Now on the verge of a ground attack of Gaza by Israel to end the rule of Hamas, I am wondering if this is exactly what Hamas was planning all along with their bloody incursion? With Iran stating it will enter the war if Israel proceeds and US carriers just offshore, this could be the start of some sort of Jihadist-apocalypse Hamas wanted. Is this a huge trap?
Or perhaps Hamas's attack was way more successful than the expected and their plan was to melt away into the civilian crowds and survive to attack again. In that case they are now planning on the fly.
My guess on the Israeli plan is they will split the strip in two with a sea-born landing to trap Hamas fighters in the North.
In any event, a street-by-street attack by Israel combined with the complete sustenance blockade is going to involve so much death and destruction it will unite Muslims all over the world even if they are generally anti-Hamas.
I'm really concerned about what this is going to lead to. I heard that the leadership of Hamas didn't expect the attack to be as successful as it was, so now they're terrified. Imagine, terrorists being terrified! I wish there really was a hell for the lot of them to rot in. Forever. It's likely they'll destroy the world with their stupid fucking hatred. Because Israel will overreact, and so will America, and who knows what will happen. I was hoping I'd be dead before the stupid hoomans fucked everything up, but it looks like it's going to happen too soon for that.
They invented war in that area, they'll do it right.
Like the song says, war is good for absolutely nothing.
I guess Einstein was right when he said that there are two things that are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And he was unsure about the universe.
There's been some interesting footage from Israel lately:
This is the Iron Dome air defense in operation about a week ago. Here you can clearly see interceptor missiles doing their thing and blowing up incoming missiles:
This is *something* else:
Not terribly photogenic, I know. It's difficult to determine just what the hell that was, but it sure wasn't an interceptor missile. Probably not any sort of missile imho.
Obviously, this is going to need a lot more evidence to become certain, but I think this may be Israel's Iron Beam air defense (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Beam) (or possibly, its smaller cousin, Light Blade) in action.
Basically, it's a laser beam designed to shoot down incoming missiles/rockets/drones. Science fiction? Not anymore. It allegedly worked in its tests, so it's very much a real thing. It's just kinda cumbersome and still has some kinks to work out. In late 2022 Israel said it might take about 2 or even 3 years to deploy (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2022/10/07/rafael-anticipates-iron-beam-laser-system-could-deploy-in-two-years/). Maybe they got one ready early because of yanno, the current dire emergency conditions. Or maybe none of them are ready yet. Who knows.
Regardless, if and when this technology becomes available, it's going to drastically reshape the current missile/drone prioritization in war. War largely revolves around economics, and if an AA system can cheaply and effectively shoot down just about anything, that's a game-changer. What's more - this stuff requires some serious R&D and lots of power - it's not the sort of thing that terror cells can readily use. By its nature, this is going to be largely restricted to high-tech states, giving them an advantage (we have the maxim gun and they have not) and that's no small thing.
*Edit - looks like Iron Beam was deployed early because of hostilities (https://defence-industry.eu/iron-beam-laser-weapon-system-to-defend-israels-teritory/). Only a few prototype units, though. Meant to supplement Iron Done, not replace it. I'm still not sure if that video was Iron Beam or not, but it's within the realm of possibilty.
Well, I am sure there will be trained sharks with laser beams one day, but that iron dome with its radar-guided rocket-killers is surprisingly effective. I believe lasers are more effective outside of the atmosphere because of absorption and scattering, so land-based lasers have got to be really, really strong. I saw a sign the lab that said, "don't look at the laser with your other eye".
Sure, the Koran has many verses that curse Jews and Christians (and any unbelievers). However, apologists, of course dismiss this and a few other versus that assert the Jewish promised land. Religion is useless, as the believers just believe whatever they want anyways. We see this time and time again. Its just tribalism based on interpretations.
Qur'an 5:21 Quotes Moses "O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you, and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin."
After experiencing a terror attack where a former student shouted Allah Akbar then murdered a teacher and wounded others (https://apnews.com/article/france-school-stabbing-arras-878f42a5df4a873ca7bd80a173cc9097) (the perp had a history of islamic extremism, to absolutely no one's surprise), France is currently carrying out a review to possibly expel foreigners with a history of radicalization from the country (https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/13/one-dead-two-injured-in-france-school-knife-attack)
Jeez Louise the 14th, it took a terror attack to get the ball rolling on that? That should just be a normal Friday at the office.
Quote from: Hydra009 on October 17, 2023, 02:34:47 AMAfter experiencing a terror attack where a former student shouted Allah Akbar then murdered a teacher and wounded others (https://apnews.com/article/france-school-stabbing-arras-878f42a5df4a873ca7bd80a173cc9097) (the perp had a history of islamic extremism, to absolutely no one's surprise), France is currently carrying out a review to possibly expel foreigners with a history of radicalization from the country (https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/13/one-dead-two-injured-in-france-school-knife-attack)
Jeez Louise the 14th, it took a terror attack to get the ball rolling on that? That should just be a normal Friday at the office.
Looks like it is gonna be crazy time again. Religion....so peaceful.
Went golfing today. Kept my mind off what happens if Israel actually invades Gaza... at least for awhile. I think Biden is there to call the whole thing off. Hope I'm right.
Sam Harris posed the question...what would happen to Israel if the military power situation was reversed? If Hamas and Hezbollah had the powerful military?
BBC news admits making one tiny, whimy, eesy, weensy mistake (https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/bbc-admits-mistakes-in-coverage-of-gaza-hospital-blast-still-wont-call-hamas-terrorists/) - declaring live on air that Israel bombed the Gaza hospital when in fact it was a Palestian rocket.
The reporter said that "he could see no possibility other than an Israeli airstrike as the cause" - good ol' gut feelings so essential to credible journalism and not the laziest and most error-prone form of "thinking" there is.
BBC news notes that the reporter didn't outright state that the Israelis did it - a statement that requires the use a specialized device called the Hair-splitter 5000.
The BBC CEO also went on (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/bbc-news-bbc-gaza-grant-shapps-palestinian-b2432797.html) to say that impartiality is difficult, Hamas may or may not be a terrorist organization, we didn't speculate on the bombing, we might've left people with the impression that we speculated on the bombing, we have excellent journalistic standards, people make mistakes, and finally, we're being protested by both sides (implying perfect impartiality, which is often falsely equated with being the most factually accurate even though there's not necessarily a connection)
Fantastic reporting guys. I've looked at telegram pages by people who have never held a journalistic position in their lives and they managed to not immediately jump to conclusions about the source of the explosion in that news story - merely relaying that there was an explosion, which was all that was known at the time.
If some rando on the internet is doing a better job than a trained and paid reporter, maybe it's time to look into how you're doing things.
Woke up with a bone sticking out of the top of my right foot. Must be getting old, slept through the eruption.
You have a bone to pick with the Sandman...
I would estimate the probability of Hezbollah launching a sophisticated missile strike from Lebanon at Israel at 90%, sometime after an Israeli ground attack on Gaza. I would then estimate the probability of a US air strike on Hezbollah at 100%, from the carrier groups. Hang on to your butts.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on October 22, 2023, 03:36:36 PMWoke up with a bone sticking out of the top of my right foot. Must be getting old, slept through the eruption.
What a pisser. Of all the things that have happened to me so far in this life, waking up with a bone sticking out of my foot isn't one of them.
I don't even understand how that could happen. 🤔
Quote from: Cassia on October 27, 2023, 02:10:26 PMI would estimate the probability of Hezbollah launching a sophisticated missile strike from Lebanon at Israel at 90%, sometime after an Israeli ground attack on Gaza. I would then estimate the probability of a US air strike on Hezbollah at 100%, from the carrier groups. Hang on to your butts.
Certainly possible. What's also possible is that since Iran is supplying large amounts of drones and missiles to Russia, why would they not have supplied Hezbollah with the same? Those furtive 'preparing the battlefield' comments could be construed as waiting to see if Israeli tanks start burning along the border with their slow-motion invasion. Gotta sniff out the capabilities. Don't know what the Israeli command is thinking, but 20 burning Israeli tanks and APC's would not be good look.
Some developments today:
Israel appears to be ramping up its military operations in the Gaza strip (https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-airstrikes-region-e41b5b12e8cdf9db62395314d9a782b6)
State department tells Americans to leave Lebanon immediately (https://thehill.com/policy/international/4280541-state-department-americans-lebanon-evacuate/) Though imo this is one of those "no duh" things: don't drink the water in Mexico, don't frighten a skunk, don't make fun of pooh bear while you're in China, and just say away from the Middle East (no offense to Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain)
Some wackjob senator from *rolls tide* Alabama says that the Democrats are to blame for Ukraine and Israel crises (https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4280531-tuberville-claims-ukraine-gaza-wars-created-by-democrats/), which imho overestimates their competence and initiative by several orders of magnitude. But I guess when you live in Alabama, it's psychologically important to find someone else to blame.
Quote from: Unbeliever on October 27, 2023, 09:21:22 PMI don't even understand how that could happen. 🤔
I thrash a bit in my sleep. Foot hit a post at the end of the bed. I had that bedstead delivered to Goodwill. Need to have a talk with the boojums.
Quote from: Hydra009 on October 28, 2023, 01:22:52 AMBut I guess when you live in Alabama, it's psychologically important to find someone else to blame.
Most of the times, you could blame your parents for that.
Israel recalls its diplomats from Turkey (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67252049) after odd/accusatory comments on the Gaza situation from Erdogan
Fun times for American diplomats trying to maintain alliances with both countires.
Quote from: Hydra009 on October 29, 2023, 10:49:10 AMIsrael recalls its diplomats from Turkey (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67252049) after odd/accusatory comments on the Gaza situation from Erdogan
Fun times for American diplomats trying to maintain alliances with both countires.
No shit. I hope we can keep this genie in the bottle.
That's one genie I don't dream of...
Israeli forces have recently made deep incursions into Gaza and reportedly have been in fierce combat. Israel says it killed another Hamas leader (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-commander-behind-terror-attacks-killed-gaza-who-israel-targeting/)
American commandos are in Israel helping the IDF find hostages (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/31/us/politics/us-israel-hostages.html)
Houthi forces in Yemen reportedly fired missiles at Israel (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-shot-down-ballistic-missile-fired-yemen-us-officials-say-rcna122936), which were intercepted by some combination of Saudi, Israeli, and potentially also Jordan air defense (a missile landed in Jordan, presumably from Yemen and possibly may have been intercepted in Jordan airspace). I don't know about you guys, but 4 countries having their air defense actively shooting down missiles in one day is far too much for me. Some people are going to have to cool it and wait in line for a while.
Yes, the killing must go on in this endless game of holy and bloody tic-toc-toe. Of course, all of the praying comes with blood sacrifice. Yemen is such a peaceful oasis.
Bobby says the jihadists must hate Jews more than they love their kids and the koran is full of antisemitic vile. Islam need to be flushed down the toilet. And then we have christians who just want to secure the old city from the Muslim horde. These are all such great people. Shining examples of devotion to the lerd. As if life isn't challenging enough without all this nonsense. Violent morons, the lot of them.
Quote from: Hydra009 on October 29, 2023, 10:49:10 AMIsrael recalls its diplomats from Turkey (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67252049) after odd/accusatory comments on the Gaza situation from Erdogan
Fun times for American diplomats trying to maintain alliances with both countires.
Diplomats loved dumbassery, it keeps them employed.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on November 01, 2023, 10:07:05 AMDiplomats loved dumbassery, it keeps them employed.
That's like saying that candy holidays keep dentists employed. That's just the (metaphorical, I think) cherry on top of an already pretty heavy workload.
There's actually a ton of work just hammering out treaties about normal mundane things like climate change, fishing rights, dealing with trade disputes, and just managing relations. It's a daunting undertaking with a lot on the line and it's largely thankless.
I've taken classes on government at Purdue. I understand how it works.
The red heifer will soon appear, and then we can all sleep easy knowing the end of times are upon us. (Bought a case of beer just in case.)
Well it's about time!
Israeli forces basically bisected Gaza strip (https://www.reuters.com/graphics/ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/MAPS/movajdladpa/) by moving forces in from the north while also moving troops through the geographic center of the Gaza Strip - from Israel all the way to the sea. So no one gets in or out of that northern part of the Gaza Strip, which includes Gaza City.
Now, they seem to have surrounded Gaza City (https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/02/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news) as well.
So much for some of the practitioners of Islam integrating into French culture. Christianity had its reign of terror. I guess now it is time for Islam.
Yeah, there have been a lot of disturbing comments about Jews caught on video lately. Not Israelis, but Jews in general. To a lesser extent, there's also a similar confusion with Hamas and Palestinians.
I want to believe that the Free Palestine people have a similarly principled stand as the Free Tibet people and they by and large are simply opposed to civilian deaths (which I'm obviously sympathetic with, given my strong stance on Ukraine) and these are just outliers.
Similarly, on telegram, there have also been some very dim views of Muslims in general, which is strange because Hamas doesn't even accurately reflect the wishes of the Gazans, let alone Palestinians, let alone Muslims in general.
Quote from: Hydra009 on November 03, 2023, 02:50:45 PMYeah, there have been a lot of disturbing comments about Jews caught on video lately. Not Israelis, but Jews in general. To a lesser extent, there's also a similar confusion with Hamas and Palestinians.
I want to believe that the Free Palestine people have a similarly principled stand as the Free Tibet people and they by and large are simply opposed to civilian deaths (which I'm obviously sympathetic with, given my strong stance on Ukraine) and these are just outliers.
Similarly, on telegram, there have also been some very dim views of Muslims in general, which is strange because Hamas doesn't even accurately reflect the wishes of the Gazans, let alone Palestinians, let alone Muslims in general.
It sure would be a better world if the Russians overthrew Putin and the Palestinians squashed Hamas and gathered world support to peaceably attain non-extremist autonomy.
They are afraid and somehow even after all of this, they just don't want it bad enough.
I agree, though as an American - I'm not sure if I have enough of a moral high ground to wag the finger at regions taken over and then subsequently held hostage by comparatively small but extremely powerful groups of nationalists and/or religious fundamentalist extremists.
Quote from: Hydra009 on November 04, 2023, 01:31:55 AMI agree, though as an American - I'm not sure if I have enough of a moral high ground to wag the finger at regions taken over and then subsequently held hostage by comparatively small but extremely powerful groups of nationalists and/or religious fundamentalist extremists.
Agreed. The US paid the price for bone-headed foreign policy, sometimes even if
"God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq". Holy Fuck. And we will pay again if we elect that friggin authoritarian nitwit again, trust me. The people cannot escape part responsibility, at least, for the actions of their governments, especially if it is a democracy, or sort of a democracy like the US.
Quote from: Cassia on November 04, 2023, 09:41:52 AMAgreed. The US paid the price for bone-headed foreign policy, sometimes even if "God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq". Holy Fuck. And we will pay again if we elect that friggin authoritarian nitwit again, trust me. The people cannot escape part responsibility, at least, for the actions of their governments, especially if it is a democracy, or sort of a democracy like the US.
bUt He dIdN'T sTaRt AnY nEw WarS! /s
Antisemitism increasingly manifesting itself in the US and Europe. Once again, I wonder; is the worship of Allah incompatible with peaceful coexistence with all the other belief systems or non-belief? The Koran is very specific on this. Can these verses be ignored?
I really hate all religion right now. Will this nonsense ever go away?
Yes, it will go away, when humans are extinct.
Palestinian Authority President Abbas's convoy was attacked in the West Bank, Sons of Abu Jandal claim responsibility (https://themessenger.com/news/palestinian-president-reportedly-survives-assassination-attempt-after-receiving-24-hour-ultimatum-to-take-action-against-israel)
Abbas reportedly survived what was described as an assassination attempt
There is enough bloody blame to go around in this war, but Bobby was just telling me the mass murderer/terrorist, Osama bin Laden is now a pro-Palestinian tic-tok hero? Liberalism is chewing on its own tail. And tRump is winning the polls. Of course, he is.
(https://www.egypttoursportal.com/images/2019/09/The-Ouroboros-Symbol-Egypt-Tours-Portal-1.jpg)
Quote from: Cassia on November 18, 2023, 07:22:02 PMThere is enough bloody blame to go around in this war, but Bobby was just telling me the mass murderer/terrorist, Osama bin Laden is now a pro-Palestinian tic-tok hero?
Yeah, that part's mystifying to me as well. Apparently, it's news that American military adventurism in the Middle East was/is a bad thing and that people there have some legitimate grievances with the US? Though murdering fellow muslims and a ton of civilians (the Quran itself has notes about that) in retaliation is probably not the best idea in the world.
Also, I'd be curious to hear if any of those tiktok users ever made it to the Wahhabi Caliphate part of bin Laden's mastermi-plan.
So yeah, a few crazies on an already pretty crazy platform don't speak for me.