From NYT Bureau: inside information

"As an Iraqi journalist, I’ve had a hard time understanding why Arab people are treating us with dignity now after this type of behavior. Throwing a shoe, especially at a guest, is a deep insult in our culture." Thanks for the inside information, o native informant. (thanks Rime)

March 14-Israeli alliance? What March 14 Israeli alliance?

March 14-Israeli alliance. (thanks As`ad--not me)

Arab Zionist and Livni celebrating

She just told him she wants to invade Gaza and continues to starve its population. Look at her expressions: this is what Arab governments now mean to Israel. They mean what my old shoes mean to me (yes, shoes are highly insulting in Arab culture). (AP)

"Olmert urges Gazans to stop Hamas". Angry Arab urges Israelis to stop Israel. (thanks Marcy)

Arab Zionism

"Egypt has informed Israel that it would not object to a limited Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, the London-based newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi reported Wednesday."

Unbearable..unto the nations

"Livni tells Mubarak: We'll act to halt 'unbearable' Gaza rocket fire". Palestinians tell Livni: "We'll act to halt 'unbearable' Israel."

Generalizations, generalizations.

So according to NYT's Michael Slackman, it is over. We might as well go to sleep. "Today, the search for identity in the Middle East no longer involves tension between the secular and religious. Religion has won." When I was child, we could have easily said that secularism has won. It is not over, and the battle (in every society) continues. (thanks W.A.)

Shoe incident

A student in Bin Jubayl in South Lebanon threw a shoe at his teacher.

Shoe cartoons in Arab media

This is a very nice collection of shoe cartoons from the sleazy Saudi website elaph.
The one above says: "Unforgettable shoes! [From right to left]: The Shoe of Khrushchev, the sandals of Ghawwar, and the shoe of Zubaydi."

Sponsorship of Shoe Debate on Hariri TV

Amer wrote this for Iraqslogger: "As with most Arab satellite channels, Future TV (founded by the Lebanese Hariri family, an ally of Saudi Arabia) devoted its prime time talk shows last week to the Montazir al-Zaidi affair. The popular talk show host Zaven, however, had a lead over the competition: an exclusive interview with al-Zaidi himself. As it later turned out, the heavily advertized interview was conducted between Zaven and al-Zaidi (as well as a dozen other Iraqi journalists) before the shoe-throwing incident, and al-Zaidi’s comments lasted a little over two minutes. The lackluster episode, however, gained much attention due to another reason: the show’s promotional clips pompously advertized: “this show is sponsored by …. The CIA.” The Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper revealed the matter in a front-page story on Wednesday, affirming that the CIA “sponsorship” promo was displayed to Future TV viewers in North America. The affair may prove embarrassing and even scandalous to Future TV and its pro-Saudi backers – already accused of being “American tools” by their adversaries. The matter also opens up a thorny debate in Arab journalism regarding the deep involvement of state financing – both local and foreign - in the media of the region (imagine – for the sake of comparison - an American TV channel airing political programs sponsored by Chinese, Russian or Iranian security agencies.) The last time an Arab media figure was publicly “outed” as a recipient of CIA funding was in the 1960s, when the Hiwar literary journal, edited by Palestinian intellectual Tawfeeq Sayigh, was wrapped in a major scandal: the magazine was secretly receiving CIA funds through front organizations set up by the American intelligence agency to support pro-American publications around the world. The journal was shut down and Sayigh – now publicly shunned - died shortly thereafter. This time around, financing by foreign governments is apparent in journalistic institutions throughout the Middle East. For all the talk of the freedom of press and the independence of the media in the Middle East and the “New Iraq,” facts on the ground are more amenable to conspiracy theories with governments (foreign and local) and intelligence agencies pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Arab media every year. The US government owns and funds several media outlets targeting Arab audiences, and US officials openly speak of hundreds of millions of dollars spent for “PR” purposes yearly. One of the observable effects of this funding is in the immense amount of US-financed political ads that drown pan-Arab channels like al-`Arabiya and New TV – not to mention local Iraqi papers and TVs. Most of that advertisement (smartly displayed on both, pro-American and anti-American channels) targets the Iraqi public and usually carries “soft” pro-government and patriotic messages (“do not believe terrorists who call themselves resistants,” “support the police and Army” etc…) But even these ads attempted to keep a distance between their message and the US government. The first reaction of Future Television, through the chair of its board, was to stress that the CIA “sponsorship” of Zaven’s talk show is – in effect – an ordinary paid ad, and that the purposes of the Central Intelligence Agency are “merely” to recruit from among the viewers."

Human Trafficking in the Beacon of Freedom

"The reality is that human trafficking goes on in nearly every American city and town, said Lisette Arsuaga, director of development for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, a human rights organization in Los Angeles." (thanks Molly)

Bush Doctrine Update

"Iraqi police say attackers have decapitated the leader of the women's league of the Kurdish Communist Party.A police officer says gunmen on Thursday stormed the Kirkuk home of Nahla Hussein al-Shaly and shot and beheaded her." (thanks Kathy)

Zeee planes, zeee Russian planes

Comrade Khalid writes on Zee new Russian planes obtained by Lebanon, and their real purpose.

Thus spoke the Muftititititi

"When King Saud University in Riyadh announced holding a marathon for female students, the mufti of the kingdom put his foot down and talked the university president into canceling the entire event." (thanks Hashim)

War Crimes make the nation proud

"The United States, like many countries, has a bad habit of committing wartime excesses and an even worse record of accounting for them afterward." (thanks Laleh)

Lebanese inventions

The dude wants to prove "the ability of the Lebanese people to do unusual things". But you don't have to invent a potato car for that. The savage civil wars prove the ability of the Lebanese do do most unusual things. (thanks anonymous)

On the Big Screen, Where All the Arabs Are Israeli

"On the Big Screen, Where All the Arabs Are Israeli" (thanks Karim)

NYT refers to Mujahideen Khalq as "resistance group"

"An Iranian resistance group on Monday condemned a renewed push by the Iraqi government to deport its members as a result of undue Iranian influence." Now why would not the NYT not refer to Palestinian groups as "resistance groups"? I mean, this organization perfected the use of car bombs, and even the US Department of State and the EU list it as a terrorist organization. Oh, oh. I now figure it out. It must be some new Israeli policy toward the organization that must have elevated its status. Finally, there is no doubt the new Iraqi puppet government push against it is due to its subservience to Iranian mullahs. (thanks Ahmed)

Why do they write separate articles on Palestinian Christians?

"Fr Ibrahim, who insists the Israeli occupation of the West Bank is the main factor driving Christians away, is less optimistic about the reasons, arguing that it is because those Christians with enough money to leave have done so, leaving the poorest to stay behind. Nor is Mr Batarseh saying that he is remotely happy with the city's wider economy, reeling off a list of negative factors: the occupation; the loss of agricultural land swallowed by neighbouring Jewish settlements; and the barrier encircling much of the city – "If it was there for security it wouldn't have been built inside Palestinian areas"; and Israel's denial of permits to most of Bethlehem's citizens who want to work in Jerusalem."

The Fate of Lebanon

"Michael Herzog, Defense Minister Ehud Barak's chief of staff, was the last Israeli official to speak in such terms, saying at a Washington forum several weeks ago that "in the framework of a peace deal, Israel has to recognize Syria's unique position in Lebanon."" (thanks Marcy)

From Brazil

Maryam sent me this from Brazil: "Billboard in Brazil that I thought only you could take seriously. In Portuguese it reads, [Obama]: "I won because I used [my friend's] Potato Fireworks!"" (Notice, we use Batata for potato in Arabic).

"We Shall Miss you, O Thomas" Friedman

Anis Naqqash (for his background see here) writes a devastating piece on Thomas Friedman, titled "We shall Miss you, o Thomas". It should be translated into English. You see the man is an outbidder (a muzayid, as we call him in Arabic). He shifts his posittions and is never asked to account or explain for his deceptive shifts. He was a cheerleader for the Bush's invasion of Iraq, and would later pose as a critic of the war. He was the biggest cheerleader of financial globalization (along with Bill Clinton), and now he is posing as a critic of globalization.

The Lebanese Left

Comrade Samah on the tasks of the Left in Lebanon.

Gaza Suffering

"The breakdown of an entire society is happening in front of us, but there is little international response beyond UN warnings which are ignored. The European Union announced recently that it wanted to strengthen its relationship with Israel while the Israeli leadership openly calls for a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip and continues its economic stranglehold over the territory with, it appears, the not-so-tacit support of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah – which has been co-operating with Israel on a number of measures. On 19 December Hamas officially ended its truce with Israel, which Israel said it wanted to renew, because of Israel’s failure to ease the blockade. How can keeping food and medicine from the people of Gaza protect the people of Israel? How can the impoverishment and suffering of Gaza’s children – more than 50 per cent of the population – benefit anyone? International law as well as human decency demands their protection. If Gaza falls, the West Bank will be next." (thanks Regan)

This is Zionist (in)justice

"In September 2007, Ehud Gadot, a resident of the Yitav settlement, fired at Palestinians who were grazing their flocks in the area of ‘Ein al-Beida, in the northeast West Bank, hitting one of them, leaving him paralyzed. In a plea-bargain, Gadot was convicted for the offense of “causing grievous bodily injury in aggravated circumstances.” On 14 December 2008, the court sentenced him to imprisonment for sixteen months."

I Told You So, Damn It

"After giving Bush a C- for his presidency, [Pat] Robertson said he’s “remarkably pleased with Obama.” Despite having “grave misgivings about him” earlier, Robertson said he now lauds Obama for picking a “middle-of-the road Cabinet.” “I’m very pleased so far,” he concluded."

From Abbas to Kim Jong Il...with Love

"General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a floral basket by Mahmoud Abbas, Chief of the Palestinian National Authority, on the occasions of the 17th anniversary of his assumption of supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army and the 91st birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk and the New Year Juche 98 (2009)." (thanks Olivia)

"What does As`ad AbuKhalil want from me"?

So according to this article by Irahim Al-Amin, Lebanon's Minister of Information, Tariq Mitri, asked: "What does As`ad AbuKhalil want from me"? My answer: 1) an end to censorship attempts by the government of Lebanon; 2) a smoothie (with soy milk please); 3) banana cream pie or Karabij would be nice.

"Barely passing"

He was my English teacher in high school, when I was into politics and goofing and not into school at all. He was a nice guy and did not conduct himself like some of the American personalities at IC and AUB who thought of themselves like British colonizers in India or French colonizers in Algeria. I did learn one English word in the year when he was my teacher: he wrote on my grade sheet: "Barely passing." I remember that I had to look up the word "barely" to understand what he meant. In the beginning, I thought it was a good thing. In Arabic, the dictionary said:
"بالكاد"

Bush Forgiveness

"In a gesture of forgiveness for an American considered a hero in Israel, President George W. Bush on Tuesday granted a pardon posthumously to a man who broke the law to supply aircraft to Jews fighting in Israel's 1948 war of independence.Charles Winters was listed in a batch of 19 pardons and one commutation that Bush issued before leaving for Camp David to spend the holidays. No high-profile lawbreakers were on the list." (Two others, Herman Greenspun and Al Schwimmer, also were convicted of violating the act, but they did not serve time. President Kennedy pardoned Greenspun in 1961. President Clinton pardoned Schwimmer in 2000.) Imagine if this gang was smuggling weapons to an Arab state. They would be deep underground by now. (thanks Andrew)

Cleric of Senility

I am supposed to be grading but I just saw Shaykh of Al-Azhar (the cleric of senility) on Al-Arabiyya TV (the station of King Fahd's brother-in-law). It just reminded me how much the Western press miss about the Arab world. I once saw a reference to this dude as "the highly respected" Shaykh Al-Azhar. They don't know how he is perceived as a clerical buffoon.

Selfless philanthropy at its best

I have never heard of a more self-less act. What generosity and what selflessness. And it comes in the right season. "Clinton Won't Seek Recovery of Millions She Loaned Campaign."

For those who asked me

No, you may not toss a shoe or a rotten egg or a tomato at Maronite Patriarch, Sfayr. I checked with Lebanese law, and you can't do that. So please restrain yourselves.

Bahraini tyranny

From BBC monitoring (no link): "Akhbar al-Khalij Online publishes a report on 22 December on the
legislative proposal submitted by Bahraini Interior Minister Shaykh Rashid Bin-Abdallah Al Khalifah, concerning amendments on the Public Gathering Law to include a text that imposes strict penalties on those who organize and take part in riots and sabotage." (thanks David)

Chef Ramzi: Buche de Garlic

Chef Ramzi is a skilled chef who has a show on Future TV (he was once profiled in the New York Times). Yesterday, he was making a Bûche de Noël . Damn it was so delicious looking. But what amused me is that on his show, he would be cooking and he entertains live phone questions from viewers not only on what he is preparing but also on other dishes. In the middle of the delicate preparation yesterday, this woman called him and said: How do I make that garlic paste. I just felt that it did not fit. The man was busy. Leave him alone before you ask him about garlic: his hands were in chocolate, damn it.

I Told You So, Damn IT

"Mrs. Clinton and President-elect Barack Obama have not settled on specific envoys or missions, although Mr. Ross’s name has been mentioned as a possible Middle East envoy, as have those of Mr. Holbrooke and Martin Indyk, a former United States ambassador to Israel."

More of this will come under Obama

"A suspected US drone aircraft is reported to have killed at least eigh people in two missile strikes in southern Pakistan, near the border of Afghanistan."

Shoes in Ukraine

"Oleg Soskin, a member of the Ukraine-NATO Social League Coordination Council, was making a speech when he was interrupted by a journalist from one of the local TV channels, who shouted: “Students, you’re young and promising, don’t you listen to these stupid and marasmic old men!” The journalist then took off his boots and threw them at Soskin." (For those who don't know, shoes--if thrown at the head--are extremely offensive in Ukrainian culture, but not in Arab and American cultures). (thanks Sobhi)

My first bookshop

"Emotions ran high on Friday as customers and friends gathered to bid farewell to the Ras Beirut Bookshop on Bliss Street, which closed its doors for the final time last week. The building will be knocked down to make way for a high-rise and as of yet there are no plans to re-open the bookshop elsewhere." This was my first bookshop ever. It was one block from my elementary school, and I used to go there. I bought my first book at that shop, and built my first small library from there. It was frustratingly small in size but it was big in the back. One of the workers there (his name was As`ad) used to let me go to the back to look for books. I liked it better when I was a kid: the size was not as frustrating as it became later when the books could not be fit into the small room.

Shoe terrorist plot

"Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki moved Monday to undermine the popularity of the Iraqi who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush, saying the journalist confessed that the mastermind of the attack was a militant known for slitting his victims' throats. Tensions over the case also spilled into parliament, as a move to oust the abrasive Sunni speaker delayed a key decision on whether non-U.S. foreign troops will be allowed to stay in Iraq beyond New Year's Eve." In fact, I would not be surprised if the US government does not find a "confession" from Khalid Shaykh Muhammad to the effect that he personally planned the shoe throwing.

"Son of...Israel"

Iraqi puppet speaker of the puppet parliament got into a fight with one of the puppet deputies, Thomas Friedman's favorite Iraqi, Mithal AlLusi. The puppet speaker, Mashhadani, called Allusi "son of Israel." I giggled.

Occupation in Disguise"?

"Though the deadline for withdrawal of US troops from Iraqi cities has been decided as June 30, 2009, experts have argued that roughly 10,000 American troops should remain in Baghdad after that period, in the guise of "trainers" and "advisers" in what are effectively combat roles."

A calamity unto the Nations

"Growing tensions between ultra-Orthodox and religious residents in the town of Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, have recently escalated into violence as three teen girls were beaten up by haredim who claimed they were "immodestly" dressed." (thanks Therese)

Methods of Saudi Media

I have noticed this about Saudi media. They know that they can't attract Arab readers and viewers with their despised political agenda or with their stale and boring columnists who specialize in heaping praise on this prince or that prince of House of Saud. So what they do is this: 1) they now contain tons of sleaze and vuglarism; 2) they peddle the most sensational stories. You see it especially on Al-Arabiyya TV (and check their "most popular" item section.). They usually have stories focusing on the bizarre and the outrageous, thereby attracting stories that reflect negatively on the Saudi people, and not on the government and its loyal clerical kooks.

Good news from Saudi Arabia

"The government has set spending of 475 billion riyals (127 billion dollars) compared with 510 billion riyals (136 billion dollars ) in 2008, and projected a deficit of 65 billion riyals (17.3 billion dollars) next year, according to a cabinet spokesman."