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April 02, 2008
A Brief Note on Zionism, Israel and the Nub of It
It being a little quiet around here what with all of us busy and/or lazy, I thought I'd spice it up by going against the usual, and quite healthy, distaste of most Aqoul principals towards wading into the Israel-Palestine morass. Especially as there are anniversaries and such coming up. Anyway, today's lesson comes from a column of Michael Gerson (not a fan, myself, usually) in the Washington Post. It tells of a speech at the Holocaust Museum by an old gentleman, a Mr. Traum, who was once a very young gentleman in Nazified Austria. He recalls various events especially around Kristallnacht in 1938-39. Below the break is a revealing nugget.
Continue reading "A Brief Note on Zionism, Israel and the Nub of It"
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 01:37 AM | Comments (74) | TrackBack
March 04, 2008
New Month, Open Commentary
Sadly our ancient tradition, my own, was forgotten..... worse, I personally forgot this is a new month. Thankfully there are long suffering readers who are gullible enough to stick with us.... My apologies then, until I read comments I had actually not noticed we are in March.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 04:11 PM | Comments (14) | TrackBack
February 01, 2008
New Month Open Commentary
We passed a rather quiet December and January, but hopefully end and beginning year moments will pass.
On the Middle East and North Africa, well, what can we say? It strikes me that on economic and political fronts we are in a transitional moment. The economic balance, relatively favourable, is changing, and political - international - is somewhat frozen waiting for a new American administration. Perhaps, though, there is more movement than I feel.
Certainly the beginning of 2008 for the Mashreq feels, in terms of Iraq and Israel-Palestine like yet more of the stumbling on without any real movement.. Lebanon teeters still, giving lie to the naive and idiotic comparisons to the idealized analogies to the idealized vision of the Ukranian events.... The Gulf, ah, well that is another situ, but oil liquidity versus dollar depreciation remains a serious tension, and otherwise, petrol dollars dope otherwise uninteresting economies. Egypt, that requires another comment, the Maghreb, fragile movement, and Algeria behaving like the museum piece it is - it is sad when the Algerian regime makes Mubarek's look relatively competent and forward looking. But then hydrocarbon liquidity allowed them to get away with an utter fiasco of a privatization process whose main message was Caveat Emptor.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 02:40 PM | Comments (28) | TrackBack
December 31, 2007
New Year Open Thread
I'm writing from a business center in Bombay at the moment, so not much time to reflect eloquently on the past year. However, per tradition (and slightly early if you live in a North American timezone), I present you with our monthly open discussion thread. New readers may introduce themselves and regulars may whine and complain about random things as usual.
Since this is also a New Year thread, thoughts on where we should be going as a site are also welcome. I noticed some interest in subcontinental affairs in the Bhutto post, so perhaps I should be reading beyond the Mughal era and/or hunting down some Desi bloggers in the near future.
Anyway, I'm off to Udaipur. Happy New Year, whankers.
Posted by eerie at 11:59 PM | Comments (33) | TrackBack
December 03, 2007
New Month Open Thread
It's that time again. Pass on links, ask questions, offer abuse, as you like. In the meantime, a 2004 Randy McDonald essay smacks down the demographic arguments of the "Eurabia" hysterics:
The French Muslim community, after all, is barely more than a generation old. In Tunisia, fertility rates have fallen below the levels needed to sustain the population over the long term; Algeria and Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia, are not much further behind. There isn’t any more reason to assume that French Muslim fertility rates will remain above replacement rate, after all, than there was to expect Western fertility rates to remain above replacement level.
I'd also draw Mr. Hogan's attention to McDonald's discussion of the Catholic problem in America.
UPDATE: Oh, and go vote early and (ahem) only once for Aqoul for best group blog in the Brass Crescent awards.
Posted by tomscud at 11:42 AM | Comments (51) | TrackBack
November 10, 2007
Infidel Review: Packaged Phobias
Yes, in in breaking news, the long-awaited mysterious review of Hirsi Magan/Ali has been sighted.
It is perhaps not off to share as well, The Financial Times very able critical review of a related genre of Islamophobic literature, that of the statistically illiterate "Eurabia" genre to which in many ways Hirsi Magan/Ali belongs.
Continue reading "Infidel Review: Packaged Phobias"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 04:45 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
November 01, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
Another month has gone by, the Infidel review is still unfinished and Ibn Kafka's new house is still in its early stages (I got sidetracked after noticing some performance issues with the search/commenting functions).
However, in keeping with Lounsbury's hoary old tradition, here is our monthly open thread. New readers may introduce themselves and regulars may chatter aimlessly, ask us questions or post links of interest.
Actually, I've come across a couple of interesting news items myself. First, Karen Hughes, State's leading nitwit in charge of public diplomacy, has finally resigned. Second, North American gamers are frothing at the mouth over the impending XBox 360 release of Assassin's Creed, a historically-accurate video game that takes place during the Third Crusade. Amusingly, players assume the role of a hashshashin whose goal is to kill nine historical figures associated with the Crusade. Here's a YouTube demo for the nerd-inclined:
Posted by eerie at 08:44 AM | Comments (61) | TrackBack
October 01, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
Since my extended absence has no doubt elevated me to the status of myth around here, thought I would show up randomly to announce our traditional new month open thread. This is where newbies introduce themselves and longtime readers complain about trivial nonsense.
Posted by eerie at 11:41 AM | Comments (37) | TrackBack
September 13, 2007
Iran War On the Way: More Evidence
It appears that I may have been right to call attention to those saying a war on Iran is being rolled out by the Administration. An informed and expert source in DC affirmed it to me as well a few days back. And it looks like the usual suspect sources are now marketing it. (Love the part where we can mysteriously tell that the Germans really want us to attack even as they back away from sanctions against Iran. Saying "no" when they really mean "yes", those Teutonic teases!) Michael Ledeen appears to be the one whose job is to incite the converted; he who says that al-Qaeda and Iran are interchangeable terms and at one point called Dubai, an "Iranian colony". Man, all them dang camel jockeys are the same and interchangeable, and that thinking is how one manufactures a war. Anyway, Aqoulites and Aqoulite wannabes with Iran-specific knowledge are needed to weigh in, now and in the future.
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 09:19 PM | Comments (19) | TrackBack
September 02, 2007
New Month Open Post
That ancient tradition, here it is for September 2007. 'Aqoul as a site is now over two years old.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 07:06 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 03, 2007
New Month, Old Tradition - August 2007 Edition
Shamefully late, I almost forgot our ancient and hoary tradition, which would be at once a sin and... well something.
Here again, time to comment, complain, suggest or whatever.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 01:49 PM | Comments (26) | TrackBack
July 19, 2007
The Muslim Sartorialist
Ever heard of the Sartorialist? It's basically a photo blog done by a guy with a keen eye for fashion. He photographs people in trendy European and North American cities and adds little blurbs about why he thinks the outfits are interesting.
Now, I've always taken note of fashionable Muslim girls around me. They are masters of layering, texture and coordination. Whether it's at the mall, a pretentious cafe or even my gym (where one stylish muhajabat routinely schools me on the treadmill), these ladies are not held back by their headscarves. Unfortunately, most of the photos you find on news sites are of women wearing frumpy hijabs, dowdy overcoats and ominous-looking ninja getups (as Lounsbury likes to call them). Western media is inundated with photos of shapeless baby-blue Afghan burkas and Saudi niqabs, so it's hardly surprising that most non-Muslims think this style of dress is ubiquitous.
Continue reading "The Muslim Sartorialist"
Posted by eerie at 02:02 PM | Comments (40) | TrackBack
July 01, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
It's that time again. New readers, introduce yourselves. Regular readers, continue making crass comments as usual. Since I'm planning to do a bit of redesign work this month, suggestions for improvement are also welcome.
Otherwise, here are some amusing photoshop creations by our own secretdubai. Those of you familiar with lolcats may submit captions.
Posted by eerie at 08:17 PM | Comments (22) | TrackBack
June 03, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
Someone should create a readers abuse generator like this one for new month open discussion threads...
Posted by Shaheen at 11:18 AM | Comments (38) | TrackBack
May 02, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
Looks like Eerie and The Lounsbury have been celebrating Sloth Day (AKA May Day for you lefties out there) and forgot to add the traditional new month open thread with their introductory abuse of Aqoul's readers.
So here, for the flag burning, intellectual whanking and other degenerate raving...
Posted by Shaheen at 11:32 AM | Comments (31) | TrackBack
April 02, 2007
The New Month Open Thread: April 2007 edition
That hoary old tradition. Afraid Aqoul has been quite of late as the various authors are either lazy good for nothing scum, or busy people unable to post.
However, tradition is very important to us in the MENA region, although often in a lip-service sort of way. So here is the lip service.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 05:50 AM | Comments (46) | TrackBack
March 25, 2007
Collier Theodorich Lounsbury: The unofficial biography
With the growing fame of The Lounsbury on Aqoul, a biography was long overdue to our readership. Here's the fruit of long months of research.
Collier Theodorich Lounsbury, better know as The Lounsbury, is an ubiquitous character roaming the Web, spamming the blogosphere with random confrontational comments and irreverent insults. Despite the risk of exposure, he managed to maintain an aura of secrecy around his true identity that led some to speculate that he was actually only an invention of Eerie. Behind this fuzzy front, lies the story of an orphan hyperactive gifted kid suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Continue reading "Collier Theodorich Lounsbury: The unofficial biography"
Posted by Shaheen at 04:49 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
February 28, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
As is our tradition, an open thread for new readers to introduce themselves and regular readers to whine, complain, ask inappropriate questions or offer us interesting tidbits.
Obviously this is a day early, but people keep making silly comments on last month's thread. Here's a nice fresh space for your wanking.
Posted by eerie at 10:59 AM | Comments (102) | TrackBack
February 02, 2007
New Month Open Post
A new month, and following ancient tradition, an open post for readers to complain, be abused, insulted or otherwise experience Parisian style customer service.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 04:04 AM | Comments (64) | TrackBack
January 01, 2007
The Aqoul New Year Post
A hoary Lounsbury / Aqoul tradition, we start every new month, and new year, with a general post inviting feedback, commentary, complaint, observations, and the like. Likely to be duly ignored, but regardless, as the last year closed with Saddam being mistaken for a sheep going to sacrifice (understandably so of course) and the Iraqi government (or shall we say, the Shia Ruling Factions) gratuitiously underlining Shia-Sunni divide by executing said sheep on the Iraqi Sunni Eid el Adha (the Iraqi Shia declaring Eid a day later, oddly like the Maghreb), we might invite speculation on 2007 and what it holds for MENA.
Of course, with rumors of Americans compounding their errors in blindly reacting to the mere term "Islamist", and siding with the "ex"-Marxist Ethiopian dictatorship and the corrupt warlords in Somalia, one can expect that the future is not so bright that one would want shades...
Posted by The Lounsbury at 09:26 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
December 07, 2006
Finalist: 2006 Weblog Awards
First, kudos to us for getting an honorable mention in the Brass Crescent Awards, despite my suspicion that most of the Aqoul contributors didn't vote (lazy bastards). Congratulations to Austrolabe, a MENA/Islam group blog that should be on everyone's reading list.
Meanwhile, it seems another laurel has been hurled our way by the Weblog Awards, the world's largest blog competition. We are finalists in the Best Middle East and Africa Blog category. Polls open tonight (North American time, presumably), so check back later for a link to the voting form.
Update: Voting form available here.
Posted by eerie at 08:14 AM | Comments (20) | TrackBack
December 01, 2006
Traditional New Month Open Wanking Thread
Well, November was interesting. First, Americans decided to inform Bush that they were no longer drinking the White House Kool-Aid, as demonstrated by the elections on Nov 7. This was followed by Rumsfeld's resignation, the launch of al-Jazeera's English channel, Pierre Gemayel getting whacked and of course Lebanon turning into a sectarian powderkeg.
Meanwhile, it's suddenly become fashionable to gleefully criticize US foreign policy, as demonstrated by major media outlets using the term "civil war" and US allies sheepishly admitting that the whole Iraq thing has turned out to be a disaster.
Who wants to make predictions for December? Perhaps 'Aqoul should offer a prize to for the most astute forecast.
In any case, this is our monthly thread for open discussion about the site, its contributors and other trivialities. New readers should introduce themselves, regulars may continue whining as usual.
Posted by eerie at 07:02 PM | Comments (15) | TrackBack
November 28, 2006
'Aqoul Nominated for Brass Crescent Award
We've been nominated for a Brass Crescent Award in the Best Group Blog category. As with the AFOE European Weblog Awards, I largely don't recognize our competition save for the excellent Aussie Muslim blog Austrolabe.
Ahem, however, I would hope that our readers find us at least as excellent, if not more.
Posted by eerie at 02:10 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
November 01, 2006
New Month Open Thread
Yes, it's that time again.
New readers, introduce yourselves and feel free to ask questions or offer suggestions for improving the site.
Regulars, use this space to ramble on about trivial nonsense, make inappropriate comments about contributors, etc.
As usual, we make no promises to change, improve customer service or otherwise address any issues raised by our readers. Of course, I did finally make all the top banners clickable because Pantom kept whining, so you never know.
Posted by eerie at 12:26 PM | Comments (27) | TrackBack
October 01, 2006
New Month Open Thread
It's that time again. Per long-standing tradition, we give you, the Aqoul consumer, the opportunity to introduce yourselves, ask us questions, praise us lavishly, whinge on about random topics, or ignore us completely: the choice is yours.
Also, in keeping with our ongoing mission of lowering the on-line tone of discussion, I present: Lebanese noncombatants move to engage UN forces.
Posted by tomscud at 06:33 AM | Comments (15) | TrackBack
September 11, 2006
The Lounsbury Insult Generator
Yes, I am aware that everyone else is writing about 9/11. I have a post in mind as well, but Klaus' comment about the Dilbert Mission Statement Generator inspired me to build one for Lounsbury.
Well, "build" is a rather strong word for the hack and slash job I did on a script written by some other guy...
Anyway, while L is tearing his hair out over some failed multi-billion-dollar deal, we can continue enjoying his unique brand of vitriol with this (slightly predictable) substitute: The Lounsbury Insult Generator.
Posted by eerie at 11:50 PM | Comments (37) | TrackBack
September 01, 2006
Traditional New Month Open Wanking Thread
New readers, introduce yourselves. Old readers, comment and complain as usual.
Redesign is still in progress, which means some areas of the site are still using the old template. Would ask that you refrain from sending me emails about this, as I do not care.
Anyway, have at it.
Posted by eerie at 12:38 PM | Comments (28) | TrackBack
August 11, 2006
'Aqoul's Greatest Hits: Volume 1
Rather belatedly, I've gone through the 'Aqoul archives to find the most popular and/or controversial entries of the past year. Perhaps this will be a small respite from the Lebanon war that continues to drag on with no end in sight.
Readers are free to suggest their own favourite entries in the comments section.
Continue reading "'Aqoul's Greatest Hits: Volume 1"
Posted by eerie at 05:59 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
August 01, 2006
New Month Open Thread
As dictated by hoary old tradition, an open thread for readers to introduce themselves, complain (and be largely ignored), offer praise (shameless flattery is permitted) or ask questions about the site, its contributors, etc.
Am a bit tired of hearing about Lebanon, perhaps we might fixate on something trivial and stupid today.
Posted by eerie at 06:51 PM | Comments (52) | TrackBack
July 01, 2006
New Month Happy Birthday Thread
In keeping with tradition, an open thread for new readers to introduce themselves and ask questions. Regulars may continue wanking on in the usual fashion.
Also, July 4th is Aqoul's first birthday. Gushing praise and/or ideas for improvement are welcome. Real life permitting, I am planning a retrospective of sorts (most popular or controversial posts, etc). Readers are free to suggest their favourite entries, just drop me an email sometime this weekend.
Posted by eerie at 10:40 AM | Comments (37) | TrackBack
June 13, 2006
Summer Reruns: Nomad Fatwas Blog Carnival
Some of you may have noted a distinct lack of activity on 'Aqoul corresponding mysteriously with the World Cup. Since all of our lazy authors are watching football, feeling sick or feigning sickness to watch football, I'm going to showcase Nomad Fatwas, a blogging alliance set up by Ali Eteraz.
Continue reading "Summer Reruns: Nomad Fatwas Blog Carnival"
Posted by eerie at 10:45 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
June 01, 2006
New Month Open Discussion
In keeping with tradition, a thread for all manner of whanking and whinging. Feel free to introduce yourself, comment, complain and/or ask our venerable authors inappropriate questions.
Posted by eerie at 10:17 AM | Comments (91) | TrackBack
May 29, 2006
What the World Needs Now is Google, Sweet Google
A brief 'Aqoul self-referential moment, combined with the ideological exploitation of getting back in touch with my inner non-Lefty. As I write now, the Google Ads to your left offer "Sue the terrorists: US-based attorneys represent Israeli victims in US court" only one ad apart from "Quran Ringtones". Where else but the commercial "capitalist" marketplace do you get these two purveyor/consumer sets literally "on the same page"?
Continue reading "What the World Needs Now is Google, Sweet Google"
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 11:43 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 02, 2006
New Month Open Discussion
As ancient tradition mandates, here's the new month's open thread, where you all can introduce yourselves, voice your disapproval, and make suggestions, and we can pretend to care.
Posted by tomscud at 09:02 AM | Comments (38) | TrackBack
April 18, 2006
Islamofascists Brought Down the Soviet Union
I'm going to abuse my posting privileges to highlight the following two-comment exchange in the Sliced Turki posting:
Continue reading "Islamofascists Brought Down the Soviet Union"
Posted by tomscud at 08:52 AM | Comments (36) | TrackBack
April 01, 2006
New Month Open Discussion
In keeping with tradition, an open thread for readers to introduce themselves, ask questions, offer praise or complain in a pitiful fashion.
Not much to report in terms of site upgrades, but we have updated the About page with author biographies and icons. I've also started a personal blog for experimental coding and occasional off-topic rambling about things that interest me.
BTW, for those of you who haven't been paying attention, the Lebanese Civil War Reenactment post is an April Fool's joke.
Posted by eerie at 08:23 PM | Comments (53) | TrackBack
March 21, 2006
'Aqoul Books & Media, Guest Author, etc.
Now that the bloodletting has abated somewhat, I thought it would be a good time to formally launch 'Aqoul Books & Media. This new "sub-blog" replaces the Select Bibliography page (which used to be manually updated, or sadly neglected, by yours truly) and has a number of useful features, including the ability to pull product information directly from Amazon. Raf* and Tamerlane are the editors, so please direct all whiny complaints to them.
Also (and I do hate to bring this up but I will have to pay for another year's hosting very soon), making purchases via 'Aqoul will generate a little bit of referral revenue for us. Not that there is any expectation to do so, mind you. Books & Media is primarily a resource for 'Aqoul readers who wish to learn more about a MENA/Islam-related topic, but have no idea where to start.
In other news, guest author Shaheen will be publishing an entry very shortly on the enigma that is MEMRI.
Oh yes, we're going there.
Posted by eerie at 06:52 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
March 04, 2006
Site Updates
Due to extensive whining on the subject in this month's open discussion thread, I've set up an "Author Picks" section in the sidebar. This will allow authors to post interesting/useful links without the need for a separate blog entry.
I will write up an email with more specific instructions shortly, assuming all the authors have joined the Yahoo group (btw Tom, that email was most charming).
Also, TypeKey authentication is now enabled for all aqoul.com blogs. Anon comments are still permitted, mainly because we seem to have so many clever yet terribly paranoid commenters.
Posted by eerie at 10:37 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
March 01, 2006
New Month Open Discussion
Yes, it's that time again.
The purpose of this entry is to give new readers an opportunity to introduce themselves, while at the same time giving regulars a chance to whine about something or other.
I will now open the floor to reader questions, comments, perverted remarks, etc.
Posted by eerie at 06:18 PM | Comments (78) | TrackBack
February 28, 2006
Political Blogreader Survey
Blogads is surveying political blog readers. If the spirit moves you, in an appropriate question, tell 'em 'Aqoul sent ya.
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 09:34 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 13, 2006
Fistful of Euros - Satin Pajama Awards
Lounsbury has fobbed off on me the very gauche task of informing readers that we've been nominated for an award. A Fistful of Euros, a clever European blog (whose design admittedly served as inspiration for 'Aqoul), has placed us in the Best Non-European Blog category along with luminaries such as The Head Heeb and...actually, that's the only other one I recognize because it deals with similar topics.
Anyway, as the awards are based on user voting and Lounsbury rather likes the little bear...well, let's not belabour the point.
In other news, I have redesigned the 'Aqoul Syndicated Feed Aggregator as promised. In addition to a cleaner and more usable design, the Aggregator also fetches RSS feeds automatically every hour. Have a look and feel free to suggest worthy blogs/media outlets for inclusion.
Posted by eerie at 08:17 PM | Comments (27) | TrackBack
February 10, 2006
Site Updates, etc.
Since I like creating work for myself, and because yinshuisiyuan put a bug in my ear recently, I'm going to redesign the 'Aqoul Aggregator.
A quick review for new readers: http://syn.aqoul.com was an "experimental" subdomain for aggregating bits of news and bloggery from a variety of XML feeds on the web. Originally built for my personal use (still is, even though other people seem to read it), I soon realized that bloggers routinely screw up their XML output files and often disappear without warning. This is why the RSS feed generated by the Aggregator - the "feed of feeds" first requested by Dr Doug - is still broken. These annoying little bugs made the whole exercise somewhat tedious, so I left things alone for a while.
Continue reading "Site Updates, etc."
Posted by eerie at 01:03 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
February 08, 2006
'Aqoul quoted in Financial Times
After endlessly citing the Financial Times (especially the wise and tufty-haired columnist Martin Wolf) in our own entries, FT.com has decided to reference this little blog in its coverage of the Danish cartoon controversy:
Cartoon controversy: Middle East blogwatch
By Fiona Symon
Published: February 8 2006 12:43 | Last updated: February 8 2006 12:43
Continue reading "'Aqoul quoted in Financial Times"
Posted by eerie at 06:34 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
February 02, 2006
The Monthly Readers' Feedback, Complaint & Suggestions Post
As is our tradition, to use the word abusively, at the start of any month we have a post where readers (and authors, why not?) can post suggestions, complaints, general feedback, pose questions (about the site, about the authors or an author in particular, etc), ask for subjects to be covered, etc. ad nauseum.
This is that post. As my co-authors are largely much better human beings than I am, please do feel free to expect some constructive feedback or responses from them. I am likely simply to ignore you, but no matter, everyone should be used to that.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:30 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
January 20, 2006
Revised Select Bibliography
Finally posted the bibliography revisions submitted by raf* ages ago. I've added a few more categories because the purely chronological list was far too long and not entirely useful for someone searching by topic.
Comments? Suggestions? Not that I particularly care as it's quite late and my attention span is short, but feel free to go on anyway.
Posted by eerie at 12:45 AM | Comments (14) | TrackBack
January 04, 2006
New Month Open Discussion
Everyone should know the routine by now. This is an open thread for questions and comments about 'Aqoul, its contributors and any other pressing issues.
It's also a convenient place for me to post a drawing I just made of Lounsbury as he writes about Michael Totten:
(click to enlarge)
Posted by eerie at 08:16 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
December 05, 2005
New Month Open Discussion
In keeping with tradition, I invite commenters to post their thoughts, questions and whiny complaints about the site, its content and contributors. Lounsbury has promised to be less abusive, so this pretense of customer service might actually be somewhat convincing this month.
In related news, I am setting up a "Memorable" section on the main sidebar. Far too many interesting and useful entries are not accessible to new visitors because they are buried in the Archives or are otherwise difficult to locate. With the help of our contributors, regulars and random passers-by, I'd like to identify entries that were memorable (for whatever reason, but should not all be sex-related) and add them to this section.
As a warning, the hypersensitive spam-guardian may decide to shove all comments containing URLs into the moderation queue, so be patient and/or email me if you're having trouble posting comments. Don't email me if you can't figure out the bloody anti-spam Turing test, I will not be sympathetic.
Posted by eerie at 01:33 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
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 | Comments (11) | TrackBack
October 01, 2005
Monthly Readers' Open Comments
At the start of every new month I like to ask readers for feedback, input, requests for subject matter and whatever else may come to mind regarding 'Aqoul, the blog, and the MENA region.
So, please do feel free to whinge on like small children.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 03:00 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
September 01, 2005
The Traditional Readers Poll
At the start of every new month I like to ask readers for feedback, input, requests for subject matter and whatever else may come to mind regarding 'Aqoul, the blog, and the MENA region.
Now, on my own blog this is probably abusive insofar as my customer service reputation is rightly quite poor, but in our little collective effort, not quite so.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:45 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 31, 2005
'Aqoul - Damned by Faint Praise
Me that is. Not 'Aqoul, just yours truly.
Well, here we are, well loved by Bou Aradvrak. I quote " Aqoul is a fun group MENA blog, and the home of Lounsbury (if you think that's a good thing)" in honour of New Blog Day.
Humph. If, he says, If!
Well, just wait until your next edition of Sheikhly Love Investigations comes out, eh? With charts and graphics.
That or my "Why its Good not to be a Belgian" magnum opus on sex in the Maghreb.
[adding a self plug: I may add in true The Lounsbury self indulgence that Gulf readers I have a purely perso question for here]
Posted by The Lounsbury at 02:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 22, 2005
'Aqoul in the News
Remember that Sheikhly Love thing? It's been picked up by Time.com. A reporter contacted me last week, but I didn't want to say anything until the piece was published:
Sheikhs and the Serious Blogger
Some otherwise serious bloggers have spent the summer fascinated by a niche in romance literature with its own fan website: Sheikhs and Desert Love. Eerie, a contributor to 'Aqoul, a blog mostly about news from the Middle East, noting a significant increase in the number of romance novels featuring handsome desert nomads, provided a helpful graph documenting their rise. Yin Shui Si Yuan dismissed these romance novels as "incredibly ill-informed, orientalist, romantic fantasies involving oil sheikhs." Political Animal's Kevin Drum and Abu Aardvark's Marc Lynch have found the subject an amusing distraction from the August doldrums.
The graph was also mentioned on a German site, accounting for the massive traffic spike last week:
Thanks to all the degenerate 'Aqoul authors and like-minded bloggers for their contributions to this now-infamous bit of trivia.
Posted by eerie at 09:50 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Spam Countermeasures
Installing them tonight. Apologies to everyone receiving odd emails.
Update: Installed, please let me know if you encounter any problems.
Posted by eerie at 05:08 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 19, 2005
Internet Foraging
For those of you who haven't seen http://syn.aqoul.com yet, it's an online media aggregator that collects MENA-related mainstream and blog items using RSS/XML/Atom feeds. Not quite finished, suggestions and comments are welcome.
On an unrelated note, for your Friday afternoon (or Friday evening, or Saturday morning...bloody timezones) enjoyment, here is an interesting photo (Source - From Cairo, with love):
There's an even funnier one on the front page, but it's going to be removed shortly.
Posted by eerie at 02:45 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
August 05, 2005
Welcome yinshuisiyuan
Whose first posting, a cross-post, on King Abdullah is below. Yinshuisiyuan is a welcome addition to 'Aqoul and I personally hope to hear more from him.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 12:36 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 04, 2005
Site Update: Comment Subscriptions
In response to drdougfir's request here, I have set up comment subscriptions for individual entries on 'Aqoul (currently NOT enabled for lounsbury.aqoul.com, because I have to paint my toenails). Subscribed readers will receive a notification email every time a comment is posted to a subscribed entry.
Earlier, someone asked about setting up threaded commenting (used in Livejournal and some message boards). I'd like to implement this in the near future, but right now there isn't much incentive (am interested in writing for 'Aqoul, not just coding) and the process is somewhat involved.
BTW, contributors do not have to subscribe to their own entries, they will receive comment notifications automatically.
Posted by eerie at 09:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 02, 2005
The New Month Blog Feedback Thread
Importing a tradition of mine (which I will impose on my sister blog as well, although not this month as too much work there), I like to begin each month with an open forum for comments on the blog as such. Insofar as 'Aqoul is a group blog, you can even aspire to having real customer service rather than my abusive replies. Regardless, now that 'Aqoul is a month old (sort of), it seems appropriate to solicit input as to developments desired etc. etc. etc.
Continue reading "The New Month Blog Feedback Thread"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 07:37 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
July 20, 2005
A Short Section of Preliminary Remarks
I s'pose before I get started, I should identitify myself. Being the fat, navel-gazing American that I am, I've had to be reminded from time to time of the necessity of such niceties as introductions. [Hi, Mrs.Khodabandeh ;)]
As thankful as I am for the opportunity, I'm not sure why I've been allowed to contribute here. I'm by far the least educated and most ignorant, least travelled and most provincial, of my esteemed colleagues. I s'pect indulging me's the gilding on the lily of their exercise in madness. Nonetheless, I'll saunter on with it before the indulgence of my co-conspirators is exhausted.
For me, like a lot of us fat, navel-gazers, what raised the threshold for the rationality of ignorance about MENA and the "Muslim World" was 9-11. The subsequent invasion of Iraq served to further my interest in "orientalism."
That's the short of how I came to be rambling and mumbling here for your amusement.
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Posted by Simon W. Moon at 01:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 04, 2005
The Lounsbury Introduction
As my opening post at this little blog, « ‘Aqoul » perhaps a word of introduction, and my own view on the purpose of this, a "group blog."
First, although I originated the name in a fit of archness two years ago or so in the context of another "project" to open a "Middle East" focused group blog that went nowhere, the motivating force was a one eerie who has both the technical skills and lack of good judgment to set up and finance this, which intends to be a group blog for commenting on the MENA (Middle East – North Africa).
Since good deeds rarely go unpunished, I am sure she will come to regret it, but in the meantime I hope we can make this slip in judgment worth her while, as well as ours. For the moment let me express my hope that this corner can contribute something worth the electrons it burns up (or at least she remains foolish enough to pay for these indulgences).
Continue reading "The Lounsbury Introduction"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 06:51 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
