simple1

No I was not acting as an apologist for Hamas terrorism, but expressing an opinion on the return of the 'wrong body' adding that, to me, it made no sense whatsoever given the highly likely reaction of the Israelis as it's apparent that at this time Hamas has no wish to return to war Now Israel has delayed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, hardly likely to go down well with the Palestinian populations support for Hamas. If GAZA were able to have open and free polling,(not going to happen as Gaza is rules at gunpoint) bet HAMAS would have an extremely negative rating. If you cannot handle opinions which differ to yours, obviously you're not suitable for forum discussions.

I have never acted as an apologist for terror, just trying to understand what went on as it made no sense to provoke the Israelis given they are about to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Get a life, not a terror apologist, just airing thoughts as personally cannot understand the advantage of returning the incorrect deceased. How you going with the twists and turns of trump's pronouncements? Must be annoying having to constantly change your tune to keep up with his change of messaging with Israel.

e.g. “Zelenskyy talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won. … The United States has spent $200 Billion Dollars more than Europe.” Trump’s numbers, as usual, are wrong. The United States has appropriated just over $174 billion, the Congressional Research Service said in a report issued last month. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which tracks support for Ukraine, says the United States and the European Union have provided roughly the same amount of military aid, while the Europeans have provided far more nonmilitary aid than the United States — $73 billion versus $52 billion. https://www.factcheck.org/2025/02/trumps-false-and-misleading-ukraine-claims/

Israel has previously used DNA testing for returned bodies. Hamas would have known Israel would carry out the same procedure this time round as they did with the killed children. It really does come across an an unfortunate mistake as Hamas would know doing so deliberately would create a huge upset with the returnee process and very likely an early return to war.

If that is the case why does trump keep telling blatant lies undermining his negotiators, he should keep his mouth shut during his team's negotiations. Seems some MAGA supporters have forgotten Russia is at war with Ukraine attacking civilians every day. Accordingly how could Ukraine run a safe election during a time of war? Plus it is crazy for trump to claim Ukraine commenced open warfare on Russian. Russian has been attacking Ukraine in one form or another since 2014 with over 10,000 deaths prior to Russia's invasion in 02/2022. trump is going to severely erode America's creditability and trust on the international stage - not a good look.

The national debt is expected to increase by roughly $20 trillion within the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Trump, meanwhile, is commanding lawmakers to make massive tax cuts for the nation’s wealthiest households. House Republicans are proposing a budget blueprint that would add $4.5 trillion in new deficits through tax cuts, with an additional $2 trillion in cuts to “mandatory” spending that covers programs like Medicare, Medicaid and food assistance. Trump official calls Social Security ‘wrong’ as administration lays groundwork for massive cuts

Ukraine, as permitted by their law , are under Martial Law during a time of war. trump just being his uniformed big mouth and using Putin's talking points in a an attempt to undermine Zelenskyy. Tillerson put it best "he's a moron"

Unfortunately it is trump undermining Ukrainian democracy with his despicable lies. As you well know Ukraine is currently under Martial Law for obvious security concerns. Following is a quote from a recent address to the Ukrainian people: I Count on Ukrainian Unity, on Ukrainian Courage, on Our Relations with Partners, on European Unity, and on America’s Pragmatism – Address by the President https://www.president.gov.ua/en

Currently live in Australia

For the moment, IMO, no one stands out

Just to remind you one's nationality does not preclude anyone from postings in any topic

Personally I think an error rate of below 1%, if correct, given the number of transactions is no so bad. Plus I find it challenging all down to Musk and co to identify within a few weeks somewhat unbelievable. I'm 100% sure if the Dems had released such a report MAGA world would explode with conspiracy stuff.

At what income level is tax started to apply, and tax minimisation for having to support children and so on. trump , through his tax lawyers is obviously expert at tax minimisation - $750 a year - lol

Not so bad given it's only 0.84% of all payments. Though I query how Musk was able to identify the "improper payments" within a matter of weeks. More likely the overpayments were already identified. What's missing is legal action taken to recoup monies and how much recovered.

NATO member contributions are mutually agreed. No NATO countries owe money to the USA, NATO's official statement regards member countries contributions is below. It has been covered in a number of articles; trump does not understand NATO financials. Defence expenditure is defined by NATO as payments made by a national government (excluding regional, local and municipal authorities) specifically to meet the needs of its armed forces, those of Allies or of the Alliance. For the purposes of this definition, the needs of the Alliance are considered to consist of NATO common funding and NATO-managed trust funds. The list of eligible NATO trust funds is approved by all Allies. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49198.htm It's hardly a spell check error as I spell 'trump' multiple time in posts. I guess you're somewhat gormless. However, enough of this as descending into bickering.

The aggregate number for NATO members was achieved in 2024,, stop being a pain in the neck. personal comment I have zero respect for trump, nor for his MAGA followers. trump constantly attempts to insult, sneer etc etc at people he dislikes, including Gold Star family members, never seen you whining about his behaviour.

Not dishonest, quoting from article that highlights overall contribution from NATO countries in 2024. Prior trump Administration was "dishonest' by ignoring / misrepresenting prior agreement.

Sorry to read your comment, should take it up with Mod/s. I get insulted by MAGA followers nearly every day, as do most who disagree with them...

NATO negotiated with USA in 2014 to reach 2% of GDP contribution by 2024. Overall across all NATO European countries the goal was reached. When trump was last in power he attempted to overturn the existing agreement as is common with him. For the current US Administration to demand a 5% p.a. contribution from NATO members without any negotiations is ridiculous. Especially so as senior members of the US Administration are now busily making insulting commentary at fellow NATO members. GOP Senators may well have surrendered to trump's insults and bullying, but one hopes other NATO members act in a more mature manner to reach a mutually agreeable outcome. In total, NATO countries now meet the 2 percent target, together spending 2.71 percent of their GDP on defense. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/econographics/whos-at-2-percent-look-how-nato-allies-have-increased-their-defense-spending-since-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/#:~:text=In total%2C NATO countries now,of their GDP on defense.

Not on this platform. Even so doesn't justify personal insults

Care to clarify?

Insults deleted. Long past due to cease personal vulgar commentary, though as a MAGA follower sadly can be expected

Incorrect, Allies do not equate to equality, but support for each other in times of conflict and peace. To denigrate the losses Australia has underdone during warfare fighting alongside the US is a deep insult. Australian forces have been held in high regard by both British and US commanders, It appears you have taken up the trump propaganda line. IMO the US will eventually regret supporting trump's isolationist policy trends and bullying tactics. It's now very clear trump and Co cannot be trusted; it will be very interesting to observe the status of the US domestically and in the international arena by the end of trump's term.

MAGA continually striving to block check and balances... Donald Trump’s administration is asking the Supreme Court for permission to fire an ethics chief as the president and Elon Musk move quickly to gut the federal workforce, including agency officials and watchdogs. Trump asks Supreme Court to fire ethics chief as mass purge runs into legal roadblocks