George Galloway Savages Sky News

It's a month or two old, but still relevant. This guy George Galloway is just trashing Sky News on it's position in the Israel-Lebanon invasion. He brings up a lot of good points, and even if you don't agree with him, it's pretty funny to watch.

George Galloway Savages Sky News

This guy George Galloway is just trashing Sky News on it's position in the Israel-Lebanon invasion. He brings up a lot of good points, and even if you don't agree with him, it's pretty funny to watch.

I will help you because I am Muslim

source: http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4316349

'I will help you because I am Muslim'
By Mona Shadia, Staff Writer

It was a Tuesday morning like any other. While I waited for my cousin to take me to Crafton Hills College, I flipped through the TV channels.

Every station was airing the news and horrific images of two high towers falling down, fires raging, people running, screaming and crying.

Special Section: 9-11 Five Years Later Five years ago, my English wasn't as good, and I didn't understand what had happened.

Later, at the college library, it was explained to me.

A boy approached me and asked me where I was from.

"I'm Egyptian," I said.

He asked if I was Muslim. I am.

They were saying Muslims attacked the World Trade Center, he said.

All I remember is thinking, "No, it just can't be."

Everyone on campus was in front of a television, watching the attacks unfold. I kept hoping that whatever this trouble was, that Muslims were not responsible.

By the end of the day, it was clear that the terrorists were claiming to be Muslim, and I had to explain it to my mother.

We stood across from each other, looking at the television. I could see the tears in her eyes, and I couldn't help but cry myself. I cried for the twin towers, for everyone who died. But I also cried for the image of my religion, which was also destroyed.

I am Muslim, and was born and raised in a Muslim family. I was taught about Islam. I was taught to be kind, respectful, compassionate, helpful and peaceful.

My uncle sat next to me when I was little, and read the Quran to me, and taught me how to pray. I remember him telling me about the prophet, and the first time I walked into a mosque. On that day five years ago, it suddenly seemed to mean nothing.

Why should I be careful about saying what religion I believe in? Which crisis should I weep for? To me, being Muslim meant being good and peaceful and kind. Had I lived in a bubble, believing in something that wasn't really true?

In my English class the next day, one of the students asked, "Why can't they just drop a bomb and kill them all?"

That was harsh to hear.

I wanted to say something to my classmate, to defend my faith, to defend the people who believe as I do. But I felt like I couldn't. I was afraid.

I do not consider myself religious, but I started to study. I had to learn for myself what Islam was about, so that when I was asked if I was Muslim, I could confidently say that I am, or distance myself from the religion of my upbringing.

And I learned this: The men who committed the horrible acts are not my people.

They do not represent what I represent. They do not speak for me, and they do not know the God I know.

Please do not call them Muslims. Islam does not support terrorism.

Those men are not the first to use a religion to justify carrying out their horrible goals at any cost, and the Quran is not the first religious text to be taken out of context.

I hear people use the word "jihad," but they do not know what it means. Jihad comes from the word "jahd," which means to make an effort and spend energy for a cause. That cause is to struggle to be a good human being, to be educated, to help others, to improve yourself, your soul and your mind. It also means to fight, but when attacked and to protect your family and home.

"O you have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any one lead you into the sin of deviation from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do." Quran 05:08.

Please do not judge my faith based on men who claim to share it, but do not.

I will cry with you and those in need.

I will stand next to you.

I will help you because I am Muslim.

------------------------
Mona Shadia can be reached at (909) 483-8541 or via e-mail at mona.shadia@dailybulletin.com.

Club Jello

Welcome to Club Jello

A band of crazy college students who like to party in their dorm.


Parents call me crazy, Teachers call me stupid, but my friends call me... Super Jew

College Confusion

I went to visit the UT campus yesterday, and I came back with somewhat mixed feelings. The thing is, I'm thinking that I probably want to go into Biomedical Engineering for my major. But the problem lies in the fact that I never applied to UT's college of engineering, and now they're telling me that their Biomed class is full and the chances are very slim of me being able to transfer there afterwards, while Tulane on the other hand said that all I need to do to get into their Biomed program is simply send them an e-mail telling them that that's what I want.

But I'm still not even 100% sure if Biomed's what I want to do. My other alternative is Computer Science, and I'm already in UT's Com Sci class (which is in the top 10 in the nation). If I do decide that I wanna do ComSci, then it's a no brainer for me; I wanna go to UT. But I'm not sure if that's what I want to do.

Life has so many problems.

I need the college deadline date to be pushed back another year or so.

--Zhinker

Higher education just gets you higher in debt.

Tired and Sleepy...do NOT mess with me!

Art

I drew two drawings and now I'm getting so egotistical that I'm posting them online and even devoted a separate blog to them...I need to deflate my head a bit.

--Zhinker

P.S. The pics are at artistzhinker.blogspot.com

NOOOO!!!

MY OTHER MAGNET, THE ONE DAREN DIDN'T BREAK...Just one day after I posted about complaining about Daren breaking one of my magnets...I...I...I BROKE THE OTHER ONE!!!!

Maybe it's a sign from God or something...don't complain about things that happened four years ago.

--Zhinker

Black holes are where God divided by zero.

Wasted Weekend

Man, a three day weekend gone just like that...

and I didn't even get to do anything I wanted!

All I did the whole weekend long was either watch TV or try to do my art history homework while actually playing Pool online (that $%&@&% packet is a HUNDRED AND FIFTY WORDS LONG!!!).

And I didn't even get to go to sleep early one night...Yes. I do like to go to sleep early. You would too if you had two little three-year-old sisters who would wake you up before nine the next morning EVERY SINGLE STINKING DAY (but i still love them).

Yesterday, they came into my room and I took a magnet and a few staples, put the magnet under my desk and started zooming the staples all around the table with those two trying to catch them. It was a good fifteen minutes before they figured out it was the magnet that was moving the staples, and then of course they wanted a turn as well. Luckily I had some other (weaker) magnets that I let them use. I used the strongest one [big smile]! I used to have two like it but DAREN TANCHICO had to go about and BREAK IT back in FRESHMAN YEAR!!!

I still have the two pieces, but it's just not the same. I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT DAREN!!!

Someone might want to tell him to watch his back.

Or better yet, don't. MUAH HA HA HA HAA!

--Zhinker

An Ode to Jerry

Farewell to a stranger

Though I knew you not
In my high school years,
Mine eyes still fought,
Held back mournful tears.

My sight beheld every day
On that young face of yours,
A cheerful smile, there to stay.
I give you my Bonjour’s.

Helping others to no end,
Regardless of the task.
Joy to all hearts you’d send,
In their love you’d bask.

We returned from a weeklong rest,
To find one longer you’ve been granted.
You passed life’s every test,
Of your hardships you never ranted.

I bid thee now a sad farewell
On thy long, loathsome escape.
At least in refuge now you dwell
From unpleasantries of any shape.

Though niceties you shall soon miss
That were yet to come,
You’ve given us your farewell kiss,
Life shan’t leave you glum.

Mourners mourn and weepers weep,
Change the cry doesn’t bring.
Though your flesh the earth will keep,
In our heart your soul shall ring.

..................................Zain A. R.