Fall2008-IslamMedia&TheWest

By now you've probably seen the video clip of McCain's town hall meeting last meeting, when one supporter/audience member holding the microphone says to McCain "I don't trust Obama...He's an Arab."

McCain shook his head, took the microphone and responded: "No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with."

Still doesn't suggest that we should trust Arabs, that Arabs can be decent family men, etc, etc...

video:

Your thoughts?

Chronicles of a Refugee
Directed by Perla Issa, Adam Shapiro and Aseel Mansour (USA, 2008, DigiBeta)

Chronicles of a Refugee is a 6-part documentary series looking at the global Palestinian refugee experience over the last 60 years. Filmed in over 15 countries, with more than 250 interviews of Palestinian refugees who have lived in over 25 countries, the series aims to provoke debate concerning strategy and asks: ‘What makes the most sense for a strategy to achieve Palestinian rights as part of a vibrant and viable Palestinian national movement?’

With special guest speakers at each screening

more info:
http://www.arteeast.org/

Wednesday, October 8, 7:30PM
Episode I – “The Nakba Dailies” (79 min)
Special guest speakers Pierre Dulaine, Dina Mikdadi & Adam Shapiro

Wednesday, October 15, 7:30PM
Episode II – “The Daily Nakbas” (89 min)
Q&A with director Adam Shapiro

Wednesday, October 22, 7:30PM
Episode III – “Homeland Without ID”, (79 min)

Tuesday, October 28, 7:30PM
Episode IV – “Identity Without a Homeland” (78 min)

Wednesday, November 5, 7:30PM
Episode V – “The Talk of Return” (78 min)

Wednesday, November 12, 7:30PM
Episode VI – “The Return of Talk” (84 min)

BEIRUT: It was once known as one of the most dangerous cities on earth, with the mere mention of its name conjuring up images of civil war, kidnap and destruction. But Beirut's revival as one of the world's most vibrant cities has been confirmed by the travel guidebook company Lonely Planet, who have named it one of the 10 most lively cities on the planet.

The guidebook publishers have placed the capital on a par with Shanghai, Lisbon and Mexico City on a list which will appear in a new "Best in Travel" guidebook to be published next month.

Rather than glossing over Beirut's difficult past, the travel company cites it as part of what makes the city unique.

The authors pay tribute to the revival seen since the end of the devastating 1975-1990 Civil War that left large parts of the city in ruins. "Beirut really took a beating during the Lebanon's long civil war," the guidebook states. "The city underwent a major transformation in the years following the cessation of hostilities, particularly in the downtown area, and it's now a city of vibrancy and charm."

eirut's reputation as the party capital of the Middle East, combined with the ongoing political uncertainty that plagues Lebanon makes for a heady mix, the book suggests. It cites major events such as the Beirut

International Film Festival and the annual Beirut Marathon as evidence that the city that used to be known as the "Paris of the Middle East" is on its way back to its former glory.

Other cities on the new list range from the sedate Belgian city of Antwerp to the tough Scottish industrial city of Glasgow. The Chinese boom-town of Shanghai, Portuguese capital Lisbon and Polish capital Warsaw all appear, as well as Switzerland's second city, Zurich, Brazil's Sao Paulo and Mexico City.

Link: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/lebanon/beirut/

What Colin Powell Also Said
His comments on Muslims in America bear repeating -- and repeating.

Washington Post Op-Ed:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/20/AR2008102002395.html

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/iraqtimeline1.html

(I'll provide you a longer one in class tomorrow)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/806268.stm

A bitter harvest: The West Bank's olive harvest is in full swing, and so are the settlers' clubs and the soldiers' batons

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/23/israelandthepalestinians-middleeast

in NYC next week: http://www.otherisrael.org/