On Oct.7 Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel killing innocent civilians and kidnapping others. It was one of the most brutal attacks since the advent of ISIS. But it wasn’t just the loss of life that was so horrendous but also the loss of something less tangible, hope. Hope for normalizing relations between Israel and the rest of the Arab world. Some speculate that it was the possibility of that which led Hamas to conduct this attack now.
Israel has responded with massive force, pummeling Gaza with airstrikes. While it is understandable that Israel would need to bring to justice those who perpetrated the Oct.7 attack the humanitarian catastrophe that is now Gaza is not justice. It will not bring any solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, it will only feed hate. Just as Hamas wants. Hamas has been using the people of Gaza as human shields and by bombing Gaza Israel has fallen into the trap set by them.
As I type this the anger around the world towards Israel is growing stronger. There are protests in many countries and fears of the war between Hamas and Israel spreading in the region are growing. Attacks against American forces in the region by Iranian proxies have escalated leading the US to respond with missile strikes. The US has sent ships to the Mediterranean Sea as a warning to Hezbollah, but fighting is now occurring on the Israel Lebanon border between Israel and Hezbollah.
As of this writing there are over 200 hostages being held by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza. Hamas has also been refusing to allow American citizens to leave Gaza. They too are being used as human shields. I would say this really is not working for Hamas.
None of this has been of benefit to anyone except perhaps Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine has been going rather badly for Russia. The Middle East going up in flames is something that would certainly distract the world from his own brutal war.
The realities of the suffering of the people:
One Minnesota family's tragedy
The protest at a Russian airport which, as rumor has it, may have bought those arrested a one way ticket to the Ukrainian front line.
102 comments:
"The US has sent ships to the Mediterranean Sea as a
warning to Hezbollah."
I think that warning was meant for Iran.
We've already shot down one Houthi (Iranian proxy) missile intended for Israel (from a warship in the Indian Ocean); Israel shot down a second one yesterday.
And Putin has taken to claiming that Sunday's airport riot in the city of Makhachkala (Dagestan) was the work of the Ukrainians. (This seems to hint that he's no longer in control of what happens in Russia's peripheral regions--not to mention his recent inability to influence events in the Azerbaijani/Armenian conflict.) This may not be useful to Putin either; he may be too involved elsewhere to deal with this new mess. He may be overstretched already.
And I've been reading that Netanyahu's taken a serious hit on his own popularity with the Israeli voters.
Lot of regional leaders facing some serious pressure over this new Hamas/Israeli war. Politicians under serious pressure sometimes make stupid mistakes.
This could get out of hand real quick.
And Putin has taken to claiming that Sunday's airport riot in the city of Makhachkala (Dagestan) was the work of the Ukrainians. (This seems to hint that he's no longer in control of what happens in Russia's peripheral regions--not to mention his recent inability to influence events in the Azerbaijani/Armenian conflict.)
Putin has been robbing Peter to pay Paul. He has drawn many of the forces now serving in Ukraine from Russia's "peripheral regions". It is likely that Dagestan is now a little short on security forces as so many seem to disappear and never come back.
I am sure that anything that upends the status quo in Russia now will be the work of the Ukrainians in Putin's propaganda.
And I've been reading that Netanyahu's taken a serious hit on his own popularity with the Israeli voters.
Not surprising, he did seem to take his eye off the ball. I have not had a high opinion of him since he started to mess with Israel's judicial system.
Some foreign nationals and wounded Palestinians have been allowed to leave Gaza starting today. That is good news.
I would still like to see Israel tighten up its tactics, though. I don't know if they just don't have the special forces capability or what, but their bombing campaign seems to be as indiscriminate as the Russians. I have no sympathy for Hamas but the Palestinians they have used as human shields have had little choice in this. Gaza is not a democracy.
"Gaza is not a democracy."
Yeah, well, the Gazans haven't exactly been clambering for democracy these past few decades. If they're united in any common political desire it's for the destruction of Israel and the slaughter of the Israeli. That'd probably get a higher 'in-favor-of' rating than about any other question one might ask them except for whether their refugee pay from the United Nations should be immediately and substantially increased.
(It's been said that only about a quarter of Gazans support Hamas (or will admit to it when polled). That's about the same percentage as Americans who'll admit to supporting either the Republican or the Democratic parties. link But they still won't let American citizens, holding American passports, out of Gaza through the Rafah gate--maybe later they say.)
"I have not had a high opinion of [Netanyahu] since he
started to mess with Israel's judicial system."
I've had a seriously unfavorable opinion of him for a lot longer than that.
"Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law Russia's
withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin denied the conflict [with Ukraine]
had come to a stalemate."
DWNews(Deutsche Welle)
But they still won't let American citizens, holding American passports, out of Gaza through the Rafah gate--maybe later they say.
I heard that they had let out some Americans.
Yeah, well, the Gazans haven't exactly been clambering for democracy these past few decades.
Well, even if they did desire democracy it would be hard to achieve with Hamas breathing down their necks. All in all it seems many people in Gaza have drawn the short end of the stick.
But like the Republicans in the House who refuse to work with Democrats the Gazans don't seem to want to work with the Israelis either.
As they say, if you can't beat them join them.
I've had a seriously unfavorable opinion of him for a lot longer than that.
In truth I haven't been paying too close of attention to Israel and the Middle East problems lately. So Netanyahu hasn't really registered.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law Russia's
withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
You know, the problem with bullies is sometimes they run into someone who can't be bullied. But they just won't recognize that. At least not be for it's too late.
Meanwhile all of this may not really be the most serious threat to our future.
Planet is heating up faster than predicted.
Talk about fiddling while Rome burns.
"Ukraine’s top commander has acknowledged that his forces
are locked in a ‛stalemate’ with Russia…"
NYT
(Not too long; worth a read.)
"I heard that they had let out some Americans."
A few it seems. I'm not sure Hamas knew they were Americans.
Headline: "Biden weighs border deal — altering asylum
law for Ukraine aid"
Politico
You may recall that I've mentioned couple times the need to reform our asylum laws (and seriously beef up our administrative, immigration courts) before we could reasonably expect any administration to get a handle on the pile-up of illegal immigrants rushing our southern border, eager for the chance to just touch Trump's Wall (which would be proof that they're already in the United States--they touched the American wall--so they get to plead for asylum; they get to go to a court hearing in courts that're already back-logged for years because the Republicans won't fund the courts because some of the immigrants will be granted asylum, and that would inflame their right-wing crazie contingent. But, the right-wing crazies are already inflamed, so maybe this time…).
Anyway, I don't expect anybody's been following my argument here, but I saw this and thought 'Ah-ha'! Finally the subject is finding a little traction. (Maybe just a passing fad though.)
I found the original report on Gen. Valery Zaluzhny's remarks in TheEconomist. A little longer and more detailed. Worth the time if ya got the time.
(Maybe just a passing fad though.)
Or not. I think the mistake so many Republicans make is that Democrats are for open borders. Or they start to believe their own propaganda. I think what the Democrats are against is the border wall, which to them was a waste of money and came with environmental baggage that made it a rather bad idea. Plus they don't think it will work. It is logical to try to clear up the logjam at the border with beefed up judicial capability.
Yes, it would be a very good idea to get some handle on this before it gets worse. And worse it will get if we have extreme climate change just around the corner.
Worth the time if ya got the time.
I read it this morning. He makes good points. But like anything else you can't really predict how things will go. Yes, the world's attention is diverted. Yes, weapons may very well go to Israel that could have went to Ukraine. Yes, internal divisions in the US are an issue.
But never underestimate the problems faced by your enemy. They are not a monolith and there may be cracks that we cannot see. Or we do see but discount.
BTW, you wouldn't happen to know why an elecrtic hedge trimmer won't start? The power source it is plugged in to is good.
"…elecrtic hedge trimmer…"
Well, they don't have starters--just motors and a switch (and maybe some extra electronics depending on when they were made)
Does it make any noise--a hum or anything like that? If so you should first check to see if it's jammed (twigs caught in the teeth maybe)
"Air raid sirens have been sounded in occupied Crimea.
Subsequently, explosions were heard in Kerch, according to
local Telegram channels and Russian media.
"Initially, Russian propaganda agencies reported an air alarm
in occupied Crimea and the closure of the Crimean Bridge.
The so-called governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev,
also claimed that Russian forces had released a smoke screen
in the bay.
"Later, in Crimean Telegram channels, reports of explosions in
the occupied city of Kerch began to emerge. However,
propagandists insist that it is the work of air defense and claim
that all targets were allegedly hit. Meanwhile, local Telegram
channels mention smoke in the vicinity of the Crimean Bridge,
and it is currently unclear whether it is a smoke screen or not.
"Also, unconfirmed information from Telegram channels
suggests that after the explosions, there is smoke coming from
the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch.
"A video has also emerged on social media that allegedly
shows smoke over the Zaliv shipyard.
"The occupation head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, confirmed
the explosions in Kerch. According to him, it was claimed that
the air defense system was operating there, and the downed
missiles fell on shipbuilding plants.
"Meanwhile, local Telegram channels mention the strike on a
missile boat. According to eyewitnesses, a small missile boat
of the Karakurt project was targeted.
NewsUkraine
Does it make any noise--a hum or anything like that?
Nope. When I squeeze the start button there is nothing. It's deader than a doornail It's a freebie I got from a former co-worker a few years ago. It's sometimes not started right away in the past, but usually it did start. In fact I used it earlier this summer. Now, nada. *sigh* I might have to spring for a new one.
My first guess would be the switch then--'the start button' as you call it (or the trigger if it has a two-stage starting system--i.e. push the button and squeeze the trigger). Might work idea--try to get some WD-40 down into that 'start button', let it sit in there and spread itself around for awhile--hour maybe--might work, might not (and the trigger if it's got both). Otherwise get a new one or replace the 'button', whichever is your first choice.
Post Script: If you try the WD-40 idea remember to try the 'button' several times before you call it a failed attempt. Sometimes takes 'working' the button several times before it clears off whatever was restricting the electrical connection.
A video has also emerged on social media that allegedly
shows smoke over the Zaliv shipyard.
There is more word that Ukraine targeted the shipyard as well as the Russian warship. Both have been hit.
There is also word that there have been explosions in Rostov-on-Don. This is where the Russians moved 10 of their S-400 air defense systems. The hope is that these systems have been hit. Time will tell.
I'll try the WD-40 idea first. Thanks!
Let it 'rest' an hour maybe with the 'button' down from wherever you tried to get the WD-40 inside. Like water, WD-40 runs downhill.
Will do.
Apparently there is anger amongst the Arab-American community in Michigan toward Biden for supporting Israel.
While I have sympathy for the innocent people in Gaza I do not have sympathy for the stance of the Arab-American community who are, basically, saying they won't support Biden in 2024 if he doesn't try to force Israel to stop its actions in Gaza. Vote choices should be based on what is best for your country of citizenship and not used as blackmail.
Israel has the right to respond to Hamas' actions. Biden is right in that. I believe he has also tried to get Israel to be more careful with regard
to civilians in Gaza as well as allow in humanitarian relief. To blame him for what is happening there is wrong.
You're looking at one of the reasons I'm not much interested in opening the borders to refugees of all stripes and persuasions. I think we need to be more selective. We need to accept people who want to be Americans, not people who want to be Palestinian refugees in America (just to pick one example that comes quickly to mind). We don't need to be taking in bunches of folks who have no great love for democracy beyond voting for their side wins--right or wrong. That's not how it's supposed to work. (Not to pick on the Palestinians specifically, but the example happens to be ready at hand.)
Post Script:
"Vote choices should be based on what is best for your
country of citizenship…"
You have also tagged my primary objection to allowing dual citizenship for Americans. (Other nations can do as they please; I think Americans should owe their allegiance here. Americans should be Americans--if they want to be citizens of somewhere else, let 'em swap their citizenship, not spread their loyalties.)
Snippits:
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied that
the war against Russia has reached a stalemate.
"He hit back at claims that the conflict was becoming more
static during a surprise visit by European Commission chief
Ursula von der Leyen.
"He also dismissed reports from US media that Western
officials had broached the issue of potential peace
concessions with the Ukrainian government.
***
"Ukraine's armed forces said it stuck [sic] a shipyard in
Russian-occupied Crimea with 15 cruise missiles on Saturday.
"Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defense systems
destroyed 13 of the Ukrainian missiles.
"The Russian-installed governor of Crimea said downed
missile fragments landed on the dry dock in Kerch and added
that there were no casualties.
"However, Russian media reported that one of the newest
ships in the country's naval fleet, the Askold, was damaged in
the incident."
DWNews (Deutsch Welle)
I think I mentioned earlier that the drone swarm Russia had been bragging on downing last Saturday was probably a preview to a follow up missile strike. (Lee C. @ Sun Oct 29, 03:36 pm) previous thread
________________________________
"UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russian strikes are inflicting
unimaginable suffering on the people of Ukraine and more
than 40% of them need humanitarian assistance, a senior U.N.
official told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday."
AssociatedPress
But, they're not Palestinians.
We don't need to be taking in bunches of folks who have no great love for democracy beyond voting for their side wins--right or wrong.
Funny, there are many Republicans out there that resemble that remark. But, yes, I know what you are saying. It does seem that immigrants may at times be more concerned with what is happening in their home countries rather than their adopted one.
Anyone who really loves democracy would not be contemplating voting in such a way as to bring Trump and his cohorts back into power. They have been quite upfront about what they will do if they regain power.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied that
the war against Russia has reached a stalemate.
I believe Ben Hodges agrees with him. I may not be a military expert but I too wonder if people aren't missing some things when they say it is at a stalemate. It is a very hard slog, yes, but there are movements going on that may prove significant in the future.
But, they're not Palestinians.
I have noticed that there are people out there who seem to be willing to march in protest over Gaza but have little time for what is happening in Ukraine.
I'm also saying that a lot of the would-be refugees are pre-disposed to autocratic government.
Yes, in this I believe you are right. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. For those who are migrating because of economic disadvantages rather than political the idea of democracy may not be the motivator and they will continue on with the mentality they have grown up with.
We've got enough people already--all the land here is already owned--and the good, usable land is already being over used.
This is where I will have to disagree with you. We have far from enough workers. There are still jobs going begging.
Recently there was an article in my paper about an Ecuadorian immigrant who had relocated from New York to Minneapolis. New York is apparently offering free plane tickets to anywhere else. Anyway, he chose Minneapolis because he knows people here. This guy is a welder, a skill that is in demand right now. But the catch is that there is a waiting period of around 5 or 6 months before any immigrant can get the okay to work, legally that is.
If we have enough native born workers here I don't know where they are hiding. Probably somewhere playing on their cell phones.
At least most of the immigrants are motivated.
"There are still jobs going begging."
Not everybody's eager to spend their winters in Minnesota.
Russia has finally and formally withdrawn from the 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (a/k/a the 'CFE'). Reuters. The treat limited the troops and equipment which could be deployed in western Europe (although it didn't limit the stocks that could be maintained ready for shipment to Europe). It thus lowered the risk of a first strike by either either side. (The treaty had been 'suspended' by Russia in 2015, after Russia's invasion of Crimea, so this is not a significant surprise. Just one more indication that Putin wants no accommodations with 'the collective West'.)
And the Ukrainians sent another squad of drones out yesterday to probe Crimean air defenses. Reuters
I've said it before, and I'll probably have to say it again.
Donald Trump expected to beat Joe Biden in 2020 and to have another four years to overthrow the Constitution. That was going to be the main project of his second term. He thought he'd learned enough during the first term to pull that move off.
Now it turns out the media has finally begun to notice what he's been up to.
"Donald Trump and his allies have begun mapping out specific
plans for using the federal government to punish critics and
opponents should he win a second term, with the former
president naming individuals he wants to investigate or
prosecute and his associates drafting plans to potentially
invoke the Insurrection Act on his first day in office to allow
him to deploy the military against civil demonstrations."
WashingtonPost
That's right. He's planning to declare martial law on his first day in office. (Maybe the first day--maybe later, but it's comin' if he wins the Presidency again.) He'd always intended to stay on past his second term; and he doesn't plan to have to sit for an election again to do it. And he intends to name his successor. (Whether he gets to do that before he dies surprised is another question.)
Not everybody's eager to spend their winters in Minnesota.
Some people do seem strangely reluctant. I can't imagine why...
The treat limited the troops and equipment which could be deployed in western Europe...
In the short run probably not really significant, because I think as is the Ukraine war is limiting Russian troops and equipment that could be deployed on the borders of our NATO members.
The long run may be different.
He's planning to declare martial law on his first day in office.
The thought that Trump could again sit in the oval office is stomach turning. I can't believe the stupidity of the Americans who can't see him for what he is.
"I can't imagine why..."
It all comes down to the fact that the capitalists aren't offering the workers enough money. They didn't have any problem getting people to work in the Alaskan oil fields. They paid a premium and they got their labor needs filled.
Today though capitalists have been trained to expect to receive the profit margins they've been able to build up by piling the money into ever higher (and ever fewer) piles. Today's preferred way to get market share has been to buy it--one company buys another company (often with 'leveraged money') and the return on the dollar invested is higher than is the customary return on building a business and building a customer base. (There are exceptions for new business models, most of which do all they can to limit their need for employees--Amazon comes to mind--Tesla might be an example as well; lot fewer moving parts on electric vehicles; lot fewer employees to build 'em.)
Anyway, the capitalists have come to expect those kinds of returns on their investment dollar. Sharing a manufacturing enterprise's profits with the workers making the stuff doesn't tend to lead to those kinds of profits, so they clamp down on wages to try to get the profit margins back up into 'playing the stock market' territory.
The reason they can't get employees is that they're not offering enough money. And they don't intend to. Bringing in welders from Ecuador seems to them a better bargain.
Looks like the Democrats had a good night. Maybe some of the handwringing among the party's punditry will subside for awhile.
The reason they can't get employees is that they're not offering enough money. And they don't intend to. Bringing in welders from Ecuador seems to them a better bargain.
The age old question of how much is enough money. For all concerned.
Looks like the Democrats had a good night. Maybe some of the handwringing among the party's punditry will subside for awhile.
Despite the fact that my chosen school board candidate lost I was pleased with how it went overall. Yes, I am already getting tired of the talking heads having Biden losing already. There is a whole year to go, a lot can change in that time.
"I can't believe the stupidity of the Americans who can't see
him for what he is."
You keep comin' back to that. You'll never understand them until you finally get your head around the fact that the dedicated Trumpkins already know what he is. And they're okay with it. (And there is another batch of people who don't know squat about government or politics and don't care to, but 'don't care' isn't stupidity either; may be stupid, but it doesn't indicate a general stupidity.)
(It would appear that Tom Brokaw's 'Greatest Generation' didn't pass it along.)
________________________________
"The age old question of how much is enough money."
There's a classic Adam Smith approved hard-core free-market capitalist answer to that question, one which you know as well as I do. So I won't belabor the obvious.
________________________________
I did get a chance to watch the Republican debate last night. (It was broadcast by NBC in support of their two journalist/moderators.)
First time I've had the opportunity to see this guy Vivek Ramaswamy. He looks to be every bit as over-the-top as are DeSantis and Trump (and just as dangerously simplistic--channeling Tucker Carlson). Tim Scott was doing a fairly good impression of a right-wing Christian fundie, but only fairly good--not entirely convincing.
(Haley Barber and Chris Christie were still being Haley Barber and Chris Christie--professional politicians trying to remain professionally viable for whatever the unclear future brings them in the future, this in spite of the fact that neither of them are currently a threat to Trump's nomination.)
That lasted about an hour and a half, and then they kinda ran outta air. It seems that Republican Presidential candidates have a stamina limitation on how long they can maintain an hysterical rant at one sitting. That took Ramaswamy, DeSantis, and Scott all three down a notch as they had to start breathing again, unable to sustain their high-speed ranting without air. (Christie and Barber were still pluggin' along though.)
All in all I was not impressed.
Israel has begun sharing photographs (aerial and ground) with the U.N. showing Hamas' placement and use of rocket and missile launchers and some of what little artillery they have both adjacent to and inside of U.N. facilities in Gaza. CBSNews This includes U.N. operated schools for children as well as medical facilities. Israel says they have additional evidence of Hamas using medical facilities, ambulances, schools and other supposedly 'protected' sites not affiliated with the U.N. (I suppose that evidence will come later, but not until after those sites have been hit and cleared.)
You keep comin' back to that.
I do. I don't mean the dedicated Trumpkins. I know they are a lost cause. No, I mean those who still think they can switch from Biden to some Independent candidate or, God forbid Trump, because this is a normal election.
I am talking about those who think pocket book issues are still the most important.
I was pleased that some people have become more aware of what the overturning of Roe V Wade has cost and are starting to fight back. Yes, even Republican voters. I just don't want the next issue to be whether or not we remain a democracy. That would much harder to get back.
I did get a chance to watch the Republican debate last night.
I've seen a few clips. Enough to think it might have been interesting to watch, if only for the entertainment value.
All in all I was not impressed.
I suspect I would have come away with the same thought.
Israel has begun sharing photographs (aerial and ground) with the U.N. showing Hamas' placement and use of rocket and missile launchers and some of what little artillery they have both adjacent to and inside of U.N. facilities in Gaza.
Good idea. But I don't know if it will help. They will just say that the civilians should have been evacuated first before any airstrikes. Never mind that Israel does send out warnings.
I see they have arranged some kind of short term pause each day, 4 hours I think, for humanitarian relief or evacuations.
Ukraine has been busy chasing, if not the Russian army, at least their helicopters out of Ukraine. They have attacked each base they have been moved to, as well as their repair facilities.
It looks like the ship they destroyed, not damaged, but destroyed was the real target of all of the deceptive drone and missile strikes, not the Kerch bridge. Ukraine is trying to make it more difficult for Russia to shoot off all of those missiles this winter it has amassed over the summer. Estimates are of 900 of various kinds.
The Israeli were already 'pausing' their combat operations for 4 hours a day to encourage the Palestinians to move out to the south. Been doing that for almost a week now. The difference here is that they've announced it publicly (and seemingly have added a 3 hour 'warning' period to the 4 hour pause plus added a second 'humanitarian corridor'). This announcement is almost certainly politically inspired. I'm not sure what they expect to gain with it, but Biden often gets results quietly, so I'm guessing somebody's getting an opportunity to claim credit for the daily pause the Israeli had already implemented. I don't know who. But somebody's gonna get to polish their apple over this, and Biden's gonna get something he wants, and I don't know what that is either.
It sounds like there is a lot of anger building towards the US. Not just internationally but domestically as well. Perhaps Biden wants to defuse some of that. If possible.
I don't see this ending well for anyone.
"It sounds like there is a lot of anger building towards the
US."
Yeah, well, their god wants them to wipe out the Jews, slaughter 'em all.
Consequently they get real pissed off when the Jews fight back, and they got plenty 'nuff pissed off goin' on so's be able to spread some around on us on account of we are 'letting' the Jews fight back. That's where all that 'Great Satan' and 'Little Satan' stuff comes from. Jews ain't supposed to be fighting back; sure as Hell ain't supposed to be winning.
We do need to be seen to be pressuring the Israeli government to take it easy on the civilians (many of whom are Hamas' irregulars, but many of whom are not). If only, if for no other reason, because we don't want Russian soldiers to get a pass to act in Ukraine like Israeli soldiers act in Gaza.
Most of the world is eager to overlook the fact that Russians and the Arabs were the aggressors. They started it. Most of the world doesn't care 'bout that part of the equation. They just want the Jews to lose. And they're pissed off at anything and anybody that frustrates that desire. And that includes us.*
Moving right along…. Another Hamas-built rocket misfired yesterday and dropped back onto its launch site (another hospital parking lot--not a coincidence--they're being fired from the hospital parking lots).
But, getting back to the original subject--you may well be right. It may be that Biden is gonna claim whatever benefit flows from announcing the daily 'humanitarian pause' (whatever speculative value that may have) for his own administration instead of sharing it behind the scenes. (That is a much simpler theory, and Occam's Razor still has its own wisdom.)
________________________________
* Yes, I know that the Gazan Palestinians are not all affiliated with Hamas; there are some hold-outs, but Hamas are Palestinians, specifically Gazans, not Frenchmen, not Chinese, etc., and they are, by far, the largest and most popular political group in Gaza.
It looks like Ukraine destroyed 2 more Russian landing ships yesterday. They used a combination of 2 Neptune missile, 2 air drones and 4 sea drones. They used the air strikes as decoys and sent the kamikaze drone boats to sink the ships.
They also nabbed a Russian column meant to reinforce Russian forces near another Ukrainian bridgehead across the Dnieper River.
Trump is spouting off about how he is going to set up detention camps for illegal immigrants after he gets re-elected.
"Trump is spouting off…"
As you may have mentioned before: We have been warned. Details in the NewYorkTimes
"Ukraine is open to the possibility of attacking Russia’s oil and
gas infrastructure if Moscow ramps up its targeting of
Ukraine’s electric system this winter, Ukraine Energy Minister
German Galushchenko said in an interview."
Politico
Russian losses have been so high that if they continue at this rate they will run out of reserves in 3 months near Avdiivka. Or so says one Ukrainian vlogger.
"… they will run out of reserves in 3 months near Avdiivka."
Then they will get more. Putin has successfully suppressed any significant domestic opposition to the war. He may continue to face random acts of opposition, but those do not threaten his prosecution of his war. So, he will get more if he needs more. (We should also note that Ukraine has already admitted to running low on new recruits.)
________________________________
Russian 'state media' has just today published and then quickly deleted and denied a report that significant numbers of Russian troops had been withdrawn across the Dnipro River near Kherson to "more favorable positions" on the east bank of the river. Reuters
While the Russians have been obsessed with Avdiivka, kind of like Bakhmut, the Ukrainians have been busy elsewhere.
Then they will get more. Putin has successfully suppressed any significant domestic opposition to the war.
Probably so. But you never know...
According to US officials, Hamas has a command center under Al Shifa hospital and syphons off fuel meant for the hospital for its use.
Doesn't surprise me.
"According to US officials…"
Israel has been making that same assertion. I did note early yesterday that some media (reluctant to accept Israel's assertions on the subject--a perhaps justifiable reluctance) had nevertheless reported that fuel delivered to the periphery of the hospital was left there because Hamas had 'prevented' the hospital maintenance staff from going out to bring it in. They didn't say 'prevented' how, but one might guess that the guy with the RPG had backup.
I'm not the first to make this observation. North Korea has already delivered a million rounds of ammo to Russia--started just a couple months ago. The European Union has been struggling for almost a year to provide a million rounds of ammo to Ukraine--and they're gonna come up short.
North Korea can do it and the E.U. can't? They ain't tryin' hard 'nuff.
North Korea can do it and the E.U. can't?
That's the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy. One man, one order. Democracies have too many moving parts.
But I have heard rumors that some of that ammo isn't all its cracked up to be. Hopefully that is true.
The administration and medical staff of Al Shifa hospital has vehemently denied the allegation that the hospital conceals an Hamas command center in its lower levels.
We're about to find out. Breaking news is that Israel has identified the location of Hamas' operations inside the hospital building and are currently conducting 'an operation' against Hamas' offices, warehouses and personnel who had been, until now, concealed and protected by the administration and staff of the hospital who had denied they were even there.
There'll be stories to tell tomorrow it would seem.
↑↑ Reuters
There seems to be a somewhat underreported Ukrainian offensive across the Dnipro River going on. The Ukrainians have established a "foothold" on the east side of the river, east of Kherson. NBCNews
...concealed and protected by the administration and staff of the hospital who had denied they were even there.
I was starting to wonder when they kept saying patients would die if moved. Patients could die if they stay there.
I am waiting to see the reasoning behind Johnson's two staged bills to keep the government open temporarily. Does he think that was more palatable to his right wing supporters? Or does he think fighting every couple months over shutting down the government will eventually wear down the Democrats and they will cave to right wing demands for major cuts to things like the IRS?
I will agree with one thing Johnson said, the halls of the House have become a pressure cooker and a little respite might not be a bad idea.
McCarthy elbowing another GOP member in the back? Really? Or just a made up thing to give the "elbowed" member a microphone? Nor am I quite sure why a GOP Representative would call a Democratic Representative a "smurf". Is that code for something or was he wearing blue?
Strange, very strange.
The Ukrainians have established a "foothold" on the east side of the river, east of Kherson.
Yup. And the Russians are still losing massive amounts of troops.
Johnson appeared to think that giving his radicals two shots at closing down the government in the near future would convince them to let this opportunity slide by with the government still running. In the end though he managed to get a single, unified 'continuing resolution' to pass. (That 'laddered' extension move was a little gimmicky, even for the right wing radicals.)
And the target of the "smurf" comment was wearing a light blue suit.
Israel says it has found a command 'node' (perhaps a downgrade from a command 'center'?) under that Gazan hospital. Hamas says they're lying. The Biden administration sides with Israel on this one (no surprise there). And the Israeli say they're gonna submit new evidence on the matter in the fairly near future.
Update on my local school board election. Sad to say the candidate that was backed by the right wing Republican Party won in my district. Two others won as well, making the six member board split evenly between conservative and more liberal.
"Update on my local school board election."
I had noticed a couple of news articles last week that commented upon the changing terrain for local school board elections. The reporters were suggesting the day of the book burning radicals, the right-wing, fascist, Christer types had already peaked and they were starting to lose the local school board elections (and there were hints the populace was taking notice of other local elections as well--sheriffs for instance). I thought about posting a couple of links, but I let that thought pass. Now I wish I'd done it.
In your case the book-burners failed to take a majority. And since they are the ones who're trying to remake the schools into Trumpkan/Republican propaganda tools, they have to have a majority or they can't make the change. A tie favors continuation of the status quo. There's liable to be lots of smoke and flames at those school board meetings but very little actual book burning at the library. Count that as a temporary win--ya'll held 'em off, for now, even if ya didn't shut 'em up nor drive them away.
On a larger scale… A lot of folks seem to blown off the danger to democracy that Trump and the Trumpkins present. They just don't pay attention to new political thoughts. They can't seem to get their heads around the notion that it can happen here, and these guys mean for it to happen. But they did understand the reversal of Roe v Wade. That's an old fight they thought was already fought and settled, and they thought the continued political fussing was just political noise. Turns out it wasn't just noise. That got their attention.
Screwin' with the school boards gets some of them to pay attention as well. They don't pay any mind to what they think is just more of the noise, but when their kids start talking 'bout Nazis running their schools, they start to listen up. Their kids get their attention (some of 'em anyway, enough of 'em to make a difference).
May well be that the book burners have already hit their high water mark nationally.
The first thirty minutes of this is interesting. It kind of reinforces what I thought might happen between Russia and China.
"From what I'm hearing they aren't too popular here, despite
those school board elections."
Well, they've been organizing to the attack at the local level longer than the general population has been paying attention. They're much more organized towards local elections than the newly aroused opposition. So, if the best they could do this time is three outta six, then it's likely they've already hit their high water mark there as well. A tie tends to make for great noise and disturbance and public vituperation, and that kind of widespread publicity doesn't seem to favor them.
________________________________
"The first thirty minutes of this is interesting."
It reminded me a little bit of a pre-WWII novella by R.A.Heinlein originally titled Sixth Column, a/k/a The Day After in later reprints. Money quote: "Consequently, we had our backs turned when China digested Russia".
Your YouTuber seems to have a grasp on the Chinese goals, up to a point. The part he seems to miss is that Xi, and the Chinese government, intends to subjugate Russia before they call this Russian debt paid.
He's too busy being worried 'bout whether or not China has 'betrayed' Russia in the short term. (Most Russians seem to miss this as well; they don't respect China near 'nuff.) And once the Chinese own Russia again (as they once did, very briefly, near 'round the early/mid 13áµ—Ê° Century) they'll have a ready made highway back to Europe. Russia's eyes, Russia's roads, have been turned towards Europe for nigh onto a millennium now. With control of that infrastructure, the Golden Horde could strike Europe once again.
(Maybe he gets 'round to that issue later--I'll have to look at that latter ~50 minutes or so when I get the time.)
________________________________
David Ignatius, writing in the WashingtonPost, hints at a tactic now being considered (maybe) by the Israeli military (the 'IDF'). Ignatius suggests that they're thinking about pumping the near-by Mediterranean Sea down into those hundreds of miles of Hamas tunnels that criss-cross under Gaza. Pump the salt water down until the rats start comin' up. That way they don't lose Israeli soldiers in close combat down in the tunnels.
(First they'll have to find the hostages though, or the dead bodies of the hostages, can't drown the hostages along with Hamas--politically untenable.)
The German Council on Foreign Relations has published a 'study' by the Berlin based Center for Security and Defense which concludes that Russia's recent turn to a permanent war-time economy will allow Russia to arm up to win a non-nuclear war against NATO in as little as six years. DWNews
A tie tends to make for great noise and disturbance and public vituperation, and that kind of widespread publicity doesn't seem to favor them.
I am hoping that their ideas don't prove to favor them either. As you said earlier, if kids start to complain maybe more parents will take an interest and vote them back out.
(Most Russians seem to miss this as well; they don't respect China near 'nuff.) And once the Chinese own Russia again...
You've hit the nail on the head there. Russians don't respect the Chinese and the Chinese are quite fine with becoming their masters. One Russian vlogger has commented about the "crap" quality of some of the Chinese goods being brought to Russia. Don't remember if it was that one or another one.
Ignatius suggests that they're thinking about pumping the near-by Mediterranean Sea down into those hundreds of miles of Hamas tunnels that criss-cross under Gaza.
I had thought about that too. But the hostages would be a sticking point. They would truly be human shields.
...Russia's recent turn to a permanent war-time economy will allow Russia to arm up to win a non-nuclear war against NATO in as little as six years.
I'm no military expert, but I question that theory. While I know Ukraine is taking large losses the Russians have them beat on that. Ramping up production of military equipment and ammo alone will not win the war for them. Certainly not if they went to war against NATO. Unless Donald Frump gets back in office.
(Saw a sign somewhere that read "Tuck Frump".)
Wiki say current best estimates are that the Soviet Union lost between 8.7 and 11.4 million soldiers in WWII. This is just the number of dead soldiers, not including the wounded and maimed; not including civilians. Most of them were Russians. Russia has never balked at losing massive numbers of soldiers. The ruling class doesn't care how many peasants they lose; then never cared about that; they don't care now. The peasants breed back.
Losses of a few hundred thousand in Ukraine doesn't phase them even a little bit (long as the population back home doesn't get restless, and Putin seems to have that covered).
The ruling class doesn't care how many peasants they lose; then never cared about that; they don't care now.
This is true. But unlike in the Soviet Union the current peasants do care. It's just that they can't figure out what to do about it. Some have left, some have gone into hiding, some have manufactured injuries to avoid serving, some disappear after going on "vacation" from their unit. Some even speak out to the detriment of their own freedom.
And some of those peasants are aware of how the rest of the world lives.
But this time around Russia is alone, except for a few co-conspirators. Only time will tell what the end result of all of this needless bloodshed turns out to be.
I hear that Mike Johnson made a visit to Mar-A-Lago to kiss the ring, or whatever, of our former Dear Leader, who hopefully remains former.
"I hear that Mike Johnson made a visit to Mar-A-Lago to kiss
the ring…"
That appears to be so.
Putin has decided that he wants to build a tunnel to connect Crimea with Russia. He thinks the bridge is vulnerable, and he wants to make a statement. WaPo
Almost as significant as the statement he wants to make is what this also says about Russia's industrial capacity and China's ascendancy over the Russian landscape. To wit:
"With control of that infrastructure, the Golden Horde could
strike Europe once again."
Lee C. @ Sun Nov 19, 11:52 am ↑↑
Putin has decided that he wants to build a tunnel to connect Crimea with Russia.
I have not been impressed with Putin's judgement in the past. This is just another poor idea on his part.
War fatigue settling in across Ukraine? Reuters
It's not just Ukraine. There was some word that there have been demonstrations in Russia by mothers and wives of Russian soldiers who want them home. I don't know how far they will get with that, though.
"Nov 29 (Reuters) - Russia's Internal Affairs ministry is
preparing a bill that would oblige foreigners entering the
country to sign a 'loyalty agreement' that would bar them
from discrediting official policies, the TASS state news agency
reported early on Wednesday.
***
A foreigner entering Russia would be prohibited from…
'discrediting in any form the foreign and domestic state policy
of the Russian Federation, public authorities and their
officials.'"
________________________________
"It's just that they can't figure out what to do about it." ↑↑
You may wanna rethink that one. Something like 70% of the Russian civilian population still supports Putin's efforts to conquer Ukraine and buys the official propaganda line about how 'the collective West' is attempting to destroy Russian. WashingtonPost
70% is a significant majority.
A foreigner entering Russia would be prohibited from…
'discrediting in any form the foreign and domestic state policy
of the Russian Federation, public authorities and their
officials.'"
Ahh, can't get enough of restricting their own citizens, they have to extend the practice to anyone who enters their country. Well, personally, Russia hasn't been my destination of choice since they invaded Ukraine.
Something like 70% of the Russian civilian population still supports Putin's efforts to conquer Ukraine and buys the official propaganda line about how 'the collective West' is attempting to destroy Russian.
I've heard Russians lie.
It looks like Nikki Haley is the hoped for savior of the Republican Party for some. We'll see.
Meanwhile, Liz Cheney has come out with a book that seems to dish dirt on some Republicans who have been enabling Trump.
It seems McCarthy told her that the reason he visited Mar-a-Lago to see Trump was because people around Trump were worried because he seemed very depressed and wasn't eating. I kid you not, that is what Liz Cheney said that McCarthy told her was the reason for his visit. I may buy that book for the entertainment value alone.
I don't care for Liz Cheney's political views, but she has courage, which is more than you can say for the majority of Republican elected officials.
"Nikki Haley is the hoped for savior of the Republican Party…
There are some Republican donors (the Koch brothers come to mind as does Peter Theil) whose egos will not allow them to consider the possibility that the Republicans will nominate someone (i.e. Trump) with or without their participation. Their egos will not allow them to just sit this one out in spite of their complete and utter inability to effect the outcome.
We can add to that a number of political reporters with no races to report on (ain't news that Biden and Trump got their respective nominations locked down). These reporters work for organizations whose business model doesn't allow them to tell everybody that the primaries are superfluous this time 'round. Ain't no advertising dollars in that. No advertising dollars means no paychecks either.
So, they all pretend.
Truth is, if Haley were to win the Republican nomination (won't happen, but if…) then Trump would run an independent or third party bid for the Presidency. That means Biden would win. They all know that. So, the donors gonna throw away some big money on Haley (peanuts for them), and then come back to Trump after he gets the nomination anyway.
________________________________
I'm not sure what Liz Cheney's got in mind for her next act. I suspect she's not sure either. But, assuming Trump loses again (and doesn't get saved by the rural bias of the Electoral College), then the so-far-dodged internal contest for control of the carcass of what was once a conservative Republican Party will begin in ernest. Could be Cheney is waiting 'round to see if there's a role for her in whatever emerges from that blood feud.
Russia has announced an address to the nation by Putin come December 14áµ—Ê°. I would speculate that he intends to announce his run for another six-year term as President of Russia.
I've heard that Putin has ramped up his propaganda machine to try to derail whatever protests those wives and mothers of Russian soldiers have started. They have set up competing narratives to try to silence them.
Truth is, if Haley were to win the Republican nomination (won't happen, but if…) then Trump would run an independent or third party bid for the Presidency. That means Biden would win.
Best case scenario.
I'm starting to get depressed about the whole thing again. It's not just that we have Trump again. It's that so many people actually support him. What does that say about our country? I guess I honestly believed we were better than the hate and autocratic tendencies we are seeing. More fool me.
"I honestly believed we were better than [this]…"
The Republican Party's turn towards an embrace of their right-wing fascist fringe has surprised me as well. I thought that they'd split apart when they were finally faced with that decision. Instead they went with the fascist fringe almost en masse. (A small percentage refused; Liz Cheney is but one example. But it was a small percentage.)
Now in order to wean them back away from their 'nativist' fascist wing we'll have to defeat Trump and his Trumpkins a third time. And I'm not certain the Democrats can pull that off with Biden at the top of their ticket. (I think so, but I guessed wrong about the Republican embrace of their fascist fringe. I may be wrong again.)
So, in essence, like you, I too thought we were better than this.
I'm not yet depressed, but I am starting to sometimes worry a bit.
________________________________
Looking like Chris Cristie's not gonna qualify for the next Republican primary debate. Politico
On a positive note, George Santos is toast. They just voted to expel him, despite Johnsons's last minute support.
I don't know how it will shake out politically, but ethically it was the right call.
Although thiose 114 Republican nay votes are still disturbing.
Oops, one of those was a Democrat. Even more disturbing.
Headline: Judge rejects Trump’s claim of immunity in his federal 2020 election [criminal] prosecution
Associated Press
The SBU has blown up a train carrying aviation fuel in the Severomuysky Tunnel seriously damaging it. This was the main route for military supplies from China and North Korea to Russia.
Word is also suggesting that Ukraine is ready to start a major offensive across the Dnipro river where they have established multiple bridgeheads.
Judge rejects Trump’s claim of immunity in his federal 2020 election [criminal] prosecution.
A bad day for Mr. Trump. Hopefully leading to a good day for the American people.
"The SBU has blown up a train carrying aviation fuel in the
Severomuysky Tunnel…"
They also blew a bridge on the branch line that would have otherwise been the primary "detour" around the damaged tunnel. link
"Word is…that Ukraine is ready to start a major offensive
across the Dnipro river where they have established multiple
bridgeheads."
I've been watching for that to happen. Been downright suspicious of it. I can't quite see the Ukrainians sitting on their hands over winter, frustrated into inaction by their inability to penetrate the dug-in defenses that Russian threw down along the flat southeastern plains of Donetsk, Dnipro, and Kherson provinces.
Rumor ain't action though; it ain't happened yet. And that's a broad cold river to cross in winter.
But, I been watchin' for it to happen anyway.
"…across the Dnipro river…"
It seems the NewYorkTimes has also noticed the Ukrainian beachheads on the east bank (the 'left bank' by local convention) and their analysts are confused as to what it might mean.
How do you fight an enemy that is stronger than you? By a thousand little cuts. This may work if that enemy does not really want to be there.
Post a Comment