TresSugar

Say What? Why He Threw the Shoe

TresSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

I am not a hero. But I have a point of view. I have a stance. It humiliated me to see my country humiliated; and to see my Baghdad burned, my people killed. Thousands of tragic pictures remained in my head, pushing me towards the path of confrontation.

- Iraqi Muntadhar al-Zaidi reminded the world that he's a journalist yesterday by using powerful words to explain why he decided to throw his shoes at George W. Bush. The emotional statement he released is filled with sad images of war, but it gives some insight into his actions. Zaidi received a hero's welcome when he was released from prison this week.

Iraqi Shoe Thrower Ducks Countless Marriage Proposals

TresSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0700

When Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the man who threw his shoes at George. W. Bush, is released from prison next Monday, he will receive a hero's welcome. The Iraqi journalist has already fielded countless marriage proposals while hanging out in his jail cell. An Iraqi in Morocco offered to send his daughter and women in Saudi Arabia are asking for Zaidi's hand in marriage. One family even said, "We are willing to present him with a bride loaded with gold."

Zaidi's ballsy shoe toss is attracting women - and a lot of swag! His former boss built him a four-bedroom house. In addition, he'll have a new car waiting for him along with thousands of dollars, donated to help pay off his legal bills.

Do you think the Iraqi shoe thrower deserves all the love?

Would You Travel to Afghanistan?

TresSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Afghanistan traditionally has a reputation as an unfriendly (to say the least) place for women and it also happens to be a war zone - but that's not stopping the country from attempting to be a tourist destination.

As tourist information centers pop up in Afghanistan's central Bamilyan valley, tour guides and restaurant owners are being trained in the art of customer service.

The country hopes to attract adventurous spirits to the history-rich country. Afghanistan used to be a regular stop for backpackers back in the 1960s. Attractions include: tea houses, cliff caverns, remnants of Buddha statutes, a national park, hiking trails, and preserved ancient cities.

Would you take a chance to see the beauty and experience a completely different culture?

Front Page: Seven Dead in Iran as Protests Continue

TresSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:59:31 -0700

At least seven demonstrators were killed in Iran Monday, as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left the country to attend a conference in Russia. Iran's opposition has rejected a recount, calling instead for a new election. - BBC News
Iran has banned international press from protests that continue today, citing a bias. The government has also tried to stop text messages and Twitter. - CNN
Sarah Palin has released a statement accepting David Letterman's apology for making a "bad joke" about her daughter. - ABC News
Former President Jimmy Carter met with Hamas's leader today, calling on Israel to lift the blockade and to stop treating Palestinians like animals. - AFP
Sonia Sotomayor's comments on legal lessons learned from Sept. 11 could draw criticism from privacy advocates. - Fox News

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Front Page: Postelection Unrest Rages in Iran

TresSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:46 -0700

Following the disputed election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, thousands of Iranians defied a ban to march in Tehran today. Iran's supreme leader has also ordered a ballot probe. - CNN
The Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA championship last night. - ESPN
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu redefined his stance on Palestine yesterday, saying that he does support an independent state. - Washington Post
Michelle Obama took advantage of her special relationship with Queen Elizabeth by having a tour and private visit in honor of daughter Sasha's birthday last week. - Reuters
US birth trends hint at a bias for boys in some Asian families. - New York Times

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Obama: US Cannot Impose Values on the World

TresSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

"The danger, I think, is when the United States, or any country, thinks that we can simply impose these values on another country with a different history and a different culture."

President Obama responded to the criticism he's received for his upcoming high-profile speech in Egypt, a country with few political freedoms. Obama told the BBC that although there are obvious human rights issues in the Middle East, it is not the US's job to lecture countries; instead, the US should lead by example and help countries embrace universal principles as part of their own national identities. Obama also said that Iran has a right to nuclear power, so long as it proves that it proves its peaceful intentions.

How do you like this new brand of "freedom spreading"?

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(Syrian) Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

TresSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Bombarded with images of scantily clad women on billboards, television, and magazines, it makes sense that some women who live in liberal societies like the US succumb to lingerie's lure.

You may be surprised to hear, though, that even women who reside in extremely modest countries in the Middle East have the hots for seductive and sexy undergarments.

In Syria, where women often wear veils and long robes, the demand for push-up bras, leather outfits, whips, and edible underwear is on the rise.

After her wedding, a Syrian woman traditionally brings a trunk full of underwear to her husband's home. Some shop owners say that the Internet has added fuel to their imaginations and in turn altered the tradition. Now, some Syrian women don't want just any old underwear - they want the latest in kinky lingerie.

What do you think it is about lingerie that makes some women desire it, even if it's often invisible to everyone else?

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Six Gay Men Shot and Killed in Iraq

CitizenSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:00:02 -0700

Sadr City, Baghdad is popular among gays in Iraq. But that doesn't mean it's safe for them. Over the last 10 days, six gay men have been shot and killed following a tribal meeting where members decided to target the homosexuals within their tribe.

If you're gay in the Middle East you are most likely breaking the law in whichever country you find yourself. In Iraq, homosexuality is punishable by seven years in prison. Under the religious militias in Iraq, which rose in influence following the US invasion, the situation has become increasingly dangerous.

An anonymous official in Sadr City described one of the killings without a trace of remorse, saying: "Two young men were killed on Thursday. They were sexual deviants. Their tribes killed them to restore their family honor."

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President Obama Sends Message in a YouTube to Iran

CitizenSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:00:03 -0700

In honor of the Nowruz, the Persian New Year, President Obama has decided to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a video message, he praises the culture of Iran and the contributions of American-Iranians.

Obama says:

The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right - but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.

By addressing Iran as the Islamic Republic, Obama makes it apparent that he's not pushing for a regime change. Are you impressed by or anxious about Obama's outreach?

United Arab Emirates Launches Campaign Against Lesbians

CitizenSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:50:14 -0700

Excuse me, I'm a girl.

OK, I'm not just telling you that as an FYI. "Excuse me, I'm a girl" is actually the name of a new public campaign launched in the United Arab Emirates to crack down on lesbians.

In the UAE, lesbians are considered "manly" women that harass "normal" women. In order to address this menace, the government will employ educational and psychological experts to teach women about appropriate femininity.

A public service campaign filled with workshops and experts seems like quite a modern way to promote not-so-modern values!

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