The back-channel diplomacy behind Trump’s U-turn on Iran
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan gathered before dawn Thursday in Riyadh for talks aimed at finding a diplomatic off-ramp to the war in Iran.
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~~ Joshua Tree Storm Clouds
The war news this morning features the Whiner in Chief threatening to huff and puff and blow the lights out in Iran. The goofy Iranians refuse to follow the script and insist on fucking with the world economy, rather than laying down and dying as President Trump wants them to.
Now they’ve really gone and done it! They made the whiner in chief whine yet again. How dare they!
It was nice knowing everybody.
Once you're riding the tiger, how do you get off? The US is desperate to maintain its primacy no matter the consequences. However, the plan is backfiring. The entire world sees our barbaric approach in this war. All oil being shipped through Hormuz must be purchased with Yuan (RMB) and a 10% passage fee also paid to Iran in Yuan. That is part of the reason TPTB are so focused on the Strait. This foolish war of choice will, at a minimum, weaken the the petrodollar and hasten the transition to a petroyuan. In many ways this is an economic war.
Afternoon folks!
More great stuff this week! Starting off we've got a live album from a great Chicago blues guitarist, Eddie Taylor, followed by an album from a great Delta blues guitarist, Big Jack Johnson backed by harmonica player Kim Wilson (best known for his work with the Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Pinetop Perkins. After that there's an album of raucous, upbeat blues from Sandra Hall and some modern Zydeco from Buckwheat Zydeco. Then it's on to a live concert from The Band back in 1971 and we finish up with a 60's psychedelic album from a relatively obscure group called Fever Tree.
Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!
Good morning, good friends!
Hope this OT finds you in fine fettle.
I should have know going to a funeral last Saturday would set the tone and tenor for the week ahead, and it sure did.
The widow wore a pair of cowboy boots I had bought her to wear at her wedding to my friend and office computer technician. She is leaving Texas after 18 yrs to be with her family in both Nevada and Utah.
She takes Texas boots and great memories with her.
Happy Friday everyone. Welcome to Friday Night Photos, your once a week escape from the day to day insanity of the world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music or whatever else you find of interest that helps tune out the madness.
Spring has sprung. Today is the first day of spring, thou you wouldn't know it with the weather we've had this week. Temps have been in the mid to high 90's inland where I live, and upper 80's along the coast. I've lived in San Diego county since 1977 and I can't remember temps ever being this high this early in the year.
Temperatures are not the only thing on the rise. Since the start of the illegal war of aggression against Iran the price of gas has crept up $1 from $4.29 a gallon to $5.29.
A dozen shots from my last visit to Balboa Park.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has released a discussion of a potential bill that will change the course of the internet as we know it.
Blackburn Releases Discussion Draft of National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a discussion draft of her legislative framework to codify President Trump’s executive order to create one rulebook for artificial intelligence (AI) that protects children, creators, conservatives, and communities from harm while ensuring the United States wins the global race for AI supremacy:
“Instead of pushing AI amnesty, President Trump rightfully called on Congress to pass federal standards and protections to solve the patchwork of state laws that has hindered AI innovation,” said Senator Blackburn. “Now, Congress must answer his call to establish one federal rulebook for AI to protect children, creators, conservatives, and communities across the country and ensure America triumphs over foreign adversaries in the global race for AI dominance. The TRUMP AMERICA AI Act is the solution America needs.”
