I've always wondered... Do our pals in Hollywood present the public with an accurate depiction of Arabs and Muslims? I find it fascinating because some of these clips were produced over 20 yrs ago. Pushing this sort of propaganda is humiliating to the entire region, fuels hatred, and is plagued with inaccuracies. So what purpose does it serve? Could it be comedic, entertaining or thrilling or can this possibly be considered an educational tool. Growing up as a kid I never quite understood why other kids would tease me and say things like "why does your Allah ( God in Arabic ) tell you to kill us?" Never did my father, mother, nor my sunday school teacher ever teach me to hate, yet that was how I was perceived. So at this time I'd like to thank Bugs Bunny for all the times I got beat up in the 4th grade. Kudos. Hahaha
It's been several weeks since the execution of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. The violence in Iraq continues to escalate as expected, the rift between Sunni, Shia, and the American killing machine is very much alive and well, and the futile effort of the Current Administration to Reduce violence by way of violence enters a new chapter. Not to worry, this blog won't be soaked in intolerable moaning and groaning about the war because I could care less for thoughtless complaining just as much I'm sure you do. Instead I wish to offer my opinion along with facts surrounding Saddam Hussein and his reign over the people of Iraq. I chose to refrain from immediately blogging about this topic until the media commotion came and went, much like their interest in who wore what at the latest award show. I was always taught to keep a tight lip until I was entirely sure as to what I wanted to say. Well now I'm ready to talk and here is what I have to say.
First I'd like to begin by discussing the possible ingredients needed in the development or labeling of a hero, leader, mentor, or civil revolutionary. These qualities are universally applicable to any position a person may hold in society: I was scouring the web for qualities that I found applicable for this blog. I stumbled upon the teaching of The Corporate Mystic. Although I don't find the 4th point completely applicable because I believe in the tenets of Islam I personally find it partially correct. The List goes as follows:
• Absolute Honesty. Leaders want to know the truth even though that truth is sometimes personally painful. • Fairness. Leaders are fair because they see that at the core, all of us are equal. • Self-Knowledge. Leaders are particular concerned about learning about themselves. • A Focus on Contribution. Leaders work for contribution, for the opportunity to serve. Ultimately, they work for love. • Non-dogmatic Spirituality. Leaders tend to be allergic to dogma and often remain at a distance from religion in its more structured forms. Rather, they attempt to live their lives from the universal sources of spirituality. • They Get More Done By Doing Less. Leaders put a great deal of attention on learning to be in the present — not caught up in regret about the past or anxiety about the future. • They Call Forth the Best of Themselves and Others. Leaders develop a kind of double vision, at once able to see the mask and the essential person inside. • Openness to Change. Leaders understand that everything in the universe is subject to change and everything is right on schedule. • A Special Sense of Humor. Leaders laugh a lot. They are quick to point out the quirks of life and the human animal, and are quick to include themselves in the joke. • Keen Distant Vision and Up-Close Focus. Leaders have the ability to focus on the separateness and the way everything is woven together. • An Unusual Self-Discipline. Leaders are fiercely disciplined — a discipline born of passion, not authoritarian discipline driven by fear. • Balance. Leaders keep their eye on balancing their lives in four main areas: intimacy (including marriage, family and close friendship), work, spirituality and community (including social and political life.)
Some of Saddam Hussein's Repression of the Iraqi People • He is draining the southern marshes, causing grave environmental damage and forcible relocation of civilians in an attempt to eliminate opposition to the regime. • He is murdering Shi'a clerics. • He is destroying villages and forcibly relocating people in both the north and the south and destroying villages in the south. • International human rights groups and others are gathering evidence and working to establish an international criminal court to try Saddam and his senior aides for war crimes and crimes against humanity. • He has used chemical weapons against his own people.
• Iraq has refused to allow the UN's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights to return to Iraq since his first visit in 1992. The government of Iraq has refused to allow the stationing of human rights monitors as required by the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights. The regime expelled UN personnel and NGOs who, until 1992, ensured the delivery of humanitarian relief services throughout the country. • Iraqi authorities routinely practice extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions throughout those parts of the country still under regime control. The total number of prisoners believed to have been executed since autumn 1997 exceeds 2,500. This includes hundreds of arbitrary executions in the last months of 1998 at Abu Ghraib and Radwaniyah prisons near Baghdad.
• In northern Iraq, the government is continuing its campaign of forcibly deporting Kurdish and Turkomen families to southern governorates. As a result of these forced deportations, approximately 900,000 citizens are internally displaced throughout Iraq. Local officials in the south have ordered the arrest of any official or citizen who provides employment, food or shelter to newly arriving Kurds.
The scale and severity of Iraqi attacks on Shi'a civilians in the south of Iraq have been increasing steadily. The Human Rights Organization in Iraq (HROI) reports that 1,093 persons were arrested in June 1999 in Basrah alone. Tanks from the Hammourabi Republican Guards Division attacked the towns of Rumaitha and Khudur on June 26, after residents protested the systematic maldistribution of food and medicine to the detriment of the Shi'a. Iraqi troops killed fourteen villagers, arrested more than a hundred more, and destroyed forty homes. On June 29, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Resistance in Iraq reported that 160 homes in the Abul Khaseeb district near Basra were destroyed. • In March 1999, the regime gunned down Grand Ayatollah al Sayyid Mohammad Sadiq al Sadr, the most senior Shi'a religious leader in Iraq. Since 1991, dozens of senior Shi'a clerics and hundreds of their followers have either been murdered or arrested by the authorities,and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Palaces and Oil Smuggling • Since the end of the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein has directed and sustained a multi-billion dollar palace construction program while pleading that the UN sanctions keep him too poor to feed and provide health care for his people. While he keeps Iraq's hospital shelves bare and shows them to journalists, Saddam restricts access to the new and ornate palaces to himself and his chosen admirers of any given moment. Moreover, Saddam fits out these monuments with the finest foreign materials -- from golden plumbing to the finest European marble and crystal chandeliers -- smuggled in despite the embargo that Baghdad propaganda falsely claims blocks the import of food and medicine. • Saddam Hussein pays for these palaces with that part of the Iraqi national wealth that he has managed to keep under his control and out of the UN's mandatory oil-for-food program. Through that program, the UN controls how Iraqi oil revenues are spent and compels the regime to invest Iraq's oil wealth for the benefit of its people. But every day that he remains in power, Saddam lets his favored supporters steal hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil from the Iraqi people to enrich themselves, in direct violation of UN resolutions. • Most Iraqis and the few foreign visitors to Iraq only get to see the outer walls of Saddam's monuments to his glory. This report provides satellite images that allow Iraqis and the rest of the world to see better how Saddam Hussein spends some of the money that he is able to steal from the national wealth of the Iraqi people. Palace Construction • Photographic evidence confirms that Saddam Hussein and his regime have sustained a non-stop program of palace building since 1991. Saddam has been spending billions of dollars on the man-made lakes, waterfalls, marble, and other luxuries that make up his palaces and those of his supporters. At the same time, Saddam parades well-intentioned foreigners to gawk at the sick and hungry of Iraq, as he pleads that UN sanctions prevent him from buying or importing his people's most basic needs. • Among the more notable features of these palaces are: extensive security facilities to protect the regime from its own people; elaborate gardens which require large amounts of water, often in drought-stricken areas; and sophisticated waterfalls and other waterworks using pumps and other infrastructure that the regime says sanctions prevent it from importing for the Iraqi people. • Saddam ruthlessly protects the extent of his luxury. According to Iraqi opposition sources, Saddam recently ordered the execution of one of the Iraqi architects who worked on presidential palaces in Tikrit, Al-Hillah, Al-Azimiyah, and Al-Wafa. His crime was to describe to friends the sumptuousness and lavishness of Saddam's palaces, and the swimming pools, fish aquariums, and deer farms in the vicinity of some of them. A circular was then sent around to workers in the engineering department of the Presidential Office warning them that the harshest punishment will be inflicted on anyone who talks about the presidential sites, even to family members. Our knowledge of the inside of Saddam's palaces comes from first-hand information from international observers who have traveled to Iraq and visited the palaces.
So in conclusion, Saddam is not a good man let alone a good leader or anything else for that matter. He ruled Iraq with an iron fist and made decisions that benefitted himself and those individuals that belonged to his regime. I can't imagine why anyone would look to Saddam as a source of inpiration or leadership unless they themselves subscribe to the same tenets of tyranny.
I'm Selling My Old Underwear to Help the Less Fortunate
Category: Life
Okay well I'm not exactly selling my old underwear because that would be foul. Although many people have suggested that I may get top dollar for them I have chosen to do the right thing and not test the waters. But I have decided to dig through all the BB collectables I have piled up in the corner and place them on ebay. So if you're lucky you could be the proud owner of my Big Brother Bag for instance. If the gods are really smiling down on you then you may end up with my toothbrush. All jokes aside, there is a reason why I have chosen to sell my collection of BB junk. The junk is worth something and the holidays are just around the corner. NO I am not raising money for the "Kaysar wants new tech toys" fund. That may come at a later date. Instead I am getting a little chuck of change together for others. Go figure. I have recently decided to donate my time to a shelter for abused women and children. I will be taking part in an extensive training program soon. Once the training is complete I will be certified in the state of California to handle abused people... or something of that nature. Read More...
As I'm browsing through the news I came across a staggering number: 655,000. Then for some strange reason the infamous MasterCard commercial played out in my mind. It went a little something like this...
Monetary Cost of War with Iraq: 400 billion and rising Loss of Iraqi Life: 655,000 *** Approval Rating of the War: 38 percent and dropping Peace in the world: Priceless
(BALTIMORE, Maryland (CNN) -- War has wiped out about 655,000 Iraqis or more than 500 people a day since the U.S.-led invasion, a new study reports.)
***The problem is I don't believe that this figure takes into account the number of casualties that have come from deformities due to the radiation brought about by depleted uranium. What about the casualties suffered from dehydration, starvation and lack of access to medicine. But the heaviest cost that we must endure is blowback or commonly called backlash. What is blowback you ask?
I have received many wonderful letters since leaving the big brother house last year. I think its time for me to share some of them with all of you. I started this quest by makeing a choice to share my life with the public... so why stop now that the show is over. I believe the fight to make this world more inhabitable has just begun. Here are a couple of letters that have recently graced my inbox. I'll try to dig up anything else I can find. Many of these letters have literally brought me to tears. I constantly think about the reason we have been placed here. I thank God for the wonderful opportunity that I have been blessed with. *************************************************************************** Dear Kaysar, We do not know each other nor will we probably every know each other but I would like to share something with you. I hope that you will take the time to read what I have to say and to understand why I wanted to say it and the difference in opinion I have now. I love Big Brother, and have a dream to one day be in the house myself; however, if there was one person I was glad got kicked off the shows it was you both times. My basic opinion was get the "Iraqi out of the house" believe it or not I have NEVER been racist in my life until then. My, 20 almost 21 year old, stepcousin was a Marine that was killed on 15th September 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, I have supported President Bush that we needed to go to war so that your home country could be like the country you currently live in is, FREE. And after looking at so many depictions of what happened on 11th September 2001 and seeing these men that looked just like you take these planes hostage I couldn't help but put you in the same "category" as them. Why did I dislike you so much for being from Iraq, when I have seen all the wonderful children and adults that my sister's boyfriend met and took pictures of during his duty in OIF? I'm not quite sure but I did; however, after being added to your myspace and being able to read your blogs and things that you have posted on your myspace site I want to apologize for wanting you kicked out so badly. Yes it is true that you wouldn't have known how I felt had I not just told you so why the need to apologize? I felt after how much anger and dislike I had towards you I needed to get it off my "chest" and felt it was an important step in actually starting to see people from Iraq not as Iraqis but the way that I have seen and felt about ALL persons of nationality for so long, EQUAL. I wish you could do some kind of television show, just yourself and your family or friends, to show the world that just because people of a certain nationality that have hurt this country are not all the same nor do they all think alike because as sad as it is if I felt this way I'm sure there are others that felt the same way. I hope that you understand what it has meant in being able to get to see a little more of your "world" and being able to understand it better and from a different perspective. Thank you for letting me have a moment of your time and get this off my chest. Best of luck to you.
Sincerely, Emily Brock *************************************************************************** i am not sure whether this will ever be read and doubt it will be responded to. either way, there is something i need to say....thank you....see, i am an army brat, former active duty Marine and soon to be Army wife...i have lost friends to the war in Iraq....and for a long time, i couldnt see the iraqi ppl the way they should be seen...the way you helped me to see them! i can remember when you first came on big brother, i was angry and wanted you off immediately...but then i fell in love with you...how open you were...you taught me so much....since then, i have taken the time to learn about iraqi ppl and customs....thank you for teaching me about acceptance....
Big Brother All-Stars has finally come to an end. It feels like yesterday when fans rallied in support of their favorite houseguests to have them contend head to head on the show. The public held its breath in anticipation as the show grew near. The media boasted a clash of Big Brother Titans. Some viewers believe they got just that, while others think this season came to end with an unimpressive fizzle. But that's the way reality television works. Its crude, unpredictable, and unforgiving format draws a massive audience and keeps them wildly entertained. As viewers we may find ourselves emotionally connected to the participants of the show. As participants we usually dont know what we are getting ourselves into. As time goes on we learn to love, hate, or even love to hate contestants as we watch them unravel before our eyes on national television. We witness the human condition at its finest.
Islam is considered a comprehensive way of life rather than a religion. The central philosophy of Islam revolves around the belief in ...
The Supreme Being, the Absolute, called Allah in Arabic.
Prophets who came throughout history to guide humanity, including prophets Abraham, Joseph, David, Moses, John and Jesus; culminating in the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon them).
The Qur'an as the final revelation from God. It was preceded by numerous revelations such as the Zabur (Psalms of David), Torah, Injil (Bible).
Accountability for our actions. Life is considered a test of deeds while salvation lies in Ihsaan (manifestation of goodness). There is a belief in life after death and a Day of Reckoning where each individual will be requited for their deeds according to the intentions that motivated them.
We have been granted abilities and innate potential that needs to be developed in a manner beneficial to ourselves and to the animate and inanimate world around us. Though our abilities are circumscribed by laws of nature, we must utilize our talents and the resources of nature at our disposal in the most efficient manner.
Peace. Everyone speaks about it as though they want it. Almost everyone will claim that they want to achieve peace. However, if one were to take an objective look at the world around us, peace is something that is often conspicuously missing. First lets try to figure out what peace is and why it is elusive. When one thinks of all the wars on earth, all the turmoil, injustice and chaos, then one realizes that these conditions are the absence of peace. Now this may seem like an obvious statement. However, if one were to think of all the individual people who are depressed, angry, and otherwise dissatisfied or suffering from afflictions, it is a little less obvious that these conditions, too, are the absence of peace. Pointing this out clarifies that peace has an outer component that is visible in the interaction between nations and tribes as well as an inner, more subtle component that may only be visible in facial expressions but may be heard in a persons voice.
Here is the entry that many readers have been patiently waiting for. This season has been marked by yet another eventful experience full of unexpected twists and turns. I too find it fascinating to see how things unfold but, interestingly enough, it is also incredible to track how the public perceives those particular events. I have also been taking time to collect my thoughts and return back to my life. Upon my return I was informed that a conflict had ensued between Israel and Lebanon days after my departure. Ironically a cease-fire was called 3 days after I had returned. I missed the entire war! So now that I'm settled and all caught up I started to work on the things that are most important to me. I have returned to my acting classes, resumed working on the clothing line, and I am also setting aside time for charitable events. Lately I have spent much of my time getting my clothing line off the ground. Remarkably, there has been a substantial amount of requests placed to purchase my clothing. I would love to make items available for purchase immediately while the demand is still high but I feel it is only right to deliver a final product worthy of the public's complete satisfaction. On that note many have asked me why I have chosen to pursue acting and clothing design. Some have suggested I should become an ambassador. Others have noted that I am above Hollywood, and instead my calling is to reach out and help people. Your suggestions are always very flattering. Within the last year I have done a lot of research and have networked myself. For instance, I have met with an ambassador so that I could understand what it is that he does. The more I learned about his role the more I realized that was not for me. The bureaucratic process would hinder my creative control. Simply put, I'm concerned that my hands would be tied and I might not be able to help those who are deserving. So instead I have decided to go about it my own way. First, I believe it is important to express myself. I am naturally a passionate person and I've realized if I keep all that passion bottled up inside it may be detrimental to my health. lol. So I have decided to let it loose. I do believe that acting will give me a platform to speak to the masses. There is so much potential to perform good works via Hollywood. As for the clothing line... I want to show that pop-culture, fashion, and high-consciousness can co-exist... So we'll have to wait to see if I'm right. Im off to class now. Until next time Peace, Kaysar
The first week in the house was marked by shot nerves, paranoia, and PB&J. Sleep was restless, food was tasteless and the bonds that were formed were baseless. Nevertheless, we took part in the formalities of the game. Afterall, what choice did we really have in the matter? The high level of anxiety brought upon by our new environment was to blame.
I recall only snippets of what took place in that house the first week. I would walk from room to room holding my breath hoping not to get noticed. That worked, but not to my advantage, because as you may recall I was put up on the block the first week. The reason that I was given; no one really had a chance to get to know me.
After surviving the first week on the block my strategy had to change. I made myself more available physically and emotionally. I would have liked to get involved in conversations but I found it difficult to chime into Howie's sex talk or April's doggie love fests. At times I found myself getting involved in shallow office, "water cooler," chatter just to get by. At this point in time I found it necessary to learn about and understand the other houseguests in order to co-exist with them. In doing so I began to take a liking to many of them in different ways. As I became more comfortable in the house I focused more on the strategic aspects of the game rather than seeking the acceptance of the other houseguests.
Coming into the house I knew that there was no way Michael and I were the only pair. It didn't make sense from a business stand point. So I began hunting for the remaining pairs. In order to confirm my theory, I had to lock in at least one other pair in the house. I had Janelle confess that she was paired up with Ashlea. Once that was out of the way, I listened intently for key words in conversations. April and Jennifer spoke about how they went to the same school and were members of the same sorority. During the first HOH competition Howie and Rachel were the last ones on the surfboard. Howie threw the competition because his reason for stepping off the board was that he had to pee. Well there came a point when I realized that Howie had no problem peeing ( or anything else for that matter ) in his pants. Beau and Ivette had their special girl talk sessions and bonded too quickly. Eric and Maggie had private meetings only when things were heating up, otherwise they hardly spoke. So only James and Sarah were left.
The next item on the list ... using the new found information to my advantage. At this point I also knew that if I didn't do something drastic, I was going home. Michael was falsely accused of being a sexual predator and was on his way out. I felt that was a low blow by "The Group." I also knew Janelle and I were next on the list to go. There had to be some sort of intervention. That's when I set the plan in motion...
