him to act! For the last three years we have been under an endless stream of 'meeja agit-prop' to the effect that Trump was a trigger-happy looney who would start WWIII. During those three years America has been the target for endless direct or indirect attacks of various kinds from Iran and its Islamic fanatical leadership. The assault on the American embassy in Iraq was the final straw.
One immediate effect will be to concentrate what passes for the minds of those Iranian 'loonies' who 'strut their hour upon the stage' seemingly in the belief that they are invulnerable. Not, of course, that that will change their ambitions but in future they will be wise to pick their targets more carefully - US embassies are best avoided! Of course, what they are likely to do is switch their venom from America to friends of America. Israel, of course, is well able to look after itself and the Iranians have never had any doubts as to the sort of response they can expect from that direction. I just hope Boris and his acolytes are able to grip what passes these days for the British military(!) and ensure a suitably swift and murderous response to any future Iranian excesses.
In the meantime, I will congratulate 'The Donald' on an immaculate action which would have reduced his predecessor to tears and trembles had he - God forfend! - been in command! Yes, there will be troubles ahead - so no change there then!
My suspicion is this has something to do with whatever the Norks had in mind when KimUn mentioned his having a "Christmas present."
At any rate this bears close attention.
Posted by: JK | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 11:21
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/hillary-clinton-appointed-chancellor-of-queen-s-university-belfast-1.4128734
But then again maybe Trump had something else in mind ...
Posted by: JK | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 11:56
The Geniuses of Baltimore have done a study:
"According to police, the numbers reveal people with a criminal history are killing people with a criminal history. In the majority of the cases, the motive is listed as unknown."
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/bpd-2019-murder-victim-suspect-analysis/30374201#
I suppose we can file that under 'No shit Sherlock?'
Posted by: JK | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 12:15
Where's that wickedy-naughty weapon you plucked out of the interweb, JK, ah yes ...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/secret-u-s-missile-aims-to-kill-only-terrorists-not-nearby-civilians-11557403411
The "Ninja bomb" or "Flying Ginsu". A New Year gift with a locally named twist for Rocketman, maybe, given the tight arse never stumped up his promised Xmas prezzie?
What is it called when you cut someone into 6 pieces? We used to quarter folks in Blighty after hanging and drawing their guts out first, but howdya formulate the equivalent word for 6?
Hexagoning, maybe?
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 12:22
US Foreign policy establishment hardest hit:
"On Wednesday, the Ayatollah Khamenei even taunted Trump about this, tweeting: “You can’t do anything.” He probably felt secure in the knowledge that the State Department is still full of “experts” of the Rhodes/Magsamen type, who would warn Trump that he must not act – that to respond would just “provoke” the Iranians."
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 13:19
No it is sixthed ...
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sixthed
simple past tense and past participle of sixth
Hung, drawn, and sixthed.
Not quite the same bouncy verbal ring to it as "hung, drawn, and quartered", but nevertheless, "go make the world a better place in sixths" the Don!
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 16:14
Watching the BBC TV this morning bleating of "general" whathis name. Does anyone remember the IRA? They were all brigadiers, not a corporal (substantive or not) to be seen. This "general" had a reputation as a military genius till he annoyed Donald once to often. And ZAP. Blown into 72 pieces.
Posted by: Backofanenvelope | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 16:27
SoD,
"No it is sixthed ..."
Can you imagine the rampant lisping going on in diplomatic circles if that ever catches on? It would sound like Middle English making a come back.
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 17:02
And ZAP. Blown into 72 pieces
Was that one for each virgin?! Only one lucky virgin then! ...
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 17:42
David,
Damn good timing sir! Look elsewhere.
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 18:17
By "immaculate" do you mean that nothing can go wrong, David?
Posted by: Bob | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 18:22
Er, nothing did go wrong, Bob!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 18:32
https://www.asiatimes.com/2020/01/article/trump-takes-a-calculated-risk/
"The embassy attack was intended by Iran as a public act of ritual humiliation, and the United States had no choice but to respond. Trump chose to respond by subjecting Iran to an even more poignant form of humiliation, by assassinating a national hero, Gen. Qassam Sulemaini. It is easy to criticize the US president, but harder to recommend an alternative course of action."
Posted by: JK | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 18:38
Seems the Yank intelligence services were on the ball. The proxy wars in the Middle East have run their course.
Posted by: Glesga | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 18:41
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/01/qods-force-commander-soleimanis-carelessness-put-him-in-the-u-s-militarys-crosshairs.php
It's been a work in progress Jimmy
Posted by: JK | Friday, 03 January 2020 at 19:27
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2020/01/02/US-embassy-attack-was-Iran-s-way-of-showing-they-run-Iraq.html
That article was published before the airstrike that left the ring that's been in the news more recently. One of the fellows mentioned in the article goes (went) by the name of Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes.
By pure coincidence we can be certain, Mr. al-Mohandes attended the arrival at the Baghdad airport of the fellow who wore the ring that's been featuring in the news.
Unfortunately for Mr. al-Mohandes, he hitched a ride with Mr. Ring and they wound up in parts unknown.
Posted by: JK | Saturday, 04 January 2020 at 06:51
https://dailytimewaster.blogspot.com/2020/01/heh_3.html
Posted by: JK | Saturday, 04 January 2020 at 07:18
Seems the Yank intelligence services were on the ball. The proxy wars in the Middle East have run their course.
I think that's the message the Don wants to get over to the Mad Mullahs: keep it local by fighting our proxies and we will oblige you by using only our proxies too.
But target us and you'll get it back direct in spades.
Ball's in the Mad Mullah's court now as to whether the conflict stays local proxy or goes direct vs Uncle Sam.
The Don has set a very basic intelligence test for the Mad Mullahs. We're about to find out if they live up to their nickname!
I do Love it when the US gets things right. Like napalm in the morning, smells like ...
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Saturday, 04 January 2020 at 08:30
SoD,
I guess "sexting" is already taken...
Posted by: Malcolm Pollack | Sunday, 05 January 2020 at 01:54