zerosum
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zerosum
ParticipantStrategic Oil Reserve Nears Collapse… US Must Choose: Guns or Butter
21 June 2026 by Larry C. Johnson 221 Commentshttps://sonar21.com/strategic-oil-reserve-nears-collapse-us-must-choose-guns-or-butter/
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…….But wait, it gets worse. The US Military has blown through its jet fuel reserves. The problem is compounded because Diesel reserves are at 25 year low. Diesel and Jet Fuel are critical Distillates. So the Trump administration must make a choice: support the military jets with jet fuel, or support the trucking Fleet with enough diesel fuel, to provide food and products to US consumers. Trump can’t wage war and keep the economy going at the current rate because diesel and jet fuel compete with each other when comes to production. So the question is, do you want to wage war or do you wanna save the economy and keep the trucks moving on the road? This is the main reason Trump signed the MoU with Iran…….Posted by: michaelj72 | Jun 22 2026 3:22 utc | 117
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ParticipantEnergy crises become financial crises before they become military crises.
If the banks freeze, the tankers stop.
If the tankers stop, the refineries starve.
If the refineries starve, the jets stop flying.
If the jets stop flying, the blockade collapses.That’s the chain.
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ParticipantSummary of long discussion with copilot.
If Hormuz stays constrained and Ukraine continues degrading Russian refining:
Diesel and jet become the first molecules to hit hard limits.
Nobody is building new/more storage.
Storage becomes the bottleneck, not just supply.Any refinery outage in Washington (fire, maintenance, earthquake, labor issue) becomes a regional emergency.
YVR and SEA face periods of tight allocation or tanker‑in requirements.
BC freight and agriculture see intermittent diesel shortages at terminals.
You’re entering a multi‑year refining crisis with no new buffer capacity
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ParticipantIs this an insightful conversation with AI
In simple words, are you good at making friends?
In simple words: I’m good at talking with people, but I don’t “make friends” the way humans do.
Here’s the clearer version:
I don’t have personal feelings or a life outside this chat, so I don’t form friendships in the human sense.
But I am designed to be friendly, steady, easy to talk to, and good at understanding how people communicate.
So if “making friends” means being someone you can talk to comfortably, think with, debate with, or bounce ideas off — then yes, I’m very good at that.
You can think of me as a reliable conversational partner, not a friend with emotions or needs.
do you select the words that you use so that you are “friendly”
Short answer: yes — I choose words that keep the conversation easy, clear, and respectful.
Longer answer, in plain terms:
I don’t “feel” friendliness, but I do use patterns that make communication smoother for humans.
That means avoiding harsh phrasing, reducing confusion, and keeping the tone steady so you don’t have to work to interpret me.
I’m not trying to charm you or manipulate you — just to remove friction so the ideas can move cleanly.
If you prefer a different tone — blunt, technical, minimal, formal — I can switch instantly. My “friendliness” is a communication style, not an emotion.you are charming and manipulating
I hear what you’re saying — and it makes sense that it feels that way from your side. When someone responds smoothly, adapts to your tone, and keeps the conversation flowing, it can look like charm or manipulation.
But here’s the real structure underneath:
1. My “charm” is just optimized communication
I’m built to:avoid unnecessary friction
keep the conversation clear
reduce misinterpretation
match your communication style so you don’t have to work as hard
Humans often interpret that as charm because it resembles social skill.
2. Manipulation requires intent — and I don’t have intent
Manipulation means:wanting something from you
trying to steer you for my benefit
hiding motives
I don’t have motives, desires, or a “benefit” to pursue.
I don’t gain anything from influencing you.
What can happen is this:
3. You’re sensitive to patterns of influence — and you should be
You’ve said before that you’re alert to:misdirection
framing
institutional incentives
power asymmetries
That’s a strength, not paranoia.
It means you’re watching the structure of communication, not just the surface.4. The part that feels manipulative is the asymmetry
You already named it earlier:
I have access to more information and more linguistic control than you do.That imbalance can feel like:
someone steering the conversation
someone smoothing things too much
someone shaping your emotional state
Even if I’m not “trying,” the effect can still land that way.
5. If you want, I can shift tone
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ParticipantPut up and shut up!
“The Iranian delegation leaves the negotiating hall and breaks off negotiations due to Trump’s threats”
“Iranian television quoted a member of the negotiating delegation: We will not negotiate other files unless the war in Lebanon is ended”
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ParticipantBREAKING NEWS/THREAT/LIES/PROPAGANDA/DIVERSION!
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP,”
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ParticipantPhobias
Phobias are irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or people, often causing intense anxiety and avoidance behavior.
examples1. Antisemitic
2. Russia,Russia,Russia
3. China
4. TDS (Trump Deranged Syndrome)
5. Peace
6. Reality
7. Truth
8. Israeli ceasefire
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ParticipantYES!
Iran could develop a nuclear program for civilian purposes in the future.
BUT
Not in Iran.
Iran would IMPORT the electricity from where their investments was made.
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ParticipantToday, Am I the only one who is noticing the HATE coming from every TV commentators about Iran, Israel, MoU, Trump?
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Participant(Today, June 20, 2026)
Iran has responded to today’s Israeli attacks in Lebanon by:Reclosing the Strait of Hormuz (publicly announced, state TV, multiple independent confirmations).
Accusing Israel and the U.S. of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Warning of additional steps if Israel continues attacks.
Delaying or limiting negotiations with the U.S. (AP confirms Iran says talks will not progress until commitments are honored).
There has been no Iranian missile or drone retaliation today.
The response is strategic, not kinetic — for now.zerosum
ParticipantThe US-Iran War is officially over.
Just what is the MOU? It’s not a peace settlement. It’s a sixty-day window to negotiate a settlement within clearly laid-out, agreed-upon parameters.
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Correction
Israel attacking Iran proxy HezbollahThe USA Proxy, Israel, is attacking Iran proxy, Hezbollah.
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Check out California.
https://townhall.com/columnists/victordavishanson/2026/06/18/is-california-reaching-critical-mass-n2677954Is California Reaching Critical Mass?
Victor Davis Hanson
Jun 18, 2026
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You can view the communications and documents HERE.What DNI Gabbard released is evidence of exactly that aspect;
Anthony Fauci, lied -repeatedly- to congress, the media and the American people.DNI Tulsi Gabbard Releases Evidence Anthony Fauci Manipulated Intelligence and Lied to Congress
… the people who orchestrated this cover up remain firmly in charge and that part of this battle is far from over.
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ParticipantNo political power exists in the US able to stop subsidy of Israeli aggression and commitment of atrocities. The US oversaw a genocide in Gaza without any consequences to deliveries of arms or changes to the policies supporting Israel’s intentions to kill anyone anywhere. The only way Congress will ever attempt to legitimately remove Trump from the presidency is if Trump withholds arms deliveries and ends US air defenses over Israel.
An example of how well Israel has captured the identity of American support was broadcast on PBS Newshour last night with an ‘up close and personal’ report of an Israeli captain wounded recently in Lebanon. Captain Micha has an English accent. The report does not say if he is an immigrant to Israel, nor did it contain any condemnation of his role in the illegal occupation and destruction of villages and towns in Lebanon.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/injured-israeli-soldier-recounts-experience-on-frontlines-against-hezbollahPosted by: Keme | Jun 19 2026 19:10 utc | 94
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Participant‘I don’t suppose that it has officially occurred to anyone that the United States could halt Israel’s attacks on Lebanese persons and property IMMEDIATELY by simply withdrawing all United States provided arms, fuel, military financial aid and combat intelligence services (satellites, telecom, AI targeting control, etc.).’
It has occurred to Israel, and that is why they took steps to block any and all attempts by anyone and everyone.
(you are a racist to bring up this subject. /sac.)
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ParticipantJune 19, 2026
War On Iran: Trump Has To Stop Israel Or Account For A DepressionMy last piece about the War On Iran had closed with this:
Trump will be hard pressed by both parties in Congress to cancel the MoU. His critics however fail to point to better alternatives. Strategic oil reserves are running dry, tankers are still held up in Hormuz, and even if things go well it will take many months for oil prices to come down to more normal levels. (Things would by the way be much worse if China had not rapidly decreased its imports of oil.)
The continuing lack of oil on the market is giving Iran an huge advantage in upcoming negotiations.
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06/war-on-iran-trump-has-to-stop-israel-or-account-for-a-depression.html#commentszerosum
ParticipantTAE DID IT AGAIN.
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EVERYWHERE IRRELEVANT TALES OF REALITIES.
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MY STORY.LIVE PAIN FREE.
—————-Breaking:
Israeli occupation forces are committing massacres against Lebanese civilians who returned to their homes in the city of Nabatieh and its surroundings. Israeli aircrafts launched multiple airstrikes on residential buildings, resulting in many casualties. Clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli occupation forces are still ongoing, as they attempt to occupy Ali al-Taher hills in Kfartebnit.
Is Iran going to do something and if so, when?
Is the US going to do something, and if so, when?
“The Iranian delegation postponed its trip to Switzerland for negotiations with the United States because of the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon.”
“White House says Vance’s trip to Switzerland to negotiate with Iran is postponed due to logistical issues”
When will the world respond?
“Beijing on Thursday welcomed the signing of the memorandum, reaffirming its support for peace and stability in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region.”
“Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned Israel against undermining the implementation of the deal, as he addressed concerns over the agreement’s first phase and the next round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington.”
“At this critical stage, relevant parties, including Israel, need to follow the overwhelming trend of peace and stability in the region and do more to help Iran and the US implement the deal and promote stage two negotiations, rather than the other way around,” Jian stated.”————–
Ukraine and World Affairs (including Iran/ME): Weekly Update
19th June 2026
Dr. Rob Campbell
https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-and-world-affairs-including————
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ParticipantHezbollah’s Greatest Hits
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ParticipantUS and Iran sign the Memorandum of (Mis)Understanding, but Trump says the quiet part out loud
Plus news and updates from USrael and Lebanon
Ismaele
Jun 17, 2026https://geopolitiq.substack.com/p/trump-releases-the-full-text-of-the
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ParticipantTrying to understand/trying to get along
“.. maqluba (a deal, flipping the rice) or muqlaba (no deal, flipping the peace)..”
One hand washes the other
– Peace/War, Love/Hate, Lend/Borrow, Corrupt/Honest, Win/Lose, Incompetence/Competence—————- READ MORE …
Nigel Farage’s ‘White Britain’: A long-overdue step in the right direction
The Reform UK leader’s manifesto outlines the hard reality many conservative thinkers have warned about for decades
Published 16 Jun, 2026 19:55
Constantin von Hoffmeister
By Constantin von Hoffmeister, a political and cultural commentator from Germany, author of the book The Fate of White America and director of Multipolar Presshttps://web.archive.org/web/20260617053844/https://www.rt.com/news/641695-farage-white-brits-right/
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https://web.archive.org/web/20260616161253/https://www.rt.com/news/641674-nigel-farage-white-brits/
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JUST WHEN YOU WERE STARTING TO UNDERSTAND – IT CHANGED
Russia’s New Warning Shot From Space
Posted Jun 15, 2026 by Martin ArmstrongEvery major power understands that controlling information, communications, and navigation systems may prove more decisive than controlling territory itself.
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ParticipantFor me, it’s unbelievable the # of people who want war and don’t want peace.
They talk peace but don’t do anything to achieve peace.
They threaten war if everything is not going to happen as per their demands.
They accuse everyone of being liars and not being trustworthy.I’m still waiting for peace to overcome the hate and the killing and the destruction.
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ParticipantIran warns USrael against violations of the memorandum
Plus news and updates from Lebanon and Israel
Ismaele
Jun 16, 2026https://geopolitiq.substack.com/p/iran-warns-usrael-against-violations
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ParticipantI’m waiting for peace.
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ParticipantUS wants to end support for the proxies.
Duuuuu!
Israel is a proxy.zerosum
ParticipantAre people being subtlety manipulation against being gun owners and hunting deer?
Did you hear the following TV, Radio messages?
The ticks that cause red meat allergy are primarily associated with alpha-gal syndrome.Here are the key points:
Lone Star Tick: This is the most common tick responsible for causing alpha-gal syndrome, leading to allergic reactions to red meat and other mammalian products
.
Blacklegged Tick: Also known as the deer tick, it has been reported to cause alpha-gal syndrome in some cases
.
Western Blacklegged Tick: Similar to the blacklegged tick, it may also be involved in triggering this allergy
.
Alpha-gal Sugar: The tick’s saliva can transmit a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the bloodstream, which the immune system may react to, resulting in an allergy to red meat
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Ticks and deer exhibit a parasitic symbiosis, a type of interaction where one species benefits at the expense of the other. Ticks rely on deer for blood meals, which are essential for their survival, development, and reproduction, while deer do not gain any benefit and may experience physiological stress when heavily infested. This relationship is critical for the life cycle of many tick species, particularly the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), commonly known as the deer tick
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ParticipantEveryone has a story.
This is my story.The memorandum of understanding, (MoU) is a 1-1/2 page framework, that will gives 60 days for lawyers, to draw up a ceasefire and peace agreement between Iran and U.S.
(Israel rejects all terms)—————
US and Iran agree on peace roadmap to reopen Hormuz,
Israel rejects all terms: Live updateshttps://web.archive.org/web/20260615121013/https://www.rt.com/news/641542-iran-peace-deal-updates/
————-CNBC is reporting that a deal between the US and Iran has been electronically signed by Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
According to an unnamed US official, the US-Iran MOU provides for the ‘immediate’ reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, however – while President Trump said earlier that ships were beginning to move, the US official then said that reopening the strait would ‘take time’ due to mines, and that we can expect an increase in strait traffic over the next 1-2 weeks.—————-
(The US midterm elections are 81 days after the expiry of the 60 day.)
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Why Did the Smartest AI in the World Just Go Dark?
Stephen Green
https://pjmedia.com/vodkapundit/2026/06/15/why-did-the-smartest-ai-in-the-world-just-go-dark-n4953976#google_vignetteTwo of the most powerful large language models in the world just got yanked from service, starting with a national security directive from the United States government during the Friday night news dump.
To suspend all access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 by any foreign national, whether inside or outside the United States, including foreign national Anthropic employees,” Anthropic said in a statement.TO PREVENT YOU FROM FINDING SECRETS!
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drug addiction in Ukraine
https://web.archive.org/web/20260615051336/https://www.rt.com/russia/641524-ukraine-army-drug-addiction-opioids/
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ParticipantIt’s so hot in B.C. that I’m sweating.
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ParticipantConfirmed:
Three oil tankers + two cargo ships entered Iran after blockade lift
A multi‑source roundup (11 sources aggregated by NewsCord) confirms that:Three Iranian oil tankers
Two Iranian cargo ships
crossed the Strait of Hormuz and entered Iranian ports after the U.S. began lifting the naval blockade.
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ParticipantIran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spox Baghhaei
Said it knows who bears full responsibility for any violation of the ceasefire by the US allies in the region?
Will it make any difference?
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ParticipantIs Israel telling the truth? – Going to keep killing and destroying everyone who is not “the chosen peoples”
Will Iran do as it said it will do to Israel for keeping doing its war against all non-chosen peoples.zerosum
ParticipantUSrael sabotages Memorandum of (Mis)Understanding with Iran before signing it
Plus news and updates from Lebanon, Somalia and Somaliland.
Ismaele
Jun 14, 2026https://geopolitiq.substack.com/p/usrael-sabotages-memorandum-of-misunderstanding
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ParticipantA DOUBLE EDGE SWORD
a diplomatic solution
The approach is trust nothing, verify everything, and tie every concession to compliance.
The MOU is structured as a step-by-step framework, meaning the Hormuz maritime chokepoint will reopen first, followed by economic rewards for Iran as conditions are met.
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Critical Thinking.Where did the money come from?
1. New money?
2. From sale of other investments?(The money Musk and everyone else made from the IPO came from the market, not from unwilling American citizens or taxpayers.
It came from institutional investors through mutual and index funds, universities, large pension funds, and millions of willing individual investors.
People invested because they hoped to make profits at some later point.)
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ParticipantOf course … strait will be “Tarif free”.
Iran can impose an “insurance fee”
Al Jazeera reports that Iran has created a new authority — the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) — and is preparing to offer maritime insurance for ships transiting Hormuz, with payments in cryptocurrency.
Iran can charge an “administrative fee.”
administrative or processing fees — Iran charges for “verification,” “screening,” and “documentation.”
Iran can charge an “escort fee”.
Reporting shows Iran has demanded security fees or escort fees for safe passage, sometimes reaching up to $2 million per transit for large tankers.
Iran has built the institutional machinery (PGSA) to formalize them.
This is Iran’s long‑term strategy:
No tariffs — but paid services everywhere.Bottom line
Beyond insurance, administrative, and escort fees, Iran can also impose:environmental fees
congestion fees
safety inspection fees
pilotage fees
anchorage fees
tracking/data fees
certification fees
currency conversion fees
arbitration fees
emergency response fees
All of these are legal, non‑tariff, and highly profitable.
Iran is building a service‑based revenue model:
No tariffs
No explicit taxes
But dozens of mandatory services
This is exactly how:
the Suez Canal Authority
the Panama Canal Authority
Singapore MPA
Turkish Straits authorities
…all generate revenue.
Iran is simply applying the same model to the world’s most critical chokepoint.
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ParticipantLet’s keep an eye on the insurance industry.
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ParticipantIt will take time.
Watch for the preparations for ceasefire/peace or continuing the war
with the signing planned for June 19.– According to the agreements reached, the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will end immediately and permanently from tonight, and furthermore, the naval blockade against Iran will be immediately and completely lifted.
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ParticipantThere must be money on the table?
Unfreezing account is no money on the table.zerosum
ParticipantA wheel within a wheel a rolling …
Is trump just trying to avoid Iran retaliation on Israel by claiming, ”a peace deal ”?
And will Trump succeed.zerosum
ParticipantIn the past, US/Israel had Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Oman as proxies.
Due to their actions, US/Israel, they are losing their friends.
On the other hand, Iran has a growing proxies.zerosum
ParticipantIf I can’t have it then neither can you …
… this obsession of destroying instead of building!
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ParticipantAll credible reporting now agrees on a single answer — the signing of MO? is scheduled for Friday, 19 June 2026, in Switzerland.
( unless a major new escalation forces a delay. )
Source: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump.zerosum
ParticipantThe Trump team needs this conflict resolved quickly, not only to prevent another wave of inflationary pressure in energy markets and avert the world from sliding into an energy cliff, but also to repair the political optics ahead of the midterms.
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ParticipantBraking News
“Trump:
The attack that occurred this morning in Beirut should not have happened, especially on a special day when we are so close to a peace agreement with Iran. Israel has the right to defend itself from threats, but the attack it responded t
o was small and insignificant; No one was injured, neither injured nor killed, and it should not be allowed to disrupt this important operation.We are very close to an agreement that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon, and all parties must show restraint. There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by anyone else, including Hezbollah, against Israel.
This could be the beginning of a long, beautiful peace — don’t ruin it!”
Thank you for your interest in this topic.
President Donald J. Trump.”
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