The Casino That Bombed Persia

Language Matters by Elias Winter · May 25, 2026 · 59m

1. The Trial of the Very Serious People

In America, no one causes a war.

Wars happen. They emerge, like weather systems, recessions, opioid epidemics, and mysterious accounting irregularities. A war arrives already wrapped in passive voice. Mistakes were made. Intelligence was assessed. Options were considered. Concerns were raised. Red lines were crossed. The situation deteriorated. Escalation became unavoidable.

No one did anything.

The donor donated. The columnist opined. The think tank fellow warned. The senator expressed grave concern. The newspaper provided context. The editor…