Saturday, January 15, 2011
US arms sales to Tunisia: Obama shows his love for the Tunisian people
"Between 1987 and 2009, the US military signed $349 million in military sales agreements with Ben Ali’s government. Last year, the Obama administration asked Congress to approve a $282 million sale of 12 “excess” Sirkorsky military helicopters to Tunisia, with engines by General Electric. “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for economic and military progress in North Africa,” said the Pentagon’s formal Congressional notification of the helicopter deal." (thanks Thabet)
The Islamist factor in Tunisia
Khelil, a well-informed Tunisian, sent me this (I cite with his permission): "So that Islamic fundamentalist Rashid Ghannoushi (and I remembered your piece on the incoherence of Islamic fundamentalists about how he wants contemporary fundamentalists to replace philosophers in the curriculum) has announced he will return to the country to contest the presidential election, of course in what will inshallah be free elections he should have the right to be fielded as a candidate. And I prefer Islamists to be politically marginalized through the ballot box and I do not fear his appeal, which is so limited. Tunisians have taken to Facebook to make it clear they have no interest in him. I have attached a photo my cousin uploaded and Tunisians are posting the message on Facebook: NON AUX ISLAMISTES ! NON AUX TERRORISTES ! NON A RACHED EL GHANOUCHI ! CET ASSASSIN QUI RÉSIDE A LONDON, ON VEUT UN ETAT LAÏQUE POUR TOUTES LES TUNISIENNES ET TOUS LES TUNISIENS "JUIFS & MUSULMANS & CHRÉTIENS & ATHÉE " Also the looting is being done by the regime thugs. And the two secret police leaders have been arrested along with numerous other individuals involved in the attacks against shops and even homes. The Tunisians army has arrested them.
Videos show this:
As'ad, I would also add that Tunisians know full well that the Ben Ali goons are behind the attacks and it is because they want to impress upon the public the fear that without Ben Ali there is no security. The loot is just part of the fun for them. Fortunately, Tunisians are coordinating neighborhood watches and are aiding the army's capture of these people through four phone numbers which the army has provided. Facebook and Blackberry Messenger are being used by youths to keep watch on their towns. It really is inspiring, the whole nation is determined to not allow these thugs to get away."
As'ad, I would also add that Tunisians know full well that the Ben Ali goons are behind the attacks and it is because they want to impress upon the public the fear that without Ben Ali there is no security. The loot is just part of the fun for them. Fortunately, Tunisians are coordinating neighborhood watches and are aiding the army's capture of these people through four phone numbers which the army has provided. Facebook and Blackberry Messenger are being used by youths to keep watch on their towns. It really is inspiring, the whole nation is determined to not allow these thugs to get away."
The PA puppets of the Israeli occupation
"The Palestinian president's advisor to the PLO said Saturday that the body's leadership had not taken an official stance on the situation in Tunisia, contradicting a prior statement expressing solidarity."
New TV audio-Leak
In tomorrow Part II installment, Mini-Hariri is heard saying that "Asaf Shawkat is a butcher, just like Muhammad bin Nayif in Saudi Arabia." Stay tuned.
the anti-Hariri camp
All along, even with US/EU/Israeli/Saudi support and embrace of the Hariri family in the wake of the Hariri assassination, I knew that those of us who fiercely oppose the tools of House of Saud have a great advantage: that the wily and shrewd Rafiq Hariri was succeeded by a fool. I mean, mini-Hariri not only met with Siddiq, he had it on tape. Hahahaha (see blow about New TV's audio-leaks)
Israeli campaigns?
"about Israeli campaigns in Lebanon in 2006 and Gaza in 2009." Campaigns? Why not invasions? Attacks? Was Nazi invasion of Poland a campaign?
Muhammad Bouazizi
Twice today the New York Times mentions that Bouazizi was a university graduate. Today, As-Safir states that he did not go to a university because he had to work and dropped out of school.
Sarkozy and Bin Ali
Of course, the reason why Sarkozy did not give shelter to Bin Ali is his fear of the Tunisian and Arab immigrants in France. (thanks Jerome)
Hariri praise for Bin Ali
The Tunisian people should be aware how the House of Saud and House of Hariri (their tools in Lebanon) have been promoting the dictatorship of Bin Ali for years now. Here is a good sample: a Lebanese propagandist for House of Saud writes in Al-Mustaqbal (the daily mouthpiece of House of Hariri) praising Bin Ali and saying that he brought Tunisia into the "civilized world." (thanks Rania)
Wisam Hasan
The Hariri tribunal used to justify the involvement of Wisam Hasan (the chief of intelligence for the Hariri family who heads the "Intelligence Apparatus" of the Internal Security department in Lebanon) by saying he was used as an interpretor from Arabic to English. But when you listen to the New TV audio tapes you realize that his English is so bad. The plot thickens.
FLASH: New TV has its own Audio-LEAKS: EXPLOSIVE
New TV in Beirut just aired an audio tape with mini-Hariri and his chief of intelligence, Wisam Hasan, and German Hariri investigator, Gerhard Lehmann, and...the FAMOUS FALSE WITNESS, MUHAMMAD ZUHAYR AS-SIDDIQ (the most famous of the false witness who has woven so many fabrications about who was responsible for the Hariri investigation and who has been aided by French intelligence and Dubai intelligence). The significance of the audio tape can't be overstated: this will officially put the last nail in the coffin of the Hariri tribunal. Hariri has officially denied any knowledge of the "false witnesses" and in this meeting he seems to be receiving orders from Siddiq himself. Now we know why the Hariri camp has been fiercely opposing the demand by the opposition to refer the "false witness" matter to the Justice Council in Lebanon. Of course, the testimony of Saddiq was the only reason why the "four generals" were incarcerated. Now you see why I never bothered to take the Hariri tribunal seriously. It was a joke before it was formed by an Israeli/US decision. This is the biggest gift to Hizbullah for the new year. Expect a press conference by Nasrallah this week.
The Poet of the Tunisian Revolution
It is unquestionable that another star of the Tunisian Revolution is the Tunisian poet, Abu Al-Qasim Ash-Shabi (lived early in the 20th century and died very young, leaving one Diwan "Aghani Al-Hayat" (Songs of Life)). Anthony Shadid said this today: "Hours after President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled Tunisia on Friday, a Lebanese broadcaster, in triumphant tones, ended her report on the first instance of an Arab leader to be overthrown in popular protests by quoting a famous Tunisian poet. “And the people wanted life,” she said, “and the chains were broken.”" The anchorwoman, I think on New TV, was not quoting the the poet. She was paraphrasing. The famous poem "The Will of Life" is known by all Arabs and goes like this: "If the people will to live, providence is destined to favorably respond; and night is destined to fold, and the chains are certain to be broken; and he who has not embraced by the love of life, will evaporate in its atmosphere and disappear." But I wish Arabs know more of his poetry: he wrote many nice poems and wrote a lot about melancholy--he clearly suffered from an acute case of it. He has a poem titled "To a Tyran" which says: "Woe to you, abode of injustices, from a future, when the oppressed rise and show determination." I am afraid that I have found one of his poems, "The New Morning" (written in 1933) more than a bit influenced--if not plagiarized from--a poem written by Mikha'il Nu`aymah titled "Contentment" (written in 1922).
No Muslim, non-Arab reactions in solidarity with Tunisia
Another argument in favor of the political salience of Arab identity is the lack of a Muslim, non-Arab reaction in support of the Tunisian people. Many Arabs on Facebook and Twitter have noted that.
Deposed Leaders City
I strongly suggest that the House of Saud construct a large city for the Deposed Leaders of the World and establish gardens around it.
Flash: bin Ali in Saudi Arabia
Embarrassed by the arrival of Bin Ali in Saudi Arabia, Saudi media are now saying that while it is true that the ousted leader is in Saudi Arabia but that he could have been in Qatar too.
Saudi propagandists
I am not making this up. The editor-in-chief of the mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons (Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat) is probably one of the most ridiculed and mocked writers out there in Arabic. Today, he wrote a piece on Tunisia and said that the lessons of the Tunisia is that Arab gulf monarchies are the best form of government and the most democratic. I am NOT making this up.
AlJazeera versus Al-Arabiyyah TV
An experienced and knowledgeable Western correspondent in the Middle East (who is fluent in Arabic), Andrew Hammond (he allowed me to use his name) sent me this: "The comparison between Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya now that bin Ali has gone is interesting: alJazeera frames the issue now as about removing all vestiges of the former regime, al-Arabiya wants to preserve it. Najwa al-Qassem harangued rights activist Radia al-Nasraoui saying how can you get rid of a whole generation of ruling class?? Radia responded: "it's as if you're saying our fate is to be ruled by these people.""
Bin Ali and Israel: from the Clinton years
"Earlier today in a separate meeting with Foreign Minister Ben Yahia, I expressed our appreciation for the tireless efforts of President Ben Ali of Tunisia in advancing the peace process. Now by establishing these new ties with Israel, Tunisia has once again demonstrated its commitment to the peace process. The foreign minister and I also discussed threats against Tunisia. I told him that the United States would take such threats very seriously, and that we are committed to a stable and secure Tunisia." (thanks Mick)
France and Tunisia
After insulting the Tunisian people by offering security equipment to Bin Ali when the movement first started, today France discovered that it has embarrassed itself. It now talks about respecting the Tunisian people. Too little too late. This is like...Obama when he expressed respect for the Tunisian people minutes after the plane of Bin Ali had left the country.
Arab nationalism is NOT dead (tell that to Fouad Ajami)
Ever since Ajami wrote that lousy article on the death of Arab nationalism, lazy Western analysts and journalists readily believed him. I have often argued otherwise. If you have been following in Arabic the news coverage and particularly the noise of the Arab youth on Facebook and Twitter you would not have doubted that common Arab political and emotional sentiments are still shared by the Arab people. Most Arabs on Facebook have put the Tunisian flag or the picture of Muhammad Bouazizi as the profile picture.
On Tunisian Revolution vesus Iranian
Some have sent me asking for reasons for my enthusiasm for the Tunisian Revolution and not for the so-called Green (Early Khumayni) Revolution. Silly ones have suggested reasons having to do with the Arab identity of Tunisians. 1) The last notion is silly. I have been most critical of the Lebanese Cedar Revolution and wrote more against it than about any lousy Revolution, and the Lebanese are Arabs. 2) I judge a revolution by its sponsors: the sponsors of the Lebanese and Green Revolution are US, France, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. 3) I judge the movement by its leaders: Hariri and Musavi and Rafsanjani don't inspire my enthusiasm. The Tunisian Communist Workers Party does. 4) There is no sectarian or religious slogans in the Tunisian movement, while there is plenty in the Green and Cedar revolutions. 5) I like revolutions that concerns Israel and not those that please Israel. 6) I never denied that there are sincere people and youths in the camp of the Green Revolution but that it is led by lousy individuals who raised lousy slogans: (Mousavi and Rafsanjani wanted to go to the early Khumayni "purity" or revolution. That is it.
Obama and Bin `Ali
The funny announcement by Obama yesterday has clear conclusions: the US administration is thus officially in support of its dictators around the world until the time when they are overthrown. So Obama continued to support the Tunisian dictator until the time when he left the country. A principled position you may say.
This is a mature movement in Tunisia, and it knows what it wants
This is indeed a mature movement. Yesterday, I was relaying to Tunisian comrades my concerns that their movement would be aborted by a theatrical and cosmetic change of power which would not uproot the regime. Today, I woke up to the news that the activists know what they want and will not stop merely because someone in France or US or Israel or Saudi Arabia decided to remove Bin `Ali but keep the regime and army behind power.
There is no religious factor in the Tunisian uprising
It is most noteworthy and most significant (given the Western media obsession with the Islam factor in all what Arabs and Muslims do politically), that the Islamic factor is thus far absent in what is going on in Tunisia. In fact, secular trends and movements seem to be at the helm. The revolutionary Tunisian Communist Workers Party is one of the leaders of this movement. I am not saying that Islamic trends will not later emerge in the Tunisian political spectrum especially that Bin `Ali was repressive in what was allowed politically, but it is high time that Arab political culture not be reduced to the Islam factor. Today, Islamist Tunisian thinker, Rashid Ghannushi, announced that he would return to Tunisia. But he has no role in what is happening and no one is chanting his name--his withes to the contrary notwithstanding.
House of Saud and Tunisia
All the work I do and I will do against the reactionary government of Saudi Arabia is dwarfed by the work that Saudi Arabia does sometimes on behalf of all those of us who campaign against it. I mean, the hosting of Bin `Ali confirms the status of House of Saud as the haven for all dethroned dictators around the world. Western media are not appreciating the extent to which there are Arab popular celebrations around the world regarding Tunisia: and here comes Saudi government to offer a slap on the face of Arab popular opinion. This is significant. There are calls for demonstrations against Saudi embassy in all Arab countries although it is doubtful that the Arab governments will allow it. House of Saud decided to fly against the enthusiasm of Arab public opinion. What do you expect: ousted dictators since the days of Hamid Ad-Din, Sanusis, Idi Amin, Numayri, and many others always find home in the Kingdom of Horror. Yesterday, when the president of Bin `Ali was flying, Saudi media were hoping and praying that it was going to Qatar, just to embarrass Aljazeera and the Qatari government. In fact, for the record, the private station of King Fahd's brother-in-law actually announced that the plane was going to Qatar. And when the news came and an official statement from the House of Saud was issued in which Bin `Ali was officially welcomed "with his family" to Saudi Arabia, Saudi media tried to ignore the news altogether.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tunisia: as a model for emerging nations
Here, the IMF president (and possible French socialist presidential nominee) declares Tunisia as a leading model for emerging nations. (thanks Mona)
Obama and Tunisia
Once Obama has made sure that the dictator is down, he said that he salutes the "courage" of the Tunisian people and called for free elections. Wait: does that mean that he now calls for free elections in the other dictatorships that he sponsors, like Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, and Yemen? Or he only wants free elections 1) in countries that are not aligned with the US: 2) in dictatorships that are sponsored by the US ONCE THE DICTATOR IS DOWN.
Tunisian police looting
These are the thugs of the regime (while Saudi media are accusing the Tunisian people of theft)
Jeffrey Feltman
All that Jeffrey Feltman knows about the Middle East he learned from Martin Indyk at the US embassy in Tel Aviv when he served under him. The rest he learned from this racist book about Arabs.
Aljazeera plus Al-Akhbar plus Wikileaks and Tunisia
Comrade Kamal is right: The brave Tunisian people, Aljazeera (even with a relatively restraint coverage), Al-Akhbar (though its translation and dissemination of the Wikileaks document on corruption in the government), and Wikileaks did Bin `Ali in.
Fida'iyyi Bin `Ali
It seems from live coverage that the secret militias of Bin Ali, along the lines of Fida'yyi Saddam, are terrorizing the population at night. The military-intelligence apparatus--with full US and French support--would not give up easily on power.
US: its role in the crisis will be long remembered
It will be remembered that only when the US made sure that Bin `Ali left the country, the White House issued the statement that the Tunisian people have the right to choose their leaders. As if they need permission from the US.
US relations with the Tunisian dictatorship
"The United States has very good relations with Tunisia, which date back more than 200 years. The United States has maintained official representation in Tunis almost continuously since 1795, and the American Friendship Treaty with Tunisia was signed in 1799. The two governments are not linked by security treaties, but relations have been close since Tunisia's independence. U.S.-Tunisian relations suffered briefly after the 1985 Israeli raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis, after the 1988 Tunis assassination of PLO terrorist Abu Jihad, and in 1990 during the Gulf War. In each case, however, relations warmed again quickly, reflecting strong bilateral ties. The United States and Tunisia have an active schedule of joint military exercises. U.S. security assistance historically has played an important role in cementing relations. The U.S.-Tunisian Joint Military Commission meets annually to discuss military cooperation, Tunisia's defense modernization program, and other security matters. The United States first provided economic and technical assistance to Tunisia under a bilateral agreement signed March 26, 1957. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) managed a successful program until its departure in 1994, when Tunisia's economic advances led to the country's "graduation" from USAID funding. Tunisia enthusiastically supported the U.S.-North African Economic Partnership (USNAEP), designed to promote U.S. investment in, and economic integration of, the Maghreb region. The program provided over $4 million in assistance to Tunisia between 2001 and 2003. The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) was launched in 2002 and incorporated the former USNAEP economic reform projects while adding bilateral and regional projects for education reform, civil society development, and women's empowerment. In 2004, the MEPI Regional Office opened in Embassy Tunis. The Regional Office is staffed by American diplomats and regional specialists. It is responsible for coordinating MEPI activities in Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia in close coordination with the American Embassies in those countries. The United States also supports Tunisia's civil society and economic development through bilateral Economic Support Funds programs." (thanks Mozhgan)
Tunisia: the success story of a police state
"A week before the Tunisian government collapsed on Friday, with its longtime dictator fleeing the country in the face of massive popular protests, a Washington, DC public relations firm that had been hired by the government abruptly severed its relationship the North African nation. Last May, the Tunisian regime retained the Washington Media Group, which also represents private equity funds, aerospace companies, unions, and medical research companies, and banking giant Citigroup, to help promote its image abroad. In a press release announcing the contract, WMG referred to Tunisia as an "international business success story." At the time, John Leary, a partner at WMG, described Tunisia as a "peaceful, Islamic country" and a "stable democracy" with a "terrific story to share with the world." (Tunisia ranks 144th of 167 countries ranked on The Economist's Democracy Index, a widely accepted measure of political freedom. But it's farther ahead on some measures, such as women's rights, than most of the Arab world.) The press release also claimed the deal highlighted "the firm's demonstrated successes on behalf of clients small and large."" (thanks Anthony)
This is funny
Al-Arabiyya says that Bin Ali plane is going to Qatar, while Aljazeera implies that his plane is going to Dubai.
Opportunists jump in
The Tunisian ambassador to UNESCO had resigned. Now he appeared on Aljazeera and said that he has offered advice to the Tunisian president and that he spoke against corruption and tyranny. The Tunisian anchorperson, Muhammad Krishan, interrupted him and reminded him that he himself spoke in defense of Bin `Ali's wife when a book about her corruption was published in France.
Munsif Marzuqi
Munsif Marzuqi, the brave Tunisian human rights activist, is right: the peaceful flight of the Tunisian dictator should not be enough: that the Tunisian dictator has blood on his hands.
Bin Ali International Tribunal?
I know that the US administration and its Department of the Near East and AIPAC is busy with Hariri investigation and thinks that the killing of Hariri is the most important event in Arab history, and that his assassination is the most brutal act since the holocaust, but will the US administration now look favorably to the Tunisian popular demands for an international tribunal? Of course, not.
US State Department spokesperson
Aljazeera hosted two spokespersons: one from UK and one from US. (Of course, the US spokesperson spoke in English while the UK spokesperson spoke in Arabic). The American spokesperson said that his government always supported the right of the Tunisian people to choose their leaders. Here is a challenge: express publicly your support for the right of the Saudi or Bahraini people to choose their leaders.
the education of Bin `Ali
The Tunisian dictator received crucial training in the US: Senior Intelligence School (Maryland, USA) and the School for Anti-Aircraft Field Artillery (Texas, USA). It did not do him much good at the end, I guess.
This is the kind of election that US government favors
"Tunisian President Zein al-Abidin bin Ali was re-elected with 89.62 percent of the vote in Sunday’s elections for a fifth term in office after two decades in power, according to results released early Monday by the interior ministry. Vote tallies from 20 of Tunisia’s 26 regions showed that in two regions bin Ali won nearly 99 percent of the vote, and in the rest his support did not dip below 84 percent, according to figures from the Interior Ministry, which oversaw Sunday’s election." Hell. The US prefers no election whatsoever, like in Gulf countries where Hillary (or Condoleezza) can summon the polygamous princes and kings and issue her orders).
Obama affirms his administration commitment to democracy in the Arab world
"The President spoke to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to wish him well as he continues to recover from his recent surgery, and thanked him for receiving Secretary Clinton in New York last week. The President told the King that, in light of their shared commitment to Lebanon’s welfare and to supporting Prime Minister Hariri, he looks forward to continuing to work together with Saudi Arabia and other partners to support Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and stability."
House of Saud to the rescue: FLASH
Aljazeera is reporting that the plane of Bin Ali is now heading to a "Gulf country." Let me GUESS: which states habitually provides haven to ousted dictators??
Muhammad Bouazizi: the most famous Arab
Muhammad Bouazizi: a street Tunisian vendor is now the most famous Arab. All Twitter and Facebook in Arabic is dedicated to you. You sparked a revolution. You shall not be forgotten, and you mother (if I can speak for her) shall forgive you (Bouazizi was concerned about his mother's reaction).
Bin `Ali's pilot
One of the Tunisian pilots tells Al-Arabiyya TV (which has been solidly supporting bin `Ali) that he refused to lift off with relatives of Bin `Ali on the plane).
How the US judges the Tunisian dictatorship
"Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society." (thanks Abullah)
Condoleezza Rice on Tunisia
"Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Tunis, Tunisia
September 6, 2008
Tunisia has taken a lead in the Arab Maghreb Union, which we believe is a useful organization for addressing all kinds of issues. And we had a discussion also of the situation in Mauritania in that regard. We talked about internal matters here, in Tunisia, about the course of reform. And I do want to say that the extraordinary role of women in Tunisia was something that I raised, that women have made great progress here.
And we are good friends, and we can have very good and intensive discussions about internal and external matters. And that is the way that it has been. So I thank the president for taking so much time with me. It has been a very good visit. Thank you very much." (thanks Jamal)."
Tunis, Tunisia
September 6, 2008
SECRETARY RICE: Hello. I just finished a really very good and extensive discussion with the president. Tunisia is a good friend of the United States, and has been for decades. It is a deep relationship. We have broad cooperation across a range of issues.
We have obviously discussed the circumstances here in the region, in terms of security and counter-terrorism. I was able to talk about my discussions in Libya last night.Tunisia has taken a lead in the Arab Maghreb Union, which we believe is a useful organization for addressing all kinds of issues. And we had a discussion also of the situation in Mauritania in that regard. We talked about internal matters here, in Tunisia, about the course of reform. And I do want to say that the extraordinary role of women in Tunisia was something that I raised, that women have made great progress here.
And we are good friends, and we can have very good and intensive discussions about internal and external matters. And that is the way that it has been. So I thank the president for taking so much time with me. It has been a very good visit. Thank you very much." (thanks Jamal)."
Flash: US reacts
NOW: the US government suddenly condemns violence against civilians in Tunisia. How pathetic: the US has not learnt a thing from its past history with the Shah. Not a thing. Imperialist powers are too arrogant to learn.
The Crisis of the Arab Left
My weekly article in Al-Akhbar: "The Crisis of the Arab Left: The Example of Nayif Hawatimah"
Aljazeera is playing it cautiously
Aljazeera has been playing the events rather cautiously--too cautiously for my taste.
Mossad operatives fled Tunisia
As you know, per agreement with the US, the Tunisian government opened the country for Mossad terrorists to spy on and to kill Palestinians there (like Abu Jihad, Abu Iyad, Abu Al-Hawl etc). They must have fled: maybe in the same plane with Bin Ali--their patron.
To my readers: I need your help
Please go to White House website and to State Department website, and unearth for me past statements by US officials praising the Bin Ali government. Thanks. Oh, and I want it NOW. NOW.
Jeffrey Feltman served in Tunisia--I remember (trained at the feet of Indyk in Israel)
"From August 2001 until December 2003, Feltman served at the U.S. Consulate-General in Jerusalem, first as Deputy Principal Officer and then, from July 2001 until September 2002, as Acting Principal Officer. He also served in Embassy Tel Aviv as Ambassador Indyk's Special Assistant on Peace Process issues from the summer of 2000 to July 2001. From 1998 to 2000, Feltman served as Chief of the Political and Economic Section at the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia. He served in the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv from 1995 to 1998, covering economic issues in the Gaza Strip."
The White House spoke: how dare you
The White House just issued a statement saying that the people of Tunisia has the right to choose their leaders. Now you say that? Now, after your puppet dictator has fled the country? Now that the people of Tunisia forced a change--NOT THANK TO YOU OR FRANCE--you want to feign interest and pretend that you support the people? How hypocritical.
Muhammad Bouazizi
He wrote this on Facebook before he died: "": «مسافر يا أمي، سامحني، ما يفيد ملام، ضايع في طريق ما هو بإيديا، سامحني كان (إن كنت) عصيت كلام أمي. لومي على الزمان ما تلومي عليّ، رايح من غير رجوع. يزّي (كثيرا) ما بكيت وما سالت من عيني دموع، ما عاد يفيد ملام على زمان غدّار في بلاد الناس. أنا عييت ومشى من بالي كل اللي راح، مسافر ونسأل زعمة السفر باش (أن) ينسّي»."
(Traveling, o Mom. Forgive me. No blame is beneficial. Lost in a path that is out of your hands. Forgive me, if I disobeyed the word of my mother. Blame the time and not me. Leaving but not returning. For much I cried and tears streamed from my eyes. No blame can benefit in a time that is treacherous in the land of people. I am tired and all that passed left my mind. Traveling and asking what can make you forget [last sentence not clear].)
(Traveling, o Mom. Forgive me. No blame is beneficial. Lost in a path that is out of your hands. Forgive me, if I disobeyed the word of my mother. Blame the time and not me. Leaving but not returning. For much I cried and tears streamed from my eyes. No blame can benefit in a time that is treacherous in the land of people. I am tired and all that passed left my mind. Traveling and asking what can make you forget [last sentence not clear].)
To the Zionist entity
Your Arab dictatorial friends will be fleeing one by one. Your flag will not fly in any Arab capital. Your peace treaties with dictators will be scrapped, one-by-one. Your years are numbered: your demise is certain. You have no where to go: no private jet can accommodate you and your terrorist structures.
Muhammad Bouazizi
The Western accounts of Bouazizi (including in today's New York Times) miss an important fact: not only he was banned from the street: but he was humiliated and beaten up.
Russian revolution and Tunisia
When the Russian Revolution erupted, it was said that the Socialist Revolution broke in the least likely of places. Similarly, this Arab uprising in Tunisia, was in the most unlikely of places--if only because the West, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and World Bank insisted that Tunisia is the model government for Muslims.
The shallow analysis of Robert Fisk: he can't read Arabic, so he judges pictures
""But I think the Lebanese state has grown up. I noticed, yesterday, that the Christian leader of the Lebanese Forces, one of the Christian militias, Samir Geagea, had a new photograph on the front of his party offices in a mountain town. But he was wearing civilian clothes. He was wearing a suit and tie. Not the militia costume he use to wear. That was a good sign.
No civil war in Lebanon."" (thanks AlHussein)
This is what the correspondent of the New York Times said today (reporting form his window)
"The immediate response to the speech appeared mixed. In at least one neighborhood of the capital, grateful Tunisians could be heard in the streets, ignoring an 8 p.m. curfew order, cheering the president." They were not cheering the president, genius. They were cheering their victory.
AlJazeera versus Al-Arabiyyah TV
A seasoned and wise Western correspondent in the Middle East sent me this (he/she does not want to be identified): "i'm sure u noticed, but Al Jazeera showed how the clashes went on all night in Sfax and scenes of people suffering injuries from police. meanwhile al Arabiya is showing only rioting people and harrassing interviewees to say that things are quiet and that proves that tunisians believe Ben Ali's speech is not just a manoeuvre."
This is big: very big
The historical significance of what happened in Tunisia is huge. This is the first time an Arab dictator is overthrown by a popular uprising. It is too early to speculate whether this will or can spread, but I think one lesson is too obvious: the Arab people have realized that overthrowing a regime is much much easer than they had thought. If the Iranian Revolution had an impact on Arab politics, this will certainly has an impact.
PS Jonathan is correct in reminding me about the popular uprising in Sudan that overthrew Ja`far Numayri in 1985. But the dictator, `Umar Bashir, stole the revolution a few years later.
PS Jonathan is correct in reminding me about the popular uprising in Sudan that overthrew Ja`far Numayri in 1985. But the dictator, `Umar Bashir, stole the revolution a few years later.
Saudi prince flees Tunisia
Aljazeera is reporting that Prince `Abdul-`Aziz bin Nayif has fled Tunisia.
Saudi media and Bin Ali
This is from the headline of the mouthpiece of Prince Salman (Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat): It says that Bin Ali "issued orders to help those who suffered damages". I kid you not.
To Usama Ramadani
He is my former friend who was until last week the Tunisian Minister of Information (communications in Tunisia). How do you feel now? I remember our conversations about your services to the Bin Ali regime when you used to tell me that you were doing that to cause change "from within." After all those years, what have you changed? And how do you feel being discarded by the very dictator that you devoted your skills and energy and talents to serve?
Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish: the Gaza Doctor whose three children were killed by Israel
He is on a speaking tour to promote his silly book (I shall not hate) in the US and Canada. Various Zionist liberal organizations are promoting him and peddling his book. He spoke in Berkeley last night. Rabbi Michael Lerner (who devotes his silly magazine, Tikkun, to the "anguish" of Israeli terrorist occupiers) introduced him. His message is love and peace with Israel. Like all Arab puppets of Zionist organizations, he is not very bright and has such poor command of English (is he not supposed to have gone to Harvard? Well, maybe that explains). After he spoke, I responded. (Farah shot the video)
The US
The US is now probably doing its best to save the regime and sacrifice Bin Ali. The Tunisian people should be on guard.
على الشعب التونس ان يحذر: الولايات المتحدة تسعى على الأرجح لإنقاذ النظام عبر التضحية ببن علي
على الشعب التونس ان يحذر: الولايات المتحدة تسعى على الأرجح لإنقاذ النظام عبر التضحية ببن علي
Here is the take of the New York Times on Tunisia today
"The mounting protests threaten not only to overturn a close United States ally in the fight against terrorism but also to pull back the veneer of tranquil stability that draws legions of Western tourists to Tunisia’s coastal resorts."
Arab people know: what they have known all along
The Arab people know the obvious; that the Bush/Obama/Clinton administrations stand solidly in support of the Arab dictatorships. The government that champions popular revolutions and uprisings (like the sectarian pro-Saudi sectarian affair known as Cedar Revolution or the Green Revolution in Iran which includes supporters of former loyalists and stooges of Ayatullah Khumayni) suddenly lost its ability to speak. It stayed silent.
Where are Arab liberals?
Of course, they are no more than Wahhabi liberals, as I call them because they are no more than propagandists for the various Saudi princes who receive order to attack this regime and praise that regime. They have been strictly silent: they don't say a word in support of change in Tunisia because they operate per orders. Do you know how despised they are?
How come the US media are not labeling the Tunisian Revolution?
I mean, you foolishly labeled Cedar Revolution and Orange Revolution and Green Revolution. You don't think that a Revolution against an ally of US and EU is worthy of a color label? Do you realize how politicized you nakedly appear in all your standards and coverage and labels?
Tunisian Communist Workers Party
I got word that the spokesperson of the Tunisian Communist Workers Party has been released. The party has been quite active in the movement for democracy.
This is how the Saudi and Hariri media are reporting on Tunisia
"وذكر التلفزيون التونسي أن مسيرات شعبية عارمة سارت في شوارع تونس تجاوباً مع خطاب الرئيس بن علي الليلة الماضية إلى مواطنيه.
وأكد مواطنون تونسيون أن خطاب بن علي أعاد الأمور إلى نصابها، وطالبوه بمنح الاعلام مزيدا من الحرية."
(And Tunisian TV reported that massive popular demonstrations marched in the streets of Tunisia in positive response to the speech of President Bin Ali last night toward his citizens. And Tunisian citizens affirmed that the speech of Bin Ali restored things to normal, and they called for more freedom in the media." (thanks Mohamad)
This is how the New York Times described Tunisia in 2006
I did a quick search in the archives of the New York Times on Tunisia and found this from the Herald Tribune, October 30th, 2006 written by Stanley Weiss: "In Tunis, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali sticks to the "Tunisia model" - repressive politics alongside progressive economics. Claiming an absurd 95- percent victory in the last election, Ben Ali's regime argues that Tunisia's reputation as a leader in women's rights and the most open economy in the Arab world - with a robust middle class, low poverty and high literacy - show that you can give people dignity without democracy."
US government and Tunisia
Do you think that people all over the Arab world are not noticing the complicity of the US government (and the EU) in the crimes of Bin Ali against the Tunisian people? And when the Tunisian people later express their rage at US and France, US pundits would exclaim in innocence: why do they hate us? What have we done to the Tunisian people?
Saudi Arab media are accomplices in the crimes of Bin Ali
The correspondent of Al-Arabiyya TV (the station of King Fahd's brother-in-law) is wildly justifying the state of emergency in Tunisia and justifying the shooting of civilians. Arab tyrants rally to the defense of one another. It is a joint criminal order supported by the US and EU--make no mistake about it. This is the Arab state system. No one gets nervous when dictatorial Arab regimes like Israel: it knows that the true reflection of Arab desires and aspiration entail the categorical rejection of the state of Israel.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
House of Saud in panic: Saudi media intensifies support for the Tunisian dictator
IT is clear that new marching orders came from Saudi princes to the various Saudi newspapers that they own. They increased support for the Tunisian dictator and their condemnation for the demonstrators. (This also applies to Saudi media).
Tunisian dictator addresses the people: I did not know, he said, that I was a dictator until today
I kid you not. That was the message of the speech. The dictator basically announced that he has just learnt that he is a dictator and promised that he will put an end to his dictatorial rule in 2014.
A message from Tunisian activists to unseat the Tunisian dictator (beloved of Western governments)
(Tomorrow Friday is the million-wide march to the presidential palace to unseat Bin `Ali beginning at 11:00AM)
House of Saud's propagandists in Tunisia
The anchorwoman of AlArabiyya TV asked its correspondent in Tunisia (a propagandist for the dictatorship) whether he has talked to any demonstrator. He said--I kid you not--it is now easy to talk to people who are in a state of excitement, and then added their demands are consistent with the fine speech by Bin `Ali.
Bin Ali
How pathetic are dictators when they get desperate to stay in power at all cost. The Saudi media are focusing on the "destruction" undertaken by...demonstrators.
Ceauşescu of Tunisia
I was watching the Tunisian dictator (beloved by Western governments) give his speech: he said that he would not seek another term in 2014. I have never seen him--or seen an Arab dictator--as nervous and hesitant as he was. He so much reminded me of Ceauşescu in his last days. He resorted to that line often invoked by Jordanian dictator, Khusayn among others, that he did not know what was going on. That his aides did not tell him what was going on and did not know that there was a dictatorship in the country. Theater of the absurd. The correspondent of the King Fahd's brother-in-law (Al-Arabiyya TV) must be in the employ of Bin Ali. He commented on the speech: and said that the speech will change "a lot" and that he seemed so close to his people because he spoke in colloquial Tunisian and that he made historic decisions that are expected by the Tunisian people. I heard from a Tunisian professor there: she said that there are shortages of food and there is nervousness and that most of the killing is committed by Bin Ali's militias which roam the streets (and wait on rooftops) and kill people.
Prince of Monaco
What I (dis)like about Lebanon is that its shallow standards are at play even when the country seems on the verge of civil war. The Lebanese president presiding over a broken government found time today to award a high Lebanese medal to the prince. I mean, when the White Man visits, Lebanonese pay attention.
US and Hariri tribunal
I think that US officials (especially in the AIPAC department of Jeffrey Feltman at State Department) should be aware that Wikileaks documents regarding Lebanon have been translated and published in Al-Akhbar. No one who has read them, especially meetings between US officials and Hariri tribunal prosecutors, can doubt the extent to which the US is manipulating the process. They should know that--no matter who killed Hariri--not that I give a damn who killed Hariri as I am more concerned with those who killed more than a 1000 civilians in the US-Israeli war on Lebanon in 2006--the Tribunal process is tainted with US-Israeli-Saudi dirty hands.
Obama administration and Tunisia: damn the demonstrators
"MR. CROWLEY: But I would say yes, we’re concerned about government actions, but we’re also concerned about actions by the demonstrators, those who do not have peaceful intentions."
Informed US reporters in State Department press briefing
"QUESTION: The name of Mr. Rashid Karami has been thrown in there as an alternative person, a Sunni person, to preside a new government in Lebanon. Would the United States be willing to support such a government?" Of cousre, Mr. Rashid Karami can't serve as prime minister because he is dead (assassinated by Samir Ja`ja` (Ga`ga`)--the latter being a member of the democracy and freedom faction that the US supports).
So is the US government inferring in Lebanese internal affairs?
"MR. CROWLEY: We are absolutely not interfering in the internal affairs of Lebanon. We are expressing our heartfelt view that we felt there was a government in Lebanon serving the interests of the people of Lebanon and include – which includes supporting the pursuit of justice for Lebanon through the special tribunal."
US officials in DC alone can determine the interests of the people of Lebanon
"As you know, President Obama met today with Prime Minister Hariri and commended him on his leadership in protecting and advancing the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and for staying focused on the needs and interests of the people of Lebanon."
US government and its rhetoric on the Middle East
Even when constitutional and democratic methods are employed--against a puppet of the US--the US does not like it. You see the US prefers the constitutional and democratic systems of Gulf governments and Tunisia: there, the processes of democracy and rule of law rule supreme. These are held as models for all Arabs to emulate. Does anyone think that words of US diplomacy carry any weight beyond the offices of AIPAC?
Lebanon
Don't have high hopes that things in Lebanon would reach logical conclusions: they never do. Hizbullah feels the need to go all the way against its enemies--knowing that many of them have been aligned with Israel (directly or through the US and Saudi Arabia) but is burdened by its sectarian ideology and composition and is aware it is restrained in what it can accomplish. For that reason, expect another lousy compromise to emerge and don't be surprised--after months or more of tensions and being on-the-verge-of-civil-war--if Ilyas Murr returns even as Minister of Defense. The absence of a secular alternative ensures that the outcome will always be lousy. We had a chance back in 1976, but the Syrian regime intervened and prevented the secular leftist outcome of conflict. But make no mistake: the opposition has many advantages: the biggest one being the sheer incompetence and ineptitude of Mini-Hariri.
Benefits of Imperialism (on the UAE royal family for sure)
""However, ultimately imperialism, whether western or Ottoman, is a political and historical reality that deserves to be studied on its own terms, without ideological baggage loading down the process, so that we can better understand its mechanisms, its evils, but also its occasional benefits, and assess their impact on the modern Middle East."" (thanks Redouane)
Foreign policy expertise in the US
""The tragedy in Tucson occurred as the former governor was diving into domestic and foreign policy issues in an effort to build a more substantive political identity. The strategy, in which Palin intends to step up her involvement in public policy debates and embark on overseas trips to nations such as Israel, is in its early stages."" (thanks Peter)
Mo Ibrahim Foundation
This foundation and its index are considered standard in the study of Africa. Somebody should ask them about their love affair with Tunisia; their success model.
Israel's dirty hands in the US: can you imagine the uproar of they were Syrians or Iranians?
"Itzhak and Meir Abergil are part of one of Israel's most powerful crime families, authorities say. They are accused of recruiting members of a Los Angeles street gang to distribute Ecstasy across Southern California."
Turkish media and the events in Tunisia
Daniel sent me this: "This is most curious. The Turkish television news hasn't mentioned Tunisia at all that I've seen (if it has it's just not viewed as top news, because the news has been on quite a bit here and I haven't seen it). But what's more curious is the print media, which HAS mentioned it, but the proportions seem to be way off from paper to paper. Radikal (which lacks the scantly clad women on the front page found on the other two mainstream papers to which I'm linking you) has 7 results since the start of the year when you search for Tunisia (), and not all of those are actually articles about Tunisia, ignoring the fact that four of those are just translations from other papers. Meanwhile, Hürriyet (the most popular paper of the three) has 19 mentions () and Milliyet also has more than Radikal () Radikal is regarding as a more left-leaning paper, but all three are owned by Doğan Medya Grubu, thus one wonders if the Turkish media is trying to turn "left-leaning" Turks' attention away from the economy and the possibility of revolution and toward worrying about the "threat" to secularism posed by the AKP (whose neo-liberal leadership is of course just as close to the United States as that of the CHP)?"
PS He later added: "i just saw something on the (government sponsored) TRT news about tunisia. it shows only property destruction and not one police officer or soldier or their weapons, or the victims of their violence. from this we should surmise that the turkish government believes that what happened in tunisia was some kids destroyed a lot of shop windows for no reason, and thats why the police have to be harsh with them."
PS He later added: "i just saw something on the (government sponsored) TRT news about tunisia. it shows only property destruction and not one police officer or soldier or their weapons, or the victims of their violence. from this we should surmise that the turkish government believes that what happened in tunisia was some kids destroyed a lot of shop windows for no reason, and thats why the police have to be harsh with them."
Kuwait versus Iraq (now)
" The Iraqi government is investigating a shootout on Monday between an Iraqi fishing boat and a Kuwaiti Coast Guard vessel in the Persian Gulf that left a Kuwaiti serviceman dead and five fishermen briefly in Kuwaiti custody, a spokesman for the Iraqi government said on Tuesday." As is well-known, the US maintains a neutral stance toward any conflict between Iraq and Kuwait and would not interfere if the Iraqi puppet government were to invade Kuwait. Successor of April Glaspie has been notified to transmit that message to Nouri Maliki.
When the New York Times feigns self-righteousness
Look at this editorial by the Times: "France, Mr. Ben Ali’s most influential ally, has so far remained shamefully silent." 1) No, France has not been silent: it offered repression equipment to Bin Ali's government. 2) Why did you disregard the silence of the Obama administration which protested against the hacking of government websites (I did not notice a protest by the US government when Al-Akhbar's website was hacked). 3) Oh, please spare me your indignant self-righteous tone. Oh, please spare me. You have been for decades silent about the repression of every government that is aligned with Israel. This goes back decades in time. Did you protest against the repression of Sadat or King Khuuuusayn?? Most importantly, have you been protesting lately against the repression of Saudi government and UAE since they aligned themselves with Israel? Why don't you just go on doing what you do best: justifying Israeli war crimes.
The US in Lebanon
Look how clearly the US manipulates mini-Hariri. Also, make no mistake about it: the US is in no position to urge that parties in Lebanon stick to democratic and constitutional methods. Remember that one Wikileak document describing a meeting between Fu'ad Sanyurah and David Petreus? In it, Sanyruah acknowledges that "security assistance" from the US was crucial to the electoral victory of the Hariri coalition. Also, the article is wrong: it is not clear that Turkey is close to Hariri camp--only. Turkey plays it safe in Lebanon, and has been increasingly closer to Iran and Syria in that regard.
I feel sorry
I feel sorry for all my friends who voted for Obama. I really do. They must be seething on a daily basis. Not only regarding his foreign policies and wars which copy and expand on Bush's wars and policies, but even his cowardly domestic policies.
Unbelievable
I just don't get it. How can the US, of all states of the world, dare accuse any country in the world anywhere of interfering in other country's affairs is just beyond my comprehension. The US, for potato's sake?
Nada Bakri
Writing in the worst publication regarding Middle East developments, Nada Bakri has a decent and fair article here.
Wake up the children and release the pigs from the barn: we have a new expert on Lebanon in the New York Times
After a few visits to Lebanon, and having ascertained his ignorance of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, Thanassis Cambanis is now a new Lebanon expert on the New York Times (having written a lousy book on Hizbullah which is obsessed with Israeli propaganda interests from what I gather). Here, he has a propaganda piece in support of Hariri coalition. He is so clueless that I experienced the same chuckles that Jeffrey Feltman experiences when they read and translate Al-Akhbar articles for him. He says: "His coalition remains a viable alternative to Hezbollah only as long as it sticks to the pluralistic and law-based values that distinguish it from its theocratic and belligerent enemies." Pluralism? They are the ones who a few years ago led a fanatical Salafite demonstration in the wake of Danish cartoons against Muhammad into the Christian areas of Lebanon and were about to set Ashrafiyyah on fire. This is the coalition that include Bin Ladenites in its midst and various war criminals (of course, there are war criminals on both sides in Lebanon, and certainly among March 8 too). This is the coalition that has illegally and unconstitutionally constructed a sectarian mini-state outside and within the government. This is the coalition that is aligned with all the dictatorial Arab regimes (Hariri media are fierce in their support of Bin Ali and Hariri daily sheet, Al-Mustaqbal, regularly carries glowing profiles of Bin Ali). But this passage that trigged the belly laughs in me (again the same belly laughs that are triggered when Jeffrey Feltman reads translations of Al-Akhbar articles): "Its constituents are the only audience that matters to Hezbollah, which styles itself as sole protector of Arab dignity from humiliation by Israel and the United States. These supporters will be hard-pressed to understand, much less forgive, their party if it is proved to have killed a leader who was loved by the nation’s Sunni Muslims and also respected by Christians, Druze and even many Shiites, who form Hezbollah’s core support." Are you kidding me? Hizbullah's core support would be upset if it is revealed that they were behind Hariri's assassination? What planet does Cambanis inhabit? Hizbullah's core support would be proud, gleeful, and cheerful if it is revealed that Hizbullah was behind Hariri's assassination. It shows you how clueless this person is, not knowing the hatred that is harbored by Hizbullah's core support against the entire Hariri family and their sponsors. Here, Cambanis makes things up as here goes along: ". Hezbollah’s leaders insist that its men were trying to protect Rafik Hariri." Hizbullah leaders never made such claims: in fact, in one occasion, Nasrallah said that there was an Israeli agent, Ghassan Al-Jidd who has fled the country, who was being watched at the scene by Hizbullah men. But really: what do you expect on the Middle East from the New York Times? This is like seeking the truth about Germany during the Nazi years from Nazi publications.
Furious and Outraged (an already Angry) Arab
I am just thinking: 1) how the US media--all of them including Nation magazine--dogmatically and submissively follow the contours and orientations of official US foreign policies; 2) how the Tunisian revolt is barely getting any coverage and how the activism of the youth and their use of new media technologies to spread their message is getting no attention WHATSOEVER in the Western press. If this regime is opposed to the US, this revolt would have been on the front page of US newspapers; 3) Tunisian activists are noticing this. A leader in the Tiqriz movement talked to As-Safir agreed that the US and French stances toward the events are an insult to the opposition movement (especially the French offer to extend security help to the regime).
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Obama administration is indeed concerned over repression in Tunisia
"We’re also concerned, as part of this, over hacking activity that has occurred associated with various social media sites and websites. Now, this can be – come from many different directions. There have been a number of cyber intrusions, including attacks on the Government of Tunisia’s websites."
Not in the US press: he is an inferior human being
"An Israeli patrol crossed into Lebanese territory on Wednesday and captured a Lebanese shepherd near the border, the Lebanese army said in a statement."
Tear gas canisters in Tunisia
A reader sent me this: "I just wanted to let you know that I cannot make out much from this video () that you linked to on this page () because they moved the objects too much and too quickly. However, the one thing I can see clearly is the logo CTS at about 28 seconds. CTS, stands for Combined Tactical Systems, and is part of Combined Systems Inc based in Jamestown, PA.
You can also see the CTS logo on the left hand part of their webpage here:
Adalah-NY and other groups have been demanding that CSI stop providing tear gas used to kill and maim unarmed protesters in the West Bank:
Pennsylvania groups are organzing a protest at CSI's Jamestown, PA headquarters on January 17th, MLK Day.
Please don't use my name and thanks,"
"Activities against national security"
"A human rights lawyer has been sentenced by the Iranian authorities to 11 years in jail for crimes that include “activities against national security” and “propaganda against the regime,” family members confirmed Monday." Every Middle East country has a version of such horrific law: in Jordan, there is a law that prohibits citizens from "extending their tongues"--literally--against the royal family.
"Welcoming Mediterranean beaches"
"Even as the prime minister pledged to release prisoners, security forces were apprehending others in their homes, including a spokesman for the outlawed Communist Party who had became a major voice of the protests in foreign media." Of course, the New York Times wants you to know that "Tunisia is in some ways the most European country of North Africa, with a relatively large middle class, liberal social norms and broad gender equality, and welcoming Mediterranean beaches." (thanks Richard)
Tunisia events provide another proof of the failure of Mo Ibrahim Index
This is his latest survey of Africa governance.
Hillary Clinton is not taking sides between the Tunisian tyrants and the unarmed protestors
""We are not taking sides" regarding the deadly clashes between protesters and government forces in Tunisia, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton said according to an English-language transcript of an interview with Al-Arabiya television, received by AFP on Wednesday." (thanks Sus)
Prince of Monaco
Prince of Monaco is visiting Lebanon: an opportunity for some Lebanese to feel civilized in his presence.
Obama administration and Tunisia
"MR. CROWLEY: Again, I – let’s talk about the situation in Tunisia. I do not see the two as being directly linked, but we continue our dialogue with the Government of Tunisia.
QUESTION: Are you aware that the government recently closed all schools and universities until further notice?
MR. CROWLEY: We are concerned about – we understand and --
QUESTION: It’s a pretty drastic step.
MR. CROWLEY: Well, we – to the extent that we understand the government has a very legitimate right to ensure the safety of its citizens..."
QUESTION: Are you aware that the government recently closed all schools and universities until further notice?
MR. CROWLEY: We are concerned about – we understand and --
QUESTION: It’s a pretty drastic step.
MR. CROWLEY: Well, we – to the extent that we understand the government has a very legitimate right to ensure the safety of its citizens..."
Removing the picture of Bin `Ali
Tunisian remove the picture of the dictator (this is not as sexy as the staged removal of Saddam's statue) (thanks Hicham)
Murders in Tunisia: video footage
Salah sent me this: "This video is shot in Kasserine, Tunisia. At 2:04 you see a young man with half his head blown off
In this second video some young guys find live ammunition and gas canisters used by the so called security forces. One of the men notices that one of the gas canisters is made in the U.S and the other one, probably also a gas canister, is israeli "
In this second video some young guys find live ammunition and gas canisters used by the so called security forces. One of the men notices that one of the gas canisters is made in the U.S and the other one, probably also a gas canister, is israeli "
Incitement against Islam...in Arabic
Karim sent me this (I cite with his permission): "I live in a christian area in lebanon..As i was flicking tv channels today (on illegal cable tv), i stumbled on this channel displaying it had this egyptian woman with the biggest cross i've ever seen in my life on her chest. she had an egyptian accent. she was talking about the bombing in alexandria but suddenly, she started saying that it is the channel's mission to prove that islam is bad and that it orders its followers to persecute muslims. I kid you not. now i'm an atheist, and i don't care (maybe that's true), but the whole channel sounded so suspicious, as it was inciting outright against Christians, and saying lies. they were emphasizing the fatwas of ibn taymia to prove their point, although that's the single most extreme imam in the history of islam. so I visited their website and found that they are calling Palestine 'Israel.'. Looks like it's called Al-Hayat channel. i have no idea why they're calling it muslim women tv since it's a christian channel."
White liberal...racism
"The former home secretary Jack Straw has been accused of stereotyping Pakistani men in Britain after he accused some of them as regarding white girls as "easy meat" for sexual abuse." (thanks Leila)
Why do Western seculars not object to such fatwawas? Are they cute when non-Muslims issue them?
"Rabbi Dov Lior, a senior authority on Jewish law in the Religious Zionism movement, asserted recently that a Jewish woman should never get pregnant using sperm donated by a non-Jewish man – even if it is the last option available. According to Lior, a baby born through such an insemination will have the "negative genetic traits that characterize non-Jews." Instead, he advised sterile couples to adopt."
This brand of religious puritanism does not raise the ire of US liberals
"A Jerusalem rabbi raised the ire of funeral goers Wednesday after charging that the deceased was murdered because of the many sinners who live in her neighborhood. Sarit Zikri-Benit from Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood was murdered by her partner and hidden in the balcony for five days. The local rabbi who conducted the funeral service used the occasion to preach the need to become newly religious."
New York Times' standards
Do you know that days ago, the New York Times published a review of a book describing the life of Princess Diana--had she not died in a car accident.
Israel's dirty hands in the US: can you imagine if he was Syrian or Iranian?
"Police arrested 23-year-old Eliyahu Eliezer Werdesheim, a former Israeli special forces soldier, and charged him with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and false imprisonment in a Nov. 19 incident in the 3300 block of Fallstaff Road. According to court records, the teen's wrist was broken in the scuffle and he suffered cuts to the back of his head." (thanks Ricky)
Saudi propagandists and Tunisia
This Saudi propagandist (`Abdur-Rahman Ar-Rashid, who runs Al-Arabiyya TV station--the station of King Fahd's brother in law, and he used to edit the mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat) expresses outrage that Arabs are not afraid of their regimes anymore. He warns Arab regimes of this development. (thanks Khelil)
Saudi production of Bin Ladenites: brought to you by House of Saud
"Interpol has issued international alerts for 47 Saudi men, some accused by Saudi Arabia of links with al-Qaeda."
Israeli rate of killing: what Bronner and Kershner don't notice (due to their racism)
"From 2006 to 2009, the IDF killed 1,510 Palestinians, not including Palestinians killed in Operation Cast Lead. Of these 1,510 deaths, 617 were of persons who were not taking part in hostilities."
Muhammad `Imarah
Muhammad `Imarah is a skilled writer and polemicist from Egypt. He is a prolific writer who knows so much about Islamic history. In the 1960s, this charlatan was a secular socialists who wrote really wonderful books on socialist tendencies in the history of Islam. In the 1970s, he turned Islamist. I mention him now because he deserves great blame for the sectarian discord in Egypt (along with the Sadat and Mubarak regimes of course): his words against the Copts and their Pope has been most insensitive and provocative. Obviously, `Imarah is favored in Saudi religious and political propaganda outlets.
A right-wing Lebanese Forces propagandist lectures to the New York Times
"The New York Times is usually better than this. Eli Khoury, one of the founders of the Lebanon Renaissance Foundation and publisher of the news website NOW Lebanon, once made a trip to the offices of the New York Times editorial board after they published some obnoxious articles about Lebanon’s pro-democracy movement.
“I said, ‘Listen guys,’” Khoury told me. “‘Lebanon is a country that didn’t need the help of the U.S. Army. You guys didn’t have to bomb our country. We’re talking about a bunch of grassroots democrats who went into the streets and seized their own thing with their own hands. And they expect democrats in the rest of the world to support them.’ Since then the New York Times has not done one single bad story about Lebanon.”" Of course, this Khury is a right-wing Lebanese Forces supporter who used to work for Saatchi and Saatchi before opening his own shop. Do you think that the editorial board of the New York Times would listen to lectures from the other side, or in Lebanon there is only one side--just as in the Arab-Israeli conflict--by the lousy standards of the New York Times. (thanks "Ibn Rushd")
“I said, ‘Listen guys,’” Khoury told me. “‘Lebanon is a country that didn’t need the help of the U.S. Army. You guys didn’t have to bomb our country. We’re talking about a bunch of grassroots democrats who went into the streets and seized their own thing with their own hands. And they expect democrats in the rest of the world to support them.’ Since then the New York Times has not done one single bad story about Lebanon.”" Of course, this Khury is a right-wing Lebanese Forces supporter who used to work for Saatchi and Saatchi before opening his own shop. Do you think that the editorial board of the New York Times would listen to lectures from the other side, or in Lebanon there is only one side--just as in the Arab-Israeli conflict--by the lousy standards of the New York Times. (thanks "Ibn Rushd")
Dirty (Israeli) hands of Empire
"US forces have fired so many bullets in Iraq and Afghanistan - an estimated 250,000 for every insurgent killed - that American ammunition-makers cannot keep up with demand. As a result the US is having to import supplies from Israel." (thanks Farah)
The Arab Left: the Tunisian case
The Tunisian government is making accusations against the Left in Tunisia and I am receiving information that many Leftist activists have been arrested and harassed there. Is it not time for the Western press to notice that there is Left in the Arab world?
I don't deserve the credit
"Leur sympathie et leur soutien vont aux jeunes Tunisiens qui manifestent contre l'autoritarisme, la corruption et la gestion économique contestée du président Zine el Abidine ben Ali, que le blogueur libanais Angry Arab surnomme le “Pinochet arabe”." I don't deserve the credit. Many in Tunisia did that before me.
World record
Lebanon has had its share of dumb and incompetent politicians over the decades, but it can be stated the Mini-Hariri is clearly the dumbest and most incompetent prime minister in the history of Lebanon--and I am even including Shafiq Al-Wazzan.
The Saudi-Israeli conspiracy unfolds
The Saudi-Israeli conspiracy is as solid as it has been (and Prince Bandar is now attending meetings with Saudi King in New York City) and yet, the dumb Lebanese opposition thanked the Saudi King as its ministers announced their resignation from the cabinet.
Muqtada As-Sadr
In Khalil Dulaymi's lousy book on Saddam (he was his lawyer), there is a reprint of a letter allegedly written by Muqtada As-Sadr and published in Iraqi newspaper in which As-Sadr's family thanked Saddam for his condolences upon the death of Grand Ayatullah Muhammad Sadiq As-Sadr. Anyone know anything about its authenticity?
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