Archive for August 28, 2008
So much of the modern propaganda machine owes its features and orientations to the German-American graduate of Harvard University, Ernst Hanfstaengl (Putzi). As is known, Hanfstaengl advised Hitler on media and electoral campaigning before he fled under still mysterious circumstances to the U.S. (where he would advise the U.S. government). There is a book on [...]
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
For those who care (and especially for those who don’t care), I will speak about Obama’s speech for BBC Arabic service in 90 minutes.
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
Abu Mazen was on Al-Arabiya TV. He was interviewed by Gizelle Khuri: and you know how I feel about her. He spent 90 minutes with her (60 for the interview and 30 for preparations and such), yet said: that he did not have time to visit the refugee camps because he did not have time. [...]
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
One thing bothers me, among others of course. I listened to the speech by Joe Biden yesterday (it was so bad that I knew he wrote it himself), and realized that all Americans (politicians and lay people) like to quote the wisdom of their parents and grandparents. You would think that all of our parents [...]
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Cuba has ordered jailed punk rocker Gorki Aguila, an outspoken critic of Fidel Castro and the communist government, to stand trial on Friday for “social dangerousness,” a charge that could carry up to four years in prison.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
At least some good news from Lebanon: “These days most of Lebanon’s cedars are protected, but now there is concern that the trees face a new threat.” (thanks Bassam)
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Much of the damage was done by the Georgians, says Human Rights Watch (HRW), a monitoring group. Shortly before midnight on August 7th Mr Saakashvili ordered a bomb barrage using Grad multiple-rocket launchers. This lasted through the night. Even his supporters agree that the use of indiscriminate Grad rockets, which killed civilians, was disproportionate and [...]
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
““I am sick of the Palestinian-Israeli issue,†President George Bush apparently told Jordan’s King Abdullah in June 2004.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Marwan Mouasher: The Arab moderate”: “Few protagonists get off lightly, though he is dutifully laudatory of the two kings he served, Hussein and his son Abdullah, the present one.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Israel’s national broadcast authority has rejected radio ads criticizing the Israeli government for stranding Palestinian university students in the Gaza Strip. The broadcast authority says the ads are too controversial.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Taliban insurgents once derided as a ragtag rabble unable to match U.S. troops have transformed into a fighting force — one advanced enough to mount massive conventional attacks and claim American lives at a record pace.” (thanks Ali)
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Iraq is calling on companies to submit designs to build a giant Ferris wheel in Baghdad — the latest in a string of lavish proposals painting the capital as a leisure friendly city.” (thanks Seham)
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Three U.S. soldiers killed four handcuffed and blindfolded Iraqi prisoners with pistol shots on the bank of a Baghdad canal last year, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Dilawar said they were stunned, particularly when they found out President Karzai had apparently pardoned the rapists. “Our appeal to the president is how on earth a rapist who was involved in disappearance of my son was released. What a decision is this? What a justice system is this?” he said. The president’s office has [...]
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
Kathy, my 1st ex-wife (not to be confused with my 2nd ex-wife, Maria) sent me this (I am citing with her permission): “This is a disgusting story. What I told you from the first time I met you (nothing ever fucking changes…) Here is the pull-out quote: “The devaluation of women is a world wide [...]
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Suspected Israeli mobsters employed members of the Vineland Boyz, a San Fernando Valley gang, to distribute tens of thousands of Ecstasy pills throughout Los Angeles, provide security and gun down an Encino man who allegedly tried to steal a drug shipment from them, according to a federal indictment unsealed Sunday.” (thanks Richard)
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“The Palestinian Ministry of Health at the Hamas-led government in Gaza reported on Tuesday that 78 days after the truce deal came into effect in the Gaza Strip, 46 patients including 10 children, died due to the ongoing Israeli siege on the coastal region.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“US authorities have admitted that the teenage son of a Pakistani woman scientist held in the United States on charges of trying to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan is in their custody, her family said Sunday.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
“Sen Biden is a strong supporter of the US-Israel relationship and he has longstanding ties to AIPAC and the pro-Israel community.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad
One wonders why American neo-cons are no more praising Walid Jumblat: “Leader of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt has vowed a crushing and unified response to any aggression by Israel. “The entire Lebanese nation would repel any Israeli aggression,” Jumblatt wrote in an article published by al-Anbaa newspaper.”
Posted on August 28, 2008 by As'ad