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Israel Hamas War, West Bank, Etc. | Hostilities resume

  • Thread starter Thread starter nycfan
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If you have to keep telling everyone else that you are the smartest person in the room, there is a good chance that you are not actually the smartest person in the room.
I can only imagine, but since I only have him and Paine on SuperIgnore, I get to miss out. But my guess is something akin to, "you need to shut your trap" or "there is zero possibility I cannot understand something more than you" or "you are no where near my level."
 
If you have to keep telling everyone else that you are the smartest person in the room, there is a good chance that you are not actually the smartest person in the room.
I'm not talking about being the smartest person. I'm simply far more knowledgeable than ZenMode. When he tries to claim the mantle of superiority ("if you understand how terrorists work") then that is the response he will get.

Most of the time, people who brag about being the smartest person in the room are, in fact, among the smartest people in the room. They don't do it because they have to. They do it because it suits their goals at the moment. One of those goals can be "being an asshole" and often is, but that's not really the same thing. I freely admit that my response to Zen was dickish. It was a response to even greater dickishness.

What you miss about me is that I don't care in the slightest about my relative intelligence. My goal is -- very roughly speaking -- to educate people and to learn from people. If everyone on this message board took intelligence pills to become super-geniuses, and as a result stopped saying or believing nonsense, I would be thrilled even if it meant my intelligence had become merely average.

Remember when I made that claim about firefighters and saving people? You were offended and incredibly dismissive of me, and you let me know it in no uncertain terms. I deserved it. Once I figured out that you are actually a firefighter, I've never again made any claim at all about firefighting because why would I? I can just ask a firefighter. BTW, I found the article that I had read about firefighters doing "scouting" in big fires. I remembered it backwards: they were ending that policy in NYC, not initiating it. It had been previously used in big fires long ago because of limited equipment, but it wasn't really followed in practice and so it was rescinded. This was a long time ago.

Anyway, that's the lay of the land here. When you told me, "you don't know what you're talking about" re: fires, you weren't claiming to be more intelligent than me. You were claiming to be more informed. Which you are, on that topic.
 
I'm not talking about being the smartest person. I'm simply far more knowledgeable than ZenMode. When he tries to claim the mantle of superiority ("if you understand how terrorists work") then that is the response he will get.

Most of the time, people who brag about being the smartest person in the room are, in fact, among the smartest people in the room. They don't do it because they have to. They do it because it suits their goals at the moment. One of those goals can be "being an asshole" and often is, but that's not really the same thing. I freely admit that my response to Zen was dickish. It was a response to even greater dickishness.

What you miss about me is that I don't care in the slightest about my relative intelligence. My goal is -- very roughly speaking -- to educate people and to learn from people. If everyone on this message board took intelligence pills to become super-geniuses, and as a result stopped saying or believing nonsense, I would be thrilled even if it meant my intelligence had become merely average.

Remember when I made that claim about firefighters and saving people? You were offended and incredibly dismissive of me, and you let me know it in no uncertain terms. I deserved it. Once I figured out that you are actually a firefighter, I've never again made any claim at all about firefighting because why would I? I can just ask a firefighter. BTW, I found the article that I had read about firefighters doing "scouting" in big fires. I remembered it backwards: they were ending that policy in NYC, not initiating it. It had been previously used in big fires long ago because of limited equipment, but it wasn't really followed in practice and so it was rescinded. This was a long time ago.

Anyway, that's the lay of the land here. When you told me, "you don't know what you're talking about" re: fires, you weren't claiming to be more intelligent than me. You were claiming to be more informed. Which you are, on that topic.
Ok, upon elaboration I can see what you were trying to say. It just came across as very arrogant, but I can see that is not what you were going for.
 
There is nothing in this world that you understand and I do not, so shut up with this "for those who understand how terrorists work." Again, you made a life choice not to study. I made a life choice to study. Now, after all this time, I know far more about the world than you do. No matter how many times you stroke yourself to get that full 3.5 inches, you're still not able to have a conversation on this because you don't understand the basics. Sleep in the bed you made.
That's all weird....
Since you love to quote ChatGPT here, let's ask it whether the blockade contributed to the Hamas attacks:
I have never quoted ChatGPT.
Yes, the Israeli blockade of Gaza is widely viewed as one of the factors that contributed to the rise of Hamas and its attacks. The blockade, imposed in 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza, has severely restricted the movement of people and goods, leading to economic hardship, high unemployment, and deteriorating living conditions for Palestinians.

Hamas has used the blockade—along with broader grievances about occupation, displacement, and the lack of a viable peace process—as part of its justification for armed resistance. While it doesn't excuse attacks on civilians, many analysts and observers argue that the blockade fuels desperation, radicalization, and support for militant groups.

So yes, it's part of the larger cycle. Not the only cause, but definitely a contributing one.


Again, it's just a fact that blockades simply do not have the effect that you seem to think. People have studied this. People who actually know the facts, not people spitballing on a message board. And of course you're just ignoring the effect of the blockade on capital investment.
Yes, people who study things can come to some conclusions. That doesn't mean those conclusions automatically apply in all situations.
Of course the upper leadership of Hamas wants to destroy Israel. But intent is not enough; they also need the power to do so, right?
Which they likely acquired when they went from a terrorist organization operating within Gaza to controlling the government of Gaza.
I would love to end Kim Jong Un's worthless existence but that's not really something I could do, right? Hamas' leadership is only as powerful as the size and skill of its army. Forced poverty breeds those soldiers. Lack of opportunity breeds those soldiers. Do you really think that Palestinian teenagers are running to join Hamas instead of going to university or working in a factory providing for their families?
Yes, I do and there is significant evidence to support that belief. Here. Here.

The mistake that many liberals make is assuming the all cultures want and prioritize the same things. We all just want freedom and prosperity and to be able to pursue our dreams, right? That is not true for many Muslims and it's not just terrorists. Their time on Earth is borderline meaningless because their belief is an eternal afterlife is strong.... VERY strong. It's not uncommon for Muslims, not just terrorists, to chant "We love death more than you love life."

They aren't kidding.
They do not. They run to join Hamas because they can't do those things and they view Israel as responsible for it.
I disagree.
This is the oldest story in history. Israel has no more ability to stamp out dissatisfaction than did Louis XVI. The harder a government tries to oppress, the worse it goes for them when there's a successful revolt. How did Saddam and family fare after Saddam's rule was over? Oh, yeah. The people just killed them. That's the game you play when you try to use might to make right.
What Israel is doing with the blockade isn't stamping out dissatisfaction, it's survival. For reason mentioned above, there will never be a shortage of Muslim terrorists... at least not in the near future because only a significant re-interpretation of their holy doctrine will cause such a change and that ain't happening soon. Does the blockade cause a few more people to fight for Hamas? Maybe, but the belief that with sovereignty, and all the freedom they can take, that they'd suddenly abandon their religious mission to destroy Israel is unsupported to say that least. No, previous studies don't change that unless those previous studies include groups of people who don't care about their lives on Earth.

So, I've asked multiple times and haven't received an answer. What should Israel do? Give Gaza their state sovereignty and pray that more deadly weapons aren't immediately pumped in there from terrorist countries around the world?
 
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So, I've asked multiple times and haven't received an answer. What should Israel do? Give Gaza their state sovereignty and pray that more deadly weapons aren't immediately pumped in there from terrorist countries around the world?
1. From your link:

"Trisko Darden stresses that terrorism and terrorist recruitment must be understood as context-specific. What drives either in Turkey or Latin America may be quite different from what drives them in Nigeria or Sri Lanka. But regardless of geography, common factors can include limited economic opportunities for young people, systematized discrimination and corruption on a governmental or societal level."

Obviously many of the leaders are educated and affluent. The grunts who actually do the work? Not so much. This is incredibly well-established.

2. I'm not going to give you an answer. I don't know what Israel should do, because a) I'm not Israeli; b) I'm not a military strategist; c) I don't know Israeli law; d) I don't have any insight to the facts on the ground.

You like to spout off on topics you know nothing about. I do not. What I do know is that the blockade is illegal, largely ineffective and wrong. There is no law that says a person must have an opinion about everything regardless of knowledge
 
1. From your link:

"Trisko Darden stresses that terrorism and terrorist recruitment must be understood as context-specific. What drives either in Turkey or Latin America may be quite different from what drives them in Nigeria or Sri Lanka. But regardless of geography, common factors can include limited economic opportunities for young people, systematized discrimination and corruption on a governmental or societal level."
Common factors "CAN" include, not "DO ALWAYS" include.
Obviously many of the leaders are educated and affluent. The grunts who actually do the work? Not so much. This is incredibly well-established.
You've yet to provide any relevant support for this being a significant factor as it relates to Muslim terrorism.
2. I'm not going to give you an answer. I don't know what Israel should do, because a) I'm not Israeli; b) I'm not a military strategist; c) I don't know Israeli law; d) I don't have any insight to the facts on the ground.
Here are the relevant facts: Israel/Israelis live next door to a group of people who are quite literally hell-bent on wiping them off the face of the Earth and Israel has quite literally no governing body to turn to for help. Nobody. Why? Because terrorists don't give a flying fuck about the UN and their resolutions or anything else the UN has to say. Plus a significant portion of the UN likely wants Israel wiped out.
You like to spout off on topics you know nothing about. I do not.
You keep claiming I spout off about things I don't know about while you seem to be wholly uninformed about the realities of not only Muslim terrorists in general, but especially Hamas.
What I do know is that the blockade is illegal, largely ineffective
You believe, based on generic research, that it's ineffective, yet you likely know, without admitting it, that not regulating Gaza would resort in the death of significantly more Israelis.
and wrong.
Sure. What Israel should do is the "right* thing which would result in mass murder of its people.
There is no law that says a person must have an opinion about everything regardless of knowledge
I Never said there was. It's just interesting that you have all kinds of things to say, but can't muster even a thought when asked what Israel should do.
 
I will tell you what Israel should do. They should stop killing Palestinian civilians. They have extracted their revenge for a terrorist attack almost 2 years ago. What they are engaged in now is ethnic cleansing. It is unconscionable and we should not be supporting them.
 
Because they know exactly which ones are Hamas, right?

Can you imagine how many future terrorists Israel is creating every day? I assure you Israel knows, which is why they are choosing to eradicate Palestinian children. They just see future terrorists because they know their behavior is radicalizing any child that survives this abomination they are perpetrating.
 

Israel accepts a US proposal for a temporary Gaza ceasefire and Hamas gives a cool response​



“Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House said Thursday.

… Hamas officials gave the Israeli-approved draft a cool response, but said they wanted to study the proposal more closely before giving a formal answer.

… a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade — slightly eased in recent days — has pushed the population to the brink of famine….”
 

Israel accepts a US proposal for a temporary Gaza ceasefire and Hamas gives a cool response​



“Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House said Thursday.

… Hamas officials gave the Israeli-approved draft a cool response, but said they wanted to study the proposal more closely before giving a formal answer.

… a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade — slightly eased in recent days — has pushed the population to the brink of famine….”
"They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month."

What a fucking joke. There is no long-term truce with Hamas. They're terrorists whose publicly stated goal to eliminate Israel.

There was a cease fire on 10/6. Who broke it?

If the "long-term" truce is agreed to, who will break it? Gaza or Israel?

Anyone want to take that bet? I'll take Gaza/Hamas and give 10-1 odds.
 
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"They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month."

What a fucking joke. There is no long-term truce with Hamas. They're terrorists whose publicly states foalnis to eliminate Israel.

There was a cease fire on 10/6. Who broke it?

If the "long-term" truce is agreed to, who will break it? Gaza or Israel?

Anyone want to take that bet? I'll take Gaza/Hamas and give 10-1 odds.
I’ll take the bet. $5,000 vs. $50,000?

I’ll let @Rock hold the money. My last offer never got accepted.
 
"They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month."

What a fucking joke. There is no long-term truce with Hamas. They're terrorists whose publicly states foalnis to eliminate Israel.

There was a cease fire on 10/6. Who broke it?

If the "long-term" truce is agreed to, who will break it? Gaza or Israel?

Anyone want to take that bet? I'll take Gaza/Hamas and give 10-1 odds.
Israel violated the last ceasefire hundreds of times before they pulled out. They always do that shit.
So, there was a ceasefire pre Oct 7, right? Then how did hundreds of Palestinians get killed prior to that in 2023? Was there some kind of weird weather event where it rained bullets?
 
Israel violated the last ceasefire hundreds of times before they pulled out. They always do that shit.
So, there was a ceasefire pre Oct 7, right? Then how did hundreds of Palestinians get killed prior to that in 2023? Was there some kind of weird weather event where it rained bullets?
It actually did rain missiles into Israel, thousands of them, launched from Gaza, all prior to 10/7. Israel is the only country in the world expected to sit by and do nothing while its neighbor launches thousands of missiles at civilians.
 
Israel violated the last ceasefire hundreds of times before they pulled out. They always do that shit.
So, there was a ceasefire pre Oct 7, right? Then how did hundreds of Palestinians get killed prior to that in 2023? Was there some kind of weird weather event where it rained bullets?
IDF, not responding to an attack by Gaza, attacked and killed hundreds of Palestinians for no reason?

Link?
 
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