During the day, do you read a story and you feel it is worth sharing? Where to place it? I don’t like to disrupt someone’s thread or thoughtful post and it is not worthy of posting a lengthy article, do you? Let’s try to leave this up in speakers corner and we can share some news!
From the Afghan Women’s Writing Project
“Colorful Days after Black Nights”
I remember the Taliban were searching houses ten times a day with different groups to find a book, cassette, picture, TV, or video game. If they found any of these, they shot the whole family. After we returned home, my mom burned books that my older sister and brother had collected over many years. She burned most of the books in our mud-brick oven, then threw the rest away in sacks very far from the house so the Taliban would not know they were ours. My heart was broken and I was at a loss……
I wove carpets for four years and forgot everything about studying or getting an education. We were stuck at home, and never allowed to go outside. When the Taliban were removed from power in Afghanistan after almost five years, most of the schools eventually reopened. My siblings returned to school, but I did not, because I was so afraid of everyone, still thinking that Taliban were close.
Related articles
So, seeing as I’m a lonely hearts club of one tonight, I’ll post a story I saw today from NPR.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/02/muslim-hindu-punk-rock-bands-part-new-movement/
And, apparently the Wash Times is ripping off a story the NYT’s and Guardian covered a couple years ago.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/apr/28/popandrock.culture
What is new is this movie with some Taqwacore music:
More:
My personal favorite song title in quite a while: “suicide bomb the GAP”
What is Taqwacore? That movie looks good, Kh.
I found the NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=107010536
Apparently it is also an old story recycled today on the radio, or something.
Basically, as I see it, it’s Muslims (although there’s a bit of a Jewish identity thing to this, as well – like it’s about more than religion) who want to be themselves and rock. It’s deeper than that, of course; but nevertheless it is quite healthy IMHO – for them to vent against the fundies and conservative Muslim community that want them to act and believe a certain way. Punk ethic for Muslims and a big middle finger to paranoid xenophobes who cry that shari’a is coming to the USA, along with those who would actually advocate it, etc.
The movie I’m on the fence about. It could be really good or fall flat. You know what I mean? Still, the trailer is worth showing everyone who has one idea of Pakistan. Islamabad is a bit of its own world though, too. I would’ve liked to have seen a movie like this in Lahore or Karachi. But, I think the fake nature of I’bad adds to it maybe.
Anyway, this was the first I’d heard of it, but I’m already liking some bands like Sagg Taqwacore Syndicate, and Al Thawra. Muslim rap has been around for quite a while, I was hoping for something like this to take root.
Edit: Scratch all that, just watch this:
Wow. One thing I never expected to see is a nice Pakistani boy singing a Sex Pistols song.
You can take me now, Lord. I’ve seen everything.
And this Pakistani boy was way ahead of the pack. 😉
Example.
…my subcultural musical trivia amazes even myself, sometimes.
You ARE amazing, Khirad. Good stuff.
Khirad, for some reason, I am not shocked by this– or am I missing something? I see it as something I would expect from any religious group’s kids, no? I mean, that’s the nature of youth, and these are kids in the West, right? And they remind me of another group (whose name I love): The Dead Bhuttos! Nevertheless, I am happy to see these groups.
BTW, you probably know this, but Taqwa (meaning higher-, or God-consciousness) sounds a lot like the Hebrew word Tikva (hope). Probably the same root, I’ll bet.
I remember being a little shocked from my synagogue days when Jewish kids got tattoos as rebellion– tattoos are forbidden as is any body modification. They were first made known by “Heeb Magazine in the 80’s and it was a scandal! Check it out– you’ll enjoy it! http://www.heebmagazine.com/
I’m surprised by this because it always seemed to me that the nature of these kids’ rebellion was to migrate to radical forms of Islam — not to move to the “bleeding edge” of western culture.
I actually find it a huge relief to see this stuff.
I posted a note to Scott Simon at Saturday Weekend Edition (NPR). He did the interview with Josh Turner (I posted the video and Happy Valentine’s Day Wishes to everyone at Speaker’s Corner earlier today). Please note my reference to http://www.planetpov.com — 🙂
This was in my local Sunday Newspaper, letter to the editor regarding CT State Public Campaign Finance Laws:
http://www.thehour.com/story/482218
Here is the program – “Citizens Election Program”
http://www.ct.gov/seec/cwp/view.asp?a=3556&q=420276&seecNav=|
If you go to the list of State Senators and other elected officials who chose to be in this program, not one Republican was listed.
That is great BDM, more states and the fed gov should follow suit. Can you imagine the outcome nationwide?
There’s a really bright yellow thing in the sky today. It hurts my eyes to look at it, yet I like it. It’s vaguely familiar; I feel as if I seen it before, but it was so long ago, I can’t remember.
Anyone know what it is?
For now I am calling it “Ra!” I shall worship it.
I have the address where you can send your gifts and donations.
All hail the great and mighty Ra!
Flying under the radar? Is anyone following, has anyone even heard of the “Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission?” All the hoopla about what went wrong and a demand for a new “Pecora Commission” and who is even following it?
The bill setting up the commission (FCIC) was passed and singed by President Obama in May, 2009. They have held two public hearings with little notice. there has been very little written about it in major newspapers or much seen /heard from the MSM.
During the depression the Pecora Commission” was major news and major sweeping regulations on the banking/financial industry were passed.
Now, barely a peep. Why? Am I expecting too much? Will anything come out of the inquiry, or is this a dog and pony show with Wall St. fighting it every step of the way?
The thee R’s appointed to the FCIC are all Bush people who believe in cutting regulations and were part of the meltdown.
One Dem on the Commission (appointed by Speaker Pelosi)is a person who should have been listened to years ago! Brooksley Born!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_Crisis_Inquiry_Commission
http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2010/01/13/live-blogging-the-financial-cirisis-inquiry-hearing/
Looks like I am the only one here so I will say g’night to my self.
Mr. Bopp is back with a new campaign. This time using Frank Luntz’s pearls of deceit.The new group is”Committee for Truth in Politics” (CTP)
If you remember this “shouldn’t be required to file any disclosure reports with the agency.” was pointed out in nellie’s post.
In other words he feels it is just fine and dandy to lie and not have to tell anyone who is paying for it. Combine this with the SCOTUS ruling and this will be holy hell.
Not sure if anyone is interested, but I found the OMB website where you can check for fed funds going to states. They also are tracking the stimulus with amazing detail on projects. You can see which reps got which money. It also gives out yearly budget and guess who is number 1,2,3
Florida 375b
Tex 217b
CA 183b
And Texas is talking about secession? I give them the green light right now.
http://www.fedspending.org/
I actually have seen it and it’s cool! I would love to not be so lazy– I’d write to every local paper of each Reptilian who took even one dime. I’d love to point out their hypocrisy.
Cher, Think Progress has done a credible job of tracking R’s who voted against the stimulus and later were proud to hand out the checks.
http://thinkprogress.org/tag/stimulus/
Yes, that looks pretty good– but there are more of them. And I still need to get my act together to write their local papers. I am going to do it, I just decided! Thanks!
Bito
If you have the patience, the OMB website has very detailed info. Maybe I will start tracking all the hypocrits LOL. Even I do not have that level of concentration. I was looking for some earmarks when I went looking. I am still looking but I think I know where to find them.
Sue, I did look at it and booked it. I may have to study it later. Hell,I’m on drugs!! 😆
I am amazed you can even refresh the page!
Cher
I will give you a list. I downloaded it and it is in my email. As soon as I have separated out all the R’s I will let you know LOL
Good–thanks! I was thinking just California would be a huge job though.
Oh, i do like the agency rankings! Texas is both 7&8. Transportation and education.
7 EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS TX $1,983,765,917 1.25%
Secede? right! 👿
Take the money and run?
Cher and Bito
Here is the page with all the funding by each congressperson by state……………….it is a long ass list lol
http://www.fedspending.org/rcv/tables.php?tabtype=t1&rowtype=a&subtype=a&sorttype=name
Sue, on that page, what does the column on the far right mean: FY rank? Fiscal Year rank, but what does the “rank” refer to?
Cher, I don’t see a number over 435 (# in house), so my guess is how the member ranks for the year in their district. ??? Maybe?
I was guessing it was how much money they got relative to the other reps?? for that Fiscal Year? You may be right, but why would OMB rank them in terms of their seniority?
Bito, this answers my question:
http://www.fedspending.org/rcv/tables.php?tabtype=t1&subtype=a&rowtype=f
Their ranking in funds taken for their district
And Lamar Smith R Texas is number 4
Yep and my rep who is a liberal is ranked 433!!!
California 46 (Dana Rohrabacher) $708,367,394 #47
And he’s a RW asshole!
And you know what else? I don’t need to expose the hypocrisy of these guys everywhere– There are PLENTY in my own state! Darryl Issa, e.g.
Dems in Orange County !!
Bill Hedrick for Congress to replace
Ken Calvert
http://www.hedrickforcongress.com/2009/11/03/dont-let-ken-calvert-buy-election/
❗ Wow, Sue, there is mucho information on this site ❗
It is easier to navigate than recovery.gov Good job!
I will give you the list of R’s when I sort it all out.
And Bito– did you see there’s even a tutorial?
http://www.fedspending.org/tutorials.php
the tutorials are good. Man I can’t believe all the info on this site! amazing!
It is all done, separated by r’s and d’s plus the r senators. If you and Cher want it when I am done, I can get it to you. I just have to work on the email, I have the paper list all identified.
You are good, sue!! I will talk to you tomorrow. I can’t keep my eyes open.
nite bito, have a restful one.
I gotta go–later guys!
Good night, Cher. About time for my meds, so I wont be up much longer.
Hey, E’Cat, here’s a great one for your weekly feature. HP headline spinning a real WHOPPER…
…. even for them.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/13/mowing-the-grass-marine-s_n_461329.html
Pepe, It took me a bit to figure this out! The headline implies that the current strategy is “Mowing the grass,” when in fact it’s the old rejected strategy. Wow. Good one. I have a short writing project to finish first and then I will see what I can find. Thx.
And 70% of the comments were mocking it.
Interesting article on Washington Post about Obama’s anti-lobbying efforts. It says Obama has gone further than any other president — yet it seems to me that so many headlines and stories I read are about the influence of lobbyists. Either I’m not reading the right news sites, the news sites are not accurately portraying what’s really going on, or it’s impossible to know what’s really going on. I’m betting on number 3.
“A recent Pew Research Center poll ranked lobbying reforms as third from the bottom in voter concerns for this year.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/13/AR2010021301186.html?hpid=topnews
I found this the most despicable, irresponsible piece of “reporting” I have seen in a while. I would not be surprised if someone does not get physically harmed after this POS.
Read the story TV station story:
“Some believe….”
“Others say….”
Those are buzzwords to watch for when watching any local news (or Fox News, for that matter), that they really don’t have any legitimate attribution for their information.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Weasel_words.svg
For every moron out there who’s ready to blame some group of “others” for his own deficiencies, there’s always an irresponsible media generator who is willing to supply the fuel, without regard to truth. It’s a cheap way to make a buck and get some attention.
Bito
The slurs in the letter left behind can be tied straight back to Christian Fundamentalists. They often refer to Muslims as satan’s bidder.
Sue, I was hoping you saw that story. “Christian Action Network?” I guessed you may have heard of them.
Actually no, but thank you for bringing them to my attention. They are in my “sights” now. They better watch out and lay low.
I myself was looking up Vijay Kumar. He’s been running in the 5th district of Tennessee. I suspect the channel is shilling for him. Compare that story with this:
They praise him on their website…..
I like how they threw in the flag desecration at the end. WTF?
Good afternoon, b’ito!
I saw that story, too, and it is more than disgusting.
Hope you are doing well today.
((((hugs)))
Hey, j’avaz, I’m ok, pretty sore, on drugs and I still need to get to the G. store today. That’ pretty hard to do when I keep falling asleep! 🙂
Well, darn it.
If we lived closer, we would go out and buy you groceries.
Let us know if we can help in anyway and at anytime.
How about I adopt you? Please let me! That way, you’d get the benefit of all my Jewish mother instincts and I could exercise them without driving my son nuts.
(I make a mean chicken soup too!)
Well Bito, you challenged me and here is a run down of the leader of CAN. I would not have thought the background was any different, except I would have thought he was in the snake charmers group of fundamentalists, oh wait that is what Fallwell was…………………I am thinking about dropping a line to see what kind of dialogue can be started, some undercover work maybe, just like the film he made LOL.
martin@christianaction.org
Christian Action Network (CAN) was founded in 1990 by Martin Mawyer. He based the organization on biblical principles, values, traditions and truths. CAN’s primary goals are to protect America’s religious and moral heritage through intensive lobbying efforts – both in the nation’s capital and at the grassroots level.
For the past two years, CAN staff has been on location, deep inside hidden Islamic terrorist training compounds, scattered across the United States.
CAN has compiled hundreds of interviews, and is in the final stages to reveal a hard-hitting documentary, “HOMEGROWN JIHAD: The Terrorist Camps Around U.S.” (February 2009). This crucial footage exposes terrorist training compounds throughout the U.S. and provides shocking first-hand footage from deep inside the terrorist training camps that will astound the nation.
_______________________________________________________
Martin J. Mawyer is the president and founder of Christian Action Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the traditions of the American family and defending the nation against radical Islam. An activist in the religious community for over two decades, Mr. Mawyer began as a free-lance journalist for various Christian publications and then served as editor of Jerry Falwell’s “Moral Majority Report.”
He is author of three books, “Silent Shame: The Alarming Rise of Child Sexual Abuse;” “Pathways to Success: First Steps for Becoming a Christian in Action;” and “Defending the American Family: The Pro-Family Contract With America.”
Since its inception in 1989, the Christian Action Network has strongly supported the right to life for the unborn; voluntary prayer in public schools and restoring religious liberties; has lobbied in favor of legislation that would defend traditional marriage; has worked to expose “Gay Days at Walt Disney World” to protect children and families; and has advocated an end to taxpayer-funded “hate art” through the National Endowment for the Arts.
Under Mr. Mawyer’s leadership, Christian Action Network has become one of the nation’s leading grassroots Christian political organizations with more than 250,000 active members.
Among Mr. Mawyer’s numerous radio and television appearances are CNN’s Larry King Live, Sonya Live and Talk Back Live, NBC’s Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, C-SPAN’s Viewer Call-In, FOX’s Morning News, Hannity & Colmes and The O’Reilly Factor, Pat Robertson’s 700 Club, Jerry Falwell’s Pastor’s Study, Dr. D. James Kennedy’s Coral Ridge Ministries. He is a frequent guest on various other radio and television programs.
Fantastic. It’s worse than a local news station shilling for a politician…
My response to CAN?
http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/
(AND if anyone knows how I can link directly in a reply as we do in a post, please let me know. Do you, Khirad? I’d like to be able to boldface too if possible!)
a href = link – text – /a
add carrots –
bold is b – text – /b
Same as above.
TEST
test
test
Test
No link in that one?
I realized that it might take a couple tries to figure it out, but I can’t write it – even with spaces – without it obliging the code.
Nellie can do it though.
Anyway, you figured it out below! And, ‘i’ for italics.
em for emphasis.
Last test!
TEST
SUCCESS!
Thank you!
LOL
b-LOL-/b
thanks Khirad
ok, i am a techie failure lol
Double Dang! And DOH!
your text
Just like that, but with NO SPACES. Good luck!
DANG– it worked with spaces too!
test
try that with no spaces.
bok/b?
Let’s pretend this * stands for b
You would write your text text
Write just what I did only write b instead of *.
I can’t show you! I don’t know why.
I will get it sooner or later, i am slow
Yeah– real slow, right. 🙄
I just think it’s hysterical that I can’t write it for you without the word program here messing with it! No matter how I write it, it won’t appear! It’s like a comedy routine.
Like I said, code must be obliged. Spaces and all. And do I ever know what you mean about a comedy routine! I’ve been through this all before, I knew what to do. 😉
Check this out. Scroll up to inline elements for linking.
Hey, Khirad, thanks! I figured it out from you, but I can’t seem to figure out how to show Sue. HEY SUE– CHECK OUT KHIRAD’S LINK.
Slow me, I can’t see a link.
Okie dokie dominokie, I found it. Wow, how dim I am sometimes. Thanks both of you.
Sue, click on Khirad’s colored words and see what happens.
Sue– WHEW! I’ve been laughing through his whole episode! And not AT you!
Cornerstone church in TN is surely on my radar, which this guy seems to work closely with.
Finally, Tim Kaine has sent out correspondence. I guess better late than never. The link provided can be used to write letters to the editor in your are. It can also be used in the future for other letters you might write………
Susan —
“A million dollars is not a lot of money.” That’s what RNC Chairman Michael Steele thinks, anyway.
To most Americans, that’s crazy talk. But it’s no surprise coming from the head of a party that prefers favors for Wall Street to jobs on Main Street.
How long would it take you to earn $1 million? Click here to find out — then write a letter to the editor exposing the GOP’s agenda.
The average American household makes $52,000 per year. Only 2% make more than $250,000 — and millions are out of work in a recovering economy.
But while arguing to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy last Thursday at the University of Arkansas, Steele let slip that he thinks a million is “not a lot.” It’s outrageous — but sadly, not surprising.
Greed and excess on Wall Street nearly brought down our economy, health care costs are drowning families, but the GOP is fighting to protect big banks and block health reform while proposing more and more tax cuts for the rich.
What’s worse, the leading Republican on the House Budget Committee just proposed a budget that privatizes Social Security and shreds Medicare — two programs that millions of middle-class Americans rely upon.
Republicans are going all out to be seen as defenders of the “little guy” this election season. But Chairman Steele’s comment last week made it clear they’re not. We need to make sure every American hears about it.
Use our calculator to figure out how long it would take you to earn “not a lot of money” — then use our easy letter-to-the-editor tool, your own story, and our helpful tips to expose the GOP on the widely-read letters page of your local paper:
http://my.democrats.org/MillionGOP
Thanks,
Governor Tim Kaine
Sue, If Congress would pass a strong bill dealing with financial regulation, it would make it easier to make our point. We need a real and serious “trust buster.” Elliot Spitzer was on the right track until his little “dalliance.”
Bito
IMHO Spitzer is no worse than any other politician who has been out there doing what they should not. Vitter can still be Senator, but Spitzer cannot be Gov? Spiter needs to get involved more broadly IMHO
And you are right about the financial regulation.
Well, now I know why the filibuster can’t be ended. According to a constitutional whiz it is not constitutional to end it.
Glad that is cleared up!
As we organize, take a look at this organization and rules:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/the-tea-party-pledge.html
And for a little fun:
http://geniusofinsanityworld.blogspot.com/2009/09/tea-party-anti-socialism-pledge.html
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/early-patriot-plan/
A boomer follow-up to Vox Populi After-Chat…and everyone has either gone to zzzzzz, is watching the Olympics Opening Ceremonies, or is having a much more enjoyable 🙂 evening than I.
Regardless…
Shame on this production company for the mockery (not to mention the Court allowing them to pull such a stunt):
The original wedding dance video which went viral on YouTube has generated $26,000+ in donations towards Domestic Violence Prevention. I must say I am impressed by this young couple, who found a cause, put themselves and their wedding party “out there” and, as a result, have generated (as of 12/1/2009) $26,802:
If you would like to further the cause of domestic violence prevention, please visit Jill and Kevin’s website.
http://www.jkweddingdance.com/
I’ve watched the original video quite a few times. Each time this video has made me cry, but has also filled my heart with joy. Why? Because these kids (okay kids to me anyway) saw an opportunity to sow the seeds of their love and happiness into something beyond themselves. Just when I think I’m leaning toward cynicism, something happens to kick me in the ass.
And…if I were in such a position at this time in my life, I would do exactly the same thing these two chose to do. Makes one stop and think about what is really important.
A cause, a feeling, a belief, a conviction, a motivation to effect change, a desire to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
It’s what separates us from the likes of Boehner, McCain, Wilson, Conrad, McConnell, Graham, Lieberman, and the remaining, selfish members of the Grand Obstructionist Party (GOP).
And yes, I made a donation.
Ah Boomer – you and I both have water hoses attached to our eyes – tears stream down my face every time I see the wedding video as well.
“A cause, a feeling, a belief, a conviction, a motivation to effect change, a desire to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.” …….. yes, yes, yes. Thankyou for those words!!
Thanks for this, boomer.
I was aware of the video due to seeing it on TV not long after the wedding, but it’s so wonderful to know that the couple have put the money to such a great cause.