Watching Israel coverage on CNN Max. It's amazing seeing so many people prelude any negative statement against Hamas/Palestine with innuendos that this is Israel's own fault.
The NYT coverage has been appalling all day. Not just the "but who are the real villains here" type of prevarications but hours behind on hard facts relating to Israeli victims and hostages (which are top and front in other major outlets like Haaretz or Le Monde). They are shitting the bed in real time and I'm curious if the Fifth can shed some insight on whether that's an editorial problem in the NY newsroom or whether the locus of obstructive incompetence might even be at the source, in their Jerusalem bureau.
“Don’t blame the victim” weighing in at a stocky 218 lbs gets ready to tussle with “root cause analysis and western exceptionalism” at a tight 205. Get ready for this perennial matchup: Grumble in the Jungle.
My money's on “root cause analysis and western exceptionalism”. He's a versatile fighter with a wingspan like Dhalsim from Street Fighter. He's a sniper with his jab and has a really good motor. “Don’t blame the victim” is a bit one note and tends to fade in later rounds. However, he's a monster on the inside and has knockout power in both hands. “root cause analysis and western exceptionalism” is the clear victor if he can prevent this from becoming an inside brawl.
Forgive my ignorance on this matter, there are some issues I really don't follow, but according to some on the Left wasn't the explanation for why there was violence in the Middle East that Israel was occupying Palestinian land, and that once Palestinians had their own homeland and self-determined hatred and violence toward Israel would cease? And don't Palestinians have their own homeland now?
Typical naive Utopianism by the far left. As the realpolitik saying goes: if Palestinians lay down their arms there is peace. If Israelis lay down their arms there is genocide.
🚨request from Israelis! (At least one serving in the army). Could you guys release this zoom if they ask real nice? Or maybe abrasively in an Israeli accent? Some people can’t get leave for zooms -- and others will be sleeping (if they’re lucky) 🙌🏼🙏🏼
I have worked in the world of intelligence and national security for many years. The Israeli HUMINT ppl (both Mossad and Shin Bet) had a reputation as pretty competent but ruthless operators. That reputation is now in tatters, and it will take years if not decades to live down this debacle. Having been at the CIA for just two years when 9/11 happened, I can well imagine both the rage and the sense of impotent fury a lot of people in the Israeli military and intelligence community feel right now. Unfortunately, that feeling of rage and wanting to hit back is exactly how we got CIA black sites and Abu Ghraib...a sense that "the gloves have to come off" that came from the White House on down. Israelis will now demand that "the gloves have to come off" as Americans did after 9/11. I just hope the Israeli government realizes they need to NOT fall into the same trap the US fell into. There was a large exedous of people from the CIA during the Bush administration, and it basically came down to, "We did not sign up to the CIA to torture people." A lot of good people walked away, which of course hurt national security. That is the perverse trap. In seeking to hurt your enemies, you hurt the institutions that are supposed to keep your citizens safe and make their job harder.
Can’t believe it’s already Second Sunday, ya cunts!
Where to I apply so that I can have my pants off tomorrow evening?
A pitch to free subscribers: this will be the social event of the season. It was on these very recordings that I met my wife. And second wife. And husband. All former, by this point. And that was just from the September recording!
Paid subscribers get access to member’s only episodes - usually 4 a month, I think? Also access to the second Sunday webinar recording. Pretty sure paid members also get early access to live show tickets, when those happen.
Also, and this is harder to quantify, but you get warm, fuzzy feelings about supporting the lads.
I appreciate that Welch puts on a jacket and tie (and presumably, long pants) for his TV appearances. No offense to the other lads, who still look presentable. No Fettermen in the Fifth Column.
That Biden clip makes me think, "that is a *politician*." The snapped-on smile, the just-right-pitch voice. He's like a Lego man, snapping on his politician face for the cameras. And he probably has a different face depending on the room! But now he's a hundred and two, and you can't flip the faces that well after awhile. (I'm sure most every politician has multiple faces they snap on and off, his example just really stood out to me here.)
I plan on watching game 2 of the ALDS tomorrow (and possibly rending my garments) so probably won’t do the zoom thing, but if anyone can recommend some objective, balanced reading on the history of Israel and Palestine, I’d appreciate it.
She phrased that so horribly, SO horribly. Sounded like someone who has zero understanding of pain. I want to hope that what she was alluding to was the overuse of drugs to stifle acute and minor pain, but that sure as shit wasn't how it sounded.
To paraphrase Roosevelt: he might an egomaniac fucktard, but he’s *our* egomaniac fucktard. Kidding. I share your antipathy towards Gratz, but I nonetheless appreciate the gesticulations he’s made towards fiscal responsibility both now and during the speaker election earlier this year. I have no doubt he’s acting for the worst, most selfish reasons, but at least he’s nodding towards a responsible budget when he’s not voting against a negotiated budget agreement.
Yes, the annoying thing is (R)s only give a shit about fiscal responsibility when (D)s are in power. Massive tax cut during Trump paid for with money borrowed from Chinese? No problem! Actually, it'd be quite nice if both parties cared about spending at all times. As it a few years before I'm old enough to draw Social Security is when it will face a 26% benefit cut because of decades of both parties refusing to fix it. Half of Americans are counting on a crumbling Ponzi scheme to take care of them in their old age. Not gonna be pretty. But Gaetz ain't gonna be the one to fix it.
Watching Israel coverage on CNN Max. It's amazing seeing so many people prelude any negative statement against Hamas/Palestine with innuendos that this is Israel's own fault.
The NYT coverage has been appalling all day. Not just the "but who are the real villains here" type of prevarications but hours behind on hard facts relating to Israeli victims and hostages (which are top and front in other major outlets like Haaretz or Le Monde). They are shitting the bed in real time and I'm curious if the Fifth can shed some insight on whether that's an editorial problem in the NY newsroom or whether the locus of obstructive incompetence might even be at the source, in their Jerusalem bureau.
“Don’t blame the victim” weighing in at a stocky 218 lbs gets ready to tussle with “root cause analysis and western exceptionalism” at a tight 205. Get ready for this perennial matchup: Grumble in the Jungle.
My money's on “root cause analysis and western exceptionalism”. He's a versatile fighter with a wingspan like Dhalsim from Street Fighter. He's a sniper with his jab and has a really good motor. “Don’t blame the victim” is a bit one note and tends to fade in later rounds. However, he's a monster on the inside and has knockout power in both hands. “root cause analysis and western exceptionalism” is the clear victor if he can prevent this from becoming an inside brawl.
Forgive my ignorance on this matter, there are some issues I really don't follow, but according to some on the Left wasn't the explanation for why there was violence in the Middle East that Israel was occupying Palestinian land, and that once Palestinians had their own homeland and self-determined hatred and violence toward Israel would cease? And don't Palestinians have their own homeland now?
Typical naive Utopianism by the far left. As the realpolitik saying goes: if Palestinians lay down their arms there is peace. If Israelis lay down their arms there is genocide.
🚨request from Israelis! (At least one serving in the army). Could you guys release this zoom if they ask real nice? Or maybe abrasively in an Israeli accent? Some people can’t get leave for zooms -- and others will be sleeping (if they’re lucky) 🙌🏼🙏🏼
I have worked in the world of intelligence and national security for many years. The Israeli HUMINT ppl (both Mossad and Shin Bet) had a reputation as pretty competent but ruthless operators. That reputation is now in tatters, and it will take years if not decades to live down this debacle. Having been at the CIA for just two years when 9/11 happened, I can well imagine both the rage and the sense of impotent fury a lot of people in the Israeli military and intelligence community feel right now. Unfortunately, that feeling of rage and wanting to hit back is exactly how we got CIA black sites and Abu Ghraib...a sense that "the gloves have to come off" that came from the White House on down. Israelis will now demand that "the gloves have to come off" as Americans did after 9/11. I just hope the Israeli government realizes they need to NOT fall into the same trap the US fell into. There was a large exedous of people from the CIA during the Bush administration, and it basically came down to, "We did not sign up to the CIA to torture people." A lot of good people walked away, which of course hurt national security. That is the perverse trap. In seeking to hurt your enemies, you hurt the institutions that are supposed to keep your citizens safe and make their job harder.
Can’t believe it’s already Second Sunday, ya cunts!
Where to I apply so that I can have my pants off tomorrow evening?
A pitch to free subscribers: this will be the social event of the season. It was on these very recordings that I met my wife. And second wife. And husband. All former, by this point. And that was just from the September recording!
I admire your track record
The gnawing guilt in your subconscious that you are acting as an enabler for Michael Moynihan's bad life choices.
It’s the ciiiiiiircle of life.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GibiNy4d4gc
Paid subscribers get access to member’s only episodes - usually 4 a month, I think? Also access to the second Sunday webinar recording. Pretty sure paid members also get early access to live show tickets, when those happen.
Also, and this is harder to quantify, but you get warm, fuzzy feelings about supporting the lads.
To be fair, you get the zoom recording... sometimes. 🙃 (it’s still worth it)
Matt Welch was good on BIll Maher last night. I found the 5th Column after Kmele's appearance!
I appreciate that Welch puts on a jacket and tie (and presumably, long pants) for his TV appearances. No offense to the other lads, who still look presentable. No Fettermen in the Fifth Column.
Wow my first second Sunday shoutout! ❤️
Matt, not sure I have laughed as much at a singular “No.” as I did while watching the overtime segment. Impeccable timing.
I want Bill Maher to come on the Fifth Column
Not for lack of asking! He's a busy man.
That would be wild
I'd like to see Moynihan on Club Random myself.
Same!
That Biden clip makes me think, "that is a *politician*." The snapped-on smile, the just-right-pitch voice. He's like a Lego man, snapping on his politician face for the cameras. And he probably has a different face depending on the room! But now he's a hundred and two, and you can't flip the faces that well after awhile. (I'm sure most every politician has multiple faces they snap on and off, his example just really stood out to me here.)
I've never seen Sarah Isgur before. "Hey, how you doin?"
Highly recommend her podcast advisory opinions on the supreme Court and law
I plan on watching game 2 of the ALDS tomorrow (and possibly rending my garments) so probably won’t do the zoom thing, but if anyone can recommend some objective, balanced reading on the history of Israel and Palestine, I’d appreciate it.
Expect the media to get all kinds of silly over this war 🫤
Recently Philly had welcomed another round of “equitable property reallocation”.
I enjoyed Remy’s insightful take on this hot trend sweeping the nation.
https://reason.com/video/2023/10/06/remy-look-what-you-made-me-do-taylor-swift-looting-parody/
Oof. I love Sarah isgur her and bills lack of compassion for people with chronic pain was uncharistically obnoxious
She phrased that so horribly, SO horribly. Sounded like someone who has zero understanding of pain. I want to hope that what she was alluding to was the overuse of drugs to stifle acute and minor pain, but that sure as shit wasn't how it sounded.
Any fellow Fif ers following tech, you might get a kick out of our shortest piece of the week, where we try to grapple with under-reported AI safety stuff. https://technoskeptic.substack.com/p/ai-safety-meme-of-the-week-d21
gotta say Meijer's comments on recent episode defending that egomaniac fucktard Matt Gaetz were a bit hard to swallow.
To paraphrase Roosevelt: he might an egomaniac fucktard, but he’s *our* egomaniac fucktard. Kidding. I share your antipathy towards Gratz, but I nonetheless appreciate the gesticulations he’s made towards fiscal responsibility both now and during the speaker election earlier this year. I have no doubt he’s acting for the worst, most selfish reasons, but at least he’s nodding towards a responsible budget when he’s not voting against a negotiated budget agreement.
Yes, the annoying thing is (R)s only give a shit about fiscal responsibility when (D)s are in power. Massive tax cut during Trump paid for with money borrowed from Chinese? No problem! Actually, it'd be quite nice if both parties cared about spending at all times. As it a few years before I'm old enough to draw Social Security is when it will face a 26% benefit cut because of decades of both parties refusing to fix it. Half of Americans are counting on a crumbling Ponzi scheme to take care of them in their old age. Not gonna be pretty. But Gaetz ain't gonna be the one to fix it.