Chauvinist nationalism and Arab uprisings

My weekly article for Al-Akhbar:  "Qutri [narrow, country] chauvinism and Arab uprisings.

We have seen this before. Cowardice on Palestine: the case of OWS

"In the midst of this calm, the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement posted a surprising and exhilarating tweet:

“We support and would like to express #solidarity to #FreedomWaves #Palestine #ows”. 

Moments later, the Twitter representative of the Canada Boat to Gaza posted an appreciative response, “We are thrilled to receive the support of  #OccupyWallStreet  Looks like only the 1% support the Israeli blockade of Gaza.” The Twitter-sphere flared up with expressions of praise and affirmation, proving that the 99% naturally link the struggle for the Occupation of Wall Street with the struggle against the Occupation of Palestine as two facets of a single universal liberation struggle.

Approximately four hours later, however, Occupy Wall Street’s tweet mysteriously disappeared from its home page on Twitter. The Twitter-sphere was instantly taken aback- “didn't realize #OWS is non-political!!” remarked one tweeter, while another insisted that “If #OWS can not support #FreedomWaves and #Gaza then they should not compare themselves to #ArabSpring or #Tahrir." " (thanks Yasmeen)

One Saudi prince pushes another

Watch.  Later, Prince Muqrin explains that it was an innocent push and that he does not know the prince in question.  If it is up to me, I would have pushed both.

Advising the West

I like this. I really like it when columnists in Saudi/Hariri media offer advise and sometimes instructions to Western governments.  Here, a Lebanese columnist in the mouthpiece of Prince Khalid Bin Sultan bin Bribe, Al-Hayat, offers advice to the West:
" ثانياً، مد الدعم العملي والمالي للمؤسسات المدنية ليكون ذلك بمثابة تصحيح للموازين المختلة لصالح الأحزاب الإسلامية. ثالثاً، الكف عن التحدث حصراً بلغة حق «الإسلام المعتدل» بتولي السلطة وكأن ذلك هو الإفراز الطبيعي الوحيد لثورة الشباب العربي. رابعاً، دعم التوجه الليبرالي الحداثي عملياً بمواقف واضحة بدلاً من الظهور وكأن إدارة أوباما تدعم فقط الإسلام المعتدل على الأساس الذي سوّق نفسه لديها – أي بصفته البديل عن الإسلام المتطرف والرادع ضده."


PS I need a volunteer to translate this section NOW. HERE it is from Arwa: "Second, provide practical and financial support to civil institutions to rectify the balance in favor of Islamist parties. Third, cease discourse about “moderate Islam” as if that’s the only product of the Arab youth’s revolution. Fourth, support liberal currents by articulating clear stances instead of appearing as if the Obama administration supports “moderate Islam” based on the rationale it uses to market itself i.e. as an alternative and deterrent fundamentalist Islam."

NowHariri and the Syria matter: what Samir Quntar actually said

Of course, NowHariri is an outfit owned by Elie Khuri (of the Lebanese Forces) and is a Hariri media affiliate.  Of course, on all matters it toes the line.  You don't expect any less from Saudi/Hariri media.  Of course, you don't expect any respect for journalistic standards.  This is a site that regularly fabricates, distorts, invents, obfuscates, and deceives.  Look at this by its editor:  "Of course, none of that happened. But Kuntar did not care. Exactly three years later, Kuntar told the Syrian people that he is ready to cut off the hands of any Syrian who dares challenge the Assad regime."  1) These are not the words of Samir Quntar.  This has been circulating by supporters of Syrian branch of March 14 (the Saudi-funded elements of the Syrian opposition).  I asked Samir's brother, Bassam and he explained to me what Samir actually said--whether you agree with it or not.  He said that the story was first fabricated by Al-Arabiyya (the website of the news station of King Fahd's brother-in-law) which has a history of Mossad propaganda against Samir.  2) He said that Samir was at a speaking event in Algeria.  There were many Syrians in the audience.  Apparently, a raucous occurred AMONG the Syrians in the audience who were split between supporters of the regime and opponents of the regime.  Amid that noise, Samir actually said: "Whoever will carry arms against Syria will have his hand cut off, whoever he is".  3) It is interesting that Saudi/Hariri sites are focusing so much on this subject.  It seems to me the question is this: who has helped and supported the Syrian regime more over the years and decades?  Samir Quntar or House of Saud.  Let me see the NowHariri site go after the House of Saud.  But wait: NowHariri has human rights standards:  "The absurdity of protecting Assad is intolerable, especially since he has in essence admitted to the killing and torture of his people...: She forgot to add: the absurdity of protecting Morocco, Algeria, Mubarak's Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain..." But wait: have you noticed that the editor of the site has a real conflict with the English language? Look at this sentence: "The absurdity of protecting Assad is intolerable".   The sentence makes no sense because she wanted to say that it is absurd to protect the regime and she wants to say that it is intolerable to support the regime. But by saying that "The absurdity of protecting Assad is intolerable" she is basically refuting her own aim from that very sentence. She could have said: Protecting Assad is intolerable or that it is absurd to protect Assad.  But by saying the absurdity is intolerable, she implies that protecting Assad is not absurd.  She is lucky that the Hariri/Saudi handlers don't nit pick as long as overall propaganda is served.

Can you imagine the international sensation coverage if this happened in an Arab or Muslim country?

"The statement came after an incident in which nine officer cadets left an army event involving a performance by female soldiers, and some subsequently refused to return after their unit commander ordered them to do so. Four of the soldierswere expelled from the Officers Training School – better known as Bahd 1 – after refusing to apologize for the incident."  Why do Western media treat all acts of bigotry and sexism by Israelis as cute and adorable?

If Muslims said that

"The official newspaper of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Boston has apologized for a column that said that homosexuality is caused by Satan." Can you imagine the uproar if a Muslim newspaper in the US said that?

Cows and sheep celebrating the Muslim `Id

Today, I look at the edition of the New York Times at my door and I see a picture of cows and sheep from Kabul, Afghanistan and a reference by the paper to Muslim celebration of Adha religious holiday.  I did not get it: was the Times implying that cows and sheep are Muslims and thus were celebrating the holiday, or was the New York Times extending unusually culturally sensitive salutations to the Afghan cows and sheep on the occasion of Adha?  

naming the Friday's of protests in Syria

Today's protest in Syria is called "God is Greater."  Every Friday, the Muslim Brotherhood in exile--using the cover of the various opposition councils that have been created in the last few months--gives a different name.  They tell you: oh, no. It is democratic, and people are voting on Facebook.  Yes, Syrian opposition Facebook pages do allow voting on this but voters have often discovered that the name they supported was either altered or modified or changed completely.  Welcome, to voting Ikhwan style.

Fascists and anti-Semites for Israel

"Ibn Rushd" sent me this: "New Leader of the french Far Right, Marine Le Pen, whose father Jean-Marie Le Pen once said that the Holocaust was "just a detail" has now met the Israeli ambassador to the UN."

You knew this was coming: how Iraqis loved a US occupation soldier

"In his new book "A Soldier's Dream" William Doyle dubs Captain Patriquin the "TE Lawrence of Iraq". He describes how the Iraqis loved the US soldier who wore a thick moustache and could speak Arabic street slang."  Aside from the obvious joke, I bet you that Captain Patriquin probably spoke three words of Arabic, or four.  I offer to test his command.  If you are reading this, call me.  As for the analogy with Lawrence, is that a reference to political insignificance highly distorted by a movie?

Well, well, well

"Despite vows to punish Iran for an alleged plot to kill the Saudi ambassador, U.S. officials have decided that such sanctions could disrupt oil markets and further damage the U.S. and world economies."

Reject of Mubarak regime

`Imad Ad-Din Adib has been a crude and vulgar propagandist for Husni Mubarak.  He and his brother have been discredited by the Egyptian public.  Now, he started a new stint: writing for the mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat.  In this column, he expresses worries about signs of conflict in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Look how nice the US is: it is training Arab parties to vote "correctly"

This is the most kind gesture I have heard about: "U.S. assistance to Egypt is helping political parties of all ideologies prepare for the upcoming elections -- even Islamic parties that may have anti-Western agendas.
"We don't do party support. What we do is party training.... And we do it to whoever comes," William Taylor, the State Department's director of its new office for Middle East Transitions, said in a briefing with reporters today. "Sometimes, Islamist parties show up, sometimes they don't. But it has been provided on a nonpartisan basis, not to individual parties."  The programs, contracted through the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI), include helping political parties in Egypt conduct polling, provide constituent services, and prepare for election season. NDI's chairwoman is former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. IRI's chairman is Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)  Taylor said that none of the U.S. funding that has gone to election preparation is coordinated or vetted through the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which assumed power after the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak.  "It absolutely does not go to the SCAF," he said, noting that the Egyptian military still receives billions in military aid from the United States. Taylor, who just got back from a trip to Egypt and Tunisia, said that he left Egypt unworried about the SCAF holding on to power after the coming elections."

Oh, US. Please liberate us. Oh, pretty please drop bombs over our heads, please

Look at this pathetic account in the Washington Post:  "“How is everyone?” Marquez asked, taking a seat on the floor and laying her rifle nearby.  The “villagers” started speaking at once. Their husbands beat them. One said she didn’t want to be a sex slave around to only make babies. The “villagers” demanded education. Freedom. Equality. The pleas were lost in a shrill wall of sound.  “Ladies, I can only speak to one of you at a time,” Marquez said calmly.  But before the meeting could get going, two soldiers acting as husbands burst into the room. Screaming and waving an AK-47 rifle, the men chased their wives into a back room. Marquez, startled, jumped up and snatched her rifle. Holding it in both hands, she backed away from the men, who were huge, compared with her."   I believe it.  As soon as the Americans entered the room, the women started sharing their private concerns with the invaders.  It makes perfect sense to me.  (thanks Nir)

Iran and Syria

The more Saudi Arabia increases its pressures on Syria and Iran, the more desperate Syria and Iran are in appeasing the House of Saud.  

Iranian plot in the US

1) It is hilarious that there is no news in Washington anymore about this large international Iranian bombing plot in DC. 2) Pathetic desperate Iranian attempts to appease Saudi Arabia seem to have increased since the "revelation."

US is outraged that Iran supports militias in Iraq

So the US is just outraged that Iran is supporting militias in Iraq.  Yet, I read this in the New York Times just today:  "Pro-American Militia Members Die in Blast in Iraq".

US occupation forces support Arab nationalists

Warning: this is hilarious.  A spokesperson for US forces in Iraq tells Hariri rag, Al-Mustaqbal, that Iran supports militias in Iraq to distance Iraq from Arabism.  As is well-known, it has been revealed that the US invaded Iraq to confirm the Arab nationalist credentials of the Iraqi state.

Repression in UAE

"A coalition of international human rights organizations on Thursday accused the United Arab Emirates of violating international legal standards by prosecuting five jailed campaigners for political reforms in the oil-rich Gulf country.  The statement by the 7-member alliance marks the highest level international pressure over the trial. The charges could carry long prison terms."

Israeli nukes

It is indeed a propaganda conspiracy.  I have been reading for years in the US media about reports regarding the future intentions by Iran of acquiring nuclear weapons.  Not once did I read a report in a mainstream US paper about the actual arsenal of WMDs in Israel. Not once.  

Apartheid label

"Richard J. Goldstone’s article splits hairs to rob us of language that accurately describes the Palestinians’ repression.  Why is it “important first to distinguish between the situations in Israel ... and in West Bank areas”?  If Alabama had segregated in Montgomery but not in Birmingham, would it have been responsible for discrimination or not?  But the most appalling insult to logic is the claim that there can be no apartheid because Israel has no “intention of maintaining” its regime of “domination by one racial group.”  It’s a fact on the ground, but we can’t call it by its name because Israel means well?

DAVID MARKOWITZ
Pound Ridge, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2011"

How cheap and how obvious is Israeli propaganda? How desperate is this racist state built on war crimes?

Look at this.  At least once a year, the dumb propaganda apparatus of the racist state of Israel releases a picture of its soldiers training for chemical weapons' attack.  I mean, how obvious is this propaganda ploy? And it is, of course, unsurprising that Western media would cover such gimmicks but this picture appeared in the Arab nationalist Al-Quds Al-`Arabi.

From the racist state of Israel: 65% of Ethiopian children in Israel live in poverty

"Sixty-five percent of the children of Ethiopian immigrants are defined as poor, according to a new report on the status of Israel's Ethiopian community."

Saudi laws don't discriminate on the basis of gender--read to beleive

Saudi Minister of Justice, in a visit to the US, asserts that Saudi laws dont differentiate between men and women.  Not only he said this but this was the headline of the mouthpiece of Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Bribe, Al-Hayat.

The Three Dimensions of the Arab Uprisings

"Ibn Rushd" and Laure both pointed out that the three dimensions of the Arab uprisings mentioned by Jubran `Urayji (see post from yesterday) were first pointed out by Robert Malley and Hussein Agha wrote in an article in the NY review of books:  The Arab awakening is a tale of three battles rolled into one: people against regimes; people against people; and regimes against other regimes.  

Israeli psychological Operations in the Western and Arab media

"Israel's prime minister has ordered an investigation into alleged leaks of plans to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, it has been reported.  According to the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida, the main suspects are the former heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet, respectively Israel's foreign and domestic intelligence agencies."  First, of all, as I wrote on Twitter yesterday, it is very revealing that all Israeli media are filled with reports of Israeli preparations to attack Iran.  This is not the first time.  But when the Israeli censor allows such reports, it means that they are intended only as psychological operations intended to intimidate and to scare due to the lack of a military option available for the terrorist state.  Every two years or so, we read such reports.  The US is in such a terrible be mess in the Middle East, and given the election cycle, I rule it out.  Do you know how many bets of Arabic sweets I have won over this in the Bush years.  Finally, when you see a Kuwaiti newspaper cited it CONFIRMS that it is a Mossad-planted story.  The Kuwaiti press (after the expulsion of the gifted Palestinian journalists and editors in 1991) is the most yellow of all the Yellow and oily Arabic press.

Shaykh Al-`Ubaykan: kooks from Wahhabi religious factories

This is the religious nut who ruled that no one can issue a reward for those who wish to kidnap Israeli soldiers to achieve the release of Palestinian prisoners and who had ruled that adults can also be nursed.  He is dancing for the House of Saud.

Why Saudi propagandists heart Fouad Ajami

"Ajami wrote that the Gulf States, with their monarchies, are more humane and civilized than their Arab military “republic” counterparts. Even with regards to the Bahraini issue – which the western media failed to interpret correctly – Ajami was clear in his rejection of the unjust claims about the Kingdom of Bahrain, when he attributed what happened there more to sectarian tensions than to anything else."  It says it all. (thanks "Ibn Rushd")

What reform?

I hate how supporters of the Syrian regime now call themselves "supporters of reform in Syria." What damn reform?

Opposing (Some) Arab Opposition Group

My latest post for Al-Akhbar English:  "Opposing (Some) Arab Opposition Group".

Attack on `Alawites in Syria

Look at this article on Syria in the New York Times.  It basically follows the pattern of coverage: the New York Times has decided they won't include reactions by Syrian government or their supporters.  One wishes they do that when they cover Israeli crimes, just as when they ignore Syrian government statements when it comes to Syrian regime crimes. They correspondents manage to speak to supporters of the pro-Saudi elements of the Syrian opposition throughout the region, and yet not one voice to question or verify claims.  Look at the way they covered the torture and murder of 11 `Alawites near Homs.  Of course, this is not novel as there have been reports of attacks on `Alawites and even of marking houses in which `Alawites reside.  Many `Alawites have to move from their neighborhoods including in Rif Dimashq, or Duma and Hrista.  It is now very easy for any supporter of the Syrian Ikhwan council to dismiss a person as mukhabrat or shabbihah (thugs or armed goons of the regime) to justify his murder and the expulsion of his family from the neighborhood.  This is even happening in cyber space: if you don't support the Syrian National Council you are called a supporter of Bashshar and the crimes of the Syrian regime.  But the attack on `Alawites is part of the traditions of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhoods: they did that in the late 1970s in Syria.  It is not new but Western or Arab media won't cover that because all `Alawites are dismissed as criminals or as goons of the regime.  There is not one article written about the religious bigotry against all `Alawite that is being generated by Saudi channels (and such expressions against `Alawites is of course welcome on Aljazeera now).  In the New York Times it says:  "There were reports that those killed belonged to the minority Alawite sect, and the killing of the factory workers was to avenge their deaths.  But antigovernment activists said that among those dragged from the bus and killed were at least one Sunni Muslim and two Christians, in addition to Alawites."  So you can simply dismiss the murder of innocent `Alawites by citing the authority of an unknown person who claimed without evidence that not all are `Alawites, and that two were Christians.  But we never claimed that the Ikhwan were not bigots against Christians, Mr./Ms.

US will expand democracy in the Middle East

"A vital US naval base in the Middle East is getting a multi-million-dollar upgrade, which will double the station's size and enable the US to better withstand the growing number of threats in the region's strategic waterways. Expansion work on the Naval Support Activity Bahrain base, which is home of the US Navy 5th Fleet Command, began yesterday with a ground-breaking ceremony, during which US officials emphasised the military, political and economic significance of the move towards ensuring regional peace and stability."

Nabil Al-`Arabi

I have attacked his man ever since the Tantawi council brought him from retirement to serve first as foreign minister and then as secretary-general of the Arab League. I read his pathetic statement in response of US stance on UNESCO, and it was very much in line with the Sadat and Mubarak regimes that he had served.  You know it is not a revolution when you see this guy holding a position, any position.

Israeli doctors for war crimes

"Medical professionals in Israel are being accused of failing to document and report injuries caused by the ill-treatment and torture of detainees by security personnel in violation of their ethical code.
A report by two Israeli human rights organisations, the Public Committee Against Torture (PCAT) and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), claims that medical staff are also failing to report suspicion of torture and ill-treatment, returning detainees to their interrogators and passing medical information to interrogators."

Money uber alles

"Palestinian efforts to join U.N. agencies beyond its cultural arm are "not beneficial for anybody" and could lead to cuts in funding sure to affect millions of people, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon warned Thursday."

Jamal `Abdul-Nasser and his family

This is Nasser at his best.  Here, he talks about his family and how it is not special politically, and basically contrasts his family with the ruling families of the Gulf--although his words can also apply today to the ruling families in the lousy Arab republics.

PS Can someone volunteer to translate those words?
Jonathan kindly translated the words:  "With us the president doesn't have anything. He doesn't have family or anything to do with that. There's no family that will rule. With us the president's son is like anyone's son. We have a society without classes, not a society where we add to the divisions between the classes. Who's the president? His father was a civil servant originally from the common people, who used to earn 25 pounds (a month). He wasn't a king or a sultan, not at all. And in the future, who'll be your next president? One of you, no one knows. No one but you will rule you, now that you've won your country back. That's what we have achieved and that's what we are fighting for."

Grouping of the Forces of the Arab Spring: another front?

There are so much intrigues and conspiracies in the Arab world now that I am reminded of the 1950s, which I wish I lived through.  There is an announcement of the launching of a Grouping of the Forces of the Arab Spring, although there is at least one person who is a tool of Hariri family and House of Saud. 

Al-Quds Al-Arabic

As you know, 95% of Arab media are owned by House of Saudi or their business affiliates.  Some of the rest are owned partly of fully by Qatar.  Al-Qads Al-`Arabi is funded by Qatar.  Their writer on TV is furious at me that I am critical of Al-Jazeera.  He said that my criticisms won't bother Al-Jazeera, but if that is true why are you complaining--for the second time?

Qadhdhafi propaganda

By the way, stop sending it to me. The story that NATO rebels have dug out the grave of Qadhdhafi's mother is a hoax.

Israel terrorist Army in Arabic on Facebook

The LA Times carried a propaganda article a few days ago about how the Israeli terrorist army and how it created a page for itself in Arabic.  This is considered news: but propaganda services for Israeli war crimes is news in US media, let us face it.  But since, I have seen that page--of course, I won't provide links but you may retrieve from the LA Times article--and commented on it.  But let me stress: it is most amusing. Hundreds of Arabs are flocking to the page and posting most severe and creative insults and obscenities against Israel and its war crimes.  

Burhan Ghalyun on Syrian regime TV: insulting the Prophet

The dumb Syrian regime TV, especially Dunya, has been launching attacks on Burhan Ghalyun.  Yesterday, the discovered based on a Ba`thist-linked internet site--kid you not--that Mr. Ghalyun in 1966--when he was 21--once insulted the Prophet.  I kid you not.  So the Syrian regime is now descended to religious demagoguery.  They even linked by Danish cartoons against Muhammad and...Burhan Ghalyun.  But it was ironic that they mentioned that from 1966.  In fact, as is well-known, in April of 1967 the Syrian Ba`thist regime (of Salah Jadid) caused a firestorm when a magazine for the Syrian Army, Jaysh Ash-Sha`b, carried an article that contained a reference to God as an "embalmed toy in the museum of history".  The reaction against the rigidly (admirably) secular regime of Salah Jadid was so strong, that the government then arrested the writer of the article and blamed its publishing--you guessed it--on a Zionist conspiracy.

A severe case of Cognitive dissonance in FP

"Most of the Syrian opposition agrees on a few basic principles: toppling the Assad regime, maintaining the national unity of Syria, and remaining committed to the peaceful nature of the Syrian revolution. But there are sharp disagreements over dialogue with the regime, foreign intervention, and the militarization of the opposition."  So let me get this straight, Randa.  The Syrian opposition (aside from talking about them as a monolith) agrees that the Syrian "revolution" is peaceful but they disagree on whether the movement should be armed???  Am I missing something here?

Three dimensions to the "Arab spring"

I heard this from Jubran `Urayji, former leader of the Syrian Social National Party of Lebanon, in an interviw on New TV.  The man is not dogmatic and distinguished between three dimensions of the "Arab spring":  1) there is the obvious dimension of people versus their regimes; 2) the dimensions of regimes versus regimes, and can be seen in Libya and Syria; 3) the dimension of people versus people within the same country.

Disgusting

I am utterly disgusted by claims of support and sympathy for the Syrian people by Lebanese political personalities, journalists, and individuals by people who have a long history of racism and cruelty to ALL the Syrian people (and to all the Palestinian people, as it happens).  This is very much like the notion by Zionists in the West, including Obama, that they are sincerely sympathetic to the Syrian people.  I believe them as much as I believe that the US invaded Iraq to rid the Iraqi people of tyranny.

Life in America--according to Syrian regime TV

Syrian regime TV (the main one and Dunya TV, which may be or may not be owned by Makhlufs) is just dumb.  Yesterday, the had a panel of Syrian-Americans who spoke in the defense of the regime. OK, they want to defend the regime they can but they vomited so much trash in analysis and fabrications.  One of them said that a woman in the US can accuse any man of rape, and that the man would then spend his life in prison without a trial or without evidence.  Another woman said that abortion in the US illegal and that woman can get them in secrecy.  I also noticed that Syrian regime TV is fond of the kooky analysis of Franklin Lamb, very much like Al-Manar TV.  

Director of Prince Sultan's Office

Comments on this clip, it says in one version, have been banned because they have been so rude to Saudi Arabia's government.  There are many versions of this clip, and all mock the tears by the director of Prince Sultan's office. This was taken from an interview with the news station of King Fahd's brother-in-law, Al-Arabiyya.  

Please, cheer the NATO rebels in Libya

"The fighting fuelled growing fears that nobody is in control of thousands of swaggering armed men who are still based in Tripoli and that the country's interim government will struggle to impose law and order.

Two people died from bullet wounds and at least seven fighters were injured during a battle that started when militia from the town of Zintan were stopped by guards from the Tripoli Brigade from entering the city's Central Hospital to kill a patient.

The hospital front door and entrance hall were afterwards left pocked with bullets, doctors and patients had to flee the building and two elderly patients died of heart attacks during the shooting, which lasted from about 1am until dawn. Heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft guns were used by both factions, supposed allies who in reality nurse a dangerous rivalry.

The shoot-out started when a group of gunmen arrived at the hospital in search of a man they had shot earlier in the night. Witnesses said the gunmen were drunk, and had come to finish the man off after learning that he had survived and been taken for medical treatment.

Doctors asked them to leave, at which point one of them pulled out a pistol and began shooting."

Potato Job

"

Senior Analyst, Potatoes | AHDB

Supporting our Potato Council Division you will play a pivotal role in preparing analysis, interpretation and commentary relating to the potato industry. As well as producing key Market Intelligence publications, such as Potato Weekly, you will be a confident presenter able to communicate with farmers and processors. Successful candidates will be able to maintain close contact with industry, academics, government and the media to ensure that the information we provide remains relevant and is effectively disseminated.

Salary : Competitive package. Location : Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth. Job Type" (thanks Ala`a)

Meet some of the lousy Syrian opposition

Here is a sample of some very lousy elements of the Syrian opposition:  "For his part, Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the al-Assad regime is well aware, from the Libyan experience, that the west is in a strong position with regards to transforming Syria into a democratic society.” He also expressed his personal opinion that “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is the most influential Arab leader in the Syrian street, more than any other Arab leaders, for he enjoys the love and appreciation from sections of the Syrian street, whilst also having influence with the ruling regime in Damascus.”"  This center is the most cited source on news on Syria in the world today, and it seems to me that it is high time it is introduced as "Saudi-funded".  (thanks Nicholas)

Ignorance at the Council on Foreign Relations

I received an email from the Council on Foreign Relations in which it was bragging about a new blogger on the Middle East that they have.  The dude is so ignorant.  Here is a sample:  "His public attacks on the Muslim Brotherhood come not because he differs with their brand of Salafi Islam, but because they seek to undermine the House of Saud."  I mean, what do you do when you encounter such deep ignorance about the Middle East in the US? Many just tune out.  Oh, forgot to add: he is one of those former terrorists/radicals who saw the Western light and lived to talk about their salvation.  

Abraham Foxman

I have no story and no link and no joke.  This is Abraham Foxman.  

Hilarious: Israeli media propaganda

Look at this headline in the Israeli propaganda sheet, Haaretz:  "Israel is a strategic asset for U.S. national interests, according to new report." You then read the article and discover that the the new report was issued by none other by the Israeli lobby's research arm, known as the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.  Hilarious.  The article makes it look as if the report was issued by an objective group.  And look how standards for Israel only get worse in the US: in the 1990s, US media would always refer to the Institute and its staff as "the pro-Israel" so and so.  Not anymore.  The Institute is now cited in the media as if it is an objective think tank.

Mubarak regime rejects

The Egyptian uprising produced its own group of journalists: people like Hamdi Qandil, Yusri Fudah, Ibrahim `Isa, `Abdul-Halim Qandil, and many others.  Those were people who stood up to the Mubarak regime.  `Imad Ad-Din Adib is a reject from the Mubarak regime: he has been a cheap and crude propagandist for Mubarak (and for the House of Saud on the side).  So Adib has just been hired to write a column for the mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat--the queen of Saudi yellow journalism.

Former Israelis

After Palestine is liberated, we may have to impose military rule on the former Israeli residents of Palestine--those who will be allowed to stay.  Palestinians in their land of 1948 (those who were not expelled), were put under military rule from 1948 until 1966.  We may have to install a similar arrangement to root out any terrorist threats from former "Israelis".  Also, they will be subjected to the same searches and questioning that the Palestinian owners of the land of Palestine have been subjected to since 1948.  No, there is no room for forgiveness in my heart whatsoever for Israel and Israelis.  Their war crimes can't go unpunished.

PS After liberation, I may volunteer to work at George Habash International Airport (formerly Ben Gurion) to personally question visiting Zionists to Palestine.

Racism in Lebanon

"Several weeks after a television report purported to expose the dangers posed by foreign workers in Burj Hammoud, details have surfaced of a new sense of fear among migrant workers in the area. The local television station aired its report, entitled “Burj Hammoud … neighborhoods in danger,” Oct. 16. It quoted locals complaining that foreign workers had turned the neighborhood into a hub of prostitution and crime.

The report has since been criticized by activist groups, who warned that the report played on racist stereotypes. A representative of one of these groups, Ali Fakhry of the Anti-Racism Movement, told The Daily Star “the report was made from an extremely racist point of view … that intended to show that migrants are criminals, working as sex workers dealing with drugs, killing people.”

But the report itself is not Fakhry’s main concern – it’s the aftermath. “We blame the report for triggering racism,” he explains, “and for giving people the right to go and harass and beat these migrants.”

He says that in the days following the report’s airing, “we had Lebanese people in Burj Hammoud beating migrants, harassing them, pushing them in the streets under the eyes of the police … at the same time we saw an increasing number of police and security forces.

“We are aware that the Lebanese security forces have the full right of arresting undocumented workers,” Fakhry adds. “What we are against is harassing people, we are against humiliating people, we are against people fearing walking on the street.”" (thanks Laure)

Khalid Al-Faysal

Khalid Al-Faysal has chances of rising in Saudi Arabia; not only is he the son of King Faysal, but he has been cozying up to the Sudayris for years.  As for becoming King, it may be difficult: the sons of `Abdul-`Aziz won't allow the second generation to take over until the last son of `Abdul-`Aziz is dead, officially. 

Ethan Bronner did not know that he was a propagandist for Israel and its war crimes until it was brought to his attention

"Ethan Bronner, who has headed the bureau for three years, is currently the target of something of a campaign from the left, with jabs at his use of a right-wing speaking agent and at his son's service in the Israeli military. (The Times public editors, not exactly making Bronner's job any easier, have devoted two columns to him.)
And it seems to be having an effect: New York's 92nd Street Y announced today that Bronner had canceled an appearance there, after ThinkProgress reported that he'd be on stage with conservative figures John Bolton and Richard Perle and with an official of the Clarion Fund, a controversial group formed to oppose "radical Islam" whose founders officials, including Frank Gaffney, sometimes veer into what even conservative allies view as conspiracy theorizing." (thanks "Ibn Rushd")

Defending Bahraini royal family

"In this context, the situation in Bahrain has much broader strategic implications than many seem to realize. Bahrain is a fundamentally decent society but there are serious injustices there, as many in the Bahraini ruling family will admit. The Bahraini opposition is now infected with the revolutionary Iranian ideology of wilayat al faqih, a self-serving and self-righteous clericalism that rejects accommodation with secular authority."  I don't know if Ambassador Freeman has any business dealings with the Bahraini royal family, but I know that he told me that he had business dealings with the Saudi royal family, after he left the foreign service.  Also, can he point out to us any example where the Bahraini royal family "admitted" "serious injustices"?  Also, did the royal family refrain from repressing opposition when it was led by leftists and Arab nationalists before the advent of the Iranian revolution?  (thanks Matthew)

Einstein and religion

Elie, a scientist at Princeton, sent me this:  "Einstein was certainly a theist. He rejected the uncertainty principle which turned out to be correct because in his words " God does not play dice". He was however secular and he insisted before allowing Yeshiva University to use his name for their medical school to include a clause about non-discrimination based on religion and other factors, not that they have kept ot heir word. They shut of vending machines on jewish religious holidays."

Meet the next Saudi King

The next Saudi King with his son, Muhammad, behind him.  

Bassioni's royal commission on Bahrain

Anonymous sent me this:  "Don't mention my name if you post this:

The royally-appointed Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry certainly doesn't seem independent. Consider the following set of events I just compiled:

August 5, 2011: Bassiouni: "there was never a policy of excessive use of force or torture...that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I think it was a case of people at the lower level acting, and there not being an effective chain of communication, control.""

October 18, 2011: Amnesty International puts out a report that "examines arms transfers to Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen since 2005."

October 19, 2011: BBC: "US links Bahrain arms deal to human rights report"

October 21: 2011: Boston Globe: "Bahrain panel delays report on protest unrest"

November 1, 2011: Bassiouni "It is clear there was a systematic [torture] policy""

NATO massacre

The massacre of a Libyan family by NATO bombs (this won't make it into the Western press or the Arabic--Saudi adn Qatari--press. (thanks Farah)

gimmicks

"Similar concerns affected negotiations between the United States and Turkey over a NATO missile-defense project under which Ankara agreed to host a key radar station.  Turkey originally said it would refuse if the radar could benefit Israel, a stance that raised concerns in Congress. The Obama administration finessed the issue by omitting any mention of Israel from the accord, which was approved in September."

Hizbullah versus Al-Akhbar Newspaper

So Assange was interviewed at length on LBC-TV of Lebanon.  He spoke about Wikileaks and the Arab world.  He said that the conflict between Hizbullah and Al-Akhbar newspaper erupted over Wikileaks: that Hizbullah requested copies of all the Wikileaks in the custody of the paper and that the paper refused to comply with Hizbullah's requests.

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

"But the marriages of her female relatives made her sad. Her only glimmer of hope was visiting her fiance in prison from time to time in order to renew their vows. Their meetings used to increase her determination. Taher’s wooden gifts, which he made for her while in prison, brought her happiness. She used to hold them until Taher was able to hug her himself. Raeda tells her story with a smile. The long hours of the night are over. Taher promises to compensate her for all those lost years they spent apart."

`Umar Sulayman in Saudi Arabia

Sulayman flies on a private jet to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.  It is not clear whether he will stay at the Disgraced Rulers City in Riyadh.

Saudi Communist Party

We never talk about the left in GCC countries.  I remember the first time I met communists from Gulf countries.  It was quite delightful.  You may read about the Saudi Communist Party and the history of leftism and communism in GCC countries in `Abdun-Nabi `Ikri, "At-Tandhimat Al-Yasariyyah fi-l-Jazirah wa-l-Khalij Al-`Arabi."  

Obama Doctrine

"The U.S. will remain in that region to protect and defend the region’s “pathway to democracy” — something it will achieve by further strengthening its “cooperative military relationships” with the tyrannical regimes in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman (White House, October 12: “the President and the King reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia”). But, explained Secretary Clinton, the ultimate U.S. goal in increasing its military presence in the region is to prevent “outside interference” in the region — just as U.S. officials spent the last decade decrying “outside interference” in Iraq and Afghanistan while simultaneously invading and occupying those nations. The only conceivable assumption which can produce this sort of pronouncement is that this region is the property of the U.S., and when it increases its military presence there, that is akin to an owner fencing in his yard to prevent trespassing." (thanks Yaman)

Mustafa `Abdul-NATO shows gratitude to his masters

"At a press conference with Chairman Abdul Jalil, the Secretary General congratulated the Libyan people, stating that "Libya is finally free. From Benghazi to Brega, from Misrata to the Nafusa mountains and Tripoli. Your courage, determination and sacrifice have transformed this country and helped change the region." He said he was proud of the part played by NATO and its partners, many from the region. "At midnight tonight, a successful chapter in NATO's history is coming to an end. But you have already started writing a new chapter in the history of Libya. A new Libya, based on freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and reconciliation.""

Bernard-Henri Lévy

I have no respect for any Arab who even shakes hands with Bernard-Henri Lévy.

Israeli terrorist army on Facebook

Back to the Arabic Facebook page of the Israeli terrorist Army.  I wrote about it below.  It is even more dumb than I described.  Israeli terrorists clearly write under fictitious names and their Arabic is clearly based on Google translation of English, although it is possible that this is the real bad Arabic of Israeli trained terrorists. 

Anti-Semites for Jordanian King

Mahmud Kharabsheh is a former Jordanian MP and high ranking officer in the Jordanian Mukhabarat.  I made my first appearances on Aljazeera by debating him on Al-Ittijah Al-Mu`akis.  He is on now on the shame show still defending the Jordanian King.  He said that the US is his enemy and "the Jews."  These are the propagandists of the Jordanian monarchy.

Somali war lords want NATO

"While the official did not name any countries specifically, he did say that Somalia was interested in help from NATO, whose United Nations-backed intervention in Libya officially ended on Monday."

What Libya owes the US

There was a discussion on CNN on Libya yesterday.  The anchor said that the US is justified to ask Libya to reimburse it for its bombing costs because "we liberated the country for them."

N7W is a SCAM and Lebanon Should Pull Itself Out IMMEDIATELY

"How the hell is a vote fair if every person can vote an unlimited amount of times, so long as they pay the 10 cents. Why can’t you vote online unlimitedly for free? Ever think of that? And don’t give me the population argument, cause no matter how big a population, I can pay 5 million dollars and make my beautiful bottom a world natural wonder!" (thanks "Ibn Rushd")

King PlayStation proves that he can babble

"Do you intend to support Jordan’s treaty with Israel?
We have a peace treaty with Israel and will continue to do so because it helps both parties." (thanks Shihadeh)

A Bowling Alley is a sure sign of democracy

"In an Afghan capital scarred by years of war, a young Afghan woman has bet $1 million that her countrymen could use a little fun.  Located just down the street from Kabul’s glitziest mall, is The Strikers, the country’s first bowling alley and owner Meena Rahmani’s gamble on the capital’s newest entertainment venue. But more than a place for family fun in a city largely devoid of options, the 12-lane center stands as a reflection of both the country’s hope for the future and the challenge of securing one even as NATO’s fight against the Taliban enters its 11th year.   “We can never compare a bowling center ... in Afghanistan and one ... in the West,” said Rahmani. “Afghanistan needed a place like this.”" (thanks Redouane)

Einstein and religion

Steve sent me this on Einstein:  "Einstein was definitely not in the camp of organized religion, but his views on God and such are not simplictically on one side or the other. In fact, he found atheists to be overly dogmatic in their beliefs, in much the same way as religious fanatics. Here is more on the subject if you are interested:"

Judge Goldbladder and Zionism

"In Israel, there is no apartheid. Nothing there comes close to the definition of apartheid under the 1998 Rome Statute: “Inhumane acts … committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime.”
That is precisely what exists. Israel itself declares that it is a “Jewish state” and demands that Palestinians and the world recognize it as such. Stemming from this self-definition, which is based on a genetic, not voluntary, definition of who is a Jew, Israel claims the right to carry out all sorts of inhumane acts especially excluding indigenous Palestinians exiled from their land from returning solely because they are not Jews. Israel explicitly wants to maintain a Jewish majority in order to dominate and exclude Palestinians from having any effective political voice.
The monstrosity of Israel’s siege and war on Gaza exists precisely and only for this purpose. Did Goldstone ask himself how things would be different if the 1.6 million people – 80 percent of them refugees – corralled into Gaza were Jews? Of course Israel would welcome them back to their lands and villages with open arms, restore their property, give them full political rights and a whole range of financial incentives." (thanks Electronic Ali)

Bipartisanship in the US Congress

"Both parties in Congress denounced the Unesco action on Monday. Representative Nita M. Lowey, Democrat of New York, called it “counterproductive,” saying in a statement that “Unesco is interfering with the prospects for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.” Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Florida Republican who heads the House Foreign Affairs Committee, characterized the Unesco move as “anti-Israeli and anti-peace” and called for a quick cutoff of funds."

Israeli terrorist Army on Facebook

This is an example what Arabs are writing on the Arabic facebook page of the Israeli terrorist army:

فيخاي أدرعي- Avichay Adraee

سلاح الجو يقوم بتحسين ظروف الكلاب العاملة في قواعده

http://www.idf.il/1133-13673-ar/Dover.aspx

www.idf.il

 ·  · Translate · Share · 6 hours ago · 

• • 

    Lana Issa شو دخل الكلاب في سلاح الجو؟

    6 hours ago · 
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    أيمن حمدي الكلاب لا تعرف إلا الكلاب وانت يا أدرعي كلب وحقير

    6 hours ago · 
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    المعتصم بالله ممكن سوال

    6 hours ago · 
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    المعتصم بالله سبحان الله

    6 hours ago · 
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    أحمد أحمد أبوأحمد يعني بداو يهتمو بك و بمسؤاليك أكثر شئ ممتاز

    6 hours ago ·  ·  2 people
  • 

    Mahmoud Kamal اقسم برب العزة لو شفتك يا افيخاي يا أدرعي لهعمل فيك زي ما اتعمل ف القذافي بالسكينة وفطيرك

    5 hours ago ·  ·  1 person
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    Anis Jawarish وللكلاب حظوظ

    5 hours ago · 
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    Mais Ismaail وماذا عن تحسين ظروف الخنازير في الجنوب لديكم ؟!

    4 hours ago ·  ·  1 person