SOS

I have been finally forced to leave my humble abode for the last year and a half due to some expected familial problems that have exacerbated lately. I am still in San Antonio but seeking lodgings and a roommate until I can get myself into dental school. Contributions through my tip jar would be kindly appreciated as I am in dire need for any assistance I can get. Z

Bumping into...

Living in San Antonio TX, a military city, it's not uncommon for me to literally 'bump' into American servicemen who have fought (or are still fighting) in Iraq (and other parts of the world). This was a US Air Force pilot who was part of both Desert Storm and the recent Iraq war and was proud of it. 

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A modern train in Baghdad, pic recently taken

Shed Your Fears

By R

Mixed voter turnout in Egypt so far (accompanied by violence between Shafiq and Mursi supporters):

Qalyubia %55
Elminia %30
Fayyoum %25

via journalist Hamdy Kassem

#EgyPresElex

UPDATE: Mursi leading in four governorates (Elminia, Fayyoum, Sohaj, Wadi al-Jadid) and Shafiq leading only in al-Gharbiyya. Wanna place bets on who's going to win?

UPDATE 2: Runoff results, Mursi %54.8, Shafiq %45.1

More Lolz

One of the cartoons that caused the Salafis to go on rampage in several parts of Tunisia today. Oh the Irony!

Saudi father auctions his son for suicide mission in Syria

He mentions that his other brother is already a 'martyr' (probably in Iraq) and the bidding starts at 200,000 Saudi Riyals (about $53,400)

Down with Mubarak Flash Mob

Al-Mairghni Street, June 7, 2012

Salafi lady from today's protests in Egypt

She is brandishing a newspaper photo of Khalid Sa'id Via Tahrirawi

RIP Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), one of my favorite sci-fi writers.

Cocky Maliki

Maliki sure seems confident he will survive a no-confidence vote. Rumor has it he has ordered criminal investigation of the 170+ MPs who have signed against him. What do you think? Will he survive to fight another day? Talibani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan is edging toward supporting Maliki in his endeavors.

In other news, Sadr is back in Iran.

Meet Egypt's new Pharoah

Da'wa Party-controlled governorates threaten to form federal region if Maliki is replaced.

UPDATE: IED explosions outside Sadr's residence and al-Najaf TV station wounding two policemen.