Archive for May 16, 2008

Spreading democracy and…prisons around the world: “The Pentagon is moving forward with plans to build a new, 40-acre detention complex on the main American military base in Afghanistan, officials said, in a stark acknowledgment that the United States is likely to continue to hold prisoners overseas for years to come.” (thanks anonymous)

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

My article in Al-Akhbar: “A coup…against a coup.”

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

Please write your own captions, but look at them. I mean, look at t hem. Does this not summarize the Bush Doctrine? (AP)

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

…off to Anaheim. Returning on Sunday.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

The death of former Kuwaiti Emir, Sa`d Al-`Abdullah was barely noted in the Arabic press. It was assumed by all that he was already dead. He ruled for nine long days in 2006, and those days were characterized by peace and prosperity.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

Comments section cop reports to me that she/he was astonished to see the number of times people post the same post or link in the comments’ section. She/he is under instruction to not delete or censor but to remove repetitive comments. She/he is relishing the task. She/he is being paid in smoothies.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

Don’t you like it when advocates of House of Saud in the Arab media claim that they only oppose Syria and Iran because the two regimes are not democratic?

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

They (on LBC-TV) asked Egyptian movie star, Faruq Al-Fishawi, on whether he hates anybody. He said that he hates George W. Bush, and that he has never hated anybody the way he hates Bush. The hosts tried to no avail to make him say nice things about Laura Bush. They quickly changed the subject.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

AlArabiya TV reported on the items to be discussed between Bush and the (democratically-elected–all US clients are “democratically elected, you know) Saudi King. The list included “Iranian influence in the region” but not the Palestinian question.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

I was surprised not to see Yasir `Abd-Rabbuh cheering Bush in the Israeli knesset.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

AlArabiya TV is not reporting on An-Nakbah anniversary now. They are airing a special report on “an American list of the (sexiest) women.” They identified the source of the list as “the most important men’s magazine in the US, but they did not use the word “sexy.” Instead: they said it was a list of [...]

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

The poem Against by Palestinian poet Rashid Husayn (my translation):“Against the revolutionaries of mycountry injuring a spikeAgainst a child—any child—carryinga grenadeAgainst my sister studying the musclesof a rifleAgainst whatever you want….butwhat does even a prophet or a prophetess to dowhen their eyes drink the horsesof killersAgainst a child becoming a heroat tenAgainst the heart of [...]

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

10 days after triggering the crisis, Walid Jumblat paid tribute to resistance against Israel–his reference to Hizbullah. We are only a months from the next parliamentary election. Stay tuned.

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

“”The role of the president of the United States is to support the decisions that are made by the people of Israel,” Lewis said. “It is not up to us to pick and choose from among the political parties.”” (thanks Samir)

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad

Lebanese genius update. “Once again, Lebanon shines abroad. Fadi Maalouf is today a name famous across Europe, ever since he became one of the favorite voices on “Deutschland Sucht Den Superstar”, the German version of “Superstar”, broadcasted on RTL.” (thanks Tarke)

Posted on May 16, 2008 by As'ad