171 Comments
User's avatar
John Wygertz's avatar

There's a huge warning visible to those informed by history: the current rise of anti-semitism across the Western world has horrific precedents. Every time Jews become targets, disaster follows - in often unpredictable ways. Beware. Be wary.

Bruce Miller's avatar

From your mouth to God's ears, as our Jewish brothers and sisters are wont to say.

But, for a "chosen" people, they have been subjected to some seriously awful things across the ages. Makes one wonder, chosen for what? And now, even in our own beloved Republic, which has sheltered American Jews since the days of Washington, and been rewarded many times over for our hospitality, how can we countenance the abomination of seeing pogroms launched in our cities, including the capital of Jewish culture and achievement; New York City. The notion that the city targeted for Islamic terror just a quarter century ago, is now run by a Jew-hating, Islamic communist should be unacceptable to every American.

Barbara Charis's avatar

The anti-American Mamdani, who lied on his citizenship papers should not even be in America. He is connected to others who are radicals that are out to take down America. Communists, Socialists and Muslims should be banned from office...They do not support our Constitution and are out to change our country and take over.

Bruce Miller's avatar

I agree completely. Mamdani took an oath to the Constitution to gain citizenship. That was a lie. A communist cannot be faithful to our Constitution. He should be deported back to Uganda.

Peter Taylor's avatar

Good grief, take your head out of your propaganda asshole, such a banal comment illustrative of the fact it’s been up there so long, whatever little remained of an independent mind was long ago decimated the stench of your own shit… fog of war, nay, propaganda… just saying

From New Zealand

John Wygertz's avatar

My father-in-law was a Polish camp survivor.

Never forget. Never again.

Peter Taylor's avatar

Thank you

I agree, completely, we can never ever allow such ro occasion ever, again, sadly, though it has, numerous times always excused the enlightened, civilised Western States, G7… + Australia, my own N.Z … an indictment upon us all, the bigger Question being for each of us, what did you do to speak up, out, against, to prevent….this from ever happening again, that’s not suggesting you are idolent, non responsive, nay, your response the antithesis of such, but unfortunately… many have, continue to excuse, look past such.. therein is the real issue… just saying

D D's avatar

Your comment illustrates just the kind of mindset that perpetuates ongoing strife, Peter. There is never any need to use such adolescent language here.

Laney's avatar

Probably a Pakistani bot…

Jeanie's avatar

Perhaps take your own advice. We can share differences of opinion and treat each other civilly and respectfully. No need for immature crudeness.

pretty-red, old guy's avatar

You appear to be another of the NZ'ers who has gone along with the propaganda and messed up your OWN country. What irony. You call out from your down-under your black rock like a petulant child cursing his elders yet unable to articulate the exact offense that make's it cry.

Likely, this is a result of not really understanding the foundation of America uniquely different from YOUR country and the rest of this Earth: We have always valued Freedom and Liberty while reviling Totalitarianisms over 250 years. You, on the other hand, have accepted your inferior lot as a pauper in New Zealand and are happy with it. You may do well under WEF dominance!

from the USA

Peter Taylor's avatar

You are joking, understand freedom, the U.S is a cot case, I’ve travelled up innumerable times, so many times I can say I’ve visited every State, including that corruption cesspit where everything emanates from, every problem, D.C. have family living there..

The U.S is corrupt, has sold out, its politicians are bought and paid for AIPAC shills who don’t give a rats arse about the constituents who elect them, remind me again about the free and fair elections that you have in Califotnia, Michigan, Georgia to name a few, you guys wouldn’t know democracy if it bit you in the rear.. face it, as the World’s biggest terrorist warmongering State together those who occupy that genocidal, sodomist, rapist, torture state of Isteal/Israel, remind me again about the healthcare, education, you enjoy, the broken infrastructure, the manufacturing base exported to China by your capitalists who screech whenever there is competition, who demand losses are socialised, you espouse free market capitalism yet your system of corporate welfare has bankrupted the nation. Meanwhile morons chant USA, USA, USA, as they are rheemed financially, your media propagandises a docile populace… operation mocking bird a roaring success despite the Church Commitee investigations supposedly shutting such down… your nation is a nation of grifters, look at your present administration.. the entire administration led those thieves and charlatans occupying Pa Ave presently, the Congress and Senate all on the make, it’s laughable… U.S democracy, the only nation on the planet that has been in a a conflict more than its known peace, indeed, you espouse thee those of peace but wouldn’t know what peace is if it bit you in the ass, how could you, a nation that has been in armed conflict all of its entire existence save 16 of its 250 years … a nation that destroys, bombs, kills, regime changes, has the worlds biggest overhyped, overpriced Military Industrial Complex whose military technology is and has been found to be… useless, keep buying those $10,000 wrenches, $50,000 toilets, paying for THAAD, Patriot military tech that is useless, everything about the U.S is a con, A.I, overpriced, China unequivocally proving that, so much so your biggest corporates use Chinese A.I vs getting ripped off the home grown.

Meanwhile, any serious competition you lot sanction, blockade, malign, denigrate, deride, create falsehoods about .. Huawei? Remind me how that worked out… a major reason you’ve lost the A.I race, rather than embrace, work with, you’re those is dominance, my way or the highway, carriers anchored offshore, how’s that going, the Houthi of all peoples, poorest nation on the planet had you turn tail, ditto Iran whilst Russia similarly continues their war of attrition to attrit the vaunted U.S military…

All whilst stooges like Fauci get away with absolute degenerate behaviour not to mention your child abusers, Epsteiners, hep, sure as shit justice, that two tiered system you have works wonders… my advice, be mindful, careful of what you say .. the barbs thrown, we have our issues but they pale into insignificance placed alongside the sociopathic state of the World’s biggest Kleptocracy … at least we haven’t sold our political system to lobbyists, can still boast an egalitarian society something you’ll never know… still, USA, USA, USA, keep wishing upon that lost dream… as if, pigs will fly and the sky is yellow as well I bet… guess you can create a movie of your utopia whilst it continues to crumble around you… continue worshipping the dollar all 40Trillions of it your indebted unto wasted on perpetuating War, death, injury, misery destruction, interfering in the sovereignty of truly democratic states… perhaps you need remind yourselves about how Hawaii was destroyed because of the greed and avarice the Dole Brothers, or the Philippines in the 1890’s, central and South America because of lunatic and psychopath James Monroe… laughable, read your own turgid history and understand the present before throwing stones … fool

Victoria A. Rand's avatar

This kind of language is completely unacceptable, and clear evidence of the weakness of your position. Those who cannot win an argument by being right always try to win it by screaming and insults.

Peter Taylor's avatar

I agree entirely, save for the occasions you know absolutely the subject matter and do so to reinforce..

D D's avatar

I sense the energy of a hypocrite from you Peter.

Jeanie's avatar

Mamdani as a communist is unfaithful to the United States constitution, and you, sir, are behaving unnecessarily rudely.

Bruce Miller's avatar

Get your head head out of Jacinda's ass. Nest time we'll leave you to your own devices, along with the other sheep that outnumber you..

Peter Taylor's avatar

Now, that’s a great idea, stay out of ours and others affairs.. wouldn’t that be a start.. grief, you wouldn’t read about it… seriously, and they say every village has one… a truism if ever there was one…

Jeanie's avatar

We would appreciate it if you would stay out of our affairs and country with your hate, vitriol and animosity. Have you heard the saying you draw more ??? with honey than with vinegar? I can't imagine you are drawing many converts with your hatred, name-calling and lack of self -control. That is not how intelligent debate works. Folks can't see the tree of your perhaps valid point for the forest of hostility.

Elaine H's avatar

How so Mr New Zealand?

Peter Taylor's avatar

I thank you for your response but please elaborate… how so??

Sonia Nordenson's avatar

And, Peter, what would you posit, instead, as the truth?

Peter Taylor's avatar

Refer to my above comment.. says it all really save the auto correct … “anyone who like the current sociopath occupation Ave, has sold out the nation”.. which ought read

“anyone, who like the present occupant of Pa Avenue, has sold out the nation… “

And that Sonia…in reply, is a brief summation of a very small part of the truth…

pretty-red, old guy's avatar

" . . . the city targeted for Islamic terror just a quarter century ago, is now run by a Jew-hating, Islamic communist should be unacceptable to every American."

I think, mostly, it is. However, us "Americans" don't reside in NYC, the commies have taken it!

Peter Taylor's avatar

Yep, they’re under every bed… ole Joe McCarthy was right 😂😂😂😂😂

ComeQuicklyLord's avatar

America forgot 9/11 when it elected Obama, who has an affinity for Islam, and had Muslim Brotherhood advisors IN the White House. He is solely responsible for the “Arab Spring” which was not organic, but a planned event with Obama’s speech in Cairo.

He not only bashed America, but he had Muslim Brotherhood leaders on the front row seats—leaders who were banned in Egypt—they ousted Mubarak, who had a peace agreement with Israel, and substituted him with a Muslim Brotherhood leader. Egypt had to fight for its life after Obama’s stunt.

Joy Potter's avatar

Jehovah God warned the Israelites over and over again that they had to obey Him. Throughout their ancient history, their kings and tribes did not obey, only a few kings obeyed. The Hebrew scriptures known as the Old Testament to Christians, does say that if they didn’t obey, they would lose their chosen people status. Joshua 24:20 and other verses. With the teachings of Jesus, Matthew 23: 37-38, and other verses in the Bible, he did not preach that they were the chosen people anymore. They lost that status because they chose not to obey Jehovah God. One of the reasons for his coming that put Christians no longer under the mosaic law.

I wish them well, they have endured many travesties beyond human dignity and comprehension. For me this is a 6000 year war that is between two peoples. It hasn’t been solved in 6000 years and I don’t believe that America can solve this religious war. No more killing.

Jeanie's avatar

The Jews are still God's chosen people. He is not a man that He should lie and He does not change His mind. Those who bless Israel will be blessed. Even if it doesn't make sense to our limited understanding of the moment.

Sean Fife's avatar

Amen Jeanie! Jesus Christ, the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

Peter Taylor's avatar

Can I respectfully recommend that if you yet haven’t, that you read the KJV Bible in full, God has repudiated his chosen people, for additional context and once again with respect I also recommend reading the writings of Enoch nd Mary Magdalene… there is unequivocal examples of God refuting his once chosen, indeed in the Gospels of Enoch he even states he was aware the seed of Abram would resile from the covenants made… would walk backwards from him, repudiating him, his covenants, statutes and laws whilst stating unequivocally the result of such… hence God, then extending salvation unto all of the sons of man .. the Gentiles..

The Schofield texts, if indeed that is what is relied upon à la Ted Cruz, is not that reliable a source, more so when you truly understand how Schofield came to write and publish his text…

I will not and we must not critique nor judge any individuals belief or faith save Zionism, Satanism…further, I fervently hold the view every individual has the right to believe and worship just as they are free to choose orientation with the caveat that when it comes to what any right thinking person considers to be evil… and again, most know what it is that defines the same… for that is an unequivocal red line that can never be crossed… nor resulting behaviours ever condoned, hence my position… again, I appreciate your reply… just saying.

Bruce Miller's avatar

Sorry but what 6000 year war and between whom?

Sean Fife's avatar

Joy, the God of Israel has not, and will never, reject his chosen people, the Jews. Yes, the Jews have suffered terribly for their waywardness, but their God has never forsaken them. Why else would He return them to their ancient homeland after 2000 years?

Your interpretation of Matthew 23 is in error, and you've omitted verse 39. Here are all 3 verses for context:

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’"

"You will not see Me again UNTIL you say, 'Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

That day is now here, praise God!

By wishing the Jews well while claiming they've lost their status with God, you smile sweetly while sticking a knife in their back. Not good.

John Guy's avatar

"disaster follows - in often unpredictable ways." - The folk in Gaza would agree with you.

Video has emerged of an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Soldier, testifying UNDER OATH that on October 7, he was told to "Stand-Down" from 5:20am to 9:00am during the "HAMAS ATTACK." The soldier is testifying in an Israeli Knesset (Legislature) subcommittee. Specifically, what the soldier said (per the video): Routine or specific orders were given to "cancel patrols" along the Gaza border fence from roughly ~5:20 a.m. to 9 a.m. (or similar window).

Troops were told to stay at their posts instead of conducting normal patrols.

It seems to most Observers, that had those troops been on their regular Patrols along the Gaza Border Fence, the incoming "attack" would have been seen.  Intercepted.  It would have been engaged.   It could have been stopped.

But for some reason, IDF Troops were told to stay away from the Gaza Border Fence.  To NOT conduct their patrols.

That Order ALLOWED the HAMAS Attack to take place without being interfered with.

The Israeli government ALLOWED the HAMAS Attack, presumably so they could use the attack as an excuse to do what they have done in Gaza.

All the Israeli dead on Oct. 7: ALLOWED to happen.  

All the Gaza Dead: Retaliation for what was DELIBERATELY ALLOWED to happen.

With this testimony by an Israeli Soldier, it now seems clear to many people, the Israeli government knew the Hamas Attack was coming, and let it happen, on purpose.

The Israeli government let their own citizens be KILLED by Hamas, to justify the destruction of Gaza, which was apparently the desire of the Israeli government for quite some time.

https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/component/content/article/video-idf-solider-testifies-under-oath-told-to-stand-down-during-oct-7-attacks?catid=17&Itemid=101

Peter Taylor's avatar

Unfortunately there are many amongst us who despite obvious truths WILST never ever agree or open their very much closed propagandised minds to the actuality and reality that exists, the sort who take as a gospel truth whatever slop and garbage they are incessantly fed by the truly moronic talking heads or worse, the CIA Op Mocking Bird agents employed on Mainstream Media …I agree your point made and that soldiers testimony before the Knesset just one of many we know of….

Seems the world’s most moral Army, given the testimonies, notes left behind by those who, since serving Gaza, have taken their lives and many self incriminating Tik Tok posts posted to the platform is not so moral after all, Dershowitz’s repeatedly made claims of the IDF investigating and punishing their own in my opinion, highly suspect, dubious … a great post and the attached clip also tops…. Just saying

Kia Kaha from New Zealand

Presently in the Middle East

John Guy's avatar

The Hebrew press portrays a deepening mental health crisis within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Outlets like Haaretz, Ynet, Maariv, and Kan focus heavily on structural failures in care, a sharp mid-2026 spike in deaths, and growing friction between grieving families and the military establishment.

Hebrew-language commentators and investigative journalists point to key systemic cracks: Scaling Back Mental Health Support: Reports highlight a paradoxical decline in mental health support despite soaring PTSD rates. The military has canceled specialized post-combat decompression programs and reduced the field presence of psychologists and mental health officers.

A significant portion of the current media coverage centers on legal and public battles waged by families. Grieving relatives of discharged veterans who took their lives after returning from combat are publicly threatening to petition the High Court of Justice. They argue that the state’s current policy fails to grant them equal recognition and financial survivor benefits compared to soldiers who died while actively wearing the uniform.

Peter Taylor's avatar

J.G

Thank you a terrific fact laden post, I am familiar with Haaretz and especially the studies and reports you cite as reported these outlets.

Israel, socially is in an untenable position, there seems to be an awakening albeit at a very slow pace amongst a populace heavily inculcated the mindset of aggressive defence versus trying to live peaceably.

This state construct to me was a sop, Balfour acceding to private financial interests who had identified the regions wealth ex condensates and oil.. in short Israel was created as likely the first privately owned Nation State… in essence that is in my opinion what it represents, it has thus conducted itself remorselessly since through the present.. using every despicable mechanism available violence, intimidation, corruption, immorality, you name it, this state has shamelessly embraced such to advance its interests.

Hardly surprising therefore that as many of its populace, a populace that internal polling has consistently underscored that 80-90% of its population support the nation’s government and its policies of apartheid, secularism, ethno supremacy, violence etc.. embracing by such support all of the machinations of this out of whack nation state construct, hardly surprising that many of its citizens mandated to serve its military find the acts of atrocity committed in the name of State such, they no longer can bear nor live with the same.. my role is not to Jussie such people, that will be left to one higher authority more so than any living mortal upon this temporal world, however, all that is left to say is simply… you reap what you sow, this nation is on a definitive downward trajectory, I would be surprised after this miscalculation it survives in its present format more than another score of years if that… just saying

John Guy's avatar

Very interesting, I assume you mean...Lord Rothschild Claims His Family Created Israel The Rothschild family is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt that rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild, a court factor to the German Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel in the Free City of Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire, who established his banking business in the 1760s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FodyORivSdk

 "Bauer" was their real name until they changed it to Rothschild. They were a well known occult family of the middle ages.

Some suggest that the Rothschild family are direct descendants of the messiah, Shabbatai Tzvi.

It would also explain the Rothschilds strange obsession with their bloodline and their custom of intermarrying amongst themselves.

The flag of Israel was not a direct creation of the Rothschild family, though their influence on the Zionist movement was profound.

The 1885 Precursor: A blue-and-white flag with a central Star of David was first raised in 1885 in the agricultural village of Rishon LeZion (funded by Baron Edmond de Rothschild) to celebrate its third anniversary.

Peter Taylor's avatar

Thank you John,

I have studied and researched ad nauseum this family….

Conversant with the history, but again at least your posts contain facts… a real positive in this world we presently inhabit of make believe, obfuscation and history being rewritten, though my last point seems completely idiotic given those of us who have studied, understand and read our history or history as pertains so much that is impacting this planet…

Thank you again, your efforts are both acknowledged and appreciated..

Justcsaying

Bruce Miller's avatar

Doubtful. And note that the savagery took place, perpetuated by the “Gazans” for whom you weep, is not denied.

John Guy's avatar

There are many viewpoints:

Brave Israeli former Gaza border guard speaks the truth, He explains how the deadly Hamas attack was an inside job. Watch and listen to the truly staggering facts from a man who was there on Oct 7th.

on Oct 7th- Share This Video

https://twitter.com/Tmason117/status/1716143635853410355?s=20

https://x.com/VincentCrypt46/status/1716088629024461046

Sheila Secrist's avatar

Yep. Exactly what God promised.

Micheal Nash, Ph. D.'s avatar

Considering that failures seem to occur at,the top, perhaps it would be a good idea to investigate just how those at the top got there. If, as I have experienced, adroit butt kissing a major role in advancement then maybe repeated really long looks at those on top ia warranted.

Bruce Miller's avatar

In my long career it has become all too often true that those who are elevated are the most adept at organizational game playing.

And little else.

pretty-red, old guy's avatar

called the "Peter Principle" as I recall.

William Bell's avatar

I was just going to say that when I read your comment!

pretty-red, old guy's avatar

a prescient thought there!

Peter Taylor's avatar

Thank you Bruce, corruption writ large, why it seems those who so flagrantly abuse societal and humanities norms are rewarded, medalled, promoted, gain seats on the boards, become highly paid consultants à la CDC, DoD (War) in that revolving door of corruption.. therein lies the real belly ache, most Americans I know and have met, good solid people, down to earth, do anything for you types, give you the shirt off of their back, inviting, polite, detest and equally abhor this aberrant behaviour, many opine they “wish” hope something, somebody could, would correct and fix what they know and agree to be egregious behaviour, immoral, corrupt, they are as bereft as those impacted the same.

I truly feel for them, as they watch a nation beloved, literally flushing itself and the values they hold dearest down the carsy, toilet, at least they care enough to think about the why, to query and question what they are being told, for as long as this remnant do so, there is a vestige of hope that from the ashes of this plague of filth impacting the nation across so many metrics the phoenix of the nations rebirth will rise… my money remains on this small group, they see it, everything for what it truly is… yet remain hopeful, filled with faith that comes from true belief the nation they love to their core will correct itself.. it is only right every assistance is given such people.. whilst for those who deny reality, it behoves us who know better to call it.. just saying..

Bruce Miller's avatar

Looks like we agree on some things after all.

Probably because neither you nor I nor most others would sell out their country for 30 pieces os silver like the legions of lobbyists and consultants who infest the DC beltways.

Peter Taylor's avatar

Hi Bruce,

There is always commonly shared values between people, unfortunately in the zero sum game of political dik tat that has played out the past 2 centuries more so latterly, ratcheted up with an intensity ever since JFK stood firm against the Dulles brothers and especially that shithole genocidal, sodomist, rapist, terrorist Theodor Herzl, Ashkenazi Eastern European Zionist state construct of Isteal/Israel together their attempts to develop a nuclear capacity, the U.S has slid ever further into the abyss.

These maladjusted individuals who perpetuate division, hatred amongst peoples deserve the opprobrium and disdain of every right thinking, freedom loving individual, indeed they’re biggest fear is people, humanity coming together, coalescing and going after power be it political, corporate, monied, hence they are content to pick us off one at a time, but truly shit themselves uncontrollably when we are united.. they rely upon us fighting amongst ourselves.. to remain separated and divided.

From my perspective I will never resile calling out political idiocy, corruption, or those whose views suggest they condone and support such, at times doing so at times colourfully with a flavour some might likely disagree with, however I make no apology for such, just as I don’t expect any quarter from anyone else for equally held, strong points of view.. if people are offended that’s never the intention, the wider issue being there will always be someone offended, we cannot live or conduct ourselves never to offend, can we try to be more considerate… definitely.

However as you likely well know, what offends you and your tolerance for being offended will be different to the next person, imagine what kind of world we would have if never offending anyone was the threshold.. an analogy would be.. it’d be like telling and raising kids not to play outside, climb trees, don’t ride, scooter or walk to school, something bad will happen … don’t use the motor mower etc etc and that’s the real issue.. we, if we permit such to be uppermost in our thinking are being funnelled, manipulated.. caving to fear imposed… again referring the above analogy, parents who so raise their kids are not doing their kids any favours, they disadvantage them, raise weak people, obviously all parents need to be attentive to risks, but doing so to the point of total constraint…living in cotton wool… fear.. I say no thanks… just saying

Best always

Bruce Miller's avatar

Hey Chief, I'm picking up a large formation of planes approaching Hawaii.

Oh, don't worry, it's a bunch of B-17s coming from America.

But Chief, they're coming from the northwest..........

Duh!.

And didn't Dana Bash say that vaccines are the most studied thing in science?????

We live in an idiocracy and we keep on paying them fortunes to lie to us. Let's take a really deep look in that mirror now.

Steve Miller's avatar

This was such an honest, well researched and brilliant article. I just became a paid subscriber.

Laney's avatar

Indeed! It was a feast to read for this former social studies teacher. I hope this is a trilogy…or more.

anna george's avatar

Excellent work..and terrifying at the same time. It appears anything can be defeated depending on how much effort the “other side” wants to apply. And we think we are “safe”… God decides indeed.

Jim Williams's avatar

Like the most fortified city of it's time, ancient Babylon was brought down by an unknown city employee not doing his job, closing the water gate that was supposed to be closed every night. The one night that he failed to perform his simple task brought down the Empire, and assassinated the King... then Persia reined for hundreds of years

D D's avatar

As I skim this long informative piece, I get the drift of your understanding of these mechanisms. Your ability to see the patterns is exactly what the "intelligence" needs to comprehend. There are some huge gaps in the training systems that continue to allow huge, dangerous events. Tony Robbins has consulted and trained some military factions, you certainly could too. It takes a certain kind of insight to see and implement strategies. What a team you both could be.

RobMc's avatar

Arrogance and complacency. Two sides of the same cheap-but-terribly-expensive bureaucratic coin.

Excellent analysis

Expat's avatar

Very interesting piece. I just wish that all the institutions would read it. Now, to cheer you up, I ran across this song from - yes - Boy George! And it is GREAT! https://x.com/roverseasfrance/status/2084252661575016583?s=46&t=D9CnfhhW76IhO4HHIr_Nww

Steve Miller's avatar

that was great. thank you!

Expat's avatar

I didn’t even know he was still around! I found it very moving.

Michael Tocci's avatar

As in the case of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, one cannot discount the possibility of intentional inaction by a cynical government willing to sacrifice its own people to achieve a political objective. In the case of Pearl Harbor, it justified FDR's long-standing antipathy towards Germany and his long-standing sympathy with communism, to plunge the United States into a war that the vast majority of the citizenry wanted no part of. In Israel's case, it justified full-scale war against Gaza (under the guise of disarming Hamas).

John Guy's avatar

Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, a massive majority of Americans—between 80% and 96% depending on the month—opposed a formal declaration of war and the deployment of U.S. military forces overseas.

September 1939 (Invasion of Poland): As war broke out in Europe, 90% of Americans rejected deploying forces to assist England, France, and Poland.

March 1940 ("Phoney War"): Anti-war sentiment peaked with 96% of Americans opposing going to war against Germany.

May 1940 (Fall of France): Directly following the Nazi invasion of France and Belgium, 88% of the public remained firmly against declaring war.

May 1941 (Pre-Pearl Harbor Peak): Despite rising sympathy for the Allies, 80% still disapproved of entering a formal shooting war with Germany and Italy.

February to November 1941 (The Pacific Front): Regarding the Empire of Japan, public opinion was slightly more divided but still anti-war; roughly 46% opposed a war with Japan, while 39% supported it.

The "America First" Movement: Isolationism was championed by the influential America First Committee. Led by figures like Charles Lindbergh, it heavily promoted neutrality by arguing that World War I was a costly mistake driven by war profiteers.

The debate instantly dissolved on December 7, 1941. A poll conducted mere days after the attack on Pearl Harbor showed a historic shift: 97% of Americans approved of Congress declaring war on Japan, with only 2% opposing.

Michael Tocci's avatar

Point taken. I'm not sure what is meant by "False Flag" - but two events in American history come to mind: 1) Abraham Lincoln's hearty endorsement of the plan of Gustavus V. Fox in 1861, which provoked the War Between the States; and 2) the Gulf of Tonkin provocation by the Lyndon Johnson administration (Robert McNamara et al) - both of which artificially stimulated "patriotism" and led to disastrous results. Recently, there have been discussions about the USS Liberty being attacked by the Israeli air force in 1967 - which was, again, done with the knowledge, if not the consent, of the that same Johnson administration. Intentional, provocative acts of two of the most cynical administrations in American history (along with perhaps those of Woodrow Wilson and FDR)* Netanyahu's may be of similar cast - who knows. President Trump must tread very lightly through the minefield he has wandered into. *There are recent candidates to this list, but comment is deferred.

pretty-red, old guy's avatar

a great run-down of the American psyche at the time. thanks!

dan brandt's avatar

I took it more as a response to a threat of annihilation.

Michael Tocci's avatar

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session56/a-hrc-56-crp-3.pdf (source cited, not necessarily endorsed). See Page 6, Paragraph 20. Not to belabor the point: Estimated militant force, which included civilian "volunteers", was approximated to be 1000 men. Israeli military estimates 2,200 rockets were fired into Israel. Total Israeli civilian casualties - killed & abducted (more than half of whom have died in captivity): approximately 1,500. Estimates of number of wounded are not certain. This is certainly not to diminish the savage, merciless and cowardly nature of the attack - but only to state that, with the "stand-down" orders given by the Israeli military, the decision was to simply "contain" the incursion and let the citizenry and local forces defend themselves and repel the attack. There was no threat of annihilation posed by 1000 militants firing 2,200 rockets (of limited ballistic capability). I make no comment on the scope and tactics of the Israeli reaction to the attack - only to the political purposes and opportunities that the attack could be seen to provide.

dan brandt's avatar

I’m not sure when the stand down order was given. I do know before it was all said done, the Israelis took Hamas as a serious attempt to wipe them from the middle east.

Michael Tocci's avatar

Dan: I don't deny that the State of Israel is object of great offense to its neighbors, and is always at risk of annihilation (but not from Hamas). My gripe was with what I took as Dr. Malone's conclusion to his essay: that it was systemic dysfunction within the Israeli military and administrative bureaucracy that fully explains how the attack was able to occur, and why it was followed by clearly preventable injury to innocent civilians. This "dysfunction argument" may be true, but it is utterly inconsistent with what is known about the Israeli intelligence and military organizations, and the efficiency and comprehensiveness of their information gathering and assessment modus operandi. I hold Dr. Malone in the highest regard for his expertise, and moreso for his courage, but this seeming excuse for the Israeli government's failure to protect its citizenry in this matter struck me as pandering. Blessings.

dan brandt's avatar

I tend to agree. But when you see Israel giving 10 million a year to Hamas and with their vaunted intelligence don’t have any idea what they are spending it on shows human failure on an epic level. I believe that there is no better intelligence agency in the world. But it is the people at the top that make the difference. And it has always seemed that egos are just as big in Israel as DC.

I loved the show Tehran but have no idea how close to real it was.

Charles weaver's avatar

Fascinating article. Much of it applies to personal assumptions and decision making as well.

People like to make decisions and move on without second guessing which gives temporary peace of mind. Much like learning how to ignore sunk cost in investment decisions, a reassessment of past decisions is vital to future success.

Jim Bianchi's avatar

Perhaps the most important attribute of any leader is to create an atmosphere that encourages and rewards all views, including a self examination of biases of the leader by the leader . Looking back over my 88 years, I'm having trouble coming up with any names.

pretty-red, old guy's avatar

With the random choosing system the US has for filling top spots in government (two grossly different parties, sometimes primaries, primaries that are fudged to allow the elite their choices. . . or not at random, it appears, 4 year terms with no limits, limits randomly made by "primary-ing" incumbents) . . . there is simply no rational selection of highly qualified leaders with "assured" loyalty to our country.

Without THIS there will always be chaos in the process of learning from our mistakes in the past and preventing the next catastrophe.

Tony's avatar

It is easy to see what you are talking about. We are probably all subject to eventually accepting assumptions as fact. My anger has burned pretty hot at the individual medical personnel and the medical systems as well as the pharmaceutical industry over Covid. I realized very early that something was wrong. As a result no one in my immediate family received the gene therapy shot. Living in Oklahoma and being self employed made it significantly easier to resist the covid madness. Unfortunately I know good people who died needlessly because effective treatment was withheld. What has been hard for me is that such stupid things were done, such as sending sick people home with four vitamins and telling them if they get sick enough to go to the ER. What medical class did they learn that healing technique

In? The other thing is that even at this late date the “system” has not owned up. I had occasion recently to be at MD Anderson, the largest cancer facility in the world. The internist I saw first essentially told me that Jay Bhattacharya, Paul Marik and Pierre Kory were quacks and if I did not agree with him I should leave the hospital because I would be wasting his time. Since I did not fall off the turnip truck yesterday I quickly defused the situation and Doc. calmed down. This somehow goes beyond refusal to question assumptions and I am afraid people will have to be held accountable for the system to be shocked into taking a long hard look in the mirror.

Laura's avatar

Doctors learn to memorize and to perform based on required metrics rather than to analyze at a humble, philosophical, individual level. They learn to accept what they are told by the medical establishment as Truth or requirement, and obedience is beat into them with both carrots and sticks. They are not as independent mentally or financially as the public imagines. Much of the media and medical establishment generally still believes much of the dogma that you do not. This is somewhat of a religious approach without awareness that it is such. It is also tied to politics. You were able to impose a stop to an escalatory response from someone ready to battle for a point of view that they believed was unquestionably correct..

Tony's avatar

What you are saying is actually quite frightening. These are the people we, at times, must entrust our lives to.

Laura's avatar

My generalization doesn't mean that we can't get good care or that there are not caring, trustworthy doctors. I have gotten good care for myself and family and have had to trust doctors who are complete strangers to me in emergency situations. I have also declined bad care that was obviously BAD. Lots of things there is simply no way for me to know. I seek out doctors who listen to me and my priorities when I can. That's all we can do. Doctors are people, too. In my own life providing care, I have tried to give the best care I could but probably have made mistakes. I always have tried to listen to people. But Dr. Welby is dead and the medical system is very regimented and requires a lot of compliance and quick processing of patients (yes, you are processed) these days. Many are overstressed, time restricted and don't want their authority questioned under any circumstances. Most "providers" have faith that the system is having them do the "right" thing. They need to be able to question articles of faith sometimes. I wish more could and would. There is always room for improvement, isn't there? Learning should never stop. We have a system that lacks proper feedback.

Laura's avatar

Probably nobody will see this at this point, but I am going to write it anyway. The underlying theme of this essay by the Malones is faulty feedback systems. I think that protocols in medicine are a double edged sword. They are put out to establish expectations for good patient care by government and medical entities. Think of them like a cookbook for medical practitioners. Protocols establish medical legal rules. They give doctors structure for performance and also legal protection because doctors are unlikely to get in legal trouble if they follow them. Doctors are extraordinarily regulated and fear lawyers because they understand that courts are not necessarily places of logic, but more of perception, so they use protocols as a bulwark from the capriciousness and unpredictability of the legal system. But these protocols are also a prison if they have errors. Protocols don't respond quickly to changing information/inputs. There is no system for forgiveness if protocols change. People don't like change. Deny any new information, avoid cognitive dissonance, don't examine your deeply held beliefs, and cover your own ___ . Just move along unless something shakes you up, right? That's why they hate Kennedy, a lawyer. The powers that be that set the protocols will do anything to avoid any change to the protocols if the protocols benefit them in any way and everyone is used to just following along.

Tony's avatar

Don’t disagree with a thing you said. There are, obviously, many dedicated health care professionals who care deeply about their patients and want to do the right thing. Still, we must talk about the flaws in the modern allopathic medical system.

Karen Cook's avatar

Very scary! Basically saying you have to constantly be imagining worse case scenarios to stay ahead of bad guys. Can’t ever let guard down!

Brien's avatar

This is the “mistakes were made” theory of history. There is also the “mistakes were not made” theory. I believe both are valid. The challenge becomes in knowing which theory was most relevant at a given place and time in history.

53rd Chapter's avatar

What all these events have in common: Institutionalization and the self-serving inefficiency of bigness. Smallness is an antidote to bigness, but coordinating smallness to scale presents much the same problem. Perhaps the insertion of “questioning gradients” with authority in the hierarchy, similar to Israel’s Devil’s Advocate could be a crucial component. The problem is clear in hindsight. But when the false alarms number 100, how does one identify the one of the 100 that is a valid threat?

But now, we are all called to action. The mass invasion that the Biden administration authorized is more than criminal. It is treasonous. Those behind the autopen scandal have skated free and are plotting a return to power, but their cancerous legacy is real. The canary in the coal mine has long been dead and its corpse rotted. We have too many enemies to ignore, and many are already here, some public, but the foreign functionaries are simply preparing and waiting for their signal to strike. Vigilance is the order of the day. See something, say something.

Dave Slough's avatar

Excellent read(s)!