Al Jazeera Drops the Ball on Syria?

Those following news of Egypt’s uprising had Al Jazeera’s logo burned into their retina, but the network’s coverage of Syria is slimmer.

Fayyad’s Fatwa Bans Bacon-Scented Fragrance

It is not for the fact that swine is haram according to our religion, rather, it is because the fragrance will promote homosexuality with men lusting after bacon-smelling men.

Broadway Musicals, Israeli Settlers, & Belgian Chocolate

PALESTINE: Facebook apparently has done enough for the cause of freedom and democracy around the world that they feel comfortable taking the side of the oppressor on a few occasions. Yesterday  they shut down the Palestinian 3rd Intifada page which has been calling for a popular uprising like those sweeping the Middle East on May 15th. [...]

Bahrain Tears Down Pearl Statue

The most symbolic of this twisted sentiment is the destruction of the Pearl Statue in the main square of Manama, where the Bahraini protesters have gathered for weeks. The Pearl symbolized Bahrain’s previous fortune and the main driver of its economy prior to petroleum, pearl harvesting is among the most iconic of the Bahraini heritage.

Message From Wisconsin State Capitol

Greetings from the Wisconsin State Capitol!

Sham, Mouli, his friend Jordon, and I are at the Capitol – doors now locked as they plan for the first time in 2 weeks to clear us out. We have slept here several nites. A village has formed and it has been beautiful witnessing teachers, all kinds of union workers, families, off duty Madison police (banned from Capitol on duty), students, musicians, artists, activists, non-union people, journalists, anti-war veterans, you name it! Pizza delvered through the window last nite to feed the protestors (search storiez on Ian’s Pizza!). Amazing discipline throughout the protest. A real moment in history inspired by frustration over the increasing disregard of working and middle class people everywhere. Gov Walker not budging so far but my sense is his days are numbered. Building so far is not being cleared. Some talk of possible arrests but we know the police is on our side. Only time will tell…

Love to you all,
Christa

Egypt Shows Wisconsin The Way

The protesters are displaying their opposition to the republican sponsored bill that drastically cuts government and university employee benefits, and do away with collective bargaining rights that took over 50 years to achieve and win. Some are even demanding the resignation of the new republican governor, Scott Walker, or Scott “Hosni” Walker, as some Green Bay Packers called him.

How Big Business Ruled Egypt

An exposé an AlJazeera on how the Egyptian business elite ruled the country provides some horrifying details about this incestuous relationship that concentrated the nation’s wealth in the hands of the privileged few, virtually destroyed the living standard of the middle class and the poor, and robbed the resources of the country for the benefit of western corporations.

A list of who’s who in the Ahmed Natheef cabinet that was just fired by Mubarak gives you the impression that ministerial positions were being occupied by individuals with specific, narrow agenda of securing favorable environments for their own and family businesses. Mind you Egyptian constitution explicitly forbids public servants from remaining invested in private enterprise or having other jobs or conflict of interest. A few examples:

Tea Party Senator: Wipe Israel Off The Map

Tea Party-packed senator just expressed that he favors cutting foreign aid to all countries, including Israel. This is probably the first time a sitting senator openly calls of ending aid to the apartheid state since Paul Findley of Illinois, who was subsequently ousted by AIPAC.
But of course his proposal drew swift condemnation from both republicans and democrats, reminding us once more that Obama, Palin, and every body in between, have virtually the same morally bankrupt stance on Israel.
Although this may get shut down in the senate, it’s worth keeping an eye on to see if it makes it onto the emails of the Tea Party faithful talking points. If this issue gains traction with partiers, aid will come to end, given the number of congressmen clamoring for their blessing. At the very least, it will lead to a showdown between the Tea Party and AIPAC… wouldn’t that show be worth the admission price? Popcorn on Fadi…

5 Things the US Mass Media Got Wrong on Egypt

It is impressive that the US mass media has managed to conduct round-the-clock coverage of the uprising in Egypt given how little resources and few reporters they have on the ground, the few who are there had been parachuted in late last week, lacking context, perspective, and often facts. But that never stopped US mass media. Aside from the oft-errant reporting, there are a few mistakes the US media seems to insist on making, not sure if the motive is sensationalism, ignorance, or just pure manipulation of public opinion by distracting from important stories, or manufacturing ones to fit the established narrative:

Reading Into Whitehouse Stance On Egypt

Todays Whitehouse press conference was deafening in the prevalence of nothingness in it. Spokesman Robert Gibbs managed to speak for nearly a full hour, yet say nothing.

- It is clear that the Whitehouse is in panic mode that its dictator ally may not survive many more days of this uprising. The Whitehouse should fear reaping what it sowed over the past thirty years of supporting this brutal dictator.