Corsica, France - Fruits of Unwanted Multiculturalism

ꕤ Article SOURCE https://www.rt.com/news/327182-corsica-bans-protests-france/ Corsica bans all rallies following series of violent anti-Muslim protests Published time: 27 Dec, 2015 10:07 The French island of Corsica has banned all demonstrations in a low-income neighborhood of its capital Ajaccio recently plagued by violent anti-Muslim protests, including the ransacking of a Muslim prayer house, and burning copies of the Koran. The decree banning protests in the volatile neighborhood of Jardins de l'Empereur until January 4 was issued by Corsica’s prefect Christophe Mirmand. “It is an order that was taken last night as part of a state of emergency… Instigation of hatred is an offence that can lead to criminal proceedings,” he said, as cited by France Info. He said ealier that police from mainland France have been called into Ajaccio, and prayer rooms and mosques were being guarded. Speaking on French iTELE he confirmed that two separate investigations have been launched into an attack on firefighters and the ransacking of the Muslim prayer house. READ MORE: Dozens take part in fresh anti-Muslim protest in Corsica after attack on prayer hall (VIDEO) Tensions mounted in Ajaccio after a night of violence when two firefighters and a police officer were injured in what the authorities described as ambushes by “several hooded youths” in the low-income neighborhood. On Friday, an angry mob retaliating over the attacks on the firefighters and ransacked a Muslim prayer house. The protests continued on Saturday when a group of 100-300 people marched in Ajaccio, shouting anti-Muslim slogans. READ MORE: Muslim prayer hall damaged, copies of Koran burnt in overnight rampage in Corsica Local police put at least five Muslim prayer houses in Ajaccio under protection and maintained a presence on the housing estate. Anti-Muslim sentiment is rising in France following the terrorist attacks on November 13 in Paris that killed 130 people. The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the violence in the French capital. Corsica, a small Mediterranean island, has a long history of nationalistic movements, which occasionally lead to violence. Anti-immigrant and nationalist parties performed well during last month's regional election, giving the department its first-ever nationalist government. https://www.rt.com/news/327182-corsica-bans-protests-france/ ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT The result of unregulated immigration and imposed 'multiculturalism'. Sounds rather unpleasant for all concerned. ꕤ

Video - Losing My Religion - Tehran Iran Footage

ꕤ Losing My Religion {Tehran #Iran Footage} R.E.M. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Tombak Solo by Mohammad Reza Mortazavi CODEX shish-hashtom/part 4 (2013)  تمبک - محمد رضا مرتضوی Mohammed Reza Mortazavi more info  | link ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- 'Seda Kon Mara' 1973 (Call My Name) عباس مهرپویا  Songwriter:  Parviz Vakili, Persian Poet Composer:  Mehrpouya ꕤ

History - Civilisation

ꕤ History Civilisation Earliest Primary (Pristine) States Mesopotamia ca. 3700 BC Egypt ca. 3300 BC Indus Valley ca. 2500 BC India ca. 1700 BC China ca. 1600 BC Directly or indirectly fostered emergence of secondary states via interaction with less developed neighbours trade warfare migration general ideological influence ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- One of major milestones in evolution of polities / societies is development of states, as follows: large-scale populous politically centralised socially stratified polities/societies governed by powerful rulers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_in_the_11th_century_BC polity (pl. polities) 1. form of government of a nation, state, church or organisation 2. organised society (eg nation) having specific form of govt fm. Old French, fm Late Latin: politia (the Roman government) see 'police' police fm. Old French, civil organisation fm. Late Latin, politia (the Roman govt) fm. Latin, 'the State' fm. Greek, politeia fm. polites, citizen fm. polis, city-state source | here Politeia ancient Greek used in Greek political thought esp.  Plato & Aristotle  fm. polis ('city-state') Politeia range of meanings: from 'the rights of citizens' to a 'form of government' Politeia ancient Greek government ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Aristotle 'Politics, Nicomachean Ethics, Constitution of Athens' (& other works) used Greek word for constitution (politeia) in several senses simplest, most neutral descriptive: 'arrangement of offices in a polis (state)' Source | here Aristotle: Politics 'Nicomachean Ethics' (384-322 BCE) happy life intended for man by nature: one lived in accordance with virtue 'Politics' ideal:  community of 'virtuous citizens' analysis of kinds of political community his time belief in the inferiority of women approval of slavery describes role that politics & political community must play in facilitating 'virtuous life' in citizenry sees connection re well-being of political community + citizens belief citizens must actively participate in politics for happiness and virtue analysis of what causes & prevents revolution inspiration for many contemporary theorists esp. those dissatisfied with liberal political philosophy (liberal promoted by, eg. John Locke & John Stuart Mill) http://www.iep.utm.edu/aris-pol/ Virtue Ethics one of x3 major approaches in normative ethics normative ethics - study of ethical action branch of philosophical ethics investigates set of questions arising when considering how one ought to act, morally speaking attempt to provide a general theory indicating how we ought to live involves arriving at moral standards regulating 'right' & 'wrong' conduct theories are abstract conceptual constructs that attempt to describe & explain certain phenomena normative ethical theories represent systematic attempts to describe and explain moral or ethical phenomena in normative ethical theories, possible to isolate a tripartite structure that comprises: a moral standard general moral principles particular moral principles and judgements Moral Standard moral standard provides the criteria re generation of moral principles and moral judgements ie. specifies what characteristics all moral actions must possesses utilitarian moral standard: actions are moral to the degree that consequences produce most happiness moral standards generate: general moral principles (in turn) general moral principles generate: particular moral principles and judgements MORAL STANDARD | GENERAL MORAL PRINCIPLES | PARTICULAR MORAL PRINCIPLES AND JUDGEMENTS Figure 1. The Levels In Normative Moral Theories http://www2.onu.edu/~m-dixon/handouts/ethical%20theories.html particular moral standards distinguish normative theories theories (whether scientific or ethical) are all built on basic assumptions (conceptual foundations) in science, assumptions = basic presuppositions re material universe in ethical theories, basic assumptions regarding 'moral domain' (nature, structure, applications) standards that underlie moral theories distinguished by basic assumptions re: 1. specific element (focused upon re 'moral evaluation') 2. definitions of 'good' and 'right' 3. if ethical knowledge based in experience or reason (or combination) distinguish between elements: 1. motive 2. intention 3. character 4. action 5. characteristics  (eg obligation, permissible, impermissible action) 6. consequences *motive & intention are technically subtle difference (& problematic) DUTY / OBLIGATION - 'right' prior to 'good' Deontological ethics normative ethical position judges morality of action based on action's adherence to a rule (or rules) says: some acts are inherently 'moral' or 'immoral' says: reason, intuition or 'moral' sense reveals what is 'right' says: own interests/happiness have no relevance ('duty' prevails) says: 'moral' (ie 'right') = observe 'moral duties', 'right' intentions END PURPOSE / ENDS - 'good' prior to 'right' Teleology belief phenomena are best explained in terms of purpose rather than cause theory of morality that derives 'duty' or 'moral obligation' from what is 'good' or 'desirable' as an end to be achieved [britannica] x2 main types of theory brought under rubric (classification) of teleological ethics = Utilitarianism & varieties of ancient Greek virtue ethics www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Teleological_ethics teleological ethics theory of ethics (as utilitarianism or ethical egoism) 'rightness' of an act is determined by its end www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teleological%20ethics [Greek teleios, teleos, perfect, complete (from telos, end, result) [source: tfd]] says: no acts are inherently 'moral' or 'immoral' says: experience, rather than reason, reveals what is 'good' says: own/other equal consideration, evaluation says: 'moral' (ie 'good') = act to maximise happiness in end result action SOURCE (predominantly) http://www2.onu.edu/~m-dixon/handouts/ethical%20theories.html [wikipedia & various other at start] DOWNLOAD - e-book 'Politics' Aristotle Translated by Benjamin Jowett University of Adelaide, Australia https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/a8po/ ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Wow, that was fun. Started off looking for maps of Egypt when Ramesses III was around, and it sort of evolved from there. Not sure that I'm up for all that reading.  And I'm not sure I like Aristotle.  Women and slaves aren't the problem. All that 'virtue' stuff sounds unpleasant to me.  Is there a third way? Quickly skimmed the philosophy of ethics info.  Not sure I'll remember much of it.  But I'm not that hung up on ethics, so it doesn't matter. I'm inclined to think that you cannot have blanket ethics rules, because all things are not equal and each situation demands specific responses.  I'm talking about affairs of the state types of situations (rather than everyday existence, which is probably automatic).  That's my gut feeling, but I haven't really given this a whole heap of thought. Also, I don't think 'nature' intended man to live in massive societies that consume and breed on a massive scale, and destroy nature for the enrichment of an elite few.  But 'nature' probably doesn't 'intend' anything.  Nature just is. Might skim some of Aristotle's 'Politics' ... after I edit Ramesses III's GIF to my satisfaction, because it's an action that will result in greater good.  And it's more fun.  ;) ꕤ

GIF - Ramesses III

ꕤ Ramesses III ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Best with dabke music (press play)  El Dabka-Egypt ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Music Peter Pringle Egyptian Song Link words of song from ancient Egyptian papyrus scroll circa 1500 BC Era of: Tutankhamun Queen Hatshepsut 'heretic king' Akenaten & wife Queen Nefertiti instrument 22string Egyptian New Kingdom harp ('djedjet') *Egyptians only wrote words (not the accompanying music) [ *music after Ramesses III time ]   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntnBuQAvFjA ---------------------- ꕤ ----------------------  Ramesses III (ca. 1185 BC – 1153 BC) Horus name:                Kanakht Aanesyt Nebty name:                Werhebusedmitatjenen Golden Falcon name:   Userrenputmiatum Prenomen:                    Usermaatre-meryamun Nomen:                         Ramesses Heqaiunu http://euler.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Ramesses_III.html source https://www.preceden.com/timelines/210128-world-civilizations ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Pharaohs Great Five Names 1. The Horus Name | now Serekh Name oldest attested name/title of Egyptian kings consists of three elements: (1) palace façade; (2) Horus falcon standing on it; & (3) name of written within palace façade frame. modern reference:   'serekh name' (*as not all pharoah palace Horus falcon on serekh (palace façade)) Two elements: 1.  sitting or walking figure of deity holding rectangular ornamental illustration of floor-plan of palace façade & royal courtyard. Ornamental illustration called 'serekh' (fm Egyptian 'façade') 2.  Name of Pharaoh written inside free space representing royal courtyard. Most cases, falcon of god Horus was deity on top of serekh. Late Naqada III period (3,200 BC - 3,030 BC) -- kings started to write name inside serekhs 2nd Dynasty at least 2 names contradict Horus tradition: 1)  king Seth-Peribsen - replaced falcon with walking animal of god seth (composite man-animal). (name written in plural, thus addressing both Seth & Horus) 2) likewise:  Sekhemib & Khasekhemwy Khasekhemwy - place both figures of Horus & Seth above serekh (dualism) 2. Nebty name (lit. 'two ladies') 'heraldic' goddesses of Upper & Lower Egypt Nekhbet, patron deity of Upper Egypt, represented by vulture Wadjet, patron deity of Lower Egypt, represented by cobra cartouche or serekh 3. Golden Horus Name form of pharaoh name featuring image of a Horus falcon perched above or beside the hieroglyph for gold triumph of Horus over his uncle Seth; or Horus superior to his foes gold associated with eternity / eternal Horus name of Pharaoh typically not framed by cartouche or serekh 4. Throne name (prenomen) first of the 2 names written inside a cartouche accompanied by title (nsw-bity & var.) ie title, 'She/He of the Sedge & Bee' translated as 'King of Upper & Lower Egypt' (per respective symbols) 5. Personal name (nomen) name given at birth preceded by the title 'Son of Ra' written as:  hieroglyph of a duck (za) adjacent to symbol of sun (for solar god Ra) [ 'son of' must be the duck  ] Modern historians refer to Pharaohs by personal name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_royal_titulary https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horus_name ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Records of the Harem Conspiracy against Ramses III The Judicial Turin Papyrus, Rollin Papyrus and Lee Papyrus http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/texts/judicial_turin_papyrus.htm Some other interesting texts http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/texts/index.html ꕤ

Chicken Korma

RECIPE ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Chicken Korma Gearing up to cook this chicken korma. Recipe went something like this: 1.5 cups natural yoghurt 1.5kg Chicken thighs, skinless walnuts & cashews - grind x2 big onions fried until caramelised 2 Tbsp ginger garlic 2 tsp      - chilli powder (cook off) 1/2 tsp   - turmeric powder 1 tsp      - coriander powder 1 tsp nutmeg / black cardamom (mix stored) ground & stored as powder (in her kitchen) ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- spices - go into fried onion oil mix green cardamom - open cinnamon black pepper 10-20 seeds cloves 12-15 ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- The plan 1. trim chicken & set aside (worst job first) 2. assemble & apportion spices 3. grind nuts 4. caramelise onions Steps Brown chicken (in pan in which onion was caramelised). Add ginger & garlic paste (or crush). *may add salt (I prefer to do last). Fry off chicken until golden brown. Once chicken browned, add: 2 tsp chilli powder (cook off) 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp coriander powder Add:  1 cup yoghurt Add:  2-3 Tbsp cashew & walnut powder (more for thicker gravy) Add:  1/2 cup yoghurt (ie balance yoghurt) 10 mins - cook off, covered add caramelised onion & stir through (thickening agent) add water if needed add 1 tsp (total) nutmeg & black cardamom powder (pre-prepared & stored in above chef's kitchen) add little more water, if required (because onion makes think gravy) cook off another 10 mins 1/2 tsp (unknown liquid ingredient) & turn off heat. *** SALT AT END, preferred (by me) *** COMMENT I'm only using 700g of chicken this time & will adjust ingredients. The overall key is:   cardamom, yoghurt, caramelised onion and ground nuts.   Unknown ingredient doesn't matter, as it's not key. Chicken Korma - Finished Chicken Korma - Finished Watch the 10 minute spells.  As in, check & stir.  Watching for sticking on base.   Add more liquid.  Needed top-ups, because it was very thick. I'm getting whinging that it's not chicken korma tasting, but it tastes good to me.  ;) ꕤ

US Propaganda or US Military 'Backchannel' Communication?

ꕤ SYRIA Related Article below: Seymour Hersh Source:  Military Advised White House Against "Assad Must Go" Policy https://www.rt.com/op-edge/327017-hersh-interview-us-syria/ Seymour Hersh Investigative Reporter "There was an ambassador named Robert Ford who was a really I thought sort of crossed the line as an ambassador, because when  ...  he was the ambassador for the US to Syria in Damascus, and when the demonstrations began in early 2011, he actually would go to rallies where the opposition was and urged them to carry on ..." RT News Reporter "Well, we know that [the US] embassy had been working actively to support the opposition, thanks to WikiLeaks." Seymour Hersh Investigative Reporter "Yes, absolutely.  Although most Americans don't know that. I did write about it, but most Americans still don't know about it." ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT I'm having trouble following what is going on (here and in some other article I looked at). The US wants to bring down Assad and has aimed to do so since 2006 or earlier, the US arms and supports Islamist terrorists, the US refuses to co-operate with the Assad government re the ISIS terrorists ... but the US military supposedly (in opposition to the Obama administration) sends word via third parties (Russia, Israel and someone else, I think it was), providing information in order to assist the Assad government in their fight against ISIS terrorists? Why do I have trouble believing any of this? Maybe I'm tired, but none of this computes.  ꕤ

More Hummus

Hummus Levantine & Egyptian dip ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Made Hummus ... again.  lol Not doing Christmas with everyone this year. Opted to sit this one out at home. So this is my Christmas food.  lol It's super easy. Used this recipe as a guide (but I adjust things how I want them): Syrian Foodie I've made a huge pile of hummus and used an obscene amount of garlic (I'm gonna reek). This sounds really good.  I love chicken livers: Chicken Livers with Pomegranate Molasses Don't know how I'll  go finding pomegranate molasses. ꕤ