Actually, the Syrian president said something more along this line "Frankly, we do not think that the current American administration is capable of making peace. It doesn't have either the will or the vision and it only has a few months left." But as he strikes that Bushie pose, I had to make a play on a Bushism.
Ironically, a year or so ago, an article with a similar tone to this would not have appeared in the US media. Nothing changed in the Syria-Israel dynamics, or the potential for a peace agreement, but the change albeit very small and very, very late, is taking place here; there is a small break of some media from the fear-mongering narrative of the Bush Administration and fellow neocons. Again, don’t get your hopes up, it usually is too late and insignificant to make an impact or change the course of things.
If you think this is snub for George Bush, consider the preceding events. For years, the Bush administration took an “I don’t like you; I won’t talk to you,” 12-year old girl approach to diplomacy. Washington refused to talk to Syria, despite the latter being a major force in combating global terrorism, and largely prevented Israel from doing the same in order to isolate Syria. My guess is that no one in the Bush administration took the time to envision the why and what’s next of this foreign policy genius.
Recently, Israel finally returned to the negotiations table with Syria under Turkish mediation, much to the dismay of Washington. Even Israel recognizes the recklessness of Washington’s attitude towards foreign policy matters, and knows that, despite its regional hegemony, a negotiated peace settlement with all of its neighbors is the only way for Israelis to gain normalcy and peaceful future in the Middle East.
Having said that, Israel will try now and again to have the US conduct a war on its behalf to neutralize on or more of its truly powerful, threatening rivals. “Peace” through superior power kind of thinking, peace meaning hegemony, that is.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
“Ah think Mr. Bush is an obstacle to peace, he he he”
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Baker-Christopher Fu*king With Plans To Bomb Iran
Or may be not.
The two led a bipartisan commission to review the decision process and authority to take the country to war, which also means committing atrocities against another nation. They are recommending a change to current practices, which allow the president to go to war at the drop of a hat, especially with a cowardly congress that will approve war spending retroactively with little to no oversight, just in time for the new hunting season: Destination Iran.
Well, may be not, a new law to redefine war launching powers is proposed for 2009. So Iran might be fucked either way. The decision for the US to attack Iran has been decided in Tel Aviv and at AIPAC headquarters in Washington, and implementation is pending the end of the current news cycle of presidential elections upon mass media’s request. So after November 4th, it’s game time baby, unless there is a recount in Florida, in which case Rupert Murdoch may ask for another delay, but certainly before inauguration day in late January. So most likely in December, I guess those bombs will be painted red and wrapped in green ribbons.
The proposed law is by no means in upheaval, its strongest change is perhaps a clarification of semantics. It continues to empower a psychotic president to launch attacks, after “consulting with” some members of congress, allow him or her 30 days before a vote of approval takes place in congress, and should that fail, our brave representatives begin a long war of attrition of litigations, resolutions, and counter resolutions. Bush & co. thought, or at least sold America on thinking that a war in Iraq can be completed within a comparable timeframe; the way I see it, as far as the war crew is concerned, business as usual.
The other big factor to remember, is how easy it is for one person to take the country to war when you have White House-prepackaged propaganda and fear mongering habitually aired in place of news and a cowardly, complicit and complacent congress that is unwilling to go against the will of a misinformed public or a corporate propaganda machine.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Meanwhile, Aljazeera Faces Inquisitions In Morocco
While Al-Jazeera English fights for its right to remain on Vermont as Will and Hanaan highlight, and fend off spear attacks by neocons and zionuts, it fights another battle to protect its rights and staff in Morocco.
The trial of Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Morocco, on charges of conspiracy and spreading false information, has resumed after a stormy first hearing on Tuesday.I love how in the news round up at the end of the Vermont debate video below, the story of efforts in the US to ban Al-Jazeera from air waives gets brilliantly rolled up with stories of China and Zimbabwe’s crack downs on the freedom of press.
Mohammed el-Alaoui, the presiding judge, had rejected an appeal by the defence team for more time to better prepare for the case, giving lawyers for Hassan Rachidi only three days to get ready.
The second court session opened at the Rabat First Instance Court on Friday.
…
In May, Morocco suspended Al Jazeera's daily television news bulletin covering the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania) from its studios in the Moroccan capital.
The decision, according to Khalid Naciri, the Moroccan communication minister and spokesman for the government, was due to technical and legal issues.
Rachidi is facing prosecution under Article 42 of the country's press code.
Friday, July 04, 2008
In Memory Of Senator Jesse Helms
By the Dark Matter himself, MC Hawking, from his chart-topping album, A Brief History of Rhyme [Check 'da MP3]
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Israel Arrested, Rampaged With A Bulldozer After Faking Suicide And Manuevering To Attack Iran
Meanwhile, a “terrorist” who does not belong to any group, plows through Israel with his bulldozer. Israel was horrified at the sight of such “first of a kind” rampage, and as a result, decided to suspend all acts of bulldozing through or over Palestinian homes, towns, Palestinians, or international peace activists.
“Who knew running some one or their house over with a bulldozer is so terrifying,” said Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
In other news, Israel continued his busy schedule with an aerial exercise recently that is widely thought to simulate and attack on Iran. Well, if you are a supporter or Iran, humanity, world peace, or just simply anti-war and don’t know why, here is the good news; Israel is unlikely, and most likely incapable, or attacking Iran, although he is the one strategic beneficiary from an attack on the rival regional superpower.
However, if you are one of the above, here is a reading of recent news that should make you wet your pants: The White House just took the diplomatic route with North Korea; the lesser criminals in Washington owe the neocons one, and it is likely that Iran will have to pay, especially as it becomes increasingly unlikely that the republicans would retain the White House.
If anything, Israel’s maneuvers are either a decoy to allow the Cheneys, Feiths, and Wolfowitzes to operate away from news headlines, or a preparation for a second round of attacks Iran puts him in the crosshairs in retaliation.
It seems like McCain will not get an opportunity to fulfill his campaign promise.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Resistance Art, Pt ...
Palestinians watch a live projection of the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships final between Germany and Spain on a section of Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank refugee camp of Aida, near Bethlehem, Sunday, June 29, 2008.(AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
[Tarboush Tip: Shashabone]
Friday, June 20, 2008
Today's Pic
Olive grove near Nablus, Palestine, set ablaze by Israeli settlers from near by colonies yesterday. It was known yet whether the settlers were protesting the cease-fire agreement or just celebrating Thursday. (Al-Jazeera)
Chaim Sugerman, KABOBfest's resident theologian explained that the blaze may be a part of the Sabbath preparations. He indicated that Orthodox Jews are not allowed to light flames during the sabbath; therefore that set a fire large nought to burn through the weekend, and when needed, for a barbecue for instance, they "transfer" a flame, but not "start" a new one.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Jordan Authorities May Imprison 41% Of Population
Here is the sequence of events in this hypothetical scenario:
43% of Jordanians are estimated to be smokers. The Jordanian parliament just banned smoking in public places, imposing a $22-$35 fine and a jail term exceeding a week on violators. 95% of those smokers will ignore the ban, as is the habit in the Middle East to challenge authority on every thing inconsequential to undermining dictatorship.
The light at the end of the tunnel, however, is that should authorities choose to actually enforce the ban; most smokers will be able to talk things with the arresting officer over a cigarette.
But really, this is perhaps the best resolution to come out of the Jordanian parliament since the media began paying attention to what comes out of that building.
What makes the ban even more exciting, fines increase to $700-$1200 for those who light up in places such as daycares and kindergartens (Al Jazeera Arabic), and it inspired Pennsylvania to finally pass a smoking ban.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Today's Pic
Ahmed Sawafiri, 19, of Gaza City, studies with a friend's help for the college entrance exams, Tawjihi, earlier this week. Ahmed lost both legs, an arm, and two fingers when an Israeli missile exploded in a crowed as he walked to class in April. (Al-Jazeera)
Chaim Sugerman learned that he actually is not studying for exams, rather, reading manuals on installing tools and gadgets to his limbs in his quest to become Gaza's first Inspector Gadget, and he is very grateful to the Israeli occupation forces for the opportunity.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Reason for Leaving: Israeli Prime Ministers’ Short-Lived Glory
Israeli war minister, Ehud Barak, only recently joined the cabinet of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; however, he is already calling for the prime minister to step down as he is being investigated for allegedly taking bribes from an American businessman totaling $500,000 in cash-stuffed envelops and Italian vacations.
The incident brought to KABOBfest’s attention the fact that for more than 20 years, not a single Israeli Prime Minister left office after a normal end to his term, rather, all ended their terms abruptly due to a variety of reason.
To us, this raises serious existential questions about Israel, the viability of its founding ideology, and whether its leadership has a coherent understanding of its identity or a vision for its future. But this is KABOBfest, not the Huffington Post, so instead of attempting to answer such questions, we decided to send our special assignment investigator, Chaim Sugerman, to investigate the real reasons why the last half dozen or so Prime Ministers left office. Below are deciphered excerpts from the memo he telegrammed back to KABOBfest’s office.
Prime Minister: Yitzhak Shamir
Abrupt End of Term: 1992
Officially Stated Reason: Defeated in early elections by Yitzhak Rabin after agreeing to begin peace negotiations with the Palestinians at the Madrid Conference in 1991.
Chaim’s Revelation: Was recruited for a better-paying job at the National Primate Research Center
Prime Minister: Yitzhak Rabin
Abrupt End of Term: 1995
Officially Stated Reason: Assassinated by right-wing terrorists for signing a peace agreement with the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Chaim’s Revelation: Ousted and quarantined by the Supreme Rabbinical Council for shaking hands with an Arab.
Prime Minister: Shimon Peres
Abrupt End of Term: 1996
Officially Stated Reason: Defeated in early elections by Benjamin Netanyahu after leaving the majority of Lebanon undestroyed
Chaim’s Revelation: After successfully conducting the first Qana massacre in Southern Lebanon, Peres continued a long-standing Israeli soldier tradition of drinking away the war while backpacking through South America.
Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Abrupt End of Term: 1999
Officially Stated Reason: Defeated in early elections by Ehud Barak after stalemating the peace process
Chaim’s Revelation: Was sent by the Mossad to "tend to a Dead Sea beauty product kiosk" at a Cleveland mall
Prime Minister: Ehud Barak
Abrupt End of Term: 2001
Officially Stated Reason: Defeated in early elections by Ariel Sharon. Elections called for because Ehud Barak " did not do enough to crush" the Palestinians Intifada.
Chaim’s Revelation: Devoured by Ariel Sharon during prolonged parliamentary deliberations
Prime Minister: Ariel Sharon
Abrupt End of Term: 2005
Officially Stated Reason: Entered into a coma due to cerebral brain hemorrhage
Chaim’s Revelation: Choked to death when he swallowed a whole settlement
Prime Minister: Ehud Olmert
Abrupt End of Term: August 2008
Officially Stated Reason: Stepped down after being indicted on bribery charges
Chaim’s Revelation: Forced to resign after making sexual advances on to the Colombian ambassador during trade agreement negotiations
Friday, May 23, 2008
Hillary's Hopes & Obama's RFK Scenario
A few months ago, when Obama's chances at winning the democratic nomination began looking better than a game of roulette, Will and I had a conversation about whether Obama and supporters should begin to worry about the Bobby Kennedy scenario. After all, if elected, he is likely to fundamentally change several political and social aspects of American life, so there are a few parties who would be interested in preempting that.
On Tuesday, as I watched the Hilary deliver her victory speech in Kentucky, I began to wonder is she was secretly wishing for Obama to be assassinated so that she is defaulted into the party's nominee seat. I was half joking, but I also reminded myself of how the Clintons did absolutely nothing to help the democrats win the White House in 2004, and preferred to see another term of Dubya, so that they can run in 08 and not have to wait till 2012.
I digress. I wish I did, I would have at least earned bragging rights. She already expressed her credentials as her ability to win the racist vote. So if she was counting on the broader base of the KKK to win the nomination, then why not count on, even if secretly, on the Klan's armed wing?
Monday, May 05, 2008
I Just Saved 18.4 Cents On My Gas By Switching To Hillary
Is any body really buying this scam? Even though you would be hard pressed to find a single rational voice in the media who thinks the suspension of the federal gas tax has merit, the proposal still seems to find traction with voters so hard-hit with the economy, if I didn't know any better I would say they are so bitter, they are clinging on to god, guns, and 30 cents a day of economic relief.
Not only is this proposal pandering at its best, the economics of it don't make sense. You can't even justify it with Reaganomics. Many economists have criticized it and made the simple case for why it won't work, but since I'm a Middle Eastern, I'm always expected to weigh in on matters concerning the price of oil. So here it is:
1) Hillary, even if she won the elections, would not be a president this summer. So you'd have to wait until next summer, and hope your pocket book is still hurting enough so that you would care about the 30 cents a day.
2) Hillary, next summer, should she win, will have to go through congress to make such a proposal happen, and even though capitol hill is full of hypocrites and other jerks, they have enough common sense to say no to such a stupid idea.
3) Should this thing pass, gas companies will be able to raise the price to fill that gap, since they have been able to successful squeeze every drop of the consumers' blood so far. They'll raise the price to at lease make up for the charge Hillary would make them pay to offset the lost tax revenue, which by the way is supposed to fix bridges and create construction jobs.
4) No body is asking Hillary how she would prevent the oil companies from raising the price to make up for the gap. And if Hillary does have a way to do so, then why doesn't she just employ her super powers to lower the gas price in the first place, instead of suspending the tax.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Palestine, According to Bush
Bush plans on visiting Israel next month to celebrate the catastrophe that drove much of the Palestinian population into exile, robbed their homeland, and subjugated them to generations of humiliation and oppression, and, if time allows, give Israel a whipping for spying on its biggest ally. Try to stop this one, Olympic flame dousers.
Needless to say, a meeting with any Palestinian leaders on said trip would be... Awkward. But have no fear; you can always remedy that with a consolation-prize meeting with Palestinian Authority chairman Abbashole in the divine oval office. Still, Abbashole apparently loves awkward.
During the meeting, Bush expressed confidence that Palestinian and Israeli leaders could reach an agreement on the definition of a Palestinian state before the end of the year. That's a one hell of a drop in expectations from the begining of the year when he though they could reach a peace deal in the same time frame, almost as steep of a drop as the one the US economy took.
Anyway, during the meeting, Bush laid out some signs of his vision for a Palestinian state: It should not be a "Swiss cheese" arrangement of land, the Decider anounced. While it was the first time president Bush publicly made such declaration, it was nothing new. KABOBfest’s special investigator Chaim Sugarman has recently uncovered memo that Bush had sent formerly Israel’s prim minister, and currently fuckin’ amazingly scary ghost, Ariel Sharon, that outlined the Top 10 Things A Palestinian State Should NOT Be:
SECRET LETTER: WHAT THE PALESTINESE STATE SHOULD NOT BE[Tarboush tip: Will, as he drowns in take-home exams]
From: George W. Bush
To: President Ariel Sharon
10. Swiss cheese.. or cheddar. It should be American... heh heh heh.
9. A hemorrhoid in the butt for us or y'all's.
8. A signer of the Kyoto agreement or the International Criminal Court.
7. A safe haven for Mormons, democrats, Gays, or Palestinians.
6. Named after the great town of Palestine, Texas.
5. A Democracy (unless pro-US politicians win the elections)
4. A junior member of the Axis of Evil.
3. Whatever AIPAC says it shouldn't be.
2. Too hard to obliterate if it attacks Israel.
1. Located in Eretz Y'Israel.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
How Do You Say Marketplace In Arabic?
Now if reading the above paragraph gave you a knot in your stomach, or slightly bothered you, then you are probably a Zionist or some other form of racist, and you should get yourself checked by a medical professional. I'm serious, you need to think about it. But perhaps you want to avoid the Cleveland Clinic, which underwrote the program's Middle East reporting, or the Harvard Medical School, which is branching off to Dubai, as listening to the program would inform you. But I digress.
A very informative set of reports, even for someone who follows the region as closely as my self. And they donned the website with a banner that displayed the show’s name in Arabic. Much of the reporting of the last few days has come from Cairo and Dubai.
It is not all booming business, however, Marketplace team took a detour to Palestine and prepared a 3-part business report from Palestine. The first aired last Thursday, and focused on the difficulty of doing business under occupation in Palestine. The second aired to day, talking about “Olive Oil Diplomacy” and featuring the Palestine Fair Trade Association’s co-op of olive farmers.
Offer, Counteroffer
Yesterday Hamas offered comprehensive truce with Israel and set its terms. The main item is a cessation of all Israeli acts of aggression against the West Bank and Gaza. Israel’s response came within hours. It sent death squads to assassinate five Palestinians in the West Bank, and launched bombing raids on the densely populated Gaza Strip.
If you think this is an isolated coincidence… it’s not. Let’s review news archives with a longer than 24-hour attention span, and we would see it repeat it self over and over.
Silly Hamas, though, they seems to have gotten caught up in the Israeli propaganda storm that they thought they constitute enough of a menace to Israel to dictate the term of the truce. Would somebody tell the Knafeh Man that his rockets are only good enough for a photo op, or to be represented with balloons?
And the Shoah is not yet completed…
Monday, March 03, 2008
The Rapture Talk Express
Psycho televangelist John Hagee wants to bomb Iran and expel the Palestinians from their homes to protect Israel so he can prepare for rapture, convert all Jews to Christianity and slaughter those who don’t, thinks the catholic church is a great whore, hurricane Katrina was retribution for a gay parade in New Orleans, thinks that women with PMS are like terrorists except that you can’t negotiate with them, and wanted to hold a slave auction as a school fundraiser. His latest great idea, endorse John McCain for president; he apparently thinks the “Straight Talk Express” is anti-gay fast speech.
McCain said “This man supports me and what I believes in” but then he said, “When he endorses me, that does not mean that I endorse everything that he stands for and believes in.”
Now that’s the straight talk that fucks you, even if you are not gay.
Take that Obama. He got suckered into denouncing Louis Farrakhan’s endorsement of him. But it was hard not to since he nearly got lynched by the pundits in the few minutes it took him to come out with the rejection and denunciation.
Is it wrong? But I feel somewhat left out that Hagee’s hatred of Catholics is getting more media attention that his hatred of Arabs and Muslims, especially Palestinians. It’s giving me the funny feeling that may be hatred towards the latters is not as…wrong. But may be I’m just being overly sensitive.
Monday, February 18, 2008
A Nice Thing About Jordan
Internal conversation posted by popular demand (and by popular I mean MHMD and Nimr).
Emily: I just bought 9 recently released movies and two seasons of Bab Al Hara for about 20 bucks.If you take anything from this conversation, let it be that travel to Amman is well worth it simply and only for Hamoude's DVD store near Hashem's Falafel in the Balad.
Mohammad: Shouldn't that be 'THE nice thing about Jordan?'
Emily: Maybe. The taxi driver who drove me home was also nice, though.
Mohammad: He was Palestinian.
Emily: Haha, probably. He told me I have a 'mukh natheef' as in a clean mind because I learned Arabic. Does that mean like an open mind?
Mohammad: I dunno... wear a fake wedding ring just in case.
Emily: I'm smart, I can tell the difference between sleazy and nice. I tell drivers I'm married anyway though, more often to spare the lecture about how great marriage is.
Mohammad: Why do Arabs lie so much... I know 95% of Arabs are unsatisfied in their marriages. Actually the one segment of society who always seem to be happy with their home lives are taxi drivers.
Fayyad: Damn, people... I'm really busy these days and I don't have time to keep deleting these conversation threads without reading them like I usually do. So ease off.
Mohammad: Don't feel so left out, Fayyad... how was your day? :-D
Emily: Oh my, our friend commented something positive about my last post. Did I do something wrong?
Mohammad: You criticized Arabs without mentioning Israel.
Also we should say Hi to Fayyad more often.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
There Will Be Blood
Mosaic Intelligence Report on the assassination of top Hezbollah military commander Imad Mughniyeh:
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Breaking F@#kin' News: Bush And Co. Lied
Seriously, apparently Bush and top administration officials have made false statements as the fabricated evidence and a pretense for invading Iraq.
A study by two nonprofit journalism organizations found that President Bush and top administration officials issued hundreds of false statements about the national security threat from Iraq in the two years following the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The study concluded that the statements "were part of an orchestrated campaign that effectively galvanized public opinion and, in the process, led the nation to war under decidedly false pretenses."
The study was posted Tuesday on the Web site of the Center for Public Integrity, which worked with the Fund for Independence in Journalism.
The study counted 935 false statements in the two-year period. It found that in speeches, briefings, interviews and other venues, Bush and administration officials stated unequivocally on at least 532 occasions that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction or was trying to produce or obtain them or had links to al-Qaida or both.
What amazes me is that the vast majority of those journalists and journalism nonprofits knew before the war that Bush & co. were lying, they either did not have enough balls to oppose and criticize them, or they held off the anti-war stories simply because they had a pro-war agenda. Their motivations may have ranged from political loyalties to the neo-cons and Israel to their desire for busy news season. The price of a few hundred thousand Iraqi lives seemed reasonable to them.
Anti-war activists and a handful of academics spoke out against the fabrications Bush & co. pushed through the news pipeline. However, they were vilified, accused of treason and supporting terrorism, silenced and intimidated by the Bush administration with the help of the media, similar attacks were carried out on charities and institutions that criticized Bush’s McCarthyism and march to war.
The facts did not change; what we knew to be a lie prior to 2003 is what’s being documented and chronicled in those new studies. Yet the media outlets and individuals complicit in fabricating the war pretense relied on a dumb and ignorant public that is incapable of drawing parallels when those tactics are being used to invade a nation, shut down a charity, or sensor and academic, a public that seems to suffer collective amnesia when the same fabrications and tactics are employed only a few years later, and goes in a state of severe denial when the government of its “greatest country in the world” turns out to be no better than the most corrupt dictatorships whom they grown accustomed to uncritically condemning.
At this rate, it appears that it will be a few years before some media watchdogs or the academia come out to critique the immorality and lack of ethics inherent to the war pretense, even had the claimed made by Bush et al been vindicated.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Al Jazeera Reports: Gaza Power Shutdown
Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from the Gaza Strip on the third day of an Israeli blockade which is preventing fuel and aid from reaching the territory - affecting nearly 1.5 million Palestinian men, women, and children. For more on this unfolding humanitarian crisis, see Mohammad's posts below.
