Well, it’s 3:00 pm on Friday and the missus and I just got back from a walk. It’s kind of dreary outside, so I thought I would sit down and ramble a little bit, since I have slacked off for a couple of weeks. It’s not like there hasn’t been anything happening in the world to write about. It’s just been so chaotic I was flummoxed. I haven’t had alcohol in my system for four days now, so perhaps I am thinking more clearly. So here goes.
I’m not going to ramble about the “obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear compounds, as I’m sure the media has kept y’all informed on that situation. What I will say, however, is that I believe history will show Obama’s 2015 Iran Deal,” which was “kicked to the curb” by Trump in 2018, was more effective at controlling Iran’s nuclear program than Trump’s Operation Midnight Hammer bombing. The Trump team say that Iran’s nuclear program is no longer operational and there is no need to sit down and hammer out an agreement because there is no longer a threat. I have no idea how much damage was done, but if the setback is only months to a year, then we are in deep doo-doo. Up until the bombing, Iran’s nuclear facilities were monitored and inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran’s parliament voted on Wednesday to withdraw all cooperation with the IAEA, thereby eliminating crucial oversight of their program. The international community will have no oversight on Iran’s nuclear activities and Iran will begin covert reconstitution of their nuclear program. I give Obama’s diplomacy a win and Trump’s aggression a loss. Time will tell.
I have to chuckle when I see that Governor Gavin Newsom is following Trump’s playbook and has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox and host Jesse Watters after Watters showed an edited clip and made false claims about Newsom’s communications with Trump. I’m chuckling because Newsom is asking for $787 in damages, matching the settlement Fox paid Dominion voting Systems in 2023 over election misinformation. Also from the Trump playbook, Newsom’s lawyers, however, will drop the lawsuit if Fox issues a public retraction and Watters apologizes on his show.
Regarding the tariff’s. Remember Trump and his economic team promised 90 deals in 90 days? That was 76 days ago. Today Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, says we should have it wrapped up by Labor Day. I predict come August 15th we’ll hear something to the effect that the tariff trade deals will be our Christmas present from Don wrapped up with a red satin bow. Meanwhile, the US trade deficit in goods continues to grow – up 11% from April The biggest problem is the decline in goods being exported. The stable genius’ tariff plan to reduce trade deficits while increasing our exports is working just like all his other attempts to Make America Great Again. A turd in the bowl.
That’s all I have time for today, folks. It’s our 55th wedding anniversary and I’ve got to get spruced up to go out to dinner. I guarantee I won’t be getting my 5th day in a row without alcohol. Have a great weekend!
Mountain Man Musings 