Wednesday Potpourri

First, from Eric Metaxas, the last word about the No Kings protest movement:

"NO KINGS" is a pathetic and ineffective slogan. It's unappealing on every level. It simply SOUNDS dumb and weak. And of course it is. These Meathead-era Boomers need better PR and marketing!

Second, a few words from Eizabeth Barcohana, addressed to the crowd that believes the current war is not our war.

Since Democrat Jimmy Carter gave birth to the Islamic Republic of Iran:

 • 66 Americans were held hostage in the Iran Hostage Crisis for 444 days in 1979. (8 US servicemen died in Operation Eagle Claw, a failed helicopter rescue attempt) 

• Hezbollah held up to 10 Americans hostage in the 1980s in Lebanon, resulting in 2-3 deaths. 

• Since 1979, Iran has detained at least 25 Americans on accusations of espionage.

• April, 1983 Beirut Embassy Bombing by Hezbollah killed 17 Americans.

• October, 1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing by Hezbollah killed 241 American servicemen. 

• 1984 Beirut Embassy Annex bombing by Hezbollah killed 2 Americans. 

• 1996 Khobar Towers Bombing by Hezbollah killed 19 American airmen.

 • In 2007, Iran-backed militias in Iraq took 4 Americans hostage and killed them. 

• In the Iraq War (2003-11), Iran-backed militias killed between 600 and 1,000 US forces. 

• On October 7, 2023, Hamas killed 45 Americans and took 12 hostage. But it’s not our war?

Third, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard has seriously damaged her political prospects. She asserted that Iran had stopped uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development. This at a time when the International Atomic Energy Administration said that Iran was on the verge of nuclear weapons.

CNN asked President Trump what he thought of Gabbard’s remarks:

CNN: You’ve always said you don’t believe Iran should have a nuke. Tulsi Gabbard testified in March that Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon.

Trump: I don’t care what she said. They were very close to getting a nuke.

Fourth, regime change has become a dirty word. It is apparently not American policy toward Iran and might not even be Israeli policy.

And yet, if you ask what regime change would mean, chances are good that it would involve the restoration of the rule of the Shah of Iran.

Colin Rugg reports:

NEW: Exiled crown prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi says the Islamic Republic has "come to an end," says what has begun is irreversible. Pahlavi ripped Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for hiding like a "scared mouse." 

"The Islamic Republic has come to an end and is falling. What has begun is irreversible. The future is bright and together we will navigate this sharp turn in history. Now is the time to stand; it is time to take back Iran. May I be with you soon."

So, restoration, not regime change.

Fifth, Ellie Cohanim offers a similar analysis:

My analysis on Iran’s domestic situation right now & “what next”: 

1. Israel’s historic campaign has been a game changer. There is no return to “status quo” whenever this campaign ends-even if it were to end right this minute. 

2. IRI Regime completely discredited, even the Regime’s few supporters are seeing what IRI policy has wrought upon them. Many smart people who are observing the same ask—so what next?

This question, combined with what I call the “trauma” of US experience in Iraq, is causing a lot of understandable concern. 

Let’s be clear though-Carter helped create this mess in 1979; Obama fed it & empowered it & Biden kicked it down the road—now 46 years of failed US policy on Iran (minus 4 short Trump years, interrupted) have come home to roost.

So to answer what next?:

There is a trusted individual-Iran’s Crown Prince in Exile @PahlaviReza who has offered to lead a transition government & shared a 100 day plan to transition to democracy. 

The elegance of supporting Pahlavi is it restores the rightful heir back in place, and “picks up” where the horrific mistake of the IRI Regime grabbing power in 1979 left off…it’s a sort of course correction. That’s not to say Iran goes back to Empire, but perhaps a Constitutional Monarchy. 

But at the least, Pahlavi can help oversee a peaceful transition which would block the rise of terrorists or Mullahs. 

As it comes to the question of resources to help in a transition period: I believe the Sunni Arab countries will be willing partners in such an endeavor, having had the Shi’ite threat finally removed from over their heads after almost half a century. 

Lastly, I expect Iranian leaders to emerge from within the country—the very people who will have to lead any Regime Change.

Sixth, meanwhile in once Great Britain, morality has been turned on its head.

Tommy Robinson reports:

A child who was raped by Muslim gangs was prosecuted & taken to court for alleged racist hurty words. Say that out loud , the police & cps used the judiciary to attack a child who was raped by Muslim men for saying mean words to them in response to their racist rape ordeals . This shows exactly where the authorities sat. Rape against white girls ok , mean words against Muslims prosecuted.