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| London, 2025 |
Thursday, 3 April 2025
“Ireland is a social disaster waiting to happen” | Mick O’Keefe
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Israel: a State for Jews and Druze | Dan Schueftan (Part 4)
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| Click above for the video |
Dr Dan Schueftan, Director emeritus of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa.
I find him bracingly good. I'm sure there are those who would find him rather too much so, would call him a bigot, or racist, or such. I've watched quite a bit of him now, and I really don't think so. I think he's just deeply knowledgeable about the Middle East, clear-eyed about his neighbours and clear-eyed about how strong Israel needs to be, to keep them at bay.
And keeping them at bay seems to be the only option at the moment -- not because that's what Israel wants, but because the neighbours hate Israel and the Jews and wish to destroy them. The only way Israel can survive it to be strong and to be feared. As he says, it's a tough neighbourhood. Only strength is respected.
But some are friends. Like the Druze. Dr Dan: "Israel is a state for Jews and Druze".
And good thoughts -- radical centrist thoughts, radical common sense thoughts -- about Freedom, Democracy, Transparency, Progressivism.
00:00 The Druze and Israel: A Complex Relationship
03:07 The Humanitarian Imperative: Protecting Minorities
06:09 Crisis of Democracy: A Global Perspective
08:53 The Dangers of Total Transparency
11:57 Rethinking Leadership in Modern Democracies
14:48 The Path to Sustainable Equality
17:49 Optimism Amidst Irresolvable Problems
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Israel's Hostage Dilemma: Dan Schueftan (Part 3)
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| Click above for the video |
“The barbarians' strongest weapon is to use our values against us”.
A key message of Dr Dan Schueftan, Director emeritus of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa.
Which brings me back to the discussion about what to do when the enemy takes hostages. Should you make the return of the hostages your no. 1 war aim, as it's been for Israel? Or should you take the tough but ultimately more effective road of saying -- as we used to in the West -- "We will not negotiate with terrorists."
I completely understand why Israel does what it does. And the anguish of the relatives of hostages. Dr Dan, above, calls these "decisions from Hell". It's the killing of some, to prevent the killing of many, many more. Listen to him discuss the issue of whether the Allies should have bombed the concentration camps in WW2.
But... I've come over to the views of Yishai Fleisher*. Who argues that the hostages must be treated as casualties of war. By all means try to save them. But don't make that the primary war aim and make sure the enemy knows this.
After the short-term pain and anguish of this, and the loss of hostages, the benefits will be no more use of taking hostages by the enemy. For anything other than the near term, for anything other than Suicidal Empathy, the tough way of Yishai, and Dr Dan above, is the best for continued survival of Israel, not under constant threat of attacks by the barbarians, come to take booty, loot and hostages.
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As I rewatch the video above, I think Dr Dan is truly a wise man. Speaks truth bombs, one after another.
Index:
00:00 Current Situation in Gaza
06:00 Moral Dilemmas in Warfare
11:47 The Hostage Crisis and Historical Context
17:55 Cultural and Political Dynamics in the Region
24:07 Israel's Strategic Position and Future Outlook
30:02 The Role of International Relations
36:11 Understanding the Palestinian Perspective
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
The West Is Naive About the Middle East: Dan Schueftan (Part 2)
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| Click above for the video |
You can have too much of a good thing.
A thing I've often said. Like immigration. We all, pretty much all, think immigration is good. But too much, especially undocumented, illegal, uncontrolled immigration is bad. Big majorities -- around 75% and up -- of people in all western countries, think so.
I've likened it to water. You need it to survive. Too much and you drown. Professor Dan Schueftan uses the oxygen analogy. Again, you need it to live; too much will kill you,
In professor Dan's case he's referring to Progressivism. Which he thinks -- and many of us agree -- has gone too far in many western countries and in Israel. Hence the crazy Left of the Democratic party, which led it off the electoral cliff in the last election. And which threatens the survival of Israel and the west, if we are too naive, because of ultra-progressivism.
I'd call it Suicidal Empathy.
Dr Dan talks of the idea the Progressives have that we're basically all the same. That within a Saddam Hussein is a little Thomas Jefferson waiting to get out. We just have to be nice to the Saddam and the Jefferson will emerge. Not so. As time and again we've found out. But firmly refuse to learn from.
This is also the point made for the UK by Christopher Caldwell, in his recent talk with Peter Whittle, here. Some people just don't fit in and don't want to fit in.
Index:
00:00 Misunderstanding Radicalism in America 02:52 The Role of Humanitarian Aid in Conflict 06:06 Political Dynamics in the Middle East 09:06 The Rise of Progressivism and Its Consequences 12:02 Israel's Political Landscape and Resilience 14:54 The Future of Israeli Society and Governance 18:01 International Relations and Bipartisan Support 20:52 The UN and Global Politics, Zelensky, Ukraine
Monday, 31 March 2025
Trump Leaves Presidency To Become Even More Powerful District Court Judge
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced this week that he was leaving office in order to take an even more powerful position as a U.S. District Court judge.
After ascending to the presidency twice in the last decade, Trump set his sights on the next rung up the political ladder, with a spot in the federal judiciary proving him with far more authority to rule the nation.
"I love being president. I'm great at it. The best our country has ever had, many people say," Trump told the press. "But after seeing how much power those U.S. District Court judges have, I've decided to resign the presidency and join the judiciary. They seem to really be able to do anything they want."
Trump announced the move after a series of sweeping rulings from judges over the last several weeks, which greatly limited the breadth of the executive branch's powers. Trump said he's been eyeing the move for a while and thinks he'd be a great fit as he's already well-versed in the legal system.
"After going through all that stuff with the corrupt courts in New York, I think I have a pretty good handle on how things work," Trump said. "There can't be that much to it. Just bang the wooden hammer thing and create your own rules and laws all the time. Some are saying I'm going to be the best District Court judge that ever lived. I didn't say it, but some have."
At publishing time, Trump decided he might also try his hand at running for Congress for when he needs to have a break and take a much-needed rest from doing any work.
Israel is winning | Dan Schueftan (Part 1)
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| Click above for the video |
“The barbarians strongest weapon is to use our values against us”. A key message of Dr Dan Schueftan, director emeritus of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa.
Like as in taking hostages and using civilians as human shields. The barbarians count on our values in treating every civilian life as precious, to hold us back. Which has worked.
This is a tough issue. But if countries face an enemy that takes hostages, and w Ethan make the return of hostages as the single, the highest, the primary aim, you’re in serious trouble. And will have more hostage taking.
We used to know this. America had a strong “we do not negotiate with terrorists” policy. No longer. They readily negotiate with terrorists. As does Israel.
There are a few Israelis, not many but a few, who call for the end of this policy. People like Yishai Fleisher. To return to a policy of not negotiating with terrorists. The response, once hostages are taken, is to consider them casualties of war. Try to liberate them. Try hard. But don’t make it the sole, the primary aim. But that’s a long way from where the government and the people are. Which includes handing back a thousand convicted Palestinian criminals, murderers amongst them, in rerun for one Hamas captured IDF soldier. That’s a kind of suicidal empathy.
As they’re always saying about everything: “wwe must have a conversation about this”. As it stands it’s not even remotely in the agenda.
Save for the Fleishers of the world. And people like professor Schueftan.
Index:
00:00 Israel remains confident despite ongoing challenges and future threats.01:06 The war centers on whether civilized societies can defend against those who exploit human rights norms.03:20 Post-Soviet thinking has led progressives to misunderstand the constraints needed to fight extremists.05:06 Technology now allows smaller groups to challenge powerful nations with advanced weapons.06:58 Gaza’s defense relies on both physical barriers and international support.08:20 Nationalism is crucial for democracy and human rights when not taken to extremes.09:52 Israeli restraint and strong responses contribute to regional stability.12:25 Arab nations see Israel as a strategic ally against shared threats and flawed U.S. policies.14:48 Israel’s actions in Lebanon and Iran expose vulnerabilities and weaken adversaries.16:45 U.S. policies have unintentionally empowered radicals and destabilized regions like the Red Sea
Sunday, 30 March 2025
"Grok 3 is nuts" | Steven Mark Ryan
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| Click above for the video |
There's a particularly interesting explanation from Elon, areound 35:10, about how they build the xAI facilities so rapidly.
Elsewhere I've written about how quicky Elon has created wealth. Now with xAI, creator of Grok, mergning with X.
Steven Mark Ryan has the pofcast Solving the Money Problem. He's a major TSLA Bull, but has a lot of good analysis and predictions that have been prescient.
Nuclear Tourism in China
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| Da Ya Bay Nuclear Power Station in China, on the Hong Kong coast |
As far as I can tell China is the only place where you can visit an actual operating nuclear power station. I do hope they're just the first. Given that one of the main reasons people are against nuclear power is fear; fear of the unknown. They ought be given the chance to know more.
In China. At one of nine plants now open for a visit. And do I recommend it? You bet I do. If you're visiting China or live there, try to make time for a visit. You won't regret.
I visited the Da Ya Bay Nuclear Power station just north west of us, when I went to China on a rally with the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong, back around 2005. Our Club patron was Sir Michael Kadoorie, a classic car buff, and part owner of the Da Ya Bay plant, via his China Light and Power company here in Hong Kong.
I rate that visit one of the most fun visits I've ever made. And I been everywhere, man.
I asked Grok about it:
Now you can visit certain nuclear power stations in China, as the country has recently opened some of its facilities to the public as part of a "nuclear tourism" initiative. In August 2024, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), the nation's largest nuclear power operator, launched an online booking system allowing tourists to plan visits to nine of its nuclear power stations. This move aims to increase public understanding and trust in nuclear energy while promoting its role in achieving China's carbon neutrality goals by 2060.
For example, locations like the Ningde Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian province and the Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Station in Guangxi have been highlighted as tourist-friendly sites. Visitors can explore the facilities, learn about clean energy, and even enjoy nearby attractions such as tea gardens or scenic islands. CGN has also provided tourist information, including hand-drawn maps, to enhance the experience.
However, access may come with restrictions. While the initiative is open to the public, specific requirements—such as booking in advance through the online system—are necessary. Additionally, some reports from other nuclear-related sites in China (like the Gaoqiao nuclear bunker museum) suggest that non-Chinese nationals might face extra scrutiny, such as higher admission fees or, in rare cases, restricted entry, though this isn’t explicitly confirmed for CGN’s power stations.
To visit, you’d need to check the official CGN booking platform for availability, locations, and any visitor guidelines, such as safety protocols or identification requirements. This reflects China’s broader push to showcase its nuclear technology, which includes 56 operational reactors and 30 more under construction as of early 2025.
Saturday, 29 March 2025
xAI acquires X in stock transaction valuing the companies at over $100 Bn.
Just a few weeks ago I posted that Musk had created yet another Billion Dollar Company, xAI, this one in record time, that was worth, then -- just a few weeks ago -- $50 billion. It's now valued at $80 Billion. So, a company he started two years ago, is now worth $80 Billion. Amazing. The other companies he's started or got involved in at very early stages and driven the development of include: PayPal, $80 Bn. Tesla, $850 Bn, SpaceX $350 Bn, The Boring Company, $6 Bn and Neuralink $8 Bn.
Total = $1.4 TRILLION and counting. But who's counting? Certainly not Elon. He's too busy building. While his haters are too busy hating.
Musk is the most prolific creator of Billion dollar companies the United States, the world, has ever seen.
"Elon Musk and DOGE team give behind the scenes look at their mission" | Bret Baeir
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| Click above for the video |
This is a fantastic interview. Finding out what's really gong on at DOGE -- the Department of Government Efficiency -- from the people in it, rather than hearing the hyperventilating Musk-haters telling us their hysterical reactions to it. Which are all over the likes of CNN and MSNBC, not to mention Tik Tok. I've seen them, and they're both ignorant and unhinged. Don’t even know why they hate him.
Bret Baier talks to some senior members of the DOGE team, led by Elon Musk, trying to make the US government more efficient in order to save money. In order to reduce the deficit. In order to reduce the debt burden of the US.
This is an impressive team and they're just a part of the whole.
You can either believe what they're saying -- which I do -- or believe the unhinged loonies on the streets, torching Teslas, shooting up showrooms, waving their "Elon is a Nazi" signs, and then when confronted with what is it that Elon has done that they think is so wrong, are unable to answer. I choose to believe Elon and this team, not the loonies.
What these folks are doing is revolutionary. They're trying to make the government more efficient. There's some hair raising stories about just how inefficient the government is. With some legacy systems more than seventy years old. That's right, 70 years old. Systems set up in the 1950s, when I was born, but which have not been updated since because of the weird ways in which the government works (or doesn't).
More people outside the Fox bubble should see this. But they won't. Because the other bubbles, the likes of CNN, MSNBC, etc... simply do not want to hear the message. It's much better for them to carry on with the Narrative: Elon and Trump bad. Elon and his oligarch cronies just want to gut Social Security and run home with more money.
Think about it. Elon would have been much better off doing nothing. He's lost billions in stock value because of his commitment to try to help stem the bleeding of the government deficit, to reduce the debt burden. He could've just been doing more at Tesla, Neuralink, SpaceX, X, Boring Company. Instead, the man tries to help the country and what he gets from the Left is hate.
"No good deed goes unpunished".
ADDED:
CNN doesn't report what the Doge team say it is doing. Instead they moan that the group above is a bunch of Old Middle Aged. White. Men. Yes, that's the most important thing to CNN. Not that Doge is on track to reduce waste in government spending by $1 TRILLION per year. But the genitalia and age of the team. THAT's the most important thing in all this. Right.
By the way, earlier, CNN were cranky, really mad, that Doge was "a bunch of teenagers"... Really can't win. (Except they are).
Friday, 28 March 2025
The changing face of Ireland. My granddaddy’s home town
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Why, indeed.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, 27 March 2025
I just donated to support nuclear facts over fear – join me? Nuclear for Australia
I just donated to support Nuclear for Australia's "Facts. Not Fear." campaign, and I hope you'll consider doing the same.
Every donation helps get the truth out – and right now, your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous matching donor, like Dick.
You can donate here
That's after I got an email from Aussie of the Year, famous businessman and environmentalist, Dick Smith:
Hi Peter, it's Dick Smith here.
I've spent my life standing up for common sense — and right now, nothing makes more sense than Australia embracing nuclear energy.
But common sense is under attack.
A powerful $2 million scare campaign is flooding social media with misinformation. They're saying nuclear is dangerous, unaffordable, even calling it a "carbon bomb."
It's absolute rubbish — and it's designed to scare Australians like us into silence.
There's a wave of misinformation and fear-mongering spreading about nuclear energy – but the truth matters. Nuclear is safe, clean, and essential for affordable, reliable power in Australia. This campaign is fighting back with real facts, expert voices, and community action.
Every donation helps get the truth out – and right now, your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous matching donor, like Dick.
You can donate here
Time to defund Green NGOs | Zion Lights
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| Click above for the Substack article |
Me? I'm an NTN guy. "Natural Gas to Nuclear". Gas is much cleaner than coal, but can fill in until clean and safe nuclear can be built. It really is a good bridge. Though the Greenies hate it, because it's not "perfection", perfection being 100% wind and solar. As always, "perfection is the enemy of the good."
She used to be on the side of radical climate activism, like being a founder member and spokeswoman of Extinction Rebellion. Until she realised that being always against stuff was no good. You also have to be for stuff. In her case she's turned into a vocal advocate of Nuclear. In which endeavour, I support her.
And so should we all.
Nuclear is the cleanest, safest, most reliable zero carbon energy on the planet. Bar none. But the Greenies are against it for a bunch of nonsense reasons, the most recent being that "it takes too long". Yeah, well, only because of the obfuscation and interference of Green groups. Where we don't have that, like in South Korea, they can build a 1Gw station in 5 years.
Read Zion's full article below the break.
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Tesla Terrorism is terrorism porn
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| Click above for the video |
TBF, I've been shocked at first of all the level of violence, political violence, aka terrorism*, and second the enabling, the cheering on, of this from senior Democrats and high-flying members of the Left. Do they not see the dangers? That way lies anarchy, confusion, chaos.
Off the top of my head, I can think of the following who have supported, cheered on, the vandalising of Tesla cars, of shooting up their showrooms, torching their charging stations, of confronting Tesla owners on the streets, threatening them, doxxing all Tesla owners in the country:
Chuck Schumer, Jasmine Crockett, Ilhan Omar, AOC, Bernie Sanders, Bill Burr, Jimmy Kimmel, Tim Waltz, Michael Steele, Abby Phillip, Cory Booker, Rachel Maddow.
That's a mix of politicians and news anchors. There are dozens of others that slip my mind for now, but that I've seen on the legacy media in recent weeks. And there are hundreds more on X. And thousands more morons in the audiences of the people above, like of Kimmel and Waltz, who laugh and clap along, like seals, idiotic things like Waltz praising the damage to a major, innovative American company. It's revolting. I''m revolted by their actions.
An important aspect that all commenters like VDH above are missing, is the one identified by Andy Ngo, in his talk recently with Winston Marshall. i.e. the Trans Radical angle. Trans folk are disproportionately represented amongst the arrestees. Weird, weird.
We have to keep remembering that these attacks are because they don't like that Elon Musk is leading a group in the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, which is looking at government waste, fraud and abuse. That's all he's doing. Something he was asked to do by Trump, which is something that Trump was elected on. And it's something that senior Democrats used to support as well. They've said in the past "we must tackle waster, fraud and abuse". In those very words. People like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders. All said it. And are all now against it. They're only against it because it's Trump and his team doing it.
Ok, so hypocrisy's one thing. We all do it; especially pollies. But to go to the next stage? To support terrorism? To attack American companies? Which employ hundreds of thousands of working Americans" Enough's enough. Supporting and encouraging terrorism is not on. At least should not be on. But there seems to be not a single Democrat (perhaps Ro Khanna aside), who will do the right thing and denounce terrorism.
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*All these recent attacks fit exactly the definition of "Terrorism":
... the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. [Oxford Languages]
ATTENTION: John Papola. Healthcare systems in the world: which is "best"?
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| Click above for the video |
This is prompted by your recent talk with Jimmy Dore. Talking healthcare, you plumped for the Swiss system. I think you may also have given Australia an honourable mention.
I wrote in the Comments that you ought to consider Hong Kong — where I now live.
Quick background to me: I have lived in: Tokyo (lived 3 years), Rome and Northern Italy (6 years), New York City (3), Bonn, Germany (1), Berne, Switzerland (1), Cape Town, South Africa (1), London (5), Australia (20), Hong Kong (36 and counting). Which ought to add up to around 76.
I've not used the healthcare systems of all equally, of course. In younger years I hardly thought about "healthcare". Whereas lately, in my eighth decade, I hardly stop thinking about it. I'm most familiar with the ones in the UK, Australia, Switzerland, and most of all here in Hong Kong.
The one here is a mix of private and public, that I think is just outstanding. Which I say from much personal use of it, plus the fact that my first wife was a doctor here, and my best man, an Aussie, was a decade or more an A&E doctor here at our teaching hospital, a world-renowned anaesthetist, who told me that the equipment and teaching (based on UK) was world best. As much as I know, I agree. I've had three heart ops, all done here, with the most wonderful treatment by staff, and the very best of equipment, as far as i could tell. At a price, I'm told by my American mates, was about a tenth of what they thought I would have paid in the US.
I see you're a Blue Check on X, so you get Grok 3. I suggest, if you're interested, to Grok "Tell me about the Hong Kong [or Switzerland] healthcare system". And if you want a comparison with Switzerland, Grok that as well. I've done so, and consider Grok's conclusions to be a fair summary.
Here's the cut & paste of Grok's "Verdict", the concluding para of its answer to my Question: "Are you able to give an opinion of which healthcare system is 'better', the Swiss or the Hong Kong?":
Verdict
- Switzerland's system shines if you value quality, choice, and speed, and can afford it. It's a premium model—high-cost, high-reward—ideal for a wealthy, decentralized nation where individual responsibility is emphasized.
- Hong Kong's system wins if affordability and basic universal access matter most. It's a leaner, government-driven model that punches above its weight for a dense, urban population, though it sacrifices speed and flexibility.
By the way: Grok seems to think that Life Expectancy and Infant Mortality measures are something of a proxy for determining how good a healthcare system is.Which is "better"? If you're a middle-class resident prioritizing top-notch care and don't mind paying, Switzerland's system feels superior. If you're focused on cost-effective coverage with solid outcomes, Hong Kong's public system delivers. Data-wise, Switzerland edges out slightly in quality and consistency (e.g., OECD rankings often place it higher), but Hong Kong's efficiency and longevity stats are hard to ignore. What do you think matters most—cost, access, or outcomes? I can refine this further based on your take!
The figures are:
Life Expectancy: Switzerland: Women 85, men 82. Hong Kong: Women 88. men 85.Infant Mortality, per 100k births: Switzerland: 3. Hong Kong 1.5
Both are world-leaders, but Hong Kong edges Switzerland.
Best wishes from Discovery Bay, Hong Kong! And keep up the good work. Much appreciated.
Pf etc...
PS: I noted you didn't discuss Gaza with Jimmy. I think I can guess why….
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