The Philosophy Discussion Forum

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2026 4:51 pm

RickLewis wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2026 2:58 pm Nipping back to the original theme:

A lot of people are saying that Trump is failing around like an incompetent fool, with only vague and shifting ideas of his war aims in Iran, and no credible plan for how to achieve anything or exit the conflict. A lot of people are saying that he's about to launch a ground attack that is quite likely to develop into an inconclusive and bloody forever-war.

I'm just wondering if anyone would care to argue against this position? I'd love to hear a more optimistic view, if one is possible.

Well, I'd be interested in knowing who the guy really is. Because we're definitely being told two stories:

1. He's an "incompetent," with "only vague and shifting ideas," "no credible plan," or as some have said, he "couldn't run a business," or "can't keep himself under control," etc. In other words, that he's a moron.

2. That he's a Machiavellian strategist, who aims to become "king" or "Hitler" by undermining democracy with sinister cunning, manipulating us into war, stealing oil, kidnapping and assassinating, conquering territory in collusion with "the military-industrial complex," ... In other words, he's an evil genius.

Which are we dealing with? It can't be both.

So maybe there's this much hope: that it isn't either one. It's something else. What else? Who knows; because the media are so focused on hating the guy at all costs that we can't find out. There are no impartial reporters in the major media anymore, or we can't find them among the various shills; and the stories they're all spinning don't add up.

I doubt he's either an "evil genius" or a "moron". That's mostly an irrelevant issue right now. He's probably an average wealthy nationalist inspired by nationalist propaganda, except he wields an unprecedented amount of power and can do almost whatever he wants right now thanks to Republican domination of the three branches of the US government. What is consistent is that his administration has taken more extreme positions on many issues than most political insiders would ever dare. If anything good comes from Trump's second presidency it will be to expose the uninhibited motives and greed of the US power establishment, hopefully stifling future would be's from doing the same. Or he could be a harbinger to worse things. In any case, I would hardly call his administration a "good" one. If he were anything in a Biblical sense, he'd be the anti-Christ. I don't see how we can attribute anything good to him.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2026 10:44 pm If anything good comes from Trump's second presidency it will be to expose the uninhibited motives and greed of the US power establishment, hopefully stifling future would be's from doing the same.

That's a useful thought, Gary. I'm skeptical it will happen, but it would decidedly be good. And I say that in a totally non-partisan way; I think that the entire political system in the US needs to be disinfected and flushed. There are not only nasty pieces of work manipulating in both parties, but the entire executive level is thick with parasites, leeches and ne'er-do-wells. The travesties exposed at USAid, or in Minnesota, or California...they're very likely indicative of widespread system-rot. But how do you get it out? It comes in gradually, sneakily, unnoticed, and the proliferates until it becomes critical. But then, if you try to shut it down you end up pulling the plug on the whole system that runs every department. I doubt any administration is going to be able to weed it all out. Slow it down, maybe; shrink it temporarily, maybe; prevent it indefinitely, probably not.

As always, though, the elites manage to stay above it all. It's the ordinary person who's going to end up picking up the tab, no matter who's in power.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2026 4:51 pm

Here's a video of Trump explaining his foreign policy philosophy from forty-six years ago, including thoughts on Iran.

He's pretty clear then and now, which means any confusion as to what he's about does not arise from Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_tMFytfkkc

Walker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 01, 2026 3:29 am

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2026 4:51 pm

Here's a video of Trump explaining his foreign policy philosophy from forty-six years ago, including thoughts on Iran.

He's pretty clear then and now, which means any confusion as to what he's about does not arise from Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_tMFytfkkc

He has the mouth of someone who sucked a dummy constantly for the first 7 years of their life.

accelafine wrote: ↑Wed Apr 01, 2026 4:16 am

A person from Whoville.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qLs82xd19YA

So Trump is threatening that "A whole civilization will die tonight" and insinuating that he is prepared to nuke Iran. Perhaps now would be the time to defenestrate the crazy old rapist?

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trum ... ie-tonight

if Trump is threatening that "A whole civilization will die tonight," the donut makers might be nervous...

the bagel makers are exempt- they are dropping bombs on Iran as well...

-Imp

Time for republicans to get off their butts

Impenitent wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 4:53 pm if Trump is threatening that "A whole civilization will die tonight," the donut makers might be nervous...

I don't think Krispy Kreme is a civilization. Nor the product of one.

FlashDangerpants wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:07 pm

Impenitent wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 4:53 pm if Trump is threatening that "A whole civilization will die tonight," the donut makers might be nervous...

I don't think Krispy Kreme is a civilization. Nor the product of one.

so only candy makers are allowed civilizations?

Oompa loompa doopidy-do

I've got a bomb I'm droppin' on you

-Imp