What if I were a Middle Eastern dictator, like, say Bashar Assad.  I think I would cache away vast ill gotten gains, stolen from the people over my decades of misrule.  I would own companies which–in turn–own other companies which own prime real estate in various countries.  I would have a fleet of fine automobiles fit to carry me along the coast between Italy and France.  I would prepare for my timely exit from a tumultuous stage.

Then—not waiting until too late—I would claim to be in favor of the liberation movement.  I might even claim to have started it.  I would embrace it, and would negotiate my resignation with the recipient nation of my choice as if the people were rewarding me for my gracious support of democracy.  I’m thinking, the south coast of Spain.  I would live the rest of my days in luxury, while watching broadcasts showing my former countrymen killing themselves in the streets.

But, nooooooo!  The dictators watch their cronies with brains get out, while the dictators hang around, waiting for the people to drag them from their palaces, humiliate them, and then execute them.

And now we learn that Iran is helping Venezuela manufacture Iranian-designed drones.

Played here in my town tonight to a packed theater.  Non-stop, lightning-fast, tense, M-4 loud, combat-choreographed action, punctuated by hand grenades.  Seriously, don’t miss it.  Bring ear-pro.  (Joking, but only barely)

LA Times sniffs that the Navy SEAL cast members fall short as actors.  Uh, maybe the actors fall short as SEALs.  How would most of Hollywood know?

Screenrant fusses about a “…disjointed mishmash of gripping behind-the-scenes details and compelling combat sequences….”  Well, sounds like realistic military to me.

No more immigrants, like him and this guy, and this fervent lover of bin Laden.  Instead, let’s go for the Keystone Pipeline and exuberant exploration of American energy sources.  I am talking real energy sources, not fluffy government-subsidized causes de jour.  Never forget that the 19 hijackers were Saudi, granted visas by our State Department.  Do we really need more of this in our country?  I think not.

Most recent Saudi behaving badly on American airplanes

It was necessary to go there to teach the Taliban a lesson for hosting bin Laden.

It was strategic to use the country as a meat grinder and base for killing more America-hating, would-be terrorists.

It was tactical to operate close to bin Laden’s hideaway.

It was folly to turn shooters into Afghanistan’s social workers.  Our troops gave them a chance; leave it to them, now.

It’s paper.  Every Koran will not last forever.  The rest of us are pretty tired of your ridiculous–and violent–emotions.  The USA has bought for you some chance at liberty.  But, you do not know liberty, because your god is not a god who exists in liberty, who created liberty, and who delights in your liberty.  Maybe you should reconsider him, too.  Apparently, he keeps you as slaves.  Or, is it just you?  Either way….

“As regards the features and specifications of the new missile, Vahidi said Qader is an anti-ship cruise missile with a range of 200km [about 125 miles] and enjoys a short launch time and is able to hit all naval vessels, including frigates and warships, as well as onshore enemy targets” as reported in “Asian Defense News.”

Secretary Panetta told David Ignatius of the Washington Post that Israel is likely to attack Iran as early as April.  I reason (hopefully) that this is part of a well-orchestrated, joint rhetorical strategy with Israel to avoid war with Iran.  Israel has made similar, consistent statements, alluding to the “summer.”  I would not take this as mere posturing.

Meanwhile, instead of sobering up to war-with-America reality, the Islamic Republic government seems determined to provoke a war it is certain to lose—dramatically, and quickly.  Is Iran developing a 6,000 prototype ICBM putting the US in its range?  The United States cannot accept that from a government spewing a constant stream of “Death to America.”  At some point, you take the rhetoric as authentic.  When the voiced intent matches the combat capability….

I am more concerned about tactical nuclear missiles, range-enhanced and slipped to within striking distance of our coast. (more…)