Spice Corner

kissing cousins

2006-03-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Pakistan military is criticized for having deep connections with Mullahs and their kissing cousins elsewhere in the World's most powerful Military are doing the same.

Afghan heroes for peace-Really?

2006-02-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

If you really think that the names of Afghan warriors for the purpose of peace then you really need to ask Hindu Historians who still lick their wounds at the hands of Mighty Afghan Warriors.

Kabul objects to Pakistan: "KABUL, Feb 22: Afghanistan formally complained to Pakistan for naming its ballistic missiles and other weapons after historic Afghan heroes, a minister said here on Wednesday.

Afghan Information Minister Makhdom Raheen said that Kabul had recently sent a letter through its foreign ministry to Pakistan over the use of names of Afghan nation?s heroes, including Mohammed Ghauri, a 12th-century conqueror who ruled what is now Afghanistan and invaded areas in what is now India and Pakistan several times.

A series of Pakistan?s ballistic missiles is named after Ghauri, including a 1,500-kilometre-range nuclear-capable weapon.

We asked them (Pakistan) not to use the names of great elders of Afghanistan on weapons of mass destruction or other war equipment,? Mr Raheen said. ?These great elders played a major part in building national solidarity and in transferring science and knowledge from the homeland across southwest Asia.?

Pakistan?s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam refused to comment or say whether it had received such a letter. Afghanistan is also complaining about Pakistan?s use of the name of Ahmad Shah Abdali, an 18th century king who founded the powerful Durrani dynasty, on a weapon that Raheen did not identify. Abdali laid the foundations
for the Pashtun tribal rule in Afghanistan.

Mr Raheen said Pakistan was welcome to use the names but only for peaceful things like memorials, monuments, conference rooms and historical places. ? AP"

Objections to Corruption

2006-02-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

As far as terrorism is concerned the objections seems valid. However, what about the corruption at UN or in US or World Politics. How many are trying to hide Abramoff under their carpets even when there were enough laws present in the US judicial system.

More Objections to Port Takeover by Arab Entity - New York Times: "'I'm aware of the conditions, and they relate entirely to how the company carries out its procedures, but it doesn't go to who they hire, or how they hire people,' said the chairman, Representative Peter T. King, Republican of New York. Mr. King said senior administration officials had shared details of the sale with him.
'They're better than nothing, but to me they don't address the underlying conditions, which is, how are they going to guard against things like infiltration by Al Qaeda or someone else? How are they going to guard against corruption?' Mr. King said in an
interview with The Associated Press."

Peaceful Protest....

2006-02-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

I would rather like to see a peaceful demonstration by Muslims against violence, against protests, against destruction of private property. Peacefully protesting about the cartoons does not make sense anymore.

Muslim Crowds Decry Cartoons, Violent Retort: "Mindful of a recent London rally where a small group of radicals held placards that urged beheadings and death for those who insulted Islam, police officers were stationed at subway stations looking for people who might disrupt the rally. Organizers said they were pleased that moderates -- at least for a day -- had grabbed the headlines from radicals. The Islam Channel, which also supported the Trafalgar rally, broadcast the event to hundreds of thousands of Muslims around the world, organizers said."

Google googled by a dragon

2006-01-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Microsoft's compliance to Chinese policies was understandable. If they don't comply China can flood the market with pirated windows and Office products but Google being googled by a dragon....? I think now they will yield to GOP pressure as well. For the sinking liberals last straw is gone.

Search engines Here be dragons: "Users could retrieve content that Beijing banned by clicking to call up a cached copy of the web page, stored by Google. Soon, however, Google itself was being sporadically blocked"
Google said it had voluntarily agreed to censor politically sensitive websites in China when it launches an internet service in the country. The approach is similar to that of other internet companies operating in China.

Applying Business Cycle Theory to Politics

2006-01-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

At this moment there is a world wide movement of the right wing dominance. It is happening everywhere, US, Canada, Middleast, etc. Only in India Congress was able to defeat the right wing ruling party.

Hamas Sweeps Palestinian Elections, Complicating Peace Efforts in Mideast: "The radical Islamic movement Hamas won a large majority in the new Palestinian parliament, according to official election results announced Thursday, trouncing the governing Fatah party in a contest that could dramatically reshape the Palestinians' relations with Israel and the rest of the world."

Probably like economic/business cycles there are political cycles as well. In economics we say that Business cycles have international flavor due to externalities or spillover effects. So if there are political cycles as well then the theory of spillovers may be true in that context. Hamas's win may bring more support for extreme right wing politics in Israel and Sharon's party may loose support. I am not a political analyst but just wondering if I can apply the economic theory of cycles to international politics as well.

"The Hamas parliamentary election victory became a focal point of Israel's election campaign Thursday as opposition politicians criticized the government for failing to stop the radical Islamic movement from rising to prominence within the Palestinian Authority."

New Skills in Pakistani Government

2006-01-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

It seems like the General has learned a new school. They have launched attack on else but Miss Bhutto to avert media attention so that he can take the heat off caused by drone attacks.

Interpol issues notices seeking arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister: "Interpol has issued international notices, at Pakistan's request, seeking the arrest of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her husband on corruption charges, officials said Thursday. Speaking by phone from France, Interpol spokeswoman Rachael Billington confirmed that 'red notices' had been issued for Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari, but that it was up to member countries to decide what, if any, action to take. "

While his extraordinary protege Mr. Rashid has resorted to same old funny rhetoric. It seems that Mr. Rashid likes to do day dreaming--it is a good skill too--everyone cannot daydream often.

"Their passports will be taken and they will be deported," Rashid told AFP.

"As you sow so shall you reap"

2006-01-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Jefferson Morley in Review of Opinions and Commentary on News Around the World points out that Pakistan's English Press Turns on Washington regarding the airstirke in its autonomous Tirbal Area bordering Afghanistan. One newspaper has gone as far as saying that even the top leaders of renegade AlQaeda were killed the attack is not justified.

The News International said the attack would be unjustified even if it had killed Zawahiri: "Apart from the element of Pakistan’s sovereignty, this country is the United States' partner in the 'war on terror.' To state the obvious, the alliance ought also to involve sharing of intelligence. If the US forces had received information that al-Zawahiri was holed up in one of the three houses destroyed in Damadola village and had passed it on to its allies, Pakistani forces would probably have done an equally good job of it, if not better."

Pakistani newspapers should also tell extremists and their supporters "As you sow so shall you reap." Countries don't go to war if nations respect each other's freedom.
Update: A curious reader must read these two articles

For Muslim Policeman, London's a Tough Beat

2006-01-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Many Muslims think that being Muslim is a license to steal, coerce, and become terrorists. It really hurt my soul the way Muslims behaved in recent French roits.

For Muslim Policeman, London's a Tough Beat: "When Scotland Yard community police officer Saeed Hajjaj detained a young man on theft charges recently, the man told him angrily: 'You are a Muslim. You should not be working for the police.'
'You are a Muslim,' Hajjaj said he replied. 'You shouldn't be committing a crime.'

I have heard similar stories from a Muslim Friend in US police in Mid West. The officer is Black and Muslim; He arrested many other Muslims some of them black---and same story as Saeed's... I admire him because he did his job and same way I admire Saeed.

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

2006-01-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World "The U.S. Government sends comedian Albert Brooks to India and Pakistan to find out what makes the over 300 million Muslims in the region laugh. Brooks, accompanied by two state department handlers and his trusted assistant, goes on a journey that takes him from a concert stage in New Delhi, to the Taj Mahal, to a secret location in the mountains of Pakistan."

The film is entirely filmed in India and USA. Filming Locations:New Delhi, India Los Angeles, California, USA. Probably Musharaf administration did not give them a visa because of Indian connection-- or the movie producer/writer/director did not know about Pakistani Omar Sharif (Karachi) and Aman-Ullah from Alhamra, Lahore. So how do you expect them to know what tickles Pakistani bones.

End of MAC?

2006-01-13T02:13:00.000-07:00

Well guys and gals! I am not a tech buff but What about MAC lovers? I think they should expect a Microsoft to Dish out a Windows system for new Intel Macs or an Intel IBook.
MAC Pros are pricy. Jobs had a dream to make iMac available at cheaper prices so that every one can afford it and I think the dream is over unless Steve Jobs may think about producing Celeron version of IMacs. Hopefully Intel chips may bring all their shortcomings to iMacs. Why he did not try AMD? Or tried to improve their own stable processor.

MacWorld Keynote Live - Gizmodo: "It adds Intel's dual core in it. There will be dual processors in every Mac laptop. 4 to 5 times faster than the Powerbook G4."

Whatever the case may be Rob Pegoraro does not recommend you to buy it atleast for few months from now.

Origins of Life or origins of fight?

2006-01-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

I think this middle ground should be acceptable otherwise creationists will push that they have a right to teach intelligent design alongside evolution. Those parents should not opt it for their children. It is philosophy not comparative religion. If you want evolution there by side by side with Christian intelligent design then whets wrong with Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu view of the universe. Everyone would like to have it in there.

California Parents File Suit Over Origins of Life course: "Last month, a Federal District Court in Pennsylvania ruled that it was unconstitutional to teach intelligent design in a public school science class because it promoted a particular religious belief.
After the ruling, people on both sides of the debate suggested that it might be constitutionally permissible to examine intelligent design in a philosophy, comparative religion or social studies class.
But the parents, represented by lawyers with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, contend that the teacher is advocating intelligent design and 'young earth creationism' and is not examining those ideas in a neutral way alongside evolution."

Want a T-Shirt

2006-01-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Want a T-shirt then submit your enteries on Abramoff.

It's a Scandal -- and This T-Shirt Proves It: "Send your entry -- and rationale --via e-mail to intheloop@washpost.com or mail to In the Loop, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Deadline is midnight Jan. 18. Top 10 winners get a still-rare, highly coveted In the Loop T-shirt. (Shown here for those who doubted their existence.) Entries on background are welcome, but everyone must include telephone numbers to be eligible."

Google Video

2006-01-07T04:37:00.000-07:00

So this is what Google cube was all about.

Google Video Seeks a Bite of Apple's Market - Los Angeles Times: "The Google Video Store, launching with 5,000 titles, is the first major challenge to the early lead that Apple Computer Inc. has in the emerging market for online video. It also could help realize the dreams of futurists who have long envisioned the Internet as a creative commons that upends the business models of traditional media."

RFID chip implant to open doors, start car

2006-01-07T04:09:00.000-07:00

Entrepreneur's RFID chip implant to open doors, start car -Wikinews: "A technology entrepreneur in northeastern Washington asked a doctor to implant an RFID chip into his hand in order to experiment with the technology. Amal Graafstra, who runs a technology company in Bellingham, WA, asked a doctor to place the chip under the skin of his left hand, and posted pictures of the procedure to the photo-sharing site, Flickr. Graafstra plans to use the chip for keyless entry to his car, home, or as a login for computer systems."

Egypt film tackles thorny issues of sex

2006-01-07T03:57:00.000-07:00

Egypt film tackles thorny issues of sex, hypocrisy - Boston.com: "A young man on the back of a
Cairo bus kisses and gropes the woman next to him as he peels off her Islamic headscarf. The scene from an independent film about sex and double standards in Egypt shows little nudity but provokes gasps of surprise from an audience in this largely conservative country. Director Ahmed Khaled's 14-minute film, the Fifth Pound, follows the weekly bus journey of a young man and woman who dodge the suspicious glances of other passengers and exploit the unused back seats to indulge in physical intimacy."

Too Bad for Coke

2006-01-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

That's funny and may be kinda-true.

The infamous coca-cola photograph: "This is the infamous coca cola photograph taken by an Indian Photographer. Coke later sued photographer for this photograph as it conveys its product in bad taste. The perception from this photo is, it might difficult to get drinking water in India, but coca-cola is always available."

That's what I like about you

2006-01-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

David Letterman: "That's what I like about you."

Letterman 1 - O'Reilly 0: "'I have the feeling that 60% of what you say is crap...' and with that Dave Letterman captured the essence of what is Bill O'Reilly. Earlier in the segment Bill O'Reilly said, 'The Soldiers and Marines are noble they are not terrorists and when people call them that like Cindy Sheehan; called the insurgents freedom fighters we don't like that. ' This quotation is a perfect example of O'Reilly's sophistry. Notice where he pauses, not after that, but rather after Cindy Sheehan, implying not only that does she view the insurgents as freedom fighters but that she views the troops as terrorists. It is exactly the same technique Bush used in linking Iraq and 9/11. It wasn't simply an awkward sentence but a device O'Reilly uses frequently to smear others. You don't debate with someone who has no respect for the facts, for someone who quotes out of context. You point out as Dave did that it is crap. You don't argue the fine points you can never win that sort of argument with a LIAR. When someone flings shit like O'Reilly does, you don't need to identify it point by point you can smell it."

Dangerous TOT

2006-01-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Continental Airlines agents think that 4 year old tot is going to blow himself up while TSA does not.

Terror-Tot: "HOUSTON -"They said, 'We need ID for your son.' I said, 'You're joking,' " said Houston resident Sijollie Allen, a 39-year-old payroll accountant. "The man said, 'No I'm very serious. It clearly stipulates I need ID for him.'
TSA regional spokeswoman Carrie Harmon said the agency tells airlines not to deny boarding to children under 12 or select them for extra security checks even if their names match ones on the list. "We do not require ID for children because there are no children on the list," Harmon said. "If it's a child, ticket agents have the authority to immediately de-select them."
"Is this a joke?" Allen recalled telling Continental Airlines agents Dec. 21 at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport. "You can tell he's not a terrorist."

I was subject to a similar joke as well. Infact we had two incidents.

My father passed away in 2004 and I had to see off my mother from NY who was visiting me at that time. We bought oneway "First Class" tickets from Kansas to fly to NY from where she had to catch a flight abroad. We paid almost $600 for each ticket (a total of $1200) through United Airline. However flights were delayed in Chicago due to heavy Snowfall and they started rerouting passengers on alternate flights. Twelve hrs had passed and everyone had been rerouted except us. By that time my mothers flight had already gone from NY (what happened there was a different story). When I asked them the United airline agent said you are not on priority. When I asked how priority is determined they said from the price you pay and the flyer miles. I said what the hell I am traveling first class and I have paid $600 approx for each ticket isn't that enough price. He said our first class cabins are full at the moment. At that moment my mother was crying so I told the agent look at the lady --her husband has passed away and she needs to go home from NY. Can't you even give us a seat in economy, I don't care about money, I can pay more. As I recall it know he said I may give her a seat but you may not get a seat as the flight is full. I said I don't care... my mom needs to travel I am just seeing her off form NY. So please give here a seat. The agent told me to wait---then called me after 10 minutes and reluctantly said we are giving seat to both of you in the economy class. You are lucky that you are going to board. As we were about to board the agent on the boarding gate checked the tickets and said why are you traveling in economy--- you have first class tickets and she changed the boarding pass. See how they lied and told us that the first class is full. It was a perfect case of discrimination. Later I discovered that our tickets were marked "SSS" which means special security screening. They were putting this on everyone's ticket who was traveling one way becuase the threat level was raised to orange exactly that day (I remember watching news at airport) and my travel agent could not get me a return ticket, my mother was offcourse not coming back. And I was .... Are you kidding does this old woman who cannot even stand for more than five minutes and has a curved posture while walking due to back pain is a security threat? Even TSA tells them to use common sense but airlines do have bunch of stupid people on staff. The NY was different story PIA was not willing to reroute my mother so the travel agent has to board her on Air India flight to UK and from there she got onto PIA.
My youngest son was less than year old traveling with my wife to Pakistan in May 2003. His First and middle name resembeled to a Middle Eastern Politician (Unfortunately! because of surnames my son ended up with that name that we did not realize). At the airport, the lady at the entrance to the departure lounge looked at the ticket and suddenly became Alert and asked out loud who is "Hamad ___," Who is he, Where is he. She should have looked at the ticket it clearly said "Infant" (that my wife was carrying). My wife pointed out to her that this is the one sleeping on my shoulder (like an angel). When the TSA personal saw the infant she became calm and said---Oh!. By the way! that Middle Eastern Politician had already died by that time. Stupid Jerks....!!! I am not going to change my son's name TSA should better take classes of general knowledge and international relations. The story did not end there as they were about to baoard they almost stripped my kids to dipers for security search and the kids were crying so badly but no one bothered. The ages of the kids at that times were Elder: 1 year 9 month and Younger: 6 months. I saw an East European family in real screening trouble. Although they were non-Muslims but they had one suit case full of joggers and shoes. The agents checked each and every pair of shoe throughly before letting them go. By the time they cleared they had only fifteen minutes left to board. I recall that those days the threat level was high as well. When ever the threat level is high in US the brown skin people and Europeans are in real mess at airports.

I am hundered percent sure about discrimination against Muslims when the alert level is high in US because of two reasons.

When I traveled back from NY to KS after seeing my mother off to Pakistan again a purchased a oneway ticket because I traveled on "Airtran" (they sell oneway). By that time the alert level was reduced and so they did not mark my ticket SSS.
I traveled couple of times after that with my family and luckily things were normal in US so the security screening was nothing more than routine.
One of my friend who was American citizen and had a Danish wife faced lot of problem as people would stare at him whenever he called his sons name--which happened to be Osama... He named his son long time ago even when no one knew Osama at all. Finally, a year ago, in order to avoid stereo types here he migrated to his wife's country.

Paasport or get lost

2006-01-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

What about millions of Americans who have never travelled out of their own state. Why would they need a passport?

TimesSelect: "Need Medicaid? Show Your PassportBy BOB HERBERT Buried in the federal budget bill is a nasty little provision that will make it difficult for many U.S. citizens to get the health care they are entitled to under Medicaid."

That's funny but not for everyone off course

2005-12-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ha Ha Ha!

Billboard shows world leaders in menage a trois - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com: "VIENNA, Austria - Her Majesty would not have been amused.
Neither would President Bush or his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac, over a Vienna-wide art project depicting them naked and engaged in a sexual act with British Queen Elizabeth II."

Thanks II

2005-12-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks Fawaz Mahmood Issa. I hope Iraq will be abetter place.

"In the Shiite holy city of Najaf, nominally nonsectarian police used the loudspeakers in their cars to rally support for the Shiite religious parties. Far to the north, in Tall Afar, a policeman at one polling place displayed pictures of top Shiite politicians and religious figures on his uniform until the police chief, Fawaz Mahmood Issa, ordered him to remove them. 'Do you work for a sect or for Iraq?' Issa asked."

Thanks I

2005-12-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks Mr. President for admitting mistakes and embracing criticism. Only these values will make America and World a better place.

President Bush Holds Media Availability With Senator McCain: "Senator McCain has been a leader to make sure that the United States of America upholds the values of America as we fight and win this war on terror."
Nearly five months ago, President Bush issued a formal threat to veto legislation barring torture, and for the past five months he has been trying to find a way to avoid doing just that. The price: giving Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) the upper hand.
Once again the awkward, freighted Bush-McCain relationship with all its history of rivalry and resentment took center stage in American politics yesterday, as the second-place finisher in the 2000 Republican presidential primaries forced the first-place finisher to swallow something he once opposed.

Burning Rubber

2005-12-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

And who is going to stop the abuse for which Ms. Rice is burning rubber and skidding in Europe.

To Halt Abuses, U.S. Will Inspect Jails Run by Iraq - New York Times: "American military officers will inspect hundreds of detention centers and embed with Iraqi police commando units and other Interior Ministry forces to try to halt widespread abuses uncovered by raids on two Iraqi-run detention centers in Baghdad in the last month, the American ambassador pledged Tuesday."

This cartoon is a copyright of Nicholson of "The Australian" newspaper: http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/ used with permission

Only if Iraqis are better off

2005-12-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

It will make sense only if Iraqis are better off at this moment they are not. The number of happy go lucky stories in media are much less than either the number of daily deaths or the number of families that have suffered after the Iraq invasion.

ABC News: Bush: Iraq Invasion My Responsibility: "'Saddam was a threat and the American people and the world is better off because he is no longer in power,' Bush declared, as he has before. "

She is funny!

2005-12-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

She may be an American version of Taliban (conservative) but tells good jokes too.

Human Events Book Service: How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must) by Ann Coulter: "Janet Jackson's Super Bowl exhibitionism: 'Even CBS executives were enraged by MTV's halftime show, saying they could have gotten the identical show from National Geographic for a fraction of the price.'

Iconoclast Professor

2005-12-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

In an effort to become iconoclast he must be our of his mind. Yes he is out of control and probably does not even know if he has a sound logic or not.

In wartime, this lawyer has got Bush's back: "'That was pretty wild,' acknowledged John Yoo, the author of a new book, 'The Powers of War and Peace.' 'That was the most out-of-control thing that ever happened to me.' "

I have only one thing for Mr. Yoo by 20th century Philosopher and poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal.

"Vision without power does bring moral elevation but cannot give a lasting culture. Power without vision tends to become destructive and inhuman. Both must combine for the spiritual expansion of humanity."

He is very well known to Europeans but unfortunately not to Americans. I am not saying Americans are ignorant but in their pursuit of self they are ignoring great Philosophers of East. Well! Self was a very favorite topic of Iqbal he did promote it a lot but believed in moderation and held humanity higher than anything else.

Eeeeeks! Kissing Cousins

2005-12-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I am going to pass out.

Kissing Cousins: "In 1926, a Soviet scientist named Ilya Ivanov decided the most compelling way to test Darwin's theory by trying to breed a humanzee: a human-chimpanzee hybrid."

Sex, Please

2005-12-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

So good to bargain freedom in China.

Sex, Please--We're Young and Chinese : "Li Li has lost exact count of how many men she has bedded, but she knows the number is far above 100. 'I don't keep statistics,' says the former journalist, 27."

4 years on Bin Ladin-Saddam-Bush

2005-12-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

Ha! Ha Ha! This guy is amzaing I love his cartoons.

This cartoon is a copyright of Nicholson of "The Australian" newspaper: http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/ used with permission

F**King Saudi Shariah

2005-12-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

This is not Islamic Shariah rather Saudi F**King mentality (pay attention to words starting with capital letters, I have nothing against good Saudis, some of them are friends who studied here with me in US) or F**King Saudi Shariah. Under hardcore "Qusas" rules of Islamic Shariah "Naif" would be required to hit "Naushad" exactly on the eyebrow at the place where he hit him, with the same thing. Even before such judgement an expert opinion would be needed whether that hit had definitely caused the loss of eye. There has to be a substantial evidence. I don't think that the expert opinion was sound enough in this case. The way these Saudi employers treat foriegners is no secret (they are considered slaves) and a Saudi Doctor's opinion could have been baised too. I don't trust their expertise.

Saudi justice for this Indian is blinding: "A Shariah court in Saudi Arabia has ruled that one eye
of a 30-year-old Indian salesman, from Kerala, be gouged out and donated to a Saudi national.
The ruling came after Puthan Veettil Naushad, who worked as an assistant in a shop attached to a petrol station near Dammam, allegedly hit Naif Muthef, a local resident, during an altercation two years ago. Saudi police said that in the scuffle, Naif lost his right eye. "

Notebook II -- She said, She Said

2005-12-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

Says German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Rice-to Admit German's Abduction Was an Error: "After meeting with Rice, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said U.S. admitted a German was 'erroneously taken.' Rice aides said she admitted no error."

Says Rice

Nobody's perfect,says Rice

Says MAUREEN DOWD
in NY Times OPINION Torturing the Facts Our secretary of state's tortuous defense of rendition in Eastern Europe was an acid flashback to Clintonian parsing.

This trial is farce

2005-12-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

For God sake try them for something else so that you can really convict them for their bad deeds. For example, looting and massacring Kuwaitis. This trial is baseless and becoming more like Shiite grudge thing against bunch of Sunnis. The situation for which these people are being tried are similar to what occupation forces are doing right now. Can we try, Bush, Blair or their Allies for something their soldiers are doing to innocent people in the heat of fire. Whenever there is an attack on Allied forces innocent people are being rounded up in Iraq, Men and Women have been beaten to death and raped in Abu Gharib by occupation forces and Mr. Cheney and Rumsfeld are supporting torture. Therefore, on Principles of justice where does this trial stand. Don't mock justice.

May be try Saddam for killing his own "Son in Law" that would be much better thing to do.

Witness Stories Riveting, Vague - Los Angeles Times: "Five Iraqis describe horrors at the hands of Hussein's forces. But their accounts do little to link misdeeds to the eight men on trial."

In Courtroom, Hussein Acts Out Old Role With Flourish
By Doug StruckWashington Post Foreign ServiceWednesday, December 7, 2005; Page A01
BAGHDAD, Dec. 6 -- According to Saddam Hussein, the would-be assassins who ambushed his car near an Iraqi village in 1982 were working for Iran, his trial for destroying that village afterward is just an excuse for Americans to stay in Iraq, and the Iraqi judge and prosecutors are underlings preoccupied with unimportant matters.
"Do you think Saddam Hussein has no work? I have no time," the former dictator scoffed during the fourth day of his trial Tuesday, implying that the killing of more than 140 villagers, and the torture and imprisonment of hundreds more, was a trivial matter and that he had larger issues to worry about.

The Acid Test

2005-12-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

The newspapers are calling it a litmus test for patriot act and considering it a "SET BACK TO U.S." I would say that if this man is really innocent as the court declared then media should not call it a setback to US. They can call it a setback to "Kafka: The Trial." Upholding justice is something that U.S. should be proud of. Being a vocal critical of policies is something different than being a rouge terrorist. All those who gave a voice to Palestinian causes (Christian, Jews, Muslims) should be proud of the outcome that finally Israelis and Palestinians are reaching a deal. Can we have a trial of those people in different govts who once supported "Yasser Arafat" and then finally shunned him. I believe in justice and freedom for which I value U.S. To be patriot is to believe in justice and freedom.

Washington Post

Fla. Professor Is Acquitted in Case Seen as Patriot Act Test: "A federal jury acquitted former Florida professor Sami al-Arian yesterday of conspiring to aid a Palestinian group in killing Israelis through suicide bombings, dealing the U.S. government a setback in its efforts to use secretly gathered intelligence in criminal cases against terrorism suspects. The trial was a crucial test of government power under the USA Patriot Act, which lowered barriers that had prevented intelligence agencies from sharing secretly monitored communications with prosecutors."

NY Times

Not Guilty Verdicts in Florida Terror Trial Are Setback for U.S. - New York Times: "The former
professor, Sami al-Arian, a fiery advocate for Palestinian causes who became a lightning rod for criticism nationwide over his vocal anti-Israeli stances, was found not guilty on eight criminal counts related to terrorist support, perjury and immigration violations."

Titanic for Victory?

2005-12-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Not a good parable! Lets find out what could be the floating Iceberg in this case? Anyone, any comments about possible Icebergs

Bush: US Titanic stays the course towards Victory! : IMC Santiago

Related: I am no one to say this just found on the web

R-rated Bible

2005-12-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

No Comments!

German youths offer R-rated Bible calendar - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com: "A German Protestant youth group has put together a 2006 calendar with 12 staged photos
depicting erotic scenes from the Bible, including a bare-breasted Delilah cutting Samson's hair and a nude Eve offering an apple."

I have no comments for the Delilah and Eve pictures as many artists have made paintings in past that but Wait a minute, what about this one.

Anne Rohmer, 21, poses on a doorstep in garters and stockings as the prostitute Rahab, who is mentioned in both New and Old Testaments. “We wanted to represent the Bible in a different way and to interest young people,” she told Reuters.

Why are they using sex appeal on youth and asking models to pose like in soft P**n? That would be a negative way to attract people to religion.

Love Kills

2005-12-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

O Boy! This is a chilling news.

Love hurts? So does a wounded marriage - Yahoo! News: "There is even more proof that an unhappy marriage is bad for your health, researchers reported on Monday."

The stress that comes from discord appears to slow the initial production of a blood protein that is key to healing wounds, the report from Ohio State University said.

Notebook ---- He said, She said

2005-12-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

U.S. Interrogations Are Saving European Lives, Rice Says - New York Times But she declined to offer examples or provide any specific information to support her assertions.

So what about European citizens who are in those jails and what about saving innocent Muslim lives?

CIA ruse on missing cleric misled Italians - washingtonpost.com Highlights : "'The kidnapping of Abu Omar was not only a serious crime against Italian sovereignty and human
rights, but it also seriously damaged counterterrorism efforts in Italy and Europe,' said Armando Spataro, the lead prosecutor in Milan."

Come on Spataro! Don't you believe in "Rice" She says:

The United States "has fully respected the sovereignty of other countries that cooperate in these matters," she said.

Youngster bugger

2005-12-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

I would say use it against young terrorists. Honestly! drive them away from public places.

Buzz off! "Mosquito" aims to drive away teens - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com: "A Welsh inventor claims to have found the perfect solution to rowdy youngsters' noise.
Howard Stapleton says his device, the "Mosquito," emits an uncomfortable high-pitched ultrasonic sound that can be heard by children and teenagers but almost no one over 30."

The Accident!

2005-12-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

I wish, I could believe you! Mr. Howard Kurtz! Kabul was an accident, Baghdad was an accident (the coordinates of offices were provided to military to avoid such accidents not to get bombed), the shooting and killing of Italian journalists and operatives was an accident and killing of more than a dozen civilians was an accident. I wish, I can believe that. How many more accidents are need to make people believe; It was just an accident!

Journalistic Bomb: "Every once in awhile, someone reports a story that just seems way out there. And you wonder: Could this possibly be true ? Or is it plain old media sensationalism?"

If it was an accident and nothing more than a joke then why Two British Men in Court Over Leak?

AP LONDON: Civil servant David Keogh, 49, and former legislative researcher Leo O'Connor, 42, appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court, charged under the Official Secrets Act.

Mission accomplished! and now victory strategy?

2005-11-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Victory strategy plan? Wasn't it declared earlier.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
So what's new?

Bush: Iraq conflict 'will take time and patience' - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com President Bush, facing growing doubts about his war strategy, said Wednesday that Iraqi troops are increasingly
taking the lead in battle but that “this will take time and patience.” He refused to set a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces.

Consumer Freedom?

2005-11-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Televangelists are willing to become strange bedfellows with Racy Program Channels due to evil of necessity. I think now I understand why my Bresnan cable has taken off Showtime from the expanded basic cable lineup. When I inquired I got following different responses.
The Showtime cable traps were wearing off too fast and reinstallation is very expensive. We had to change traps every year. So we have installed new digital traps and now Showtime can be viewed with a digital box.
I quoted consumer laws and bang for the buck issue (that I have been paying supposedly for this channel in my rent) I got transferred to someone else and she said Showtime has decided to go digital only it is still coming to your node but you can only watch it with a digital box.
When I complained to my landlord (University in this case; it is paid in my rent) the Bresnan rep changed her explanation; she said it is not part of basic package anymore and we informed your office and they were supposed to inform you as well. For bang for the buck issue they said we have included "Altitude" to your package (What? I don't like to watch altitude! That you are forcing on me).
I got back to my University of Montana Residence Villages Office and they were like... We did not know if Showtime was part of expanded basic probably it was promotional for just few days. So many lies but no truth but finally this is the answer I have found in LA times.

Televangelists on Unusual Side in Indecency Debate - Los Angeles Times: "Consumer groups are
pushing to let people choose their channels rather than pay for ones they don't watch. One Federal Communications Commission study showed people on average regularly watch only 17 of the more than 100 cable channels they typically receive."
But what started largely as a consumer issue has now morphed into a larger controversy involving whether cable operators should be required to continue exposing subscribers to niche channels, including religious ones, that people might not order on their own."We don't just want to preach to the choir; we want to reach the unchurched," said Paul Crouch Jr. of Trinity Broadcast Network in Santa Ana. "The bottom line is that we want to be everywhere on cable."The controversy is expected to come to a head today when media executives, televangelists, government regulators and consumer activists gather for Open Forum on Decency, held by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Lawmakers and advocacy groups have seized on the a la carte system as a way to give cable TV subscribers more flexibility to drop channels with adult fare, citing such programs as the plastic surgery drama "Nip/Tuck" on FX that regularly features sex and gore."A la carte is a solution that will immediately address the issue of indecency on cable," said Tim Winters, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Parents Television Council.

Bright students don't have time

2005-11-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

"At integrated public schools, minority students with higher grades end up with fewer friends." says John Tierney in his Nov 19, 2005 article Computing the Cost of 'Acting White' The New York Times. All is coming from Roland G. Fryer who is 27 years old economist at Harvard. I would say this black kid is genius but he himself may not have time for friends and others, as you can see on his web page, he meets by appointment only.

By the way saying balck kids acting white will definitely earn him fewer friends among blacks. And Promethus 6 is doubts his research too.

On the otherhand from pure scholarly point of view his research is commendable as a new theory by a new kid on the block. He is really a genius and his hands are so full with all the engagements at Harvard and NBER, etc. I feel he would need to find time for friends among his peers but on the other hand he definitely have friends else where who appreciate his research and scholarship. So why care about anyone else?

NY Taxi-Concept Car

2005-11-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Wow!

The New York Times > Automobiles > Interactive Feature > Channeling the Checker
ONE day, flagging down a taxicab may take nothing more than pushing a button on your cellphone. That enticing solution to an everyday challenge of city life is among the many proposals offered in "Designing the Taxi: Rethinking New York City's Movable Public Space," an exhibit that opened on Nov. 3 at the Manhattan gallery of Parsons the New School for Design.

Another Iraq? Another Libby Scooter?

2005-11-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

No sympathies with the Iranian president especially after he has shown his intolerance to Jews however on the other hand World is not prepare for another Iraq; neither in Syria nor in Iran or anywhere else.

Relying on Computer, U.S. Seeks to Prove Iran's Nuclear Aims - New York Times: "I can fabricate
that data,' a senior European diplomat said of the documents. 'It looks beautiful, but is open to doubt.' Robert G. Joseph, the under secretary of state for arms control and international security, who led the July briefing, declined to discuss any classified material from the session but acknowledged the existence of the warhead intelligence. He called it one of many indicators
'that together lead to the conclusion Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability.'"
The Americans flashed on a screen and spread over a conference table selections from more than a thousand pages of Iranian computer simulations and accounts of experiments, saying they showed a long effort to design a nuclear warhead, according to a half-dozen European and
American participants in the meeting.
The documents, the Americans acknowledged from the start, do not prove that Iran has an atomic bomb. They presented them as the strongest evidence yet that, despite Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is peaceful, the country is trying to develop a compact warhead to fit atop its Shahab missile, which can reach Israel and other countries in the Middle East.
Nonetheless, doubts about the intelligence persist among some foreign analysts. In part, that is because American officials, citing the need to protect their source, have largely refused to
provide details of the origins of the laptop computer beyond saying that they obtained it in mid-2004 from a longtime contact in Iran. Moreover, this chapter in the confrontation with Iran is infused with the memory of the faulty intelligence on Iraq's unconventional arms. In this atmosphere, though few countries are willing to believe Iran's denials about nuclear arms, few are willing to accept the United States' weapons intelligence without question.
"I can fabricate that data," a senior European diplomat said of the documents. "It looks beautiful, but is open to doubt." Robert G. Joseph, the
under secretary of state for arms control and international security, who led the July briefing, declined to discuss any classified material from the session but acknowledged the existence of the warhead intelligence. He called it one of many indicators "that together lead to the conclusion Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability."

California's Conservatory A H*s!

2005-11-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

When a Family Matter Turns Into a Business - Los Angeles Times:
"Jones' conservator is part of ayoung, growing and largely unregulated trade in California. Conservatorship began as a way to help families protect enfeebled relatives from predators and
self-neglect. As a final recourse, courts take basic freedoms from grown men and women and give conservators sweeping power over their property, their money and the smallest details of their lives.But lawmakers and judges did not foresee that professionals would turn what had been a family matter into a business. In the hands of this new breed of entrepreneur, a system meant to safeguard the elderly and infirm often fails them.The Times examined the work of California's
professional conservators, reviewing more than 2,400 cases, including every one they handled in Southern California between 1997 and 2003.
Among the findings:
" Seniors lose their independence with stunning swiftness. More than 500 were entrusted to for-profit conservators without their consent at hearings that lasted minutes.
Retired candy company owner Donald Van Ness, 85, did not know what had happened to him until he tried to pay for lunch at a San Diego-area restaurant and was told his credit card had been canceled." Some conservators misuse their near-parental power over fragile adults, ignoring their needs and isolating them from loved ones.
One withheld the allowance that a disabled man relied on for food, leaving him to survive on handouts from a church. Another abruptly moved a 95-year-old woman to a care home and for a month refused to tell her daughter where she was." In the most egregious cases, conservators
plunder seniors' estates.
One took 88-year-oldThelma Larabee's savings to pay his taxes and invest in a friend's restaurant. Helen Smith's conservator secretly sold Smith's house at a discount — to herself. The conservator's daughter later resold it for triple the price."
More commonly, conservators run up their fees in ways large and small, eating into seniors' assets. A conservator charged a Los Angeles woman $170 in fees to have an employee bring
her $49.93 worth of groceries. Palm Springs widow Mary Edelman kept paying from beyond the grave: Her conservators charged her estate $1,700 for attending her burial."

A Bizzare Trip

2005-11-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

How many of you believe in another statue in streets like Saddam's let me know in your comments to this post. My South Korean colleagues were at university were skeptical (jaw dropper for many but that's the way East is).

Bizarre Trip of a Lifetime - Los Angeles Times: "All five Americans bowed.

Walker felt uncomfortable, he said, paying even perfunctory homage to the man who created the police state and cult of personality that are widely blamed - outside North Korea, at least - for the country's poverty, hunger and international isolation."

Totally Bizarre Bank Rober or the Bank Administration

2005-11-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

The same bank robbed four times. .... They had not taken any steps? Teller had no arrangement to alert anyone? Totally bizarre!
It was very easy to overpower her while she was leaving the bank because she did not have the gun in her hand. Or may be police had other plans.....? Can't believe people in banks are so naive...... Can't buy the story.

"Cell phone bandit" robs four Virginia banks - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com: "When it comes to multitasking, it's hard to beat the woman who can rob a bank and never interrupt her cell phone conversation.
In an act of either incredible cool or something much more sinister, a young woman has robbed four Wachovia bank branches in Northern Virginia in recent weeks, all while seemingly immersed in cell phone chats, police say. In the most recent holdup, on Nov. 4 in Ashburn, video footage shows the woman to be almost uninterested as a teller hands her a stack of cash, and she continues talking on her phone as she turns and walks out of the bank."

Intelligent Design vs Evolution

2005-11-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am neither for or against "intelligent design" nor "evolution" however I always wonder why scientist always try to prove God does not exist. Why they do not try to find a scientific proof for the existance of God. While no one is propunding a scientific theory for the existance of God however many people try to prove facts scientifically that are stated in the "Bible" and "old Testament" or "Quran."

Kansas education board downplays evolution - Science - MSNBC.com: "TOPEKA, Kan. - Risking the kind of nationwide ridicule it faced six years ago, the Kansas Board of Education approved new public-school science standards Tuesday that cast doubt on the theory of evolution."

So you rediculed Muslims for capital punsihments

2005-11-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

No Comments!

Vegas mayor: Do graffiti, lose your thumb - Peculiar Postings -
MSNBC.com: "In the old days in France, they had beheadings of people who commit heinous crimes," 'Mayor Oscar Goodman said Wednesday on the TV show "Nevada Newsmakers."
Goodman said the city has a beautiful highway landscaping project and "these punks come along and deface it."
“I’m saying maybe you put them on TV and cut off a thumb,” the mayor said. “That may be the right thing to do.”
Goodman also suggested whippings should be brought back for children who get into trouble.

I guess my wife may need one to control me!

2005-10-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am getting prepared to be remotely controlled. I believe my wife may need one soon. LOL!

MSNBC - A remote control that controls humans: "ATSUGI, Japan - We wield remote controls to turn things on and off, make them advance, make them halt. Ground-bound pilots use remotes
to fly drone airplanes, soldiers to maneuver battlefield robots. But manipulating humans?
Prepare to be remotely controlled."

Iran president sticks by controversial Israel remark - Yahoo! News

2005-10-28T11:31:00.000-06:00

Vow! Iran's new president is making shockwaves again. It may end up in a Rushdie style fatwa and apology. They have poor record in watching their mouth as they took back Rushdie fatwa later on.

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran's hardline president has defended his call for Israel to be "wiped off the map" despite an escalating international outcry, as tens of thousands of Iranians rallied to condemn the Jewish state.

Massive Fraud in Iraq Oil Program - Los Angeles Times

2005-10-27T10:08:00.000-06:00

Everyone tried to wash their hands in flowing Ganga (make the hey while sun shines). The increase in gas prices and never ending Iraq story, the CIA leak, everything is echoing the same thing.
Massive Fraud in Iraq Oil Program - Los Angeles Times: " The United Nations' oil-for-food program was so badly managed and supervised that more than half of the 4,500 companies doing business with Iraq paid illegal surcharges and kickbacks to Saddam Hussein, an independent investigation into the program will announce today.

The inquiry, led by former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, will detail how the U.N. and its member governments failed to stop the former dictator's exploitation of the $64-billion program, and will expose the participation of prominent international companies, as well as fly-by-night operations, a spokesman for Volcker's committee said Wednesday."

2005-10-25T18:42:00.000-06:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Eve's Daughter

2005-09-26T16:51:00.000-06:00

Eve's Daughter:

"The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all of the backgroundchecks, interviews, and testing was done there were three finalists,two men and a woman. For the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a large metaldoor and handed him a gun. 'We must know that you will follow your instructions, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room, youwill find your wife sitting in a chair. Kill her!!!'
The man said, 'You can't be serious. I could never shoot my wife.'
The agent said, 'Then you're not the right man for this job.
'The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun andwent into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the mancame out with tears in his eyes.
'I tried, but I can't kill my wife.'
The agent said, 'You don't have what it takes.
Take your wife andgo home.
'Finally, it was the woman's turn. She was given the same instructions tokill her husband. She
took the gun and went into the room. Shots wereheard, one shot after another.
They heard screaming, crashing, bangingon the walls. After a few minutes, all
was quiet. The door opened slowlyand there stood the woman.She wiped the sweat
from her brrows and said
'This gun is loaded with blanks. I had to beat that SOB to death with the chair"

Afghanistan's turning point was December 1954

2005-08-08T18:27:00.000-06:00

Afghanistan's turning point was December 1954 when it was told that it was not in US interest to help Afghans.

Very Interesting: A refusal by US secretary of State John Foster Dulles to assist Afghanistan in December 1954 changed the history forever.

Afghanland.com Afghanistan Timeline since 1919: "1954-10 Prime Minister Daud sent his brother Prince Naim to United States to Appeal to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles for military assistance.
1954-12 US secretary of State Dulles rejected the request for aid stating Afghanistan is of no Interest to United States."

Iranian Nuke

2005-08-07T12:26:00.000-06:00

One of the finest cartoons I have seen so far.

Nicholson Cartoons : International Atomic Energy Agency Iran :

This cartoon is a copyright of Nicholson of "The Australian" newspaper: http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/ used with permission

Nicholson Cartoons : Bush Rice Shiite Exit Strategy

2005-08-07T12:18:00.000-06:00

No Comments

This cartoon is a copyright of Nicholson of "The Australian" newspaper: www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au used with permission

Two Idioms

2005-08-02T10:41:00.000-06:00

Two Idioms are coming to my mind.

Where there is a will there is a way.
and
Might is right

Bush stands by his controversial man Economist.com: "THE United Nations can be a bewildering, not to say boring, place. Those posted there, even more than most diplomats, speak in a code intelligible only to insiders, filled with jargon, acronyms and polite phrasings that conceal their positions from all but the most experienced hands. Into this environment, enter John Bolton, of whom none of the above is true."

.... Of the body to which he is being sent, he has said it would make no difference if its New York secretariat building lost ten storeys, and that “There is no such thing as the United Nations.”

So where he is heading to it there is no such thing ....?

Talking Points

2005-07-25T16:09:00.000-06:00

Terry Neal's point in second para of this excerpt says a lot. Earlier the terrorists were concentrated in one place. Now it seems like they have spread everywhere like a wildfire or plague. The job of combating terrorism has become more difficult. However, on thing we must note is that now every nation has to play its part or contribute some efforts to combat this wild menace.

Iraq War Hasn't Made United States Safer, Author Says: "The war in Iraq was billed as a war of necessity, an effort to make the nation safer. Even after the justification for war evaporated, many of the president's supporters argued that it accomplished its purpose -- the United States had not been attacked again after 9/11.

The terrorist attacks in London shattered some of that argument. While the United States wasn't attacked, its closest ally, Great Britain, was. And it was attacked in a way that struck home to many Americans, a fact evidenced by the jump in poll numbers of people who say they believe America will be attacked by terrorists in the near future."

BOB HERBERT

2005-07-25T15:37:00.000-06:00

I am really concerned about what is going on in my country and the way people with lost minds and souls are becoming vehicles for terrorists or Jihad organizations. I think we need to pay attention to all the causes. So far I have noticed that anyone who writes just write with one perspective in his/her mind. Herbert's article is a good read but has only one perspective.

What Bush Doesn't Know
By BOB HERBERT Published: July 25, 2005

What Bush Doesn't Know - New York Times: "I remember the arrogance that accompanied the 'shock and awe' bombing campaign that kicked off the war in Iraq more than two years ago. The war was supposed to be quick and easy, a cakewalk.
The enemy, we were told, would fold like a dinner napkin. And then, in the neoconservative fantasies of some of the crazier folks in the Bush crowd, the military would gear up for an invasion of Iran."

I've always urged politicians to be careful what they wish for. The president got the war he wanted so badly. But he never understood an essential fact that Georges Clemenceau learned nearly a century ago - that "it is easier to make war than to make peace."

Illiteracy in USA

2005-07-25T15:09:00.000-06:00

It is not a third world problem anyomre.

Toyota, Moving Northward - New York Times: There has been fierce competition among states hoping to attract a new Toyota assembly plant. Several Southern states reportedly offered financial incentives worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But last month Toyota decided to put the new plant, which will produce RAV4 mini-S.U.V.'s, in Ontario. Explaining why it passed up financial incentives to choose a U.S. location, the company cited the quality of Ontario's work force.

"Toyota so sensitive to labor quality issues? Maybe we should discount remarks from the president of the Toronto-based Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, who claimed that the educational level in the Southern United States was so low that trainers for Japanese plants in Alabama had to use "pictorials" to teach some illiterate workers how to use high-tech
equipment. "