I hope you'll forgive my absence these past few days. I'll continue writing on Covid issues but the news at hand is focused on one thing. The past few days have unfolded an escalating conflict, inciting fierce tensions that extend far beyond the warring blips on the global map.
Oct 12, 2023·edited Oct 12, 2023Liked by Justin Hart
Religious beliefs aren't the issue, in my experience. One of my best friends from grad school is Muslim and he is one of the most peaceful, considerate people I've ever known. He wouldn't harm a fly (almost literally). But I have no problem recognizing Hamas as the pack of deranged barbarians they just proved they are. Everyone paying attention, around the world, witnessed their subhuman savagery. No excuse or attempt at rationalization excuses the horrific way they treated innocent, defenseless human beings while slaying them (including children and infants). Israel will be doing every innocent soul on the planet a favor by ending Hamas and any such vicious, hateful, self serving radicals. We must not make the mistake of believing we can find peace with mentally disturbed monsters; they don't want peace they want blood, that is their sickness. Tragically Hamas is now using peaceful Palestinians, and those they kidnapped, as human shields so many more innocent lives are bound to be destroyed eradicating this evil.
Perhaps I should note I have no connection to Israel and hold no religious views. Peaceful people are of course free to hold whatever views they like. I'm also a former combat arms soldier so perhaps more inclined than most here to employ violence, in a professional fashion, to end a serious threat.
I would suggest the issue is not so much religious beliefs themselves but in how they are interpreted, applied, and taught. And manipulated. Of course the majority of those who practice Islam are not bloodthirsty terrorists. Yet the overwhelming majority of the world's terrorists not only claim to be Muslims but to also commit their murderous atrocities in the name of Islam. How many non-Muslim terrorists shout out the name of their god while detonating a bomb in a restaurant full of families?
For those poor and uneducated, living in an Eighth Century medieval social structure such as Hamas-controlled Gaza, indoctrinating 10-year old's to kill any Jew they encounter to please Mohammed is not a particularly hard sell.
It has nothing to do with religious beliefs and everything to do with occupation by foreigners. The KKK was a terrorist organization. My first memory of terrorist acts were committed in the 80s in Northern Ireland. This guy wrote a book about it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pape
This is a good start and I too have always made it a point to stand with Israel. My faith teaches this but I am still very concerned about how this attack was even allowed to have taken place. Lots of serious questions. Who helped Hamas? Why now? Is the US involved and in what way? All that still looming, I stand with the land and people of Israel. 🇮🇱
The problem is this. The chances of one of Putin's thugs pulling up to our local club and making trouble is zero. I can't say the same about the enemies of Israel.
Gee, maybe us arming Israel to the teeth so they can make bombing runs on Gaza makes Arabs angry at us. Who wouldda thought? Ya think if Zelensky makes a bombing run on Moscow with an American F-16 that Putin is just gonna turn the other cheek? Becoming a co-belligerent in other countries' wars has consequences.
Your industrial military complex however, cares very much and takes great offence at your lack of interest in how much dollars are out to be had. Are you not raged into a decision making frenzy to just say yes to the next 'thing'...?
Russia has never been a threat. Putin has always been clear he wants Russia as partner of The West.
Some say he wants more territory, take over the world. Hardly. Putin himself comments that Russia covers 9 time zones. That is plenty to manage.
Putin inherited a humanitarian disaster thanks to the looting by Harvard Institute for International
Development, the State Department and others organizations ostensibly to help transition to capitalism.
Proud chief looter was convicted fraudster Bill Browder. He amassed great wealth exploiting Russian through the vouchers for shares program. Despicable person.
''In 2000, Russia was one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Without instituting draconian purges Putin took on the oligarchs and steadily curtailed their power, gradually returning Russia to the rule of law. By 2016 his government reduced corruption to about the same level as that of the United
States. That was the empirical result of the annual study on corruption published in 2016 by Ernst & Young.'' The Grand Deception
Where the countries of The West are vassals of America, Putin speaks against US global hegemony and the unipolar world.
For this, he must be vilified.
Russia, a land of huge resources is the ultimate prize for America.
Ultimately cultural reproduction is fundamentally tied to genetic reproduction. If the western liberal culture keeps causing people to marry later and have fewer children, eventually it'll be replaced by cultures in which people marry younger and prioritise family over career, even if their cultures are less liberal. The only way the west can "beat" Islam is by having more babies, and the only westerners currently doing that are the Amish, who hardly qualify as "modern" western culture.
Israelis and the rest of the World's religions must move away from mythical interpretations of history before there can be peace in the Middle East. The ancient lands of Canaan, Judea, Samaria etc; were neither dominated by Christians, Mulims of Jews. Mythological scriptural interpretations of ancient occupations are unsupported by historical records and archeological fact. Hegemonic interference by modern day European nations have created "false" borders that have lead to ethnic dispossession, cultural suppression and violent oppression. The current conflict is abhorrent and is not the path to resolution. I mourn the dead.
Hardly any active military died from or with Covid. And why did more military members die of Covid AFTER the vast majority had been vaccinated? A belated analysis of the military’s Covid numbers ….
In the movies, film-goers can easily identify the “Bad Guys” who are seeking more control and want to suppress freedom. However, in the Real World, the public actually seems to pull for the Bad Guys who are doing this.
For example, “Star Wars” is arguably the most popular movie franchise of our lifetimes. One might think a few of the millions of Star Wars fanatics might identify with the freedom-fighters who are resisting the Evil Empire. Instead, Luke Skywalker was quickly cancelled and labeled a science denier/threat to society. In the Real World, Darth Vader would probably be given a Nobel Prize and be feted as the great protector of the galaxy.
I also identified some more germane examples from iconic Hollywood movies.
Thoughtful discourse as usuall. But, why did it take 5 or 6 hours for the Israeli Defence Forces to respond? Why was a whole battalion sent to the opposite side of Israel from where the breaches occurred? Something, just like the COVID-19 Response doesn't make sense.
- war/ tribalism/ hatred is one giant ugly monster that humanity has yet to defeat
- It is always sobering to see how savage humans can be in the act of war, across the board from the beginning of mankind.
- Peace and freedom are delicate and rare, experienced in short burst over the course of mankind. We need to do better appreciating celebrating these victories instead of building up weapons to fight more wars
You said "The disturbing images emanating from Israel have forced me to reflect on how we've managed to lose sight of these very real threats." Fear and horror are powerful emotions. So is anger. Maybe in a couple of weeks you can go back and listen to Mateus Desmond talk about Mass Formation and see if there are any parallels with what has gone on in the past week. You and another COVID truther I follow had the exact same reaction - we aren't safe and something needs to be done about it.
I see us potentially repeating everything terrible done during the pandemic except for the vaccine of course under the guise of needing more safety and security. How quickly people forget about the largest and most effective terrorist organization in the world, our corporate news media. That's what scares me.
Religious beliefs aren't the issue, in my experience. One of my best friends from grad school is Muslim and he is one of the most peaceful, considerate people I've ever known. He wouldn't harm a fly (almost literally). But I have no problem recognizing Hamas as the pack of deranged barbarians they just proved they are. Everyone paying attention, around the world, witnessed their subhuman savagery. No excuse or attempt at rationalization excuses the horrific way they treated innocent, defenseless human beings while slaying them (including children and infants). Israel will be doing every innocent soul on the planet a favor by ending Hamas and any such vicious, hateful, self serving radicals. We must not make the mistake of believing we can find peace with mentally disturbed monsters; they don't want peace they want blood, that is their sickness. Tragically Hamas is now using peaceful Palestinians, and those they kidnapped, as human shields so many more innocent lives are bound to be destroyed eradicating this evil.
Perhaps I should note I have no connection to Israel and hold no religious views. Peaceful people are of course free to hold whatever views they like. I'm also a former combat arms soldier so perhaps more inclined than most here to employ violence, in a professional fashion, to end a serious threat.
I would suggest the issue is not so much religious beliefs themselves but in how they are interpreted, applied, and taught. And manipulated. Of course the majority of those who practice Islam are not bloodthirsty terrorists. Yet the overwhelming majority of the world's terrorists not only claim to be Muslims but to also commit their murderous atrocities in the name of Islam. How many non-Muslim terrorists shout out the name of their god while detonating a bomb in a restaurant full of families?
For those poor and uneducated, living in an Eighth Century medieval social structure such as Hamas-controlled Gaza, indoctrinating 10-year old's to kill any Jew they encounter to please Mohammed is not a particularly hard sell.
Well said.
It has nothing to do with religious beliefs and everything to do with occupation by foreigners. The KKK was a terrorist organization. My first memory of terrorist acts were committed in the 80s in Northern Ireland. This guy wrote a book about it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pape
In this difficult time and on such difficult issue thank you for offering the rational ground, as always.
Thank you for your brave words. May God protect Israel.
This is a good start and I too have always made it a point to stand with Israel. My faith teaches this but I am still very concerned about how this attack was even allowed to have taken place. Lots of serious questions. Who helped Hamas? Why now? Is the US involved and in what way? All that still looming, I stand with the land and people of Israel. 🇮🇱
Israel vs. Palestine
Saudi Arabia vs. Yemen
Russia vs. Ukraine
India vs. Pakistan
China vs. Taiwan
I really couldn't care less about any of these conflicts. They can fight it out over there. Not my problem.
The problem is this. The chances of one of Putin's thugs pulling up to our local club and making trouble is zero. I can't say the same about the enemies of Israel.
Gee, maybe us arming Israel to the teeth so they can make bombing runs on Gaza makes Arabs angry at us. Who wouldda thought? Ya think if Zelensky makes a bombing run on Moscow with an American F-16 that Putin is just gonna turn the other cheek? Becoming a co-belligerent in other countries' wars has consequences.
Your industrial military complex however, cares very much and takes great offence at your lack of interest in how much dollars are out to be had. Are you not raged into a decision making frenzy to just say yes to the next 'thing'...?
How dare you......
Russia has never been a threat. Putin has always been clear he wants Russia as partner of The West.
Some say he wants more territory, take over the world. Hardly. Putin himself comments that Russia covers 9 time zones. That is plenty to manage.
Putin inherited a humanitarian disaster thanks to the looting by Harvard Institute for International
Development, the State Department and others organizations ostensibly to help transition to capitalism.
Proud chief looter was convicted fraudster Bill Browder. He amassed great wealth exploiting Russian through the vouchers for shares program. Despicable person.
''In 2000, Russia was one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Without instituting draconian purges Putin took on the oligarchs and steadily curtailed their power, gradually returning Russia to the rule of law. By 2016 his government reduced corruption to about the same level as that of the United
States. That was the empirical result of the annual study on corruption published in 2016 by Ernst & Young.'' The Grand Deception
Where the countries of The West are vassals of America, Putin speaks against US global hegemony and the unipolar world.
For this, he must be vilified.
Russia, a land of huge resources is the ultimate prize for America.
If you think Israel is the victim, after they oppress and violate international law norms for 70 years.. I'm outta here.
Ultimately cultural reproduction is fundamentally tied to genetic reproduction. If the western liberal culture keeps causing people to marry later and have fewer children, eventually it'll be replaced by cultures in which people marry younger and prioritise family over career, even if their cultures are less liberal. The only way the west can "beat" Islam is by having more babies, and the only westerners currently doing that are the Amish, who hardly qualify as "modern" western culture.
Israelis and the rest of the World's religions must move away from mythical interpretations of history before there can be peace in the Middle East. The ancient lands of Canaan, Judea, Samaria etc; were neither dominated by Christians, Mulims of Jews. Mythological scriptural interpretations of ancient occupations are unsupported by historical records and archeological fact. Hegemonic interference by modern day European nations have created "false" borders that have lead to ethnic dispossession, cultural suppression and violent oppression. The current conflict is abhorrent and is not the path to resolution. I mourn the dead.
There is only one side. The rest are in the abyss.
Hardly any active military died from or with Covid. And why did more military members die of Covid AFTER the vast majority had been vaccinated? A belated analysis of the military’s Covid numbers ….
https://billricejr.substack.com/p/covid-military-deaths-were-almost?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
In the movies, film-goers can easily identify the “Bad Guys” who are seeking more control and want to suppress freedom. However, in the Real World, the public actually seems to pull for the Bad Guys who are doing this.
For example, “Star Wars” is arguably the most popular movie franchise of our lifetimes. One might think a few of the millions of Star Wars fanatics might identify with the freedom-fighters who are resisting the Evil Empire. Instead, Luke Skywalker was quickly cancelled and labeled a science denier/threat to society. In the Real World, Darth Vader would probably be given a Nobel Prize and be feted as the great protector of the galaxy.
I also identified some more germane examples from iconic Hollywood movies.
https://billricejr.substack.com/p/lessons-from-star-wars-didnt-take?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Excellent editorial
Thoughtful discourse as usuall. But, why did it take 5 or 6 hours for the Israeli Defence Forces to respond? Why was a whole battalion sent to the opposite side of Israel from where the breaches occurred? Something, just like the COVID-19 Response doesn't make sense.
thank you for sharing your thoughts
my thoughts:
- war/ tribalism/ hatred is one giant ugly monster that humanity has yet to defeat
- It is always sobering to see how savage humans can be in the act of war, across the board from the beginning of mankind.
- Peace and freedom are delicate and rare, experienced in short burst over the course of mankind. We need to do better appreciating celebrating these victories instead of building up weapons to fight more wars
You said "The disturbing images emanating from Israel have forced me to reflect on how we've managed to lose sight of these very real threats." Fear and horror are powerful emotions. So is anger. Maybe in a couple of weeks you can go back and listen to Mateus Desmond talk about Mass Formation and see if there are any parallels with what has gone on in the past week. You and another COVID truther I follow had the exact same reaction - we aren't safe and something needs to be done about it.
I see us potentially repeating everything terrible done during the pandemic except for the vaccine of course under the guise of needing more safety and security. How quickly people forget about the largest and most effective terrorist organization in the world, our corporate news media. That's what scares me.