Another Poll Shows Voters Oppose The Trump Attacks On Iran

The chart above is from the NBC News / Hart Research / Public Opinions Strategies Poll -- done between February 27th and March 3rd of a nationwide sample of 1,000 registered voters, with a 3.1 point margin of error.

Trump Is Waging A War That Most Americans Don't Support

The chart above is from the CNN / SSRS Poll -- done on February 28th and March 1st of a nationwide sample of 1,004 adults, with a 3.9 point margin of error.

The chart above reflects the results of the YouGov Poll -- done on March 3rd of a nationwide sample of 1,633 U.S. adults.

Trump Attacked Iran Without Support From Most Americans

 

The charts above are from the Reuters / Ipsos Poll -- done on February 28th and March 1st of a nationwide sample of 1,282 adults, with a 3 point margin of error.

The charts above are from the Morning Consult Poll -- done on February 28th of a nationwide sample of 1,618 registered voters, with a 2 point margin of error.

Why Did Trump Attack Iran At This Time?

Early Saturday morning, Donald Trump told Americans that he had launched a "massive and continuing" attack on Iran. Israeli planes also participated in the attack.

The attack came as a surprise to most. Although Trump was poised to attack with a huge military presence in the Middle East, news reports quoted both the Iranian and U.S.  negotiators as having made good progress toward reaching a diplomatic solution. In fact, the Iranians were offering more concessions than ever before.

But it wasn't enough for Trump evidently. He doesn't negotiate. He just bullies and expects others to give in to his demands. So he attacked. Why?

It wasn't for regime change. No one expects a bombing campaign to do that. A country under attack is far more likely to unify than to overthrow its government. And after the thousands recently killed in demonstrations in Iran, one would expect the government to be even more brutal while being attacked by another country.

It wasn't for U.S. security. Despite Trump claims, Iran doesn't pose a real threat to the United States. Their missiles cannot reach the United States (and estimates are that they are at least 10 years away from developing missiles that can).

It wasn't because they were close to developing a nuclear bomb. The attacks last year did serious damage to their nuclear program - and they were negotiating a treaty that would stop any development of nuclear weapons.

You can call me a cynic, but I think the attack was done to distract from his domestic problems.

The Epstein files have become a more serious problem for Trump, with many pages that accuse Trump of sexually abusing a teenager having been withheld by the Justice Department. A majority of Americans believe Trump is trying to cover up misdeeds in the Epstein scandal, and about half believe Trump was involved in Epstein's criminal misdeeds.

He is also in serious trouble on the economy. While he has helped the rich to get even richer, his policies have made most Americans poorer. They are having trouble affording a decent life in this country. He scores very low in the polls on his economic agenda, and signs are that his party is heading for a huge defeat in November (with Democrats winning one of both houses of Congress).

Add to this the fact that the public has turned against his immigration policies - seeing them as unnecessarily cruel. 

The fact is that on the domestic front his administration is in deep trouble. A smart president would change policies to help people, but Trump's narcissism won't allow that. He cannot admit he's wrong on any issue.

So, he attacks Iran. He does this to pose as a savior of the country - hoping to get most Americans to drop other concerns and unite behind him. It's just a huge distraction from his domestic problems - and sadly, a distraction that puts American military personnel in danger.

I don't think it will work. Outside of his MAGA cult, most Americans now realize the truth about Trump - that it was a serious mistake to allow him back in power.

Most Think Trump Will Attack Iran (And Don't Like How He's Handling The Situation)

 

The charts above are from the Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between February 20th and 23rd of a nationwide sample of 1,551 adults (including 1,402 registered voters). The Margin of error is 3.3 points for adults and 3.1 points for registered voters.

BBC Reporting On The U.S. Attack On Venezuela

 

The above reporting is from BBC News.

The Letter From A Group Of Former Military JAG Officers On The Boat Attacks

 

From justseciruty.org.

Hegseth Should Be Impeached And Arrested For Murder

On September 2nd, Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S. military to kill all the people in a small boat in the Caribbean. The stated reason for the attack was that the boat was carrying narcotics destined for the United States. No proof has ever been offered by Hegseth (or Donald Trump) that the boat was carrying narcotics, but the attack was carried out.

After the smoke cleared, it was observed that two of the boats inhabitants were still alive and clinging to the sides of the damaged boat. Admiral Frank M. Bradley then ordered a second strike on the boat to kill the remaining helpless men.

That second strike against the survivors was against international law. It was also against the U.S. military law. If we had been at war (as Trump claims), it would have been a war crime. Since we are not at war, it was just an inexcusable murder of two helpless people.

It's now looking like Trump and Hegseth are throwing the Admiral under the bus. The Admiral deserves to be punished. He had to know that issuing that order for a second strike was illegal (whether he did it on his own or at Hegseth's command). But he is not the only guilty party.

Hegseth openly admits that he was in contact with the military forces carrying out the attack, and watched the attack taking place. That means he had to have heard the command given for a second strike - and did nothing to stop it. That makes him as guilty as Admiral Bradley. Hegseth should be impeached and arrested for murder.

Was Donald Trump also watching the strike take place? It is likely that he was since he loves watching the military blow things up (and he was in Washington that day). If so, then he is also guilty for hearing the order for a second strike and not taking action to stop it.

The Trump administration seems to think it can do anything it wants and get away with it - including murder. But this attack (especially the second strike) was far beyond the pale. They must be held accountable for this illegal and immoral action.

The Trump Administration's Horrific Attack On A Chicago Apartment Building

Jennifer Rubin tells us about the horrific attack on a Chicago apartment building by the Trump administration:

ProPublica investigated one of the most notorious episodes during the operation. On Sept. 30, “some 300 agents from Border Patrol, the FBI and other agencies stormed the 130-unit apartment complex.” Using tactics sure to traumatize civilians, “SWAT teams rappelled from a helicopter, knocked down doors and hurled flash-bang grenades.” Though they did arrest 37 immigrants, the feds “also zip-tied and, for several hours, detained many U.S. citizens.” None of them, it seems, turned out to be gang members, let alone criminals.

The details shock the conscience. “During the raid, panicked tenants hid under beds, climbed into elevator shafts and jumped out of windows…. Six Venezuelan men said agents hit or kicked them.,” ProPublica recounted. “A law enforcement dog bit a Nigerian tenant, leaving blood on the floor of an apartment,” while the invading agents charged into one unit forcing the occupant to his knees. “His 6-year-old nephew clung to him, sobbing.”

It would have been one thing if agents were using force to subdue armed, dangerous gang members. But ProPublica found: “Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against anyone who was arrested. Nor have they revealed any evidence showing that two immigrants arrested in the building belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang, or even provided their names.” Instead, detainees were either deported or agreed to leave voluntarily, “a sign that they are not seen as a serious threat and can apply for return to the United States.” This assault was a purely performative drama meant to intimidate all immigrants.

A Plurality Of Americans Oppose A Military Strike On Iran

 

The charts above are from the Washington Post / SSRS Poll -- done on June 18th of a nationwide sample of 1,008 adults, with a 3.6 point margin of error.

Trump Seems To Think America First Means America Alone

Since World War II, the United States has been the preeminent power in the world - both militarily and economically. And every president (of both parties) has acted to defend other democracies and allies, while opposing authoritarian and rogue nations. It has resulted in U.S. presidents being universally acknowledged at the "leader of the free world".

Trump could have inherited that title, but he doesn't seem to want it. Since entering office the second time, he has attacked our allies. He has imposed tariffs on our good neighbors (Canada and Mexico) to start on March 4th. And he has said he will also impose tariffs on the European Union. He has demanded that NATO nations spend 5% of their GDP on defense (even though the U.S. only spends about 3%). And he has suggested that any nation that doesn't do his bidding will not get any help from the U.S.

At the same time, he has repeated Kremlin talking points - even to the point of Russia's invasion of Ukraine being the fault of Ukraine. He has even voted to support Russia in the United Nations. And he started "negotiations" with Russia to end the Russia/Ukraine war (without allowing Ukraine to participate).

Then, last week, he took the final step to complete the isolation of the United States from the rest of the world.

He invited Zelensky (Ukraine's president) to the White House to sign an agreement giving the U.S. half of Ukraine's valuable minerals (which he forced them to do in hopes of getting a security pledge from the United States). Then in an Oval Office showdown, witnessed by the press and television cameras, Trump started to tell a bunch of lies about the war (like how much the U.S. has given Ukraine and how they don't need security because he trusts Putin to keep his word).

Zelensky, an ethical leader, could not go along with the lies. And he would not agree to a peace plan that did not insure Ukraine's future security. He knew that Putin cannot be trusted (even though Trump trusts him). When Zelensky disagreed, Trump blew his stack.

He began to berated and threaten Zelensky. Then Vance joined in, demanding he thank Donald Trump for U.S. support (even though he's publicly thanked the U.S. dozens of times). Both tried to humiliate the Ukrainian president, and when he would give in, they kicked him out of the White House.

The temper tantrum Trump and Vance threw was a black mark on U.S. foreign policy. It was a turning point in U.S. history. And it effective ended the U.S. president being the leader of the free world. 

Most other democratic nations were quick to back Ukraine after the Oval Office fiasco. And it brought them to a realization. They had hoped they could nudge Trump into keeping the treaties, agreements, and economic cooperation that exists. They now realize that is hopeless. Trump is a bully whose not interested in real negotiations with anyone, but only trying to force others to agree with what he wants. They cannot trust him or depend on him for help.

Trump has turned "America First" into "America Alone" - a rogue nation with no friends. That makes the future much more dangerous for the United States - and for the World!

Israel Is Losing U.S. Public's Support For Its Gaza Attacks

The chart above reflects the results of the Quinnipiac University Poll -- done between May 16th and 20th of a nationwide sample of 1,374 registered U.S. voters, with a 2.6 point margin of error. 

Public Now Believes Trump/GOP Responsible For Jan. 6th

 

The charts above reflect the results of a Politico / Morning Consult Poll -- done between July 8th and 10th of a nationwide sample of 2,005 adults, with a 2 point margin of error.

47% Of GOP Say Left Wingers Caused Jan. 6th Attack

The charts above are from a Yahoo News / YouGov Poll -- done between June 24th and 27th of a nationwide sample of 1,630 adults, with about a 3 point margin of error.

It shows that about 47% of Republicans and 43% of Fox News viewers say the January 6th attack on the Capitol was done by left-wingers trying to make Trump look bad.

Reality is not even a concept with these people.

Home Grown Extremists Bigger Threat & Jan 6th Planned

 The charts above are from the new Quinnipiac University Poll -- done between June 17th and 20th of a nationwide sample of 1,524 adults, with a 2.5 point margin of error.

A Majority Approve Of House Comm. Investigating Jan. 6th

The chart reflects the result of the recent Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between June 11th and 14th of a nationwide sample of 1,500 adults (including 1,304 registered voters), with a 3.1 point margin of error for both groups. 

Who Does The Public Blame For Jan. 6th Attack On Capitol?

The chart above reflects the results of the new Politico / Morning Consult Poll -- done between June 10th and 12th of a nationwide sample of 2,005 registered voters, with a 2 point margin of error.

GOP Support For Prosecuting Jan. 6th Rioters Drops 22 Pts.

The chart above is from the Pew Research Center. They surveyed 10,371 adults between September 13th and 19th, and the survey has a 1.6 point margin of error.

It shows that Republicans are losing interest in finding and prosecuting the criminals who attacked our Capitol Building on January 6th. Back in March, about 79% thought they should be found and prosetuted. In September, that number has dropped to 57% (and only 27% thought it was very important).

It just shows how authoritarian the Republican Party is becoming -- that 43% think it's OK for people to use violence to accomplish political goals. Of course, they are being hypocritical, since they only support that when the goals are ones that Republicans like. They are opposed to others using even peaceful demonstrations to get equal rights (like Black Lives Matter) or to save lives (like groups wanting restrictions on who can buy a gun).

Most Think U.S. Will Have A Terrorist Attack Within A Year

The chart above reflects the results of the new Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between September 12th and 14th of a national sample of 1,500 adults, with a 2.7 point margin of error. It shows that about 62% of adults think it is at least somewhat likely that the United States will suffer a terrorist attack within the next 12 months.

Trumpian Politics Endangers Public Health And Democracy

I currently worry about the sanity of Republican leaders.

They are engaging in a two-pronged attack on this country (mistakenly believing that will get them votes in the next election).

They continue to support Trump's big lie and are trying to downplay the attack on our Capitol last January 6th -- probably to cover for many in their own party who were either in that riot or abetted those who did take part.

At the same time, they continue to attack the COVID-19 vaccine and the wearing of masks

This two-pronged attack is damaging the nation's public health, and its democracy.

Here is what former Labor Secretary Robert Reich had to say about the GOP's attack on America:

Despair is worse after a brief period of hope. I don’t know about you, but I was elated earlier this spring when it seemed as if Trump and COVID were gone, and Biden seemed surprisingly able to get the nation rapidly back on track.  

Now much is sliding backwards. It’s not Biden’s fault; it’s Trump’s ongoing legacy.

The new Delta strain of the virus requires, according to the CDC, that we go back to wearing masks inside in public places where the virus is surging, even if we’re fully inoculated.

This would be nothing more than a small disappointment and inconvenience were it not for Republicans using it as another opportunity to politicize public health.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy responded to the new CDC recommendation with the kind of unhinged hyperbole Trumpers have perfected. “The threat of bringing masks back is not a decision based on science, but a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state,” he said.

Republican politicizing of public health will get worse if the Delta variant continues to surge. At some point vaccines will have to be mandated because being inoculated is not solely a matter of personal choice. Herd immunity is a common good. If infections mount, that common good can only be achieved if nearly everyone is vaccinated.

But those eager to exploit the virus’s resurgence – the know-nothings, Trump wannabe’s, vilely ambitious political upstarts, Tucker Carlsons and similarly cynical entertainers – are already howling about “personal freedom” threatened by “socialism.”

The investigation into the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 is further evidence of how far the Republican Party has descended into opportunistic treachery.

We need to know what happened and why if we are to have half a chance of avoiding a repeat. Just as with the history of systemic discrimination and brutality against Black people in America – which Republicans are calling “critical race theory” and trying to ban from classrooms – the truth shapes our responses to the future.

Here again, the dispiriting aspect of the present moment is Republican denial and obfuscation.

As Officer Michael Fanone – who suffered traumatic brain injury on Jan 6 when rioters attacked him – testified yesterday at the start of the hearings, “What makes the struggle harder and more painful is to know so many of my fellow citizens — including so many of the people I put my life at risk to defend — are downplaying or outright denying what happened.”

With the exception of Rep. Liz Cheney – whom I never expected to hold up as a model of integrity – Republicans are eager to divert the public’s attention. Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik declared at a press conference yesterday that “Nancy Pelosi bears responsibility, as speaker of the House, for the tragedy that occurred on Jan. 6.”

This is absurd on its face. The Speaker of the House shares responsibility for Capitol security with the Senate majority leader, who at the time of the attack was Mitch McConnell. If Pelosi was negligent – and there’s zero evidence she was – McConnell was as well.

Stefanik and other Republican leaders don’t want the public to know about Republican members of Congress who were almost certainly involved in the travesty, either directly or indirectly. The list includes Representatives Jim Jordan, Mo Brooks, Paul Gosar, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Andrew Biggs, and McCarthy himself. Senator Josh Hawley also seems to have been on the know, given his fist-salute to the rioters.

And then there’s Trump himself, cheerleader and ringleader.

All should be subpoenaed. All, presumably, will fight the subpoenas in court.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to stage rallies for his avid followers as he did last weekend in Phoenix, where he declared “Our nation is up against the most sinister forces… This nation does not belong to them, this nation belongs to you.”

Wrong. America belongs to all of us. And we all have a responsibility to protect its public health and its democratic institutions. The real sinister force is the Trump Republicans’ cynical exploitation of lies and anti-scientific rubbish to divide and divert us. 

Months ago, it seemed as if this darkness was behind us. It is not.