Was the Ceasefire Worth It? [Diogenes]

So. CBD has asked me to bore you all with another installment of Divination by Diogenes. I agreed to do so as he has made vague references to an upgrade to full blown tin foil membership and a week’s supply of dental floss. So here goes…

Two points to think about today. The first is what did Israel gain from the ceasefire? Was it really worth pausing the successful ground campaign? Short (and long) answer is yes and you’ll see my thinking shortly. The second is that now is time to begin thinking about The Day After Hamas. What happens when Israel finally crushes Hamas, somebody representing the Palestinians surrenders, and the war is over?

But first, why the pause in the fighting in the first place? The easy answer is because of the hostages. OK, sure. They were important, but taking a broader view, there are many other advantages that the Israeli Defense forces (IDF) gained from the pause.

First, they never really let up the pressure on Hamas. Yes, there was a general cessation to fighting, but almost every break by Hamas in the ceasefire was met with an overwhelming response. Further, the IDF continued to maneuver their forces and this worked to keep Hamas off balance.

Second, the IDF was able to consolidate their gains. This allowed them to dig in, secure their lines of communications and logistics and neutralize any undiscovered IEDs and, yes, I’ll say it because I’m an old curmudgeon…booby traps. (And not the Joe Mannix kind) The pressure brought by the IDF in these areas also prevented Hamas “stay-behinds” from causing much mischief.

Third, it gave them time to interrogate prisoners and the hostages to get better intelligence on Hamas. The Palestinians are not a monolithic group and are composed of a number of clans. There are many who are done with Hamas, or were never real supporters to begin with, and who are willing to provide the IDF with valuable battlefield data. You can bet this information will figure into the next phase of the war. We will probably see this borne out as we evaluate the IDF actions in the days ahead.

Fourth, it gave Israel time to rest and refit their troops. This is hugely important. A month and a half is a long time on the lines. Those troops needed a break if only for a few days. It will make a big difference in the next phase. And these are now the experts in this war. They have learned how to fight Hamas and will be passing this knowledge to others.

Fifth, and linked to #4, this break allowed Israel to begin to deploy some of the 150,000 Plus Reserves that have been called up and who have been returning to Israel from around the world. It takes time to bring a reservist up to speed. Figure a week to get back and sign into the Unit. Another week or two to draw their equipment and start basic battle training. And this is true of every returning soldier, regardless of the soldier’s specialty. Another week to get the unit spun up and then figure out where to put them. Then off they go. Clearly it is not an overnight thing. A month is reasonable. As a result, Hamas now faces a significantly larger force.

Next, this operational pause allowed the IDF leadership to evaluate where they are, what they have accomplished, what plans need to be modified, and lastly, how to proceed. This evaluation begins at the squad level with what we call a hot wash. Sergeants talking to their soldiers…what happened and why? What is working against Hamas? What isn’t? What have we learned? And these lessons get passed up the chain through the platoons, companies and battalions. Every Brigade commander has met with his subordinates and have met with their commanders. The information gained is being shared across the Gaza Front and with the forces deployed against the West Bank and Lebanon. It is making the IDF soldier a better fighter.

Next, the pause and the release of hostages created a wave of compassion for the hostages as their stories were made public. It also fueled the fire within the IDF to continue the mission. Everywhere Netanyahu has gone to visit the troops, the common call was to “Turn us loose!” and “Let us finish!” Those soldiers know why they are there. They smell victory and they want it. The hostage release has also shed light on the international stage. Nations, the UN, NGOs, and influential people are beginning to declare themselves to a side. This will influence the political arena in the days ahead.

Another advantage, albeit an unfortunate one, are the new Hamas atrocities are occurring as their fighters initiate attacks within Israel (the bus stop shootings). These acts continue to legitimize Israel’s war and the next phase of its campaign. Hamas’ actions are reminding the world why Israel is there fighting in Gaza. Discoveries like the hidden military equipment in UN crates is another recent example. The media may try hard to ignore it, but they cannot ignore the facts.

Lastly, the pause gave the IDF time to refine and continue to employ psyops against both the Hamas fighters and the Palis in general. As mentioned above, Hamas and the Palestinians are not a single homogenous group. While the Palis generally support Hamas, this support is not set in stone and not unanimous. Thousands of civilians have lost their good paying jobs in Israel. Thousands have been killed and thousands more injured. Several hundred thousand have been displaced. War is ugly and brutal. And all of this is because of Hamas. In turn, Israel is going out of its way, as much as it can, to prevent the slaughter of civilians. Acts such as identifying safe passage routes, notice of pending attacks, and some humanitarian relief show the average civilian that Israel isn’t there to kill them, just to eliminate Hamas. If you are a Pali husband trying to get your wife and family out along a safe route, and Hamas soldiers shoot you for doing so, it tends to give credence to Israel’s story. The Palestinian people aren’t dumb. They see this. They get it. And from this the IDF will benefit from better local intelligence, better compliance by the civilians, and, perhaps, in the days ahead, open opposition to what is left of Hamas.

We shall see.

OK…I said two points…the second being The Day After Hamas.

Look for that in the next installment.

["Diogenes" has multiple graduate degrees with a focus on the Middle East, and an Army Intelligence Officer graduate of both the Army and USMC Command and Staff Colleges.]

Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1st?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:00 AM (JrojV)

2 YESSS!!!

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:01 AM (JrojV)

3 Hey, Diogenes.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:02 AM (JrojV)

4 Hola

Posted by: Thanatopsis at December 05, 2023 11:02 AM (sNtYB)

5 What's the Israeli end game?

Kill a few leaders and occupy Gaza again?

Remember they left years ago because that wasn't working either...

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:03 AM (XqcwY)

6 Never let up. They should have continued to bring pressure during the 'talks.' This is the only way to do it. Never let the Comanche escape with the goods. Make them shed the booty in order to escape. And then kill them.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2023 11:04 AM (6bHrD)

7 Batya Ungar-Sargon
@bungarsargon
For years, certain people demanded we replace due process with "Believe all women." These same people, when presented with evidence of the mass rape of Israeli women, now demand "context." Believe all women became don't believe the confessions of rapists—if their victims are Jews

-
Two miracles of 2023:

1) Queers For Palestine

2) Feminists For Rape

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 05, 2023 11:04 AM (FVME7)

8 These same people, when presented with evidence of the mass rape of Israeli women, now demand "context."

It wasn't rape-rape

Posted by: Pramila Jayapal at December 05, 2023 11:05 AM (XqcwY)

9 Thanks Diogenes, that is excellent information. How much of the benefits you mentioned will Israel be able to actually accomplish? Which ones have the highest and lowest probability of success? Thanks

Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at December 05, 2023 11:05 AM (P7Iz+)

10 Was it worth it?

That is for Israel to answer. But if I was a relative of one of the hostages, then I'd argue it was obviously.

Tough choices.

Posted by: SH (no more socks) at December 05, 2023 11:06 AM (sX1BW)

11 My simple retort is this: the US govt wanted the pause, the US govt hates Israel. Therefore it was good for a Hamas.

Posted by: Montec at December 05, 2023 11:07 AM (WY6dk)

12 This more or less tracks with my own thinking. Israel needed the break just as much as Hamas did, but for very different reasons. Now it's time to turn the screws until they can turn no more.

Hamas may or may not have more hostages. It's almost a certainty that if any remain they will be killed at some point by their captors.

Israel has to remove hostages completely from their equations from this point on. They need to make it crystal clear to Hamas and Gaza that any more seizing of hostages means utter obliteration from the top leadership down to the lowest foot soldier.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 05, 2023 11:07 AM (7fElN)

13 Then: Never again

Now: No one beheaded those babies...and those colonist assholes deserved it

Posted by: The FNM at December 05, 2023 11:07 AM (XqcwY)

14 Hey, who gave Diogenes the keys to the blog?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 05, 2023 11:09 AM (hiMh5)

15 Hamas may or may not have more hostages. It's almost a certainty that if any remain they will be killed at some point by their captors.

The traditional way to handle this is to announce you'll execute X number of Hamas prisoners for each hostage killed including all of the people captured with the dead hostage's bodies.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:09 AM (XqcwY)

16 Not so much the day, but really, the months after, or the year after Hamas. The day after Hamas is destroyed you know there will be infighting over who takes their place.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at December 05, 2023 11:09 AM (MVSM6)

17 It was worth it just for getting the hostages back and what that does psychologically for Israel .

Posted by: Drive by at December 05, 2023 11:09 AM (MNhXM)

18 5 What's the Israeli end game?

Kill a few leaders and occupy Gaza again?

Remember they left years ago because that wasn't working either...
Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:03 AM (XqcwY)

Eventually, someone's endgame needs to be "The abolition of the religion of Islam".

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2023 11:09 AM (sm6Pk)

19 11 My simple retort is this: the US govt wanted the pause, the US govt hates Israel. Therefore it was good for a Hamas.
Posted by: Montec at December 05, 2023 11:07 AM (WY6dk)

---------

My thoughts as well.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 05, 2023 11:09 AM (hiMh5)

20 Great post, Diogenes.
Thank you.

Posted by: Napoleon XIV at December 05, 2023 11:10 AM (AiZBA)

21 Hey, who gave Diogenes the keys to the blog?
Posted by: Cicero

I think he won it off CBD on a golf bet.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:10 AM (JrojV)

22 Thanks for the insight Diogenes.

I never thought about the cease fire this way.

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:10 AM (YZpJ5)

23 5 What's the Israeli end game?

Kill a few leaders and occupy Gaza again?

Remember they left years ago because that wasn't working either.

Failure, just like the rest of the "West." There is no plan that can work because the West is under the delusion that something less than total war wins wars. The outcome will probably resemble our own experience: protracted conflict with oppressive government measures applied to the only people the government can effectively police: its own people.

Posted by: like everything else in life, prepare to be disappointed at December 05, 2023 11:10 AM (pjs7m)

24 Excellent summation, Diogenes. Well done.

The Israeli government is tending to the morale of their troops, which is important.

And hopefully, the intel will help.

This time, get it right! History makes one very cynical of the efficacy of Intel Agencies in today's world.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:11 AM (u82oZ)

25 My simple retort is this: the US govt wanted the pause, the US govt hates Israel. Therefore it was good for a Hamas.

The longer the war the better.

Hopefully Israel used the time well but...time overall is not on their side.

Amusingly this is 100% because of politics. Obviously militarily Israel could just lay siege to Gaza. Turn off the food and water and wait for them to surrender. But...they don't have that much time before the US/leftwing pols force them to stop.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:11 AM (XqcwY)

26 he has made vague references to an upgrade to full blown tin foil membership and a week*s supply of dental floss

Sweet

Posted by: Clay at December 05, 2023 11:11 AM (pgfh6)

27 Israel might wanna grab all of the U.S. Army field manuals and other published documents used in the De-Nazi-fication of Germany, post WWII.

De-hamas-ifying Gaza would be a lot more understood by "other nations" if framed in the above context.

I especially like the parts that included the Nurenburg Trials and subsequent hangings by the neck until dead Dead DEAD!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 05, 2023 11:11 AM (e6UQI)

28 Holy shit the cowboy hat wearing congresswoman is on now.

She actually stands up for Jews. Color me shocked.

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (YZpJ5)

29
Funny how little we know of the American hostages. By now we should know at least names and ages. I've pointed out a couple of times recently how Election 2024 is shaping up as a repeat of Carter being turned out of office in 1980 when American hostages being held by Iran was certainly on the minds of voters.

The media in this country is beneath scum.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (enJYY)

30 I never thought about the cease fire this way.

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:10 AM (YZpJ5)

That's why we keep Diogenes around, even though he never wipes his feet and can't seem to put his coffee cup in the dishwasher.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (3Gtis)

31 There is no winning this war. Because the war is eternal with Muslims . 100 years from now when all of us are long gone this will still be going on.

Posted by: Montec at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (WY6dk)

32 Commenting present

Posted by: Skip at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (bK35d)

33 Has Susan Sarandon popped off lately in support of beheading babies and murdering kids in their jammies?

Filthy bitch.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (hiMh5)

34 Holy shit the cowboy hat wearing congresswoman is on now.

She actually stands up for Jews. Color me shocked.
Posted by: Mpfs

Who is that?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM (JrojV)

35
De-hamas-ifying Gaza would be a lot more understood by "other nations" if framed in the above context.

The FNM would still call it racist/bigoted and claim Israel was committing war crimes

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:13 AM (XqcwY)

36 I agree with your analysis, and made several of the same points when the ceasefires were initially discussed and many here were skeptic. The pressure didn't stop, but it gave the Israelis time to regroup after their initial offensive action had culminated. Israel isn't fucking around this time, and if they had to weigh international pressure against urgent, offensive operational needs...I think this is one of the few times they'd ignore the international community and push on.

As is, they got to play nice with the international community, let Hamas become even more indefensible through their own actions, and better position themselves for the next offensive.

Posted by: Military Moron at December 05, 2023 11:13 AM (JCZqz)

37 and can't seem to put his coffee cup in the dishwasher.

Depends on where he finds the coffee when he goes looking for it.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:13 AM (JrojV)

38 Congresswoman Wilson, Florida

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:14 AM (YZpJ5)

39 Diogenes, thank you.

A more honest and concise brief than those given by those at the State Dept. Middle East desk.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 05, 2023 11:14 AM (qoGsy)

40 It was always going to be a tall order for the IDF to eliminate Hamas in total. Hopefully they'll clean 'em out soon.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 05, 2023 11:14 AM (Q4IgG)

41 This.... this is the kind of commentary that keeps me coming back to the site. The cobs and Ace are wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I truly enjoy and appreciate that you can get insight here that you can't get anywhere else.

Posted by: Isolden at December 05, 2023 11:14 AM (dB99g)

42 ‘Total war’ hasn’t prevented future wars. Putting to death every murderer won’t prevent future murders. Life is a constant battle between good and evil. The best you can do is to slow evil down.

Posted by: Drive by at December 05, 2023 11:14 AM (MNhXM)

43 Congresswoman Wilson, Florida
Posted by: Mpfs

And she's black, too. Good for her!

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:15 AM (JrojV)

44 I would beleive things more if you did not add the footer about the Army war college stuff. All our current selection of fuck ups went through there too. Maybe they learn what to do there, just never do it. meh

Lifetime of trust gone. Being surrounded by kids in the service has changed my thinking.

Posted by: DOYLE at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (Z8Yh2)

45 Great piece, Diogenes.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (R4t5M)

46 There won’t be a ww2 style unconditional surrender with these animals. I’m not sure how the war will be defined as complete. Hell after 20 years of US troops in Afghanistan, Taliban ended up where they started.

Posted by: Montec at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (WY6dk)

47 Holy shit the cowboy hat wearing congresswoman is on now.

She actually stands up for Jews. Color me shocked.

Dang, that's a bet I would have lost. I guess it goes to show how 1) deep and 2) unpredictably this issue is dividing the Dems.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (nfrXX)

48 Thx Diogenes, good analysis. The pause also gave outside actors time to reevaluate and change tactics. The last couple of days here in USA have seen antisemitic attacks and there has been pro Pali violence in Europe. I get the feeling that Iran is going to release their operatives to cause chaos in the west as a way to influence the view of Gaza

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (wukIh)

49 ‘Total war’ hasn’t prevented future wars.

/Raises hand

Posted by: Cato the Elder at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (XqcwY)

50 Step right up, Trump.

Build casinos, convention centers, and seaside resorts in Gaza.

The former inhabitants are welcome to join their friends in Afghanistan and Iran.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (u82oZ)

51 This.... this is the kind of commentary that keeps me coming back to the site. The cobs and Ace are wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I truly enjoy and appreciate that you can get insight here that you can't get anywhere else.
Posted by: Isolden

And the boobs. Don't forget the boobs.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (JrojV)

52 Hell after 20 years of US troops in Afghanistan, Taliban ended up where they started.

Not quite true - the Taliban ended up with billions in advanced American military equipment versus the old Soviet/Paki crap they had before the war.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:17 AM (XqcwY)

53 I watched the press briefing held by the Israeli mission to the UN that focussed on the sexual violence during the October 7 attacks. The testimony is gruesome and the acts incomprehensibly barbaric. Atrocities that surpass what the Japanese did to civilians and enemy soldiers in WW2.

HRC made a remote appearance and beside the obvious hypocrisy of her testifying on behalf of rape victims...she also had to put a word in for pali women at an event that was hosted by the Israelis and designed to expose the crimes against the victims of Oct 7.

Posted by: kallisto at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (bntWr)

54 Great analysis Diogenes. Getting back some hostages; giving the troops a break and consolidating intel and supply lines are a benefit. From what little I know, the IDF is bringing the heat again today. Interesting story about flooding the tunnels. It appears Israel has ignored Blinken (really Val Jar) and moved into the south.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (N6UT3)

55
Has Susan Sarandon popped off lately in support of beheading babies and murdering kids in their jammies?

Filthy bitch.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 05, 2023 11:12 AM

I believe she took such a kick in the teeth that she backed down, apologized, and the rest of Hollywood took notice. How long they keep kept down is a good question.

The term 'career ending' is something they should be aware of in the coming months.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (enJYY)

56 There won’t be a ww2 style unconditional surrender with these animals. I’m not sure how the war will be defined as complete. Hell after 20 years of US troops in Afghanistan, Taliban ended up where they started.

They also got a lot of equipment that our guys were ordered to leave behind, and cash, so really the Taliban was better off than when we first went in there.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (Bd6X8)

57 : Smell the Glove

We are vulnerable in the US. To a larger extent, so is Iran.

Tit for Tat is a mostly stable response.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (u82oZ)

58 Well written piece. I would take exception with one thing "The Palestinian people aren’t dumb. They see this. They get it."

They are not well educated, nor do they possess good discernment skills. They voted for Hamas, they support them. Yes there's exceptions, but as a whole, the world would be better off without any of them. Harsh but true.

Posted by: Minnfidel at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (bqazj)

59 Total war’ hasn’t prevented future wars.

/Raises hand
Posted by: Cato the Elder at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (XqcwY

Yes Mr Cato you have a comment?

Posted by: Drive by at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (MNhXM)

60 "Not quite true - the Taliban ended up with billions in advanced American military equipment versus the old Soviet/Paki crap they had before the war."

Courtesy of war college grads.

Posted by: DOYLE at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (Z8Yh2)

61 What's the Israeli end game?

Kill a few leaders and occupy Gaza again?

Remember they left years ago because that wasn't working either...
Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:03 AM (XqcwY)
***

Excellent question.
While Israel was responding to a vicious attack, by now they will have an endgame in mind. What does victory look like?
A question many of our soldiers asked in the last twenty years but with few answers.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (uSHSS)

62 Does Diogenes even own a dishwasher?

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:19 AM (YZpJ5)

63 utter obliteration from the top leadership down to the lowest foot soldier.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

I don't argue with what has/needs to be done by Israel; but, 'lowest foot soldier' includes *all* people living in Gaza. And I think this is right and just as the nominal 'civilians' of Gaza are just as anti-Israel as Iran.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 11:19 AM (kRFVk)

64 1) Queers For Palestine

How much would it cost to send all queers to Gaza?

Posted by: That Northernlurke embracing the suckd at December 05, 2023 11:19 AM (hCt6Y)

65 Aloha all.
My Nephew threated me over a video game last night.
My Brother is not happy.
Apparently we ran out of $ for beer ?

Posted by: Noah Bawdy at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (FWy1I)

66 ‘Total war’ hasn’t prevented future wars.

But it has won some, which is what I asserted.

No one is arguing that a "no future wars" is a possibility on earth. And you are just beclowning yourself by trying to put this dumb assertion in someone else's mouth.

Posted by: I'm not your strawman. Sod off. at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (pjs7m)

67 The pause also gave outside actors time to reevaluate and change tactics.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2023 11:16 AM (wukIh)

Good point. But...the IDF is a professional army that can do everything more quickly and efficiently, so they will hopefully stay ahead of those changing tactics.

it is also backed by an intelligence apparatus that failed miserably, and my guess is that they want to redeem themselves. There is a lot of midnight oil being burned in Israeli intelligence....

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (3Gtis)

68 How much would it cost to send all queers to Gaza?
Posted by: That Northernlurke embracing the suckd

More than a few $3 bills.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (qoGsy)

69 Yes Mr Cato you have a comment? [/i

/Points to the now Roman Carthage and how there are no longer any living Carthaginian men.

/Points to their not being a 4th Punic War

QED

Posted by: Cato the Elder at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (XqcwY)

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (XqcwY)

71 @57 NaCly Dog. Agreed. However I'm pretty sure the Biden administration has small tits

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (wukIh)

72 The pause was a good PR move. They and the rest of anyone with a brain knew that the Palis wouldn't abide. How anyone can side with these fucks is beyond me. I wish I was on social media because I would post that if you support the Pals, unfriend me and don't ever speak to me again. I am not friends with Nazis.

Posted by: Minnfidel at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (bqazj)

73 Operational pauses are a real thing. Not having them means logistics can't catch up, intel doesn't get analyzed, and weaknesses of your enemy won't be found and exploited.

Hamas is being pounded. Hopefully into oblivion.

Posted by: AZ Hi Desert (Gringo fuertemente armado-Tempus belli) at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (l7Kbv)

74 The women who were savagely violated and mutilated pre and post mortem actually saved so many of their countrymen. The plan was for the hamassholes to advance far into the interior to attack more IDF bases, especially the air command. But their bloodlust and orgy of sexual assault sidetracked them from this important mission.

Posted by: kallisto at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (bntWr)

75 A question many of our soldiers asked in the last twenty years but with few answers.

The endgame? I get as rich as possible.

Posted by: Liz Cheney at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (XqcwY)

76 18-1

The Islamic world does not maintain equipment well, for the most part. But it can be sold and gifted to other bad actors.

In fact, based on not leaving from Bagram Air Base, this appears to be a donation program from the Inner, Inner Party of the US junta to terrorists.

Hillary pioneered this plan in Libya.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (u82oZ)

77 I am not friends with Nazis.
Posted by: Minnfidel at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (bqazj)

-------

Einsatzgroupies

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (vYWu5)

78
Congresswoman Wilson, Florida
Posted by: Mpfs

Frederica!

https://tinyurl.com/36we4f9p

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (63Dwl)

79 "Eventually, someone's endgame needs to be "The abolition of the religion of Islam". Posted by: XTC

or as China does .. .just change the text of their Koran (China does it to Bible text, afaik). So take out the treatment of "infidels" as dogs, take out the taqiyya infiltration of foreign lands (covert infiltration), force a "kinder gentler" form of Islam.

Of course that could take a lot of force, and still might not work. We can't even get the Saudis to take in any "displaced Muslims". The Muslims all get sent to the West. I think even Netanyahu (previously) suggested moving them to Europe ... as if Europe is not already nearly overthrown by the Islamists.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (Cus5s)

80 The Islamic world does not maintain equipment well, for the most part. But it can be sold and gifted to other bad actors.

Iran used the F-14s Carter gifted them for a long time.

Yes there was serious operational degradation but...it was better then anything else they were going to get...

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (XqcwY)

81 Queers For Palestine

How much would it cost to send all queers to Gaza?
Posted by: That Northernlurke embracing the suckd at December 05, 2023 11:19 AM

I would be willing to donate.

Posted by: Minnfidel at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (bqazj)

82 I was looking at some of the satellite imagery of the Gaza Strip taken a month ago when the IDF began to move into Gaza City proper. The mechanized components would forge ahead, clear out a space and build berms so shield the vehicles and Soldiers from direct fire. Then, they'd forge ahead again, rinse / repeat.

They did this I don't know how many times, but it's how the IDF cut the Gaza Strip in two.

That and bombing the shit out of anyone / anyplace that put up any ordinance in defense.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (Q4IgG)

83 Einsatzgroupies

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (vYWu5)

Stolen.

Thank you.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 05, 2023 11:23 AM (3Gtis)

84 Islam was designed as a religion for a warlord, so reforming it is very very hard.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:24 AM (XqcwY)

85 I'm sure that if Queers for Palestine went to Gaza, the next thing yelling "they're throwing queers off roofs at us"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2023 11:25 AM (wukIh)

86 My main worry with the cease fire was Hamas exfiltrating the area. I have suspicions that after decades of provocation Hamas severely underestimated the resolve of the Israelis.
The unimaginable atrocities perpetrated upon the Israeli populace were so heinous and beyond human forgiveness warranting the Biblical retribution we see unfolding before us.
The every Hamas sympathizer in the US (including politicians) needs to be marked, tagged and documented in a data base..

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! Pokey is out Poking some mare! at December 05, 2023 11:26 AM (7cPAc)

87 There was an interesting discussion on some substack about "Cabinet Wars" a Prussian term for small, fast wars fought between professional militaries, for limited reasons. The Prussians fought a number of them while establishing the German state, and then fought France in 1870, defeating them and capturing Napoleon III, and then having the citizenry rise up to force a total war.
A cabinet war is by definition fought by a military elite who holds the populace as resources mostly, and the citizenry has little input to the choice of war. In a democracy, or a populist society, it is impossible to hold cabinet wars, since the need for a buy in from the citizenry.
I think this has a lot to do with Israel, and why Israel is going all out even though the smartest people say it will destroy them. The smartest people think in terms of cabinet wars, and hold the citizenry as resources at best.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 05, 2023 11:26 AM (D7oie)

88 They are not well educated, nor do they possess good discernment skills. They voted for Hamas, they support them. Yes there's exceptions, but as a whole, the world would be better off without any of them. Harsh but true.
Posted by: Minnfidel at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (bqazj)

There is some interesting analysis of how Hamas got the various family clans to play along with them after 2007. I contend most of the Palis/Gazans know the score. And they don't like what has happened.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:26 AM (uSHSS)

89 ...De-hamas-ifying Gaza would be a lot more understood by "other nations" if framed in the above context.

The FNM would still call it racist/bigoted and claim Israel was committing war crimes. Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:13 AM (XqcwY)

Sure, they would, and they will. Not the point though.

As with any "marketing campaign", you're not trying to capture Every Single Customer who might ever see your ads. But, you're trying to sway and influence the marketplace, as a whole.

The P.R. side of Israel waging Responsive War against hamas, in order to crush hamas to the point of future irrelevance, IS a Marketing Effort, and don't mistake it for anything less. Packaging and Presenting hamas' atrocities for what they were, what they are, and what they intend, is essential to put before the world's eyeballs.

It also frames Israel's efforts as being Right, Just and Due.

You win the *enemy's* "hearts and minds" by tearing their hearts out through their throats. You win the *world's* hearts and minds through a non-stop beating of the publication of hamas' continual atrocities and crimes against humanity.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 05, 2023 11:26 AM (e6UQI)

90 As a arm chair military historian I appreciate Diogenes assessment.
And hope the next installment has a Monkey Face

Posted by: Skip at December 05, 2023 11:27 AM (bK35d)

91 Theory: Big Mo was the Anti-Christ that set it all in motion. And here we are today. Basically at Hell's precipice.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:27 AM (R4t5M)

92 Thanks Diogenes, well done

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 05, 2023 11:27 AM (xcxpd)

93 We are vulnerable in the US. To a larger extent, so is Iran.

Tit for Tat is a mostly stable response.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (u82oZ)

In normal times yes, but not with this administration. Obama would never allow that.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 05, 2023 11:27 AM (N6UT3)

94 As the people of Gaza have proven themselves to be untrustworthy how about driving all of them into Lebanon and let the Lebanese sort them out?
Israelize would then *own* all of Gaza, rename it (a biblical era name for the area would work) and allow settlers back into it.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 11:28 AM (kRFVk)

95 Excellent write-up, Diogenes. Hamas in fact was *not* able to re-organize or resupply themselves during the pause, they just survived for a few more days. And it did *not* lead to a permanent cease fire, obviously, so they gained next to nothing from it.

I find it darkly amusing that many Hamas leaders appear to have been caught unawares when hostilities began again in the South; apparently they really believed that Joe Biden was going to protect them, in spite of the fact that the IDF had said for days, "We Are Coming"

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:28 AM (i9ffA)

96 19 11 My simple retort is this: the US govt wanted the pause, the US govt hates Israel. Therefore it was good for a Hamas.
Posted by: Montec at December 05, 2023 11:07 AM (WY6dk)

---------

My thoughts as well.

Mine as well

Posted by: Gonzotx at December 05, 2023 11:29 AM (MwHgU)

97 18-1

Elon Musk's plan is to have a Mars colony. The transfer of people is a solid chokepoint for crazies.

All we need to do is outcompete the Islamic world with better genetics, education, technology, research, and governance befitting civilization.

OK, we're screwed.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:29 AM (u82oZ)

98 >>Hillary pioneered this plan in Libya.

Both the Hillary and Obama branches of the Democrat party go back to one source, Soros. The same guy who has been funneling money to Hamas and other terrorist groups to destabilize countries around the world for years.

All of the problems that we are facing are happening in western countries including Israel at the same time to greater or lesser degrees. This isn't some cosmic accident, it's a plan. It's the globalist coalition vs the nationalists.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:29 AM (ZLI7S)

99 Theory: Big Mo was the Anti-Christ that set it all in motion. And here we are today. Basically at Hell's precipice.

I'd argue that there isn't *one* anti-Christ. There have been, and will be, many.

And yes, Muhammed was one of them.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:29 AM (XqcwY)

100 There is a lot of midnight oil being burned in Israeli intelligence....
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Some of it is probably under their feet too.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (kRFVk)

101 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry

Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (RHGPo)

102 In the land of the Palis, with an average IQ in the mid 80s, the terrorist with an IQ near 100 seems like a genius.

Posted by: Archer at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (gmo/4)

103 You win the *enemy's* "hearts and minds" by tearing their hearts out through their throats. You win the *world's* hearts and minds through a non-stop beating of the publication of hamas' continual atrocities and crimes against humanity.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Now that's pure poetry right there.

Golfclap

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:31 AM (YZpJ5)

104 93 We are vulnerable in the US. To a larger extent, so is Iran.

Tit for Tat is a mostly stable response.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (u82oZ)

In normal times yes, but not with this administration. Obama would never allow that.
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 05, 2023 11:27 AM (N6UT3)

He doesn't like tits. He's an assman

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 05, 2023 11:31 AM (xcxpd)

105 "Was the Ceasefire Worth It?"

Answer: No. I obviously feel for the hostages that were released, and their families. I'm sure the ceasefire was worth it to them. But that's a very small picture, and in the larger picture the ceasefire was a big win for Hamas.

Israel didn't even get all its people back! The high likelihood that this would be the case was pointed out by me and many others here. If you're not guaranteed to get ALL the hostages back, why do the deal in the first place? It will only encourage and embolden these perverted primordial savages.

Posted by: Elric Blade at December 05, 2023 11:31 AM (iFTx/)

106 94 As the people of Gaza have proven themselves to be untrustworthy how about driving all of them into Lebanon and let the Lebanese sort them out?
Israelize would then *own* all of Gaza, rename it (a biblical era name for the area would work) and allow settlers back into it.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 11:28 AM (kRFVk)

Lebanon doesn't want them - not even Hezbollah, for the same reason that nice liberal New Yorkers don't want a bunch of Guatamalens and Venezuelans flooding in. Ideology is all well and good, but NOBODY wants those people. That's the biggest long term problem, there is literally no place for the Gazans to go, except the middle of the Mediterranean. Before all this Hamas had been openly saying they'd like to establish a base in the Sinai from which they could try to overthrow the current Egptian Government, so that's why the Egyptians say "oh HELL no!" when anyone suggests sending the Gazans there.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:32 AM (i9ffA)

107 72
‘I wish I was on social media because I would post that if you support the Pals, unfriend me and don't ever speak to me again. I am not friends with Nazis’
Get on social media just to do that very thing anyway . It should be good for a few yuks at leftists expense.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2023 11:32 AM (jbnUc)

108 The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee

Bill Cosby Joins Hamas So Feminists Will Stop Condemning Him For Rape

Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:32 AM (RHGPo)

109 The ceasefire was an opportunity to integrate intel, rest the kids some, and garner public space internationally.

Whether it was worth it or not will be determined by what happens now.

Posted by: sven at December 05, 2023 11:33 AM (X0I7i)

110 And the boobs. Don't forget the boobs.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus

Remember the Boobs!

Posted by: William Randolph Hearst, probably at December 05, 2023 11:33 AM (w9Wax)

111 My $.02, or less maybe, is that Israel didn't want a ceasefire but they did use the time productively as Diogenes stated above. The troops on the line really needed a chance to rest and refit, if nothing else.

It does feel like it was imposed on Israel, rather than their own idea, but I think it'll work out, long-term.

Unlike the Uke/Russia war, this war will probably be short.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 05, 2023 11:33 AM (xcxpd)

112 Bill Cosby Joins Hamas So Feminists Will Stop Condemning Him For Rape

The left has been very clear in their version of a "just war" that NOTHING is off the table. And Hamas opposing "colonization" makes this a just war for them.

Compare this with the WoT where the only thing the US was allowed to do was send grunts to get shot.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:34 AM (XqcwY)

113 Can imagine just like Japanese soldiers in WWII surrendering with a grenade in hand so Hamas will do the same.

Posted by: Skip at December 05, 2023 11:34 AM (bK35d)

114 JackStraw

Can Israeli Intelligence make Soros and other Davos "geniuses" honorary Hamas Leaders?

They will not be missed if on the list.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:34 AM (u82oZ)

115
Hillary pioneered this plan in Libya.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:21 AM (u82oZ

How do ya like me now?
Diplomat to Libia Christopher Stevens
R.I.P. 4/18/60 - 9-11-12

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 11:34 AM (7cPAc)

116 Can imagine just like Japanese soldiers in WWII surrendering with a grenade in hand so Hamas will do the same.

Muhammed helped me hide mine in my butt.

Posted by: Another Muhammed at December 05, 2023 11:35 AM (XqcwY)

117 While not thrilled with the ceasefire, I agree that there are certain benefits to it for the Isrealis. The primary being that it shows the world that the Isrealis are the reasonable ones. They want peace.

And as we have seen, Hamas couldn't go very long without breaking the ceasefire. Now the Isrealis can get to business with the excuse "fool me once..."

Posted by: Darth Randall at December 05, 2023 11:35 AM (xT7BI)

118 82 That and bombing the shit out of anyone / anyplace that put up any ordinance in defense.

especially those pesky zoning ordinances

Posted by: anachronda at December 05, 2023 11:36 AM (oY6Yp)

119 They are not well educated, nor do they possess good discernment skills. ...
Posted by: Minnfidel at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (bqazj)

References I've found indicate that the literacy rate among the Palis is about 90%. (And much lower among women) I'd estimate that to be at about a 10th grade level. OK...so not rocket scientists. But what I have observed throughout their society is a lack of discipline. You see it in their reactions to the initial events in the streets...everyone dancing around, kicking corpses, and thinking its a bit victory. You see it in their fighters, attack, shoot, and then pillage. Their biggest advantages that I have seen so far are training among their leadership in that they can at least plan a defense of a sorts; and they are defending. They own the Gaza turf, have prepared it, and are now being forced to use it.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:36 AM (uSHSS)

120 I contend most of the Palis/Gazans know the score. And they don't like what has happened.
Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:26 AM (uSHSS)

I hope you’re right, but I doubt it. They have had many opportunities to create a civil society and live in peace. It’s seems impossible, look at the West Bank. They are all on board with Hamas, not peace.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 05, 2023 11:36 AM (N6UT3)

121 105 "Was the Ceasefire Worth It?"

Answer: No. I obviously feel for the hostages that were released, and their families. I'm sure the ceasefire was worth it to them. But that's a very small picture, and in the larger picture the ceasefire was a big win for Hamas."

I respectfully disagree - Hamas won nothing. People have said "well world public opinion has swung there way!" well then they're about to be the most popular corpses in the world. Enjoy it.

also, when you say "they didn't get all their hostages back" note something of deep sadness that Israel knows better than any of us do - they got back all that they are ever likely to get back, and more than any rational person ever thought they could get back. Most of those so far unaccounted for are dead, or soon will be. That's why Hamas never let the Red Cross visit them, they didn't want to reveal how many they had already murdered. I expect them to say they died in a bomb strike or something, that'll be the standard excuse. But they're already dead.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:36 AM (i9ffA)

122 Israel knew the goatrapers would break any ceasefire within a day.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:37 AM (R4t5M)

123 Can imagine just like Japanese soldiers in WWII surrendering with a grenade in hand so Hamas will do the same.

My uncle said his unit didn't take Japanese prisoners because of that.

Posted by: Archer at December 05, 2023 11:37 AM (gmo/4)

124 101 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry
Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (RHGPo)

Um takin it up the ass?

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 11:38 AM (7cPAc)

125 You win the *enemy's* "hearts and minds" by tearing their hearts out through their throats. You win the *world's* hearts and minds through a non-stop beating of the publication of hamas' continual atrocities and crimes against humanity.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Heh.
I'm stealing that. :-)

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:38 AM (uSHSS)

126 Courtesy of war college grads.
Posted by: DOYLE at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (Z8Yh2)

Acting under orders of a Democrat junta.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 05, 2023 11:38 AM (t9tpV)

127 We also moved more material into theater. I've seen video which indicates we have provided things like the new SPICE bombs, and other next generation ordnance which comes directly out of Navy stocks. The HUMINT aspect has also picked up as can be seen by the continued killing of Hamas command and tunnel systems in the south.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 05, 2023 11:38 AM (hbegC)

128 Simply because the US State Dept and Exec office also desired a ceasefire does not negate the larger benefits the IDF garnered from it than Hamas did.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 05, 2023 11:39 AM (qoGsy)

129 >>JackStraw

>>Can Israeli Intelligence make Soros and other Davos "geniuses" honorary Hamas Leaders?

>>They will not be missed if on the list.

We often joke about Putin nuking Davos but nothing would calm the world faster than the removal of globalist forces that are tearing the fabric of western societies apart.

BLM and antifa shock troops never really went away and now they are being repurposed as Hamas supporters on college campuses and big cities, same as during the summer of love. Who is funding all of these "spontaneous" riots? We all know who and we all know why. Same reason Soros and his ilk pour millions into media companies to parrot obvious lies and propaganda.

Politicians on the left are largely props. Take away the money and they collapse.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:39 AM (ZLI7S)

130 101 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry
Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (RHGPo)

Um takin it up the ass?

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 11:38 AM (7cPAc)

Well, he did let rip a huge fart on a live mic, yesterday.

Posted by: Archer at December 05, 2023 11:39 AM (gmo/4)

131 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry

Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (RHGPo)

------------

Often for sale.

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 11:40 AM (UBces)

132 Between losing livelihoods and watching Gaza being methodically destroyed, I am surprised we haven't heard any anecdotes of Hamas fighters revolting, or Gaza civilians killing Hamas opportunistically.

Is the other side really maintaining unity and discipline, or are there stories I've missed?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:40 AM (AzEXR)

133 Another great synopsis and spot on.

'Hot Wash", there are 2 words I have not heard in 2 months LOL

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 05, 2023 11:40 AM (pVWRI)

134
They will not be missed if on the list.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:34 AM

That would be a greatest thing they could do. Someone needs to cut that summa bitch off at the knees. If nothing else transport him to the country seeking his extradition and revoke his passport.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:41 AM (enJYY)

135 ShainS

Negatory. That is Lace Wigs.

Oops. You are right. We just pay for it in different ways.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:41 AM (u82oZ)

136 Tom @121

Concur.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:41 AM (uSHSS)

137 "If you're not guaranteed to get ALL the hostages back, why do the deal in the first place?"

Because 110 families healed is a hell of a lot better than no families healed. Israel tried in good faith to get them all, until Hamas broke the deal.

I've said elsewhere that Xi, or Putin, would never have taken this deal. But Israel is a nation, and a people, that cares too deeply for every last one of its people. It is their very humanity that led them to do this - they never could have just coldly condemned them all to death without trying all they could to save some. That is who they are, and I cannot fault them for that.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (i9ffA)

138 I find it darkly amusing that many Hamas leaders appear to have been caught unawares when hostilities began again in the South; apparently they really believed that Joe Biden was going to protect them, in spite of the fact that the IDF had said for days, "We Are Coming"

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:28 AM (i9ffA)

Yeah, and I think they believed hezboallah was coming to their aid also at the on set of this war. They lie to each other and they lie to themselves.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (N6UT3)

139 The Harvard president can't seem to answer a simple question.

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (YZpJ5)

140
Is the other side really maintaining unity and discipline, or are there stories I've missed?

On a regular basis Hamas executes people for "collaborating" with Israel.

I suspect most of these people's real crimes are complaining about Hamas's corruption.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (XqcwY)

141
The term 'career ending' is something they should be aware of in the coming months.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (enJYY)
She's a dried out old whore, her career has been dead for years. She tried being relevant and got kicked to the curb for it. The only thing better would be a curb stomp.

Posted by: TC at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (FjlUt)

142 No one is arguing that a "no future wars" is a possibility on earth. And you are just beclowning yourself by trying to put this dumb assertion in someone else's mouth.
Posted by: I'm not your strawman. Sod off. at December 05, 2023 11:20 AM (pjs7m)

Amazing how the accusations of "Pie-in-the-sky Millennial beliefs" and denunciations of "failure to solve all the problems" seem to go hand in hand so often any more.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (D7oie)

143 Divide by Zero

His son is in power now, so include him.

Revoking a passport and prison is too weak for the damage done.

Use Hamas weapons for that, because they failed Hamas. Blame them.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (u82oZ)

144
The Harvard president can't seem to answer a simple question.
Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (YZpJ5)

An affirmative action hire

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (pVWRI)

145 "Acting under orders of a Democrat junta.'

I must have missed all the resigned commisions.

They had the nuggets to sign up...I do not trust any of them. I think about sacrificing these young men for what?

We got beat by goat fuckers. I blame the leaders.

Posted by: DOYLE at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (Z8Yh2)

146 Democracy lasts 45 seconds?

Posted by: Montec at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (WY6dk)

147 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry
Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (RHGPo)
------------
Often for sale.
Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 11:40 AM (UBces)

$20, same as in D.C.

Posted by: William Randolph Hearst, probably at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (w9Wax)

148 Israel didn't even get all its people back! The high likelihood that this would be the case was pointed out by me and many others here. If you're not guaranteed to get ALL the hostages back, why do the deal in the first place? It will only encourage and embolden these perverted primordial savages.
Posted by: Elric Blade at December 05, 2023 11:31 AM (iFTx/)

Israel knew they wouldn’t get all their hostages back. Everyone knew knew they wouldn’t get all their hostages back. And Hamas doesn’t need encouragement to do what they do. Israel wanted to get as many hostages back as they could . They have lost nothing by doing so.

Posted by: Drive by at December 05, 2023 11:44 AM (MNhXM)

149 Einsatzgroupies
Posted by: Cicero
------

A diglot word-weave of the first order.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 05, 2023 11:44 AM (XeU6L)

150 There is a difference between majority-shared values and religion, and compulsory values and religion. The United States was founded as a majority Christian country, which has uniquely informed its history, traditions and values (both political and civil). At the same time, we were founded on a radical (in relation to the period) tolerance for dissenting religions and viewpoints.

The fact that one may want to preserve both does not make one a "Christian Nationalist" but an American who respects our founding, traditions and Constitution.

Posted by: Zek at December 05, 2023 11:44 AM (5FPX4)

151 144
The Harvard president can't seem to answer a simple question.
Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (YZpJ5)

An affirmative action hire
Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 05, 2023 11:43 AM (pVWRI)

Harvard, the home of Obama

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 05, 2023 11:44 AM (xcxpd)

152 "Divination by Diogenes and Weeks Supply of dental floss." You are very amusing and some humor is needed during these times. You are also quite smart and a nice guy. Thanks so much for your analysis.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2023 11:44 AM (RSbhh)

153 Magill is shocked, shocked! Jewish students are afraid to go to the UPenn library.

She can't be serious.

Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (YZpJ5)

154 The hostage release has also shed light on the international stage. Nations, the UN, NGOs, and influential people are beginning to declare themselves to a side. This will influence the political arena in the days ahead.

Fuck 'em. If they pick the wrong side, cap their asses too.

Morning all. Late start.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (h8TYC)

155 Thx Diogenes for a succinct summary of the ceasefire. Dunno about the impact on both ham ass and IDF and world opinion nowadays is worth a bucket of warm spit.

Clearly IDF has the ability to end the hostilities favorable to them but figuring out the ramifications of eliminating Ham Ass as a serious threat and whether Israel goes back to an occupation will take future columns from Diogenes.

Posted by: whig at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (JAi95)

156 Of course that could take a lot of force, and still might not work. We can't even get the Saudis to take in any "displaced Muslims". The Muslims all get sent to the West. I think even Netanyahu (previously) suggested moving them to Europe ... as if Europe is not already nearly overthrown by the Islamists.
Posted by: illiniwek at December 05, 2023 11:22 AM (Cus5s)

Stuff the Gazans into sea cans, say a hundred or so per can, and air-drop into Yemen with cargo parachutes, with the doors rigged to open upon touchdown. Most will survive, sadly. Yemen is already a shithole, so their presence there won't be noticed. Somalia is an option, too.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (t9tpV)

157 Great write up Mr. D. Spot on and cogent

Posted by: Truck Monkey Report at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (ZV+pB)

158 Hey, Fen. How are you feeling?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (JrojV)

159 Israel didn't even get all its people back! The high likelihood that this would be the case was pointed out by me and many others here. If you're not guaranteed to get ALL the hostages back, why do the deal in the first place? It will only encourage and embolden these perverted primordial savages.
Posted by: Elric Blade at December 05, 2023 11:31 AM (iFTx/)

Because the ones they got back were women and children and some very young children. And in Israel that means a lot

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (pVWRI)

160 141
The term 'career ending' is something they should be aware of in the coming months.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (enJYY)
She's a dried out old whore, her career has been dead for years. She tried being relevant and got kicked to the curb for it. The only thing better would be a curb stomp.
Posted by: TC at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (FjlUt)

----

Right on!

Posted by: Hillary's bollard at December 05, 2023 11:46 AM (+fq/G)

161 101 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry
Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (RHGPo)

I'm with the Damned if you do! Damned it f you don't school.
Im thinking it is better for the Israelis to blow the shit out of Hamas and cast worry to the wind regarding 'world opinion' and the risk of a WWIII scenario. Fug it!

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 11:46 AM (7cPAc)

162 Is the other side really maintaining unity and discipline, or are there stories I've missed?
Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:40 AM (AzEX

As with other dictatorships, big and small, Hamas has done a powerful job of disarming everyone who isn't with them completely. Imagine Chicago if local government was run by the Gangster Disciples. What am I saying, imagine Chicago like it is right now.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:46 AM (i9ffA)

163 Great post!

Posted by: Dingbat at December 05, 2023 11:47 AM (sOKTN)

164 The ceasefire was an opportunity to integrate intel, rest the kids some, and garner public space internationally.

Whether it was worth it or not will be determined by what happens now.
Posted by: sven at December 05, 2023 11:33 AM (X0I7i)

The current fighting seems to indicate that Israelis are going to carve Gaza into five separate areas, and then, as we are seeing in the north, consolidate them, clear them, and move the refugees south. This is an early guess on my part, but the action seem logical. No sense biting off more than you need to chew. And if the politicians do their work keeping the work at bay, they have the time to do it.
Total War and Total Victory. This is going to embarrass the crap outta our current administration.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:47 AM (uSHSS)

165 Good points, Diogenes.

I'm not the optimistic type, but I hope it turns out pretty much as you predict.

#FuckHamas

Posted by: Tex Lovera at December 05, 2023 11:47 AM (wtvvX)

166 You don't need to train troops to rape and pillage. That just takes fanatics. That's a lot different than training people to be disciplined and act as a fighting force. I could probably take an 8 man team and run through most of the defense they've set up. It's the standard UW crap we've faced for the last 20 years or so, and you can tell people with experience are running the battle space. They basically control the space and nothing moves in or out without them knowing about it. They can only last so long with being supplied and that's one aspect of the pause I disagreed with. Hamas was stealing materials right in from of the aid groups on the Egyptian border. That will prolong the fight. The only good news is the people saw that and have to be thinking along the U.S. and them lines.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 05, 2023 11:48 AM (hbegC)

167 The Harvard president can't seem to answer a simple question.
Posted by: Mpfs at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (YZpJ5)

Faber College >>>> Harvard

Posted by: Archer at December 05, 2023 11:48 AM (gmo/4)

168
The term 'career ending' is something they should be aware of in the coming months.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (enJYY)
She's a dried out old whore, her career has been dead for years. She tried being relevant and got kicked to the curb for it. The only thing better would be a curb stomp.

Posted by: TC at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM

I'm talking about all of Hollywood though - not just her has-been-ness. Anyone stepping over the line and supporting Hamas in the face of the well documented atrocities may well see their career ended. Anyone hear a peep from Cher? She's usually the first and dumbest to venture out and sound off.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:48 AM (enJYY)

169 The Harvard president can't seem to answer a simple question.
Posted by: Mpfs

Those that are on Hamass's side never can. They've already declared which side the are on without a formal declaration.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 05, 2023 11:48 AM (h8TYC)

170 139 The Harvard president can't seem to answer a simple question.
-----------------
That's why he's president of Harvard.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2023 11:48 AM (VlFBK)

171 It would be nice if the crime syndicate could find someone that doesn't crap their pants, rip farts, or piss themselves on the world stage. I know, we can't have that.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:49 AM (R4t5M)

172 The Assistant AG for Civil Rights at the DOJ is "unaware" of the Missouri vs Biden case that is headed to the Supreme Court after a district judge said it appears to represent the biggest attack on civil rights in the history of the United States.

Our clown car government overfloweth with clowns.

https://tinyurl.com/y5jnzff4

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:49 AM (ZLI7S)

173 The term 'career ending' is something they should be aware of in the coming months.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 11:18 AM (enJYY)

I'm reminded of a particularly loathsome piece that Peggy Noonan wrote 3 or 4 weeks ago. Something like how Israel should just lay back and take it and not do all this icky fighting.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:49 AM (i9ffA)

174 I've said elsewhere that Xi, or Putin, would never have taken this deal. But Israel is a nation, and a people, that cares too deeply for every last one of its people. It is their very humanity that led them to do this - they never could have just coldly condemned them all to death without trying all they could to save some. That is who they are, and I cannot fault them for that.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:42 AM (i9ffA)
And Im sure have offered the Pali many opportunities at 'porgrams' for financial benefit.

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 11:50 AM (7cPAc)

175 Nothing says Christmas spirit like stealing someone's Christmas tree right off their car!

https://tinyurl.com/3nv5h7rf

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 05, 2023 11:50 AM (FVME7)

176 Clearly IDF has the ability to end the hostilities favorable to them but figuring out the ramifications of eliminating Ham Ass as a serious threat and whether Israel goes back to an occupation will take future columns from Diogenes.
Posted by: whig at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (JAi95)

Heh,
Based on the very good comments I am reading here, I clearly have to rewrite half of what I have prepared.
You guys be smart!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:50 AM (uSHSS)

177 Kerry and Swalwell should have a competitive fart-off. It could be a great fundraiser.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:50 AM (JrojV)

178 It's the globalist coalition vs the nationalists.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:29 AM (ZLI7S)

------------

Make "GloboHomo" References Great Again!

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 11:51 AM (1u0wM)

179 172 The Assistant AG for Civil Rights at the DOJ is "unaware" of the Missouri vs Biden case that is headed to the Supreme Court after a district judge said it appears to represent the biggest attack on civil rights in the history of the United States."

I'm actually not surprised at all to find that everyone here who reads Ace's blog is far more informed about important events than the Assistant AG for Civil Rights.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:51 AM (i9ffA)

180 If ceasefires are so great, according to the Biden Regime, why haven't they called for one in Ukraine?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 05, 2023 11:51 AM (nnp+f)

181 In the land of the Palis, with an average IQ in the mid 80s, the terrorist with an IQ near 100 seems like a genius.

Posted by: Archer at December 05, 2023 11:30 AM (gmo/4)

this is the most boring statement made on the subject. It has no real basis, no actual meaning, no effect on any of the strategies or responses, and keeps being repeated over and over again like it means something.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 05, 2023 11:51 AM (D7oie)

182 Heh,
Based on the very good comments I am reading here, I clearly have to rewrite half of what I have prepared.
You guys be smart!
Posted by: Diogenes

The breadth and depth of knowledge here truly is scary.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 05, 2023 11:52 AM (h8TYC)

183 "Democracy is like sex" -- John Kerry

You get less of it as the union endures?

Posted by: The Republic is Less Upright For Sure at December 05, 2023 11:52 AM (pjs7m)

184 Anybody who says we should have a CPA in Gaza gets throat punched.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 05, 2023 11:52 AM (hbegC)

185 Faber College >>>> Harvard
Posted by: Archer at December 05, 2023 11:48 AM (gmo/4)

Knowledge is good.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:52 AM (uSHSS)

186 Gigalo John's fart was ass squirm muffle fart.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:52 AM (R4t5M)

187 Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (JrojV)

I'm o.k. Not great, but o.k. Thanks for asking.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2023 11:53 AM (RSbhh)

188 Kerry and Swalwell should have a competitive fart-off. It could be a great fundraiser.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 11:50 AM (JrojV)

----------

Texas Chili-Cookoff, Fart, & Whine Festival.

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 11:53 AM (1u0wM)

189 "Higher Education Is A Threat To America"

https://shorturl.at/mzTYZ

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:53 AM (AzEXR)

190 Very thoughtful post and I know a lot of effort was put into it, because scratching and typing at the same time is difficult. Worth it, though, for the tinfoil upgrade.

Posted by: Eb Dawson at December 05, 2023 11:53 AM (83IzV)

191 this is the most boring statement made on the subject. It has no real basis, no actual meaning, no effect on any of the strategies or responses, and keeps being repeated over and over again like it means something.
------------------
I know. 80-85 IQ are the ingredients for a stable country. Now 60-68 IQ, not so much.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2023 11:53 AM (VlFBK)

192 FBI Director Christopher Wray testified Tuesday that the terror threat facing the United States has reached unprecedented levels since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

.. I guess this means that Jan-6 wasn't that much of a threat if a bunch of barbarians 6000 miles away can take the threat to "unprecedented levels"

Posted by: SMOD at December 05, 2023 11:53 AM (RHGPo)

193 This is going to embarrass the crap outta our current administration.
Posted by: Diogenes

I don't know how the Administration can be more embarrassed and/or embarrassing than they already have shown.
For instance the State Department certainly has shown for 40 years that they are too stupid to actually tie their own shoes so how can they be embarrassed now that we find they didn't know anything of this Hamas atrocity?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 11:54 AM (kRFVk)

194 192 FBI Director Christopher Wray testified Tuesday that the terror threat facing the United States has reached unprecedented levels since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
-----------------
I understand Unite The Right regiments are forming south of Charlottesville, again!

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (VlFBK)

195 Israel has made it clear they don't want Hamas or the PA in charge of anything. I believe they called the PA an invention of the Oslo Accords. This isn't going to be about winning the war, it almost never is. We did that in Iraq and AFG in months. It's about what happens post war when idiots like DoS get involved and f everything up.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (hbegC)

196 Swallowswell was a release all pain fart.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (R4t5M)

197 180 If ceasefires are so great, according to the Biden Regime, why haven't they called for one in Ukraine?
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 05, 2023 11:51 AM (nnp+f)

-----

A very good question, which I am stealing.

But, of course we know the answer.

Follow the money. 10% for The Big Guy.
LIV have never heard of The Big Guy though.

Posted by: Just Lily at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (+fq/G)

198
Faber College >>>> Harvard
Posted by: Archer
--------

It says so right there in their Motto.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (XeU6L)

199 192 FBI Director Christopher Wray testified Tuesday that the terror threat facing the United States has reached unprecedented levels since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

.. I guess this means that Jan-6 wasn't that much of a threat if a bunch of barbarians 6000 miles away can take the threat to "unprecedented levels"

are you *sure* he wasn't talking about the domestic terror threat?

Posted by: anachronda at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (oY6Yp)

200 If ceasefires are so great, according to the Biden Regime, why haven't they called for one in Ukraine?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 05, 2023 11:51 AM (nnp+f)

-------------

Not to mention American inner-cities.

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (1u0wM)

201 As with other dictatorships, big and small, Hamas has done a powerful job of disarming everyone who isn't with them completely. Imagine Chicago if local government was run by the Gangster Disciples. What am I saying, imagine Chicago like it is right now.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:46 AM (i9ffA)
========================
Citing the obvious is one thing but has anyone heard stories of popular unrest in Gaza? Any Hamas leaders turned up mysteriously dead yet?

That's what I'm hoping for, some grass-roots action. So far, heard of none.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:56 AM (AzEXR)

202 >>I'm actually not surprised at all to find that everyone here who reads Ace's blog is far more informed about important events than the Assistant AG for Civil Rights.

I largely agree but this is not just another issue. This is arguably one of the most important civil rights issues the country has ever faced. The 1st Amendment is the 1st for a reason, it is the bedrock principle the country was founded on and what separates us from every other country that has ever existed.

Doesn't seem to much to ask that the person we are paying to protect our civil rights actually knows what their job is.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:56 AM (ZLI7S)

203 176 Clearly IDF has the ability to end the hostilities favorable to them but figuring out the ramifications of eliminating Ham Ass as a serious threat and whether Israel goes back to an occupation will take future columns from Diogenes.
Posted by: whig at December 05, 2023 11:45 AM (JAi95)

Obviously something like the de-nazification of 1946 - 1948 Germany will have to be done. But I'm starting to see, if not a plan, at least a strategy on the part of the Israelis, unspoken but made obvious by their actions. Biden and Blinken have been saying "don't go in unless you have a plan for the aftermath! Stop! You don't have a plan!"

and the IDF is saying "Fuck it, you said we don't have much time, so we're just gonna blow it all up now. You want a plan, you figure out a plan. Our plan is Fuck It, they're dead."

People may talk about Gazans moving back to the northern part - have you seen any pictures of what's up there now? Gaza City is literally uninhabitable, it is a vast ruin now. No one can move back there.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:57 AM (i9ffA)

204 Thanks Diogenes, that is excellent information. How much of the benefits you mentioned will Israel be able to actually accomplish? Which ones have the highest and lowest probability of success? Thanks
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at December 05, 2023 11:05 AM (P7Iz+)

I would say that Israel accomplished all of them to various levels. Clearly in the time of the ceasefire, they were able to do more in some areas than others, but they put the time to good use.
What I found most encouraging is the attitude of the Israeli soldiers. "Turn us lose!" is exactly what you want to hear from your troops. I bet Netanyahu had tears in his eyes upon hearing that.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 11:57 AM (uSHSS)

205 OT, but too funny: The Kerry delegation to thee Climate meeting announced a plan to commercialize fusion as a power source.

Perfect! Solve a non-existent problem with a non-existent technology!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:58 AM (AzEXR)

206 Thanks for this, Diogenes!

When I was an officer, there were two basic competing theories of offensive warfare - the Blitzkrieg all-out massive assault to garner as much ground as possible as quickly as possible - routing and scattering your enemy in the process. And then there was the anaconda approach of the slow squeeze - cutting off supplies and communications while slowly enveloping your enemy, consolidating ground and eliminating him on your timeline.

I think either works well based upon the enemy you face - the squeeze being used against the more sophisticated and well-armed foe, and the Blitzkrieg being used against an unprepared barbarian horde.

Looks like the IDF used some sort of hybrid combination version of these offensive styles.

Posted by: Boswell at December 05, 2023 11:58 AM (K+UlC)

207 Doesn't seem to much to ask that the person we are paying to protect our civil rights actually knows what their job is.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:56 AM (ZLI7S)

When you realize that he is actually the person who is paid to strip the civil rights away from all of us in favor of his political masters, it makes perfect sense.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:58 AM (i9ffA)

208 Doesn't seem to much to ask that the person we are paying to protect our civil rights actually knows what their job is.
Posted by: JackStraw

His main job is to not give a fuck about your civil rights.

He's doing a good job.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 11:59 AM (R4t5M)

209 I understand Unite The Right regiments are forming south of Charlottesville, again!
Posted by: Pudinhead
---------
FBI informants report an uptick in clandestine MAGA hat factory activity.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 05, 2023 11:59 AM (XeU6L)

210 I understand Unite The Right regiments are forming south of Charlottesville, again!

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2023 11:55 AM (VlFBK)

-----------

"Trump said that there were good people on both sides in Gaza. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 11:59 AM (1u0wM)

211 Big fat free-speech update: Appellate court orders stay in prison sentence for Doug Mackey, the man convicted for making a 2016 Hillary meme

-
So we're allowed to make fun of Hilldog? My God! Where will it end?!!!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 05, 2023 12:00 PM (FVME7)

212 I'm so proud. That was a triple flutterblast!

Posted by: Tootin' John Kerry at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (V8he0)

213 Excellent analysis Diogenes. Many great points to consider. Thank you.

Posted by: Whiskey_Joe at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (UnzEZ)

214 Citing the obvious is one thing but has anyone heard stories of popular unrest in Gaza? Any Hamas leaders turned up mysteriously dead yet?

That's what I'm hoping for, some grass-roots action. So far, heard of none.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:56 AM (AzEXR)

Note that there have been several times that the IDF has bombed a rather nondescript little building and then announced the names of multiple Hamas leaders who were meeting in that building at the time. The only way to know that was if somebody on the ground dropped a dime on them and told the IDF where they were.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (i9ffA)

215 In Missouri vs Biden did the SC allow the government to continue to require Medicare approved facilities require their staff be vaccinated?

Posted by: Drive by at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (MNhXM)

216 I went to two post offices today, trying to get the Christmas Stamps with Madre Dios and Baby Jesus. They were both out of stock. However, they still had Santa Claus stamps, arabic script stamps, and kwanza stamps. Maybe this is good news, reflecting high demand for an actual Christian recognition of the holiday season. On the other hand, sometime i wonder if the US Postal service might not be rooting for our side.

Posted by: Fenderbender at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (r72iY)

217 >>When you realize that he is actually the person who is paid to strip the civil rights away from all of us in favor of his political masters, it makes perfect sense.

She. A black woman no less.

She knows exactly what the case means. She just gets off on lying right to our faces because she knows she is untouchable.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 12:02 PM (ZLI7S)

218 and the IDF is saying "Fuck it, you said we don't have much time, so we're just gonna blow it all up now. You want a plan, you figure out a plan. Our plan is Fuck It, they're dead."

The old ways are always the best ways.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 05, 2023 12:02 PM (h8TYC)

219 and the IDF is saying "Fuck it, you said we don't have much time, so we're just gonna blow it all up now. You want a plan, you figure out a plan. Our plan is Fuck It, they're dead."

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 11:57 AM (i9ffA)

Good plan. A very good plan.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (VwHCD)

220 Hope you feel great soon, Fen.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (JrojV)

221
Diogenes is a hit. Please keep up your great posts.

Posted by: four seasons at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (ichPI)

222 She. A black woman no less.

She knows exactly what the case means. She just gets off on lying right to our faces because she knows she is untouchable.
Posted by: JackStraw

As long as she holds the whip, totes cool.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (R4t5M)

223 The Assistant AG for Civil Rights at the DOJ is "unaware" of the Missouri vs Biden case that is headed to the Supreme Court after a district judge said it appears to represent the biggest attack on civil rights in the history of the United States.

------------

"An idiocracy, if you can keep it."

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 12:04 PM (1u0wM)

224 Eventually, someone's endgame needs to be "The abolition of the religion of Islam".
Posted by: XTC

Sounds like a job for Jesus.

Posted by: DaveA at December 05, 2023 12:04 PM (FhXTo)

225 >Good plan. A very good plan.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (VwHCD)

Nods head.

Posted by: Scipio Africanus at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (NgqoH)

226 Diogenes is a hit. Please keep up your great posts.

Posted by: four seasons at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (ichPI)

--------------

+1 give him a raise!

Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (1u0wM)

227 Tom Servo,
A ruined Gaza will be followed by a debate over rebuilding or expulsion. Whatever Israel does should never be considered grounds to bring Gazans to the West as refugees.

No Arab country wants them either so the overwhelming temptation of the Western leaders will be bringing them to the West.

Posted by: whig at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (JAi95)

228 Doesn't seem to much to ask that the person we are paying to protect our civil rights actually knows what their job is.
---------------
Pete Buttigay has entered the chat.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (iDpzk)

229 I largely agree but this is not just another issue. This is arguably one of the most important civil rights issues the country has ever faced. The 1st Amendment is the 1st for a reason, it is the bedrock principle the country was founded on and what separates us from every other country that has ever existed.

Doesn't seem to much to ask that the person we are paying to protect our civil rights actually knows what their job is.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 11:56 AM (ZLI7S)

Have you seen anything about the "volunteer" project Cyber Threat Intelligence League (CTIL) and their apparent foundational purpose to "never let 2016 happen again"?

Substack

https://tinyurl.com/2yrr6p5n

Posted by: Kindltot at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (D7oie)

230 Discoveries like the hidden military equipment in UN crates is another recent example. The media may try hard to ignore it, but they cannot ignore the facts.
++++
They can, do and will continue to do exactly that.

They can't necessarily ignore the *consequences* of those facts, but they can ignore the facts themselves. They usually, don't, though. They usually opt to flat-out lie about those facts.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (d04cU)

231 Di-o-ge-nes!!

Posted by: runner at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (V13WU)

232
I appreciate this work, Diogenes. One fly in the ointment is the day after Hamas, ISLAM will still be there.

We need a scenario of The Day After Islam.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (x0n13)

233 Eventually, someone's endgame needs to be "The abolition of the religion of Islam".
Posted by: XTC

This. Its not a religion. Its a death cult.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (VwHCD)

234 Thank you Diogenes for your excellent post and congrats on the upgraded membership and dental floss as well!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (kRFVk)

235 Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (JrojV)

Thanks, brother.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (RSbhh)

236 The only way to know that was if somebody on the ground dropped a dime on them and told the IDF where they were.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (i9ffA)
--------------------------
I suppose that is as good as it gets. Still hoping for some fragging, though, or some unauthorized hostage releases.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (AzEXR)

237 Looks like the IDF used some sort of hybrid combination version of these offensive styles.
Posted by: Boswell at December 05, 2023 11:58 AM (K+UlC)

Agreed.
I used to run the International Students Course at Ft Huachuca, home of the Army's Intelligence Skool. Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) was a major block of instruction. I remember the Israeli students paying very close attention. Looks like they learned well. They picked the tactics to fit the terrain.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (uSHSS)

238 OT, but too funny: The Kerry delegation to thee Climate meeting announced a plan to commercialize fusion as a power source.

Perfect! Solve a non-existent problem with a non-existent technology!
Posted by: Huck Follywood

I'm a fusion expert and if you give me $10 billion, in just a few short decades, I'll convert the entire US to fusion power!

P.S. I'll also need unlimited pizza and beer.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 05, 2023 12:07 PM (FVME7)

239 Incentive, thy names are tin foil and dental floss.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at December 05, 2023 12:07 PM (as3uC)

240 Note that there have been several times that the IDF has bombed a rather nondescript little building and then announced the names of multiple Hamas leaders who were meeting in that building at the time. The only way to know that was if somebody on the ground dropped a dime on them and told the IDF where they were.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 12:01 PM (i9ffA)

It is my understanding that IDF intelligence has developed
advanced cutting edge technology and continues with R&D

Jews are smart at what they do.

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 12:07 PM (7cPAc)

241 Diogenes is a hit. Please keep up your great posts.

Posted by: four seasons at December 05, 2023 12:03 PM (ichPI)

--------------

+1 give him a raise!
Posted by: ShainS -- CISA Cognitive Security Agent at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (1u0wM)

Double his pay !

How do you pronounce his name ?

Posted by: JT at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (T4tVD)

242 OT, but too funny: The Kerry delegation to thee Climate meeting announced a plan to commercialize fusion as a power source.

Perfect! Solve a non-existent problem with a non-existent technology!
Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 11:58 AM (AzEXR)

Tucker's most recent video featured John F'n Kerry announcing that coal plants should all be closed.

We need more people than just Tucker showing the world who these people are.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (dGCAG)

243 I don’t floss. Does that make me a bad person?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (JrojV)

244 Thank you Diogenes for your excellent post and congrats on the upgraded membership and dental floss as well!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (kRFVk)

*spits*
I should of demanded new dental floss...not the used stuff.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 12:09 PM (uSHSS)

245
Big fat free-speech update: Appellate court orders stay in prison sentence for Doug Mackey, the man convicted for making a 2016 Hillary meme
-
So we're allowed to make fun of Hilldog? My God! Where will it end?!!!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

He has to stay in prison?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 05, 2023 12:09 PM (63Dwl)

246 Tucker's most recent video featured John F'n Kerry announcing that coal plants should all be closed.

We need more people than just Tucker showing the world who these people are.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (dGCAG)

I'd love to see someone ask Kerry why he's fine with China adding one or two new coal plants every week. Or why Germany just reopened some.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 12:09 PM (i9ffA)

247 There be a nood.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 12:09 PM (JrojV)

248 Very good summary !

Posted by: runner at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (V13WU)

249 *spits*
I should of demanded new dental floss...not the used stuff.
Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 12:09 PM (uSHSS)

AHEM !

Should HAVE !

Posted by: JT at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (T4tVD)

250 CBS News has renewed their daily attack on Musk and twitter. Apparently, the Irish riots were not caused by popular disgust with unrestricted immigration of muslim stabbers, but - get this! - by twitter.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (AzEXR)

251 Smart military blog.

Posted by: joe, living dangerously at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (fKIdX)

252 I should of demanded new dental floss...not the used stuff.
Posted by: Diogenes

Used dental floss? Luxury! We had 16 penny nails.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (kRFVk)

253 215, Drive-by, Missouri v Biden is a free speech case where public actors coerce and cagole private actors to censor unfavorable speech for them. Past precedents, a lot of them based on 4th Amendment search and seizure cases, provide that government coercion and incentivizing of private actors makes those private actors agents of Govt.

Posted by: whig at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (JAi95)

254 I don’t floss. Does that make me a bad person?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (JrojV)

Merely more liable to be carious.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (D7oie)

255 I hope that the Israeli military is taking advantage as you have posted. It makes sense. Also, believe nothing the western press says.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (17s+e)

256 This is going to be a long war.

I bet Hamas is pissed that Hezbollah is sitting on their asses in Lebanon.

Posted by: rd at December 05, 2023 12:11 PM (qfEk2)

257
How do you pronounce his name ?

Posted by: JT at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (T4tVD)

Throat-Warbler-Mangrove

Posted by: naturalfake at December 05, 2023 12:11 PM (QzZeQ)

258 232
I appreciate this work, Diogenes. One fly in the ointment is the day after Hamas, ISLAM will still be there.

We need a scenario of The Day After Islam.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 05, 2023 12:06 PM (x0n13)

There are probably some people out there who need to be reminded that just because Islam "knows how to handle the gays", doesn't mean it's their friend.

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2023 12:11 PM (sm6Pk)

259 227 No Arab country wants the palis. The Giant Brains at DoS decide to import them and settle them in Dearborn, only to find out the local Sons of the Desert don't want them either.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 05, 2023 12:11 PM (0EOe9)

260 *spits*
I should of demanded new dental floss...not the used stuff.
Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 12:09 PM (uSHSS)

AHEM !

Should HAVE !
Posted by: JT at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (T4tVD)

You're Mrs Elliot aren't you??? My high school English teacher!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 12:11 PM (uSHSS)

261 Montana had a very poor dental floss crop this year. Diogenes is a lucky man to score some, even if it is deserved.

Posted by: Thai Coon at December 05, 2023 12:11 PM (83IzV)

262 >>Have you seen anything about the "volunteer" project Cyber Threat Intelligence League (CTIL) and their apparent foundational purpose to "never let 2016 happen again"?

Oh yea, been following on Twitter for a while now.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2023 12:12 PM (ZLI7S)

263 No Arab country wants them either so the overwhelming temptation of the Western leaders will be bringing them to the West.
Posted by: whig at December 05, 2023 12:05 PM (JAi95)

There are several failed states in the islamic world that might not want the Palis, but which could not effectively prevent their resettlement there. "Shithole" is rock bottom; adding more shit does not make it any worse.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 05, 2023 12:13 PM (t9tpV)

264 Kerry and Swalwell should have a competitive fart-off. It could be a great fundraiser.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonu

Le Petomane has entered the chat.

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at December 05, 2023 12:13 PM (w9Wax)

265 Thanxs Hordemates for reading and commenting. I appreciate your insights.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2023 12:13 PM (uSHSS)

266 I don’t floss. Does that make me a bad person?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at December 05, 2023 12:08 PM (JrojV)

Merely more liable to be carious.
Posted by: Kindltot at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (D7oie)

Well, and...perio disease, bone loss, tooth loss (no bone, no teeth)

And if you're gums are really funky increased heart attack and stroke, etc.

Remember if your gums bleed, that is blood cells leaving your gums. That also mean bacteria can get into your bloodstream. BONUS! Chronic inflammation is something your body doesn't care for either.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 05, 2023 12:14 PM (QzZeQ)

267
Something which is entirely new to warfare is something that Hamas brought - GoPro camera equipment and cell phone videos. I have no doubt that for centuries islamists have raped, murdered, and beheaded both Christians and Jews in the Middle East. It gets recorded on paper, then forgotten, then dismissed as not provable.

But no more. Never again.

When Eisenhower was informed of the death camps he ordered camera footage be recorded for posterity so that denials could never be made.

Hamas and by extension islamists everywhere can never deny their atrocities now.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 05, 2023 12:15 PM (enJYY)

268 Ok Hamas initial tactic was gto present the 'unimaginable.

Transporting soldiers and weapons in Red Cross Trucks
Placing missiles in schools
using hospitals and head quarters and weapons depot ect...
Lastly parasailing over the defense wall surrounding Israel and indiscriminately raping and slaughtering Israeli civilians.

Ok not that the 'unimaginable ' has become reality the psychological warfare aspect has fizzled out likd a deflated balloon. The IDF is running with ice water in the veins..
Ha for crissake. IDF chicks are running tank battalions and kicking ass!!!

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 12:17 PM (7cPAc)

269 Nooby Dooby

Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 12:21 PM (7cPAc)

270 181 Average IQ is very important. Under 84 means mental disability, that precludes you from participating in most productive things in the modern world.

The fact that the average Arab is low IQ is a testament to inbreeding.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 05, 2023 12:22 PM (nnp+f)

271 Ok not that the 'unimaginable ' has become reality the psychological warfare aspect has fizzled out likd a deflated balloon. The IDF is running with ice water in the veins..
Ha for crissake. IDF chicks are running tank battalions and kicking ass!!!
Posted by: I'm Gumby Damn It! at December 05, 2023 12:17 PM (7cPAc)

I just saw a photo of Israeli troops running large water lines (maybe 24") across the beaches at Gaza, to start flooding the tunnels.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2023 12:27 PM (i9ffA)

272 Diogenes: Wonderful breakdown of why the pause was good for Israel. I threw a massive temper tantrum when it was announced, figuring that the whole thing was going to fizzle out just like every other time Israel invaded Gaza.

In a later comment you mentioned reading sources explaining how Hamas was able to get Gaza clans to cooperate. Can you possibly suggest a couple of sources detailing the organization and reach of Arab clans? I've been looking for that information for several years and haven't found it. Thanks in advance.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I stand with Israel and all Jews everywhere at December 05, 2023 12:34 PM (6TzTY)

273 Thanks, Diogenes. Excellent presentation and very thought provoking.

Posted by: RM at December 05, 2023 12:39 PM (urbih)

274

This war needs to be fought no quarter until there's no more people left to wage it from hamas' side--active or supportive.

That should have been since the very outset, much innocent blood wouldn't have spilled and the threat would have been nearly eliminated. Instead the sickening charade has played out through decades.

Posted by: irongrampa at December 05, 2023 12:45 PM (KATBx)

275 Another excellent analysis, Diogenes! Thank you for writing this up.

Posted by: Retired, thank God! at December 05, 2023 01:00 PM (7PBDP)

276 Now I want a hamas sandwich.

Posted by: Glenn John at December 05, 2023 01:13 PM (RilAR)

277 This was so well written and so very encouraging, for which I greatly thank you.

Posted by: Patrick at December 05, 2023 01:30 PM (/Dr09)

278 251 Smart military blog.
Posted by: joe, living dangerously at December 05, 2023 12:10 PM (fKIdX)

Had to check and make sure someone said it.

Posted by: Ben Sears at December 05, 2023 03:12 PM (Qpf3u)

279 211:
Am I the only one who misread "Big fat free-speech update" as "Big fat-free speech update" and wondered how much fat the average speech has in it?

Posted by: Dr. Weevil at December 05, 2023 05:27 PM (uL3GK)

280 Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Many thanks for sharing!

Posted by: cbd heals at December 09, 2023 07:24 PM (DJrmG)

281 Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this
site. It's simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's very hard to get that
"perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appeal.
I must say you've done a awesome job with this. Also, the blog loads very fast
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Posted by: Roof Coating at December 31, 2023 10:07 AM (jM7uS)

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