Last night, I put on the television before getting ready for bed, finding out the breaking news that the US had killed General Soleimani, considered the most powerful person in Iran after the Ayatollah, along with a leader of Hezbollah and several others in Iraq.
Having seen the news, I could not go to sleep, so I watched the coverage as more information was trickling in. I, along with millions of others, fear even more violence in the Middle East, including the possibility that the US and Iran may be at war.
In the United States, only Congress can declare war. It appears that there was no advance warning of this attack to the Democratic leaders in Congress. I’m not sure if Republican leaders were informed or not. No one knows what will come next. Will there be a request for authorization to use force against Iran? Will Trump believe that, as commander-in-chief, he can do whatever he wants, even without the support of Congress – or anyone else, for that matter?
Early this morning, I saw the burnt remains of the vehicles that had carried Soleimani and his entourage after the drone strikes.
Later in the day, B, T and I went to see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. There were plenty of battles and burnt wreckage.
I prefer wars that take place a long time ago in a (fictional) galaxy far, far away to those happening anywhere here on earth.
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Top of JC's Mind 
This is disturbing on a lot of levels.
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Yes. As if things weren’t dangerous enough…
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It fills the world with anxiety.
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I wonder if this is how people felt during World War II? It probably depended if you were in a country that was like to be attacked.
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I hear you… Its been a niggling worry since I saw it on the news. I mean am not a fan of the Iranian regime but this is just another flame to the fire- what is there to gain? And is there as you say no Congressional approval needed? 😔
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I know that Soleimani was responsible for a lot of deaths, but assassination of a major military/political official is different than targeting Al-Qaeda or ISIS. There is a difference of opinion about whether it was legal for the president to take this step without consulting Congress or if the president had authority to do this as commander-in-chief but that it starts a 60-day clock in which the president must seek Congressional authorization to use force. I don’t know what will happen as Congress goes back into session.
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I, too prefer the Star Wars movies in a galaxy far, far away. The Rise of Skywalker was about The People fighting for their freedom and resisting evil domination. That seems different from our situation with Iran.
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Yes. I loved how everyone came together for liberation from evil. Iran is very different. I know that the Iranian people are suffering because Trump, without cause, tore up the international agreement against nuclear weapon work in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. This latest escalation will cause even more suffering and, most likely, lead to an even higher level of violence. It’s very upsetting.
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It is upsetting. God help us.
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Trying to send out as many thoughts of love and compassion as possible. We mustn’t let violence and despair have the loudest voice.
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Yes. You are right. Thank you.
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