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The Magistrate

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66. Depends On The Audience, Sir

Tue Jul 8, 2014, 12:29 PM

Jul 2014

I agree that on level of domestic politics, the certain lack of casualties does reduce fervor of political opposition ( although probably a more effective damper on domestic opposition is the very wide public support for the end the use of drones is aimed at, namely containing and hampering and even punishing jihadis ).

But the politics of whether it is legitimate military action or not, in the view of others around the globe, are a different matter. To a good many people, this weaponry seems an emblem of imperial over-reach, and it is my view the risklessness of the weaponry feeds this.

Regarding the other, Sir, I am pretty much a traditionalist, and territory throughout most of human history has belonged to those most willing to shed blood for it, whether to take it or to hold it if already in possession. I do not see that that really has changed very much, though I will grant the degree of comfort with which people are willing to regard the flat statement of the proposition may have altered somewhat....

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IDF's Operation "Protective Edge" Begins Against Gaza [View all] another_liberal Jul 2014 OP

I don't understand why Hamas officially took credit for yesterday's rocket attacks hack89 Jul 2014 #1

Perhaps they knew what Netanyahu was likely to do . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #3

Netanyahu doesn't need to be baited to attack Hamas hack89 Jul 2014 #5

Syria and Iran are not Hamas . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #7

Israel already tried to destroy Hezbollah. It didn't work. Comrade Grumpy Jul 2014 #8

+1. nt bemildred Jul 2014 #14

Hezbollah is a lot weaker hack89 Jul 2014 #15

Israel invade Lebanon again? another_liberal Jul 2014 #19

Have you ever read a military analysis of their last campaign? hack89 Jul 2014 #25

Leave the military obstacles to be surmounted . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #29

They won't attack first. That is why there won't be a wider war. hack89 Jul 2014 #35

None Of Those Were The Real Problem, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #30

Interesting. Igel Jul 2014 #36

Judging from the introduction of new tactics and procedures for Cast Lead hack89 Jul 2014 #37

Not Much Comparison Between The Two Campaigns, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #44

I have to go with George S. Patton on this, sir. Fozzledick Jul 2014 #41

Patton, Sir, Hardly Went Out Of His Way To Minimize Casualties In His Forces The Magistrate Jul 2014 #46

True enough, Sir, but that was a matter of expedience in attack, not a philosophical goal. Fozzledick Jul 2014 #61

I Am Not Urging 'Blood Sacrifice For Its Own Sake', Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #62

I take your point on tactical necessity, Sir, but I beg to differ on the political. Fozzledick Jul 2014 #63

Depends On The Audience, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #66

I'd take Hezbollah right now over Israel in a New York minute. I watched ballyhoo Jul 2014 #28

Were you paying attention in Gaza hack89 Jul 2014 #34

The problem is what worked in Gaza has no relation to what might be needed in Lebanon. BillZBubb Jul 2014 #54

Nasrallah is no slouch. Maybe you are right, but I think it will be no ballyhoo Jul 2014 #58

Hamas, Sir, Would Be Wise Not To Fire Rockets The Magistrate Jul 2014 #2

I was referring to Israel's failed tactic of wide-scale bombing . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #4

Israel can't give Hamas what they demand hack89 Jul 2014 #6

This message was self-deleted by its author cerveza_gratis Jul 2014 #9

Same place as the Israeli Gandhi I imagine n/t Scootaloo Jul 2014 #11

That is their opening demand, yes . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #12

That how wars are fought hack89 Jul 2014 #17

Nice to live thousands of miles away from all the fighting and dying . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #20

So long as the right kind of people are doing the dying, of course Scootaloo Jul 2014 #23

As a combat veteran, it would not be a revelation at all. Nt hack89 Jul 2014 #39

one would never guess from your posts thus far. Scootaloo Jul 2014 #40

Beirut, Persian Gulf and Desert Storm. nt hack89 Jul 2014 #47

I stand by what I said, then n/t Scootaloo Jul 2014 #48

So? nt hack89 Jul 2014 #50

I seen enough combat to not wish it on anyone hack89 Jul 2014 #38

Fire Rockets, Get Bombed --- The Circle of life Continues, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #10

In another thread, you said you're well-versed in the situation. so a question... Scootaloo Jul 2014 #13

That Is Quite The Question, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #18

This is actually debatable Scootaloo Jul 2014 #22

If One Take That Line, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #26

One certainly can, when so many of those actions do not, cannot achieve the stated goals Scootaloo Jul 2014 #43

Neither Of Those Are Serious Arguments, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #51

It's a perfectly serious argument Scootaloo Jul 2014 #53

I agree with Scootaloo on that point. BillZBubb Jul 2014 #55

So You Denounce All Violence By Hamas, Hezbollah, Various P.A. Factions, Etc., Sir? The Magistrate Jul 2014 #56

I do Scootaloo Jul 2014 #59

I Have Neither Defended Nor Denounced Either Party, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #60

It is argued that Israel, as the occupying power, is responsible for all that happens there. bemildred Jul 2014 #27

Successful Partisan Movements And National Liberation Movements, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #31

The Palestinians have not been able to do that, Sir, as you mentioned. bemildred Jul 2014 #32

It Was A Feature Of The Scene Before There Was An Israel, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #33

There is no doubt, Sir, that the Arabs could have done better for themselves in various ways. bemildred Jul 2014 #42

You Are Correct Enough About The Here And Now, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #49

I like History, as you know, but I tend to be seized with analyzing and solving current problems. bemildred Jul 2014 #52

At least, that's what the movies say after they're successful Scootaloo Jul 2014 #45

Quite right, a little of both. bemildred Jul 2014 #24

at the risk of apologizing for a P.A. regime that has oft been both corrupt and brutal, geek tragedy Jul 2014 #67

I must say, Magistrate... Johnyawl Jul 2014 #16

Keep watching . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #21

And What Might That 'Quite Different' Thing Be, Sir? The Magistrate Jul 2014 #57

That sums it up Harmony Blue Jul 2014 #64

Air raid sirens in Tel Aviv, rocket apparently intercepted Bosonic Jul 2014 #65

Iron Dome intercepts rockets over cities across Israel in largest salvo of rockets yet bemildred Jul 2014 #68

Remember the first Gulf War? another_liberal Jul 2014 #69

It is hard to say out here in TV land, which is somewhat the point. bemildred Jul 2014 #70