RIP, CU Buffs QB Dominiq Ponder
University of Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died after a single-car accident on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
I'm spending a lot of time preparing this show so this blog note will be a little shorter than usual as far as my commentary and heavier on links for you to read.
Just One Thing: It's War
On Saturday, President Trump made not just the biggest gamble of his presidency but perhaps the biggest gamble of any modern presidency by attacking Iran, in coordination with Israel. Israel attacked Iranian leadership based on intelligence reports that pinpointed when Ayatollah Khamenei and dozens of other Iranian military and political leaders would be in meetings in a confined area, killing many including Khamenei and the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The president of Iran and Khamenei's son, a likely (but not certain) successor appear to still be alive.
With the death of Khamenei and the beginning of a US war against Iran, Saturday was both a great day and -- though we will not know until looking back with hindsight -- potentially a terrible day.
Nobody knows how this will play out. We'll spend a lot of time today and in coming days discussing various possibilities and what they mean for the US, Iran, and the world.
I note that Trump had apparently decided on attacking Iran prior to sending his negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to the last meeting in Geneva. Axios reports that they attended the meeting primarily for the purpose of keeping the Iranians thinking that Trump was still looking for a diplomatic solution.
There are some other US goals that might be achieved (at least temporarily) by this attack including cutting of a significant supply of oil to China and, even better if it happens, cutting off Russia's supply of attack drones from Iran.
This is a must read, so I'm putting it in this section: Niall Ferguson: The Myth of Revolution in Iran
And this was reported on Sunday night: Iran’s Security Chief Makes Fresh Push to Resume Talks With U.S.
Or maybe not: Iran’s Larijani refutes claims Tehran pushed to resume US talks | News | Al Jazeera
LOTS of links below...
Trump announced the strikes on Saturday (first below) then came back with more commentary on Sunday (second below). (The speeches sounded rather different. The Sunday speech sounded, well, like Trump mostly wrote it himself.)
One More Thing: This sure looks sketchy
Today's Guests
Voice of the Colorado Buffs, Mark Johnson, joins us to talk about the passing of Dominiq Ponder.
University of Colorado's Coach Prime announces death of quarterback Dominiq Ponder - CBS Colorado
Details from the CBS story:
Colorado State Patrol said Ponder was involved in a fatal crash early Sunday morning. They reported that Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3 westbound on Baseline Road when he lost control of the vehicle on a right-hand curve around 3 a.m. The Tesla then crossed the eastbound lane and crashed through a guardrail before striking an electrical line pole. Authorities said the vehicle rolled down the embankment and landed on its wheels, then caught fire.
Ponder was announced dead at the scene.
CSP said the crash is under investigation, but they believe speed may have been a factor. Ponder was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
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Congressman Jeff Crank (R-CO5) joins the show to discuss the recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iranian leadership. We look at the reactions from Colorado leaders regarding what some (Democrats) are calling a "war of choice."
Representative Jeff Crank Official Website
Colorado leaders react to U.S. attack on Iran: ‘A war of choice’
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Amanda Knox, famous for having been imprisoned in Italy for a murder she didn't commit, joins us to talk about her new iHeart podcast, "DOUBT: The case of Lucy Letby." We also discuss her recent return to Italy to confront the legal system and the man who played a central role in her wrongful conviction years ago.
DOUBT: The case of Lucy Letby hosted by Amanda Knox
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Former Navy SEAL and best-selling author Jack Carr joins the show to share his insights on the escalating conflict with Iran and the potential for regime change from within. Because of his background, Jack provides a unique perspective on the strategic necessity of the Iranian people having the means to challenge their government.
For those who doubt the threat Iran has long posed to America or just don't know the history, Jack's first non-fiction book is a great read: Targeted: Beirut - Jack Carr
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War links
In surprise daytime attack, U.S., Israel take out Iranian leadership
Two months, two tracks: How Trump chose war with Iran
Why Diplomacy Was Doomed: Trump’s Issue Was Iran’s Leadership Itself
There will be a lot of questions about this: Pentagon offers no evidence to support claim it attacked Iran in defense - POLITICO
Trump hails Khamenei killing: ‘one of the most evil people in history’ (JNS)
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine: An Unwise and Unconstitutional Attack on Iran - WSJ
A little dark humor: Iranian Generals Kicking Themselves For Not Just Meeting Over Zoom
Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran
This is a good discussion of American interests served by the attack: (9) H.A. Hazony on X: "@MattWalshBlog I'm going to answer this question, as it seems to be posed in good faith. Setting aside Israel's interests, what does US stand to gain? 1) Isolating China. Like the Venezuela operation, the purpose is to isolate China in the US/Ch hegemonic war. Iran is a major supplier of oil," / X
What does it mean for markets, especially stocks and oil?
How the U.S.–Israel Attacks on Iran Could Impact Oil and Gasoline Prices
OPEC+ agrees to boost oil output even as US war on Iran disrupts shipments
Oil prices jump after ships attacked near Strait of Hormuz
And how about this? GPS Jamming Disrupts 1,100 Ships in the Middle East Gulf
Khamenei's son has been thought of as a likely successor. He's every bit as terrible as his dad, and wildly corrupt: How Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei's Son Built a Global Property Empire
US announces its first casualties in Iran war; poll signals challenge for Trump US announces its first casualties in Iran war
What does it mean for domestic US politics?
Trump’s courageous decision to face Tehran head-on
Despite antiwar MAGA wing, Trump gets Republican support for Iran strikes
Really? Trump's Iran decision sparks backlash from Tucker Carlson and some MAGA supporters - ABC News
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Non-Iran topics
I'm VERY skeptical: Russia to Accept US Security Guarantees for Ukraine
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Many of them were not insured because they were being rebuilt About 150 BMWs burn in Thornton wildfire
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I can easily imagine poor people trying to grab the money. It's almost like a scene from a movie. I wonder if people who do get paid with whatever amount of this currency gets into circulation will notice that the bills are invalid because they don't have a serial number: At least 20 killed after military plane carrying banknotes crashes in Bolivia
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Disappointing but not surprising, and some of the reason the city council may look to make a change: Denver restaurant report on expenses and wages
Denver leaders could soon debate a cut to restaurant wages, a citywide service fee and more
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This is rather hilarious: How tampons in the men's room helped derail the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal
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A break from war and tampons: Photographing one of the most remote places on Earth
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Today's Video
War is hell. Nobody should cheer for it. That doesn't mean it isn't sometimes justified or necessary.