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Melvyn Leffler, Confronting Saddam Hussein: George W. Bush and the Invasion of Iraq (Oxford University Press, 2023) Historians have always faced the
— Read on warontherocks.com/2023/01/confronting-the-iraq-war-melvyn-leffler-george-bush-and-the-problem-of-trusting-your-sources/ -
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The costly Roman operation was likely undertaken only after Masada-based Jewish forces raided nearby Ein Gedi and disrupted production of balsam, a precious commodity, TAU prof says
— Read on www.timesofisrael.com/masada-legend-upended-the-romans-came-saw-and-conquered-quickly-and-brutally/ -
THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2024
Germany
The far right party which won a local election in Germany (the first time a right wing party had won since before the second world war) has astounded and troubled Europe.
United States
A fourteen-year-old killed two other fourteen-year-olds and two teachers. The teenager had been interviewed by the FBI over a year ago. There are no background checks for buying guns in Georgia. As Frank Figliuzzi said yesterday, we are doing better at predicting people who might commit a mass slaying, but nothing to get better and doing something about it before it happens.
Both the FBI and the local sheriff’s office was aware of the teenager before the shooting. Gun violence is the number one cause of death for children and teenagers. There are not even safe storage laws in Georgia. There is open carry.
I was at a demonstration in Georgia several years ago where uniformed men and women were walking around with automatic weapons strapped around their chests. These people were, of course, enjoying acting as threatening as they could. I did not feel safe. One of the speakers talked about “Jewspapers.” I was amazed.
BRIAN KEMP IS NOT A HERO. Kemp is like the gang member who is perfectly happy to share in the fruits of the gang’s activities just not willing to go into the liquor store with a gun.
(Note: It’s pouring rain outside, again. This weather is brutal for people with sinus problems. My little caretaker cat, Hiram Bernard, is curled up in his heated bed at the foot of my bed. He is a sweet, complicated soul.)
Later: CNN
- It seems the motive was celebrity for this kid in Georgia.
- The father has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and (I think) second-degree murder.
- The father bought the son an automatic weapon months AFTER the police came and interviewed the father and son about tips that the kid had bragged about hatching a plan for a school shooting.
- Increasingly parents are being charged after school shootings.
- The son had a “discord account.”
- In 2004 the assault weapons ban ran out.
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Lithuanian FM: West ‘chose to be caught off guard’ by Russia’s invasion
— Read on kyivindependent.com/landsbergis/Sitting on NATO’s eastern frontier, Lithuania has been punching above its weight when it comes to aiding Ukraine.
Ranked among the top military donors in terms of GDP per capita, the country of 2.8 million has provided Ukraine with helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, and air defenses, not to mention extensive humanitarian support. Vilnius has also pledged to allocate at least 0.25% of its yearly GDP to boost Kyiv’s defense capabilities.
This resolute support is not without cause. Sharing Ukraine’s history of subjugation by Russia and sandwiched between the heavily armed exclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow’s ally Belarus, Lithuanian leaders understand that freedom and sovereignty can be lost.
Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has been one of the most vocal voices among Western top officials, calling for more decisive support for Ukraine and warning against Russian expansionism.
The Kyiv Independent sat down with Minister Landsbergis at the Globsec forum in Prague on Aug. 30 to discuss how to finally win the war.
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In the choice between what’s good for Israel and what’s good for Bibi – the result is known. So there’s no way but to conclude that Israel is rapidly approaching a comprehensive war. That’s what Bibi wants, that’s what Ben-Gvir wants, that’s what Smotrich wants.
But blowing up the negotiations because of Netanyahu’s tricks could speed up the eruption of the overall confrontation to which he’s leading. When this happens, Israel may find that the American army isn’t ready to enter into a complicated, sensitive military confrontation in the Middle East only because the narcissistic, immoral, spineless crook who is orchestrating it desires. We could find ourselves without America and without the deterrent power and response that an American military presence can give us.
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SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2024
Oh, boy, where did August go? I’m still hobbling around on a hurt knee, but I can at least put weight on it now. I need two shoulder replacements and another knee replacement. Get your thyroids checked, and if you have abnormal levels, get something done – while you are young.
Israel (MSNBC)
The IDF reports that six Israeli hostages, most of them young people who were at the music festival, were killed shortly before troops could get to them in Rafah.
HAMAS blamed Netanyahu and Biden for the murders. Last week, a hostage was abandoned and found alive.
There is another large protest in Israel where they are trying to pressure the government into making a cease fire deal. They want to shut down the country. The protest is for a cease fire deal and also against Netanyahu. Families argue that a military solution is a death sentence for the hostages.
Interview with Aaron David Miller:
- Sinwar, Hamas leader, is probably in a tunnel in Gaza. He has probably directed the killing of hostages and not allowing them to be taken back alive.
- Two right-wing members of Netanyahu’s government have threatened to resign if any cease fire deal is made.
- Harris has said Hamas cannot control Gaza. This echoes Netanyahu’s line of argument.
- Sinwar and Netanyahu have decided that time is on their side and they have no reason to come to an agreement.
- There were things that the US could do to pressure for a cease fire, but they have been reluctant to do that.
Other
- Oh, no. A debate on September 10. I can’t. I just can’t. You cannot “debate” Donald Trump. I sense a disaster in this. How can they think that this will work?
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Top Hamas official Mashaal urges resumption of suicide bombings against Israel | The Times of Israel
Speaking in Istanbul, Khaled Mashaal says Israel must be met with ‘open conflict,’ calls on Palestinians to join ‘actual resistance against the Zionist entity’
— Read on www.timesofisrael.com/top-hamas-official-mashaal-urges-resumption-of-suicide-bombings-against-israel/ -
US bureau chief Jacob Magid on a new batch of US sanctions against extremist settlers, and National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby’s optimism; also a big oops! in Haifa
— Read on www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-aug-29-day-328-hamas-urges-suicide-attacks-as-idf-operates-in-west-bank/The Israeli military has launched a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the wake of last week’s attempted suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that is expected to last at least several days, military sources said yesterday. At the same time, top Hamas official Khaled Mashal in Turkey yesterday called for a resumption of suicide bombings
The US issued its sixth batch of sanctions targeting Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, blacklisting a group that provides volunteer guards for illegal outposts and a civilian security guard for a flashpoint settlement who has allegedly engaged in attacks against Palestinians. Magid gives nuance to who was — and what wasn’t — including in this latest batch of sanctions.
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Law, Power, and Justice 