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#11

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Admiral Yi - October 12, 2025, 09:56:52 PM

Yes of course.  Between Hamas and Israel, any possible expression of Palestinian civil society in Gaza has been utterly destroyed.  Hamas is all there is left to fill the vacuum. Which of course serves the Likudniks just fine because it ensures Gaza will remain weak and isolated and destitute, as well as feed their hard-line security narrative.  It's a symbiotic relationship.

How did Israel destroy any possible expression of Palestinian civil society?

#12

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Razgovory - October 12, 2025, 08:54:03 PM

I guess someone should do something about that.  Maybe Canada?  The UK?  South Africa?  Ireland?  I dunno.

#13

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

Last post by Tamas - October 12, 2025, 08:34:23 PM

Perhaps it was an awkward phrasing of it. What I meant was that I am hoping I am right, and this is why European response has been extremely muted.

#14

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by The Minsky Moment - October 12, 2025, 08:33:42 PM

They are murdering people because their grip on power is weakened. 

They are murdering people because they are murderers who murder people.

They murdered people before they took power in Gaza.  They murdered people after they took power in Gaza.  They murdered people when they were weaker.  They murdered people when they were stronger. They murdered people before the war.  They murdered people during the war.  So yes they will murder people during the cease fire.  And if the war truly ends, they will murder people then too.  And if it doesn't end . . . also, murder.

 And that fact tells you absolutely nothing new of interest about Hamas that we haven't already known for 30 years.

#15

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Razgovory - October 12, 2025, 08:11:21 PM

So Hamas has come back out of their hidey holes and back to executing dissidents, I guess things are going back to normal.  https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/12/middleeast/gaza-hamas-security-war-intl

Yes of course.  Between Hamas and Israel, any possible expression of Palestinian civil society in Gaza has been utterly destroyed.  Hamas is all there is left to fill the vacuum. Which of course serves the Likudniks just fine because it ensures Gaza will remain weak and isolated and destitute, as well as feed their hard-line security narrative.  It's a symbiotic relationship.

If Hamas was all that was left they wouldn't have to kill anyone.  They are murdering people because their grip on power is weakened.  But rest assured, they will win, and we will discover that the certain Palestinian lives, the ones taken by "The Resistance", do not, in fact, matter.

#16

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by viper37 - October 12, 2025, 08:08:39 PM

'The Goodfather II' - seen for the first time, Al Pacino rules, no meaningful artistic comments from me.

Is the third one worth a viewing?

Yes, because it's the last one in the series and it brings closure to the series, but it's not as good as the other 2.

There is apparently a final cut of the movie, as seen by Coppola, recently released.  I have not read the reviews.

#17

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by The Minsky Moment - October 12, 2025, 07:59:06 PM

So Hamas has come back out of their hidey holes and back to executing dissidents, I guess things are going back to normal.  https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/12/middleeast/gaza-hamas-security-war-intl

Yes of course.  Between Hamas and Israel, any possible expression of Palestinian civil society in Gaza has been utterly destroyed.  Hamas is all there is left to fill the vacuum. Which of course serves the Likudniks just fine because it ensures Gaza will remain weak and isolated and destitute, as well as feed their hard-line security narrative.  It's a symbiotic relationship.

#18

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by viper37 - October 12, 2025, 07:39:06 PM

I really don't get who Mr Terrific is or why the Green Lantern is weird. Or the elemental guy or other guys in prison. Or a lot. This messes with my head.

I've seen with my nephew.
8 years old.

Didn't really think about the plot.  He liked it.  I didn't think about anything else for a while, I was pleased at the time.

It's exactly as you said, it's like most Marvels.  Don't overthink it.  I'm not really familiar with DC universe anyway, outside of the main characters, Batman, Aquaman, Superman, Wonderwoman.

#19

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

Last post by crazy canuck - October 12, 2025, 07:17:36 PM

Do you think that is conceiveable?!

Seriously what kind of a comment is that, if we are only allowed to comment on speculate on things that we have the most detailed understanding of of anyone on the planet, there won't be much left to discuss.

You said you hoped they have data to reach the same conclusion. 

#20

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Admiral Yi - October 12, 2025, 05:42:47 PM

Didn't she actually sail there are get arrested or something? Seems bizarre to have such sneering contempt for somebody who actually put their ass on the line.

Also what exactly is your criticism here? Is there some concrete action one individual person can do that would instantly solve all these problems? I mean if US Presidents have flailed importently for decades it seems insane to direct your ire at some random powerless private person. Seems like the people who actually have power, money, and resources and still miserably fail at everything would be more worthy of your contempt.

My criticism is that Squeeze gets what he wants, which is a cease fire and the IDF "fucks off" from at least parts of Gaza, Hamas starts shooting Palestinians, and he can't accept that's a result of exactly what he was asking for.