Open Thread – Mon 16 Oct 2023
1,179 responses to “Open Thread – Mon 16 Oct 2023”
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He’s so endearing. Just keeps going.
Trump Vows to Bring Back Travel Ban on Day One
Trump Says He Would Cut Off Funding to ‘Palestinian Terrorists,’ Pledges to Stand with Israel ‘100%’
Trump on the demonrat judge’s gag order.
“Today’s decision is an absolute abomination and another partisan knife stuck in the heart of our Democracy by Crooked Joe Biden, who was granted the right to muzzle his political opponent, the leading candidate for the Presidency in 2024…
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Dr. John Campbell interviewing Mr Philipp Kruse, international lawyer on the proposed change to the WHO rules.
Absolutely terrifying. They are planning a total takeover of our lives.
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Israel v Palestine – Military Power
“Let me begin by stating that Palestine does not have a military. The terrorist group Hamas contains between 30,000 and 40,000 fighters, but only a few hundred are believed to have received proper training. Hamas does not have an air force or any naval power. In contrast, Israel has one of the most advanced defense forces in the world.
International Institute for Strategic Studies’ (IISS) Military Balance 2023 states that Israel has 169,500 active duty military members, with another 465,000 in the reserve forces. Every adult in the nation has received proper basic military training. Israel has over 2,000 main battle tanks and 615 heavy infantry fighting vehicles, while Hamas currently has 0. Their impressive air force has 196 F-16 fighter planes, 83 F-15, 36 F-35, 140 military helicopters, and 43 Apache attack helicopters. They also have five submarines and 49 battleships. Then there is the once-thought-to-be impenetrable Iron Dome and, most importantly, nuclear weapons.
Israel has a defense budget of around $23.6 billion. America and other nations have been funding Israel’s military, with America alone providing $118 billion since 1949. The Biden Administration has pledged an additional $2 billion in supplementary funding, and other Western nations will follow.
The US Navy has been deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. Are we sending extremely advanced technology to defeat a few hundred barely trained ground soldiers? The US sent two carriers to an enemy that has no carriers or aircrafts aside from some paragliders who have managed to bypass the Iron Dome. Again, Palestine does not have a military – at all. Hamas uses the people of Palestine as human shields and that is its main defense system.
We are preparing for World War III. The players are entering the arena for something much larger than Israel v Palestine. The Neocons across the globe are moving in full force to promote this war.”
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Moonyanooka, where I was a kid throws down the gauntlet at the namby pamby Queenthlanders and their yes vote…
7.3%
https://www.pollbludger.net/fed2023ref/Results/HR.htm?s=Durack
Other strong pockets of opposition were in Moonyoonooka on the fringes of Geraldton, -
That Brendan O’Niell piece – what a champion.
It would be funny if it wasn’t so troubling, and ominous. They’re getting away with it too. This morning I mentioned Wormtongues – this is exactly what’s happening, trying to incapacitate with sly innuendo, accusations, browbeating.
And like their namesake, there’s another agenda, there always is. They want Israel gone.
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I can literally never agree with Martin unless he just retells what happened a week ago. His analysis is bad (but his forecasts are fantasy).
49 battleships
???
Israel has a defense budget of around $23.6 billion. America and other nations have been funding Israel’s military, with America alone providing $118 billion since 1949. The Biden Administration has pledged an additional $2 billion in supplementary funding, and other Western nations will follow.
US aid to Israel more properly acts like industry policy for the US and it is a relic of the US incentivising the Israelis to not side with the USSR which would have been one way to stop Arab aggression.
The US sent two carriers to an enemy that has no carriers or aircrafts aside from some paragliders who have managed to bypass the Iron Dome. Again, Palestine does not have a military – at all. Hamas uses the people of Palestine as human shields and that is its main defense system.
No. The US blasted militant positions in Lebanon with actual battle ships in 1983-1984.
Militants backed by Syria and Iran.
We are preparing for World War III.
No, we are not. WWIII from Ukraine never happened, WWIII from Afghanistan or the Arab Spring never happened, nor ISIS, etc.
Did Socrates predict this? What other WWIIIs did it predict?
The Neocons across the globe are moving in full force to promote this war.
The only people encouraging a war in all of this is the ruling Iranian regime. I won’t blame the Iranian people.
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Again, Palestine does not have a military – at all.
Horseshit.
It has a nucleus of highly trained fighters with the benefit of having extensively trained in every terrorist facility in the ME and further abroad.
It has a sophisticated and complex intelligence network. It has access to unlimited supplies of weaponry AND drone tech, AND the unqualified backing of at least two ME powers.
It has thousands of trained fighters, a defined hierarchy, its own medical, artillery, training and engineering branches and the demonstrated ability to repeatedly and successfully attack civilian targets guarded by the IDF – pound for pound, one of the best regular armies in the world today.
This is yet more regurgitated, unqualified opinion disguised as analysis by a convicted fraud, and promoted by people who are ignorant and gullible in equal measure.
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This is yet more regurgitated, unqualified opinion disguised as analysis by a convicted fraud, and promoted by people who are ignorant and gullible in equal measure.
Hang on, it may not be Marty’s prediction, it could very well be Socrates, Marty’s sentient AI coming out with these well thought out views.
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“Substituting a 100g portion of beef meatballs with pea protein “meatballs” delivers the same climate benefit as avoiding a 16 km (10 mile) drive.”
Yeah – because when the USA had several hundred million buffalo roaming about that was OK because “natural”. When they got wiped out and replaced with lesser numbers of another type of ruminant (cows), that is a recipe for disaster – we’re all gonna die because cow farts!
Fruitloops R US.
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thefrollickingmole
Oct 17, 2023 4:02 PMInteresting figures, Moley. I was surprised to see Kununurra (43.8% yes) and Sth Hedland (37.5% yes), along with several other predominantly aboriginal communities.
Curious that the Remote Mobile returns, with only one exception, topped the state for Yes, up to 80%. A cynic might deduce that there was more than a little coaching in these isolated and poorly educated communities.
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I love Coffs, MiltonF.
We stayed there for several months all up when we were travelling. If you have time, visit The Clog Barn, a souvenir shop, coffee/pancake shop and caravan park. (Our favourite in Coffs.)
For a small entry fee you can walk around a mini (but large) Dutch village, all made by the father of the owner.* If you’re lucky, he’ll show you his workshop, too. Quite incredible.
*This was the case five years ago, in my travelling days. Things might have changed since then.
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Dot, with reference to your Armstrong review at 4:08pm.
The content looked familiar.Did Armstrong lift it all from Andrew Glenn’s LinkedIn post?
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What a bunch of disgusting f-ckwits.
Masood Ishmail
Web Developer | Teacher | Proofreader | Photographer | Kyudo and Target Recurve Archer | Bibliophile | Polyglot |
9h“The notion that Israel is defending itself is as absurd as the notion that the r*pist is protecting itself from the victim.” –mohammed hijab
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Matteo Luca Martini (M.Eng.)
Matteo Luca Martini (M.Eng.)Agent, distributor and sales consultant for the Japanese market – Industrial machinery
15hI am not pro-Hamas, but I see no difference between people who support Hamas and people who support Israel. Israel is also killing civilians, stealing land and killing babies. People who blindly support this are also supporting terrorism.
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StopAntisemitism
@StopAntisemites
NYC – Dr. Dana Diab is an ER physician at Lenox Hill (@lenoxhill).Dina Diab took to Instagram rejoicing Zionist settlers [aka jews] were murdered, raped, beheaded, and kidnapped by the Hamas terror group on Saturday October 7th.
Jewish patients beware.
https://x.com/StopAntisemites/status/1713933062361198733?s=20
Dr Dina f*cked up big time.
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In one sense, we’ve been moving towards it since the end of WWII. I’m old enough to remember more perilous times. It seems to me that disaster happens slowly, by tiny increments and it’s only historians who can map it.
So much of the commentary is clickbait, unconsidered, designed for income rather than information.
I’m not a dove in this instance – not a unique situation in the ways of war, but pretty close. Israel needs to get in and close the place down. They might be able to rescue some hostages, but unless they put an end to it there will be more. Next year, the year after, ad infinitum. Hamas has shot its last bolt.
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Well, let me rephrase. Nothing in the future is predictable. We can assign probabilities to future outcomes, but predictable, no.
Definition:
Something that is predictable happens in a way or at a time that you know about before it happens:
A world war appears to be unlikely in term of current events. However, two years ago, you would have thought a nuclear war would have a probability of say, 2%. It’s likely to have inched up to perhaps 5%.
A world war in this day and age would mean nuclear.
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Top Ender, we’d give a similar report from Oceania re the food to yours from Viking Cruise Line. You still get the occasional re-done potatos from last night in the breakfast buffet, but mostly the food is fresh and cooked on site in their bakeries or kitchens. They tend to overcook the bacon. And make your own tea for they tip a teabag into vaguely hot water. For feeding many, they do a very good job, and the specialty restaurants are innovative and well cooked and served, we’ve had a package that includes them and wine to go with it, so it’s been quite a gourmet trip so far.
Organisationally, Oceania has a few issues, such as not having the buffet open long enough at lunchtime, so those returning latish from tours have to line up for a hamburger. But they seem very responsive to any personal complaints.
We still prefer Cunard. We are going on a Viking cruise to the Caribbean and South America (down the Amazon at last) in March next year.
This cruise has had a port of call every day, and thus a tour every day (as I don’t like being in a port without making some effort at exploring the local area), which is not ideal, as some days you yearn for a sleep-in.
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I’m not a dove in this instance – not a unique situation in the ways of war, but pretty close. Israel needs to get in and close the place down. They might be able to rescue some hostages, but unless they put an end to it there will be more. Next year, the year after, ad infinitum. Hamas has shot its last bolt.
It just could be that is precisely the play they are making.
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Dot
Oct 17, 2023 5:45 PMAll past World War IIIs have had a 0% probability of occurring.
LOL
Here’s what I think could happen. I reckon the odds of Israel hitting Iran hard has risen to perhaps 20%. Nuclear could be the same or slightly less. Israel may want to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Iran, in a fit of rage could attack the Saudi oil fields. What happens then?
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Lot of grim news so a double helping of titles for the jaded:
Yes, I am Still a Virgin; anal and oral don’t count.
I Want the Hobo to Watch: the story of beatnik sexual perverts who got their kicks by taunting innocent, hapless winos
Ladybird Book Titles of Family Life:
The kids drop acid in the woods and visit Alice in Wonderland
Daddy Doesn’t Cross-Dress on Sundays
Normalising Your Mother’s Manic Behaviour
Daddy doesn’t live here anymore; and neither does the maid.
Daddy’s farts knock birds from the sky
Mummy keeps notes of what daddy says so she can bring them up again in 10 years. -
If we’re doing children’s book titles, I like this one. Poor lad.
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What probability would you give to a full on nuked-up world war? No one is going to hold you to it.
Not going to speculate on whether a world war must be nuclear. It’s sufficient to say that it has to be a war involving more than two belligerents/blocs, is at a regional scale, where one or more of the belligerents/blocs has nuclear. On those terms, its pretty much 40:60 right now.
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Interesting that the whole thing was run by the military.
The Psychological Playbook: Brainwashing Techniques to Increase “Vaccine” Uptake
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So much for the free market.
Biden Admin Orders Banks Not to Reject Illegal Immigrants’ Loan Applications
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Mak Siccar
Oct 17, 2023 12:32 PM
Briefly back to Duh Screech, an excellent article by Keith W in Quadrant Online.MS, that article was well worth the read. However, I thought this was the bit that was more enlightening:
The jarring note in all this was one that the government had not anticipated. This was the right of the Voice to make representations to the “executive government”. Instead of confining its political advice and recommendations to the parliament via the relevant minister, the Voice would be able to approach departments and institutions of the public service, as well as more independent commissions, authorities and agencies of the Commonwealth. With the executive government at its disposal, the Voice would have unprecedented powers and an almost unlimited ability to cause problems for any government. Moreover, in disputes between the government and the Voice, any resolution would be the responsibility of the judges of the High Court. Albanese sent the draft back to the working group but Davis stuck to her guns and refused to change the wording. A quickly assembled parliamentary hearing called for opinions from a number of constitutional lawyers but this resulted only in an apparently innocuous change of words.
The most damaging result of what seemed like a minor squabble came from another source. It was revealed during the subsequent public debate in the press, that the whole idea behind the Voice and constitutional change had not originated deep within Aboriginal culture but came from three white men — academics Greg Craven and Damien Freeman and Liberal politician Julian Leeser — plus one Aboriginal man, Noel Pearson. They had devised the concept a decade earlier and had created a model that they expected would get bipartisan political support
The quartet were affronted by the demand for access to executive government. Their original version of the proposal was designed to simply advise the parliament about Aboriginal ideas for reform, and was carefully couched in a way that provided no room for High Court judges to get involved in disputed cases. The acceptance of the constitutional amendment moved Craven to take his grievances to the media, writing furious op-ed pieces in the press that cast a dark shadow over what had been until then a pro-Voice campaign full of light
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My comment under the Waleed article in the Daily Tele is still “pending” after four hours:
Dire Wallleed.
Thank yew for ponting this out. I only finnissed skool wen I woz 14 and yew are qite rite.
Mind you, they have let some good ones though:
Laurie
4 hours ago
Waleed is a walking, talking example of why they lost the vote….thumb_up
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Jabbawocky
4 hours ago
Over 10 million Australian adults voted no.
No means No, get over it.thumb_up
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Mick
4 hours ago
Who watches this program anyway?thumb_up
261
Ron
4 hours ago
As someone who has successfully attained three university degrees (including a Masters), the only aspect about this article that I find astounding is that people actually watch this trashy program.thumb_up
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JoeyT
4 hours ago
Waleed, I’ve got a Certificate of Basic Building Paper Aeroplanes awarded to me by the President of the United Panel Beaters Association and I voted no -
The acceptance of the constitutional amendment moved Craven to take his grievances to the media, writing furious op-ed pieces in the press that cast a dark shadow over what had been until then a pro-Voice campaign full of light
As I’ve previously stated, sidelined from his own project by the Trots, yet he supported it to the bitter end.
Strange man.
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The thing that concerns me a little is that Blinken was over in Israel and now Hiden is going over with Blinken. Normally when you want to do something really big you have to go talk to the boss in person. Obviously, Bibi can’t go to Washington, so what’s all this about? Maybe, Hiden wants to show open support. If there are lots of close door meetings that go for hours then something serious could be brewing.
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It was revealed during the subsequent public debate in the press, that the whole idea behind the Voice and constitutional change had not originated deep within Aboriginal culture but came from three white men — academics Greg Craven and Damien Freeman and Liberal politician Julian Leeser — plus one Aboriginal man, Noel Pearson
If true, this would go a long way to explaining Craven’s response to being sidelined and Sunday morning quarterbacking of the result.
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BTW Blinken is Jewish.
Yeah, but do you offer statements of grief and talk about Gaza for 8 hours? Long time.
……….
Cronkite, they can’t hit southern Kebab because it’s too close to Israel in terms of fallout. Yeah, we know you can’t wait for a nuking but you also need to be a little relational.
I can’t see how they can’t possibly hit Iran in some way as they need to get rid of the nuke infrastructure. Maybe.
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Is anyone watching Credelin?
The facist Trot has gone full totalitarian.
Treaties, truth, ending of free speech.
To think that I have lived to see this.
I can’t see how the little madman can be stopped.
Heavyweight pressure needs to be relentlessly applied to the Teals and their rich daddies.
We are in very serious trouble. -
If you recall Bill Thompson’s Outside Insiders YouTube videos
He’s made the news by getting up the nose of the mightily empowered Ms Dee Madigan, outside Q+A
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12638581/ABC-QA-Dee-Madigan.html
Dee of course doesn’t like being exposed as a hypocrite and so claims victim status.
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They also have five submarines and 49 battleships.
Going to be a bit of a bugger getting the aircon going on those old battleships. Plus they take a lot of people to handle them.
This is a list of the Israeli warships. They tend to run to missile corvettes and patrol boats, plus some submarines. A lot smaller and less capable than the Aussie Navy, although I would not be surprised if they are rather efficient. But no “battleships” which are huge floating giant artillery vessels from WWII, basically.
NB: once saw a journalist standing in front of an aircraft carrier alongside a wharf, describing it as “a battleship”.
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Gutfeld’s great opener addresses the issue of proportionality; you can see he’s thinking nukes:
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Well, whaddya know!
Nancy Pelosi’s daughter has done a documentary called ‘The Insurrectionist Next Door’.
She earlier did a ‘documentary’ called ‘Pelosi In the House’. The reviews seem to be split between blindly infatuated and the indignant – remembering these are the subset of people who were inclined to watch it – not many MAGA types would be in that crowd.
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My thanks to the Cat who first introduced me to this commentator – most interesting indeed!
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Calli, I don’t venture opinions on conflicts unless I’ve studied them a lot. I haven’t kept up with the Ukraine – except for when the Moskva got sunk, when I penned this analysis – and have not been intently observing the Israeli situation.
One general comment though is that wars tend to be quite low in intensity when they start off. Both sides sort of hope the other backs off – for example Germany vs Britain and France in WWII. The RAF dropped leaflets on the Germans for a few months.
Then both sides get angry, and then the war intensifies with both sides getting stuck in, generally motivated by wanting revenge as well as a military solution.
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Courier-Mail article on the Qld government pursuing a treaty:
Would you support a Treaty?
Yes 4 %
No 96 %
2406 votes -
He might get the 2023 version of the “kitchen visit”.
Albanese’s hubris threatens to make this government a one termer, pointing to a possible two terms in opposition. That would likely spell the end of the political careers of Shorten, Plibersek, Burke, Bowen, at. al., who are all into their 50s.
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Labor’s hackneyed answer to complete humiliation last Saturday is to attack Dutton for somefinks.
PM’s jab at Dutton over second referendum promise: ‘More flip-flop than a thong factory’ (Sky News, 17 Oct)
Health Minister slams Dutton for opposing ‘latest chapter of cheaper medicines’ (Sky News, 17 Oct)
Hey guys aren’t you the Government? Maybe you could, like, shut up and govern. Or are your thongs giving you crotch itch?
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I’ll do this while I still can as I expect rub and tug’s mis and dis bill will close this place down: a terrific cute owl with independent boobies.
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dover0beach
Oct 17, 2023 6:47 PM
I can’t see how they can’t possibly hit Iran in some way as they need to get rid of the nuke infrastructure. Maybe.Before or after Hezbollah go all in?
They only need to make a credible threat to nuke the top 5 cities. The economic chaos as three quarters of the population try to flee the threatened areas will topple the economy, then the chaos of starving and thirsty people will topple the government.
I’m not in favour of nukes in the middle east – too many people will have to live there after – not flee to non-irradiated places like Europe. -
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I’ve said already that Iran played a big part of the Gaza murders. At some point Israel will want to hit Iran. For now though, Gaza and to some extent Lebanon occupy the Israelis. And of course the hostages.
It could be that the Blinken/Biden visit is to work out how the Israeli AF traverses the Arabian Peninsula – over Iraq or KSA for the air strike. The US is trying to talk them out of it but Israel, I think want to send a powerful message. That too kind of explains the positioning of the 2 US Carrier Battle Groups off Israel – in preparation for any Iran retaliation on Israel.
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Israeli forensic experts cry over hugging bodies of Hamas’ victims
This is all that is left of an adult and child who were tied together with wire before they were burnt alive.
“Several bodies were brought to us in a terrible exposition,” Dr Kugel says.
“Most of them were burned… In this case we can see an adult and a kid that were tied together (with iron wire).
“I’m 31 years a forensic pathologist, I’m used to see dead people, but I never saw people that are conjoined together while they are burned trying to hug each other.”
Dr Kugel then breaks down and cannot continue the presentation, saying “I’m sorry” as he walks away.
Dr Kugel told reporters at Israel’s National Centre of Forensic Medicine that they were dealing with the hardest of cases to solve.
“I am afraid that there will be some people we will never identify” he said.
“People have to be prepared for this.”
When Dr Kugel was asked for evidence of beheaded babies, he told reporters that there were decapitated babies, but he couldn’t say how their heads were removed.
“I see charred babies. We see people without heads but I can’t say they are beheaded,” Dr Kugel said.
“I don’t know what is the reason there is no head, I can’t say it is a knife or maybe a projectile.”
More than 900 bodies have been brought to Shura military base following the massacre, with the hardest to identify sent to the forensic centre in Tel Aviv.
Some victims were shot then set on fire, while others were left to burn to death, like the adult and child shared by Dr Kugel in the video below.
So, which Arab capital city shall be reduced to a smoking, radioactive ruin, first?
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There was some discussion on the old Cat about the difficulties bombing Iran.
One was simply the distance. This was aggravated by having to get permission to fly over intervening countries such as Iraq. No way.
Likely route would involve flying down to Suez and Red Sea then over or around Saudi. An impossible distance from there to N Iran and Tehran.
Dunno about missiles.
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Albanese’s hubris threatens to make this government a one termer, pointing to a possible two terms in opposition.
R-G-R scraped in by the skin of its teeth thanks to two yellow bellies. This one must be less than 50:50, especially now. Time to recover but a lot of work to do. Needs some clean air.
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Jorge, says they have aerial refueling capability.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) operates a fleet of tanker aircraft, which are used to refuel their fighter jets and other aircraft during missions. These tankers are essential for extending the range and duration of IAF aircraft, allowing them to carry out various missions, including long-range operations and surveillance.
One of the key tanker aircraft used by the IAF is the Boeing 707-based KC-707 Re’em, which provides aerial refueling capabilities to Israeli fighter jets and other military aircraft. Israel may also acquire or develop other tanker aircraft to enhance their air force’s capabilities.
So they could take the scenic route Suez, and then the Persian Gulf.
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Apparently hamas dogs have forced one of their hostages, a beautiful Israeli girl, to mouth hamas propaganda. It is terrible to think she will suffer and die.
There are now concerns of an outbreak of muzzie terrorism world-wide. Once again I defer to professor Clive Kessler, who states there is no such thing as a moderate muslim.
But as bad is the leftie support for them world-wide. I don’t know what the answer is; islam is like a virulent illness which has periodic outbreaks and continually threatens to wipe out all of humanity. -
Would Iran hit the Saudi oil fields?
Iran and KSA have been cosying up to each other lately. Really strange. So, hard to say. Iraq though has been Iran’s natural enemy so flying over Iraq might be favoured, not risking the Eastern KSA oilfields.
The US also has plenty of assets in the Red Sea at present and over the horizon in Diego Garcia to support any strike on Iran by Israel. There would have to be evidence of Iran’s complicity in order to obtain US agreement/support in all this though. Maybe that too is what Biden is there for to see first hand.
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Robert Sewell
Oct 17, 2023 7:03 PM
RazeyOct 17, 2023 5:56 PM
Who was ultimately responsible for the destruction of Germany in WW2?Germany, of course.
They started it.Right, and there was no choice for the Allies with plenty of innocents dying to accomplish it. Israel also have no choice at this point other than to take out the terrorists. Why should they hold back? The terrorists are an existential threat to the entire country.
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who states there is no such thing as a moderate muslim.
There are a lot of secular muslims who couldn’t give a shit about the Middle East.
Similar to Cheaster Catholics they pop in a couple of times a year to keep the parents happy then its back to drinking & partying.
That number is growing exponentially. -
JC
Oct 17, 2023 8:09 PM
Jorge, says they have aerial refueling capability.The Israeli Air Force (IAF) operates a fleet of tanker aircraft, which are used to refuel their fighter jets and other aircraft during missions. These tankers are essential for extending the range and duration of IAF aircraft, allowing them to carry out various missions, including long-range operations and surveillance.
One of the key tanker aircraft used by the IAF is the Boeing 707-based KC-707 Re’em, which provides aerial refueling capabilities to Israeli fighter jets and other military aircraft. Israel may also acquire or develop other tanker aircraft to enhance their air force’s capabilities.
So they could take the scenic route Suez, and then the Persian Gulf.
As far back as the 1980s, IIRC, Israel flew an attempted strike against Arafat, who was then holed up in Tunisia. He was delayed on his way to an appointment, and the strike missed him, but that was a very long flight by the standards of the day.
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Iran’s missiles
The Shahab-3 has a range of 1,000 kilometres (620 mi); a MRBM variant can now reach 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) (can hit targets as far as Israel, Egypt, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece).
I don’t know if the payloads are large or small, but some of them could hit Israel.
Here: Including the payloads.
The numbers sound like they would leave a significant dent against tiny Israel.
Iran’s missile arsenal is the largest and most diverse in the Middle East. In 2022, U.S. Central Command’s General Kenneth McKenzie stated that Iran possesses “over 3,000” ballistic missiles.
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The terrorists are an existential threat to the entire country.
As I said, the other night.
The Godfather tells Tom in the car.
Tattaglia’s a pimp. He never could’ve outfought Santino, but I didn’t know until this day that it was Barzini all along.
Gazan terrorist thugs are just the pimps while the real threat is Iran, especially a nuked up Iran.
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There was some discussion on the old Cat about the difficulties bombing Iran.
Not hard. Ronald Raygun sank half the Iranian fleet in an afternoon.
Operation Praying Mantis (wiki)
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Jews across the world are in shock, and our grief and fear is getting worse. To be honest, I’m struggling, the despair consumes me, I have highs and lows. Growing up I heard stories of pogroms and mass murder, I never thought I’d see it, but I did see it on the Shabbat of 7 October 2023, an infamous day that will be recorded and stand with other catastrophes in Jewish history (and there have been too many). I go to work because it distracts me, and that’s a good thing.
Today the Jews in my office gathered together, and we zoomed in with Jews in other centres across the country. We sat and talked about our shock, our sadness and our increasing anxiety, particularly the Jew hatred, how we will deal with the situation when Israel does go into Gaza, and the media fall out will inevitably happen, because sadly there will be civilian fatalities and the MSM will paint Israel as the villain. But one of the men in the room said something interesting, he said…”I’ve always been really left-wing but the events of last week have shattered my whole political world view.” I didn’t say anything, we’re all too upset to get into any political debates, but I thought to myself, when reality hits people, it is utterly confronting to the psyche.
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Moonyanooka, where I was a kid throws down the gauntlet at the namby pamby Queenthlanders and their yes vote…
Ahem I raise you Pentland at 6.5% no:
https://www.pollbludger.net/fed2023ref/Results/HR.htm?s=Kennedy
Also Dulacca at 5% no:
https://www.pollbludger.net/fed2023ref/Results/HR.htm?s=Maranoa
All I got say is Chrisifulli has balls of steel ignoring these results even if they are in Katter Country mostly. Polling places round Hinkler, Capricornia and Burdekin (Not Katter country) were trending percentages you’d see in Soviet Bloc show elections or Saddam’s Iraq. Can’t believe an ex Townsville City councillor and Deputy Mayor has such a tin ear.
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Salvatore 16/10 @ 9:13pm
From another Litho – word has seeped down to me all the previous genetations were strong liberal voters – all the Balts were.
I don’t know how he got involved with the unions as that was another thing that was avoided.
I put it down to being an eastern suburbs resident like Gillard and wong -
Guess who else was in Beijing?
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IMO they wont want to use nukes unless Iran does first with a dirty bomb or the likes. That said it will be a Persian city turned to glass before any Arab ones get the same treatment. Persians are not Arabs.
An ex defence mate says similar to JC, Iran could start lobbing missiles at their neighbours, close the straits of Hormuz, unleash Hezbollah and put the US would be at a dangerous decision point. Israelis are enraged and are not going to let Hamas off this time.
I wouldn’t count on too much condemnation from certain parts of the third world either, our news is studiously ignoring all the foreign workers slaughtered just as brutally from a number of countries from Asia, the sub continent and west Africa.
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Have a look at this umpiring Knuckle Dragger. First decision sort of sets the tone.
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Jews across the world are in shock
Shock at having to use phrases like “not since the Holocaust”.
Shock at the response from so many quarters that accuse Jews of their own slaughter.
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Shock that so many hadn’t understood why Israel needs to lock Palestinians where they can’t execute their genocidal blood lust slaughter of Jews. Maybe there will be a bit of understanding now they have seen an example when Israel dropped its guard for a brief moment.
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Some part hasn’t been a shock to many Jews. We’ve explained Israel’s harsh treatment of Palestinians for years. Maybe a few more will understand now you’ve seen it. -
BB:
Instructive that one of those umpires was Rudi Koertzen from Saffieland, who ended up being one of the better Test umpires going around.
Hopefully the rest were immediately sacked forthwith. As the title indicates, shameful.
I would hate to think there was cash involved, but seeing as how both teams got the unlubed pineapple.
Woeful. Just incredibly shit umpiring – at any level, let alone Tests.
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As noted by others, an excellent article by Keith Windschuttle in Quadrant on da Voice.
This direct quote from a book co-authored by Megan Davis says it all:-It is a change to the structure of Australia’s public institutions and would redistribute public power via the Constitution, Australia’s highest law. The reform will create an institutional relationship between governments and First Nations that will compel the state to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in policy and decision-making.
Redistribute public power?
Compel?
Shounds like a generoush and modesht hoshtile takeover to me. -
This event shows how brutal in-humans can be.
I’ve been a bit iffy in the past about the frequency in which the ‘anti-semite’ label has been flung about in regards to speech, especially in affluent, first-world countries far from the Middle East. It seemed to me that the term was in danger of losing its meaning as a early-warning sign.
I’ve never questioned the right of Israel to exist, and for Israelis to be safe from externally-inflicted violence, though before now, I have wondered if maybe, just maybe, there was some justification (for rhetoric, not violent action) in the historical grudge. Admittedly, this is probably more due to my lack of historical knowledge of that region.
I have to admit though, that I’m still in slight shock at the unprovoked, bestial, events of ten days ago. I have no Jewish friends or family, and no reason to feel connected to those disturbing examples of subhuman behaviour, but here I am, fully and without equivocation, in support of Israel’s right to respond with devastating force. Reptilian brains are only capable of responding to the simplest motivations: hate, hunger, fear.
What disturbs me the most, however, is the moral chess being played by our media and public figures. Imagine the reaction if a single, disturbed individual here in Australia targeted, say, a gathering of indig leaders, and callously murdered even 10% of the toll from the Israeli music festival (I still cannot process that that actually happened). The rage expressed by our betters would be felt by the sun (and rightly so).
Our species is devolving. Delusion is a flea-infested security blanket. Bananas are nocturnal. Words are no longer adequate.
Grunt if you can spell ‘quail.’ -
I’ve been a bit iffy in the past about the frequency in which the ‘anti-semite’ label has been flung about in regards to speech, especially in affluent, first-world countries far from the Middle East.
Lately the main use of the term is in sentences like – “I’m sure they’ll call me an antisemite if I criticise Israel” before they lay the usual accusations of baby murder and apartheid or whatever are the current memes. I’ve asked a few to demonstrate they can recognise antisemitic criticisms by giving some examples. They never can.
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Did a disservice to the French chef here when I said I had Sirloin steak and fois gras plus truffes. It was, of course, Fillet Mignon, and it was excellent, but I am still against cruelty to ducks re the fois gras.
Today, going up the cliff in the Gondola from the pier at Santorini (mostly eyes closed but did sneak a look at the extensive blue view of the Caldera) I was shocked to see little donkeys still have a monstrous life stuggling up that 888 stepped cliff-climb bearing along fat humans just as they did when I was here first twenty years ago. Plus ca change.
Even though it is October and shoulder-season Santorini is very busy with tourists, for a number of cruise ships calling into Israel and surrounds have changed route due to perceived dangers and are replacing their journey with Santorini and then the Adriatic ports. Hence Oceania couldn’t get a bus to put on an extra tour to the Minoan culture ruins of Akrotiri, now a major archaeological attraction, under a sheltering and excellent walk around walkway looking down onto them. This ancient town was rebuilt twice after, so it is difficult to excavate, as everything’s been knocked out of place on top of the earlier jumbles. It requires a good interpretive eye as it is all covered with endless chalky dun-coloured dust. However, there is enough left to show what it was once like, highly civilised with running water and sewerage and drainage, even a sit-down inside toilet with a possible hydrolic flush. The frescos are all in museums elsewhere but they do show an advanced civilisation that developed in and around what Hairy calls the sea lane silk road. A very good interpetive video of the interior of one house shows a light-filled and gracious domicile with blue stone floors with red-painted grouting. The sort of house you’d like to live in today, provided the climate was warm and sea breezes blew through it.
We had to hire a car and driver and went in luxe in a Mercedes in order to ensure that we’d have someone waiting to give us a lift back to the town and the Gondola to return by tender to the ship in good time for sailing out. He was a Pakistani illegal immigrant working for ‘the boss’ who owned the tour company we used and he told us of the wide network of information that exists amongst migrants about what sorts of jobs and money you can get in different countries. It’s an international grape vine.
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Alamak!
Oct 17, 2023 9:34 PM
They only need to make a credible threat to nuke the top 5 cities.
Sounds like the kind of wild threat Hamas makes. And the reaction to such a crazy existential threat might be something we’d all regret forever.Alalmak, tell me what’s wrong with that approach instead of throwing nukes around like far too many here want to do.
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thefrollickingmole
Oct 17, 2023 11:15 PM
I have seen a fairly sobering little meme.
Can’t find it but basically it was 2 pics
Top heading : for most of human history
One of a bit of random combat from Ukraine labelled : this is normal
The other of suburbia with : this is notThat’s from Flyingduks site I think.
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A cynic might deduce that there was more than a little coaching in these isolated and poorly educated communities.
19spot on Joh.
‘You cant write Yes? Just tick em.”
‘You cant write No? Just tick em”I will show you how to write the word – YES – elector copies word.
Been there, done that. I also doubt there was any No hand outs or scrutineering at the remotes, just following one booth around took a week out of our lives one federal election.
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