Oct 6, 2024
Dr Mark Pearlmutter on his time in Gaza.
seen from Russia
seen from Germany
seen from T1
seen from United States
seen from France
seen from Türkiye
seen from Türkiye
seen from Latvia
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Philippines
seen from Canada
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from Türkiye
seen from Philippines
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
Dr Mark Pearlmutter on his time in Gaza.
War crimes are just war crimes. It is pretty specific. Collective punishment is a war crime. Ethnic cleansing is a war crime. Genocide is a war crime. Shooting journalists is a war crime. Using white phosphorous on civilians is a war crime. Sniping physicians is a war crime. "War crime is a category which is starting to sound meaningless to us because everything we do qualifies as one" is not the brilliant defense of your actions you think it is.
Walk with me now..
USMC VMFT-401 "Snipers" ~ 2026 Yuma Airshow
Exactly one year ago, we witnessed the most epic sniper duel, which was so lacking in Star Wars. I still consider this scene to be one of the best in season three.
so apparently ‘sniper’ comes from a bird and. well. guess who.
So, I was doing some research on snipers and how they got their name, and I stumbled across something really funny and interesting.
To give context, I was looking into it because of Usopp (shocking, I know!) and genuine curiosity. Apparently, the word sniper actually comes from bird hunting, specifically from trying to shoot a bird called a snipe, which was notoriously hard to catch or hit. So when a hunter managed to shoot one successfully, it became a mark of skill. Over time, people who could consistently hit a snipe were called snipers.
The snipe’s ability to hide and blend into its environment only adds to the legend, since being able to shoot one meant you had exceptional aim and precision. Sniping literally became synonymous with elite marksmanship, the kind you’d need to take down a snipe in the first place.
But here’s the kicker: when I finally looked up what a snipe looks like, I lost it. The bird’s defining feature? A long beak. A very long beak. And who immediately came to mind? Usopp, of course.
Forget Pinocchio. Think snipe. Because at the end of the day, Usopp isn’t just a sniper king, he is the Sniper King. His long nose is the snipe’s long beak made flesh, a symbol of what being a sniper truly means. 🪶🐦
Javelin Wielding One of My Favourite Transformers Accessories, Elite One's Rifle Gun
(I can't help but Miss Javelin from IDW's Transformers Comics)