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Friday, March 13. 2026

Friday morning links

5 science-backed rules for turning money into long-term happiness


McDonald's new Big Arch burger—here are my unfiltered thoughts


Trump’s decision to fight Iran is historic — but he needs to finish the job


The irrepressible Nigel Farage


'Societal Time Bomb' – Explosive German Police Study Finds Nearly Half All Muslims Under 40 Has 'Islamist' Attitudes


Decades in the Planning, the Islamic Republic of Britain

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 08:36 | Comments (36) | Trackback (1)

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Weblog: www.thepiratescove.us
Tracked: Mar 15, 09:35

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Before I clicked on the link I fully expected the piece on money and happiness to be from The Babylon Bee.
#1 Phloda on 2026-03-13 09:35 (Reply)
re McDonald's new Big Arch burger—

I imagine it will be a very big seller, particularly with teen aged boys and young men.
#2 feeblemind on 2026-03-13 09:46 (Reply)
Blue states are committing tax suicide — their mania is contagious

https://nypost.com/2026/03/10/opinion/blue-states-are-committing-tax-suicide-their-mania-is-contagious/

Democrats Head Into Elections Pushing $1.5 Trillion Tax Increase

https://freebeacon.com/democrats/democrats-head-into-elections-pushing-1-5-trillion-tax-increase/
#3 feeblemind on 2026-03-13 09:52 (Reply)
feeblemind: Blue states are committing tax suicide

Real GDP by U.S. State (Percent Change at Annual Rate). Among the largest economies, California, New York, and Illinois have a bit higher growth rate than Texas or Florida.
#3.1 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 10:20 (Reply)
QUOTE:
Trump’s decision to fight Iran is historic — but he needs to finish the job... After all, if a terrorist regime is developing a nuclear weapon and says it is going to use that weapon, what exactly is the world meant to do? Sit back and let it happen?

In fact, Iran has repeatedly said it would not develop a nuclear device. President Pezeshkian affirmed this to the United Nations. And Supreme Leader Khamenei had issued a fatwa declaring nuclear weapons to be haram (forbidden).

Iran could have already developed a nuclear weapon, if they chose to. Even North Korea developed one. What Iran wanted was what is called break-out capability, that is, the ability to produce a nuclear weapon to respond to an existential threat. That, of course, is now obsolete. Many Iranian leaders now say they should have developed a nuclear weapon decades ago.

Even more important to the long-term stability of the United States and of the global community, is that wars of aggression can be started at the whim of a single person. Among the evidence at the war crimes trials of the Japanese was that they were engaged in negotiations with the United States up until the moment of their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States was engaged in negotiations with the Iranians until the moment of the surprise attack—not only against the Iranian military—but also the assassination of the civilian leadership.

This is Caesar territory: Dum pacem loquuntur, gladios parant.
#4 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 10:40 (Reply)
George Washington: "the constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken without previous authority from that source."

James Madison: "War is in fact the true nurse of executive aggrandizement."

Alexander Hamilton: "The President is to be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States... In this respect his authority would be nominally the same with that of the king of Great Britain, but in substance much inferior to it... that of the British king extends to the declaring of war and to the raising and regulating of fleets and armies; all which, by the Constitution under consideration, would appertain to the legislature."
#4.1 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 11:09 (Reply)
*Obama*: "We droned some folks."
#4.1.1 Rusty on 2026-03-13 15:44 (Reply)
Zachriel"Al-Awlaki was an enemy killed in war. No different from any other enemy soldier."
#4.1.1.1 Rusty on 2026-03-13 16:00 (Reply)
Rusty: Al-Awlaki was an enemy killed in war. No different from any other enemy soldier.

That is correct. Al-Awlaki was an al-Qaeda commander and was actively waging war on the United States. Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) provided Obama the legal power. If an American citizen had been fighting in the German army in WWII, the situation would have been the same (and did).
#4.1.1.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 16:12 (Reply)
Oh what war was that? Were we at war with Yemen? Did congress approve this war?

Once again we find that Zachriel the Angelic Entity is cool with military strikes, as long as it comes from a particular political party. Who knew Angels were so partisan?
#4.1.1.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-13 16:23 (Reply)
Rusty: Oh what war was that? Were we at war with Yemen? Did congress approve this war?

As noted in the very comment you replied to, the congressional authorization was the AUMF which grants the power to use force against al-Qaeda, of which Al-Awlaki was a commander. While the law is overbroadly interpreted by presidents, it definitely applied to al-Qaeda and Al-Awlaki.
#4.1.1.2.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 20:23 (Reply)
Well there's your answer then. Trump was authorized by the Constitution and he notified congress as required by the War Powers Act. All above board just like the Kenyan.
#4.1.1.2.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-13 22:19 (Reply)
Rusty: Well there's your answer then.

You conflated two laws. We cited AUMF, which specifically authorized military actions on the perpetrators of 9-11, which includes Al-Qaeda.

As for the War Powers Resolution, that was meant to rein in the president, and limited the president's military power to "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces" unless otherwise authorized by Congress. (Presidents have resisted this stricture, but you could point to the limiting factor or simply grant that presidents are Caesars.)

As for the Constitution, we cited Washington, Madison, and Jefferson, all of whom thought the Constitution limited the president's power to unilaterally undertake an "offensive expedition of importance" without the authorization of Congress; indeed, believed unbridled power in the executive to be contrary to republican government.
#4.1.1.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-14 09:40 (Reply)
Oh, Zachriel, Angel of Memory, I can see that you are scared that Trump may be turning into some kind of "God Emperor" but let me set your mind at ease. Everything Trump is doing is perfectly legal. His actions are consistent with His constitutionally granted powers, and He has the support of congress. In fact, congress brought up many of your own arguments about Trump being a "God Emperor" but then they decided that He was not a "God Emperor" at all. So you can rest easy knowing that Trump is just a man going after bad guys, and just like the Kenyan Interloper before him, He has congress, the law, and the constitution on His side. Let not your heart be troubled.
#4.1.1.2.2.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-14 11:24 (Reply)
Rusty: Everything Trump is doing is perfectly legal. His actions are consistent with His constitutionally granted powers, and He has the support of congress.

We asked: What is the limiting principle?
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-14 11:29 (Reply)
Ask yourself. What was the limiting principle for the Kenyan Interloper?
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-14 11:51 (Reply)
Rusty: Ask yourself. What was the limiting principle

We already addressed this. Each president, at least since Reagan, has pushed presidential power further and further. Maslow's hammer: They have a hammer so everything is a nail.

Trump has gone far beyond previous presidents. Congress passed the War Powers Resolution with the intention that the president would have the ability to respond to emergencies but would come to Congress for any, in Washington's words, "offensive expedition of importance". That's the limiting principle in a Republic. Claiming emergency powers is how the executive has seized power since Caesar.

Now, we ask again. What is the limiting principle? Or is the American president just another Caesar?
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-14 12:03 (Reply)
You didn't answer. The Kenyan Interloper went further than any president before him but you defended him.

What was your limiting principle?
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-14 12:07 (Reply)
Rusty: You didn't answer.

Of course we did. Just because you wave your hands doesn't make it go away. Presidents since Reagan have been pushing presidential military power further and further. Trump has essentially broke the last restraints.

The limiting principle, which we have stated repeatedly is "the constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken without previous authority from that source."

Now, what do you believe is the limiting principle, or do you think the president is unconstrained in terms of military power?
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-14 12:32 (Reply)
Well if that's your limiting principle (constitution + law) then you have nothing to worry about. Trump is well within the constraints of both. If He weren't, the other branches of government would have stopped Him with their checks and balances. Sleep in peace, Angel.

By the way, when you call yourself "Zachriel, the Angel of Memory" what does that mean? Do you control memory? Are you (and your fellow angels) in charge of keeping the memories of us mortals? Can you please elucidate on the nature of your supernatural powers?
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-14 12:50 (Reply)
Rusty: Well if that's your limiting principle (constitution + law) then you have nothing to worry about.

The Iran attack was an "offensive expedition of importance". There was more than sufficient time to consult Congress in advance. There was no "previous authority from that source." So, no. It doesn't meet the principle.

We note you have repeatedly refused to state your principle or even state your position clearly, much less support it. Let us know if you decide to engage the discussion.

George Washington: "the constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken without previous authority from that source."
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2026-03-14 12:55 (Reply)
Well there's your mistake. Trumps attack, like The Kenyan Interloper's attacks, are limited attacks, not offensive blah blah blah like you said earlier. He will keep it under 60 days as required by law, but even if He doesn't he has precedent because the Kenyan went over 60 days too and congress was cool with it.

Please answer the question about your super angelic powers, then I will answer your question.
#4.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.2.2.1 Rusty on 2026-03-14 13:15 (Reply)
And yet Jefferson went to war with the Barbary Pirates without congressional approval.

Even St. Obama spent months bombing Libya without a perceived threat or congressional approval even after Kaddafi gave up his nuclear program. Hilary gloated, other Dems were either quiet or nodded in bovine agreement. Libya has not recovered.
#4.1.2 mudbug on 2026-03-13 16:12 (Reply)
mudbug: And yet Jefferson went to war with the Barbary Pirates without congressional approval.

That is incorrect. See Act for the Protection of Commerce and Seamen of the United States against the Tripolitan Cruisers.

mudbug: Obama spent months bombing Libya without a perceived threat or congressional approval even after Kaddafi gave up his nuclear program.

Obama justified the Libya intervention on humanitarian grounds focusing on enforcing a no-fly zone and protecting civilians. The action was NATO-led and under a United Nations resolution. Also, Obama began consulting Congress even before he intervened there, with little opposition from Congress.

However, since at least Reagan, presidents have been asserting more and more war-making power. Obama's action in Libya helped to further consolidate war-making power in the presidency. Trump's attack on Iran exceeds any of that.
#4.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 20:14 (Reply)
The Obama/Hillary action in Libya was a gun running operation that got an ambassador killed and was all blamed on a tape posted on YouTube. It was similar to the ATF Holder/Hillary gun running into Mexico that got an ATF agent killed.
#4.1.2.1.1 indyjonesouthere on 2026-03-13 21:46 (Reply)
In the last Iran-US negotiation the first thing the Iranians announced was that they had enough enriched U235 to make eleven bombs in a few weeks. Sounds like a threat to me not a peaceful gesture.
#4.2 Paul in Boston on 2026-03-13 11:39 (Reply)
Paul in Boston: In the last Iran-US negotiation the first thing the Iranians announced was that they had enough enriched U235 to make eleven bombs in a few weeks.

I understand the Americans also have enriched uranium.

In any case, Iran was obviously using their possession of uranium as a (failed) deterrent against being attacked and as a point of negotiation. Breakout time, even with 60% enriched uranium, was months at least. The United States attacked during negotiations and assassinated the civilian leadership, so the point about the long-term stability of the United States and of the global community remains. Going to Congress and consulting with allies was certainly possible. Instead, the decision was made by one mercurial emperor president.
#4.2.1 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 11:52 (Reply)
You can thank the Kenyan interloper for setting the precedent in 2011.
#4.2.1.1 Rusty on 2026-03-13 13:06 (Reply)
And they have no reason at all to lie about that...
#4.3 JLawson (Link) on 2026-03-13 14:17 (Reply)
JLawson: And they have no reason at all to lie about that...

You mean the United States? Who abrogated the nuclear deal they made with Iran, then attacked them even while negotiating, assassinating their civilian leadership.

As for the Iranians, like all countries, there are various political forces involved. However, while the military wanted a nuclear weapon, the religious leadership did not, so the political decision was to have a breakout deterrence, and all their actions until the United States abrogated the nuclear deal were consistent with this policy. If they wanted a nuclear device, they could have built one long ago, being far more advanced economically and technologically than North Korea. Gee whiz: Nukes are 1940s technology.

But yes. It's going to be difficult for the United States to rebuild trust after abrogating the nuclear deal then assassinating the civilian leaders they had been actively negotiating with. Why would anyone trust them?
#4.3.1 Zachriel on 2026-03-13 14:28 (Reply)
And what nuclear deal was that? I don't recall anything being discussed in the Senate.
#4.3.1.1 indyjonesouthere on 2026-03-13 21:10 (Reply)
There is only one choice to prevent the Islamic republic of Great Britain. Ruthless and relentless remigration until there is not one Muslim in Great Britain. Vlad the Impaler was right! No need to impale any of them simply a one way ticket to anyone of 20 or so Muslim countries. Do it without regard of English citizenship or having been born in Great Britain. Do it with purpose, set a time limit of say three months to accomplish it. Ditto for every Western country. Do it or perish!
#5 OneGuy on 2026-03-13 11:40 (Reply)
Trump Needs To Prepare Americans For What Comes Next In Iran

QUOTE:
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Trump administration launched a war against Iran, and President Trump is beginning to signal that he wants to wind it down. . . . On Wednesday during a speech in Kentucky, Trump off-handedly declared “we’ve won,”

. . . But at this point it’s looking less and less like the president will simply be able to declare victory and walk away, however politically desirable that might be.

The main reason is that Iran, although badly wounded, is still fighting. This week it began targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. Two oil tankers were struck by Iran in Iraqi waters on Wednesday, setting them ablaze and killing one crew member. Videos of the burning oil tankers, reportedly struck by armed Iranian boats, circulated widely on social media. In addition, four other vessels were hit by Iranian projectiles in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday.

Since March 1, more than 20 ships have been attacked by Iran in the Persian Gulf.

. . . Marine traffic through the strait has now come to a standstill

. . . What all this means is that Trump is not going to be able to end the war and declare victory without at least securing the Strait of Hormuz and restoring the normal flow of oil traffic that underpins much of the global economy. Whatever other battlefield successes U.S. armed forces might have in Iran, if oil tankers cannot get out of the Gulf the regime in Iran will be able to impose a punishing political cost on the U.S.


https://thefederalist.com/2026/03/13/trump-needs-to-prepare-americans-for-what-comes-next-in-iran/
#6 feeblemind on 2026-03-13 11:53 (Reply)
Gas went up another 38 cents/gal here today.

It is up 99 cents/gallon since the war started.
#6.1 feeblemind on 2026-03-13 13:07 (Reply)
About 60 cents in my part of Missouri. Still under 3 bucks a gallon today.
#6.1.1 indyjonesouthere on 2026-03-13 21:34 (Reply)
Regarding the Islamic takeover of the UK, I remember watching an episode of 60 Minutes back in the 1980s or early 1990s, and they were interviewing a Muslim man who was predicting and working towards the Islamic takeover of Great Britain, and he said on camera that in the future, England would be Muslim, and I laughed, and I laughed. Everyone in the West who has not assimilated must be removed and our fellow citizens that had been working to erase and replace us need to face consequences so this does not happen again
#7 robb moffett (Link) on 2026-03-13 12:24 (Reply)

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