But first a brief Russia - Ukraine update. I read a Ukrainian source today, and couldn’t re-find it. Basically it said, We’re on the defensive all along the front lines. Big Serge tweeted this, which supports that: Big Serge @witte_sergei Israel is about to invade Gaza and
It is surprising to me that abortion would be such a key factor in American Jewish votes. Why wouldn't they want their population to increase -- because most of us can see that because of illegal migration the 'tide is turning' and population demographics are definitely going to swing wa-aaay far away from American Jewish interests and safety.
All studies have shown that Jews don't abort their babies. Abortion is for the poor, the underclasses--as Ruth Bader Ginsburg made explicitly and rather coarsely clear in a famous interview for the NYTMag. There's more to it, but ...
"Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly *growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.* So that Roe was going to be then set up for Medicaid funding for abortion."
Yes, I remember the Ginsburg remark. I just misunderstood the line: "On the other hand, even if in normal times most Jews go into the voting booth thinking about abortion rather than "one thing unites American Jews", and was puzzled, forgetting that it is their commitment to liberalism that is driving them to vote for Democrats.
Well, of course, I thought that was obvious when speaking of Democratic politicians of today . . . what other kind are there than that? Perhaps I should have said commitment to leftist thought.
I guess my point is that they don't really even have a commitment to legitimate leftist policy...its more of a superficial image they cultivate. For example, are the Dems really committed to improving the lives of their constituents in Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit and Los Angeles? Are they really committed to improving the lives of illegal immigrants? Are they really committed to improving the lives of middle class taxpayers? At the end of the day their true commitment is to more money and power.
Many Israeli civilians in Kibbutz Be'eri were killed by Israeli forces, survivor Yasmin Porat told Israeli state radio in a now censored interview. Here it is with translation.
I did not connect the dots. I thought it was a way to distract from Biden’s corruption. Probably a twofer.
“Egypt angered the deep state when it applied to join Russia’s alternative currency network, BRICS. Right after that, suddenly, unexpectedly, and utterly coincidentally, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was turbo-indicted for treason, for accepting bribes from Egypt, and now faces a speedy May 6th trial date (5). Menendez’s political career is finished. In other words, Egypt’s decades-old, Senate-level political tool in the U.S. government was scuttled.
A lawyer friend who is Jewish and Cuban (he refers to himself as a “Jewban”) had a conversation many years ago about Jews being dems in such great numbers. He said his parents always spoke of how as being liberal and a democrat could help lessen anti-Semitic actions. He/they felt that over time if liberal thought and acceptance could win out, acceptance of Jewish people would too. I said, you’re 55 years old, how’s that working out for you so far?
For a long time I've thought that the way to reduce or eliminate antisemitism if you are Jewish and sensitive to criticism is to not do things which you can legitimately be criticized for. And if you do do something which you can be criticized for, own up to it, and stop doing it. But don't dismiss the criticism as antisemitic and then keep doing the same old thing.
At the end of the day playing the antisemitic card over and over to stifle legitimate criticism is counter-productive and in fact reinforces stereotypes. It is especially unfair to the substantial numbers of Jews who do not do things for which they can be legitimately criticized.
History rhyming and syncopated also adds to some interesting / weird cultural comparisons involving US and Israeli political elites and their alliances and bug-bears. Useful background from this YouTube (posted also in a different thread at MiH) of Alistair Crooke + Alexander Mercouris + Glenn Deisen discussing internal Israeli politics, history, and the current Al Aqsa Flood battles
While Hillary and her elite uni-klan have identified "the Deplorables" as the cultural scourge in the US, the rough equivalent in Israel are the Mizrahi jews (North African / Middle-Eastern sourced immigres to Israel), versus in Israel the Ashkenazi (European sourced) jews. In Israel, outside of the courts and perhaps Air Force, the Askenazi are the 'elites', but do not hold government & most military power; the Mizrahi are, to Israeli elites, Deplorables, yet the Mizrahi are ascendant in political and military power. In the US, the elites control almost all the levers of power, with the deplorables as the group on the short end of many sticks. This sets up a situation enabling extreme media gas-lighting by both country's spin-masters. Any outsider to US or Israeli/ME politics will find it is really important to study the history and current status of either place before offering proposed fixes: very easy to get issues and facts tangled. I very much appreciate the care and education Mr Wauck and MiH commenters bring to this important discussion.
Or even legitimate discussion due to fears of being labeled anti Semitic.
Unz has had articles mentioning topics that are troubling, but to mention / discuss these topics would be considered anti Semitic. Unz is a very mixed bag, but they do offer alternative opinions.
A sampling of content that raises troubling issues, and would probably be labeled anti Semitic:
I was surprised at Musk pushing back against the ADL:
I agree with all the above, especially Cassander's penetrating analysis. What has happened, IMO, is that Jews wrongly identified the source of "antisemitism" as Christians and so the smart strategy as allying with the ruling elite who had lost whatever faith they had way back in the 1840s or so and also despised hoi polloi. Both adopted the same tactic of taking actions to suppress Christianity in America through the courts and universities and to debase the prevailing culture, with the idea that people who believed in nothing would no longer be antisemitic. It hasn't worked out that way, just as it has never worked out in the past when it has been tried. For the reasons Cassander specifies.
I must say, Unz's article about Ivy League admissions, while painfully over-long, is powerfully articulated and appears factually supported. And, of course, received no discussion in the MSM.
I say this while expressing no opinion regarding some of the other points of view Unz provides a platform for.
I wonder if the admissions preference Unz describes won't self-destruct in the long run as capable students subject to Ivy League 'discrimination' find universities and then employers who appreciate and welcome their talent and potential.
And then there is the Groucho Marx factor. Groucho famously once said, "I don't care to belong to any social organization that will accept me as a member." Harvard was a tantalizing objective when it was seemingly unattainable. Will it always be so?
Very good update by Larry Johnson over at Sonar21. He shows what is happening at Gaza's main hospital, Shifa. This is the hospital that the Israelis have given the Palestinians a very short time to evacuate. My local hospital is the same size as Shifa and it would take a very long time to move everyone and all the equipment out. That's in peacetime. Even allowing for propagandistic exploitation by Hamas, this is not a good look for Israel. As Larry says, the West is only seeing the Israeli side of things, but the other ME nations and the RoW are seeing the images he includes. As a result, Israel is almost certainly underestimating the new mood of unity among its surrounding nations.
"So the Neocons really need this war not to happen". Wow, that must be a first! Let's hope the Poles do the right thing. Donald Tusk is the epitome of the globalist/EU worshipping pol. He'll sell Poland down the river.
This is what I was saying in the last comment. I agree. And if they do go that far it will only be a defeat in the long run. The world will be watching and Israel is not the US.
OK, so Kratman--and presumably you--are advocating for a modern version of a traditional tribal war of extermination. The reason it is unlikely to happen is for the reason that Kratman gives. The IDF, taken as a whole, is basically a better armed but not very well trained ME tribal militia. They have a very good air force which, as Kratman says, is where the best talent goes. Emerging stories are now painting a disturbing picture of disorganization and poor fire control, in which Israeli ground forces have fired indiscriminately, killing numerous Israelis. This is what would be expected from Kratman, Crooke, and others I've read. Israel is simply not in a position as a society and an economy to support the type of first class professional military that it needs because of the situation it has placed itself in. But my belief is that Israeli society is not going to be willing to take the casualties that would be required for his Solution D. And that's what Hamas is counting on. Zionism, a false ideology based on the claim of ethnic privilege, has led to this point.
Truthfully - I’m not sure what is possible for Israel to successfully do to solve the issue long term, with their internal limitations / politics. I have a hard enough time understanding us politics, much less Israel. Not to mention all the other players. I have no idea what will happen.
I can’t see how American Jews aligned with Palestinian cause stray from their American liberal Dem politicians even as those politicians are big Israeli Neocons types. I do agree issues like abortion or similar will keep them firmly aligned to the party.
Analysis of Israeli strategy sounds correct, and why it was bound to fail.
Interesting point:
“ career as prime minister is bound to end, he might be tempted by the option of maximum destruction. If he opts for that, he would be acting against character as, so far at least, he has always been cautious in using the military option.”
Good article. I liked this point: "Had it been in the business of nation-building, Hamas could have used the past two decades attracting foreign investment, including from wealthy Palestinians across the globe, to turn the enclave into a bustling mini-power on the Mediterranean." Another great missed opportunity on the Palestinian side that might have borne fruit.
Yes. Our "leaders" our failing us everywhere. However, Hamas didn't emerge in a vacuum anymore than the crazy Israeli West Bank settlers did. They are both the natural result of decades of bitter hatreds.
The Dei crowd that has huge influence in higher education, is running into the buzzsaw of supporting Hama. And some students, nyu the lawyer losing a job offer, Harvard signers being identified, are getting pushback. And Jewish donors in higher education are also important.
Poland has a chance to join Hungary & Slovakia. Visegrád Group could be in full swing again, but I’m seeing the Czech being the biggest resistance. The hate towards Russia from Czech government is unbelievable.
Those are real atrocities, but white people trying to colonize Africa as a small ruling elite over a restive population was never, as a practical matter, going to work. It didn't work for the French in Algeria, it didn't work for the Brits in various places.
Q: “Can America.. afford another War at this time?”
Janet Yellen: “I think the answer is absolutely”
War time economy pulls Janet's fat out of the fire?
It is surprising to me that abortion would be such a key factor in American Jewish votes. Why wouldn't they want their population to increase -- because most of us can see that because of illegal migration the 'tide is turning' and population demographics are definitely going to swing wa-aaay far away from American Jewish interests and safety.
All studies have shown that Jews don't abort their babies. Abortion is for the poor, the underclasses--as Ruth Bader Ginsburg made explicitly and rather coarsely clear in a famous interview for the NYTMag. There's more to it, but ...
"Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly *growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.* So that Roe was going to be then set up for Medicaid funding for abortion."
Yes, I remember the Ginsburg remark. I just misunderstood the line: "On the other hand, even if in normal times most Jews go into the voting booth thinking about abortion rather than "one thing unites American Jews", and was puzzled, forgetting that it is their commitment to liberalism that is driving them to vote for Democrats.
"...it is their commitment to liberalism that is driving them to vote for Democrats."
Agreed, so long as your definition of liberalism = money and power.
Well, of course, I thought that was obvious when speaking of Democratic politicians of today . . . what other kind are there than that? Perhaps I should have said commitment to leftist thought.
I guess my point is that they don't really even have a commitment to legitimate leftist policy...its more of a superficial image they cultivate. For example, are the Dems really committed to improving the lives of their constituents in Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit and Los Angeles? Are they really committed to improving the lives of illegal immigrants? Are they really committed to improving the lives of middle class taxpayers? At the end of the day their true commitment is to more money and power.
What do we call them then, say in casual or substack comments?
To be a little facetious, I always think 'commies'.
Listen to the audio at the link. Stunning. This is the second similar account I've heard.
https://twitter.com/intifada/status/1713785139073827067
Electronic Intifada @intifada
Many Israeli civilians in Kibbutz Be'eri were killed by Israeli forces, survivor Yasmin Porat told Israeli state radio in a now censored interview. Here it is with translation.
READ MORE: https://electronicintifada.net/content/israeli-forces-shot-their-own-civilians-kibbutz-survivor-says/38861
12:13 AM · Oct 16, 2023
Is the US Israel's worst enemy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBumTNZvVvk
I did not connect the dots. I thought it was a way to distract from Biden’s corruption. Probably a twofer.
“Egypt angered the deep state when it applied to join Russia’s alternative currency network, BRICS. Right after that, suddenly, unexpectedly, and utterly coincidentally, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was turbo-indicted for treason, for accepting bribes from Egypt, and now faces a speedy May 6th trial date (5). Menendez’s political career is finished. In other words, Egypt’s decades-old, Senate-level political tool in the U.S. government was scuttled.
https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/adventures-monday-october-16-2023
A lawyer friend who is Jewish and Cuban (he refers to himself as a “Jewban”) had a conversation many years ago about Jews being dems in such great numbers. He said his parents always spoke of how as being liberal and a democrat could help lessen anti-Semitic actions. He/they felt that over time if liberal thought and acceptance could win out, acceptance of Jewish people would too. I said, you’re 55 years old, how’s that working out for you so far?
For a long time I've thought that the way to reduce or eliminate antisemitism if you are Jewish and sensitive to criticism is to not do things which you can legitimately be criticized for. And if you do do something which you can be criticized for, own up to it, and stop doing it. But don't dismiss the criticism as antisemitic and then keep doing the same old thing.
At the end of the day playing the antisemitic card over and over to stifle legitimate criticism is counter-productive and in fact reinforces stereotypes. It is especially unfair to the substantial numbers of Jews who do not do things for which they can be legitimately criticized.
History rhyming and syncopated also adds to some interesting / weird cultural comparisons involving US and Israeli political elites and their alliances and bug-bears. Useful background from this YouTube (posted also in a different thread at MiH) of Alistair Crooke + Alexander Mercouris + Glenn Deisen discussing internal Israeli politics, history, and the current Al Aqsa Flood battles
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0IKCo3MVW1o
While Hillary and her elite uni-klan have identified "the Deplorables" as the cultural scourge in the US, the rough equivalent in Israel are the Mizrahi jews (North African / Middle-Eastern sourced immigres to Israel), versus in Israel the Ashkenazi (European sourced) jews. In Israel, outside of the courts and perhaps Air Force, the Askenazi are the 'elites', but do not hold government & most military power; the Mizrahi are, to Israeli elites, Deplorables, yet the Mizrahi are ascendant in political and military power. In the US, the elites control almost all the levers of power, with the deplorables as the group on the short end of many sticks. This sets up a situation enabling extreme media gas-lighting by both country's spin-masters. Any outsider to US or Israeli/ME politics will find it is really important to study the history and current status of either place before offering proposed fixes: very easy to get issues and facts tangled. I very much appreciate the care and education Mr Wauck and MiH commenters bring to this important discussion.
Or even legitimate discussion due to fears of being labeled anti Semitic.
Unz has had articles mentioning topics that are troubling, but to mention / discuss these topics would be considered anti Semitic. Unz is a very mixed bag, but they do offer alternative opinions.
A sampling of content that raises troubling issues, and would probably be labeled anti Semitic:
I was surprised at Musk pushing back against the ADL:
https://www.unz.com/runz/elon-musk-and-the-true-history-of-the-adl/
And none dare mention this issue:
https://www.unz.com/runz/affirmative-action-and-the-jewish-elephant-in-the-room/
And Unz even includes articles by the Nation of Islam. Another major Democratic power faction, that is definitely anti Semitic.
I agree with all the above, especially Cassander's penetrating analysis. What has happened, IMO, is that Jews wrongly identified the source of "antisemitism" as Christians and so the smart strategy as allying with the ruling elite who had lost whatever faith they had way back in the 1840s or so and also despised hoi polloi. Both adopted the same tactic of taking actions to suppress Christianity in America through the courts and universities and to debase the prevailing culture, with the idea that people who believed in nothing would no longer be antisemitic. It hasn't worked out that way, just as it has never worked out in the past when it has been tried. For the reasons Cassander specifies.
@Ray
https://www.unz.com/runz/affirmative-action-and-the-jewish-elephant-in-the-room/
I must say, Unz's article about Ivy League admissions, while painfully over-long, is powerfully articulated and appears factually supported. And, of course, received no discussion in the MSM.
I say this while expressing no opinion regarding some of the other points of view Unz provides a platform for.
I wonder if the admissions preference Unz describes won't self-destruct in the long run as capable students subject to Ivy League 'discrimination' find universities and then employers who appreciate and welcome their talent and potential.
And then there is the Groucho Marx factor. Groucho famously once said, "I don't care to belong to any social organization that will accept me as a member." Harvard was a tantalizing objective when it was seemingly unattainable. Will it always be so?
Yes. Fear of being labeled antisemitic has been a hugely powerful tool. But not terribly helpful in the long run...in my estimation.
Very good update by Larry Johnson over at Sonar21. He shows what is happening at Gaza's main hospital, Shifa. This is the hospital that the Israelis have given the Palestinians a very short time to evacuate. My local hospital is the same size as Shifa and it would take a very long time to move everyone and all the equipment out. That's in peacetime. Even allowing for propagandistic exploitation by Hamas, this is not a good look for Israel. As Larry says, the West is only seeing the Israeli side of things, but the other ME nations and the RoW are seeing the images he includes. As a result, Israel is almost certainly underestimating the new mood of unity among its surrounding nations.
"So the Neocons really need this war not to happen". Wow, that must be a first! Let's hope the Poles do the right thing. Donald Tusk is the epitome of the globalist/EU worshipping pol. He'll sell Poland down the river.
Hamas goes Tet by The Diplomad.
Interesting read - I’m not sure Israel has the capability and fortitude.
https://thediplomad.blogspot.com/2023/10/hamas-goes-tet.html
This is what I was saying in the last comment. I agree. And if they do go that far it will only be a defeat in the long run. The world will be watching and Israel is not the US.
Col Kratman’s examples of idf war crimes are more recent than Marks, and were news to me.
https://tomkratman.substack.com/p/dear-israel
OK, so Kratman--and presumably you--are advocating for a modern version of a traditional tribal war of extermination. The reason it is unlikely to happen is for the reason that Kratman gives. The IDF, taken as a whole, is basically a better armed but not very well trained ME tribal militia. They have a very good air force which, as Kratman says, is where the best talent goes. Emerging stories are now painting a disturbing picture of disorganization and poor fire control, in which Israeli ground forces have fired indiscriminately, killing numerous Israelis. This is what would be expected from Kratman, Crooke, and others I've read. Israel is simply not in a position as a society and an economy to support the type of first class professional military that it needs because of the situation it has placed itself in. But my belief is that Israeli society is not going to be willing to take the casualties that would be required for his Solution D. And that's what Hamas is counting on. Zionism, a false ideology based on the claim of ethnic privilege, has led to this point.
Nope - I am not advocating for that position.
I thought Col Kratman article was full of insightful points, which is why I posted it to add to the discussion.
Cdr salamander also has a series of articles I found interesting:
https://cdrsalamander.substack.com/p/lessons-from-israel
Truthfully - I’m not sure what is possible for Israel to successfully do to solve the issue long term, with their internal limitations / politics. I have a hard enough time understanding us politics, much less Israel. Not to mention all the other players. I have no idea what will happen.
Kratman makes some good points but others are simplistic. His solution isn't going to work.
I can’t see how American Jews aligned with Palestinian cause stray from their American liberal Dem politicians even as those politicians are big Israeli Neocons types. I do agree issues like abortion or similar will keep them firmly aligned to the party.
It’s always about the money, never anything else, but atrocity porn is used to drive sympathy and more money.
1) i don’t assume Jewish Dems donations at the same level as the past to “hold their nose”. Rather they might just as well do nothing.
2) Neocons will need to control or wrestle control from Netanyahu versus tent cities or similar if they want to de-escalate.
Analysis of Israeli strategy sounds correct, and why it was bound to fail.
Interesting point:
“ career as prime minister is bound to end, he might be tempted by the option of maximum destruction. If he opts for that, he would be acting against character as, so far at least, he has always been cautious in using the military option.”
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/20048/hamas-israel-what-next
Good article. I liked this point: "Had it been in the business of nation-building, Hamas could have used the past two decades attracting foreign investment, including from wealthy Palestinians across the globe, to turn the enclave into a bustling mini-power on the Mediterranean." Another great missed opportunity on the Palestinian side that might have borne fruit.
Yes. Our "leaders" our failing us everywhere. However, Hamas didn't emerge in a vacuum anymore than the crazy Israeli West Bank settlers did. They are both the natural result of decades of bitter hatreds.
Related data point:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/left-faces-reckoning-israel-divides-democrats-rcna120076
Yep. If a Big War happens it could split the Dems. Is there a third party around?
And don’t forget the impact on higher education…
In what sense, Ray?
The Dei crowd that has huge influence in higher education, is running into the buzzsaw of supporting Hama. And some students, nyu the lawyer losing a job offer, Harvard signers being identified, are getting pushback. And Jewish donors in higher education are also important.
Waiter, there's a fly in my diversity soup...
Worthwhile video share from Cassander.
Poland has a chance to join Hungary & Slovakia. Visegrád Group could be in full swing again, but I’m seeing the Czech being the biggest resistance. The hate towards Russia from Czech government is unbelievable.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visegr%C3%A1d_Group
Those are real atrocities, but white people trying to colonize Africa as a small ruling elite over a restive population was never, as a practical matter, going to work. It didn't work for the French in Algeria, it didn't work for the Brits in various places.
And then there's the Zionist colonization of Palestine...
Or the "Palestinian" colonization of Judea.