Archive for May 5, 2007

Neo-cons for Obama: “In his speech, Obama called for an increase in defence spending and an extra 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 marines to “stay on the offense” against terrorism and ensure America had “the strongest, best-equipped military in the world”. He talked about building democracies, stopping weapons of mass destruction and the right to take [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“The first thing Said, a small contractor, did on visiting a military prison in west Baghdad was to pay a $2,000 bribe. The money went to an officer in return for a promise not to torture Said’s brother and business partner, Ali. The main payment comes later. For Ali’s release, Said will pay a further [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“One cold London morning in January, I received a phone call from one of my brothers. Uncle Kakarash was dead, killed by American soldiers at a checkpoint. He was my mother’s brother, 75, and like most Kurds had suffered greatly under Saddam and welcomed the Americans as liberators. Civilians in Iraq face everyday hazards beyond [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

By the way, make no mistake about it. Saudi media continue to promote a Bin Laden cult while promoting a Bush cult. Take Al-Arabiya. They ran (and reran) an hour-program (in two parts) with a former driver of Bin Laden who still has only praise for Bin Laden. He told AlArabiya viewers that he loves [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

I saw an ad for Sari Nusseibeh’s new book in the New York Times. Every single one of the endorsers was a fanatic Zionist.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

Saudi Prince `Abdul-Majid Bin `Abdul-`Aziz is dead. Saudi media is on the floor, in tears. The man washed the Ka`bah 12 times, it said here. (He washed himself only twice).

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

Some people were displeased that I referred to Ibn Khaldun’s writings as racist. Why? Well, among many other references, he described Africans in Al-Muqaddimah as “not among the humans.” Is that not enough?

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

This is why he was appointed editor-in-chief of this Saudi propaganda newspaper.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

Surprise. I came to “liberate” your home.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

Fu’ad Sanyurah signed a petition for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque. He was accompanied by the Lebanese Minister of Hospitality-to-occupiers, Ahmad Fatfat. Sanyruah said that struggle for the land should from now on pursue “civilized methods” to appeal to the world.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“Mirwais was only a farmer, his friends insist, but he lost nine family members in a precision U.S. airstrike on his house”.“Collateral Disasters: In Afghanistan’s lopsided ethos, every civilian death counts against the Americans.”

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

The US government thinks that this guy will lead Syria in the future: “As a Syrian and a Muslim, I have always had this affinity for the State of Israel. As a businessman and an advocate of the free economic system of governance, Israel to me represents an astounding economic success in the midst of [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

Ahmad Abu Al-Ghayt, Egyptian foreign minister, gave an interview to Al-Arabiya. Among other things, he urged the puppet Iraqi forces to utilize the “expertise” of the old Iraqi army. He said that there are some really good torture techniques and style of massacring that could be put to use by the puppet government of Iraq.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

This is how some Palestinian refugees live in `Ayn Al-Hilwah refugee camp.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“In recent years, King [...] has encouraged more open discussion, eased restrictions on women and put some restraints on the country’s dreaded vice police, in an attempt at social, if not political, change.” No, this is not Sweden. This is Hassan Fattah’s Saudi Arabia.

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

““The irony of the whole situation is, is he was bluffing,” Slam said of Saddam on “Larry King Live” on Monday night, adding, “And he didn’t know we weren’t.” Mr. He-Man Tenet didn’t understand the basics of poker, much less Arab culture. It never occurred to him that Saddam might feign strength to flex muscles [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“Beating an orderly retreat: It is no longer a question of if or when the U.S. leaves Iraq, but how.” (thanks Kamal)

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

Efraim Karsh (see my review of his book below) cites from a speech by Nasser on the eve of the 1967 war. Other Israeli propagandists always cite the same words that he cited. I looked up the text of the speech from Al-Ahram issue of May 23rd, 1967. Conveniently, Karsh omits other words from the [...]

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“Barack Obama: Hypocrisy on Health Care” (thanks Rasha)

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad

“State looks to pull anti-Bush license plate” (thanks Wissam)

Posted on May 5, 2007 by As'ad