2024: A Year in Review and a Look Ahead

There's no question that 2024 was one of the most pivotal years in recent history. It seems that practically everything was happening all at the same time, and the ripples it left with be felt for weeks, months, and even decades from now. In writing this week's article, it was difficult to decide what to include and what to leave out. Much of what we will witness over the upcoming 12 months and beyond have their roots in what we've jointly experienced. Here, then, are our top choices for the most significant events of 2024. 

Hamas and Israel

Perhaps one of the most noteworthy event of 2024 has been the war between Israel and Hamas. Since its founding in 1948, Israel has been involved in 19 wars and conflicts. Beginning with its War of Independence, Israel has faced the combined military might of the Arab world (with Russian and Chinese aid) or financially.   In every encounter (with the exception of one, which was a preemptive strike), Israel has been attacked with little or no prior notice by members of the Arab League. Each time it has prevailed thanks to the support of  the West, and most notably the United States.

On October 7th, members of the Iranian backed terrorist group, Hamas, secretly attacked a group of mostly civilian men, women, and children who had turned out for a concert and family oriented events. The attack was a brutal as it was sudden with over 1700 Israelis viciously murdered. Some were shot in cold blood, while others were raped before being burned alive. Others were taken captive. Beaten and repeatedly rape, they were to be used as bargaining chips to avoid repercussions against Hamas leadership. 

Since then, the Israelis have been relentless in the retaliation, which many have called "justifiable". However, while the Israelis have been winning in ruble of Gaza, they've been losing the public relations war. Hamas and their supporters have been able to portray Israel as the aggressor and guilty of genocide against Palestinian people while Hamas characteristically uses them as human shields and routinely attacking or hijacking relief trucks carrying medicine, food, and fresh water, which they often sell on the black market.  

Israel has seen a serious loss of support globally, and most notably in Europe and among NATO, which has historically backed the Israelis. The situation is so serious that Turkey has subtlety threatening to intervene to prevent the ongoing "genocide" of the Palestinians in Gaza. If that were to happen, how would it affect NATO? Besides having the second most powerful military in NATO behind the U.S., it also serves as a major bulwark, preventing hundreds of thousands of "migrants" from invading. Such a influx could collapse the European economy, which is already teetering on failure. 

Of late, Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hasn't been shy about threats to throw open its doors to these migrants should NATO or the EU impose any sanctions for its actions against Israel, the Kurds, or Syria. A threat by the way which has all the earmarks of political and economic blackmail. How would a greatly weakened U.S. military and NATO react should Turkey decide to intervene?

Syria, Iran and U.S. Foreign Policy: A Deadly Game of  Political Chess 

Iran, which is behind Hamas as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorists groups, has made it crystal clear that it will "wipe Israel off the map" at the first opportunity even if it meant the complete destruction of Iran and all its people. It's no secret that Iran has aggressively been working on a nuclear bomb with the intent of hitting Israel even if it meant that Israel responded in kind. The major stumbling block for Iran has been a delivery platform and defeating Israel's famed "Iron Dome". The fall of Syria may have helped alleviate one portion of that problem.  

It's no secret that U.S. foreign policy has been the control of Middle Eastern oil and gas and transportation lanes as well as destabilizing Russian regional interests and removing Iran as a regional and possible global threat (we've never gotten over the humiliating 1979 "hostage crisis"). Our principal allies, like the Saudi and Kuwaiti royal families, are very nervous about the spread of Iran's radical religious extremism and its threats to destabilize or even topple their governments. 

As a result, Neocons in the U.S. State Department, in conjunction with the Pentagon and intelligence agencies, carefully laid out plans to reshape the Middle East in their image several years ago by first going after Afghanistan, then Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and lastly, the cherry on top---Iran (of course, the Pentagon and intelligence agencies are all in for any war or conflict. Besides, it's good for business).

Unfortunately, we didn't do so well in Iraq. Not because of any military defeat, but for not properly planning for a post-war government.  In Afghanistan, we lost because our arrogance and failure to learn from history. Everyone from King Cyrus the Great and Alexander to the British Empire and the USSR has failed to conquer Afghanistan. The result, after 20 years of fighting, was a stronger and better armed Taliban, an intact Al Qaeda, and a PR disaster for the Biden Administration.

 Meanwhile, the U.S. has been trying to overthrow the Assad government since 1971 when Hafez al-Assad became president.  His son, President Bashar al-Assad has never been a friend of terrorists and opposed Iran's radical form of Islam. Syria has been the nemesis of our NATO ally, Turkey and our trading partner, Saudi Arabia, yet it was also a buffer to Iranian expansion. 

Most importantly, is that Syria has been a close ally of Russia going back to the early 1950's. The fall of Bashar al-Assad was been on the State Department's and CIA's. "things to do" list for a very long time. During the Syrian civil war, U.S. intelligence agencies have been aiding the Al Qaeda affiliated militia, HTS, and other paramilitary groups in destabilizing Assad's government as part of the efforts. 

Now with Assad out of the way, a number of different militias are poised to battle for the control of Syria, or at least large swaths of it, including ISIS, which stands to benefit greatly from the instability. The leader of the U.S. backed HTS, a spin off of Al Qaeda, Abu Mohmmad al-Jolani, is now downplaying his anti-Western terrorist past in the hope that U.S. aid will buy him a place at the table when it comes time to divide Syria up (either by pen or bullet).  

Meanwhile, as mentioned earlier, Iranian backed militias are now securely in Syria (most notably ISIS). This will allow Iran to extend its influence further, not to mention its missile launchers. ISIS has already launched several rocket and missiles at targets inside Israel. While the fall of Assad benefits U.S. foreign policy interest, at least for the moment, it puts Israel at greater risk. Israel has moved troops pass the Golan Heights buffer zone into Syria while Turkey has extended its reach deeper into northern Syrian territory, pushing the embattled Kurds further into the surrounding hills. Of course, all this sets the stage for even more "migrants" to invade Europe via Lebanon and bypassing Turkey. 2025 should prove very interesting as this situation continues to play out. 

Russia and Ukraine: A Game of Nuclear Chicken

Another event to keep a close eye on is the situation between Ukraine and Russia. The war, which began in February 2014, was thought by most political and military observers, to be over in a matter of months at best, given the easy in which Russia forces seized control of the Crimea. Yet, ten years later and both sides are still slugging it out. For Ukraine, its ability to holdout is due to being heavily supported by the U.S. and NATO members, who are also augmenting American aid with equipment and material of their own.  

Since February 2024, the U.S. has provide Kyiv with some $61.4 billion dollars in military aid according to the U.S. State Department. When other forms of aid are added in, including money to prop up Zelensky's government, American taxpayers have ponied up $106 billion dollars without so much as having say about it. Many analysts believe the goal is to bleed Russia dry militarily, thus removing or at least decreasing its super power status military, and maybe with some luck, even destabilize Putin's government. 

Some former Warsaw pact nations like Poland have become increasingly belligerent toward Russia and are threatening more direct assistance to Ukraine (Poland and Russia have a long and antagonistic history with each other). Putin has urged the Poles and others to seriously rethink their positions and tone down their rhetoric. There has also been hints by the Russians that any such intervention could result in a military response up to and including the use of nukes. 

In a bit of a surprise, North Korea has begun sending troops to support the Russians in exchange for desperately needed economic aid (it must be serious, Kim Jong-Un looks like he's losing some weight). It should be noted that the North Korean soldiers have proven to be mediocre at best. Nevertheless, even as cannon fodder, you can't fault their commitment. Many have chosen suicide to being captured.  

It's unlikely that Putin will allow this drain on his military or economy to continue much longer, That doesn't mean Putin may throw in the towel. Far from it. Putin may go all in, including the possible use of limited tactical nukes in key areas. If so, what then? Will the U.S. and NATO react in-kind or with a all out ground invasion of their own? Sanctions against Russia have proven to be of little use, especially given the rapid growth of BRICs. Since China, a Russia ally and our largest trading partner, is a member of BRICS, sanctions against the U.S. and the EU would have a more profound impact.

The Pentagon has already stated that, following the debacle in Afghanistan, the U.S. military was unable to conduct an effective war on multiple fronts, and with the situation in the Middle East spinning out of control, the rise of the Chinese military and its economic clout, that doesn't leave many options. If we get occupied in the Middle East, that could open door for a Chinese takeover of Taiwan or a North Korean invasion of the South for instance. 

Incoming President, Donald Trump claims to have a good working relationship with Putin, which could result in a ceasefire until a compromise is reached (NATO membership for Ukraine will likely remain off the table). Trump has made similar claims about Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and North Korean President, Kim Jong-Un, but is that just ego talking or can he pull it off? 2025 will likely reveal the reality behind the rhetoric.

 Artificial Intelligence and Humanity: Will the Creation Replace its Creator? 

Another huge development in 2024 is the "sudden" rise of artificial intelligence. Many tech heads hail "AI" as the greatest thing since the invention of the abacus. Others see it as the creation of the golem. What was once found only in the pages of Azimov, Herbert, Clarke, and Le Guin, we now have machines capable of analyzing and manipulating genetic conditions, altering manufacturing, serving as our surrogate on far away planets or deep in the ocean. They can manage not just our businesses, but our lives. In many ways I'm remined of movies like "Total Recall", "Blade Runner", and "I, Robot".

We have technology that can monitor and regulate, if needed, practically everything from diabetes, the heart, and kidney functions. We can now grow not just new skin, but organs! Individuals previously unable to walk, can do so now.  Technology can help us overcome a wide myriad of diseases and disorders. Some have proposed linking humans with technology, thus creating real life "Borg".  There are those already proposing that we turn over governments (especially the judicial system) to AI since it presumably could manage society better than we can.  

A few have experimented with linking the human brain with the internet in order to provide near unlimited knowledge. We can strap on exoskeletons which gives us 10x times the strength of the average human.  A growing number of AI developers are promoting the addition of chips into the human body to monitor things like blood pressure or sugar levels, but these chips could also contain our personal information; everything from our employment and medical history to our financial information and credit score. Yes, it could potentially cut down on identity theft, but is it really a good thing for us? 

Banks and other financial institutions are pushing hard to do away with cash. As it is, practically everything can be done electronically, from work to shopping to doctor appointments to banking and paying bills. In fact, businesses are increasingly urging automatically deducted payments. Think about it. You can run your home electronically. You can work from home, get paid automatically directly to your bank account and pay your bills automatically. You can buy your groceries and shop online, and even have them automatically delivered to your door. Plus, while personal information was once private, now everything is stored in the "cloud" and practically any financial institution---or government agency---can gain access to it.

Technology can provide you with all the "adventure" you'd want with highly realistic programs taking you everywhere and allowing you to interact! You'll be able to sense heat, cold, smell, or taste. Games, music, or books, they can already be downloaded to your computer, iPad, or Smartphone. Thanks to AI, and with the level of existing technology, the need for human contact is all but passe'.

Today, the United States has become a virtual surveillance state. Privacy is nowadays a rare commodity and talk about "escaping from the grid" is nearly impossible. You are already watched, monitored, and analyzed nearly everywhere you go. A feature like a chip would simply be one more way to track you. 

However, while chips could be used track us, they could be used to find  children prone to getting loss or adults with diseases like Alzheimer's of mental disabilities who tend to wonder off, especially those in need of special medication. It could be used to monitor former felons on parole. No more "ankle bracelets". Thanks to retina scans, facial and voice recognition software, and the ubiquitous security cameras,  you can be found no matter where you are.  Even drones can be used to find you. Heck, you car even has a tracking device! 

We're developing robots which are nearly indistinguishable from humans in appearance and mannerisms. We have video games which are so accurate they could pass for the real thing.  There are even operational protypes of sexbots! Our military is heavily dependent of AI or related technology to our fight wars in order to minimize human loss and injuries on the battlefield. Yet, without the experiencing the horrors of war, where are the incentives to prevent them?

In the United States and in much of the world, people have become essentially "chained" to their Smartphones. Businesses, like doctor offices or hospitals, expect to be able to text or leave a message for you on your phone. In some countries, such as China, its mandatory that they carry their Smartphones with them at all times. We are increasingly turning over our lives to technology to the point where the line between "master" and "servant" has become almost so blurred as to nearly indistinguishable between the two.

Scientists predict that human level Artificial Intelligence will reach "singularity" or self awareness sometime around 2040. It will exceed human level intelligence within ten years after that and continue to grow exponentially.  Within 20 years following singularity we will have as much in common with AI as we do now with a worm. The question is then what? Will AI seek to serve us or enslave us (for our  safety of course), but  later, seeing us as hopelessly inferior and unwilling or able to change, will it simply replace us? It wouldn't be hard. Will the creator be replaced by its creation? The growth of  AI will be an important issue to watch closely in 2025.

The MAGA Revolution: The Election of Donald Trump

I thought about entitling this section "The Messiahship of 'The Donald' ", but I thought that might be taking it a bit too far. Nevertheless, there's no question that some diehard "Trumpeters" out there  who wouldn't object.  For over ten years, Donald Trump had endured nearly every from of attack the Status Quo could throw at him. They've attacked his character, his businesses, members of his family, and even his friends. They've publicly maligned him at every turn. 

They've tried to break him financially with countless bogus lawsuits, and all without success. Finally, they've managed to create a public atmosphere so poisonous that there have been attempts on life. Never, in the history of our country, has there been a person as loathed by the ruling class as Donald Trump. But who can really blame them? After all, Trump has not only promised publicly to rid the country of the controlling oligarchs, he's promised to restore the Republic and end the neo-fascist corporatocracy. In fact, in his previous term, he tried to back up his words with action. 

However, Trump found out that "draining the swamp" was a lot harder than it first appeared. Our Republic had previously undergone a quiet coup, having been taken over by Wall Street in a approach known as "gradualism". It was slow, happening piecemeal, but it was no less insidious as any other putsch.  It was also through in every detail. It included both political parties, every government agencies and departments, NGOs, and especially the media. 

Nothing was left to chance. What could not be controlled, was made impotent. Those who challenged it was ignored, ridiculed, humiliated, and if necessary, destroyed. What made it worse was the fact that it has been going on for decades. So much so that the corruption has become institutionalized. 

The corruption was given veneer of civility and the weight of law. Wars and conflicts were fought for noble sounding goals just when in truth they were waged for profit. Treaties were nothing more than business contracts designed to benefit the few. Government no longer represented the people. It serves the interests of the controlling elite to the degree where they line separating them has blurred beyond recognition. 

Many consider Trump to be a ego-driven blowhard. Others consider him pompous and volatile, while some even believe him to be dangerous. There is no question that Trump has, at least, some of these qualities, and quiet likely much more than some would consider disagreeable. However, Trump is not part of the Status Quo which we've been made so comfortable with. We've been made afraid of freedom to the point where comfortable servitude is preferable to independence.  

In many ways Donald trump reminds be of Julius Caesar. Caesar was a successful general while Trump is a successful businessman. Both appeared at the end of their respective Republics. Like Caesar, Trump is a political outsider. Caesar sought to restore the Republic, which had become hopelessly corrupt and ineffectually. The Roman Senate promised much but delivered little except bread and distraction in order to buy off its citizens.  

Any real attempts at reform were brutally crushed such as with Tiberius Gracchus and his attempt at land reform around 133 BC as was his brother, Gaius's efforts at agarin reform in 123 BC., and, of course, the Three Servile Wars, made famous by Spartacus in the third war, to end servitude in its many forms. Like the U.S., Rome faced a massive influx of migrants which threatened the stability of the Republic. Efforts to curtail it were half hearted at best. But, as those with a basic knowledge of history should know, each of these individuals were killed in order to preserve the Status Quo. 

Caesar was awarded the title of "dictator" in the hopes that he could be appeased with the title and would leave the rotting Republic and its Senators alone. It failed. Caesar, it's claimed, said that in order to save the Republic, he would have to destroy the Republic, meaning that reversing the level of institutionalized corruption to restore the Republic would take a thorough and unpleasant bit of housecleaning. 

We generally choose to call it "draining the swamp", which is something Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to do. In just a few weeks, he will be sworn in and his second term will begin and then we shall see what his intentions truly are. One thing is for sure, the Status Quo will fight him every step of the way.

As we head into our 20th year, we here at Another Opinion would like to thank each of you, our dear readers, for all your support, encouragement, and comments over the past 12 months. We are deeply appreciative. The articles above are but a small glimpse onto the many exciting and tragic events of 2024 and whose ripples we will feel for weeks, months, and even years to come. No doubt this coming year will be no less eventful. We hope you all have a happy, healthy, and safe 2025.  

Thank you for reading "Another Opinion", the Op/Ed blog page for the "militant middle".  Here at "A/O" we truly value our readers. At A/O we seek the facts as they exist, not partisan talking points.  We hope you found our articles informative and engaging. Comments are welcome, provided they are not vulgar, insulting or demeaning.  Another Opinion is offered without charge and is directed toward all independent and free thinking individuals. We do ask, however, that you be sure to "like" us on whatever site you found us on in order to keep our articles available for others, and that you please pass our post along. Below you will find links to the sources we used in writing this article. Thank you. 

From Syrian jihadist leader to Syrian politician:  How Abu Mohmmad al-Jolani reinvented himself 

Who are the Syrian rebels that have toppled Assad and taken Damascus? 

US sends more troops to the Middle East as violence rises between Israel and Hezbollah

Russia-Ukraine War

U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine

Technological singularity 

The new surveillance state

The Trump agenda: Here's what to expect from his second term

The reform movement of the Gracchi (133 - 122 BC)  

President Biden pardon son, Hunter, despite "No One is Above the Law" promises

Merry Christmas to Hunter Biden!  His dad, outgoing President Joe Biden, has reloaded Hunter's "Get out of Jail" card, thus ensuring junior will skirt around the U.S. legal system once more.  Hunter's pardon  proves again to the American People and the world what we've known all along, that the United States has a dual legal system, one for the wealthy elites and one for the rest of us.

The then candidate President Joe Biden promised the American People on several occasions that his son, Hunter, would not be receiving a pardon from him, citing his trust in the U.S. justice system and Hunter's innocence (apparently he's not feeling so confident any more). If convicted, Hunter would be the first child of a president to face a possible prison sentence for felony criminal charges.

Hunter has been in repeated trouble for years including charges of cocaine possession (some have speculated that he may been the one who brought a stash of  "coke" into the White House, bypassing security. Something a ordinary visitor wouldn't be able to do), tax evasion, illegal gun possession to name but a few. There's been allegation that Hunter spent time on Jeffrey Epstein's "Pedophile Island" (who was actually there is still a matter of some dispute).  

Some believe his businesses dealings with Ukrainian oligarchs and politicians was a factor behind the current war between Ukraine and Russia. The war has caused the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage, threatened Europe with war, ruined U.S. and Russia's relationship, and all over a  deal with oligarchs in the Ukrainian government involving oil and gas rights in the Black Sea in exchange for NATO protection (and supposedly guaranteed by then Vice President Joe Biden).

Of course, Trump supporters are giddy about President Biden's Christmas gift to Hunter since this appears to be a gift which just keeps on giving.  Thanks to Hunter's pardon, conservatives now see an opportunity for President Trump at being able to pardon all those facing possible jail time and/or fines for their part in the so-called "January 6th Insurrection" using the same legal argument.

If, as it's argued, Hunter can skip away untouched for all his misdeeds, then the "J6 political prisoners" as they're called, should be able to walk away too. If you think about it, it's hard to believe how far America has slipped. After all, the legal system, of all our branches of government, was expected to be the one branch  least affected by partisan politics and corruption, but here we are!  What happened?

Born in 1970, Hunter's life has been rife with trouble. Although his father doesn't drink, Hunter has more than made up for it. He's also had a long history of cocaine abuse dating back to his time in college and has been in and out of rehab centers (he attended Georgetown College and Yale's law school).

Shortly after graduating, Hunter was hired as a consultant by MBNA America, a holding bank with close tie to his father, Joe Biden, and one of his top political contributors. As Hunter quickly rose through the ranks to executive vice president, Joe was busy supporting a bankruptcy reform through Congress, which, as an aside, would aid certain financial institutions. You know, like MBNA America (which was eventually acquired by Bank of America).

In 2013, Hunter decided he wanted to join the U.S. Navy Reserves. And so following a swearing in ceremony at the White House under the  beaming gaze of his then Vice President father, Hunter was ordered to report to his first duty station...and was promptly discharged shortly after arriving for testing positive for cocaine. I guess he forgot having  read (and signed) the Navy's zero tolerance policy statement about drug use.

The death of his older brother, Beau,  from a brain tumor in 2015, sent Hunter back down the bottle again. He reputedly would never leave his house for days at a time unless it was for a trip to the liquor store! According to Kathleen Buhle, his ex-wife, that when they were going through their divorce, Hunter was consuming "massive" amounts of drugs and alcohol while spending a great amount of time and money on hookers, at strip clubs and with other women to the point where the family had no money left to pay their bills. 

A 2019 DNA test confirmed he was the father of child with a woman who had been employed as "exotic dancer". In a 2021 memoir, Hunter admitted that it was the unbridled infidelity that drove his wife away. As an aside, while the divorce with Kathleen was still pending, Hunter hooked up with Hallie Biden, the wife of his deceased brother Beau. Given that Hunter and Beau was considered inseparable, doing nearly everything together, perhaps this isn't too surprising.   The affair lasted about two years.

Despite being an addict and alcoholic, Hunter purchased a pistol in 2018, following another stint (this time for 60 days) in rehab. Allegedly, Hunter lied on the gun purchase application by saying that he was not a addict at that time. Hallie said that she found the gun and ammo in Hunter's car while she was removing drug paraphernalia.

Hallie went on to say that she put the gun in a old grocery bag and pitched it into dumpster. Hunter and Hallie split in 2019 just as Joe Biden announced another bid for the White House, this time against sitting President, Donald Trump.

Hunter didn't morn the breakup for long. Just about a month later, he met and married Melissa Cohen, documentary producer and social activist from Johannesburg, South Africa  following a six day "romance" on May 19, 2019. Shortly afterwards she became a naturalized citizen U.S. She is 16 years his junior.

By this point, while still employed by MBNA Bank, Hunter started a lobbying firm (no potential conflicts there). Politico Magazine reported that many of his early clients were in industries overseen by Joe Biden's committees in the Senate. In 2008, Hunter, along with another family member, acquired a hedge fund group, Paradigm Global Advisors just as Senator Biden resumed his chairmanship of  the Foreign Relations Committee (both Joe and Hunter have denied any collusion or wrong doings).

The Foreign Relations Committee is the only Senate committee to oversee, debate, and report on treaties directly to the president as they pertain to national security issues, including war powers, foreign aid programs, treaties, military deployment, executive agreements with foreign powers or agencies,  arms control, sales, and training matters, global economic policies, holding confirmation hearings for high level positions within the State Department, oversight of the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as monitoring all American embassies, diplomats, and international posts.

By 2013, Hunter finally made it into the majors. He took a founding board seat with the Chinese private equity firm, BHR. Originally, he was apparently there as a unpaid consultant. Later, however, apparently because of his vast knowledge of foreign affairs, he was given a 10% equity stake in the company.

Much has been made in the media of a official trip by Vice President Biden, accompanied by his son, Hunter, to China for a simple "meet and greet" with Chinese government officials and various business leaders, including BHR's chief executive. Hunter described the meeting as merely stopping by for a "cup of coffee".  Shortly afterwards, BHR was registered in Shanghai, often called China's  "economic and technological crown jewel".

According to the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice, during this same time frame (between 2016 and 2020), Hunter knowingly and willingly set out to defraud the government. Officials  estimated that Biden filed to pay some $1.4 million dollars in taxes.  When he did finally file his tax returns, he included false business expenses in order to reduce his tax liability, misrepresented payroll and other deductions among other allegations.  

In 2017, Hunter joined with Chinese businessman, Ye Jianming, founder and former chairman of CEFC China Energy Company Limited, in a deal to acquire natural gas rights in Louisiana (Ye was also an economic advisor to Czech president, Milos Zeman). However, before the deal could take off, Ye was picked up by Chinese security on charges of bribery and other "economic crimes".  As of March 2018, Ye hasn't been seen.

In 2014, Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy holding company headquartered in Kyiv involved in exploration and production. The company was owned by Russian oligarch, businessman, and politician, Mykola Zlochevsky, through his private company, Brociti Investments Limited.  For his participation on the board, Hunter was paid $1.2 million dollars a year.

 Later, through investigation by Ukrainian authorities, it was determined that oligarch, Ihor Kolomoisky, was the real owner behind Burisma.  Kolomoisky, a Ukrainian born Israeli businessman and billionaire, was at one time considered to be Ukraine's most powerful oligarch.  It bears mentioning that  Hunter's presidential pardon by Biden extends back to the start of his dealings with Burisma Holdings in 2014.

At the same time, Vice President Biden promoted the investigation of the Ukraine's leading legal prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, who was being accused of corruption. By pure happenstance, Shokin, the Prosecutor General of the Ukraine (equivalent to our U.S. Attorney General), was investigating alleged corruption between government officials and Burisma Holdings and its board members.

Now, why should a U.S. Vice President concern himself with a clearly internal legal matter in the Ukraine? Claims of collusion was denied by the White House and Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.  In 2016, the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove Shokin from his office. Not surprisingly, Viktor Shokin maintains his removal was due to his investigation of Burisma.      

Nevertheless, an FBI informant claimed that Joe and Hunter Biden were paid $5 million dollars each by Burisma executives for helping stop the investigation. The claim proved later proved to be false  (apparently you just can't trust FBI informants despite what they say on those TV shows). Meanwhile, one of Hunter's reputed business partners said that Joe Biden was part of conference calls with Hunter and other contacts, implying that Hunter had the support of his father.

A laptop belonging to Hunter was left with a repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware eventually found its way into the hands of the FBI. An examination of its hard drive was said to hold evidence of Hunter's dealings in China and Ukraine as well as his extensive use of drugs and booze.

Just exactly what was on the hard drive remains unknown, although since the revelation of the hard drive's possession by the FBI, the media has repeatedly implied that it proved Hunter's shady dealings which may have affected our national security, proof of bribery and corruption, or Joe Biden's direct or indirect involvement.

Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence release a report which proposes that 51 CIA subcontractors, including then CIA Director, Gina Haspel, aided the Biden presidential campaign in misleading the public about President Biden and the contents on the laptop's hard drive. If the report is accurate, it would further damn Biden's political legacy not to mention the already crumbing credibility of the U.S. government and the power of the Deep State.  

On September 5, 2024, Hunter Biden was found guilty of tax evasion pertaining to a nine count complaint. Biden was found guilty on three felonies and six tax related misdemeanors. The Justice Department said that there was no plea deal made with Hunter. On December 16th, Hunter is scheduled to appear for sentencing, which carries a maximum 17 year prison sentence. On the gun possession charges, Hunter could face up to 25 years of prison time.

Although whatever was on the hard drive was enough for federal prosecutors to bring a criminal investigation against Hunter. But with Hunter's blanket pardon, the issue is moot. Hunter gets to walk away virtually unscathed despite President Biden's statement that "no one is above the law", well, except apparently his son, Hunter.

The U.S. Constitution grants the president the authority to issue a pardon, amnesty, reprieve, or commutation. A commutation reduces a sentence without completely setting it aside. A reprieve is a temporary delay or suspension of a sentence. A pardon absolves the person of all criminal charges as well as restore all civil rights while an amnesty is the same as a pardon but applies to multiple individuals or groups.

It's doubtful the American public will ever know the full contents for sure.  Nevertheless, the whole nefarious episode demonstrates to all just how broken society has become and how just much value we place on money, power and prestige, even if it means destroying our own lives or the lives of others. It also shows that those with money or hold power don't face the same rules or outcomes as does the common citizen. This is truly a nation of two separate and unequal legal systems.

 

Thank you for reading Another Opinion! We hope you enjoyed this article and will pass it along. Please don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly, please "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Please find below the links we consulted in researching this article.

 

Biden, Inc.

The Bidens' Influence Peddling Timeline

From laptop to pardon: The Hunter Biden story explained

Joe Biden pardons son Hunter: What it means and why itmatters

Melissa Cohen Biden

Burisma

Mykola Zlochevsky

Ihor Kolomoyski

Committee on Oversight and Accountability (Democrats)

Hunter Biden laptop controversy

 

New Information Shows CIA Contractors Colluded with theBiden Campaign to Discredit Hunter Biden Laptop Story

Robert Hunter Biden Convicted on Three Felony Tax Offensesand Six Misdemeanor Tax Offenses

The State of Our Democracy Heading Into The November Elections

Political violence was always what some piss-ant third world nation faced during elections. It was typically some backwater place where the United Nations would send political observers who at least pretended to keep elections (mostly) above board.  In reality, they really couldn't do much against some drug kingpin, zealot mullah, or local war lord. But, that seems to have all changed in the one country which was suppose to be about all that. The United States.

Since the failed assassination attempt of Republican nominee Donald Trump,  threats of political violence has increased. Congress has experienced a ten-fold increase in threats of violence (including assassination) over the last decade. The New York Times published a survey where 10% of respondents said that use of force should be used to prevent Donald Trump from becoming the next president. Meanwhile, 7% said the force should be use to restore Trump to the White House. What's happening to America?

Political scientists and others who delve into this kind of data,  mostly agree that the U.S. is divided to its core. Many have said for decades that, as a nation, we are deeply divided along more areas than at any time since the American Civil War, which remains the bloodiest in our history and resulted in more American deaths than any war since---combined.

A poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos in May this year found that two-thirds of Americans across the political spectrum are seriously worried about this November's presidential election. 68%  acknowledged being concerned about possible acts of violence from either or both sides.

On Trump's inauguration day in 2014, the Radical Left, lead by Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) launched a series of mass protests across the U.S. which typically devolved into looting, arson, destruction of property (even police cars overturned and set on fire). There was reports of assaults on innocent bystanders. Could something like that happen again? Many Americans seem to think so.

Among Republicans, 65% of respondents said they were fearful of possible violence should Kamala Harris lose. Among Democrats, 83% said they were worried about widespread violence in the event "The Donald" doesn't win similar to January 6, 2021 but only larger and more widespread. Meanwhile 89% of the nation's largest voting bloc--- Independents---were worried about violence regardless of who won!

A related poll from Bloomberg/Morning Consult asked voters in seven swing states---Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania---if they were worried about possible violence pre or post election. Bloomberg reported that almost half---49%---of respondents across partisan lines admitted they were concerned about possible violence.

Voters in those states also said that the economy was "on the wrong track" by a margin of 68% to 32%. It should be noted as well that 52% had a "very unfavorable" to "somewhat unfavorable" opinion of Kamala Harris.  However, Republicans shouldn't gloat.  53% of respondents either "strongly" or "somewhat strongly" didn't care for Trump either. 40% didn't care for the Independent, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 19% had no opinion and 5% never heard of him! 

Additionally, 49% of respondents had a negative opinion about Democrats in Congress while 53% felt the same way about Congressional Republicans. Overall, Congress has a negative approval rating of 65.5%. Just 19.3% of Americans think they are doing a good or adequate job. When applied globally, these are the kind of numbers that make revolutions possible, and yet Congress has a 98+% reelection rate. I know this isn't Denmark, but something is sure rotten!

One primary concern for Americans is the perceived failure of our democracy. According to a Gallup poll, less than 28% of Americans believed that our democracy was still working as it should. To rephrase it, some 72% of us believe we're living in a failed democracy.  Before the January 6th protest, that number stood at 35%, a drop of 7% in confidence.

The Economist Intelligent Unit, the polling arm of the magazine, "The Economist", has shown America as a "flawed democracy" for years.  We are teetering on becoming a "failed democracy" as the top two contenders for president head into the November election with approval ratings in the mid to low 40%. Another election outcome similar to 2014 would likely push us over the line.

As an aside, a February 28, 2024 Pew survey of 24 democratic countries revealed that while 77% said that democracy was a "good" system of government,  59% weren't happy with how democracy was currently functioning. The poll reinforces what Americans have said for decades---there's a serious disconnect between government and the people. 42% added that none of the political parties represented the voters and 72% said elected officials couldn't care less about what citizen's thought.

The Gallup poll also revealed that 67% said the November election was extremely important and may very well determine the future of democracy. The question, however, is which way? A Trump victory or a Harris victory? Which of the two is the correct way forward for our nation, or is it another choice like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?

Back to Morning Consult, this time teamed up with Bipartisan Policy Center, conducted another poll pertaining to the upcoming election. The result was that 85% of Americans were concerned about the state of our democracy. Half said they were more worried about having a "functional democracy" more than a strong economy! It's common knowledge that America is a defacto Oligarchy (rule by a small  elite group). In our case, that oligarchy is comprised of some very wealthy people and corporations.

Thanks to Citizens United, America has also transformed into a type of neo-fascist corporate state with government and Wall Street working in tandem for their mutual benefit. Congress, already known as the "Millionaire's Club", no longer represents ordinary Americans. They represent and serve the needs of Wall Street with outcomes spun to keep us pacified  while "bread and circuses do the rest.

The oligarchs underwrite their political campaigns, fund their so-called "Leadership Pacs", provides them with all sorts of perks like the use of private jets or staying at posh private beach homes, and so forth. They review legislation and make "recommendations" about which bill to support or oppose, what pork to add, and even help legislators write bills and then shepherd them through the maze of committees. Is it any wonder that 85% of our fellow citizens are worried about the state of our democracy? 91% believe it's the better financed candidate, not issue positions, who win most often.

Another telling survey about the November election, this time by Navigator, indicated that 87% of respondents believe something like January 6th could happen again. A majority of Democrats---94%---said they were worried that Republican members of Congress would aid the conservative protesters in some way, even by allowing "white supremacists" to take a leading role. 

Of course, there is some debate as to exactly what a "white supremacists" is these days. Some claim that if you lack "white guilt" you're a supremacist, or at least a "racist". Interestingly, 70% of Independents agreed that the Republican Party was more prone to allow or encourage violence from alleged white supremacists in the event they lose in November, although very little is being mentioned about the potential of violence by BLM and Antifa, who has already shown their readiness for violence.

This brings us to a good point to mention that roughly half of all Republicans and those who lean conservative believe Trump won the 2020 election, and not Biden despite what mainstream media has reported.  The extreme partisanship on both sides just may be the spark igniting the fuse to a civil war or even revolution, irrespective of who officially wins.

 Many pundits say that we're already experiencing a "cold civil war". 47% of voters believe that a "hot" civil war is all but inevitable according to a Marist National Poll taken on May 21st of this year. The poll indicated that 53% of Republicans believe a civil war is likely. 41% of our largest voting demographic, Independents, agree as does 40% of Democrats.

Going a step further, among Millennials and Gen Z, that number is 58%. 46% of Gen X also believe a civil war is on the horizon. Interestingly, just 34% of Babyboomers agree (must be all that "flower power" resurfacing again), but Boomers aren't alone. Only 19% of the Silent Generation expect a civil war.

When looking as race, 57% of Black Americans see the potential of an internal conflict. Of that, 22% are convinced that some form of domestic upheaval in the near future is likely. Half of all Latinos---50%---agree that civil war was likely to happen in their lifetimes as did 43% of whites (Asian, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders weren't included in the poll). When females in general were asked, 57% thought a civil war was likely whereas 57% of men disagreed.  

So, where does that leave us? Is a civil war likely to happen in America? For most Americans, they hope not but many are holding their collective breath in the hopes that our "national storm" passes us by. Both of the two corporate owned parties have denounce violence, and yet lame duck president, Joe Biden, is publically saying that he doesn't expect a peaceful transition of power. It's worth reminding ourselves of the old adage that every revolution carries with it the seeds of its own destruction. 

If such a internal conflict does occur, martial law would be nearly instantaneous. Many freedoms will be suspended. or restricted.  America would almost immediately shift from a surveillance state to police state, perhaps aided by the guise of another virus as China did in Hong Kong, crushing all resistance. The ruling elite has long been planning for such an event from the shadowy corridors of power. All the mechanisms required are already in place.  The mask of civility will fall from the face of the ruling Oligarchy and we will see them for who they are.

However, increasing numbers of social scientists, especially historical and political, believe that we've already entered a "cold civil war" phase, which is largely being fought with words, images, and innuendoes. The media has already chosen a side as has much of the political and economic power structure along with the "nomenklatura" ( ie: managing government bureaucracy such as cabinet and department heads), the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the heads of the various intelligence agencies, better known collectively as the "shadow government".

The embers of division among Americans, which is mostly manufactured and exaggerated, will be fanned until they burst into flames. The border crisis will continue to worsen because Big Business wants it to. They need the cheap labor, which drives down wages as competition for jobs increase. Politicians will continue to offer us lip service. After all, if the fascist duo of Washington and Wall Street saw illegal immigration as a serious threat to them, the border would be locked down tighter than Ft. Knox!

Racial tensions will subtlety be fanned as old hatreds and suspicions are rekindled.  The "battle of the sexes" will intensify, but not necessarily between the biological sexes, but between the boundary of transgendered men and women versus society's norms until it reaches a boiling point. Religion too will become ever more vocal, especially among the Right where morality will be tied to one's political stance. Tolerance may become a rare commodity. History is littered with the charred relics of such wars.

The peaceful transition of power has been a hallmark of our Republic's stability, a rarity in the world. It has been both admired and despised around the globe. Our loss of trust in government, the media, the judicial system are not unfounded. There exists ample evidence of their corruptibility. However, it's the loss of tolerance and basic trust in each other which has caused the most harm. A democracy represents the  will of the collective. We demand equality for all.  When that's been lost, we revert to our tribal nature. A society cannot function or survive for long when it engages in the cult of the individual.

Americans (and indeed the world) have been convinced that up is down and black is green. We've been made to believe that our neighbors are inherently our enemies because they look, dress,  think, believe, or act differently from us when, in truth, it's their actions we must judge them by.

Today, our Republic stands as a shell of its former self much as Rome's did early on under the Caesars. We must, if we're to save ourselves and the country, once again abide by will of the majority and peacefully tolerate differences of opinion while remembering our collective nemesis, while faceless, exists in the halls of power and in corporate boardrooms which comprises the shadowy ruling oligarchy.

 If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you!

Two-thirds in US fear violence could follow election,Reuter/Ipsos poll finds

Worried about violence as election nears? Just say no.

FiveThirtyEight: Do Americans approve or disapprove ofCongress?

Morning Consult/Bloomberg: Swing State Tracking Poll

Poll: 47% of Americans think a civil war is likely

Democracy's appeal is slipping as nations across much of the world hold elections, a poll finds

So Who Won The Debate? Certainly Not the American Voter Polls Show

So what did you think of the debate between former President Donald Trump and the current President, Joe Biden? The overwhelming majority of potential voters of both corporate owned parties thought "The Donald" came out on top. It wasn't so much as Trump winning the so-called "debate" as it was Biden losing it.  

A USA/Suffolk Political Research Center poll said that Trump won by a margin of 5 to 1 or to rephrase it, Trump won with 50% of the those who tuned in compared to just 11% who thought Biden won. The survey also indicated that 41% of Democrats think that the 81 year old candidate needs to be replaced. 24% said they were more likely to support Biden this November (I don't know what debate they were watching!).

Face it, Biden was slow, stiff, mumbling, and seemed to repeatedly lose his train of thought with words like "incoherent" often used to describe his performance.  He had that very peculiar grin and often appeared to stare off into...what? There wasn't anyone there! No audience. Nothing.  Even when the debate was over, Biden had to be slowly helped down the three steps on stage by his wife, Jill Biden. In truth, it seemed a little sad. You almost felt sorry for the guy.  

As for Trump,  he was in typical form with the usual hyperbole of whatever he was proclaiming being the "great ever" or the "largest in history" "we've seen nothing like it", which I felt was getting a little tedious.  Trump also threw out some questionable "facts', which at least, did contain a kernel of truth to them.

That still added up to 84% of Republicans saying they'll back the presumptive Republican nominee. 59% of Republicans said they were more likely than before to support Trump. As an aside, when asked if they were "happy" with their party's choice of candidates overall, 54% of Democrats would like to see Biden replaced. 51% of Republicans said they'd like to see someone other than "The Donald" as their nominee.

As for America's largest voting bloc, Independents, 64% said Biden needed to be replaced on the ballot while 63% said Trump should be "fired" and replaced. As for their opinion of the debate, of those Independents surveyed, 26% said they were more likely to vote for Trump in November.

Just 9% indicated they'd support the current President, Joe Biden. However, a strong minority of 17% said they are more likely than before to vote for a third party candidate (which presumably means Robert F. Kennedy Jr).  On a side note, 8% said they'd had enough and probably wouldn't vote at all in November.

In a related poll by Harvard CAPS-Harris, 79% of respondents wanted to see a Trump vs. Biden debate, a overwhelming majority of 71% wanted to see the Independent candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. included in the debate. Naturally, that didn't happen. The Commission on Presidential Debates have made it all but impossible for any candidate other than the corporate owned Democrat and Republican candidates to debate together.

Previously, the debates were handled by the League of Women Voters (LVW) who allowed any viable candidate to participate, which would certainly include Kennedy. The debates were taken out of their hands in 1988, with the rules being changed following the butt kicking Ross Perot gave George Bush and Bill Clinton in the 1992 Presidential Debate. 

Both parties had placed pressure on the LWV to change the rules to virtually exclude third party and Independent candidates by requiring higher polling percentages, which is sketchy at best. In addition, without corporate backing, it takes Independents and third party campaigns a little longer to build up their base and campaign coffers which obviously skews the polling numbers.   

Bear in mind again that Independents are the largest voting demographic in America with 42% of registered voters. The Democrats and Republicans are both minority parties. Talk about the U.S. being a duopoly! According to a Gallup Poll, just 34% of Americans think either party is doing a good job running the question.

When they refused, the debates were taken over by the Commission on Presidential Election, who rewrite the rules.  Interestingly, the Commission also decides on the number of debates, their location, what network will host the debate(s), the length of the debate, the topics to be covered, audience or not, and even who the moderators will be.  Allegedly, they also can indirectly "punish" networks who give too much coverage to Independent or third party candidates. Damn, sounds fair to me (not!).

Not surprisingly,  75% of Independents would like to see a third party/Independent on the ballot (the lowest this has even been polled was been 70%). However, what is surprising is that 58% of Republicans and conservatives would also like to a third party or Independent as well. That's up from 43% just less than a year ago. Again, somewhat surprising is that 46% of Democrats agree and would also like to see a third party or Independent.

Speaking of "fair" elections, did you know that 98% of all incumbents are reelected despite approval rating which sometimes reach single digits? Even the old Soviet Politburo and the current Chinese Communist Party's Politburo has better numbers than that! How's that possible? Easy. Money. It's the mother's milk of politics.

Since both parties are corporate owned and controlled, and with the "Citizens United" ruling by the Supreme Court, corporations are free to "buy" what or who they want. After all, the Supreme Court said that money is "free speech" except that while we're muted they can "speak" as loudly as they want.

Another reason is partisan gerrymandering which allows parties to choose their voters rather than the other way around. Voting districts are often divided up based on voter registration in order to keep the party's incumbent in office. Fair and honest? No, but this is politics by Oligarchy.

Because of these and other factors (like the absence of term limits, taxpayer paid partisan primaries, and voter referendums), it's virtually impossible to oust an incumbent these days. In the current Congressional races, half of all races have already been decided. Why? Because they're running unopposed. Challengers are unlikely to come up with the millions they need to win, so most wait until the incumbent retires or is indicted.

I believe it's CNN which is promoted the debate with the quote "democracy at risk" or something similar. Well, truth be told, that fight was already been lost. It was a no contest. When your opponent makes all the rules,  control all the fight promoters, the referee, and the judges, you don't stand much more than a puncher's chance.

But, it's not all bleak. There is a silver(ish) lining. In Arizona, one of the few progressive states which allows voter initiatives on the ballot, there is an initiative calling for the two corporate parties to either allow open primaries or pay for their own primaries (as in every other state, the taxpayers pay for the primaries regardless of whether they are eligible to vote or not in either party's primary).

In Colorado, there is an ballot initiative calling for a independent Judicial Discipline Adjudication Board and also a voter driven initiative to exempt veterans from paying property tax and another to cap the Property Tax rate as does Virginia.  Georgian voters are calling for a local homestead exemption option. In Florida, there's one to establish a constitutional amendment to allow anyone to hunt or fish without a permit. If it passes, it'll be a plus for individual liberty proponents.  

Iowan citizens want a vote in November whether to allow U.S. citizenship only to vote in elections and to allow 17 year olds the right to vote. Oklahoma has a similar initiative as does several other states. Nevada has an citizen referendum on whether to allow rank choice voting in general elections along with Oregon, which also has a ballot initiative calling for an independent Public Service  Compensation Commission to help those sneaky legislators from slipping a pay raise through in the middle of the night. Rhode Island voters want to decide on a state constitutional convention measure.

So, not all is hopeless, Citizens throughout the U.S. are taking matters into their own hands just as the Founding Fathers had intended. If your state doesn't allow for voter referendums/initiatives, perhaps it's time to get to work on one, especially if you're a third party or Independent. It would give you a issue to make you stand out.

Other important issues are ending partisan gerrymandering, imposing term limits, and leveling the playing field for Independents and third party candidates. America was founded for, by, and for its citizens, not political parties and certainly not for corporations or their lobbyists. Whatcha say?

If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you!

 

Joe Biden's core Democratic support takes a big hit after debate, exclusive poll shows

71 percent in poll want RFK Jr., third parties in debate

 

Gallup Poll: Support for Third U.S. Political Party Up 63%

Third-party and Independent candidates for president oftenfall short of early polling numbers

Report: Half of 2024 US House Races Already A Done Deal

Ballotpedia: 2024 ballot measures

Commission on Presidential Debates

 

Brookings: The demise of the Commission on PresidentialDebates

Can Israel Win The War of Public Opinion?

Israel was born in war. In 1947,  the United Nations tried to broker a deal under Resolution 181 (II) which would created two separate states, one Israeli and the other Palestinian in the area where no formal state previously existed. Up to that point the area was only a geographical region which, until then, had been a protectorate of the British Empire which it had rightfully stolen from the Ottoman Empire after WWI.

Under the terms of the plan Israel would have received 14,500 square kilometers  (which is about 10,000 square miles), the equivalent of about 52% of the land while the Palestinians would have 46% of the land amounting to 11,100 square kilometers which would be about 9890 square miles. The key cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem would become international zones under the administration of the United Nations. The plan also stipulated that British Colonial Troops would undertake a gradual withdrawal to be completed no later than August 28, 1948.

The plan sought to mitigate two competing ideologies, that of Palestinian nationalism and that of Zionism, which had come to the forefront following the end of WWII and the Holocaust. It's noteworthy that while various Zionist organizations agreed to work with the United Nation's Special Committee on Palestine (UNSOP), no one from Palestine's leadership attended. This was essentially at the behest of the Arab League, which strongly opposed any large scale Jewish settlements in the region and wasn't too fond of Jews in general being there.

What was the Arab League? The Arab League was formed in the aftermath of WWII on March 22, 1945. It was to serve as the core structure to a Pan-Arab nationalist movement. It comprised the nations of Egypt, Transjordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and North Yemen, all of which had previously belonged to the Ottoman Empire until the end of WWI when they were dutifully "acquired" and divided up by France and Great Britain under the Sykes-Picot Plan without regard to religious sects, ethnic groups, or traditional borders. which was signed on May 16, 1916.   

It's worth noting that with the exception of Syria these nations had, until recently, been British colonial protectorates. Syria had fallen under French Administration. It also should be noted that many  supported Nazi Germany during the war. Thousands joined the SS to create eight predominately Muslim SS units, including the famous 13th and 22nd Waffen SS Mountain Divisions and also several high ranking former Nazis served as advisors or security consultants for many of these countries.

Fast forward to 1948, the Arab League rejected the plan for a two state solution nominally on behalf of the Palestinians. The result was an all out war just hours after Israel declared its nationhood. Since then Israel has been a state of almost continuous war and asymmetrical war by groups like the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Black September, terrorist hijackings and bombings, and near constant missile attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah (both puppets of Iran).

Thus far, Israel has been successful in repelling these attacks, although it's come close to losing, and that would mean total and complete annihilation of Israel (the only democracy in the Middle East) and its people. The attack on October 7, 2023 was just another in a long line of unprovoked attacks, this time it was over 1400 men, women, and children enjoying a concert.

Whether Hamas, a international recognized terrorist organization, had the "right" to attack Israelis as part of their ongoing terrorist agenda to "liberate"  a mythical Palestinian homeland from Israel, it did not have the legal or moral right to murder, rape, burn alive, and kidnap innocent civilians.  If Hams considers itself "at war" as claimed, then it should conduct itself accordingly. However, it doesn't. it hides behind the innocent and vulnerable.

But nevertheless, it seems that Hamas and those behind it have learned a very valuable lesson which others have ignored---that of mixing social media and propaganda. They have launched one of the most successful "PR" campaigns in recent history. They have seriously threatened support for Israel which in the past was seen as unshakeable, especially here in the United States.  Support for Israel outside the U.S. is also drawing heavy fire from governments (many whom have been ardent supporters of Israel) and building pressure from their citizens.

We commonly see large groups of mostly college age individuals protesting on campus, in the streets and on highways, as well as massing anywhere people tend to gather. I guess is this their response to my generations anti-Vietnam war protests. The biggest difference is that these individuals don't seem to know much about the history of the region (especially recent) and they are extremely intolerant of opposing opinions to the point of harassment, shouting them down, destruction of property, and openly assaulting anyone who disagrees with them. Their solution appears to be "accept my opinion only".  

An amusing aside is that along with this, we find large numbers of gays, "trans" individuals and other members of the LGBQT community openly supporting Hamas. Apparently they don't realize that homosexuality in any form is a sin and violates the Koran. The punishment is death by stoning but just as often by being throw off of buildings followed by stoning. No reasoning. No exceptions. Just death.

Here in the U.S., despite or perhaps because of the protests, public opinion on our support for Israel seems to be shaky but intact. According to a recent poll by the Associated Press- NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, President Biden's handling of the situation over Gaza is  potentially in serious trouble.  

The poll indicates that about 50% of Democrats approve of Biden's handling of the situation thus far. However, a substantial 46% do not. 44% of Democrats polled said that Israel was getting too much support from the U.S while 45% thinks it's about right with just 9% wanting to see more from Biden.

The same poll also stated that current support for the Palestinians (which by extrapolation would include Hamas too) was too little by 44% compared to 37% saying it's just right and 15% saying it's already too much.

Of the 46% who disapprove of Biden's handing of the Gaza issue, a whopping 65% think that Israel is getting too much support. 58% also that the Palestinians aren't getting near enough support. Those Democrats who approve of Biden's actions thus far, 68% said that Israel was getting about the right amount of support while 51% say the same thing about the Palestinians.

Independents, the nation's largest voting bloc, overwhelming disapprove of Israel's ongoing war against Hamas by 60%. Only 29% approve and 11% had no opinion. The poll asked Democrats, the second largest voting bloc, the same question, whether they supported Israel's military actions in Gaza and found that 75% do not. Only 18% did with the balance having no comment.

While not surprising, the majority of Democrats under age 45 (65%)  and 58% of non-whites Democrats disapprove of Biden's handling of the war and his support for Israel. The same group blames Israel for the war by 56%.  Democrats over age 45% (65%) and white Democrats (62%) support Biden's efforts in the Middle East. This group thinks that Hamas is responsible for the situation by 76%.

According to a March 27, Gallup Poll, the majority of Americans--55%--disapprove of Israel's response to the Hamas attack. Only 36% approve. When looking at party, Republicans still support Israel's actions by 64% with 30% disapproving. It should be pointed out that while former President Donald Trump has been a keen supporter of Israel and a friend of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, that may be changing.

The former President stated in an interview with Hugh Hewett, a conservative talk radio host, that Netanyahu has made some serious mistakes in the handling of the war, including the unintentional bombing of a Palestinian refugee camp which was allegedly harboring members of Hamas. The bombing killed or wounded dozens of civilians.

It should be pointed out that since exact figures are unavailable or unreliable, it's currently estimated that over 10,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed thus far and thousands more maimed or injured. The food situation has reached  a humanitarian crisis point bordering on what many governments are calling a potential "genocide".

However, Hamas shares much of the blame due to their routine use of civilians as shields (they commonly use schools, hospitals, mosques, and private homes as staging positions for their missile attacks) and  block or hijack shipments of food, water, medical supplies and other forms of aid. Any Israeli response to these attacks is nearly always a automatic PR coup for Hamas. 

Trump also pointed out the obvious, namely that Israel is "losing the PR war.  They're losing it big". Perhaps this isn't such a big surprise since many of Trump's diehard supporters oppose Israel's ongoing response to the war and in a not too surprising partisan response, have been chanting "Genocide Joe" at pro-Biden rallies.

It appears the one of the key issues which will likely affect the outcome of the November Presidential Election will come down to what Biden does next regarding Israel. A large minority of his party oppose his current level of support for the Israelis as does the largest voting bloc, the Independents.  While a majority of Republicans continue their backing of Israel, it appears that many "MAGA" Republicans don't.

The best outcome for both presidential candidates is for Prime Minister Netanyahu bringing this war to quick end before November, even if that means not" wiping out Hamas" as he promised the Israeli people. At the same time, Netanyahu needs to seriously step up his PR game before not just Americans turn against Israel, but so does the rest of the world.

 

If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you!

 

PBS News: Nearly half of Democrats disapprove of Biden's response to the Israel-Hamas War poll says

Majority in U.S. Now Disapprove of Israeli Action in Gaza

A century on: Why the Arabs resent Sykes-Picot

United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine

Trump used to brag about his support for Israel. Now his criticisms are growing sharper