Russell Darkovic

Fan of the good in people, the natural world, the universe, rationalism, and the Toronto Raptors.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@swansby_danson @Meryem831 @Swarlayzers I guess the simpler questions would be: What is Israel's objective? If it is the execution of 100% of Hamas, is that actually possible? Is a ground invasion and more Israeli deaths/bad press worth it if the operation cannot be 100% successful?

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@Karanbennemsi @EvieCorwell @yafalula @YonahLieberman @theashleyray Hamas (and Hezbollah) are regrettable yet entirely predictable outcomes of a disenfranchised people. Palestinians leaders are also to blame but when the balance of power is so one sided, the responsibility to lead maturely and ethically should also be expected. Revenge ain't it

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@Karanbennemsi @EvieCorwell @yafalula @YonahLieberman @theashleyray Six Day War was a pre-emptive assault by Israel. St David Hotel... it's not an entirely clean record. Israel is not responsible for Hamas attacks but they ARE responsible for their own actions. They can choose to reduce the roots of extremism and they can choose to show restraint

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@swansby_danson @Meryem831 @Swarlayzers So... the terrorists are just going to stay in the hospitals? Israel should know by now that military power can't defeat extremist movements (unless you're willing to kill everyone).

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@Karanbennemsi @EvieCorwell @yafalula @YonahLieberman @theashleyray As they should. Don't stop there.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@yafalula @YonahLieberman @theashleyray Imagine comparing a world superpower to a bunch of poor people fenced into a little rectangle of desert. The Holocaust was HORRIBLE. That's why it's consistent to also think that large scale land/property/life loss in 2023 is also... horrible. Jewish, Muslim, Atheist. All Human.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Yep. And Netanyahu often helps prove their point. I get that no politician likes concessions, but I don't see how any compromise can be found without someone sacrificing a short term win for a longer term one.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Similarly I don't think Al Qaeda anticipated the lengths to which 9/11 would backfire on them. These are not rational thinkers. I only wish Western leaders could try not to play on the same level. Be the champions of the victims rather than creating more victims on both sides.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore "Pure hatred toward the West". This doesn't come from nowhere. Even if the hatred comes from ignorance rather than reality, you're only reinforcing their world view if a US predator drone kills their uncle.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Hatred is the language of the uneducated and the angry. There are steps that can ameliorate these roots of extremism. Killing their friends is not one of them.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore I ask a sincere question. What do you see as the best solution to the broader question of peace and coexistence? Are you in the 'turn Gaza into a parking lot' crowd or is there a batter way in your view?

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein Point= The goal should be to reduce terrorism, not give it a boost and easier targets. Terrorism shrivels in the face of tolerance, love, and kindness. That's true courage and leadership. We are all human. F Hamas. F 'revenge'

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Not a perfect setup but it's a start: https://t.co/2ShyfRxCgT
All should be welcomed with full movement and political autonomy. All displaced should be welcomed home to their houses. Secularism can work.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore I just wish that now they have solidified their position (eg unconditional US support) that they would find ways to discontinue flagrant actions like WB settlements and extend sincere hands of solidarity to Palestinians. Stop the long game conquest chess match

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Why can't they just accept their fate and shut up right? So inconvenient living in a modern era of human rights and conventions and protocols etc. I too miss the good ol days where the oppressed didn't have social media. To be clear I support Israel's right to exist /1

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Are you deliberately mischaracterizing me? Studying a "cause" is not the same as validating an action. I am merely acknowledging that terrorism has root causes/factors. Terrorism cannot be conquered with armies. We have learned this. I have no love for Islam or Hamas. I 💚 humans

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@swansby_danson @Meryem831 @Swarlayzers Some have noticed there is a cycle of violence at play here. Someone needs to show courage and leadership and put 100% energy into reconciliation rather than revenge.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@swansby_danson @Meryem831 @Swarlayzers "Hamas" sure... well maybe. I don't know if "obliterate" is in the Geneva convention but fine. See the point we're trying to make is that if one is enraged by innocent deaths, the response should not be unconditional revenge regardless of how many more innocent deaths occur.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Free press and reliable sources are important. If Israel is the victim in all this and Palestinians are just exaggerating their plight, why do they control all the land? Where are the thsouands of Israeli refugees fleeing decade after decade? Why can't Palestinian people return?

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore I'm not ar all saying Hamas shouldn't be rooted out. I'm saying there are far better ways than bombs to fight terrorism. Just because a state is doing the killing doesn't make it okay to me.

[Russell Darkovic @GhostofJCook]

@RFinckelshtein @mattxiv @thetechwhore Well some would argue that the 20 years in Afghanistan weren't worth it, all the capture and torture of innocents ar Guantanamo erc. Not to mention that 9/11 itself dis not occur in a vacuum (ie response to US imperialism in middle east.