The United States under the current regime is a lawless country. Bradley and Hegseth are both guilty of first degree murder since there is no war declared by Congress.
How are lower military service member supposed to disobey illegal orders to kill when even the highest military commander in charge of the operation doesn't have the balls to refuse to obey an obviously illegal order by a drunk put in charge of the "Department of War" by a convicted felon?
I feel like we're living in a nation where the bad guys like Dishonest John, Simon Bar-Sinister, and Cruella DeVil are winning. When we were kids and watching those shows, the villains got their comeuppance no matter how bleak things looked. Now if the current group of villains could get their comeuppance.
All 80 (as of yesterday, an even greater number) killings are murder. Like Duterte of the Philippines who simply murdered purported drug dealers, the Felon's administration is simply killing persons for purporting to smuggle drugs into the United States. This is morally reprehensible and violates laws of the United States and the international community.
The GOP Congress does nothing to stop this mass murder and the Courts are silent.
That strike last night that was announced by war criminal Hegseth was basically a thumbing of the nose by the Trump administration. Congress (Republicans) are backing this up so our only recourse here is to get control of Congress in 2026. Meanwhile, we will have to keep witnessing the unchecked murder of foreign nationals by our country. Since, if I am understanding this correctly, an American ship flying its flag can assert jurisdiction in international waters, not much can be done to stop this. The only prosecution would be by the Coast Guard and or the Department of Justice. With our current regime this is not going to happen. It is going to be left to ordinary Americans, to vote out Trump and the entire Republican Congress to fix this situation. The only catch we are facing is that the Supreme Court is overturning lower courts who are flagging gerrymandering with racial bias. This is ongoing by the Republican Party per Trumps instructions. Makes for a lot of sleepless nights by concerned voters.
These drug-running boats, being targeted with outboard engines, have a range of 300 miles, give or take. At 50 knots per hour, it would take about 24-30 hours to make the 1330-mile trip. That's not including refueling, weather, and sea conditions. The cargo in these boats cannot hold enough to kill thousands of American citizens. Most of the drugs coming into the US are through the US Ports with Mexico. Wasting our taxpayer money on these senseless killings and destructions looks good for this administration, but in reality, it's not going to change things at the border. p47 is looking for an excuse to invade Venezuela and take control of its oil fields.
And let’s not forget that Trump pardons heads of major drug cartels. Why would anyone fall into this trap that any of this is about destroying drug cartels and keeping drugs out of the US? That’s not what this is about. It is BS that the gullible public is led to believe.
Exactly right. This con man pardons another criminal con man because the first con man is so worried about drugs entering our country?? Oh sure. Let me sell you a bridge in Brooklyn. This is all about Trump seeing an economic opportunity with the other con man for his own interests, certainly NOT for the USA. He could give one shit about people dying of overdoses, not ONE shit. It's all about him and his bank accounts.
They're just playing "Bomb Da Boat" and cheering for themselves. Meanwhile, real people are being killed in immoral, illegal strikes against supposed "narcoterrorists" with no proof of anyone's identification. And the fact that the regime is hiding as much as it can about these strikes is clear indication that they know they're committing crimes, but what else is new in this regime?
In my opinion too much is attention is being devoted to the "second strike'. I agree with what everyone has said about murdering survivors. However, the real issue is why is the Administration being allowed to attack any of those boats? Why was there a "first strike"? From reading everything written and said (not only here but from many commentators) it sounds like the "first strike" was ok, but we have to examine the "second strike". How can there be a war without a Congressional action? Where is the evidence (even a shred) that the boat (and all the other boats that were attacked) was carrying narcotics and that the people aboard were "narco-terrorists"? And why attack Venezuela and pardon a guy who is a real narco-terrorist?
We used to refer to complete operations like this as FUBAR. We have a non-declared war in the first place, a lack of credible evidence that there were drugs on board and if there were, they weren't headed for the United States. We then have violations of international maritime law and the Geneva Convention in blowing up these boats and murdering crews who may or may not have been involved in illegal activities. Admiral Bradley's "explanation" for his actions are preposterous, and not supported by the unredacted video evidence. Hegseth has clearly forgotten that as the Secretary of Defense/War, the buck for this mess stops at his desk. If we had a working Department of Justice, he would be removed from office forthwith.
"The “fog of war” is a real and terrible phenomenon, but it is not a “get out of jail free” card for extrajudicial killings."
It always requires guns shooting at you and smoke and confusion. And definitely not a ship wreck with two people left who could have been saved, questioned, and tossed in the brig.
How does this differ in degree of power abuse from the Bush-era illegal torture--er, waterboarding interrogation techniques? Just abandoning legal and ethical limits because you have a goal is not an option in a nonthreatening situation.
Well said. Mr. Nesbit. I honestly don't know how you maintain a measured tone. I'd be screaming at the computer as I wrote.
While I agree with the arguments presented in this piece, I submit that the US lost any moral high ground right after WWII. Let us not forget the atrocities in Vietnam or the lies about weapons of mass destruction to justify yet another unjustifiable war. Trump and his minions are just taking this to another level of perfidity.
I absolutely love George Wills' commentary: Conservative columnist George Will pierced through this political theater with characteristic precision, observing that “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to be a war criminal. Without a war. An interesting achievement.” Guess Will isn't dead, thought he might be, as he's been around forever, making extremely to the point comments and analyses. Yes, he's conservative, but not a raving lunatic with real credentials, a real brain, and a real analytical mind. His comments say it all: people playing at war who know nothing of war, nothing of their jobs, nothing about nothing, except drinking, whoring around, and conning the con man in the Oval.
Nothing he says is believable. He’s the biggest liar 🤥 out there. He is ultimately responsible for everything and he should be held accountable if it means impeachment. 🙄
Hegseth tweeted that Bradley is an “American hero” with his “100% support,” a statement that reads less like a commendation and more like a preemptive framing of the fall guy.
LBJ allegedly had a quote that's relevant here:
When your boss says "I'm behind you 1000 percent", you should know that it's time to start looking for a new job!
The United States under the current regime is a lawless country. Bradley and Hegseth are both guilty of first degree murder since there is no war declared by Congress.
How are lower military service member supposed to disobey illegal orders to kill when even the highest military commander in charge of the operation doesn't have the balls to refuse to obey an obviously illegal order by a drunk put in charge of the "Department of War" by a convicted felon?
I feel like we're living in a nation where the bad guys like Dishonest John, Simon Bar-Sinister, and Cruella DeVil are winning. When we were kids and watching those shows, the villains got their comeuppance no matter how bleak things looked. Now if the current group of villains could get their comeuppance.
All 80 (as of yesterday, an even greater number) killings are murder. Like Duterte of the Philippines who simply murdered purported drug dealers, the Felon's administration is simply killing persons for purporting to smuggle drugs into the United States. This is morally reprehensible and violates laws of the United States and the international community.
The GOP Congress does nothing to stop this mass murder and the Courts are silent.
That strike last night that was announced by war criminal Hegseth was basically a thumbing of the nose by the Trump administration. Congress (Republicans) are backing this up so our only recourse here is to get control of Congress in 2026. Meanwhile, we will have to keep witnessing the unchecked murder of foreign nationals by our country. Since, if I am understanding this correctly, an American ship flying its flag can assert jurisdiction in international waters, not much can be done to stop this. The only prosecution would be by the Coast Guard and or the Department of Justice. With our current regime this is not going to happen. It is going to be left to ordinary Americans, to vote out Trump and the entire Republican Congress to fix this situation. The only catch we are facing is that the Supreme Court is overturning lower courts who are flagging gerrymandering with racial bias. This is ongoing by the Republican Party per Trumps instructions. Makes for a lot of sleepless nights by concerned voters.
These drug-running boats, being targeted with outboard engines, have a range of 300 miles, give or take. At 50 knots per hour, it would take about 24-30 hours to make the 1330-mile trip. That's not including refueling, weather, and sea conditions. The cargo in these boats cannot hold enough to kill thousands of American citizens. Most of the drugs coming into the US are through the US Ports with Mexico. Wasting our taxpayer money on these senseless killings and destructions looks good for this administration, but in reality, it's not going to change things at the border. p47 is looking for an excuse to invade Venezuela and take control of its oil fields.
And let’s not forget that Trump pardons heads of major drug cartels. Why would anyone fall into this trap that any of this is about destroying drug cartels and keeping drugs out of the US? That’s not what this is about. It is BS that the gullible public is led to believe.
Exactly right. This con man pardons another criminal con man because the first con man is so worried about drugs entering our country?? Oh sure. Let me sell you a bridge in Brooklyn. This is all about Trump seeing an economic opportunity with the other con man for his own interests, certainly NOT for the USA. He could give one shit about people dying of overdoses, not ONE shit. It's all about him and his bank accounts.
Pardoning Hernandez will be remembered long after many of Trumps outrages have been forgotten. And the key question is WHY?
When p47 pardons Ghislaine Maxwell. It'll be blasphemy and the end of his MAGA base ever loving him.
Your mouth to God's ears
They're just playing "Bomb Da Boat" and cheering for themselves. Meanwhile, real people are being killed in immoral, illegal strikes against supposed "narcoterrorists" with no proof of anyone's identification. And the fact that the regime is hiding as much as it can about these strikes is clear indication that they know they're committing crimes, but what else is new in this regime?
"Accountability? We ain't got no Accountability. We don't need no Accountability! I don't have to show you any stinkin' Accountability!"
— My apologies to John Huston, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, 1948 😆
In my opinion too much is attention is being devoted to the "second strike'. I agree with what everyone has said about murdering survivors. However, the real issue is why is the Administration being allowed to attack any of those boats? Why was there a "first strike"? From reading everything written and said (not only here but from many commentators) it sounds like the "first strike" was ok, but we have to examine the "second strike". How can there be a war without a Congressional action? Where is the evidence (even a shred) that the boat (and all the other boats that were attacked) was carrying narcotics and that the people aboard were "narco-terrorists"? And why attack Venezuela and pardon a guy who is a real narco-terrorist?
“ we lose the moral ground”
Already lost….the minute Trump was elected. How could you Americans do this? To yourselves?!
I’m finding it unbelievable that Hegseth is a graduate of any university, let alone Princeton.
We used to refer to complete operations like this as FUBAR. We have a non-declared war in the first place, a lack of credible evidence that there were drugs on board and if there were, they weren't headed for the United States. We then have violations of international maritime law and the Geneva Convention in blowing up these boats and murdering crews who may or may not have been involved in illegal activities. Admiral Bradley's "explanation" for his actions are preposterous, and not supported by the unredacted video evidence. Hegseth has clearly forgotten that as the Secretary of Defense/War, the buck for this mess stops at his desk. If we had a working Department of Justice, he would be removed from office forthwith.
"The “fog of war” is a real and terrible phenomenon, but it is not a “get out of jail free” card for extrajudicial killings."
It always requires guns shooting at you and smoke and confusion. And definitely not a ship wreck with two people left who could have been saved, questioned, and tossed in the brig.
How does this differ in degree of power abuse from the Bush-era illegal torture--er, waterboarding interrogation techniques? Just abandoning legal and ethical limits because you have a goal is not an option in a nonthreatening situation.
Well said. Mr. Nesbit. I honestly don't know how you maintain a measured tone. I'd be screaming at the computer as I wrote.
Very true Knock Knock. America's grip on morality and ethics has been tied exclusively to profit and power for an awfully long time.
While I agree with the arguments presented in this piece, I submit that the US lost any moral high ground right after WWII. Let us not forget the atrocities in Vietnam or the lies about weapons of mass destruction to justify yet another unjustifiable war. Trump and his minions are just taking this to another level of perfidity.
I absolutely love George Wills' commentary: Conservative columnist George Will pierced through this political theater with characteristic precision, observing that “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to be a war criminal. Without a war. An interesting achievement.” Guess Will isn't dead, thought he might be, as he's been around forever, making extremely to the point comments and analyses. Yes, he's conservative, but not a raving lunatic with real credentials, a real brain, and a real analytical mind. His comments say it all: people playing at war who know nothing of war, nothing of their jobs, nothing about nothing, except drinking, whoring around, and conning the con man in the Oval.
We have already lost whatever moral ground we might have had. And, if "we" don't do something soon, there won't even be a country left to mourn.
Nothing he says is believable. He’s the biggest liar 🤥 out there. He is ultimately responsible for everything and he should be held accountable if it means impeachment. 🙄
Hegseth tweeted that Bradley is an “American hero” with his “100% support,” a statement that reads less like a commendation and more like a preemptive framing of the fall guy.
LBJ allegedly had a quote that's relevant here:
When your boss says "I'm behind you 1000 percent", you should know that it's time to start looking for a new job!
Jeff, the moral ground has long since eroded away, there is no “about to” about it.