Palestinians in the village of Beit Fajjar near Bethlehem say that Israeli settlers snuck into their mosque and set fire to it, as well as burning copies of the Quran. Photos of the scene show scorched rugs where the fires were put out, and charred pages of the Muslim holy book. Graffiti in Hebrew calling […]
Archives for October 2010
Sanchez v. Stewart: El Error del Dia
My reading of the Rick Sanchez meltdown is that he was implying in his radio interview that Daily Show host Jon Stewart is prejudiced against the working class and against Latinos (apparently Sanchez’ evidence for this charge is that Stewart sometimes made fun of Sanchez). Even though I can’t imagine anyone taking it seriously, I […]
28 More US Fuel Trucks Set Ablaze in Pakistan, 6 Killed, as Convoy Boycott Continues
The Taliban Movement of Pakistan (Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan or TTP) claimed on Monday that it was responsible for yet another attack on NATO fuel trucks, this time near Islamabad. Some twenty trucks were set ablaze and 6 people were killed. The trucks were parked in a poorly guarded area near the capital, awaiting permission to […]
Palestinians Refuse Talks until Settlement is Frozen
Shorter Mahmoud Abbas: We refuse to negotiate with Israel about territory it is actively stealing from us while we are talking about its future disposition.” ITN has video:
Iraqi Army Ups Presence in Sunni Cities with al-Maliki’s Rise
Bobby Ghosh at Time reports that the Iraqi army in Sunni Arab cities like Falluja has increased its presence. The announcement that Nuri al-Maliki has gained the support of key Shiite factions has greatly increased the likelihood he will serve a second term as prime minister. The problem is that al-Maliki, a Shiite from the […]
Oceans Turning Acid from Carbon Emissions, Point to Biological Breakdown
The other problem with flooding carbon emissions into the atmosphere in such massive amounts, besides the certitude that it will cause the surface temperature of the earth to increase dramatically over time, is that it will also certainly acidify the oceans. Enjoy those scallops while you can. In fact, you can expect a general biological […]
O’Donnell would have Joined Hare Krishnas
Christine O’Donnell, candidate for senator in Delaware, was clearly a religious seeker in her youth. Bill Maher played a clip last night in which she admitted that she might well have joined the Hindu Krishna Consciousness Society (popularly known as ‘Hare Krishnas’ because of their distinctive chanting in public places), but was put off by […]
Iran Wins Iraqi Elections 7 Months Later
Although it make take some time yet to form a government in Iraq, Friday may have been a turning point. If so, it was a turning point in which Iran won decisively and managed to rebuild a Shiite fundamentalist coalition led by incumbent PM Nuri al-Maliki that, in partnership with the Kurds, could dominate Baghdad […]
On Paladino and Taking People Out
The thing that most disturbed me about the altercation between NY gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino and NY Post reporter Fred Dicker was Paladino’s threat to “take out” Dicker. (For more see this story.) The only person I remember using that diction was George W. Bush, who pledged he would “take out” Saddam. Then he gave […]