The Biden administration in recent days quietly authorized the transfer of billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel despite Washington’s concerns about an anticipated military offensive in southern Gaza that could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, according to Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter. The 2,000 pound bombs have been linked to previous mass-casualty events throughout Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. These officials, like some others, spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity because recent authorizations have not been disclosed publicly.

The 2,000 pound bombs, capable of leveling city blocks and leaving craters in the earth 40 feet across and larger, are almost never used anymore by Western militaries in densely populated locations due to the risk of civilian casualties.

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  • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Nobody is saying they will suddenly listen to us. That’s the point. There’s no point in participating. Immigrants and minorities are already in danger in red states and the Democrats are busy worrying if removing the filibuster or balancing the supreme court are too extreme. They aren’t riding in to save the day. You think the red states are waiting for a Republican president? This isn’t a video game and I’m tired of people treating it like one. Biden winning is not some kind of block unless he actually fucking does something. And he’s currently trying to enact the toughest measures we’ve had on immigrants since Operation Wetback. He’s not an ally.

    Harm reduction is supposed to open the door to a better option later as well. If that better option never comes then you’re still just stuck with harm. We don’t have a doctor for the country. We have a lesser prison sentence that was sold as harm reduction.

    And the Fascists are already here. They are not waiting for your permission. They are not waiting for the permission of any level of government. They are already taking over towns and schools. They’ve been elected all the way up to governor in some states. They aren’t going to sit and do nothing for the mere presence of a democratic president, and that’s all Biden offers. A calming presence while women are charged with murder for miscarriages.

    And you know what? We’ve been here before, and we will get out of it again. When we have a liberal/left party worth a damn.

    • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      We’ve been here before, and we will get out of it again. When we have a liberal/left party worth a damn.

      Before you stands two paths. One goes straight, the other swings WAY off to the right. There is not a third path at this crossroads.

      Which path is better if your eventual goal is to move to the left? You can sit down and cry about how neither of the current paths goes left and say that you refuse to decide. But if you do this, a path will be chosen for you.

      Maybe it doesn’t really matter to you. Maybe you’re privileged enough that you can’t see a difference in your life between going straight and turning far right. But for me, turning far right could literally lead to my persecution and death. I can not tell you how pissed I will be if that unfolds because of some misguided protest against voting.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Ignore the evidence of your eyes. Pay attention only to the false either/or presented to you.

        So gaslighting us. We’re not stupid.

        And I’m okay with putting my life on the line for my country, it wouldn’t be the first time. I’m not going to let them hold me hostage just to watch the GOP do it no matter who gets elected.