It seems like bad taste to ask of the disease: ‘Do you know who my mother is?’… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Heat and Light: Christopher Hitchens and His Critics
Jun 29th, 2008 | By Max DunbarThe case against Christopher Hitchens can be summarised, broadly, in a kind of comic list as done by the British satirical magazine Private Eye:
He supported the Iraq war
He likes a drink
He smokes, as well
He supported the war
He tends to be aggressive in debate
He likes a drink
He supported the war
Er…
…That’s it.
In a sense he needs no introduction. (His entry in the contributors’ biographies of this book simply reads: ‘Christopher Hitchens is Christopher Hitchens.’) He is one of the West’s most prolific journalists, speakers and essayists, with a love of literature and hatred for oppression and superstition everywhere. A one-time Marxist, Hitchens’s politics could be defined not so much as ideological … Read the rest
Oh dear, what seems to be the problem?
Jun 28th, 2008 4:51 pm | By Ophelia BensonIf four courts tell you No, then try a fifth. Don’t worry about boring people or being a nuisance or making a fool of yourself.
Danish Muslims are planning to take Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten daily to Europe’s highest human rights court over the publication of satirical drawings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him)…The move comes a day after a Danish court rejected a suit by seven Muslim groups against newspaper editors for publishing the offensive cartoons…”It is a known fact that acts of terror have been carried out in the name of Islam and it is not illegal to make satire out of this relationship,” the court said.
Well that’s the problem, isn’t it: it is not … Read the rest
Raped for Opposing Mugabe 
Jun 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
MDC Information Director says over 500 women and girls have been sexually abused in the political violence.… Read the rest
Free Parking for ‘Religious Leaders’ in Barnet
Jun 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The importance of religion to many Barnet residents cannot be underestimated and the council has acknowledged this.’… Read the rest
‘Danish Muslims’ Plan to Take Motoons to Court
Jun 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Muslim organizations intend to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights,’ said ‘leader.’… Read the rest
Mugabe Preparing to be Sworn In
Jun 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Government sources say Mugabe has won by a huge margin. Right.… Read the rest
Strategy to Bomb and Murder Until Election
Jun 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Minutes of a meeting include instructions to kill opposition MPs and the prevention of any MDC rallies.… Read the rest
How to be topp
Jun 27th, 2008 4:38 pm | By Ophelia BensonHmm. Topp intellectuals is it.
Number 1, Fethullah Gülen –
An Islamic scholar with a global network of millions of followers…an inspirational leader who encourages a life guided by moderate Islamic principles…a threat to Turkey’s secular order…fled Turkey after being accused of undermining secularism.
Number 3, Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Number 6, Amr Khaled –
…rock-star evangelist, Khaled preaches a folksy interpretation of modern Islam to millions of loyal viewers around the world. With a charismatic oratory and casual style, Khaled blends messages of cultural integration and hard work with lessons on how to live a purpose-driven Islamic life.
Number 8, Tariq Ramadan. Hmm.
Not all bad. Muhammad Yunus fine, Orhan Pamuk fine, Aitzaz Ahsan fine. I don’t know of Abdolkarim … Read the rest
Louisiana’s Stealth-creationist Bill SB 733
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Barbara Forrest says advocates for science education in other states had better start preparing now.… Read the rest
A Walk to Beautiful
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Brilliant NOVA documentary about women with fistula in Ethiopia.… Read the rest
Jesus Likes the Barmaid, but She’s so Aggressive
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Militant atheists are such a pain.… Read the rest
Foreign Policy’s Top Twenty Intellectuals Poll
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Qaradawi? Amr Khaled? Tariq Ramadan? … Read the rest
McEwan Replies to Hamilton, Pittilo to Lawson
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The purpose of a serious columnist should not be to close down debate.… Read the rest
Go Ahead, Marry an Infant
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You can have a marriage contract even with a one-year-old girl if the father approves; the father’s opinion is obligatory… Read the rest
Obama and the Jesus Machine
Jun 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dobson may be the most feared mouth on the religious right, thanks to radio audience of 20 million.… Read the rest
Red Alert Flyers All Over Bulawayo
Jun 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Small group of singing supporters of the MDC marched through the city while the flyers clouded the horizon.… Read the rest
Guy Says McEwan Reveals Own Ignorance
Jun 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Adrian Hamilton knows better – trots out the usual platitudes.… Read the rest
Rove Calls Obama ‘Arrogant’
Jun 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘He’s the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and making snide comments.’… Read the rest
US Supreme Court Rules on Gun Rights
Jun 26th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conservative majority brushes aside militia clause; Stevens calls reading strained and unpersuasive.… Read the rest
