#18

I converted absolutely everything I possibly could into EURO months ago. The collapse of the dollar has basically been a $1700/month pay cut for me. I expect it will be cut even more.

"People don't feel safe in the United States anymore and it's reflected in the massive downturn in international travel to the US."

I have a co-worker who is a US citizen, but his wife is a German green-card holder. She just finished up some sort of graduate program at UNLV. She had planned on retiring to the US to walk at graduation. Her advisor suggested against it.

"And Trump's tariffs are targeted, not random. They're aimed at pressuring specific industries to reshore production and rebuild US manufacturing. That strategy is showing results."

Several things.

First, manufacturing is NOT coming back to the US, barring some sort of global catastrophe (like WWIII) that somehow leaves the US as the last remaining industrial economy on the planet (like what happened in WWII).

Second, the value of the dollar has dropped by 12% since 01 March 2025. I've seen projections that it will likely decline by an additional 5% before the year is out.

Wanna know why? Trump. He's a reality TV star. All drama is good drama.

"Sure, blame it all on Trump while you refuse to acknowledge the elephant in the living room."

The elephant in the room is Trump, and his ridiculous economic policies.

One March 1st, the USD was $.97 relative to the EUR. Within two weeks, it was $.86.

You're not wrong. As the Chinese accurately pointed out, the US is living beyond its means though debt financing.

The dollar has dropped in value by around 15% (relative to the EUR) since ------- started this IDIOTIC ------- tariff nonsense. Which, for me, was basically a 15% pay cut.

I wish I had a job that paid in EUR. Trump's not finished, and I don't think he gives a ---- whether the dollar collapses completely. I'm not even sure he understands the concept of currency reserves.

If I were an MNC, I would want an invoice in something other than USD.

I like Trump's border policies, but other than that, he is a ------- ------. I don't think he understand that, without a demand for USD, he's not going to be able to debt finance his 'big, beautiful bill.'

"He did enter the country legally. He came in through a legal port of entry where he turned himself in to border agents and requested asylum."

Uh-huh?

And why did he not do the SIV route? Albania-->Italy--> final destination?

That's literally why that program exists.

Maybe he thought the Biden policies were still in effect, and you could apply for asylum and stay for as long as you wanted. Avoid the paperwork and formality of the SIV process.

#8

Odds are that Boaz was working with Afghans at some point. Odds are that in 2021, some of them reached out to Boaz trying to get documentation that they had supported US/Coalition forces against the Taliban.

I'm not going to speak for Boaz, but that might be why he said what he said.

How was your time in Afghanistan, shoeless?

The US has an ongoing program for Afghans who supported the US. SIV. This guy is no different than any other illegal immigrant. It's like saying since I've done work with Norway, I should have the right to enter Norway under illegal conditions.

Share your thoughts. If you're against restrictions on anyone from anywhere entering the US, that's fine. But let's codify it. Right now, every day, US citizens and those seeking to enter the country legally may spend hours at a border checkpoint or at an airport. So, let's get rid of that. No one likes waiting at borders or at passport control. Why penalize those who are entering the country legally. Especially those who are US citizens.

I've mentioned it before, but the only time I ever had anything to do with the IDF was when we were trying to copy their techniques for reducing collateral damage. This was 2018-2019 when ISIS was on the ropes in Baghuz Fawqani and you had a high concentration of ISIS fighters and supporters in a small area.

"Not sure what planet you are posting from but here on earth where I am currently posting from "legal reviews" are now just a formality. I would be surprised if they are even being done any more."

I'm sorry...but, what?

I'm still in this business, and every last target on any target list is subject to a legal review. The lawyers can't approve a strike on a target, but they do determine whether or not it is valid in the sense that it serves a military purpose.

If you're Hamas, you're desired effect is to create fear and chaos. They don't attack valid military targets because A) they lack the accuracy to conduct precision strike, and B) attacks on military targets do not create chaos and fear.

I think it is probably the same with Iran, although I have less insight into the accuracy of Iranian long-range weapons systems.

"The IDF is targeting hospitals in Iran, just like they did in the Gaza Strip: 45 women and children KIA."

You claim to have been part of the intelligence community. If you're in the US, request that your congressional representatives request the legal review from the IDF on the targeting package.

I would say do the same for the Iranian and Hamas targets in Israel, but I'm pretty sure that legal reviews are unnecessary when your desired effect is to kill civilians and/or destroy civilian infrastructure.

"Advisors to Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei are reportedly in talks with Russia to secure asylum in case the regime nears collapse, according to Iran International."

He can roomie with Al-Assad.

"It appears that Israel is sending their biggest and baddest pilots on these mission. But Iran managed to take down Israel's modified "F-35asaurus."

An actual F-35 could have fit in the weapons bay of this imagined beast.

"Iran shot down 2 F-35's in Combat yesterday."

Mmm...did they?

Or is that just some wishful thinking on your part?

"Now do Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Military targets or war crimes?"

Nuclear bombs are the reason there is still a Japan today.

Nuclear bombs enabled Japan to become what it is. Just like unconditional surrender enabled Germany to become what it is.

Hopefully, Palestinians will abandon Khahamas and realize their potential as well.

Had Senator Padilla actually had questions for Noem, he could have had his people reach out to her people. Both of them have armies of staffers.

This was a publicity stunt.

"So Iran can bomb civilians in Israel if they live near military commanders?"

Under the Geneva Conventions, yes. Absolutely. The military commander is a valid military target. The only additional legal consideration is proportionality. Using the least amount of force possible to get the kill.

And it applies to Hamas as well. Had Hamas attacked military outposts or military leadership, it's very likely the position of global governments would have been far different. Those are valid military targets. Instead, they chose to rape and murder kids at a rave.

"You mean the Qatari-backed Hamas ... the same Qatar that President Bone Spurs claims to have offered him a lavish airplane?"

I was over in the desert in 2018 when Tamim the Glorious spent a reported $1M USD on the change of command for the senior Air Force leadership at Al Udeid Air Base. At the same time, senior elements within the Qatari government/royal family were providing funds to ISIS.

Qatar has more money than they know what to do with. The average monthly income for a Qatari citizen is $20k. They spend lots of money and play all sides, and it gives them an out-sized voice on the global stage.

"But Netanyahu's indiscriminate killing of civilians as "collateral " damage makes it easier to be anti-Israel."

That's the really big thing that no one seems to get here. It's not indiscriminate. Those were very accurate pinpoint strikes that minimized collateral damage. For some background, the only interaction I ever had with the IDF was when we were copying their techniques on how to limit collateral damage when the coalition was dropping on ISIS.

The only additional measure Israel could have taken was to message the generals and scientists that they were going to die, and it would be better for everyone if they separated themselves from the civilian population.

Honestly, this was impressive. This is what a measured strike should look like. Not unguided rockets or mortars flying randomly into cities. The Islamists seeking to maximize civilian casualties. They're not concerned with the concept of valid military targets. The Russians seem to be attempting some level of precision targeting...they're just not very good at it yet.

"A lot of news agencies have reporters in Iran. Video and news reports are all over about damage to apartment buildings. Israel targeted them to kill military commanders. I believe even Israel has confirmed this now."

Military leaders are valid military targets. Which means that these attacks were almost certainly legal under the Geneva Conventions and LOAC. The only possible question would be proportionality. 'Senior leader' may mean different things. I'm sure the Israelis would have little issue presenting the legal reviews on the targets to those with the appropriate need to know.

Now let's compare that to Hamas's rocket attacks on cities in Israel.

Even if the US chose not to business with them, most other governments will continue to do so.

"Elon gets his money from SpaceX, not Tesla."

Starlink isn't going anywhere either.

"Zionists are the cause of the troubles."

What about the Palestinians?

Fortunately, manufacturing is coming back to the US. There will be plenty of jobs. Beautiful.