Barry L

Deep Throat was a code name for the undercover operation to take down Nixon! People invoke the "Deep Throat" Watergate analogy today as shorthand for: A high-level insider (often in government or an administration) who leaks damaging information to the media or opponents. Anonymous or confidential sourcing that drives major scandals or investigations. Accusations of betrayal from within ("deep state" sabotage, whistleblowing, or self-serving leaks). Comparisons between Nixon-era secrecy/cover-ups and current events, whether by critics of an administration (portraying leakers as heroes exposing corruption) or defenders (portraying them as disloyal insiders undermining elected leaders). “Deep Throat" was the code name for Mark Felt, then the Associate Director of the FBI. He met Woodward secretly in a parking garage, offering guidance like the iconic line "follow the money." Felt's leaks were motivated partly by personal and institutional grievances (he was passed over for FBI Director after J. Edgar Hoover's death and disliked some Nixon actions). His identity remained secret until 2005, when he was revealed shortly before his death.

Some of us expressed great concern about the Iran War when it was first launched. We were shouted down and condemned as “panicans” and “blackpillers” and even Islamist sympathizers. But it’s pretty clear from how things have gone that our concerns were absolutely reasonable and legitimate. Maybe Trump will get us out of this thing soon and it still won’t spiral into a long and drawn out war. But even if that happens — and I’m not convinced it will — no thoughtful person can deny at this point that the spiral and long war scenario is very much a possibility. No reasonable person, at this stage, can say that our concerns were irrational. What looks irrational now — and always did — is the demand for blind allegiance and unthinking “trust” in our elected leaders, as though we are called to have faith in politicians like we have faith in God.

Some of us expressed great concern about the Iran War when it was first launched. We were shouted down and condemned as “panicans” and “blackpillers” and even Islamist sympathizers. But it’s pretty clear from how things have gone that our concerns were absolutely reasonable and legitimate. Maybe Trump will get us out of this thing soon and it still won’t spiral into a long and drawn out war. But even if that happens — and I’m not convinced it will — no thoughtful person can deny at this point that the spiral and long war scenario is very much a possibility. No reasonable person, at this stage, can say that our concerns were irrational. What looks irrational now — and always did — is the demand for blind allegiance and unthinking “trust” in our elected leaders, as though we are called to have faith in politicians like we have faith in God.

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi speaking at CPAC in Dallas today, then heading to lead the big D.C. rally tomorrow. The Iranian opposition's representation finally arrived at the conservative convention.

Here’s a clear explanation of why Trump attacked Iran, and why I think the war will end soon. The war isn't about nuclear weapons. It's not about helping the Iranian people. It’s not about doing Israel’s bidding. And it's not about Iran being a threat to the U.S. It's about China. China imports 45-57% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has the capacity to shut it down. A U.S.-aligned Iran means an Iran that would choke off that strait if there's ever a real power struggle between Washington and Beijing. And there already is one. The U.S. and China have been locked in a tariff war for over a year now. Also remember when China threatened export controls on rare earths, encompassing any company anywhere in the world that uses Chinese rare earths? Yes, China essentially said that any company that uses their rare earths (China refines 85-90% of the world’s supply) must seek their permission before exporting their products. This means if a German manufacturer uses rare earths fro China to create chips for American companies, China can block the export of these chips. That’s how much leverage China has over the U.S., and that’s dangerous, especially if China finally decides to reunify with Taiwan. So controlling the Strait of Hormuz becomes critical for the U.S. It's the same reason Trump wants China out of the Panama Canal. The same reason Venezuela matters. The same reason he's eyeing Greenland, where shipping routes to China pass through melting Arctic ice. Energy is everything now. The AI arms race is the most important strategic competition on the planet. Limiting China's access to energy is how the U.S. wins that race, and anyone who believes in freedom and democracy should want America to win. China is investing heavily in domestic energy, building nuclear reactors, solar farms, wind power. They're leapfrogging the rest of the world. But they still import the majority of their oil. And a significant chunk of it comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran was reportedly nearing a deal for supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China, which would make it easier for Iran to threaten shipping in the Strait and strike U.S. naval vessels. That accelerated the timeline. Trump's comment today about doing in Iran what he did in Venezuela makes perfect sense in this context. He wants influence over who comes next. A regime that's workable for Washington. If he succeeds, this would be a massive strategic win for the U.S. and for Trump.

Look at Deep Throat. Oh the stories I hear.  Filthy mouth.

JUST IN: White House officially launches OnlyFarms — a government policy platform for farmers.