Tuesday, February 28, 2006
'Cousins and Strangers: America, Britain, and Europe in a New Century,' by Chris Patten - The New York Times Book Review
Josef Joffe (Editor in Chief of Die Zeit, Hamburg and associated with the US Hoover Institute) has a destructive review of Chris Patten's book on Britain, Europe and the US as mentioned above. A "leading Conservative" should not doubt the axiom of the leading role of the US for a whole century to come, nor consider alternative viewpoints on international policy. Euro-Idealism-bashing is easy. And Joffe should have known better. Thanks to God, we have still some thinking conservatives. They are allies in my "pursuit of happiness", allowed to me by the USA Constitution. Submission is not happiness. "Britons nehehehever shall be slaves!"
Friday, February 24, 2006
Dhimmi-abuse Dimming
Dhimmiing is dimming: Its (ab)use fell spectacularly last week. But the Dhimmi-level in blogs remains on a higher level than before the Danish cartoons: 4.993 posts had "dhimmi" during the last 30 days, up from 4.725 on Feb. 19:
(Click on the image to see a complete one, dated Feb. 24, 2006).
(To repeat this exercice for yourself, in order to see developments since posting, click on the heading of this post.)
With our apologies to Dhimmi Carter.
(Click on the image to see a complete one, dated Feb. 24, 2006).
(To repeat this exercice for yourself, in order to see developments since posting, click on the heading of this post.)
With our apologies to Dhimmi Carter.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
4.725 "Dhimmis" in 30 days of Blogging
To Senator Joe McCarthy, anybody who did not share his brand of virulent anticommunism, or who had not done so at any moment in the past, was "soft on Communism". Being judged a "fellow-traveller" was worse: You were barred from many professions, or, like Charly Chaplin, exiled abroad.
Calling people "Dhimmi"*), is a modern variety of McCarthyism. It has become a favourite sport with (far-)right bloggers, in the US as well as in Europe. It replaces "political correct" in the top-ten of name-calling. It is reserved for those who are judged "soft on Islam(ism)". Anybody who doesn't howl with the fashionable islamophobe wolves in bloggistan, is politically incorrect, is a muslimfriend, or a secret agent for them. Memories of the Nazi use of "Judenfreund" for everybody who did not share their antisemitism, keep coming up.
"Djimmi-Watch"
The first time, I met with the dhimmi-obsession, was, when I sought for (and found) on the internet a Dutch rightwing islamophobe, who had emigrated to the US in 2002. My hit was on an American (NJ) website, called "djimmi-watch". Mr. Verkooijen (for that is his name) had, in 2000, falsely accused a Dutch local Turkish women's charity of embezzling public money and the Mayor of the city of covering that. Seemingly not disturbed at all by of his Dutch fizzle, he continued to spread the Word in the Promised Country, seeing "dhimmis" everywhere.
So, when Dutch blogger Frans Groenendijk started to use the word recently for people, who, in his eyes, bow for Islamism, when they do not condemn Islam as a dangerous and terrorist "culture", I tried to make him see, how far he is getting lost from his principles. As of now, I have had no success.
Dutch xenophobia
Dutch xenophobia continues to gain ground. Some days ago, the Rotterdam city alderman charged with security (police, etc.) asked for forced sterilization of Antillean girls and forced abortion of unwed Antillean young mothers, in case their family-, economic- and social situation were to be deemed "unstable". If this proposal, some weeks before local elections, is already to be considered as reprehensible in itself, what is more alarming still, is the absence of a general outcry in the country against such racist proposals. Even in Romania, where anti-gipsy racism thrives and constitutes one of the main causes for EU-hesitations about its membership, no one in an official position has, to my knowledge, ever proposed this kind of eugenetics.
My "dhimmi"-abuse Watch
But, back to the Dhimmis! In order to convince Frans G. of the connotations the dhimmi-word has got in these times, I did a little and easy Technorati-search for the frequence of the use of the dhimmi-word in blogs. For the last 90 days, is the result this:
(Click on the image for a full and readable version)
During the las 30 days, a sudden dhimmi-jump is shown, making it 4.725 blogs who use the word during that period. A majority of blogs use the word in a pejorative sense, indeed, for (f.i.) the new Canadian Conservative Government, who are not condemning the Muslim protests enough in the eyes of a blogger.
If you click on the heading of this post, you can do the dhimmi-abuse watch yourself. A Technorati page shows, indicating the last 30 days of dhimmi-ing in Bloggistan.
On Februari 18, the 30-days statistics read like this:
To me, the use of the dhimmi-word, even in the modern sense, is covered by the freedom of expression of opinion. I hope, that this freedom may last long enough, to allow me to observe its use publicly and to my calling it stupid, dangerous and infantile.
*) Djimmi or dhimmi is used in Muslim communities for non-muslim minorities, who, under varying conditions, are allowed to observe their religion and to participate economically. It should not be considered as freedom of religion, and, often, very harsh conditions have been imposed on them. The pejorative use of the word stems from the contempt for them, not of Muslims, but of coreligionaries (Jews, Christians, etc.), who, when dhimmis identified with the rulers of their countries, considered them too "soft on islam". A notable example of a djimmi is the great Jewish philosopher Maimonides, who had to flee liberal Andalusia in the twelfth century, when fanatic Muslims from Morocco invaded the region from the South and fanatic Christians from the North. He became a Djimmi representative for the Jews in Alexandria (Egypt) and was free to publish his philosophical and medical studies in Arabic and in Hebrew. Until the French Revolution, Jews in Europe were in Dhimmi-like positions.
Calling people "Dhimmi"*), is a modern variety of McCarthyism. It has become a favourite sport with (far-)right bloggers, in the US as well as in Europe. It replaces "political correct" in the top-ten of name-calling. It is reserved for those who are judged "soft on Islam(ism)". Anybody who doesn't howl with the fashionable islamophobe wolves in bloggistan, is politically incorrect, is a muslimfriend, or a secret agent for them. Memories of the Nazi use of "Judenfreund" for everybody who did not share their antisemitism, keep coming up.
"Djimmi-Watch"
The first time, I met with the dhimmi-obsession, was, when I sought for (and found) on the internet a Dutch rightwing islamophobe, who had emigrated to the US in 2002. My hit was on an American (NJ) website, called "djimmi-watch". Mr. Verkooijen (for that is his name) had, in 2000, falsely accused a Dutch local Turkish women's charity of embezzling public money and the Mayor of the city of covering that. Seemingly not disturbed at all by of his Dutch fizzle, he continued to spread the Word in the Promised Country, seeing "dhimmis" everywhere.
So, when Dutch blogger Frans Groenendijk started to use the word recently for people, who, in his eyes, bow for Islamism, when they do not condemn Islam as a dangerous and terrorist "culture", I tried to make him see, how far he is getting lost from his principles. As of now, I have had no success.
Dutch xenophobia
Dutch xenophobia continues to gain ground. Some days ago, the Rotterdam city alderman charged with security (police, etc.) asked for forced sterilization of Antillean girls and forced abortion of unwed Antillean young mothers, in case their family-, economic- and social situation were to be deemed "unstable". If this proposal, some weeks before local elections, is already to be considered as reprehensible in itself, what is more alarming still, is the absence of a general outcry in the country against such racist proposals. Even in Romania, where anti-gipsy racism thrives and constitutes one of the main causes for EU-hesitations about its membership, no one in an official position has, to my knowledge, ever proposed this kind of eugenetics.
My "dhimmi"-abuse Watch
But, back to the Dhimmis! In order to convince Frans G. of the connotations the dhimmi-word has got in these times, I did a little and easy Technorati-search for the frequence of the use of the dhimmi-word in blogs. For the last 90 days, is the result this:
(Click on the image for a full and readable version)During the las 30 days, a sudden dhimmi-jump is shown, making it 4.725 blogs who use the word during that period. A majority of blogs use the word in a pejorative sense, indeed, for (f.i.) the new Canadian Conservative Government, who are not condemning the Muslim protests enough in the eyes of a blogger.
If you click on the heading of this post, you can do the dhimmi-abuse watch yourself. A Technorati page shows, indicating the last 30 days of dhimmi-ing in Bloggistan.
On Februari 18, the 30-days statistics read like this:
To me, the use of the dhimmi-word, even in the modern sense, is covered by the freedom of expression of opinion. I hope, that this freedom may last long enough, to allow me to observe its use publicly and to my calling it stupid, dangerous and infantile.
*) Djimmi or dhimmi is used in Muslim communities for non-muslim minorities, who, under varying conditions, are allowed to observe their religion and to participate economically. It should not be considered as freedom of religion, and, often, very harsh conditions have been imposed on them. The pejorative use of the word stems from the contempt for them, not of Muslims, but of coreligionaries (Jews, Christians, etc.), who, when dhimmis identified with the rulers of their countries, considered them too "soft on islam". A notable example of a djimmi is the great Jewish philosopher Maimonides, who had to flee liberal Andalusia in the twelfth century, when fanatic Muslims from Morocco invaded the region from the South and fanatic Christians from the North. He became a Djimmi representative for the Jews in Alexandria (Egypt) and was free to publish his philosophical and medical studies in Arabic and in Hebrew. Until the French Revolution, Jews in Europe were in Dhimmi-like positions.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Europe in the US "Long War"
Comment today in The London Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Fighting the long war on the four-annual Strategic Defense Review of the Pentagon:
And more specifically, THIS war, under THIS leadership has to be ended as soon as possible. What, if the American Democrats wake up, finally, out of their lethargy and declare "VICTORY" in the war against Al-Qaeda?
I am afraid, that my advice will not soon be followed by them. Although, it seems a very good one for them: Declaring VICTORY! cannot be considered as unpatriotic, and, taken apart Abu Ghraib etq., there is much they can say that they are proud of. And Bush-Cheney would be stripped of their imaginary extralegal powers, that are a venom in today's American society.
But, as The Guardian editorial comment indicates: "[Europeans] will need to make bigger efforts to wield the influence they should." A united Europe is at this moment the only power in the world, which may be able to rectify the disastrous US course as shown in the Pentagon document. The three main EU powers should co-ordinate more closely their international security policies and bring them under an EU umbrella. That would enable smaller EU countries to participate in it and prevent dangerous "go-it-alone" acts (as 'willing' coalition hirelings of the US, mostly), like we have seen from the Polish, the Dutch, the Danes, the Italians and the Spaniards. Only the Belgians seem to have understood this, ref. their jest at an European coalition in 2003 (the "Tervuren General Staff" - did anybody hear from it since?).
The Danish cartoon incidents have shown, that in the world, the EU is already considered as a bloc, where everybody is held responsible for the acts of one partner-country.
This should work in two ways: a. Individual countries are going to take into account, that their lonely cowboy acts may have repercussions on the whole EU, and, b. Greater European powers are leaving their traditional selfish concept of defense and security, in order to create a maximum security and a common intelligent policy towards the "near foreign countries" (i.e. the Southern-, South-eastern and the Eastern regions).
Fiat Lux!
"European allies digesting his [Rumsfeld's] 92-page text are likely to be concerned by the likelihood of more pre-emptive attacks launched by Predator drones against suspected terrorists, killing innocents along the way. The document refers to the need to work with allies though Nato's post-9/11 experience shows that when the US is in the driving seat, it is very hard to get it to budge. Europeans now expanding their dangerous Afghan mission will need to make bigger efforts to wield the influence they should."This statement is one to my heart. It is made, after having observed correctly:
"Are Osama bin Laden and co. truly on the same level as Hitler or Stalin? Elevating terrorism to the level of an ideology risks exaggerating the importance of a modus operandi - though the fear of an al-Qaida-type nuclear, chemical or biological attack cannot be avoided - and underplaying the need to tackle motivation. Above all is the danger that the concept of endless war will be self-perpetuating, a permanent recruiting sergeant for the jihadist cause. Root causes, it goes without saying, matter more than their symptoms, however menacing."The concept of a quasi eternal war against "terrorism" should be rejected. As such. Struggle against terrorism, fanaticism, imperial pretensions, etc., is absolutely needed. But not by means of "war" exclusively. As shown in Iraq, war is counter-productive in this struggle, if it is used at the wrong moment at the wrong place and with mostly wrong conceptions.
And more specifically, THIS war, under THIS leadership has to be ended as soon as possible. What, if the American Democrats wake up, finally, out of their lethargy and declare "VICTORY" in the war against Al-Qaeda?
I am afraid, that my advice will not soon be followed by them. Although, it seems a very good one for them: Declaring VICTORY! cannot be considered as unpatriotic, and, taken apart Abu Ghraib etq., there is much they can say that they are proud of. And Bush-Cheney would be stripped of their imaginary extralegal powers, that are a venom in today's American society.
But, as The Guardian editorial comment indicates: "[Europeans] will need to make bigger efforts to wield the influence they should." A united Europe is at this moment the only power in the world, which may be able to rectify the disastrous US course as shown in the Pentagon document. The three main EU powers should co-ordinate more closely their international security policies and bring them under an EU umbrella. That would enable smaller EU countries to participate in it and prevent dangerous "go-it-alone" acts (as 'willing' coalition hirelings of the US, mostly), like we have seen from the Polish, the Dutch, the Danes, the Italians and the Spaniards. Only the Belgians seem to have understood this, ref. their jest at an European coalition in 2003 (the "Tervuren General Staff" - did anybody hear from it since?).
The Danish cartoon incidents have shown, that in the world, the EU is already considered as a bloc, where everybody is held responsible for the acts of one partner-country.
This should work in two ways: a. Individual countries are going to take into account, that their lonely cowboy acts may have repercussions on the whole EU, and, b. Greater European powers are leaving their traditional selfish concept of defense and security, in order to create a maximum security and a common intelligent policy towards the "near foreign countries" (i.e. the Southern-, South-eastern and the Eastern regions).
Fiat Lux!
Monday, February 13, 2006
€urofunding 2006
And, if you can spend € 160,- (excl. VAT and shipping), here is the 2006 edition of the Non-profit sector guide to European (co-)funding by "WelcomEurope", available at EUbookshop.com:
"EU funding: A Guide for the Non-profit Sector
This guide includes a methodology to help in writing your applications and a 1 year follow-up by email on funding opportunities linked to your personal profile
* ISBN: 2-914793-39-1
* Publisher: WelcomEurope
* Author: Welcomeurope
* Language: English
* Type: Paperback
Price: 160.00 €"
It covers not less than 290 European Funds, and comes with a "methodology" for writing your applications.
Where is the European Fund for funding the learning of the funding methodology for fundraisers? :-)
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Manual helps local ONGs to access European Structural Funds
The useful EUKN network for European Urban Knowledge signals a new "Manual on the Management of the European Union Structural Funds". It is already the 2nd edition, 2006. It has been written by Brian Harvey with support from the EAPN Structural Funds Task Force. The Project was undertaken with the financial support of the European Commission.
The EAPN is an ONG that is managing an "European Poverty Network". The incredibly complicated bureaucracy that stands between local agents and their access to European funding through mostly national structures, has kept many among us to get a (supplementary) funding for our projects. This brochure may help a little. Clicking on the link above, will give it to you in a PDF format.eapn-manual.pdf (application/pdf Object)
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