This all feels very 2003 but somehow more dumb this time around. "Look, they're developing WMD. We gotta to go to war right now. Evidence? No, you just gotta trust us." - ThreadSky

natebowling.com • 2 days ago

This all feels very 2003 but somehow more dumb this time around.

"Look, they're developing WMD. We gotta to go to war right now. Evidence? No, you just gotta trust us."

Comments

professorsmartass.bsky.social•1 day ago

In 2003, when the CIA report didn't say what they wanted it to say, Dick Cheney went to their headquarters and dictated how to fix the report.

This time, Tulsi says intel says Iran has no nuke weapons program, and Trump says, "I don't care."

serena369.bsky.social•2 days ago

No we don’t.

deriter.bsky.social•1 day ago

"things that you know, that you don't know you know".

capoausmonaco.bsky.social•2 days ago

The IAEA just published a report in which it backed up Israel's claims.

joshuatanzer.bsky.social•2 days ago

I think it was Rumsfeld who said we’ll get the evidence after we get there. That’s when I knew there was no evidence.

lethaldose50.bsky.social•2 days ago

And that is really something.
Dumber than "W" Bush is quite the feat.

overkoalafried.bsky.social•1 day ago

this time around is both dumber in some ways and less dumb in others (there's still time to get there though)

it's dumber because it's way less competent (no lead up, no 9/11esque attack to rally around, talking about negotiations the day before)

it's somehow less dumb because freedom fries

dadwantstotalk.bsky.social•1 day ago

"Trust me, bro." -the US killing people in other countries

Never trust the US.

ededwards.bsky.social•2 days ago

Hard to imagine some less competent than W, but here we are.

seateacher.bsky.social•2 days ago

Pretty low bar to clear too…

thatamerican.bsky.social•1 day ago

So we just totally ignore every death attributable to the Iranians since 1979.. OK dude.

bl19852.bsky.social•2 days ago

I know it would never happen but I’d prefer it if no one had these weapons at all. Once again, old white, extremist men deciding to attack a country with no proof of what they’re alleging.

wendytestaberger.bsky.social•1 day ago

Exactly, one more insecure son of a wealthy powerful guy trying to play though.

robinmcstayesq.bsky.social•2 days ago

All day I have been waiting to hear the word “yellowcake”…

thatzougaguy.bsky.social•2 days ago

they aren't even pretending to have evidence or a dodgy dossier

nhboxy.bsky.social•2 days ago

I would not trust them on anything..

mojames.bsky.social•2 days ago

We've learned nothing and since Vietnam!

willormay.bsky.social•2 days ago

Don’t trust the IAEA? There’s literally no reason to have 60% enriched uranium besides pursuing a weapon. The highest grade needed for civilian use 12-20%. Thinking everything is Iraq is just another pitfall. That’s what all the America first guys think about supporting Ukraine.

ohhjim.bsky.social•1 day ago

willormay.bsky.social•1 day ago

Just own it like everyone else commenting and say you don’t care if they get a nuke.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/iaea-board-declares-iran-breach-non-proliferation-duties-diplomats-say-2025-06-12/

ohhjim.bsky.social•1 day ago

Just own it like everyone else and say you love bombing other countries.

willormay.bsky.social•1 day ago

I don’t care whether it’s through diplomacy or bombs, I support preventing Iran from getting nukes. But you have to admit this is pretty catchy 😅

https://youtu.be/s8hEtI9AI0U?si=FEAYjOztqx-TTp3S

ohhjim.bsky.social•1 day ago

I don’t want Iran to have a bomb, either. But I understand that this administration is terrible at diplomacy, and they know it. Which means there is only one option available to them.

Fool me 17 times…

nathanpinion.bsky.social•1 day ago

Holy crap this timeline would be hilarious if everything wasn't so fucked up.

dawnlaurier.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah, the thing driving me absolutely bonkers about the "this is like Iraq" talking point is that one of the key foreign policy nerd arguments against invading Iraq was that it would strengthen Iran (which it did), which was bad b/c it was the most dangerous regime in the region (which it was/is).

willormay.bsky.social•2 days ago

Fucking around in the Middle East for 20 years broke so many brains, people out here downplaying a nuclear Iran.

dawnlaurier.bsky.social•2 days ago

Exactly. Putting aside for a moment that Israel is a direct product of being the int'l proxy for containment of Iran, I totally get why ppl are furious at Israel.

But ppl also *MIGHT* want to listen to the other country mentioned immediately after Khomeini's regime says "Death to Israel."

willormay.bsky.social•2 days ago

Let’s be honest, a lot of people who are downplaying a nuclear Iran basically chant that right along with them. A lot of people on the left hate what they think America was.

dawnlaurier.bsky.social•1 day ago

Having always been amenable to many of the humane goals of the left but also keenly aware of how much stability is needed to implement those ideas well, it's alarming how often I have to say, "if ya don't like dudes with guns controlling ppl's bodies, you REALLY don't want to 'burn it all down'."

natebowling.com•2 days ago

Listen, if you give a single speck of your mental energy to the idea of Iran nuking the US — with weapons they don't even have — given the obvious consequences they'd face, you have either consumed too much American propaganda or have a head full of rocks, maybe both.

willormay.bsky.social•1 day ago

Why are you so horny for a nuclear Iran. It’s not that hard to admit another shitty country with nukes is a bad thing for the world.

ellekenney.bsky.social•1 day ago

Netanyahu has been claiming Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb since 1992. There is a video montage of his same claim over multiple years someone posted on Bluesky.

jrhanlon.bsky.social•1 day ago

Iran definitely has a nuclear program, and if they could snap their fingers today and have them, they probably would, but this attack is unnecessary. They’re many years away from a functional warhead and there is time to work this out diplomatically. This is about more than the nuclear program.

eilrach.bsky.social•1 day ago

I don’t know what to think. In general I would trust Israeli intelligence over Tusli Gabbard. But the current Israeli administration?

pandypamella.bsky.social•1 day ago

I was thinking this very thing😔

nobodyiseveryone.bsky.social•1 day ago

He needed war. ALL need war to justify increases our biggest spending budget, now asking for $1 trillion increases+wealth tax claiming decreases are for Social Security, tips, & OT?

Distractions are to cover it up. Same as Biden's auto pen hearings are ALL POLITICAL. If legal, they'd file in COURT!

mollari.bsky.social•1 day ago

Trust me bro.

davidalanmitch5.bsky.social•1 day ago

20 years ago, everyone swore they wouldn’t let the government lie to them again. The British have even got the Chilcot Report to tell us it wasn’t true. And we’ve had years of Trump, so we know he’s full of crap and never has any evidence. Ever.

davidalanmitch5.bsky.social•1 day ago

But he’s also the guy who has brazenly accepted a $400 million dollar bribe, held a cryptocurrency dinner selling access to himself and ignored the Posse Comitatus Act by sending troops to LA.

His response will be, “Yeah, I’m lying. What are you going to do about it?”

dmskywalker.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don’t even fucking care.

If the US and Israel and India and China and Russia ain’t disarming then everyone should get a nuke.

atheistjane234.bsky.social•2 days ago

So, uh we nuke each other?

dmskywalker.bsky.social•2 days ago

Opposite.

nathanpinion.bsky.social•1 day ago

The United States, who currently possesses enough nuclear warheads to destroy all life on the planet roughly roughly 40 times over, and who has given the codes to a man with the faculties of a toddler, fear mongering about other countries owning nukes is... certainly something.

tedleew.bsky.social•1 day ago

but but, the yellow cake and the aluminum tubes. bomb, bomb, bomb bomb iran. isnt that the 2001 fav song?

raould42.bsky.social•1 day ago

word.

may you live in interesting times.

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5436758/israel-and-u-s-intelligence-differ-on-status-of-irans-nuclear-program-whos-right

chookybum.bsky.social•2 days ago

He has painted himself into a corner. Israel want support, Gabbard said they aren't close to nukes, Fox are cheering, he promised no wars, and some of his loudest supporters are saying it's wrong and just Fox propaganda. He really doesn't know what to do, either way some in his base will curse him.

cole0007.bsky.social•2 days ago

Netanyahu is a war criminal, he lies. Doesn’t allow independent media into Gaza. Yet , despite US intelligence stating Iran not pursuing atomic weapons,UK is supporting Israel against Iran. Makes no sense.
Are we now at the stage where govt make bogus claims to justify policy?

sicktired2.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes, another impossible choice - for us as citizens and our leaders as cowards. You don't think Beebe is playing Trump for a fool do you? I mean, what could be better for a unpopular middle east leader than to have an American Allie?

ashbyave.bsky.social•2 days ago

The motto was “you are not a patriot if you don’t support bombing Iraq “

idontgiveatwit.bsky.social•2 days ago

#WMDs again. Because Cheney and bush are not in prison. We never fucking learn. Nixon. Reagan....I do not recall. Zero accountability.

seanpisano.bsky.social•2 days ago

Exactly we ware involved there for 8 years.

minnesota2.bsky.social•2 days ago

Trust me bro!

darren415.bsky.social•1 day ago

Caution is always wise—but let’s not pretend this is 2003. Back then, there was no real precedent. With Iran, we do have history: the 1979 revolution, 54 Americans held hostage for 444 days, and decades of open hostility. Iran’s regime has consistently treated the U.S. as the enemy.

picklepriest.bsky.social•1 day ago

What triggered the 1979 revolution?

1953, the CIA overthrew Iran’s democratically elected government, and installed the Shah as an absolute dictator.
American firms gained control over Iranian oil production, with US companies taking around 40 percent of the profits.

Same shit as always.

darren415.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yes, In 1953, the U.S. helped overthrow Iran's elected leader, fueling decades of mistrust. While this shaped events like the 1979 revolution, today’s threats in 2025 must be addressed directly. History should guide wiser choices—not excuse inaction or blur present-day dangers

kevtalk.bsky.social•1 day ago

Our own federal government and home grown white nationalist terrorists are by far a much greater threat to our safety and security.

darren415.bsky.social•1 day ago

White supremacists are a real and rising threat at home, and downplaying that is dangerous. But we must also stay alert to Iran’s nuclear ambitions—this is a nation that has openly threatened us. The U.S. can hold both truths and act on multiple fronts to keep us all safe.

kevtalk.bsky.social•1 day ago

I hope you hold this same energy for the nuclear ambitions of the only country to ever use nuclear weapons on civilian population centers

darren415.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yes, the U.S. is the only nation to use nuclear weapons—Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where over 100,000 died and more suffered from radiation. We must acknowledge past atrocities, but recognizing history doesn’t mean ignoring present threats. Context matters—especially when lives are at stake.

mazinger123.bsky.social•1 day ago

Send all the Red Hats first. They voted for it. Time to do manly things they speak about

doc000.bsky.social•2 days ago

History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme.

pink-tourmaline.bsky.social•2 days ago

Mission accomplished, anyone?

scruffycricket.bsky.social•1 day ago

Dejá Vu all over again! Yogi Berra

dickknob.bsky.social•1 day ago

We've been falling for this same tired old load of bullshit since 1964.

whitepatrick.com•1 day ago

They'll do what "conservatives" always do: cherry-pick facts to support their conclusions.

See also:
• Iraq war
• Global warming denial
• Trickle-down economics
• Intelligent design
• Etc. etc.

ausnuck.bsky.social•2 days ago

natebowling.com•2 days ago

The last few years have solidified for me that the electorate is generally incapable of internalizing historical lessons but really susceptible to ahistorical memes.

ratcitypnw.bsky.social•2 days ago

Theres something about a 4 year memory at play here. Its crazy how quickly they forget everything older then that.

supersecretsqrl.bsky.social•2 days ago

There’s also a roughly 100 year cycle too which is about the time where the people who lived thru those things have now died so the general collective memory forgets in a larger way.

natebowling.com•2 days ago

Yes, but the last "we need to go to war so they don't get WMDs hype cycle" was much more recent than that

natebowling.com•2 days ago

I remember reading stories about support for invading Iraq varying greatly by whether or not the person being asked could find Iraq on map or not.

For the life of me, I wish being a wholly uniformed clownshow came with some sort of social consequences.

davidknuffke.bsky.social•2 days ago

It used to. This is one of the main new features of American reactionary politics. Stupidity as an electoral commodity: https://davidknuffke.medium.com/the-age-of-dumb-shit-aa58c4cc3910?sk=733459f50f7bd1fbc8303e31592661ca

melissaf.bsky.social•2 days ago

Idiocracy was supposed to be a warning via fiction

rollin2028.bsky.social•2 days ago

I would love to read a study or a book or an essay on the role of grief in remembering and using history.

natebowling.com•2 days ago

Grief or grievance? Because I think the latter is much more powerful.

rollin2028.bsky.social•2 days ago

Can both be true? Worth noting that, either way, it’s almost certainly a white problem.

And, I think about how hesitant all peoples seem to be around recollecting the realities of covid.

But I’m an engineer and mathematician so def not in my lane.

rutrider.bsky.social•2 days ago

Colin Powell ain’t there to reassure the lie is the truth

daeden323.bsky.social•2 days ago

So you think that they’re refining uranium for power production eh?

Personally, I just have a hard time believing that.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/iran-nuclear-breach-iaea-un-watchdog/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

ohhjim.bsky.social•1 day ago

daeden323.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yea. And every time they’ve gotten close, the US or Israel has derailed their progress.

Stuxnet anyone?

ohhjim.bsky.social•1 day ago

No, no, it was unicorns!

daeden323.bsky.social•1 day ago

Huh? Stuxnet is a computer virus that destroyed centrifuges used to refine uranium. It set back Iran’s nuclear program by years.

ohhjim.bsky.social•1 day ago

You mean to tell me there are options other than dropping bombs? Does anyone else know this?

natebowling.com•2 days ago

IDGAF if they're refining uranium to construct the biggest nuclear bomb in all of creation.

The idea that we think we can dictate who and who doesn't get the bomb, like we are everybody's daddy is exactly the problem.

daeden323.bsky.social•2 days ago

That’s fine, but your post was implying that you didn’t believe they were pursuing them.

natebowling.com•2 days ago

Fair.

I am holding 3 ideas at the same time:

1. Neo-cons in DC and Tel Aviv have been trying to get us to go to war over alleged Iranian nukes since 1996

2. If I was Iran or Ukraine for that matter, I'd absolutely want nuclear weapons

3. America ain't the world's daddy

finckymcfinckface.bsky.social•2 days ago

Dementia Donny is leading us into WW3

finckymcfinckface.bsky.social•2 days ago

I was thinking exactly the same thing this morning. A demented old man gets to decide if Iran has nuclear weapons, even though netanyahu has been claiming this for 30 years and is Starmer stupid enough to get involved. The British people will never forgive him if he does. Is he a Blair or a Wilson?

swhunter7.bsky.social•1 day ago

#2 most definitely. There’s this insane notion that deterrence won’t work with countryX. Indeed, that’s why countryX wants a nuke in the first place.

sweatband09.bsky.social•2 days ago

Trump’s own National Security Advisor said that Iran is “Years away” from developing a warhead.

iqschwartz.bsky.social•1 day ago

IIRC didn't the Iraqi "WMD" evidence turn out to be decoys intended to deter Iran? Or was that an after-the-fact excuse for getting things so very wrong?

formerlyknownasus.bsky.social•2 days ago

This all feels 1933, but waaaay dumber, since anyone who isn't dense as a rock understands we're living in an autocracy right now letting brown poor people and politicians get kidnapped.

chaningtatum.bsky.social•1 day ago

absolutely 💯 It’s purely personal for Trump as it was for W. More stupid republicans doing stupid republican shit.

kwise7.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes you are correct!
Thanks for the reminder👏👏👏

misformyley.bsky.social•1 day ago

It’s dumber bc we lived through 2003. We KNOW there are no WMDs.

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