Escalation - very worrying

Israel might be the only 'democracy' (surely our biggest modern idol) in the region, but their democracy only applies to those who identify as Jews, a necessary condition for citizenship. It is really as much a theocracy as Iran, but they're much more skilled at propaganda in Israel.

 

You post good questions.

You cannot trust anyone these days nor should you, however not everything posted in the media is false. We know that churches and hospitals have been bombed, these are facts. We also know that Gaza is a densely populated area. Using bombs and rockets in these areas will end up with civilian casualties, which IMO is reckless. We also know that Israel withheld and destroyed humanitarian aid heading into Gaza. It is clear to me that Israel is operating with a heavy hand.

You are quite correct in that many nations around Israel want them destroyed. As well, you will never get rid of the extremists so long as you have moderates who support them. We also know that the intifada was horrible. But here is the thing, on October 7th Hamas allegedly killed somewhere around 1000 people. Since then Israel has allegedly killed over 40,000 and displaced another 1.9 million. Clearly the counter response of Israel far exceeds the actions of Hamas.

As well, Israel is an inorganic invention placed in the middle east after WWII, in an area which is predominantly Muslim. Does this mean that all Muslim nations will have to be wiped out so that Israel can be at peace? I don't think there will ever be peace so long as Israel is a nation surrounded by Muslim nations.

Personally I think Netanyahu is trying to achieve something that is impossible. His grasp is further than his reach. I also believe that if he keeps on his current trajectory, this is going to blow up in his face. While his popularity has increased since Iran's missile barrage, Israel still only has 9 million people. Which isn't much given the population of the middle east.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Middle_Eastern_countries_by_population

You will have this kind of thing on every message board. You need to be able to back up your assertions with facts. Even then you might get criticized. I suggest that you do not take it personally. Discussion is more important than feelings IMO, because it can lead to new viewpoints emerging. Because you get facts from many different angles. Be open to what both sides of a discussion have to say, it is amazing what one can learn.

I am going to suggest that there are no good guys in this. Given the opportunity, I am sure Hamas/Palestine wouldn't hesitate to do the same thing to Israel. That being said killing 40k people and displacing another 1.9 million isn't exactly a good look, and is impossible to justify.

 

…But, in my opinion, there has “not” been “ discussion” on this, a very small town type site. There has been one viewpoint given, and those who disagree, in many cases, were treated with words quite un Christian. I take nothing here personally, but I just grow to dislike any conversation where people just voicing an opinion, without attacking others, are mistreated.
…A long while back, and I dont even recall if it was during or oost presidency, Trump apparently said or did something that even I, who had supported him all through the “mis” reporting, literally said outloud, “ ohhh c’mon! With all they throw at you WHY did you go and say ( or do) that. It was the headline of the evening. The next day, I either listened to the interview/quote in question, and /or watched it. None of what was reported was true and no more was said about it. I slapped myself in the face for falling for that which I never thought I’d fall for, a media lie.
As stated, I dont know what’s going on in or around Israel. I do know that the democrat party routinely sides against Israel, and I have seen enough to not believe in most of what they say. The media is no friend of Israel, and they are hardly trustworthy. In the meantime, many talking heads or radio voices passionately support Israel , with their own set of facts.
So, My point is that I think an extremely complicated situation with shades of gray everywhere leaves me with more questions than condemnation, and as I have felt since being on this site or any such site, opinions are one thing, but the sometimes mistreatment of others…particularly on this subject and on such a small Catholic site, not only turns me off but tends to make me dismiss any points made.
Alas, one reason I rarely post is that I’d rather read than post. I saw others mistreated before and, to me, that is not “discussion”. And while it may be expected on public boards, I didnt expect it on this one. Now, even “I” am tired of seeing my post, here. And, I certainly don’t want to veer off the road into sounding like I’m lecturing. With that, I made my point, and will go back to sticking quietly with Glenn’s Garabandal thread.

 

I got the same thing when I tried Spiritdigest. Something about my privacy being at danger. I wonder if we will start seeing more and more Christian sites hacked and taken down.

 

I don't care what your opinion is, you need to grow a thicker skin, this is a multimedia message board. This place self-governs to an extent, as is typical with free speech boards. If someone starts overdoing it, they normally get called out by other members. Personally I have seen good things here. Chances are people didn't like your opinion, told you exactly what they thought about it in a consensus manner.

Everyone has been taken in in this day and age. Which is why it is good to have other people's viewpoints, such as you will get on this board.

Yes, there are two sides to this. So clearly you will get two sets of information.

I honestly do not care about your feelings. I do not care about what you do or do not approve of. I also don't care if you feel you have been mistreated here. This site isn't about you and your feelings.

It's not an airport, you don't have to announce when you are leaving.

 

I get the same at Spirit Digest. I deleted the app.

 

Well now….Pax, is it? Really, thanks for the very intense, almost manic lecture. Apparently you read what you like and ignore the parts that get in the way. I don’t know how much more clear I could have been when I stated that “ the mistreatment of others when they clearly just voiced an opinion without attacking others” is what bothered me.
I have no interest in going back and citing who said what to who, but it was the tone I found offensive. Alas, you seem to want free speech for everyone, except me. Very telling.
Since you have chosen to direct your comments to me and not in general, as I tried to, I’ll respond directly to you;
Based on your own words, in that last post of yours where you state several times that you dont care about my feelings or whatever else you stated you didnt care about, you may be 100% right about whatever it is you believe about Israel. But, you are no Christian. Your own words remind me of an angry child throwing a tantrum. Literally, I cant believe someone who seems to post here regularly would even post what you just posted.
Alas, Im glad I read it. Ive had others tell me Id be better off away from this site, and your post, which is totally childish, is a classic example why.
Please have those “ I don’t care” quotes of yours, directed at me ( you wouldnt dare do it in person) tatoo’d on your forehead so people can see how you put your Christianity in practice.
Well, like so many others who “fled” this site, that apparently has zero moderation, I’ll join them.

 

This isn't just any internet forum; it's a small group of people who love Our Lady and are trying to follow Christ while struggling together through the confusing ups and downs of this life. We do care about each other here...as you'll see by all the prayers offered for each other and those dear to us. So it is incredibly strange to me to see a member be so adamant that another member is not cared about. Even if that is how one feels, it isn't charitable to say it aloud. If we don't have charity, we're nothing but a clanging cymbal.

Mark, I hope you'll reconsider staying on the forum. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and point of view.

 

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/u...end-occupation-of-palestine-within-12-months/
"UN overwhelmingly votes to demand Israel end ‘occupation’ of Palestine within 12 months
Only 14 countries, including the United States, voted against the measure while 124 nations supported it and 43 abstained ...

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has repeatedly called for peace. His Eminence has condemned the “nightmare” scenario while also shining light on the crimes being carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces, which attacked a Catholic school in July.

His Eminence has stated that “it is only by ending decades of occupation and its tragic consequences, as well as giving a clear and secure national perspective to the Palestinian people that a serious peace process can begin.”

In June, the U.N. Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in Geneva issued a report that said Israel’s actions in refusing to distinguish between military targets and civilians “indicates that the IDF may have repeatedly violated fundamental principles of the laws of war.” ...

 

Mark, you are most certainly welcomed to stay here. Our discussions can get heated at times, but everyone means well. There is a lot of disinformation used by our media and governments, that causes a lot of anxiety to many of us. Because we know they are not telling the whole truth. For instance, you believe most media is against the Israeli government, but that’s not altogether true. Just look at what’s happening today. The current administration and its media pretend to be against the Israeli government, but they have let them continue this horrific war against many innocent lives. Liberals are brilliant in propaganda. They can twist and spin the truth and look like they really care, but they don’t. They are only interested in power and control. Their obvious hypocrisy can be so frustrating. Please consider staying and contributing to our discussions. We all learn from each other here. And your input is quite important to all of us. God bless.

 

As do I.

 

Exactly, which is why I hardly believe that people on this board were somehow indignant to the point of having to bring up this issue repeatedly in this thread. Even if it were true, then it becomes a big "so what". People say stuff all the time. People disagree all the time. Get over it.

Exactly, which is why I don't buy into the story that Mark was done wrong on this board.

I never said I didn't care about Mark, I said I don't care about his feelings or approval. Mark clearly wasn't interested in having a conversation, but rather milking the alleged injustice done to him.

I hope so too, but I also hope he doesn't get into self-pity every time someone or multiple people disagree with him on this board. If someone believes something, they should post facts about it and stand up for it. Have a conversation, everyone here is totally open to having them. But also be ready for criticism for anything posted.

 

I think , 'Spirit Digest's' Security Certificate has run out.

Just sent her an email to let her know. It might be a bit dodgy accessing her site until she fixes this.

'A website security certificate, also known as an SSL certificate, digital certificate, or HTTPS certificate, verifies a website's identity and authenticity. It's a small data file that contains information about the website and its company, including its public key.

A website security certificate protects users from cybercriminals by creating a secure connection between the website and the user's browser. Without a certificate, cybercriminals could intercept information like passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal details.

Here's how a website security certificate works:

• Browser checks the certificate
  When a user visits a secure website, their browser verifies that the certificate matches the website address and is signed by a trusted certificate authority.

• Devices reference the certificate
  When a device tries to communicate with the website's origin server, it references the certificate to verify the server's identity and get the public key.

A certificate authority (CA) issues security certificates to websites after verifying the website's ownership. SSL certificates enable websites to use HTTPS, which is more secure than HTTP.

There are different types of certificates, including single domain name, wildcard, and multi-domain certificates. SSL certificates can be purchased directly from a CA or from a web host.

• What Are Website Security Certifications? And How To Get One
  15 Aug 2024 — What is a website security certification? A website security certification is a digital file containing information tha...
  
  Indeed

• Understanding Website Certificates | CISA
  1 Feb 2021
  
  CISA

• What is an SSL certificate? - Cloudflare
  SSL certificates are what enable websites to use HTTPS, which is more secure than HTTP. An SSL certificate is a data file hosted i...

 

I think Mark's assertion of Pax Prima's very considered, patient and point-by-point systematic replies as being 'almost manic' is unjustified and personalised.

For my own part, I thought Pax Prima represented the views of this forum very fairly and accurately.

I personally have no intent to achieve some kind of secular 'balance' in my contributions. The Truth is not necessarily a mid-point between two extremes-sometimes, it is to be found at one of the extremes. The Truth by which I try, often unsuccessfully, to measure myself, is that represented by the Catholic Church, rather than by any worldly politicians. Mark himself pointed out how difficult it is to discern the Truth in the modern media/internet chaos, all the more reason to pay attention to the long-held views of the Church in these matters. Still, as Pax Prima rightly pointed out, there are some events so glaring that even the most blatant propaganda can not hide them-they are 'facts'.

This issue is discussed on this site differently than I find in almost all other forums. In the rest, it is treated as a zero-sum debate between those who support Hamas and those who support Israel. Here, the atrocities of both sides are treated as what they are. Except for here, the unfortunate Christians of the region are treated as if they don't exist, or, if they are recognised, are contemptuously regarded as being of no matter. Behind all the propaganda, I cannot believe that most Muslims support the atrocities of Hamas nor that most Jews support the worst excesses of Netanyahu. However, I am convinced that both of these false religions, Mohammedanism and anti-Christian Judaism (for Christianity is pro-Christian Judaism) encourage and facilitate these excesses and atrocities, something notably rare in the Ukraine-Russian conflict, no matter how bitter, one between two countries with Christian cultures.

I hope everyone will continue with their valuable contributions, or I will have no source of reliable information.

P.S. : Another thing. My personal view is that Israel is an illicit, illegal entity. However, like the Unionists on the island of Ireland, the Jews within it are now there. They are a fact, no matter how awkward. To now drive them out would be another great injustice. Yet, I think the Palestinians do also have a 'right to return' to what is their country of two millenia. It is a right mess. Yet, history is, to a large extent, the playing out of the consequences of Imperialism, the British being the prime culprits in this case, as they were in my own country.

 

Matthew RJ Brodsky, former advisor to the Trump administration’s Middle East peace team and the White House’s Palestinian-Israeli peace team, tweeted on X:

“Israel should carpet bomb the Irish area and then drop napalm over it.”

Brodsky is a Middle East and Jewish affairs analyst and Senior Middle East Analyst at Wikistrat. Previously, he served as the Director of Policy for the Jewish Policy Center.

 

What madness. A demonic call from a mass murderer in intention. Whoever hates another, as the Word says, is already a murderer in his heart, and whoever is calling for mass-murdering Irish international peacekeepers like this is a mass murdering terrorist in his heart. I heard he got suspended from X over it. Good. He should be suspended from the White House next.

"BREAKING White House advisor Matthew Brodsky suspended from X after calling for Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon to be burned alive. Not enough. Suspend him from the Whitehouse." https://x.com/AdameMedia/status/1844096219607634325

 

"All south Lebanon is being targeted,” Boutros says, adding that this is resulting in many residents seeking shelter in churches. “These are not purely Shia or Hezbollah areas, and we have a lot of Christian families living there.”

Historically the southern area of Lebanon has been populated by a large Christian population."

https://catholicherald.co.uk/church...ors-to-those-displaced-by-israeli-airstrikes/ Let's pray urgently to God and Our Lady for Peace.

 

This is typical of the neo-conservative worldview, but they wouldn't usually be that explicit. They're getting bolder.