^^^ Denmark is fine. Europeans are strange like that. They day you get an e-mail from the UK or the US with such figures I’m going to quit my job, wonder the streets shoeless and tell all and sundry about how deluded I was all those years.

It's getting very interesting now. The champions' League has overtaken all national leagues. It's all about the money. It's a one billion dollar competition now. Or should that be.....aah never mind.

North, Want to borrow this?

Aha! There is life in the old girl yet. Chin up, love, chin up. ps I just noticed your signature image! Hmmm. Interesting. Edit: I'm hoping to prove that theory of yours wrong by teasing you for years to come.

^^^ Heh. Hold your horses my cyber darling. I was only replying to the deluded Nomad who believed that just because they're females Somali women will be the answer to our enduring predicament. It's not about gender. Females can be just as vicious, manipulative and corrupt as men. Only most men don't realise that because they're busy looking at the women's, err, pretty eyes. Edit: The above was to Val not Ibti.

Women are as culpable in the destruction of Somalia as the men. In addition, I doubt women politicians are any much better than the men! In arguments about the origins of Somalis I have always maintained that we are not Arabs or African. I strongly believe that our original home was Bangladesh, before our great ancestors were accidentally stranded in East Africa! Have a mirror handy? Take a look at your face. And talking of women in politics who best to compare than our long lost cousins from Dhaka? Read the following: For the past 15 years, politics in the world's third most populous Muslim country has been dominated by twin matriarchs - divas who hate each other so much they will not cross paths, let alone speak to each other: Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina Wajed. They lead the two big political parties, the Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League, and they have alternated as prime minister since democracy was restored in 1991. But the feud between them finally boiled over this year as they refused to wait for elections to decide who should be prime minister next. As Khaleda Zia tried to fix the elections, Sheikh Hasina brought her strongmen on to the streets. At least 45 people were killed. With the chaos at its peak, President Iajuddin Ahmed stepped in on 11 January, declaring a state of emergency, and cancelling the elections. The international community looked on with relief. But the story that was not told was how the military had seized power: how the generals went to the President and told him to declare the emergency, and how they are behind the "caretaker" government. A country that only months ago was relishing its emergence on the world stage, with economic growth of 6 per cent, is looking, again, into the abyss of military rule. People are asking whether the era of the grandes dames is finally over. Much has been made of the fact that politics here has been dominated by women for more than a decade. But it was no triumph of feminism. Sheikh Hasina's and Khaleda Zia's power came from dead men. They are relatives of the two most powerful figures in Bangladesh's 36-year history as an independent country. Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the man who led Bangladesh to independence from Pakistan only to be assassinated for his own authoritarian attempts at single-party rule. The cadres of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League still wear the black coats favoured by him. Khaleda Zia is the widow of General Ziaur Rahman, who seized power and became military dictator shortly after Sheikh Mujibur's death, only to be assassinated himself.Their dependence on dead relatives did not stop them from putting on airs. Khaleda Zia, in particular, ruled Bangladesh "in an imperial fashion", according to Ataur Rahman, a professor of political science at Dhaka University. The word in Dhaka is that they are now under unofficial house arrest, guarded by security forces for their own "protection". The issues between them in the run-up to the elections scheduled for 22 January seemed relatively minor. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League complained that the election commissioners were biased, having barred the league's political ally, General Ershad, a former dictator, from standing. But really, the BNP was blatantly trying to fix the elections, says Professor Rahman. "It wasn't just election engineering, it was election designing," he says. "It shouldn't have been an issue for the BNP. They were winning anyway. They were doing it for five or 10 seats. They must be crying now." Source

Shakti! I was just about to give you a long lecture about how wrong suicide is and lend you a willing ear but then I realised that you’re not a new person, it’s just another change of name. Lets hope your mood follows similar patterns. How bored are you, dear? Ps The best way to commit suicide in your case is to read a big fat book from cover to cover. The phone book does not count. Now lighten up and stop being childish.

If I had to make an estimate of the worth of my life (and yours for that matter) I would have to say between fifty pence (that's half a pound sterling) and a pound. Of course I'm being generous here and assuming that when the big bad burglar comes into your house to rob you and stab you in your sleep, he'll at least have the decency to use his own knife. Unlike the knives in our kitchens, I don't think burglars are as fussy and fashion conscious about the type of knife to use, so fifty pence it is. Ps Why are you asking such an absurd question by the way? Are you contemplating slavery? Pps Talking of slavery, yesterday, I was thinking of Star Wars and those two robots in it (R2D2 and C3PO)! After thinking long and hard I have finally concluded that those two poor robots were the slaves of evil Luke Skywalker. I'm not sure about that hairy thing with Solo though. Edit: The title of this thread is misleading. You're asking for value in monetary terms and should have asked how much is it worth rather than worthy. ** Pushes glasses back with index finger and looks at you as if you’re short **

The politics section is starting to burst at the seams with all this madness. I thought (hoped really) that some of the regulars there would read this and calm down a little. I'm fully aware of the futility of this attempt of mine.

If it is just "unsubstantiated paranoia" then why the effort in trying to 'educate muslim women' by in the muslim world. Forget the men, get the muslim women educated so that they can reach the blissful state of 'Nirvana' on earth. Why the biaseness in the western worldview of islamic gender roles and efforts to combat them and promote them as 'Evils' and 'Sinful Practices' This is an effort by a ruthless dictator that is in place to serve the european hegomony and keept 'Muslims in Check' These muslimahs are being produced as 'Modern Muslimahs' which is the very anti-thesis of what a Muslimah should be i.e. God serving and not self serving or gender serving. Heh. Your attempt to explain the unsubstantiated paranoia with even more unsupported claims is laughable, saaxib. The lack of self-awareness in that text is quite astonishing. Never mind. I can clearly see that you have not read the articles on the subject, or if you did, you seem to have skimmed through them quickly. It’s ok; in answer to your questions I’ll just quote a snippet of the articles. This is what both Islamic opposition parties said: For one, Islamist deputy Mustafa Ramid with the Islamist Justice and Development party (PJD), the main opposition group with 43 seats in the 325-member parliament, the Murshidat is a "positive" development. "I see nothing more to say about this initiative because in Islam, men and women are equal," he said, pointing to Egypt which has "eminent women scholars of Islam". But the head of the youth group in Morocco's most radical Islamic fundamentalist association, Al-Adl Wal-Ihssane (Justice and Welfare), forecast it would have no effect on the ground. "The power behind this initiative is the same as the one that commits acts contrary to Islam, notably degrading moral values," said Hasan Bennajih, whose group is part of an Islamist movement that preaches non-violence and is unrecognized by authorities, but still influential. "This initiative, then, will only have a limited impact on the population," said Hasan Bennajih. Notice that neither has expressed any of the scepticism you’re spitting out in here? Only one of them criticised the government, but not the project itself. The most he could say about that is that it will not have much of an impact. Not at all near anything you’re implying in your post above. They’re giving these ladies the benefit of the doubt. It’s not all as black and white as in your head, saaxib. Despotic governments do build mosques, teach about Islam in schools and spend money on countless charitable projects. That does not mean they’re innocent of all their other unjust policies and practices. However, those unjust and unfair practices do not also mean that we should reject every good deed one of these governments makes or embarks on. I mean would you reject all the good work the Saudi government did in Mecca and Medina just because you know that government to be in cahoots with the West? As for implying sarcastically that these ladies are going to teach women how to be ‘modern Muslimahs’! I’m sure ladies with qualifications such as a graduate of Arab literature who knows the Quran by heart and one holding a degree in Islamic studies would have a pretty good idea of what a modern, contemporary, ancient or future Muslimah would look, act and behave like. These ladies look like they know what they’re doing and are equipped with the right amount of knowledge to do it. Let us hope they also have some sound and balanced judgment (which you sadly lack). Drop the paranoia, saaxib. It truly lets you down and hinders all your evident learning.

khayr, You need to expand a little on that. Give your understanding of what the hijab is in more details please. ps The Jewish tribe was Banu Qaynoqaac (I think).

The rates of suicide amongst Somalis are not that small either. I’m sure many of us here can present lots of anecdotal evidence as to the number of those that took their own lives due to depression and what not. I hope someone has looked into this and can give some genuine numbers. You’ll be surprised. As for the culture of suicide in Japan, you may find the following link fascinating (or not): Suicide as Japan’s major export?

"The Morshidat will be in charge of leading religious discussions, give lessons in Islam, give moral support to people in difficulty and guide the faithful towards a tolerant Islam" Samira Marzouk, a pioneer Murshida, or guide They will notably work with women and children in poor ghettoes seen as fertile ground for extremist recruiters. The idea of the Murshidat, spearheaded by King Mohammed VI and the government, took off after Islamic extremist attacks in the Casablanca on May 16, 2003 claimed 45 lives and left dozens of others wounded. The King who had already started reshaping religious structures to rein in any extremist drift in his North African country, which borders Algeria where violence between government forces and armed Islamic extremists has caused more than 150,000 deaths since 1992. Looking at it from all sides and angles one can't help but consider this a good idea. That country was bombed by it's own people in some misguided and deluded attempt to fight for Islam. No matter how one tries to excuse, explain or apologise for such an action the fact still remains that these so-called mujahidin bombed their very own people and fellow Muslims! Now, whenever such an incident took place in a Muslim country in the past, the despotic governments would usually roundup all religious folk and imprison them for unspecified lengths of time (not to mention torture them). The Moroccan government probably did that too (one can never tell). However, it's also pleasing to know that this government is attempting (albeit half-heartedly) to get to the bottom of this problem and the reasons for it. As the two articles above repeatedly stress, these lady guides are not replacing Imams and will not be conducting prayers, and are unlikely to be issuing fatwas. Their job will be to educate, guide and explain the finer points of the faith. The argument that these ladies are some sort of moles planted by the government to spy on and smother the 'Islamists' is nothing but unsubstantiated paranoia. Two dozen women can not do that much! Besides, how will they do it even if they tried? Will they teach other women to discard their hijab? Not to pray? Not to follow the clear Islamic rituals? Surely the only 'moderate' Islamic view they'll try to spread would be that bombing your own people is WRONG! This looks like a token gesture by the Moroccan government. However, since it is bound to benefit many people and help them better understand their faith, one is obliged to welcome it and hope that many other similar moves are made not only by the Moroccans but all other Islamic governments. Anything that reduces the number of Taliban-like people amongst us can only but be a good thing methinks. ps Kimiya, at least those angry young men will be knowledgeable (angry) young men rather than members of a rioting mob that heard the furious shouts and joined in the destruction, just because all the thunderous voices said 'it's the right and Islamic thing to do'!

Originally posted by Tone: quote:Originally posted by NGONGE: ^^ Were all the Talibans and your beloved ICU as fond of hearsay and rumour as you are? How do you know that Abdullahi Yusuf gets the taxes from these 'illegal' drugs into his bank account? These days, the supporters of the ICU (on this site) are turning out to be shadier, more duplicitous and more partisan than those sharing a bed with the Ethiopians. A bloody shame really. Pick your side of the fence. Already... I'm with the sensible people. How about your good self?

I think this one (despite the little argument later on) needs to be brought back again.

Originally posted by Taliban: quote:Originally posted by Violet: You're pretty amusing..You want me to provide you with a fatwa on twirling around?? Please tell me you're kidding. No, I ain't kidding. You claimed it ain't haram, which means it's halal. All I asked was to corroborate your claim, and the only way to do that is with a fatwa. This place is turning into a wretched nursery these days! I'm struggling to find one juicy topic to participate in or even just enjoy reading. Something has to give, babyface. :mad:

From one blunder to the next, this TFG government just keeps on surprising us all! Incidentally, the report seems to be unclear on the difference between the veil and the hijab making it all come across as some sort of propaganda article. What exactly are the TFG simpletons trying to ban here?

Ah well I think I walked into that one. Tooba, Taako, tooba.

^^^ The pinch did work though I got more than one line from you, see. Now we just have to work on the delivery and the logic. Stay with me, don't lose it now and revert to one-lines. What I'd love to see from you next is the total discarding of the ghastly 'text speak' that you always employ. I want to see commas, dear. Lots and lots of commas. ps In answer to your question: my bubble is great and I'm trying very hard to get you to share it with me (not in that way). Get in and let us float high up above the one-line rifraf pps Cambaro, I'm not against one-liners all the time. Yours was perfect and not suprising. You were simply lost for words.

^^ Child, if you must play with insults why not try the man in front of you instead of bringing his 'old' lady into the argument? That is very vulgar, saaxib and not manly at all. Here, let me show you how insults in a forum that has vigilant moderators are made. Actually, no I will not insult you at all. In fact, I am going to pray for your dear old mother and father who brought you up well and are proud of what sort of man your turned out to be now. ( I dare a moderator to delete the above). Ps The monkey bit was not meant as an insult you brute. It was banter and a play with a popular saying (not too popular I suppose). Google it if you like.

^^^ Ouch! Did that story about the cats annoy you that much? It was written almost two months ago! Besides, unlike you little sister, I’m sensible enough to realise that not every reader of my pearls of wisdom is going to like what they see. This does not mean I should stop expressing my opinions in a more eloquent way just because some school kid can’t understand the nuances, connotations, sarcasm or simple similes within! You want to write (and read) one-liners I suggest you take yourself to the chat room. Forums are for expressive, interesting, articulate and attention-grabbing discussions (like my cat story that you remember two month later). I know I sound like I’m having a go at you there, and I am a bit but it’s nothing personal. I’m just trying to see if a little pinch might make you see the light.

Originally posted by Captain Xalane: Aah ,Seems like the defeated lot's trauma is turning in to a paranoia. Who are the defeated lot here? The people from Puntland? The people from the capital? Somalis in general? That little phrase seems to be appearing in different threads for totally different reasons. Come on, people. Make it interesting and come up with some original putdowns. I find this latest outbreak of Schadenfreude really scandalous. In the end, and when all is said and done, it really is not in the interests of your country to tease those that lost this latest round of fighting. They’ll only come back at you sooner or later! Remember when your lot were claimed to be ‘the defeated ones’? I think, today, it’s the duty and responsibility of the TFG supporters (I shrink from saying AY’s fans) to take whatever excrement is thrown their way, with good humour and open arms. After all, you claim that your aim (and the TFG’s aim) is noble and that you’re only trying to bring Somalia back as a proud and prosperous country. Such things don’t come easy (do you hear me, Duke). Mr Yusuf and his government will have to display real honesty, responsibility and patience if they want this project to fully prevail. His fans and supporters need to display the same tenacity, patience and show their sincerity by taking all the criticism coming their way and accepting the insults of all the disgruntled anti-TFG Somalis without flinching, retaliating or sulking. Can it be done?

No monkeys please, I want the organ grinder.

^^^ One lines are good in chat rooms, walaal. This one is not supposed to be a 'chat' forum. Every once in a while one can use a line here and a line there but to do it all the time does nothing but ruin the forum. This is a discussion forum and I'm only trying to do exactly 'what it says on the tin'. Ya get me? Ps Any idea why I thought I was wasted on this site?

Originally posted by ole: quote: How bloody irritated are you? u mean how bloody irritating can u be ... damn u woman must u post this sh!t.. every time is calcaal about how women have it bad. Just be a break stop 4 a bus n be done with it.. :mad: really u so sad! I am truly wasted on this site.