December 27, 2006
Get in line to hang Saddam
It would be one thing if the Iraqi leaders were asking, but these people are taking the initiative to inquire about a job opportunity all on their own. That job opportunity is to hang Saddam Hussein.
But hundreds of Iraqis have inquired about the hangman's job. The adviser, Bassam al-Husseiny, told the US network ABC News that he received about eight to 10 phone calls a day -- and 20 to 30 e-mails -- by Iraqis who wanted to execute Saddam. The candidates came from all three of the country's major religions and from all walks of life, he said -- from high-level government officials to "the tea boy."This development does have me wondering how much people would pay for the "honor" of holding Saddam’s feet off the ground. Maybe have an auction where the highest bidder gets to pull the lever.
Posted by Sid at 06:12 PM | Comments (630) | Middle East | TrackBack
December 06, 2006
How many dead Jews doe's it take for Middle East peace?
Now that the Iraq Surrender Group has come out with a plan to manage defeat it becomes important to find a way to sell out Israel without having to listen to them do their normal whining about their need to not die. How selfish of them.
The White House has been examining a proposal by James Baker to launch a Middle East peace effort without Israel.
“As Baker sees this, the conference would provide a unique opportunity for the United States to strike a deal without Jewish pressure,” an official said. “This has become the most hottest proposal examined by the foreign policy people over the last month.”George Bush had best reassert himself before this stampede to sell out Israel picks up more steam and we have a regional holocaust on our hands. I am getting real tired of only seeing George Bush and Tony Snow express any support for success in the region. Please tell me this past election was not a referendum on if democracies and their supporters in the Middle East deserve to live or die. I smell a massive bloodbath building in the region, a bloodbath we ushered in.
I used to like James Baker but am getting to the point I cannot abide the sight of him. This report looks more designed to vindicate Bush Sr's (and his) decision to leave Saddam Hussein in power rather then find solutions to the real issues of the day. It reads more like an "I told you so" report that will leave millions of innocents at the mercy of killers.
Posted by Sid at 07:17 PM | Comments (1226) | Middle East | TrackBack
September 10, 2006
Abu Ghraib prisioners pleaded to stay American prisioners
You saw the headlines about the prisoner mistreatment at Abu Ghraib. You heard of the degradation and horror of American custody. When prisoners were safely under American capture even those prisoners would tell our press how horrid they were being treated. You would think they were anxious to be rid of these monsters and placed under the tender cares of their fellow Muslim brethren.
Some of the small number of prisoners who remained in the jail after the Americans left said they had pleaded to go with their departing captors, rather than be left in the hands of Iraqi guards.You would be wrong."The Americans were better than the Iraqis. They treated us better," said Khalid Alaani, who was held on suspicion of involvement in Sunni terrorism.
Access to the part of the prison containing terrorism suspects was denied, but from that block came the sound of screaming. The screaming continued for a long time.
The witness said that even in the thieves' section prisoners were being treated badly. "Someone was shouting 'Please help us, we want the human rights officers, we want the Americans to come back'," he said.Just another classic example of the western media getting a few small details right and the big picture wrong.
Posted by Sid at 09:52 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 28, 2006
Forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint
I guess I should stop being amazed when reporters become apologists for their brutal captors and the huge number of beautiful and kindhearted people that harbor and support their activities.
"I hope that this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover the story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful and kindhearted," said Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American reporter who was released along with cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand. "The world needs to know more about them."
"We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint," Centanni told Fox. "Don't get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it, but it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn't know what the hell was going on."They have no problems characterizing the Israeli or U.S. governments as careless or insensative but fall all over themselves making excuses for abuse at the hands of the heros of the Palestinian people. Imagine the fate of someone who was a faithful Christian. Luckly an important lesson is being learned.
"The entire international community is beginning to realize that journalists should never be hostages or pawns in world events. Their job is to tell the story of the world as it unfolds," Ailes said.So I suppose only the "little people" like children and women should be taken hostage, forced to convert and/or killed.
I wonder if a death threat will now be issued against the reporters for committing apostasy.
Posted by Sid at 05:57 AM | Comments (2) | Middle East
August 17, 2006
Symbolic peace
You know a peace keeping mission involving troops is in trouble when France refuses to send troops until the UN tells it when it can use force.
France wants to send a small, purely symbolic contingent to the strengthened UN force in Lebanon , and the United Nations is trying to convince French officials that a decision to send so few would be devastating, a French newspaper said Thursday.
France is demanding a more specific mandate for the force, including when it may use firepower.It seem that the proponents of peace cannot even bring themselves to do what is needed to bring it about. I keep getting visions of two starving devout vegetarians having a make believe tea party while stuck on a barren deserted island with their pet chicken.
Posted by Sid at 06:27 AM | Comments (1) | Middle East
August 02, 2006
Planned and staged Massacre at Qana?
It is common knowledge that the media eagerness to show America and Israel in the poorest of light has led to many a hoax where fake or staged photo-ops were use to mislead a willing and eager press. Was Qana such a time?
Photos of the rescue operation, which were transmitted all over the world and appeared on the front page of the New York Times and other major newspapers, are extremely suspicious. The blog EU Referendum has done important work scrutinizing the photos, finding numerous anomalies. Most notably, the dating of the various photos suggests that the same bodies were paraded before reporters on different occasions, each time as if they had just been pulled from the rubble.
Dr. Herzallah reports on how Hezbollah-terrorists came to his town, dug a munitions depot and then built a school and a residence directly over it. He writes: ‘Laughing, a local sheikh explained to me that the Jews lose either way: either because the rockets are fired at them or because, if they attack munitions depot, they are condemned by world public opinion on account of the dead civilians.’ Hezbollah, he says, uses the civilian population ‘as a human shield and then when they are dead as propaganda.’”Has Western media become the propaganda arm of terrorists, are they so eager for a scoop and fame they will publish anything with shock value regardless of the truth it may or may not show. Are terrorists setting up the circumstances in which tragedy will ensue by luring unsuspecting children into schools placed over munitions storage? How many times do the media need to be played the fool before they start to take their profession seriously?
Posted by Sid at 06:14 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 01, 2006
Avoiding defeat in Iraq is now a bad thing according to democrats
You have to chuckle at Democratic efforts to find just the right words to make cut and run sound noble. Sadly, they are not satisfied with just looking for a tough sounding synonym for surrender; they are also testing out negative phrases for trying to achieve victory. After all, if you can't make failure look good you must try to make success appear as a failure. We see it every day as the rich are labeled greedy and the poor are somehow the victims of the rich. So now we get this.
"Instead, we learned of your plans to redeploy an additional 5,000 U.S. troops into an urban war zone in Baghdad. Far from implementing a comprehensive 'Strategy for Victory,' as you promised months ago, your administration's strategy appears to be one of trying to avoid defeat."Lets suppose for a moment the war on terror is unwinable in the short term because of the need for generational change in attitudes among Muslims about the slaughter of innocents, a concept that seems perfectly acceptable according to Islamic law as taught by many Muslims today. Why is it a bad thing to "avoid defeat" as opposed to "accept defeat" which the democrats obviously seem to embrace. As I understand it war is all about avoiding defeat until you can achieve victory. Am I missing something?
Posted by Sid at 12:36 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
July 31, 2006
Lebanese back Hezbollah as acting on their behalf
It is hard to have any sympathy for Lebanon now that their prime minister has come out with his full support of Hezbollah and it's actions. This makes Hezbollah the de facto standing army of Lebanon and makes the leaders of Lebanon also responsible for recent events.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuoad Siniora expressed his 'gratitude' to Hizbullah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah for "sacrificing their lives for the country."It is getting harder and harder to even listen to the ignorance of middle east leaders who harbor terrorist, praise terrorist violence and cry for peace every time they are held to account.
Posted by Sid at 06:15 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
July 30, 2006
When the evil are allowed to hide among the children
How do you fight an evil like terrorism that targets the innocent for death and then hides amongst them in hopes of more innocent death when righteousness tries to root their evil out? It is a huge heartbreak when innocent children are killed as happened recently but who is really to blame, Israelis trying to stop the killing by hunting down these subhuman animals or the terrorists that hide among the innocent hoping for more death. They are not just hiding among the innocent for protection; that could be done without involving innocent people. They hide there in hopes of creating more innocent dead.
Yes, it is appalling. It is appalling that Hizbullah would deliberately target Israel's cities, and do so from civilian areas, hoping that Israel would kill greater numbers of Lebanese civilians. It is appalling that this barbaric tactic - after some 5,000 Israeli bombing sorties - has proved "effective," with tragic consequences for innocent Lebanese people, and producing the expected international fallout: not against Hizbullah, but against Israel.I watch western nations sit back and yawn as Israelis are killed and express outrage when Israel defends itself. We are living in a mad world where peace means the innocent must die and turn the other cheek while the evil are allowed their safe harbor among the world’s children.It is also appalling that for three weeks over a million Israelis - Jews and Arabs - have been living in bomb shelters, never knowing when a missile aimed at them will kill them or destroy their homes.
Posted by Sid at 04:57 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
July 14, 2006
Arab armies are pretend armies
I have always been fascinated by the ability of Arab armies to fold under a serious attack. The examples provided by Israel in it's many wars with it's neighbors and more recently the two gulf wars. In each case a preening Arab military force was completely routed in comically epic fashion by a much smaller opponent. In the case of Israel an opponent that was not always better supplied with weapons. I doubt many realize that the United States fielded a much smaller fighting force then Iraq in both Gulf wars. In fact it was one of the reasons the war critics thought we would fail. Norvell B. De Atkine does an excellent job of explaining why in this article.
Why this unimpressive record? There are many factors—economic, ideological, technical—but perhaps the most important has to do with culture and certain societal attributes which inhibit Arabs from producing an effective military force.The article too detail packed to summarize in this post but goes a long way in explaining the incompetence of the Arab military and gives insights into the events of the last decade. Be sure to read it all.
Posted by Sid at 12:30 AM | Comments (1) | Middle East
May 07, 2006
Imagine if Osama Bin Laden foiled a Democrat attempt to assassinate President Bush
No it didn’t happen, but not for a lack of wishing on the part of Democrats. Instead Israel warned the Palestinian president of an assassination plot by Hamas.
A HAMAS plot to assassinate Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has been thwarted after he was tipped off by Israeli intelligence.It has to be a bit disheartening to have the duly elected opposition party out to kill you and then have the indignity of being warned about it from your sworn enemy. I give the guy less then a year to live if he remains in office. The only thing going in his favor is the ignorance of his constituents.Hamas’s military wing, the Izza Din Al-Qassem, had planned to kill Abbas at his office in Gaza, intelligence sources said.
Abbas, who became president of the Palestinian Authority last year after the death of Yasser Arafat, was formally warned of the danger by the Israelis and cancelled a planned visit to the territory.
Posted by Sid at 12:50 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
April 24, 2006
Islamic MAD
Imagine two countries that consider martyrdom the highest form of religious achievement in a cold war armed with nuclear weapons. It gives mutual assured destruction (MAD) a whole new level of meaning.
"A Saudi atomic bomb is not an option, which we were thinking of a few days ago," Abdul Rahman Al Rashed, a leading Saudi analyst, wrote in the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat on Sunday.I guarantee this is not just because of Iran’s determination to develop nuclear weapons. A big factor is the continuing loss of resolve on the part of the fickle American public to see the war on terror thru. In spite of the rhetoric, when the United States could be counted on to keep the madness in check countries were perfectly willing to let us do the dirty work but its hard to stand behind someone that is running away."However, we know that there is no other option to deal with Iran, which is armed with nuclear weapons, except through the same balance of terror, which guarded the situation among Moscow, Beijing, and the West, and now between Karachi and New Delhi."
Posted by Sid at 11:35 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
April 21, 2006
Children with plastic keys to nuclear weapons
All governments are not equal. Which would you trust with a gun? A policemen or a troubled person suffering suicidal tendencies? That is what we are dealing with in Iran. It is insanity to have people suggesting that since the United States has nuclear weapons then we have no right to deny the Iranians the same. Surely Iran is not serious about all that rhetoric calling for the destruction of Israel and the west. Surely it's just a bunch of overblown talk. After all no one in their right mind would actually use such weapons. Right? Matthias Küntzel over at the National Review writes a blood chilling piece about the current president of Iran.
Meet the Basiji.
During the Iran-Iraq War, the Ayatollah Khomeini imported 500,000 small plastic keys from Taiwan. The trinkets were meant to be inspirational. After Iraq invaded in September 1980, it had quickly become clear that Iran's forces were no match for Saddam Hussein's professional, well-armed military. To compensate for their disadvantage, Khomeini sent Iranian children, some as young as twelve years old, to the front lines. There, they marched in formation across minefields toward the enemy, clearing a path with their bodies. Before every mission, one of the Taiwanese keys would be hung around each child's neck. It was supposed to open the gates to paradise for them.
The chief combat tactic employed by the Basiji was the human wave attack, whereby barely armed children and teenagers would move continuously toward the enemy in perfectly straight rows. It did not matter whether they fell to enemy fire or detonated the mines with their bodies: The important thing was that the Basiji continue to move forward over the torn and mutilated remains of their fallen comrades, going to their deaths in wave after wave. Once a path to the Iraqi forces had been opened up, Iranian commanders would send in their more valuable and skilled Revolutionary Guard troops.This approach produced some undeniable successes. "They come toward our positions in huge hordes with their fists swinging," one Iraqi officer complained in the summer of 1982. "You can shoot down the first wave and then the second. But at some point the corpses are piling up in front of you, and all you want to do is scream and throw away your weapon. Those are human beings, after all!" By the spring of 1983, some 450,000 Basiji had been sent to the front. After three months, those who survived deployment were sent back to their schools or workplaces.
And, last year, they formed the potent core of the political base that propelled Mahmoud Ahmadinejad--a man who reportedly served as a Basij instructor during the Iran-Iraq War--to the presidency.Can a man who brainwashed, coerced and purchased tens of thousands of children aged 12 and up to die as human shields against bullets and mines armed only with a Taiwanese made plastic key be trusted not to use nuclear weapons when he threatens to destroy his enemies in fire?
Posted by Sid at 12:47 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
March 26, 2006
The voice of a madman in Afghanistan
If you consider devotion, respect and love to be madness.
"I don't want to die. But if God decides, I am ready to confront my choices, all the way," Abdur Rahman was quoted as saying in Sunday's La Repubblica.
Rahman, 40, could be hanged if found guilty of apostasy, which is punishable by death under Sharia (Islamic) law. His trial is due to start in a few days.
When asked if he would go abroad, he said: "Perhaps, but if I flee again that would mean my country hasn't changed. It would mean that they have won, our enemies. Without human rights, without respect for all religions, the Taliban have won."
"It's not true. When I returned, I explained the choice I had made," he said. "It wasn't a provocation. They saw I wasn't praying with them and that I was reading the Bible. They asked me and I told the truth. I had become a Christian.He may be released soon but how long will he be allowed to live. How long before the religion of peace has him killed. Remind me again who is the madman. I see a Christian with a strength of conviction that shames my own poor exercise of faith."I have done nothing to repent, I respect Afghan law as I respect Islam. But I chose to become a Christian, for myself, for my soul. It is not an offence."
Posted by Sid at 12:51 PM | Comments (2) | Middle East
Camels of mass destruction
It's one of those ideas that could have only been thought up in the Middle East.
Saddam Hussein planned to use "camels of mass destruction" as weapons to defend Iraq, loading them with bombs and directing them towards invading forces.But then it is more humane then using children and the mentally disabled like they usually do.
Posted by Sid at 12:00 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
March 23, 2006
The insane Christians are in Iraq not Afganistan
It must warm a rescuers heart to have a hostage refer to their rescue from kidnappers who planned to torture them and saw off their heads as being released because their captors had a change of heart.
Mr. Fox's body was found this month. He had apparently been tortured by his captors before being shot multiple times in the head and dumped on a trash heap next to a railway line in western Baghdad.They didn't even have the decency to thank their rescuers but instead later referred to them as the occupiers which were responsible for them being kidnapped in the first place."Our hearts are filled with joy today as we heard that Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman Kember have been safely released in Baghdad," said a statement from the peace group. "Together we have endured uncertainty, hope, fear, grief and now joy during the four months since they were abducted in Baghdad."
We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end.While loving ones enemies is a true sentiment of Christianity they forgot to mention the rest.
With God’s abiding kindness, we will love even our enemies.The part where they despise and distrust their rescuers and protectors.
Posted by Sid at 12:10 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
March 21, 2006
Christian convert may be executed in Afghanistan
Can the government of Afghanistan prove itself worthy of our efforts to introduce democracy? Or will it just be another murderous Islamic regime papered over with fake human rights pretense.
Abdul Rahman told his family he was a Christian. He told the neighbors, bringing shame upon his home. But then he told the police, and he could no longer be ignored.
"We will cut him into little pieces," said Hosnia Wafayosofi, who works at the jail, as she made a cutting motion with her hands. "There's no need to see him."The Bush administration better bring every bit of pressure they can to bare on this. Seeing a Christian executed for his faith under a constitution guaranteeing religious freedom will prove the constitution a sham and undermine support from even the administrations most ardent supporters. If he is executed I for one may become a supporter of turning the desert to glass and starting over with a less ignorant gene pool.
Posted by Sid at 12:50 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
February 27, 2006
Saddam discovers hunger is bad for you
I was really rooting for his success.
"The president maintained his hunger strike for 11 days but was forced to end it for health reasons," Khalil Dulaimi, who met Saddam for seven hours in Baghdad on Sunday, told Reuters.It's a shame he didn't discover this when he was stealing money from the UN food for oil program for his own personal use.
Posted by Sid at 06:35 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
February 12, 2006
A hunger strike takes planning
Usually the new breaks that so-and-so is "on" a hunger strike. But lately this has taken a humorious twist, there have been reports recently that the prisoners in Guantanamo bay were being "abused" by being force fed. But I think it is even funnier when people that have lived the pampered lives of luxury and excess "make plans" to go on a hunger strike. I get the same sense of amusement when rich celebrities that live in mansions requiring the use of more water and electricity then some small towns talk about conservation.
When I hear that Saddam Hussein I have to smile particularly when it takes "planning" to stop eating.
Saddam Hussein will not go on a hunger strike on Monday, his chief defense lawyer said, retracting an earlier statement that the former Iraqi president was planning to start the protest when his trial resumed.My guess he started a hunger strike and then 2 hours later his stomach started to grumble. I expect he will likely go on a hunger strike whenever he is not actually eating and let that do. Actual hunger strikes are for the unimportant little guy that can be talked into blowing himself up and Saddam (like the Hollywood elites) has never been know to make his own sacrifices.
"We have now checked and it seems almost certain that the president no longer plans a hunger strike at least tomorrow as we thought earlier ... though some of his colleagues may," chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi told Reuters."The idea was being discussed, but we now have conclusive information the hunger strike is not on Monday," said Dulaimi, who had earlier confirmed comments by his deputy Khamis al- Aubeidi that the hunger strike was planned.
Posted by Sid at 12:45 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
February 09, 2006
18 year old sentenced to hang for self-defense from rape
I don't need to tell you where this can happen.
It said that Nazanin, who was 17 at the time, had been out with her niece and their boyfriends on a road west of Tehran when two men started harassing them and then tried to rape them after the boyfriends had run away.I wonder if the "boyfriends" vouched for events or did they distance themselves from the shame of a woman that has been raped and leave them to their undeserved fate twice. I am sure we here in the west just don't understand the cultural nuance."I committed murder to defend myself and my niece, I did not mean to kill him. I did not know what to do because nobody came to help us," the paper quoted her as saying during her trial.
Posted by Sid at 12:59 AM | Comments (3) | Middle East
Cartoon wars inspire suicide bombers
It just doesn't take much to get Muslims to kill themselves.
One hundred militants have enlisted to become suicide bombers in Afghanistan since the appearance of "blasphemous" cartoons of Prophet Mohammed, a top Taliban commander said.I have a question. If it's "blasphemous" to publish these cartoons how does you average Muslims know about them. If they have not seen them because they have not been published locally how do they know how bad they are? If they searched them out is that not like browsing for porn and a sin as well?Mullah Dadullah, one of the Taliban's most senior military commanders, said Thursday that his Islamic extremist group had also offered a reward of 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of gold to anyone who killed people responsible for the drawings.
Odds are these are just your average ignorant Arab Muslim with nothing to live for but hate and death while hoping for a better afterlife.
If people weren't dying over this it would have been a hilarious parody a week ago because no one would have considered that any reasonable person/faith would be so foolish. Still it would probably be hilarious to do a documentary segment on a suicide bombers attempt to kill a cartoonist half a world away. Assuming he could get out of his house without blowing himself up.
Posted by Sid at 12:44 AM | Comments (2) | Middle East
February 08, 2006
Fear driven tolerance
Posted by Sid at 09:41 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
February 07, 2006
Iran carries out test to further prove Muslims are irrational
The popular Iranian publication with ties to the Iranian president proposes to replace regular calls for the death and destruction of Israel with cartoons mocking the holocaust in a response to a Danish publication to prove what? That Danes will burn mosques and shoot Imam's on behalf of Jews? That Jew's will burn mosques and shoot Imam's in protest?
The daily paper Hamshahri said the contest was designed to test the boundaries of free speech -- the reason given by many European newspapers for publishing the cartoons of the Prophet.They will be sadly disappointed. Things dont work that way where sanity it considered a virtue."A serious question for Muslims ... is this: 'does Western free speech allow working on issues like America and Israel's crimes or an incident like the Holocaust or is this freedom of speech only good for insulting the holy values of divine religions?'" the paper said on Tuesday.
Posted by Sid at 12:50 AM | Comments (1) | Middle East
February 06, 2006
The usual up side to a middle east protest
Ultimately the nut balls come out and get themselves shot or start shooting at each other.
Fresh protests against newspaper cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed have erupted across Afghanistan, with three demonstrators killed and up to nearly 20 wounded in gunfire, officials said.Sometimes I get the feeling that if every newspaper in every free country published these cartoons daily, population in the middle east would drop by 50%.
Posted by Sid at 12:20 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
February 05, 2006
Reaction to the cartoon demonstrates their bloodthirsty insanity
We now have some in the conservative blogosphere going all PC soft on Muslims. I expect this from the left, they have always been willing to reject peaceful Christians in favor of bloodthirsty Muslims. We are told we should be more sensitive and understanding to one of the world’s great religions that spontaneously break out in widespread destruction and slaughter at the slightest of provocations and sustains a network of assassination groups to kill opposition by blowing up their children. I have news for you guys. These people consider non Muslims and freedom an affront to Islam.
There is a moment in movie Independence day that sums it up. The president is speaking to the alien and asks it how we can coexist. He asks him what they want him to do. The alien responds "DIE!" Peaceful coexistence is not a long-term goal of Islam; it’s a short term military strategy.
I will respect Islam when the answer is no longer convert or die, or when the vast majority of Muslims can take it upon themselves to force their leadership to abandon it as a guiding principle when dealing with non-Muslims. That and stop throwing parties every time Americans die.
Posted by Sid at 02:46 PM | Comments (4) | Middle East
February 03, 2006
Religion of peace responds to editorial satire
Posted by Sid at 12:59 AM | Comments (4) | Middle East
Sure they want you dead but show some respect please
Welcome to the United States of France.
The United States blasted the publication by European newspapers of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed as unacceptable incitement to religious or ethnic hatred.
"Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable. We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices."Here we are at war with Islamo-fascists drawing the ire of Muslims across the globe and a US agency has the nerve to chastise the press for what are the mildest and largely insightful portrayals of our enemies. I don’t know who is spouting this PC anti free speech drivel but they need to be fired.
Posted by Sid at 12:09 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
February 02, 2006
Countdown to capitulation
It's really getting ugly now.
Two armed groups threatened to target Danes, French and Norwegians in the Palestinian territories after the cartoons were published in their countries and gunmen besieged EU offices in Gaza.How long before European publishers cave and crack down on their editorial boards. Then they can go back to attacking the United States and our president. After all we are the true evil in the world. If not for America, peaceful terrorists would not be threatening to kill Europeans."All nationals and those who work in the diplomatic corps of these countries can be considered targets of the Popular Resistance Committee and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades," the two Palestinian groups warned.
Posted by Sid at 12:59 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
January 28, 2006
Motherhood - Palestinian style
I am sure this brings a sweet tear of pride and solidarity to every mother everywhere.
Mariam Farahat, who was elected to the Palestinian parliament, can work a crowd like a veteran politician — shaking hands and greeting supporters. When she gets on the stage at a Hamas rally, she is the star attraction. She was one of Hamas' most popular candidates in Wednesday's election.In Gaza, Farahat is known as Um Nidal, or Mother of the Struggle — a mother who sent three of her six sons on Hamas suicide missions against Israeli targets.
She is most famous for her presence in a Hamas video, showing her 17-year-old how to attack Israelis and telling him not to return. Shortly afterward, he killed five students in a Jewish settlement before he was killed himself.
Posted by Sid at 06:04 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
Will Fatah bow out gracefully?
One thing I have not seen discussed yet is if Fatah will turn the gravy train of international aid over to Hamas. After all Gaza has always been a thug based kleptocracy siphoning off foreign aid for personal use.
Thousands of angry Fatah members protested Saturday for the second day over their electoral loss. In the West Bank town of Ramallah, 40 gunmen climbed onto the roof of the parliament, firing into the air to demand that Fatah leaders resign.A lot of angry people with guns are about to be cut off from their lively hood by Hamas. There is a lot of talk about its impact on the peace process but what about the impact on Palestinian civil war prospects.Militants from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, loosely affiliated to the party, and around 600 activists then marched to the Palestinian leadership compound, furious with their humiliation in last Wednesday's election.
Posted by Sid at 01:31 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
January 26, 2006
Countries occupied by US most optimistic
You have to love polls like this that surprise the nay-sayers.
Iraqis and Afghans are among the most optimistic people in the world when it comes to their economic future, a new survey for the BBC suggests.Who is one of the least optimistic? You guessed it . . France.
Maybe we need to occupy France to make them feel better.
Posted by Sid at 12:54 AM | Comments (2) | Middle East
January 18, 2006
Iranian Muslims debate the holocaust
It is always interesting to watch people who want Jews exterminated debate the holocaust. It winds up sounding as though they believe it didn't happen but that it should have. My favorite quote uses the "he must not have been a witch because he drowned during testing logic".
"It should be noted that if the Zionists had actually found anyone who had survived the gas chambers and the so-called crematoria of the Nazis, I'm sure they would have interviewed him extensively, and would have produced many programs. But they couldn't find a single person to interview face to face, in order to present a historical documentary to the world. It should be noted that the Zionist film industry has produced many films on the basis of these supposedly historical claims. These are hollow claims.According at least one Iranian "scholar" we need to trot out people that survived poison gas and cremation.
Posted by Sid at 10:12 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
January 11, 2006
Civil war looming in Gaza?
When all you are taught is hate and your focus of hate is removed what comes next?
"If civil war starts, it will last a long time and cost thousands of lives," said Sameeh Nasser, a police officer riding through Gaza City's chaotic streets in a light-blue Peugeot patrol car.As the people of Gaza begin to kill each other I have no doubt Isreal and the US will still somehow get the blame.The densely populated, heavily armed territory is taut with frustration from decades of political injustices, restricted freedoms, stunted economic development and the violent culture of its militias and their suicide bombers. Gaza threatens to turn on itself now that Israel has withdrawn.
Posted by Sid at 06:08 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
January 09, 2006
Victory-phobia
Democrats are afraid of winning?
Representative John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has come to national prominence since his call for a quick withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, said Thursday night that he worries about "a slow withdrawal which makes it look like there's a victory."A quick withdrawal that looks like cowardice is now preferable to a slow withdrawal that looks like victory.
Posted by Sid at 12:55 AM | Comments (2) | Middle East
January 05, 2006
Dear Pat, does shut up have any meaning to you
Pat Robertson is a living example of the old saying, "It's bad to be thought ignorant, its worse to open your mouth and remove all doubt". As a rule of thumb, anytime mere humans attempt to discern the mind of God outside the teachings of the bible he is going to make himself a fool. I personally think Sharon’s stroke might have more to do with BLOOD THINNERS, AGE, DIET, or STRESS without having to look for Gods direct hand in something that is part of the natural state of man.
The Reverend Pat Robertson says Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke could be God's punishment for giving up Israeli territory.True, all things are in God's hand so maybe you should be predicting the weather and traffic with the same religious zeal.
How does it feel to be hinting at an agreement with the President of Iran who at least had the brass to wish him dead rather then hide behind the will of God.
Iran's president said Thursday he hoped for the death of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the latest anti-Israeli comment by a leader who has already provoked international criticism for suggesting that Israel be "wiped off the map."The only real difference between the sentiments of you and this pathological killer is custody of the real estate and his willingness to carry out the execution of Sharon himself.
We Christians have enough trouble dealing with the shallow equivalence made between Christians and Muslims without you giving our critics ammunition. Do me a favor Pat, try silence. You will look smarter and I know as a Christian I won't be so embarrassed that we share the same faith.
I personally will be praying for Sharon's recovery though I have little hope based on reports. Sharon is a larger then life but flawed hero in many ways. His recent efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue through disengagement may be a landmark moment for the region as Palestine implodes into chaos proving themselves incapable of even rudimentary self government.
Posted by Sid at 05:35 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
January 02, 2006
The creation of Israel was an attempt to destroy Jews
Every time Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (the president of Iran) opens his mouth he gives the west another justification to bomb Iran into the darker ages (I say darker because their government already has the nation griped in the modern equivalent of the dark ages) over concern his leadership could lead to a nuclear exchange with terrorist organizations. Now he is trying to suggest Zionism was an attempt to plant Jews among Muslims who would then (as pawns of the Zionists) wipe them out.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's hard-line president who has said the Holocaust was a myth, now has charged that European countries sought to complete the genocide by establishing a Jewish state in the midst of Muslim countries.He went on to completely undermine his point by emphasizing how Jews lived peacefully side by side with Muslims while anti-Semitism ran rampant in Europe.
He said anti-Semitism had a long history in Europe, while Jews had lived peacefully among Muslims for centuries.This after calling for Israel to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Posted by Sid at 12:18 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
January 01, 2006
Will America strike Iran?
What should a superpower do as a known supporter of terrorist moves ever closer to acquisition of nuclear weapons? For communist governments the choice is fairly easy, being atheists the afterlife had no appeal so in spite of all their bluster they have no wish to die. In such circumstances knowing the US will destroy you can be a formidable deterrent.
What if you are a Muslim leader that essentially considers your earthly existence an obstacle to eternal happiness, a Muslim leader that has declared a desire to destroy Israel? In such a situation the threat of destruction hold no power.
Now we have reports the US may strike Iran.
The United States government reportedly began coordinating with NATO its plans for a possible military attack against Iran.I for one hope this does not become necessary but I am increasingly skeptical that a peaceful solution can be found. I hear the rhetoric coming out of Iran as it judges western resolve through its negotiations with the European Union, negotiations demonstrating a glaring impotence to achieve real solutions.The German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel collected various reports from the German media indicating that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are examining the prospects of such a strike.
According to the report, CIA Director Porter Goss, in his last visit to Turkey on December 12, requested Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to provide military bases to the United States in 2006 from where they would be able to launch an assault.
Posted by Sid at 01:48 PM | Comments (3) | Middle East
December 30, 2005
Home Alone 2 (with and Iraq twist)
Everyone knows the move where the kid ends up in New York and proceeds to get into all kinds of trouble. Throw in the war in Iraq and it becomes a parents nightmare.
But at some point, Farris Hassan, a 16-year-old from Florida, realized that traveling to Iraq by himself was not the safest thing he could have done with his Christmas vacation.And he didn't even tell his parents.
Using money his parents had given him at one point, he bought a $900 plane ticket and took off from school a week before Christmas vacation started, skipping classes and leaving the country on Dec. 11.His goal: Baghdad. Those privy to his plans: two high school buddies.
It was mid-afternoon on Monday, after his second night in Baghdad, that he sought out editors at The Associated Press and announced he was in Iraq to do research and humanitarian work. AP staffers had never seen an unaccompanied teenage American walk into their war zone office. ("I would have been less surprised if little green men had walked in," said editor Patrick Quinn.)
"You go to, like, the worst place in the world and things are terrible," he said. "When you go back home you have such a new appreciation for all the blessing you have there, and I'm just going to be, like, ecstatic for life."Luckily, my son only wandered into the Black Hills of South Dakota where he was lost overnight at the age of 6 where he was nice and safe. Are all young boys insane?His mother, however, sees things differently.
"I don't think I will ever leave him in the house alone again," she said. "He showed a lack of judgment."
Posted by Sid at 12:27 AM | Comments (7) | Middle East
December 29, 2005
Free Saddam
It seems the Iraqi information minister that became famous for his ludicrous press releases during the invasion has a twin working on Saddam's legal team.
"Your relations with Iraq will then be historic and you will win the favor of the Arabs and Muslims and the entire world," Dulaimi said, adding that it was the only way to spare Iraq from undergoing a bloody civil war.
"You will become convinced of President Saddam's complete innocence. His popularity gains by the day and (he) is beloved by millions of Iraqis," Dulaimi said.It's not as catchy as free Willie but then Willie was just a cute lovable killer whale instead of a cold blooded killer.
Posted by Sid at 12:44 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
December 14, 2005
More Elections in the Iraqi Quagmire
After a couple of months of democratic criticism of Bush policies in Iraq describing American troops as broken down child terrorizing occupiers Iraq is about to have it's third election. Only the American democrats could describe popular free elections as a failure in American foreign policy.
Recent polls show that 70 percent of Iraqi's think things are better now then before, but like many pools in the US, they think things are not so good for their fellow countrymen. I have always been amused by this discrepancy. Everyone seems to understand their own situation but always thinks the "other" guy is not doing so well.
Sadly we cannot chalk these efforts to find failure in success up to the lunatic fringe of the democratic party because it is the democratic leadership that is leading the retreat. This time around even the Sunni population is expected to participate in large numbers which has been a major criticism of democrats in the past. If all segments of Iraq participate will they finally be able to recognize success or will they latch on to some other imperfection in the process in their drive for American defeat in Iraq?
Go Iraq, lets see those purple fingers of freedom. Who knows maybe you can teach democrats what real democracy is about. Then again maybe democracy is what democrats consider to be a quagmire.
Or as Iraqi voter Betty Dawisha says, "Anybody who doesn't appreciate what America has done, and President Bush, let them go to hell!"
Posted by Sid at 12:23 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
October 25, 2005
Iraq Passes New Constitution
The constitution passed much to the credit of brave Iraqi citizens including Sunnis who braved death threats to carry out their civic duty. Iraq is further down the road to a stable democracy then their enemies want and their critics in America are willing to give them credit for.
Iraqi electoral officials announced today that a new constitution had been approved by voters, enshrining a legal foundation for the future governance of the country and paving the way for elections for a full-term government in December.Some in the press are referring to it as the "US-backed constitution" in a cynical effort to diminish the fact that over 3/4 of Iraqi voters supported the new constitution. Our constitution was "US backed" too and that is not such a bad thing. I suppose terrorist backed would be preferable in their opinion.
UPDATE: Reuters in an example of comically biased reporting has this take.
Sunni leaders reject Iraq charter
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Arab Sunni leaders rejected a referendum which ratified a new Iraqi constitution on Tuesday, saying "fraudulent" results would discourage them from taking part in December elections and fuel insurgent violence.
Final results released showed 79 percent of voters backed the charter and 21 percent opposed it nationwide, with 63 percent turnout.
Posted by Sid at 01:11 AM | Comments (3) | Middle East
October 16, 2005
There was an Election in Iraq for those that Missed it
It is already a failure to those that don't see democracy in action as a success in and of itself. I have to wonder at their concern for the Sunni minority who had suppressed (that’s tortured and murdered) the majority Shiite and Kurd populations for years. Sunni minorities also harbor men who kill innocent men women and children on a whim.
The constitution may or may not pass. I hope it does but only time will tell. On Saturday though millions once again braved threats of death to try an make Iraq a free democracy.
Posted by Sid at 10:55 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
October 13, 2005
When So Many Muslim Women Are Treated Like Property
It is common knowledge that women in countries dominated by Islam are treated like second and third class citizens many times falling behind the family cattle in order of importance. When married they are usually required to turn their property over to their husbands and if raped they are many times executed for the sins of their attacker. So forgive me when I don't statements like this seriously.
Rasheed is believed to be the first Muslim campus queen at A&T and one of a few Muslim women to don a crown around the world, as beauty pageants in general are frowned upon by many in the Islamic faith.Everyone knows a woman’s worth in the Middle East is based on her dowry, obedience to her husband and ability to provide heirs. Lets set aside the fact that a campus queen wearing a homecoming tiara on top her hajib is funny to begin with. This is like the first slave homecoming queen posing with tiara and shackles. Showing concern over exploitation based on appearance in the Middle East where women are treated like property is laughable."Exposing the body is considered degrading, as is the idea that women's worth is associated with how sexually attractive they are," said Yvonne Y. Haddad, professor of the history of Islam and Muslim-Christian relations at Georgetown University in Washington. "In 25 years of research on the Muslim community, I never heard of any," Haddad said.
Posted by Sid at 06:28 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
October 08, 2005
Public Relations with Suicide Bombers
What would you do as a country if you train 40,000 people to commit suicide bombings and then make them mad?
Iran has announced that it is actively recruiting members of public to become suicide bombers, provides training camps across country for 'suicide column'
Posted by Sid at 12:02 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
October 07, 2005
The "No Way In Hell" Success Test in the Middle East
We all know about the constant criticism the Bush administration gets from our "so called failed" efforts in the Middle East. We are told that resentments are rising because of our occupation and that we must pull out before it gets worse. But there is a problem with this perspective that largely gets ignored. There are things happening in the Middle East that would have been considered impossible just ten years ago.
Some Kuwaiti newspapers have taken the unpopular step of calling for normalisation of relations with the old enemy Israel, following similar moves by other Arab countries.
A Saudi columnist in Kuwait's al-Seyassah Arabic daily, a sister newspaper, also called on Gulf countries to normalise relations with Israel after its pullout from the Gaza Strip.I like to call this the "No way in hell success test" because we see things happening today that we would have never believed possible before now. There was a time when Kuwait supported terrorism in Gaza and any dissent was quashed immediately. Today there is an imperfect and struggling young democracy with free press calling for normalization of relations with Israel. This is just one classic "no way in hell success."
Posted by Sid at 08:54 AM | Comments (2) | Middle East
October 03, 2005
What Is A Bored Palestinian to Do With No Israelis Around to Kill
Why kill each other of course.
Police and Hamas militants briefly exchanged gunfire in a clash on Nasser Street, which police say began when they were attacked by Hamas supporters as they tried to resolve a minor dispute.When you spend generations teaching your population that they have no hope and that the only way to get what you want is through violence that severely limits the options to which people will turn. Not to mention the fact that the Palestinians leaders are corrupt and don't give a damn about them and they know it.
Posted by Sid at 12:41 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
October 02, 2005
Give a Palestinian a Fish or Teach Him to Fish and He Will Still Starve
There is an old saying "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, you feed him a lifetime. Obviously the wise person who spoke these words had never been introduced to Palestinian's. Israel had planned to destroy everything upon pullout of Gaza but instead some kind American Jewish donors decided to buy the land and transfer it as a gift to the Palestinians so they might provide opportunities for work and a resource to feed the poor.
Palestinians looted dozens of greenhouses on Tuesday, walking off with irrigation hoses, water pumps and plastic sheeting in a blow to fledgling efforts to reconstruct the Gaza Strip.Teach a Palestinian to fish and his neighbor will steal his fishing pole.American Jewish donors had bought more than 3,000 greenhouses from Israeli settlers in Gaza for $14 million last month and transferred them to the Palestinian Authority. Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, who brokered the deal, put up $500,000 of his own cash.
Posted by Sid at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
October 01, 2005
We Can't Know For Sure More People WIll Have Their Heads Sawed Off
One of the more interesting things about the ACLU's efforts to force the government to provide more Abu Ghraib porn is the adamant refusal to pay even token acknowledgement to the consequences of having more photos and video tape hit the news wire.
Newsweek makes a false report of a Koran being thrown in a toilet and people riot and die. The initial reports of Abu Ghraib abuses resulted in deaths as well. We have seen over and over how even the smallest things can trigger over the top reactions from Middle East radicals. They are correct that the organized groups need no incentive but they ignore those borderline kooks that are incited by these things.
Their failure to even acknowledge these obvious consequences are clear evidence that the ACLU could care less about our troops overseas fighting to protect America. If those photos are released people will die. It's a shame the Judge and the ACLU are sitting over here where they are safe from their callous disregard instead of in the Middle East where they can show real confidence in the outcome.
Posted by Sid at 12:01 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
September 24, 2005
Palestinians Blow Up Own Rally
In its continuing drive for peace Palestinians blow themselves up. This would be funnier if they were not planning on killing Israeli children.
At least 15 Palestinians have been killed and scores injured in a blast during a parade by the militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip.How desperate does a terrorist group have to be to blow themselves up by sheer stupidity and then try to blame it on someone else to save face?A truck carrying gunmen and home-made weapons blew up during the rally in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.
Posted by Sid at 12:14 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
September 18, 2005
Afgan Vote Goes Ahead
In spite of the best efforts of terrorists to kill voters and American lefts efforts to abandon them.
"I'm so happy, I couldn't sleep last night and was watching the clock to come out to vote," said voter Qari Salahuddin, 21, at a polling station in the eastern city of Jalalabad.More here.About 12.5 million Afghans are registered to vote in the $159 million, U.N.-organized elections for a lower house of parliament and councils in all 34 provinces and enthusiasm appears high.
Posted by Sid at 07:39 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
September 15, 2005
152 Dead in Latest al-Qaeda Peace Initiative
Al-Qaeda looses a battle face to face against Iraqi troops so they respond by killing the Iraqi poor and defenseless.
“To the nation of Islam, we give you the good news that the battles of revenge for the Sunni people of Tal Afar began yesterday,” an al-Qaeda statement said on a militant website. Tal Afar is a town in northern Iraq that Iraqi and US troops recently captured from insurgents in bloody battles.The religion of peace triumphs again over the helpless.
Posted by Sid at 12:05 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
September 13, 2005
The UN Still Can't Find a Definition of Terrorism
You would think this would be easy. They even had a good start until they removed it.
On terrorism, the draft deletes a definition that would describe deliberate killings of civilians as unjustified.It just isn't fair to call the deliberate killing of innocent men, women and children naughty. I guess leaders in the Middle East need their hobbies.
And they still want to be taken seriously.
Posted by Sid at 01:07 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
A Celebration of Burning Churches
It is how the religion of peace marks its victories.
Thousands of triumphant Palestinians poured into abandoned Jewish settlements early Monday, setting empty synagogues on fire and shooting in the air, as the last Israeli soldier rolled out of the Gaza Strip, completing the Israeli pullout from the territory after a 38-year presence.Will the killing of Israel’s children stop?
UPDATE: Farhan Memon asks "What If Jews Destroyed Mosques?"
Imagine if Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip destroyed two dozen mosques. There would be mass rallies in front of Israeli embassies around the world, and in America organizations like CAIR and MPAC would issue righteous condemnations calling on the American government to restrain Israel. However, as we've seen today, when Palestinians streaming into liberated Gaza set fire to synagogues there is deafening silence from most Muslims and certainly from the leadership of the American Muslim community.There is an old saying that goes "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound?" The Middle East equivalent would be "If Palestinians set fire to a Synagogue in front of TV cameras that broadcast it around the world does it burn to the ground?"
Posted by Sid at 12:06 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
September 06, 2005
Praise Allah, Palestinians are in charge of Gaza
The recent pullout of Gaza by the Israelis has given the Palestinian leadership an opportunity to prove themselves in the eyes of the world. Judging from recent events the Palestinians may want to move to New Orleans for a better life. We have explosions,
An explosion killed a person and destroyed a house after nightfall Monday in Gaza City, residents said, and at least 21 people were injured, two critically.unrest,It was not immediately clear what caused the blast in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood, near the border with Israel. The house belonged to a well-known family of Hamas supporters, the residents said.
Three nearby buildings were on fire, rescue workers said.
Hundreds of unemployed Palestinians clashed with security forces for a second day in the town of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.religious oppression and murder.
Witnesses say the protesters threw missiles and fire bombs while police used tear gas and fired into the air.
Efforts were under way on Sunday to calm the situation in this Christian village east of Ramallah after an attack by hundreds of Muslim men from nearby villages left many houses and vehicles torched.As usual, governing when you have no boogieman to blame is the real test. They must be so pleased they taught their population to kill and resist authority.
Just think, there was a time when Palestinians could work in Israel. That is before they started blowing up Israeli children.
Posted by Sid at 12:45 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 26, 2005
Iraq Constitution Deal Reached?
Reuters says yes sort of.
Iraqi leaders have reached a "deal in principle" on a draft constitution, the speaker of parliament said early on Saturday, but no accord was yet clinched and a final decision would only be clear on Sunday.Iraq the Model Says yes.
I was just about to go to bed when I saw the breaking news on Al-Iraqia TV announcing that an agreement has finally been reached on the draft of the constitution.Update:
Humam Hammodi, the head of the CDC announced that the vote on the draft will take place tomorrow if the required number of Assembly members show up at the HQ of the Assembly (Saturday is not a usual day for parliamentary sessions) and if not, the vote will be postponed till Sunday.
Posted by Sid at 07:07 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
No Deal Says Sunni Arab Negotiator
Not a big surprise, the Sunni's delusions of regaining control insured they would not honestly cooperate.
A top Sunni Arab negotiator said Saturday that no agreement has been reached on the draft constitution and called on Iraqis to reject it in an Oct. 15 referendum. A government spokesman indicated talks were hopelessly deadlocked and said "this is the end of the road."It's not the end of the world though. We will see how things go from here.
Posted by Sid at 05:42 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
With Allies Like These Who Needs Terrorists
You have to wonder sometimes why we would even want multi-national coalitions.
The Italian Red Cross has said it treated four "presumed Iraqi terrorists" at its Baghdad hospital to secure the release of two kidnapped Italian aid workers, according to a media report.
Posted by Sid at 12:06 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 25, 2005
When Beating Wife, Never Use a Stick
Sometimes you read something that just screams to be published for everyone to see. Islam is a treasure trove of such items. I am sure this is just a cultural diversity issue that needs understanding and respect.
The beating which is only prescribed in the case of disobedient wives is intended to serve as a remedy in an unusual situation. If the husband feels the wife is behaving in a disobedient and rebellious manner, he is required to rectify her attitude — first by kind words, then gentle persuasion and reasoning. Beating as a last resort must never be understood to entail using a stick or any other instrument that would cause pain or injury.I wonder if it is taught in Muslim culture classes at American universities, maybe in the ethnic/women’s studies building in a class next door to a women empowerment class.A rebellious woman who is not moved by kind works, persuasion and admonition is a woman of no feeling and must therefore be punished by beating. Psychiatrists tell us of people, including women, for whom a cure lies in beating.
Posted by Sid at 12:58 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
Environmental Disaster Corrected After Saddam Ouster in Iraq
One of those little reported items about Saddams' Iraq was his destruction of the environment to exterminate opposition. After the first gulf war Saddam set out on a campaign to exterminate a particularly difficult group of peasants that inhabited the swamps. To do this he built a series of dikes which eventually drained most of these swamps driving off the indigenous population, killing off the plant and animal life, and leaving behind salt flats.
"The near-total destruction of the Iraqi marshlands under the regime of Saddam Hussein was a major ecological and human disaster, robbing the Marsh Arabs of a centuries-old culture and way of life as well as food in the form of fish and that most crucial of natural resources - drinking water," United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) executive director Klaus Toepfer said in a statement.Today things have changed.
"Immediately after the fall of the last regime, local people started to breach dykes which had taken water away from the marshes and bring water back into drained areas," she told the BBC News website."And 2003 was a good water year, with lots of snow in the uplands and lots of rain."
Now, images show that around 37% of the original area has returned to its original state.
Satellite images of Iraq's marshland in May 2003 (left) & March 2005 (right) - the dark areas are flooded. Images from UNEP.Besides the unimportant fact that the Iraqis have a shot at putting together a democratic society we have this positive result of our presence in Iraq.
Stay tuned, I will be posting regular items showing the good we are doing in Iraq. I see them all the time but they never make it to the major news outlets.
Posted by Sid at 12:16 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 24, 2005
First Impressions of the Iraqi Constitution
In spite of some early reports focusing on the role of Islam this document is not the horror that some will paint it. In particular this statement,
...Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation...First it says "is a" not "is the" which is an important distinction particularly when you see it in context.
Article (2): First, Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:This clearly shows that this constitution is not designed to run religious roughshod over the masses. But if we look further we see more specific protections.a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam.
b) No law can be passed that contradicts the principles of democracy.
c) No law can be passed that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms outlined in this constitution.
Second, this constitution guarantees the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people, and the full religious rights for all individuals, and the freedom of creed and religious practices.
CHAPTER TWO: Rights and FreedomsPart One: Rights
Article (14): Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination because of gender, ethnicity, nationality, origin, color, religion, sect, belief, opinion or social or economic status.
Article (15): Every individual has the right to life and security and freedom and cannot be deprived of these rights or have them restricted except in accordance to the law and based on a ruling by the appropriate judicial body.
Article (16): Equal opportunity is a right guaranteed to all Iraqis, and the state shall take the necessary steps to achieve this.
Article (17):
1st -- Each person has the right to personal privacy as long as it does not violate the rights of others or general morality.
2nd -- The sanctity of homes is protected. They cannot be entered or searched or violated except by judicial decision and in accordance with the law.
Article (36): The state guarantees, as long as it does not violate public order and morality:As you read through it you will find protection for secret ballot and additional specific protections for women. It may not be the American bill of rights but still it's not too shabby considering the region. The only glaring omission I see at this point is a guarantee of property rights. This may be a reflection of a desire to redress some of the patronage abuses of the previous regime but only time will tell.1st -- the freedom of expressing opinion by all means.
2nd -- the freedom of press, publishing, media and distribution.
3rd -- freedom of assembly and peaceful protest will be organized by law.
To know ultimately how things will turn out will require statutory level implementation of this constitution. Obviously the reliance on Islam is a concern but a successful democratic moderation of Islam may be just the ticket for introducing human rights protections into the Middle East. It gives the region an option that does not seem to co-opt their culture.
It is well worth a through read. It's not too long and the language can be a bit awkward (probably due to the translation) but if they are able to adopt something along these lines and it takes hold. The Iraqis can probably pat themselves on the back for doing a pretty good job.
I am also told this is much like what the Afghanistan constitution looks like.
Posted by Sid at 12:55 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 22, 2005
Terrorists Adopt the Tactics of America's Shrill Left
It was bound to happen. Terrorists have discovered the power of the internet to undermine the morale of our troops and their supporters back home. They will soon be joining in on the lefts efforts already underway here in American to undermine the war effort.
An al-Qaeda linked-group has launched what it calls a media jihad, or holy war, to "terrorise" United States-led forces in Iraq and their families by bombarding them with e-mails and by posting gruesome photos online.At least their job should be easier if the ACLU is successful in forcing the release of more pictures of coffins and prison abuse photos for publication.The group, calling itself the "Brigade of Media Jihad", called on its militants to "post terrifying pictures on the internet in order to terrorise the enemy", said a statement on an Islamist website whose authenticity could not be verified.
"Our objective is to undermine the morale of our enemies, dash their hopes and dreams and reveal the truth of what is happening in Iraq. The media war is an integral part of the war on the ground," said the statement.
Posted by Sid at 06:06 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
Humor From Iraq
Guy with sunglasses: I see white smoke! Maybe they reached an agreement. Guy to the left: Don't get excited pal, it's only cigarettes' smoke!Notice that words on the building say "Constitution writing Committee"
Via Iraq the Model.
Posted by Sid at 05:04 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
Iraq Constitution Agreement Reached?
Supposedly an agreement is reached with some concession to Sunni concerns.
Negotiators from ruling Shi'ite Islamist groups in Iraq's parliament said they had agreed on a draft of a constitution to propose to the National Assembly on Monday, six hours before a midnight deadline.More as it develops..
UPDATE: Now withdrawn it appears.
Posted by Sid at 11:02 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 21, 2005
Sunnis Cry After Shooting Self in Foot
You have to admire the brass of the Sunni faction in Iraq. After boycotting the election, waging slaughter against the Shiite and Kurds and supporting the outsiders flooding in to kill innocents they now complain about being sidelined. We have had the same kind of thing occur here in the US with the Menendez brothers asking for mercy for killing their parents because they were orphans.
Sunni Arabs complained Saturday they were being sidelined in talks on the new constitution only two days before the deadline and warned that their community will reject the document if it is submitted to parliament without Sunni consent.To top things off the Sunnis keep killing their own representatives as traitors. Based on the intelligence shown so far I think that Sunni involvement in a constitution would accidentally result in a suicide pact wiping out every Sunni in Iraq. They should be thanking their lucky stars few in their leadership are involved. At least it gives them a fighting chance at actually living through this.
Posted by Sid at 12:12 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
Darwin a Racist?
If Darwin were alive today he and his theories would be denounced as racist propaganda on a level with the worst of the KKK or Hitler. The bible which teaches that he created man (not particular races, man) in his image is driven from the schools and Darwin who taught that the average Negro was little more then a child is the adopted as the preferred scientific theory of the land.
No rational man, cognizant of the facts, believes that the average Negro is the equal, still less the superior, of the white man. And if this be true, it is simply incredible that, when all his disabilities are removed, and our prognathus relative has a fair field and no favour, as well as no oppressor, he will be able to compete successfully with his bigger-brained and smaller jawed rival, in a contest which is to be carried out on by thoughts and not by bites (1871, p. 20).
The Negroid stock is even more ancient than the Caucasian and Mongolian, as may be proved by an examination not only of the brain, of the hair, of the bodily characters such as teeth, the genitalia, the sense organs, but of the instincts, the intelligence. The standard of intelligence of the average Negro is similar to that of the eleven-year-old youth of the species Homo sapiens (1980, 89:129).Read the whole article, it's quite eye opening.
Posted by Sid at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 15, 2005
Oops, LA Times Praises US in Iraq While Reporting Iran Unrest
I thought Iraq was in the toilet so this obviously cannot be true.
Under U.S. protection, Iraq's Kurds have enjoyed autonomy and a booming economy, fueled partly by trade with Iran. Iraq's ascendant Kurds engage in contacts -- including lucrative exports of illegal liquor and other goods -- with their kin across the border.Iran is complaining that United States and British influence in the region is causing unrest. This from a country sending money, arms and insurgents into Iraq to kill people.
I would hope that we are supporting pro-democracy unrest in Iran. That was one of the major reasons for going into Iraq to begin with. If we managed to plant freedom in the heart of the Middle East all the regional governments would have to institute democratic reforms to survive.
I know that the left thinks it was for oil and WMD's only but those of us actually paying attention knew it was for much more then that. Go Kurds Go.
Posted by Sid at 12:43 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
August 11, 2005
Muslim Protesting Nude Where it's Safe
This happened in Washington Square Park, New York City. I am always amused by this kind of protest because imagine the outcome if it was done in the Middle East Muslim countries (excluding Israel of course).
Syrian born artist, Hala Faisal, protests the war in Iraq and the occupation of Palestine by appearing in the nude with anti-war slogans written in both English and Arabic, in Washington Square Park Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, in New York City. Faisal was arrested by New York City police.In the middle east this would have resulted in a corpse under a pile of stones. Maybe we should pass a law requiring all protests in support of a country be market tested in those countries first.
Posted by Sid at 12:54 AM | Comments (2) | Middle East
August 10, 2005
Pakistan Candidate Gives Away 11-year-old Daughter
I never get tired of those wild and crazy mideast Muslim customs. I should not be so judgmental though, it makes me look intolerant of other cultures.
A candidate in Pakistan’s Northwestern Frontier Province gave away his 11-year-old daughter to his opponent in exchange for latter’s withdrawal from next week’ local elections, a news report said on Sunday.
“He wished to get elected unopposed ... that’s why he also paid him (Noor) Rs. 200,000 (about 3,358 U.S. dollars),” the official told the newspaper.Here in the US we worry about paid trips by lobbyists. Maybe we need to get some perspective.In Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal regions and rural Punjab province, girls are also given away in marriage in the settlement of disputes though the custom called Swara or vani, already been declared illegal by a higher court.
Posted by Sid at 12:02 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
July 30, 2005
Islam - Religion of Alternate Reality
It is hard enough to fight terrorism when followers of the religion of peace call for the death of innocent men, women and children, but it is even harder when these followers then claim these killers do not even exist.
Mohammad Naseem, the chairman of the city's central mosque, called Tony Blair a "liar" and "unreliable witness" and questioned whether CCTV footage issued of the suspected bombers was of the perpetrators.He said that Muslims "all over the world have never heard of an organisation called al-Qa'eda".
Mr Naseem, who was speaking after police seized Yasin Hassan Omar in Birmingham, delivered his unprompted outburst when he was invited to a press conference with West Midlands police and Birmingham city council to help calm fears of racial or religious tension after the arrest.
Mr Naseem, who was speaking after police seized Yasin Hassan Omar in Birmingham, delivered his unprompted outburst when he was invited to a press conference with West Midlands police and Birmingham city council to help calm fears of racial or religious tension after the arrest.Where do those fighting terror turn when even moderate muslins will not acknowledge the problem even exists.
Posted by Sid at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
June 08, 2005
The Death Games of Gaza Children
LGF has this video of martyrdom games played by Palestinian children.
Reporter: Abd Al-Sattar’s favorite game is “Jews and Arabs.”Growing up I played cowboys and indians along with various other shoot and kill games. At various times a player on a given team would even sacrifice himself so we on a particular side could win. I hope this is just boys being boys but somehow I think it may be a bit more serious.Boy: The Arabs are in the street. The Jews stand over there and we shoot at them, and throw rocks and grenades at them.
Reporter: To win the game, the player must die.
Boy: Burn the tank!
Boy: Martyrdom for the sake of Allah is our greatest desire. Oh God! Don’t be afraid because fear hurts me. Don’t be sad because sadness frightens me. Don’t scream because screams kills me.
“Injured” boy: Shoot at them. Shoot at them!
Boy: We are all dead, mother, but don’t be sad. Mother, rejoice! Rejoice that I died a martyr’s death for the sake of Allah.
Posted by Sid at 12:05 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
June 06, 2005
OIC puke alert
The Organization of the Islamic Conference wants us here in the United States to punish those responsible for Koran abuse. In the release they specify soldiers even though the worst abuses listed in the report were by prisoners. Where is the call to punish the prisoners?
OIC URGES THE UNITED STATES TO LIVE UP TO ITS RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT SHOW LENIENCY TO PERPETRATORS OF QUR’AN DESECRATIONI would respectfully ask them to hold their breath until we get around to it. Or maybe they could be more effective asking Muslims to stop killing children and other civilians with suicide bombs. Until then please forgive me if I don't care what you think. Just a suggestion.
I still say we should just remove the Korans all together.
The Official Spokesman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Ambassador Atta El-Manan Bakhit, has stated that the confession by the southern command of the United States army on the occurrence of cases of desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Guantanamo prison was a confirmation of the practices that had been reported in the papers and strongly condemned by the Organization of the Islamic Conference.He said that this disgraceful conduct of those soldiers reveal their blatant hatred and disdain for the religion of millions of Muslims all over the world and throws into doubt the nature of the instructions given to the American soldiers on religious values and principles of tolerance.
He added that these unequivocally rejected practices could only lead to an incitement of religious feelings and a deepening of the gulf of difference and intolerance between the Muslim world and the United States of America.
The OIC Spokesman urged the United States Government to live up to its responsibilities and not be lenient with the perpetrators of the desecration. He also demanded that those responsible for this despicable crime should be brought to justice immediately and that urgent measures should be taken to calm the tension in the Muslim world and ensure that such detestable acts are not repeated in the future.
Posted by Sid at 12:40 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
May 30, 2005
Lebanon has chance for Democracy and freedom
Please explain to me again how our efforts in the middle east are misguided. Please explain how it is about oil. Please explain how critics can be so blind as not to see this.
Lebanon's first parliamentary polls without heavy-handed Syrian meddling began Sunday, and loyalty to the former premier whose assassination catalyzed the political turmoil that drove Syrian forces out was displayed at the capital's ballot boxes.
Many observers expect voters will sweep the anti-Syrian opposition to power and install a new parliament, removing the last of Syria's political control.There is no doubt there has been a price in American blood. But it escapes me how critics can continue to ignore the enormous successes.
Posted by Sid at 12:50 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
May 26, 2005
Praise for Bush policies from Euroupe
This was probably a tough pill to swallow and will likely get them fired. But "US policies pay off in global security, says think-tank"
LONDON (AFP) - Washington's policies of promoting democracy in Iraq and elsewhere look "increasingly effective", and even the threat from terrorism abated slightly during 2004, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said in an annual report.
"Even though the Bush policy was bold, controversial and sometimes divisive, his aggressive global agenda of promoting freedom, and democracy appeared increasingly effective," the IISS said in its 384-page "Strategic Survey 2004-05".
Posted by Sid at 07:11 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
May 23, 2005
Iraq Sunnis Finally Want In
The critics of the Bush doctrine have been wrong at nearly every turn. Now it appears the Sunnis are ready to play. If this change of mind is heartfelt it is HUGE. And the left can once more eat crow.
Samarrai said assembly authorities had agreed to add more Sunnis to the process and had asked Sunni leaders to recommend 10 or more nominees.There is still a long way to go but at least now all parties are coming to the table. Read the rest here.Broad Sunni participation in the next elections will be conditional on a constitution that guarantees the rights of all Iraqis, Samarrai and other Sunni officials said. If the constitution is satisfactory, "We'll not miss the chance again. We'll not make the same mistake'' of sitting out elections, Samarrai said.
Posted by Sid at 12:20 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
May 21, 2005
Why Islam is Disrespected
Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist writes this excellent piece. Be sure to go read it all.
IT WAS front-page news this week when Newsweek retracted a report claiming that a US interrogator in Guantanamo had flushed a copy of the Koran down a toilet. Everywhere it was noted that Newsweek's story had sparked widespread Muslim rioting, in which at least 17 people were killed. But there was no mention of deadly protests triggered in recent years by comparable acts of desecration against other religions.No one recalled, for example, that American Catholics lashed out in violent rampages in 1989, after photographer Andres Serrano's ''Piss Christ" -- a photograph of a crucifix submerged in urine -- was included in an exhibition subsidized by the National Endowment for the Arts. Or that they rioted in 1992 when singer Sinead O'Connor, appearing on ''Saturday Night Live," ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II.
There was no reminder that Jewish communities erupted in lethal violence in 2000, after Arabs demolished Joseph's Tomb, torching the ancient shrine and murdering a young rabbi who tried to save a Torah. And nobody noted that Buddhists went on a killing spree in 2001 in response to the destruction of two priceless, 1,500-year-old statues of Buddha by the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Of course, there was a good reason all these bloody protests went unremembered in the coverage of the Newsweek affair: They never occurred.
Posted by Sid at 06:54 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
May 20, 2005
Suicide bombing forbidden in Pakistan
Maybe this will catch on.
A group of 58 Islamic scholars in Pakistan from all schools of thought has issued an edict against suicide attacks, the Pakistani Dawn reports.We can hope.
Posted by Sid at 12:20 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East
May 16, 2005
Newsweek retracts story
"Based on what we know now, we are retracting our original story that an internal military investigation had uncovered Koran abuse at Guantanamo Bay," editor Mark Whitaker (search) said in statement released Monday evening.More here
Posted by Sid at 07:40 PM | Comments (0) | Middle East
When hate trumps reason
The religion of peace went went on a murdering rampage this weekend based on a Newsweek article accusing U.S. officials of flushing the Koran down a toilet which they have sorta-kinda-partly retracted. Normally you would expect this to settle the matter right? You would be wrong.
Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan were skeptical Monday about an apparent retraction by Newsweek magazine of a report that U.S. interrogators desecrated the Koran and said U.S. pressure was behind the climb-down.They obviously have no understanding of the relationship between our government and the MSM.The report in Newsweek's May 9 issue sparked protests across the Muslim world from Afghanistan, where 16 were killed and more than 100 injured, to Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Gaza.
Newsweek said Sunday the report might not be true.
"We will not be deceived by this," Islamic cleric Mullah Sadullah Abu Aman told Reuters in the northern Afghan province of Badakhshan, referring to the magazine's retraction.
"This is a decision by America to save itself. It comes because of American pressure. Even an ordinary illiterate peasant understands this and won't accept it."
Aman was the leader of a group of clerics who Sunday vowed to call for a holy war against the United States in three days unless it handed over the military interrogators reported to have desecrated the Koran.
That call for a jihad, or holy war, still stood, he said.
Posted by Sid at 11:05 AM | Comments (0) | Middle East