Replies to post #315028 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[PegnVA]

See Bret Stephens speaking in Texas in 2014 - at that time he was with the WSJ, now he writes for the NYT...

[BullNBear52]

That's fair enough as well but I think you're being a little harsh. He did point out Trump's credibility issues.

Whoever the culprits are there should be some responsibility to keep the shipping lanes open in international waters.

We have done this before,

https://www.uswars.net/barbary-war/

In May, 1801, the United States refused to succumb to the increasing demands of the Pacha of Tripoli; in return, the Pacha declared war against the States. While Tripoli was not a strong power and little effort was necessary to watch and blockade it, the fear was that the other Barbary powers would join against the United States. The United States sent naval squadrons into the Mediterranean under the slogan of “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Under the leadership of Commodores Richard Dale and Edward Preble, the Navy blockaded the enemy coast, bombarded his shore fortresses, and engaged in close, bitterly contested gunboat actions.

The real problem is no one buys Trump's BS anymore or his tweets.