Sandy Shanks
Gold Member
- Jul 10, 2018
- 3,550
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- #21
Looks like what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Trump Says U.S. Ship Shot Down Iranian Drone in Strait of Hormuz
It wasn't shot down.
Recently, the Iranians shot down a very expensive, very sophisticated American surveillance UAV called the Global Hawk. Trump responded with useless economic sanctions against the Ayatollah and his generals.
Today Trump announced proudly that the USS Boxer engaged an Iranian drone that was “threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew” and “was immediately destroyed,” he said.
“This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions against vessels operating in international waters,” the president said, adding that the United States “reserves the right to defend our personnel, our facilities, our interests, and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran's attempts to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce."
“I also call on other nations to protect their ships as they go through the strait and to work with us in the future,” Trump added.
John Roberts on Fox characterized this as Trump's payback for the Global Hawk.
However, at first glance there appears to a few things wrong with this picture.
The far less sophisticated Iran drone is hardly payback for the $150 million Global Hawk. Presidents do not get involved in shooting down drones. That decision was made by the local commander, probably the captain of the ship or his immediate superior.
Trump didn't explain how a drone could threaten the safety of a warship and its crew.
Just to clarify, the drone was not shot down. The drone was brought down using electronic jamming, according to a US defense official.
The shooting down of an Iranian drone is worthy of the six o'clock news, but it is hardly worthy of a Presidential announcement.
Trump must really be getting desperate and for good reason.