Archive for December 6, 2005
“Also this week the Israeli debka.com web site, which maintains a wide circle of sources within Israeli intelligence, said an FBI-CIA team was currently in Lebanon, trying to discover whether al-Qaida was planning to participate in a major terror offensive against Israel from bases in Southern Lebanon.” (thanks Amal). This piece contains so many inaccuracies [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
“Initial test of Patriot Act fails to produce one conviction”
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
Tell that to Al-Walid bin Talal: “The Gaza withdrawal has been a veil for continued persecution and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians”
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
Is this a hero? “In 1914, Einstein, his renown growing, took up an appointment at the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin, and he evidently presented his wife with this list of conditions for his staying with her: A. You will see to it (1) that my clothes and linen are kept in order, (2) [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
An-Nahar’s article on the passing of Lebanese musician Tawfiq Al-Basha is under the headline “The Passing of the Composer of Pure Arabic Music.” But this is not true. Al-Basha integrated Western music in his work, and as Walid Ghulmayyah implied in the same issue, some Arab nationalist purists did not favor his work for that [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
For Lebanonese, it is so important to please the West. I always find it not amusing how Lebanonese, in the presence of white Europeans, go out of their ways to impress them. I can imagine how Lebanoense acted in the presence of Mehlis. It must have been embarrassing. An article paying tribute to Lebanese musician [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
People often wonder about the etymology of the name of Strida Ja`ja` in Lebanon. It is from the Arabic name Sit Ar-Rida. But among Lebanonese, Arabic names are not chic, so the name had to be changed to a European sounding name. If I were Lebanonese, I would be called Sid, or Sidney, or Soda.
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
My theory about human behavior is simple: people do what they do–the “good” things and the “bad” things–because they are bored. Very bored.
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
One of the features of the new Lebanon is that the Christians (through their political representatives) are totally marginalized. In the era of Syrian domination, token Christians and pro-Syrian Christian politicians played important roles. In the new Hariri era, there is no role for Christians whatever in major decision making. It could be because Saudi [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
You have to read this. Have it translated it if you can’t read Arabic. Khalid Sayghiyyah on mass graves in Lebanon. (Kudos Khalid)
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
Not-even-a-tiny-flashlight-unto-the-nations: this is Zionism. Israeli occupation soldiers accuse this child of heading Islamic Jihad organization.
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
“A college professor whose planned course on creationism and intelligent design was canceled after he derided Christian conservatives said he was beaten by two men along a rural road early Monday.” (thanks Ali)
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
The Lebanese state is calling for the execution of an Ethiopian maid in Lebanon. She stands accused of killing her emplyer’s daughter. Who will defend her? I never believe any Lebanese state’s claims regarding foreign maids in Lebanon. That is the truth that I want to know.
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
Is this not nice: “National Middle Eastern/Terrorism expert Dr. Walid Phares has agreed to serve as an expert for Family Security Matters. Dr. Phares is an analyst for MSNBC.”
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
Jubran Tuwayni: police informer? The statement by the Lebanese president in response to the statement of Jubran Tuwayni in parliament claimed that Jubran Tuwayni used to inform on behalf of the Lebanese government in the 1990s in the hope of winning a political position. No denial form Tuwyni thus far. But the best part, An-Nahar [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
The submission by Walid Jumblat to the Saudi government has reached pathetic proportions. The other day, Jumblat complained that the Syrian government has not expressed gratitude to the Saudi government.
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
These days As-Diyar newspaper is trying too hard to please the Syrian government. I mean, to publish a front page story on the meeting between Bashshar Al-Asad and a Hungarian delegation, as if this will really drastically shift Syrian foreign policy situation, is just idiotic. I mean, if this was a Micronesian delegation, I would [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
The Mehlis Mess: What Lebanon’s press is not allowed to report: “Doubts had been cast on the veracity of a key witness, identified as “Zuhir Ibn Mohamed Said Saddik” in the Mehlis report, as early as September, when it transpired that he was a colorful con artist. Since then, Saddik was arrested in Paris as [...]
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
Palestine – Hebron: Palestinian schoolchildren push the barriers of an Israeli military checkpoint blocking their passage.
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad
From here (thanks `Amir). These figures do not include the biggest contingent of foreign fighters in Iraq (US troops, followed by Macedonian troops).
Posted on December 6, 2005 by As'ad