An Um Qais afternoon

Um Qais Afternoon

Here is a highlight from The Gallery, showing youths chilling in the late afternoon sun at the Greco-Roman site of Um Qais in northern Jordan. Have I mentioned that chilling is a trait highly cherished and skillfully mastered by many in this region?

Sexual miscoduct of Jordanian peacekeepers

Some bloggers
have been discussing the alleged sexual misconduct of the Jordanian peacekeepers in East Timor for a while now and I must admit I’m extremely embarrassed and shamed by the scandal. I just hope these soldiers will be harshly punished for tarnishing the reputation of our country and people.

There is a follow-up by the same Aussie author to an article I posted here regarding this terrible and disgusting behavior. The full article is here. This is an excerpt:

The deployment of Jordanian peacekeepers to East Timor was probably one of the most contentious UN decisions to follow the bloody independence ballot. It was eclipsed only by the cover-up and inaction that followed when the world body learned of their involvement in a
series of horrific sex crimes involving children living in the war-battered Oecussi enclave. Children were not the only victims — in early 2001, two Jordanians were evacuated home with injured penises after attempting sexual intercourse with goats.

Meanwhile, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, recommended an overhaul of a tattered U.N. military system in the world body’s 17 peacekeeping operations of some 64,000 personnel.

"The reality of prostitution and other sexual exploitation in a peacekeeping context is profoundly disturbing to many because the United Nations has been mandated to enter into a broken society to help it," Zeid wrote after visiting Congo and interviewing officials and victims.

The Washington Post has a feature examining the situation from a different angle here.

Napoleon is Dynamite

Mr DynamiteWe decided to conquer our fears of another terrorist attack and head courageously out to the movie theater Thursday, something I’ve noticed is becoming a bit of a fixed day for our cinema outings. The movie of choice was Napoleon Dynamite, which we had heard praised but had never had a chance to see.

I loved it! I loved everything about it. The performance of the kid Napoleon just felt so real. So did that of his brother and of course his friend Pedro! The whole concept of the movie was just unique, extremely funky and very uplifting. I like!

The movie reminded me of Rushmore, which I greatly enjoyed. I guess both Napoleon and the Rushmore kid share this eccentricity that I find very appealing. Anyway, for those that care to listen to my recommendations, I give this one 8/10. Just go for it!

While I’m typing this post, the movie Casablanca is playing on TV. Did I ever mention how much this movie gets on my nerves? Anyway, time to hit the sack. [PS Site is slow today; Typepad (our provider) is having issues.]

Rumba in the jungle

Larrydances2

Dad and Mom T just came back from a safari in South Africa. This is a picture of Dad T that just made my day, even my whole month for that matter. Isn’t he just the coolest father-in-law ever!

King’s website wins award

His Majesty King Abdullah’s personal website has been named the best Arab website by the Pan Arab Web Awards organised by Dubai Internet City and the Assembly of Professionals and Technicians in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera.net won the award for best news website. The contest seeks to encourage Arab designers and innovators to enhance the standards of technical excellence in the field of website design in the Arab world.

Source: [The Jordan Times]

This is good news for Jordan and still more proof that the Kingdom is on the right path towards development, transparency and democracy.