Hey There Jordan: 2

October 27, 2008 – 9:19 am

Hey Jordan! Over here.

Last night was fun, we should go out more often.

My mothers washing my clothes, if you’re wondering why I’m naked. Read More »

By Feature Writer | Posted in arts and literature, jordan | Comments (2)

Iraq: A Business Risk Worth Taking

October 18, 2008 – 9:31 am

Organisations looking to invest in developing countries need to look beyond generic labels such as ‘BRIC’, and the associations made with geographical regions, and should evaluate countries on an individual basis to discover their true value, according to Richard Fenning, CEO, Control Risks Group.

Speaking at the Economist’s Emerging Markets Summit in London, Fenning said that a term that lumps multiple countries into a single group “supposes a kind of homogeneous nature” is not an accurate assessment of the reality on the ground.

But even when investors look past a country’s regional position, the ‘country brand’ - perceptions of a country fuelled by external commentators such as the media, analysts, international bodies - can distort a true analysis of the risks involved.

“We have to stop looking at the world in terms of these various categories: developing economies, BRIC economies and the next level down, and look at them seriously as independent.” Fenning said.

For those organisations willing to take a ground up approach and understand the local climate for themselves, Fenning reasons, opportunities do exist.

Iraq as the ‘phenomenal risk story’ for 2009

Iraq has, for the past five years, dominated Western news coverage with harrowing tales of sectarian strife, mass suicide bombings, and the collapse of social order and public services. Read More »

By Oliver Pearce | Posted in business world, iraq | Comments Off

Arab Americans, the Election, and Clarion’s Islamophobic Agenda

October 15, 2008 – 10:16 am

Most Arab Americans I know resent the United State’s intimate relationship with Israel and the adverse affect it has on Palestinians. Most Arab Americans I know (myself included) are voting for Barack Obama.

It’s not that we have forgotten Obama’s AIPAC blunder or that we disregard Biden’s outspoken support of Israel. It’s that unlike Senator McCain, Obama’s campaign does not thrive off of the fear-mongering and finger-pointing shamelessly practiced by the Republican campaign. As proof, take the latest McCain ad which falsely accuses Obama of lying about his relationship with “terrorist Bill Ayers.”

Yet too many Arab Americans still associate with the GOP. And this association may prove disastrous for our future as citizens and members of society.

Along with American Muslims, Arab Americans suffered the consequences of the politics of fear; with increased terror alerts came a decrease in their civil liberties, a blow to their reputation (both at work or in social groups), and sometimes even threats to their personal safety. The fact that Obama does not rely on the played-out terrorist card should be reason enough for Arab Americans to support him.

Here is another:

Last month, the Clarion Fund, a supposedly non-profit organization funded by a $400,000 dollar grant from a “secret donor”, paid 70 newspapers in 14 of America’s swing states to distribute their DVD, “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West.” Read More »

By Feature Writer | Posted in current affairs, election 08, immigrants | Comments (5)

Hey There Jordan: 1

October 10, 2008 – 4:52 pm

Hey there. Hey Jordan! Come over to my table, lets have a drink.

Its nice out tonight, ay?

Its been a while!

Hows everything been going?

I think I dreamed of you last night.

Or maybe I didn’t, maybe I saw you. Maybe I was with you. Not sure actually, I think I loved you. Read More »

By Feature Writer | Posted in arts and literature, jordan | Comments (7)