I will go to confession for committing a mortal sin if I do not vote for Obama. ;)

Pavements will also be poundedin the NE and MW up until November.

http://allainjulesblog.blogspot.com/

Yep, and the voice in your head called “conscience” (and which was put there before Scriptures were composed) will whisper “Well done.”

On another note, I intend to commit a particular mortal sin on election day…my God will understand.

Are Palestinians evil people in your book, and has the Israeli state contributed anything to the tragic and inhumane conditions that exist in that region?

You should read Edward Said!

A typical day in Auckland city these days has me fuming to the point of verbal violence. The latest fashion statement for the pathetic ‘alternative fashion’ sheep (who would normally be found either in Kroad, drinking their mochas shunning their middle/upper class background while simultaneously benefiting from it … or the oh so hip High Street) is sporting the keffiyeh (Arab scarf). I’m increasingly subjected to seeing some punk arrogantly wearing one around his or her neck, or worse- as a top which I unfortunately had to witness one fateful day.

While you can find it in red and white, the black and white keffiyeh is the most prominent. It is commonly understood in the Muslim world as a symbol of Palestinian nationalism and is mainly associated here in the West with the solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for self determination and liberation.

Now, I have no problem with the wearing of the keffiyeh as long as its cultural and political meaning are respected and recognised.

But yes or no, Katerina and MM: — the kafiyeh (or approximations thereof) is also worn either as a statement of Palestinian solidarity?

That IS a keffiyeh! Not the paisley one!

Chris,

What about this?

Not to Jamal, born in Jericho and now living in New City, N.Y., who said the kaffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress, is no fashion faux pas but a symbol of nationalism. She’s among the Arab-Americans who say the comments are inaccurate and show prejudice.

“The Palestinian people consider this their flag,” said Jamal, who has designed jeans, pocketbooks and neckties with the scarves. “People often have these in their cars and on key rings. It is about pride and class struggle, and nothing else. To say it stands for what they’ve said is just a disgrace.”

The traditional headdress became symbolic during the Palestinian uprising against the British occupation from 1936 to 1939, and has been a symbol of nationalism ever since, according to Rochelle Davis, an assistant professor of culture and society at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.

“While it has symbolism of solidarity with Palestine, it is not associated with terrorists and does not show that someone is sympathetic to terrorism,” Davis said. “To say that is just incorrect.”

Davis disagreed, likening a kaffiyeh in the Arab World to an American wearing a baseball cap. They are seen on the young and old alike, as well as tourists and U.S. and British troops to protect them from the elements. The scarves, with chain-linked patterns and knotted tassels, are usually seen in red, black or white but are also made in other colours.