Morch

@thaibeachlovers And this coming from a Trump supporter.....

Biden aide: Israel taking steps to protect civilians that even US might not have done https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/biden-aide-israel-taking-steps-to-protect-civilians-that-even-us-might-not-have-done/ I think this was mentioned several times on past topics. War is ugly, and while there are 'rules' most armies don't really bother that much. Relative to that, while not reaching the impossible bar, Israel's actions aren't the worst, as some here try to paint.

@thaibeachlovers Hamas leader called Gazan casualties 'necessary sacrifices for the cause'. He seemed to justify the death. Them kids weren't dead on the morning of 7/10. They would have been alive now if Hamas did not choose to attack and sacrifice them.

@thaibeachlovers No one is claiming that bombs are dropped by Hamas. Though, the failed rockets that do kill Gazan may qualify. The point made, and which I doubt you did not understand is that the bombs drop on Gaza for a reason, and as a response to the Hamas attack.

Was raining the last couple of nights or so, from pictures and news reports. Again, maybe not a big deal indoors - different with no proper shelter.

Thanks. I figure it's something like that - but since she doesn't do any E banking, or orders things online via smartphone, it wasn't a priority. Will look into it. Checked mine to make sure, and I'm good. What surprised me was not so much the information 'leak', but the level at which it was available. Some 'call center' investing in bulk buying information and going fishing, that's easy to understand. But the guy who called sounded like an actual small business owner - didn't have much sales skills either, and the location/distance didn't make sense. Mostly the scammers just hand up when seriously challenged/questioned.

Add rain, no shelter, many not having blankets, tents or even warm clothes. Toss in a whole lot of kids. It's not 'winter' in American standards, but its bad enough.

All them dead Gazans were alive on the morning of 7/10. Bizarre...

Mrs. Morch got a call on her smartphone the other day. Some unknown, unidentified man offering her to install gutters at house. Taken aback, she asked him several times what he's on about and who referred him to her. Guy dodges questions, keeps touting product and service. When finally pressed (didn't give the 'call center' scam feeling, or maybe was very new to this) he says he got the information 'from Google', his business is in a nearby province (not near enough to make sense hiring), and when she claimed this was a rental he had not idea. So, we did actually discuss installing gutters, maybe had the odd online search now and then, but nothing recent and didn't reach out to any contractors. Mrs. Morch's smartphone routinely pushes advertisements for stuff she talks about. More like a keyword thing. The part that baffles me is not so much the information leak (if that's what it was), but where it got to and how it was put to use. Ideas? Thoughts?

Slogans and catchphrases are great. 'We all know' - when what's actually evident from these topics is that people have different takes on things. '18,000' - a figure which includes Hamas men, naturally occurring deaths, and those hit by misfired Palestinian rockets. Not to mention they'd be alive if not for the Hamas 7/10 attack 'two nuclear bombs' - sure, only that those dropped on Japan resulted in a death toll estimated at 120,000-220,000. Compared with the 18,000 figure....

As far as I recall, increase in West Bank support for Hamas during fighting was always a thing. I don't know that it persists that long afterwards, though. Whether this time is different, time will tell. The missing bit is to contrast this trend with positions and views of Gazans. It's all very well to support Hamas when one doesn't live daily under it's rule, and while not paying the price for Hamas actions. Regarding the 'unification' nonsense - that's what it is. After 7/10 it is unlikely Israel will be expected to accept a Palestinian government incorporating Hamas. Considering neither the West Bank nor the Gaza Strip could be effectively ruled without Israel's cooperation, that's going nowhere - at least in the form currently suggested. And besides, since they go on and on about it for well over a decade without getting anywhere, hard to see what changed. Unless Abbas croaks or steps down, all them politicians will talk the talk but hedge and prepare for that 'day after'. Most senior Fatah leaders would be weary of trusting Hamas to share. Such a move will almost certainly effect finances as well - Israel would have a stronger case withholding tax monies, international donations would shrink, and international financial transactions could be challenged and disrupted on any number of counts. It's not like all of this didn't happen before - so I'm pretty confident most of what we're seeing now is just political posturing. In the same way, don't know that Hamas political wing will benefit either, as suggested on the article. Maybe in terms of power struggles within Hamas, or vs. the Fatah. But internationally, and given statements made during the fighting? Maybe among countries and governments supporting them already, much less so elsewhere, never mind the West. I think it may even come to Qatar politely asking them to find a new place to stay, at some point. While I do get the emotional component of the sentiment described in the OP, there is little future in it. The way Palestinian 'resistance' is carried out is counterproductive, often playing to Israel's hands. Prospects of the Palestinian taking more effective modes of resistance are low - or at least nothing to indicate such a shift. In that regard, they keep making the same choices and mistakes they have for decades.

There's at least one ongoing topic dedicated for that already. As for 'throwing under the bus', I suggest you read the full transcript, nothing of the sort. I get it that you feel you need to do your bit for the election campaign, though.

How about you actually address points made in response to your post, rather than move the goal posts or cherry pick?

I don't think Christopher Lambert would do such a think, would he?

What are you going on about? Criticism of Syria is very much a thing in Lebanon. Some of the political factions and parties were essentially about resistance to Syria's control (and later, meddling) in Lebanon's affairs. Depending on publication, this is quite mainstream. Same goes for being critical of the Lebanese government. Everyone's at it. When it comes to Hezbollah, people are generally more careful. Again, you can put the guy on a pedestal, that's your choice. My take is different. Still doesn't change the other stuff mentioned, and which you're reluctant to address.

Guess everything needs spelling out with some posters. Let's go. I did not imply that he is some super hater or anything, but that the position he writes from is not a favorable one. Whether one wishes to attribute this to his own sentiments, or to the effect and realities of his where he lives and works - that's of lesser importance. There are two main ways such connections play out. Either the freelancer gets the story and via direct contact, industry friends or an agent, touts it to the news paper. The other way is that the newspaper gets a lead and lacking someone in place, hire the freelancer (again, through whichever means). The 'vetting', in my experience, can be anything: a google search, the word of someone trusted, an agent whom the newspaper works with and trusts, an interview and so on. It rarely goes beyond that, unless it's a seriously heavy duty story. There's some etiquette and politics involved when choosing someone who works for other publications, either as a regular or freelancer. The short version - it's not on par with a serious job interview, most times. I think the WP is/was aware that there are some issues involved, hence some of the qualifying ways the story was presented in. As stories go, it's a good one, if it can be nailed. If not, there will be some backlash. So decisions would be a balance between the two. Again, pretty routine. The way the present it leaves enough room for corrections if such are required, and I guess they were expecting (probably correctly) that there won't be a direct challenge - not in the IDF and Israel's interests to do so. Yeah, and while you think you've got something with the Hezbollah bit - you don't. Hezbollah is criticized on venues associated (or leaning toward) with political rivals, and of course those outside of the country. In this context, what you have is akin to ticking a box, no more. Relative to his output its not much.

Should have known how? I did not reference all his reporting, but specifically those pieces "on related issues". As in the issues we're discussing now. You can suspect what you like and put the guy on the pedestal, guess we have a different view on his articles. I did not say 'despite' by the way, that's your own addition. You are aware that the he is/was working freelance for other venues, right? Guess I should not expect you to address anything else.

@rabas's post was made in response to @ozimoron's 100% support comment.

Did @Wobblybob make a point about his position involving condemnation of both sides? I don't think so.

Guess you missed @ozimoron's claims about 100% support for the Hamas.....

Less support for Hamas does not imply more enthusiasm toward Israel. People are perfectly able to have negative feelings (of different sorts, even) vs. multiple targets, issues, people and so on. This is not so much about hearts and minds, I think.

I take it you have much experience working with international press? And, as pointed out two times by now, you keep ignoring everything else mentioned in my post.

He responded to my posts several times today.... I think it's kinda lame putting someone on ignore, then posting about wishing you could see their posts, or asking a third party to quote it so you can.

Watch: Reservists help lost Gazan child who fell asleep in IDF encampment https://www.timesofisrael.com/watch-reservists-help-lost-gazan-child-who-fell-asleep-in-idf-encampment/ (clip in link, scroll down) Guess every war got such moments. Being a reserve unit, some of them would be dads. And that handover scene - soldiers obviously worried about an ambush, Gazan driver also stressed about being shot.

@thaibeachlovers Interesting. You don't seem to have such reservation when yourself and others bring up whatever issue not strictly on topics, so long as it supports the general thrust of your agenda.