Still snowbound. Not a decent football game within sight, not until maybe Sunday. Hence more media babble follows:

God’s Christmas gift to the world?

(Warning: you 'll need a sick-bag or a bucket after reading this one, I almost did)

“God bless you, O King Abdullah, for you have said and done....

“A few weeks ago you assured your people that Saudi Arabia is well, and that its money is safe. That the bounty and care of the Lord still surrounds it. Is it not the land of the Two Mosques? Is it not the land from which the Holy Message spread and the Final Prophet was born? (actually the Message spread from western Hijaz, far away from the seat of power and the powerful in Najd). It is a blessed land....

“A few weeks ago you said, and your sayings are the law: ‘we are fine, our projects will not be affected by economic problems outside our borders…..

“You said, and you did, May Allah bless You and all your steps, O blessed King, with the greatest budget in Saudi history….a budget that would last five years even if petroleum prices were at zero….

“God bless you, O Custodian of the Two Mosques, We were like desert camels, dying of thirst while carrying water on our backs. Your budget has shown us that we are in good hands…. ad nauseam”.

That was an excerpt of a front-page editorial by the owner and chief editor of the daily extreme right-wing al-Seyassah published in Kuwait: an example of pay-as-you-go, or pay-to-play media. A consummate kisser, but not of lips.

Iran’s dubious gift to the world:

Arab  media report that British TV4 will broadcast a Christmas Day message from Iranian Mr. Congeniality, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad instead of the usual message by Queen Elizabeth. His message says that world problems are caused by moving away from God, and hints that if Christ were alive today he would be opposed to hegemonic powers, (and perhaps support him for re-election next June?).

Hamas Christmas gift to the people:

The Hamas legislators in Gaza have agreed to a law that would include severe Islamic punishments for certain crimes. The laws includes such punishments as blood money, crucifixion, execution, chopping the right hand (but only up to the wrist), flogging, prison, fines…among other less exotic punishments.

A Christmas gift of Viagra from Uncle Sam: 

Washington Post reports that the CIA is giving away Viagra pills this Christmas to Afghan tribal chiefs in order to buy their loyalty. It turns out the way to a polygamous tribal chief’s heart is not through his stomach, but rather through another point somewhat lower. That way the tribal chiefs win the hearts of their three or four wives (they already have the body and soul), and the Agency wins the services of the said polygamous tribal chiefs.

One Langley operatives said that they have settled on something that tends to motivate people everywhere. It sure does.

Christmas in Iraq:

In Baghdad Ammar al-Hakeem (of SIIC, formerly SCIRI) and other Shi’a clerics made a point of attending Christmas services in one of the capital’s churches. President Talibani also visited churches in the north.

Saudi gift to an activist:

Iraq’s gift to Morocco:

Apparently the phenomenon of throwing shoes is spreading in Morocco these days. There have been many cases of shoes being thrown at parliamentarians, teachers, neighbors, as well as some large pictures of George W. Bush.

Cheers

mhg