Archive for January 16, 2006

“The U.S. Agency for International Development paints a dire and detailed picture of the Iraq security situation in its request for contractors to bid on its $1.32 billion, 28-month project to help stabilize 10 major Iraqi cities.”

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Najib Mahfuz’s famous novel, Awlad Haritna, was first published (serialized in Al-Ahram) in 1959. And the book burners of the Islamic University of Al-Azhar are yet to permit its publication in Egypt. Fortunately, the book pirates of Lebanon have made sure to keep it in circulation and in print.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

I really need to be more fair to Lebanonese journalists who are disproportionately represented in the Arab media. I mean, they do have some skills. Of all the fawning obituaries of oil princes and kings, nobody is willing to prostrate himself lower than Lebanonese journalists. We have to be fair sometimes.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

On AlJazeera’s AlIttijah Al-Mu`akis, Ibrahim Hamami gave the most devastating and damning assessment of the Palestinian Authority. He also gave some information to the effect that those who have been engaged in kidnappings in Gaza belong to a faction loyal to the corrupt Muhammad Dahlan (Bush’s favorite Palestinian).

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

And in another “liberated” country: “Remember Afghanistan? Insurgents bring suicide terror to country”

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

“Egypt on Iran: We will not accept a new nuclear power” (Thus, Egypt will accept the old nuclear power in the Middle East).

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

“Millions of Americans marked Martin Luther King Day yesterday with tributes to the civil rights leader, despite a Harvard University report showing that racial segregation in schools has been increasing since the early 1990s, when the courts made a series of decisions to dissolve desegregation orders.” The Harvard Civil Rights Report is here.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Less than a year ago, Bush and neo-conservatives in Washington DC were hailing the Lebanese “model.” They really assumed that Lebanon will be transformed into a showcase for Bush’s doctrine. This from a demonstration of college students yesterday in Sidon.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

To protect Jordanian national security, Jordanian mukhabarat has ordered a ban on any suspicious birds in the skies over Jordan. Violators will be accused of links to Al-Qa`idah.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

I noticed that Ibrahim Al-Ja`fari did not go to Kuwait to offer his condolences over the death of the Emir. Instead, `Abdul-`Aziz Al-Hakim went. It must be because the party that tried to kill the Emir in 1985 was Ad-Da`wah Party (the party of Ja`fari).

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Brave Lebanese security forces, who have shown courage against poor Syrian workers once Syrian troops left Lebanon, and who have consistently showed courage against demonstrations over the years (it does not matter what the demonstrators chanted provided it was against the government–this was the case against `Awnists during Rafiq Hariri’s tenure–and the other days against [...]

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Lebanese politician, Talal Arsalan (a long time puppet of the Syrian regime in Lebanon) accused Minister of Interior, Hasan As-Sab` (a long time puppet of Hariri Inc and his previous experience before holding that ministry was heading the Lebanese delegation of pilgrims to Mecca) of cowardice. As-Sab` told LBC-TV that he is “a million times” [...]

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Ibrahim Al-Amin will be working on a new newspaper in Lebanon.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Detlev Mehlis and Orientalism? In an interview with a German on-line magazine, Mehlis said that those who were critical of him in Lebanon, were opposed to him because he “represents Western values.” That was quite interesting.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

The new Lebanese foreign minister is one of my least favorite ministers (and they all are). He seems to be so easy to control and manage by Hariri Inc. And yesterday, his press office issued a statement to the effect that he shook hands with Condoleeza Rice and Laura Bush in Liberia. How nice. Very [...]

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Well, Muqtada As-Sadr’s visit to Saudi Arabia paid off. In an interview with Saudi newspaper, Al-Yawm, he said: The king “is a great Islamic leader, from whom we drew righteous ideas.” OK, Muqtada. Go home now.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

My favorite columnist, Joseph Samahah, on Elliott Abrams and “eggs, tomatoes, and sticks.”

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

“Self-proclaimed billionaire Elie Youssef Najem has been arrested over several alleged cheating cases. The 45-year-old Lebanese was arrested by Bukit Aman police officers at his condominium unit in Villa Putra here at about 6.15pm.” (Thanks Pierre) In a few days, LBC-TV and An-Nahar would be celebrating this “famous and rich” Lebanese.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

Apparently, Lebanese member of parliament, Antoine Zahrah lists on his c.v. a degree from “Harrington University.” A reader sent me this information. Read it to learn all about Harrington University. Apparently, people sent the information to As-Safir after it published Zahrah’s c.v. but it decided not to use it. Zahrah, as many may know, was [...]

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad

International media is reporting that Ariel Sharon’s “relatives report twitching in eyelids”. International media is not reporting about the eyelids of the victims of Qibya, Israeli invasion of 1982, and of Sabra and Shatila massacres. They are all dead.

Posted on January 16, 2006 by As'ad