Open Threads

Tom Friedman, another NY Times columnist, on free speech:

The Saudi poet, Abdul Mohsen Musalam, in his poem “The Corrupt on Earth,” published March 10 in the newspaper Al-Madina, wrote: “It is sad that in the Muslim world, justice is suffering from a few judges who care for nothing but their bank accounts and their status with the rulers.” He then added with amazing bluntness about the judges: “Your beards are smeared with blood. You indulge a thousand tyrants and only the tyrant do you obey.”

Not only did the Saudi interior minister throw Mr. Musalam in jail for this poem, but his editor, Mokhtar al-Fal, was fired. So what’s my dilemma? I should be all for free speech – right? – especially in Saudi Arabia.

Not so fast. By accident, I met this poet on a recent trip to Saudi Arabia and I tasted some other free speech he has in him. Readers may recall that I noted in an earlier column that at one newspaper I visited in Saudi Arabia, I walked out after being told that the source of all the problems today was that “the Jews control America.”

Instructive, isn’t it? He actually admits that he may be inclined to be against free speech, if he does not agree with what is being said. Charming.

Tom Friedman, another NY TimesPost + Comments (2)

Poor Mr. Nick Kristoff gets Mr. Lilek’s dander up and pays the price- In other words, Lileks has a new screed up.

Kristoff = Italics, Lileks = Bold

A sample:

It also turns out that a British organization, Indict, is already pursuing an indictment against Saddam for war crimes.

And the Belgian organization Frown is already drafting plans to mount an international campaign of scowling, which will force his regime to divert precious resources to rubber chickens, joy-buzzers and Singing Telegram Gorillas to improve their standing abroad. Meanwhile, the French organization Surrender is drafting plans to cede Marseilles to whomever wants it, just in case.

Need I mention the plans of an American organization, Depose? They’re known informally as the Armed Services.

Poor Mr. Nick Kristoff getsPost + Comments

Sorry folks, but some cultures are just inferior. Nigeria happens to be one of them. I wonder if Mr. Zogby will condemn this?

Via Pejman.

Sorry folks, but some culturesPost + Comments

Go read this and try not to be furious. I printed it out (34 pages) and read it during dinner (clam pesto), and I almost choked with anger while eating. I have not been as irritated after reading something since the Lantos report last week.

Go read this and tryPost + Comments

This is the best medical news I have read in a long time. Via the Medpundit.

This is the best medicalPost + Comments

This could be the dumbest proposed law in recent memory, and I like David Nieporent’s analysis.

This could be the dumbestPost + Comments

Something has got to be done about the ten o’clock time slot on the cable news networks. The choice between Alan Keyes on MSNBC, Greta van Muppet on Fox, and Aaron Brown on CNN is not a choice, really. It is the cable networks saying “$%$@#! you!” Generally, I watch Keyes, but only if I am really alert and remember to turn down the volume during commercials so I do not have to listen to the ‘Alan Keyes is making sense promos.’

Speaking of Alan Keyes, James Zogby was on tonight debating someone, and Zogby came off as a pompous ass apologist. He had the nerve to say that the Israelis were hampering peace, because while the Arab nations were meeting to offer a legitimate peace, Israel was holding down Arafat. I almost fell out of my chair. Check out the transcript tomorrow for a good laugh.

*** Update ***

Now he just filibustered for an apology because someone said something insensitive about his religion.

The incompetence of the Arab/Palestinian handling of Israel is mind-numbing. Do they really think they can ‘spin’ their way into genocide, and we will do nothing? Do they really think anyone with half a barin takes them seriously? Is their really anyone out there (who does not have explosives strapped to themself) who believes that the Arab League is honestly interested in peace with Israel? Seriously? Can anyone even say those words without snickering at how stupid they sound?

Ghaddaffi just called for the unilateral disarmament of Israel (neat trick- since Arafat really isn’t in control of Hamas or Aqsa- Wink, wink), Jordan most recently sided with Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War, Syria is doing their damndest to remove the ‘normalization’ language… Oh never mind. You know all the crap they are pulling.

Something has got to bePost + Comments