Archive for April 10, 2008

“An Israeli-Saudi Operation?” (thanks Guthman)

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

“After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Jubburi left a lucrative trade “selling potatoes” which he says earned him “up to $10,000 a day” to devote himself to guarding roads in areas where there are oil pipelines and keeping the precious crude flowing.” (thanks Laleh)

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

This is the same think tank that was described today by the New York Times as “independent”: “The center has close links to Israel’s defense establishment and based its report on data supplied in part by the Shin Bet security service.”

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

A mini-revolution in Egypt? (thanks anonymous)

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

I don’t like his politics, but no one writes Arabic like Mahmud Darwish. My mother did not like it when I once said that his Arabic is as beautiful as the Qur’anic language, if not better. When he writes, even his prose, I saver every word. This is an essay on exile.

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

Runaway slaves. Hariri rag, Al-Mustaqbal, printed an ad for a maid form Bangladesh who fled the home of her employer in Lebanon.

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

Lebanese Youth. This is most disturbing. In a survey of Lebanese youth, it was revealed that some 16% attempted suicide, and some 11.1% thought about suicide. 37.5% suffered from depression. And 46% smoke cigarette and/or hookah. (There is no punch line here. I hate suicide and it is no joking matter).

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

Here, the LA Times has an article about Obama and the Palestinian question. I commend Electronic Ali for exposing the hypocrisy of Obama. The Obama campaign, desperate to underline the pro-Israeli credentials of the dishonest, lying candidate, responds here. (thanks Electronic Ali)

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

The New York Times is outraged: “Mr. Obama appears not to have previously cited his travel in Pakistan in speeches during the campaign.”

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

Comrade Pierre on Objectivity.

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

I hate to read about freedom in the writings of Adonis (it is so vapid in his discourse, and so highschoolish and unsophisticated). It is like reading about freedom in Bush’s speeches.

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

Zionist propaganda conspiracy? What Zionist propaganda conspiracy? You read this in an Israeli newspaper: “Israel will launch a diplomatic offensive with the United Nations and international aid organizations to emphasize that Hamas is responsible for the cross-border raid.” And then you read this headline in the New York Times today: “Hamas in Largest Arms Buildup [...]

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

“Egypt sent 1,200 security forces to Sinai from Cairo on Wednesday to reinforce the border following remarks by a leader of the Islamist movement Hamas that the border, which militants blasted open in January, could soon be breached again. Additional forces were sent on Thursday.” Egypt is a country that requires a permission from Israel [...]

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

“A Cairo court on Wednesday jailed five men, four of them HIV positive, for three years on charges of “debauchery” linked to homosexuality, the latest example of what rights groups call a “witch hunt.” The men were arrested three weeks ago in a central Cairo restaurant following an argument after which a client accused them [...]

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

“A key leader of Egypt’s main pro-democracy group was arrested Wednesday night during a raid on his home in Cairo, police and group officials said. George Ishaq, director-general of Kifaya, was taken away by security officers who stormed the home around 8 p.m., one of the group’s founders, Abdel-Halim Qandil, told The Associated Press. He [...]

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

“A fossil animal locked in Lebanese limestone has been shown to be an extremely precious discovery – a snake with two legs.” But the snake has a nasty habit: it is known to abuse foreign maids and Syrian workers in Lebanon. (thanks Molly)

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

Lessons in Arab culture: “”We hit the face of the statue with our shoes,” he said, referring to an action considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture.” In California, you show your affection to somebody by hitting their face with your shoes. It is interesting how things vary across cultures, is it not? (thanks Abdullah)

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad

“The concerns have emerged in the weeks since Mr. McCain became his party’s presumptive nominee and began more formally assembling a list of foreign policy advisers. Among those on the list are several prominent neoconservatives, including Robert Kagan, an author who helped write much of the foreign policy speech that Mr. McCain delivered in Los [...]

Posted on April 10, 2008 by As'ad