John Stone

Yeah, lots of contradictions ..........however.......why did so many inhabitants of the long Muslim "street," stretching from Morocco to Indonesia, appear to be overjoyed by what Osama bin Laden's henchmen had accomplished? For that matter, why were certain Islamic jurists in Pakistan issuing fatwas directing Muslims to fight American infidels if they attacked Afghanistan? And why do firebrand clerics throughout the Islamic world continue to issue equally inflammatory decrees? Most disturbing, some of those same voices of moderation had occasionally expressed their approval of Islamic groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah that engage in terrorism. Remind me where Osama was finally captured / tried/ executed ........... years after the attack? I am not so ignorant as to accuse entire Islam of supporting Islamic Terrorism ........... just as I am not so ignorant as to accuse every German of being a Nazi sympathizer. However in their denunciation I believe their condemnation could be more .................. forceful? Exhibit A might be the support within the Continental U.S. for Hamas (Oct 7th) in carrying out their act of war. Just a few, u say? I say entire Countries!

............. start with the kids; Greenland, Venezuela, Canada, Iceland, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan (again), Iraq (again), Somalia (again) ............,Syria. ............................doable but not in any Democracy. Fire for effect and move on.

I'd be hesitant to argue with Islamic fanatics.............. like arguing with a drunk. Islam effortlessly crosses borders, language barriers. The problem with Islam is not so much the Islamic belief - but the silence in condemning terrorist acts conducted under the flag of Islam.

....... yeah, def groomed the Continent and fueled, 'Manifest Destiny'.

........... Putin is relatively young - for a Russian. His Achilles heel is Ukraine - his survival likely depends on the outcome. Russian is not so much governed as RULED - by a gang of oligarchs. Russia's strength is it's geography and it's massive nuclear arsenal. Comparing it to China is ludicrous - in terms of ambition, accomplishment and ........................... future accomplishments. Russian has NEVER been a free society - at the time of the Revolution they jumped from the Monarchy (divine power), to Communism (Political Power) to Oligarchy (Criminal Power). If Putin loses Ukraine - he is likely finished - and i'm not talking pegging out due to old age.

GB was being strategic, I'm sure you've heard the expression, 'countries don't have friends, they have interests' GB saw the entire ME at the time as being populated by so-called 'WOGS'. Immediately following WWI their interests primarily revolved around oil, Suez and the U.S. Jewish political diaspora Strategically, Suez was one of, if not the 'most' strategic waterway in the World - gateway to Europe - oil. The defunct Ottoman empire was being carved up - Nationalism was on the rise - a malaise. In hindsight (never admitted) GB in the strategic sense did the correct thing to protect their interests by creating a Jewish homeland - not so much creating - allowing - by stepping aside. Today, the U.S. could not imagine a stronger ally than Israel - Israel is a land of laws - warts and all - the accomplishments and what the country has accomplished since inception is truly remarkable. On the other hand -with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Arab Nationalism and by extension new states what has the Region accomplished. WHAT?? Of course it is all the Jew's fault? Your comments are more about assigning blame than understanding the context at the time - all countries are the same. - basically OUR interests - devil take the hindmost. By assigning blame u are supporting (justifying) the wars, terrorist actions all conducted under the false flag of Palestinian nationalism for the past 100 years - actions began and perpetuated for over 100 years - generations. The Palestinian 'cause' is a political football - it perpetuates the hate and blame against Israel so necessary for the authoritarian regimes that surround Israel - a nod to the Cold War and again Suez. So called, 'Palestine' is not so much a 'cause' as it is a reason for the hatred, violence and Global unrest for the past century - it fueled it. I'd also remind you that the specie character has not changed a wit for hundreds of years - technology has changed - 70 years ago (only) 2 nuclear devices were dropped - arguably to end the war (it did) but likely more to demonstrate who was the top dog globally (it was). Now, imagine Iraq, Syria, SA, Iran, Jordan having those toys? The nuclear arms race is on-the-rise, Hamas and by extension, Iran ............ (Abraham Accords) saw to that Of course the war cry is, 'Free Palestine', 'River to the Sea'.

Hubris is the greatest of all natural resources as a prelude to conflict. Gotta admit I'm keen to see the effectiveness of the Persian AA.

Churchill? He was like PP in the sense that post war Churchill's rhetoric re: Russia (aka Iron Curtain) scared people.

The most powerful? My money is on the 'Putin Syndicate' ............. makes Trump's effort to be those of a piker. Putin in terms of power, $$$$$, influence, coercion, homicide, war is unparalleled. In some respects HE is the most powerful man in the World.

............ accused of leaking State Secrets ........ Akin to Edward VIII / Wallis Simpson abdication The Golden Rule be tarnished .......those with the GOLD, rule? If I was Ghislaine, I'd be more than a bit concerned............... game plan might be in jeopardy.

Yeah, the split-a$$' should defend their own lane to a greater degree tho! It should be left to the belligerents whether to compete or not - knowing full well their country is on display - politics to a degree?

I was replying to a post that implied Jews were welcomed to the geographic region of so-called Palestine? I imagine ur argument would find harbor with the indigenous of North America post invasion of Europeans beginning in the 15 century. The resettlement, the disease, the slaughter, the discrimination, the ethnic cleansing right up until the 1980's? I'd advise you to not be so proud, self righteous. I'd agree a lot of things in HISTORY are judged thru the lens of today - that is totally fk'd!

You know that at the end of WWI the winners – particularly France and GB carved the (losing) Ottoman Empire up – the spoils. Without due regard, several countries were created, so-called, Palestine, was a geographic region – not a state (Country). Palestine was NEVER a country. Fast forward to 1947 – the U.N. partition plan, dividing this geographic REGION between the Arabs and the Jews. The Jewish population - while dissatisfied with the small size of the territory allotted - accepted the compromise – don’t let a great deal get in the way of a good deal? The Arab states and the Arab residents of the geographic region (aka Palestine) rejected the U.N. compromise – the Arabs wanted the whole enchilada – backed by the pan-Arab, relatively new States. Civil War. Jews won and ended up with even more territory ………. and Israel was recognized as a Country. Successive wars followed of course – I image the pan-Arab states were grateful for the U.N. intervention (Russian coercion – Cold War) else Israel would likely be much larger. But lets get back to the Civil war and the partition “The Arab nations should have accepted the U.N. partition plan in 1947” / Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. “It was our mistake for not agreeing to U.N. General Assembly Resolution 181, which called for the establishment of a Jewish state alongside an Arab stat in the British Mandate for Palestine (geographic region).” / Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. According to Abbas, Arabs are at fault for rejecting the plan and should have acted like the Jews and established a STATE when they had a chance. For security concerns, half of so-called Palestine's predominantly Arab population were expelled from their homes or made to flee (Nakba) after the establishment of the State of Israel. This type of exodus is akin to the internment camps for American Japanese during WWII The internment camps for Canadian Japanese during WWII The NA Continents resettlement (slaughter) of the indigenous peoples The Acadian Expulsion 18th century. Red River Rebellion It is a huge mistake to judge history thru the lens of today? History should not be forgotten – but don’t make history the hill you die on!

International competition transcends political boundaries, language, religion, wealth, and that goes double for the Olympics .. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) determines what countries are allowed to compete. The majority are aware that the IOC has been involved in various controversies and scandals throughout its history - bribery (location), political manipulation and by extension, politicization of the games. For the IOC to prevent a country from competing is in itself a political statement............. likely based on International coercion - but to what end - shaming for some action carried out by a government, punishment, geo-politics? Difficult to imagine a vehicle that is greater in drawing the World closer together, building National pride and grooming the next generation than International competition. .................... Political statements of any description manner or disguised subterfuge should not be allowed - and that goes triple for the IOC!

............... a bit weak on geopolitics...................but she's reputed to make a good sandwich.

It ain't the Liberal lawmakers getting murdered. Liberal: I know many of u will be murdered and i am willing to accept ur sacrifice.

Be grateful Netanyahu is providing oversight to any negotiation - he knows the score, has known it historically and will continue to be strategic depth going forward. NK continues to groom closer ties with Iran. I doubt Iran can be intimidated with hardware off the coast - their cost / benefit in terms of civilians is poor? On the other hand cutting the head off the regime might free up some wiggle room - a Venezuela shuffle?

Interesting take .......... Iran wants to keep their nuc program and delivery platforms. Yasser Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 - shared it with Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Its been rumored Hell Froze over for a short time shortly after.

" Canada never experienced problems on the scale seen today before immigration" / Indigenous leader

"It's the economy, stupid" Still true to a degree .......depends on the emotions of the two layers. Main street / Wall Street? ........... political power lays with Main Street.

I have a tendency to respect more those who embrace themselves, flaws, warts and all .......... I'm sure you'd agree that more respect is gained for those being identified as political hacks rather than those identified as politically ignorant Partisan acolytes? Clinton was aka Bubba / Baba. Def threat to National Security (Political Security).

.............. dogs? obviously haven't heard how Islamic herders react to sheep .............. the Ewe's can hear a zipper open from 100 yards apparently - ergo the Thawb!

........odd how a Province advocating for independence, represented in Parliament by separatists, endorses language laws and shuns the so-called Constitution unless it suits, seems to have the power to make any Federal government pi$$ it's pants. Gentlemen it is not so much about money as it is POWER!

...............bullshit can baffle brains is an idiom most identified with political hacks. ...... Bye the bye, Baba's campaign did a reversal when the unwashed discovered he was 'cool' playing the Sax!

............ dude, it became World War II when the Nazi bombed Pearl Harbor. Geesh!