Archive for July 28, 2005

“Rumsfeld Urges Iraqis to Act Fast.” OK: Iraqis (very fast) Urge US forces to leave Iraq, FAST.

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

What kind of a Middle East will the Bush Doctrine bring? “Iraq’s constitution will enshrine “a significant role for religion in the state,” the Shiite Muslim Arab who is leading the drafting of the charter said Wednesday.”

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

Is Campus Watch amused or bemused by the LA Times’ profile of Angry Arab?

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

This is Zionism: “Israel plans triple-fencing of Gaza after pullout”

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

Prince Sultan, the Saudi Minister of Defense, was visiting a Saudi air base yesterday. He said: “…and we have begun developing our air forces, and our old planes that performed its duties completely, will be soon replaced by new planes from different countries.” Take notice.

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

If your product is not selling, just change its name and people will not notice. “The ‘rebranding’ of the war on terror”

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

“Jefferson, Hitchens and Atheism” (thanks Lenni)

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

After deep thoughts, and careful deliberations between himself and…himself, Husni Mubarak has settled on his favorite choice for president of Egypt. Himself. He asserted that there was no nepotism in the choice, and that the selection was based purely on merit and qualifications. He did admit that he considered his son, but feared that the [...]

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

Fatwas for Sale. Fatwas to Buy. Fatwas to Go. Diane Feinstein wanted Muslim fatwas. You want fatwas? You want fatwas? CAIR and Ibrahim Hooper will give you fatwas, although Hooper is not known to have an appeal among the Muslims of the world, I am afraid. But it must be nice; Muslim American organizations took [...]

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

Exchanging kisses: Hizbullah and Lebanese Forces. I noticed that in the Lebanese parliament yesterday Hizbullah member `Ali `Ammar exchanged kisses with Lebanese Forces member George `Udwan. This is Lebanese politics: no group adheres to principles.

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

I took a cab in Beirut to go to a downtown cafe. The cab driver started talking to me about something I had said on TV, and he then started to express his political opinions and his agreement with my revulsion at developments in Lebanon. He then revealed to me his political past: he was, [...]

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

From the poem You Came at Dawn by Iraqi poet Baland Haydari (my translation):“You came at dawn…and there was herea massacre growing withno pretextand behind the gates of prisonthere was hopeliving in weaknessand there was for betrayala thousand hands stealing frommy mindand from my free bloodthe longing of dark nightsfor dawn*You came at dawnand we [...]

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

Let me get this straight: the US wants Syria to tighten the border with Iraq, but to loosen the border with Lebanon. OK. Thanks.

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

A section of Sidon. 

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

How did you know? Yes, the fortress in Sidon. 

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

The fortress in Sidon. 

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

This is the (sea) fortress in Sidon. It was constructed by the Crusades in the 13th century, but was later damaged and rebuilt by the Mamluks. 

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

This is the mosque that Rafiq Hariri had built for his father in Sidon. Why do rich people think that their God appreciates concrete and cement, and monuments to their wealth? 

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

I was reading the draft of the Iraqi constitution which is co-written, as I read this morning in the New York Times, by the US ambassador in Iraq. What a lousy document. It refers everything to the authority of religious laws, and it stipulates on the appointment of clerics in the Federal Constitutional Court which [...]

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad

When you think about the rejuvenation of the Lebanese fascist militia, the Lebanese Forces (which combines the cross, the Cedar and a Hummus plate in its emblem and which promotes the slogan, God=Quwwat (in reference to itself, the Lebanese Forces) it is important to remind oneself that voters from different sects should be blamed. In [...]

Posted on July 28, 2005 by As'ad