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Culture War Roundup for the week of September 30, 2024

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You had me for a second with the official declaration of war.

When the dust settles I predict very little damage as Iran is not a serious country. The question of course is Israel’s response. Do they go after Iran’s nuclear sites, its oil exports, or its leaders? Or do they call it even? Bibi in general seems happy to escalate since Israel is winning every encounter.

IMO, oil makes the best target. We’re in this mess partly because Biden unfroze Iranian funds and let them triple their oil exports. Israel should undo this mistake by crippling their source of funding.

Biden let Iran triple their oil exports because he didn't really have a choice. After Russia invaded Ukraine, gas prices shot through the roof, and he would've gotten skewered if he didn't do something to get them down. He had three options: Ease sanctions on Iran, decline to put sanctions on Russia, or do nothing. Declining to sanction Russia would have made him look incredibly weak at a time there was broad consensus that something had to be done to punish Russia for the invasion. Doing nothing would have led to complaints about rising gas prices. Easing sanctions on Iran was the most palatable option at the time. Americans don't like Iran, but not enough that they're willing to pay $4.50/gallon to extend the middle finger.

Option 4: Drill in America.

The Extreme-Greens the world over, but especially in American and unquestionably in Europe, hold a great deal of responsibility for global destabilization. The Green party in Germany is directly responsible for that State's reliance on Russian oil (without which, the Russian war machine would be out of gas...lol, I'm having a little fun).

The ongoing decision to not use proven American reserves is baffling and will be looked down on by the history books. One of Vance's better lines last night was that cheaper energy is both one of the most effective and immediate means of reducing inflation.

Greens aren't just a degrowth movement, they're genocidal.

How much more do we know we could produce in the absence of federal drilling bans?

Yes, Biden decided to (in effect) give hundreds of billions to Iran and Venezuela to lower pump prices and increase the Democrats chances of winning in 2022.

We're still dealing with the consequences of those cowardly choices.

Iran is not a serious country

Is this anything more than just a smear?

They are not serious about total war with Israel, for often discussed reasons.
They are serious enough to develop means to strike Israeli ground targets - can't say that about Poland (assuming the requirement is that such capabilities are not dependent on the whims of allies), and we need such weapons just as much as Iranians do.

If a serious person says they will hurt you, they will hurt you.

Iran is trying to demonstrate power but instead shows only impotence. But they talk a big game. On the playground, this would be an open invitation to get bullied. Sadly, it's no different for nation states.