New York Diary article - just went online!

My article was published just minutes ago, and here it is, for my loyal blog readers!

I dont know how long it's going to stay at that link, after which one will have to go through back issues and search under Thursday, December 1st for it. Comments and feedback are always welcome.

Some highlights:

I’ve been closely tracking coverage of this seeming newsworthy story for the past few days, and am astonished at the coverage of earthquake related stories slipping into the inner pages of the American media. Considering that Jolie and Pitt rank high as American celebrities, one would have expected at least some of the media to cover it as front-page news.

While I theorise and hypothesise as to the reasons why the international media is not interested in two of Hollywood’s leading actors helping people in the developing world, I must applaud Jolie’s and Pitt’s efforts. Jolie, as usual, has gone above and beyond the call of duty in her capacity as UN Goodwill Ambassador. But Pitt has also reached out and shown noteworthy compassion by donating 40 orthopaedic beds to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) at Islamabad.

The beds are worth $100,000 and the donation was made on seeing the devastation in the affected areas of northern Pakistan, and finalised in a meeting with the head of PIMS, Dr Syed Fazle Hadi. While an entire population of people is giving thanks for whatever is left of their lives back in the area, an entire country is grateful for the enormously gratifying response of the world in the face of the calamity.

Article: The Mother of All Coalitions

I cant believe this! A World Government? No sirree! I kinda like the lack of central authority, i.e. Anarchy, in the world :)
Honestly though, doesnt the US act like the World Government?
Anyway, read on and feel free to comment...

A dramatic new world coalition sought: A group of scientists and scholars has asked the UN General Assembly to discuss the possibility of creating a World Coalition Government that would have full political and military power to intervene around the globe.

The idea of a "World Coalition Government" has often been portrayed as sinister and authoritarian, but a group of scientists and scholars are trying to revive the concept as a dramatic alternative to the movement to "reform" the United Nations.

Foreign Policy Association event: Anwar Ibrahim speaks on "The Future of Muslim Democracy" - 12/01/05

The Foreign Policy Association has proven that it is a standard-setter when it comes to events. This next event features Anwar Ibrahim (former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia).
Register quickly and spread the word!

Anwar Ibrahim - "The Future of Muslim Democracy"
December 1, 2005
McGraw-Hill Auditorium, New York City

The Foreign Policy Association and The National Endowment for Democracy invite you to attend the third fall lecture of The New York Democracy Forum featuring Anwar Ibrahim, formerly the deputy prime minister of Malaysia and vice president of the United Malays National Organization, Ibrahim started in 1971 the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), the first mass-based NGO in the country to raise social and political awareness and emphasize social justice and human rights. Together with the late Prof. Ismail al-Faruqi and Dr. Taha Jabir al-Awani, Ibrahim founded the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in 1981 and later set up the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences in Ashburn, Virginia. His criticism of corruption and abuse of power within the Malaysian government and his vocal demand for reform resulted in his arrest and imprisonment in September 1998. Ibrahim, who led a new democratic movement in Malaysia from his prison cell, was released in September 2004.

Speaker:
Anwar Ibrahim
Visiting Professor at Georgetown University.

Date:
Thursday, December 1, 2005

Location:
McGraw-Hill Auditorium
1221 Avenue of the Americas (entrance on 49th Street)

Time:
Registration/5:30 pm
Lecture/6:00 pm
Reception 7:00pm

Admission:
FPA/NED member: Free
Guest of FPA/NED member/OTR Member $15.00
Non-member: $25.00
Student with ID: $5.00

Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Registration will open 8am 11/11/2005

REGISTER ONLINE

Brook's Qawwali Party's last performance - 12/02/05

My friend Brook and his band (who are all extremely talented!), will be performing for the last time this year, this coming Friday...details below:

After an unparalleled year of unparalleled events, BROOK'S QAWWALI PARTY is welcoming December and saying goodbye to 2005...AT THE SAME TIME!

Why not come experience this unique passing of time with us at Brooklyn's finest...

The Tea Lounge on Union
837 Union btw 6th & 7th Ave, Park Slope.

FRIDAY FRIDAY FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT, Dec. 2nd.

Nine 'til Midnight. Free.

2 sets. 2 new songs.

1 new harmonium player (she's grrrrreat).

I'm cold too. We'll warm you up, from the inside out!

Brook

Article: Pilgrims Mistook Natives for Israelites

Just happened to come across this article on Discovery.com...

Pilgrims Mistook Natives for Israelites

By Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News

The European settlers who were present at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 thought the Native Americans were wild Israelites who had lost their "civilized" ways after living in the New World wilderness, according to a U.S. historian.

The theory, which is outlined in a recent press release and is supported by several other American colonial history scholars, suggests one reason why tensions often mounted between the Native Americans and the Europeans.

It also foreshadows the later missionary work by other Europeans, many of whom felt they were turning the Native Americans back to their former beliefs.