Friday, December 30, 2011

Religious Radicalism Strikes Again

I have previously written about problems between ultra-Orthodox Jews and moderate Jews in Israel.  Here's a further look at what's going on.  Everything from pepper-spray attacks to throwing stones at women.

So, if I extrapolate this according to the Muslim Judging Scale, that means that all Jews are violent extremists who want to impose Torah law on the West and we must fight them and kick them out of our country.  Right?

Saturday, December 24, 2011

And More Islamophobia in America

You've probably seen the news about Lowe's pulling their advertising from a reality show on TLC.  The reality show follows Muslims in Michigan as they go through their everyday lives.  Apparently that counts as "propaganda" to some wacko Christians out there.  The wackos raised a fuss and Lowe's caved in.  And they're getting a lot of backlash!  Sign the petition against Islamophobia here.

Saturday Night Live did a skit involving Jesus talking to Tim Tebow (the American football player).  That offended people like Pat Roberston who felt it was attacking Christianity.  He claimed that if Saturday Night Live had done a similar skit about Islam, there would be a huge outcry.  His co-host said there would be "bodies on the street."  I guess Christians are nice people and Muslims are violent crazies who go around killing everyone.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Monday, December 19, 2011

Top Stories December 19, 2011

ArabNews (Saudi Arabia):  Transport system in 6 Saudi cities set for major overhaul - The Kingdom wants to set up a good public transportation system.  Apparently they spend billions of dollars on road accidents every year.

Lebanon Daily Star:  Tensions high in Ain al-Hilweh after shooting - There have been several assassination attempts by various factions in this Palestinian refugee camp.

Haaretz (Israel):  Israel court rules against evicting two East Jerusalem Palestinian families - There have been a number of cases of Palestinian families being forced out of their homes, as neighborhoods try to become more Jewish.

Turkish Daily News:  Iraqi politics crack as last US troops withdraw - Iraq is already having (more) problems.  Personally, I'm not sure if the country will survive.  It was never a country to begin with, but a group of 3 provinces.  It would not surprise me at all if the Kurds decide to leave, and the Shi'ite and Sunni sections also separate.  Let's just hope it's not too bloody.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Update

Sorry about the dearth of postings.  I'm a little bogged down with the approaching Christmas holiday.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Top Stories December 12, 2011

ArabNews (Saudi Arabia):  Iranians blame 'unplanned' UK embassy raid on rage - In case you missed it, there was an assault on the embassy, evoking memories of 1979.

Lebanon Daily Star:  Detained Syrian blogger charged with three crimes - Razzan Ghazzawi faces 3 to 15 years in prison.

Haaretz (Israel):  Obama asks Iran to return downed U.S. surveillance drone - Yes, apparently Iran does have a US drone.  We'll see where this heads next.

Turkish Daily News:  Turkey shelters nearly 10,000 Somali people in Mogadishu - The Turkish Red Crescent has 1,700 tents set up and is increasing that number.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Top Stories December 5, 2011

ArabNews (Saudi Arabia):  Kingdom denounces Israeli intransigence - The Saudis consider the Israelis "isolationist" and are concerned about the Palestine issue

Lebanon Daily Star:  Jumblatt warns Syria unrest could spark sectarian strife in Lebanon - Jumblatt leads the Progressive Socialist Party.  So far, most politicians seem to be fighting over the STL (Special Tribunal for Lebanon, re: Rafik Hariri assassination).

Haaretz (Israel):  U.S. says 'no indication' Iran shot down reconnaissance drone - Iran says it shot down the drone, US says it didn't.

Turkish Daily News:  'Israel knows what to do to normalize ties' - The United States wants Turkey and Israel to make up.  Turkey wants Israel to apologize for killing 9 Turkish activists on the Gaza Flotilla last year.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Reverse Honor Killing

When it comes to honor killings, usually you hear about some poor woman who has been killed for daring to date a man, or not get engaged to whomever her father chose, etc.  This is more of a reverse one.  An Indonesian man in Australia killed his mom's lover because he felt it dishonored his family.  Honestly, I am a bit surprised he didn't kill his mother.