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#51

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by FunkMonk - May 03, 2024, 11:22:53 AM

Otto, seeing your changing stance on Trump has been one of the most unsettling things that I have personally witnessed since he left office. The fact that someone as knowledgeable, well-reasoning and thoughtful as you can suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere start supporting Trump really makes me fear for the future of this country.   

#52

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - May 03, 2024, 11:17:56 AM

To be clear--nothing in our constitution prohibits Congress or the President from excluding persons from the privilege of immigrating here. Unfortunately Muslim citizens have full constitutional protections, but the goal should be to make sure there are as few of those as humanly possible.

Muslims should also be entirely forbidden from using our refugee / asylum system, and any Muslims here on humanitarian parole or refugee status should be expelled.

#53

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Barrister - May 03, 2024, 11:15:42 AM

The constitution can never get in the way of doing what is necessary and right--something great American leaders have always understood (see: Lincoln.)

OK, just making sure we know what side you're on then.

#54

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - May 03, 2024, 11:11:37 AM

The constitution can never get in the way of doing what is necessary and right--something great American leaders have always understood (see: Lincoln.)

[Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;]

#55

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Barrister - May 03, 2024, 11:05:36 AM

And now Tamas understands my position--the West needs to actively resist its Islamization. No Western country should be letting even a single Muslim move in, Muslim non-citizens need to be harried and deported as much as legally possible.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

#56

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - May 03, 2024, 10:56:12 AM

I also think the US needs to draw red lines on NATO too; understanding that any NATO country that crosses certain lines (e.g. trying to delegitimize Israel), the U.S. should make it known they are not under the umbrella of our protection under Article V of the NATO charter.

#57

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - May 03, 2024, 10:52:31 AM

And now Tamas understands my position--the West needs to actively resist its Islamization. No Western country should be letting even a single Muslim move in, Muslim non-citizens need to be harried and deported as much as legally possible.

#58

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

Last post by Barrister - May 03, 2024, 10:48:36 AM

Yeah, if those patriots show up in Ukraine - and soon - that'd be grand.

Are they still useful against drones and Russia's hypersonic missiles or does Ukraine need something more advanced?  There has to be a reason why Israel needs something more sophisticated too, I suppose.

So as I understand it (and dammit Jim!  I'm a lawyer, not a soldier) Patriot has proven to be extremely effective against even Russia's hypersonic missiles.  It is however a fairly expensive system, with each patriot missile running in the millions of dollars.

As we are now seeing in both Ukraine, and Israel, is the use of mass numbers of UAVs or drones with are quite inexpensive to produce, and also in Gaza the use of cheap and dumb rockets.  Iron Dome is (I think) more cost effective as a result, plus (as Josquis points out) it's a more local technology (although developed with US assistance) which means fewer restrictions on its use.

The timing definitely does make one think these Patriots might be showing up in Ukraine sooner or later, but just Israel doesn't want to publicize that fact because for some reason it still values its relations with Russia.

#59

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

Last post by Jacob - May 03, 2024, 10:01:28 AM

My understanding is that a push is expected after mud season ends, which is coming up.

#60

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Tamas - May 03, 2024, 09:51:10 AM

I thought I should post it here instead of the Brexit thread, that Muslims flocking to Greens (on account of them being none of the "mainstream" 3 parties and Labour not being sufficiently pan-Muslim) in local elections made me think that on a strategic scale it would be understandable (without endorsing the way they are going about it) for Israel to seek a fait accompli and a strategic conclusion to their conflict with Palestinians (again, even if this should be working on making a two-state solution work rather than brute force).

Based on the last few months the default pro-Israeli stance of European governments must be well on its way out on the long term, thanks to demographics if nothing else (most popular British newborn name, after all, is Mohamed). At some point major parties will not want to take hit for not-taking a loud pan-Muslim stance on issues.