The Honor-Shame Dynamic in Arab Political Culture

Religion Of Submission 17 Comments

Arab political culture, to take one example–despite some liberal voices, despite noble dissidents–tends to favor ascendancy through aggression, the politics of the “strong horse,” and the application of “Hama rules”– which all combine to produce a Middle East caught between prison and anarchy, between Sisi’s Egypt and al-Assad’s Syria. Our inability, however well-meaning, to discuss the role of honor-shame dynamics in the making of this political culture poses a dilemma: By keeping silent, we not only operate in denial, but we may actually strengthen these brutal values and weaken the very ones we treasure.

It’s a good piece. (h/t Anthony )

It’s Probably Nothing

Uncategorized 13 Comments

Near miss;

Two years ago, Earth experienced a close shave just as perilous, but most newspapers didn’t mention it. The “impactor” was an extreme solar storm, the most powerful in as much as 150+ years…

To think that today we could be sitting in the dark, all wondering how that Chick-Fil-A thing turned out.

Reader Tips

Reader Tips 24 Comments

Wild-man rocker Ted Nugent in 2009:

Cease-fires and negotiations never last with terrorist scumpunks because evil, hateful terrorists do not want to live in peace: they worship violence and don’t see their opponents — be it us or the Israelis — as human beings. Hamas, Hizballah and other soulless people such as Iran’s Ahmadinijad apply vicious religious voodoo logic by believing killing non-Muslims, especially Jews, pleases Allah. Never forget these voodoo killers have vowed the complete destruction of Israel.

From back in his days with Amboy Dukes, here’s the Nuge singing Loaded for Bear.
The comments are open, as always, for your Reader Tips.

Margaret Atwood: Different Rules For Me Than Thee

Baiting The Left Vast Right Wing Conspiracy 42 Comments


It’s most interesting to see Ms. Atwood advocating for “freedom of expression” when, just a few short years ago, she was actively trying to stifle the public “expression” of her fellow Canadians. Some might call that hypocrisy. Others might use different language.
As for the topic at hand, why is it so difficult for Leftists like Atwood to understand a simple rule: Not For Profit Organizations Charities* Cannot Spend More Than 10% of Their Funding on Political Activities?!?
* – Correction pointed out by Margaret

Reader Tips

Reader Tips 34 Comments

Prior to her 2010 concert in Israel Canadian performer Alanis Morissette was harassed by the usual assortment of groups pressuring artists to boycott Israel. She didn’t back down, saying that during her previous visit to Israel she “had a great time…professionally, spiritually, and emotionally”, and then she went ahead and played – after visiting the Western Wall – telling her audience:

“We love you, we’re with you — America, Canada, all of us.”

From 1995, here’s her catchy number one Billboard hit Hand In My Pocket.
The comments are open, as always, for your Reader Tips.

First They Came For The Light Bulbs

Climate Cult Y2Kyoto 49 Comments

Kevin, Gavin, Mike – it’s Seth again! *

Raising beef for the American dinner table does far more damage to the environment than producing pork, poultry, eggs or dairy, a new study says.
Compared with the other animal proteins, beef produces five times more heat-trapping gases per calorie, puts out six times as much water-polluting nitrogen, takes 11 times more water for irrigation and uses 28 times the land, according to the study, published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
[…]
Eshel calculates that the average American who switches from beef to pork would reduce the equivalent of 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, which is about nine days’ worth of the nation’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA calculates that it is the same as the emissions from 61 gallons of gas or what comes out of the smokestack from burning 580 pounds of coal.

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