Explosions Seen over Gaza in "Saddest Photo Yet" from Space

[Kerethos]

If only Israel had some kind of multi-million dollar missile defence system... Nope, the only way to defend themselves is by bombing civilians who can't run away. You know, for peace.

The defense systems have little use against short-range missile fire, as the system can't properly react to so small targets so quickly. If it could, we wouldn't have news about rockets hitting anywhere in Israel - they do hit, btw, but casualties have been small.

Also, I live next to oh-so-dear Russia, and I can say I wouldn't want them sending missiles against me almost every day even if we had something to block them. So I should just play this song?:

Considering that the man singing ended up committing suicide, I'm fairly certain it's not sending the right message

 

[McElroy]

If only Israel had some kind of multi-million dollar missile defence system... Nope, the only way to defend themselves is by bombing civilians who can't run away. You know, for peace.

The defense systems have little use against short-range missile fire, as the system can't properly react to so small targets so quickly. If it could, we wouldn't have news about rockets hitting anywhere in Israel - they do hit, btw, but casualties have been small.

Also, I live next to oh-so-dear Russia, and I can say I wouldn't want them sending missiles against me almost every day even if we had something to block them. So I should just play this song?:

Considering that the man singing ended up committing suicide, I'm fairly certain it's not sending the right message

Bobby McFerrin is alive and well. Or simply not worrying and being happy.

And a big no-no to Russians sending missiles here. Only tourists please. Preferably ones that know how to drive.

 

[Kerethos]

snip

snip

snip

Bobby McFerrin is alive and well. Or simply not worrying and being happy.

And a big no-no to Russians sending missiles here. Only tourists please. Preferably ones that know how to drive.

You are indeed correct. I must have got him mixed up with someone else. Thanks for mending that error in my generally limited knowledge about music ^_^

 

[RA92]

Everything you've linked is a lie. You're using a source that says that CNN is Israeli State TV and a youtube video that is so fake its ridiculous. Its just like the Palestinians and their supporters, fake videos, fake images, fake graphs. Do you remember when you guys photoshopped Beirut during the Second Lebanon War? And used photos from Syria claiming they are Gaza? Or claimed that every Hamas death is a civilian death?

Care to point out a rebuttal to CNN inviting only Israeli voices in this conflict? That there isn't any bias whatsoever in their news?

Maybe you are the one putting fingers in your ears and going "La-la-la"? According to UN OCHA, 75 percent of those killed were NOT armed militants. In Cast Lead, 2008/9, Israel killed 1400 Gazans, and the vast majority were non-combatants, in other words, civilians. Same goes for the recent conflict.

 

[Kotaro]

This whole war is horrific and tragic, but it's not much more than the latest attempt to exterminate the Jews (the Arabs are perfectly aware that not all of Israel's population is Jewish, but they don't seem to care). Israeli retaliation killing civilians is awful, but unavoidable as in every war. No one side is purely in the right here, but as a Jew myself (ethnically and culturally, if not spiritually), I tend to sympathize more with the Israelis here...
There's a quote from Golda Meir that I love: "There will be peace when the Arabs love their children more than they hate the Jews."

Wish I was a Jew. I could head over, shoot as many Palestinian children I wanted. Then I could steal some land and build a big fortress complex on it and shoot at their parents as they tried to scavenge for food.

Even better, if anyone tried to call me on my actions I could gently weep and say 'remember the holocaust' safe in the knowledge there would be no reprisals for my actions!

And comments like this make me want to vomit.

 

[Gorrath]

Wish I was a Jew. I could head over, shoot as many Palestinian children I wanted. Then I could steal some land and build a big fortress complex on it and shoot at their parents as they tried to scavenge for food.

Even better, if anyone tried to call me on my actions I could gently weep and say 'remember the holocaust' safe in the knowledge there would be no reprisals for my actions!

Does this fantasy you're engaged in include those scavengers making rockets to shoot at your children's schools or electing leadership which believes you and everyone like you should be eradicated from the face of the Earth? Nah, why should it? Better to just be as hyperbolic in your fantasy as possible, that way you don't need to look for any real answers or solutions. Better to simply act as if the whole conflict is brave freedom fighters against ravening monsters.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

 

[Gorrath]

Wish I was a Jew. I could head over, shoot as many Palestinian children I wanted. Then I could steal some land and build a big fortress complex on it and shoot at their parents as they tried to scavenge for food.

Even better, if anyone tried to call me on my actions I could gently weep and say 'remember the holocaust' safe in the knowledge there would be no reprisals for my actions!

Does this fantasy you're engaged in include those scavengers making rockets to shoot at your children's schools or electing leadership which believes you and everyone like you should be eradicated from the face of the Earth? Nah, why should it? Better to just be as hyperbolic in your fantasy as possible, that way you don't need to look for any real answers or solutions. Better to simply act as if the whole conflict is brave freedom fighters against ravening monsters.

Lol!
I take it your american?

Certainly sounds like it. This tends to be the idiotic rhetoric from people only ever told half the story.

The jews have been committing war crimes in the area for decades. Then they wonder why the terrorized inhabitants turn to look for answers from the wrong people.
What a joke.

Those settlements in the west bank are illegal for starters. They should be demolished and the American colonists living in them deported back to America.

Hell I can still remember the 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

I agree with the settlements being illegal. I also disagree with a metric ton of what Israel does. I also disagree with your assessment of the situation and think that your take on the situation is as poorly realized, scrutinized and vapid as what you assume most Americans believe, just on the other side of the conflict. Both sides have been committing war crimes against each other for decades, the only difference is that Israel has the bigger guns. I don't condone either side. My sympathy isn't for Israel, it's for the unfortunate people on each side that suffer from the conflict, a conflict fueled by the exact sort of mistrust and hatred your post contained.

You described my response as "idiotic rhetoric from people only ever told half the story," and so I ask you which part is rhetoric. Are rockets not fired at Israeli schools or have the people of Palestine not elected leaders who have adopted the stance that Israel should be wiped off the map? Which of those two accusations is patently false?

 

[Gorrath]

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

From a purely strategic standpoint, you have to shoot the kind standing behind his baby sister, or else you might as well just surrender as you have no chance to win the battle. The problem is this analogy does not cover all of what Israel does. They shoot at the kid when he's in the open and when he's hiding behind his sister and he sometimes shoots the baby sister even when the kid is somewhere else entirely. While none of it is good, the last part is the biggest problem.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

From a purely strategic standpoint, you have to shoot the kind standing behind his baby sister, or else you might as well just surrender as you have no chance to win the battle. The problem is this analogy does not cover all of what Israel does. They shoot at the kid when he's in the open and when he's hiding behind his sister and he sometimes shoots the baby sister even when the kid is somewhere else entirely. While none of it is good, the last part is the biggest problem.

True, but the first kid also has a penchant to run towards family of the second kid and throw water balloons at them at point blank range.

My first point is: everyone should be against both governments here; they're both being complete dicks. My second point is: everyone should not be against the citizens of either state, because they can't help the former (too much).

 

[Gorrath]

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

From a purely strategic standpoint, you have to shoot the kind standing behind his baby sister, or else you might as well just surrender as you have no chance to win the battle. The problem is this analogy does not cover all of what Israel does. They shoot at the kid when he's in the open and when he's hiding behind his sister and he sometimes shoots the baby sister even when the kid is somewhere else entirely. While none of it is good, the last part is the biggest problem.

True, but the first kid also has a penchant to run towards family of the second kid and throw water balloons at them at point blank range.

My first point is: everyone should be against both governments here; they're both being complete dicks. My second point is: everyone should not be against the citizens of either state, because they can't help the former (too much).

I can agree with and support both of your points, as I feel exactly the same way. I served in several conflicts myself, so I always feel the urge to explain when people ask why we shoot at places we know innocent people are at/in. A sane person does not call in an airstrike on a school with jubilation in their heart, but I feel there isn't much sanity in this conflict. Glad you see that both sides are deeply in the wrong.

 

[chadachada123]

Edit: Ah, whatever. I'm getting too old for arguing on the internet, even if I was mostly in support of the guy I quoted. I'll just get rid of that whole response and change it to say that I'm almost completely in line with the guy above me, the analogy used, and all the people quoted inside.

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

From a purely strategic standpoint, you have to shoot the kind standing behind his baby sister, or else you might as well just surrender as you have no chance to win the battle. The problem is this analogy does not cover all of what Israel does. They shoot at the kid when he's in the open and when he's hiding behind his sister and he sometimes shoots the baby sister even when the kid is somewhere else entirely. While none of it is good, the last part is the biggest problem.

True, but the first kid also has a penchant to run towards family of the second kid and throw water balloons at them at point blank range.

My first point is: everyone should be against both governments here; they're both being complete dicks. My second point is: everyone should not be against the citizens of either state, because they can't help the former (too much).

I can agree with and support both of your points, as I feel exactly the same way. I served in several conflicts myself, so I always feel the urge to explain when people ask why we shoot at places we know innocent people are at/in. A sane person does not call in an airstrike on a school with jubilation in their heart, but I feel there isn't much sanity in this conflict. Glad you see that both sides are deeply in the wrong.

Yeah, pretty much this. It seriously looks like Israel is looking for an excuse to kill Palestinians, good or bad, not realizing that using a riot cannon is going to make the kids' younger brother and other friends into dicks as well.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

Edit: Ah, whatever. I'm getting too old for arguing on the internet, even if I was mostly in support of the guy I quoted. I'll just get rid of that whole response and change it to say that I'm almost completely in line with the guy above me, the analogy used, and all the people quoted inside.

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

From a purely strategic standpoint, you have to shoot the kind standing behind his baby sister, or else you might as well just surrender as you have no chance to win the battle. The problem is this analogy does not cover all of what Israel does. They shoot at the kid when he's in the open and when he's hiding behind his sister and he sometimes shoots the baby sister even when the kid is somewhere else entirely. While none of it is good, the last part is the biggest problem.

True, but the first kid also has a penchant to run towards family of the second kid and throw water balloons at them at point blank range.

My first point is: everyone should be against both governments here; they're both being complete dicks. My second point is: everyone should not be against the citizens of either state, because they can't help the former (too much).

I can agree with and support both of your points, as I feel exactly the same way. I served in several conflicts myself, so I always feel the urge to explain when people ask why we shoot at places we know innocent people are at/in. A sane person does not call in an airstrike on a school with jubilation in their heart, but I feel there isn't much sanity in this conflict. Glad you see that both sides are deeply in the wrong.

Yeah, pretty much this. It seriously looks like Israel is looking for an excuse to kill Palestinians, good or bad, not realizing that using a riot cannon is going to make the kids' younger brother and other friends into dicks as well.

Which leads to my third point I wanted to make, the one I did by pointing to the Stewart video:
People on both side of the argument are acting completely unreasonable and often act like complete assholes. I mean, come on. The article is "look at this sad picture about this sad conflict". First response, verbatim, is : "The only thing I can think of is that maybe if the terrorist group Hamas didn't keep surrounding themselves and their installations with children for propaganda photo ops, then maybe those children would still be alive."

 

[Jumplion]

I'll just leave this here...

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7wnfel/we-need-to-talk-about-israel

EDIT:

To add some actual substance to this post: I hate the governments of both sides. Citizens on both sides are almost all innocent and deserve our respect and care. If you disagree on that: fuck you sideways with a broken bottle.

Do the governments on both sides do horrible things? Yes, they do. However, the difference is is that we have two kids. The first kid uses a water pistol that shoots two feet and balloons that explode in his own face as often as they don't. The other kid is using a riot water cannon. The first kid is an asshole for hiding behind his baby sister after shooting the other kid. The second kid is a douche for actually shooting when he's hiding behind her.

The argument for "proportionality" is kind of iffy, because if Hamas (and I specify Hamas for a reason, I do not wish to associate terrorists with actual Palestinians) had their way or if Israel did not have the capabilities to defend itself the death toll would indeed be "more even". I'd like to think more deaths for "proportions sake" would not be the solution to this sort of thing, though.

And though I understand the intent behind that analogy, I'd like to think the baby sitter would blame the kid firing first in that scenario. At least to the extent of "wtf, why are you randomly firing shit at this kid. I wouldn't be wet if you'd stop and just talk to the guy about your problems."

Also, I love that video, thanks for linking it. Can't help but share the same sentiments.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to excuse Hamas' tactics in any way here, as you say they use human shields and launch missiles indiscriminately into Isreali territory - but there is a big difference between the Isrealis targeting a military target that regretfully contains hostages and them targeting UN refugee shelters. And although I am fully aware that tragic accidents can happen, according to the news article I cited that is the forth UN refugee centre to be hit in four days. That goes beyond unfortunate coincidence I'm afraid.

Well, yeah, it's not a coincidence. As I said before, Hamas uses these shelters, and other civilian hubs, as bases of operations. Now, there could be some debate over the aggressiveness or trigger-happyness of Israel in this situation, though I doubt it's full of as much malicious intent so much as it's based in paranoia and, to an extent, desperation.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

The argument for "proportionality" is kind of iffy, because if Hamas (and I specify Hamas for a reason, I do not wish to associate terrorists with actual Palestinians) had their way or if Israel did not have the capabilities to defend itself the death toll would indeed be "more even". I'd like to think more deaths for "proportions sake" would not be the solution to this sort of thing, though.

Where did you see me say that? I'm just saying that both sides of this conflict (which does not include citizens) are a bunch of dickwads the word could do without.

And though I understand the intent behind that analogy, I'd like to think the baby sitter would blame the kid firing first in that scenario. At least to the extent of "wtf, why are you randomly firing shit at this kid. I wouldn't be wet if you'd stop and just talk to the guy about your problems."

Except that the baby sitter was at fault here, since she said something thoughtless and inappropriate which started a debate between the children, in which she gave a toy the first child had to the second and said they'd have to share.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

All I see is a mass of street lights, and the shape of a coastline that doesn't exist in Gaza... Citation Needed...

 

[WouldYouKindly]

Someone posted Mad World earlier. I think this is also fitting


A song about another conflict fought way beyond when it should have ended. Let's hope it doesn't take 400 years to finally quiet down, like the relationship between Ireland and England.

Then again, the British didn't respond to IRA attacks by bombing Ireland.

 

[forgo911]

This really isn't the site to discuss this and before my absolute disgust for the Zionist murderers spills out into something uncontrollable this is all political, they are killing Palestinians to win votes because that's what makes you popular.

The killing of children also shows the disregard Israel has for Palestinian lives. The names of Umama Al-Hayyeh, age nine; Dima Isleem, age two; Mohamad Ayyad, age two; Rahaf Abu Jumaa, age four as well more than 130 other children killed are a reminder that every single Palestinian is a possible target for Israel.

The deaths on the Palestinian side is nearing 800 and every innocent son, daughter, mother, sister, brother or father they butcher they will create more and more people who will hate Israel for a lifetime and can you blame them?

People die everyday, in wars, from sickness, from famine, from old age. Should we make an exception for someone just because they're "innocent"? No one is innocent, from the youngest child to the oldest person. Everyone has done something that breaks social contract in some way. Israel isn't in the wrong for attacking places where civilians live. If the people living in the shelters are willing to let Hamas do what they are doing, then they are just as guilty as the next person. If the Palestinians want to see their people survive, then they should be dong something to stop Hamas, instead of standing by and letting them do what they want. In my opinion, those who don't take action to prevent their fate, deserve what happens to them; no matter if it death of prison.

 

[forgo911]

Everything you've linked is a lie. You're using a source that says that CNN is Israeli State TV and a youtube video that is so fake its ridiculous. Its just like the Palestinians and their supporters, fake videos, fake images, fake graphs. Do you remember when you guys photoshopped Beirut during the Second Lebanon War? And used photos from Syria claiming they are Gaza? Or claimed that every Hamas death is a civilian death?

Care to point out a rebuttal to CNN inviting only Israeli voices in this conflict? That there isn't any bias whatsoever in their news?

Maybe you are the one putting fingers in your ears and going "La-la-la"? According to UN OCHA, 75 percent of those killed were NOT armed militants. In Cast Lead, 2008/9, Israel killed 1400 Gazans, and the vast majority were non-combatants, in other words, civilians. Same goes for the recent conflict.

In case you don't know, NPR has brought on both Israel and Hamas voices for the case, and from what the Hamas Rep said, it seemed to me that they are more than willing to continue to use hospitals as shelters. In fact, the Rep of Hamas almost seemed happy when he told NPR that he would have no qualms about continuing to use shelters and hospitals to continue to protect their base.

If you want to find a recording of this conversation, you can check the NPR website, I have no clue if it is still going to be there thou. Also please reference your statistics, without a way to fact check those numbers, I can only say that those numbers are bogus, thought up at the spur of the moment to make your argument sound more appealing.

 

[RA92]

If you want to find a recording of this conversation, you can check the NPR website, I have no clue if it is still going to be there thou. Also please reference your statistics, without a way to fact check those numbers, I can only say that those numbers are bogus, thought up at the spur of the moment to make your argument sound more appealing.

Here're your references.

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_26_english.pdf
http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_sitrep_26_07_2014.pdf

I couldn't find your conversation on the NPR website.

Israel isn't in the wrong for attacking places where civilians live. If the people living in the shelters are willing to let Hamas do what they are doing, then they are just as guilty as the next person. If the Palestinians want to see their people survive, then they should be dong something to stop Hamas, instead of standing by and letting them do what they want. In my opinion, those who don't take action to prevent their fate, deserve what happens to them; no matter if it death of prison.

You know, that same excuse has been used by the Israeli forces <url=http://euromid.org/en/article/533?utm_content=bufferb93a2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer>to steal shit worth around $3 million from the Palestinians. The spokespersons for the Israeli government said that goods were "confiscated" from sources, that were using them for funding or supporting terrorism. Ha. Ha.

But let's back up a moment. First off, you somehow took me to be giving implicit support to Hamas just because I was criticizing the Israeli military. Hamas is simply the only option for the Palestinians to be not driven off into the sea. Just see how all this started. The Israeli teenagers being kidnapped and murdered was absolutely horrible, but Israel's reaction was disproportionate. They looted houses and arrested hundreds of people, including Hamas leaders even though they denied any involvement (which started all the rocket fire and the current clash), thus exploiting the tragedy. But at the end of the day? <url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/07/hamas-didnt-kidnap-the-israeli-teens-after-all.html>The Israeli gov admits it was the work of a lone cell. But what was done was done. The IDF got their excuse to bait Hamas and then subsequently bomb the hell out Gaza.

The larger majority of the Palestinians <url=http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/international_security_bt/137.php?nid=&id=&pnt=137&lb=brme>are for a <url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201142657/http://www.jmcc.org/publicpoll/results/2007/no61.pdf>two state solution. But the more the IDF keeps bombing them with the excuse of the actions of smaller factions, the more hardliners would be created.