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#1

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Razgovory - Today at 12:45:37 AM

The population of Gaza went from 5,000 to less than 1,000 under Hamas rule and there are plenty of reports of harassment, forced conversion and land theft by the PA.  So let's not pretend there is a "well tolerated" Christian community in Palestine.

Why don't you ask the Christian community in the West Bank who they fear more, and who harasses them more?  It's not even close. A few months ago, settler gangs carried out a pogrom (there is no other word to describe it) in a Christian village, burning houses to the ground, destroying cars, and murdering three residents. Depending on reports, the IDF either stood by or directly assisted.

In the Gaza war, the IDF bombed a 12th century Orthodox church, killing over a dozen. The only Catholic Church in Gaza has been attacked multiple times during the war: Israeli snipers murdered two unarmed women on church grounds, a school run by nuns on church grounds was bombed and destroyed, others were killed and the parish priest injured when Israeli tanks fired at the Church.  Gaza Christians have no love for Hamas, but it is the IDF that has put them in graves and forced them into refugee camps.

The indefensible remains indefensible.  When the Gaza war started, I took Israel's side, gave them every benefit of the doubt, defended their rights to retaliation under international law.  You can look it up; it's right here on languish.  I took them at their word that they were acting in good faith to ensure their security.  That position has long ceased to be tenable.  The attacks against civilians have been wildly disproportionate to any valid military purpose.  Israel took the opportunity to dismantle Hezbollah - good for them. Meanwhile, although Israel has taken out about half the Hamas senior leadership, the other half remains active, and according to US intelligence reports, Hamas has recruited between 10,000 to 15,000 new fighters since the war began, likely fully replacing its losses.  So the military operation has failed its primary objective.

I do not contest that the settlers are violent thugs; I am contesting the that Christian population is "well tolerated" in Palestine.  You don't drive out 80% of the population through toleration, a foretaste of a one state solution.  The Christian population in Israeli is growing on the other hand.  

#2

Off the Record / Re: The Non-P** and I** Thread...

Last post by Grey Fox - October 04, 2025, 09:24:46 PM

Well it's not as grim as other of my threads, I just noticed those on the front page are:

"Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-25"

"Acts of Terrorism Mega thread"

"New Routine Shootings at US Schools and Universities Megathread."


All of which are unlikely to ever be out of 'fashion'.

I read La Presse. They don't sell a subscription.

#3

Gaming HQ / Re: PSA: Game Discounts

Last post by Sophie Scholl - October 04, 2025, 08:48:26 PM

Some really big World of Darkness bundles up on Humble at the moment. Both physical and pdf. A WFRPG and 40k RPG pdf bundle up, too.

#4

Off the Record / Re: The Non-P** and I** Thread...

Last post by Sheilbh - October 04, 2025, 08:37:34 PM

No newspapers - but get access through work.

On magazines, LRB and New Left Review And Know Your Enemy podcast.

Edit: Oh also, Londoncentric Substack (that I pay for - subscribe to others).

#5

Off the Record / Re: The Non-P** and I** Thread...

Last post by mongers - October 04, 2025, 07:33:33 PM

Well it's not as grim as other of my threads, I just noticed those on the front page are:

"Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-25"

"Acts of Terrorism Mega thread"

"New Routine Shootings at US Schools and Universities Megathread."


All of which are unlikely to ever be out of 'fashion'.

#6

Off the Record / Re: The Non-P** and I** Thread...

Last post by HVC - October 04, 2025, 07:29:37 PM

Might as well say Bloody Mary three times in the dark

#7

Off the Record / Re: The Non-P** and I** Thread...

Last post by Grey Fox - October 04, 2025, 07:24:05 PM

 

#8

Off the Record / The Non-P** and I** Thread - ...

Last post by mongers - October 04, 2025, 06:58:53 PM

I know this is a bit left-field, but what about a thread that doesn't allow mention of P******** and I***** ?

What about one covering Radio and other more traditional non-internet media?

I'm a great fan of BBC radio, could leave it on all day, but sometime the documentaries/items are too good and demand greater attention, so I have to stop and give it proper attention.

What newspapers, does anyone here still have any subscriptions?

I think the last one I had was for the old Independent from it's inception (late 80s) through into the 90ss.

Last journal or magazine subscription I had was either some PC mag or 'Nature' , so that might be a good while ago. 

#9

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by HVC - October 04, 2025, 06:36:42 PM

Ed Miliband should have won

I'm defintely warming to the idea he should be the next PM if/when Starmer is pushed out. He very much has grown in stature over the last few years IMO.

Insoles

#10

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Sheilbh - October 04, 2025, 06:34:07 PM

I think he'd have been a disaster then and worse now