Evil Penevil

In case anyone wondered what the real issue is: Harvard failed to protect Jewish students from harassment. The video below explains it well. It's amazing, but no one among the pro-Palestinian crowd has attempted to refute this video.

The U.S. is the only country in the world where the truth is an absolute defense against defamation. In all other countries, the right to privacy outweighs the truth in some cases. Except in the U.S., unpleasant truths deemed harmful to a person's reputation or "honor" may only be published if there is a compelling reason, such as legitimate public interest when a candidate is running for office. To give a hypothetical example: If a journalist in the U.S. discovered a highly respected man in his sixties had been arrested on a drug offense while in his teens, the U.S. journalist couldn't be sued for defamation if he made the ancient arrest public. In other countries, this could be considered misleading even if true, so-called "false light," and grounds for a defamation suit. This is particularly relevant in Thailand, but it applies to a lesser degree to democracies based on English common law, such as the U.K., Canada and Australia. U.S. states and many countries have specific laws prohibiting the public disclosure of private information, such as medical or financial records, but that is not considered defamation. That type of disclosure can be subject to suits in the U.S. even when true because some types of information are legally protected.

Master and Commander, the best movie depiction of 19th century naval warfare now free on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m9Hf0FgDFGY?si=C725Kp4fJRx-96on

Sadly, it is indeed possible he could walk on murder changes in D.C. That could be one of the reasons Rodriguez chose to fly to Washington D.C. to kill Jews. He probably knew D.C. has the U.S. jury pool most likely to be anti-Israel and antisemitic. In 2024, 92.5% of D.C. voters chose Kamala Harris. African-Americans account for 42% of D.C.'s population and Hispanics or Latinx another 11%. Jews are about 3% of D.C.'s population. Antisemitic incidents have risen sharply in D.C. since Oct. 7. I don't know if it is possible to select a jury without Jew haters in D.C.

You are. He is charged with two Federal crimes that carry the death penalty. He could not get the death penalty if found guilty of murder solely under the local laws that apply in Washington D.C. Elias Rodriguez could face death penalty if convicted of killing Israeli Embassy staffers An excerpt from the article: A magistrate judge told Rodriguez he was being held on charges of murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of first degree murder under local D.C. statute. If convicted of either of the first two counts, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh told Rodriguez, he could potentially face the death penalty. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/crime/elias-rodriguez-could-face-death-penalty-if-convicted-of-killing-israeli-embassy-staffers-capital-jewish-museum-yaron-lischinsky-sarah-milgrim/65-81bd2602-c6ee-4ada-a172-d3a954f07c0f

Because of the huge publicity this shooting has generated, the lawyers who defend Rodriguez will try to put the focus of his trial on Israel and away from him. The defense will try to introduce as much evidence as possible on Israeli "atrocities" and "attempted genocide" as mitigating factors in the shooting. Basically, the defense lawyers will go for jury nullification even though there's no doubt Rodriguez murdered the embassy staffers. It's doubtful Rodriguez would accept a plea bargain, even if it would take the death sentence off the table. His only chance of escaping spending the rest of life in prison would be if the jury votes not guilty.

Zulu - A great movie from 1964 about the Battle of Rorke's Drift is free on YouTube. It stars Stanley Baker, Michael Caine, and Jack Hawkins.

Yes, this is characteristic of "critical race theory" that divides the whole world into two groups: oppressors and oppressed. Jews aren't regarded as a minority group but are considered part of the dominant white oppressors. Ethiopian Jews as well as Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews would appear to contradict the claim all Jews are white, but CRT adherents maintain those groups have "chosen" to be white. In the city where I live, Jewish school children had been bullied on a daily basis, but the school admin refused to do anything about it. The admin accepted the position of community activists who claimed it wasn't bullying but minority students "standing up" to white supremacists. A lawsuit by Jewish parents forced the admin to change policies and protect Jewish children. Taken to its ultimate, CRT idiocy results in actions like the shooting of the Israeli embassy staffers. On AN and in the real world, pro-Palestinians have gone quiet because they can't reconcile their support of Palestine with Rodriguez' support.

It's become more violent due to the red-green alliance between leftists and Islamists. In his manifesto, Elias Rodriguez supported the notion of globalizing intifada through direct action. https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/the-israel-embassy-shooter-manifesto This opinion piece from 18 months ago proved prescient: America’s pro-Hamas movement is a red-green alliance Left has a history of supporting carnage and oppression Suddenly, pro-Hamas demonstrations are popping up all over the country, like poison mushrooms after a spring rain. They’re the result of a coalition of radicals united by their hatred of America and the West — a coalition that reduces everything to a conflict between oppressors and the oppressed and which is willing to condone the most horrific violence to advance the revolution. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/nov/10/americas-pro-hamas-movement-is-red-green-alliance/ And a current take on the same situation: You're Not Freeing Palestine, You're a Dupe for an Islamist Cause | Opinion Some excerpts from the opinion piece well worth considering if you support Palestinian actions against Israel: "Globalize the intifada" is not "simply" a call to have people rally for the Palestinian cause (which, according to Hamas's charter, involves the genocide of Jews and destruction of the State of Israel). "Globalize the intifada" means the violent destabilization of the U.S. and the West before their aspired conquest and destruction. ... This is what the Red-Green alliance is all about. It's a fusion of political Islam with the radical left. The "enemies" to be destroyed "by any means necessary" are anyone or anything they can pin the label "colonialist" or "imperialist" on. They believe that U.S., Australia, Canada, etc., are all "settler colonialists," and they hate capitalism. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/you-re-not-freeing-palestine-you-re-a-dupe-for-an-islamist-cause-opinion/ar-AA1Fj5H1?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W230&cvid=d32bce00d76c4ed5aa0d0d95c4e03aea&ei=24

WARNING: I am giving the link to the "manifesto" believed to have been written by Elias Rodriguez and published to an X account bearing his name. The rambling 900-word document was published after Rodriguez was arrested but before his identity was made public by the police. It is dated May 20, 2025. Don't open the link if you're likely to be bothered by the weird thoughts of a murderous individual. What's most disturbing to me is that Rodriguez' manifesto in places makes exactly the same points using the same reasoning as some posts by pro-Palestinians on AN. Please note no official source or mainstream media source has confirmed that Rodriguez actually wrote and posted the manifesto. On X, it is possible to schedule posts for future publication. There's no contradiction in the post first appearing after his arrest. The manifesto is written articulately but not effectively. It's disjointed and skips from point to point. When the first two words are "Explication" and "Halintar" (sic), you know it's going to be pretentious. "Halintar" is a misspelling of the Indonesian word "halilintar," meaning lightning or a thunderbolt. It's totally out of place in the opening of a manifesto on Gaza. https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/th'-israel-embassy-shooter-manifesto More details on the actual shooting: Suspect in fatal shooting of 2 Israeli Embassy staff in D.C. wasn't on police's radar. Here is what we know. ... According to charging documents, video shows that after the suspect shot the couple, he walked closer to them and fired "several more times." A total of 21 rounds were fired from a 9 mm firearm. ... Federal officials traced the weapon and say records show it was purchased by Rodriguez on March 6, 2020, in Illinois. The handgun was purchased legally, according to a person briefed on the investigation. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israeli-embassy-staff-shooting-suspect-elias-rodriguez-washington-dc/

Another opinion piece which is worth reading, especially for those who consider themselves anti-Zionist but not antisemitic. Unfortunately there have been social media posts from anti-Zionists which celebrate the murders of Lischinsky and Milgrim and laud Rodriguez as a hero. How anti-Israel rhetoric led to the killing of 2 in Washington, DC The suspected murderer marinated in violent, hateful slogans If there was ever a time for reckoning in the anti-Israel movement, this is it. The cold-blooded murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington, D.C., last night should mark the beginning of the end — preferably the end of the end — of the zombie belief that the only path to a “Free Palestine” is to abolish Israel. Now we see where that eliminationist ideology can lead: to murder. https://forward.com/opinion/722443/elias-rodriguez-anti-israel-gaza/

Live Updates: Slaying at Jewish Museum Was Targeted Antisemitic Violence, F.B.I. Says The killing of two Israeli Embassy aides was condemned by U.S. officials. The suspect, from Chicago, had a history of pro-Palestinian activism, including a social media statement scheduled to post after the shooting. A post on social media Wednesday night from an account that The New York Times verified belonged to the suspect condemned the Israeli and American governments, and what he called atrocities committed by the Israeli military against Palestinians. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/22/us/israel-embassy-shooting-dc Wow, that sounds like some of the pro-Palestine posts on AN. Are you proud to be in such good company, gentlemen? Further down on the NYT update page there's a short notice: The suspect in the Israeli Embassy murders had protested for Palestinian rights. Under the title “Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home,” the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, condemned what he called atrocities committed by the Israeli military against Palestinians. The post did not refer directly to the shooting on Wednesday evening, but it justified “armed action.” https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/22/us/israel-embassy-shooting-dc

This opinion piece is worth reading: Palestinian activists can finally see their ‘intifada’ in action https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/palestinian-activists-can-finally-see-their-intifada-in-action/ar-AA1FgdSp?ocid=msedgntp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=0026221187aa42fb9e1e5baeb285a26d&ei=163 Interestingly, a person inside the Capital Jewish Museum at the time of the shooting said the following (my bold text): "So about 10 minutes later when the cops actually came in he [Elias Rodriguez] said, 'I did this,' he said, 'Sir I'm unarmed,' he put his hands up he grabbed a red kaffiyeh out of his pocket and started the free Palestine chants. You know, 'there's only one solution, intifada revolution' and he was being dragged out of the building as he was yelling 'free Palestine.'" https://www.newsweek.com/who-elias-rodriguez-suspect-named-israeli-embassy-staff-killings-2075558 This was indeed an example of intifada in action and incontrovertible proof of what happens when you "Globalize the intifada," as many protestors chanted during demonstrations on U.S. college campuses. https://www.ajc.org/news/what-does-globalize-the-intifada-mean-and-how-can-it-lead-to-targeting-jews-with-violence

Here's an update with more detailed information about the shooter, although his membership in a left-wing political party hasn't been verified by law enforcement. Who Is Elias Rodriguez? Suspect Named in Israeli Embassy Staff Killings Authorities have identified a suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy workers near a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago. https://www.newsweek.com/who-elias-rodriguez-suspect-named-israeli-embassy-staff-killings-2075558

No, it couldn't have been a robbery. The suspect shot the Israeli couple at close range as they were exiting a social event for young Jewish professionals at the Capital Jewish Museum. Washington D. C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela said at a press conference "the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois, was initially 'observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum' before he approached a group of four people, 'produced a handgun,' and shot the two victims." https://www.yahoo.com/news/2-shot-dead-near-fbi-025955620.html Rodriguez was quickly detained by event security staffers and was heard to shout "Free, free Palestine" while in custody. Under the circumstances, it's not odd that the Israeli ambassador and others labeled it as an act of antisemitic terror. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who certainly isn't Jewish, said at the same press conference "we will not tolerate any acts of terrorism and we are going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message we will not tolerate antisemitism." https://www.foxnews.com/video/6373207460112 To equate the murder of a young Israeli couple with sneezing is atrocious, but it's what can be expected of a Hamas supporter.

It's true the U.S. and Israel aren't parties to the ICC and therefore aren't bound to honor ICC warrants. The point is what effect an ICC warrant on a Hamas leader would have on countries which ARE parties to the ICC. Would South Africa or Ireland or Spain arrest a leader of Hamas? South Africa most likely wouldn't, About five months before the Oct. 7 attack, South Africa announced plans to withdraw from the ICC because of the warrant on Russian leader Putin. South Africa to try to withdraw from ICC again - Ramaphosa JOHANNESBURG, April 25 (Reuters) - South Africa's governing African National Congress will aim to repeal the country's membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC), President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday, the second time it has attempted to do so. The party's decision at a weekend meeting of its national executive committee came after the ICC issued an arrest warrant on March 17 against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-try-withdraw-icc-again-ramaphosa-2023-04-25/

Thai laws on defamation are stricter than corresponding laws in Western countries. Basically, a defendant in a Thai court can be found guilty of defamation if his statements, whether true or not, have injured the complainant's reputation or damaged his family's honor. Unlike the U.S., the truth is not an absolute defense against defamation in Thailand. It's the likely effect of the statement on the reputation of the complainant that counts in Thailand. Legal experts agree it is easier for a complainant to file and win a defamation suit in Thailand than any other country in the world. That's why board rule 5 is so important: 5. Thailand-Specific Laws As a website operating under Thai jurisdiction, we are obligated to comply with local laws, particularly those concerning defamation, respect for the monarchy, and illegal activities. Any content that violates these laws will be removed, and appropriate action will be taken to protect the platform and its members. Outside of the particularly sensitive areas, the Thai judicial system has not shown itself very willing to get involved in cases where non-Thais writing in a foreign language may have defamed each other. Posters on non-Thai boards need to be careful and stay aware of Thai defamation laws, but there's no reason to get paranoid.

@Bkk Brianis correct. The ICC was in a bit of a bind when it came to arrest warrants over the Gaza conflict. It would be absurd to issue warrants for Israel's leaders for their response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks while not issuing warrants for the perpetrators of the attacks. However, ICC warrants for the leaders of Hamas would require South Africa, Ireland, Spain and other Hamas-friendly countries to apprehend those leaders and that would place those countries in a very awkward position. They absolutely don't want to arrest the leaders of Hamas. Placing warrants on dead Hamas leaders gives the impression the ICC is putting equal pressure on both sides of the Gaza conflict while not requiring signatories of the Treaty of Rome to actually arrest active Hamas leaders.

@billd766 I realize you didn't aim the above quote at me, but I'll take a shot at answering it. You have to distinguish between the use of the word Palestine as the name of a geographic region and its use in reference to a "political entity" such a nation or kingdom or province thereof. According to a heavy-duty source, the Encyclopedia Britannica: "After Roman times the name [Palestine] had no official status until after World War I and the end of rule by the Ottoman Empire, when it was adopted for one of the regions mandated to Great Britain." https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine There had never been an independent kingdom, nation, country or state called Palestine before the PLO declared the creation of the State of Palestine in 1988. It's true people have lived for millennia in the geographic area we today call Palestine and these people could have been the ancestors of some current Palestinians as well as ancestors of some Israeli Jews, but they didn't have a country. You have to go back to Biblical times and the Iron Age to find centuries in which people who were actually born in historical Palestine ruled the region. That would be the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Arabs living in Mandatory Palestine had been offered a state under the 1947 U.N. partition plan, but the Arab League rejected the plan. What Israel took over on May 14, 1948, was the territory allotted to the Jewish state under the United Nation's partition plan for Mandatory Palestine, which at that time was under British control. Before the U.K. received the Mandate for Palestine from the League of Nations, the Ottoman Empire had ruled the region we today call historical Palestine since 1516 CE. https://www.bloomberg.com/explainers/israel-hamas-war-history-of-israeli-palestinian-conflict-explained Prior to the Turks, the rulers had been the Mamluk Sultanate; Ayyubid Dynasty; European Crusaders; Fatimid Caliphate; Mongol Empire; Abbasid Caliphate; Umayyad Caliphate; Rashidun Caliphate; Byzantine Empire; Roman Empire; Seleucid Empire; Ptolemaic Kingdom; Achaemenid (Persian) Empire; Babylonian Empire and Assyrian Empire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Palestine Bottom line: A geographic region called Palestine- Yes. A country called Palestine before 1988- No.

@MangoKorat Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights is a very relevant topic in any discussion of Israel, but it is way off topic in terms of this thread. I'll answer your questions as briefly as I can because I'm not sure how extensive a discussion the mods will allow. But before I do, I'll acknowledge the settlements are a disputed policy among Jews inside and outside Israel. Non-Jewish supporters of Israel also have sharply differing opinions on Israeli settlements beyond the pre-1967 borders, I myself feel it is unwise and with a few exceptions, does more harm than good. Three main motivations exist for Israeli settlements on the territory won in 1967 in the Six-Day War: 1) improving Israel's security through settlements and "outposts;" 2) religious beliefs held by strictly orthodox Haredi Jews, the group to which many settlers belong; and 3) reclaiming settlements that historically once had been Jewish. ("Resettlement of former Jewish communities," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_settlement). Most Israelis would say the land had been expropriated for security reasons or reclaimed rather than stolen. Some Palestinians have been attacked and even killed by Israeli settlers. That's unfortunate, very unfortunate, but the number isn't large in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Far more Israelis have been killed in terrorist attacks. No doubt, Israeli settlers have inflamed the overall conflict. Yes, the takeover of Jerusalem has certainly inflamed Palestinians. Israel lays claim to Jerusalem because it was conquered and made the "capital" of the Kingdom of Israel by King David in Biblical times. Jerusalem contains the Temple Mount, considered the holiest site in Judaism. However, Jerusalem is regarded as a holy city by Christians and Muslims as well, which complicates the situation considerably.

To clear up a factual error that has been repeated several times ... There are NO Israeli settlements in Gaza. They were dismantled in 2005 as part of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza. Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005 https://www.britannica.com/event/Israels-disengagement-from-Gaza

Anti Israeli actions = Dutch Hamas supporters. Same-same, no difference.

Yes, indeed. The Palestinians of Gaza are the people I with whom I would find it the hardest to side. During WW II, the leadership of Palestine sided with the Nazis and supported the Holocaust. They have always opposed the state of Israel as the homeland of the world's Jews. I can't unsee the images of Palestinians celebrating the Oct. 7 attacks, Palestinians In Gaza And The West Bank Celebrate On October 7, Hand Out Sweets, Fire Guns In The Air, Following Hamas's Invasion And Massacre Of Israeli Civilians In The Gaza Envelope gazaconvert.mp4 https://www.memri.org/tv/palestinians-gaza-west-bank-celebrate-october-seven-massacre-hand-out-sweets-fire-guns Because Israel is the best option for the survival of the Jewish people in the face of any renewed attempt at the Holocaust. Jews won't walk quietly into the ovens next time round. Never again is now. Antisemitism is the irrational hatred of Jews that's been going on for at least 2,000 years and culminated in the massacre of six million Jews during WW II, The goal of antisemitism, past and present, has always been the eradication of the Jewish people. Zionism is the best guarantee that doesn't happen.

I read books each and every day, but almost always on Kindle, Project Guttenberg or another Internet source. I haven't bought or borrowed a physical book in years except as a present to give to someone. It's just a hell of a lot easier to carry my library on my Kindle reader and laptop.

It's unfortunate non-combatants were killed in this or any other airstrike, but Israeli airstrikes against hospitals have to be put in context: Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes and they therefore become legitimate targets. Israel targets Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in hospital strike in Gaza, sources say CNN — Israel has targeted Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in a strike on a hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday evening, according to a senior Israeli official and two sources familiar with the matter. He became the militant group’s de facto leader after the Israeli military killed his brother, Yahya Sinwar, last October. Tuesday’s strike killed 28 Palestinians and injured more than 50, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which does not differentiate between military and civilian casualties. https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/13/middleeast/israel-targets-hamas-leader-mohammed-sinwar-hospital-strike-gaza-intl