Archive for May 22, 2008

Doha Shams on Al-Arabiya TV. Fair and balanced…in Arabic.

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

I believe this like I believe that Sistani plays chess: “Iraq’s most influential Shiite cleric has been quietly issuing religious edicts declaring that armed resistance against U.S.-led foreign troops is permissible — a potentially significant shift by a key supporter of the Washington-backed government in Baghdad.”

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

“Even before I fully understood the history of the Jewish people, the Zionist movement was something I connected to,” Obama said in the ballroom of the B’Nai Torah Congregation, west of Boca Raton.” (thanks Mick)

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

This proves my theory: Christian Zionism is largely motivated by anti-Semitism in its support for Israel, but Israel forgives anti-Semites (like Sadat or Abu Mazen or Hagee) as long as they support Israeli wars and occupation.PS Do you notice that the media ignores the anti-Muslim bigotry of Hagee?

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

“Lebanese Canadian lost interest in sex due to flies in water” (thanks Hassen)

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

“Human Rights Watch has called on Saudi judges to overturn a decision to drop charges against a Saudi couple accused of severely abusing an Indonesian maid.” (thanks anonymous)

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

Peace through…cluster bombs. Somebody can write a PhD dissertation on this: as a policy and as discourse. “A proposed global ban on cluster bombs could jeopardize U.S. participation in joint peacekeeping and disaster relief operations around the world, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.”

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

Comrade Pierre on the Lebanese intellectual.

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

Very unusually blunt language from Salim Al-Huss on Hariri money.

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

I am told that Mubarak’s stooge, `Amr Musa, is furious at the marginalization of his role in Qatar. He was furious that the Qatari prime minister did not assign him a leading role in any of the affairs of the Lebanese meetings. Musa did not hesitate to express his displeasure to journalists.

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

This is an excellent file on the background of the Hawthi rebellion in Yemen, and its background–beyond the slogans of the movement.

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

Look who is back: “Clinton Bailey is a former adviser on Shiite affairs in Israel’s Ministry of Defense.” But Mr. expert on Shi`ite affairs was the one who provided advice to the Israeli army during its long years of occupation of South Lebanon. And how did that occupation go, may I ask? And this original [...]

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

Sometimes I don’t know what I hate more: when Lebanese leaders disagree or when they agree.

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad

“Now the half-Kenyan-by-way-of-Hawaii candidate, who only recently completed a beer-and-bowling tour to impress blue-collar Midwesterners, has committed more fully to showing off his inner Jew. He recently made a surprise speech at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, and, in the interview with Mr. Goldberg, he told stories about a long-lost Jewish summer camp counselor who [...]

Posted on May 22, 2008 by As'ad