Political Statement on Leap Year Day

I have recently heard Ms. Hillary Clinton, the possible Democrat Presidential nominee, criticizing the other possible Democrat Presidential nominee, Mr. Barack Obama, not for something that he said, or for plans or policies that he had, or for things that he stated that he would intend to do if he was elected.

She actually criticized him for wearing a Somali robe, with a turban!

I don't know that much about the zigzaggy ways of politics, but i would like to clearly point out that what Clinton did was 'not nice', if not rude!

What i clearly remember, from years that are not so many, is a non-Iraqi, non-Arab, non-Muslim, but a very very dear friend of mine, who did the most nobel thing to do in a war torned country like mine, which was to help renovate the badly destroyed or neglected college libraries in Iraq. To do this nobel task, my good friend had to wear Arab clothes in order to 'mingle with the crowd'. I could have swore that if it was in our hands, each Iraqi who met that friend of mine would have given that friend an honorary Iraqi citizenship, and it would have been an honor to the Iraqi citizenship to include such a great person under its wings, too!

But, if someone who is just as 'whatever' as Ms. Clinton, look through Ms. Clinton's goggles, then this person would say that my friend was a Muslim "terrorist", or "fundamentalist", or "hardliner", oruse another stupid stupid stereotype tag!

Well, Hillary, not all those who are Muslims, are terrorists or hardliners, and not all those who have "Hussein" as a middle name are bad people. I know trhat because i am a moderate Muslim, Arab and Iraqi, and proud of everything that i am, yet very respectful to every other religion, ethnicity, or nationality. Would you, O former 1st Lady, accept it when someone underestimates you just because you are a woman?!

No, i will not accept that to be done to you, Hillary; and at the same time, and standing right at the same distance, i will not accept the freakiness you had for Obama's middle name or Somail turban and light blue robe!

I am sorry to say to you, Hillary, that i thought you had more courtsey! I am sorry to tell you, that these latest statements have only made you sink and not rise up. I cannot even tell you how i predict Ohio and Texas would soon vote. However, i wish you the very best.

Finally, as another dear friend of mine recently said;
I love Obama-rama :)

That 70's Song: Demis Roussos (Forever & Ever)

This song was also one of my favorites in the 1980's.
Amazing music, and lyrics.

Total Luner Eclipse on 20-21 Feb. Night

There will be a total lunar eclipse on the night of 20-21 Feb. 2008, visible in Western Europe, West Africa and North & South America. It will reach its peak in Iraq during moon set (which is around sunrise time).

The 1st Song I Ever Liked...

In these "Valentine's" days, there isn't much to look at, or look for around here, but for some reason, i keep looking back at a song by Mayyada Hinnawi, of Syria, which is called "il-Hobb illi Kan" (The Love That Was). It has the most beautiful lyrics, and the most beautiful music, or that's how i thought, being 4 years old, as i went to a picnic with my parents on the shores of Lake Habbaniya west of Baghdad. I still remember the warmth of the sun on that spring day of 1981, and that song being played on the car's cassette player.

Who knows, perhaps this sad song, would be changed one day with the more cheerful, 2nd song i liked, also by Mayyada Hinnawi, which is "Habbeyna Withabbeyna" (We Loved and Have Been Beloved)... And until that day, i'll stick to this one :)

In case you wanted to listen to it, please click here (opens with Real Player).
I tried to translate it, and i hope it comes out well.

Once upon a time,
Love filled our home,
Giving us warmth and tenderness;
Time came, and took away our happiness and safety,
My lover was here,
Filling my world with love and happiness,
O, my lover, who is more dear than myself,
Have you forgotten who i am?
I am the love that was,
The love that you've forgotten,
So early,
Did you forget my name, too?
O, how traitor human beings could be?
Alas for love's bygone times!

O, my love,
Why did i ever come to this world,
Except for loving you?
So that my lifetime would melt,
Because of your betrayal,
Candle after candle,
While you live for your happiness...
O, my love,
May i give my life to you?
And my years-to-come?
And this heart that loved you?
Walk, walk above my tears, my sorrows, singing,
And may you never shed a tear of sadness on your cheeks...

Sighs, that are so sad that would make rocks melt,
Sighs, from a heart in which love was killed,
Sighs, for a lover that loves hopelessly...
You are sweetness, you are bitterness,
You are faithfulness, you are betrayal,
You are the love of my lifetime...
You are a lie, the sweetest lie,
That life ever sent me...
You are tenderness,
But it is full of thorns, tears,
And a sea of sadness...

Before, when you came,
After being away for years,
And you called for my heart,
I answered,
Thinking that my lover had come back,
Missing me, my love, my tenderness,
I wish i never answered...
Before, we had a home,
And good friends who cried whenever you cried,
And who were afraid for you and me,
From nights, even whispers and words;
And they would be delighted whenever you sang

My lover was here,
Filling my world with love and happiness,
O, my lover, who is more dear than myself,
Have you forgotten who i am?
I am the love that was,
The love that you've forgotten,
So early,
Did you forget my name, too?
O, how traitor human beings could be?
Alas for love's bygone times!

Latest News From Amiriyah II

Nothing of major significance showed up from the demonstration held around 10:30 this morning in Amal Shaabi St.

By this evening, the Council decided to halt the strike, and to let shops open on Monday instead of Tuesday, and that "life be returned to normal."

Latest News from Amiriyah

If you didn't know, I recently returned back home from the North.

This evening, i was first told by a neighbor, and then i heard over a loudspeaker that the Council that runs Amiriyah have decided some points in protest against the detention of 18 people from Amiriyah yesterday. The decisions were:

1- Holding a peaceful protest on Sun. 10 Feb. at 11 am.

2- Closing all shops for 2 days (Sun. & Mon.) except bakeries.

3- Each sector (neighborhood) will have to take care of its security.

4- Entrances of allies will be closed at night.

The statement also mentioned that the latest detentions, and the long running closure of the area was standing on "secular basis".

There are possibilities that this "misunderstanding" would increase, yet no one would know what would become of the current situation.

A Very Beautiful Ad...