(03-17-2026, 09:04 PM)putnam6 Wrote: AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

(03-17-2026, 09:13 PM)Ninurta Wrote:

(03-17-2026, 09:04 PM)putnam6 Wrote: AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

 and leave ANZUS intact with reduced patrols... unless they decide to take a slap at us, too....

.

(03-17-2026, 09:13 PM)Ninurta Wrote:

(03-17-2026, 09:04 PM)putnam6 Wrote: AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

I wonder how much could be saved by leaving ALL of the bases in the eastern hemisphere,and curtailing naval patrols to the International Date Line in the west, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge in the east?

After we completely eradicate the current Iranian regime, that is...

Of course, that's not really workable. it would leave, for example, Taiwan in the lurch, and they've done nothing against us that I know of. Maybe just pull out of NATO and Europe entirely, and leave ANZUS intact with reduced patrols... unless they decide to take a slap at us, too.....

Quote:Dwight D. Eisenhower.In February 1951, shortly after becoming the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) for NATO, Eisenhower wrote in a letter or statement:

"If in 10 years, all American troops stationed in Europe for national defense purposes have not been returned to the United States, then this whole project [NATO] will have failed."

This reflected his view that NATO was intended as a temporary measure to help Western Europe rebuild its own defense capabilities after World War II and stand on its own against the Soviet threat—not a permanent U.S.-led commitment with indefinite American troop presence.

Quote:FINALLY SOME BALLS!

Estonia just stepped up like the little country that could - ready to back Trump against Iran!

The Baltic nation with 1.3 million people declared full support: "We will be ready to offer any kind of support to the US or to free world countries."

That's the spirit of real allies stepping into the fight when it counts.

This small powerhouse is showing bigger nations how it's done - no hesitation, no excuses, just willingness to defend freedom and secure global energy flows.

Trump called for help on the Strait of Hormuz, and Estonia answered loud and clear.

The contrast is glaring: while European giants waffle and whine, Estonia punches above its weight with courage.

This is what true partnership looks like - standing firm when tyrants threaten the world.

America First thrives when genuine allies show up.

Estonia's bold move reminds us that size doesn't matter - resolve does. The free world is stronger because of it.

Thoughts? 

(03-18-2026, 01:10 AM)The Crying Bunny Wrote: Just wondering if the gay nepo-tollah is still alive or have they tossed him off a building for being "the gay".

Quote:DBCowboy Wrote: [url=https://denyignorance.com/Thread-Trump-says-he-bombed-Iran?pid=140749#pid140749][/url]Yeah, so?

He's got support from real Americans who want America to be great again.

Goodbye, Venezuela, goodbye Iran, goodbye Cuba.

 

Yay!

(03-19-2026, 12:28 PM)kwaka Wrote: Joe Kent has an interview with Tucker Carlson around the Iran issue.

(03-17-2026, 09:04 PM)putnam6 Wrote: AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

Quote:'It takes money to kill bad guys': Hegseth confirms new Pentagon funding request

The Pentagon could receive as much as $200bn to help fund the war and America's wider military security, Pete Hegseth has confirmed.

"I think that number could move," the US defence secretary said. "It takes money to kill bad guys."

"We're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure we're properly funded," he added, naming replenishing the military's stock among the purposes of the additional funds.

Shortly after this question, the briefing ended.

https://news.sky.com/story/iran-war-latest-trump-tehran-israel-strikes-us-drone-live-sky-news-13509565

(03-19-2026, 03:55 PM)sahgwa Wrote:

(03-17-2026, 09:04 PM)putnam6 Wrote: AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

That's all well and good, but unfortunately the planned crashing of the economy, towards a new bleep bloop digital crap seems to be well underway , with us going into 3 trillion more in debt per year.  8 million is only .2 of a percent of that. 

'The Peterson Foundation says that on or about March 18, the national debt will reach $39 trillion. This was less than five months after it reached $38 trillion. At our current pace of profligacy — it probably will accelerate — three trillion-dollar milestones can be passed during one fiscal year.'

Quote:None of the holders of U.S. debt "come to collect" in the sense of showing up to demand immediate full repayment or forcing a showdown. The U.S. national debt doesn't work like a personal loan where a creditor can suddenly call the entire amount due or seize assets if you miss a payment.
Here's why, and how it actually functions:
U.S. debt is primarily issued as Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds, etc.), which are formal contracts with fixed terms:

• They have specific maturity dates (e.g., 3 months for a T-bill, 10 years for a note, 30 years for a bond).
  
• Holders receive regular interest payments (coupons for notes/bonds) as agreed.
  
• At maturity, the government pays back the full face value (principal) automatically — no negotiation or "collection" needed.
  
• If a holder wants cash earlier, they sell the security on the secondary market to someone else (it's highly liquid and traded globally).
  

Holders can't arbitrarily "call in" the debt early or demand immediate full repayment unless it's a very rare callable bond (most aren't). Foreign governments like Japan or China, or domestic investors like pension funds, can't force early redemption — they get paid on the scheduled dates.
The U.S. government manages this by:

• Paying maturing debt with tax revenues, other income, or — most commonly — by issuing new Treasury securities to "roll over" the debt (borrowing new money to pay off the old).
  
• This rollover has been routine for decades because U.S. Treasuries are seen as the world's safest investment (backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. government).
  

Even if a holder (foreign or domestic) wanted to "collect" aggressively, they have no real leverage to force anything beyond the contract terms. Dumping large holdings would hurt the seller more (by driving down prices and their own returns) than the U.S., as other buyers (including the Fed or domestic investors) would likely step in.
The only real risk of non-payment would be a U.S. default (e.g., due to debt ceiling brinkmanship preventing new borrowing to cover maturing debt or interest). That would be catastrophic — spiking interest rates, crashing markets, damaging the dollar's global status, and triggering a potential recession — but it's a self-inflicted political issue, not something creditors can impose.
In short: Holders don't "come knocking" because the system is designed for automatic, predictable repayment and rollover. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debt obligations in modern history, and the structure ensures payments continue as long as Congress allows borrowing to cover them.

(03-19-2026, 05:51 PM)putnam6 Wrote:

(03-19-2026, 03:55 PM)sahgwa Wrote:

(03-17-2026, 09:04 PM)putnam6 Wrote: AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

That's all well and good, but unfortunately the planned crashing of the economy, towards a new bleep bloop digital crap seems to be well underway , with us going into 3 trillion more in debt per year.  8 million is only .2 of a percent of that. 

'The Peterson Foundation says that on or about March 18, the national debt will reach $39 trillion. This was less than five months after it reached $38 trillion. At our current pace of profligacy — it probably will accelerate — three trillion-dollar milestones can be passed during one fiscal year.'

Oh noes, what will we do? 

Who is gonna come and break Uncle Sammy's thumbs if he doesn't pay?

Tired of hearing about the national debt when states like Minnesota, California, and others are grifting the system. End the fraud and corruption, and the national bottom line would look a lot better.

Instead, how many years did Congress approve USAID bullshit? 

Send immigration funds without oversight.

We have an old skeevy shopping center in our neighborhood from back in the 80s, it's still skeevy AF, 
It has 73 different addresses that are accepting health care applications in that still skeevy little shopping center. 

They get federal funds for every application sent in, many of which are fraudulent claims, obviously

Quote:None of the holders of U.S. debt "come to collect" in the sense of showing up to demand immediate full repayment or forcing a showdown. The U.S. national debt doesn't work like a personal loan where a creditor can suddenly call the entire amount due or seize assets if you miss a payment.
Here's why, and how it actually functions:
U.S. debt is primarily issued as Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds, etc.), which are formal contracts with fixed terms:

• They have specific maturity dates (e.g., 3 months for a T-bill, 10 years for a note, 30 years for a bond).
  
• Holders receive regular interest payments (coupons for notes/bonds) as agreed.
  
• At maturity, the government pays back the full face value (principal) automatically — no negotiation or "collection" needed.
  
• If a holder wants cash earlier, they sell the security on the secondary market to someone else (it's highly liquid and traded globally).
  

Holders can't arbitrarily "call in" the debt early or demand immediate full repayment unless it's a very rare callable bond (most aren't). Foreign governments like Japan or China, or domestic investors like pension funds, can't force early redemption — they get paid on the scheduled dates.
The U.S. government manages this by:

• Paying maturing debt with tax revenues, other income, or — most commonly — by issuing new Treasury securities to "roll over" the debt (borrowing new money to pay off the old).
  
• This rollover has been routine for decades because U.S. Treasuries are seen as the world's safest investment (backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. government).
  

Even if a holder (foreign or domestic) wanted to "collect" aggressively, they have no real leverage to force anything beyond the contract terms. Dumping large holdings would hurt the seller more (by driving down prices and their own returns) than the U.S., as other buyers (including the Fed or domestic investors) would likely step in.
The only real risk of non-payment would be a U.S. default (e.g., due to debt ceiling brinkmanship preventing new borrowing to cover maturing debt or interest). That would be catastrophic — spiking interest rates, crashing markets, damaging the dollar's global status, and triggering a potential recession — but it's a self-inflicted political issue, not something creditors can impose.
In short: Holders don't "come knocking" because the system is designed for automatic, predictable repayment and rollover. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debt obligations in modern history, and the structure ensures payments continue as long as Congress allows borrowing to cover them.

(03-19-2026, 05:28 PM)gortex Wrote:

Quote:'It takes money to kill bad guys': Hegseth confirms new Pentagon funding request

The Pentagon could receive as much as $200bn to help fund the war and America's wider military security, Pete Hegseth has confirmed.

"I think that number could move," the US defence secretary said. "It takes money to kill bad guys."

"We're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure we're properly funded," he added, naming replenishing the military's stock among the purposes of the additional funds.

Shortly after this question, the briefing ended.

https://news.sky.com/story/iran-war-latest-trump-tehran-israel-strikes-us-drone-live-sky-news-13509565

3 weeks in. 


Iraq taught us when the regime falls that's when the trouble starts , America will have to deploy troops to Nuclear capable Iran or face the risk of that technology and fissile material falling into the hands of Isis and other organizations yet to be formed.

(03-19-2026, 08:14 PM)sahgwa Wrote: The only thing propping up the dollar though , with all that debt, is our military and our logistics and cultural reach.
It's like the mafia.  That's partly why we are in Iran, it is largely about oil and markets.  
If we can't militarily enforce our economic choices then it's all over.
So that's also what makes it interseting.
Also when other countries decide to stop 'buying our debt' , like China dumping bonds etc. 
Very interesting times. 
When they can't make the corrupt system work anymore, then they change the rules . 
I dont think I will like the new game very much, if they are able to get it started. (digital shits)