It is the easiest thing to feel the pressure and fall back in line. It is sometimes hard to walk in the opposite direction, but it is sometimes the true road , and you will know because you will be following your conscience, As long as you have that , you will never walk alone
The True Economic Effects of Large Import Tariffs: A Double-Edged Sword
In recent years, discussions surrounding import tariffs have surged, drawing attention to their implications for national economies. While proponents argue that tariffs protect domestic industries and create jobs, the reality is far more complex. This week, I delve into the true economic effects of imposing large import tariffs, shedding light on who really bears the burden of these taxes and the long-term consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
Who Pays the Price?
When a country implements substantial import tariffs, the immediate effect is a rise in the prices of imported goods. The question arises: who pays these import taxes? Initially, it might seem that the government benefits from the increased revenue generated by tariffs. However, the reality is that the costs are typically passed down the line.
Resellers, faced with higher prices for imported goods, are left with two choices: absorb the additional costs or increase prices for their customers. Absorbing costs may seem like a viable short-term strategy to maintain customer loyalty, but it can quickly erode profit margins, leading to financial instability. On the other hand, passing the costs onto consumers results in higher prices, which can dampen demand and lead to a decrease in sales volume.
The Impact on Manufacturing
For manufacturing companies reliant on imported components, the stakes are even higher. An increase in import tariffs can disrupt supply chains, leading to increased production costs and potential delays. For example, a manufacturer that requires specific parts from abroad may find that the added tariffs make those components prohibitively expensive. This situation can stifle innovation, as companies are forced to choose between raising prices or compromising on quality.
Moreover, manufacturers may be compelled to seek alternative sources for components, which isn’t always feasible. The sudden shift may result in a scramble for local suppliers, who may not have the capacity or capability to meet demand, further exacerbating the situation.
The Long-Term Upside
Despite the immediate challenges posed by import tariffs, there is a silver lining that could emerge in the long term. Facing increased costs, companies may be incentivized to explore local sourcing options. This shift not only supports domestic industries but can also foster innovation and job creation within the country.
As businesses begin to invest in local manufacturing enterprises, the demand for locally produced goods could surge. This shift has the potential to create a ripple effect, leading to the establishment of new suppliers and a more robust domestic supply chain. However, this transition is not without its challenges. Companies will need to ensure that all components are available locally, which may require significant upfront investment and time.
Ultimately, while import tariffs can serve as a temporary protective measure for domestic industries, the broader economic implications reveal a more intricate landscape. The burden of tariffs often falls on consumers, while manufacturers face increased costs and potential disruptions. However, the long-term benefits of fostering local production and supply chains could pave the way for a more resilient economy.
In conclusion, the imposition of large import tariffs presents a double-edged sword—a necessary tool for protectionism that can also lead to unintended consequences. As nations grapple with their economic strategies, the need for a balanced approach that considers both immediate impacts and future potential remains crucial.
So, when Donald Trump boasts of billions of dollars coming in to the country on the back of his tariffs, he is basically talking nonsense because, short term, there is not an additional cent actually coming in to the country, as all that is happening is initially, the government are collecting huge amounts of tax from American importers, a tax that has to be paid for by higher prices to consumers or lower profits from merchants.
As I said previously, there could be long term benefits through shifting manufacturing into the US, but meanwhile, every single country on the planet will be feverishly looking for more reliable trading partners and the long term affect of that is potentially disastrous.
Have a good weekend folks and remember: there are many injustices in this World and they make good traveling companions of the silent people
In the ever-evolving saga of the Russia-Ukraine war, understanding the historical context is crucial. This week, I delve into a pivotal moment from the past that many argue set the stage for the current tensions: the agreement between then-U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev regarding NATO expansion.
The Baker-Gorbachev Agreement: A Broken Promise?
In the early 1990s, amidst the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Baker assured Gorbachev that NATO would not expand eastward if the USSR consented to the reunification of Germany. This understanding, often described as a verbal agreement, is viewed by many in Russia as a cornerstone of post-Cold War diplomacy. The essence of this compact was that, in exchange for allowing a unified Germany to remain within the Western sphere, the West would respect Russia’s sphere of influence and not encroach upon its borders through NATO expansion.
Fast forward to the present, and the reality seems starkly different. NATO has not only expanded but has encroached upon several former Soviet states, leading to a perception of betrayal and escalating tensions. From the Russian perspective, this perceived violation of trust has fueled a sense of insecurity that directly correlates with the West’s increasing military presence near its borders.
The Ukraine Crisis: A Geopolitical Flashpoint
The conflict in Ukraine, ignited by the 2014 Maidan protests and subsequent annexation of Crimea, can be traced back to these historical grievances. The West’s support for Ukraine’s pivot towards NATO and away from Russian influence was seen not merely as a political shift but as an existential threat. For many in Russia, Ukraine is not just a neighbor; it’s a historically and culturally intertwined nation. The loss of Ukraine to Western influence is viewed as a strategic loss that could embolden NATO further.
The Russian narrative emphasizes that the West has consistently disregarded its security concerns, viewing the Eastward expansion of NATO as a direct affront. The military buildup in Eastern Europe and the rhetoric surrounding Ukraine have only intensified these feelings. Moscow argues that its actions in Ukraine are a defensive measure, designed to protect its sovereignty and national interests against what it perceives as encroachment by NATO.
The Maidan Square Incidents: A Turning Point
The Maidan Square protests in late 2013 marked a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s history. Initially, the protests began as a response to then-President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to suspend an association agreement with the European Union, favoring closer ties with Russia instead. However, the protests quickly escalated into a broader movement against government corruption and a desire for greater democratic reforms.
As the protests intensified, they took a violent turn in early 2014, leading to the ousting of Yanukovych. For many in Russia, the events surrounding Maidan were not merely a popular uprising but a Western-backed coup that destabilized Ukraine and threatened Russian interests. The perception is that the West sought to leverage discontent to install a government more aligned with NATO and EU interests, further encroaching on Russia’s sphere of influence.
The Donbas Declaration: A Cry for Independence
In the wake of the Maidan protests and the new government’s pivot towards the West, unrest grew in Eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region, which comprises Donetsk and Luhansk. In April 2014, following a controversial referendum, the people of Donbas declared independence from Ukraine, citing fears of discrimination and hostility from the new government in Kyiv. This declaration was seen by many in Russia as a legitimate expression of self-determination, reflecting the region’s cultural and historical ties to Russia.
The Russian perspective emphasizes that the Donbas population, predominantly Russian-speaking, felt marginalized and threatened by the nationalist sentiment that had emerged in Ukraine post-Maidan. This narrative underlines the belief that the conflict is not merely a territorial dispute but a struggle for the rights and identities of people in the region.
The Azov Battalion: Controversial Forces in the Conflict
A significant element of the conflict has been the involvement of various militia groups, notably the Azov Battalion. Formed in 2014 as a volunteer unit to combat separatists in Donbas, the Azov Battalion has faced widespread criticism for its alleged connections to far-right ideologies and neo-Nazi elements. This association has been leveraged by Russian state media to frame the conflict in Ukraine as not just a struggle against separatism but against a resurgent fascism.
The Azov Battalion’s symbolism and rhetoric have raised concerns about the rise of nationalism in Ukraine. Russian narratives often emphasize the battalion’s extremist affiliations to portray the conflict as one where the very essence of Russian identity and security is under threat. This portrayal serves to galvanize domestic support in Russia for military actions in Ukraine, framing them as a necessary defense against extremist ideologies.
Conclusion
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, it is crucial to understand the multifaceted historical and political dimensions that have led to the current situation. The Maidan Square incidents, the declaration of independence by the people of Donbas, and the controversial role of groups like the Azov Battalion all contribute to a complex narrative that shapes the Russian perspective on the war.
From Moscow’s viewpoint, the West’s interference in Ukraine has not only destabilised a neighbouring country but has also threatened the security of Russia itself. Recognising these historical grievances and the diverse voices within Ukraine is essential for any meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace and stability. As I reflect on this week’s developments, the hope remains that a resolution will emerge that honours the complexities of history while paving the way for a peaceful future for all involved.
To all my friends, this troubled world over, I wish you a pleasant and peaceful weekend. Bob
Gaza, a genocide, while the West watches and indeed participatesin.
As we navigate through the complexities of our world, one region continues to capture global attention and concern: Gaza. The situation there is not just a recent development; it is the culmination of decades of conflict, oppression, and suffering that many argue constitutes a creeping genocide, particularly since Israel’s establishment in 1948. This week, I delve deeper into the historical context and the current humanitarian crisis that has left the people of Gaza in dire straits.
The World This Week From Mennies: A Reflection on Gaza
A Historical Perspective
To understand the present, we must first revisit the past. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Jewish and Arab populations in Palestine. This plan was met with mixed reactions, and ultimately, in 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. The war resulted in significant territorial gains for Israel and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, an event referred to as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.”
Since then, the Palestinian people have faced a series of challenges: dispossession of land, restrictions on movement, and military occupation. The establishment of settlements in the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza, and the perpetual state of conflict have all contributed to a systematic erosion of Palestinian rights and dignity. Many activists and scholars argue that what has transpired over the decades represents a slow but deliberate attempt to erase Palestinian identity and existence—a creeping genocide.
Current Conditions in Gaza
Fast forward to today, and the situation in Gaza is nothing short of catastrophic. The blockade imposed by Israel since 2007 has turned this small strip of land into one of the most densely populated and impoverished areas in the world. Reports from various humanitarian organizations highlight alarming conditions: chronic shortages of food, clean water, and essential medical supplies. The infrastructure is crumbling, and the economy is in tatters, with unemployment rates soaring.
As we look around, we see the harrowing images of families struggling to survive amidst famine-like conditions. Children, who should be playing and learning, are instead facing malnutrition and a lack of basic healthcare. The psychological toll of living under constant threat and instability cannot be overstated. Many people in Gaza have known little else but hardship and despair.
The International Response
Despite the overwhelming evidence of human suffering, the international response has often been tepid. While there are calls for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire, the underlying political issues remain unresolved. The narrative surrounding Gaza is frequently polarized, with many failing to grasp the historical injustices that have led to the current crisis.
In recent weeks, protests have erupted worldwide, demanding an end to the blockade and calling for justice for the Palestinian people. Activists are urging governments to take a more active role in advocating for human rights, emphasizing that the plight of Gaza cannot be overlooked any longer.
Looking Forward
As I reflect on the situation in Gaza this week, it’s crucial to recognise the importance of awareness and advocacy. The history of the region is complex, and the challenges faced by its people are immense. However, as global citizens, we are responsible for amplifying their voices and pushing for meaningful change.
In conclusion, the situation in Gaza is a stark reminder of the consequences of historical injustices and the urgent need for collective action. It is a call to conscience for all of us to stand in solidarity with those who suffer, to demand accountability, and to strive for a future where peace and justice can prevail.
As we move forward, let us not forget the lessons of the past and the cries for help echoing from Gaza. The world is watching, and it is up to us to ensure that these voices are heard and that change is not just hoped for, but actively pursued.
Well folks it is a while since I have managed to get up enough enthusiasm to write another The World This Week From Mennies blog. I suppose, like many people, I have been sickened by what is going on in Palestine and indeed, other parts of the world.
So here is my take on the present state of affairs concerning Palestine together with the responsibility for the present difficulties, that is in the lap of the West and in particular the US, together with my opinion on what is abut to happen in connection with the Israeli act if wat with the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Middle East
So, let me start with Palestine the nub of the next flash point.
There is no need for me to go over the horrific genocide that is taking place there, as you are seeing it every day with your own eyes. If, by chance, you are one of the genocide deniers, like the US government, then, there is not much I can do for your present mental health issues.
Suffice it to lay before you a few statistics.
Hamas, the properly elected government of Gaza, and the resistance movement launched an incursion into illegally held Palestinian land on the 7th of October 2023.
Israel had prior warning if this and chose not to stop it. The Egyptian security services warned the Israeli government two weeks before it happened,
There was a bout of short selling on the Israeli stock exchange days before the attack.
There was a change in the arrangements for the music festival which was to take place at a venue much further from where it actually happened.
There is a high probability that Hamas did not know of the venue change and the planned attack was aimed at mainly military targets.
Many of the deaths and injuries were caused by the Israeli military, applying their Hanibal policy, which is, in the event of a hostage situation the Israeli military will open fire regardless of whether, in doing so, it will kill hostages.
Prisoners were taken by Hamas as bargaining chips to address the Israeli hostage situation, which at that time consisted of around 3,000 Palestinians, many of them children. As of this date Israel holds over 12,000 hostages.
Israel initiated what seems a well-planned indiscriminate bombing campaign and destruction ( including infrastructure such as drainage and water) of northern Gaza.
Israel also initiated a campaign of killing journalists and destroying educational establishments and hospitals.
To date over 33,500 people have been killed including women and children, in fact during the six months this has been going on, Israel has killed at a rate of 85 children every single day.
Israel has not defeated Hamas and has taken many casualties.
Israel is becoming desperate and is trying to widen the war to the whole of the Middle East by bringing the US into it. Last week Israel attacked the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing several Iranian nationals in the hope that this would bring instant retaliation from Iran.
Although the US has stated that its intelligence indicates that there would be an attack on Israeli soil within 48 hours it has not yet happened. I think it has been every 48 hours since the Israeli attack in Damascus.
I don’t think a major attack will happen and here is my reasoning.
Israel is losing the propaganda war and now because of the internet, they are not getting away with the kind of atrocities they have been committing since the artificial state of Israel came into being in 1948.
If we go back to that time in history we will find that initially and through the League Of Nations ( forerunner to the United Nations) Britain was granted the responsibility to administer Palestine and if we go back even further to 1917, there was a letter from the then Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothchild of the Zionist Federation declaring that the British government intended allowing the establishment of a new Jewish state within Palestine.
This eventually happened in 1948 but not until Jewish settlers had run a terrorist campaign against the British army.
Since the establishment of the Jewish Zionist state, Israel has carried out a very long list of massacres of whole villages and townships in their policy of the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
So today, the effect of this present genocidal campaign is there for all to see and although in the main, western governments support Israel the people in these countries do not as they can see the genocide with their own eyes.
Ok, so getting back to why I do not think Iran will mount a significant attack on Israeli soil. Firstly, the US will have to think very carefully before declaring war on Iran, as, because of the positioning of that country it will make it very difficult to invade. The only possibility would conceivably be through Jordan who seems to be very much on side with Israel.
Now today Iran boarded an Israeli-linked container ship in the Streight of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. This sends a message to both Israel and the US that there is more than one way to skin a rabbit and this way is the economic way as most of the world’s oil comes through the Persian Gulf.
So this is part of my rationale and here is the important part. Iran could decimate Israel with a deluge of missiles, I do not think there is any doubt about that and Israel knows that. Yes the US would get involved but apart from firing missiles from ships which would themselves be vulnerable, the US could not mount a land attack on Iran for months. Look how long it took for preparations to be made to invade Iraq., by which time Hezbollah, in Lebanon could be heavily engaged directly with Israel in a ground war. Now Israel’s army has been shown to lack ability in Gaza as they have been fought to a standstill by a few patriots armed only with Kalashnikov and a few RPJ launchers.
So here is the nub of my prognosis and I am pretty sure it is also Irans.
Both Israel and the US along with the usual poodles like the UK are on to a pasting in a conventional war. Iran probably knows this and also that both of these countries possess the ultimate nuclear weapon. Now I do not believe that the US would use it in this instance, although they are the only country on the planet who have used it in a war. However, Israel would not hesitate to use this weapon and it is thought that they possess in the region of about 400 nuclear warheads.
Now Iran knows this and is thought to be very near perfecting a nuclear delivery system, so I would imagine they will go down the economic road whilst buying time to achieve nuclear capability.
When they do achieve that capability Israel’s days as a European enclave in an Arab world are at an end and perhaps we can look forward to peace in the Middle East.
Ok, so, it is a Saturday evening and time for a pint in Mennies I wish my friends the world over a good and safe weekend. Take care
Remember
They say the truth comes out eventually, but it is there all the time.
All you have to do is find it, then do something about it
Well, folks another week in and as far as world events are concerned, a most unpleasant week it has been with further evidence of the incursions of the West in other countries affairs having extremely adverse effects on these countries.
Let me start with the US for although I have many dear friends who live in the US, I fear they suffer from extremely bad governments, and not only the people who live there but unfortunately, people all over the world.
I could probably write a book on the foreign policy disasters of the US, but don’t worry, I won’t, or at least not tonight anyway. However, it does seem that any country with reasonable natural resources is at risk of the US installing “democracy” in that country normally by way of NGOs ( Non-Governmental Organisations.
Yes, that is what they do, they set up these groups (generally through the good offices of the CIA) who look for merging areas of dissent. They then pour money into these small groups, making them big groups, and before you know where you are you have insurgent groups trying to oust governments. As happened in Syria, Libya, Ukraine, etc., etc. Sometimes of course they dispense with the formalities as they did in Afghanistan, and Vietnam, etc. etc, and simply invade the country, usually preceded by a false flag incident such as the Gulf of Tonkin or 9/11, where they blamed an ex-employee who had a Kalashnikov, a pair of sandals and was holed up in a cave in the Tora Bora mountains with a Nokia analog phone on which he planned the whole thing. For Al Quida read MOSAD.
Ok, so to cut a long story short, my American friends have chosen the short straw in choosing leaders and this year have the choice between Genocide Joe Biden who should be in a care home, and Donald Trump who should be in a lunatic asylum.
The UK
We in the UK had the good news today that our economy is in recession. The only surprising thing about that is that it took so long. The reason is that we started in 2016 when as an act of public suicide we left the EU and became a candidate for the next third world economy.
Now that was it seems, not bad enough, so a couple of years ago we then followed the US ( as per usual) and placed huge sanctions on Russia who supplied most of Europe with cheap gas and oil. As well as grain and agricultural products. Mind you the EU was as bad and now they are in an awful state with Germany almost crippled financially as after the US blew up the Nord Stream gas pipeline they had to depend on the US for gas supplies and Uncle Sam readily agreed to supply them at four times the price they had been getting from Russia. Talk about stupidity. Now Germany ( and the UK for that matter) are talking about going to war with Russia, taking idiocy to a new level.
We have a general election this year and it is going to be a laugh, because we have a choice between a Tory government that supports genocide in Palestine and who has gotten the country into a bloody mess, with its corrupt practices and a Labor party under “Sir “ Kier Starmer who’s family are Jewish and is firmly implanted into the rectum of the other genocidal nut Netanyahu of the manufactured country of Israel. Starmer says he talks daily on the phone with Netanyahu.
So, not a lot going for the UK at the moment.
Palestine
This brings me to Palestine and I really do not know what further I can say about these poor people. There is mass slaughter of Palestinians being perpetrated by Israel. They have ignored a judgment of the International Court of Justice, which instructed them not to continue killing Palestinians in a manner that could form Genocide.
They just go on and on ignoring all forms of humanity in their desperation to establish a greater Israel.
World opinion is speedily going against Israel but the problem is that meanwhile, the slaughter goes on. There are 195 countries in the world and only about 25 of them support Israel by way of designating Hamas as a terrorist organization. The rest, and the UN recognize Hamas as the elected government of Gaza and a resistance force.
In the north, we have the West Bank which borders Lebanon. There we have Hezbollah who are much stronger than Hamas and have been returning the aggression shown by Israel in no uncertain manner. These soldiers are battle-hardened by years of fighting in Syria against ISIS which is a terrorist organization formed by both Israel And the US. Israel will do anything to prevent an all-out war with Hezbollah.
In the bible, it reads that the end days will come with a final battle at Armageddon where good will battle evil. Armageddon is at Mount Megiddo. It is in Northern Israel.
So to all my friends the world over I wish you a pleasant weekend among all this doom and gloom brought to you by politicians the world over. Time for a pint and I will leave you with one of my wee quotes
Sit in the same place for long enough and the whole world will pass you by. You will, however, probably be arrested for vagrancy.
The state of the United States. Ukraine. Rosa. Palestine
The state of the United States
Well, folks here we are at the end of another week, and what a week, so let’s start with the US and what a state it is in.
There is an election this year and you have a choice between Joe Biden, a guy who struggles to remember his own name or where he is going at times, who has a son with a penchant for cooking. Not food I might add, but cocaine as well as a relationship with some very seedy Ukrainian “businessmen” in a Ukrainian company called Burisma who were supplying him with $50,000 per month whilst his daddy was Barack Obama’s number 2. It is I am sure pure coincidence that Genocide Joe has supplied Ukraine with funds in the region of $75 billion. Which as a by-product, has also made the Ukrainian president and one-time comedian Volodymyr Zelenskyy into a multi-billionaire property magnet.
The other choice is of course Trump, a guy who also has a job putting intelligible sentences together, not because of senile dementia like Genocide Joe but simple stupidity. The man is as thick as two short planks, as was displayed a few years back when he decided to come to Scotland, his ancestral home ( something we in Scotland like to keep secret), and build a golf course at Balmedie. He was rather upset when an owner of a small holding refused to sell his property to him and even more upset when he discovered that he could do nothing about it, so he ended up building the course around David Milne’s small holding resplendent in the prominent exhibition of the flag of Mexico.
Both of them of course are fatally shackled to the cause of Israel which in itself is a very compelling reason that neither of them is worth a single vote from the basically good people of America.
So, to all of my friends in the good old US of A, my condolences, as it would seem, on the surface of things that you do not have a lot going for you at the moment.
Ukraine
Well what can I say, but I told you so. Ukraine is on the point of collapse and hopefully with it will also come the beginning of the collapse of NATO which has been a willing participant in the war with Russia.
If that happens, it will be the start of a peaceful world as NATO led by the USA has been responsible for virtually all wars on the planet for the last 40 years and they are getting worse with their support for the genocide in Palestine.
Rosa
I had a call from my 14-year-old granddaughter Rosa last week, she was in tears and extremely distraught. She was worried about a war starting with Russia. I went across to her house and sat down with her and asked what had brought this on.
She took out her phone and clicked on one of her social media accounts which was full of politicians beating their chests about the need to go to war with Russia. One of the most prominent was our illustrious Minister for Defense, Grant Shapps, who had just been all over social media and indeed the BBC ( British Bullshit Company) which is the propaganda arm of whatever government happens to be in power.
His latest gem was that he thought the UK ( hopefully by then, minus Scotland) would be at war with Russia within 20 years and he had come up with the idea that a senior citizens reserve army should be raised, presumably to clear up the nuclear waste, which will be all that is left of the country if we try to invade Russia. What an absolute idiotic moron.
I told her that this clown was a politician, worse than that, a Tory politician. Now this is an election year, and the Tories are the most unpopular party in the country. Mainly because of the mess they have made of things, including dragging us out of the EU and the utter mess they made of the Covid situation which started in 2020 together with the mass corruption with many of the Tory politicians suddenly being directors of businesses specifically set up to provide the NHS with covid related products, thereby making hundreds of millions out of the sheer misery most families had to go through. Most of these businesses then went into administration after their assets had been plundered.
“So, Rosa”, I said “the Tories are very unpopular and most likely to be ousted from power in the upcoming election. So what do politicians do when they are unpopular and wish to continue on the gravy train that politicians travel on? They strike fear into the general population because when people are frightened, they are inclined to cling to what they have. After all, to change is a step into the unknown”.
That is exactly the tactics the Tories are employing. They know we are not going to war with Russia because they also know that if we did, our army would be slaughtered. They ignominiously had to ask the US if we could withdraw our forces from Helmand in Afghanistan in 2014. That was against a bunch of farmers and poppy growers with AK 47s and the occasional RPG launcher, so god knows what Shapes was thinking of when he hatched his brainwave of going to war with Russia.
“No Rosa,” I said, “we are not going to war with Russia, that is a figment of imagination in a demented mind”. This is what politicians do to control and it is awful, they should be ashamed of themselves.
By the way, the alternative to Sunak, our present prime minister is “Sir” Keir Rodney Starmer the leader of the Labour party a man who does not have a clue of how to run a raffle never mind a country and he is firmly planted up the backside of the Jewish lobby thereby supporting the present genocide in Palestine.
Palestine.
Well despite the ruling of the ICJ that Israel was on no account to continue with acts that could construe Genocide, they ignore that and continue to slaughter Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. It is the crime of the Century and the West is complicit in this.
Now, Israel is desperate to bring the US into the war they have started on the poor people of Palestine and they are shit scared that Iran will become a nuclear state before very long, which would mean that they no longer are the sole owners of the final solution. ( ironic isn’t it). So they are working overtime to bring Genocide Joe into the fray, although he had been a willing partner in the awful slaughter to date by supplying the weaponry and ammunition that have been used to slaughter more than 27,000 Palestinians since October 7.
Now Israel has been slaughtering Palestinians since the formation of the artificial Israeli state in 1948 under the auspices of first the League of Nations and then the newly formed United Nations. Before then and since about 1935 Jewish people and more especially Zionist Jews had been emigrating from all over Europe and the USA to Palestine and in the main been made welcome.
They returned this hospitality by starting terrorist organizations such as Irgun and Stern gang who were not only responsible for various massacres of their Palestinian hosts’ but also, of British soldiers and police who were there to administer the Palestinian territories on behalf of firstly the League of Nations and then the United nations.
So Israel is no stranger to terrorism as the Israeli state was founded on terrorism.
So what have we today? Well on the 7 October, we had a group of resistance fighters go back into occupied Palestinian territory to attempt to remove a part of the Israeli army of occupation, as since 1948 Israel, through occupation and illegal settlements had increased the borders of Israel by a factor of about 7.
Israel was well aware of this impending attack as they had been warned by the intelligence services of Egypt. Not only that but their own intelligence service, Mossad was also well aware of the impending attack. Several days before the attack, the Israeli stock market was the subject of irregular short selling ( that is selling shares in a company before actually owning them, then buying them a few days later after that had fallen because of some unusual event at a much lower price. These shares were in companies that would have suffered losses because of the attack by Hamas, therefore the people involved in the short selling could have very well, known of the attack in advance.
So the rest is short-term history, Israel took advantage of the attack to go to war after inventing incredible stories of slaughtered babies and civilians, most of whom were actually killed by Israeli forces employing the Hannibal protocol which is the killing of hostages held by a terrorist group to also kill the terrorists.
Israel has not done very well on the ground as they are great at killing civilians including children with their massive advantage of air and artillery power.
They have been bombing various other countries such as Lebanon and Syria in the hope of bringing America into the war but they have a big problem with getting supplies through the Red Sea as Yemen has all but stopped all freight transport heading for Israel, and all over the middle east there have been attacks on US bases because of the US’s mindless support for the Genocide being carried out in Gaza, so all is certainly not going Israels way.
I think that a ceasefire will be agreed upon in the next few days as Israel needs to regroup or attack Hezbollah in the north and in Lebanon and that will open a real can of worms as Hezbollah are no pushover and have plenty of combat experience in Syria. So interesting time ahead, oh and by the way the alleged attack on the American base in Jordan was not in Jordan but was in fact in Syria, where America is there illegally, so the US is now carrying out retaliatory actions for an attack on a base which they occupy against international law.
So today I went into Dundee as there was to be a demonstration on behalf of the poor people of Palestine. Take care all and have a good weekend
Bob Costello 