Forum Topic

"‘Any views on the Iranian proxy Hezbollah‘s rocket attack on northern Israel  which killed 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community…Which affront to Palestine was this a response to?’‘This one.’(How is an attack by Lebanese Hezbollah militants, who are not Palestinian, upon Druze children, who are not Jewish, in any sense a response to Israel’s campaign in Gaza?)."Assuming that it was a Falaq-1 rocket from Hezbollah (as the IDF claim), how do you imagine that an unguided rocket could be precise enough to be aimed at the football field? "Experts say Hezbollah has a wide range of unguided heavy artillery rockets, ballistic missiles, as well as anti-aircraft, anti-tank and anti-ship missiles.Those include Falaq-1 and Falaq-2 unguided rockets, which have a range of about 11 kilometres (seven miles) -- according to a Hezbollah artillery officer interviewed by the group's al-Manar channel earlier this month.Artillery rockets, including Falaq models, "are not accurate" and "have a margin of error of up to three kilometres," according to Riad Kahwaji, head of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis.Military analyst and retired Lebanese army general Khalil Helou said Hezbollah has Iranian ballistic missiles that it has yet to use.They include the Fateh 110, a precision-guided missile with a range of around 300 kilometres, more than sufficient to reach Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from within Lebanon.Hezbollah has expanded the size and quality of its arsenal since it last fought an all-out war with Israel in 2006."The group in 2006 reportedly had about 15,000 rockets, while unofficial estimates in recent years suggest that this number has multiplied by almost 10 times," said Dina Arakji, an associate analyst at Control Risks consultancy."Note - this report may be a reason for Israel killing tens of thousands of civilians:-"The data shows that Washington has sent over 20,000 unguided bombs, around 2,600 guided bombs, and 3,000 precision missiles. Unguided bombs, also known as “dumb bombs,” are typically less precise and kill larger numbers of civilians, especially in densely populated areas like Gaza."

David Ainsworth ● 554d

‘I see it’s necessary to formulate a new maxim.; let’s call it Hawkes’ law.  “In any online discussion in the Forum,  the probability of some fool dragging in a reference to Islamic approaches”. ‘.(Surely it’s possible to express disagreement without treating one ‘s political opponent as either a knave or a fool).‘Any views on the Iranian proxy Hezbollah ‘s rocket attack on northern Israel  which killed 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community… Which affront to Palestine was this a response to?’‘This one.’(How is an attack by Lebanese Hezbollah militants, who are not Palestinian, upon Druze children, who are not Jewish, in any sense a response to Israel’s campaign in Gaza?).‘I just care about needless killing of civilians - something that neither Israel or yourself does’.(Each of these statements is questionable: 1) I don’t think a person who implies that the attack on Druse children is a justifiable response to Israeli aggression can plausibly claim that he ‘cares about’ civilian deaths. 2) Where is the evidence that Israel engages in the ‘needless killing of civilians’?  Why does Israel distribute thousands of leaflets, send out thousands of texts and make thousands of telephone calls  warning Palestinians of impending attacks? It is likely that the Israelis have killed around 20 000 Hamas militants and, tragically, around the same number of civilians have died. This ratio of around to 1 : 1 is unheard of in urban warfare and bears testament to Israel’s desire to limit civilian casualties. Sometimes, of course, schools and hospitals are attacked if Hamas, contrary to the laws of war, uses them to fire on the Israelis. Should the Israelis allow Hamas to fire on them with impunity from such places? 3) What right does anyone have to imply that John Hawkes, or myself, or indeed anyone who supports Israel’s right to eradicate a mortal enemy, have no concern for the plight of civilians? The critics of Israel don’t have a monopoly on compassion.)‘I think because like most posters here (who have all utterly condemned Hamas a shed load of times) - we are all bored of you asking us to do the same thing over and over again’.(I don’t think John Hawkes  or any of the contributors who have expressed support for Israel have demanded that Israel’s critics need to condemn Hamas. No sane person can possibly condone Hamas’ crimes. The point is that those who are calling on Israel to institute an unconditional ceasefire, which would leave Hamas in control of parts of Gaza, together with their hostages, are implicitly supporting Hamas’ war aims).‘Finally figured out how to use Google? Or did you get your carer to do it?’(Nasty and uncalled for. No wonder many people are put off contributing to the Forum.)

Steven Rose ● 554d

There are damaged batteries and batteries being left in toys and remote controls etc which get forgotten and put out for collection.  Yes, there are also collection points in libraries and shops.  Yes, it's also important that we recycle all these precious metals.Here's the info for Smugglers Way which just goes to show  how worried they are about them.  It includes info on storing and handling them:BatteriesDid you know?Batteries contain materials and metals like cadmium, lead and sulphuric acid that pose environmental and health risks when disposed of incorrectly. If batteries are crushed, bent or damaged in any way, they can spark fires causing significant damage.Lithium-ion batteries in particular have been identified as the culprit in several fires involving electricals, as households often neglect to remove batteries from devices such as tv remotes or toys before disposal.ReduceTry to avoid the use of batteries by using mains electricity where possible.ReuseUse rechargeable batteries wherever possible. Or even better look out for solar battery chargers.RecycleYou should not place your batteries in your household recycling sack or container as this does result in fires at the Smugglers Way Materials Recycling Facility, SW18.You can deliver your batteries to the Smugglers Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre.  You will find a container to recycle them in Recycling Bay ABut before you deliver your batteries to the Centre, please make sure you handle and store them safely.Tape the contact points at each end of the battery and any wires.Then place the batteries in an air-tight contain e.g. Tupperware.Do not store coins or metal objects in the same container as waste batteries.Store used batteries in a cool and dry area.Damaged, corroded or leaking batteries could result in minor burns, handle carefully with gloves and place in a separate container.

Philippa Bond ● 554d

Mr Brigo'I think i've said it a million times - i dont care what happens to Hamas, if they get killed - doesn't bother me'.But do you condemn their actions ?'I just care about needless killing of civilians - something that neither Israel or yourself does'.As regard myself I find your comment smug, self-righteous and insulting.Rather 'playground' like even.I also care about the needless killing of civilians.Hence my despising of and contempt for Hamas and other Palestinian Islamists that obviously do not.And I have no doubt that Israelis do also.After all they lost thousands in the October 2023 attack.Their necessary defensive response to this attack has indeed resulted in civilian deaths simply because of the way Palestinians fighters have taken refuge amongst them.But you seem to think Israelis are killing civilians needlessly, perhaps almost I assume with deliberate intent.Why do you think Israelis have less concern for civilian human lives than you do ?Do they have less empathy than you ?The killing of civilians will end when Hamas (read their Charter) and other Palestinian Islamists recognise the right of Israel to exist (which I assume you do) and sit down in discussion and negotiation to work how both groups can live together.Till that happens I will continue to criticise Hamas and other Islamist terrorists and support Israel's right to exist and defend itself.Defend itself now also against attacks in its northern borders by the Iranian proxy terrorist group Hezbollah.

John Hawkes ● 554d

@Philippa 17.24This ancestry lark is utterly fascinating! I bought a well known heritage and genetics kit and duly sent off my saliva samples, and confidently waited for confirmation that I am as British as somebody British could possibly be.  But no!! Apparently my DNA indicated that I am most likely descended from a rogue Spanish sailor who arrived in Britain after cheating death during the Spanish Armada.  Whether he was captured as a POW or just swam ashore is anybody's guess? The Mills & Boon streak in me prefers to imagine that Rafael (his imaginary name) swam for miles and pitched up, exhausted and half-dead, somewhere on the Kent coastline.  I also imagine that he was found by a local lass who saw his potential as a mate and nurtured him back to full health....and Bob's your uncle as they say.😉It all makes so much sense to me ~ ergo 1) My childhood obsession with Flamenco dolls 2) My lifelong yearning to live in Spain 3) Why I felt compelled to go to evening classes to learn Spanish 4) The inexplicable urge to greet everyone with 'Hola' 5) My adult obsession with Rafael Nadal 6) The clincher ~ Mum and her family were all from Sittingbourne in Kent! Fast forward to the 17th century: It is possible that a female ancestor was deemed to be a witch and burnt at the stake. The overwhelming evidence was that she loved black cats and had several of her own.My first ever pet was a feline black beauty.🐈‍⬛Caveat: Think carefully before you delve into your past because you may not be what/who you think you are! NB I have a very vivid imagination ...😉

Sue Hammond ● 555d