I’m utterly floored by it all. Israel’s duplicity is beyond doubt. This is a long-term catastrophe for Israel, America, Iran and American Jews in particular.
Make no apologies. I have expressed this view as have others once seeing the blind destruction of life, limb, and property vis-a-vis American military support to Netanyahu. What amazes me and upsets me to the point of anger is hearing from Jews who have favored this utter destruction as a desired goal for all of those in Israel and for Jews around the world. It is especially mind-boggling to hear a medical colleague and Jew tell me that I have thrown Israel under the bus by being critical of what has happened in Gaza. That is fucking bullshit and reflects an incredible lack of vision, if not blatant stupidity. However, that particular colleague was one of the more inept ones I have come across as a physician in the course of my lifetime, so at least he is consistent: inept in Medicine and Inept in Understanding the Value of Life.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when? — Rabbi Hillel - (30 BC-9AD)
The parallels between two nations, both having Presidents that prioritize (putting it mildly) power over humanity, are clear. Trump and Netanyahu will do just about anything to stay in power. Both are Ahabs that lack an empathy gene and who see human life and Nature as "nichivo," nothing, a trivial. Women, children, elders-- cares? That's their mental set. My name is Strum, it was Sztrum. My mothers maiden name was Hamburski. Both from Poland, with my father's family from Galicia near the Ukraine border. My DNA is predominantly Ashkenazi but with added Sephardic and Ukrainian heritage. Much of my mother's ancestors (and mine) who were teachers, scholars, etc. died in Auschwitz-Berkenau, Chelmno or elsewhere. I would have been one of those if not for my grandparents immigration to the US.
Trump is about Deals. Everything is a fucking deal. Our POTUS is a conman, grifter and was well-known in NY circles from back in the 80s along with Giuliani. Read Wayne Barrett's books that are intensely researched about the corrupt Trump family- a Father and Son story.
What Trump did to enable Netanyahu in the wholesale destruction of life and property in Gaza is monstrous. My hatred of anything Nazi is so deeply entrenched and I cannot conceive of how any Palestinian who lost a loved one would feel other than enraged, wanting retribution. And, our POTUS supplied the weaponry without restriction not solely to protect Israel and its people but to blitz the life out of everything in Gaza.
The alternative could have been tried first.
⫸ Leaflets dropped by Israel informing all Palestinians that we, Israel, will send in ground forces to wipe out Hamas. If you hide those in Hamas or abet them in any way your life will not be our concern. You will likely die. But we are here to liberate your country from the terrorism that is Hamas. Then Israel sends in its tactical ground forces and sees what occurs, and acts based on how the vast majority of the civilian population acts.
You do not murder for expediency's sake. That is not how real Jews think or behave.
Do not equate Netanyahu with the totality of the Israeli citizenry, as you would similarly not equate Americans like me with Trump-- a thing I detest as a symbol of death and destruction.
The pathetic thing is the realization that many in the world and many in the US do not see the enormity in missing this distinction. Do not confuse a despicable leader as being representative of the people.
The real Jew is not different in any way from the authentic Christian, the Christ. The real Jew loves thy neighbor as thyself. We can thank some of those in organized religion for creating differences, for setting people apart. So we have now many who do not see the absurdity of anti-Semitism, although Jesus, the Holy Family, John the Baptist, the Apostles, were all born Jewish, lived Jewish, and died Jewish. This is what humanity or human unity is supposed to be. Not looking for differences and fighting to death over them. But, as an observer and a keen one, for 80 plus years, I am never surprised at the stupidity of the human species.
A minority of such ignorant people and their ability to effect disastrous changes in the course of humanity is the major pockmark of Homo sapiens.
⫸ “Leaflets dropped by Israel informing all Palestinians that we, Israel, will send in ground forces to wipe out HamaS”
Great idea. And that’s exactly what they did!! Aerial warfare could have ended it in days, instead it was a meticulous ground war losing as many Israelis as had already been lost. HYD. Despite this gradual ground war campaign, many incentivizations to surrender or return a hostage, no one stepped up. Not even for $5M the proffered reward.
Thank you for your frank and very personal expression of opinion.
I believe that there are two sorts of people, determined by the criteria they use in making important decisions: those who choose the path serving their best interest, and those who will balance their personal interest with the interests of the greater part of their tribe, or nation or global humanity.
Trump is ALWAYS motivated by self-interest: whether cheating contractors out of wages, squeezing friendly nations for "deals" or lying to the electorate by promising peace and prosperity for all, and instead delivering war and declining economics, Trump will always do what he thinks makes him richer or more powerful.
I have no doubt he will find a way to enrich himself and his family by this war.
Don't know your first name so I'll just call you Hodsdon. For a long time, I've wanted to write a book which I would title The Human Confessional. It's about how people declare themselves. It's also about how we hear what we want to hear and see what we want to see. We lose our objectivity. Those last two sentences could be redone and turned into a meaningful poem. But this is what Harry Nilsson sang about in the great album called "The Point", and I urge you to look at the lyrics and listen to his music. I agree with what you're saying. Trump is fixed in a juvenile state of development. He sees the world as one giant tit with him sucking at it to the point where he never is satisfied. And I say that respectfully as an admirer of the female body.
Note: I am no longer using likes because they remind me of the glitz, the superficiality of social media. But if I respond to your comment that means I probably liked it enough or perhaps disagree with it enough to reply to you.
Stephen, I like your independent spirit, and understand your disdain for the idea that social media "likes" somehow establishes status. I'm okay with bestowing a "like" whenever I feel so moved, similar to a light touch on the arm when engaged in conversation with a friend.
One of my "likes" categories is imagery; from your description I can easily imagine man-baby Trump sucking on an enormous tit, and getting fatter and more greedy as time goes on.
Ugh, I feel the need to wash that picture out of my mind -- gotta go do that now.
I think that all those who have taken an oath to our constitution and are voters: we must no longer think in a partisan way. This hasn’t been about party for a long time. Now it’s about our humanity, our intrinsic membership to a species of homo sapiens that we have to protect in order to stay alive. Targeting a population for criminal acts that is literally the future of humans - boys and girls- is extremely perverse, archaic and primitive. Obviously I refer here now to sinister acts and activities reported to have occurred on Epstein properties. Then there’s all his other perverse behavior: his wars, his lies, his retribution, ICE, his lawlessness, his stupid and insulting behavior abroad in our name, his dozens of convictions as a rapist, his stripping countless govt offices and agencies, etc etc. What about all of that? It’s about eros and thanatos. About right and wrong, Good and evil!
Elix, so perfectly and accurately said. I smiled seeing that you're a dog parent. I just finished telling my wife that I have two beauties in my house. My wife and Molly, with Molly being the most incredible German Shepherd. After my diagnosis of light chain amyloidosis and I thought my life was over, Molly and my wife were always there to boost my morale. I would sneeze and Molly would come right to my side. I would wake up in the morning, my hand draped over the side of the bed, to feel a strange but wonderful sensation that something was licking my hand.
And I have been deeply steeped, as you have, in the world of psychology, having had as my preceptor in medical school Dr. Elizabeth Ross. You say that you are a citizen of two countries. If you feel comfortable, share with us what those countries are. I don't feel like I'm a citizen of the United States anymore. I feel that over my 83 years, I am now a citizen of the world. And for me, it's not simply here in the United States that we stay united, that's for sure. But the whole world has to come together, because the whole world is at stake.
Stephen, how absolutely delightful to be able to communicate about all these pressing issues and at the same time about what makes our lives precious to us. Molly sounds like such a sweetie🥰. I’m glad you’ve got each other. Our dogs are like our children. We’ve got 4. Real family.
I have to say that it’s also delightful to communicate with such an interesting elder as yourself whose life and work experiences and curiosity about people and world situations have a lot to say to especially younger people.
Being as outspoken as I’ve been in my opinions regarding the criminal organization/administration currently running our country, I’ve decided to be cautious about my identity and geographical location. I’m a US citizen but became very pessimistic about the post-Vietnam America all still in the wake of the 4 assassination of the 60s. While still a university student I left, intending to return, of course. I continued my undergrad studies at a university in the EU, and a few years later moved permanently to another EU country where I had specialized training for about the following decade and a half. It’s where I have lived and worked now for about two decades, I have no reason to retire. I also nationalized, learned the 2 local languages and had 2 children. In the current state of affairs I don’t dare visit the US🤦🏻♀️
I lived in Bergen, Norway for four months to see what medicine was like in another country. I took those four months as one of my elective quarters from the University of Chicago School of Medicine. I thought that our medicine in the US was so advanced, only to learn embarrassingly that the Norwegian level was beyond ours. What I didn't like about the way the medical students were taught was that it was too Germanic, with very little interaction, questioning, or even challenging the professor. The Norwegian students were taken aback by my forwardness.
I traveled extensively with my son and spent the entire month of September in Spain and Portugal. I have traveled everywhere on the planet except for Antarctica and the African continent. I went to Portugal in 1974, right in the midst of the revolution, but I loved the songs and the food and the culture. I took my parents; it was their first trip outside the US, and we stayed in people's homes, shared vintage wines with them, and talked about all of life. It was truly memorable.
But I tell you, Spain stole my heart and my soul. I will go back to Spain and bring my wife this year and try to convince her that whatever time I've got left on this pale blue dot, before it turns brown, I'd like to live my life— not just exist in the US. If you are up to it, feel free to let me know where you live. If you prefer to contact me, my email address (sbstrum@gmail.com). I am not worried about my privacy because I figure unless the people push those in the Republican Congress in a way that they cannot afford to continue to follow Trump's mandates, there will be no security in this country for freethinkers, for open-minded people.
I agree with everything you say here, and so well at that. Thank you. We must seek to unite against evil, and evil people. The only evil truly evil people I can identify here are trump and netanyahu.
Lincoln said this with "A house divided cannot stand."
And, would you believe it, some great quotes from JK Rowling:
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." — Albus Dumbledore (written by J.K. Rowling) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. The ability of insane acts of random violence to spread discord and enmity is very great. We can fight such madness only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of us have suffered directly at the hands of darkness. Many families have been torn asunder. The time has come when we should remember that we have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy." — paraphrased from JK Rowling: Harry Potter (July 2000) and the Goblet of Fire- page 723-4 of the hard copy
What is important in these Substack commentaries is often not so much the voice of the Substack writer, but the comments made by their readers and their interaction. It is the latter that I find most ingratiating and most rewarding.
Israel has no right to commit genocide in Palestine. At its inception it was meant to coexist with its neighbor but over the years has gobbled up its land with colonial fervour.
But Carl are you not ignoring the constant atrocities that Israel has been visiting upon the Palestinian people over the decades? The daily humiliations? They are not reported in the mainstream media but they have been well documented (indulge me and do a Wikipedia search on massacres in Palestine). And what about the frequent interventions in the affairs of their neighbors specifically Lebanon and Syria (look up the Sabra and Shatila massacre in Southern Lebanon)? Perhaps if we walked in the shoes of those on the other side it would make a bit more sense.
It’s a small price for constant murderous attacks on civilians — waiting in line to be searched. After the 67 war any who sided with the aggressor Jordan (most) really should have been sent there.
Again, look at the reciprocities. It’s not that the wrongs of one side justify the wrongs of the other. Rather, it’s that looking at the context gives a perspective for evaluation.
Yes, of course Hamas had no right to commit atrocities. I also did not say that Israel has no right to exist. But no country has the right to commit atrocities or genocide according to international law and obviously because they’re inhumane.
First let’s carve out a piece of Iran to give to the Kurds who live there (10% of Iranians and over 6M in the NW area). Reward the brave Kurdish women who are refusing to surrender.
I am Jewish and agree with your perspective. It is heartbreaking and tragic that Netanyahu has caused so much death and destruction. Jewish values are to respect all people. At least Jews who consider sanctity of life and are not beholden to the Zionist regime. I am not a young upstart. I am 75 and a proud Mamdani voter.
Thank you. You expressed what I feel. Hopefully the people of Israel and the people of The United States will get rid of the corrupt government we unfortunately chose. Didn’t vote for the current government but here we are.
There are organizations within Israel such as Givat Haviva, Oasis of Peace in Israel,Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, that do not get much attention for the amazing work they do to promote a multicultural society in Israel.
I absolutely agree with you. I am tired of the United States giving Israel money to commit genocide in Gaza and the West Bank and now being roped into an absolutely illegal war with Iran which will only kill more children and civilians and our own sons and daughters without consultation with our own representatives. This is not about religion, antisemitism or Israel’s safety. It is corrupt cronyism and is the private war of Trump and Netanyahu.
Charlie Munger once said: "I never allow myself to hold an opinion on anything that I don't know the other side's argument better than they do."
The problem with Mike Brock and others who espouse this shallow thinking is they never seem to consider arguments other than the one they put forth. And the evidence for that is they don’t elaborate and attempt to dismantle other explanations as part of their "On Israel" — it’s always Israel — commentary.
Here are some plausible alternatives: (1) Opportunism. Iran has been an enemy of the U.S. for 47 years. Never during this time has its regime been so weak. A different regime would directly and indirectly (damage China and Russia) be in the U.S. interests (2) Security I. Iran has been working on ICBMs. Who would these target? (3) Security II. Despite President Trump's warnings, they have resumed work on their nuclear program. (4) Other…
My point: The cardinal sin with Brock's "thinking" is it’s so damn lazy…
Seth, I think you have nicely enumerated all three of the talking points that NSC and other advisers have given to Trump, probably with colorful maps and bulleted PowerPoint slides. If we had a "normal" president, these would provide grist for a robust policy debate. But we don't have a "normal" guy in the White House, we have an amoral, ignorant narcissist who 10 times out of 10 acts in his personal financial or political interest, and screw the consequences.
I read Mike Brock for his opinion, not for news. I don't always believe he holds the right opinion about everything, but he does think about what principles are involved in the various options available to decision-makers. I assume many people are here for similar reasons.
A skilled polemicist (or spin-doctor, if you prefer) can cast contrary opinions in such a way as to make "straw-man" arguments which as easily demolished, in order to make his propositions seem the only reasonable or moral option. But arguing against oneself is really an editing process, and often results in tortuous, bloodless argumentation where every contrarian point of view is tediously dissected and answered.
Is this really "laziness"? Or is it expediency, or perhaps efficiency?
According to this and the AI, they have missiles able to hit regional foes (as they have now hit our bases or civilian sites in Qatar, UAE, Bahrain as well as Israel) and parts of Europe tho still falling short of having USA in range. Clearly they were working towards it. They do or did after all have an annual Death to America day holiday.
CRINKS are the axis of evil. We are definitely in their crosshairs, as you have surely noticed. They are all brutal totalitarian regimes. China. Russia. Iran. North Korea.
They starve and murder their own people. No concept of right to liberty and promoting the general welfare. And yes those goals are under attack here — in part because of people here aligning more with Russian or Chinese or Iranian or Islamist goals — strange bedfellows though not usually all at once.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/ To bring matters up to date, I note that Bernie Sanders is now prepared to use the g word to describe Israeli state policy in Gaza. Meanwhile, once again, the US prepares to order highly trained young men (and women?) to rain high-tech death on the population of a supposedly sovereign nation. As for civilian casualties? These things "often happen" in war, of course, as we are told by the battle-hardened US Commander in Chief.
In genocide the population does not increase as it has in Gaza. You can argue Israel should let up already without misusing the term genocide which is simply a blood libel against Jews. Guess what? even liberal Jews are on Hamas’ kill list.
My unpopular opinion is that Israel was a mistake. I understand the impetus, and it might have worked had Israel not tried to have it all, and had it coexisted with the Palestinians in their midst. As it is, the result of the formation of Israel has been endless war, and it will always be. I reject comments/complaints about "antisemitism" absolutely not. Anti Netanyahi, anti Israel in its present configuration, absolutely yes.
Obama bombed Libya and did other unconstitutional things without everyone melting down to this degree … and I highly doubt ground troops will be involved in Iran. Mainly the goal is to eliminate the clear and present dangers and so permit Iranians to topple from within. Big Satan helping little Satan and vice versa — Iran’s self-fulfilling prophecy. Purim fest.
I’m a proud Jew, Mike, and I agree with every word that you posted.
Yes and yes - with "friends" like these the Jewish people - and the Israeli nation for that matter - need no enemies.
Me too. Fully agree.
Same. Heartbroken but same.
It’s such a tragic, heartbreaking situation, being wrought by two war criminals to try to keep themselves out of prison, where they both belong.
I’m utterly floored by it all. Israel’s duplicity is beyond doubt. This is a long-term catastrophe for Israel, America, Iran and American Jews in particular.
Absolutely, Ben. And the collateral damage that Israel will wreak in Gaza.
Make no apologies. I have expressed this view as have others once seeing the blind destruction of life, limb, and property vis-a-vis American military support to Netanyahu. What amazes me and upsets me to the point of anger is hearing from Jews who have favored this utter destruction as a desired goal for all of those in Israel and for Jews around the world. It is especially mind-boggling to hear a medical colleague and Jew tell me that I have thrown Israel under the bus by being critical of what has happened in Gaza. That is fucking bullshit and reflects an incredible lack of vision, if not blatant stupidity. However, that particular colleague was one of the more inept ones I have come across as a physician in the course of my lifetime, so at least he is consistent: inept in Medicine and Inept in Understanding the Value of Life.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when? — Rabbi Hillel - (30 BC-9AD)
The parallels between two nations, both having Presidents that prioritize (putting it mildly) power over humanity, are clear. Trump and Netanyahu will do just about anything to stay in power. Both are Ahabs that lack an empathy gene and who see human life and Nature as "nichivo," nothing, a trivial. Women, children, elders-- cares? That's their mental set. My name is Strum, it was Sztrum. My mothers maiden name was Hamburski. Both from Poland, with my father's family from Galicia near the Ukraine border. My DNA is predominantly Ashkenazi but with added Sephardic and Ukrainian heritage. Much of my mother's ancestors (and mine) who were teachers, scholars, etc. died in Auschwitz-Berkenau, Chelmno or elsewhere. I would have been one of those if not for my grandparents immigration to the US.
Trump is about Deals. Everything is a fucking deal. Our POTUS is a conman, grifter and was well-known in NY circles from back in the 80s along with Giuliani. Read Wayne Barrett's books that are intensely researched about the corrupt Trump family- a Father and Son story.
What Trump did to enable Netanyahu in the wholesale destruction of life and property in Gaza is monstrous. My hatred of anything Nazi is so deeply entrenched and I cannot conceive of how any Palestinian who lost a loved one would feel other than enraged, wanting retribution. And, our POTUS supplied the weaponry without restriction not solely to protect Israel and its people but to blitz the life out of everything in Gaza.
The alternative could have been tried first.
⫸ Leaflets dropped by Israel informing all Palestinians that we, Israel, will send in ground forces to wipe out Hamas. If you hide those in Hamas or abet them in any way your life will not be our concern. You will likely die. But we are here to liberate your country from the terrorism that is Hamas. Then Israel sends in its tactical ground forces and sees what occurs, and acts based on how the vast majority of the civilian population acts.
You do not murder for expediency's sake. That is not how real Jews think or behave.
Do not equate Netanyahu with the totality of the Israeli citizenry, as you would similarly not equate Americans like me with Trump-- a thing I detest as a symbol of death and destruction.
The pathetic thing is the realization that many in the world and many in the US do not see the enormity in missing this distinction. Do not confuse a despicable leader as being representative of the people.
The real Jew is not different in any way from the authentic Christian, the Christ. The real Jew loves thy neighbor as thyself. We can thank some of those in organized religion for creating differences, for setting people apart. So we have now many who do not see the absurdity of anti-Semitism, although Jesus, the Holy Family, John the Baptist, the Apostles, were all born Jewish, lived Jewish, and died Jewish. This is what humanity or human unity is supposed to be. Not looking for differences and fighting to death over them. But, as an observer and a keen one, for 80 plus years, I am never surprised at the stupidity of the human species.
A minority of such ignorant people and their ability to effect disastrous changes in the course of humanity is the major pockmark of Homo sapiens.
⫸ “Leaflets dropped by Israel informing all Palestinians that we, Israel, will send in ground forces to wipe out HamaS”
Great idea. And that’s exactly what they did!! Aerial warfare could have ended it in days, instead it was a meticulous ground war losing as many Israelis as had already been lost. HYD. Despite this gradual ground war campaign, many incentivizations to surrender or return a hostage, no one stepped up. Not even for $5M the proffered reward.
Thank you for your frank and very personal expression of opinion.
I believe that there are two sorts of people, determined by the criteria they use in making important decisions: those who choose the path serving their best interest, and those who will balance their personal interest with the interests of the greater part of their tribe, or nation or global humanity.
Trump is ALWAYS motivated by self-interest: whether cheating contractors out of wages, squeezing friendly nations for "deals" or lying to the electorate by promising peace and prosperity for all, and instead delivering war and declining economics, Trump will always do what he thinks makes him richer or more powerful.
I have no doubt he will find a way to enrich himself and his family by this war.
Don't know your first name so I'll just call you Hodsdon. For a long time, I've wanted to write a book which I would title The Human Confessional. It's about how people declare themselves. It's also about how we hear what we want to hear and see what we want to see. We lose our objectivity. Those last two sentences could be redone and turned into a meaningful poem. But this is what Harry Nilsson sang about in the great album called "The Point", and I urge you to look at the lyrics and listen to his music. I agree with what you're saying. Trump is fixed in a juvenile state of development. He sees the world as one giant tit with him sucking at it to the point where he never is satisfied. And I say that respectfully as an admirer of the female body.
Note: I am no longer using likes because they remind me of the glitz, the superficiality of social media. But if I respond to your comment that means I probably liked it enough or perhaps disagree with it enough to reply to you.
Stephen, I like your independent spirit, and understand your disdain for the idea that social media "likes" somehow establishes status. I'm okay with bestowing a "like" whenever I feel so moved, similar to a light touch on the arm when engaged in conversation with a friend.
One of my "likes" categories is imagery; from your description I can easily imagine man-baby Trump sucking on an enormous tit, and getting fatter and more greedy as time goes on.
Ugh, I feel the need to wash that picture out of my mind -- gotta go do that now.
I think that all those who have taken an oath to our constitution and are voters: we must no longer think in a partisan way. This hasn’t been about party for a long time. Now it’s about our humanity, our intrinsic membership to a species of homo sapiens that we have to protect in order to stay alive. Targeting a population for criminal acts that is literally the future of humans - boys and girls- is extremely perverse, archaic and primitive. Obviously I refer here now to sinister acts and activities reported to have occurred on Epstein properties. Then there’s all his other perverse behavior: his wars, his lies, his retribution, ICE, his lawlessness, his stupid and insulting behavior abroad in our name, his dozens of convictions as a rapist, his stripping countless govt offices and agencies, etc etc. What about all of that? It’s about eros and thanatos. About right and wrong, Good and evil!
Elix, so perfectly and accurately said. I smiled seeing that you're a dog parent. I just finished telling my wife that I have two beauties in my house. My wife and Molly, with Molly being the most incredible German Shepherd. After my diagnosis of light chain amyloidosis and I thought my life was over, Molly and my wife were always there to boost my morale. I would sneeze and Molly would come right to my side. I would wake up in the morning, my hand draped over the side of the bed, to feel a strange but wonderful sensation that something was licking my hand.
And I have been deeply steeped, as you have, in the world of psychology, having had as my preceptor in medical school Dr. Elizabeth Ross. You say that you are a citizen of two countries. If you feel comfortable, share with us what those countries are. I don't feel like I'm a citizen of the United States anymore. I feel that over my 83 years, I am now a citizen of the world. And for me, it's not simply here in the United States that we stay united, that's for sure. But the whole world has to come together, because the whole world is at stake.
Stephen, how absolutely delightful to be able to communicate about all these pressing issues and at the same time about what makes our lives precious to us. Molly sounds like such a sweetie🥰. I’m glad you’ve got each other. Our dogs are like our children. We’ve got 4. Real family.
I have to say that it’s also delightful to communicate with such an interesting elder as yourself whose life and work experiences and curiosity about people and world situations have a lot to say to especially younger people.
Being as outspoken as I’ve been in my opinions regarding the criminal organization/administration currently running our country, I’ve decided to be cautious about my identity and geographical location. I’m a US citizen but became very pessimistic about the post-Vietnam America all still in the wake of the 4 assassination of the 60s. While still a university student I left, intending to return, of course. I continued my undergrad studies at a university in the EU, and a few years later moved permanently to another EU country where I had specialized training for about the following decade and a half. It’s where I have lived and worked now for about two decades, I have no reason to retire. I also nationalized, learned the 2 local languages and had 2 children. In the current state of affairs I don’t dare visit the US🤦🏻♀️
I lived in Bergen, Norway for four months to see what medicine was like in another country. I took those four months as one of my elective quarters from the University of Chicago School of Medicine. I thought that our medicine in the US was so advanced, only to learn embarrassingly that the Norwegian level was beyond ours. What I didn't like about the way the medical students were taught was that it was too Germanic, with very little interaction, questioning, or even challenging the professor. The Norwegian students were taken aback by my forwardness.
I traveled extensively with my son and spent the entire month of September in Spain and Portugal. I have traveled everywhere on the planet except for Antarctica and the African continent. I went to Portugal in 1974, right in the midst of the revolution, but I loved the songs and the food and the culture. I took my parents; it was their first trip outside the US, and we stayed in people's homes, shared vintage wines with them, and talked about all of life. It was truly memorable.
But I tell you, Spain stole my heart and my soul. I will go back to Spain and bring my wife this year and try to convince her that whatever time I've got left on this pale blue dot, before it turns brown, I'd like to live my life— not just exist in the US. If you are up to it, feel free to let me know where you live. If you prefer to contact me, my email address (sbstrum@gmail.com). I am not worried about my privacy because I figure unless the people push those in the Republican Congress in a way that they cannot afford to continue to follow Trump's mandates, there will be no security in this country for freethinkers, for open-minded people.
I agree with everything you say here, and so well at that. Thank you. We must seek to unite against evil, and evil people. The only evil truly evil people I can identify here are trump and netanyahu.
Lincoln said this with "A house divided cannot stand."
And, would you believe it, some great quotes from JK Rowling:
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." — Albus Dumbledore (written by J.K. Rowling) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. The ability of insane acts of random violence to spread discord and enmity is very great. We can fight such madness only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of us have suffered directly at the hands of darkness. Many families have been torn asunder. The time has come when we should remember that we have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy." — paraphrased from JK Rowling: Harry Potter (July 2000) and the Goblet of Fire- page 723-4 of the hard copy
What is important in these Substack commentaries is often not so much the voice of the Substack writer, but the comments made by their readers and their interaction. It is the latter that I find most ingratiating and most rewarding.
I would argue that Israel has no more right to exist than Palestine.
Would you also argue that it has no less right to exist than Palestine?
Yes I would.
I was hoping you’d say this.
If the nations that don’t recognize Israel’s right to exist change their positions, then there’s a basis for an enduring peace.
Israel has no right to commit genocide in Palestine. At its inception it was meant to coexist with its neighbor but over the years has gobbled up its land with colonial fervour.
Would you also say that Hamas had no right to commit atrocities on October 7?
How many of its neighbors explicitly accepted Israel’s right to exist at its inception?
It’s fine to criticize the actions of any nation, often quite rightly so, as long as its done in the context of the other parties involved.
The original post takes context into account, whether one agrees with the conclusions or not.
But Carl are you not ignoring the constant atrocities that Israel has been visiting upon the Palestinian people over the decades? The daily humiliations? They are not reported in the mainstream media but they have been well documented (indulge me and do a Wikipedia search on massacres in Palestine). And what about the frequent interventions in the affairs of their neighbors specifically Lebanon and Syria (look up the Sabra and Shatila massacre in Southern Lebanon)? Perhaps if we walked in the shoes of those on the other side it would make a bit more sense.
It’s a small price for constant murderous attacks on civilians — waiting in line to be searched. After the 67 war any who sided with the aggressor Jordan (most) really should have been sent there.
Are you an American? Murderous attacks on civilians sounds a bit like what is happening in American cities with the ICE raids at the moment.
Again, look at the reciprocities. It’s not that the wrongs of one side justify the wrongs of the other. Rather, it’s that looking at the context gives a perspective for evaluation.
How do you explain that it’s acceptable that Israel can defend itself but not Palestine ?
Yes, of course Hamas had no right to commit atrocities. I also did not say that Israel has no right to exist. But no country has the right to commit atrocities or genocide according to international law and obviously because they’re inhumane.
Depends where
First let’s carve out a piece of Iran to give to the Kurds who live there (10% of Iranians and over 6M in the NW area). Reward the brave Kurdish women who are refusing to surrender.
I am Jewish and agree with your perspective. It is heartbreaking and tragic that Netanyahu has caused so much death and destruction. Jewish values are to respect all people. At least Jews who consider sanctity of life and are not beholden to the Zionist regime. I am not a young upstart. I am 75 and a proud Mamdani voter.
Thank you. You expressed what I feel. Hopefully the people of Israel and the people of The United States will get rid of the corrupt government we unfortunately chose. Didn’t vote for the current government but here we are.
There are organizations within Israel such as Givat Haviva, Oasis of Peace in Israel,Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, that do not get much attention for the amazing work they do to promote a multicultural society in Israel.
I absolutely agree with you. I am tired of the United States giving Israel money to commit genocide in Gaza and the West Bank and now being roped into an absolutely illegal war with Iran which will only kill more children and civilians and our own sons and daughters without consultation with our own representatives. This is not about religion, antisemitism or Israel’s safety. It is corrupt cronyism and is the private war of Trump and Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is elected and has been elected repeatedly by the people of Israel.
In poll after poll in Israel shows the majority of Israelis support his brutal assault in Gaza.
In polls the vast majority of Israeli’s support the attack on Iran.
The “problem” isn’t Trump & Netanyahu and never has been.
The “problem” is the systemic exploitation of the U.S. by Israel, and its U.S. supporters, who believe they have a divine right to do as they wish.
As Netanyahu was recorded saying in 2001:
“I know what America is,” Netanyahu said. “America is a thing you can move very easily, move it in the right direction. They won’t get in the way.”
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2010/07/18/netanyahu-us-easily-manipulated
I agree Dan. I have often said Israel is the most powerful country in the world. When Israel says 'Jump', the US political class say 'How high?'.
Charlie Munger once said: "I never allow myself to hold an opinion on anything that I don't know the other side's argument better than they do."
The problem with Mike Brock and others who espouse this shallow thinking is they never seem to consider arguments other than the one they put forth. And the evidence for that is they don’t elaborate and attempt to dismantle other explanations as part of their "On Israel" — it’s always Israel — commentary.
Here are some plausible alternatives: (1) Opportunism. Iran has been an enemy of the U.S. for 47 years. Never during this time has its regime been so weak. A different regime would directly and indirectly (damage China and Russia) be in the U.S. interests (2) Security I. Iran has been working on ICBMs. Who would these target? (3) Security II. Despite President Trump's warnings, they have resumed work on their nuclear program. (4) Other…
My point: The cardinal sin with Brock's "thinking" is it’s so damn lazy…
What did I say that is factually wrong, Seth?
Seth, I think you have nicely enumerated all three of the talking points that NSC and other advisers have given to Trump, probably with colorful maps and bulleted PowerPoint slides. If we had a "normal" president, these would provide grist for a robust policy debate. But we don't have a "normal" guy in the White House, we have an amoral, ignorant narcissist who 10 times out of 10 acts in his personal financial or political interest, and screw the consequences.
I read Mike Brock for his opinion, not for news. I don't always believe he holds the right opinion about everything, but he does think about what principles are involved in the various options available to decision-makers. I assume many people are here for similar reasons.
A skilled polemicist (or spin-doctor, if you prefer) can cast contrary opinions in such a way as to make "straw-man" arguments which as easily demolished, in order to make his propositions seem the only reasonable or moral option. But arguing against oneself is really an editing process, and often results in tortuous, bloodless argumentation where every contrarian point of view is tediously dissected and answered.
Is this really "laziness"? Or is it expediency, or perhaps efficiency?
Isn’t it also mental laziness to automatically take the opposing view ? By the way is there proof that Iran has ICBMs or is working on them ?
To your second question: yes
Would you mind directing me to documentation so I could inform myself ?
Google has lots of info. Both as AI answer and news site hits.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/what-are-irans-ballistic-missile-capabilities-2026-02-26/
According to this and the AI, they have missiles able to hit regional foes (as they have now hit our bases or civilian sites in Qatar, UAE, Bahrain as well as Israel) and parts of Europe tho still falling short of having USA in range. Clearly they were working towards it. They do or did after all have an annual Death to America day holiday.
Thanks very much.
1. Ad hominem attacks are generally used by those who lack the eloquence to make the point in a more sophisticated way so it speaks for itself, and
2. If we are talking about 'intellectually lazy' explain to me whey damaging China and Russia is in the US interest
CRINKS are the axis of evil. We are definitely in their crosshairs, as you have surely noticed. They are all brutal totalitarian regimes. China. Russia. Iran. North Korea.
But aren't you in each other's crosshairs? The US has hardly been blameless in it's approaches to these countries. What do you expect?
They starve and murder their own people. No concept of right to liberty and promoting the general welfare. And yes those goals are under attack here — in part because of people here aligning more with Russian or Chinese or Iranian or Islamist goals — strange bedfellows though not usually all at once.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/ To bring matters up to date, I note that Bernie Sanders is now prepared to use the g word to describe Israeli state policy in Gaza. Meanwhile, once again, the US prepares to order highly trained young men (and women?) to rain high-tech death on the population of a supposedly sovereign nation. As for civilian casualties? These things "often happen" in war, of course, as we are told by the battle-hardened US Commander in Chief.
In genocide the population does not increase as it has in Gaza. You can argue Israel should let up already without misusing the term genocide which is simply a blood libel against Jews. Guess what? even liberal Jews are on Hamas’ kill list.
Thanks, Mike.
The last paragraph says EVERYTHING.
Perfectly said. I fully agree. Any rhethoric to justify this war is smoke in the eyes.
But the US is larger than Trump. And Israel is larger than Netanyahu.
So by the same token - the US-Israel alliance should be larger than those two buffoons.
My unpopular opinion is that Israel was a mistake. I understand the impetus, and it might have worked had Israel not tried to have it all, and had it coexisted with the Palestinians in their midst. As it is, the result of the formation of Israel has been endless war, and it will always be. I reject comments/complaints about "antisemitism" absolutely not. Anti Netanyahi, anti Israel in its present configuration, absolutely yes.
Obama bombed Libya and did other unconstitutional things without everyone melting down to this degree … and I highly doubt ground troops will be involved in Iran. Mainly the goal is to eliminate the clear and present dangers and so permit Iranians to topple from within. Big Satan helping little Satan and vice versa — Iran’s self-fulfilling prophecy. Purim fest.
Bravo. The penny’s finally dropped.
Since the JCPOA