pianogonzology: saudi

Showing posts with label saudi. Show all posts

Monday, January 21, 2019

Trouble . . .

(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/netflix-pulls-episode-patriot-act-hasan-minhaj-after-saudi-complaint-n953681)
". . . Netflix has removed a satirical comedy show from its service in Saudi Arabia following a complaint from authorities in Riyadh. . . The streaming service took down an episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" which was critical of the kingdom’s rulers following the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. . . Netflix said it had been told the episode breached Saudi Arabia’s anti-cybercrime law, which states that anyone who produces, prepares or transmits material “impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy” will be subject to imprisonment for a period of up to five years and/or a fine of up to $799,850. . ."

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Sunday, November 25, 2018

Examples . . .

. . . of bad U.S. choices do NOT justify the current administration's stance of Saudi Arabia, but indeed illustrate is error, IRRESPECTIVE of relative administrations' political affiliation. . . ((It's not blue against red, black against white, liberal against conservative, them against us. It is CORRECT against INCORRECT)

(from https://allthatsinteresting.com/us-dictator-alliances)

". . . In 1964, the U.S. overthrew (Brazilian President João) Goulart in one of the most violent CIA-backed coups up to that time. . . Goulart’s U.S.-backed successor, General Castelo Branco, would have a devastating impact on the Brazilian population. . . The Branco regime had tens of thousands of Brazilians — many of whom supported the coup — arrested and tortured to death. . . General Augusto Pinochet, who was grateful to the US State Department for its help in making . . . (itss) coup possible. . . Security officials herded labor leaders and other troublemakers into the National Soccer Stadium and forced them to sit in the stands while military police took them down by ones and twos to the field and shot them. Pinochet dispatched Allende ally General Ramos in a helicopter “Caravan of Death” to the north, where he had tens of thousands of “leftists” rounded up and disappeared. . . (During Nicolae Ceausescu's) 23 years in power, the regime liquidated all potential political opposition at home and funneled Romania’s resources out through an elaborate network of public-private partnerships that made the Communist dictator one of the world’s richest men. . . And through it all, as Romania’s foreign debt more than tripled, the US Treasury-backed IMF was always there with an open line of credit to ensure Ceausescu never had to reform. . . the CIA-supported, anti-communist Syngman Rhee (who) ran the Republic of Korea in the south. Rhee regularly arrested and occasionally even killed those he suspected of harboring communist sympathies, even presiding over several massacres. . . Indeed, In 1950, just before the Korean War, Rhee had approximately 20,000 supposed communists imprisoned, and in June of that year ordered the execution of those who he believed posed a threat to his regime. . . Then, in 1961, South Koreans — who were at this point poorer than North Koreans — saw the rise of Park Chung-Hee, who seized leadership via a coup tacitly supported by the U.S. Upon entering office, Park declared the rule of martial law and amended the constitution to support his own authoritarianism. . . While the South Korean economy did begin its decades-long boom under Park, it came at the cost of political repression, corruption, and even violence. Park used sham elections to legitimize his rule by decree, which on the less harmful end of things, included dictating the length of men’s hair and women’s dresses. . . While all of the dictatorships mentioned so far ended long ago, Uzbekistan’s continued until very recently — a fact that Washington doesn’t seems to mind much, likely due to the nation’s geography and its erstwhile leader’s shared interest in combatting Islamic extremism. . . The Karimov regime engaged in what the United Nations has called “institutionalized, systematic and rampant” acts of torture, which Karimov directed toward the Muslim community in particular. . ."

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Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Tough . . .

. . . choices???

. . . the CIA or Trump. . .

(https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/unusual-statement-disputing-cia-filled-exclamation-points-trump-backs-saudi-n938526)
". . . Trump. . . said Tuesday that his administration would stand by Saudi Arabia's rulers and take no actions against them over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. . . the extraordinary statement . . . called the "crime" against Khashoggi "terrible" and "one that our country does not condone.". . . But. . . stopped well short of pointing blame at Saudi Arabia — despite NBC News and other reports last week that the CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's killing — and cast questions over who killed the journalist. . . "

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Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Progress? . . .

(From http://www.politicalforum.com/index.php?threads/human-rights-activist-esra-al-ghamgam-executed-by-saudi-arabia.540060/)
". . . Saudi sources as well as human rights sources of various stripes have confirmed the reporting that the Saudi human rights activist, Esra al-Ghamgam, was executed on the KSA’s prosecutor’s orders on Sunday. . .As Saudi women are given the freedom to drive and play an active role in society, Shia women are not only arrested for seeking freedom of religion but now punished with unheard of sentences for women in this Kingdom.”. . . "\

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Thursday, May 24, 2018

Image . . .

(from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/saudi-arabian-women-s-rights-activists-arrested-just-weeks-driving-n875771)

". . . Saudi authorities have detained at least six activists, including three of the country's most prominent women's rights campaigners, just weeks before the kingdom is set to lift a ban on women driving, people familiar with the arrests said Friday. . . As activists remain under pressure to keep silent, credit for reforms, such as lifting the ban on women driving, has largely gone to the king's 32-year-old son and heir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He has relaxed some of the country's ultraconservative rules by allowing women into stadiums to watch sports and bringing back musical concerts and movie theaters. . . Such measures, however, are more about boosting the economy and improving the country's image abroad, and less about promoting personal freedoms. The kingdom remains an absolute monarchy where protests are illegal and where the king and his son oversee all major decision-making. . ."

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(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Watch The Ocean City Ditty Video on YouTube
Also, be sure to visit: www.rayjozwiak.com and www.ohomusic.com

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

All . . .

new meaning to the term "Dedication"

(from http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/al-qaeda-foe-survived-suicide-attack-named-top/story?id=17644565)
A ". . . bomber, who blew himself up close to Prince Muhammed, had hidden the bomb in his own rectum. The bomb was allegedly designed by AQAP bombmaker Ibrahim al-Asiri, the same Saudi expatriate who designed the underwear bomb used by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in his attempt to bring down Northwest flight 253 over Detroit on Christmas 2009. Prince Muhammad escaped the August 2009 attack with minor injuries. His would-be assassin, who died in the blast, was al-Asiri's brother Abdullah. . ."

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(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
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Monday, June 15, 2015

Take . . .

. . . NOTHING for granted. . .

(from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33039815) ". . . Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has upheld the sentence of 1,000 lashes and 10 years of imprisonment on blogger Raif Badawi, despite a foreign outcry. Speaking from Canada, his wife Ensaf Haidar told the BBC she feared his punishment would start again on Friday. Badawi was arrested in 2012 for "insulting Islam through electronic channels". Saudi authorities sent his case for review amidst global protests, after the first round of lashes in January. For four years Badawi ran the Liberal Saudi Network, which encouraged online debate on religious and political issues. Ms Haidar said she had held high hopes that her husband was about to be released, but he remained less optimistic. When they last spoke three days ago he told her not to expect him home in the near future. She called on the countries and rights groups that had campaigned for her husband's release to mobilise once more. Amnesty International activists held a protest demanding the release of blogger Raif Badawi in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Berlin on 22 May 2015 Protests were held following Badawi's first flogging by the kingdom Badawi received his first 50 lashes in January, but subsequent floggings have been postponed. A shaky video taken on a mobile phone showed Badawi being lashed by a member of the security forces. The footage prompted international protests which were repeated every Friday, the scheduled day for the beatings. In March, the kingdom expressed "surprise and dismay" at international criticism over the punishment. At the time, the foreign ministry issued a statement saying it rejected interference in its internal affairs. It is not clear why Badawi has not yet endured a second round though a medical report found he was not fit for the punishment. Saudi Arabia enforces a strict version of Islamic law and does not tolerate political dissent. It has some of the highest social media usage rates in the region, and has cracked down on domestic online criticism. . . "

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

Friday, April 24, 2015

Puzzled . . .

. . . about what I should learn from this . . .

(from http://riyadhconnect.com/african-girl-receives-thousands-of-riyals-in-donations-after-man-in-saudi-posts-selfie-with-her/)
An African child has received thousands of riyals in donations after a man posted a selfie with her picking through trash in the background on Twitter in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

The photo sparked outrage on Twitter and prompted a huge outpouring of kindness online.

Local newspaper Al Marsad reported that the man who came under heavy criticism for taking the selfie, roamed Jeddah until he found the girl so he can apologise and offer her gifts.

Since the selfie was posted, generous Twitter users have donated money and gifts to the girl. Famous Saudi rally driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi donated SR50,000 to the little girl.

Other supporters have also donated huge amounts and a businessman pledged to give the girl a monthly allowance for life.

What do you think?

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http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Trouble . . .

. . . coming

Saudi Arabia sentenced a man to ten years in prison for using Twitter to "encourage protests" against the rulers and another to eight years for "insulting" the King and "inciting protests" on Twitter and other social media. The Saudi Justice Ministry spokesman said the men's actions undermine the country's leadership, are hostile to the government and promote deviant ideologies. Both sentences were pronounced days after the country officially declared the Muslim Brotherhood to be a terrorist organization. Saudi Arabia further warned that any Saudi or foreigner residing there could be sentenced to heavy jail terms for joining extremist groups or participating in such groups' activities. The Interior Ministry statement also criminalized atheism on the part of Saudis or residents. The nation's ongoing intent is to severely limit freedoms of expression and religion while countering extremism and terrorism and frequently violate internationally-recognized human rights.
(thanks to http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/11/world/meast/saudi-arabia-twitter-jail/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)

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OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD).

My latest solo release, Black & White Then Back,
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Saturday, December 7, 2013

Illusion . . .

. . . intentionally, and masterfully perpetrated-with the assistance of ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR, WSJ, NYTs, USA Today, Washington Post, New York Post (you get the 'picture'). . .

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Al-Qaeda translation: "The Base" and alternatively spelled al-Qaida and sometimes al-Qa'ida) is a global militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in Peshawar, Pakistan, at some point between August 1988 and late 1989, with its origins being traceable to the Soviet War in Afghanistan. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad and a strict interpretation of sharia law. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, India and various other countries (see below). Al-Qaeda has carried out many attacks on non-Sunni Muslims, non-Muslims, and other targets it considers kafir. . .

(from http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Analysis-Whos-really-calling-the-shots-in-al-Qaida-322309)
. . . the United States killed the second-in-command of affiliate organization al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Abu Sufyan al-Azdi, in a drone strike in Yemen last year. He was reportedly wounded in the October 2012 strike and died a few months afterward. Jihadists recently called for revenge, and the terrorist organization’s affiliates in Iraq and Somalia are expressing their anger over his killing, according to Site, a jihadi monitoring website. There could also be a connection with the recent appointment of a Yemeni AQAP leader, Nasir al-Wuhayshi, as general manager of al-Qaida, effectively making him the No. 2 man in the organization. . .

(from http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/fakealqaeda.php)
"The truth is, there is no Islamic army or terrorist group called Al Qaida. And any informed intelligence officer knows this. But there is a propaganda campaign to make the public believe in the presence of an identified entity representing the 'devil' only in order to drive the TV watcher to accept a unified international leadership for a war against terrorism. The country behind this propaganda is the US . . ." -- Pierre-Henri Bunel

(http://www.rense.com/general68/alq.htm)
Shortly before his untimely death, former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook told the House of Commons that "Al Qaeda" is not really a terrorist group but a database of international mujaheddin and arms smugglers used by the CIA and Saudis to funnel guerrillas, arms, and money into Soviet-occupied Afghanistan. Courtesy of World Affairs, a journal based in New Delhi, WMR can bring you an important excerpt from an Apr.-Jun. 2004 article by Pierre-Henry Bunel, a former agent for French military intelligence. "I first heard about Al-Qaida while I was attending the Command and Staff course in Jordan. I was a French officer at that time and the French Armed Forces had close contacts and cooperation with Jordan . . .

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My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
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Also, be sure to visit:
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