[Sandwich]

So tonight after our 3 girls had been asleep a few hours and I was saying goodnight to the wifey, the "Code Red" sirens sounded here for the first time since 2012. I live an entire 40 miles from the nearest possible point of origin for a rocket launch, so we had a leisurely 90 seconds to get into shelter (areas closer have as little as 15 seconds to get into cover from the moment a launch is detected). Since we had the foresight to use the apartment's reinforced concrete room for the kids' bedroom, we simply gathered up the cat and snuck in to the room ourselves. Pulling aside the makeshift bug screen on the window, I pulled the heavy steel shutter shut and settled down to wait for the all-clear signal. After a few seconds, we heard 3 vaguely distant (yet quite distinct) booms. Whether they were successful interceptions or ground impacts, we didn't know (I now know they hit, but apparently not anything damaging).

There's been 154 launches targeted at population centers in the last 24 hours. 29 of those were successfully intercepted. The military has received approval to call up 40,000 reservists. Knowing the excellent track record and reputation my reserves unit has, I would not be surprised if we are among the 40k. It's just the waiting, the not knowing, that's hard. Every time my phone rings, my heart jumps a little.

So anyway, that's my life recently. How's yours?

[Mongoose]

It's one big cluster**** gearing up yet again, and I can't imagine being caught in the midst of it.  Stay safe.

[MP-Ryan]

I recall a poignant moment in discussion with my prof who taught a 300-level history course entitled "History of Modern Warfare" at my University.  It was 2006.  We were discussing the ****storm that is the Middle East generally.  He shook his head at one point and said "the only way that conflict will be settled in my or your lifetime is if the state of Israel gets moved somewhere like Texas and the rest gets glassed."

I periodically wonder if he was right.

Stay safe, Sandwich.  Glad to hear the Iron Dome systems are generally working as advertised.  Hopefully the rest of the democratic world is going to apply some pressure into the situation soon.

[Colonol Dekker]

Oh golly.........you stay safe and hope the family unit remains the same.


Stay low and keep behind someone bigger and paid more.

[Sandwich]

At times like this, I often think of the Israeli Arabs, who generally live at peace with their Jewish neighbors. The main difference between them and the Palestinians is that the Israeli Arabs - in particular their children - are not exposed to the kind of hatred and incitement that the Palestinians are brainwashed with on a daily basis.

Instead of glassing the area, I'd rather see the incitement end.

[Colonol Dekker]

Prevention is always better than cure my friend.

[Dragon]

At times like this, I often think of the Israeli Arabs, who generally live at peace with their Jewish neighbors. The main difference between them and the Palestinians is that the Israeli Arabs - in particular their children - are not exposed to the kind of hatred and incitement that the Palestinians are brainwashed with on a daily basis.

Instead of glassing the area, I'd rather see the incitement end.

The problem with Hamas is that they're fighting because, well, they need to keep fighting. It's the only thing that keeps them in power. Were they ever to win or lose, or even just have the population stop hating the Israel, then people'd realize that they're huge bastards and probably revolt promptly. Heck, they might realize that right already, but they're staying put due to the war. The only real way to sustain an unsustainable government is a constant state of emergency. Israel could probably agree to a whole lot of things if that meant the end of the war, but Hamas isn't fighting for anything at all. Even destruction of Israel would also mean end of Hamas as we know it. As such, the cure for this situation could be hard to find, and would still probably involve violence. Ideally, only against those who actually deserve it, but we know how this usually goes.

[JCDNWarrior]

Sandwich, good luck. As others said, don't play Hero and make sure you get out of any engagements you get pushed into unscathed. I don't look forward to see what will be expected of you in such a target rich and cramped environment if a Gaza incursion is given the go-ahead as it appears it has, if I read the news correctly.

[Lorric]

Good luck Sandwich.

And yes, the Israeli Arabs. It shows the Arab people are not bad people and can coexist with Israelis. It's a terrible shame you have terrorists exploiting the people and poisoning their minds. People are just people at the end of the day and can mostly get along with each other under normal circumstances.

[headdie]

hope you and the family stay safe

[Sandwich]

Well, I've been invited to the party. No idea when it ends, and I doubt I'll be online much while there. Cya when I get back.

[headdie]

Well, I've been invited to the party. No idea when it ends, and I doubt I'll be online much while there. Cya when I get back.

see you on the other side

[Scourge of Ages]

Take care, mate.

[Lorric]

I'll be thinking of you.

[jr2]

Praying for you. And the situation.

[Colonol Dekker]

Doubt he'll get to read this for a few days but the usual applies.  Check twice. Confirm targets. Change position. Risk isn't worth it.  Etc etc.

[zookeeper]

I'd suggest refusing service, but I don't know what the typical sanctions are like over there. I suppose the second best choice would be to simply avoid anything that might have even the slightest chance of contributing to the overall cluster****.

[Grizzly]

I'd suggest refusing service, but I don't know what the typical sanctions are like over there. I suppose the second best choice would be to simply avoid anything that might have even the slightest chance of contributing to the overall cluster****.

From my very limited understanding of Israelian draft, you are only allowed to refuse service if you are an orthodox jewish woman or if you are performing services which are vital to the function of society (like, say, being a doctor).

[CommanderDJ]

Stay safe, Sandwich.

[Sandwich]

Well that was interesting.

Apparently we had more soldiers than spaces in our APCs, so they released a couple of us to go home. I got back just before midnight the same day I left.

I blame prayer.