Experimenting in Palestine

In June 2009, while visiting family in the Middle East, my parents, brother and I crossed the Allenby Bridge checkpoint separating Jordan from the West Bank. I remember the experience very vividly. The crowded bus filled with helpless, frightened and above all, frustrated Palestinians. The initial stop and individual frisk we received from Israeli soldiers at the first screening 100 yards outside the compound. The watchtower and heavily armed soldiers dressed in Kevlar and their authoritative instructions to us upon exiting the bus. It was an intense and disconcerting experience but somewhat expected considering this was a militarily occupied land.

However, what struck me the most about my first adulthood crossing into Palestine was the 18-25 year old Israeli boys and girls working the various stations inside the terminal. This was the first layer of  Israel's economy.

The sight made me wonder about the thousands of young (and old) stationed across the 700+ military checkpoints throughout the West Bank. What would happen to Israel's economy built on this security apparatus if peace were realized? Would there be new jobs for all these young people? It was clear to me that Israel's garrison state had become arguably it's greatest employer and economic driver.

Little did I understand how much this economy of "security" was intensifying. The short documentary, The Lab by Yotam Feldman, rekindled my memories at the bridge and questions further the incentive for a negotiated settlement in Palestine.

Israel has used the military occupation - and its innovation to maintain it - to become a world leader in weapon sales and "management" of conflict. Zionism aside, why should Israel forfeit the handsome and far-reaching rewards of this business?

Watch the Witness film on Al Jazeera to understand how Israel benefits economically from military occupation.

Dutch Reset

Travel can encourage many things including self-actualization, creative impulse and clarivoyance. My recent trip to visit family and friends in DC and Virginia reset these perspectives. Less than a week after returning I realize three things I appreciate more about the Netherlands. 

1) Diversity. Perhaps it relates more to living in the densely populated Randstad, but I am regularly impressed by the high level of Dutch multiculturalism. Each day, I encounter folks from China, Indonesia, Korea, India, Pakistan, Suriname, Morocco and Turkey. All of them speak perfect Dutch and live very Dutch lives. I certainly didn't expect this concentration of diversity and integration, especially coming from the US where we tout our rich multiculturalism (rightly so) as a global ideal. Of course, Europe has it's migrant woes but diversity seems very much alive in the Netherlands.

2) Openness. I'm not referencing Dutch tolerance towards drugs or sex. I'm talking about window curtains and sidewalk smiles. The Dutch are not bashful about showcasing their homes to the street. If you stroll any neighborhood at night, you will encounter many homes exposing decorative ceilings, soft-lit living rooms, bedroom art, beautiful lampshades and historic chandeliers. As for sidewalk smiles. I've had some lovely  exchanges, including one which led to a spirited bike race. The Dutch are light-hearted and amicable people to say the least. And in both cases, a sense of community is developed. 

3) Arts and Culture. In the Netherlands, no matter the season, climate or even the time, there is always an ethnic celebration or festival on the calendar. And whereas American's tend to remain indoors on cold or rainy days, no weather pattern can deter the Dutch from biking to a social function for a delicious beverage and a chance at cultural inspiration. 

Between Worlds, Again

I love living in Europe. The people, the languages, the foods, the proximity to so much history and diversity; it's all a travelers delight. However, I recently returned from another holiday in the Middle East -- this time in Dubai and Muscat, Oman with a one night layover in Amman, Jordan -- and I realized something which first pulled my conscious when I last visited the region in August 2013.

That last visit was arguably the best two weeks of my life. Reconnecting with uber creative and loving people couldn't have been more emotionally fulfilling.

This recent trip brought back those same people and included more from my life in the US. Each day for more than two weeks I felt the love of friends, family, a language, a cuisine and a heritage. Sure, some of my excitement and emotion was heightened by the experience of traveling in a new place, but when I walked into my warm and welcoming apartment in the city center of The Hague, my first feelings were emptiness. It was a completely unexpected emotion. Almost immediately I felt lonely misplaced.

So there I was standing in my apartment with my travel bag still on and sensing I was between worlds again. I left a place filled with people near to my heart for somewhere removed and curiously uninviting. It was a peculiar feeling.

I suppose the idiom, the grass is always greener on the otherside, holds true. However, at this point in my writing, I have to ask:  Is it good to be back in the Netherlands?

I would say, it's good to slot back into a comfortable and routinized life again, yes. And it's been good to reacquaint myself with structure and predictability. I appreciate those things and for now, those things just happen to be in the Netherlands. Carpe diem.

Burj Al-Arab

A good friend and I visited the Burj Al-Arab this evening. We sipped our drinks on the top floor of the hotel's Skyview Bar and looked out towards the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifah, in downtown Dubai. The third part of our holiday was just beginning. Part one celebrated Dida's wedding. Part two was spent in neighboring countries; Jerry in Saudi Arabia and myself in Muscat, Oman. With those experiences behind us and the world's tallest building in front of us, two thoughts entered my mind:

1) how insignificant and how fleeting our lives seem when measured against the scale and diversity of the world, particularly in a city like Dubai and in the shadow of such conquering structures like this city's skyline.

2) Embrace your seconds and minutes, and not just your days. Keep moments in the front of your mind and in the spirit of the old aphorism, Carpe diem!

City skylines have always triggered a reflective spirit in me. However, in Dubai my feelings were magnified and took a different angle. Thoughts of family, culture, language, imagination and initiative swirled in my head. How could I match the energy, commitment and drive of this city? Could my life have a greater purpose? In less than 20 years, Dubai transformed itself from a collection of short and stubby office buildings along a creek into a global tourist destination with "world's biggest" titles in over a dozen categories. Here I was approaching my 30th birthday and still pondering my contribution to this world.

I asked Jerry, "do you feel like you're still discovering yourself?"

"Of course." he responded. "I think life is a continuous learning process." Silence (the good kind). We stared longer at downtown Dubai. The city moved gracefully as buildings fitted with lights changed color and traffic flowed like blood through veins.

Then it dawned on me. No doubt each place, moment and shared or unshared experience contributes to the organic development of self. Recognizing this is one thing. But if I want to continue the process of self-discovery then I should continue recording the minutes and moments of inspiration. And in the spirit of Dubai, combine these moments with my goals to encourage a reality. 

A Minor Epiphany

Sitting on a stone wall at the beach in Qurm, Muscat, Oman. As I'm admiring the 6v6 beach soccer happening right in front of me, an older white tourist with the demeanor of a surfer dude appears next to me and breaks the silence, "you look like you want to play." 

"A part of me wants to", I respond. "Go for it, you should," he replies. I stay silent and ponder the thought. A couple mins pass by and when I turn to see if this guy is still standing, he's gone. Moments later I jump down from the stone wall and begin walking again. In front and behind me is nothing but beach. Yet this guy is no where to be seen. I start wondering about his remark to encourage me to join the beach football. 

Upon reflection it feels like one of those moments when you scale back to think of your action(s) and how they can reflect or even shape a personality. In recognizing this hours later, I realize that the guy and I had a verbal exchange of 25 words in the span of seconds and in that exchange we acknowledged two important things:  an interest in communicating with potentially like minded people, and a desire to to belong. 

Whether I fully understood at the time or not, I certainly realize now that the guy (directly or indirectly) challenged me to challenge myself; to stop pondering and start acting. Make a move or not. More importantly, there is no right or wrong answer but such choices define opportunities and how we chose to perceive them. 

Six Months in Europe

Today marks six months since I arrived in The Hague, the Netherlands. The career move and the opportunity to live on a new continent has been very rewarding. In short, work is going well. I've had the freedom and flexibility to create and share The Hague Institute's mission throughout the web. My work has had a positive impact on the Institute's goals and I couldn't ask for a more supportive boss.

Outside the office, I've focused on a touristic mindset that has encouraged me to experience many cities, new cuisine and multiple languages. I have travelled to Estonia, Belgium, France, throughout the Netherlands, and visited family in the Middle East. Dutch classes have improved my sense of belonging in South Holland, and biking on days of continuous rain barely dents my psyche now.

However, beyond my new life in Europe and beyond the routine of new challenges such as communicating in dutch and cooking home meals, two thoughts have persistently tickled my emotions over these past six months. The first deals with the contrast between the place of living and the place of home. I would like to reflect more on these thoughts but in a later post.

The second idea involves a desire I expected to (somewhat) subside, the travel bug. Even before arriving to Holland, I understood living in Europe would encourage more exploration. However, I did not anticipate the intensity of my cravings to "screw it," and trek the globe. Some of this relates to the range of diversity and my discussions with countless people from dozens of backgrounds. They have inspired me to think more seriously about the day when I trade my business casual for a backpack. I'm not sure when this trip will begin but I am convinced that my life in The Hague is only the first part of a larger goal to see more.

So with that in mind, I look forward to another six months of weekend trips, cultural events, new encounters and better communication. They will serve as ingredients to a journey facing the horizon. 

Re-motivated

Wow, almost five years since my last post! Perhaps my biggest hurdle has been designating time to simply write my thoughts. There have been plenty to share and thanks to my phone none have been lost or forgotten. 

I hope my new sense of discipline, along with advice from Mr. Brja, will inspire me to revive my writing, and I hope experiences from my past five years will meld together in these future writings. I will start slow and brief, and begin by sharing perhaps no more than 50-100 words. Let's see where we go. 

American Progress

This morning I woke up and although tired, I was relaxed and positive. Indeed, the 2008 election marks a new birth for this country. Not just politically or racially but also emotionally, mentally, culturally and democratically. And the implications for the world are just as great.

Given all that has happened, I don't feel this is a big deal - A black president who speaks about our Founding Father's visions for America should not be marked as an historic occasion. This should be a common expectation. It should come as no surprise. Our creed and declaration demand that it come as no surprise.

Yet, reality dictates otherwise. This election is a big deal. It’s a big deal to our parents, our relatives, our past leaders, the rest of the world and everyone else who lived through the bright and dark moments in history. Perhaps my complacent feelings say more about my own experiences or lack thereof over the last 24 years. Maybe I just have no idea because as one friend acknowledged, "all I have is an extension of stories passed down to me." Whatever it is, I hope my no-big-deal reaction is what our founders intended.

I don't want to set my expectations too high for Barack Obama. But the content of his character is rich. It’s rich with understanding and rich with historical knowledge. His candidacy opens a multitude of doors at home and abroad. We have a chance to reclaim dreams and move forward on so many matters. I’m not merely talking about the partisan matters of the last eight years. I’m referring to matters which have extended throughout America’s 232 years. Issues and perceptions which have affected American citizens of color, gender, affiliation and intellect.

As John Adams once said:

"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it."

For all its historical context and all its implications, the 2008 election provides us with this opportunity as Americans, and as citizens of the world, to move onward and upward. It's time to make it count.

Campaign Rhetoric

Below is an exchange, verbatim, I had with a friend back on Oct. 6. This was the post I intended to publish before the McCain Camp's low-minded tactics against Obama. Hence the previous post.

Our emails began shortly after I shared a news item describing Joe McCain's (John McCain's brother) comments regarding Arlington and Alexandria, VA as "communist country."

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DAN: c'mon dude that's "gotcha" journalism, i'm not going to read too much into that. besides, liberal views on government intervention form the basis of communism; if the word didn't carry a negative connotation in this part of the world, nobody would object to the joke.

HASAN: I don't dispute your claim but it's a sour note for the mccain campaign nonetheless. the "macaca" moment of this campaign. and it happened in a state leaning blue and where a majority of the voters live in nova. that's not exactly the best comment to make when trying to solidify and attract new voters.

DAN: Man, I disagree. It is a minor note, at best, because it was by his brother, not by the man himself. Of all the gaffes his campaign is guilty of, this one least qualifies for the attention we're giving it. particularly because the news of the weekend has been palin accusing obama of "palling" around with terrorists or some BS like that. they're one second away from bringing the fantastic rev. wright back into this. you hear palin say, "their vision of america is different from our vision" in reference to obama's views? the racial implications should be thrown right back at her. there's a gaffe worth talking about.

HASAN: you know as well as I do that professional, personal and certainly political associations mean a lot when running for office. These issues come up in every campaign. I agree with your comments about "gotcha journalism" but this is the nature of a 24/7 news cycle. Each candidate and their supporters are aware of this. It doesn't matter anymore if gotcha journalism is right or wrong. It's now a question of effect and to what extent a discussion it merits. He made a reckless comment. Some laughed and many more were offended. The media reports it and people like us share it. In the end, this will carry more weight than it probably should. But it shouldn't be ignored either.

On that note, Obama has given the thumbs up for his surrogates to proceed with attacks against McCain for his role in the Keating Five scandal. It was something he vouched not to bring up and he, himself, probably won't mention it by name but don't be surprised if people in the Obama camp start talking about it.

Personally, I wish he would leave it alone. Before you know it the first wife of McCain is going to be mentioned then someone's going to talk about the kids and so on. It's the ugly face of politics. And it's been abused and reused by many campaigns in the past. Palin/McCain increased the frequency of these tactics in the last month. It's their last ditch effort to redefine Obama.

The Keating Five and now Joe McCain will balance out these attacks.

DAN: I know these personal issues inevitably come up in every campaign; I just don't think it wise for the Obama camp to jump onto something Joe McCain was joking about. It's one thing to disparage associates with radical views (like Wright) and another thing entirely to disparage someone who has served this country and makes an off-the-cuff remark in jest. Wright's history is what makes him an easy target and McCain's military history is what makes him, to some extent, off limits. Yes, others have been jumped on for less, but the energy of the Obama camp would be better used jumping on something either McCain or Palin has said.

McCain has said in the past that his involvement in the Keating Five scandal was a point of great embarrassment and shame to him. However, it is a great point for the Obama camp to press to show how out of touch McCain is and always has been. And I've also found it surprising that, while professing to represent a party that is supposedly more in touch with family values, McCain has gotten away with leaving his first wife while she needed care to marry a hotter, richer woman. If Edwards had to face the music for his actions, why would McCain be exempt?

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It must be noted, our exchange occurred before the second presidential debate in Nashville, TN. That afternoon, as we typed these emails, Palin ranted about Obama's relationships with Ayers and Rev. Wright. And sure enough, the Obama campaign ignored the comments made by Joe McCain. Thus, more evidence supporting Obama's real interest and focus in discussing the core issues facing America.

Election Priorities

I had intentions of sharing a different post but my complete disgust in the McCain campaign has motivated this one. This is an all-time low. We’re headed down a shitty path. Today, McCain and Palin decided to revisit Jeremiah Wright, exploit Obama's middle name and accuse him of "palling around with terrorists.” They also seek to disregard the economy:

“If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we’re going to lose” said Rick Davis, a senior McCain campaign adviser, to the New York Daily News.

What happened to McCain's message of "Country First?"

In Southwest Florida, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott gave an introductory speech where he repeatedly emphasized Obama's middle name, Hussein. Following his remarks, Sarah Palin took the stage and attempted to connect Obama with William Ayers, the former Weather Underground member. One audience member was over heard yelling "kill him!" It is uncertain whether that remark was aimed towards Ayers or towards Obama.

But perhaps the most horrific of all these smears came at a McCain rally in Albuquerque, NM. McCain asked the audience "Who is the real Barack Obama?" At least one member replied "A terrorist!"

Upon watching the video, anger and fear overwhelmed me. It's sad enough when we have a society of citizens who have "no desire to educate themselves," as one friend put it. But it's even more disconcerting when we have leaders who feed and allow such statements to pass so they can score points with voters to win a political contest.

These unsavory comments, shameless attacks and racist implications have a potent effect on the American psyche that McCain and Palin probably don’t know about or don’t care to acknowledge. This kind of rhetoric justifies ignorance. It incites more intolerance and empowers hate mongers who should have no place in America’s dialogue for our next president.

It’s a sad and despicable state of affairs. And it comes after McCain himself acknowledged American's attitudes towards negative tactics. "America has already rejected this kind of campaigning" he said back in April.

All this reminds me of a quote I once read. That "our nation will never be invaded or defeated by an outside force. That if defeat comes, it will come from within."

The symptoms of the McCain/Palin strategy seem to reinforce the steps towards such a defeat. As American’s, combating ignorance and intolerance should be our priority internationally and certainly at home. Justice and understanding, always. Only then can we move forward as a nation and tackle the concrete issues before us.

Here's one last quote that brings us full circle and strikes me as the most poetic I've heard all day:

"I just have to rely on the good judgment of the voters not to buy into these negative attack ads. Sooner or later people are going to figure out. If all you run is negative attack ads, then you either don't have much of a vision for the future or you're not ready to articulate it." - [The once respected] Sen. John McCain.


UPDATE - OCT. 10, 2008

This is exactly what I'm talking about - Rage in the Town of Bethlehem. The ramifications of such rhetoric is much greater and has lasting effects on the psychology of our society. These are reckless attacks aimed more at the individual and less at his policies. The issues are no longer front and center. The person is front and center. The person is the issue. A woman was asked outside a McCain rally - "Is Barack Obama a terrorist?" Answer: "He has the blood lines." Those feeble minds who feel threatened by a black man, with a Muslim name and a liberal voting record may feel a need to "save this country." This worries me.

Control Freak

[Less than one month after my animated tenure under Chris V's tent ended, I couldn't resist writing this message. Now you can get an insider's look at the one I first dubbed "Muppetto."]

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A control freak to say the least, Chris V has reemphasized the sacredness of having your own apartment. I knew long before entering his domain their would be doubts, verbal banter and even skirmishes. But the frequency and audacity of the various incidents have left me astounded.

It's hard knowing where to begin when you live with such a moody grunt who screeches and flails his body in protest during nearly every exchange. "What!? WHAT!!?" he says, in a highly pitched and raspy voice while his shoulders and neck twitch forward.

On one occasion the spazz deemed it necessary to ration toilet paper when a couple days earlier the issue could have been avoided by simply capitalizing on a "buy one, get one free" deal. Apparently however, the rolls were "not soft enough."

Apart from the TP incident, there have been plenty others (all worthy of individual posts):

*His pulsating nostrils when trying to hold back a gargling laugh. I truly thought the kid was going to suffocate.
*The toe nail on the carpet, then in the drink incident.
*His stubbles of hair left scattered around the sink.
*His request to flick a booger.
*Grocery shopping at 7-11.
*The soap-opera drama which ensued after I borrowed his newly purchased draft kit for fantasy bball.
*His perpetual 'birdie-flicks' before bed - seems to be his way of saying goodnight.
*The notorious power cord and its lack of movement.

But perhaps my most memorable moment while living under Chris V's roof will be his notorious "ice cream finger." The man had just opened his new carton of chocolate chip mocha when he decided to take a swipe at the dessert and lick his finger. Upon removing his it from his mouth, there was a bit of lingering treat. Instead of licking his finger clean or washing it off in the sink next to him, the territorial monkey - in what was surely a sign of evolutionary instinct - decided to wipe it clean using the corner of his counter top. I couldn't believe my eyes and upon calling him out, I realized the extent of his actions.

What incentive would lead a person to do such a thing? Then it occurred to me. These were the ways of Chris V's jungle. Where principle is all but eliminated and the only law is a moody "my house, my law." Cartoonish times to say the least.

D.C. Metro, Part II

It's cheap, efficient, relatively quick and usually the best option. But don't label it enjoyable. In fact, D.C. metro can be "an unforgiving bitch." Crowded at certain times and uncompassionate at all times. The area's metropolitan transit system is NOT where you go to make friends. Its patrons act impatient, stare ghostly, and favor disdain. In short, they are disaffected beings crowded together on a public transport. As a friend once eloquently stated, "[D.C. Metro] is intimately close but emotionally distant."

I couldn't describe it any better. Indeed, you step on to the platform, waiting for a train to arrive, and realize people are minding their space. They glance at the schedule, fiddle with their lack-of-service cell phones or keep their heads down. It's a dark, gloomy and chilly place. People only gather in a social format when the train arrives. But instead of conversing they crowd and “accidentally” bump each other for space to ensure entrance and a seat.

Once on the train, riders scurry, not to the middle as requested by the engineer but to the nearest seat all the while looking for that one piece of reading material.

People sit next to each other only if they have to. There is little to no speak. The unfriendly and cold atmosphere from the platform quickly turns into personal glance sessions of who's who. Some stare at their shoes, some stare out the windows into the tunnels of darkness and others look around and size up fellow riders:

"There's the ass who grabbed the last paper!" "I wonder if that cute girl will get off at the same stop?" "What's up with that dude, why does he keep staring?" "Poor fellow, I wonder how long he's been passed out?" "What stop is this, are you kidding me?!"

This, my friends, is the D.C. metro experience. No smiles, no neighborly love and no polite consideration. In fact, it’s best to expect nothing more, otherwise you risk injury.

Abraham Lincoln was a Tyrant

That is the title of a Facebook group I recently stumbled upon. Dedicated to vilifying the 16th president and exposing “his true intentions,” the 300+ member group was founded by a Texas State University student. Curious to learn more, I joined the network and its like-minded discussion.

Immediately, I took to issue some of the points expressed. Many of the messages espouse an unusual bitterness, portraying the president and the Union as abusive foreign aggressors and even comparing Lincoln to Hitler. As one member excitedly stated, "Hell yes there is a smart group about Lincoln."

As I joined the discussion, I made it a priority to remind participants that Lincoln served during the Civil War – a war that began before he took the oath of office and a war that sliced our country through its middle. I strongly believe that had it not been for many of Lincoln's thoughts, words, and actions, the impact of American on American violence would have destroyed the United States and its declaration.

The responses I received were heated. I was labeled ignorant and disputed on all points. Soon after I realized the scope of this group:

“If there's one thing I’ve taken away from this group it's the lack of rationality and judgment. The 'truths' expressed here present only half and partial versions. No one here seems interested in stepping back and addressing the larger issues facing America and its survival. Furthermore, I wonder if any of you have ever even read the Gettysburg Address. In an era when the politics and ideologies were much more partisan than today, Lincoln was the one public figure preaching democratic principle and unification.”

In the week following my correspondence support for the group dropped from 308 members to 301. Since then however, the group has expanded to 311 members as of this writing. Its numbers will likely rise further as celebrations for Lincoln's Bicentennial continue.

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"Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came." Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.

D.C. Metro, Part I

The D.C. Metro can be a beautiful thing. It can guide tourists, game patrons and business men to their destinations. It shrinks a regional area covering 2 states and is accessible to over 5 million people in one of the most densely populated regions in the country.

But the second-busiest metro in the nation can also be an unforgiving bitch. A place where giddy travelers and impatient politicians collide. On occasion, it can breed an indescribable fury in a region already strife with high rates of road rage. This wasn't more evident then on the morning of June 5, 2007.

I was on my way home after the Las Vegas shenanigans. Armed with a backpack and rolling suitcase the goal was simple, board the Yellow Line and proceed home. However, that Tuesday morning would dictate otherwise.

Situated at the Pentagon stop, I found myself entering the lion’s den. The rush hour commute was at full strength as men in suits and women in heels began crowding the dock. The air was filled with morning grogginess and a "don't talk to me!" tension. Immediately recognizing my slim chances of boarding the first train, I took my position behind the thick layer of people and turned the volume up on my iPod. It would be 12mins before the next line, giving me plenty of time to make my way to the front of the dock to ensure an easy boarding. In the meantime, heartless and impatient people began to fill the space. Within minutes, the entire platform was packed, as if a train had never arrived.

No sooner then I could have hoped, the dock lights started blinking, indicating the next trains arrival. It was time to leave this human gridlock behind. As the train rolled in, my position - which I had cleverly maneuvered into - began to shrink. People crowded every inch in hopes of being the first ones through the doors. At first, my luggage held firm and created a natural bubble between myself and those seeking to steal my space. However, my position quickly disintegrated when a 'large' woman blitzed into my bubble. She was a hefty one, someone who more than likely grew up with the riddles and jokes of a tormented childhood. But now, she lived in NOVA, in a dog eat dog world. And she was determined to show skinny people like me that she wasn't going to take anymore shit.

With her at my right side, the train stopped. In a cruel turn of events the nearest doors found their way to her side. "No worries," I thought to myself. She'll be the lead block to my 6 yard gain. The entire episode couldn't have lasted more than 10 seconds. People were closing in fast, my luggage had maintained the bubble and my lead blocker had delivered. The only thing left to do was make a cut and squeeze through the opening for the score. I made my move. Then, my blocker turned into a regulator, as if to say 'not this one, fun boy.' The hefty one laid a deliberate, but subtle elbow on my chest rendering my position obsolete. I had been displaced and forced back for another 12 minutes of ‘do nothing.’

Dumbfounded and annoyed, I took the beat down and reorganized my thoughts, determined to make a push on the next train. Without hesitation, I successfully made my way on to the next line. I had finally prevailed after nearly 30 minutes of metro eligibility.

Until this day, each time I board the D.C. metro I think back to that experience. Through it, I have become stronger, faster and keenly aware of the double-edged sword that embodies D.C. metro.

Diamonds in the Rough

Unfortunately, I can not claim this brilliant narrative as my own. It was found through good fortune, like a diamond in the rough.

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Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the "loser," and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theater of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars, A Division of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, NJ 17840-1503 U.S.A., along with a 3x5 card reading, "Please use this M&M for breeding purposes."

This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free 1/2 pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this "grant money." I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion.

There can only be one.

Today...

Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, asked the NYC Police Department if he could lay a wreath at the World Trade Center site, before his appearance on Sunday at the UN General Assembly. Unfortunately (in my opinion) his request was denied and even vehemently objected to.

I can not fault the large outcry by the American public. For in my eyes, the media has done a fascinating job of commanding public opinion and severly misinforming us about the issues surrounding Iran. However, what upsets me more are the statements issued by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney and Rudolph Giuliani. I thought they would be a bit more diplomatic. Instead, it seems in an effort to score points with the voters, all three denounced his request as "unacceptable," "outrageous" and "shockingly audacious." In my opinion, these selfish remarks have all but killed any hope of having a formal and legitamate debate in this country about Iran.

Did you know, Iran was the only Middle East country to hold a formal state-organized vigil for the victims of 9/11? This is something you would never hear about in American media outlets. Like Pakistan, the debate on Iran has been overpowered by negative perceptions.

Don't get me wrong. President Ahmadinejad has made a number of reckless statements, but show me someone who hasn't. In my opinion, his request to visit Ground Zero was a gesture of good will. A possible step in the right direction. Instead, it was undermined by the reckless comments of three presidential candidates who, themselves, periodically stress the importance of talking to your enemies. Their statements, like past ones made by Ahmadinejad, represent poor judgement and continue to feed ill-will and misunderstanding.

I just wish the majority of US citizens would identify this and see past the negative drumbeat that is perpetuated by politicians and the media. Question the fairness and honesty of the flavors you hear in mainstream news.

I highly recommend to whoever is interested in truly learning about Iran - its people and government - to watch this...

http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_events/task,view/id,1341/

Senator Jim Webb

In light of recent events regarding US foreign policy, I wrote this letter to the Senator....

Sent: Sept. 10, 2007

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Dear Senator Webb,

I am deeply concerned with our recent pledge to supply over $50 billion worth of weapons and artillery to 6 nations in a region already strife with intolerance, uncertainty, and factional abuse.

These arms deals probably happen more often than I, and the general public may know. Perhaps, the only reason this bid has found its way into the public eye is because of the offer's size, depth, implications and partners. However, I strongly believe this maneuver has "mistake" written all over it. And could rival the incompetent decision to "De-Baathisise" the Iraqi army, which we now know kick started that nations violence.

Common sense tells me, sir, this decision could have similar ramifications but on a much larger scale. These actions do not encourage regional security, and I fear it may provide further reason(s) for the Iranian regime to continue its nuclear energy program, thus leading to an escalation in a part of the world where there is already an increasing divide among the Shi'a and Sunni, not to mention the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Furthermore, Iran has an increasingly favorable social position around the Middle East in which many believe they are standing-up against the 'bullying' of the U.S. I understand there is the concept of 'strategic ambiguity,' where the threat of force has been used to back up diplomacy. But I believe this philosophy is an 'old school' approach and certainly misplaced in a region already feeling bombarded by "the West" and its "political agenda." If we are serious about promoting peace, then we must be serious about promoting a mutual understanding. Our first priority should be a non-discriminatory and engaging dialogue, addressing the ROOT ISSUES and their ROOT CAUSES.

Senator Webb, please do all you can to research, question and dispel the negative interests involved in this ill-advised, precarious, and counter-intuitive decision. Let us not feed the fire that we started in Iraq.

Sincerely,



Hasan Aloul

Las Vegas

For all its indulgence, glitz and glamour there will always be that one 'perfect' experience for Hasan Aloul. No, I'm not talking about the jubilation when I first received the stripper trading cards, or the time when I won $209 on #32, or even that delicious duck with the amazing prune sauce. On the contrary my friends, it was on a day where the sun beat down like a halogen lamp two feet from my face. A day where the breeze decided to go else-where and be replaced by bonfire gusts. A day where you could fry an egg on the sidewalk to save lunch money and instead, gamble more. Yes sir, it was the perfect day for a nose bleed.

I had just finished my tour of the strip. Everything I had set out to do had been satisfyingly accomplished except for one thing. A picture of the famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. As I walked past Excalibur, I noticed tourists loading a sightseeing bus. Without hesitation I proceeded to the public transport in hopes of uncovering the whereabouts of this landmark sign. Upon my approach to the first step of the bus, a gust of heat wiped me like a furry quilt. I continued, stepped on to the bus, and no sooner than I could finish my question a runny and liquid sensation tickled my nose. The bus driver stood there speechless, his draw dropped while I immediately took hold of the situation and demanded a paper towel. He fired back,

"don't get it on my bus, don't get it on my bus! I'll have to cancel the ride! Please step off the bus."

I ignored this asshole and demanded another paper towel to which he replied, "I'm all out, please don't get it on my bus!"

Thoughts of 'f-you' ran through my head as I began managing the red substance with my palms and knuckles. But I had the last laugh. Before exiting the bus I took a shot at the wastebasket with my tie-die paper towel. That bus driver was lucky I made the 7 footer. Nonetheless, I left my mark.

Upon exiting the bus, I proceeded hastily to the nearest individual asking for any paper tissues. However, I realized quickly this was not the answer and rushed into Camelot casino and hotel. Speeding on to the casino floor, passer-bys took notice and gave concerned and disturbed looks. Never had the feeling of "that's what you get for doing that last line" been so blatant in human communication. Luckily, however, most were consumed by their rolling slot machines, oblivious to the chaos around them.

Then, hope. A waitress, a goddess, someone who could point me away from this labyrinth of money machines and addicts. I headed straight for her, she gave me one look and to my dismay, re-routed her course. 'Bitch,' I thought to myself. She too must have been like "another coke head, forget that." Fortunately, I saw the bathroom in the distance. However, before making the turn, I asked the waitress for some of the napkins on her tray while blood steadily found its way to my wrist. She dared not to look at me as she grabbed a stash and held them like they were about to drop from her finger tips. Regardless, success and management was only seconds away.

I spent the next 20 minutes in that men's room, hovering between the sink and paper towels, pinching my nose and graciously thanking the fact it didn't reach my clothing.

There are times when I think back to that day. As the charm and luck of Vegas would have it, my condition was exploited. A perfect day created the perfect circumstances for a perfect bleed. There's nothing left to say except, to hell with that bus driver.

Basketball Brands

I recently read an article on the blog of Dallas Mavericks Owner, Mark Cuban. In it Cuban discusses and compares the intricacies of international basketball with the NBA. It's a fabulous and insightful article reflecting his crisp, innovative and yet business-oriented mindset. However, there was one section of the post that triggered some thoughts which were reinforced by a couple reader's comments: "I don't understand why we have a Highschool 3 point line, college 3 pointer and then Nba ... It doesn't prove useful in any international competition."

I looked into it. Actually, high school and college share the same 3-point line distance (19'9"*basket-top arc), but are significantly different from the NBA (23'9"*), which is significantly different from the international game (20'8"*). There's also a considerable difference in court length/width. Why is that? And more importantly, is there a benefit to having the college, NBA and International game played and taught at these dimensions (not to mention the rule disparities) or does it reflect our exclusive and exceptional view of American sports? i.e. the best athletes in the world, most competitive leagues and the idea that Indianpolis vs. Chicago will decide the "World Champion."

I don't mind the idea of keeping high school ball at its current dimensions. And assuming that NBA ball is the most challenging, competitive and overall 'cream of the crop,' then it seems to me that NCAA hoops and its cross between high school and the NBA is the odd man out. I understand it may want to prepare its athletes for the professional game but has the NCAA brand of basketball come at the expense of our international game? Why not educate college athletes on how the game is played around the world as well as in the NBA? Especially considering that the vast majority of college basketball players will never play in the NBA (over 20,000 college basketball players and only 60 get selected in the draft).

It makes the most sense to me to eliminate this private adaptation we see in today's college hoops and enhance our understanding of FIBA and the international game. This would not only create and hone the skills to effectively help Team USA during international competition but it would also educate the fans and media about the World's brand of basketball.

Exceptionally Motivated and Defined

*Exceptional - The extraordinary or well above average, it can also denote the rare or unusual.

*Motivation - a feeling often dictated by incentives and which provokes action.

In the last year, my travels, work experiences, readings and daily interactions have significantly reshaped, and in some cases reinforced, my outlook on life. These influences have been enough for me to start this blog with the primary goal to connect viewpoints and bridge an understanding of what motivates people. 

According to a fellow blogger, "many bloggers, academics and politicians are not interested in finding out the 'truth'. They already know the truth, it is what they believe. [Instead] They are interested in explaining this truth to everyone else and convincing the unconvinced." I agree with this statement but would take it a step further and argue that truth is subjective, and that its counterpart - objectivity - may be impossible to achieve, let alone satisfy.

Indeed, there's no doubt each one of us sees the world through our own lens. Some people filter and distort things intentionally, some don't see their own biases (call it ignorance, laziness or self deception), and some are paid to make a case. With that said, I hope to share my version of 'truth' and test it with yours.

Regardless, this forum is not limited to merely social, political, economic and cultural topics. Personal experiences, observations, random thoughts, even ‘rants and raves’ will also be included.
In the end, my overall goal is to arouse thought and interest on an array of diverse, thought-provoking and even looney topics. People don’t necessarily have to agree, I just hope they're open-minded enough to read, consider, and comment.