Gone, but now back in action...

[Magnified]

More computer problems temporarily removed me from active participation here, but rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated .

 

[HRJ]

I didn't believe the rumors. Just sayin'.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Don't you carry a little computer in your pocket? Occasionally hold it up to your ear?
NO EXCUSES

 

[Slowpoke387]

You were gone?


I mean um - Oh nice, glad you're back, we've all been wondering...

 

[ChargerChallenger]

Are you an Alien?

 

[Mean Cat]

Yeah , you were gone , didn't miss you , LOL , I mean glad your back from your home planet.

I knew you didn't die bc the good die young.

 

[Magnified]

No rest for the wicked....

 

[Hellcatcfp]

Who is this Magnified guy? LOL. Good to hear from you.

 

[Magnified]

I didn't believe the rumors. Just sayin'.

I did; but then I realized I was in New Mexico.

 

[1971demon]

I did; but then I realized I was in New Mexico.

Funny thing bout denials....at least 3 members claimed to have witnessed multiple shovels of dirt thrown over your eyes...cancel the memorial

 

[Markp]

Welcome back. We need your expertise in the War with Iran thread.

 

[Jungle Cat]

Thought you were swept away in a Texas dust storm.

 

[45-70govt]

Was about to go all Sherlock Holmes with my magnifying glass to look for Mr. Magnified. Glad to hear the search is over.

 

[HellcatFan]

I just called off the Amber Alert, welcome back

 

[Magnified]

Funny thing bout denials....at least 3 members claimed to have witnessed multiple shovels of dirt thrown over your eyes...cancel the memorial

Those "witnesses" will get theirs soon enough... lol

 

[Magnified]

Welcome back. We need your expertise in the War with Iran thread.

Thank you for that. I'll have to look into that thread when I have a few minutes. At this point - US should have released more "smoking gun" type information (if we have it) justifying the killing of S (in my opinion). There are a large number of countries and people out there who would be willing to back such a strike if we can show there was a clear and present danger. The fact that we didn't, and have recently played really fast and loose with things that are verifiably incorrect, shoots ourselves in the foot.

As for Iranian response - they had to do something or lose great face. I think they took the semi-low risk option. Testing their STS ballistic missles under real world conditions (older models) and targeted areas they believe would minimize US casualties. This lets both sides back away from the play ground tough guy talk. But this does not mean you've heard the last of Iranian or proxy strikes against US personnel. What it will have done is cause them to be more careful with disguising the origin of any materials or actions, and more crucially, they will harden their communications methodology - which is something we probably would have rather they avoided doing. Personally, I think the whole thing was not well thought out and was a knee jerk reaction. Trump psuedo-trying to play the "Crazy Nixon" card.

 

[Hellcatcfp]

Thank you for that. I'll have to look into that thread when I have a few minutes. At this point - US should have released more "smoking gun" type information (if we have it) justifying the killing of S (in my opinion). There are a large number of countries and people out there who would be willing to back such a strike if we can show there was a clear and present danger. The fact that we didn't, and have recently played really fast and loose with things that are verifiably incorrect, shoots ourselves in the foot.

As for Iranian response - they had to do something or lose great face. I think they took the semi-low risk option. Testing their STS ballistic missles under real world conditions (older models) and targeted areas they believe would minimize US casualties. This lets both sides back away from the play ground tough guy talk. But this does not mean you've heard the last of Iranian or proxy strikes against US personnel. What it will have done is cause them to be more careful with disguising the origin of any materials or actions, and more crucially, they will harden their communications methodology - which is something we probably would have rather they avoided doing. Personally, I think the whole thing was not well thought out and was a knee jerk reaction. Trump psuedo-trying to play the "Crazy Nixon" card.

Not sure I believe knee jerk. He was on our terrorist list for a while. My guess is they had a low risk (collateral damage) opportunity and took it...plus he was in another Country. But, I may be wrong. We may very pay for this in future terrorist attacks. Not shedding any tears though. Time will tell for sure.

 

[OLDBAYCRAB]

More computer problems temporarily removed me from active participation here, but rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated .

 

[Magnified]

Don't get me wrong, the guy deserved to be eliminated. But I think the decision to do it at this time was a knee jerk. He had been targeted on and off for years. But if you've penetrated their signals/commo/network to the point where you can pinpoint everything that is happening, you don't jeopardize that by tapping him and putting them on their guard about their communications and such without some serious thought. No leader (despite what US CEOs will tell you when the company is doing good) is critical to an organization (and when it's doing bad, they'll scream how can I possibly know what all is going on, blah blah blah). Clearly, elimnating this guy will not disrupt IRGC operations one whit, and, if it doesn't queer any breaks we have into their commo, it willl at a bare minimum put a vastly more unknown quantity in the drivers seat. We had, at least, a good read on this guy and what was inside his "go" zone and what was outside that zone. Good discussion.

 

[OLDBAYCRAB]

I just called off the Amber Alert, welcome back

Wouldn't a SILVER ALERT be more appropriate?