Archive for July 4, 2009

The New York Times’ Love affair with the Honduran Coup

“Hondurans know their coups, having experienced a string of them — in 1955, 1963 and 1972. This latest ouster of a president, though, was far more complicated than previous military raids because it included legal opinions, a court declaration and co…

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

When the Revolution resorts to mass executions

“Iran on Saturday hanged 20 people for drug trafficking at a prison in Karaj, west of the capital, the semi-official Fars news agency reported…According to human rights group Amnesty International Iran applied the death penalty to 346 people last y…

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

Jeremy Scahill

My mother yesterday was trying to convince me to tone down my articles and to reduce my level of criticisms. She complained to me that I seem to be criticizing everybody: right, left, and center. She said that I am not sparing any side in Lebanon and…

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

Bombs…unto the nations

“Palestinian girls stand on the balcony of the ruined house in Rafa, hit during Israel’s 22-day offensive against Gaza earlier this year, 2 July 2009 (Photo SAID KHATIB/AFP)”. (thanks Laleh) Notice that the phrasing does not really identify Israel …

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

Press restrictions that you find adorable

“Human Rights Watch has accused the United Arab Emirates of a “serious attack” on press freedom after a newspaper was suspended for reporting the alleged doping of race horses owned by UAE royalty.”

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

Iranian Revolution and public confessions

It tells you something about the path of the Iranian Revolution when they are now resorting to “Public Confessions.” We know which path the “Revolutionaries” are emulating.

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

All that you have done to our people is registered in notebooks

“According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, during the week of 25 June- 01 July 2009, 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 6 Palestinian civilians, including a…

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

Lebanese are bragging: Lebanese are bragging

Look at this headline from the Daily Star: “Lebanon tops agenda of foreign states.” Lebanon is a country where many treat foreign intervention in Lebanese affairs as a sign of Lebanon’s greatness. As one unfunny Russian (American) comedian used to s…

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad

Paris Hilton in Lebanon

Paris Hilton is in Lebanon: she so belongs to that country with its silly, shallow popular culture. Her visit received front page coverage in many newspapers, including L’Orient-Le Jour and Daily Star. She gave a press conference in which she was trea…

Posted on July 4, 2009 by As'ad