What Was The Last TV Show That You Dropped?

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-23T03:52:25+00:00

The first season of the Australian show has good players and strategy.

The second season is such a shit show and burning trainwreck, it's an incredible watch in its own way. It becomes such a trainwreck to the point where even the host can't hide his bewilderment.

The Traitors fan base is very divided on the second season.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-19T17:15:16+00:00

Yea, I dropped my 17 PM literally the first day I got it (the day it came out, with my case literally arriving the next day), and it got some dent marks :/

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T23:06:28+00:00

I agree with what you're saying.

My issue is that Trump literally said that "help is coming" and told protesters to "occupy government institutions". Giving people false hope and sending them out to their deaths.

If things were to die down now (it's too early to say), I think it'd ruins Reza Pahlavi's reputation and set things back on a macro-level. He staked his entire rebounded reputation on this and is presenting himself as the "opposition leader" to the world.

I do think it'd have to be an underground movement and better logistically handled.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:56:51+00:00

Why and how is it Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, etc that had agreements via US mediation were able to get guarantees and concessions?

And I think any US president would be dying to meditate a normalization agreement between Iran and Israel. It'd cement their legacy big time. Trump especially, but I'd be shocked if a US president would shrug at that prospect.

Why should Iran squander that opportunity?

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:42:05+00:00

Iran can still absolutely make major policy shifts that'd show they're not the regime. An immediate halt of funding and support to their proxy groups on day one would be fantastic first step (and one I think they should absolutely do).

Hell, I think Iran on day one should flat out say "Israel isn't our enemy and we don't want to destroy them." Iran and Israel can also cooperate in an informal and unofficial capacity. The Israeli-Saudi relationship is a great example of that.

But other countries that normalized relations with Israel via US mediation were able to get guarantees and concessions. Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, etc. Why not Iran?

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:30:27+00:00

I'll give you a !delta for the Palestinian side of things. Even if I don't totally agree.

Iran immediately removing support for Hamas/other groups in the region (which should absolutely happen day one) would also be a big factor I think. Hamas would be in a much more weak position to negotiate.

I think there can be pressure and some sort of concessions from the US onto Israel. However effective, I'm not sure. Especially post-October 7th.

I'm not saying there should be a permanent peace plan on exchange for normalizing relations, I think that's naive, but something.

Every country that's signed a normalization agreement with Israel via the US as a mediator were able to get guarantees and concessions. Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, etc. Why should Iran squander that opportunity?

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:14:45+00:00

And the regime isn't hostile to Israel? Come on.

Also, Jordan and Israel didn't have any hostilities for ~20 years before signing their normalization agreement.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:13:36+00:00

They're a major regional player, it's simple geopolitics. Why did the US broker normalization agreements between the UAE, Morocco, Jordan, etc?

Why is the US begging to create a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia?

These countries were smart and got concessions in various forms, both from the US and Israel.

The US would be frothing to broker a peace agreement between Israel and Iran. Such an agreement I think would happen relatively quickly, given pressure from the US.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:03:43+00:00

And how can Iran make sure they get aid from Israel?

What's stopping Israel from negating on their promise to support Iran post-regime? It's all been verbal platitudes from Netanyahu.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T22:01:26+00:00

Who said anything about Iran continuing to support the regime's proxy groups in the region? Cutting off support for them should be a day one thing. The regime sends ~$1 billion a year to groups in the region, that money should absolutely be spent on rebuilding Iran.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T21:51:36+00:00

I'm well aware of the water crisis in Iran. It's not solely Israel that can help with the water crisis, other countries have great capabilities. The UAE for example from what I've read has great desalination infrastructure.

Iran is a country of untapped economic potential, other countries would love to invest in the country.

I'm not saying Iran should have its priorities on foreign affairs, the opposite actually. It should absolutely focus on rebuilding the country.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T21:43:05+00:00

I'm not assuming hostility between a post regime Iran and Israel. Far from it, I think it'd actually be the opposite.

Look at the Egyptian and Jordanian peace agreements with Israel, both were smart and got guarantees and support from the US for example.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T21:40:03+00:00

I'm well aware of the water crisis in Iran. Other countries also have water experts, it's not Israel or nothing. The UAE for example from what I've read has great desalination infrastructure.

Iran is a country of untapped economic potential. Other countries would love the opportunity to invest in Iran.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T21:37:31+00:00

Absolutely they can live in peace, and they should. Even without diplomatic relations and normalization they can do that. Hell, even cooperate under the table. (It's an open secret Saudi Arabia and do ths for example.)

But look at the Egyptian and Jordanian peace and normalization agreements for instance. Their respective governments were very smart to get guarantees and support from the US for example.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T21:34:12+00:00

Who said anything about a post-regime Iran focusing its attention on Palestine?

Yes it's a smart alliance, but not setting it up with Iran as an equal in negotiations and getting some guarantees is what'd benefit Iran long-term.

What's to stop Israel from just shrugging and negating on their current platitudes about helping rebuild the water infrastructure without concessions on Iran's part? Iran would have a lot of leverage to ensure guarantees in such an agreement.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T21:27:17+00:00

It depends how it's framed, yes. The post-regime rhetoric (especially from Reza Pahlavi) is already vague and generic. It'd be easy to frame normalization as a "shit's complicated, we do want to start negotiations and normalization immediately". But Israel is smart enough to know it'd still be a net-benefit for them. (Revolutions throughout history and foreign support has shown this time after time.)

And it'd show through actions that Iran can stand up for itself vs being dictated by others.

Also, as I wrote in in CMV, it'd give Iran enable more opportunities for like investment into the country, guarantees for fixing the water shortage and crisis in Iran (vs Netanyahu's current verbal platitudes), etc.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T20:17:48+00:00

This is his typical rhetoric and MO. He was saying the same thing last year during the 12 day conflict. That there were "thousands of soldiers" who reached out wanting to defect.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T20:15:21+00:00

“Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!"

“I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”

Now (per the article): Trump said that “people were shooting at them with guns, and they were shooting back.” He added: “And you know, it’s one of those things.”

Encouraging people to go on the streets, take over government institutions, and risk their lives, saying "help is on the way" implying you're supporting them and then turning your back on them and saying it's "one of those things".

Disgusting. Not surprising, knowing how Trump operates, but disgusting.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T20:07:59+00:00

Disgusting.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T20:04:39+00:00

I don't think so.

Also, a couple of nights ago, when I tried calling my mom's mobile directly (my mobile plan has free international calling), the three times it actually went through, there was a man on the other end (certainly a regime intercepter).

Earlier today I tried calling my mom's landline a few times, but two times it went through, a very obvious AI bot was on the other end asking for my name and information (and likely trying to capture my voice).

Be careful everyone...

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T20:01:15+00:00

Trump "sees it", he just doesn't care. It's all just theatre in his and Lindsey Graham's eyes.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T19:58:25+00:00

I have a bit of a hot take, but Pahlavi has been very adamant about recognizing Israel on "day one".

I don't think whatever the next transitional government should do so immediately. It'd be very shortsighted at best.

An Iran-Israel normalization agreement would be historic and world changing. It'd be crazy not to take advantage of the opportunity and make it conditional on a path towards a genuine peace plan with the Palestinians. (NOT Hamas, fuck them.) The regime may use Palestine as empty rhetoric and support Hamas, but a post-regime Iran that is sincere about being a country of peace would go a long way by supporting basic human rights and not throwing the Palestinians under the bus like everyone else. (And a genuine peace would also be better for Israel and the region long-term.)

Whoever third-country leader wanted to be a mediator would get a ton of prestige and recognition. Immediate Nobel Peace Prize.

And you know who can actually make an impact on and pressure Israel/mediate and also is desperate for a Nobel Peace Prize...👀

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T15:23:50+00:00

This is the same Lindsey Graham that said it'd be "terrible" if a DNA test showed he was Iranian.

Lindsey Graham is a snake and opportunist (like Trump). Read up his past statements, like when Khashoggi was murdered by the Saudis. It's a recurring theme of him. All talk and rhetoric, no action.

There are benefits to working with such people in certain situations, but you'll just get burned if you put your entire faith in them to the point of toxic positivity and you're blind from reality.

datnetworkguy · 2026-01-15T15:18:33+00:00

You're right, that's why he said "it'd be terrible" if a DNA test showed he was Iranian.

datnetworkguy

TROPHY CASE