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Archive for May, 2009

Pakistani perspectives on war with the Taliban

ISLAMABAD — I returned last night from two and half days in Lahore, where I spent some time socially with a few well-educated business associates and asked their opinions on the war in Afghanistan, the one here in Pakistan and the political mindset of average Pakistanis.
But first, as I sit to eat a late afternoon […]

Just a thought… on H1N1 and pandemic preparedness

ISLAMABAD – On arrival in Islamabad I had to declare if I’d visited Africa or Europe in the past six days — just to make sure I was free of bird or swine flu, presumably. Naturally, I forgot that Egypt was in Africa… is it?
Now, if they’d asked me that question on arrival in Dubai […]

“A is for Allah. B is for Bandook (gun)…”

( Politics and Strategy and travel and Pakistan )

ISLAMABAD –  Thus begins a primer used in some Pakistani private schools, according to the May 23 international edition of Time Magazine.  How Pakistan failed itself by Aryn Baker alleges the primer goes on to teach:  “T is for Thakrau, collision, which is illustrated with a drawing of the World Trade Center in flames… Z, […]

How much effort does it take to accomplish nothing? (updated)

CAIRO — Like most organizations, the one I’m working for (with?) now is consumed by bureaucracy. Now, bureaucracy itself is not necessarily evil. Nor does this organization have more than its share. However, people (meaning me, and others) can become consumed by bureaucracy and lose sight of the point of things.
So far, I’m not saying […]

Welcome to Egypt, now turn your head and… cough

CAIRO — Egypt is gripped by swine flu. Well, as gripped as a country can be where there is not a single solitary case of the H1N1 virus. Yet.
On arrival at Cairo International Airport, which is slightly larger than the airport in Kelowna B.C., I was greeted after being disgorged like undercooked fish from the […]

Things spammers say

CAIRO — OK, so it’s been a long time since I posted. Many reasons. No excuses. But, to ease back into it, I thought I’d share some of my favorite stupid subject lines from the 1,263 unread spam emails in my junk folder.
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Wow. If I was in […]