Comments on: All we are saying, is give war a chance https://habitablezone.com/2025/09/05/all-we-are-saying-is-give-war-a-chance/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:30:43 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2025/09/05/all-we-are-saying-is-give-war-a-chance/#comment-54267 ER Tue, 09 Sep 2025 21:20:19 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=107011#comment-54267 The American press blamed the explosion on the Spaniards because they wanted an excuse for the US to go to war with Spain. The American government knew perfectly well there was no evidence of foul play, but succumbed to public pressure, more out of lazyness than malice. The Spaniards blamed the Cubans for trying to bring the US into the war. The Cubans, who wanted US intervention, blamed the Spaniards. After the war ended, the Cubans blamed the Americans for manufacturing an excuse (by killing their own sailors) to go to war with Spain. That's the story I heard from my family. What probably happened was an accidental coal dust explosion in the ship's fuel bunkers or fire rooms, an incident that was extremely common in industrial boilers and coal mines in those days. At certain concentrations, floating coal dust in confined spaces can explode due to a stray spark or a sailor lighting his pipe. Grain silos also blow up unexpectedly for the same reason. No one knows exactly who was responsible for the loss of the Maine, but in the end it probably doesn't really matter. The American press blamed the explosion on the Spaniards because they wanted an excuse for the US to go to war with Spain. The American government knew perfectly well there was no evidence of foul play, but succumbed to public pressure, more out of lazyness than malice. The Spaniards blamed the Cubans for trying to bring the US into the war. The Cubans, who wanted US intervention, blamed the Spaniards. After the war ended, the Cubans blamed the Americans for manufacturing an excuse (by killing their own sailors) to go to war with Spain. That’s the story I heard from my family.

What probably happened was an accidental coal dust explosion in the ship’s fuel bunkers or fire rooms, an incident that was extremely common in industrial boilers and coal mines in those days. At certain concentrations, floating coal dust in confined spaces can explode due to a stray spark or a sailor lighting his pipe. Grain silos also blow up unexpectedly for the same reason.

No one knows exactly who was responsible for the loss of the Maine, but in the end it probably doesn’t really matter.

]]> By: podrock https://habitablezone.com/2025/09/05/all-we-are-saying-is-give-war-a-chance/#comment-54261 podrock Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:09:21 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=107011#comment-54261 Obviously looking for a reason to fight. That's what bullies do. Will they totally make up a Tonkin Gulf Incident? Will Venezuela take the bait? Obviously looking for a reason to fight. That’s what bullies do. Will they totally make up a Tonkin Gulf Incident? Will Venezuela take the bait?

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2025/09/05/all-we-are-saying-is-give-war-a-chance/#comment-54258 ER Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:05:47 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=107011#comment-54258 I cannot see how a boat that small could make it from Venezuela to the USA. And it is an open boat, with limited space for fuel, cargo AND crew. And don't forget, we're at the height of hurricane season. I cannot see how a boat that small could make it from Venezuela to the USA. And it is an open boat, with limited space for fuel, cargo AND crew. And don’t forget, we’re at the height of hurricane season.

]]> By: podrock https://habitablezone.com/2025/09/05/all-we-are-saying-is-give-war-a-chance/#comment-54257 podrock Sat, 06 Sep 2025 03:26:15 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=107011#comment-54257 He wants the Peace Prize so much that he wants to start a war. I fear there is some fashion designer out there spending their days creating his faux military uniform. That's next, right? He wants the Peace Prize so much that he wants to start a war. I fear there is some fashion designer out there spending their days creating his faux military uniform.

That’s next, right?

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