Daily · Dreamtime

“I'll tell you, son, the minority’s got us out-numbered!”
[“Congersman” Frog to Pogo ~ Walt Kelly]

My friends and family know how much I value history, and how I like to take any appropriate opportunity to revive the faded institutional memories of the governmental and academic communities about historical precedents that may offer valuable lessons in today’s world.
I have a case in point to share with you now. It’s an important lesson that I learned more than half a century ago, when I was twenty-something, still a scrawny kid on my first tour in Beirut as a very junior CIA case officer. In June 1953, when my father retired as Dean of the American University of Beirut, he was awarded the “Order of the Cedar of Lebanon” in recognition of his 40-plus years of service to the country. Prime Minister Saeb Salam hung the medal around Dad’s neck and then kissed him on both cheeks. Saeb Salam was an AUB graduate, a distinguished gentleman and a highly-respected political leader of the Sunni Muslim community of Lebanon.
Fast forward about five years. ( Read more... )

Websites blocked by political stripes for Marines in Iraq?

Unfortunately anonomizers don't work out here (never have). Anyway, I had a few minutes today and thought I'd look and see what else was banned on the Marine web here. I think the results speak for themselves:

* Wonkette – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.wonkette.com/) is categorized as: Forum/Bulletin Boards, Politics/Opinion.”
* Bill O’Reilly (www.billoreilly.com) – OK
* Air America (www.airamericaradio.com) – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.airamericaradio.com/) is categorized as: Internet Radio/TV, Politics/Opinion.”
* Rush Limbaugh (www.rushlimbaugh.com) – OK
* ABC News “The Note” – OK
* Website of the Al Franken Show (www.alfrankenshow.com) – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.airamericaradio.com/) is categorized as: Internet Radio/TV, Politics/Opinion.”
* G. Gordon Liddy Show (www.liddyshow.us) – OK
* Don & Mike Show (www.donandmikewebsite.com) – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.donandmikewebsite.com/) is categorized as: Profanity, Entertainment/Recreation/Hobbies.”

posted by Xeni Jardin

http://wonkette.com/politics/wonkette/our-boys-need-gossip-158687.php

Famed African musician Ali Farka Touré dies

Whenever Ali Farka Touré was asked to state his profession, his preferred response was that he was a farmer. He owned and cultivated extensive lands in Mali in the semi-desert region of Niafunké, where in later years he was also the mayor. But he also happened to be arguably the finest guitarist Africa has ever produced.

posted by Xeni Jardin 

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14932-2074309,00.html

By PAUL BURKHARDT The Associated Press Tuesday, March 7, 2006; 1:59 AM

NEW YORK -- Cindy Sheehan, who drew international attention when she camped outside President Bush's ranch to protest the Iraq war, was arrested Monday along with three other women during a demonstration demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The march to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations by about a dozen U.S. and Iraqi anti-war activists followed a news conference at U.N. headquarters, where Iraqi women described daily killings and ambulance bombings as part of the escalating violence that keeps women in their homes.
( Read more... )

 a fantastic interview of a Syrian psychologist now resident in the US on Islam and the West.

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null

requires windows media player

Chris