The Israeli military on Wednesday conducted airstrikes in Beirut, despite calls from the US for Israel to reduce the scale of its attacks on Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital.
This is part of a broader trend over the past year amid Israel’s fighting against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The US has repeatedly urged Israel to tone things down and show greater care for civilians, but Israel has frequently gone in the opposite direction and effectively ignored its top ally’s concerns.
From the IDF’s offensive in Rafah to its more recent invasion in Lebanon, there have been myriad examples of Israel taking escalatory steps that Washington has vocally opposed. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has continued to affirm its “ironclad” support and supply Israel with arms, reflecting no major changes in US policy. \
Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced the US was sending an advanced missile defense system to Israel and deploying 100 US troops to operate it.
What will it take? The US on Tuesday warned Israel that military aid could be impacted if it does not take steps to improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza within 30 days. Israel says it intends to address Washington’s concerns and is taking them “seriously.” But this isn’t the first time that the US has issued such warnings over the past year, and Israel’s tactics have largely remained unchanged.
On September 7, 2023 the Government of Canada established the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, a judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal, was appointed Commissioner.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Wednesday October 16/24 that Canadian intelligence agencies have information that multiple Conservative politicians are “engaged” or at high risk from foreign interference schemes.
CLICK LINK re: Trudeau statement re:SMaher X account
‘In shocking testimony at the foreign interference commission Wednesday morning, Trudeau took aim at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for refusing top secret briefings on a national security threat that allegedly has penetrated his own party.
“Because I am prime minister and privy to all these informations, I have the names of a number of parliamentarians, former parliamentarians and/or candidates in the Conservative Party of Canada who are engaged or are at high risk of or for whom there is clear intelligence around foreign interference,” Trudeau told the commission’s lawyers.
“And I have directed CSIS and others to try and inform the Conservative Party leader to be warned and armed to be able to make decisions that protect the integrity of that party and its members from attempts at foreign activities around foreign interference.”
“The decision byPierre Poilievre the leader of the Conservative Party to not get those classified briefings means that nobody in his party, not him, and nobody in a position of power knows the names of these individuals and can take appropriate action,” Trudeau added.
Trudeau called it “bewildering” that Poilievre has so far refused to accept the briefings from Canada’s national security agencies.
SOURCE: Global News Posted October 16, 2024 8:51 am
Poilievre has argued that accepting the top-secret briefings would prevent him from asking questions about foreign interference in the House of Commons – something that has not prevented NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh or Green Party Leader Elizabeth May from receiving the information.’
Excerpt from film essay The Great Dictator by Jeffrey Vance
‘Probably the most famous sequence of “The Great Dictator”(1940) is the five-minute speech that concludes the film. Here Chaplin drops his comic mask and speaks directly to the world, conveying his view that people must rise up against dictators and unite in peace. The most enduring aspects of the final speech are its aspirational quality and tone and its underlying faith in humanity. Chaplin sketches a hopeful future in broad strokes and leaves the implementation of his vision to others, despite the fact that the more unsavory aspects of human nature may prevent mankind ever reaching his promised utopia. Although some may find Chaplin’s message cliché, and even frustrating, one cannot help but be moved by the prescience of his words and the appeal of his powerful indictment of all who seek to take power unto themselves to the detriment of everyone else. The final speech of “The Great Dictator” remains relevant and valuable in the twenty-first century and likely will remain so as long as conflict corrupts human interaction and despots endure.’
Court Painter has included images of an aspiring dictator…the US election, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, will determine whether he gets his wish!
Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli medievalist, military historian, public intellectual, and writer. He currently serves as professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
His writings and conversations have created a cornucopia of thought provoking quotes.
“Fiction isn’t bad. It is vital. Without commonly accepted stories about things like money, states or corporations, no complex human society can function. We can’t play football unless everyone believes in the same made-up rules, and we can’t enjoy the benefits of markets and courts without similar make-believe stories. But stories are just tools. They shouldn’t become our goals or our yardsticks. When we forget that they are mere fiction, we lose touch with reality. Then we begin entire wars `to make a lot of money for the cooperation’ or ‘to protect the national interest’. Corporations, money and nations exist only in our imagination. We invented them to serve us; why do we find ourselves sacrificing our life in their service.” ― Yuval Noah Harari, Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow
“The greatest scientific discovery was the discovery of ignorance. Once humans realised how little they knew about the world, they suddenly had a very good reason to seek new knowledge, which opened up the scientific road to progress.” ― Yuval Noah Harari, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
“Individual humans know embarrassingly little about the world, and as history has progressed, they have come to know less and less. A hunter-gatherer in the Stone Age knew how to make her own clothes, how to start a fire, how to hunt rabbits, and how to escape lions. We think we know far more today, but as individuals, we actually know far less. We rely on the expertise of others for almost all our needs.” ― Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Designing weapons of war is a complex and multi-disciplinary process that involves the contributions of various professionals from different fields. Below is an outline of the key players involved in the design of weapons of war:
This listing is not comprehensive however close enough and Enablers include: Politicians & Bureaucrats & Industry & Investors & Arms Traders etc.
Military Strategists:
Weapon Systems Engineers:
Mechanical Engineers:
Electrical and Electronics Engineers: .
Aerospace Engineers:
Materials Scientists and Engineers:
Computer Scientists and Software Engineers:.
Ballistic Experts:.
Explosives and Ordnance Experts:
Industrial Designers:
Testing and Evaluation Teams:
Military Personnel and Operators:
Government and Defense Contractors:
Ethical and Legal Advisors:
In 2024, the weapon design process is increasingly interdisciplinary, involving collaboration across technical, ethical, and strategic domains to shape the future of warfare.
The designers and developers of weapons of war encompass a wide range of professionals, each contributing their expertise to create cutting-edge military technology. These roles have evolved with advancements in warfare and defence technology, becoming more integrated and specialized. Here is an updated overview:
1. Military Strategists:
Responsible for defining long-term military goals, strategists outline the need for new weaponry. They identify gaps in current defence systems and help guide the development of weapons to meet future warfare challenges, including emerging threats like cyber warfare and autonomous systems.
2. Weapon Systems Engineers:
These engineers convert strategic visions into technical blueprints. They design and integrate complex weapon systems, such as unmanned drones, hypersonic missiles, and precision-guided munitions, ensuring that the systems meet reliability, performance, and safety criteria.
3. Mechanical Engineers:
They focus on the physical design of weapon systems, creating highly efficient and durable components for firearms, artillery, tanks, and other vehicles. In 2024, these engineers also explore advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing for faster and more flexible production.
4. Electrical and Electronics Engineers:
Essential in designing modern electronic components, these engineers develop everything from communication systems to advanced radar and targeting technologies. They work on innovations like electromagnetic weapons and counter-electronic warfare systems.
5. Aerospace Engineers:
Specializing in the design of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles, aerospace engineers optimize performance in extreme conditions, advancing stealth technology, hypersonic flight, and drone capabilities for modern military operations.
6. Materials Scientists and Engineers:
Tasked with creating materials that can withstand high stress and extreme environments, materials scientists innovate lightweight, strong, and heat-resistant materials, such as composites and new alloys for body armor, vehicles, and aircraft.
7. Computer Scientists and Software Engineers:
As warfare grows more digital, these experts develop the software behind AI-driven autonomous drones, cybersecurity defence tools, and command-and-control systems. In 2024, they also work on integrating quantum computing and advanced AI into military operations.
8. Ballistic Experts:
Ballistic experts study the behavior of projectiles and missiles, using advanced simulations to ensure accuracy and enhance range, speed, and lethality.
9. Explosives and Ordnance Experts:
These professionals develop new explosives and munitions, including “smart” bombs and non-lethal options, while conducting rigorous tests to ensure safety and effectiveness.
10. Industrial Designers:
They are responsible for creating user-friendly designs with a focus on ergonomics and aesthetics, ensuring that weapons are both functional and comfortable for soldiers in the field.
11. Testing and Evaluation Teams:
After the design process, teams of engineers and military personnel rigorously test prototypes in real-world conditions to ensure they meet operational standards. This stage is critical in 2024, as weapons are subjected to tests against cyber threats and electronic warfare tactics.
12. Military Personnel and Operators:
Their direct feedback is essential for optimizing designs. The experience gained from military engagements informs iterative design improvements, making weapons more practical and reliable for combat scenarios.
13. Government and Defense Contractors:
Governments partner with major defence contractors, who often lead the manufacturing and supply chain processes for weaponry. These contractors play a significant role in innovation, frequently working with governments on long-term, multi-billion dollar defence projects.
14. Ethical and Legal Advisors:
With growing concerns over autonomous weapons and AI, ethical and legal advisors are more critical than ever. They ensure that new technologies comply with international humanitarian laws and address the ethical implications of autonomous decision-making in combat.
Today is the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Before it was a federal statutory holiday, Sept. 30 was known as Orange Shirt Day, originated by Secwépemc activist and residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad in 2013. For non-Indigenous people, it’s a day for learning about and reckoning with the ongoing trauma inflicted by the residential school system; for Indigenous people, it’s also a day of mourning.
On Truth and Reconciliation Day, we remember and honour the children who attended residential schools — many of whom never returned home. Those who did carried profound trauma after being separated from their families, cultures, languages and communities, often enduring physical and sexual abuse. Many of those survivors are still with us; many more are just one or two generations removed.
The Court Painter, reacting to the colossal downer of the past week in the Great Dominion’s fall parliamentary session, broke into modern dance moves to shake off the gloom!
Late Night host Stephen Colbert finally paid homage to Court Painter with a display of 4 self portraits and a double portrait of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with his favorite fashion advisor : by the eminent Great Dominion portraitist and art celebrity himself.
Court Painter ever modest, was not available for an on the spot interview and sent PM Trudeau in his place. That’s show business!
