ValueSide
July 14 2024
Yesterday, this nation received a miracle. A would-be assassin sought to end the life of Donald Trump, candidate for President. By an incomprehensible fraction, his bullet merely grazed the former President’s ear. At an estimated 130 yards, this fractional near miss was a miracle indeed. At that distance, the tolerances are so small that the shooter’s breath, the beating of his heart, or even the blink of his eye meant the difference between life or death for Trump. But, as shots rang out in that small Pennsylvania town, there was tragedy too. One member of the audience was killed, another gravely wounded, along with the shooter, who was also killed. Two lie dead. As Sunday morning begins, we recognize that a miracle happened last evening: Donald Trump was not among them. By some miracle, his life was spared. As Americans, we must realize the significance of this, not because we’re Trump supporters or because we may vote for Trump, but because we still have the opportunity to choose who will next serve as America’s President. It has become apparent that some would take our right to vote away. There are forces in our country that wish to make that choice themselves, to take away the people’s vote and decide by fiat who will represent us. This morning, fingers are pointed at various factions who may have contributed to this climate of hate. Hate that drove a young man to trade his life for a shot at the Presidential Candidate. We can only hope he acted alone or with only a few co-conspirators. Unfortunately, it will likely take weeks, if not months, before we learn of the whole scope of this plot to assassinate Donald Trump. This morning, we can celebrate that the democratic process we call a presidential election has been permitted to continue. Yes, Trump has been spared, but our form of representative government has been spared in the broader sense. Because Donald Trump lives, we, the people, will have a genuine choice in who governs the country. Follow me here on ThinkSpot for more stories from the ValueSide.
Profanity: lit,extra,lit,extra
Barely
a month ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before a Joint
Session of Congress. The air was electric, as Netanyahu
declared:"In the Middle East, Iran is virtually behind
all the terrorism, all the turmoil, all the chaos, all the killing."
Netanyahu's speech before a Joint Session of Congress, July 24,
2024.The assembled Representatives rose in thunderous
applause. Here was a cause that all (or at least those in the Chamber
that evening) could agree on. At just the time that America, under an
increasingly feeble President, could show the world that it is still
the indispensable country. Iran would become the target of not just
Israel but also the United States.While many American
citizens do not want to see War in the Middle East, US leadership is
united on this issue. Or at least they have sufficient votes to pass
any required legislation, providing the weapons, munitions, and other
funds needed for a potential conflict.While the ovations
were, no doubt, gratifying, it was the direct support of American
Leadership that Netanyahu traveled to Washington to get. As Time
Magazine noted, Netanyahu received unanimous support across the
political spectrum. From President Joe Biden and Vice President
Kamala Harris to Donald Trump, all of the American political Elite
was behind Israel.With America firmly on his side, Netanyahu
ordered the assassination of first Hezbollah's Senior Military Leader
in Lebanon, Fuad Shukr, and then Hamas political leader and chief
negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh. This one-two punch left the world stunned
as the realization hit that the Middle East was on the edge of
all-out War. It was presumed that both Hezbollah and Iran would
immediately retaliate. Such political assassinations could not go
unanswered. Ever the chess master, Netanyahu first
positioned his assets, principally the Israeli Defense Force (IDF)
and the formidable United States Military. Then, he lit the fuse that
would plunge the region into War.The World Waited.Then,
nothing.Although we've seen Hezbollah launch drones and
missiles from their bases in Southern Lebanon, there's been no
response at all from Iran. Strange.Doesn't Iran know that the
US and Israel are ready for War? What are the Mullahs waiting
for?Speculation on the internet, and I suspect Washington,
are all over the board. Suggested reasons for Iran's delay include
that they may need time to position recently acquired Russian
antiaircraft components, the S-400s, and electronic warfare assets
rumored to now be in Iran's hands. Or they may need extra training
for the soldiers and technicians to operate this new equipment. Or
that they're waiting for additional reconnaissance on locating Israel
and American targets. Finally, Iran fears facing a formidable force
such as the combined IDF and US forces.Any of these could be
the reason Iran delays its response. However, a simpler
explanation—thanks, Occam—may be in play here: logistics.For
months now, the USS Theodore Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier has been in
the Gulf of Oman. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln to join the Roosevelt and increase
America's battle power in the region.Each Carrier Battle
Group consists of the nuclear-powered Carrier itself and possible
nuclear submarines, which do not require refueling. However, the rest
of the associated Fleet—the fighter wing, surveillance aircraft,
helicopters, and surface vessels—all require fuel (the last
American nuclear-powered surface ship was retired in 1995).
Additionally, personnel must eat, weapons and munitions must be
replenished, and port maintenance is required for significant repairs
and refits.This comes when the US Navy is not operating at
maximum capacity. The first place American ships look for resupply is
the Navy's Sealift Command, those ships and sailors who are the heart
and soul of at-sea logistics. But just last week, the US Navy
Institute reported that the Navy plans to "sideline" 17 of
its most important supply vessels because it doesn't have the sailors
to staff them. This is the real-world impact of recruiting goals that
have been unmet for years.At the same time that the Navy
faces staffing problems, logistical support from local ports is
becoming problematic. The US has recently renewed its agreement with
Bahrain to continue supporting the Navy's 5th Fleet. Additionally,
the Sultan of Oman permits air and naval support for the Americans.
Beyond those two, however, America may find it difficult to "gas
up" at other Middle Eastern Ports if War breaks out with Israel,
a country that few in the Middle East support.The Iranians
see this. They know that America and Israel could find themselves
isolated in any potential conflict. Remember that Israel is also
reliant on fuel, primarily flowing through Turkey, for its own
supplies.So, while the American forces in the Middle East are
indeed formidable, they are vulnerable to extended logistical
support. The more time spent floating around the Gulf of Oman means
continuing use of fuel and other supplies. And this most likely is
exactly what the Leaders in Iran are counting on.For over a
thousand years, first Persia, now the Islamic Republic of Iran, has
seen invaders perish in trying to cross this timeless territory's
vast deserts and seas. Will the Americans be able to overcome the
logistic challenges of this land? Time will tell.The Mullahs
will wait.
Barely
a month ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before a Joint
Session of Congress. The air was electric, as Netanyahu
declared: "In the Middle East, Iran is virtually behind
all the terrorism, all the turmoil, all the chaos, all the killing."
Netanyahu's speech before a Joint Session of Congress, July 24,
2024. The assembled Representatives rose in thunderous
applause. Here was a cause that all (or at least those in the Chamber
that evening) could agree on. At just the time that America, under an
increasingly feeble President, could show the world that it is still
the indispensable country. Iran would become the target of not just
Israel but also the United States. While many American
citizens do not want to see War in the Middle East, US leadership is
united on this issue. Or at least they have sufficient votes to pass
any required legislation, providing the weapons, munitions, and other
funds needed for a potential conflict. While the ovations
were, no doubt, gratifying, it was the direct support of American
Leadership that Netanyahu traveled to Washington to get. As Time
Magazine noted, Netanyahu received unanimous support across the
political spectrum. From President Joe Biden and Vice President
Kamala Harris to Donald Trump, all of the American political Elite
was behind Israel. With America firmly on his side, Netanyahu
ordered the assassination of first Hezbollah's Senior Military Leader
in Lebanon, Fuad Shukr, and then Hamas political leader and chief
negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh. This one-two punch left the world stunned
as the realization hit that the Middle East was on the edge of
all-out War. It was presumed that both Hezbollah and Iran would
immediately retaliate. Such political assassinations could not go
unanswered. Ever the chess master, Netanyahu first
positioned his assets, principally the Israeli Defense Force (IDF)
and the formidable United States Military. Then, he lit the fuse that
would plunge the region into War. The World Waited. Then,
nothing. Although we've seen Hezbollah launch drones and
missiles from their bases in Southern Lebanon, there's been no
response at all from Iran. Strange. Doesn't Iran know that the
US and Israel are ready for War? What are the Mullahs waiting
for? Speculation on the internet, and I suspect Washington,
are all over the board. Suggested reasons for Iran's delay include
that they may need time to position recently acquired Russian
antiaircraft components, the S-400s, and electronic warfare assets
rumored to now be in Iran's hands. Or they may need extra training
for the soldiers and technicians to operate this new equipment. Or
that they're waiting for additional reconnaissance on locating Israel
and American targets. Finally, Iran fears facing a formidable force
such as the combined IDF and US forces. Any of these could be
the reason Iran delays its response. However, a simpler
explanation—thanks, Occam—may be in play here: logistics. For
months now, the USS Theodore Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier has been in
the Gulf of Oman. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln to join the Roosevelt and increase
America's battle power in the region. Each Carrier Battle
Group consists of the nuclear-powered Carrier itself and possible
nuclear submarines, which do not require refueling. However, the rest
of the associated Fleet—the fighter wing, surveillance aircraft,
helicopters, and surface vessels—all require fuel (the last
American nuclear-powered surface ship was retired in 1995).
Additionally, personnel must eat, weapons and munitions must be
replenished, and port maintenance is required for significant repairs
and refits. This comes when the US Navy is not operating at
maximum capacity. The first place American ships look for resupply is
the Navy's Sealift Command, those ships and sailors who are the heart
and soul of at-sea logistics. But just last week, the US Navy
Institute reported that the Navy plans to "sideline" 17 of
its most important supply vessels because it doesn't have the sailors
to staff them. This is the real-world impact of recruiting goals that
have been unmet for years. At the same time that the Navy
faces staffing problems, logistical support from local ports is
becoming problematic. The US has recently renewed its agreement with
Bahrain to continue supporting the Navy's 5th Fleet. Additionally,
the Sultan of Oman permits air and naval support for the Americans.
Beyond those two, however, America may find it difficult to "gas
up" at other Middle Eastern Ports if War breaks out with Israel,
a country that few in the Middle East support. The Iranians
see this. They know that America and Israel could find themselves
isolated in any potential conflict. Remember that Israel is also
reliant on fuel, primarily flowing through Turkey, for its own
supplies. So, while the American forces in the Middle East are
indeed formidable, they are vulnerable to extended logistical
support. The more time spent floating around the Gulf of Oman means
continuing use of fuel and other supplies. And this most likely is
exactly what the Leaders in Iran are counting on. For over a
thousand years, first Persia, now the Islamic Republic of Iran, has
seen invaders perish in trying to cross this timeless territory's
vast deserts and seas. Will the Americans be able to overcome the
logistic challenges of this land? Time will tell. The Mullahs
will wait.