A First Freedom Project Seminar:
Federal Laws Protecting Religious Freedom
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
DOJ Office of Justice Programs Conference Center
810 7th Street N.W., Room 3102
Washington, D.C.
9:00 a.m. – noon
Introductory remarks by Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division and presentations by Eric W. Treene, Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination, Civil Rights Division; Steven H. Rosenbaum, Chief, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, Civil Rights Division; and Mark J. Kappelhoff, Chief, Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division
Topics will include Religious Discrimination in Public Schools, Colleges and Universities; Religious Discrimination and Public Employees; The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA); Religion-based Housing and Lending Discrimination; Religious Discrimination in Access to Public Accommodations and Public Facilities; Prosecuting Attacks on Houses of Worship and Persons Based on Religion.
Admission is free but registration is required by January 24. This seminar is designed for religious, community, and civil rights leaders, government officials, attorneys, and others interested in religious liberty issues. Continuing Legal Education credit may be available.
To register, send your name, organization (if applicable) and phone number to:
FirstFreedom@USDOJ.gov
Please call Valissa Johnson at 202.514.9470 for more information.
www.FirstFreedom.gov
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Laughing All The Way To The (west) Bank
By Andrew Lee Butters
Time
December 11, 2007
The Axis of Evil arrived in Lebanon last week. No, not in the form of some Iran-backed coup d' état, but as a stand-up comedy team made up of three Americans of Middle Eastern descent. (They couldn't find a funny North Korean.) On the last leg of a regional tour playing to sold-out venues in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, they arrived at the Casino Du Liban outside of Beirut with a certain sense of relief. Lebanon was the only country that allowed them to perform their routine with expletives undeleted — no small challenge for a modern American comedy act. "#@#%#$!" said frontman Ahmed Ahmed, as soon as he got on stage, as if to prove the point.
In the U.S., Axis of Evil gets most of its mileage out of sending up the paranoid American stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims. Ahmed Ahmed, who is an Egyptian-American, likes to complain about how hard it is to pass through airport security because a well-known terrorist shares the same name. If dubious airline officials ask him to prove he's a comedian by telling a joke, Ahmed responds: "Um, I just graduated from flight school?" When that joke bombs (sorry!), he consoles himself with the thought of how frustrated the other Ahmed must get when people mistake him for a comedian. "I'm a terrorist, goddamit!"
The group's Middle Eastern tour is also getting a lot of laughs out of foibles better known to locals. Some of the funnier bits included: "When Arabs hook up they never say 'Your place or mine?' They say, 'Where are your parents, and how big is your car?'" Or, on how an Arab version of the TV game show The Price Is Right! should be called, "This Price Is Not Right!" When the group arrived in Jordan, the first time a stand-up troupe had ever preformed in the kingdom, the comedians were surprised to discover that much of their audience already knew their jokes and had already seen the Axis of Evil DVD, even though Axis of Evil doesn't have a distributor in Jordan. "It's the Middle Eastern distribution system," said Ahmed Ahmed. "One person buys it, and everyone else copies it."
Popular though they may be, comedy is no laughing matter in much of the Middle East, where the censors of autocratic regimes keep watch for criticism disguised as satire. (A woman I once met in Syria was jailed for forwarding an e-mail joke about that country's President.) But by comparison, in Lebanon, which hardly has a government, almost anything goes. Indeed, the Axis of Evil arrived just in time to coincide with a season of political farce being performed in Lebanon's parliament, which — deadlocked between factions backed by Iran and by the U.S. — has been unable to replace the President, who stepped down last month. "Who needs a President?" said Maz Jobrani, an Iranian-American on the Axis of Evil roster, as he mocked the jaded Lebanese audience. "You've got the sea. You've got the mountains. You've got Miss Lebanon! A President would just mess things up. Tonight we party!"
But there is also a semi-serious element to the Axis of Evil tour. At each stop, the group has invited local talent to share the stage with them, as a way of promoting emerging Middle Eastern stand-up comedy. In Lebanon, guests included students from the American University of Beirut, and an insurance agent who's clearly dying to quit his day job. And, perhaps, by heaping scorn equally on the claims of all sects and creeds, they'll do their part for peace in the region. "Is there any religious group that doesn't believe it's superior to everyone else?" said Aron Kader, the Palestinian-American. "No, we're not the Chosen People, but we do come highly recommended."
Time
December 11, 2007
The Axis of Evil arrived in Lebanon last week. No, not in the form of some Iran-backed coup d' état, but as a stand-up comedy team made up of three Americans of Middle Eastern descent. (They couldn't find a funny North Korean.) On the last leg of a regional tour playing to sold-out venues in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, they arrived at the Casino Du Liban outside of Beirut with a certain sense of relief. Lebanon was the only country that allowed them to perform their routine with expletives undeleted — no small challenge for a modern American comedy act. "#@#%#$!" said frontman Ahmed Ahmed, as soon as he got on stage, as if to prove the point.
In the U.S., Axis of Evil gets most of its mileage out of sending up the paranoid American stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims. Ahmed Ahmed, who is an Egyptian-American, likes to complain about how hard it is to pass through airport security because a well-known terrorist shares the same name. If dubious airline officials ask him to prove he's a comedian by telling a joke, Ahmed responds: "Um, I just graduated from flight school?" When that joke bombs (sorry!), he consoles himself with the thought of how frustrated the other Ahmed must get when people mistake him for a comedian. "I'm a terrorist, goddamit!"
The group's Middle Eastern tour is also getting a lot of laughs out of foibles better known to locals. Some of the funnier bits included: "When Arabs hook up they never say 'Your place or mine?' They say, 'Where are your parents, and how big is your car?'" Or, on how an Arab version of the TV game show The Price Is Right! should be called, "This Price Is Not Right!" When the group arrived in Jordan, the first time a stand-up troupe had ever preformed in the kingdom, the comedians were surprised to discover that much of their audience already knew their jokes and had already seen the Axis of Evil DVD, even though Axis of Evil doesn't have a distributor in Jordan. "It's the Middle Eastern distribution system," said Ahmed Ahmed. "One person buys it, and everyone else copies it."
Popular though they may be, comedy is no laughing matter in much of the Middle East, where the censors of autocratic regimes keep watch for criticism disguised as satire. (A woman I once met in Syria was jailed for forwarding an e-mail joke about that country's President.) But by comparison, in Lebanon, which hardly has a government, almost anything goes. Indeed, the Axis of Evil arrived just in time to coincide with a season of political farce being performed in Lebanon's parliament, which — deadlocked between factions backed by Iran and by the U.S. — has been unable to replace the President, who stepped down last month. "Who needs a President?" said Maz Jobrani, an Iranian-American on the Axis of Evil roster, as he mocked the jaded Lebanese audience. "You've got the sea. You've got the mountains. You've got Miss Lebanon! A President would just mess things up. Tonight we party!"
But there is also a semi-serious element to the Axis of Evil tour. At each stop, the group has invited local talent to share the stage with them, as a way of promoting emerging Middle Eastern stand-up comedy. In Lebanon, guests included students from the American University of Beirut, and an insurance agent who's clearly dying to quit his day job. And, perhaps, by heaping scorn equally on the claims of all sects and creeds, they'll do their part for peace in the region. "Is there any religious group that doesn't believe it's superior to everyone else?" said Aron Kader, the Palestinian-American. "No, we're not the Chosen People, but we do come highly recommended."
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Foreign Oil
Usually, I just post event information but there is something that I talk about all the time and it's about time I posted it here.
Oil. Petroleum. Liquid Gold. Texas Tea. Black Gold.
What do you hear about it here in the US? Arab oil!
Why don't they call it "imported oil?" I'll leave tht to your imagination. Personally, I'm sick of blaming us for the problem by calling it Arab oil -like we caused the problem!
I'm going to ask you to do something and that is to call it "imported oil" or "foreign oil" rather than "Arab oil." Why? Because we import most of our oil from non-Arab countries. Our own US Energy Department publishes monthly reports of our sources of imported oil and petroleum.
Check it out and you'll see where we get most of our petroleum - Canada. For years, Mexico was second and Venezuela was third. Saudia Arabia crept into second spot in recent months but Mexico is in second place overall for 2007.
We get more petroleum from the Virgin Islands than we do from Kuwait.
Check back to the above link every month to see the new figures and get the straight story out.
Oil. Petroleum. Liquid Gold. Texas Tea. Black Gold.
What do you hear about it here in the US? Arab oil!
Why don't they call it "imported oil?" I'll leave tht to your imagination. Personally, I'm sick of blaming us for the problem by calling it Arab oil -like we caused the problem!
I'm going to ask you to do something and that is to call it "imported oil" or "foreign oil" rather than "Arab oil." Why? Because we import most of our oil from non-Arab countries. Our own US Energy Department publishes monthly reports of our sources of imported oil and petroleum.
Check it out and you'll see where we get most of our petroleum - Canada. For years, Mexico was second and Venezuela was third. Saudia Arabia crept into second spot in recent months but Mexico is in second place overall for 2007.
We get more petroleum from the Virgin Islands than we do from Kuwait.
Check back to the above link every month to see the new figures and get the straight story out.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Return of the Peace Process? A Roundtable on the Annapolis Meeting
5:30 pm
Thursday, December 6
Copley Formal Lounge
The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University
Confirmed participants include:
HE Dr. Imad Moustapha
Syrian Ambassador to the United States
Ambassador Clovis Maksoud
Director, Center for the Global South, American University
Dr. Michael Hudson
Director, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University
Ambassador Phillip C. Wilcox
President, Foundation for Middle East Peace
Mr. Nathan Guttman
Washington Bureau Chief, The Jewish Daily
RSVP here: https://www12.georgetown.edu/sfs/rsvp/index.cfm?Action=View&EventID=1501
Thursday, December 6
Light refreshments will be served
Copley Formal Lounge
The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University
Confirmed participants include:
HE Dr. Imad Moustapha
Syrian Ambassador to the United States
Ambassador Clovis Maksoud
Director, Center for the Global South, American University
Dr. Michael Hudson
Director, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University
Ambassador Phillip C. Wilcox
President, Foundation for Middle East Peace
Mr. Nathan Guttman
Washington Bureau Chief, The Jewish Daily
RSVP here: https://www12.georgetown.edu/sfs/rsvp/index.cfm?Action=View&EventID=1501
Monday, December 3, 2007
Yalla! Volunteer
Do you have a few hours during the day or at home?
Do you want to help Arab American Institute with the Yalla Vote Campaign?
They are looking for a folks who like to do research on the internet and are interested in the presidential campaigns. If you are interested please contact Maram Abdelhamid at 202.429.9210 x13
Do you want to help Arab American Institute with the Yalla Vote Campaign?
They are looking for a folks who like to do research on the internet and are interested in the presidential campaigns. If you are interested please contact Maram Abdelhamid at 202.429.9210 x13
Yalla Vote '08 Presidential Campaign Connection!
The fine folks at the Arab American Institute are connecting Arab Americans with the presidential campaigns. It is so important that they have your feedback to help shape the 2008 election.
Please take a moment and complete the AAI's survey so they can assist you in playing a role in the campaigns of your choice. The survey is at http://www.aaiusa.org/page/s/yalla08survey
Please take a moment and complete the AAI's survey so they can assist you in playing a role in the campaigns of your choice. The survey is at http://www.aaiusa.org/page/s/yalla08survey
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Gerry Connolly's Democratic Thank You Brunch
Saturday, December 8
11 am - 1 pm
Best Western
6654 Arlington Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22042; map)
You are the many Northern Virginia Democrats who supported our candidates in the 2007 elections – and you are invited to a Thank You Brunch hosted by Fairfax County Board Chairman Gerry Connolly.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee and the 8th, 10th, and 11th Congressional District Democratic Committees are co-sponsoring the event. Our new Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw and other elected officials, candidates, and party leaders are scheduled to attend.
Democrats wishing to attend the free brunch can RSVP by email to jennisonjohn@aol.com. More information is available from 11th CD Chair George Burke at georgeburke@cox.net or 202.288.2104.
Those planning to attend the brunch are encouraged to bring items that will be sent to Army and Marine units in Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Christmas and the months following. Popular personal items include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, strong moisturizers, disposable razors, deodorant, baby powder/corn starch, facial wipes that don’t require water, nail clippers, boot socks in tan, brown or green, magazines, non-pork snacks like jerky, candy, cookies, gum, energy bars, playing cards and other portable games, hot sauce, pens, paper, envelopes, and notebooks.
The Best Western is located at 6654 Arlington Blvd (Route 50) just east of the intersection of Annandale Road. Ample parking is available in the Best Western’s lot. The nearest Metro station is East Falls Church.
Map/directions, click here. Flyer click here
11 am - 1 pm
Best Western
6654 Arlington Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22042; map)
You are the many Northern Virginia Democrats who supported our candidates in the 2007 elections – and you are invited to a Thank You Brunch hosted by Fairfax County Board Chairman Gerry Connolly.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee and the 8th, 10th, and 11th Congressional District Democratic Committees are co-sponsoring the event. Our new Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw and other elected officials, candidates, and party leaders are scheduled to attend.
Democrats wishing to attend the free brunch can RSVP by email to jennisonjohn@aol.com. More information is available from 11th CD Chair George Burke at georgeburke@cox.net or 202.288.2104.
Those planning to attend the brunch are encouraged to bring items that will be sent to Army and Marine units in Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Christmas and the months following. Popular personal items include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, strong moisturizers, disposable razors, deodorant, baby powder/corn starch, facial wipes that don’t require water, nail clippers, boot socks in tan, brown or green, magazines, non-pork snacks like jerky, candy, cookies, gum, energy bars, playing cards and other portable games, hot sauce, pens, paper, envelopes, and notebooks.
The Best Western is located at 6654 Arlington Blvd (Route 50) just east of the intersection of Annandale Road. Ample parking is available in the Best Western’s lot. The nearest Metro station is East Falls Church.
Map/directions, click here. Flyer click here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
