All In A Day

1. 86

   Sharlee01posted 15 months ago

   
   
   
   Simply --- what do you think of what has occurred today, October 18, 202?
   
   American Embassy in Beirut  Set on fire.
   
   Drones target US troops in Iraq, causing minor injuries
   
   Huge protests in the streets of many EU nations as well as Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and at our own capitol  --- all supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.
   
   Biden's trip to Israel.
   
   Hope you will share your thoughts, feelings, and predictions... or just a rant.

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   1. 81

      Credence2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      We have had embassies attacked before, that is nothing new. America's unquestioning support for Israel even when it was found to play unfairly has stoked the anger of Arab groups, are we not surprised?
      
      From what I understand, even the Israeli government was taken by surprise with the attack by the Hamas. Who would have me believe that a change in our current leadership would have made that event any less likely to occur?
      
      It is courageous for Biden to go into hotbed of war and revolution to seek an accord. But sucking up to Netanyahu may not be the answer.
      
      It is my opinion that Netanyahu will use this "war" to settle the Palestinian question in permanent fashion. I cannot see him letting an opportunity like this pass him by, particularly in the face of the blame he receives for "sleeping at the switch" where his intelligence sources failed to anticipate the attack.

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      1. 86

         Sharlee01posted 15 months agoin reply to this

         "We have had embassies attacked before, that is nothing new. America's unquestioning support for Israel even when it was found to play unfairly has stoked the anger of Arab groups, are we not surprised?"
         
         Very true, did Biden's visit precipitate the attack on the embassy, and the drone strikes in Iran?  coincidental or planned? 
         
         It does seem that the attack on Israel took them by surprise, prompting questions about the effectiveness of both their intelligence agency and ours. As for whether this would have unfolded differently under another president, that's uncertain. It's worth noting that President Biden lifted sanctions on Iran, their primary supporter of terrorism, resulting in a significant influx of funds—around 80 billion—during his first two years in office. The previous administration had left Iran's economy in a dire state.
         
         Additionally, President Biden has allocated hundreds of millions in aid to Palestine since taking office. This has raised concerns that some of this financial support could indirectly contribute to supporting terrorist activities.
         
         I share your view that Prime Minister Netanyahu may leverage this conflict to address the longstanding Palestinian issue in a more permanent manner. Living in constant fear of violence due to one's religious or ethnic background is a situation that no one should endure.

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   2. 84

      tsmogposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      I was not aware of what was occurring. Presently, I have been working on an informational article and not a poem over the last few days. I do receive notifications in my email that is always open while I'm online.
      
      I checked those and none of them mentioned what you did. Most were about Jim Jordan and Republicans in the House in disarray. I didn't notice any Firefox notifications for those too.
      
      Yet, they are alarming to me giving pause and reflection. I don't know whether to apply the coincidence rule or not. It certainly was not serendipity, was it? 
      
      I do know in San Diego proper there are protestors both supporting Israel and Palestine. Not Hamas! Some of the interviews gave cause to be empathetic with them both.
      
      I will look about a little later and get the scoop on them. Thanks for letting me know.

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      1. 86

         Sharlee01posted 15 months agoin reply to this

         It appears the day Biden made his trip to Israel things were heating up in Lebanon, Yemin is lobbing missiles at the Iraq base where US soldiers are present, and Hezbollah in Lebanon has been firing a guided missile into Israel.   
         
         It would seem that there is increasing support for the Palatines' war.

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   3. 61

      HealthyVibeeeposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Deleted
      1. 86

         Sharlee01posted 15 months agoin reply to this

         In my view, Biden's perceived vulnerabilities and his use of less assertive language may, in some opinions, contribute to the escalation of conflicts. I argue that certain decisions made by his administration indirectly facilitated Hamas receiving financial support from Iran.
         
         I hold the view that Biden bears the biggest part and responsibility for the consequences of his actions. I have strong criticisms of his leadership, and I regard him as an embarrassment to America.  I will go as far as to say that those who still back him may not fully perceive the many crisis situations at hand.
         
         Regarding the anti-Israel protests, people who give shade to Hamas's not acknowledging the suffering of innocent civilians are disgusting at best.  There will never be peace, it is unattainable until terrorism in all its forms is eradicated.  I compare the scale of this evil to historical events like the Holocaust.

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         1. 81

            Credence2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

            "It's apparent that we have differing opinions on the current Middle East conflict and the role of President Biden. Given our substantial differences, it is not productive to continue this conversation."
            ------
            You and I have substantial differences. This poster was mild in her observations. You can offer her the same latitude that you have always offered me.

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            1. 86

               Sharlee01posted 15 months agoin reply to this

               Her comment was her view, I shared mine. I will remove my closing sentiment. It was impolite.
               
               It would be great if you respond to her original post. It would at best promote a bit of conversation on my OP.

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               1. 81

                  Credence2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

                  I will....

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      2. 81

         Credence2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

         There is absolutely nothing wrong with this common sense take on events in this region right now. Diplomacy is the only path over "my way or the highway".

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         1. 86

            Sharlee01posted 15 months agoin reply to this

            Diplomacy requires the skill of managing international relations. Do you feel Biden and his administration have these skills?  We are literally watching other nations now stepping into this ongoing conflict. For example, Lebanon firing missiles into Israel, and Yemen fired on bases that house American soldiers in Iraq. 
            
            I certainly hope diplomacy will calm this conflict before it turns into a much larger conflict.  However, I have no confidence in Biden, due to his poor record on problem-solving. I feel he literally bankrolled this war unknowingly, but due to poor decisions he made in regard to Iran.

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            1. 70

               Ken Burgessposted 15 months agoin reply to this

               We do not have a Democracy.
               
               America does not support Democracy for other countries, it uses its military to secure resources.  This is evidently clear now, one only has to look at what the results are, of the last 25 years of military efforts we have conducted.
               
               Iraq, Syria, Libya were over access to oil, natural gas pipelines, etc. the regions we still control with American troops in Syria and Iraq are for the safekeeping of those resources.
               
               If this were otherwise, we would have spent our many wasted trillions on rebuilding those places to be better than they were before American intervention.  Something we did after WWII... but we do not do now.
               
               Perhaps our interference in Ukraine will be different, but if so, it is still only for the resources that nation has... some of the best soil in the world for producing food, as well as access to natural gas and oil.

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            2. 81

               Credence2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

               You know, I would rather have us not go over there with our gunboats, offering to support Israel who is already doing a good job on its own depopulating Gaza. It was just a political ploy.
               
               Keeping this matter contained is not consistent with our involvement in it. Biden can speak with Bibi about containing the ferocity of his reprisals, eliminating unnecessary atrocity whenever possible.
               
               Our presence, may in of itself, provoke Iran and other Arabs states.

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               1. 70

                  Ken Burgessposted 15 months agoin reply to this

                  Exactly what some hope for.
                  
                  And then they get their war against Iran that Trump diverted from.
                  
                  And then comes the entirety of WWIII.
                  
                  We are on course, I see little that can deter it now.

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               2. 86

                  Sharlee01posted 15 months agoin reply to this

                  "You know, I would rather have us not go over there with our gunboats, offering to support Israel who is already doing a good job on its own depopulating Gaza. It was just a political ploy."   Agree
                  
                  I don't believe that Biden has significant influence over the actions of BiBi (Benjamin Netanyahu) at this juncture. It's likely that he listens more to his advisors and associates, and the voices of the dead.  It's plausible that BiBi perceives Biden as responsible for providing financial support to these terrorists. By lifting sanctions, Biden appears to be indirectly supporting Iran's oil sales, which reportedly amount to a substantial sum, ranging from 60 to 80 billion dollars in the past two years. This makes Iran cash-rich and potentially enables them to aid terrorist groups.
                  
                  I agree with your observation that our presence in the region could exacerbate tensions, especially considering Iran's adversarial stance toward both the United States and Israel.
                  
                  Hindsight cannot change anything. The truth is that various crises, from border issues to conflicts with Russia and now in the Middle East, have occurred under the current administration. Are you aware of the costs incurred in the Ukraine conflict and the financial requests made by Biden for this new conflict?
                  
                  Do you share any concerns about the substantial amounts we are borrowing to finance these endeavors?

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                  1. 81

                     Credence2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

                     The reality is that Bibi and the Israeli government always did what it wanted regardless of the objections of the U.S. government and that goes back well before the Biden Administration.
                     
                     I have considered the cost, we already give Israel billions in American aid and they are more than capable of defending themselves without our unnecessary involvement.
                     
                     As for the Ukraine, it may well become a quagmire, do we leave them to be ultimately overrun by Putin's Russia? What about our alliances with Western Allies, can we renege of them? I believe that Putin's objectives must be to change the nature of the Ukrainian government into more of Russian puppet. I believe that it is all more than just territorial ambition.

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