Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Michael Kelly

This may seem elementary or not necessary or to be ignored, but in finding out the Truth one  often needs to find out Answers for themselves.

Tonight I asked Google if "there is a provision in the Palestinian Constitution that calls for the Eradication of the Jewish State of Israel?"

The answer was "The charter states that "our struggle against the Jews is very great and serious" and calls fof the eventual creation of an Islamic state in Palestine, in place of Israel and Palestine, in place of Israel and the Palestinian territories, and the obliteration or dissolution of Israel!'

There you have it fron the hyena's mouth, and if you can somehow ignore this SET OF FACTS, THEN I FIND YOU INDESCRIBABLE. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!

Michael Kelly

It sounds as if President  Biden weht to chuck Israel under the chin, and say "Stuff upper Lip old Chap" and at the same time patted Hamas on the head and said 'Poor Dears now hear now Don't Despair"  What buffoonery we might as well have sent Kamala so she could Cackle, talk about yellow School Buses, and Venn Diagrams, and improve Racing Relations world wide, no races between Dromedary and Bactrian Camels. President Biden is going to pitch for 100 Million or ist  is Billion for the Table Cloth Brigade and give the Israelis money only if it is used to build Gaza Hospitals. 

Are we glad that we don't have a Majority Leader in Congress yet, or what. Otherwise Biden would give more of our national Tresury away while making Americans pay their own way to fly back from Israel.

Oh yeah, and is the Administration going to treat the Hamasian's who invaded the Capital Building  today the same as they did the alleged Trump supporters over two years ago? Will Rashida Tlaib anti-Semitic Congresswoman be Censored for her inflammatory Lies today as they did Donald J. Trump when he told his supporters to go to the Capital and peacefully protest the Election. 

We are up against a battery of people who prefer the Lie  over the Truth.

Dennis Moran

I have taken many rides on the short yellow bus and found the people on board seem to know so much more than the credit given to them.  I think of politics on a pain and pleasure field; but lately the pain is winning out.  I fear; to let Hamas get away and stay alive is like having a trafic cop outside of Ann Franks' house telling the gestapo how to get too her.  I find myself feeling like the door gunner in Full Metal Jacket speaking of Hamas out in the fields.  And seeing the brash demonstrations for Hamas makes me want to ask for more amunition with a sign for free helocopter rides available.  I have felt a close relationship to Jews for most of my life.  I was blessed having a mentor (if you ever went into Simon drugs on the corner of Campbell and 24th street and met and knew Mr. Simon; he was a holocast survivor) who helped me many a time with kindness, advice and words to live by.  Seeing fraternity brothers (Alph Epsilon Pi) who left school to fight in the 7 day war in 1969 and feeling sympathetic knowing it was the only way Israel would survive. Funny im not Jewish just a simple Irish Catholic.  The Irish put up with hatred in our homeland and in our new country but still we worked through it. But the jews aren't allowed to work through it; they are not  the evil cartoon characted the Nazis plastered up on walls. 

My past statement (11214) of bombing every square inch of the Gaza Strip still stands and to the Iranian groups i look forward to many new parking lots being contructed..  Since we can't pump our own oil then we will take theirs.  Ooops I mean ours.

I don't want to attack President Biden so I won't. Criticise is easy when no help is given in the Congress and for that matter Senate. He is in charge and tho I don't agree with a simple DON'T I support never again and you were given the chance to live among others and rejected it then so long.  Oh and don't write your not missed.

Dennis

Frank Wiley

Happy Birthday Bill R.!!  Hope to see you at the "beer summit"!  CNN's Military Expert said that based on what he's seen the rocket that blew up in the car park at the hospital was Not an Israeli weapon.

Jim Coats

Bill Rihs, Mike Kelly and Dennis.  You speak "your truth" which I subscribe to.  DON'T (there's that word) think you're not being listened to.  You are....by clear-eyed American Patriots.  The only ones who DON'T hear you are anti-Semitic and anti-American.  Stand by and prepare.  I fear things are going to get much worse.  Pray for Congress to get it together!  We cannot do it with democrat help.  They have already, time after time, shown their hypocrisy as they do NOT believe in bi-partisanship.

Here is the ONLY thing (besides my one vote) that I have any control over....I plan on being at the 10/30/23 Beer Summit.  I say "plan" because the world, INCLUDING our country is on fire.  Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Iran, our Southern border, and a feckless Congress,  just to name a few with the most headlines.  Who knows what happens between now and then?  

SECURE THE BORDER!!  THIS IS OUR BIGGEST THREAT RIGHT NOW AS I SEE IT.  ENFORCE THE LAW!!  WHAT PART OF "ILLEGAL" ALIENS DOES OUR ADMINISTRATION NOT UNDERSTAND??

AMERICA FIRST!!  PARENTS RIGHTS!!  FOLLOW THE MONEY!!  OH, YES.  DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE MONEY STRAIGHT TO THE BIDENS.

CONDEMN "THE SQUAD" AND THE HATRED THEY VOMIT UP EVERY DAY.

Oh....and one more thing.  Biden did say that he's "sure" the Israelis are not responsible for the "hospital bombing" and that Hamas was.  But, in true Biden fashion, he went on to say:  "THEY (HAMAS) NEED TO LEARN TO SHOOT STRAIGHT."  WTF?!

Frank Wiley

My Godson's daughter is a University student and is on a student exchange program at a university in France.  Their university has been put on lock down because of the Israel war and the students have been warned not to travel off campus but if they do to go in groups.  I don't know how Palestinian elections are handled but it is reported that the Palestinians voted Hamas into power.  Elections have consequences!!  I'm glad Sydney Powell has pled guilty----------if she is.

Michael Kelly

As I quoted yesterday, and reiterate herein, The Palestinian Constitution or whatever you are inclined to style it, states that it looks for a State in the Middle East that is dedicated to the Islamic Cult, and that in essence, the only good Jew is a dead Jew. With such a proclamation I don't see how anyone can somehow manipulate the "Truth" (which by the way, is not manipulatable,) into justifying the acts of Hamas, which over 80 percent of the Palestine populaiton Elected, in doing the heinous Acts they have done. Yes, Elections bring about Consequences.

Biden went to the Middle East to give 100 Million dollars to the Palestinians. Elections bring about Consequences. The  Hamas blew up a Hospital in Gaza allegedly, although no one has posted pictures of any Bodies yet, or the debris from the Hospital yet, which is more  than curious to me. Now proof exists that this explosion was caused by a Hamas rocket. The entire World was quick to jump all over Israel to blame them for this. But now proof exists that Israel had nothing to do with this alleged Event.

We must refuse to be so gullible any longer. Such gullibility will be the foundation of very bad mistakes.

I was at the Courthouse in Lancaster, Ca. today, and I later learned that over the entire United States we had an Emergency Evacuation Order and the entire  Courthouse, all four floors, was Evacuated. I called this a "Hamas Emergency Practice" and it means to me that the Government has received information that we will be attacked here at home in the near future. Get Ready for It. Elections have Consequences.

When we continue to cater insipidly to the Mullahs of Iran, giving them money, relaxing restrictions on their commerce of Oil, and we continue to give them Billions of Dollars, we are literally digging our own grave Elections have Consequences.

Michael Kelly

For some Comic Relief I came across X or Twitter, some things attributable to the person and character of Chuch Norris. When the weekend came when Chuck Norris became 18, his parents packed up and left home.

When the Calendar reaches March 31 every year the next date is April 2, because Chuck Norris is never a Fool for anybody. Chuck Norris never has to mow the lawn, he just stares at it and it cuts itself. Chuck Nourris' cars never run out of gas, they are too scared to run out. 

Chuck Norris does not do pushups, he pushes the entire Earth away from himself.

There are many more, very funny, extremely witty. Make up your own.

Mike Lorts

Katie,

Why do you insist you on ruining the hate frenzy being whipped up by the "patriots" on this forum. Must you continue inserting actual facts and reason into these discussions.

Bill RIHS

Well, the democrats refuse to condemn or sanction any of the Squad for antisemitic/racist lies. This is your democrat party, shameful! President Biden's speech tonight was probably his best ever. However, he refuses to name Iran as the source for all the terrorist activities.

Michael Kelly

IF your saying  Katie that the Palestinian Constituion is not stating a clear statement that the State of Israel should be eradicated or otherwise disposed of, then quote the Constitution you are referring to. I happen to believe that Google has no Dog in the Fight which you must apparently have for some obscure reasonof your own. If you can ignore the fact that Hamas, who are Palestinians did not slaughter men, women, children, behead babies, and commit atrocities on the Jews, then you are devoid of any redeemable Human Character that I feel disposed of listening to. No, none of us believes all Palestinians are 'Bad" I heard a Jewish man 2 days ago on FOX NEWS which you most obviously do not listen to, who said he had lived with, and worked with side by side, Palestinians at his Kibbutz for many years and they were friends. Why would I disbelieve him. It is you who insists on calling us "Trumpies" as we are all somehow deficient and in your imagined superior intellect try to demean whenever you can. You are very undeveloped socially for you through your expressions herein, are extremely immature for your always "on the Fight" with us conservatives. It is extremely unpleasant that you consider it necessary to try and demean us with each of your Posts. Get a Life Katie. Grow Up. You can have your differences of opinion without declaring war on conservatives, Also, do me a favor, quit with the "Trumpies" crap, it is tiresome and disrespectful. I could accuse you at each Post of being sure to be found at All Womens Bowling Team Night every Thursday and yuk it up but I refrain from it as it is not a decent way to treat you. 

Michael Wetzel

Michael K.,

 I have heard nothing but opinions, and trash being spewed. I have not seen any sources listed, pages, or paragraphs listed for evidence or support of statements. Have you ? Just the echo, telling how wonderful the opinions are..........

Earl Harris III

I recently finished reading David Grann’s widely acclaimed book, “Killers of the Flower Moon”. His masterpiece is being recognized by many news organizations and lierary critics as one of the best books of the year which, coincidentally, will be released as a major motion picture tomorrow.

I must admit that this genre of literature, one that I choose to describe as “well-researched non-fiction investigative journalism” is my favorite. It is for that reason I’ve been a fan of Jon Krakauer who penned “Into Thin Air,” “Under the Banner of Heaven,” “Where Men Win Glory,” “Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a Small College Town,” and “Into the Wild,” among his many essays and other books. 

And, if you haven’t been treated to the works of Daniel James Brown, most notably, “Under a Flaming Sky,” “The Indifferent Stars Above,” or the “The Boys in the Boat,” may I suggest a trip to your local library or checking out reviews on Amazon. My next read by Brown: “Facing the Mountain, An Inspiring Story of Japanese American Patriots in World War II”.

All three of these authors’ works represent some of the best investigative journalism available. Their well researched and annotated books and essays chronicle events in our history that are truly fascinating in a way that fiction, whether fanciful or one based on history, cannot. 

Why, may you ask, am I taking the time here to share this on our CHS Message Forum, one that has been dominated by opinions coming from the most extreme right end of the political spectrum? In what ways might it relate to the current political discourse, if you can call it that?

There are several reasons I’ve chosen to post today.

First and foremost, I am impressed with Katie’s attempts to claw her way back into the fray in order to introduce both facts and opinions that will serve, hopefully, to counter some of the far-right’s often spurious accounting of history and current political landscape. She has helped to bring more balance to the discourse and has done so with an increased emphasis on civility that I had found sorely missing over the past 24 months. It’s important for everyone to know that the views posted on this forum are far more diverse than the six or seven usual participants might suggest. Thank you, Katie!

I suspect this is tough work for Katie to have to go it alone, but I salute her for her willingness to put herself out there, especially when she is routinely criticized.

I also wish to support Mike Lorts and others on the center and left who occasionally comment. I especially appreciate Mike’s sense of humor.

My second reason for posting today is to express my strongly held belief that facts and truth matter. Whether it’s the choice of literature for me, or trying to make sense of the world outside, facts and truth are paramount.

There was a time several decades ago when almost all of us got our nightly dose of news from a single source whether from nightly TV news presented by Chet Huntley, Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley, John Chancellor or others, or from our local newspapers. Often, if there was disagreement between Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, it was around the edges. 

However, since the advent of the Internet and proliferation of multiple sources of media, it is much more difficult for us to come together around an understood and agreed upon “set of facts”. Indeed, it was claimed by some in the Trump administration that there was an “alternate set a facts and truth” that should believed. In my view, we’ve become a very polarized and distrustful citizenry who, regardless of our political persuasion, at times view the “other side” as an existential threat to our country and to ourselves. 

Perhaps there is justification for our concerns. I, for one, find that authoritarian nationalist movements here and around the world pose a real threat to democracies. But, if we are to succeed in preserving democracy, we need to understand and at least acknowledge our differences in order to try to make sense of the mess we’re in today. 

Why does the vast gulf between competing ideologies seem to be growing? I would like to suggest that media bias provides us with real and potentially difficult challenges regarding true facts and truth that cannot be ignored. I am sometimes flabbergasted, for example, when I change from MSNBC, an admittedly left-leaning media source that I routinely watch, to right-wing cable channels such as Fox News, OAN or Newsmax. Viewers of each, in my opinion, occupy two different planets. I find this situation almost intolerable, wondering why there isn’t more violence between the constantly warring sides. 

Are we on the precipice of a Civil War in this country? Some right-wing extremists have been advocating such. Will our centuries-old democratic dream finally come to its end? That’s a horrible thought to contemplate.

It is not my intent to get into the weeds on what constitutes a right or wrong set of beliefs, goals or political policies we should be pursuing in this country. I do have some rather strong beliefs, I must admit.  But, I also believe that if we are to move forward, it's going to take serious compromise for us to best serve our country's citizens. But, I’ll save that for another time.

What I would like to offer to my fellow graduates in this post is the hope that you might take some time to look at other points of view other than the ones that fervently and continuously embraced by your team. I’m not asking you to change your mind on anything including politics or any other preciously held views. Conversely, you’re not likely to change mine.

One thing that you might do, however, is look at some of the media bias rating services out there to see where your media sources stand in terms of verifiable treatment of “facts”, newsworthiness, and political bias. I have found it to be a valuable resource when I’m looking to tap into sources other than ones I regularly depend upon. 

*Full disclosure: I get the majority of my daily news from MSNBC (either Nicole Wallace, Ari  Melber, or Lawerence O’Donnell) as well as from the ABC nightly news. I also subscribe to and read daily, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and occasionally The Economist. I also scan for articles from a multitude of other press sources each morning.

I can almost visualize some of you who’ve chosen to read my post up to this point with hands thrown up in the air, screaming into your iPads or phone. Some of you might be saying, “No wonder he’s a socialist and communist who hates America!” Maybe not, but I and others who consider ourselves centrists or liberals have been labeled as such and in some cases, worse. 

Still with me? Here are three sources that I’ve gone to when I think I’ve gotten a bit too far to the left and want to read or watch a news source that is considered by objective raters to be more "newsy" or demonstrates less bias with respect to opinions. 

In doing so, I’m hoping to broaden my thinking. I know it’s been helpful at times in terms of lowering my the stress level. And, yes, at times I will purposely choose to learn more about consumers of content on the right side of the charts. What are they viewing and thinking and why?

Admittedly, it’s very hard thing to get into another’s world with whom you have big differences. In fact, sometimes I find it absolutely scary. But, occasionally I choose to look, knowing that if there’s ever going to be a way to shrink the divide between us, it’s going to start with both parties first trying to understand the other. Here are the three links that with a simple click should take you to their services.

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/2023/10/19/the-latest-fact-checks-curated-by-media-bias-fact-check-10-19-2023/

https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-chart

https://adfontesmedia.com/interactive-media-bias-chart/

I’ve used all three, but I especially like the interactive chart that adfontes provides. You can do some very interesting, in-depth analysis of media sites along a number of angles. There is a helpful demo that you can click on that will show you the possibilities. Again, regardless of your political persuasion, you might find it very interesting, informative and helpful.

Again, I strongly believe that facts and truth matter. Sometimes, in order to get it those facts and to understand the true nature of things you need to pursue them with the dedication akin to that of a good investigative journalist.

I think we could all benefit by taking a step back to consider how our reliance on highly biased news sources might be getting in our way. One thing is crystal clear to me: Simple parroting of pundits from our favorite cable channel hasn't helped one iota. Sloganeering or name calling or the spewing of unverified half-truths or spreading disinformation or trotting out lies won't win an argument. It certainly won't win over any converts. We've all seen where it's gotten us on this message forum over the past 2-3 years. It's time to do something different.

Dennis Moran

Had a chance to think back.  I had felt that Hamas was elected to control the gaza strip. Actually, in 2006 Hamas was elected in parlimentary elections they took 74 seats vs 45 for Fatah I had thought I was wrong when KM wrote 45 % of Gaza voted for them and half were underage and couldn't vote.  Well partially true;

It was correctly stated that half of the population was under 18 and couldn't vote.  Well, their wasn't an election but in March 2023 the Gazans were asked who would you vote for; the results were 45%  for Hamas, 32% for Fatah and that leaves 23% for whoever. even that sounds like Hamas was in control of the country.

Furthermore the United Nations, the US. State Department and other countries believe that Hamas is in charge and they have been in charge for 17 years.  Hamas has been a throrn in Israel side since 1988 and has a history of attacking the Israel frontier. and its cities.

I have one more person to go after...yep the imperial leader no Bullwinkle didn't know him.  Its Ismail Haniyeh.

He is the one that lives off the fat of Iran and lives quite a life of protection in Qatar.  He is younger that both Trump and Biden...but , then again most people are; me included.

No more appeasements, No more cease fires.  Just the total destruction of Hamas and its puppets. I see all the bloody, ripped apart bodies of inocents on both sides but.. only one way to stop it...Im in it to win it.

Since I don't golf anymore (not into grabbing balls to launch); i do like to research ,family and do have access to Newspapers.com  which provided me with much of the above information .And yes i have been painting and assembling my Messerschmitt BF-109. and yes I have added athe black spral on the nose. and did the swastika freehand (its not provided in models-but i try for realism)

One more thought: Get out of the United Nations.  Its usefulness has long disappeared..then send the diplomats home.  We can build a large ice rink in its halls.  

Oh hell I have another: where are the troops on our boarders...and not for just paperwork.  Keep them out and yes please come up with an imigration policy that provides for entrace and no more work permits..Its time for India to provide for them as well as the cows... Yes Elsie, I think your family needs a homeland thus exchange illegal immigrants for cows. and yes im prejeduced to gersey...Shake it up.

Dennis

Dennis Moran

Earl Harris III,

Its not where someone is needed to present a different point of view its where all view are accepted. When one attacks another for what they said or what they thought they said instead of asking why thats an attack. KM and ML are not middle of the road liberals they are to an extreme. Basically, when you attack a person and yes Im guilty of it now.  I tried to stay true middle but the snarkiest remarks make my middle move stronger conservative.  Im tired of a government that (both sides) could give a shit about what the people think, feel or want.

Somehow your picture makes me think I knew you....If you are true to the middle stick to whats wrong vs us to them.  Being a teacher, I envy you for making the sacrifice of not going after the all mighty dollar.  I would like to hear more from you and please don't make the extremes feel like they are hear doing gods work. Maybe I might be able to shift back.  The deaths  that have occured recently have me disgusted by the pass it down the road mentality.

Yes I will disagree with you at times but welcome your imput.

Dennis,

Frank Wiley

Earl and Dennis, Some good observations.  One of Rotary's ideals is "World Understanding and Peace".  When Hamas started this war with terrible atrocities I tried to find out if there were any Rotary Clubs in Gaza.  There are none!  Interesting that there are no Rotary Clubs in Iran or China either.  After more research and after finding Rotary Clubs in Israel and doing some research on those clubs I found that Rotary does alot of work in Gaza to help the Palestinian People because there is more need there than in Israel.  I wonder if that charitable assistance will continue?  You can do your own research on this if you log in to: Rotary.com.  Rotary also has a good statement about the war.  Earll, thanks for the book recommendations.  I'm going to the Library today.  You might want to read, "The Arab Mind" by Raphael Patai.  I'd like your opinion of it.  Mr. Patai translates passages from the Quran into English and some of the passages are a big warning for me.

Frank Wiley

P.S. to my last post.  There are 43 pages of Footnotes in Mr. Patai's book supporting his comments in the book.  Thanks!

Michael Kelly

What works and keeps us Free is what matters to me. Practical Solutions are intrinsic to a Republic to keep the Idea of Freedom and Liberty working.

Just as in Pool or Billiards if you would have it, geting the ball in the hole is what wins, and although Horseshoes is a fun game, "Leaners' don't count when it comes to preserving any Country which wants to remain Free and in which Liberty counts.

Canada supposedly passed a Law just this week that allows for Euthanasia for the Elderly, you know, people like us Our Age. Sobering.

Dennis Moran

Kathy, I really liked reading 11241. I find many of us move from the middle some towards conservatives and others  toward liberals.  We may have more that we agree on vs not.  I sometimes wish I was more humane but during this time im not.  I like to read and have started reading Astor. loved what Cooper has put into his book and probably will move on to Vanderbilt.  Strong women have influenced me growing up and working for and with women who spoke their minds helped me understand what if they got the vote earlier.. As well as worked in the government.  Im sure the couintry would be better shape.  My Aunt  a WWII RN didn't take shit from anyone and if you pissed her off she would of of told them about how they deserve a trurpintine enema.

Women are starting to use their brains for more that babysitting students-even tho they are very good at molding young minds.  If a girl was an A student why didn't she go into medicine, engineering etc  My aunt knew more about medicine than most doctors.

Express yourself, ideas are better if they come from oneself vs what a group says. and if you can tell us why you have reached that point of view.   With me, I respect your opinion....I just don't want to hear me too.

Dennis

ps. still don't like the nuns.....just because they wore black and  I liked Zoro doen't mean im pro nun...lock them up and back to  Minnesota.

DeWitt Bacon

I know I said I was leaving this forum. I don't care about your squabbling with left-wing Marxists or their supporters. There are very serious things going on in our country that we should be concerned with.

I am becoming very disappointed in the Republican party, especially the House Republicans. I am on the verge of switching my party affiliation to Independent. I will always be conservative but I feel like the Republican party is full of Rinos cheering on the left. Jim Jordan, after withdrawing his name yesterday, decided today to give it one more try. .25 so-called Republicans voted against him by voting for someone else who not only didn't have a chance of winning but also voted FOR Jordan. It was almost like they were siding with the left, which perhaps they were. It will not surprise me to see some of them voting for Jefferies I will remain Republican until after the primaries. Still, by the time of the general election in November 2024, if Donald Trump is not on the ballot, I will switch to independent and may vote for RFK Jr. None of the other Republicans running are worth a sh*t as far as I' 'm concerned. If Jefferies becomes SOH and Biden (actually Harris) is elected President I pray, GOD HELP US. But then, why should He? This world, and even this country, has turned its back on Him.

Say what you want about this post. I will not respond.

Frank Wiley

Mike K.--Since you brought up Horseshoes--We used an expression in the Marines---"Close only counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades".  I guess though that any explosive would fit the bill?

Michael Wetzel

A break down of biden's new 106 billion package :

1) A full year of funding for Ukraine, or $61.4 billion. This to the corrupt nation, after already receiving $75 billion. 

2) Israel, a mar $14.3 billion. The U.S. already provides $3 billion to them every year.

3) $6 billion for border operations. $4.4 billion for DHS, $3.1 billion for additional border patrol agents, asylum officers, processing personnel. $1.4 billion for state, local governments for shelter, and services for ILLEGALS. $1.2 billion for narcotics detection.

4) $2 billion to finance security assistance in the Indo-Pacific and additional $2 billion for the treasury dept for developing countries.

5) $10 billion humanitarian needs across Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, and other global needs.

6) I love this one, $100 million in funding for Gaza, & the West Bank.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize just who is going to acquire those funds, does it !. I just love having my taxes spent on PORK, don't you...........

Richard Deshong

It has been just over a year since I last posted on the CBH forum, and I must admit, I haven’t missed it at all. I have spent my time traveling, buying a new house (with all that entails in today’s market), enjoying time with family and friends (some of which have different political leanings than myself, but with whom civil conversations and discussions are possible), and, thanks to the VA, discovering I had an undiagnosed medical issue that was effecting my quality of life but was able to be surgically and therapeutically corrected with no negative aftereffects. All-in-all, it’s been a good year.

While not posting myself, I did keep an eye on the forum’s ongoing rantings and was amused by the tone of the postings when the “not real MAGA conservatives” no longer had anyone to vilify. I especially found amusing the posts that all but begged those with opposing views to return. It was like it just wasn’t as much fun if some of you didn’t have anyone to call names and pound your chests in indignant superiority.

When Katie made her return, I was certain it would be met with disdain and the same old tried and true vilification, and I wasn’t disappointed. However, my hat is off to her for sticking to the promise in her first new post to stick to the facts and to not resort to the sort of responses she, or anyone else to dares to disagree with the “true conservatives”, so willingly and eagerly dish out. I think she has done a splendid job of holding her own and I am especially pleased to see a few others returning to the forum to lend their support. It is for this reason I have chosen to return to the site myself.

Like Katie, I will attempt to keep my postings based only on documentable facts and first-person knowledge, but when I do decide to express my opinion, I will clearly state it as an opinion. For example, it is my opinion that the species homo sapiens is hardwired to fear and distrust anyone who looks, speaks, acts, worships or in almost every other way disagrees with them, and that in the short history of the Internet, no one has ever had a strongly held opinion changed by anything they have read or been told on the Internet. Therefore, what I post from this point forward is not intended to try to persuade most of you that there are alternatives to the way you think about a specific situation, but rather to engage with open minded contributors in a meaningful discussion of facts and potential ideas that may expand their and my own thoughts and understanding on a particular subject. And if along the way, we happen to veer off on nostalgic, non-controversial subjects that take us back to our earlier years, all the better.

So, let’s get started. Israel and Palestine, what a mess. But it’s not a new mess. It’s a mess that has been going on ever since the end of WWII when the rest of the world that was victorious in war decided it didn’t want to allow displaced Jews to take up residency in their own countries, so they jumped on the opportunity to flex their collective muscles and appropriate land recently conquered to make a Jewish State and kick over 700,000 people off the land they had called home for centuries. You know, like America did when we decided we were superior to the peoples who inhabited North America before us and systematically killed and corralled them until they were nearly exterminated and/or made white/Christian-like. Can you say ethnic cleansing? To say the people in the middle east didn’t accept this with open arms is an understatement. But, to say that before this Arabs had a hatred for Jews is also not true. Throughout history, up until the end of WWII Arabs, both Islamic and non-Islamic, and Jews got along as well as any two peoples with different religious beliefs in close to a live and let live environment. Of course, being in the majority number wise, Arabs set the rules for how this coexistence would work, but it was workable. Jews were allowed to freely practice their religion, own property, and businesses, and even to inter marry non-Jews.

Like some of you, I too have many Jewish friends, many of which were born in Israel and have either lived there all their lives or have relocated back to Israel after coming to America, mainly for business opportunities. Many of them I became friends with while working for a spin off from an Israeli satellite communications company named Gilat. The founders of Gilat were ex Israeli senior military officers and like all such people maintain a life-long connection to the Israeli military and intelligence agencies. I spent a lot of time at Gilat’s headquarters in Tel Aviv and that allowed me to travel through most of Israel and much of the Palestinian territory. Remember, all of Israel, including the Palestinian territories, is smaller than Maricopa county, and Gaza is smaller than Mesa. Gilat’s technology is mainly used for telecommunications, but they also have a highly classified division that operates sophisticated spy satellites. I have been told that their satellites track Hamas movement 24-7/365 and when their leaders go to the bathroom Israel knows if they stood or sat (squatted?).

Keep in mind that Netanyahu is hanging onto power in Israel by a thread. He, like many populist leaders and ex leaders in other countries, is under criminal investigation and he is pulling every trick out of the book to save his hide. He is even attempting to negate the power of the Israeli equivalent of our Supreme Court to be able to override any rulings they may make on his guilt or innocence. In the past three elections he and his party have been unable to obtain a majority of seats and have had to result in reaching out to a coalition of minority parties to gain power. Thus is the way in a parliamentarian government. However, as he has become less and less popular to the Israeli voters, he has had to make agreements with parties that are further and further to the right on the Israeli political spectrum. Some of these far-right parties are known to include some of the most radical terrorists in the middle east, that regularly kill Palestinian citizens with impunity and regularly call for the elimination of all Palestinians. Even then Netanyahu holds only the slightest majority needed to rule. Thus, as he has seen more and more Israeli’s willing to go to the streets and protest him and his party’s tactics, he must have seen his power slipping. What does all this mean, well it has been suggested to me by some of my Israeli friends that Israeli intelligence may (must?) have known Hamas was planning some sort of cross border incursion, but greatly underestimated its strength and veracity and let it happen to rally the Israeli populus behind him. But given the heinous behavior Hamas perpetrated Israel, like America did after 9/11, has come together and seeks to rescue their captured citizens and seek revenge for those killed during the attacks. No one can stand by and accept the sort of atrocities Hamas members committed, just like no one should stand by and accept what happened in Michigan when a Islamophobic terrorist stabbed to death a six-year-old simply because of his heritage.

Also, every one of my friends in Israel knows many Palestinians and call most of them friends. They know most adult Palestinians do not condone Hamas’ philosophy and know they are in power not because of popular support, but more because they are the most financially backed group thanks to Iran. My friends have told me their hearts bleed for what the average citizen of Gaza is going through and truly admires what the USA is doing to try to get aid to them. They also appreciate Egypt’s position that opening the border to Gaza may mean additional 100,000s of Palestinians will wind up in refugee camps like the nearly million that they are already tending to. Egypt, in conjunction with America, is searching for a way to keep those within Gaza wishing to flee in place and still supply them with the humanitarian supplies that will be needed one way or another.

How’s all this going to play out – who knows. But even though I don’t consider myself a Christian, I do subscribe to most Judeo-Christian beliefs, and is just turns my stomach when I hear people that selectively quote the bible when it benefits their cause, when they say, “kill them all and let God sort it out”. I doubt if that is what Jesus would have said.

More to come!!!!!!

Jim Coats

Biden's speech last night was heralded as one of his greatest.  The bar must be on the floor.  I was NOT happy.

He took Israel and Ukraine and shuffled them like cards which lessened the impact of what is currently happening in Israel/Gaza/Lebanon, and so on.  Look out Iran....Biden mentioned your name.  He may take you out behind the gym.

It seemed as though Mr. Biden wanted the Israelis to consider backing off and to "negotiate" with the terrorists/scum who have massacred men, women and children...gouged the eyes out of children and beheaded them...raped women...burned people alive, including children...and paraded Israeli women naked down the street.  I'll stop there.  You get the picture.  You do, don't you?

Forgive me if I make an analogy that hopefully everyone will understand.  Let's just say that your next door neighbor broke into your house, tied you, your wife and children up, raped your wife and cut your children's heads off....all of this in front of you.  Your other neighbor saw through the window what was happening, called the cops and the "suspect" heard the sirens and he said:  I may or may not have done what you think you saw, but I promise not to do it again.  Will you please NOT tell the police about me?

This is precisely what Biden was slithering into in his speech AND this is what the "Squad" is proposing at the top of their lungs EVERY day.  FORGIVE TERRORISTS!  Israel is to blame.

Guess what my response is?  NO Quarter for the terrorists.  Kill them all and let Allah sort it out.  With regard to the Squad, I don't know what we can do because idiots elected them and will continue to do so and then there's the First Amendment and all that.  There must be a way, but the slimy left will not do anything!   What I do know is that James Clyburn, Big Shot Congressman and former educator (there's a surprise) refused to say anything against the Squad.  All he did was praise Biden.  After all, he gave South Carolina and the election to Biden.

To close, I guess some of you who venture out of MSNBC world have seen the "protests" against Jews all around the country AND protests regarding the death of Palestinians (AKA Hamas).  These lunatics are products of the indoctrination of our colleges.....our EDUCATORS...some of them so-called elite universities.  For some reason, they do not protest the deaths of Jews.  They seem to be pro-terrorist.  It's a good thing I am not KING.

SECURE THE BORDER!!

ENFORCE THE LAW!!

AMERICA FIRST!!

PARENTS RIGHTS!!

FOLLOW THE MONEY!!

Jim Coats

It's absolutely uncanny!!  Mr. Biden looks like an 80 year old version of the banjo playing kid on the front porch in the movie Deliverance!