Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Politics & Current Affairs => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on April 15, 2017, 09:16:08 AM

Title: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 15, 2017, 09:16:08 AM
I know the phrase is a riff on mother of all battles, but there is a sort of macho posturing with this sort of acronym. I note that the Russians have supposedly the Father of All Bombs.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39607213
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: wigginhall on April 15, 2017, 10:19:41 AM
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.   I suppose Trump is dick-waving, and also drumming up support from his base, and I notice that he has to keep pointing out his superiority to Obama, a sure sign that he feels inferior.   How many more big bombs are in his locker?   Also a good distraction from the shambolic stuff going on elsewhere. 
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: Anchorman on April 15, 2017, 10:34:44 AM
Anyone actually counting the amount of u-turns Trump has inflicted on us since he opened his over sized gob as a candidate? He not only repels me, but scares me. A big child with a whole lot of guns and bangy stuff at his disposal and looking for places to put them.
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: JP on April 15, 2017, 11:14:58 AM
Obama dropped many bombs yet I can never remember a discussion about it. What is it that troubles you so about this one?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/09/america-dropped-26171-bombs-2016-obama-legacy

As an aside, and I suppose you are already aware, MOAB in military terms is actually "massive ordinance air blast".
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: floo on April 15, 2017, 11:38:46 AM
Anyone actually counting the amount of u-turns Trump has inflicted on us since he opened his over sized gob as a candidate? He not only repels me, but scares me. A big child with a whole lot of guns and bangy stuff at his disposal and looking for places to put them.

I wonder if Trump is gearing up to nuke North Korea?  :o
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: Anchorman on April 15, 2017, 11:47:03 AM
Obama dropped many bombs yet I can never remember a discussion about it. What is it that troubles you so about this one?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/09/america-dropped-26171-bombs-2016-obama-legacy

As an aside, and I suppose you are already aware, MOAB in military terms is actually "massive ordinance air blast".

- Using weapons of mass destruction is a crime in itself - but when those weapons are in the hands of someone who changes his fioriegn policy three times befre breakfast things get a bit nervous.
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: floo on April 15, 2017, 11:49:54 AM
- Using weapons of mass destruction is a crime in itself - but when those weapons are in the hands of someone who changes his fioriegn policy three times befre breakfast things get a bit nervous.

Agreed
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: JP on April 15, 2017, 06:45:49 PM
- Using weapons of mass destruction is a crime in itself - but when those weapons are in the hands of someone who changes his fioriegn policy three times befre breakfast things get a bit nervous.

I expect the military had decided this weapon was appropriate in the specific circumstances under which it was used. It could just as easily been dropped when Obama was in office.

Have you read about Obamas record on bombing, I can never remember a discussion on it yet 26,171 bombs in 2016 according to the article, almost three bombs every hour, 24 hours a day for a whole year.

I understand Trump is not popular with may people, I am not exactly a fan myself, but what next, Trump breathes air?
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: Jack Knave on April 15, 2017, 07:15:12 PM
The problem with all this is that either Trump ups the ante, with more bigger bombs, to keep polishing his turd ego or he looks like a limp dick, if he stops all this gun-hoe stuff, and doesn't proceed any further with this. His style of shot first ask questions later isn't appropriate for the world stage and things look very iffy.
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: Nearly Sane on April 16, 2017, 09:09:50 AM
Obama dropped many bombs yet I can never remember a discussion about it. What is it that troubles you so about this one?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/09/america-dropped-26171-bombs-2016-obama-legacy

As an aside, and I suppose you are already aware, MOAB in military terms is actually "massive ordinance air blast".

The mention of Obama is, while yet another example of the tu quoque fallacy on here, at least valid in reminding us that Trump argued two essentially contradictory positions in his campaign, one of more interventionism, and less interventionism.  Of course we should also remember, that we are also bombing on a regular basis, and the vicar's daughter was happily selling arms to the Saudis to carry out the attacks on Yemen, while maundering about chocolate eggs.


And yes, I was aware of the 'official' name, but I am cynical enough to wonder (a) if massive was used so the unofficial title would work, (b) if it wasn't, did some person get a bit excited and come on their pants when they realised, and (c) how very macho posturing it was to make of the unofficial
 name and state it.

Haven't looked into the Russian Father of All Bombs 'official' title, is it 'Feckinyuge Ordnance Air Blast'
Title: Re: MOAB - not a washpot, but a bloody big bomb
Post by: wigginhall on April 16, 2017, 10:25:32 AM
Yes, the tu quoque is endemic on the internet, however, I remember lots of complaints about Obama using drone strikes in the Middle East, often killing civilians.   I don't know if it was discussed here.

On the differences between 44 and 45, I would have thought also that Obama seemed relatively sane and restrained.   Trump seems very erratic.

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/12/reflecting-on-obamas-presidency/obamas-embrace-of-drone-strikes-will-be-a-lasting-legacy