Canuck Surfer

The Butcher or Hangman of Iran. For his roles in shocking security initiatives to discipline public dating back to the late 1980's. Apparently not a nice man.

Just south of the Azerbaijan border; missing as are cabinet ministers. Although some survivors have been contacted. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is missing after a helicopter in his convoy suffered a ‘hard landing’ this afternoon, state media reported. Raisi had been on an official visit to northwestern Iran when his helicopter came down in a forested area in the mountains just south of Iran’s border with Azerbaijan. Of his convoy of three Bell 212 helicopters – with a delegation of ministers on board – the two other aircraft reached their destination. Search and rescue teams found the wreckage of the helicopter this evening, but wet and windy weather is hampering rescue efforts, state media said. Though, adding to the confusion, Iran’s Red Crescent has denied such reports. Those missing also include Iranian minister of foreign affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian, East Azerbaijan governor Malek Rahmati and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader to East Azerbaijan. On the official Instagram account of Raisi, 63, a post urged the public to ‘offer prayers for the health of the president and his companions’. Raisi was elected President in 2021 after eight years of reformist leadership in Iran. A longtime jurist and former chief justice, Raisi has been tipped as the most likely person to succeed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Raisi’s presidency has been plagued with protests against deteriorating economic conditions and the oppression of women, often resulting in violent crackdowns on the opposition and members of the public. https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/iranian-president-missing-after-helicopter-crash/ar-BB1mFfOF?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=da3fb03cde784eb595291f36186d67f0&ei=37

Interesting. Azerbaijani / Persia (Iran) are not exactly close allies. Azerbaijan having amongst the strongest relationships with Israel of Muslim states. In spite of a Shia majority? Nagorno Karabakh not a shining example, but also known as being more tolerant of ethnic and religious diversity. They do have strong ties to Turkey. Are an active part of Belt & Road Chinese and other initiatives to reproduce historic Silk Road trading routes, bypassing Iran & contested sea shipping lanes. As an East / West or Europe / Asian trading super highway. Including pipelines and other means of transporting water, gas, etc. all which run just North of the Iranian border.

Wowee in Iran, downed helicopter story ^^^ Interesting take compared to ME; Al Jazeera spruiking 'pro democracy' groups as positive against the ruling military Junta in Eastern Myanmar.

80 Years ago today Russia expelled, or killed, all Crimean Tatars. Officially because they were traitors, who collaborated with the Nazi's. Sound familiar? https://youtu.be/1X26pHlIhCA

Kurt is somewhere East Coast US. Courtney from Sydney here down unda. Plays in Melbourne sometimes, edgy Indie stuff. She's amazing!

Starting nearly a year ago; essentially since Republicans started posturing to divert or resist aid in the US. ie, cough, the World started to sense fear in Trumps suggestion to sever or reduce ties to NATO. And there were some polls saying he had more chance than hoped for? Many countries have been heavily fortifying the Eastern front. Even the US under Biden. Putin of course said assembling troops would be seen as an act of war; Medvedev threatened Nukes. For better or worse, I personally don't envision direct involvement or deployment. As a Ukrainian by heritage it disappoints me, as has the lingering war, staggered support. It would be nice, but I don't expect it. What I might expect is a much bigger green light to attack behind enemy lines, in Russia. By more strategic weapons, specifically F-15's and I wish for bombers & missiles. Take out the territory behind Volchansk, perhaps Belgorod and trap the bastard hordes. Cut the Crimean bridge and start moving through Crimea. Negotiate a settlement. I think taking Crimea, the land bridge and ideally Mariupol may be the best outcome we could hope for. Not sure the bulk of Donetsk & Luhansk is possible if Russia will sacrifice one or two million soldiers. This is not my actual wish, perhaps I am just beaten down by the length of the war so far.

Ouch. As my wife says sometimes; a good ouch. But ouch!

Not that much puck skill there. It would be fun anyway. Hronek? Willander in binocular view...

Ghosting @aGENT

@nuckin_futz gets an invite to play Freebird!

I would not worry too much...

Whooda thunk Gallant would have a salient point? To a degree I always believed it was Bibi cow towing to even more right wing extremist positions within his coalition. Headed by Gallant, who is still among the most alarming advocates of profiting via Settlements. Plus other abnoxious views, including which he has been prosecuted for. Not that Bibi is a moderate.

We are winning in teh 2knd round. Holding the most offensive PP & 2 players in the world from beating us. Even Hughes is not lighting it up. We do need a long term 3C if Lindy is not it. Hronek has been one of the best trades for us. Not interested, even though I like Necas. Must admit it would be funny if we traded Hronek for Necas. Then signed Pesce UFA!

I have Necas in Fantasy. This pops up & everyone wants him cheap in trades too? Necas is 2C, takes defensive assignments, even PK. Jarvis did steal what 1st PP time he got & he is down from 71 points? True, but Jarvis plays wing. Jarvis also took top PP minutes from Svechnikov, who is paid $7.75M & Teuvo Teravainen. Another long time top PP guy. Necas had similar points but more goals than Svech, plays a more important role. Do they leave Kotkaniemi, or 35 year old Jordan Staal to play 2C? His 53 points and 24 goals are not that different to a lot of years from top 2 C's, especially in B'rindamours system. This is all posturing. Just trying not to pay him $8 or $9Mill.

Here is an interview, a few years old; spin by Israel on why they want(ed), support as part of a 'Trump peace plan', to annex part of Judea & Samaria. Parts of West Bank. I maintain my position that they should be giving back land, not annexing. I also believe the real solution fits somewhere in dialogue about access. Working together! A potential great bargaining chip for a Palestinian offer towards peace. Access is not ownership or annexation. Thats not this video's message, they are spruiking their side but it a great watch if you want insight.

Please do. Since 2000 there is about as many Kurdish dead in Turkey. As have died in this Gazan war. Their displacement in this time frame more than doubles Gazan / West Bank population. Turkey has bigger ''security zones'' in Syria & Iraq, housing more people than the Gazan population in refugee camps, than West Bank. I realize 25 years..., this just Turkey. It does not take account of those stoned, or beaten to death protesting in Iran, Kurdish civilians slaughtered in Syrian civil war. Or militants involved. It does not take account of their oppression in Iraq, where open genocide took place. Nobody was herded out of town before being gassed en masse, men women & children, elderly... I remain of the opinion these are related control struggles to Gaza. Territorial battles by race dominant groups. There is a King in Jordan. A dictator in Syria. I don't know what is going on in Iraq. An autocrat in Egypt, quote / unquote a democracy in Turkey. Somehow all these groups keep displacing, killing and expelling those who do not belong to their race dominant ruling party. Its fair to ask accountability of Israel with Palestinians, I don't understand why no such movement exists for Kurds.

I get why people are mad at Israel. They as a wealthy nation need to take a responsible leading role. I am not being facetious. It has to start where accountability is possible. Meanwhile back in Darfur. Its amazing to me that conflicts 5 & 10 times the size of Gaza get less press. Because leaders are corrupt, less embedded in world communities, wealthy? They get away with sneaking over borders, random & widespread killing of all ages to create havoc, taking hostages, burning villages, stealing and raping women. Oh wait? I maintain my position the corrupt, militant control of so many African & Middle Eastern territories is catatonic. While we are at it, there has been war in the Caucasus, brewing unrest in Central Asia, all out civil war in Myanmar, extrajudicial killing in Iran, India. That its done in the name of Islam or religion noteworthy, less important than the actual criminal leadership. It's big business awarding yourself tax free control of entire countries. This is by far the more widespread problem IMO than Israel, in real terms. You also have to start somewhere. Israel is committing significant crimes. Meanwhile, meanwhile; I also remain of the belief that Gazans and other groups have to find some meaningful way of contributing to peace. We also need to look at this globally. This happens wherever there is Islamic militancy.

Pre Zionism there was an amazing spread of Jewish settlements. There had to be some intermingling.

OMG what a freak show that was. His heroin addiction in full bloom. Few songs articulate one's sadness, brilliantly well. Terrifying helplessness at rejection in a little sunflower who needed also needed to get away from some rain in its video. Never found any brightness. Yet everyone loves listening to this song. Music as art is too good sometimes. I don't think he lasted but a few weeks.