Meanwhile on the International front....

I know who she is. And yes she's a hack. The point remains.

 

Peggy Noonan has got to be approaching Abe Vigoda territory by now.

 

It depends on how organized they are. If there is enough top down command and control to impress on the students to let leadership issue policy statements instead of blathering and saying something awkward that becomes the front page quote, well, they have some leadership. That might be either good or bad, but it isn't something horrible in itself.

I can see a random student being reluctant to jump out there, especially if she knew who Noonan was.

 

It is SOP for protest groups to designate one media spokesperson and for others in it to refuse comment. That's what the "training" remark meant. It is, of course, SOP for every organization on earth, large and small, to have designated media spokespeople and for others within the organization to refer questions to them. You think a random GS-10 in the Dept. of Defense is gonna spill his/her guts when some reporter calls. Straight to the press office it goes.

 

There’s progress reported in Gaza truce talks, but Israel downplays chances of ending war with Hamas

https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-05-04-2024-4eae8b7a75440d4dd9a201219d60bcd9

 

World Food Program director Cindy McCain: parts of Gaza in 'full-blown famine'

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...ael-hamas-war-world-food-program/73567949007/

 

Haaretz

'Netanyahu Is Blowing the Only Chance We Have' |
Tens of Thousands of Israelis Protest for Hostage, Cease-fire Deal Amid Reported Progress in Gaza Talks


Tens of thousands rally for hostage, cease-fire deal amid reported progress in Gaza talks

 

That was a good article, and perspective. I see it as valid, and can agree, wholeheartedly, that students have a right to protest -- to take a stand, and I love that they are learning, and, hopefully, educating themselves about both the issues/reasons for any protests, as well as a lot of other things, too. They're not wrong in any of that.

But, what about Israel, which has become the aggressor after first being the victim? The fact is, Hamas is unlikely to be able to be relied upon to do anything in future except more of what occurred on Oct. 7 if it allowed or has any opportunity whatsoever to do so. A resolution of this conflict truly is unlikely unless Hamas is wiped out. And it is the fact that Hamas hides and mixes itself among its own people -- intentionally -- that makes this an unsolvable problem, and an indiscriminate war. But Hamas did that, not Israel.

This "war" is different in that it has three sides, not two, and worse, one of the three is a terrorist, and uses terrorist tactics. Hamas literally doesn't care about the people of Gaza -- the people on its own side, and that is the problem.

The best hope is separate, two-state existences for Israel and Gaza, but even that is unlikely to end Hamas's hostility toward Israel.

 

Let the navel gazing begin.

 

I could be wrong, but I'm detecting a lot of "hold me back" energy from Bibi's camp regarding Rafah. That's a good thing.

Rafah is (supposedly) the last stronghold of Hamas but also has a million-plus Gazan refugees. Attacking Rafah would not only end the war (which Bibi doesn't want) but also cement Bibi forever as a pariah and a war criminal.

 

73-year-old on bench with notebook expects the youngs to talk to her.

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