Further to the Beslan/Chechnya question, this Washington Post article must be one of the first western articles to consider that those we side with might sometimes be the wrong ones.
An expert witness for the prosecution testified Tuesday that Islamic charities based in Saudi Arabia, including the one an Oregon tree surgeon is accused of smuggling money for, were regular conduits of funding to Muslim fighters in the volatile Caucasus region.
“A significant portion of the aid from these charities almost certainly does go to good causes – widows, orphans and refugee camps,” Kohlmann said under cross examination by defense attorney Bernie Casey. “Up to a third of the money is skimmed off and diverted to other causes, including paying the salaries of foreign fighters.”
This is an issue which requires more than a Sky News grab along traditionally prejudicial lines.
No Comments »
Filed under: Politics & economics
Beware the pod peopleBlair really needs to be seen in context.
If the malaise infesting western society can be characterized as a malignant cancer, then Blair is just a visible melanoma, a growth, a manifestation of that cancer.
5 Comments »
Filed under: Politics & economics
Sorry, sorry, guests just departed, knackered, musical thingy tomorrow, nigh nigh.
1 Comment »
Filed under: Blogging
Today, the children go back to school in the Russian influenced areas of Europe. However, such a joyous day: Read more…
2 Comments »
Filed under: Life issues & people
Just look at this headline:
Now, where do we start on women and respect? Oh I couldn’t be bothered any more.
1 Comment »
Filed under: Life issues & people
… and a fun amateur version. Read more…
1 Comment »
Filed under: Arts & culture
You’ve probably seen this but here it is again, courtesy of Mad Piper:
Nelson: “Order the signal, Hardy.”
Hardy: “Aye, aye sir.”
Nelson: “Hold on, that’s not what I dictated to Flags. What’s the meaning of this?”
Hardy: “Sorry sir?”
5 Comments »
Filed under: Diversions, Life issues & people
The Iranians are the last ones to talk about morality and yet:
… if the cap fits. In the words of others:
“I fail to see how this could hurt Sarkozy since everyone in Europe already knows Carla is a slut and the press has printed lots of her nude photos.”
Taken to task for using the S word, another commenter stepped in and said:
6 Comments »
Filed under: Life issues & people
1. Which Bond movie ended on a train?
2. Who wrote The Railway Children?
3. What’s the largest railway station in the world?
4. What year was Strangers on a Train?
5. Which train features in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, ending in Paris?
Answers: Live and Let Die, Edith Nesbit, Grand Central, 1951, Orient Express
7 Comments »
Filed under: Diversions, Leisure & travel
3 Comments »
Filed under: Arts & culture, Leisure & travel
Just got in from work.
Memo – don’t allow any Russians to visit again because they tend to leave vodka, tomato juice, whisky, apple cider, borodinski bread, mushrooms and pickled cucumbers, which need to be polished off.
Sometimes I think I’m a right bstd.
3 Comments »
Filed under: Leisure & travel