On my way to Jakarta I stopped in Dubai, where I watched the Arab News Network at 2 a.m. ANN broadcasts from Europe, outside the control of any Arab government, but is seen all over the Middle East. It was running what I'd call the "greatest hits" from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: nonstop film of Israelis hitting, beating, dragging, clubbing and shooting Palestinians. I would like to say the footage was out of context, but there was no context. There were no words. It was just pictures and martial music designed to inflame passions.

10:48:28 PM  comment []    

Europe backs away from deported gunmen

Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, told his EU counterparts last Thursday that Italy was not prepared to take all the deportees, as had previously been hoped. Gianfranco Fini, the Italian deputy prime minister, said that after reading the biographies of the Palestinians he had changed his mind.

"If even half of what I read is true, we would be taking in some very dangerous people indeed," he said. Italy might take two or three of the men, but Mr Berlusconi is under acute pressure not to take those suspected of the worst atrocities. Portugal has said that it is willing to take no more than one deportee.

via LGF

10:36:29 PM  comment []    

EU may get new 'bar-code' logo

European Commission president Romano Prodi commissioned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas to create the new design.

Click the link and be prepared for your jaw to drop. Ouch!

Here's the library that Mr. Koolhaas has designed for Seattle. I think I hate it, but I'll withhold judgement until it's done.

Here's more about the design.

via Ken Layne

9:52:08 PM  comment []    

This morning, Ella asked me to give her multiplication problems. Above, you can see Milo teaching Ella the nines tables.     

8:41:02 AM  comment []    

The Palestinian Authority Is Hiring American College Students!

Qualified candidates will enjoy...

• Nightlife! You'll be sneaking into crowded restaurants, pizza parlors, and discos!
• Fashion! All qualified candidates will be fitted with sleek, stylish, easily concealed belts!
• Paradise! Qualified candidates who successfully complete this summer program will go straight to heaven!**

A PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY RECRUITER WILL BE ON CAMPUS THIS WEEK!

...

**Paradise offer good for Muslims only. Infidels go to hell.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to read the whole thing.

Thanks for the link, Sondra!

12:12:55 AM  comment []