Texas Muslim Capitol Day
It's hard to know where to begin on this one. Surely the organizers knew that the name itself -- Texas Muslim Capitol Day -- would bring out anti-Islam demonstrators on January 29, 2015, (and it did). What wasn't foreseeable, however, was the astonishing response of Molly White, a Republican l

posted 1:27:46pm Jan. 30, 2015 | read full post »

Michelle Obama Bareheaded in Saudi Arabia
The Associated Press reports: "Joining President Barack Obama for a condolence visit after the death of the King Abdullah, Mrs. Obama stepped off of Air Force One wearing long pants and a long, brightly colored jacket — but no headscarf." It's a sad state of affairs when an uncovered head resu

posted 4:40:40am Jan. 28, 2015 | read full post »

The Day the Queen Drove the King
Just in case you missed it, this story is viral on the web: When Saudi Arabia's late King Abdullah visited Queen Elizabeth in 1998 at her Scotland estate, Balmoral, she got behind the wheel of her Land Rover to give him a tour. One of the stories (this one from PBS): When Queen Elizabeth t

posted 7:37:08pm Jan. 24, 2015 | read full post »

What's Next for Saudi Arabia?
King Abdullah has died. Whither Saudi Arabia? As The New York Times put it: "The king’s death adds yet another element of uncertainty in a region already overwhelmed by crises and as Saudi Arabia is itself in a struggle with Iran for regional dominance." Some places to read about the transit

posted 1:28:38pm Jan. 23, 2015 | read full post »

If It's Not Charlie Hebdo, It's Boko Haram
The Islamist army with the Boko Haram moniker is at it again. According to Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon's information minister, Mabass village in far northern Cameroon was attacked early yesterday (18 January 2015). Boko Haram killed at least three people and kidnapped four dozen hostages.

posted 1:56:17pm Jan. 19, 2015 | read full post »