"Innocent"?? Really??

 So there continues to be a conflict between ideologies which seems to be not only growing in intensity, but becoming more starkly obvious about who is really "the bad guys".  One specific point in this battle is the so-called concern for "innocent palestinians" as Israel seeks to root out and destroy those who seek to destroy them.  I have no problem making clear which party I support in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the pallies.  That would be Israel.  In the same way, I have no problem making clear whose civilians I'm more concerned are defended.  Those would be the civilians of Israel.  On top of that, I make no bones about whose civilians can legitimately be referred to as "innocent" in this whole thing.  That, too, would be the Israeli citizens. 

Those moronic modern progressives would tell you that the IDF is responsible for the deaths of thousands of "innocent" pallie civilians...the elderly, women and children.  Yeah...that's regrettable, but are the pallies ever "innocent".  Are they "innocent" because they haven't personally picked up a weapon and fired upon Israeli civilians or soldier?  I don't think so, and that's especially untrue in this case given the unique "culture" in which they live.  They preach death to Israel and teach death to Israel to all their people.  They celebrate the deaths of Israeli citizens and this latest rampage of murder on Oct 7 presents us with more evidence of what an "innocent" pallie looks like:

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2023/11/taking_pride_in_murder.html

Note that the data comes, as the article says it, from "a poll of Palestinian Arabs by Palestinian Arabs".  A commenter suggested the numbers might indicate fear on the part of respondents should they NOT register support for the murder of Israelis.  I guess that's a possibility, but given the history of the last 75 years or more, that they put Hamas in power in Gaza and the PLO in the West Bank and other jihadi groups exist in both along side them, one would have to be a complete head-in-the-sand (or up the ass), willfully blind apologist for the cause to believe it's not close to accurate.  Also notable is how the polling data supports the premise that the only way to make a real difference in their attitudes is through overwhelming and unrelenting force.  Not all of them are down with being "holy martyrs".  For some, self-preservation is important.  But it sadly seems there aren't enough of those.  Yet that doesn't make them "innocent" because support for killing Jews is still there until they actually step up and act in opposition to it.  Who there is doing that?

But there's more.  This piece gives a little history lesson, but more importantly, it speaks to how even arab nations want nothing to do with pallies.  Why would that be if they're so "innocent"?

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2023/11/why_palestine_fails.html

Here's another which references the arab world's abhorrence of these "innocent" people, as they won't even take in pallie refugees:

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2023/11/a_real_solution_in_the_gaza_strip.html

And more about the "innocents":

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/arabs_in_the_west_bank_and_gaza_have_hideous_values_regarding_hamas_and_israel.html

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/wapo_errs_on_palestinian_intentions.html

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/poll_shows_that_75_of_palestinians_support_the_october_7_terror_attack.html

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/children_as_young_as_ten_participated_on_the_october_7_attack_in_israel.html

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/understanding_the_hamas_death_cult_and_the_concept_of_a_just_and_necessary_war.html

That'll have to do because when the rubber meets the road, the morons on the left (I'm looking at YOU, Dan) refuse to believe the truth.  There are scant few truly "innocent" pallies.  They largely are infants and toddlers too young to understand what goes on around them, but soon to be taught to join in the fun.  

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But it doesn't end there.  No.  Our very own modern progressive moron, Dan, rails on about how Gazans "aren't my side".  Yes they are.  They are indeed the extreme of what Dan and his ilk are.  Their twisted notions of identity politics is simply a lesser manifestation of the evil of Gazan hatred for others.  While they whine about how they're being treated after perpetrating evil...another parallel...while they chastise anyone for not being as concerned about the lives of babies in Gaza, they support abortion and any politician who will work to keep it accessible for men and women with no soul.

Dan speaks against intentionally targeting innocent babies, yet what is abortion but the intentional targeting of innocent human beings of the most vulnerable and innocent kind?  Dan's just that much more contemptible for criticizing actual Christians for not regarding Scriptural accounts of God mandating the annihilation of entire cities He regards as so corrupt as to be deserving of it, including everyone who lives there, as an atrocity and if true, an example of God doing evil and promoting sinful behavior.  Dan assigns to God evil intent, while hypocritically being complicit in the slaughter of millions of unborn.  Who's worse?  Those like Dan, or Hamas?  Dan's claims to be a Christian, so it's clear to me that Dan is worse. 

Turkey Day Reflections...Kinda

 It's now 12:53 in the AM after Thanksgiving 2023.  I've so much for which I am deeply thankful, among the most notable being the fine woman asleep down the hall.  Sure my wife would be pissed to know that, but...just joking.  I meant my wife.  Love her to death.  Kids found a pic of us from another lifetime and texted it to me.  Good gosh, what a hot babe my wife was back then.  No wonder I was so smitten.  Still am, cuz she still is!  But a good wife to boot.  There's also the kids who sent the pic (which I already have, actually, in my office).  They're great young women, of whom I could not be more proud.  Now all married and to non-objectionable dudes who seem genuinely devoted to my girls.  Definitely grateful for that.  

The wife and I are still alone together in a foreign land...South Carolina...and loving it.  This is one of the days that, for me, family gatherings are most important, Christmas being the other.  Last year, we spent Thanksgiving apart from the rest, and I spent Christmas with the cat while my love was back home.  This year we'll be driving up for Christmas and for that I'm grateful.  After Jan 1, I'll reassess this retirement thing and determine my direction.  Without my wages our savings is still growing after certain cutbacks in non-esssentials.  More gratitude, but a bit more while I'm physically able to acquire it would be helpful. After all, she's still working for another, maybe, two years.  We'll see. 

I've lost someone recently.  My younger sister passed away almost three weeks ago now, after dealing with cancer for the last forty years.  I'm still coming to terms with it.  She's lived near Los Angeles for around 25 of those years, and I've only had one opportunity to go out to see her world.  Though it isn't like we didn't see each other at least once a year or so...maybe a bit less...I have to admit there has been a bit of a "losing touch" aspect which might have lessened my grief...as if a peripheral friend passed.  Saddens one deeply but not as deeply as if it was the best friend one sees all the time.  I don't know.  That's just kinda how I'd describe it.  But then I look at her pictures I've put up in my office and it'll hit me again.  More than with most other people I know we knew this was coming for most of that forty years.  Now it's come.  Here's where I'm grateful.  Her trials with this fucking disease has come to an end.  She either had or had built up a tolerance for all the pain and discomforts and inconveniences associated with her illness.  When it was determined nothing more could be done for her, the end was like bankruptcy...a little at a time then all at once.  I'm grateful for that.

Her last few weeks were, by her husband's description, a series of days with noticeable degradation.  Each day she was visibly weaker.  I did have an opportunity to talk with her over the phone about a week after she entered the hospice protocols.  She was resigned.  There was a point where she responded to something I said in a matter of fact way, "I'm dying", as one might say, "I'm older".   I chuckled because it reminded me of Dick York.  Some many know of a radio guy named Jonathan Brandmeier, who was out of Chicago for quite a while and he somehow became acquainted with York and would call him now and then.  York was in bad shape, living mostly in bed, but started a charity provided sleeping bags for the homeless.  Anyway, Johnny B (as he was often called) would ring him up and when York answered, Johnny would naturally ask him how he's doing.  York would always respond, "Well, I'm dying, Johnny."  She laughed, getting it.  We had a nice conversation, and that's the last one I had with her.  I'm grateful I had the opportunity.  

My other sister, with her daughter, flew out to see her and got to spend time with her.  My older brother, with his son, was able to fly out for the funeral.  I'm grateful for that, but sad I could do neither.  My brother-in-law called me Wednesday and we talked for a good hour about how everyone was doing because he was concerned about how I was doing.  It was a good talk and I'm grateful for him being my sister's husband.  Both my sisters are goofy is similar ways, and this one can be completely off the wall.  I'd often lean over and say to him, "you poor bastard" and he'd laugh, because Sis is such a goof.  

Anyway, her time came and she slipped away without any great pain, without any coma or that kinda shit.  Just peacefully with her family by her side.   I'm most grateful for that.  I'm incredibly grateful to know she looked forward to God's welcome and I trust He provided, and of course I'm grateful for that.  

It ain't over.  While all this has been happening, my mother-in-law has been losing her shit.  About the time my sister was diagnosed as beyond hope, Mom was showing significant signs of mental decline.  She's been getting worse almost daily, such that she is now in a facility to determine what medications she should be on to keep her from having maniacal episodes and what her dosage should be.  Only her son, who has power of attorney, is allowed to see her for no more than two hours on two specific days.  While this process goes on, they prefer no outside visitors at all in order to get her to a somewhat normal keel.  This after a couple months of making living arrangements which had to be put on hold or halted because the place couldn't handle her.  Did she need assisted living?  No,   She's worse than that.  How about memory care?  They said they can handle the episodes as described.  No, Wait.  They really can't handle her.  Now what?  Oh!  She fell again and they sent her to the hospital again!  Now it's back to rehab.  She's out in the hall screaming!  Now she thinks someone's trying to kill her!

It's thought she had a min-stroke, after which or before which she fell and smacked her head on the pavement outside her doctor's office, and because that's not enough, she also had a uterine tract infection which, in old women, can cause dementia.  Well, at this point it's pretty clear that some feature specializing in dementia is where she needs to be.  She seems to be deteriorating rapidly and her son and daughter with her.  My wife has flown back home three or four times now.  Needless to say our flyer miles are depleted.  So this current situation, the facility Mom is in. is providing a bit of a respite for both the wife and her brother.  I can't help be grateful for that.  

We really don't think she'll be around much longer regardless of where she ends up.  We feel guilty about being grateful for that if it come to it, but it seems indeed to be the best outcome at this point.  She's confused about everything, and we're wondering how much longer before she no longer recognizes her own two kids.  She's already confusing their names, more than mothers do when their kids are acting like little assholes.  Indeed, she sometimes thinks her son is her husband who's been dead for twenty-five years.  She was wondering why no one told her.  It's incredibly sad

So.  I listed a few nice things about which I'm grateful.  Then I presented two sad things which in their own way provides reasons for giving thanks.  And I must give thanks for God allows us our troubles so as to provide opportunities to be a reflection of Him...to accept our struggles with grace and patience and the knowledge He has our backs, as it were.  My wife and I talk about this and aren't keen to endure it, but have every intention of pleasing Him in how we address it all.  I'm grateful for the opportunity.  I'm grateful for God.  He'll get us through it and then on through the next trial, too.

NOTE TO VISITORS:

After further reflection, I want to say that I didn't write this post to draw sympathies, but as a cathartic exercise.  It's not even a complete list of the crap we've endured in the last few months...just the worst of it.  I'm considering deleting it altogether.  The main point is that I remain grateful and have so much about which I'm thankful to He Who has provided and sustains.  

Leftist Shamefulness: "Innocent Palestinian Civilians" and Other Sundry Examples of The Religion Of Peace Edition

 https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/leftists_are_shocked_that_neonazis_are_sullying_their_antisemitism.html

Just read the article and watch the videos.  Given the first two, it's incomprehensible any westerner...particularly an American...could ever support the pallies or dare play the moral equivalency game.  

The modern progressive is the demise of our once great nation.  They're worse than those they support because of their support.  Stupid people (mostly just intellectually lazy) are manifestations of true evil by their stupidity.  The harm they are causing is beyond measure.

Leftist Shamefulness: Nitwit Edition

 To the modern leftist, one whose life is threatened must die if the attempt to save one's life might result in collateral damage.  The current war between Israel and Hamas is just such a situation.  We know with certainty that Hamas (but actually all muslim jihadists and Jew-haters) are more than willing to sacrifice the civilians over whom they oppress in order to murder as many Jews as possible, with the hope of murdering them all.  This is a plain and unassailable fact.  Indeed, as Craig has informed us in his post of Nov 1, they admit they're so willing.  

To that end, they purposely stock weaponry in their hospitals, schools and mosques.  They launch their rockets at Israel from within their towns and cities...that is, civilian areas...as opposed to separate military sites apart from their civilian populations.  The intent is to force Israel to decide between suffering constant attacks of all sorts or by responding militarily to risk killing or injuring pallie civilians and civilian buildings.  Naturally, the consequences are clear regardless.  Either Israel allows themselves to be murdered, or they defend themselves and bring down upon themselves the lamentations and condemnation of the pallies and the stupid...meaning, the modern progressive.  

We can dispense with the pallies and focus on the stupid.  On the basis for Jew-hating "experts", we're to believe that there's some kind of parallel between the pallies and the Jews.  That's a lie, of course, but the stupid...being stupid and not a little dishonest...pretend otherwise.  Yet, they can produce no example to support the charge.  It's a completely one-way situation.  All the evil, all the murder, all the targeting of civilians, is coming from the pallies and imposed upon the state of Israel and its people.  I again point to Golda Meir who affirmed the fact that there won't be peace between the pallies and Israel while the pallies hate Jews more than they love their own children.  If the pallies put down their weapons, then peace will finally come between them.  If the Jews put down theirs, the pallies will slaughter the Jews out of existence.  This isn't the least bit debatable, and any modern progressive who attempts to argue against this fact is a straight up, willful liar.  

So the stupid...that is the modern progressive---especially the Louisville fake Christian variety....asserts that the defense of the Jewish people against these hide-behind-their-own-baby attacks upon them must never be achieved.  How can it if civilians...including non-combatant women and children...are killed in the process?  These morons insist that killing civilians is wrong.  But if civilians die because they're put in place to die should any military response take place, that means the end of Israel.  Only a butt-stupid moron could possibly pretend there's any way for Israel to finally escape the existence they've been forced to endure since 1948.  

As we know, Israel...its IDF...take great pains to avoid collateral damage, putting themselves at great risk in the process.  We also know that there are reports Hamas denies their civilians the opportunity to leave...because they're cowards who need them as shields in order to continue murdering Jews.  At what point does a people fight against their own who oppress them in this way (the pallies being the real oppressors of the pallies, after all)?  Are they all so desirous of Israel's destruction that they won't take the risk of opposing Hamas?  Are they so unconcerned with the lives of their own families that they are willing to risk getting killed by an Israeli response?  It seems they're dead either way, so why not attack Hamas if they're opposed to the murder of Jews?  I don't see how anyone can argue against this fact:  Jew hatred is pallie culture.  Wiping Jews off the face of the earth is their main goal.  While it's also true islam seeks to convert the world to islam, I don't believe that's as important to them as murdering Jews.  

In any case, the question then is:  Is it really wrong to concern themselves with collateral damage in the quest to rid themselves of Hamas once and for all?  The answer is:  No.  Not at all.  Multiple warnings are always given prior to any major offensive.  If they can't get out, Israel simply can't survive by concerning themselves with their lives.  Again, their lives aren't threatened if their own people aren't threatening Jewish lives.  It's that simple.

The worst part is that it doesn't matter.  If Israel takes pains to avoid civilian casualties, any casualties suffered will be publicized as Israeli oppression.  The modern progressive will parrot that lie all day long from that point on.  It's been the case forever and the modern progressive is much more the liar than ever before.  Their lack of moral understanding...indeed, they pretend at morality as opposed to actually abiding it...and their great concern for the favor of the world will always compel them to insult the Israeli people as the aggressors and oppressors.  Regardless of how Israel goes about defending their own lives, the pallies and their leftist supporters will always blame any pallie deaths on Israel.  That makes them worse scum than Hamas and the people who put them in control and allow them to remain there.  But we knew that. 

The bottom line here is that to avoid harm, harm will be suffered.  The modern progressive nitwit is fine with that.

A final note or two:

I've taken some heat for referring to the pallies as animals.  I'm scolded for doing so as they are formed in the image and likeness of God and thus have intrinsic value.  I say again, that's wholly irrelevant here.  All that matters is that the Jews are under constant attack by those to whom I refer as animals.  They're animals because of their willful behavior which is blatantly evil.  If they choose to act like animals, then animals is how they should be treated and we treat savage, rabid animals one way.  Again, it's their culture and I'm not the least bit concerned with how many of their people die in response to the behavior of their "leaders", who can't exist without some form of acquiescence of the people.  Would those who so scold me put up with that shit from our government?  Dan likely would, but would the conservatives?  I speak of these people and this situation from a position based on fact.  75 years of this crap.  Attempt after attempt to make peace has failed miserably and these bastards still regard the elimination of Israel as Job One. 

I don't know how many of the pallies are secretly opposed to this behavior and attitude toward the Jews.  I'm sure it dangerous to speak out against it.  Too bad. 

Should Israel succeed at wiping out Hamas...and I don't know how they could confirm they are indeed totally wiped out given they don't feel the need to identify themselves when not convenient to do so...what then?  Will there be peace?   Are you freakin' crazy?  Prior to the formation of Hamas there was Fatah and before that the PLO.  There's also Hezb'allah, Boko Haram, the Taliban and various and sundry other murderous groups of assholes all with the same basic goals and insane desire to achieve them.  It won't be over even if Hamas is.

Leftist Shamefulness: Diversity Is Our Undoing Edition

 I don't normal do things this way, but the following link pretty says all which need be said, with one exception:  I don't think only foreigners act as those in the first clip.  I'm quite certain there are some of our own who act in this manner.  I can see kids doing this type of thing quite a bit.  The encouragement of parental units is contemptible and I wouldn't be opposed to something like this being enough to send them packing back to their nation of origin.  How we should deal with our own is a different matter. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/11/two_separate_halloween_incidents_captured_by_doorbell_cameras_display_a_stark_contrast_between_cultures.html

Where I live now, there exists a little issue which confounds me.  Without getting into the details...because it isn't a dire situation...it relates to the linked piece in this way:  How can something so obvious be abused so easily.  How could anyone not a child believe that it's OK to do something so obviously wrong?  Really?  Those adults actually think it's OK to take ALL the candy, as if they hit the jackpot before anyone else came upon it?  No.  Those adults are assholes who are teaching their kids assholery.  They will grow up to be assholes, too, unless someone not related strikes a chord in them they cannot ignore.  

When I'm out and about, I seek to act in a manner which will align with Christian teaching...that others will know me by my actions.  I'm not perfect at it, but I think I do OK for the most part.  I would not stuff all the candy in my kids' bags.  If I had any doubt at all, I would ask.  If I can't get an answer, I err on the side of personal sacrifice, not wanting to be a burden on others.  That's my plan.

Anyway, as to the video, one wonders how common that attitude is among those of the nation from which those people originated.  I know from my work driving trucks, drivers from other countries do NOT behave as I and most American drivers I've known act.  The things they do made me wonder if "common courtesy" was common whence they came.  I didn't see similar behaviors out of American drivers I felt left a bit to be desired.  

So let's assume we confront such people about their behaviors, assuming their culture is as crappy as their behavior suggests, and seek to enlighten them as to how things are done here.  Well, knowing how so many fellow Americans bristle at being corrected when busted for acting badly, we also have a language barrier to overcome with the foreigners.  If this is how they are, they've not "strengthened" us in the least.  We already have assholes in this country.  We need no more.  

Among the assholes we already have are those who think we have some obligation to allow anyone to enter our country.  We don't.  But those who immigrate here have an obligation to be the best people they can be because it's someone else's house.  One is expected to be one's best behavior in the house of another.  And that means, even if those foreigners saw an American pillaging a bowl of candy, they should not.  If they behave better than us, then their presence does indeed strengthen us by virtue of their presence adding to the number/percentage of good people.  Otherwise, they're not of any benefit at all and doesn't strengthen us in any way.