Snapped Shot

The press loves to show up and cover the weekly protests held (usually on Monday) by Palestinian women seeking the release of their relatives from Israeli jails, and the portfolio generally consists of the most genteel members of their society. I don't usually cover these protests, as they're generally fairly formulaic, but there is a photo from today that I think illustrates the true situation behind jailed Palestinians quite clearly. From the Associated Press' Nasser Ishtayeh:



Check out the painting immediately to her left, and then ask yourself this:—Do you think the Israeli government jailed her sons unfairly? Do you suppose for even a fleeting second that these aspiring jihadists poor, oppressed menfolk were arrested for being Boy Scouts?

If I were a government, and I had a large population of people who were actively and openly trying to destroy me—and I don't mean through "democratic" methods—wouldn't I be justified in jailing the violent members of said population?

I mean, consideringthe alternates (i.e., Ye Olde Gallows), it seems to me like this is a rather humane solution, yet it never seems to satisfy the endless flocks of Western sycophants who jump to the defence of the terrorist regimes.

Keep images like this fresh in your mind the next time you encounter a photograph decrying the "poor, blighted" condition of Palestine.

... at least, so says Mahmoud "Shorty" Ahmadinejad, and of course, his (brainless) fans in the West believe every word of it. But what does the reality on the ground in Iran say?



Yep, that would be the "former" U.S. Embassy that the Islamic Revolution held hostage way back in Jimmy Carter's failed presidency.



Do you notice the subtle propaganda in that last picture, by the way? If not, take a closer look at where the gun is pointing.

I'm posting some additional pictures from the archives beyond the breakthat should give you an accurate description of how "peaceful" Iran is towards the West. Continue reading »

The following e-mail was sent out to all GMU students moments ago:

From: Peter Stearns, Provost and Sandy Hubler, VP of University Life
Subject: Respecting Free Speech

(Photo added for illustration purposes.)

Already this fall, a number of students, staff, and faculty have raised concerns and engaged in dialogues related to controversial campus, national, and international issues. As conversations ensue both in and outside of the classroom on issues such as Mason?s quiet meditation space, recent acts of racism at UMD-College Park, and the upcoming Jena 6 trials, we encourage dialogue that fosters critical thinking, positive engagement, and mutual respect. Our challenge as a community as we engage in these dialogues is to stay committed to honoring and encouraging free speech, while at the same time attending to those who may feel that their safety and dignity have been compromised.

On our campus, there has been much discussion on the use of the quiet meditation space located in the Johnson Center. The meditation space was established seven years ago in response to those in the university community who wanted a quiet, convenient drop-in location for reflection and prayer. We are currently collecting usage data on the space for further review with the goal of assessing and meeting the needs of our student populations [Ed.:—There's more than one student population at GMU now? Who knew?]. We want to ensure that the space is open to all on campus who wish to use it for quiet meditation. If you have questions or comments about the space, you can email mrrc1-at-gmu.edu.

Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that this e-mail is directed at me? I must be getting paranoid in my old age.

Feel free to send your questions or comments to the above e-mail address—in a respectful and non-dignity-reducing manner, of course! And, in continuation of my desire to be open to all discussion on the matter, you're more than welcome to do the same to my student e-mail address, which is still bledbet1-at-gmu.edu.

I don't know about you, but everything I've seen from our side of the debate (with the exception of a handful of Al Gore's "digital brownshirts") have carried our argument in a most respectful manner. What we've seen from the University up until now—which is what makes the matter more frustrating for everyone involved—is a distinct lack of action, followed by utter and complete silence. Had the Administration begun to address this issue back in April, things would certainly not have reached as contentious a point as we're in now, would they?

In any case, feel free to scour my previous articles on the topic for hints of an attack on anyone's "dignity."

Previously at Snapped Shot:

• GMU: Broadside Stands Up to Inequality
  
• George Mason University: Some are Still More Equal
  
• GMU Update: Prayer Room Expansion Nixed?
  
• Updates are Also More Equal
  
• Some are More Equal

Update: Scott at Power Line is tracking a far more egregious case up at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Is this a sign of coordinated efforts between the various Muslim Student Associations across our country? Or is it a case of a student group abusing their "powers of room reservation?"

I definitely look forward to Scott's updates—and Scott, you're welcome to my silly headings any time!

Stephen Braunlich ran across a very interesting picture from today's festivities in New York. From the Associated (with Dictators) Press:



Note that the flag in this picture is not the flag of the "Islamic Republic of Iran," of which Mahmoud "The Petty Dictator" Ahmadinejad is the president. This flag is the pre-Revolutionary flag of the Shah:



Given that this flag has not been flown in Iran since the Islamic thugocracy waltzed its way into autocratic power, what do you suppose the odds are that these people are supporting Mahmoud's little tea party?

Update: Some of the AP photographers on site do know their history:

Here's what The People's Hero of Columbia University thinks of America:



Anyone who thinks that this man is somehow a "democratic" saviour of the world, rather than the homicidal and nuclear-striving maniac that he is, well, very clearly insane. You know, something like this guy?

Ahmadinejad has made his hatred towards the West very clear, for anyone who has bothered to look hard enough. Would his government constantly exhibit such displays of "tolerance" as this if this were not the case?

Incidentally, you probably don't want to know what happens to dissenters in real autocratic regimes like Columbia's Iranian Republic of Nuclear Peace.

Why waste your time "talking" and "debating," when you can just resort to a $5 can of spray paint?



He's definitely lucky to have escaped with his life. Curiously enough, this sounds remarkably similar to the jackboot tactics preferred by the American left.

One thing that's definitely of note in this situation is that Al Qaeda recently declared war on Pakistan's somewhat Western-friendly government, and the gentleman who was the target of the spray-painting attack represents said government.

So peaceful, so tolerant.

Sorry that things were so quiet today—I ended up stuck with a bit of work around the office for a change. Aren't deadlines fun?

In the meantime, I noticed something on a particular Google search:

ABU KAIS will have details shortly. I'm tracking the photos as well, and will post them when I can catch up.

UPDATE: Video here soon now.

Update: The plot thickens:

Antoine Ghanem

The assassination comes 6 days before a scheduled parliament session to elect a president. The pro-Syrian and Hizbullah-led coalition threatened to boycott the session if March 14 used a majority vote to elect a president. Many in March 14 expected political assassinations to precede the election and reduce the parliament's majority. The Assad regime opposes a president from March 14, and insists on a pro-Syrian president to safeguard its interests and the interests of its allies in the country, including Hizbullah. The Assad regime also wants a president to "open a dialogue; on recent UNSC resolutions calling on Syria to respect Lebanese sovereignty and establishing a tribunal to try those responsible for the Hariri assassination and other political crimes in the country.
...
Antoine Ghanem was reportedly a moderate well liked by MPs from both sides of the divide. With his murder, March 14 lost another vote, and may not feel safe anymore to stay in the country, let alone head to parliament on September 25th to elect a president. Many March 14 MPs are outside the country. As for the Assad regime, it has just reconfirmed to the world, especially to the French, that it does not care about dialogue or open relations with the west.

Update: More here, here, and here.

Continue reading »

As you might recall from last year's festivities, "Al Quds Day" is not the "celebration" of Jerusalem ("Al Quds") that it is presented as by the simpletons in the press. In reality, it is a coordinated political display of anti-Western and anti-American propaganda. This year promises to be just as exciting, so be sure to mark your calendars:

Good, clean, family fun.

Qods Day is held each year on the last Friday of Muslims fasting month of Ramadan after it was nominated by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, as a day to voice the protest of the Islamic Ummah against the Zionists.

The day falls on October 12 this year.

"The US loses all opportunities to cooperate with regional and other world states by trying to support a regime (the Zionist regime) which is now at its weakest political and social position," Elham said.

He warned that Washington's insistence on its wrong policies and arrogant approaches would have no result "but further political disgrace" for itself.

Referring to the approaching World Qods Day, the spokesman stressed, "Supporters of the Zionist regime will definitely receive the final response for their support on that day."

It is worth noting that Iran has a tendency to make pronouncements like this quite often, so the result of their threat is likely to be yet another big nothing—but the protest photos are sure to be priceless! Be sure to check out my gallery of last year's "celebrations" to get a good idea of what to expect.

My ancestral homeland seems to be catching a bit of France Fever (h/t FR). Quoth Greg Hughes, "Who saw that coming?"

North and South Korea, friends at long last:

This is preposterous, if true:

In Florida, a hospital chaplain was fired for praying in Jesus' name. It has now become more common to forbid praying in Jesus' name ... they have forbidden Staunton City Council and Augusta Board of Supervisors from doing so ... a Navy chaplain was fired for doing it ... now a hospital chaplain.

There are a few more details here and a PDF copy of his termination letter here. If the hospital's claims are true, he may have been negligent in some of his other duties, which would provide a reasonable justification of his termination—but that would be assuming that the hospital didn't "inflate" the warning letter for good measure.

Off the cuff, it does sound like he may have been acting in a bit more confrontational manner than I would expect a chaplain to act. It's one thing to pray in the name of Christ when you're praying with a group of Christians, but to do so purposefully in front of non-Christians seems like it would be somewhat ineffective witness, unless he were asked by one or more members of the board he was praying before specifically to do so—such as if he were doing so before a town council, for instance.

In other news, I am always happy to see the ACLU getting smacked around. Could not have happened to a more deserving bunch!

Happy "Talk like a Pirate Day" to ye all. Now back to swabbin' decks, ye land lubbers!

Déjà vu! This is quite reminiscent of Snapped Shot's early days:—It would seem that an Iranian counterfeit ring thought that counterfeiting $100 bills is as easy as buying a Dell and a printer:



Silly gooses, in order to run a successful counterfeiting operation, you need to be a card-carrying member of the Axis of Evil.