Iraqi humor amid the carnage: by Robert Fisk.

Zizek has a new book on Iraq. (thanks Sinan). I am not looking forward to his book--as interesting a thinker as he is (read the profile of him in New Yorker a few months ago)--or to his ideas on the Middle East. I am very disappointed in his visit to Israel, and his silly comments about the conflict. If you want a good book on the Iraq war, with a fine background account, and it is a book I endorsed in manuscript, it is Larry Everest's Oil, Power, and Empire. I listened to the Bin Laden's tape as aired on AlJazeera. You get the feeling that AlJazeera allows Bin Laden to fulminate, but takes out what he says on Gulf governments. I felt that the quality of the tape was better than the previous ones; much better, in fact. It sounded like he was recording it from (a place with no echoes): a room that is either very small, or was underground (could it be from Saddam's hole?). In fact, he said something about Saddam's arrest, but was quite scathing about him: he did not even mention his name, but said something to the effect that Saddam was like Gulf rulers servant and agent of the US. The view that Saddam was an "agent" of the US is quite prevalent in the Middle East, especially in Iraq. Both Bin Laden and Saddam make an effort to sound eloquent. Saddam fails miserably: he has a very annoying nasal voice, and ihe has made quite a few grammatical errors in his recent tapes before his capture. Bin Laden, on the other hand: has an excellent command of the Arabic language, but is quite demode in his usage: his frame of reference (in style and substance) is quite antiquated. He was referring to the US as "the Romans, " as in the Roman Empire. Does he need to be told that the Roman Empire had long collapsed and Gibbon wrote volumes on that? He of course calls all Christians crusaders. In fact, the framework of Bin Laden is not different from the Orientalist framework: in this very last tape, he sounded like Bernard Lewis when he said: that Islam is not a mere religion, but the whole of life covering all aspects of life, potato, potato, etc.) But Bin Laden is also vain: he reads his own words as if he is chanting some holy words. But the vanity of Bin Laden has been mentioned in a book I just read by Ahmad Zaydan (a correspondent in Pakistan for AlHayat and AlJazeera): he says that once Bin Laden made him take another picture of him because his head was not tilted nicely in the first picture. Hitler, as you know, had also an issue with vanity. He used to stand before the mirror and practice and rehearse his gesticulations: there are a few pictures by his photographer Hoffmann of Hitler before the mirror. But Bin Laden's words carry no significance in Arab public opinion. He has failed to attract any following in the region, although I will concede that form what I hear from Saudis he is quite popular among Saudi youths. And do not think that UK government is in any way less stupid than the US government when dealing with the Middle East. Today, Tony Blair warned of the "virus" of Islamic extremism. Those words play so well in Bin Laden's propaganda. In fact, some of the speech writers for Bush or Blair could also write speeches for Bin Laden.

Teen, 2 others killed by Israeli troops: Washington Post, however, reports the Israeli account in the headline: "Israel Says All Were Attacking Or Threatening". And Israel pledges to also kill Palestinians who may have had anti-Israeli nightmares, or who may have entertained bad thoughts about Ariel Sharon, or those Palestinians who do not find Israel's brutal occupation to be pleasurable. In other news, US Congress hails Israeli democracy and love for peace.

So when the US bombs sites in Baghdad, what does it bomb? Do they really expect us to believe that the resistance has fixed and specific places and locations, where they sit and sleep and plan? Do they want us to believe that the insurgents meet in stores marked "Iraqi Resistance Headquarters, Do not Enter>"? Will that really convince anybody except Anderson Cooper of CNN?

So after 9 months of intensive searches for Iraqi WMDs, what has been found? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. But the search continues in earnest (especially in Saddam's pockets).

So who is colluding with Abu Sayyaf? US allies in the Philippines are.

Parallels between Chechnya and Iraq.

New Sunni religious forces are forming in Iraq. You may thank Bush for the intensification of these theocratic tendencies in the country, .

The power of ethnicity in Iraq.

Howard Dean, in a gesture of sincerity so rare and unusual among Politicians, would like you to know that he has become more religious during the campaign., which reminds me that General Noriega also became more religious in prison. Any suggestions that Dean is bringing up religion for cheap political reasons should be dismissed out of hand. How could you (dear readers) bring politics into this? The man is baring his soul for you.

In this interview with Colin Powell, you learn that Pakistani military dictator Gen. Musharraf enjoys great popularity in his country. This is like Saddam (when he was still in power) asserting that he was liked by Iraqis--although I am afraid that US war and occupation may have made Saddam (for the first time in his life) popular among some Iraqis.

Washington Post maintains that transfer of power to Iraqis will begin this week. You heard right. It will also be a meaningful transfer of power, mind you. Members of the puppet council will be allowed to salute colonial administrator Paul Bremer without being prompted by US soldiers to do so, and they will be allowed to wave the US flag as many times as they wish. I call that real power. They "have the power."

British soldiers kick an Iraqi prisoner to death. Maybe they thought they were bringing back the lost glory of the British Empire

References to Palestinian birth rate as a threat to Israel are racist, in my opinion.

The Chinese were trying to spy on the Israeli embassy in Beijing. Israel, which never EVER engages in espionage, is displeased.

Will the French indict Dick Cheney? (thanks Tara, who thought that I was covering up for Cheney for not posting this earlier).

The pro-US Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat has on its first page a sad story: it is about a Saudi nurse who was sent to Iraq to help in relief and hospitliazation work. At a checkpoint, he was arrested by US troops, and imprisoned. He alleges that he was tortured, denied water, and forced to eat pork meat. Apparently, not only is the US winning hearts and minds in Iraq: the program has now expanded, and the US is keen on winning every heart and every mind in every Arab or Muslim country. Now Bush may not have known much about foreign policy when he assumed office, but now you cannot but be impressed with his great diplomatic skills and deep understanding of international affairs. In another term, who knows: he may manage to start a war with Canada or Mexico, or both. And remember: he is the most admired man in the US. I call that leadership.

Meet the US-trained Iraq corps: Impressive? (Notice how one US soldier insults them for being "farmers.")

A bloody ethnic civil war is about to break out in Kirkuk. You may call that part of the fruits of liberation.

The author of official Saudi textbooks wants to legalize slavery. But the pro-US kingodm of intolerance still sells cheap oil.

Look how misleading the heading and title of the this article in Christian Science Monitor are: they seem to make it sound as if US wants elections in Iraq while Ayatollah Sistani is opposed to elections, while the reverse is true. Now I know why the press is "free" (i.e. not under the official and direct control of the government) in the US: they do a better job serving the propaganda interests of the government than the government itself. Give them a hand.

The women of Uganda. But notice how articles in the US press about women in other countries are always predicated on the arrogant notion that women in US are absolutely free and equal, and we are in a position to pontificate on the subject. Yes, the VP in Uganda is a woman, but here we have a radical feminist (Dick Cheney) as Vice-president. We are now beyond gender in the US. Don't you like being free and equal. I am getting goose bumps as we speak.

I love US security policy in the Middle East and Asia: just find a subservient dictator, and keep him in power at any cost. After basing its policy in Afghanistan on keeping US puppet Hamid Karzai alive by keeping him in his presidential palace (protected by American bodyguards), the US is now rushing to keep Pakistani dictator Musharraf in power. You see democracy in the Middle East, for the US that is, simply means friendly dictatorships. What is wrong with that?

Trying to delicately and skillfully solve their problems with Iraqi Sunnis, US soldiers ransack a major Sunni mosque. Arabic newspapers of Saturday are reporting some of the slogans chanted by Sunni worshippers after Friday prayers: they will not be reported in US newspapers. One of slogans runs: "Oh, Bush, you Satan." But pro-US occupation Kanan Makiya is still confident that eventually Iraqis will be welcoming US troops with "sweets and flowers." You see: it will take time. They are preparing the sweets: but they take a long time to make and bake. Just be patient, and his prediction will materialize.

Apparently, name mixups were behind the gounding of Air France planes. Don't be hasty in judgment though. You see, the brilliant officials of the Bush administration thought that there was only one Muslim by the name of Ahmed. But now they know that there are in fact two individual Muslims who carry the name of Ahmed. But they of course are sure that only one Muslim is named Hussein. Those US officials; the things they know.

I have it on good authority, that Pat Robertson was told by God (or one of the gods) that he/she is working hard for Bush's reelection. (thanks Krista).

Is Bush serious when he acts like he has some leverage over Iran? What is he promising the Iranian people? The kind of change that he has brought to Iraq: so if the Iranians heed his warnings, and bring him in, they can expect to have: their country bombed and devastated, car bombs every other day, shortages of electricity, water, and gasoline, US corporate takeover of the economy, the installation of pro-US autocrats, the introduction of thuggish exile groups and militias, the shooting at their civilians by jittery US troops at checkpoints, mass arrests of thousands of Iranians, the freedom to praise the US day and night, the promise that elections will only be held when the people "are ready," the imposition of a US colonial adminstrator who issues royal decrees sinpsired from the skies, the instigation of all kinds of ethnic, sectarian, and religious conflicts, the rejuvenation of religious politics, the revival of clan and tribe-based identities, a regression in the status of women, and, of course, a live dental exam for Iran's president. A change indeed--US style. And notice how much the US is interested in getting its hands on Saddam's millions. The US is not interested in learning from Saddam about his human rights violations and his massacres; they just wants the millions. It seems that the Thief of Baghdad has been replaced by another Thief of Baghdad.

The Geneva Bubble.by Ilan Pappe.

Kofi Annan should also be put on trial: he was resonsible for the UN disregard of the Rawanda massacres (he was the guy in charge), and now sits silently when US declares its unending wars: now, he hands over UN funds to US occupation.

Tit for Tat: Brazil to fingerprint arriving US visitors. (thanks Shawna).

You have to read the text of the orders issued by US colonial administrator in Iraq: Paul Bremer: They really read like divine decrees or like Saddam's orders.

This US Army sergeant has sent me his webblog from Baghdad: interesting. I wish he would add to his wish list the goal of getting US forces out of Iraq.

Sex slaves and the US military (scroll down).

US is busy planning a huge Iraq embassy.

Lousy computer game.

Bush continues on his Beef eating binge: "As a matter of fact, I ate beef today, and will continue to eat beef," Bush told reporters after hunting quail at Falfurrias,
Texas.

Arthur Miller, visiting Castro.

Joel Beinin on Sharon's steps.

Average daily per capita calorie supply (kilocalories)
United States 3609
Austria 3474
Belgium 3700
Denmark 3722
Azerbaijan 2293
Afghanistan 1696
Israel 3116
Lebanon 3275
Iraq 2264
Angola 1756
Eritrea 1608
Ethiopia 1661

If you want the full data, click here. When will the poor of Africa get the press attention that the dead blonde princess still gets?

Brave Gen. Anthony Zinni continues his criticisms of the administration.

US considered sending troops to the Gulf in 1973 to seize Arab oil fields. When will the US realize that Arab oil belongs to the Arab people (not to the US or to the client and corrupt (and always polygamous) royal families of the region. Just as US corn belongs to the American people.

Does the US have the "wrong men" in Iraq? Families of some prisoners say so.

An Israeli soldier proudly admits shooting a British peace activisit. Bush awards him the Medal of Freedom.

Who is terrorizing Guatemalan women?

So the imposter (who signs silly and disgusting comments with other people's names) has now posted disgusting comments with my name. I deleted them. This brilliant guest forgot that I write my last name in one word, and not in two. From now on, when I post comments, the message will be accompanied by my email address. If it does not, then it is not me. Let us hope that this guest will find something better to do in life. But with what he revealed of his mind, it is doubtful. I will not take out the comments' feature: I do not mind people posting attacks on me (although I wish that it is done without resort to vulgarities. Don't get me wrong: I have a foul-mouth myself, but refrain from using it in political or intellectual debates): but using other people's names is quite low by my dictionary. But I was able to trace his IP address, and can easily delete his comments regardless what false names he uses.