Fundamentalists in both Iran and USA have dragged us into war.

I think we would have been better off if we had waited out the morbid fundamentalist regime, in Iran, as it was likely to crumble from within. Instead, our own morbid, fundamentalist values have brought us national leadership that has led us into war. This, instead, is likely to strengthen anti American sentiment in Iran and around the world.

Trump is now trying a new marketing strategy of winning the war. Still, we are facing headwinds. Allies, in Canada, Europe and so forth may now be reluctant to help us reopen the straits of Hormuz after our berating of allies.

Oil prices are climbing, similar to during my college years of the 1970s.

Back in my college years, we had what could be considered kinder presidents, even Nixon, Ford and eventually Carter.

Carter's kindness was thought of, by many, as weakness. The 1979 revolution in Iran lead to the hostage crisis which put Carter in a bad situation, as if not being appreciated for his style.

I remember when Carter's attempt to rescue the hostages resulted in the unfortunate helicopter crash leading to a botched mission. Now, we have news of a military plane crash, in Iraq, that was likely accidental as well. War can be very messy.

Eventually the hostages were released given a combination, on our side, of a willingness to negotiate plus the threat of a heavy stick from the incoming Regan Administration. Promise of returning money, we had impounded from Iran, was part of that deal.

Back to this era, even if we are able to reopen Hormuz, insurance premiums on oil tankers traveling through that route will be high. Our own insurance companies are likely to still try and bring us accurate assessment of the situation as they calculate risk. This situation seems similar to insurance companies still setting premiums due to risks related to climate change in various regions. Homeowner insurance rising in flood and fire prone regions.

At least we still have, for the most part, a free and diverse media so different perspectives can be presented. There is some attempt to use the FCC to try and squelch the expression of diverse opinions even in our own country.

My own take on the news I woke up to this morning. I still try and focus more on whatever good news I find in the vast amount of news we are exposed to each day.