Decoding The Israel v Hezbollah War (6-18-24)

01:00 Is it safe to go out on Juneteenth?
03:00 Why so many events getting canceled for safety reasons on Juneteenth? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-05/leimert-park-juneteenth-festival-postponed-over-safety-concerns
11:00 I’m in love the tv newsreader but she only brings me bad news, https://genius.com/Alex-lahey-newsreader-lyrics
15:00 Trans whistleblower charged with four felonies
19:00 What will an Israel v Hezbollah war look like? https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/06/18/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-conflict-war-border-gaza/
22:00 WP: Israel says Rafah attack near completion, in potential shift for war, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/18/israel-rafah-offensive-gaza-hamas/
25:00 A Short History of International Humanitarian Law, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155471
45:30 Dooovid joins, https://x.com/RebDoooovid
54:00 Juneteenth and guns
1:07:30 Morale down among Jews worldwide, not just in Israel, where morale has plunged
1:12:00 How are the haredi Jews reacting to tough times for Jews?
1:16:00 Who determines the winning narrative? https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=155583
1:19:00 Dooovid visits Jewish Voice for Peace and finds many attractive young women
1:23:45 News: Defense attorney accuses Samantha Woll’s ex-boyfriend of lying to police after confessing to murder, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2024/06/18/detroit-synagogue-presidents-ex-testifies-im-afraid-i-did-it/74137391007/
1:31:00 I have a somewhat fraudulent image of myself as a righteous man when in reality I’m often selfish and inconsiderate
1:36:50 Dooov says Jewish Voice for Peace attracts hotties, https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/
1:39:00 Sexually promiscuous women tend to be left-wing while right-wing women tend to be choosey
1:41:40 Dooovid’s anti-Zionism isolates him from most Jews

Transcript.

The Podnotes AI summary of the show: I’m asking for a friend — is it safe to go out and enjoy a zesty Juneteenth?

I’m struggling to find clear information online. Events in Los Angeles are being canceled for safety, which is concerning. How can we stay safe on this day? There’s little guidance available.

Safety should be a priority. In Akron, the city canceled events due to these worries, causing disappointment and financial loss for many.

The mayor of Akron decided to cancel public events after council members raised concerns over last week’s shooting incident that left one dead and others injured. This has caused frustration among organizers who have invested time and money into their events.

Elsewhere in Round Rock, Texas, a celebration turned tragic when two people were killed during a shooting at Old Settlers Park. Now the FBI is involved as the community mourns.

Amidst all this chaos and sadness surrounding what should be celebratory occasions like Juneteenth and Pride Month, there appears to be confusion about how different communities should come together harmoniously without overshadowing each other’s importance or facing security issues.

In light of recent violent incidents during expected celebrations, it raises questions about our country’s ability to uphold the true spirit of such important days without succumbing to fear or division.

In 1977, the Additional Protocols of the Geneva Conventions marked a significant advancement in international humanitarian law. However, the effectiveness and impact of these laws are still hotly debated today. It wasn’t until late in the 20th century that practitioners began to emerge, influenced by human rights organizations born out of disillusionment with leftist ideologies.

Historically, rights were granted by nation-states to their citizens; there was little concept of universal human rights. The updated “laws of war” introduced new principles like proportionality—the idea that civilian well-being should take precedence over military objectives.

The push for international humanitarian law has been driven by activism and a desire for recognition and influence rather than tangible changes on the ground. Advocates often claim an extensive history for these laws to strengthen their moral authority while critics point out its recent origins and ideological underpinnings.

Before the 1960s, concerns about civilian suffering during conflicts weren’t as prominent—civilians’ fates were tied to their states’. International humanitarian law as we know it is relatively new but is often conflated with older traditions of warfare rules.

Key figures like Sean MacBride—a former Irish Republican Army chief who later co-founded Amnesty International—played pivotal roles in advancing this field. These developments reflected differing worldviews between developed nations and others regarding conflict resolution.

Israel’s challenges with Gaza highlight contemporary issues within international humanitarian law—debates around state responsibility towards non-citizens and how historical narratives are used or misused in legal arguments regarding warfare conduct.

Doovid joins the show: In our area, barbecues might have many armed attendees due to concealed weapons. Shootings are not uncommon; one occurred near my home recently. Therefore, I’m hesitant to attend events where guns may be present, including Jewish or public celebrations like July 4th.

I don’t celebrate holidays much anyway. For instance, Juneteenth affects me only because it delays shipments for my book orders since the post office closes. As a businessman, this is inconvenient.

Regarding rent collection from tenants on Juneteenth, it’s irrelevant as rent has set due dates and a formal collection process that doesn’t involve door-to-door visits.

Many Jews run businesses like payday lending and pawn shops which can be tough industries with security concerns. In risky situations like these or in low-income housing management, there’s always a structured approach to handling evictions or financial issues rather than direct confrontations.

Luke: The morale among Jews seems down lately due to challenges faced by Israel and its leadership. This impacts confidence within the community both domestically and abroad.

Dooovid: My friend remarked once that I was willing to take any job regardless of pay during low points in my life—a sharp observation about survival tactics when times are hard.

Finally, narratives in media often seem driven by professionals looking to increase their relevance and income by expanding definitions within their fields—like mental health experts broadening what constitutes mental illness or genocide scholars framing conflicts as genocidal for attention.

Dooovid: I might be able to approach a woman and get a date without going through matchmaking like in Orthodox circles. I’ve humbled myself, admitted my failures, and realized that many Jews don’t respect me even though I love Judaism. So, I shifted focus to more successful areas of my life.

We also discussed the difference between individual narrative identity and group narrative identity on Sunday. My individual identity was tied to being part of the Jewish community, but now it’s uncertain. However, I’ve developed new identities as a chess coach and concerned neighbor—possibly with groups like Jewish Voice for Peace.

Luke: My participation in Orthodox studies hasn’t changed much over the past 8 years; instead of attending Torah classes and praying regularly, beginning in 2015, I began investing less time in davening and more time in 12-step programs.

As we age, our social circles change too. In West Los Angeles, there’s an active social scene for single Jews in their twenties but by forty most are married or dysfunctional.

Regarding the Samantha Wall trial today: her boyfriend testified with immunity from prosecution—it’s unclear why he was called since he could still be a suspect despite his testimony today seeming nervous which some may interpret as guiltiness.

On personal relationships: initially dating promiscuous women can seem exciting due to easy sex but often comes with mental health issues which strain relationships when infidelity occurs—even if not directly involved in cheating scenarios myself.

In terms of self-image versus reality: sometimes our actions reveal selfishness contrary to how we view ourselves as good people—a painful realization akin to those exposed during true crime trials where private lives are scrutinized publicly revealing flaws we prefer kept hidden.

Dooov: Jewish Voice for Peace has grown significantly attracting younger members including educated young Jewish women; however they bundle leftist causes together making it challenging for non-leftists who only want peace activism without other political commitments—reflecting broader trends among reformist Jews where fundamental disagreements eventually lead to severed ties unless intersectionality allows temporary alliances until no longer beneficial or necessary.

Being anti-Zion while most Jews live in Israel feels disconnected from mainstream Jewish thought—I believe peaceful coexistence with Arabs is possible without needing an exclusive state yet this stance isolates me within the larger pro-Zionist majority who see a strong connection between Judaism and Israel’s existence despite my continued religious practices.

Our opinions on world affairs may not be that significant. Attending Synagogue can illustrate this: having even one supportive friend could make all the difference in whether we keep showing up or not. Without someone sympathetic, we might lose interest, but with a friend’s encouragement, our commitment is likely to remain strong.

It’s crucial to have at least one friend who believes in you—a positive influence who nudges you towards better choices, like quitting smoking. Such support is invaluable during tough times; it’s essential to have someone brave enough to give constructive criticism.

About Luke Ford

I've written five books (see Amazon.com). My work has been covered in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and on 60 Minutes. I teach Alexander Technique in Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com).
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