Archive for Notable Personalities

Es tu, Obama? :-(

June 5, 2008 at 6:51 pm · Filed under American Politics, Notable Personalities, Palestine

U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Chicago on Friday. (AP)

 

When Obama retracted his statement, “No people have suffered more than the Palestinians” I forgave him. When he shamelessly courted Jewish voters by pointing out various similarities in their ideals, proclaiming his Christianity, as if being Muslim was cancerous, I forgave him. Even when he said he’d bomb Pakistan, I forgave him. In regards to his speech before AIPAC, however, I can’t be so merciful.
OK. Jews vote. Jews have money. I get it.  But some things just can’t go uncontested. The two subjects that stick out sorely are, 1) He refuses to negotiate with Hamas, since “there is no room on the negotiating table for terrorists” and 2) He supports an Israeli state with an undivided Jerusalem as its capital.

WHAT THE F***??!? First of all, how the hell can you call yourself a change candidate when you make the same exact promises of 60 years worth of US Presidents? Second of all, how can you run on a platform that pledges diplomacy and negotiation and then proclaim the complete opposite in refusing to deal with a democratically elected, perfectly legitimate government? As for an undivided Jerusalem as Israel’s capitol, Prime Minister Abbas (head of the government that’s ok for the US to deal with) plainly points out Obama’s ignorance: “The entire world knows perfectly well that we will never accept a state without [east] Jerusalem…” I’m sure the peace negotiations will go fine, Senator Obama, considering you don’t know one of the largest (if not the largest) talking point for Palestinians.
Lastly. I thought Obama didn’t care about the Washington lobbyists? Is AIPAC not a lobbying organization?
I understand that to be President of the United States you need to say certain things to get elected. This speech, however, was just plain stupid. There’s a way to ignite support from one side without alienating another. No one asked about a unified Jerusalem. No one asked about negotiating with Hamas. Neither had to be mentioned. A simple “US will be a friend to Israel” would have been sufficient. Nevertheless, he said these things, and in the process he demoralized the Arab and Muslim community. Has he forgotten that Ralph Nader, a man truly unafraid of Washington lobbyists, is running in November?
My friends all know I have maintained a support for Obama throughout his campaign (read a couple of my previous posts for evidence). This is truly a smack in the face.

–oj

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Terror Scarf sparks controversy

May 30, 2008 at 9:46 am · Filed under Islamophobia, Media, Notable Personalities, Palestine, Uncategorized

In one of her many ads for Dunkin Donuts, Rachel Ray wore a silk ‘keffiyah’ — a checkered black and white scarf commonly worn in certain Arab countries — while drinking an ice coffee latte. Michelle Malkin, the conservative hyper-blogger, quickly shunned the picture as an extremist fashion statement.

Michelle called Rachel Ray’s fashion choice ‘jihadi chic’ and ‘hate couture’. Let’s hope that Homeland security has a fashion police division.

Oh and if you’re wondering, Dunkin Donuts pulled the ad almost immediately.

-Saria

Comments (11)

King Kong

March 26, 2008 at 7:49 pm · Filed under Media, Notable Personalities

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If I died now, I think I’d be pretty pleased. Honestly. I’ve done a lot of things with my life thus far, and I’m pretty content. I only have two things left to do:1) get married and have children, but then again i don’t know if I want to bring children into this shitty world, and marriage seems to complicate people’s relationship. Can’t people maintain a commitment and fidelity, but not necessarily see each other every single day for the rest of their lives? Are people really that fickle that they can’t maintain common decency without having to make a vow (a vow which nobody seems to follow, anyway)? Does anyone truly believe that humans were meant to be attached to the hip ( apart from Aristophanes)? 2) Go to Mecca, which will probably be worthless, because I will probably end up cursing every single person there for the constant shoving, stampeding and overall retardedness that goes on during Hajj.

I’m babbling, now, for this is just an introduction leading me to the incitement that boiled everything over and led me to believe my death a blessing. This catalyst is the cover of this month’s vogue magazine and the countless people who are bitching and whining about the subconscious racial theme behind it. If you haven’t heard the argument, it goes as follows: Lebron James is featured on the cover of Vogue magazine grimacing, while dribbling a basketball in one hand and carrying popular model Gisele in his other arm. (see photo below) The problem? People are comparing this image of a “savage” black man with a white woman to the image of King Kong carrying Ann Darrow. So I ask myself….WHY?? When I first saw the cover, I thought: Oh cool, Lebron James is on the cover. Where’s the racism? Honestly. Who’s being the racist? The person putting the photo on the cover, or the person interpreting the photo as some sort of racist slander (Most of whom, I gather, are black people)? I understand the concept of racial undertones, and making the black man seem savage to the public. But in this instance, it just doesn’t apply. Take a look at the photo below and tell me if Gisele looks like she’s as terrified as she’d be if she were in the arms of a savage. I think not. Why point it out? Why not embrace it and say “Wow, Lebron gets the girl and he’s fierce with the basketball! (making a face he makes often times during a basketball game, as do many basketball players of both races)” This would cause people to see the photo in a different light, rather than direct them to the interpretation that would be harmful. Really. If people see the photo and think of King Kong, then that’s a problem that needs to be addressed by society, and is not the responsibility of Vogue.

Another point brought up by the cover’s critics is that Vogue had many different photos to choose from and deliberately chose this one. For example, there was a solo photo of Lebron holding a basketball, and another of a more sophisticated Lebron with Gisele. So why choose the one they chose? WHO CARES. Magazines companies choose covers to sell magazines. Period. Its Vogue magazine for God’s sake! They can choose whichever photo they want and put it on there. There’s no reference to King Kong in the wording of the cover, or any reference to savage beasts whatsoever. As said above, if you see it and think Lebron James looks like King Kong, the problem isn’t with Vogue, the problem is with YOU.

Racism is a prominent problem in the US, I don’t doubt that. The Jena 6, Katrina, and Obama have all brought that idea to the forefront. suggesting this cover evokes a message of “the savage black man kidnapping the beautiful white woman” only perpetuates that racism. Perhaps if these critics said something positive about the cover, that sort of racism would dissipate.Maybe I’m just being naive, that I’m not seeing the big picture of the constant demonizing of the black culture, or the minority in society. Or maybe I’m just being overly optimistic in thinking that our society can rise above constantly seeing stereotypes.

One final point that I’ll mention, but do not necessarily believe. Is it possible that minorities relish the thought of being a minority? Yes, being a minority entitles one to certain benefits. Yes, minorities do have the short end of the stick and deserve compensation because of it. However, playing the victim card all time is just silly. –OJ
March Issue of Vogue

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Obamamamamma

March 20, 2008 at 4:47 pm · Filed under American Politics, Media, Notable Personalities

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I was one of the first to declare my backing of Obama, not for the outstanding orator that he is, but for his appeal to the people. One of the key points he made one year ago, when he announced his candidacy was that it is up to the people to declare change. it is up to the people to make that change, not the politicians. It is this sentiment that encourages me to support Obama. He calls for people to mobilize. He calls for people to participate. This is the essence of what democracy is. We are not to follow our leaders blindly, but to participate wholeheartedly in the politics that rule the land we live in. And if anyone is going to inspire people to participate it is Obama.

After 8 years of being told what we want by an administration that was wrong on so many occasions, we need a President who will bring people to the forefront and give the power to them. Obama has mentioned on many occasions that people need to get off their lazy asses, stop complaining and, to quote Ghandi, “be the change they want to see in the world.” It is clear during this primary season, after record voter turnouts in state after state, that this future plebian participation is coming true. On a side note however, it is disappointing that Obama must ignore the support of Muslim Americans to keep up appearances. I’m not saying the disappointment lies with him alone, but more so the media who seem to suggest that being Muslim is a negative thing for a candidate. The fact that Obama is forced to parade his Christian belief to convince people that he’s worth voting for is disheartening. And then to top it off when people finally do accept his faith, that he is “Christian enough”, they then begin to criticize his pastor for a couple comments he made in the heat of some sermons over his 36 year tenure at the Church. (Comments, which happen to have some truth in them if I’m going to be honest.) Obama, however, took that criticism and shoved it down the throats of viewers in a fantastic display of patriotism and knowledge of the system that cannot be described, but only watched and heard with one’s own eyes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

A disappointment that I must confess, however, is Obama’s unfortunate support of a terrorist state that has been consistently violating international law for years. To not accept the right of the return of Palestinian refugees is to blatantly ignore UN mandate, and puts Obama in a class of politicians, I wish he’d step away from.http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1201523779464&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFullThen again, he was never known for his foreign policy prowess, and upon further investigation may change his mind. He has to get elected first, after all. And we all know who’s butt you gotta kiss for that to happen. but the simple fact that a black man who spent his youthful years outside of the United States, who spent his formidable years during and after law school to help a community through his talent of arbitration and mediation, can become the President of the United States sends a message to every other nation in the world. He doesn’t even have to do anything. He can just sit in the oval office. his mere presence in the White House will speak volumes. Besides, his position of dialogue with our “enemies” promotes hope and is unmatched by any of the other candidates, and in my opinion, is a message we need to be sending to the world.

All this talk about the issues is, believe it or not, not important. There will be advisors, and cabinet members, and economists, and the Congress and Senate, and many other people who are there to give Obama the information necessary to come to a decision. And that is where Obama’s strength lies: decision making. Besides, Hillary has been tested, and to me she has failed, whether it be her participation in NAFTA, voting for the Iraq war (or the idea of giving the president any type of authority that was given to, of all people, President Bush), or her inability to bring the parties together in order to back a healthcare plan. McCain has my utmost respect as a human being. He has been through a lot, and has given a lot to this country, but he still represents a paradigm that is long gone and it is time to look to the future. And if there’s any concern over Obama losing to McCain, all you need to do is look at a photo of them side by side. If there ever was a representation of a past status quo candidate vs. a future “change” candidate, that would be it. –OJ

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Hillary Clinton is a Woman?

January 8, 2008 at 7:17 pm · Filed under American Politics, Notable Personalities

Apparently Senator Clinton is not only human, but she’s also a female! This is evident due to the now infamous press conference where she began tearing up because the election for her is “personal.”

NICE. This is the type of leader we need negotiating peace in the Middle East, calming hostile relations with Iran, and containing the AlQaeda network.

Oh no, I’m going to lose the election. boo freakin hoo. 3000 people die at the WTC, its ok to cry. 3000 US soldiers dead because of a pointless war, its ok to cry. Genocide in Africa, its ok to cry. Hell, your You lose an election, but still have a cushy job, millions of dollars, and a place in American History? Suck it up biotch!

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The Bhutto Craze

January 7, 2008 at 11:01 pm · Filed under Notable Personalities

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I still think the citizens of Pakistan should hurry before the rotting process begins and cut open her corpse to search for democracy. Maybe it is hiding in her liver. If that fails, maybe they should search her family’s bank accounts, among the stash of billions stolen from the people of Pakistan. <>

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