Patterico's Pontifications

8/9/2017

Megachurch Pastor: Trump Has “God-Given Authority” To Take Out Kim Jong-Un

Filed under: General — Dana @ 7:18 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Hoo-boy! I guess this is just a reminder that loose cannons abound. And I’m not just referring to President Trump and Kim Jong-Un:

“When it comes to how we should deal with evil doers, the Bible, in the book of Romans, is very clear: God has endowed rulers full power to use whatever means necessary — including war — to stop evil. In the case of North Korea, God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong-Un. I’m heartened to see that our president — contrary to what we’ve seen with past administrations who have taken, at best, a sheepish stance toward dictators and oppressors — will not tolerate any threat against the American people. When President Trump draws a red line, he will not erase it, move it, or back away from it. Thank God for a President who is serious about protecting our country.”

The pastor is Dr. Robert Jeffress, leader of the megachurch, First Baptist Dallas, which boasts a congregation of around 13,000.

PS: Jeffress is also a Fox News contributor…

(Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.)

–Dana

121 Responses to “Megachurch Pastor: Trump Has “God-Given Authority” To Take Out Kim Jong-Un”

  1. I’ll resist going on a tear about the utter foolishness of some Trump loyalist who makes a living instructing others on how they should live conferring upon Trump a sort of Divine Right. Ugh.

    Dana (023079)

  2. “Thank God for a President who is serious about protecting our country.”

    Thank God for the NFL.

    Another refreshing reminder of the wise decision to cease going to church services– starting in 1968.

    “Hello Parson! Welcome to Hell!” – Ben Rumson [Lee Marvin] ‘Paint your Wagon’ 1969

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  3. Well has not boring like Joel osteen, I guess its more important what one albeit pro intent said mangling Romans than what Kim will do, if not stopped

    narciso (d1f714)

  4. “Hoo-boy!” is right.

    nk (dbc370)

  5. There is biblical precedent for that

    steveg (e8c34d)

  6. Sure, but being a third generation dynastic ruler, and fully as much a Christian as Trump, Kim Jong Un is much more credible as Divinely Anointed With The Mandate Of Heaven.

    nk (dbc370)

  7. Ever have the feeling that the Inquisition was not all bad?

    nk (dbc370)

  8. That was a serious misunderstanding of scriptural authority as well.

    narciso (d1f714)

  9. Another idiot preacher. Whatever. DJT’s lifelong de facto credo I am that I am. is much more worrisome.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  10. Now reading romans is tricky becayse from a certain angle it can be interpreted as supporting divine right

    narciso (d1f714)

  11. Dr. Robert Jeffress has about as much authority as the Pope when it comes to this topic. Is this news?

    AZ Bob (f7a491)

  12. Your thesis that either of Trump or Kim Jong Un are “loose cannons” is unproven.

    Fred Z (05d938)

  13. Last I looked, it was Congress who had the say-so. Now, I think that they should confer the authority to the President, who happens to be Trump (but what you gonna do?). I fully expect him to defer the decisions to his VERY able SecDef and the military, and any negotiations to his VERY able SecState, and refrain from tweeting things that just occurred to him. Fuc*ing up a war situation would be just the grist for the mill that his opponents want.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  14. Fred, the problem with Kim is not that he’s a loose cannon, it’s that his family are serial blackmailers. If they repeatedly got tribute with the THREAT of nuclear weapons, what do you suppose happens when they have real ones they can put on target?

    Kevin M (752a26)

  15. Well goose is,onboard but maverick is not sasse I imagine will discover pacifism and frestivus.

    narciso (d1f714)

  16. Kevin M: Quite right. But serial blackmailers are not loose cannons. They do what they do with careful deliberation and an clear objective, not like loose cannons, who are just nuts.

    I still say nuke that bastard Kim Jong Un now because he is a serial blackmailer, not because he is a loose cannon.

    I have reasons to object to Patterico and his acolytes calling Trump a loose cannon. Imprimis, they hate him, I still don’t know why, but they are clearly allowing emotion to over-ride their reason, and they are very smart people. Secundus, it’s too soon. Tertius, the man achieved the Presidency of the greatest nation that ever was by apparent “loose cannon” tactics so he’s got something. Time to observe and be quiet says I.

    Fred Z (05d938)

  17. @2 DCSCA

    W.hat W.ould H.itchens D.o?

    Pinandpuller (e70916)

  18. @19 Pinandpuller: W.hich H.itchens? P.eter, C.hristopher or a.nother?

    Fred Z (05d938)

  19. If you like your separation of Church and State, you can keep it!

    Historian says Trump has Constitution-given authority to take out Kim Jong-Un.

    Pinandpuller (e70916)

  20. I miss happyfeet, but am not entirely certain he is gone. There are some similarities between his comments and others here.

    Fred Z (05d938)

  21. H.itch T.he E.lder A.thiest N.eo-con.

    Pinandpuller (e70916)

  22. Sargon is preparing an android body that will house happyfeet for a thousand years.

    Pinandpuller (e70916)

  23. One less argument after the next war: Did he or didn’t he have WMD’s?

    Pinandpuller (e70916)

  24. DCSCA

    “I took you for a kneeler.” Maddy Ross

    Pinandpuller (bc7318)

  25. who would jesus bomb? would jesus wear a rolex on his television show? what do you get when you cross television evangelist and pig? nothing there are some things a pig wouldn’t do!

    bombing jesus (9e27fd)

  26. I have reasons to object to Patterico and his acolytes calling Trump a loose cannon. Imprimis, they hate him, I still don’t know why, but they are clearly allowing emotion to over-ride their reason …

    A smart person would think of reasons why someone might not trust Trump, instead of ascribing everything to emotion. Show us you are a smart person, Fred Z.

    DRJ (15874d)

  27. Zeus and Allah couldn’t be reached for comment.

    crazy (11d38b)

  28. @ Fred Z,

    I have reasons to object to Patterico and his acolytes calling Trump a loose cannon. Imprimis, they hate him, I still don’t know why, but they are clearly allowing emotion to over-ride their reason …

    As it was me who published this post, let me respond and say that I have reason to object to you using the inaccurate term “acolytes”. It shows you have not been paying attention. Also, while our host has indeed stated he “hates” Trump, I never have, nor has JVW who also contributes to this blog. I haven’t said it because I don’t hate him. I don’t like him, his lack of character, his decisions, his lying, his posturing, etc., etc. But that doesn’t mean I hate him. Further, that you have decided that referring to Trump, Kim Jong Un, and now this pastor as “loose cannons” is, by all reasonable measures, allowing your emotions to over-ride your response.

    For the 100th time: It is both equally possible to not hate Trump, yet be objectively critical of his policies, decisions and behavior. We should always be willing to criticize every POTUS leading this country. No matter who the POTUS happens to be. That Trump is hands-off to some, makes me seriously question who it is calling others “acolytes”.

    Dana (023079)

  29. I just added a PS to the post that I meant to include before I hit publish:

    Jeffress is also a Fox News contributor…

    Dana (023079)

  30. WRT the authority, or lack, in these matters possessed by the Pope: When the Pope says something the left/libprogs like, he’s like all EX CATHREDA, MAN. So, as usual, it all depends.

    Dana. Presuming for the sake of discussion that you don’t hate PDT, you don’t like various things about him. However the question is which comes first. Could you overlook character in, say, The First Horndog if you liked his policies? Clearly, about half the voters did, including about 110% of feminists.
    So perhaps the like/dislike of various issues is based on some kind of personal dislike coming first.

    Richard Aubrey (0d7df4)

  31. I don’t concur with jeffress theology but its beside the point

    http://freebeacon.com/national-security/u-s-guam-shielded-north-korean-missiles-high-tech-defenses

    narciso (d1f714)

  32. I don’t hate President Trump, but I do hate Kurt Schlicter.

    urbanleftbehind (091f65)

  33. One more thing, Fred Z, I don’t recall you being critical of me (or our host) when we were criticizing President Obama. Did I miss it? I believe in equal-opportunity preidential praise ‘n criticize. Do you think we should be selective? Are some presidents more equal than others? Should we refrain from criticizing one president, even though he earned it, yet praise another, who has not earned it?

    Dana (023079)

  34. I know I’ve compared Trump to a ’73 Pinto enough times for you guys to be sick and tired of it, but that’s the way I feel about him. He has done a lot of things I like, but when that engine sputters, and the brakes grab, and the steering goes loose, and there’s this big truck coming up from behind ….

    nk (dbc370)

  35. And whom among us would protest if President Trump ordered a successful ‘hit’ on Kim Jung-un? Before you answer, remember, the 20/20 hindsight question, whom among us would protest if President Roosevelt ordered a successful ‘hit’ on Adolf Hitler?

    If the Supreme Leader should somehow happen to be assassinated, I would raise a glass of ice water in tribute to his assassin.

    The inquisitive Dana (863cda)

  36. Assassinating heads of state sets a bad precedent. What I wonder is why there have not been any “accidental nuclear disasters” at North Korea’s nuclear facilities caused by a ground-hugging cruise missile armed with a 487 kiloton warhead.

    nk (dbc370)

  37. Someone should ask Jeffries if Trump is more like King Saul than King Solomon, and if Trump had Kim’s power…would that be a bad thing?

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  38. #40, nk, 487 kilotons is an awfully heavy weight for one little crude missile to carry. Just sayin

    ropelight (072508)

  39. Sure is nice to see an American Christian preacher stepping up to the plate and providing the sort of divine inspiration and heavenly guidance heathen Muslim false prophets have been spewing unchallenged for decades.

    They go to their churches, so shut-up and let us go to ours.

    Praise the Lord and pass the megaphone. Onward Christian Crusaders!

    ropelight (072508)

  40. Imagine the potential tax revenue from just one Megachurch.

    I mean how much truly charitable work do they perform as a percentage of GROSS revenue?

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  41. I will continue to post K.S.
    gfy

    mg (31009b)

  42. good for you

    mg (31009b)

  43. 40, 42 — maybe Seoul or a nearby East Asian city is their (NoKo’s) real target and it would be a happy accident so to speak.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  44. McClatchy tells us the … Hillary Clinton wants to be a preacher

    … God knows … she is familiar with sin

    Neo (d1c681)

  45. Methodist is almost Unitarian..more Buddhist than xhristian.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  46. I have a comment in moderstion, likely because it included the colloquial word for prostitu*e. I’m re-posting it using stars to get past the filter.

    ********

    Imagine how much individual income taxes could be cut if Congress stopped the waste and corruption now squandering an enormous portion of annual revenues.

    That one step which is entirely under our control is both possible and timely. It alone could reduce the size and scope of federal intrusion into the private and public life of American citizens.

    Want more freedom? Stop the waste, turn out the freeloaders, jail the crooks, cut taxes, enforce the laws, lock up Hillary, Slick, Obama, Holder, Lynch, Mills, Wiener’s (Muslim Brotherhood) wife, Debbie Blabber-mouth and her Muslim spy gang, and that two-faced IRS whor*, for starters.

    ropelight (072508)

  47. 39, that was actually the subject of a Dirty Dozen 1980’s made-for-TV movie. Lee Marvin had to talk one of the shooters out of it.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  48. I was going to complain about the term “megachurch” — it seems to me to have a pejorative connotation — but maybe some other time? 😉

    nk (dbc370)

  49. The president of the United States now for 50 years is followed at all times, 24 hours a day, by a military aide carrying a football that contains the nuclear codes that he would use, and be authorised to use, in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States. He could launch the kind of devastating attack the world has never seen. He doesn’t have to check with anybody, he doesn’t have to call the Congress, he doesn’t have to check with the courts.
    Dick Cheney, Fox News 21 December 2008

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  50. @54 I don’t believe I take your point, Ben. What are you (implicitly) asserting, or are hoping that a reader walks away with in so posting? (In this vein, I’ll confess that when I see a quote by Cheney, I tend to anticipate “the outlandish”; the posted assertion seems rather normal and only somewhat hyperbolic/exaggerated/imprecise) Obliged, in advance.

    Q! (267694)

  51. Why haven’t they been raided, rhetotical

    http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/09/trump-dossier-firm-turns-over-documents-to-senate-panel-but-theres-just-one-problem/?utm_source=site-share

    The USA today has the hottest take they attack the Catholic church in Guam shirley

    narciso (d1f714)

  52. Q!

    Just following the previous comment that NUKES are not the only concern, but Cheney and Trump probably in sync on his suthority.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  53. I guess that comment about chem/bio weapons never posted.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  54. The tevelatuon, the Obama covered up the minituarized warhead 4 years should rate a nention

    narciso (d1f714)

  55. Everyone is focused on nookular..

    Wikipedia
    in 1987 that the North “possessed up to 250 metric tons of chemical weapons” including mustard (a blister agent) and some nerve agents.[134] In 2009 the International Crisis Group reported that the consensus expert view was that North Korea had a stockpile of about 2,500 to 5,000 metric tons of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, sarin (GB) and other nerve agents.[135] The South Korean Ministry of National Defense had the same estimate in 2010.[134][136] In 2014, the South Korean Defense Ministry estimated that “the North had stockpiled 2,500 to 5,000 tons of chemical weapons and had a capacity to produce a variety of biological weapons.”[137] In 2015, the U.S. Department of Defense reported to Congress that North Korea’s CW program “likely possesses a CW stockpile” and likely had “the capability to produce nerve, blister, blood, and choking agents.”[14] The report also found that “North Korea probably could employ CW agents by modifying a variety of conventional munitions, including artillery and ballistic missiles. In addition, North Korean forces are prepared to operate in a contaminated environment; they train regularly in chemical defense operations.”[14] The report indicated that North Korea “continues to develop its biological research and development capabilities” and “may consider the use of biological weapons as an option, contrary to its obligations under the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention.”[14]

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  56. @57 I’m pretty sure I still fail to take your point, but that’s OK. It just may be one of those days for me (a rare day – admittedly – when I find a Cheney position rather uncontroversial). In any event, given what you wrote in response, I believe you posted to the wrong thread. See: yonder. Obliged.

    Q! (267694)

  57. Yeah. My confusion on that. But I think what’s controversial is the thin rational he may feel justifies it’s use even if no NUKES used by norks.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  58. Besides meth distribution and counterfeiting there isn’t much of an ecomomy

    http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/everything-you-need-know-north-koreas-chemical-weapons-are-21849

    narciso (d1f714)

  59. @62 . But your “quote” has Cheney saying “. . . in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States . . ” That seems wholly uncontroversial to me, as would his saying “… in anticipation of an imminent nuclear attack on the United States…” That’s not what Trump said of course – threatening (nuclear) destruction, rather, as a matter of preventive war . . . and in response to mere vague verbal threats/bellicose language. (I take it as pure sophistry and frank dishonesty (would “disingenuous” be more genteel?) to characterize what Trump said in more “generous” -slash- less outrageous terms. Necessary perhaps, for some (Tillerson), but . . . hey … diplomacy).

    Q! (267694)

  60. ” That’s not what Trump said of course – threatening (nuclear) destruction, rather, as a matter of preventive war .”

    True enough. And I should use more caution in my comparisons and conclusions if I am to critique Trump on those reckless statements.

    My concern is that there is no exaggeration Trump would think twice about tweeting.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  61. This fellow poisoned one relative in Malaysia, executed another putatutively with a piece of ordinance, do we see him listening g to reason.

    narciso (d1f714)

  62. Breaking!: President Trump said Thursday of North Korea that “things will happen to them like they never thought possible” should the regime attack the United States or its allies. Trump told reporters that his Tuesday statement warning of “fire and fury” may not have been “tough enough.” But even as he stepped up his brinksmanship with North Korea’s erratic leader, Kim Jong Un, the U.S. president sought to reassure anxious citizens of the world that he has the situation under control.

    Unconfirmed speculation on what Trump meant by suggesting “tougher” consequences than fire and fury like the world has never seen and things [] happen[ing] to them like they never thought possible include not only the nuclear toasting of NK, but the invasion and subjugation of North Korea, coupled with/followed by the raping of all surviving North Korean girls over the age of 11, and the castration of all North Korean males (surviving or not) . . . Administration officials would not respond directly to such suggestions, but unofficially some admitted that . . . “You know, that guy’s a madman & you gotta do what you gotta do to set a firm and unmistakable example to others that the US will not tolerate the acquisition of nuclear weapons by such as their ilk . . .”

    Q! (267694)

  63. Trump response to NK’s mocking: “I don’t think they mean that… things will happen to them like they never thought possible.”

    Oh, Captain, ask the crew of the USS Pueblo if NK means what it says. Then ask for the ship back.

    “I am not an Atomic Playboy.” – Vice Admiral Blandy, Commander, ‘Operation Crossroads’ – Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests, 1946

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  64. @67 When I posted #67, there was no audio available, and wapo article was more or less a “stub” of a report. There is now audio, and bits of a transcript of Trump’s statement. It turns out that his statement is considerably worse than originally reported in that stub. From CNBC (partial transcript; emphasis added):

    “The people of this country should be very comfortable, and I will tell you this: If North Korea does anything in terms of even thinking about attack, of anybody that we love or we represent or our allies or us, they can be very, very nervous,” Trump said. “I’ll tell you why, and they should be very nervous. Because things will happen to them like they never thought possible.”

    I.e., the threatened unimaginable consequences are not predicated upon an attack (as (mis-)reported in the breaking news stub) or an imminent attack or even (apparently) bellicose/threatening language/posturing; rather, if NK dares to even think about an attack on any enumerated party, things will happen to them [NK] like they never thought possible.

    Yippie! Ride ’em hard, and put ’em away wet!

    Q! (267694)

  65. What if Trump was one of us?

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  66. Walder Frey should offer KJU a wedding gettaway.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  67. @44 ropelight

    Jeffries is advocating state action not 1099 independent contractors like we see in London and Paris.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  68. @41 Ben Burn

    Like Saul because we demanded a king or Solomon because he loves the foreign ladies?

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  69. @53 k

    a megachurch is 1000 kilochurches.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  70. Is Trump’s language more provocative than a Japanese oil embargo?

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  71. He had to go senile before considering multiple wives and he didn’t have to murder anyone like his father. Plus he built the Temple. David was a war hero but a failure as a father. (See Absalom)

    Better call Saul.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  72. 70.

    WWJD with Trump?

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  73. Pin: How about taxing churches whose only charity claims are Board of Directors or Foreign missionaries ?

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  74. The USS Pueblo-brought to you by Tomorrow Never Dies and Bleachbits.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  75. @76 Ben Burn

    You and DCSCA are predicting he falls on his own sword as well.

    I’m willing to revisit the original rational behind charities and emotional support dogs, et al.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  76. Old joke:

    A guy decides he can divine God’s will by flipping thru his Bible and pointing at a verse.

    First verse: And Judas went off and hanged himself.

    Redo, second verse: Go and do likewise.

    Redo, third verse: Whatever ye so do, do quickly.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  77. @77 Ben Burn

    Confess with his mouth, believe in his heart and be saved.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  78. So Long Mom! – By Tom Lehrer [w/a hiccup or two]

    Seoul long, mom!
    I’m off to drop the Bomb
    Seoul don’t wait up for me
    But while you swelter
    Down there in your shelter
    You can see me
    On your TV

    While we’re attacking frontally
    Watch Brin-k-ley and Hun-t-ley
    Describing contrapuntally
    The cities we have lost
    No need for you to miss a minute
    Of the agonizing holocaust
    Yeah!

    Little Johnny Jones
    He was a US pilot
    And no shrinking violet
    Was he, he was mighty proud
    When World War III was declared
    He wasn’t scared
    No siree!

    And this is what he said on
    His way to Armageddon:


    Seoul
    long, mom!
    I’m off to drop the Bomb
    Seoul don’t wait up for me
    But though I may roam
    I’ll come back to my home
    Although it may be
    A pile of debris

    Remember, mommy!
    I’m off to get a commie
    Seoul send me a salami
    And try to smile somehow
    I’ll look for you
    When the war is over
    An hour and a half from now!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrbv40ENU_o

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  79. Tom Lehrer sounds like a real gas, cat daddy.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  80. What do you mean, “I don’t believe in God”?
    I talk to him everyday.
    What do you mean, “I don’t support your system”?
    I go to court when I have to
    What do you mean, “I can’t get to work on time”?
    I got nothing better to do.
    And, what do you mean, “I don’t pay my bills”?
    Why do you think I’m broke? Huh?

    If there’s a new way,
    I’ll be the first in line.
    But it better work this time.

    What do you mean, “I hurt your feelings”?
    I didn’t know you had any feelings.
    What do you mean, “I ain’t kind”?
    Just not your kind.

    What do you mean, “I couldn’t be the President
    Of the United States of America”?
    Tell me something, it’s still “We the people,” right?

    If there’s a new way
    I’ll be the first in line
    But it better work this time

    Can you put a price on peace?

    Peace,
    Peace sells,
    Peace,
    Peace sells,
    Peace sells, but who’s buying?
    Peace sells, but who’s buying?
    Peace sells, but who’s buying?
    Peace sells, but who’s buying?
    No, peace sells

    Megadeth – Peace Sells

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  81. You and DCSCA are predicting he falls on his own sword as well.
    Trump? Naw. When it gets tough he’ll walk away without a backward glimpse as he does his megabizness failures.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  82. He’ll win a duck you election in 2020, then quit after the Super Bowl of Feb. 2021. He might start believing all the Pence coup hype so it might be a different VP.

    urbanleftbehind (67f047)

  83. I don’t remember which kings just walked away but Ahab jumped off a balcony.

    Pence is an actual Evangelical Christian. I’ve been told they want to bring on Armageddon.

    Pinandpuller (bc7318)

  84. “I’ve been told they want to bring on Armageddon”

    Contrary to scripture many insist on RAPTURE so they will be spared tribulation and watch Harmageddon from clouds.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  85. CNN aired a faintly disturbing report noting the way the U.S. military command protocol is structured, American forces on Guam have the authority to initiate a military response to action they deem ‘threatening’ with or without presidential authorization. So, say if NK launched missiles which fell into the sea 25 or 250 miles off the island and a decision to respond had to be made in minutes, it could be rightly or wrongly, interpreted as a direct attack rather than a provocative tweaking and respond w/force.

    So ‘conflict’ could start independent of the President unless the CIC directly orders otherwise– which could be an out for Trump to blame the Pentagon if/when things suddenly went south- figuratively and literally in this.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  86. He’s a delegater like so many of my supervisors. Give em enough rope autonomy so you have separation for downward spirals, then hang em when it goes south: accept parades on success.

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  87. Use of force continuum

    Stern rhetoric
    Fluoridated water
    Chemtrails
    HAARP
    MKULTRA
    Conventional
    MOAB
    Nucular

    Pinandpuller (bc7318)

  88. @90 DCSCA

    The governing body also has a sympathetic and parasympathetic system.

    Pinandpuller (bc7318)

  89. Harsh language leads list of available threats

    Ben burn (9f4670)

  90. They called attila the scourge that’s not a bad nickname for Mr. Un.

    narciso (d1f714)

  91. @89 Ben Burn

    It sounds like Debbie Harry is a pre-millenialist.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  92. She’s also one of DCSCA’s fellow proper Jerseyites

    urbanleftbehind (0e2f1d)

  93. @90 I must be missing something here, DSCSA . . .

    American forces on Guam have the authority to initiate a military response to action they deem ‘threatening’ with or without presidential authorization. So, say if NK launched missiles which fell into the sea 25 or 250 miles off the island and a decision to respond had to be made in minutes, it could be rightly or wrongly, interpreted as a direct attack rather than a provocative tweaking and respond w/force. So ‘conflict’ could start independent of the President unless the CIC directly orders otherwise– which could be an out for Trump to blame the Pentagon if/when things suddenly went south- figuratively and literally in this.

    If the report suggested that under the hypothesized scenario, a military response in force “had to be made” after the missiles had fallen (harmlessly) into the water, CNN cannot possibly be right. (Alternatively, we have much more to be worried about concerning our officer corps and military generally (e.g., their understanding of what it means to “have to” take independent action [in defined circumstances] than we do concerning His Cluelessness) Moreover (and in this vein as well, actually) – what action could forces on Guam possibly take under a “have to immediately take” scenario, that would constitute a projection of military force against NK? Even assuming (contrafactually, I believe) we have ballistic missiles on Guam targeting NK, or (contrafactually, I suspect) a NK submarine corralled 17 miles off the leeward side of the island, what immediate action of any sort would Guam Station be rationally compelled to effect? Unlike not a few Americans, I do not see our military leaders and followers as invariable supermen of the most chaste and pure souls; neither do I see them overrun with Ernie Bilkos and/or Gomer Pyles, however.

    We have far more to be concerned about (imo) with the Bedminster Bumbler himself (who, unfortunately, could probably shoot a half-dozen of his own supporters at mid-day on Fifth Avenue, and get a pass from a full third of the victims’ families.)

    Q! (267694)

  94. @95 narciso

    Kim Jong-Un’s safeword is “harder”.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  95. Maybe the press will finally get to the bottom of where Obama was during Benghazi. With the help of Judicial Watch.

    I know Trump’s 3 AM call goes out over Twitter so he’s going to be on the ball.

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  96. @98. The report was simply noting the field commanders had independent authority to act with or without authority from the CIC given a decision has to be made literally within a few minutes of a detected launch and projected impact point.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  97. If anything, Benghazi shows that American forces won’t mobilize and counteract without orders from higher up.

    Pinandpuller (bc7318)

  98. And a journalist found Amb Steven’s diaries ffs. If

    Pinandpuller (bc7318)

  99. Therecwere seven possible veniesof respobsecwith Benghazi, it just would looked awkward after that hagiograohic convention

    narciso (d1f714)

  100. @98. Postscript. Guess the point is if missiles are projected to splash in int’l waters- be it 25, 250, 50 or 500 miles off Guam or Gilligan’s Island, the protocol authorizes the field command to decide with or w/out CIC authority to try to knock them down on their own assessments or trajectories and impact points given the short ‘time constraints’ but in this age of instant communications, it also seems to be intentionally vague. We don’t really know where the ‘floating red line’ begins and ends. And heaven forbid you’d interrupt our Captain tweeting about some incoming birds.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  101. @104 narciso, absolutely no offense intended, but I don’t seem to make sense of why so many of your posts seem conventionally garbled. I assume it’s not some affectation, but no theory I posit seems to hold together. It’s none of my business, obviously, but are you forced to use a voice-to-print application which is experimental or otherwise erratic? Or perhaps not properly calibrated to your dialect (2d language?) of English? Obliged for any help in clearing this up for me (and perhaps others).

    Q! (267694)

  102. Autocorrect sometimes, there were plenty of opportunities to reply to Al queda ska ansar Al aharia and aqim and ASAP, but there was no will to. Yes arwa Damon found the diary

    narciso (d1f714)

  103. @107 So, you just choose to dictate or to type carelessly/erratically, and make no effort to correct any of the many errors which invariably result? Pardon me if I’ve got that wrong. But if I’m not, well . . . how very Trumpian!

    Q! (267694)

  104. @98. Post-postscript. You’ve already got retired armchair TV generals now pitching the argument that because the intel ‘suggests’ NK has missile-ready nukes, that any or every missile they test from now on must be assumed to be nuclear tipped requiring an immediate response on NK. This is the fever that’s growing and being pread by these clowns.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  105. No, I include explanatory links, it is striking how rare the truth makes it any outlet. Much less multiple ones, whereas rampant speculation and outright lies

    narciso (d1f714)

  106. @109 — Well, that’s pretty foolish, eh? Maybe there are more brassed-up Gomers than I had imagined? (But since we must have 20,000 (?) retired generals hanging about, maybe not; not that any such “cable contributor” necessarily believes what he spouts, though, nor that he is compelled by moderately responsible/competent/rigorous journalists to defend such positions). Can’t say I’m sad not to have cable tv. Theater!! Theatre!! So many Actors!!, anymore (cue Jon Lovitz).

    Q! (267694)

  107. If they have the means and the motive, all we need is the opportunity the pueblos most of the South KoreAn cabinet. The chondan (soc)

    narciso (d1f714)

  108. @112 If they have the means and the motive, all we need is the opportunity the pueblos most of the South KoreAn cabinet. The chondan (soc)

    Sure. Whatever. (Isn’t a ultimately a burden to be so lazy/slipshod?)

    Q! (267694)

  109. whoopsie! (Isn’t it ultimately a burden to be so lazy/slipshod?) Color me embarrassed!

    Q! (267694)

  110. Pizzagate?

    Pinandpuller (16b0b5)

  111. I have reasons to object to Patterico and his acolytes calling Trump a loose cannon. Imprimis, they hate him, I still don’t know why

    Oh, I do. He’s way the frack sub-optimum and we have lost a golden opportunity for real change.

    My argument with our host is that we have to accept the world as it is, and at some point move forward. I think that Trump is a silly man, a Ralph Kramden born into money with little or no self-control, curiosity or respect for others.

    But he’s out President and Hillary would have been worse, especially since the press would cover all her faults. Trump’s not a loose cannon though — they seem to have him bound pretty good.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  112. Possibly not fair to Ralph, who wasn’t mean.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  113. Praise the Lord, but don’t be passing that ammunition near to Guam, y’all – warns China to NK (wapo . 2017.08.11 0432). [:China won’t come to North Korea’s help if it launches missiles threatening U.S. soil and there is retaliation, a state-owned newspaper warned on Friday, but it would intervene if Washington strikes first…]

    Dang, but we live in interesting times, huh? And how provocative and retro for the show-runners to go “old school”, and dribble the episodes out one-by-one!

    Q! (267694)

  114. (Dammit – copied the wrong url for the wapo link!) Correction. Apologies.

    Q! (267694)

  115. judging from most of these posts, there is a severe case of selective memory. Why then, was it OK for Obama to order the assassination of Bin Laden and watch a live feed of him being shot in the bedroom of a house in Pakistan in which the US did not have permission to attack?

    Jeffery (353102)


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