_____________________________________________ Proverbs 3:31 "Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."
December 17, 2025, 08:22 PM
ibanda
President Trump announcing we had a good year financially due to tariffs and that a $1776 "Warrior Dividend" is going to every service member. If we had a good year and someone gets a Christmas bonus I'm bappy for those who are serving.
"The left can't applaud me because their hands are in other people's pockets." - Javier Milei
There was a lot of buzz online yesterday, on twitter about Trump announcing a "war", which I thought was far-fetched. But now I know the reason .
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
US Announces Over $10B Arms Sales Package for Taiwan
The Trump administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion that includes medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones, drawing an angry response from China.
The State Department announced the sales late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump, who made scant mention of foreign policy issues and did not speak about China or Taiwan at all. U.S.-Chinese tensions have ebbed and flowed during Trump's second term, largely over trade and tariffs but also over China's increasing aggressiveness toward Taiwan, which Beijing has said must reunify with the mainland.
If approved by Congress, it would be the largest-ever U.S. weapons package to Taiwan, exceeding the total amount of $8.4 billion in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during the Biden administration.
The eight arms sales agreements announced Wednesday cover 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS, and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS — similar to what the U.S. had been providing Ukraine during the Biden administration to defend itself from Russia — worth more than $4 billion. They also include 60 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment worth more than $4 billion and drones valued at more than $1 billion.
Other sales in the package include military software valued at more than $1 billion, Javelin and TOW missiles worth more than $700 million, helicopter spare parts worth $96 million and refurbishment kits for Harpoon missiles worth $91 million.
The eight sales agreements amount to $11.15 billion, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.
The State Department said the sales serve "U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability."
"The proposed sale(s) will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," the statements said.
China's Foreign Ministry attacked the move, saying it would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the U.S.; gravely harm China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; and undermine regional stability.
"The 'Taiwan independence' forces on the island seek independence through force and resist reunification through force, squandering the hard-earned money of the people to purchase weapons at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
"This cannot save the doomed fate of 'Taiwan independence' but will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war. The U.S. support for 'Taiwan Independence' through arms will only end up backfiring. Using Taiwan to contain China will not succeed," he added.
Under federal law, the U.S. is obligated to assist Taiwan with its self-defense, a point that has become increasingly contentious with China, which has vowed to take Taiwan by force, if necessary.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry in a statement Thursday expressed gratitude to the U.S. over the arms sale, which it said would help Taiwan maintain "sufficient self-defense capabilities" and bring strong deterrent capabilities. Taiwan's bolstering of its defense "is the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability," the ministry said.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung similarly thanked the U.S. for its "long-term support for regional security and Taiwan's self-defense capabilities," which he said are key for deterring a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the body of water separating Taiwan from China's mainland.
The arms sale comes as Taiwan's government has pledged to raise defense spending to 3.3% of the island's gross domestic product next year and to reach 5% by 2030. The boost came after Trump and the Pentagon requested that Taiwan spend as much as 10% of its GDP on its defense, a percentage well above what the U.S. or any of its major allies spend on defense. The demand has faced pushback from Taiwan's opposition KMT party and some of its population.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te last month announced a special $40 billion budget for arms purchases, including to build an air defense system with high-level detection and interception capabilities called Taiwan Dome. The budget will be allocated over eight years, from 2026 to 2033.
The U.S. boost in military assistance to Taiwan was previewed in legislation adopted by Congress that Trump is expected to sign shortly.
Last week, the Chinese embassy in Washington denounced the legislation, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it unfairly targeted China as an aggressor. The U.S. Senate passed the bill Wednesday.
SIGforum: For all your needs! Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>
December 18, 2025, 10:01 AM
snwghst
quote:
Originally posted by ibanda: President Trump announcing we had a good year financially due to tariffs and that a $1776 "Warrior Dividend" is going to every service member. If we had a good year and someone gets a Christmas bonus I'm bappy for those who are serving.
While I believe it’s deserved. The funds are not coming from tariffs. It’s 2.5B rebranded that was earmarked to rehab barracks, base schools, subsidise increase BAH. Just a shell game
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Live today as if it may be your last and learn today as if you will live forever
December 18, 2025, 12:29 PM
PASig
Not sure why people on the Republican side still continue to let themselves get ambushed and treated like this. By this point EVERY person with an (R) associated with their name should know that they are NEVER EVER going to get a fair shake from the media and this will always happen. You simply cannot expect these snakes to ever change their ways:
Sen. Lankford to Newsmax: Economy Turning Corner as Trump Policies Kick In
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said Thursday morning to Newsmax that Americans are already feeling tangible economic relief under President Donald Trump, arguing that lower prices and stronger hiring are no accident but the result of deliberate policy changes.
Appearing on "Wake Up America," Lankford credited the Trump administration and Congress with reversing what he described as years of economic damage under former President Joe Biden.
Lankford said voters are noticing the difference at the grocery store, the gas pump, and in their paychecks, particularly as inflation pressures ease.
He contrasted current conditions with the previous administration's record, saying, "It's not happening anymore. We had 21% inflation under Joe Biden."
He emphasized that Trump's economic message is resonating because it reflects real-world experience.
"What President Trump came out to say last night was, you feel the difference that's happening now," Lankford said, referring to the president's Wednesday night address to the nation. "That's not accidental."
According to Lankford, those gains stem from coordinated action across government rather than market forces alone.
"This is just not something that just occurred on its own," he said, pointing to "changes in tax policy, dealing with differences in trade policy, putting leverage on companies to be able to add additional hiring here in the United States."
He added that targeted efforts to reduce everyday costs are paying off. "Working with food companies to be able to bring the price down," Lankford said, has helped families stretched thin by years of rising prices.
Lankford shared a personal example from back home to illustrate the dramatic shift.
"In Oklahoma City last weekend when I was home, I paid $1.97 for gasoline," he said. "I cannot remember the last time I got gas that began with a dollar on it."
Looking ahead, Lankford said Americans can expect even more relief in 2026 as provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect.
"Americans will feel it very, very quickly when they're filing their taxes next year," he said, citing "no tax on tips, no tax on overtime" as immediate benefits.
He said law enforcement officers and first responders who rely heavily on overtime will see fast relief, while working seniors will benefit as well.
"Those seniors will now not be paying taxes on their working income if they're also receiving Social Security," Lankford said.
Small businesses, farmers, and ranchers also stand to gain from immediate deductions for major capital expenses, which Lankford said will "make a huge difference in hiring and investment."
"There will be a very definite feeling that things have shifted on this as we go into next year," said Lankford, adding that Americans should also expect improvements tied to auto insurance, loans, and interest rates, especially for American-made vehicles.
SIGforum: For all your needs! Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>
Wow! I didn’t even realize there was a trial, already. Now, that’s what we call a speedy trial. Bet bitch was counting on getting back on her bench, what with all that smiling and smirking, but sweet justice lowered the boom on you. Say adios to your career.
The outcome of the Dugan case in Milwaukee shows you the difference between a federal trial and a state trial.
She would never have been convicted in Milwaukee county had the case been in state court.
But a federal case in Milwaukee draws jurors from the following additional counties:
Marquette Green Lake Fond du Lac Sheboygan Dodge Washington Ozaukee Waukesha Walworth Racine Kenosha
There's a lot of Trump Country in those counties. She was not guaranteed a "friendly" juror pool.
December 19, 2025, 09:42 AM
Lefty Sig
Now let's arrest the members of Congress, the mayors, the city councilmen, and everyone else that is obstructing Federal law enforcement.
December 19, 2025, 11:02 AM
Pipe Smoker
quote:
Originally posted by Lefty Sig: Now let's arrest the members of Congress, the mayors, the city councilmen, and everyone else that is obstructing Federal law enforcement.
You seriously think that could happen?
Serious about crackers.
December 19, 2025, 11:27 AM
Lefty Sig
quote:
Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
quote:
Originally posted by Lefty Sig: Now let's arrest the members of Congress, the mayors, the city councilmen, and everyone else that is obstructing Federal law enforcement.
.