Stroock's Books Shaken

Good afternoon, Stroock's Books apparatchiks. We're trying something new whereby we work on this blog after lunch exclusively. The requirements of this blog might better fit the lackadaisical feel of the afternoon. Just shaking things up a bit.

The Israelis have not yet invaded Rafah, though they've conducted some airstrikes that have sent some of Hamas' top leadership to the virgins. More to come. And probably soon. The Times of Israel reports that 75 percent of Israeli Jews (that's 80 percent of the country) want the IDF to attack Rafah. Also, the same poll shows 70 percent of Israeli Jews want change to the Haredi (Orthodox guys in black suits and hats) draft exemption law. The change is coming, probably from the next government. 

If the Haredi draft law is changed, "Chief Sephardic rabbi says ultra-Orthodox will leave Israel if forced into army, ‘All these secular people don’t understand that without kollels and yeshivas, the army would not be successful,’ says Yitzhak Yosef, sparking backlash across the political spectrum..." Stop, stop! We already support the law. These people would probably come to New York City and New Jersey, wouldn't they? Fuckheads. We just don't understand why Haredi can't do a couple of years of military service. Medics? Military chaplains?

Israel Radar has an interesting report on IDF war preparation on the northern border. These include air ops, ground ops, air defenses, the all important logistics, and Homefront command prep. They're gathering provisions and turning parking garages into emergency bomb shelters. Hmmm....Netanyahu said Rafah will take 4-6 weeks. Exit question, will the Israelis fight a two front war? 

As we write this a Jew hater, on Substack of all places, is pestering us. We gave him the same response we give every one of these people, 'Your latest stepdad is Jewish, isn't he?' It would impress us no end if just one of these guys could come up with some new material. We admit that since Juden-hass is the world's oldest hatred, that's a tall order. Nevertheless, this crap is boring. 

We've had some mental progress on the War Night mayoral short story. Hello, Lexington, Kentucky. We're listening to a talk given by the man who was mayor in 1975. The story opens with a city staff meeting about civil defense prep before the missiles fly. Louisville to the west and Cincinnati to the north get nuked. From there things in Lexington get interesting. 

And our old editor, the quietly competent office QC Honcho, has agreed to edit World War 1990: Norway. We're delighted. 

Monday Metal. We got none. You know, lately, when on dad taxi duty or just driving to and fro ourselves, we've been fine with stone silence in the car. Let's call this the silent Monday Metal.