Displaying 1,891 To 1,920 Of 2,240 Comments Brilliant. » Posted By AlphaBitch On September 2, 2010 @ 7:18 pm Aw, boomer – don’t know where in the midwest you are – Bito has great memories of Chi town and the music scene – but the Blovicator (I’m afraid he’s kin to Sarah!) is from Indiana. I mean, white bread, Bible belt southern IN, right across from KY. While my inlaws are really, really sweet people, and while some of the homes along the river are beautiful, I have to admit it saddens and alternately scares me when we go visit for too long. For sure, CA is nice. Totally. My heart really belongs in Cozumel/Isla Mujeres, but with the out of control drug scene in Mexico, I think the northern border is far more appealing. Today, my Afghan “family” and I were looking at photos of Canada (Quebec City in winter is particulary nice on a waaayyy too hot day in August in Texas). They asked if maybe they should seek asylum there. I tried telling them they had already played the refugee card, and they were now stuck in our deck (I think that is correct – I don’t think if you have permanent refugee status in the U.S. you can “flee” to Canada, although the prospect of Pres. Palin or Beck should give Canada pause to reconsider). So QC is close to Montreal. I went and bought French lessons a la Rosetta Stone to up our score if we decide to emigrate. Go Canada! Hooray for nationalized medicine! Hooray for free college! Have pity on us refuse-gees (those stuck with the garbage here). » Posted By AlphaBitch On September 2, 2010 @ 7:18 pm We’ll BOOC (Bring our own car). Maybe license plates????? I know to say “troat” instead of “trowt”, “oat and aboat” instead of “owt” and “abowt”. Any other suggestions? In all honesty, maybe someday….I keep telling my husband – get out before you hear “President Palin”. It’s too late then! » Posted By AlphaBitch On September 2, 2010 @ 5:22 pm Mighty Woof! Kind of you to be so generous. Maybe you have not heard of my newest bumper sticker? America. We’re Canada’s Mexicans. In all truth and serious, I have been speaking with a colleague who is a Minister of Immigration at the DC embassy. It’s harder to get into Canada than one would think, but having good job skills (so Napolean Dynamite), being younger (we are not), and having additional finances (we have a sweet 401K, now all in cash) helps. Are you Toto or W Coast? Living in Seattle for a decade gave me very fond memories of Vancouver; still want to see Banff, Jasper. Never been to Toronto. Again, thanks for the invite, and…..to re-quote Napolean: LUCKY!! » Posted By AlphaBitch On September 2, 2010 @ 2:57 pm Bito – yes, they knew they might meet; it was for a conference of the YES alumnae. But it was pretty great that they got along so well with each other, and had good memories to share. THAT made me smile. That was the purpose of the program – to mentor the future leaders. We let them decide the path, we just show them options. Most now believe more equality among the sexes is good and needed (a point of which I am tremendously proud). I don’t want them to leave or abandon their religion; I just want them to learn to look at life from all perspectives, use their immense brains, and try and the truth for themselves, not letting anyone else (including me) define it for them. They are strong, and brave and true. I love them all, the ones who have completed the program. I wish them nothing but the best, and I am proud to have known them. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 31, 2010 @ 6:25 pm Bito! I did respond to the Triangle Trade comment, but it’s not showing up in the sidebar….scroll down and see it, if you dare. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 30, 2010 @ 7:51 pm Sigh. It makes me sad to remember how my daddy – before his later in life epiphany – used the “n” word, although my grandmother and the rest of my family used the word “neegras” (they thought they were high class, well that was just a lie! to quote Elvis). Any truth to the rumor that one of those angles was Sharon? I’d be glad to trade her, as I think would so many of her “supporters”. Going to see my “baby” girl mid-September. I’ll send you an email w/ photos. I can’t wait!!!!! I talked to two other of my kids, the two due back in December, on Saturday. They had attended a huge conference in Kabul and all got to meet each other for the first time, after hearing about each other from me for years. They had a blast, boys and girls. They talked of things we had done – like camping in W. Texas, fun places, etc. It warmed my heart to think of my little chibolastis talking about me in Kabul, and then calling me on Sunday to tell me all about their opinions of each other (all very fine, I might add; my children are wonderful!) It IS a small world, after all…. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 30, 2010 @ 7:38 pm Hey Bito! I live here in Dumbass country, and I was surprised that they didn’t re-lable Slave Trade as “Intercontinental Human Commerce”. I guess the Triangle Trading Group is even more innocuous! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 30, 2010 @ 6:53 pm BITO! She (our little Afghan girl writer) got the visa. Whatever you crossed (eyes, fingers, legs, arms) did it. We expect her here by month’s end, and I’m heading north to NM/CO to see her mid-September. I’ll keep you posted. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 25, 2010 @ 3:20 pm It IS a private matter. Either Matthew 6:5 or 5:6 (I always have to look it up). I defend my faith, have several evangelical friends, Jewish friends, Mormon friends, atheist friends, agnostic friends, Muslim friends. We are all good people, trying our best, and that’s what matters. You owe NO ONE an explanation. Enjoy Shane. I watched him today, after watching that horrid video. It helped. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 23, 2010 @ 8:17 pm WTS – you will love him more when you finish! He is the REAL deal. I remember being a snarky old fart, rolling my eyes at his photo, when I was asked to bring him for a talk at our church. When I met him, I stood corrected and humbled. DON’T EVER miss a chance to see Shane in person. Our church ministered to the homeless. Shane noted we were short on shoes in the mens clothes closet, so the next night he gave a talk at the large university 100 miles from here. It was snowing (unusual for here), and hundreds of college kids showed up. He told them we needed men’s shoes. He asked them to “walk the walk” for Jesus, and if they had another pair of shoes in their closets back home or in the dorm, to take off their shoes there on the spot and give them to us. We got about 200-300 pairs of EXPENSIVE shoes for our homeless guys. And a bunch of college kids walked home in freezing weather with no shoes on to experience Jesus just a little more closely. You will LOVE that book! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 23, 2010 @ 8:12 pm Kalima! Glad to have you in the “secret society”. I was lucky enough to have found a delightful Protestant church, with open minded pastors, and joined my first church in 37 years. When they left for Arizona (!), I left the church. But I’ve kept in touch with my retired pastor/Sunday School teacher, who was the single most open minded, loving individual I ever met. One of our classes (post DaVinci Code) was: What if Jesus WAS married? Would you feel any differently about him if he had a wife, or a child? Interesting talk, and we pretty much agreed that it would make no difference in our decision to follow him. Next class: “I’ve been thinking about our class last week. Now I have to ask you, would you feel any differently if Jesus had been gay?” It was always thought provoking and mind stretching. I love this man, and still go to see him and his lovely wife in the retirement home. That’s the sort of thing we “secret Muslims” do. I would love to call the meeting of Secret Muslims to order, but I’m pooped and have to get up early to go care for my REAL Muslim family tomorrow. So carry on without me, you children of Abraham! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 23, 2010 @ 8:07 pm OOPSY – meant for kesmarn. And what about the surgically altered forms of feminism? I’m all for reconstructive surgery, should a woman have had the “C” experience. but to make your boobs bigger to draw more attention to yourself (or make yourself feel better – really???) is a form of idiocy I have never understood. I suspect that Ms. Palin did not want her medical records released for something this inane. Too bad they aren’t able to give bigger brains to some of these people! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 23, 2010 @ 8:01 pm Dear sweet Kalima: when you get a chance, google Shane Claiborne. Watch the video “The Best Sermon Ever”. I’ve had the pleasure to meet Shane, to work with him, and for a year I had his voice on my home phone answering machine. We may disagree on some of the finer points, but he makes me PROUD to claim Christianity as a part of my life. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 23, 2010 @ 6:43 pm I confess. I believe there is no God BUT God (which puts me at odds with my Christian brethren, even though I accept Jesus as the Messiah, my Lord and my Savior. He is the prophet I choose to follow.). I’ve read the Qur’an – AND during Ramadan. BUT – I read it in English, which is not the “right” thing to do, since it can only be read in Arabic (my reply: God speaks many languages). I have fasted on Fridays during Ramadan. My dear friend does the “Christian pseudo sorta fast” (her words) where she allows herself water and chewing gum during daylight. She tries, and it is her effort that matters. I believe in zakat (charitable giving). I love the idea of frequent prayers – but mine are always when I am alone and at any time I darn well feel like it, believing God does not keep a clock (tick tock). I would love to go on a hajj – I’ve watched videos and photos and many of my Muslim friends/brothers and sisters have gone. AND I know that Allah – like Dios or Dieu – is just a word in another language for God. So does that make ME a Muslim? I might consider it, but for the gender inequality. What did I get from reading the whole Qur’an cover to cover? What a revolutionary idea it was AT THAT TIME to give women so many rights. Muslim women had more rights than Christian OR Jewish women. Accepting the belief in Islam that man is “higher” than the angels in the scheme of things because God has given man free will (while the angels lack the same), I learned God has allowed us the right and the duty to exercise our free will and if something seems contradictory or confusing in the Qur’an, we get TO CHOOSE which interpretation we can follow. I choose to believe that the Qur’an, even if it IS THE word of God, is still just the word, and God is greater than just a word. I choose to believe that maybe it was the intention during this revelation that women be lifted up, given rights; and that maybe someday, women and men would be equals. My motto? Love ’em all and let God sort it out. So there. Maybe like Obama I am a “secret” Muslim. Maybe I’m not. Only God and me know for sure, and it should stay that way. But thanks for asking! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 23, 2010 @ 6:34 pm HA! Love the reference to the Christian burqa, kesmarn – but how do you have a keyboard? Don’t you have a manual typewriter? Not one of those fancy electric ones? After all, “(s)he’s just a (wo)man” (Apologies to Tammy Wynette.) Now get that dang burqa back on, gal! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 19, 2010 @ 5:53 pm There are worse ways to spend a day, my friend! I envy your Chicago experience. Yowza – what i wouldn’t give for a chance to have had THAT experience! Now I’m off to go listen to Blue Umbrella. “See” you later. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 19, 2010 @ 4:08 pm Aw, you big softie! My girls will love that you have read their works and more that you care. One – who just wrote the story “Looking Out the Window” – is due back end of the month to begin college. I am counting the days. I have not written Sally in a year – since the “discovery” – but I should. If you’d like, you can contact her via the Peter Goodrich Foundation. The site is worth checking out. She and her husband do so much. Take care Bito. Love “seeing” you! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 10, 2010 @ 5:47 pm I did it get downloaded, Bito and read it. About the school – I have two lovely handwritten notes from Sally Goodrich; we had helped on a project that helped raise $$ for this school. Sally is a wonderful, loving warm woman who decided to swim against the tide to try and help the young Afghans after her own son, Peter, was killed in the 9/11 attacks. It’s always iffy, giving money to help there. I guess that is why I chose the easier route, and worked with students coming here. Now I am working with those families who have been extracted and allowed to come here as refugees. My heart broke for Sally when I first learned of this (we are a tight community). But my thought is: as long as those children live/lived, they knew it was a kind woman who had helped them learn. And as I said before: there is such a hunger to learn. Do read some of the stories from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project http://www.awwproject.org Several of the stories are written by my own students. They to me are true “she-roes”. And they can participate because they are schooled. Education may be the one thing that will allow them to take THEIR country back. Time will tell. I can only hope. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 10, 2010 @ 10:04 am I went to download this and got a trojan horse alert. Don’t know the problem, but decided to not open. As to the acid throwing incident: one of the first was Gulbuddin Hekmatyr, who is alive and well in Pakistan. He is probably the most misogynist of the group. and we gave him $$ through good ole’ Charlie Wilson’s War. Pity. There was also a very good article in Foreign Policy, with photos of life in Kabul in the 1960s. Looks like America a the time. So when people say it’s ALWAYS been like a stone age – simply not true for the major cities. For towns and villages, yes. I guess the important thing in Afghanistan is that – more than anywhere else in the world – ALL politics is local. I was told by a VERY knowledgeable person that the Taliban starts out by seizing control (through good work, quick dispute resolution and terrorizing the population – all at the same time) in outlying villages and then tightens control as it moves to the next village closer in to the city. Think of a cinnamon roll, and eating the edges to the soft center. That’s their MO. Great to “see” you Bito! You are so loved here. Take care – off for errands. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 10, 2010 @ 9:30 am Ameerka already on Netflix list; will add Maryam or order if unable to watch on Netflix. Thanks so much! » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 10, 2010 @ 5:06 am I own Kingdom of Heaven and House of Sand and Fog as well, both beautifully done movies. But you must watch The Four Feathers w/ Heath Ledger. Interested in knowing what you think. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 9, 2010 @ 9:06 am Thanks, Khirad. I’ll check it out. Have you seen “The Four Feathers”, starring Heath Ledger? Beautifully done, with a good story. I loved it, and will buy a copy of it soon. » Posted By AlphaBitch On August 8, 2010 @ 8:17 am This just in from Texas: Locusts everywhere! Commonly known as “republicans”, they consume everything in their path, and completely destroy their environment. Hey Bito! It’s been a while (well, except for last night) since I’ve been here. Welcome “home” buddy, and sooooo good to see you! Now I can put someone else’s name at the top of the prayer list. I know there is a collective sigh of happiness here at your return. I just haven’t had the time to blog much, lately. Maybe in the next couple of weeks??? -AB » Posted By AlphaBitch On June 15, 2010 @ 1:26 pm Even if I’ve been only a lurker, not a poster, of late (due only to time constraints) – I’m THRILLED to hear from you Bito! I keep you in my thoughts and prayers and heart ALL the time, and I wish you a good recovery! Don’t worry about the hair. We’d all love to see you, no matter the coiffure! And trust me, mine isn’t all that grand…. » Posted By AlphaBitch On April 15, 2010 @ 6:59 am Hey Khirad! absolutely right. Have you seen the If Americans Knew web site? That is the MOST helpful when teaching the uninitiated. Just the facts, in an easy to grasp bar graph form. Love it! Also the books by Paul Findley – Deliberate Deceptions and They Dare to Speak Out. I’ve noticed Obama backing off from what was for me a very strong moment (asserting that there must also be a state for Palestinians) -if Findley was right, he would be toast in an election were he to keep this platform. Thanks for all you write – I so love to sneak on here and catch a few minutes. The No Religious Preferences was a wonderful video, and I thank you for it. – AB » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 2, 2011 @ 5:56 pm Hey Bito! Can the Blov send you his ppt? He is leaving in the AM for a week in Big D-little a-double hell-ass. If he sends it to YOU can you get it done as a post?? Send me an email FIRST and we can work on it. But we can (hopefully) send it to you…. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 2, 2011 @ 3:35 pm Yes, Jewish Voices for Peace – I get their updates regularly. I also like Americans for a Just Peace in the Middle East (AJPME). Check out the site If Americans Knew – easy to read charts with substantiating documentation on the facts on the ground. Thanks again for posting kesmarn! Taking down ye old Christmas decorations today as the Blov leaves for a trip tomorrow. Alpha Pup is coming to help. He is such a sweetheart! We are still thrilled he is here….. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 2, 2011 @ 11:17 am Thanks for posting that kesmarn! The Blov went to Palestine/Israel in 2003 to see FIRST HAND what was happening with the wall. He came back so angry; we spent months and months lecturing people about what was going on in Palestine/Israel, the illegal settlements, the insane checkpoints, the cattle squeeze shoot at Eretz that enabled people to line up, four and five abreast, beginning at 4:00 AM each morning, to be squeezed through, one at a time, by 8 AM, to go work in an Israeli factory to make cement for the wall so they could feed their families, returning each night at 10PM. (Note: there are many roads that only those with yellow license plates – indicating an Israeli settler – can drive on. The roads used by the Palestinians are covered in dirt, bulldozed – often by Caterpillar bulldozers – by the Israelis to make passage impossible.) The Blov has photos and a powerpoint that I can try to get him to share. We spoke to church groups, civic groups, etc. begging them to take the time to learn the truth and see for themselves. A picture is worth more than a thousand words, in this instance. I have always believed that Israel has a right to exist, but so does Palestine. At what cost to the inhabitants of each is the question, and is it OK to in effect steal the land from the Palestinians or the water resources at Qalquilya? And I have also always stated that it is not the religion or the people that I defend/attack, it is the SITUATION. If the facts were totally reversed – if the Israelis had been living on their land for 4,000 years while the majority of Palestinians were in exile, and if the country of Palestine had been created in 1948, and the Palestinians came “home” from their exodus, and drove the Israelis off the land they had lived on for centuries, my outrage would be just as strong against the Palestinians for doing so. I try very hard to teach my children: do not say you hate Jews. Do not even say you hate Israelis, for there are many good and honest and peace and justice loving Israelis living in their country. What you dislike is the concept of Zionism – that this piece of land is only for one people. Remember: God is not a real estate agent. » Posted By AlphaBitch On January 2, 2011 @ 10:28 am Happy New Year, Dear Kalima and all other Planetarians! We are going to be childless for tonight, and plan on having a very quiet night. Wishing you all the best for this coming year and all our future ones! » Posted By AlphaBitch On December 31, 2010 @ 2:08 pmComments Posted By AlphaBitch
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