Malcolm on the Edge

I've been asked (not by many) why I haven't written anything about the Israel-Hamas war.  

I've actually written quite a bit about it on social media, but it's such a convoluted (and disturbing) subject that at the moment I'm not even quite sure where to begin for an article.  On social media, though, I can focus on one particular issue and respond to it.  In no more than 280 characters.  (Admittedly, that has its upside and downside for such a clear, gray and nuanced subject.)

And I won't be writing about it here, at least today.  However, I've save a couple of long social media postings by others, which are at least a good starting point, and I'll offer one of them today.

This is wonderful, long tweet by counter-terrorism expert Malcolm Nance, who some here may know from his analyst appearance on MSNBC.  He is smart, thoughtful, and blunt- and courageous, as well, not just a scholarly talking head.  (Not to demean such people, who have much to offer from their study of historical and current affairs knowledge.)  A year or so ago, for instance, he deployed to Ukraine to operate in the field as an adviser to their military.  So, taking on "angry tweets" is -- as Howard Cosell once put it about criticism towards him -- is like throwing spitballs at a battleship.  Nance has been brilliantly outspoken about it all on social media, and I was thinking of just letting him speak to the matter through that one, particular tweet today.

​To be clear, what he wrote here isn't an analysis of the situation.  He had been writing a lot about that on social media, and his thoughts didn't fall into a nice, neat package.  And as a result, he took a lot of "hits" for it.  Many of which he responded to - just as bluntly as he writes here.  (Very short version of his position:  he supports the Israelis and Palestinians, but says Hamas is a terrorist organization that killed 1,200 Israelis, raping and beheading some, and kidnapping 250, and the history of the conflict goes back more two years - or five years, or 20.)  What he does here is lay down the ground rules for what he writes, so that people fully understand the position he's writing from.  And if you don't like that, if you choose to misinterpret him, then that's on you.   Only he says it much more bluntly.  And as I said, it's a good starting point.

I'll hopefully get to the other social media posting soon.  But for now, here's a multi-part observation from Malcolm Nance.  And no, I don't know what "DIDDIGAF" means.

---

DEPT OF DIDDIGAF: 

Many of you are disappointed in the fact that I see the Israel-HAMAS war through the lens of counterterrorism & war but not your misguided ill informed myopia & latent antisemitism. I understand. It's your first time ever seeing a War … but for many of you just really hate Jews. 

But here are the parameters to make sure you Unfollow me properly. 

Why have the informed opinion of an expert who worked these MidEast wars for decades? That's crazy, right? So try this:

1) If you don't like my opinion on Gaza, Israel or counterterrorism strategies. 

-Unfollow me. 

2) If you think I'm a war monger who hates the Palestinian people, or a Zionist who loves killing babies, women & hates Arabs. You're an idiot. -Unfollow me. 

3) If you always followed me & say "Wow I respected him but now he supports the Jews/Zionist/Netanyahu/Genocide/Colonialism/Occupation" please Jesus -Unfollow me. 

4) If you think I'm a pig, POS & hate you for your proHAMAS, antisemitic, or patently stupid opinions, You're right.  -Unfollow me. 

5) If you cry over the terrible deaths of Palestinian babies but never once mention the dead Jewish Babies executed on 10-7. Or say dead Jewish Babies are fake. Help me God,  -Unfollow me

6) If you can't spell Israel (Isreal) or Gaza (Gazza) without spell check & think about lecturing me on the Middle East … that's right, - Unfollow me. 

7) If you have ever chanted "From the River to the Sea…" be advised, the real ending is

- "Malcolm says Unfollow me"

8) If you completely forgot 10-7 even happened or claim it was fake or don't even know what happened to start this cycle of violence but but Genocide! - Unfollow me

9) If you say you will vote for Trump or won't vote or call Biden "Genocide Joe" bc you don't know the meaning of the word Genocide or if you don't know the Sykes-Picot treaty did not involve tortillas; the Balfour Declaration was NOT signed by Jefferson: or think that Transjordan was a car featured on Fast and Furious X -Unfollow me

10) If you are offended by any of the above or are just in doubt about any of the above

- Unfollow me 

Let's see what happens.