Archive for March 9, 2007

John wrote this (with his permission):“An open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesI had the great fortune of attending the 79th Academy Awards following my nomination as producer for a film in the Best Documentary Feature category. At the Awards ceremony, most categories featured an introduction that glorified the filmmakers’ craft [...]

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad

Judy Chicago’s “Through the Flower” (1973). The Art of Feminism.

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad

Nadim from Beirut sent me this picture. It says: “O dogs, don’t throw trash here.” To the right, is a picture of Rafiq Hariri (mildly smiling, I think).

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad

A man of principle slated to succeed another man of principle: “This is why Mr Sarkozy’s words will both startle and soothe American ears. He not only advocates a fresh start for Franco-American relations. He also declares, more strongly than he did in the French version, that he feels “close to Israel”. Can you imagine [...]

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad

People on the left can’t understand why I praise the Economist. Of course, I ignore its editorials, and there are clear political problems in its coverage, but it remains…the best magazine there is. In the US, you very rarely read critical article about Saudi Arabia–especially as of late since Prince Bandar brokered the Saudi-Zionist honeymoon. [...]

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad

Don’t ever think that academics are wiser than the rest of the population–present company excluded of course. This is Anthony Giddens: “If [Qadhdhafi] is sincere in wanting change, as I think he is, he could play a role in muting conflict that might otherwise arise as modernisation takes hold. My ideal future for Libya in [...]

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad

Why Hassan Fattah needs adult supervision. Fattah is rarely allowed to write by himself in the NYT. Not that the NYT cares, but his articles are replete with errors, mistakes, and blatant political biases. Today, he was given a small space to write about a simple event: the meeting between Hariri and Birri. He said: [...]

Posted on March 9, 2007 by As'ad