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November 2005 Archives
November 30, 2005
Propaganda
Clearly it seems as though the Pentagon isn't confident about winning the war of ideas in open competition. After revelations on purported plans to bomb Al Jazeera, we now have the American military "secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish stories written by U.S. troops in an effort to burnish the image of the U.S. mission in Iraq." The Americans aren't short of financial resources or technology. So one must presume their handling of the situation on the ground is pretty miserable if they've come to the point where not only do their achievements not speak for themselves, but nobody is willing to listen when they do speak in their own name (see Al Hurra).
Posted by dubaiwalla at 05:49 PM
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Filed Under: Iraq War
, Media
Vatican warns Catholics against marrying Muslims
Well looks like the pool of prospective husbands for Muslim women might get even smaller now.
Interesting lack of distinction between marriages between Catholics to Muslim men and those to Muslim women (if the latter even exist blatantly without some sort of metaphorical gun pointing). It seems experiences with Muslim men have given the fairer sex of the faith a bad name.
Again
Posted by Meph at 01:13 PM
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Filed Under: Islam General
Iraq Kidnappings and Unproductive Newspeak
Pardons begged if this is not as bleeding heart a post as people associate with ones related to kidnappings and murders in Iraq. The reporting in the United Kingdom has been infuriatingly sensationalistic and interspersed with such media speak and irrelevant pathos inspiring information that there seems to be a separate universe of reporting parallel to that in which the real world exists.
Continue reading "Iraq Kidnappings and Unproductive Newspeak"
Posted by Meph at 12:15 PM
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Filed Under: Iraq War
November 29, 2005
Sex!
Because let's face it, it's the entries with sex that seem to attract the most attention.
First, the scary. The UAE is planning hormone treatment for gay men.
Next, a somewhat amusing story about marriage in Saudi Arabia.
And finally, the story of a stupid fake pimp in Bahrain. Note how people from other Gulf states visit Bahrain- much as they do Dubai- for leisure activities that would not be tolerated at home.
Posted by dubaiwalla at 11:09 AM
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Filed Under: Gulf
November 26, 2005
Syriana
I’m sure you’ve already come across countless reviews that whine about Syriana being “too complicated”, “too difficult to follow” and “too jumpy”. Well yes, if you’re one of those annoying morons who can’t sit through a Disney film without asking questions about the plot, this one will go right over your head. Everyone else, particularly those who were able to follow Traffic (written by the same guy), should be fine. I will agree that the storytelling could have used a bit more exposition, seeing as I did find myself wondering “which old white guy is this?” at the beginning of some scenes. Otherwise, no excuse for not paying attention like some slack jawed movie critic.
Posted by eerie at 11:18 PM
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Filed Under: Reviews
November 23, 2005
Iraq, a quick set of refs to return to
And finally with dwindling lucidity, another fine article from Mr. Ignatius in The Washington Post on the recent Iraqi parties conference.
In Cairo, Clarity on Iraq, which gives almost a glimmer of hope.
I also draw attention to the al Hayat article, مؤتمر القاهرة: مخرج لانسحاب اميركي وتوافق على «شرعية المقاومة» ونبذ «الارهاب»
القاهرة , طهران - مشرف عباس الحياة - 22/11/05 which is worthy of a read as well.
I may add commentary later, but the essentials here are there may be an outside chance at a core consensus, on the basis of the Americans promising to fuck off in the foreseeable but not immediate future. My opinion, whatever it takes, mates, whatever it goddamned takes.
I rather think this is a likely still birth, but not to be dismissed either.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 05:33 PM
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Filed Under: Iraq War
, Op-Ed
On Trade: Wolf & The Illiterate Mumbling of the Anti Globos
Martin Wolf has an excellent commentary on the idiocies of the anti-trade anti-globo Left and its ridiculous mumbo jumbo. Were I not half way to la la land, I might comment, but I do wish to draw attention:
Martin Wolf: Trade justice fighters are misguided
By Martin Wolf
Published: November 22 2005 20:34
Posted by The Lounsbury at 05:28 PM
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Filed Under: Economic Development
, Economic Policy
, Op-Ed
Sharia Products: Market grows for Muslim investors
Laying in bed mildly delusional from anti-haemorrhagatic drugs and other items, I thought I might indulge myself in a reflexion on an interesting arty from The Financial Times on Islamic Finance and products.
The arty in question Market grows for Muslim investors covers some interesting territory even if it is a bit general.
As I can not think of a better time to indulge in commentary on sharia products than when slightly delusional from from anti-haemorrhagatic drugs, what follows are some comments on the text itself:
Continue reading "Sharia Products: Market grows for Muslim investors"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 03:09 PM
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Filed Under: Business, Private
, Economic Development
, Economic Policy
, Gulf
, Islam General
, Op-Ed
The Caucasian Princess and the Seven Persons of Restrictive Growth
The suggested title of Snow White and The Seven Dwarves as it has been deemed offensive to persons of non-snow white complexion (as it is implied that her colour epitomised her beauty) and those shorter than the average. The drive to be politically correct in the United Kingdom has raised some interesting questions about reverse racism and the victimisation of white/christian values versus the sanctifying of minority cultures and religion.
Continue reading "The Caucasian Princess and the Seven Persons of Restrictive Growth"
Posted by Meph at 01:47 PM
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Filed Under: Political Development
November 20, 2005
Items to Amuse: Morocco accounces an al-Qaeda network broken
Well, via the national media I am led to understand that Morocco has broken a terror network tonight (or very recently).
Perhaps this explains the wierdness with the 50th anniversary celebrations with last minute announcements and changed venues, and all that.
I have to suspect things might have been a bit tight.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 05:03 PM
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Filed Under: North Africa
, Op-Ed
, Terrorism
On US Policy, Reaction and Present Circumstances
Taking a break from running through bank reports in Arabic (and trying to synthesize a document with such felicitious phrases as "مخصص الديون المشكوك في تحصيلها") I thought I might share an added thought with respect to the debate that has broken out in the United States with respect to Iraq.
My added thought is: "It is about bloody time some people saw that fucking happy talk is mere posturing and one got down to serious business." The idiotic pissing and moaning about 'supporting troops' or 'the President lied' (well, yes, he did, but that doesn't even have a novelty value, now does it) is empty posturing. The correct question is to address the scenario I raised in my prior post.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 03:39 PM
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Filed Under: Op-Ed
Surfacing on Iraq
Having begun this weekend with some fine work on valuation documents for Gulf area firms, a little bit of coughing up blood, and the tedious work of creating a matrix to figure out what the bloody hell I have among pile of bloody Arabic financial reporting, I thought I might take a moment to comment on the chatter about Iraq and the US policy optoins.
Frankly, most of the discussion rather strikes me as surreal navel gazing delusionally disconnected from the evident reality in Iraq.
As I have been indicating for a rather long time, Iraq long ago (say early 2004) entered into a 'Lebanese logic' which rather made the creeping civil war situation in Iraq, that is clear for anyone with eye to see, inevitable.
Now, the simple minded I suppose expect(ed) this to explode all at once. It has not and will not. Rather, as in Lebanon, it will creep forward in fits and starts until it is undeniably there for even the most deluded. The self segregation, the inter-community killings and hardening of lines despite decades of friendship, etc., that is already ongoing and there is frankly nothing substantial in terms of Iraqi dynamics counter-weighing this. Iraqi dynamics are all that count, not Americans running around claiming idiotic body counts, not hand waving pseudo-political excercises masquerading as democracy to please the gullible Westerners who think such things have meaning in such circumstances, not anything but Iraqi social dynamics.
There is, in short, nothing that is substantively running against the power dynamic of the hard men with guns. Nothing, period, regardless of the idiotic self-deluded happy talk I have seen now for three fucking years running. Good news from Iraq, indeed. Even in the depths of any civil war one can find "good news" - it's intelligent analysis that gets one understanding.
Continue reading "Surfacing on Iraq"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 03:37 PM
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Filed Under: EU Foreign Policy
, Foreign Policy & MENA
, Iraq War
, Op-Ed
, US Foreign Policy
November 15, 2005
Morocco-Sahara issue before US Congress
Sorry to bog down the site with too much contemporary politics and dreaded American stuff, but the Maghreb-oriented readers in the USA may wish to note the following event in Washington D.C.
Thursday, November 17, 2005 1:30 p.m.
Oversight Hearing: Getting to "Yes": Resolving the 30 - Year Conflict over the Status of the Sahara
More below.
Continue reading "Morocco-Sahara issue before US Congress"
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 07:59 PM
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Filed Under: North Africa
, Political Development
November 14, 2005
One more on France, riots --- and a memorable opening sentence
While I tend to think this full Reason Online article by Tim Cavanaugh is a good commentary on the France upheavals and certain literary matters, it is the opening sentence that is worth its word-weight in gold, and deserving of extended airplay and replay:
Here's a good rule of thumb: If you come across the phrase "Islamo-fascist" unironically deployed in an article, there's a 99-percent the author doesn't know what he or she is talking about.
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 11:31 PM
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Filed Under: EU Foreign Policy
November 13, 2005
Love & War
Cross posted with permission from a secret blog from arabia....
As the sarcastic saying goes, within these two aspects of life; Love and War are the epitome of fairness and justice. Of course the reality is totally different. Al Qa3da have been fighting on ‘behalf’ of us Muslims for the Love of God and our Prophet for several years now, in a way that has been totally unacceptable. Unfortunately we as an international minority have been complacent about it. Sure, whenever there is an attack on European or American soil there is always a quick condemnation of the assault throughout our community that is rarely covered in the western media. This unfortunately leads to the typical accusation of us (the Muslims) being 'silent' on the issue.
Our perceived silence of the killing of non Muslims seems all the more evident when we woke up to the news of the Jordanian family slaughtered on their own children’s wedding day. Suddenly the whole middle east appeared to be more vocal on their hatred of Al Qa3da. Where was this out cry before?
The Muslims cannot allow America to fight this war on terror, because it is in essence a war against us. It is the Muslims who need to wage jihad against Al Qa3da ,because America and the West are incapable of differentiating between civilians and combatants or Islam and terrorism. We cannot blame them for this confusion because it seems like our own Ummah (the entire Muslim population)cannot tell the difference either.
Posted by secretdubai at 07:19 AM
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Filed Under: Islamism
November 11, 2005
Last item on France, Muslims & the Maghreb
Sadly I have little time to devout to what is clearly an important topic at present, which is indeed the riots in France, their meaning and the storm of ill-informed English language commentary on the same. Unfortunately such trivial issues as valuing illiquid assets pledged as capital contributions, fund structures and other fine things require my time.
Continue reading "Last item on France, Muslims & the Maghreb"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 04:16 PM
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Filed Under: EU Foreign Policy
, Islam & Politics
, Islam General
, North Africa
, Op-Ed
, Religious Minorities
France and the Riots - The (Partial) Myth of the 'Arab' 'intefada'
I briefly, in lieu of more extended commentary, draw attention to this article from the conservative Le Figaro regarding the makeup, per the police, of rioters at present: Davantage de Noirs chez les émeutiers:
Au-delà des rivalités entre ces différentes vagues d'immigration qui se rejettent la responsabilité de la dégradation de leurs quartiers, policiers et travailleurs sociaux ont maintes fois signalé, sans jamais pouvoir la chiffrer, l'augmentation de la délinquance des jeunes issus de l'immigration africaine.Au cours des dernières nuits d'émeutes, «il y avait plus de Noirs que de Maghrébins», confirment les policiers de la Seine-Saint-Denis.
For those who do not read French, the quote indicates that leaving aside rivalries between different waves of immigration, each of which reject responsibility for the degradation of their neighborhoods, police and social workers have frequenly noted that, without being able to give figures, the augmentation of deliquency among youth from the African immigrant community. In recent nights of rioting, 'There were more Blacks than Maghrebines' confirmed police from Seine-Saint-Denis.
I have noted consistently the mirage and delusional quality of the bigotted assertions in the Anglo blog world about the Arab-Muslim character of the riots (assertions that continue even now), when anyone with a decent familiarity with the 'immigrant' (albeit native born 'immigrants' but this being France, native born darkies are, well 'immigrants.') districts knows the
Continue reading "France and the Riots - The (Partial) Myth of the 'Arab' 'intefada'"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:54 AM
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Filed Under: EU Foreign Policy
, Islam & Politics
, North Africa
, Religious Minorities
November 08, 2005
US Gov and Private Equity: Project is public [Upated with Arty Text] [Update 11 Nov]
The item I have refered to in the past is now public:
A Ludicrously Bad Idea
The key item here is this:
"The U.S. wants to see some success before further expansion. It envisions attracting board members with the clout -- names being bandied about include Jack Welch and Robert Rubin -- to get Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak on the phone to complain, for example, that he needs to free up pharmaceutical prices if a private drug industry is to flourish in Egypt."
Fucking stupid ass concept. Getting your fund involved in these kind of politics is a disastrous way to invest.
UPDATE: Arty text below with extended commentary.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:23 PM
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Filed Under: Economic Development
, Economic Policy
, Foreign Policy & MENA
, MENA Region General
, Op-Ed
, US Foreign Policy
France, Riots and Online Commentary: Islamophobia Demasked
This will be a brief post, as unfortunately (or fortunately) I have mountains of work that must be addressed.
However, in the guise of a comment I thought I would, after reading Andrew Sullivan's ludicrously ignorant banging on about France and the riots as an Islamic intefada (and via Fist Full of Euros, Pipes' equally ludicrous assertion of the same, whanking bigotted fool that he is) as well as other comments, make an assertion.
The Anglophone commentary, essentially American on this subject I think is demasking a deep reservoir of fear and loathing directed at Muslims and Islam in general. Polite bigotry, if you will, dressed up in terms like "extremist Muslims" and Islamists versus "moderate Muslims" when the real meaning is "niggers/scum we fear and despise for their difference" versus "good niggers who know their place."
Continue reading "France, Riots and Online Commentary: Islamophobia Demasked"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 01:12 PM
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Filed Under: EU Foreign Policy
, Islam & Politics
, Media
, Op-Ed
, Religious Minorities
November 04, 2005
Frivolous Pontification on Threesomes Aside, Reflections on The Holy Month
As I look back upon another holy month spent in a non-Muslim city and compare it to the experiences of family and friends in parts of MENA I wonder what it is that keeps one going and committed to fasting, prayer and other respectful observances. Very fortunate to have an extremely understanding and tolerant non-Muslim partner (who printed out all prayer/iftar times from work), the extent of my observances was pressure free and left entirely up to my own personal application. Not that that made it any easier, if anything it was harder as I could hardy cite social or peer pressure for any deviation.
What I have failed to reconcile is society's all or nothing approach to Islamic religious practice and this is further highlighted during Ramadan. Somehow, leaping out of your bed at dawn when the fast begin in order to not be at too much proximity to your unwed partner strikes some as supreme hypocrisy.
Continue reading "Frivolous Pontification on Threesomes Aside, Reflections on The Holy Month"
Posted by Meph at 05:16 PM
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Filed Under: Op-Ed
November 03, 2005
But foursomes are halal . . .
. . . if more boring. Building on the threesome discussion, below, we find foursomes more tolerated:
Several of the world’s top airlines, including Emirates . . . feature these circle-the-globe fares and Wide World of Golf can customize your land arrangements. . . .Grab your foursome.
Continue reading "But foursomes are halal . . ."
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 09:40 PM
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Filed Under: MENA Region General
November 01, 2005
The Traditional New Month Readers' Survey
As has long been my habit, and previously here with 'Aqoul, an open note for readers to express any requests, comments etc. with respect to the Blog, its writers, etc.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:48 AM
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Filed Under: Site News
