Evil Penevil

He is a Norwegian journalist named Yama Wolasmal. His family came to Norway from Afghanistan as refugees when he was a child. He is noted for favoring Hamas. Below is an interview he did with a Hamas spokesman after Oct. 7. He asked no tough questions and allowed the Hamas guy to speak uninterrupted EXCEPT when he said 90% of Palestinians support Hamas. If that's true, it makes for far less innocent victims in Gaza than Wolasmal wants people to believe.

Every time I read a comment about the definition of any sort of political ideology or popular movement, whether it be fascism, communism, Marxism, socialism, liberalism, anarchism, feminism, Zionism, etc., etc., etc,, I am reminded of my favorite quote from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass: “When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’ ’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’ ’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.” In modern usage, "fascism" means what an individual chooses it to mean, nothing more or less. This thread and several others on AN prove that one man's fascist is another man's socialist.

Could it be after 77 years a Palestinian leader in, shall we say, authority, has finally realized Israel cannot be destroyed through conventional warfare or terrorist attacks? It's been a very long learning curve for both the Palestinian leadership and the populace, but maybe both are realizing its best to end armed resistance and get on with their lives. 'Give back the hostages, sons of dogs, end the war:' Abbas blasts Hamas PA chairman accuses in a speech the Gaza-ruling terror group of handing Israel the excuse to destroy the enclave and expel its population; says Hamas must surrender its arms to the PA, step down from Gaza rule and end the war https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bko00zhlkxl

There are dozens of posts on AN which criticize Israel and the conduct of the war in Gaza. The Mods do a commendable job in weeding out the blatantly antisemitic posts.

I answered that question at length in another thread. I'll quote that post at the end of this post. Not all students have had their visas revoked because of illicit activities related to pro-Hamas demonstrations. Many have lost their legal status in the U.S. for mundane stuff like flunking out of school or quitting their courses as well as shoplifting, drunk driving and other traffic offenses. A smaller number get involved in more serious crimes like drug dealing, burglary, fraud, etc. Some of the high-profile Hamactivists like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi were found by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to negatively affect the conduct of U.S. foreign policy and he ordered their removal from the U.S. on those grounds. I answered those questions earlier as well. And here is the earlier explanation of possible reasons for revoking a student visa: x

👍You are very welcome.

I have no idea how many bar security staffers have criminal records, but I do know back in the day the guards most likely to get violent with customers were off-duty Thai military.

Warnings of "imminent famine" began soon after Israel launched its retaliation for the Oct. 7 attacks. As you can see from the headlines below, there have been many such warnings on a regular basis and I've only copied a small portion of them. And of course, there are always two sides to the story. 25 June 2024 Key food security org finds no famine in Gaza, says previous assumptions wrong UN-linked IPC finds no mortality data to prove famine is present, but states a ‘high risk of famine’ remains, describing food insecurity situation in Gaza as ‘catastrophic’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/key-food-security-org-finds-no-famine-in-gaza-says-previous-assumptions-wrong/ Some of the warnings: 11 October 2023 WFP provides critical food lifeline to people in Gaza and West Bank https://www.wfp.org/stories/wfp-provides-critical-food-lifeline-people-gaza-and-west-bank 22 November 2023 As bombs and hunger haunt Gaza, WFP and partners push to ramp up support https://www.wfp.org/stories/bombs-and-hunger-haunt-gaza-wfp-and-partners-push-ramp-support 21 December 2023 Hostilities leave the entire population (of Gaza) highly food insecure and at risk of Famine In the projected period, between 8 December 2023 and 7 February 2024, the entire population in the Gaza Strip (about 2.2 million people) is classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis/details-map/en/c/1156749/ 22 December 2023 Statement by UNICEF on the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-risk-famine-gaza-strip 9 Jan 2024 Gaza now the world’s worst hunger crisis and on the verge of famine https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/gaza-now-worlds-worst-hunger-crisis-and-verge-famine 1 February 2024 Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Warn of Food Insecurity and Widespread Hunger in the Gaza Strip https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/palestinian-human-rights-organizations-warn-food-insecurity-and-widespread-hunger-gaza-strip-enar 27 February 2024 Famine Imminent in Gaza, Humanitarian Officials Tell Security Council, Calling for Immediate Ceasefire https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15604.doc.htm 18 March 2024 GAZA STRIP: Famine is imminent as 1.1 million people, half of Gaza, experience catastrophic food insecurity https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/alerts-archive/issue-97/en/ 19 March 2024 Famine in northern Gaza is 'imminent,' warns the world's leading authority on hunger https://www.npr.org/2024/03/19/1239394316/gaza-famine-israel-humanitarian-aid 6 May 2024 The UN says there’s ‘full-blown famine’ in northern Gaza. https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff 25 June 2024 The situation in Gaza remains catastrophic and there is a high and sustained risk of Famine across the whole Gaza Strip https://www.un.org/unispal/document/ipc-famine-third-review-report-25jun24/ 27 June 2024 New famine alert for Gaza where families go days without food https://palestine.un.org/en/ 9 July 2024 UN experts declare famine has spread throughout Gaza strip https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/un-experts-declare-famine-has-spread-throughout-gaza-strip 12 October 2024 The risk of Famine persists across the whole Gaza Strip https://www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ipcinfo/docs/IPC_Gaza_Strip_Acute_Food_Insecurity_Malnutrition_Sep2024_Apr2025_Special_Snapshot.pdf 8 November 2024 ‘Looming catastrophe’: Experts warn of high risk of famine in northern Gaza https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156746 12 November 2024 Warned of Imminent Famine in Northern Gaza, Speakers in Security Council Urge Immediate Ceasefire, Sustained Aid https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15895.doc.htm 13 November 2024 FAO warns of imminent famine in northern Gaza due to escalation of conflict, collapse of agrifood systems and constraints to humanitarian access https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/in-a-briefing-to-the-un-security-council--fao-warns-of-imminent-famine-in-northern-gaza-due-to-escalation-of-conflict--collapse-of-agrifood-systems-and-constraints-to-humanitarian-access/en

If you are interested in understanding why conspiracy theories have become so prevalent, read a book titled Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time. It gives a serious explanation without a lot of academic mumbo-jumbo. It was written by Michael Shermer, the leading U.S. skeptic.

Ah, the Mossad! The monster under the bed of every antisemite in the world!

Antisemitism is the world's oldest and most long-lived conspiracy theory. Blaming Jews for everything from missing children and poisoned wells to 9/11 and world wars has been a common thread in almost every country in the world. The belief that Jews have undue influence and intend to "take over" the world was the most significant cause of the Holocaust and the resulting loss of six million lives. Some conspiracy theories are harmless, but antisemitism has caused huge amounts of suffering for Jews for not just centuries but millennia. All over the world, Jews are facing a renewed wave of hatred. People who scoff at other conspiracy theories embrace antisemitism and use it to justify discriminatory treatment of Jews. Individuals with mental problems also seem drawn to antisemitism. One shocking example: That's why all of use, Jews and non-Jews alike, need to shoot down antisemitic conspiracy theories whenever and wherever they show up. I get a fair amount of practice doing just that on the AN board, even though the Mods do an admirable job in removing blatant examples.

Before I answer your questions in detail, I do have to make a few points clear. Revoking a U.S. visa or Permanent Resident Card (green card) is an administrative procedure. Criminal charges or a conviction in a court trial are not required for a non-US citizen to lose their legal status in the U.S. This has been explained many times, but I'm happy to do it again. Studying, working, visiting or living in the U.S. are NOT constitutionally guaranteed rights for non-citizens; they are privileges extended by the U.S. government, basically at its whim. The U.S. government can at any time withdraw a non-citizen's privilege of remaining on U.S. soil for any reason it chooses. The U.S. isn't alone. This is a principle which most national governments follow regarding foreigners in their countries.. It's definitely true that a non-citizen with a valid U.S. visa or green card enjoys the same rights of free speech and assembly as a U.S. citizen. However, the moves to revoke the legal status of Mahmoud Khalil, Mohsen Mahdawi and a string of other pro-Hamas activists aren't the result of any words or actions protected by the First Amendment. The Hamactivists have, in the eyes of the Trump Administration, violated the terms under which they were granted permission to remain in the U.S. Their continued presence in the U.S. would be contrary to U.S. interests. OK, on to your two questions: No criminal charges have been filed so far against Mahdawi. Remember, criminal charges or a criminal conviction aren't necessary to revoke a green card. They aren't even part of the due process followed in revocation proceedings. According to The New York Times, Mahdawi "stands accused of undermining the U.S. foreign policy goal of halting antisemitism." The reasoning behind this accusation, which amounts to proof in this case, is described in the Times article. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/nyregion/rubio-mahdawi-deportation-letter.html Again, he isn't facing criminal charges, so their won't be a trial in a judicial court. Mahwadi will have the opportunity to contest the order for his removal from the U.S. in an immigration court before an immigration judge. Keep in mind immigration courts are NOT part of the Federal judicial system, but are administrative units of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is part of the Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/eoir The decision which the immigration judge will make isn't whether Mahwadi is guilty or innocent, Instead, the immigration judge will rule on whether the Secretary of State has presented sufficient evidence to justify Mahwadi's removal. In the recent case involving Mahmoud Khalil, the judge ruled the government had presented sufficient evidence and the deportation of Khalil could go ahead. In the Khalil case, this is the evidence Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25894225-dhs-documents-mahmoud-khalil/#document/p5. When Khalil was arrested in NYC, he was given a Notice to Appear which explained the decision to deport Khalil. https://clearinghouse.net/doc/156881/ Finally, the government gave a very detailed account of the case against Khalil in their response to a filing in Federal court by Khalil's lawyers for his immediate release and a stop to the deportation proceedings. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25866289-119122326097/ It's a lot of documents to wade through, but they clearly indicate the procedures in place to guarantee Khalil, Mahwadi and the other Hamactivists fair treatment and due process.

A bit of a late update to this thread: USAC Cultural Affairs commissioner resigns amid antisemitism allegations Undergraduate Students Association Council Cultural Affairs Commissioner Alicia Verdugo announced Tuesday that they will resign amid allegations of antisemitic discrimination. During the council’s Tuesday meeting, Verdugo said she would resign from her role – which she has held for nearly three years – over concerns for her personal safety. https://dailybruin.com/2025/02/05/usac-cultural-affairs-commissioner-resigns-amid-antisemitism-allegations Verdugo resigned so she wouldn't have to face a formal university hearing on the charges of antisemitism.

Has the nationality of the trounced tourist ever been confirmed? Is he indeed Russian?

The Hamas medics were shot while seated in vehicles, so it's likely they were hit in the head or upper body.

Israeli military rescue spaniel stolen by Hamas Billy the spaniel is reported to have run towards troops after hearing them speaking Hebrew - Instagram A Cavalier King Charles spaniel feared abducted by Hamas in the Oct 7 attacks has been rescued in Gaza 18 months later. The female dog, called Billy, is reported to have run towards Israeli troops operating in the southern city of Rafah after hearing them speaking Hebrew. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israeli-military-rescue-spaniel-stolen-by-hamas/ar-AA1D20ER?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=ff685f14520e485cebdb5b099300ddb0&ei=13 It's clear the IDF engages in humanitarian missions of the highest order! Yay, Billy!

You have it backwards. Fat women were seen as status symbols in some parts of Africa, Asia and Oceania. Even in Thailand! The video below was supposedly taken in a village on Phuket Island. AQOYjyxj-rY1dUQq9sYr0tDEBU3s5OeZpFzKIDUkOfc-DuGC8thUW6AaiMEQSGK81tqixObqhO3rmAq_qLRfJo9-.mp4

There are 1.1 million foreign students on visas in the U.S. In addition, there are tens of thousands who have remained illegally in the U.S. after their visas have expired. That's a hell of a lot of people for DHS and the State Dept. to keep track of their activities. Every day hundreds pf foreign students have their visas revoked for mundane stuff like flunking out of or quitting their courses as well as shoplifting, drunk driving and other traffic offenses. A smaller number get involved in more serious crimes like drug dealing, burglary, fraud, etc. Pro-Hamas activism has until recently fallen between the cracks because U.S. authorities relied on campus administrations to report illegal activities by foreign students. The admin at many universities sympathized with the Palestinian cause and failed to do so when it came to support of Hamas.

Broadly speaking, foreign citizens who are permitted to study in the U.S. are expected to obey the laws of the U.S. and the rules of the educational institution they attend. Violation of either can be grounds for loss of their visa. Remember, a student visa is a privilege, not a right, and revoking a visa is an administrative procedure that doesn't require a criminal trial or conviction. The State Department Web site on student visas includes a page called "Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws." It lists reasons for denying a student visa. Those same reasons can also result in failure to renew or revocation of an existing visa. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/waivers.html#visa Take a look at "Section 212{a} of the Immigration and Nationality Act," then "Criminal and related grounds" and "Security and related grounds." They give numerous examples of the types of activities forbidden to foreign students in the U.S. Again, for what seems like the hundredth time, it isn't a free speech issue. Mohsen Mahdawi, Mahmoud Khalil and other student activists have gone far beyond lawful protest. They have participated in encampments and occupation of buildings, which are illegal. Columbia Encampment Is Not Peaceful.mp4

Can you think of a better place for the homeland for the world's Jews? For about 1,500 years, Jews have been saying "Next year in Jerusalem" during the Passover celebration. A series of wars deprived Jews of their historic homeland, a decision by the United Nations returned it to them. What could (and did) go wrong was the hatred Muslims and Arabs have shown towards Jews for centuries.

Thank you. I hope his nationality can be confirmed.

Would it somehow give Israelis credibility if the Israeli government and IDF allowed Hamas terrorists to slaughter the citizens of the world's only Jewish majority state?

The best way to honor the memory of the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust is to support the state of Israel. A national homeland for the world's Jews behind secure borders is the best deterrent to a future attempt to wipe out Jews. None of us should be blind to the wave of antisemitism that is once again sweeping the world. The 7.4 million Jews in Israel are standing against many times that number of Arabs, Muslims and other antisemites who want to see them dead.

Latest update says the accused arsonist, Cody Balmer, harbored "hatred" for Shapiro, but doesn't go into details of why. I wonder if Balmer will say he is anti-Zionist but not antisemitic. Cody Balmer was "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro before setting fire at Governor's Residence, documents say ... When asked what he would've done if confronted by the governor while inside the residence, the complaint said Balmer stated he would've "beaten him with his hammer." ... Cody Balmer's mother says her son is "mentally ill" Christie Balmer told CBS News that her son is "mentally ill and he went off his medication" before the attack on the Governor's Residence and that she had tried to get her son "picked up" last week by four different police departments. According to Christie Balmer, she couldn't get anybody to help. https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/cody-balmer-governors-residence-fire-josh-shapiro-harrisburg/

The writer of an article in The Telegraph would seem to agree with the OP: How Thailand turned its back on its backpackers https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/most-successful-rebrand-history-thailand-110000726.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall It's unrealistic, not to mention selfish, for anyone to expect Thailand to stay frozen in time and mired in poverty so that Westerners can enjoy cheap vacations. The unofficial motto of the French Foreign Legion is "March or die." The motto for backpackers and sex tourists should be "Adapt or move on." The answer seems obvious to me. If you don't enjoy Thailand any longer because it's gotten too expensive, too commercialized or too Westernized, find a country that suits you better.