June 1, 2004
A very rare male casualty in the mad, mad world of arranged marriages and caste systems.
25 y/o rich boy wants to marry beautiful lower class girl, petitions father for two years, father says no, boy heats up knife and shows dad who’s boss by cutting off his own.
Hospital unable to re-attach beheaded bit.
Source: AOL
[Personal view not associated with this site.]
January 4, 2008
Where are you and what are you doing?
Those are your neighbors.
Your land and people are just as vulnerable and yet you stay silent and expect others to calm what is happening and has been happening in your own backyard.
You are just as complicit by doing nothing.
How can you possibly condemn the West?
How many Hamas terrorists have come from within your borders?
How many are seeking refuge right this minute?
How many sick, hungry and injured women and children seeking care and refuge have you allowed through your borders?
How much aid have you sent in?
What has the Arab League done?
How dare you condemn the West when you sit on your hands and do nothing.
Your inaction has allowed this to escalate.
Take responsibility for what you have not done and are still not doing.
You cannot hide anymore.
Your cowardice has been exposed to the entire world.
How long will you allow it to continue?
[Personal views not connected to this site]
January 4, 2009
Why is there no outrage until Israel defends itself?
Why do we only see women and children when they can be used as propaganda to incite more hate?
Where were the protests against Hamas when they fired indiscriminately without retaliation?
Who in the Arab world has done anything to stop them?
How many other countries have vowed to annihilate Israel?
How many secretly hope someone else will?
Who voted Hamas into power?
Why are they anyone else's fault but the people who brought them to power?
What have Gazans done themselves to root out Hamas?
Who has allowed Hamas to build tunnels and amass weaponry?
What has been done to prevent them from using innocent civilians as a shield to provoke more violence?
How are Westerners to feel when they hear Hamas vow to torture and kill Israelis and hear nothing but silence from the rest of the Arab world?
How can you demand the UN do something when you have done nothing to stop the hate yourselves?
When did the Arab League meet to try to reach a resolution?
And what is Hamas doing now?
Inciting with their words of unvarnished hate.
Words that have not been condemned.
How are these words to be taken?
You entered like rats. Your entry to Gaza won't be easy. Gaza will be a graveyard for you, God willing.
Gaza will not be paved with flowers for you. It will be paved with fire and hell.
A text message sent by Hamas' military wing, Izzedine al-Qassam, said "the Zionists started approaching the trap which our fighters prepared for them." Hamas said it also broadcast a Hebrew message on Israeli military radio frequencies promising to kill and kidnap the Israeli soldiers.
Be prepared for a unique surprise, you will be either killed or kidnapped and will suffer mental illness from the horrors we will show you.
Where was the outrage when these evil words were spit?
Where is your concern for the innocents he will allow to be injured and killed because of them?
One condones by saying nothing and doing nothing.
The whole world is watching and in the meantime thousands of people are suffering and more to come.
One week there is jubilance and honor bestowed on a man who attacked President Bush because of his involvement in Iraq and the next week there is outrage for his non-involvement in Gaza.
You can't have it both ways.
One must clean the rats out of one's own house before one complains about the filth in another's.
January 2, 2009
President Bush's radio address:[emphasis added]
Over the past week, I have been monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely with the members of my national security team. Secretary Rice is actively engaged in diplomacy. And I've been in contact with leaders throughout the region -- including the King of Saudi Arabia, the King of Jordan, the President of Egypt, the President and Prime Minister of the Palestinian Territories, and the Prime Minister of Israel.
This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas -- a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel's destruction. Eighteen months ago, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in a coup, and since then has imported thousands of guns and rockets and mortars. Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, but Hamas routinely violated that ceasefire by launching rockets into Israel. On December 19th, Hamas announced an end to the ceasefire and soon unleashed a barrage of rockets and mortars that deliberately targeted innocent Israelis -- an act of terror that is opposed by the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people, President Abbas.In response to these attacks on their people, the leaders of Israel have launched military operations on Hamas positions in Gaza. As a part of their strategy, Hamas terrorists often hide within the civilian population, which puts innocent Palestinians at risk. [utter cowards] Regrettably, Palestinian civilians have been killed in recent days.
The United States is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation facing the Palestinian people. Since Hamas's violent takeover in the summer of 2007, living conditions have worsened for Palestinians in Gaza. By spending its resources on rocket launchers instead of roads and schools, Hamas has demonstrated that it has no intention of serving the Palestinian people. America has helped by providing tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, and this week we contributed an additional $85 million through the United Nations. We have consistently called on all in the region to ensure that assistance reaches those in need. And as I told President Mubarak, America appreciates the role Egypt has played in facilitating the delivery of relief supplies in recent days.
In addition to reducing humanitarian suffering, all nations must work toward a lasting end to the violence in the Holy Land, and a return to the path of peace. The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to achieve a meaningful ceasefire that is fully respected. Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable. And promises from Hamas will not suffice -- there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end. I urge all parties to pressure Hamas to turn away from terror, and to support legitimate Palestinian leaders working for peace.
In the days ahead, the United States will stay closely engaged with our partners in the region, in Europe, and in the international community. My Administration will continue to keep the President-elect and his team informed. And America's objectives in the Middle East will remain clear: We seek security and peace for our allies, the free people of Israel. For the Palestinian people, we seek a peaceful and democratic Palestinian state that serves its citizens and respects its neighbors. For all in the region, we seek an end to terror. And we seek an enduring peace based on justice, dignity, and human rights for every person in every nation of the Middle East.
January 4, 2009
Shh...there's only one president at a time...
(REUTERS)
2- 25-08 OBAMA statement
Barack Obama's longstanding support for Israel's security is rooted in his belief that no civilians should have to live with the threat of terrorism. In Gaza, Hamas continues to fire rockets indiscriminately at Israeli civilians every day, and that's why it is long past time that Hamas renounces terrorism, recognizes Israel's right to exist, and abides by past agreements.
3-2-08 OBAMA on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended peace negotiations with Israel in reaction to an Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The violence in Gaza is the result of Hamas' decision to launch rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and Israel has a right to defend itself. I remain very concerned about the fate of civilians and urge Israel to do all it can to avoid civilian deaths and to keep its focus on Hamas, which bears responsibility for these events.
6-4-08 AIPAC
Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security.
That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat — from Gaza to Tehran. Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success, and must be deepened.
...We should export military equipment to our ally Israel under the same guidelines as NATO. And I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself in the United Nations and around the world.
Across the political spectrum, Israelis understand that real security can only come through lasting peace. And that is why we — as friends of Israel — must resolve to do all we can to help Israel and its neighbors to achieve it. Because a secure, lasting peace is in Israel's national interest. It is in America's national interest. And it is in the interest of the Palestinian people and the Arab world. As president, I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.
...The long road to peace requires Palestinian partners committed to making the journey. We must isolate Hamas unless and until they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist, and abide by past agreements. There is no room at the negotiating table for terrorist organizations. That is why I opposed holding elections in 2006 with Hamas on the ballot. The Israelis and the Palestinian Authority warned us at the time against holding these elections. But this administration pressed ahead, and the result is a Gaza controlled by Hamas, with rockets raining down on Israel.
...I will strongly urge Arab governments to take steps to normalize relations with Israel, and to fulfill their responsibility to pressure extremists and provide real support for President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. Egypt must cut off the smuggling of weapons into Gaza. Israel can also advance the cause of peace by taking appropriate steps — consistent with its security — to ease the freedom of movement for Palestinians, improve economic conditions in the West Bank, and to refrain from building new settlements — as it agreed to with the Bush administration at Annapolis.
Israel's security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable. The Palestinians need a state that is contiguous and cohesive, and that allows them to prosper — but any agreement with the Palestinian people must preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish state, with secure, recognized and defensible borders. Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.
...But Israel is strong enough to achieve peace, if it has partners who are committed to the goal. Most Israelis and Palestinians want peace, and we must strengthen their hand. The United States must be a strong and consistent partner in this process — not to force concessions, but to help committed partners avoid stalemate and the kind of vacuums that are filled by violence.
The threats to Israel start close to home, but they don't end there. Syria continues its support for terror and meddling in Lebanon. And Syria has taken dangerous steps in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, which is why Israeli action was justified to end that threat.
...I also believe that the United States has a responsibility to support Israel's efforts to renew peace talks with the Syrians. We must never force Israel to the negotiating table, but neither should we ever block negotiations when Israel's leaders decide that they may serve Israeli interests.
.....Finally, let there be no doubt: I will always keep the threat of military action on the table to defend our security and our ally Israel. Sometimes there are no alternatives to confrontation. But that only makes diplomacy more important. If we must use military force, we are more likely to succeed, and will have far greater support at home and abroad, if we have exhausted our diplomatic efforts.
7-23-08 Sderot, Israel
Now let me just close by saying that I bring to Sderot, an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. The state of Israel faces determined enemies who seek its destruction. But it also has a friend and ally in the United States that will always stand by the people of Israel. That's why I'm proud to be here today and that's why I will work from the moment that I return to America, to tell the story of Sderot and to make sure that the good people who live here are enjoying a future of peace and security and hope.
I continued to say that Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. And I have said that before and I will say it again. And I also have said that it is important that we don't simply slice the city in half. But I've also said that that's a final status issue. That's an issue that has to be dealt with with the parties involved, the Palestinians and the Israelis. And it's not the job of the United States to dictate the form in which that will take, but rather to support the efforts that are being made right now to resolve these very difficult issues that have a long history.
What is also true is I believe it is strongly in the interests of Israel's security to arrive at a lasting peace with the Palestinian people.
Asked by the New York Times whether Israel should negotiate with Hamas in Gaza:
I don't think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens.
The first job of any nation state is to protect its citizens. And so I can assure you that if -- I don't even care if I was a politician.
If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that.
And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.
In terms of negotiations with Hamas, it is very hard to negotiate with a group that is not representative of a nation state, does not recognize your right to exist, has consistently used terror as a weapon, and is deeply influenced by other countries. I think that Hamas leadership will have to make a decision at some point as to whether it is a serious political party seeking to represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people. And, as a consequence, willing to recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence as a tool to achieve its aims. Or whether it wants to continue to operate as a terrorist organization. Until that point, it's hard for Israel, I think, to negotiate with a country that -- or with a group that doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist.
[Obama's] remarks today give cover for the occupation's nonstop crimes against our people.
12-27-08 BROOKE ANDERSON, Chief National Security spokeswoman:
President-elect Obama is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza, but there is one president at a time.
OBAMA transition aide:
[Obama and Condolezza Rice] discussed the situations in Gaza and in South Asia. The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice. He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events. The call lasted approximately eight minutes and was initiated by the president-elect.
Some reactions to the shoe thrower's act of extreme bravery. One wonders how bad his writing is if he had to resort to hurling shoes to be heard. Evidently in 2005 the shoe thrower was kidnapped, held for three days and released without ransom. He attributed it to al Qaeda. Then last year he was mistakenly arrested by US forces and then released after an apology. Hard to believe it was a spontaneous expression of freedom.
According to CNN's JOMANA KARADSHEH, Dhirgham al-Zaidi, the brother of the shoe thrower said U.S. security stopped Iraqis from hitting the reporter, but then alleged he was beaten once he was taken into custody and sustained a broken arm and ribs. His brother made the allegations without seeing or talking to his brother. CNN said they cannot "independently confirm the allegations or determine if the alleged injuries came as a result of the initial scuffle or while al-Zaidi was later in custody."
The brother said he was "shocked" when he saw his brother hurling his shoes at President Bush but that he is "proud" of his brother whose act, while rash, was a statement of behalf of "millions" of other Iraqis.
And that his brother's actions were "spontaneous" and represented millions of Iraqis who want to "humiliate the tyrant."
That the shoe throwing was "Iraq's reaction" to the war and years of U.S. sanctions against Iraq before the conflict began and not motivated for personal reasons, or because he has "anything against the American people".
He described his brothers hatred for the "material American occupation" and the "moral Iranian occupation".
Wonder what he's done to insult the Iranian leaders? And what would have happened if he had?
Shoe thrower's employer, Egypt-based Al-Baghdadia TV:
al-Zaidi should be freed "in accordance with democracy and freedom of expression Iraqis were promised by the new era and American authorities."
He wrote a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki asking to be pardoned.
It is too late to now regret the big and ugly act that I perpetrated. So I ask for your pardon.
Interesting way to ask for a pardon - no regret. It's not clear what, if anything, he will be charged. Pardons can be granted by Iraq's president if recommended by al-Maliki.
***
Shoe thrower the toast of the Arab world!
Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati proclaimed at Friday prayers at Tehran University:
The shoe intifada in Iraq should not be overlooked easily. Well done to the Iraqi journalist for throwing the shoes at the U.S. president.
The shoe hurling by the Iraqi journalist had many messages which the world received and the Iraqi people, too, held demonstrations afterwards. People should support the Iraqi journalist.
He then said the shoes are "more valuable than crowns, medals and signs" and believes they should be place in an Iraqi museum.
***
According to New York Times' TIMOTHY WILLIAMS & ABEER MOHAMMED, shoe thrower's brother said it was a spontaneous act, but co-worker Saif al-Deen, 25, said al-Zeidi had been planning some sort of protest against Bush for nearly a year.
DEEN: 'I remember at the end of 2007, 'he told me, 'You will see how I will take revenge on the criminal Bush in my personal way about the crimes that he has committed against innocent Iraqi people.'
Wonder what has been done to Deen and how quickly he realized he was mistaken.
In Lebanon, reactions varied by political affiliation, but curiosity about the episode was universal.
In Saudi Arabia, a newspaper reported that a man had offered $10 million to buy just one of what has almost certainly become the world's most famous pair of black dress shoes.
A daughter of the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi reportedly awarded the shoe thrower, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, a 28-year-old journalist, a medal of courage.
In Syria, al-Zeidi's picture was shown all day long on the state television network, with Syrians calling in to share their admiration for his gesture and his bravery. In central Damascus, a huge banner hung over a street, reading: ''Oh, heroic journalist, thank you so much for what you have done.''
***
Here's my favorite story. From Reuters: MOHAMED ABDELLAH & JONATHAN WRIGHT. Egyptian Saad Gumaa called the shoe thrower's brother and offered his 20 y/o daughter for marriage.
GUMAA: I find nothing more valuable than my daughter to offer to him, and I am prepared to provide her with everything needed for marriage.
Ain't that swell. Twelve camels and an assortment of figs and dates? It gets weirder. The daughter, who is a university student, liked the idea. One has to wonder how a daughter so anxious to be auctioned off got to 20 without being so.
AMAL SAAD GUMAA: This is something that would honor me. I would like to live in Iraq, especially if I were attached to this hero.
Attached? As in conjugal visits? At least his daughter was of legal age and able to make a fully informed decision to wed.
***
President Bush attacked by shoethrower
Malaysian foreign minister praises shoethrower
Shoe party in the streets
Update: shoe thrower
First Lady Laura Bush reacts
Shoe thrower sentenced to 3 years
Indonesians welcome Madame Secretary of State with lame shoe toss
Shoethrower’s monument lasted less than 48 hrs
Shoe thrower's sentenced reduced from 3 to 1 year
