"A Bare-Headed Fashion"

4/11/11 9:55 AM

 The controversial "Burqa-Ban" in France takes effect today. Though the legislation was approved in October, there has been a lenience period in effect until now. Officially, only burqas and niqabs, which cover the face, are disallowed (meaning that hijabs, chador, and other head-coverings are still fine).  A woman can be charged 150 euro for wearing the coverings in public, while her husband can be charged up to 30,000 euro for forcing her to do so (implying that the law is really aimed at stopping men from forcing their wives into face-covering).  A French official explained, "The French Republic lives in a bare-headed fashion." Meanwhile, another earthquake off the coast of Japan brings fear of another tsunami on the month-anniversary of the last...

Well, “people” sounds communist.

2/24/11 10:23 AM

The events unfolding in Libya The tragic slaughter of Libyan protestors, coupled with the insane defiance of the Gaddafi regime, would move even a relative pacifist like myself to support some level of intervention just to end this hellish scenario. However, I understand that foreign military occupation (of any level) is entirely undesirable, especially to the Libyan people. This being said, I am relieved at the announcement that NATO will not intervene despite claims from Israeli sources that the military alliance would step in if the situation continues to deteriorate. Though I cannot say what my position will be if mercenaries/Libyan thugs massacre the thousands of protestors gathering across the country today, I do believe that this is a Libyan revolution...

No Government? Sorry for Partying.

2/8/11 8:23 AM

 While Egypt is going HAM, Belgium is kind of...simmering in a light glaze of political frustration. As a newcomer to the city of Brussels, I am reluctant to say that there has been a change in the political climate here, but I can certainly say that young Belgians seem more jovial about the incompetency of their politicians than do their Egyptian counterparts.  For those of you outside of the Euronews loop, Belgium has been without a government for over 240 days now, with the major political parties unable to form the necessary coalition for their parliamentary system to function. This political stagnance has been met with lighthearted protests, such as a "beardstrike" wherein students across the country are refusing to shave until there a government is formed....

HOLIDAY SEASON: SNOWPOCALYPSE

1/1/11 7:09 PM

Hello from 2011! I hope that it is shaping up to be a wonderful new year for everyone, and that the winter holidays have passed pleasantly. If you still have shopping to do, Worldstar Hip Hop is offering 40% off all Ed Hardy gear if you type in the secret passcode WSHH at checkout! That's right, you can get a sweet $180 Blue Dragon Rhinestone Hoody for like,$107! In other news, my home state of Alabama had its first "White Christmas" in over a century (unsubstantiated rumor, but it sounds about right) while I was traveling on the East Coast. Sorry I missed your big day AL, hope the Crimson Tide's overwhelming New Year's victory makes up for any hard feelings. While Alabama was being snowed upon, I traveled to NYC for the Great Snowmageddon of December 2010. It was really quite... 1 comment

Thanksgiving...already?

11/23/10 5:42 PM

So it is that terrible time of year again, when school assignments and the weather conspire to prevent happiness from rearing its pretty head. Is overeating with our extended family really supposed to make this season bearable? Sure, Kanye is doing his part to lift the nation's spirits, but it is not enough. Especially with Kim Jong Un getting all antsy about his turn to play dictator and shelling some poor South Koreans. Surely this is not the best time to prompt WWIII -my goodness, it's almost black Friday! We need those retail revenues Kim, stop unbalancing the world please. I have spent the past four days in Chicago at the American Model UN Conference, and it has not lifted my spirits about the prospects for world peace this holiday season. Not one bit. As a member of the... 3 comments