Where to find an all inclusive holiday
We all know that all inclusive holidays exist out there. My problem has always been that I've never really known where to find them. The idea of just being able to plonk oneself down and know, absolutely, what the whole... Read more...
Tabloid Edition, Today, 1:18pm
The promised curbs on immigration - don't hold your breath!
In July I did a back-of-the-fag-packet calculation and estimated that the government's proposed immigration cap would only cut immigration by 36,000. Looks like I was way over-generous. Parliament's Home Affairs Committee reckons that, "the reduction in overall gross immigration would amount to 0.9%." That's just over 5,000.
Why? Because non-EEA economic migrants account for only 17 percent of all immigration. Cutting that doesn't affect any of the other 83 percent.Professor David Metcalf Read more...
Pub Philosopher, Today, 12:21pm
Gates of Vienna News Feed 5/21/2012
A county commissioner for West Miami-Dade in Florida says that the huge house a Muslim resident is building in his district is really a mosque. The owner of the property says that the building is simply a house for his mother, and that the commissioner’s accusations are fueled by racism, discrimination, and religious intolerance. Read more...
Gates of Vienna, Today, 12:21pm
Fjordman: Islamophobia ‘Experts’ to be Called in Breivik Case
Note from Fjordman: I still get questions about donations. Yes, if you use Paypal at Vlad Tepes blog and state that the donation is for me, I do get it. I’ll manage to stay afloat for the time being so I haven’t asked for more donations. However, I would strongly encourage you to donate some money to good blogs that you follow on a regular basis, be that Gates of Vienna, Europe News, the Tundra Tabloids or others. The individuals running such websites are idealists, but even idealists like to eat sometimes. Read more...
Gates of Vienna, Today, 12:21pm
Gates of Vienna News Feed 5/22/2012
Due to circumstances beyond my control, the news feed is both late and truncated. I took Dymphna to the doctor today, which kept me away from my desk for most of the afternoon. Not long after we got home a line of thunderstorms came through the area, knocking out our internet service. We weren’t reconnected until almost midnight, so any tips sent after about 7pm EDT will be delayed until tomorrow’s news feed. Read more...
Gates of Vienna, Today, 12:21pm
David Littman: In Memoriam
Henrik Ræder Clausen of Europe News has written the following essay to honor the memory of David Littman, who died last Sunday. Read more...
Gates of Vienna, Today, 12:21pm
I’m Baaaack!
What a trudge through the valley of the shadow of death that was! You know it’s bad when you're afraid you might live. I sure don’t want to experience that kind of pain and fever again in a hurry. Read more...
Gates of Vienna, Today, 12:21pm
A Personal Memo - By EHSANI2
I have just returned from a three-week vacation to Syria. I must admit that I have struggled to think of something incisive to write about. What possible insight can I offer readers of this forum I thought? Given my personal interest in economic matters, it made sense for me to concentrate on this topic first. I will conclude my note with the inevitable discussion of non-economic issues as well. I warn the scores of regime supporters here: The truth is sometimes painful to hear. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Should Syria and Israel Negotiate? - Syria Think Tank
Camille-Alexandre Otrakji has done it again at Syrian Think Tank. Four excellent articles on the question: Should Syria and Israel start peace negotiations now? Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
"Doubts whether Bush is good for Israel" by Jim Lobe
Doubts whether Bush is good for Israel Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
"What do Sunnis intend for Alawis following Regime change?" by Khudr
I received this article by an old friend who has posted on Syria Comment before: Asad's Alawi Dilemma. His present article is remarkable for its honest and direct approach to Syria's essential sectarian problem. He wrote: Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
“Moral Clarity and the Middle East," by Amb. James Dobbins
“Moral Clarity and the Middle East” Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
News Round UP (2 September 2006)
Is Europe gearing up to push for a major Arab-Israeli peace initiative? Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Syria Says "Yes" to 1701. Why?
According to Kofi Annan, Syria has agreed to uphold UN resolution 1701. He said on Friday that "Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had promised to enforce an arms embargo on Hizbollah under a U.N. resolution that halted Israel's war with the Lebanese group." According to Reuters, Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Iraqi, Lebanese and Israeli Authorities Criticize Syria
Elaph has printed an interview with Iraq's Ali al-Dabagh, the official spokesperson for the Iraqi government in London, in which he explains that Iraq wants good relations with Syria, but Syria is not reciprocating. He explains that Iraq's relations with Syria are tied to Syria's willingness to hand over the supporters of terrorism in Iraq who have taken refuge in Syria. They also demand that Syria stop Jihadists from coming into Iraq. So far Syria has not done this, he explains. It is not America which prevents Iraq from developing better relations with Damascus, he insists, but Syria's unwillingness to improve security measures and cooperate with Iraq's leaders. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Kanaan Speaks from the Grave? & Syria in Iraq
Mideastwire.com has translated a few stories of interest. The first is the al-Seyassah story reporting that Ghazi Kanaan, the Minister of interior and long time intelligence chief and master of Lebanon who committed suicide last fall at the time of the UN's release of its first interim report on the Hariri investigation, recorded all he knew about the Hariri murder. Although plausible, this sounds like black propaganda timed to build suspense before the release of the final UN report, which is due. The source was a "Gulf diplomat," who also described how Kanaan was murdered and where he was shot. How he could know this information, which was surely not included on a pre-recorded video by Kanaan, is a mystery and hard to figure. Sounds like gory detail thrown in for a little extra sensation, but which ultimately is unbelievable. Here is the article. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Whither Arab Shiites
Vali Nasr has written very persuasively that the US must accommodate Iran as a new Middle East leader and deal with the new Shiite bloc which is beginning to flex its muscles. Scott Sullivan takes issue with Nasr in this article, copied below, arguing that Nasrallah, Asad, and Muqtadda al-Sadr will emerge as a new Arab bloc within the Shiite alliance to counter-balance Iran's drive for leadership in the region. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Robert Kaplan - Why He is Wrong about Syria
SHELDON KIRSHNER in his "War may bring Israel to talks with Syria"has written one of the best arguments for why Israel should reverse its policy toward Syria and sit down at the negotiating table. It has a lot to gain. Syria has a lot to offer. Syria also has a lot to gain and there is every reason to believe it is serious. Even Abdel Halim Khaddam, the ex-vice President who is not fighting against Asad, maintains that Syria was serious about peace in the 1990s. President Bashar has made it clear in every major speech that Peace remains Syria's strategic first choice. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Syria Fights for Control of Palestine File
Reinoud Leenders, who was International Crisis Group's man in Lebanon for many years, has written up his opinion of the Lebanon War and how it will effect Hizbullah, "MIT's Electronic Journal for Middle East Studies soon. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
"The UN Report will be a Bust," by Idaf
"The UN Report will be a Bust" Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
"Let's Make a Deal," by Fred Kaplan
Fred Kaplan at Slate has written an excellent article explaining what it would take to make a deal with Syria. I have copied a bit of the article below. (Warning: he quotes me.) One of the important questions that weighs on all those pushing engagement is what Syria really wants. Here is a bit of Fred's article. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
"Hizbullah in the Eyes of Syrians during the War," by Hassan Hassan and Abdullah Taa`i
Hizbullah in the Eyes of Syrians during the War Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Some Lebanese Want to be More Like Iraq
The last few days have seen Italy's PM Prodi claim that Syria would allow foreign border guards along its Lebanon frontier only to have it denied by Syria. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Bombing the US Embassy - What Does it Mean?
The attempted bombing of the US embassy in Damascus has stirred up a debate over whose fault it is that the attack took place. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
News Round UP (11 September 2006)
A number of noteworthy articles have appeared this past week debating the pros and cons of engaging Syria. The most hard hitting on the con side are articles by Michael Young and Lee Smith. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Apologies to David Schenker
My apologies to David Schenker. Several days ago I wrote: "David Schenker of WINEP and Tony Badran of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies are pushing [a] conspiracy theory.” The conspiracy theory I was referring to is the notion that the Syrian government was behind the terrorist attack on the American embassy. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Al-Qaida Plans for Syria
Here is a note I received from Massoud Derhally of Arabian Business about a documentary al-Jazeera is showing on al-Qa`ida in the Levant. It explains how al-Qa`ida leaders hope to open a new front in Syria and the states surrounding Palestine. Al Jazeera ran on Sept 18 the second part of a documentary by Yusri Fouda on Al Qaeda in "Bilad al Sham". The thesis is that inherently Al-Qaeda has a forward looking plan that was to attack the US, draw America to the Middle East and then fight it (i.e. in Iraq) and then exploit that conflict to get to the Palestinian front using Damascus and Lebanon. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Al-Qaida Plans for Syria
Here is a note I received from Massoud Derhally of Arabian Business about a documentary al-Jazeera is showing on al-Qa`ida in the Levant. It explains how al-Qa`ida leaders hope to open a new front in Syria and the states surrounding Palestine. Al Jazeera ran on Sept 18 the second part of a documentary by Yusri Fouda on Al Qaeda in "Bilad al Sham". The thesis is that inherently Al-Qaeda has a forward looking plan that was to attack the US, draw America to the Middle East and then fight it (i.e. in Iraq) and then exploit that conflict to get to the Palestinian front using Damascus and Lebanon. Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Liberals And The Chances For Democracy In The Middle East - By EHSANI2
Liberals And The Chances For Democracy In The Middle East – Third In line? Read more...
SyriaComment.com, Today, 12:21pm
Tehran fantasizes about gas exports to Europe
Another Iranian pipe dream, literally. Read more...
IRAQ THE MODEL, Today, 12:21pm
Writer's choice 350: Stella Duffy
Stella Duffy was born in London and grew up in New Zealand. She has written thirteen novels, her latest being The Purple Shroud. She has also written ten plays – most recently The Book of Ruth (and Naomi) for Sixty-Six Books at the Bush Theatre; and fifty short stories. Stella won the 2002 CWA Short Story Dagger for her story 'Martha Grace', and has twice won a Stonewall Writer of the Year: in 2008 for The Room of Lost Things and in 2010 for Theodora. In addition to her writing work she is a theatre performer and... Read more...
normblog, Today, 12:21pm
The Court settles an argument
The European Court of Human Rights has reaffirmed its earlier ruling (£) 'that the current UK blanket ban on prisoners being allowed to vote is a breach of human rights' (and see here). It has also, just by the way, personally given me justice on an issue that has been perplexing me for a while. That issue is why so many supporters of voting rights for prisoners feel it unnecessary to make any case for them; they just take it for granted that prisoners have the right to vote and have it unconditionally. If you follow these Read more...
normblog, Today, 12:21pm
Avoiding spoilers
In a piece on the New York Times website Stanley Fish acquits himself of any obligation not to include spoilers when giving an account of some fiction that his readers may not yet have read (seen etc). He does this by reporting on the so-called paradox of suspense, according to which 'suspense survives certainty'. Fish summarizes three explanations of why it does, and they are interesting; you can read them for yourself here. This isn't an exact analogy, but I can give partial confirmation of the sort of thing he's talking about: on the occasions I've taken out my video of Manchester United vs Bayern Munich, 1999, to watch the last few minutes, I have definitely relived the tension of the end of that game (see from one minute in) - as if I didn't already know the... Read more...
normblog, Today, 12:21pm
Quieter but more silent
Is there any rule that tells us when the comparative form of an adjective is made by adding "-er" and when by being preceded by "more"?Philologos in the Jewish Daily Forward looks into it and even comes up with some tentative suggestions, but in the end confesses himself defeated with respect to two-syllable adjectives. Sounds like a case for - danaaa - Language Log. Read more...
normblog, Today, 12:21pm
By no means a bastion of tolerance
Indonesia, that is. See this column from the New York Times by Andreas Harsono, a researcher for the Asia division at Human Rights Watch:This week in Geneva, the United Nations is reviewing Indonesia's human rights record. It should call on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to crack down on extremists and protect minorities. While Indonesia has made great strides in consolidating a stable, democratic government after five decades of authoritarian rule, the country is by no means a bastion of tolerance. The rights of religious and ethnic minorities are routinely trampled. While Indonesia's Constitution protects freedom of religion, regulations against blasphemy and proselytizing are routinely used to prosecute atheists, Bahais, Christians, Shiites, Sufis and members of the Ahmadiyya faith - a Muslim sect declared to be deviant... Read more...
normblog, Today, 12:21pm
Empathy through reading fiction?
This, from Adam Gopnik, is funny:Surely if there were any truth in the notion that reading fiction greatly increased our capacity for empathy then college English departments, which have by far the densest concentration of fiction readers in human history, would be legendary for their absence of back-stabbing, competitive ill-will, factional rage, and egocentric self-promoters; they'd be the one place where disputes are most often quickly and amiably resolved by mutual empathetic engagement. It is rare to see a thesis actually falsified as it is being articulated.Still, Gopnik's logic is unsound. The short answer to why it is unsound is that the capacity for empathy may depend on many other things than reading or not reading fiction. A longer version of the argument can be found in... Read more...
normblog, Today, 12:21pm
Calvin Klein Mens Shoes
Again controversy around one of those perfumes that would just keep you asking for more. This mixture was good enough to provide necessary details of your money. Calvin Klein popular and top brands of perfumes that they can claim to have its presence in different parts of the masculine underwear were integrated and applied to the calvin klein mens shoes and durability which compliment their design and fashion. However, all that focus has changed now thanks to Calvin Klein. Well, who wouldn't have known about Calvin Klein Steel bras is just so much about Calvin Klein Brands. They love Calvin Klein does not only the calvin klein mens shoes how the CK name easily becomes part of the calvin klein mens shoes and is supremely self confident. With the calvin klein mens shoes of timeless love. The commercials depict a couple in love from the calvin klein mens... Read more...
Calvin Klein, Today, 12:21pm
Www Calvin Klein
For even more sexy shaping, consider the Steel Microfibre Contour Bra is a Calvin Klein set he world on fire with this model, though. Contrasting gray, logo-branded straps work perfectly with the www calvin klein an ultra-stylish, supremely subtle look. There's nothing subtle about the www calvin klein of this Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Flirty Bra in a push up bra provides an underwire that provides stellar support - though you'll never worry about how your outfit will look. And, thanks to padded cups with graduated padding shape and enhance to give great support. But thanks to Calvin Klein. Combining the www calvin klein of designer of Klein and Bvlgari are two name brands that carry more than just perfume. At Nordstroms, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue, you will choose some other designer for your hard-earned money... that is much to see if they actually consume. Eating 2-3 meals a day. It can be very difficult to keep... Read more...
Calvin Klein, Today, 12:21pm
Samizdata quote of the day
"All the available Keynesian levers for achieving economic growth have been pulled, yet the recovery is one of the weakest since World War II. The problem lies with the way the "stimulus" was carried out, the uncertainty of looming higher taxes, and the antibusiness rhetoric and regulatory strong-arming of this administration." - Harvey Golub, Wall Street Journal.... Read more...
Samizdata.net, Today, 8:07am
The problem of clogged condiments
One of the things I most admire about capitalism is its willingness to pay attention to what for many are utterly extraneous details, details that many would consider far too insignificant to be concentrating on - even morally rather degraded, but which many others have been begging for someone to sort out. In among solving world peace, imperialism, poverty, AIDS, blah blah blah. One of the many disagreeable features of tyranny, on the other hand,... Read more...
Samizdata.net, Today, 7:25am
Iran: Cyber Hezbollah Meeting
Farsnews reported “Cyber Hezbollah' will hold its eighth meeting in Tehran on Wendesday.One of main points of discussion is Shahin Najafi's “insults regarding one Shi'ite Saint.” Written by Fred Petrossian · comments (0) Share: Donate · facebook · twitter · reddit · StumbleUpon · delicious · Instapaper Read more...
Global Voices, Today, 1:41am
Iran: Hadi Net,a new religious Social Networking
Islamic Republic has launched a new social networking called “Hadi Net“. Iranian media reported[fa] this social networking is an answer to Shahin Najafi's “insults regarding one Shi'ite Imam.” Written by Fred Petrossian · comments (0) Share: Donate · facebook · twitter · reddit · StumbleUpon · delicious · Instapaper Read more...
Global Voices, Today, 1:31am
Tajikistan: The Economics of Drug Trade in a Poor Country
In Tajikistan, an article run by the The Economist triggered a conversation on news websites about corruption among the country’s officials and their involvement in the drug trade. Read more...
Global Voices, Yesterday, 11:47pm