JawsBlog

Computers to translate world’s ‘lost’ languages after program deciphers ancient text

Sounds neat to me.

This has to be one of the stupidest ideas since, oh, say, the idea of “engaging” the “Hamas Moderates”.

U.S. wants to build up Hezbollah moderates

There’s so much stupidity written all over this–one doesn’t know where to start.

Major facepalm.

A brief recap of my experience at yesterday’s “Break the silence — Stand with Israel rally” which was held in Midtown outside the Israeli embassy. (2nd Ave between 42nd and 43rd streets).

First, as I anticipated there was quite a bit of whargarbl/derp from the crowd and some speakers (nu?) Also down a block (between 41st and 40th) were the Neturei Karta doing their thing. [Again--did you expect anything else].

I actually recognized some faces in the crowd from shul and it was a mixed group in attendance. A good turn out especially in light of the rain and the lack of major Jewish organization sponsorship (there’s one theory floating around as to why–I’m not sure I buy into it). The rain probably prevented a larger crowd, plus the space confines too.

The crowd tended to skew more to the religious side of the spectrum (a collection of black hats, but a large number of kippot) There also seemed to be quite a large contingent of older individuals–many of whom sounded like they were of Eastern European descent (based on the languages they used). There were also some youngsters (little kids thru high school age) and activists in the mix.

One of the most interesting speakers had to have been Guardian Angels’ founder and head Curtis Sliwa. He basically called things as they were and hammered the politicians on both sides of the aisle and called on them to actually stand up for Israel rather than merely posturing. Some of the speakers went all anti-Democrat, but Sliwa to his credit played it down the middle (okay, he was a bit more anti-incumbent–but towards both sides).

He’s some coverage from Arutz Sheva (Note: a right-of center new organization)

In all, I enjoyed the time I spent there–cold weather and rain not withstanding. I was very disappointed though by the lack of creative signs and/or giant inflatable figurines (I guess the far left has a monopoly on those).

it’s ironic that many Israelis like to spend their Passover vacation on the Sinai Peninsula. Sure it may be pretty–but crossing the Red Sea in the opposite direction on the holiday celebrating yetziat mitzraim?

Now the Israeli government is warning all Israelis to exit Sinai at once

Obama: Encouraged on Mideast peace

Does he live in a different world than I do?

blatantly rigged votes are considered: “an exercise in democracy

Muslim Cleric: Pepsi is “Zionist Plot”

What’s really ironic is that the cleric is obviously rather ignorant of Pepsi’s history vis-a-vis Israel (Pepsi wasn’t sold in Israel until 1992 if fear of Pepsi losing its market share in the Arab bloc)

Nothing too “earth shattering” within PM Netanyahu’s speech earlier today at Bar-Ilan

I sort of like the analysis over at AoSHQ on the speech.

Bibi scores some points for showing up Obama’s omission of the real historical origins of the (modern) State of Israel.

Otherwise, there was nothing in the speech that hadn’t been heard before.

Funny to read the Palestinian responses though. The “peace process” is once again DOA (though–was it ever “alive” to begin with?)

President Barack Obama said on Friday he was hopeful the robust debate taking place in Iran’s presidential election would advance his administration’s efforts to engage longtime U.S. rival Tehran in new ways.

“We are excited to see what appears to be a robust debate taking place in Iran,” Obama told reporters when asked about the Iranian election during an event at the White House.

“Whoever ends up winning the election in Iran, the fact there has been a robust debate hopefully will advance our ability to engage them in new ways,” he said.

If a fixed election is considered “robust debate”, then….

Unrelated: Why wasn’t Jimmy Carter over there to supervise the elections?

Love Connection: Hamas gets into matchmaking biz

Didn’t read all 6,000 words of it yet (nor do I really have any intention too)

But from all the articles I’ve read, I”m not pleased.

Israel is getting royally screwed over–and based on that alone, I don’t like it. Others can say more, but that’s my 2 cents.

Even Saudi Arabia has a beauty pagaent…well sort of

Saudi’s Miss Beautiful Morals

But at Saudi Arabia’s only beauty pageant, the judges don’t care about a perfect figure or face. What they’re looking for in the quest for “Miss Beautiful Morals” is the contestant who shows the most devotion and respect for her parents.

“The idea of the pageant is to measure the contestants’ commitment to Islamic morals… It’s an alternative to the calls for decadence in the other beauty contests that only take into account a woman’s body and looks,” said pageant founder Khadra al-Mubarak.

“The winner won’t necessarily be pretty,” she added. “We care about the beauty of the soul and the morals.”

A blog post about the significant role of the USSR in fhe Arab-Israeli conflict.

Come to think of it, this is indeed something that is often overlooked.

Can’t say I didn’t see this coming: Anti-Iran rally turns into anti-Obama rally.

First off, I wasn’t in attendance, not for political reasons, but rather because I had work. [Try getting from the Columbus Circle area over to the UN, on a weekday, mid-day].

Second, ever since the organizers were (politically) pressured/threatened by certain groups on the left to have Palin withdraw, there’s been an uproar.

Fact is, the most vocal, anti-Iran segments of the community are probably leaning towards McCain/Plain to begin with. Second, Palin’s still got that “rock star” vibe going on–and an Alaskan in NYC could definitely draw quite the crowd. However, since the disinvite, there were calls of disapproval from some segments plus other calls for boycott by others. Doesn’t help things.

It’s a shame the rally didn’t get more than the estimated ~2000 attendees.

Iran swimmer avoids Israeli pool showdown in Beijing

How does one say “chicken” in Farsi? Is it کلمات مرتبط
‘Cause that’s what the swimmer was.

As for the article itself, what was with this little comment by the author:

Israel, the Middle East region’s sole if undeclared nuclear power, considers Iran its main strategic threat because of its nuclear programme and repeated predictions of the Jewish state’s demise by senior Iranian leaders.

What if anything does that have to do with the Olympics and or swimming?

Saudi accused of having six wives

That’s gotta be a lot of nagging

A (Jewish) Israeli Transexual has the top musical hit in Lebanon

Uh…..

Great article about how an Al-Jazeera journalist gets -p0wned by an Israeli professor.

Of course, there’s a YouTube clip as well

If only all of Israel’s Hasbarah was this good.

Dunkin Donuts has decided to yank its ad featuring Rachel Ray wearing a Kefiyah

Pesonally, it’s no big deal. Who cares what she’s wearing? The ad is for coffee and donuts.

The more important issue however, is how is a Keffiyeh worn around the neck like a scarf considered fashionable? It just looks silly.

Israeli tactics silence the West Bank, but collide with peace process

The military’s faith in its efforts comes across in charts showing a steep decline in suicide bombings – from a high of 59 in 2002 to only one in 2007, and one so far this year.

While even one is too many, this trend is a sign that the IDF is doing things right.