May 2004

In Defense of Oregon

by Nathan Hamm

There is a widely-held prejudice that Oregon is home to lots of tree-hugging moon-maidens and nutjob political and religious movements. Abu Hamza Al-Masri’s plan to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon would seem to fit this pattern. (Here’s Bly on a map. Nice area.) Let me say, in defense of my beloved [...]

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Tempting

by Nathan Hamm

Amanda emailed me info on The Mongol Rally. This is probably something of a response to me mentioning my secret desire to put the horde back together (think Apocalypse Now or, more appropriately, The Man Who Would Be King). The whole trip is London to Ulan Bator via Moscow–6,700 miles in three weeks. You have [...]

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It is not for me…

by Nathan Hamm

to resist such opportunities. The look on his face pretty much removes any possible need for me to make a comment on his remarks. (HT: Michele)

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Random Trivia

by Nathan Hamm

What was the first movie to earn a PG-13 rating? Kind of, but kind of not really entirely, off-topic.

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Coolest. Peace Corps Volunteer. Ever.

by Nathan Hamm

Without a doubt. And, he wants to be governor. Could Texas do worse? And, anyone interested in making me an Honorary Texas Jewboy, here’s how….

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New Assistance for Middle East & Central Asia

by Nathan Hamm

The Senate is proposing new assistance and investment in the Middle East and Central Asia. The purpose of the Act (S 2305 IS) is to authorise assistance for political freedom and economic development, particularly through private sector development, in the Greater Middle East and Central Asia, including contributions to and participation in three new entities: [...]

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A Damned Shame

by Nathan Hamm

Tajikistan’s only synagogue is being demolished to make way for a presidential palace: The government has ordered the Jews out of the Dushanbe synagogue by the end of July so it can be demolished with the surrounding neighborhood. The plain, white building where Jews say they have worshipped for more than a century is to [...]

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Georgia goes big in Japan

by Andy

Georgia now has its very own representative in the highest levels of Japanese Sumo… Georgia, a “martial arts kingdom” that has produced many Olympic medalists in wrestling and judo, is also proving fertile ground for sumo. Georgian wrestler Kokkai (Black Sea) was promoted to the juryo division this spring. At the end of 2002, a [...]

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by Nathan Hamm

Which Nigerian spammer are You? (HT: Javert Max)

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Quit Loving Me!

by Nathan Hamm

Finally! Another story on the removal of the Turkmenbashi portraits: The war on the personality cult was ordered by Niyazov himself, the president whose portraits can be seen everywhere. The decision was made to begin in the capital city of Ashkhabad. An official of the municipal administration who insisted on anonymity told AFP news agency [...]

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