Dana expresses my state of disorientation on several fronts, such as…
- The Strait of Hormuz. The President says the U.S. doesn’t need an open Strait of Hormuz, but the rest of the world does. (For example, we have this headline: “Strait of Hormuz closure causes Diet Coke shortage in India.”) So why is the useless-as-usual United Nations sitting this out? I guess to ask the question is to answer it. The same applies to NATO, as far as I’m concerned. I’m increasingly drawn to Trump’s position that the U.S. funds most of NATO and it is not too much to ask for members to back up the U.S. in an international matter of national importance, like the war against Iran. I guess they have too many Muslims to pander to and they hate Jews too much. Good to know, and to Hell with the ingrates.
- The Federalist claims that as with the abortion decision, the SCOTUS pro-progressive distaff bloc intentionally “slow-walked” another Alito-written opinion, Louisiana v. Callais, which threw a metaphorical monkey wrench into Democrats’ race-based gerrymandering. I wrote posted on the Dobbs stunt here. But the logic in “After The Federalist’s Mollie Hemingway’s new book exposed the dangerous delay of Dobbs, the liberal justices appear to have stalled again” makes no sense. Even though the article praises Justice Kagan, the Slow-Walking Justice, for her political chops, the delay of Callais has hurt the Democrats, leaving them little time come up with ways to maneuver around the decision. The reason Virginia’s high court striking down the dishonest referendum seeking to “restore fairness” by virtually ending the Congressional representation of conservative Virginians was so devastating is that the clock has almost run out.
I also don’t understand the last three posts attracting readers but almost no comments: Update on “Dog-Rapegate”: Israel Is Suing the Times , Ethics Dunce: D.C. Bar Senior Assistant Disciplinary Counsel Jack Metzler and Comment of the Day: “What Exactly Are California’s ‘Values’? Can Anybody Explain?, especially the one about the D.C. Bar.
Anyway, moving on: it’s Friday, and I need your contributions. Contribute!
Ethics Alarms 
Strait of Hormuz. “Strait of Hormuz closure causes Diet Coke shortage in India.”
Yes, this is a horrible headline because the problem isn’t diet coke, the problem is the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has stalled shipments of aluminum from the Gulf region so they can’t make the cans for the diet coke.
I’m not sure that the US doesn’t need the Strait of Hormuz open. “While the U.S. produces a significant portion of its own nitrogen and anhydrous ammonia domestically, the Persian Gulf region normally accounts for 40% to 50% of globally traded urea exports and roughly a third of all shipped fertilizer.” This has caused a significant spike in fertilizer costs for US farmers and will likely impact food prices.
I believe the UK was preparing to send a carrier to the region earlier in the Iran War (or conflict) and Trump said (to the effect) don’t bother. Here it is: “President Donald Trump rejected the UK’s offer to deploy its aircraft carriers, publicly telling the British government “don’t bother.””.
Yeah, he was reacting to the UK turning us down when he asked for help earlier. I have no problem with that, frankly. “Too late, you had your chance,” is a fair rebuke. Also, nothing is stopping the UK from keeping the Strait open if it chooses.