Politics

[RLD]

The US is 100% pursuing a “golden dome”… it’s called “SHIELD”.

So far there are 2400+ companies awarded positions on the $151B contract (my firm is one of them).

The intent is to have the shield completed within 10 years, and to have most of the major components done within 5….

Another 340 firms approved to bid on Golden Dome work worth up to $151B

All but a handful of the 2,400-plus companies who sought approval have received it.

www.defenseone.com

I don't know if you are allowed to answer, but do you think there is much of chance that either of those goals will be met?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@mdwest I am amazed that many of our AH fellows Take the Trump the Troll bait!

Everyone with half a brain should remember if any politician is flapping their lips, they are lying.
For Trump mega-mouth, he is as I've stated a half dozen times recently on AH, throwing carp against the wall to see what will stick.

As for invading Greenland, Denmark and Greenland should have laughed and responed, "Good joke Mr. Trump. When you want to talk we are ready."

I see. So Trump acting, talking, and writing like a child with the IQ of lint is all just a harmless act to get attention. And everyone should learn to appreciate a clown president who treats the office like a Monty Python movie. I have heard some bizarre reasoning to explain Trump's genuinely stupid antics but that one really takes the cake. Kudos for creativity. Why hasn't Fox News picked up on that angle? Give them time. At some point Fake News Network will run out of excuses.

Or maybe it's not an act? Maybe Trump really is a poorly educated spoiled brat dimwit who never grew up. Maybe he really is a narcissistic psychopath. If it's all an act I would expect at some point a glimmer of intelligence and maturity would reveal itself. But it hasn't. When he was elected the first time I had hopes that he would grow up once he was in office and surrounded by people who can help him along the road to maturity. Qualified people who could teach him something ... anything! But anyone who tries (e.g. Rex T) gets tossed. Instead Trump prefers to surround himself with brainless arse-kissing stooges (e.g. Rudi G and Vance). Or staff with sufficient bra sizes. No, I do not believe it's all a show to drive the liberals into a frenzy. What would be the point in that? Purposely make the US government more inoperable? Throw more gas on the partisan fire? How will that help Trump's grandiose MAGA plan? A clown act is just what the US does NOT need.

 

[mdwest]

If by "effective" you mean successful in creating rifts in historic alliances you are quite correct. Hopefully they are not irreperable.

And oddly, the offensive letter was written directly the head of state of Norway, not published on social media. He has recently directly insulted the leaders of the UK and France as well, and trolled all Americans by promising them 600% reduction in drug costs.

People who associate themselves with Trump should be embarrassed by his conduct. He is a poor representative for America.

I always thought the idea was for America to be a leading light of democracy on the world stage. Not a "troll".

Is a troll President what you want mdwest? If so, you have it. I can't believe that is the what America is left offering the world though.

Considering your own thoughtful writing style, the opposite of trolling, I would not have thought you wanted a troll President.

Anyone that reads and pays attention to my posts regarding Trump knows Im not his biggest fan.. While I dont disagree with most of his domestic policy, and do actually agree with a reasonable bit of his foreign policy, I think his tactics and strategies to execute policy leave quite a bit to be desired..

that said... I also recognize that many (if not most) of the responses to his statements that are seen from leftists are nothing more than fuel added to his fire.. they dont discourage the behavior.. they ENCOURAGE it.. he genuinely doesnt care what anyone on the left thinks.. and most people on the right are just as fed up as he is with the theatrics, temper tantrums, of the left..

Bullshit like Nancy Pelosi wearing african garb and kneeling in the rotunda.. or tearing up a speech on national television... or Sheila Jackson Lee wearing her pink cowboy hat telling liberals to take to the streets and physically fight conservatives.. AOC going on CNN literally screaming about how the world is going to end in 12 years if she doesnt get what she wants, etc..etc.. has become laughable rather than something that anyone on the right actually cares about anymore..

Liberals shouting at the clouds online about how much they hate Trump, or how much they hate US policy, etc..etc.. has become just as laughable..

Trump refuses to listen to the other side.. he just does whatever the hell he wants, says whatever the hell he wants, etc..etc.. this is honestly no different at all than what was going on for the 4 years prior to him taking office.. the constant ramming of DEI, LBTGQ+ / Trans, BLM, etc.. values and ideals down the rights throats without any concern for thier position or thoughts...

All of the hell raising in the world on AH isnt going to change anything...

Reasonable, thoughtful debate about things he and his administration are doing probably has some future value for the reasonable and thoughtful people on this board (although its going to have zero impact on anything that happens today)..

Much of the lashing out and general tripe spewed by our more left of center members however its completely valueless... so member "X" is upset and hates trump.. so what? does that member really think anyone else here cares? Is the spewing of hate and nonsense going to actually change anything? or is it just another silly assed old man shouting at clouds?

I find it to be nothing more than a waste of Jeromes server space, and a waste of the time of the other members that arent quite as ridiculous..

 

[mdwest]

I see. So Trump acting, talking, and writing like a child with the IQ of lint is all just a harmless act to get attention. And everyone should learn to appreciate a clown president who treats the office like a Monty Python movie. I have heard some bizarre reasoning to explain Trump's genuinely stupid antics but that one really takes the cake. Kudos for creativity. Why hasn't Fox News picked up on that angle? Give them time. At some point Fake News Network will run out of excuses.

Or maybe it's not an act? Maybe Trump really is a poorly educated spoiled brat dimwit who never grew up. Maybe he really is a narcissistic psychopath. If it's all an act I would expect at some point a glimmer of intelligence and maturity would reveal itself. But it hasn't. When he was elected the first time I had hopes that he would grow up once he was in office and surrounded by people who can help him along the road to maturity. Qualified people who could teach him something ... anything! But anyone who tries (e.g. Rex T) gets tossed. Instead Trump prefers to surround himself with brainless arse-kissing stooges (e.g. Rudi G and Vance). Or staff with sufficient bra sizes. No, I do not believe it's all a show to drive the liberals into a frenzy. What would be the point in that? Purposely make the US government more inoperable? Throw more gas on the partisan fire? How will that help Trump's grandiose MAGA plan? A clown act is just what the US does NOT need.

Have you read any of your own posts?

Saying Trump talks and writes like a child is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black dont you think?

I'd venture a guess that youve thrown more temper tantrums than he has in the last couple of weeks.. You post above really isnt much more than a temper tantrum full of name calling and disenginuous accusations..

As an example, you state that Trump may be poorly educated and a dim wit.... He's a wharton grad... arguably the finest business school on the planet.. and has built a multi-billion dollar business empire... only in hollywood does a "Forest Gump" do that.. multi-billion dollar empires (to include the ones that fail) are built by highly aggressive, highly assertive, highly inteligent, and extremely hard working people.. they dont happen by chance or by accident...

you speak to expecting a glimmer of inteligence (implying he has no inteligence), to name call multiple members of the administration (all of whom frankly have had wildly successful careers and are much more prominant and successful that you ever have been or ever will be)..

and the list goes on and on and on...

Pull 10 of your posts made in this thread in the last 30 days (I havent done this).. and use the PhD level research and analytics skills that you claim to have.. and then report back to the membership your findings...

Im going to guess "angry old man shouting at clouds"...

Im not particularly a Trump fan.. I find him to be an incredible asshole.. I am pretty certain I wouldnt enjoy spending a weekend at Mar a Largo with him, even if we do share several of the same ideals (I am far more conservative than liberal)... while on the other hand, I think I'd have a great time sharing a couple of beers and a meal with Bill Mahr, even though he and I would likely disagree on just about everything...

But.. I recognize who and what Trump is (an asshole, that clearly is very effective at getting grown, educated men like yourself to act like children).. and I dont play into his games..

 

[cwpayton]

Anyone that reads and pays attention to my posts regarding Trump knows Im not his biggest fan.. While I dont disagree with most of his domestic policy, and do actually agree with a reasonable bit of his foreign policy, I think his tactics and strategies to execute policy leave quite a bit to be desired..

that said... I also recognize that many (if not most) of the responses to his statements that are seen from leftists are nothing more than fuel added to his fire.. they dont discourage the behavior.. they ENCOURAGE it.. he genuinely doesnt care what anyone on the left thinks.. and most people on the right are just as fed up as he is with the theatrics, temper tantrums, of the left..

Bullshit like Nancy Pelosi wearing african garb and kneeling in the rotunda.. or tearing up a speech on national television... or Sheila Jackson Lee wearing her pink cowboy hat telling liberals to take to the streets and physically fight conservatives.. AOC going on CNN literally screaming about how the world is going to end in 12 years if she doesnt get what she wants, etc..etc.. has become laughable rather than something that anyone on the right actually cares about anymore..

Liberals shouting at the clouds online about how much they hate Trump, or how much they hate US policy, etc..etc.. has become just as laughable..

Trump refuses to listen to the other side.. he just does whatever the hell he wants, says whatever the hell he wants, etc..etc.. this is honestly no different at all than what was going on for the 4 years prior to him taking office.. the constant ramming of DEI, LBTGQ+ / Trans, BLM, etc.. values and ideals down the rights throats without any concern for thier position or thoughts...

All of the hell raising in the world on AH isnt going to change anything...

Reasonable, thoughtful debate about things he and his administration are doing probably has some future value for the reasonable and thoughtful people on this board (although its going to have zero impact on anything that happens today)..

Much of the lashing out and general tripe spewed by our more left of center members however its completely valueless... so member "X" is upset and hates trump.. so what? does that member really think anyone else here cares? Is the spewing of hate and nonsense going to actually change anything? or is it just another silly assed old man shouting at clouds?

I find it to be nothing more than a waste of Jeromes server space, and a waste of the time of the other members that arent quite as ridiculous..

I agree, good point ,and taken, Therefore Im going to try to cease and desist on further comments on this thread, "TRY" is key. All us old guys are set and not changing anyway.

 

[mdwest]

I don't know if you are allowed to answer, but do you think there is much of chance that either of those goals will be met?

I think the US will ultimately have something like Israels "Golden Dome".. but it will be very different in execution.. we've got a whole lot more land mass to cover, and the threats are much more complex and varied that have to be mitigated..

The key will be upgrading and maintaining it over the course of future decades.. threats change... technology changes.. etc.. and whether or not future administrations prioritize its maintenance and upgrades, I dont think anyone can know..

10 years to have 100% coverage I think is a serious stretch.. especially against ALL threats.. but I do think in less than 5 years a huge amount of progress can be made if the government keeps the cash flowing and learns how to step out of its own way (something very difficult for the US govt to do)..

I think the contracting side of SHIELD will be a complete shit show... 2400+ qualified vendors chasing after thousands of individual task orders ranging from creating new technologies to actually having people on the ground pulling levers and pushing buttons is going to be insane... and with what will ultimately become more than a trillion dollars on the table... it will be a game changer in the defense contracting world (but Im afraid not in a good way)...

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I think the contracting side of SHIELD will be a complete shit show... 2400+ qualified vendors chasing after thousands of individual task orders ranging from creating new technologies to actually having people on the ground pulling levers and pushing buttons is going to be insane...

I have no information about SHIELD but I remember the Army's Future Combat System (FCS) where Boeing and SAIC were the Prime and Lead Systems Integrator.

Future Combat Systems - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

There were many subcontractors spread across something like 47 states. There were few or no contract protests because nearly every state got a piece of the funding pie.

 

[275r7x57]

Silver $95toz

AU
AG

HL Stock

 

[Brent in Az]

SCOTUS didn't rule on Trump's tariffs. Leaving it for a future decision .
Trump's tariffs have brought in approx $600 billion so far.

 

[Tanks]

10 years to have 100% coverage I think is a serious stretch.. especially against ALL threats..

As long as "fly-over" states are covered, we should be good.

 

[Red Leg]

I have no information about SHIELD but I remember the Army's Future Combat System (FCS) where Boeing and SAIC were the Prime and Lead Systems Integrator.

Future Combat Systems - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

There were many subcontractors spread across something like 47 states. There were few or no contract protests because nearly every state got a piece of the funding pie.

And yet the program was eventually cancelled for which one can point a finger squarely at Boeing and Army naivete in dealing with them.

The Army named Boeing the system integrator rather than a traditional Army supplier like GD. Then, in an inexplicable act of stupidity allowed Boeing to also be the supplier for C3I network and integration. Within two years, the program ceased to be about a new generation of highly mobile combat platforms (surprise surprise which would have been the work of GD and BAE), but instead became about "the network." Rather than exploiting and growing the existing FBCB2/Blue Force Tracking network, Boeing, as systems integrator, "chose" the proprietary Boeing "Battle Command Network" which had already failed the Air Force.

Billions later, with the program was suffering one development catastrophe after another until the Army finally threw in the towel.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

FYI all... Here are a couple of very good videos on the USA and Greenland's future,

What If The US Invaded Greenland Tomorrow?

Why The USA Will Own Greenland by 2027

 

[Aaron N]

Have you read any of your own posts?

Saying Trump talks and writes like a child is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black dont you think?

I'd venture a guess that youve thrown more temper tantrums than he has in the last couple of weeks.. You post above really isnt much more than a temper tantrum full of name calling and disenginuous accusations..

As an example, you state that Trump may be poorly educated and a dim wit.... He's a wharton grad... arguably the finest business school on the planet.. and has built a multi-billion dollar business empire... only in hollywood does a "Forest Gump" do that.. multi-billion dollar empires (to include the ones that fail) are built by highly aggressive, highly assertive, highly inteligent, and extremely hard working people.. they dont happen by chance or by accident...

you speak to expecting a glimmer of inteligence (implying he has no inteligence), to name call multiple members of the administration (all of whom frankly have had wildly successful careers and are much more prominant and successful that you ever have been or ever will be)..

and the list goes on and on and on...

Pull 10 of your posts made in this thread in the last 30 days (I havent done this).. and use the PhD level research and analytics skills that you claim to have.. and then report back to the membership your findings...

Im going to guess "angry old man shouting at clouds"...

Im not particularly a Trump fan.. I find him to be an incredible asshole.. I am pretty certain I wouldnt enjoy spending a weekend at Mar a Largo with him, even if we do share several of the same ideals (I am far more conservative than liberal)... while on the other hand, I think I'd have a great time sharing a couple of beers and a meal with Bill Mahr, even though he and I would likely disagree on just about everything...

But.. I recognize who and what Trump is (an asshole, that clearly is very effective at getting grown, educated men like yourself to act like children).. and I dont play into his games..

To be fair, he didn’t exactly start without capital or connections. The man’s a bull in a china shop, and it’s worked for him for 79 years, he won’t be changing strategy now!

 

[mdwest]

To be fair, he didn’t exactly start without capital or connections. The man’s a bull in a china shop, and it’s worked for him for 79 years, he won’t be changing strategy now!

Exactly correct.

It’s worked this long… why change?

And while he was certainly born to wealth… there is no disputing that he took a NYC based business and converted it to both a global brand and global empire across multiple industries and markets…

He is an asshole… but he is an accomplished asshole, whether anyone likes to admit it or not…

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Louisiana is fortunate to have two pretty good, Republican US Senators. Both John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy enjoy support throughout the state. Cassidy is up for re-election. In his election 6 years ago, he got 60% of the vote. Cassidy is despised by Trump because Cassidy voted for impeachment of Trump. So what does Trump do? He comes out and supports a Louisiana Congresswoman who wasn't even running. Julia Letlow ran and was elected to Congress in a special election. Letlow's husband was elected to Congress during COVID, but died before taking office.

I was hoping Letlow would graciously decline. Apparently not. I was also hoping that two senior Louisianan reps, Speaker Johnson and Steve Scalise, would convince Letlow to put party before thyself.

I hope Trump doesn't screw up Louisiana like he did Georgia.

Rep. Julia Letlow launches Louisiana Senate primary bid against Bill Cassidy

Letlow got Trump's endorsement over the weekend. Cassidy is one of a handful of Republicans still in Congress who voted to impeach or convict Trump during his first term.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[spike.t]

Well as Greenland is a "hot" topic I thought would post this here instead of the humour thread....

 

[Tanks]

And while he was certainly born to wealth… there is no disputing that he took a NYC based business and converted it to both a global brand and global empire across multiple industries and markets…

I remember a Monte Carlo simulation that had taken the amount of money he had inherited and projected it forward from that day. He would have more billions today. Of course, there would have been no name recognition outside of social circles and he would not have been elected President.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

 

[SaintPanzer]

Yes I can see China on that map ... a tiny bit of it. The missile launch sites shown are not in China. All are in Russia and labeled as such. The map targets for all Russian missiles is Washinton D.C. on the east coast of US which assumes D.C. would be the sole target. Of course it would not. Other targets to take out military sites would be scattered across the US. Those trajectories would not go over Greenland. The three left most trajectories illustrated on that map originate in eastern Siberia near China. They don't cross Greenland airspace even with D.C. as target. So I'm the one who can't read a map? Pffft.

I have several thoughts on this, mostly unkind, but I've decided I'm not going to go there.

What I would recommend you consider is you've just shown the board that you can be presented with additional information, some of that information requiring inferences not explicitly stated, and instead of using that information to refine views, you've doubled down on previous statements in what can only be assumed to be an effort to not change previous opinions, despite the facts.

Some might consider that a learning disability. Or it could just be stubbornness.

Either way, this does not make for an interesting conversation.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Once again, Einstein, Bush went in to capture Noriega, and protect the Panama canal treaty.
The U.S didn't invade with the intent to gain real estate. A pro American government was installed and we left
Venezuela was not an invasion. It was a swoop and scoop of an evil dictator drug lord. We captured him, we left.
Vietnam was the catalyst for the war powers act of 1973.

Pretty much every constitutional legal expert concurs the 1973 War Powers Resolution would have maybe a fifty-fifty chance of surviving a real challenge in the Supreme Court ... in the best of times. But these are not the best of times. The WPR would clearly not survive if challenged before the current radically partisan Supreme Court. The only way Congress could stop Trump from invading Greenland would be impeachment (and we have seen how that works ... or rather doesn't work) or cut funding (also unlikely without risking troops' safety), both after the fact. The other option would be for armed forces to ignore his order to invade as unconstitutional. Possible but a slim hope. Perhaps if it comes down to firing on your own allies, the commanders on the ground in Greenland might do the right thing and disobey orders.

Have you read any of your own posts?

Saying Trump talks and writes like a child is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black dont you think?

I'd venture a guess that youve thrown more temper tantrums than he has in the last couple of weeks.. You post above really isnt much more than a temper tantrum full of name calling and disenginuous accusations..

As an example, you state that Trump may be poorly educated and a dim wit.... He's a wharton grad... arguably the finest business school on the planet.. and has built a multi-billion dollar business empire... only in hollywood does a "Forest Gump" do that.. multi-billion dollar empires (to include the ones that fail) are built by highly aggressive, highly assertive, highly inteligent, and extremely hard working people.. they dont happen by chance or by accident...

you speak to expecting a glimmer of inteligence (implying he has no inteligence), to name call multiple members of the administration (all of whom frankly have had wildly successful careers and are much more prominant and successful that you ever have been or ever will be)..

and the list goes on and on and on...

Pull 10 of your posts made in this thread in the last 30 days (I havent done this).. and use the PhD level research and analytics skills that you claim to have.. and then report back to the membership your findings...

Im going to guess "angry old man shouting at clouds"...

Im not particularly a Trump fan.. I find him to be an incredible asshole.. I am pretty certain I wouldnt enjoy spending a weekend at Mar a Largo with him, even if we do share several of the same ideals (I am far more conservative than liberal)... while on the other hand, I think I'd have a great time sharing a couple of beers and a meal with Bill Mahr, even though he and I would likely disagree on just about everything...

But.. I recognize who and what Trump is (an asshole, that clearly is very effective at getting grown, educated men like yourself to act like children).. and I dont play into his games..

Wharton College graduate? Is that degree of his genuine? Seems unlikely. Trump on numerous occasions has proclaimed his "genius IQ" but has never substantiated it. During his first election he boasted of his Wharton degree and excellent academic performance as proof. To quiet doubters he said he'd show the world his scholastic records (i.e. release transcripts like Hillory and Obama did). But then he had his lawyer send a letter to Wharton College threatening criminal and civil action should they release his transcripts. Now, why would he do that unless he's got something to hide? Similarly during his first campaign to quiet grumblings about his draft dodging during the Vietnam War Trump promised to produce medical records substantiating his "bone spurs." But he never has.

Do you really think someone with a bona fide university degree in anything would believe it's okay to drink disinfectant? Look at the goofy stuff he says and writes EVERY DAY. Does that look like something even an eighth grader would say/write? Trump's sister relates how she drove him all up and down the east coast before the family finally found a college that would take him (and their money). For crying out loud, the guy thought he could run for a third term! Does that sound like a college graduate from any place in the US? Or even a HS graduate? Trump bought his degree pure and simple, just like George W. did at Yale. At least GW admitted it (essentially). Though far from the sharpest crayon in the box George W. could at least talk, write, and act like a grownup. I recently watched a PBS show where he and Bill Clinton sat down together and chatted. It was impressive to watch two former presidents from opposite ends of the political spectrum with such opposing personalities talk amiebly and respectfully for almost an hour. Very refreshing. Definitely from a bygone era. Not today's breed of politicians.

Trump inherited the real estate empire his father and grandmother built. His escapade developing Atlantic City was by all accounts a monumental blunder ... that he ultimately blamed on his brother (a nice guy who took the heat and didn't make a fuss). Everyone advised Trump against Atlantic City but he wouldn't listen. He's not good at taking advice. Trump made a fortune marketing his shtick at a time when the world desired shticky. That didn't make him a genius. Kinda like P.T. Barnum. But at least Barnum knew he wasn't president material. He kept his show on the road and out of the White House.

I'm doing extremely well financially. My investment income last year was downright incredible. Am I a Wall Street genius? No. But I am smart enough to let someone (actually an army of someones) manage my money. I can only imagine someone lurking in the shadows must be managing the Trump business. Possibly his daughter. She seems to have a head on her shoulders. She at least acts like she's intelligent.