Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz was just another in a long line of complete disregard of international law. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who might be the only sane member of Trump's cabinet, made very clear that the United States is opposed to charging tolls to use an international waterway. "That’s the law. It’s an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway ... . That’s existing international law. That’s the way it is in international waterways all over the world and that’s the way we’ll expect it’ll be here.”
Infortunately, President Donald Trump, who has little regard for any law, national or international, is now imposing his own toll. "The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.”
Actions like this make us no better that Iran.
UPDATED 2:12 PM - In the story you see above, I point out that Trump is violating international law with a proposal to impose a 20% toll on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. This would also increase our gas prices even more than they've already risen since he attacked Iran, stopped, attacked, stopped, attacked, etc. I am assured by the Trump cult that "Trump is playing 4-D chess while peasants like Boonie lose to chickens playing tic tac toe at the county ... ." Trump has now reversed himself, something you don't do in chess or even tic tac toe.
You are speculating on a newly mentioned idea that hasn’t even been detailed, nor put into action. Give it a rest for at least another month to see how it actually plays out in fact.
ReplyDeleteBesides, some liberal American local Magistrate will most definitely kick-off a long drawn court challenge around the world that will stifle everything for a very long time. Lawfare, don’t you know?
Actions of a mob boss
ReplyDeleteThe man is a fascist, just ask BOH.
DeleteSomeone has to pay for all the resources to protect the shipping. Would you rather the American taxpayers foot the bill?
ReplyDeleteTrump charges tolls to pay for a war he started and lost. Obama airlifts billions in gold and cash to evil mullahs who used it to build nukes and delivery systems that carry them 4,000 miles. Biden whores out his son and brother to pillage Ukraine and send them spiraling into a war with Russia that he called a minor incursion. We are ruled by sickening criminals.
ReplyDeleteI would hardly claim Trump lost the “war” in Iran. He established his limited goals before it all went down and DID achieve those objectives.
DeleteThe Iran story isn’t done yet. Having said that, I must say that’s a pretty good analogy lol.
DeleteSo the mullahs are no longer running the country? I fact, they are. They're likely rebuilding their nuclear program already. Thats an L. It's one of those, "we won every battle and lost the war," stories.
DeleteNo, it was never about regime change.
DeleteNot your fault. Trump uses language that undermines the truth. US has received reimbursement for military from many nations. Korea pays us a billion per year. We received payments for desert stor,m. our mid east partners hosting air bases write us checks. Obviously our taxpayers should not be paying for security for oil shipments from Kuwait, Dubai cuttar, r,Oman. These are million dollar payments going to those countries treasuries. They should reimburse us. Mr. trump should use the word reimbursement instead of toll.
ReplyDeleteThis matter would be resolved in the US' favor much quicker if Trump and his advisors heeded the comments by the foreign policy experts on this blog; much like Northampton County leaders seek for their management advice on Gracedale.
ReplyDeleteDemocrats can’t seem to understand, Trump says plenty of things to force his opponents potential reaction out into the open. For example, we now know that Virginia Democrat Senator Warner is furiously sounding the alarm about an address to the nation to be held this Thursday night. No topic has been announced yet, but Senator Warner is practically trembling in claiming it will be about past election cheating since 2020. Now, why would the despicable Sen. Warner be so concerned about that if not feeling a sense of personal participation in the shenanigans?
ReplyDeleteSeek professional help.
DeleteLine 5 from the MoU: "5. Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels, with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman, and vice versa."
ReplyDeleteThis is just bad diplomacy. They put this together in a few weeks, without hammering out the details, and in a contentious time such as this, it was never going to work. The above language allows for two separate understandings of the agreement regarding the strait. This is the kind of garbage results we get when we send Steve Witkoff, Kushner and JD Vance to negotiate on our behalf. None are seasoned diplomats and none are, at least, complex contract attorneys. This will continue to be the result now that Iran knows it's negotaiting from a place of leverage.
Trump is playing 4-D chess while peasants like Boonie lose to chickens playing tic tac toe at the county fair, Donnie has the world by the balls and it just kills liberal nincompoops that at 80 years old he's sharper than an adamantium samurai sword and plays golf at a very high level
ReplyDeleteIf Trump tried to play even 3D chess, the rook would wind up in his rectum.
DeleteHe’s a disaster who’s spending the country into bankruptcy, appointing lunatics to cabinet posts and turning the entire world against the U.S.
The intellectuals and public policy experts of the Lehigh Valley have spoken! I can smell the inbreeding.
ReplyDeleteAny policy that turns away from Obama's bizarre Iran-centric Middle East policy is a good thing. It's refreshing to see fealty payments in that area make a 180-degree turn and be owed to the US. Navigation has never been free. "Freedom of navigation" has never existed. Turn off NPR for a few minutes and read up on Thomas Jefferson.
ReplyDeleteUsing Muslim relocation to America as part of the soft takeover of our American government and culture began ramping up here under Muslim Barack Obama. If you are lucky enough to encounter legitimate news reporting and not just Democrat propaganda, as found in the Morning Call, you will already know New York City and adjacent areas in New Jersey, is struggling with this right now.
DeleteMore like a rusted orange shard of iron degrading away while sitting in a pool of algae in a puddle found in DC.
ReplyDeleteGame plan has changed already. You really shouldn't try to write about Trump. He's always a few steps ahead of everyone. The latest idea is genius.
ReplyDeleteThis.
DeleteBoth Vance and Hegseth have stated publicly that tolls should not be charged.
ReplyDeleteTrump cannot tie his own shoes but can make money for himself.
ReplyDeleteHe’s a 100 vocabulary word moron. He started another Vietnam war with no end in sight. He has made us a laughing stock in the eyes of our allies. Like the saying goes; ot takes one to know one.
ReplyDeleteWhen running for office this last time he promised the MAGA idiots that there would be no more foreign wars. What happened?
ReplyDeleteHe should have done nothing and let Iran nuke Europe and Israel. Sometimes you must be punched to realize you're in a fight. I think Obama knew this. Too bad for Israel. But everyone hates Israel.
ReplyDeleteTrump is a wretched piece of shit and an embarrassment to the USA.
ReplyDelete