Archive for February, 2005

Beach at Dieppe, 1890s. By Constantin Korovin. 

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

“Israeli jailed in New Zealand headed Cyprus spy ring” (Bush considered appointing him as his intelligence czar)

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

“Nearly 50 more British soldiers may face charges on abuses in Iraq” (thanks Julie)

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

From Bagram to Abu Ghraib (thanks to all 34 of you who sent me a copy)

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

Geraldo was a close friend of right-wing death squad Lebanese leader Bashir Gemayyel (you will find that in Barbara Newman’s silly hagiographic book, The Covenant). He is now in Beirut reporting. I heard a segment of his “reporting” on my satellite radio. He was interviewing Lebanese Minister Karam Karam (who taught my brother in Medical [...]

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

The US Arab propaganda Radio is “exclusively” and “bizarrely” reporting that there is growing popular support for `Allawi to stay in as puppet prime minister. (The motto of Radio Sawa should be: “We invent the news, and you consume it.” Or: “the news that you will not find elsewhere, because WE make it up).

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

It seems that Ramadi will also undergo Double “Liberation”

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

Courage, when it is too late, and too useless, is not courage.

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

“They say ‘incident’. To me it’s genocide”

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

“Independent media essential to democracy, says Amy Goodman”

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

No Child Left Full: “Children Going Hungry”

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

This is so touching; it is warm and fuzzy. Saudi Foreign Minister: “The relationship with the government of the United States is healthy. It has become more healthy recently. Compared to the warmth that existed before Sept. 11, we are reaching gradually the level of comfort and warmth we enjoyed before.”

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

Lebanese, Potatoese, and Arabic Languages: I just read “Language Barrier” by Joseph Braude in, surprise surprise, the New Republic. (thanks Marc for sending me the article). The New Republic, to be fair, has a long and established record of hostility to (and ignorance of) Arabs and Muslims, and a consistent dedication to fanatical Zionism. It [...]

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

“SYRIA: A 101 Course in Mideast Dictatorships”

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

Walid Jumblat: America’s New Friend in Lebanon. Some people think that Bush is sincerely committed to his ideology, and that he sincerely believes in it. I disagree with that take. Just as George Will once said that George H. W. Bush was the most unprincipled president in US history, I think that the same can [...]

Posted on February 27, 2005 by As'ad

Modern Arab fable: Zeina sent me this modern Arab fable:An old Arab lived close to New York City for more than 40 years. One day he decided that he would love to plant potatoes and herbs in his garden, but he knew he was alone and too old and weak.His son was in college in [...]

Posted on February 26, 2005 by As'ad

Recommendations for ultra-Lebanese nationalism (or Lebanese Zionism): at a time of high patriotic jingoism, and some Lebanese have entered that frenzy, the scoundrels of nationalism resort to ritualistic flag-waving. Lebanese flag-waving is at an all time high these days. I have often believed that we should take the “proud” cedar out of the Lebanese flag, [...]

Posted on February 26, 2005 by As'ad

You can now tell the nature of inter-Arab relations by noticing the stresses and nature of coverage in Arab media. There is obviously a silent conflict between Syria and Saudi Arabia. But it is not discussed or even admitted, but the coverage of Al-Arabiyya, especially of the assassination of Hariri, indicates a strong anti-Syrian tendency. [...]

Posted on February 26, 2005 by As'ad

The River Vorya at Abramtsevo, 1880s. By Constantin Korovin. 

Posted on February 25, 2005 by As'ad

“Mr. Bush issued what sounded like an endorsement of Mr. Putin’s handling of “a country that is in transformation.” Lauding the Russian ruler as a man who means what he says.”

Posted on February 25, 2005 by As'ad