Biden vs. Netanyahu

Plus: Trump joins TikTok, Hamas obviously isn't pro-pluralism, Detroit's rich people, and more...

How much of Hamas can remain? President Joe Biden has proposed a ceasefire plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not yet on board. The key plank in dispute: how much of Hamas is intact, and thus able to carry out another attack.

The White House says Israel's military offensive in Gaza has crippled the terrorist group to such a degree that Hamas no longer poses a threat. The Israeli government says that it doesn't feel confident that this is true, and that it wants to see all of Hamas wiped out.

"Hamas says it wants a ceasefire. This deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it," said Biden in a speech on Friday, announcing his plan. "Hamas needs to take the deal…[and end] this war that they began."

Biden's plan has three phases. The first, which would last for six weeks, would include a "full and complete ceasefire" as well as total withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of many hostages taken by Hamas—women, the elderly—in exchange for "hundreds of Palestinian prisoners."

Phase two would involve negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but also the release of all remaining hostages and the total withdrawal of Israeli forces. The temporary ceasefire would be made permanent.

Phase three would involve rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's perspective: Israel isn't necessarily on board with a permanent, longterm ceasefire (pointing out that there was a ceasefire in place when Hamas carried out the October 7 massacre), and Netanyahu has said he wants Israel's "objectives [to be] achieved, including the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities."

"Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat," added the prime minister.

Over the weekend, more than 100,000 Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv to  pressure Netanyahu to accept the Biden-brokered deal. But parts of his political coalition have said that they reject the deal—and that if Netanyahu signs onto it, their parties will leave the coalition, bringing his government down. (For more on the internal politics, go here.)

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Scenes from New York: Inside the feud between the mayor's office and city council.

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QUICK HITS

• Former president (and presumptive Republican presidential nominee) Donald Trump "will be free to cross the country on his reelection campaign at least until his July sentencing. For now, though, the gag order that barred him from speaking about the witnesses on the case still remains," reports Intelligencer. "In his press conference on Friday, Trump appeared to violate the order by referring to a certain 'sleazebag' attorney that was obviously Michael Cohen. If [Judge Juan A.] Merchan decides to act on his threat to detain Trump for repeated violations of the order, former Department of Corrections officials told Intelligencer that he could either be held in a cell at 100 Centre St. for a few short hours, or be sent to his own wing with Secret Service protection at Rikers Island if he is to stay the night."
• Are rich people revitalizing Detroit?
• "The return of the finance bro is…a sign that the era of the tech nerd, exemplified by Mark Zuckerberg, has come to an end," writes Suzy Weiss in The Free Press.
• "Americans aren't prepared for the calamitous injuries produced by modern conventional weapons," writes Jeff Colyer, who worked as a volunteer surgeon in Ukraine.
• Donald Trump joined TikTok (after once threatening to ban the app).
• Mexico elected its first lady president.
• Seems crazy to have to say this:

If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about. https://t.co/qMzQHME84t

— Liz Wolfe (@LizWolfeReason) June 3, 2024

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

How much of Hamas can remain?

A college campus worth.

[Rob Misek]

Israel is on trial in the UN International Court of Justice for committing genocide in Gaza. The same court has ruled against them telling them to cease their offensive.

Genocide

In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

Killing members of the group;
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

The Genocide Convention establishes in Article I that the crime of genocide may take place in the context of an armed conflict, international or non-international, but also in the context of a peaceful situation.

Netanyahu is responsible for telling the IDF to commit genocide by referencing the Jewish biblical “god approved” genocide of women and children with the story of AMALEK. Clearly inciting genocide. With over 24,000 non combatant women and children intentionally targeted and killed and IDF soldiers on record rejoicing about it referencing Amalek, the effect of Netanyahus instructions are clear.

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was fighting “human animals” and that they will be “starved of food and water” which Israel has done and continues to do.

Amichay Eliyahu, the minister for heritage, suggested dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza. Israel isn’t supposed to have nuclear weapons. Saddam Hussein was hung for crimes against humanity and he didn’t even have WMD much less threaten to use them.

The country’s mainly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, who described Palestinians as “an entire nation out there that is responsible” demonstrates the genocidal intention.

These statements in combination with their actual execution clearly meets the UN definition and criteria for genocide aka holocaust.

ALL nations signatory to the UN genocide convention HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OPPOSE IT. Not deny it and send bombs money and troops to support it.

October 7 was an inside job.

The following video is the best compilation of evidence to date that proves October 7 was an inside job coordinated by Israel as an excuse to commit genocide in Gaza.

https://richardgage911.substack.com/p/new-documentary-on-gaza-october-7

The video proves that Israel, funded, coordinated and enabled the October 7 attacks.

It shows that Israel opened the gate to welcome trucks carrying Hamas through the wall.

It shows how Israel not only ignored repeated warnings from their many surveillance sources but withdrew all defences from the wall and emptied their military bases just hours before the attack and had ZERO response for more than 6 hours.

It shows and proves that the IDF attacked the concert goers and the kibbutz’s with Apache helicopters and tanks.

It shows that they sacrificed dozens of their IDF forces to blame Hamas.

It shows that only handfuls of Hamas soldiers wandered for hours through the evacuated areas looking for soldiers to fight but finding none.

It shows that the hostages that were taken by Hamas said they were treated well.

It shows that Israel has funded Hamas with billions in cash in suitcases in the backs of cars

[Don't look at me!]

Yawn.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

He scribbles more than the squirrel, but he doesn't abuse his CAPS LOCK key.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

That is just a thin veneer of civility. From his bunker, he is shrieking like You Know Who Else at his desktop screen.
🙂
😉
Oh, and no doubt, he is creaming his khakis over the lyrics of this song and the accompanying speech:

Paula Cole–Hitler’s Brothers
https://youtu.be/ovLO1cx85yg?si=K_HvyqVzwpackm07

[Ersatz]

Israel is on trial in the UN International Court of Justice for committing genocide in Gaza. The same court has ruled against them telling them to cease their offensive.

Did Alvin Bragg conjure up the charges? At least tell me he is prosecuting the case! ... he's a real 'winner' /s

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Refuted!

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

Watch out, he's going to come back with

Rerefuted

and restart the re wars.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

That would be re-tarded.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Be careful, he might zig zag a little and go with ‘nuh-uh’.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

If he had a Zig-Zag™, he might not have his fucked-up views.
🙂
😉

[TheReEncogitationer]

It shows that the hostages that were taken by Hamas said they were treated well.

It shows that both Richard Gage and you think that it's morally alright to take hostages as long as they are "treated well," whatever the fuck that means!

You and Roberta should get a room, since she thinks it's morally alright to submit to the horrors of slavery versus the horrors of war, and that it's more important to treat slaves kind than to set them free!

Please, you two, use birth control and don't bear any young, assuming either of you have any functioning sex organs!

And, this time, literally...

Fuck Off, Nazi!

[BYODB]

Maybe the hostages that lived were treated well, maybe they weren't, but the fact remains that they've recovered a lot of dead hostages who obviously were not.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

Prima Facie, Ipso Facto, A Priori being taken as a hostage is not being well treated. Not for us Rational Animals who require freedom to survive and thrive.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Who the fuck is Richard Gage? Why should I accept some video from a rando wackadoodle as any kind of ‘fact’?

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

Exactly! Especially since he and Herr Misek premptively declare your freedom of action null and void by granting the morality of taking hostages.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

Refuted.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Refuted.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

Fuck off and die, Nazi shit.

[TrickyVic (old school)]

That one sad video again. Can't you come up with anything else?

Leaders of Hamas also have ICC arrest warrant. Something you don't mention.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Or the fact that the US nor Israel are signatories to the ICC. A globalist court.

[Rob Misek]

Like a fuckwit, you’re confusing the ICC with the ICJ.

The ICJ is the UN international court of justice which has ruled against Israel using the UN genocide convention which both the US and Israel are signatories to and are obligated to comply with.

The ICC, the international criminal court which will soon issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his ministers is the continuation of the Rome Statute dealing with crimes against humanity which the US was a signatory to but later reneged from.

When signatories to the UN genocide convention defy their obligations and are allowed to remain members of the UN, they only weaken it.

Biden should swing along with bibi, on the gallows for their complicity in the holocaust going on in Gaza.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Refuted.

[Chumby]

Sieg heilp.

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

Sieg heilp.

I sieg vat you did zer.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

You may ze und I may ze, but Herr Misek does Nat zi, you ze?
🙂
😉

[Dillinger]

liebe es!

[Rob Misek]

If Biden continues to support Israel in defiance of the ICJ he’s got to throw the US permanent membership and veto powers to the UN away.

For what, to be Israel’s bitch?

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

Fuck off and die, Nazi asswipe.

[TrickyVic (old school)]

""he’s got to ""

He doesn't got to do anything.

If the UN wants to put itself in the middle of it, they can send in some blue helmets to take over.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

There will be some well-aerated blue helmet planters for sale at farmer''s markets nationwide.
🙂
😉

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

As long as we can take our funding with us.

[B G]

As long as the UN is located in NYC and relies on US troops for any action they choose to send out the “blue helmets” to try to enforce, no US President “has to” do anything regarding that organization.

If the USA “has to throw away permanent veto powers” for sending aid to a country that’s committing a “genocide” against a small minority of an invented “nationality” group (less than 25% of all “Palestinian” Arabs in the world are located in Gaza, in part because their total population number has increased more than twentyfold since the “nakba”), then China really needs to go consiidering they’re engaged in a much more “for real genocide” against a Muslim minority within their borders, not that anyone who’s performatively ripshit over the plight of the “Palestinian” Arabs seems to care much about the killing of non-Arab Muslims by anyone who’s not Jewish.

If eliminating Israel from the map to make way for a nation of “Palestine” is actually de-colonization, then why do the Arabs pretending to be “indigenous” insist on using a name which was given to the area by an occupying power? Why do the “indigenous” Arabs identify using a latin name that’s derived from the name of a tribe of Ethnic Greeks? If the Arabs are the indigenous people there, then why isn’t the name of the nation they’re trying to “de-colonize” one that’s linguistically Arabic, or at least derived from Aramaic (the precursor language to both Arabic and Hebrew)? Could it be that the Aramaic name for the area would be “Yisrael”?

[Rob Misek]

Jews, not Palestinians, are on trial by the UN ICJ which has also ruled against their actions and told them to cease their offensive in Gaza.

Israel and every other signatory to the UN genocide convention is OBLIGATED to comply with the ICJ ruling.

Biden is demonstrating that the US is Israel’s genocidal bitch. That’s on every US citizen.

What kind of lying genocidal wastes of skin, sign, ratify and renege when caught in the act?

You tell me Kol Nidre boy.

“All vows, obligations, oaths, and anathemas [curses]which we may vow, or swear, or pledge, or whereby we may be bound, from this Day of Atonement until the next we do repent. May they be deemed absolved, forgiven, annulled, and void, and made of no effect: they shall not bind us nor have any power over us. The vows shall not be reckoned vows; the obligations shall not be obligations; nor the oaths be oaths.”

[B G]

And the leaders of Hamas are about to be hit with exactly the same kind of "warrants" from the ICC that you keep crowing about being issued for Netanyahu.

Not to mention that the current President of the ICJ is from Lebanon (current home of Hezbollah), and includes judges from Somalia (a Muslim country which has a long-running cultural conflict with Eretria which is where a large number of current Israeli Jews emigrtated from to escape Muslim aggression), China (a nation which really needs to keep the genocide-related attention of the world pointed somewhere else since they're currently carrying out an elimination of their own Muslim minority on a scale that Netanyahu could only dream of attempting), France (where anti-jewish hate crimes are routinely ignored by law enforcement becasue the government is terrified of the North-African Muslim population they imported in the 1990s to be cheap labor), and India (another government which is involved with killing Muslims at a pace that makes the IDF look like a troop of Brownies). Not to mention South Africa, which has their own historic issues and is the same government who brought the case to the court in the first place

That's five of the nine members of the court who represent governments with agendas that are served by keeping the focus on Israel, and one more who's literally a representative of the prosecutors. Those members alone guarantee a majority ruling regardless of which side the other judges on the ICJ panel come down on. ( https://www.icj-cij.org/current-members )

We all know that you couldn't be less interested in whether or not any decision has been reached in an objective manner, so long as it aligns with your chosen personal prejudices, but there's a difference between simply buying into whatever you want to believe and having actual proof. Not to mention that the entire ICJ case is based on a hugely reduced definition of "genocide" compared to what the word originally coined to describe.

Since you deny that one of the two events which the word was created for even happened, if you were going to be intellectually honest, maybe you should reject the validity of the term altogether; or maybe you need to acknowledge that there was a genocide in Europe in the 1940s since under the definition you're now using just the deportation of Jews from Germany, the clearing of the Warsaw ghettos, and the transportation of millions of Jews to concentration camps (regardless of whether you believe they died there or if they somehow snuck out through the woods in groups of 5-10,000 at a time and making it all the way to wherever it is you think that 12 million people could vanish from all human notice (without any of them ever attempting to contact former friends or relatives in the ensuing 80 years now) would each qualify as being a "genocide" on par with what Israel is charged with having done.

Similar to how the term "moonshot" would have to have an entirely different meaning in the mind of anyone who believes that the Apollo landings were faked.

[Rob Misek]

Jews, Zionists, worked with Hitler to send, deport Jews from Germany to Palestine.

If that is the WW2 holocaust, Jews are also responsible for it.

The video is basically 2 hours of irrefutable evidence after evidence and a list of banned books and information about Hitlers connection to assist Jewish interests.

https://www.targetfreedomusa.com/the-nazi-zionist-connection-shocking-hidden-history/

At 15:10 in the video the book Hitlers Jewish Soldiers by Brian Mark Riggs is referenced.

Hitler had in his army.
150000 Jewish Soldiers
1100 Jewish officers
79 high ranking Jewish officers
9 Jewish generals

At 18:00 in the video “the final solution to Hitler” by Dave Condit jr.

1933 was a big year for Zionists.

Both Hitler and FDR came to power in March.

Jews globally boycotted all German trade.

Hitler made the transfer agreement with Zionists to ship Jews, their money and Nazi made goods to Palestine.

FDR closed US borders to Jewish immigration.

Jewish ships carrying Jews, their money and goods like building materials to Palestine, Tel Aviv, flew Nazi flags.

Hitler never complained, yet the popular narrative, the ONLY LEGAL narrative in many countries is that his objective was to kill all Jews. My ass!

[B G]

"Jews, Zionists, worked with Hitler to send, deport Jews from Germany to Palestine."

The goal of Zionists was to get Jews to Israel. If Hitler was willing to send them there during the six years between when he took over control of the German government and when the invasions of neighboring countries took place, then why wouldn't they be willing to accept State assistance toward that objective. The US wasn't accepting them, the UK couldn't have handled large numbers, and the USSR under Stalin was a worse alternative than Tsarist Russia had been during the Pogroms.

The forced relocations which took place after 1939 in Germany and other occupied countries (Poland, Czech, France, Belgium, Holland, etc) were a very different story since getting out of the territory occupied by the Reich was no longer an option.

"If that is the WW2 holocaust, Jews are also responsible for it."

Since it shouldn't be hard to comprehend the difference between the pre-WW2 portion of Hitler's government and the time from 1939-1945 when WW2 was actually happening, I have to assume you're choosing to not understand the distinction, just as you refuse to comprehend the difference in what happened at the Camps after the extermination order was issued from Berlin in Jan 1942 as opposed to the years before that order went out and the mass exterminations were started in earnest (mostly at the camps outside of German borders)

[B G]

btw, continually changing the subject in a debate is how those who are in denial (or incapable of rational thought) signal defeat.

If only the people who ingrained this dogmatic nonsense into your mind had also done more than teach you how to regurgitate rote litanies of nonsense and irrelevance as "proof".

[Rob Misek]

If Hitler wanted to kill all Jews like the bullshit story goes, he’d never have worked with Zionists, Jews, to send them anywhere. Hitler would have no reason to give a rats ass about Zionists or Palestine. He would have wanted to keep them close, to kill them.

It’s your story fuckwit.

If Hitler wanted to deport Jews out of Germany he’d let them leave to anywhere anytime. Only Zionists had specific plans for as many Jews as they could get to Palestine.

You brought up the bullshit Nazi narrative fuckwit.

I’m just rubbing your face in it.

[mattwa]

The largest voting bloc in the UN is Islamic countries. Coincidentally, the UN has voted to censure Israel more than all other countries combined during the time that they have dominated this body.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Misek approves, as he is all in with Islamic terrorists.

[B G]

Who wants to be the one to tell him that Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad want to exterminate all of the Christian Arabs in Palestine as well? Maybe they'll erect another mosque on the site of the manger in Bethlehem in order to erase the history of every religion which pre-dated Islam in the region?

Or ask him why, if there are so many Christian Arabs among the "Palestinian" population, the suicide bombers and HIjackers who targeted Israeli and western civilians for 50+ years always shouted "Allahu Akbar" and never "Christ is King"?

No room for any "infidels" in the new Caliphate, and if Misek gets his wish and the "Saturday people" are rendered extinct, then there'll be that many fewer people left when they come for the "Sunday people"...

[Rob Misek]

Jews, not Palestinians or Christians are on trial for committing genocide in the ICJ, the highest court of the UN also responsible for ruling on the genocide convention which both Israel and the US are signatories to.

Jews have terrorized Palestinians for 76 years in the stolen occupied apartheid state called Israel.

[B G]

It was called Israel for centuries before the Romans started calling it Palestine (which was centuries before the Arab population migrated into the area).

If the Arabs are fighting (mostly against western civilian populations during the last 3 decades of the 20th century) for land which they're the indigenous population of, then why aren't they using the name their "indigenous" ancestors used before an occupier invented the name "Palestine"?

If the Lakota Sioux and other tribes native to the "badlands" area managed to reclaim the lands their ancestors lived on, do you think they'd keep calling it "South Dakota" and "Montana"?

[Rob Misek]

It’s not ancient history, Jews are on trial for committing a holocaust today.

I can only conclude that Jew would advocate committing a holocaust against US citizens as well.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Does anyone care what happens on campus during summer break? Even the most active activists are chilling around the parents' pool at home or playing bored summer intern.

[YehoshuaK]

To be fair to the repulsive little shits, there's no point in protesting on an empty campus. Protests (even non-criminal protests, protests that don't involve denying public access to public areas, violence, or other criminal acts) are useless if there's nobody around to witness them.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The White House says Israel's military offensive in Gaza has crippled the terrorist group to such a degree that Hamas no longer poses a threat.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

[Mother's Lament (Banana Republic Day - May 30, 2024)]

to such a degree that Hamas no longer poses a threat.

Just like for America in Afghanistan.

[Chumby]

Taliban 1
Biden 0

[Don't look at me!]

The White House says Israel’s military offensive in Gazathe DOJ has crippled the terrorist group Trump to such a degree that Hamas republicans no longer poses a threat.

[Idaho-Bob]

Chilling and true. The are already calling Trump's complaints "sedition" and his supporters. Keep your powder dry.

[Medulla Oblongata]

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience has shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.

[Medulla Oblongata]

These guys were seditionists and all surely guilty of treason, too.

John Adams
Samuel Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Alexander Hamilton
John Hancock
John Jay
Thomas Jefferson
Richard Henry Lee
Robert R. Livingston
James Madison
George Mason
Robert Morris
Peyton Randolph
Roger Sherman
George Washington

and many more...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founding_Fathers_of_the_United_States

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

What a bunch of white male plantation owners. We should refute anything they said or wrote.

[Ersatz]

ha! was just about to write something-something old dead white guys....

[B G]

And yet the people who think that "old dead white men" are the cause of all the problems are still supporting Joe Biden.

If one of the animatronics at the Disneyworld "Hall of Presidents" were as glitchy as Joe, they'd retire the thing as a mercy to both the visitors and the machine itself.

[Ersatz]

yup

[damikesc]

The continued incapability to win by the US is attempting to infect others.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/1797490372337402121?t=hMmZi06Gdd7021bGTNzGFA&s=19

Reminder - George Soros heir, Alex Soros, delivers breathless temper tantrum about Trump in front of Davos elite: "One man, Donald Trump, literally came in and just took that, took that, took that all away. Um, you know so, um, you know so, um, you know."

[Video]

[Gaear Grimsrud]

Clean and articulate.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Most spawn of billionaires are retards.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

You know who else was/is a retard?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Sarc?
Jeff?
Swalwell?
Schiff?
Tailib?
AOC?

[Idaho-Bob]

AOC?

[Chumby]

A New York jury?

[Don't look at me!]

Charliehall?

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Joe Biden?

Any voter who is still willing to vote for Joe Biden, including Joe Biden?

[Chumby]

The ReTardationer?

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

I know you're not twalkin' to or about me.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Bernie Ecclestone’s delicious daughters being notable exceptions……

[Mickey Rat]

I do not think Alex Soros knows what the checks and balances in the US system of government are.

[Ajsloss]

I'm sure Soros understands the "checks" part.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Like my sister-in-law who thought as long as she had checks in her purse she had money to spend?

[Medulla Oblongata]

https://twitter.com/lwoodhouse/status/1796729379449610571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1796729379449610571%7Ctwgr%5E9efc281b2a96c31e3d75530b6b3aee0326120f2d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftownhall.com%2Ftipsheet%2Fguybenson%2F2024%2F06%2F03%2Fanalysis-so-far-little-movement-in-post-conviction-public-opinion-but-n2639877

The foundation this guy [Soros] runs literally calls for more hiring of convicted felons.

"Ban the Box: Ending Employment Discrimination Against Formerly Incarcerated Individuals"

Soros on Trump:

"Democrats should refer to Trump as a convicted felon at every opportunity. Repetition is the key to a successful message and we want people to wrestle with the notion of hiring a convicted felon for the most important job in the country! ⁦⁦"

[B G]

"Word Salad" is a common sign of cognitive dissonence, when the subconcious mind starts to figure out that objective reality is in direct contradiction to some ideological dogma that the conscious mind chooses to insist is an accurate assessment of the outside world.

See also, any instance of AOC trying to discuss economics or policy.

[Fist of Etiquette]

...and the release of many hostages taken by Hamas—women, the elderly—in exchange for "hundreds of Palestinian prisoners."

Biden thinks one Israeli is worth 10 Palestinians? DRAG HIM, WOKE WHITE HOUSE STAFFERS!

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Gentiles don't know how to bargain.

[Fist of Etiquette]

...including the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities.

Maybe Alvin Bragg's office can help with that latter part.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

Not a single thing in hamas can remain

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Ideally, every one of them should be slaughtered.

[Vernon Depner]

Offer them this deal: if you have a live hostage with you when you surrender, you will not be killed.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

I can see that backfiring. It does create some perverse incentives.

[Vernon Depner]

No, it doesn't. They already have the hostages.

[YehoshuaK]

Eh, I'm not picky. The terrorists (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah, etc.) don't all have to be slaughtered. They could be drowned, or burnt, or trampled by buffalo, or killed by any other means. As long as they go to their final punishment post-haste, it's all good.

[Vernon Depner]

Why isn’t the IDF pumping poison gas into the tunnels?

[YehoshuaK]

I'm not in the rooms where these decisions are made, but my guess would be a combination of concern for the surviving hostages, if any, insufficient poison gas in stock or readily attainable, and the fact that the use of chemical weapons is specifically prohibited under the Geneva Convenctions. (I think--I'm not a scholar of the topic.)

[Ersatz]

hmmmmm how about a high concentration of nitrogen gas... just enough to incapacitate the stragglers ?

[Anomalous]

"If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about."

The moderator of that debate later referred to Briahna Joy Gray as "DEI Barbie."

[TheReEncogitationer]

All Hamas wants is something like what we have in America. -Briahna Joy Gray

Yes, Bri-Bri, they want something like the United States! They want to destroy something like the United States!

Goddamn, why doesn't Robbie Suave mop the floor clean with this stupid bitch every time they debate on The Hill?

[TrickyVic (old school)]

""All Hamas wants is something like what we have in America. -Briahna Joy Gray""

A Banana Republic? Don't they already have that?

[Lester75]

Hamas wants an Islamic state: women relegated to enslaved breeders, gay people dead and gone, built on the graves of lots of dead Jews.

[Medulla Oblongata]

He still wants to be invited to the cocktail parties?

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

While DEI Barbie marries boring Middle Management Ken, she dreams of dangerous liaisons with swarthy Ali Akbar. Hospital with weapons stash sold separately. Kids, ask the UN, er, your parents.

[Chumby]

Ukraine Ken

[mad.casual]

“DEI Barbie.”

An ethnically-diverse plastic bimbo?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Over the weekend, more than 100,000 Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv to pressure Netanyahu to accept the Biden-brokered deal.

I may be 100,000 out of Israel’s population percent anti-Semitic now.

[TheReEncogitationer]

Not surprising. In Israel, there are actually Grandkids of Holocaust survivors (from Russia of course) who are Neo-Nazis!

Patrol 36--Wikipedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol_36

These thugs and their parents both need to be dragged by the earlobes on a very special package tour through Europe, visiting every Goddamn last concentration camp and pogrom and site of resistance! Then end the package tour in Auschwitz by making them do like Dr. Jacob Bronowski did in The Accent of Man:

The Ascent of Man, Episode 11--Knowledge or Certainty
https://youtu.be/ltjI3BXKBgY?si=BCLcD4Sn0aDZqAEl

Sorry to be so heavy this morning, but really, we all need that reminder from Dr. Jacob Bronowski from time to time.

None of us has the lock on knowing it all and that's a damn good thing! It means we all can never stop learning in an infinite Natural Universe and that we humans are all equal in sharing that wonderful burden! Acknowledge it, live in it, laugh in it, love in it!

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

Lol. Live, laugh, love? You become more of a stereotype every day.

Today the type is a 48 year old cat woman.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

I guess you've got it all figured out, huh? Uh, not!

Reality is "Terrible And Unfair"™ to the delusional.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/AuronMacintyre/status/1797612388432429061?t=93ncZf6F7q2QdB8aJsveIg&s=19

People warning you about Christian nationalism be like:

[Link]

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

US Christian nationalism bad. Muslim, indigenous, animist, and international socialist Christian nationalism good.
- Progressive Activist Handbook and Media Kit

[TheReEncogitationer]

Nikki Haley
@NikkiHaley·
19h
You can’t destroy what God has blessed—and God has blessed Israel.

Christian Nationalists are delusional if they think an Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnibenevolent God exists and blesses Israel or anyone else!

October 7th should be refutation enough of that delusion to anyone with a molecule of rationality!

A place free from persecution and genocide is a human creation and the bitch won't move until and unless humans get out and push it!

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Athiests are just as delusional in proclaiming they have absolute knowledge of everything. Even woth science most of what atheists commit as fact are just best guesses.

Just like theists don't know, neither do atheists.

You also espouse a religion.

[Randy Sax]

You also espouse a religion.

Some of the crazies, maybe. But for most atheists no. For me it is lack of religion. That's it.
How way the universe created? I dunno. Do I think it was some bearded man in the sky? Absolutely not.
Most don't have espoused theories on the "big questions". We simply reject religious theories.

[TheReEncogitationer]

I keep trying to tell them...
🙂
😉
While Buddhism is a religion that doesn't require a God, Atheism by itself is definitely not a religion.

[Chumby's Chimps E1 (5/30/24=0.0069)]

I have a feeling that you accept the Big Bang theory even though you do not personally understand the science behind it and could never hope to. And even if you did fully comprehend 100% of the mathematics and physics required to support the theory, understand that it could never be tested by anything less than what would be for all intents and purposes an omnipotent being.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

The Big Bang Theory is an explaination given for how the Universe has developed over time.

Unlike Genesis, The Big Bang Theory does not explain the alleged origin of the Universe, which is an contradiction in terms. If the Universe is everything that exists, including time, then the Universe has no beginning or end.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

Also, we humans have discovered, based on calculating the Half-Life of Uranium 235 and calculating the distance from Quasars, that there are things in the Universe that are orders of magnitude older than the 6000-year-old Universe that Bishop Ussher postulated based on The Bible.

No Omniscient or Omnipotent Being required to calculate that.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

Moreover, an eternal, uncreated Universe is perfectly consistent with The Law of Conservation in Physics, which holds that Energy changes forms, but can neither be created nor destroyed.

Combined with Einstein's finding that Matter is just slowed-down Energy, the same goes with Matter, changing forms, but neither created nor destroyed.

Again, no Cosmic G-Thang required here.

[Chumby's Chimps E1 (5/30/24=0.0069)]

Though that is scientism, not atheism; it does make you a person of faith.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

That would make you agnostic, not athiest.

[Randy Sax]

No. Agnostic – maybe god. Atheist – definitely not god.
Do I %110 know know? No. But you don’t %110 know know I don’t have a unicorn in my pocket. My belief in god is the same as your belief in unicorns.

[Nardz]

"God is not" is even more a position of blind faith than "God is"

[Randy Sax]

Do you have blind faith unicorns don't exist?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

No. There are billions of planets. They could exist in some form.

[Randy Sax]

Ok, let me re-phrase. Do you have blind faith unicorns don’t exist on Earth?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Why did you have to reform? Can you prove God doesn't exist in some form off of earth?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

So you 100% know there isnt a God. Based on faith. A religion.

How can you have knowledge of absolute certainty for something that isn't provable?

Just like genesis of life or big bang is still listed as theoretical, but I'm sure you have absolute faith both of those are factual.

You have an incomplete knowledge base but also rely on faith due to that.

[Randy Sax]

Did you read my post?

So you 100% know there isn't a God.

Do I %110 know know? No.

[Chumby]

What about 109%?

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Maybe 108.9%.

[Chumby]

Or perhaps 108.8%?

[Chumby]

108.7%?

[Chumby]

Ok, 108.6%?

[Chumby]

Perhaps 108.5%!?!?

[Randy Sax]

Just like genesis of life or big bang is still listed as theoretical, but I’m sure you have absolute faith both of those are factual.

I don't. But I also don't give that much of a shit. I know it's cringey meme, but the universe was equally likely to have been created by a Judeo-Cristian "god" as a flying spaghetti monster. You don't know it wasn't the spaghetti monster. Yet you worship the Judeo-Cristian one. Doesn't make much sense to me.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Yet you seem to give a shit about theism for some reason. Which is a weird delta for two different topics.

[Randy Sax]

I kinda get butthurt when people call atheism a religion. Some people do treat it that way. But for 95% of us it is just lack of religion. Not belief in something else.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Look up the Latin root of athiesm to understand why.

Most people are agnostic. Literally translates to without knowledge.

[DesigNate]

Who’s to say God isn’t a Flying Spaghetti Monster?

[Jefferson Paul]

I’m an agnostic atheist. The agnostic part refers to what I know (or claim to know); the atheist part denotes what I believe (or claim to believe). Those are the definitions I use. I always chuckle when theists tell me what I am.

With those definitions, one can be a gnostic atheist, which is an antitheist who believes no gods exist and claims to know a god or gods don’t exist. One can be an agnostic atheist, which is someone who doesn’t believe any gods exist (which is different than believing no gods exist). An agnostic theist, who believes in a god or gods, but doesn’t claim to know it for a fact. Or a gnostic theist, who believes in god(s) and knows or claims to know that it is true.

The only one of the four that doesn’t have a burden of proof is the agnostic atheist. I simply do not accept your claim that a god exists. That’s it (as far as the theist/atheist part is concerned).

An antitheist who declares no gods exist or that he believes no gods exist does have a burden of proof. I don’t know how he’d meet that burden of proof, but the burden of proof is there for making a claim, as opposed to not accepting the theists’ claim.

Claiming an atheist (different from antitheist) has faith or that atheism is a religion is like saying my favorite hobby is not collecting stamps, or that your favorite sexual position is abstinence.

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

I would argue that most atheists are actually anti-thiests. They care more about snidely attempting to convince others that there is no god (almost exclusively referring to the Judeo-Christian God), and their identity revolves around mocking and deriding religion (again, almost exclusively referring to Christians).

I'm agnostic, and neither theist nor atheist as a result. I believe that it's possible, albeit incredibly unlikely, that there is a god (or godlike being, or beings), that may have had a hand in creating/manipulating/guiding the universe to it's current form. I find it incredibly, nearly impossibly unlikely, that said being is the Judeo-Christian God. I think it's almost infinitely more likely that there are billions of different alien civilizations in the universe, than that there is a single God, and the only thing created was Earth, for humans, and outside of Earth, everything else is basically inconsequential.

[Jefferson Paul]

Under my definitions, you would be an atheist, since you lack a belief in god. You don't have to accept or use my definitions, but that is how I view it and the terminology I use.

There are definitely some of the more "militant atheists" out there, especially online, which seems to allow people to be jerks anonymously. I strive hard not to be like that, for two main reasons. First, it's not effective. You're not going to get someone to question his beliefs by beating him over the head with what you see as impeccable logic. It just doesn't work that way. Whether you go from theist to atheist or the other way around, it takes time, usually, to figure out what exactly you believe, why you believe it, and whether those are good reasons and if your methodology is sound. I encourage everyone to do so, whether it makes them more convinced or less convinced that their religion is true. I didn't go from Orthodox Christian to atheist overnight (with a stop along the way for deism--I even have my dog tags from the Army with "Deist" on them). The other reason is that you are just gonna come across as an asshole.

But, I agree, there has definitely been a trend of (especially new) atheists who have to throw their atheism in the face of anyone who even mentions religion, which I'm not in favor of doing.

[Randy Sax]

Generally why I prefer the term "non-religious" to "atheist".

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

A lot of aggressive atheists, or, let’s be honest, anti theists, have turned atheism into a religion. And they tend to be jihadists.

And I say this as an agnostic.

[TheReEncogitationer]

A God with the traits of the Abrahamic God is both logically self-contradictory and logically contradictory of the brazen evil that was October 7th. No knowledge is required to refute that which is a priori logically contradictory.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Only if you have a complete misunderstanding of the religion you hate.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Did you really expect more from him? Really?

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

All right, so where was the Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnibenevolent God when Israel was attacked by Hamas on October 7th?

[Ersatz]

where was he when Isreal was carried away by the Assyrians?

where was he when Judah was carried away by the Babylonians (and Jerusalem burned)

the bible has a narrative for that of which you are obviously oblivious

You dont have to believe it but to say its a contradiction because bad things happen to good people is naive and\or lazy thinking

[damikesc]

I love seeing "Rational atheists" whose entire worldview is based, HEAVILY, on Judeo-Christian thinking bemoaning how bad Judeo-Christian beliefs are.

[Randy Sax]

You take the good, leave the bad. "love thy neighbor" - sure. "do not take thy lord's name in vain" - fuck you, I'll say whatever the Jesus titty-fucking Crist I want.

[Dillinger]

>>lord’s name in vain

asked my priest about this when I was 12 or so he said "what's the lord's name?"

[A Thinking Mind]

Blackrock?

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

"WhoIam"?

[TheReEncogitationer]

Forcing an emotion like love is too much to ask as well, since emotions are a product of thought and you can't force thought either. However, the Libertarian NAP/NIFF Principle of not initiating force or fraud against your neighbor is the G-for-Goldilocks Spot.

[TheReEncogitationer]

Atheism existed long before Abrahamic religion. Every child born before or since Abrahamic religion was and is an Atheist until taught to believe.

And if you really think that Atheism came from Abrahamic religion, and if you think Atheism produced the horrors of the Twentieth Century, then why don't adherents to Abrahamic religion blame themselves for the horrors of the Twentieth Century?

[BYODB]

This fails to explain why religion crops up in every culture except for those few where adherence to any belief except the ruling party is met with detention or death. That doesn't stop the people from believing things, either, it merely stops them from expressing those beliefs.

Mankind are not, generally speaking, rational animals. They are animals of belief.

Atheism is more of the same, only it is rooted in a belief in the rationality of man which is perhaps even easier to disprove than a sky father.

I don't make a judgement if any of those are better or worse than the alternatives, but it is what it is. I can surely say that in the modern era atheism has caused far more harm than the alternatives, and mostly because of socialist/communist nations murdering off the dissenters.

[TheReEncogitationer]

Humans indeed do believe many things, but they only survive and thrive when those beliefs match Objective Reality. This is what is meant by Aristotle’s referring to Man as The Rational Animal. Man lives by Reason and otherwise diminishes and dies from delusions.

Atheism by itself makes no assertion on the nature of Man, though many Atheists who were previously taught to believe after they were born came to their Atheism by Reason.

And, again, the horrors of The Twentieth Century were caused by Totalitarianism, not the Atheism that a portion of Totalitarians held.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Man doesn't live in objective reality. It is more subjective. That's why science constantly changes and laws are constantly changed. Then governments live on subjective measures, including your loved LGBT type measures.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

Science proper changes with new evidence arises. Legislation and social mores change more with whim and pressure.

[Ersatz]

Would you consider psychology a science or a pseudo science?

[BYODB]

Humans indeed do believe many things, but they only survive and thrive when those beliefs match Objective Reality.

Easily disproven by the formation of the United States, which I assume is where you live. All the founding fathers were Christians. It's hard to ignore how well they survived and thrived.

Or the Mayans. Or, hell, the Romans. Even the very ancient cultures such as the Mesopotamians. Every last one of them were highly religious and all of them survived and thrived, at least for a time.

Christianity itself is around 2000 years old, is that not surviving and thriving?

Keep in mind I'm not arguing in favor of theocracy or anything, I'm agnostic at best, but it amazes me that people can spout such obvious B.S. that ignores the entirety of human civilization.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

All the founding fathers were Christians. It’s hard to ignore how well they survived and thrived.

Well, not all of them, but the societies they represented sure were. Even the abolition of state-sponsored churches didn't end Christianity as an inherently American cultural pillar. It's a big reason the communists sought to either abolish or subvert and take those places over to use them for marxist political ends starting in the 1960s.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

And how well did our forebearers live and thrive when they believed that leaches balanced humours and cured diseases? Or when they believed that lightning rods were defying the will of God?

And how well did the Mayans survive and thrive thinking that their God required regular and massive human sacrifice to appease their Sun God?

And how well did Indigenous Tribes in general survive and thrive when their intellectual and cultural horizons didn’t extend beyond their familiar territories and their own kin and people? Dr. Thomas Sowell gave the succinct answer that they ultimately didn’t when they encountered Europeans.

The age of ideas or practices doesn’t make them right or good. To say otherwise is an Argument From Tradition and anArgument From Incredulity Fallacy.

[Jefferson Paul]

Humans indeed do believe many things, but they only survive and thrive when those beliefs match Objective Reality.

I disagree. The popularity or endurance of a belief does not speak to its truth. Claiming so is a logical fallacy. A true belief can be short-lived and unpopular, just as a false belief can be ubiquitous and have lasted for millennia. The truth of a claim needs to be demonstrable before a rational person believes. (or, at the least, the level of belief should be proportional to the evidence, whether it's physical evidence or philosophical evidence, such as a valid and sound syllogism).

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

We don't disagree and I don't see where you got that we did disagree.

If anything, my opponents here are saying Religion has been there for centuries, ergo Religion is good and acceptable.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Polytheism did as well. Your ignorance abounds. You also seem to have a weird obsession of a single tree of religion.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

I know all about Polytheism too and it didn't do any good for Indians (whether "Dot" or "Feather") or Africans (whether on the Mother Continent or among Diaspora Afrocentrics with a fixation on Egyptian Gods) or European Paleo-Pagans or Neo-Pagans protesting Marvel Comics portrayals of Thor and Loki.

Religion isn't a tree, but more like Kudzu.

[A Thinking Mind]

Atheism existed long before Abrahamic religion.

This is kind of a childish retort, coming from an atheist. Atheism itself isn’t a belief system. People who are atheists in the west have a belief system that was inherently shaped by the spread of Christianity, from the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages through the reformation and enlightenment.

The worldview of valuing the individual over the collective comes from this religious backdrop, where every soul is accountable to god. Prior to the spread of Christianity (and yes, also Islam, to a different degree), people were viewed much more as members of a tribe or a family unit. It was a much more collectivist mentality. People who grew up in areas where Eastern thought and religions were more prevalent, like Confucianism and Buddhism, tend to have a much more collectivist worldview.

A lot of ideas you think are just basic moral principles have been entrenched in a philosophical background that is utterly enmeshed with Christian principles. Like the sins of the father not being visited upon the son. Even the idea of secularism originated as a Christian idea-pay unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.

That concept does come from the practicality of practicing a minority religion in a vast empire, and the general religious and political philosophy of the Romans. They were so polytheistic that they were afraid of offending any gods, so they left each province to practice whatever religion they liked as long as they paid their taxes and acted as loyal Roman subjects. So these ingredients helped form Christianity into an identity separate from the state, which was a novel concept. Romans did have a state religion, and the high priest of Jupiter was an important elected political office. Christians come along and can’t form their own state because they’re within a multinational Empire that puts down rebellions, so a central principle they embrace is that “my kingdom is not of this world.”

Compare that to places where Hinduism and Buddhism were prevalent. The caste system endured in many areas basically until they were colonized by the West.

Again, this is coming from an atheist. I just recognize the significant historical impact of Abrahamic religions and how significant they are in constructing everyone’s worldview. There’s no historical tradition of atheism and atheism thought that founded western societies.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

Christianity holds the Individual to be an Originally Sinful piece of shit who needs Grace from the supposedly Perfect God who created this piece-of-shit Individual. How is that pro Individual?

And wasn't "Render Unto Caesar" and Paul's calls to "obey the civil authorities" just Christianity sucking up to The Man of the time?

And why did Christianity embrace State Religion status when Theodocius and Constantine made Christianity the Official State Religion of Rome?

I say keep studying.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Disagree, the Jewish faith's mere existence says otherwise. How many religions are practiced are 4000-6000 years old? I know all the religions from regions my ancestors hail from are all gone; replaced by a sect of Judaism. Man keeps trying to put and end to em and god seems to keep having their back. So between them and the Hindu, they're in the running for people blessed by god.

And I'm agnostic and don't care.

[Jefferson Paul]

This is a bad argument. The truth claims of a religion are not dependent on how old it is or how long it's been practiced.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

So "blessing" means all the plundering, kidnapping, torture, rape, and murder done by Hamas?

I'll stick with doing without such "blessings" and those who inflict them.

And it's sad that someone can be so numb and uncaring about such a pivotal concept on which the fate of Humanity has always turned for the worst.

[YehoshuaK]

Human suffering has been a constant going back to the dawn of time. October 7 of the last year is very far from the first time that Jews have been singled out for horrific torture and murder–that goes back at least to the wars with Assyria in the late First Temple period, about 2500 or 2600 years ago.

If none of that convinced us that you’re right and we’re wrong (you’re not right, and we’re not wrong), why would you expect Oct. 7 to convince us?

The event happened. Your interpretation is just an interpretation. And not a good one.

[TheReEncogitationer (5-30? Meh! A day in the life for the Eternally Vigilant!)]

An Omniscient God would have known of October 7th.

An Omnipotent God could have stopped October 7th.

An Omnibenevolent God would have wanted to stop October 7th.

And yet October 7th still happened.

Ditto with The Holocaust, Stalin's Terror Famine, Mao's Great Leap Forward, Pol Pot's Killing Fields, and any other evil you care to name.

Jewish people are on the same continuum of good and evil as the rest of Humanity, but the God of all Abrahamic Religions would not be worthy of worship even if he existed. Hence my disgust with Nikki Haley saying that this God blesses Israel.

[YehoshuaK]

Yes, yes, I’ve heard that argument before. It’s a very old and simple-minded argument.

It relies, of course, on the assumption that you personally know what is best. It’s a foolish assumption. You can't even understand the functions of your own brain, never mind the necessary unfoldings of history.

As a great man once said, what kind of G-d would He be if I could understand Him?

[Jefferson Paul]

The Epicurean Paradox

[YehoshuaK]

Sure. But the Epicurean Paradox relies on at least two hidden assumptions.

One, that we as human beings know who is good and who is not. We don't. Hitler thought that he was a great moral hero; millions of Germans agreed with him. G-d may have disagreed.

Second, that we know what events are good and what are not. We don't. We are like a bug inside a vast machine. We don't know what the machine is for, or what it does, or why there's a cog in this particular place. But, in our arrogance, we are sure that we know if the machine is built well or not!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Inside the feud between the mayor's office and city council.

Palace intrigue, except the opposite of intrigue. Bore, I guess.

[Fist of Etiquette]

...Trump appeared to violate the order by referring to a certain 'sleazebag' attorney that was obviously Michael Cohen.

I don't know. I'm sure the courthouse was full of those that fit that description.

[damikesc]

I'd love to see Merchan try and execute a punishment for that.

SCOTUS might have to interfere with NY's blatant election interference here.

[Fist of Etiquette]

...be sent to his own wing with Secret Service protection at Rikers Island if he is to stay the night.

Street cred.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Gentrification scum

[Mike Parsons]

^ fist revealing his burner?!

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Nope, just thought it was funny that one could use Fist's pithy replies for the Rikers and Detroit stories interchangeably.

Also don't insult Fist by linking him to my dumbass.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Now that you explained it, I like it.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Are rich people revitalizing Detroit?

Gentrification scum.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

They ruined it with white flight... Also racist

[Don't look at me!]

Are rich people revitalizing Detroit?

Poor people sure a shit ain’t gonna do it.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

What about for 40 acres and a mule?

[Chumby]

Traded for a few cartons of menthols.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Better not try to sell those as loosies.

[tracerv]

I'M RICH BITCH! honkhonk

[Ersatz]

how about 2 mules?

[Fist of Etiquette]

The return of the finance bro is…a sign that the era of the tech nerd, exemplified by Mark Zuckerberg, has come to an end...

Zero sum bro game.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Americans aren't prepared for the calamitous injuries produced by modern conventional weapons...

Yeah, that's why we have proxies, dummy.

[Yuno Hoo]

"For God's sake, bring back chemical warfare!"

[Dillinger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahBvI4pdh9U

[mad.casual]

Little Girl: Wow! YouTube is really keeping this family together.
Doctor Dad: You have no idea.
YouTube Viewers: *You* have no idea.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

Yes they are, I've seem worldstar

[mad.casual]

Remember the meme about the last thing you hear before you go under for surgery is your surgeon explaining how he doesn't need a mask? Despite the fact that doctors don't wear masks to prevent viruses and nobody was saying they should stop?

Imagine the last thing you hear before you go to under for surgery is your surgeon explaining how he's going to use a "modern conventional" technique.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1797591143489921104?t=adk5SJCpUcN5ivQJBFvlHw&s=19

Meanwhile, the Philly Pride parade has run into an unforeseen situation

[Link]

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

Okay that tweet is confusing. What part of that is "unforseen"

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Not much unseen.

[Mike Parsons]

whats the brawling over?

[Don't look at me!]

Fag fight!

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

I’m surprised there isn’t any kind of sissy fighting offshoot of MMA. Just slap fighting, hair pulling, etc..

[Nardz]

It's just what black women do now

[Chumby]

Sam Brinton’s dress?

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

He needs to wear that dress in a sissy fight with Andy Dick.

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

Someone was dissed, obviously.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

This is the same pride parade that ran into the pro-Hamas protesters.

Philly should be entertaining during June. Got popcorn?

[TrickyVic (old school)]

Speaking of Abrahamic religions. Seem the pride group hasn't learned that it is more than just one of those religions oppressing them.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Donald Trump joined TikTok (after once threatening to ban the app).

The Chinese own him now.

[Longtobefree]

So a full 10% for him, or does Biden take a cut?

[Don't look at me!]

Biden always gets a cut.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Mexico elected its first lady president.

Is it that weather girl?

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

I'm guessing she is a globalist, and was installed like Biden, the polish president, and the Brazilian president

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

But wait, she's Jewish. Which conspiracy group is really behind her? Where's Misek?

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

Up above, refuted.

[Chumby]

She has a Mexican sounding name, so it makes sense.

[Don't look at me!]

They couldn’t afford to pay a man.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Ran on a racist campaign to end the machismo of Mexico. That will make the Cartels think twice.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Any worse then the last president who had a hugs not bullets slogan?

[Fist of Etiquette]

If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about.

You know you didn't need the if in this if/then statement.

[Yuno Hoo]

Phase three would involve rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

Um, courtesy of the US taxpayer?

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Those tunnels won't rebuild themselves.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

What's the tunnel rate per foot at KBR these days?

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

ps. We need the no-bid contract rate.

[Medulla Oblongata]

At union rates.

[Mike Parsons]

"as well as total withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of many hostages taken by Hamas—women, the elderly—in exchange for "hundreds of Palestinian prisoners."

1. "many" and not all hostages, non starter
2. hundreds of prisoners for <100 hostages (probably few left alive)
3. total withdrawal?

Ya, sorry the losing side doesn't make out like bandits in the deal

[BYODB]

Yeah, it's going to be pretty hard for Hamas to release those hostages since they're all probably dead. A token few women or children might have been kept alive, but I'd wager they probably wish they were dead already from all the gratuitous rape.

I'm not joking either, that's what Hamas does if they don't just immediately behead you.

The western 'protestors' have no idea what they are talking about and drastically misunderstand the world view they are up against.

[Mike Parsons]

"If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about."

Brianna Joy Gray, the human embodiment of ignorant leftist cancer

[Roberta]

Just answer the question: What does Hamas exist for?

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

Well according to their charter, the compete destruction of the Jewish race

[Mike Parsons]

I mean sure, if you are going to, like, take them at their word or something.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

You who else you should take at their word?

[TheReEncogitationer]

As a Holocaust survivor put it, anyone who says the want to kill you.

Sorry to Godwin the thread, but skulls full of mush both in the U.S. and Israel need reminding bad!

[Medulla Oblongata]

The original, 1988 version of the charter emphasize four main themes:[59]

Destroying Israel and establishing an Islamic theocracy in Palestine is essential;[59]
Unrestrained jihad is necessary to achieve this;[59]
Negotiated resolutions of Jewish and Palestinian claims to the land are unacceptable;[59]
Historical anti-semitic tropes that reinforce the goals.[59]

The Covenant proclaims that Israel will exist until Islam obliterates it, and jihad against Jews is required until Judgement Day. Compromise over the land is forbidden. The documents promote holy war as divinely ordained, reject political solutions, and call for instilling these views in children.[59]

Article Seven of the Charter concludes with a quotation from a hadith:

The Day of Judgment will not come until Muslims fight the Jews, when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say, 'O Muslim, O servant of God, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.' Only the Gharkad tree would not do that, because it is one of the trees of the Jews.

Article 8 The Hamas document reiterates the Muslim Brotherhood's slogan of "Allah is its goal, the Prophet is the model, the Qur'an its constitution, jihad its path, and death for the sake of Allah is the loftiest of its wishes."[1][25]

Article 13 There is no negotiated settlement possible. Jihad is the only answer.[1]

Article 17 Declares the role of women in Islamic society to be the "maker of men". It condemns Western organizations such as the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, and intelligence agencies as "saboteurs" for promoting subversive ideas on women.[1]

Article 18 Defines the role of women as homemakers and child-rearers, providing education and moral guidance to men.[1]

Article 20 Calls for action "by the people as a single body" against "a vicious enemy which acts in a way similar to Nazism, making no differentiation between man and woman, between children and old people".[1]

[TheReEncogitationer]

See Herr Misek and my reply above.

Herr Misek agrees with your absurdity that it is possible and desirable to treat kindly people that one has put in bondsge and that it is better than setting them free.

Go to him, he calls you. When you've got nothing in the head, you've got nothing to lose!

[Chumby]

Stop funding foreign activities from the US coffer negative balance sheet.

The US federal debt per taxpayer is $266,952.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

So each taxpayer owns like 5 illegals running a food truck

[Randy Sax]

My first batch of Mexicans were great workers, but their offspring, not so much. Do you guys know and good breeding strategies?

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

It's not the breeding it's the early life experience. Drop the young'uns off in Guatemala. The ones who make it back to your factory will be ready to work.

[Super Scary]

Trying to get good IVs is the actual hard part.

[Randy Sax]

CRSPR = Gameshark?

[Moonrocks]

food trucks

I sure hope those new regulations on tortillas don't put them out of business.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/1796701162340786629?t=NUZwqygNOMBOF1QWGcv-Jw&s=19

Never once during the Cold War would we have dreamed of striking Russia on its own soil, even through a proxy. I’ll take a “convicted felon” over World War 3 any day.

[Link]

[Don't look at me!]

Unlike using the wrong words or having the wrong ideas, this is actually dangerous.

[The Mysterious Edwin Dunkel]

If you really want to generate some heartburn, keep reminding leftists that Nelson Mandela was also a convicted felon. It's usually good for a fireworks display.

[Don't look at me!]

Gotta remember that one.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Do misdemeanor convictions count, like MLK?

[Ajsloss]

You need to remember the most important thing.

[Gaear Grimsrud]

MLK got a fair(er) trial in Alabama in 1959 than Trump got in NY in 2024
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1796728512340021684.html
one important difference between the felony trial of Martin Luther King in all-white segregationist Alabama in 1960 and the felony trial of Donald Trump in 2024: even a segregationist judge permitted King to present expert evidence on tax accounting, whereas the Democrat judge in 2024 prevented Trump defense from presenting highly exculpatory expert evidence on election finance law.
So today's Democrat courts exercised modes of unfairness that even a segregationist Alabama court in 1960 didn't attempt.

[Medulla Oblongata]

" even a segregationist Alabama court"

Also a Democrat-heavy situation, so they've gotten worse?

[DesigNate]

This has been obvious for years now.

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

World War 3

World War 3: Nuclear Winter

[Chumby]

Coming to a theatre near you this November.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/jeremykauffman/status/1797601616021139779?t=81UMreECiwrOEiDxJlsoHA&s=19

How did it come to be that homosexuality is the sole behavior it's not okay for parents to try to modify?

You don't even have to be in favor of conversion therapy to find this weird.

[Link]

[Vernon Depner]

Homosexuality is not a behavior. It's a condition.

[Zeb]

It's kind of both.

[Vernon Depner]

No, it's not. A person of any sexual orientation can engage in any sexual behavior. They're two different subjects.

[Zeb]

Engaging in homosexual behavior isn't homosexuality? I'd say it applies both to the behaviors and the orientation. But I suppose reasonable people can disagree about whether the word ought to be used that way.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Weird how they all adopt each others cultural behaviors then. For some it is that way, others adopt the behaviors.

There is no gay gene that creates lisps and the like. A lot of it is behavioral.

[Nardz]

It's behavior.
The motivation for that behavior may be innate, but it is nonetheless behavior that defines homosexuality.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Assuming the distinction is that abstinence is available as a behavior for both homosexual and heterosexual desires (be they innate or not). Being attracted to and wanting to have sex with a specific attractant is probably (almost certainly) a condition, but having sex is a behavior consciously determined.

[sarcasmic]

A family friend who has all the mannerisms of a gay man has lived an asexual life. Says he was never attracted to men or women. But if you met him you'd think he was gay as fuck.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Mannerisms are developed behaviorally, not biologically.

[Vernon Depner]

Wrong. Homosexuality is a sexual orientation. It is not defined by behavior.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

Used to be dogma that homosexuality was genetic and could not be changed.

Now it's dogma that everything sexual is subject to change on a whim at any time, and everybody else must bow down and acknowledge your pronouns without question.

[mad.casual]

This is a bit of a retcon. It was never dogma that homosexuality was genetic. It was, rather transparently, a ploy to grant gays the same special protections that we grant blacks and women despite the fact that it is and was known that people could act and/or perform gay, straight, bi, relatively whimsically in a manner that had nothing to do with genetics and was wholly inconsistent with being black or a woman.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

It was never dogma that homosexuality was genetic.

Yeah, it was. It's a big reason "conversion therapy" was looked on in such horror, that these groups were trying to brainwash gay people into believing that gayness was a state of mind rather than something that was part of their DNA. Hell, one of the music industry's biggest fag hags wrote an entire album not even 15 years ago based around the belief that homosexuality was genetic.

[sarcasmic]

Every gay person I've know told me they knew they were gay when they were 8 or 9 years old. The thought of being with the opposite sex is as repugnant to them as being with the same sex is to me.

So I believe them when they say it's not a choice. If it's not a choice, but it's not genetic, then how do you explain it?

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

I'm simply pointing out that the assertion that stating that genetic homosexuality as dogma is a retcon isn't actually the case.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Do you think women avoiding you is genetic? They probably know at the outset.

[Medulla Oblongata]

When they can now chose a different gender identity, the condition of same-sex vs opposite-sex attraction, even if it is genetic is rendered largely moot, isn't it?

I mean, if a biological male grew up as a gay man, then in his 30's choses to transition to being a woman, is he now homosexual or heterosexual?

Real world example:

Tommy Dorfman "was" a gay male actor (in some TV show I never watched, “13 Reasons Why,” but that's beside the point). He had been married to another man for some time.

About three years ago, Tommy decided that he was "non-binary" and started using "they" pronouns. "They" has since then divorced "their" husband.

And now "they" decided "they" are actually a transgender woman, with "she" pronouns. It is not clear to me whether there has been any surgery to complete that transition, but "she" decided to stick with the name Tommy.

And now "she" has decided that "she" like girls, and is in a relationship with a lesbian.

[sarcasmic]

Using plural pronouns to describe singular people is confusing and annoying. I hope it's a passing fad.

As far as the whole trans thing goes, it's a very tiny percentage of the population getting an extraordinary amount of attention.

[Medulla Oblongata]

And this popped up this morning:

Last week, the BBC News website informed readers about a shocking alleged murder. A 70-year-old Brighton woman appeared in court, it reported, on suspicion of hacking her 70-year-old husband to death with a samurai sword. Local outlets, Brighton and Hove News and the Argus, also covered the story of the allegedly homicidal granny.

All of these outlets have fundamentally misled their readers. The suspect, Joanna Rowland-Stuart, is a man. His late husband, Andrew Rowland-Stuart, was also a man.

While the BBC and local journalists fell over themselves trying not to ‘misgender’ the alleged murderer, internet sleuths took the time to dig into the history of the couple and to uncover the facts. The Gender Critical Woman blog revealed that prior to his retirement, Joanna Rowland-Stuart worked as an equality and diversity manager for Sussex Learning and Skills Council in Brighton. He was active in the local trans community and appeared at events alongside the Sussex Police and the Brighton Kemptown MP, Lloyd Russell-Moyle.

For a while, former trucker Andrew Rowland-Stuart also claimed to be a woman and went by the name ‘Angie’. At the time of their marriage in 2006, the couple identified as ‘lesbians’, although Andrew appears to have subsequently desisted from his trans identity.

[BYODB]

He is correct that it has indeed been argued for a while that it's an innate characteristic (see the arguments about their inclusion as a federally protected group), and it has been argued that it may be genetic although not a shred of proof has ever been offered for that.

Probably because there isn't any, if we're honest, since if it was it would be hereditary like any other genetic factor.

It's also not wrong that the script has been flipped, and now sexuality is fluid which hilariously shreds all their older arguments on the subject.

The trans issue has truly broken the entire alphabet alliance. If it wasn't for the special pleading, I wouldn't really care, but apparently for some people their only personality trait is what they like to fuck. It's pathetic in hetero people, and it's even more pathetic among the gay community simply because at least frat bros don't ask for special protected status.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

If it wasn’t for the special pleading, I wouldn’t really care, but apparently for some people their only personality trait is what they like to fuck.

Probably because the vast majority of the TQ+ members tend to be pornsick coomers that treat it as a fetish rather than inherent part of their biology (aka Jonathan Yaniv and Alex Caraballo), are massive attention whores looking for validation and positive reinforcement from the educational/industrial complex and social media (high school troons and pooners), or were victims of sexual assault who see changing their gender as a means of protecting themselves from further incidents (Ellen Page). There’s also the munchie moms like the mothers of Jazz Jennings, Coy Mathis, and Desmond is Amazing, who are part of the attention whore spectrum and troon their kids out for money and fame.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

That's why I said "dogma", not "science".

[BYODB]

I certainly agree that it's dogma all the way down. I don't really know if a person can actually change their sexuality, but frankly I also don't really care beyond the special pleading. As long as it's two consenting adults and no one gets maimed or killed, fine.

Just don't put your weird sexual fetishes in my face is really all I ask and apparently that is a bridge too far for some in that 'community'. I find them to be just as obnoxious as the frat bro hetero types, and I think that comparison is pretty damn apt. It's little wonder those two groups get along so poorly.

[sarcasmic]

I find them to be just as obnoxious as the frat bro hetero types, and I think that comparison is pretty damn apt.

I used to work with this lesbian who talked about her sexual exploits non stop. She was worse than a typical frat bro because you can at least get guys to talk about something else. For her it that was it. It defined her entire life, like the people who changed their handles in mourning over the Trump verdict. So very sad.

[Medulla Oblongata]

https://youtu.be/e3h6es6zh1c

A proudly gay man gets offended when a coworker raises some complaints about his behavior around the office.

[sarcasmic]

Yeah it was a lot like that. Minus the punch line.

[mad.casual]

A proudly gay man gets offended when a coworker raises some complaints about his behavior around the office.

This is the core of the Bostock case that SCOTUS decided in Bostock's favor. Dude was going around the office during work recruiting for his gay softball league. The County/his employer, audited him and fired him for "conduct unbecoming an employee". Despite the audit Bostock successfully argued that the County *actually* performed the audit to fire him for being gay and, as such, he wasn't protected.

But, of course, a straight guy going around asking all the ladies or men and women equally to join his heterosexual coed softball league would've been sacked without an audit and no one would've batted an eye.

[mad.casual]

Admittedly getting well into semantics but, dogmatists believe their dogma. Con artists don’t believe their gimmicks. IMO, more thought-terminating B.S. along the lines of simply calling someone a racist. Again, not saying dogma is explicitly incorrect, just that dogma to me implies some sort of core tenet or firmly held belief even if it’s nonsensical. IME, they don’t hold the belief except as a rhetorical cudgel to bludgeon people with.

Catholic: I can’t explain how water was transformed into wine. I just know it happened. You just have to believe to understand.

Homosexual: I can’t explain how sexual preference is a fixed sexual trait, I just know that it is until it’s not. Heterosexuals wouldn’t understand that someone’s fixed sexual preferences can change.

Specifically designed to obfuscate and void others’ opinions and agency.

[Zeb]

Or at least that sexual orientation is inherent in a person. Things can be inherent and unchangeable without being specifically genetic.

[BYODB]

What personality factors would you say are unchangeable in a person? Does this justify putting pedos or other sexual offenders in prison for life since they are unchangeable and therefore cannot be 'reformed'.

[Nardz]

^
Herein lies the trouble with elevating homosexuality to an immutable genetic characteristic.

[sarcasmic]

There’s a difference between having urges and acting upon them. Not all psychopaths become murderers. That and criminal behavior peaks around age 30 and decreases after. Meaning the older they get, the less likely they will offend or reoffend.

[Zeb]

I don't know what if any personality factors are unchangeable in any particular person and I don't think anyone else does either.
People should only be punished for things they actually have done. Harsher punishments for repeat offenders seem OK, but in general the law should presume that people can reform.

[Vernon Depner]

Simply being a pedophile is not a crime. We put people in prison only for their actions. Punishments should be proportional to the severity of a crime and should not be determined by fortune telling about the offenders' future behavior.

[Vernon Depner]

Things can be inherent and unchangeable without being specifically genetic.

Right. "Genetic" is a red herring. What the research shows is sexual orientation is present and identifiable at a very early age and is not susceptible to being changed. That is irrespective of what, if any, sexual behaviors a person engages in.

[sarcasmic]

I've never known a gay person who chose to be gay.

Could you be converted to homosexuality? No? Then what makes you think gays can be turned straight?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Maybe you should go meet some.

Knew of identical twins where one was gay, the other straight. It isnt uncommon.

[Zeb]

That doesn't mean one chose it. There are other options other than genetically pre-determined and free choice.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Ironically the one who was gay had heavy drug use starting in middle school. Environment plays a large part. Other one was basically sober.

[markm23]

In any pair of identical twins, one will be dominant - and that probably begins before birth, with one giving way so the other can move into a more comfortable position. Once that is established, they are no longer identical psychologically, so it's no surprise when at some point early in life, they develop different preferences. Having the opposite preference in sex partners seems like a really obvious, although subconscious, way to reduce conflict later.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

Perhaps your thinking is outdated. The modern trope is that sexual identity is as fluid as your 40.

[Vernon Depner]

I was talking about sexual orientation. I don't know what "sexual identity" is supposed to be.

[damikesc]

"I’ve never known a gay person who chose to be gay."

Do pedos CHOOSE to be pedos?

[Chumby]

There are some in the comments that could weigh in on that.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

That dude’s got experience, having been banned once for it.

[Vernon Depner]

Do pedos CHOOSE to be pedos?

Of course not. They can only choose their actions.

[Medulla Oblongata]

When homosexuals transition to the opposite sex but retain their innate attraction to the now-opposite sex, doesn't that make them heterosexual?

[Vernon Depner]

Pretending to be the opposite sex does not change your sexual orientation.

[Medulla Oblongata]

According to their rules, they're not "pretending". Once they state their gender identity, that's what it is.

[Vernon Depner]

But we all know that's bullshit.

[Quicktown Brix]

We no longer correct left handedness either.

[sarcasmic]

No more drummers like Ringo. Is that a gain or loss?

[Zeb]

I think Ringo is unfairly maligned as a drummer. And he seems like the only one of the Beatles who would actually be cool to hang out with.

[sarcasmic]

I’m just joking. Part of his unique sound is that he’s left-handed, but his kit is arranged for a right-handed person.

[Vernon Depner]

If the Beatles had never met each other, Ringo would still have had a successful career as a drummer and John would still have been a rock star. Paul and George needed the Beatles to become successful.

[tracerv]

Come on man. I know it's trendy to bash McCartney but the guy was an incredible singer, songwriter, and could play about any instrument. Plus, he was driven to be famous.

He would have been fine without the Beatles.

[Vernon Depner]

You're describing what Paul became as a Beatle, not what he was before he met them. He would not have gotten there without them. John was the real deal from the start, and Ringo was already a pro drummer in demand before the Beatles called.

[tracerv]

Going to agree to disagree on this one because I could keep going all night.

[Chumby]

Flanders opened the Leftorium.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'The White House says Israel's military offensive in Gaza has crippled the terrorist group to such a degree that Hamas no longer poses a threat.'

Yup, not a single missile strike or car bomb at the White House since Pearl Harbor.

[BYODB]

Last I checked, Hamas was still firing rockets into Israel near daily despite any agreements. Has that changed? I honestly don't know.

[TrickyVic (old school)]

The White House is horrible about predicting or assessing threats. Has been for decades. Also horrible at predicting timelines for conflicts.

[YehoshuaK]

You shouldn't interpret White House prognostications as predictions about the likely future based on a cool analysis of all available data. Rather, interpret them as wishful thinking based on the perceived political needs of the President and other important members of the current Administration. Then they make a lot more sense.

[Chumby]

Parliamentary speaker signs Georgia’s foreign agent’s bill

Now that the Speaker of the Parliament has signed the adopted law on foreign agents after overcoming the presidential veto, a list of organizations acting in foreign interests must be drawn up within 60 days by the Ministry of Justice.

After that period, it will become mandatory for all non-governmental organizations and media that receive more than 20% of their income from other states to register.

The world reacting to US globohomo hegemony. They don’t like color revolutions that create client states for the US.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

The Blob is gonna be so pissed. Fuck them.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/ronrule/status/1797566496119632344?t=GkXPaDDFwtsuG6h3GZQK7w&s=19

This chart represents the total number of US dollars in circulation.

When you double the number of dollars, each dollar is worth half as much.

That’s why everything is 2X higher than it was a few years ago.

It ain’t “corporate greed.” It’s inept government.

[Graph]

[Medulla Oblongata]

Not to disagree too strongly...

"When you double the number of dollars, each dollar is worth half as much."...if nothing else changes.

If, however, as it tends to be in the real world, the amount of stuff the dollars are chasing increases (but by less that 2x), the value of the dollars would still be less, but by a function that relates the amount of goods vs the amount of dollars.

If the economy consisted of 100 widgets and 100 dollars, and we printed 100 more dollars and still had 100 widgets, then yeah, the value of those dollars has been halved.

But if while we were printing those new dollar bills, the economy managed to produce 20 more widgets, we now have 120 widgets and 200 dollars, so the dollars are worth 60% of what they were before.

Gross oversimplification just to make a point.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Democratkind is too stupid to understand anything more complicated. And even this is far too complicated for many of them. Why just look at Sarc, Jeffy, Mod, Mtrue, Shreek, etc..

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'Are rich people revitalizing Detroit?'

Is that the same as that evil white supremacist gentrification stuff?

[Gaear Grimsrud]

What if they're all rich POCs? Yeah. Still racist.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Rich POCs? Disinformation!

[Vernon Depner]

There was a South Park episode about that.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'Americans aren't prepared for the calamitous injuries produced by modern conventional weapons," writes Jeff Colyer, who worked as a volunteer surgeon in Ukraine.'

Sure we are. And we are ready to fight to the last Ukranian.

[Vernon Depner]

That might be happening in the next few weeks.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'Donald Trump joined TikTok'

But can he dance?

[Don't look at me!]

The call to ban is coming from inside the house!

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

'If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about.'

When has that ever mattered? The core of human existence is going on about things you simply do not know.

ps. I still will contribute to any fund that sponsors travel for Rainbow Warriors to Gaza.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"ps. I still will contribute to any fund that sponsors travel for Rainbow Warriors to Gaza."

One-way tickets only.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

They already duked it out in Philly the other day.

https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1797342255159685352?s=46&t=qeA47-JjK6vq0pfnxg60dA

Pro-Palestine protesters clash with Philly pride parade participants.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Does it include the rooftop debates?

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

Pro-Palestine protesters clash with Philly pride parade participants.

I can't even tell which is which.

[InsaneTrollLogic (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

One side is wearing hajibs.

[Vernon Depner]

Do they make Rainbow Hijabs?

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

I mean, "No Pride in Genocide"... is that Pro-Palestine? Anti-LGBT+BBQ? The pride people are generally Pro-Palestine, anti-Israel too. So, I think it takes more than a hijab to know who is who.

The drum line is obvious enough though. lol

[Nardz]

https://x.com/memeticsisyphus/status/1797635129990361495?t=eNPNw5uQrPMYikuFirIFnA&s=19

Of course, this is just evil. There’s no other commentary that’s necessary. You could list the endless list of DC judges dismissing charges for libs, but why even bother? The left doesn’t care. They don’t believe in equal application of the law. They have done everything they can to undermine the legitimacy of the justice system. This cannot be sustained for much longer.

[Link]

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

The democrats cannot be allowed to exist any longer.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Turley lists the numerous constitutional issues with Merchans trial.

https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/4697118-braggs-thrill-kill-in-manhattan-could-prove-short-lived-on-appeal/

So does NY mag.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-was-convicted-but-prosecutors-contorted-the-law.html

But both jeff and sarc who claim to not be leftists continue to support it because a Jury was present. This is the first case they've ever claimed a Jury was gospel and ignored the prosecutioral and judicial abuses of the law.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

And from the Volokh sister site.

https://reason.com/volokh/2024/06/01/president-donald-trumps-manhattan-convictions-are-unconstitutional/

The FEC commissioner who Merchan disallowed to speak on the law has a long thread:

https://x.com/CommishSmith/status/1796795736438272303

Reminder, Merchan disallowed an FEC commissioner to speak but allowed over objections for the prosecution to state Trump was guilty of FEC violations on close despite no evidence or reading of the law given.

[Gaear Grimsrud]

The problem here I think is Trump's path to SCOTUS. I keep reading that appeals will have to be exhausted in the state system before the Supremes would get involved. Seems to me that the egregious violations of Trump's rights and attempts to at least hobble his campaign are obviously a federal matter. But. He has not yet been sentenced and he is not yet officially the Republican nominee. As it stands the timeline will prevent him from campaigning and potentially prevent him from accepting his nomination at the convention. I'm not a lawyer but it seems like there should be some mechanism to get this out of New York.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

I keep reading that appeals will have to be exhausted in the state system before the Supremes would get involved.

Didn't Knicks, PA cemetery case, change this or is that narrowly tailored to only the taking clause cases?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

The slowness of the courts is intentional. It is the exact same thing that happened to Bob McDonnell. Believe it took him 5 years for the unanimous decision against Jack Smith abd it bankrupted him. That is the goal.

And there is no avenue to go after the judge or the prosecutor.

[Vernon Depner]

The process is the punishment. The threat of being subjected to the process keeps the little people in line.

[TrickyVic (old school)]

""I keep reading that appeals will have to be exhausted in the state system before the Supremes would get involved""

The state appellate court recently overturned Havery Weinstien's conviction for inflammatory testimony. Even people that dislike Trump have pointed out many questionable things that are appeal bait.

[YehoshuaK]

“The problem here I think is Trump’s path to SCOTUS.”

The first moment I read that, I thought you meant his path to becoming a member of the Court. Which would be absolutely hilarious.

Incidentally, President Taft (1909-1913) was later appointed Chief Justice (not just Associate Justice!) of the Court, so it could happen…

And be absolutely hilarious.

If we’re gonna have a Trump Court, let’s really have a Trump Court! Donald Trump for Chief Justice of the United States of America!

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

I hope they ask him if he knows what a woman is at the hearings.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

If SCOTUS gives a shit about the rule of law then they had better strike this whole thing down immediately. Otherwise, justice will be handled through…… alternate means.

In anny event, our democrat problem must be solved.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Meanwhile the US is largely seeing this for what it is. Trump campaign has now raised 200M in 3 days shattering records.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-campaign-raises-staggering-200-million-thursday-conviction

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

Lol. The dems had to get Barry, bubba and Lizzo together to raise a measly $25M? Too funny.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Joy Reid and Psaki basically admit the trial would not have gone the way it did outside of NYC.

Also infer black Republicans sold themselves to Trump invoking slavery.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2024/05/31/joy_reid_byron_donalds_and_tim_scott_sold_themselves_to_trump_for_cheap_thank_god_the_trial_was_in_new_york.html

[Minadin]

Two of the dumbest women on TV not working on the View.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Two of the stupidest cunts in Cuntville.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

But both jeff and sarc who claim to not be leftists continue to support it because a Jury was present.

Check out the "center-right" leather-lickers at Patterico. They're just fine with Republicans getting prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while making a multitude of excuses and qualifications for their allies on the left, all while pretending such double standards don't exist.

Never forget that the NeverTrumper "Republicans" are even more diseased vermin than the left, as they will forever genuflect to whomever is in charge. Their main concern isn't that the law is followed, it's that the status quo is never upset.

[sarcasmic]

Do you actually believe that lying idiot? I said from the very beginning that I thought this prosecution was wrong, starting with the prosecutor running for office on a promise to find something to charge someone with. This is why I keep the mental patient on mute. So I'm not tempted to respond to his lies.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

You keep him on mute, except when you respond to him.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

My point is more that the center-right is cheering the verdict because it got Trump, not the actual merits of the case. I realize you're differentiating yourself from those folks.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Yet both you and Jeff have been gleeful all weekend.

You and Jeff as well as shrike will constantly argue the leftist side and then throw in an aside once every hundred posts counter the other 99% of posts you've made. You think this tricks people.

Both you and Jeff the last 4 days were claiming since the Jury said guilty, he is guilty. Lol.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Yeah, fuck both Sarc and Pedo Jeffy. Lying leftist pieces of shit, both of them.

[Chumby]

Pakistan uncertain of Zelensky’s ‘peace’ summit

Islamabad will likely skip the gathering of like-minded Ukraine allies in Switzerland over concerns that attending it would affect its stance of neutrality.

It appears India to skip the event as well.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Ah, Pakistan, that bastion of sober neutrality.

[Chumby]

They aren’t part of NAFO and not part of BRICS. They are a nuclear nation though.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

And less bat-shit crazy than Afghanistan?

[Chumby]

They aren’t starting color revolutions around the planet. They get a point for that.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

You mean NATO? NAFOs are just a group of online Ukraine simps, probably glowies knowing how these people work.

[Nardz]

https://x.com/amuse/status/1797475888814277007?t=6YYY9nK6NiEFWAJCiv48Og&s=19

ELECTION INTEGRITY: Thousands of Mexican nationals in Houston lined up to vote at the Mexican consulate today. Ironically they must have a government issued ID to vote.

[Video]

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

But did the consulate pause the vote counting at 2am, and then discover boxes of ballots in a truck in the parking lot?

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Biden used the Trump trial media frenzy to authorize weapons to be used by Ukraine into Russia which will lead to further escalation.

Catch Up
@CatchUpFeed
BREAKING: While the verdict to Trump's trial was being read, Joe Biden authorized the Ukrainian use of US military equipment for strikes directly inside Russia.
video

https://x.com/CatchUpFeed/status/1796309995937497312

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

They got the Trump-Putin gang on the run!

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Not ChatGPT did not score in the 90th percentile of BAR exam test takers. It was the 90th of those who initially failed the bar exam. They compared it against attempt 2.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10506-024-09396-9

[Zeb]

I don't know how an AI is going to handle a BAR at all.

[Bertram Guilfoyle]

3 nazi's (trueman, misek, kar) walk into a BAR...

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

I cam see them having a vigorous argument who gets to be bottomed.

[Chumby]

Stunning planet parade due Monday night

Later on Monday, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus are set to line up in almost perfect alignment on one side of the sun and will be joined by the crescent of the waning Moon.

The best visibility of the unique event will come before dawn and early morning. Another parade of planets with only 5 celestial bodies will occur on the night of June 17.

[Dillinger]

>>Later on Monday ... before dawn and early morning.

I don't want to tell the author how time works, but ...

[Mike Parsons]

Planets, confirmed gay

[Ajsloss]

Not all of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErpU_tMoV0E

[Don't look at me!]

How can we see Uranus when it’s dark out?

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

And for this special event, Saturn dyed their rings in rainbow.

[TJJ2000]

So Trump has changed his mind about TikTok and is openly Pro-Choice. Perfection might be UN-attainable but Trump is sure making a massively solid pursuit at it.

[Ersatz]

Diff kind of pro choice…. choice of the states to determine.. not nec pro-abortion

Not that I expect him to be a beacon of moral guidance. He is wisely not letting ‘the perfect be the enemy’, when its so clearly the mainstream media

😉

[Dillinger]

>>Hamas says it wants a ceasefire.

had ceasefire. violated ceasefire. not allowed in playpen anymore.

[BYODB]

Even if they get one, they'll violate it again. It's guaranteed.

[Dillinger]

oh ya

[Medulla Oblongata]

Probably within minutes of signing. Hours, tops.

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

“Rockets? What rockets? Those aren’t our rockets.”

[YehoshuaK]

Here's how it works when Israel is winning.

International powers impose a ceasefire. Israel ceases. Arabs fire. That's why it's called a ceasefire.

I wish I were joking.

[Dillinger]

>>President Joe Biden has proposed a ceasefire plan.

just proposed, no has. Biden proposed a plan.

also, lolz Biden proposed a plan ... to what, finish his oatmeal before Touched by an Angel comes on?

[Moderation4ever]

I think that the Netanyahu government is too opened ended on what it wants. We know that Hamas will never be totally destroyed. The best outcome is that what is left dies off on its own. If Netanyahu could set some solid reasonable benchmarks, I could accept that, but not something as unrealistic as Hamas must be destroyed. It is time for the Israeli to think about an end to the conflict.

[damikesc]

Fine. Hamas releases every single hostage --- literally all of them --- and the number of prisoners returned are diminished by every dead hostage. 10 prisoners removed from possible return for every one single dead hostage.

[mad.casual]

I think that the Netanyahu government is too opened ended on what it wants.

Pretty sure it wanted the ceasefire that ended on Oct. 7th abided you dishonest asshat.

I think the funniest part is, after a two decades of talking about how our interventionalism and nationalism around the world would catch up to us, now that the chickens are coming home to roost, you stupid fucks get all high and mighty with money, clout, and might you plainly don't have.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

The best outcome is that what is left dies off on its own.

LOL, what kind of smooth-brained bullshit is this? Typical "centrist" mush-mouthed stupidity couched in "reasonableness."

There's absolutely no evidence that Hamas will "die off on its own." It's decades old, has clout amongst the Palestinians, the Iranians, and a lot of the Arab population in the region, irrespective of whether those countries absolutely don't want a single Palestinian toe to cross their border.

[Moderation4ever]

Hamas has been severely degraded and I suspect remaining members will morph to another group or join an existing group. I think Hamas itself has no real future. I think the best course of action is for Israel to end the conflict and to mark the remaining Hamas leaders and make sure they do not get to die old in their beds.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Hamas has been severely degraded and I suspect remaining members will morph to another group or join an existing group.

Suspect away, this isn't happening. In fact, you predicting it is great evidence that it won't.

I think the best course of action is for Israel to end the conflict and to mark the remaining Hamas leaders and make sure they do not get to die old in their beds.

Again, if you're proposing it, it should be ignored.

[Fire up the Woodchippers! (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Yeah, that’s one of the dumbest ‘plans’ I’ve heard so far. I have an outlandish idea that makes far more sense. The ‘Palestinians’ cede all their land to Israel, who in turn buy the, an even larger plot of land, and pay to relocate the ‘Palestinians’ there.

Maybe a really awesome place, like Somalia.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

"I think..."

You have never shown the ability to do so.

[YehoshuaK]

Why do we know that Hamas will never be totally destroyed? The Allied goal in WWII was the end of the Nazi govenment. And that happened.

Yes, a lot of individual Nazis lived, sadly. But the Nazi organization as a calls-the-shots-runs-the-government-and-military kind of thing? That was done.

[Dillinger]

>>Are rich people revitalizing Detroit?

the poor did not fare well in their attempt.

[tracerv]

https://youtu.be/kpJy38HNjMU?si=OUR3hk2gHh7LOQ1C

Dr Klahn

[Dillinger]

love it. noooooooo!

[Chumby]

Big Jim Slade

[MK Ultra]

+1

[Dillinger]

also I've been gone (80 mph winds through the yard will do some damage) I assume the last 4, 5 days this place has been wall-to-wall with Gross Miscarriage of Justice to go with the continued daily pleas for American hostage return, yo?

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Glad to see you back. Hope the winds didn't cause too much damage to your property.

[Dillinger]

just trees, gracias. and the power flow was weird there was enough for some lights & outlets & the fridge but nothing else ... college living

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Hamas obviously isn't pro-pluralism

Well. Finally something that Hamas and Republicans have in common.

[damikesc]

Can you provide evidence of Republican disdain for pluralism?

I'm going to humor your idiotic utterance as a point briefly.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Now tell us about Democratic pluralism when it come to ideology and not appearance.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

Not a Democrat. Just has all their bumper stickers.

[mattwa]

Briahna may just be the dumbest person on the internet.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

WSJ: Anthony Fauci to Appear Before House Committee on Covid

Stern talking-to or extra stern talking-to?

[Dillinger]

where's that 1800s congressman who bludgeoned the other guy with his cane while in session?

[Stuck in California]

An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.

[mad.casual]

100% safe and effective talking-to with no downsides.

[JesseAz (5-30 Banana Republic Day)]

10 more perjury charges for the DoJ to ignore.

[Super Scary]

He'll get a high five and a slap on the on the ass on his way to retirement.

[Chumby]

Will congress needle Fauci over the covid debacle?

[Dillinger]

stop masking the truth!

[Don't look at me!]

I hope they stick it to him.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about.

Well, to be fair, when these people say "pro-pluralism and liberalism," what they mean is, "marxist and anti-bourgeois capitalism." And in fact, Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been a cultural marxist organization for decades. It's why so many Palestinians who migrate to the west espouse the shibboleths of that theology.

[Earth-based Human Skeptic]

Yeah, but during the annual summer Marxist retreat, they learned not to bunk the rainbow warrior types with the PLO, at least above the 2nd floor.

[mtrueman]

" And in fact, Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been a cultural marxist organization for decades. "

But that doesn't really tell us anything. Of course Hamas is a cultural marxist organization. So is the Netanyahu government which funded and encouraged Hamas and allowed hundreds of fighters to breach the security barriers and attack Israel. The kibbutz collectives that bore the brunt of the attack? You guessed it, cultural marxists. And it goes without saying that the American students occupying campuses are cultural marxists, and so too are the unionized police who break up the encampments.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

But that doesn’t really tell us anything

Deflection. The rest of your post is merely rhetorical hand-waving.

[mtrueman]

You prefer name calling and sloganeering to making an actual, fact based argument. Rhetorical hand-waving? Give it a try. That would be a big step up for you.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

I comment here for my own amusement. Whether you or anyone else finds "actual, fact-based argument" in it is immaterial to me. Especially when such lame-ass critique is coming from marxist swine.

[mtrueman]

"I comment here for my own amusement."

That explains a lot. Facts and logic are rarely amusing.

[VinniUSMC (Banana Republic Day 5/30/24)]

That must be why it's so un-amusing that you are a piece of shit Nazi scumbag.

[mtrueman]

You have no facts or logic you can muster. So you fall into bluster and insults. It isn't persuasive and makes you look like a ten year old. USMC? Give me a fucking break.

[Medulla Oblongata]

“When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’

’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’

’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.”

[mtrueman]

I agree that imprecise use of English is a cause of confusion. ‘Cultural marxist’ is a great example. If only we’d all use ‘post modern cultural marxist’ instead. More words, fancier words, and crystal clarity, to boot.

[mtrueman]

"If you think Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism, you simply do not know what you're talking about."

It's a straw man argument, pretending there are those who believe that Hamas is pro-pluralism and liberalism. In fact Hamas is an Islamic fundamentalist organization. They tend toward conservative ideas. During the Syrian civil war, Hamas sided with America, Saudi, Israel and Al Qaeda against the secular government of Assad. Anyone who thinks that Al Qaeda and their friends is all about pluralism and liberalism doesn't know what they are talking about.

For all their god bothering conservatism, Hamas is sound on anti colonialism and anti imperialism. So sound they are willing to take up arms to fight them. That's the parallel between Hamas and America. America too once rose up in arms to fight off domination by others. Today's American young people see the struggle of the Palestinians as an extension of their own concerns. That's what sparks their interest. That's what scares the establishment into absurdly over reacting against them. That fear is behind the hysterical accusations that America's young are motivated by a hatred of Jews, or an embrace of Hamas style Islamic fundamentalism.

[damikesc]

"That’s what sparks their interest. That’s what scares the establishment into absurdly over reacting against them."

...now do January 6.

[mtrueman]

"…now do January 6."

The motivations are much the same. The feeling of dispossession and being left behind. Young people aren't very optimistic about what the future holds for them. Anyone who sympathizes with the Jan. 6th crowd, should have at least an inkling what the pro-Palestinian bunch are all about. Instead, I see people like you parroting establishment figures like Biden claiming the campus protestors are motivated by a hatred of Jews. Divide and conquer, that's the game they're playing, and you're their willing stooge.

[TJJ2000]

As-if it wasn't the left who's entirely obsessed with a persons sex, color and religion.
More self-projection from the party of [WE] - identity politics RULES ideology.

Maybe. Just maybe J6 protest was about election fraud. Ya think?

[mtrueman]

The American students oppose imperialism and occupation. It's people like yourself, those who support Israel, who attempt to portray the students as Jew haters and Islamist fundamentalists. Obsessing over the inappropriateness of 'Queers for Palestine' is another example of Israel's supporters glomming onto identity politics.

"Just maybe J6 protest was about election fraud. Ya think?"

I think Jan. 6 protestors would have been upset whether the election was fair or fraudulent. The point is their side lost.

[TJJ2000]

Or maybe their side WON the In-Person (real people) vote and by UN-realistic margins mystery mail-ins defeated that win entirely voiding the very valid premise mail-ins were validated with (matched in-person).

So if you don't think Palestine's are Jew haters why did they attack Israel? They got their National Liberation so why couldn't they just leave Israel alone? They were already free'd of the 'imperialism' you speak of.

Nothing you say makes any sense short of just flat out self-projecting your own biases on the subject.

[mtrueman]

" They got their National Liberation so why couldn’t they just leave Israel alone? "

Because they didn't get their national liberation. I expanded on this point elsewhere. I will repeat for your convenience. If you've any questions I'll try to answer.

Palestinians are stateless people scattered across dozens of squalid refugee camps throughout the area. Gaza and the West Bank are the most famous. The articles recently about the pier show us that the Palestinians might be a nation, but they are not liberated. They rely on the occupying military to keep supplies coming in – food, water, fuel, medicine. Israelis have even seen fit to deny Palestinians the importation of ping pong balls. (Duel use, it is claimed. Both ping and pong, I guess.) They have no control over their borders. That’s not an independent country. It’s a colony. Palestinians have less sovereignty over their lands than the Americans of 1776 did or the Vietnamese of the 1960s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te1y7ahp2LQ&t=12s
An interview to give the Palestinian side of things. It’s a little over an hour but it’s quite engaging. (Note, in defense of the Waterloo students, it’s a town with a large and dominant German community,
so the word Nazi has a very sharp edge to it.)

[TJJ2000]

"They rely on the occupying military to keep supplies coming in – food, water, fuel, medicine."

Sounds like spoiled brat teenagers (dependents) claiming parental oppression (of the givers) because the 'supplies' had rules attached.

What/Who's occupying military is giving them all this?
They aren't entitled to it.

I sifted through your link which was really nothing but emotional hob-nobbling and then found this link which really seems to peg everything I've heard on the matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1NFirxhXWE

Which is pretty much summarized by ... When you defy the government in your nation and claim National Liberation somewhere else you don't get to go back and claim your old nation under that liberated authority.

[mtrueman]

"Sounds like spoiled brat teenagers"

Well, an occupying power has obligations toward their occupied populace. Look at them as parents, if that helps you. Israel is signatory to various treaties, including those on treatment of refugees and the Geneva Conventions etc. Denying an occupied populace food, water etc is a war crime.

"They aren’t entitled to it."

They are. Occupations are troublesome and expensive. Are you American? Did the 20 year occupation of Afghanistan leave no impression on you?

"When you defy the government in your nation and claim National Liberation somewhere else you don’t get to go back and claim your old nation under that liberated authority."

The Palestinians disagree. They believe otherwise.

"which really seems to peg everything I’ve heard on the matter."

My advice is to seek out things you haven't heard on the matter. You never know, it might change your mind. And don't fear emotional appeals. We are humans for a reason. Don't deny it.

[Mike Parsons]

"Hamas is sound on anti colonialism and anti imperialism."

In so much as they dont want to be colonized or under imperial rule. Given the reverse power dynamic however, they would have every jew executed or raped then executed. They would rule "from the river to the sea", and they would colonize all of Israel, ruling it with an iron fist.

They are anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist in the same way that Genghis Khan was

[mtrueman]

"In so much as they dont want to be colonized or under imperial rule."

Exactly my point.

"Given the reverse power dynamic however, they would have every jew executed or raped then executed."

I don't think that's going to happen. Jews have a history of committing mass suicide rather than submitting to domination, but today's dual citizenships and multiple passports make a more attractive option.

"They are anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist in the same way that Genghis Khan was"

Genghis Khan was never subject to occupation, blockade, apartheid and so on. He was the leader of the Mongol horse men who conquered the steppes of Asia. So, they were imperialists, imposing their rule over others. In some ways, the Mongols were anti imperialists, though. Rather than imposing their life ways on the conquered peoples, they let them be, if they lived. For example, their Khans married influential and practicing Christians, Buddhists and Muslims. When they conquered China, they became completely Sinified, abandoning the life ways of the grasslands and adopting Chinese customs with relish. The Mongols are a fascinating people and I'd love to discuss them with you when you feel up to it. In the meantime, you must let go of this notion that Hamas and Genghis Khan shared much in the way of ideology. Hamas has conservative Muslim fundamentalist beliefs. Genghis Khan had nothing of the sort.

[mad.casual]

Ghandi is sound on anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism.

Hamas is not sound on anything and is using or having anti-colonialism and anti-imperialist buzzwords shouted as cover for their own violence, oppression, and ineptitude.

[mtrueman]

Violence, oppression and ineptitude are the language Israel best understands. They tried peaceful means. As recently as 2018, while Trump and Netanyahu celebrated the transfer of the American embassy to Jerusalem, thousands of unarmed Palestinians demonstrated in Gaza. Israeli snipers murdered dozens of them, and maimed hundreds more. So, violence it is. Thanks to Palestinian violence, Israelis are once again at the negotiating table, thousands of Americans and Europeans are taking to the streets, Israel's diplomatic overtures are at a standstill.

I admire Gandhi and his non violence, but he was up against the British, exhausted by a brutal war and ready to give up her overseas colonies. No such luck with the Palestinians. As I say, Israel has no patience for peaceful protest, and what's more has the full backing of a blood thirsty super power.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Violence, oppression and ineptitude are the language Israel best understands.

It's what marxists understand, too. It's why throwing them out of helicopters is so important.

[mtrueman]

Stick to the amusing. Tell us how Hamas are actually 'cultural marxists.' Remember, facts and logic are optional, if not down right frowned upon.

[Think It Through]

Colonialism and imperialism have been net goods for the world.

Well, apart from medicine, irrigation, health, roads, cheese and education, baths and the Circus Maximus, what have the Romans ever done for us?"

[mtrueman]

"Colonialism and imperialism have been net goods for the world. "

Maybe, but Hamas and the Founding Fathers disagree. They put their lives on the line to oppose it.

[Think It Through]

Let them keep doing it then. Being a martyr doesn't mean you're virtuous or correct.

[Think It Through]

Also, comparing 18th century sons of the Enlightenment with 21st century groups who remain tribal bloodthirsty barbarians (despite all opportunities to be otherwise) is, eh, a little tone-deaf and off.

The fact they were both fighting "colonialism and imperialism" is both mostly true and wildly irrelevant and unimportant.

[mtrueman]

"The fact they were both fighting “colonialism and imperialism” is both mostly true and wildly irrelevant and unimportant."

Clearly to you the fight is irrelevant and unimportant. But not to Hamas or the Founding Fathers. The vanquishing of their colonizers is of the utmost importance. They were willing to go to war over it.

[Think It Through]

What's your point?

Every coin has two sides. I already knew that. The winners write the history books. I already knew that too.

Any other point?

[mtrueman]

"What’s your point?"

I'm glad you asked. My point is that Hamas is not motivated by any adherence to liberalism and plurality. That is a profound misunderstanding of a conservative Muslim fundamentalist organization. Hamas, rather, is motivated by a desire to fight domination and occupation. In this regard, they are not so different from the Founding Fathers who took up arms for a similar cause.

[Think It Through]

Well since the American left hates the Founding Fathers while being in alignment with Hamas, perhaps their logic needs a little work. Without even mentioning the immense lifestyle and values contrast between a "'conservative Muslim fundamentalist organization," as you put it, and the libertine do-and-be-whatever-the-fuck-you-want American purple haired left. Someone needs to think it through a little more.

[mtrueman]

I believe that Hamas is concerned about ridding themselves of their colonizers. I believe the Founding Fathers held similar concerns. Apart from that they lived in different centuries, in different continents, and had different views on the world and their place in it. If you disagree, you're welcome to make your case.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

They're not being colonized. They've been getting their asses kicked for nearly 100 years just like any other conquered people.

[mtrueman]

"They’re not being colonized."

They're fighting back, that's for certain. They are winning too. Hamas has never been more powerful or presitigious. Not just the war but Netanyahu and his whole strategy of supporting and encouraging Hamas in an effort at dividing and conquering Palestine is shown to be an immoral, unmitigated disaster. The war cabinet are at each other's throats and thousands of Israels block the streets demanding an end to the war while police beat, gas, and drag them to jail. And if the Hamas catastrophe weren't enough, they've got the Party of God to their north with more than enough rockets to burn Tel Aviv to a crisp, should they get the urge to launch them. Iran, of course, has even greater capacity.

[Think It Through]

You're not tracking.

We're trying to explain why American progressives align themselves with backwards evil shitwads like Hamas who hold none of the same values.

Your response, "because Hamas is fighting imperialism/colonialism. Just like the American Founding Fathers!"

OK then why do American progressives NOT align with the American Founding Fathers? The transitive property should work, shouldn't it?

[mtrueman]

"We’re trying to explain why American progressives align themselves with backwards evil shitwads like Hamas who hold none of the same values"

Because Hamas is resisting Israeli occupation. I've tried to make that clear. Both Hamas and the students are anti colonial anti imperial. It's not because they agree on a hatred of Jews or gays or other reasons you may put forward.

"OK then why do American progressives NOT align with the American Founding Fathers?"

Are the founding Fathers for or against Israeli occupation of Palestine? Yes? No? Your question is irrelevant to the issue at hand. Why are American progressives NOT aligned with the British Crown, enemies of the Founding Fathers? Again irrelevant. We're discussing a conflict that is happening today. Not going well for the side you support, hence your preference for discussing a conflict that took place more than 200 years ago.

[damikesc]

"Today’s American young people see the struggle of the Palestinians as an extension of their own concerns."

Nah. They are showing their long-professed support for women and the LGBT mafia were just utter and total bullshit.

[mtrueman]

"They are showing their long-professed support for women and the LGBT mafia were just utter and total bullshit."

They are addressing an issue that goes beyond sexual and identity politics. During WWII Americans sided with the USSR against Nazi Germany. Seeing this an American abandonment of liberalism and democracy and an embrace of Soviet totalitarianism is wildly off the mark. Finding common cause with those with whom we disagree to combat a greater concern is what this is about.

[TrickyVic (old school)]

"" Finding common cause with those with whom we disagree ""

Disagree? You belittle the reality.

Being gay is against the law under Islam. You can literally go to jail for being gay. It's not a question of a disagreement.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

trueman is a dishonest pile of shit, ain't he?

[mtrueman]

"Being gay is against the law under Islam."

That's why American students see the issues as one of national liberation vs. occupation rather than gay lovers vs. gay haters. That's why American students see themselves as supporting Palestinians rather than conservative fundamentalist Islamists. I've already mentioned that there are bigger issues at stake than sexual or identity politics. If you didn't understand, feel free to ask me to elaborate.

[TJJ2000]

My 10-minutes of inquiry (I don't think the USA should be all that involved) concludes the 'issue' is Palestinians got their national liberation yet continues to deny any existence of the State of Israel. Right down to claiming by their own authority that refugees can re-take their Israel property. Adding on that Gaza attacked Israel first after years of building tunnels into the State of Israel I'd say Gaza is the one trying to conquer and consume Israel far more than the other way around.

I would be interested on what your thoughts on that are. Like I said; I'm not really concerned with religious battles on the other side of the world all that much.

[mtrueman]

"Palestinians got their national liberation"

I think therein lies your difficulty. Palestinians are stateless people scattered across dozens of squalid refugee camps throughout the area. Gaza and the West Bank are the most famous. The articles recently about the pier show us that the Palestinians might be a nation, but they are not liberated. They rely on the occupying military to keep supplies coming in - food, water, fuel, medicine. Israelis have even seen fit to deny Palestinians the importation of ping pong balls. (Duel use, it is claimed. Both ping and pong, I guess.) They have no control over their borders. That's not an independent country. It's a colony. Palestinians have less sovereignty over their lands than the Americans of 1776 did or the Vietnamese of the 1960s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te1y7ahp2LQ&t=12s
An interview to give the Palestinian side of things. It's a little over an hour but it's quite engaging. (Note, in defense of the Waterloo students, it's a town with a large and dominant German community,
so the word Nazi has a very sharp edge to it.)

[TJJ2000]

No. My real problem is why did they attack Israel? A nation should be able to come up with their own food, water, fuel and medicine. They certainly seem to come up with weapons.

[mtrueman]

"My real problem is why did they attack Israel?"

Because Israel is the occupying power. Israel is the country that forbids Gaza from operating an airport where goods can be freely delivered. Everything must first pass through Israeli inspection, save what passes clandestinely through the tunnel network. Watch the video, if you are curious and willing to spend more than 10 minutes on the topic. It's clear and aimed at an audience without much or any background.

"A nation should be able to come up with their own food, water, fuel and medicine."

True. They should also be able to import ping pong balls from outside if they wish, don't you agree? But they can only import what and as much as another nation allows them. That's not a liberated, free, sovereign state. That's a nation under occupation. Consider WWII. Warsaw Ghetto. Jews were herded into a small area and were walled off. Nazis decided what if anything was to go in or out. That is not my idea of a liberated people. It's a concentration camp. When Jews broke out of the Ghetto and staged their uprising, they attacked Nazis, the same people who manned the gates to keep them in prison.

" They certainly seem to come up with weapons."

Some are smuggled in. Some are locally manufactured in Gaza. They even 'recycle' UXO (unexploded ordnance) dropped by Israel but failed to explode. (Some 5% of all dropped bombs fail to go off, apparently, an enormous gift to Hamas and the other militias, who take the powder from the UXO, fashion their own missiles, and kill Israelis with them.) All very laudable and resourceful and resilient. Perhaps you prefer the Israeli practice of having American tax payers pay for and supply them with the means to murder mothers and infants. Personally, I see nothing good here.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

Trueman, full of shit always.

[Lester75]

The West Bank is not full of refugee camps. It has villages and towns and homes and farms etc. Of course the Jewish settlers can come in anytime and beat up or shoot anyone they want to because the Israeli police and IDF look the other way. OTHO Gaza is toast and what is left is mostly refugee camps.

[damikesc]

"Finding common cause with those with whom we disagree to combat a greater concern is what this is about."

I loathe Communism.

I would not side with Hitler over it.

[Vernon Depner]

We could have taken out Hitler and Communism after WWII, but we balked.

[charliehall]

No we could not have. The Soviet Army in Europe was about double the size of the US, British, Canadian, and Free French armies in Europe. And the Soviets had the best general in Zhukov. Had we attacked the Soviet Union, it is quite likely that all of Western Europe other than the UK and Ireland would have been overrun and gone communist. It would have been an easier victory for Zhukov than the victory over the Nazis. Not to mention that Japan would not have been defeated -- the Soviet invasion of Manchuria was essential to getting Japan to surrender.

[charliehall]

"I loathe Communism.

I would not side with Hitler over it."

Precisely the attitude Winston Churchill had. I am reading his six volume narrative of World War II right now. (I am up to mid-1942, a third of the way through Volume 4.)

The good thing is that the socialists in the UK agreed with him completely on that. It was the socialists in the UK who were most responsible for the creation of NATO and in getting the UK nuclear weapons after the war. Churchill disagreed with them on basically everything else but on Nazis and Communists Attlee and Churchill (and Bevan) were of one mind.

[Think It Through]

I refuse to believe that a young "progressive" might have no idea what they are talking about. But they feel it so strongly!

[charliehall]

Netanyahu may lie and deny it, but the ceasefire proposal Biden is promoting is precisely what the Israeli War Cabinet has been pushing. The problem is that Netanyahu is politically extremely weak right now and can't admit that.

[YehoshuaK]

How do you know what the War Cabinet has been pushing? Are you a member of the War Cabinet? Are you privy to their discussions?