Hanaguma

Uh, yeah. I know. I have two surviving veterans in my family (brother and cousin).

A moving poem and tribute, written by one of my fellow countrymen, John McCrae. Sadly didn't survive the War himself either. So, let the protesters come. And let the veterans and those who support them show how men take care of business. I could see this being a tipping point, if any Remembrance Day ceremonies are disrupted there might well be a price to pay.

You may be right about Hamas, if that was their ultimate goal it may well succeed. Sadly, it shows how fragile any form of peace or co-existence really was in the area. All it took was one shove and all came tumbling down like a house of cards.

They probably believe that anyone working for a Jew is even worse than the Jew. That the worker has so debased themself that they are beneath contempt and deserve whatever happens.

Non combatants by the very name NON combatants dont get involved in fighting. They hunker down or escape, and curse the cowards (in this case, Hamas) who got them into the mess. Any who DO get involved, especially if not in uniform or in a recognized fighting force, are considered illegal combatants and may be subject to summary execution.

There would be a ceasefire in an instant if; Hamas surrendered All hostages were released The terrorist infrastructure under Gaza was destroyed.

The slaughter is 100% at the feet of Hamas. IF Israel wanted to slaughter, they would have been bombing indiscriminately since October 8. And Gaza would be flat.

But what are they protesting, really? Do they favor Palestine free from Hamas terror, and then allowed to become a free country? I haven't seen too many protestors who say, "Two State Solution Now" or "Free Gaza from Hamas, then Free Elections". They all seem rather one sided and eager to see Jews die.

Israel does not occupy Gaza. The last settlers left 15 years ago. Gaza has only itself to blame for coddling Hamas and giving them security.

The obvious difference being that Hamas deliberately targeted civilians. THey are cowards. They could have attacked IDF bases and installations, but declined in favor of soft targets. They butchered without mercy, recorded themselves doing it, and boasted about it to the cheers of Gazans. The IDF goes out of its way to avoid killing Gazan civilians in their righteous quest to rid the world of Hamas. If genocide were the policy, Gaza would not exist today. Israel has the capability to make Gaza a parking lot in 72 hours. But instead, they are showing incredible restraint.

Care to explain the terrible apartheid? The only democracy in the region, with rights for gay people and women, personal freedom, free press, etc.

Israelis were giving jobs to Gazans before the Hamas terror attack. And bringing Gazan children to hospitals/clinics in Israel for treatment. So I don't think there was any systemic hatred. Unlike how the vast majority of Palestinians feel about Jews. Remember what happened when a Hamas terrorist murdered, mutilated, and paraded a young German girl through the streets of Gaza? Cheering, dancing, spitting on her corpse. Then she was beheaded. There is no terrible apartheid in Israel. If Hamas says 10,000 have been killed, it is a lie. They said 500 at the hospital when the true number was closer to 50. Why believe them when they have a history of lying, with the help of a compliant media?

Yes, that is exactly it... Given Harris' voice, screeching is appropriate. Her ingrained sense of entitlement would make it happen. Her household is where she would bitch at her husband about her perceived feelings of injustice at potentially being thrown aside for another WOC as the democratic nominee. Is that so strange? Oh, and did I mention that I think Nikki Haley would be a fine nominee for the GOP? You can add that to your litany of my sexism...

Actually, most Americans care about; 8% mortgages $4.00 gas $14 for a burger set at McUgly's 8 million illegal immigrants Giving money to subsidize foreign wars The economy is the number one issue for most Americans. And most Americans favor Trump on that issue.

That's right. Nobody recognizes the name of the CURRENT SITTING PRESIDENT.... The problem is that they DO recognize it.

Ah yes, Michelle. Whose sole qualification to be president seems to be, "I slept beside a president for 8 years". Can you imagine the screeching coming from the Kamala Harris household if Michelle Obama were actually nominated above her? Might be worth it just to see the fireworks.

The difference is that one tribe has evolved, developed a democracy with rights for women and LGBT and freedoms. The other is still a medieval death cult.

So, you trust Hamas' reports of casualties? The same group that falsely claimed a hospital was bombed and 500 people killed? No need to be so credulous, my friend. Let's be honest. It may take a while, but Hamas as a threat will be eliminated. Israel is taking time, to MINIMIZE civilian casualties. Would have been easier to simply carpet bomb Gaza City on October 8. Easier and less costly in terms of IDF soldiers' lives. But instead they are being as careful as possible, even at the cost of their own soldiers, to save as many Gazans as possible.

You are freely and without care posting Hamas generated numbers for the casualties in Gaza. May I ask why? Why should Israel stop bombing Gaza? Hamas is stlil hiding in the shadows and cowering behind the children you care so much about. You could always turn this around and say, "Iran could make Hamas stop rocketing innocent Israelis tomorrow if it wanted"...

I do. Much the same as I did for innocent German or Japanese civilians in WW2, who were caught up in the madness of their governments in a time of war. But sympathy is not the point. The point is to destroy the enemy with minimal cost to ones' own side. Israel is being very careful to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza, but those casualties that ARE caused are 100% the fault of Hamas.

IMHO a large part of the IDF's mission is to destroy the terrorist infrastructure that has been built (using UN and other donated relief supplies) over the past 15 years. Clear out the tunnels, the underground bunkers, the command structure built under schools/hospitals/mosques, the storage facilities for rockets, etc.

There is a large gap between "not much protest" and "dancing in the streets in ecstasy and spitting on the desecrated body of a young murdered girl".

Beautiful mountains, amazing temples, 25 Unesco World Heritage Sites, cool cities (especially Osaka), reasonably priced booze and wine. Other than that, not much.

The area called Arashiyama in the west of Kyoto has amazing fall colours, and a lovely river to boot. Good place to walk around, scenic gardens, well worth an afternoon. Plus of course Kiyomizu Temple in the east. Amazing place, plus it is the start of a walking path called Tetsugaku no Michi (Philosophers Path) which goes along the Gion River and is very scenic.

If you have time, the Otaru Brewing Company in the downtown has some very tasty beverages. There is also a fresh fish market called the Triangle Market where you can get huge portions of quality sashimi fresh from the fishing fleet. One of my fav towns in Japan.