Nomads, this is our breaking news thread. Who cares about CNN or FOX. Post alternative news, rumors or the "truth" for that matter before these American networks. If you find news from other reliable sources, post it here for the nomads. If you read interesting news written in other languages, please translate the main points for us and post it here. Let us be informed. The Americans will never tell us any of their casualties, losses, defeats or mishaps. The pentagon briefings are a pure joke. It is always a deceptive entertainment show. -------------------------------------------- US, UK special forces in firefight - report March 19 2003 at 11:49PM London - [sapa-AFP] British and US special forces were involved in a fierce firefight near Iraq's main port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq, a British evening newspaper said on Wednesday. The fighting, the first reported in the war against Iraq, was believed to involve elite troops from Britain's Special Boat Service (SBS) and United States marines, the Evening Standard said, without specifying its sources. The fighting, near the southern Iraqi city of Basra, was part of operations to prepare landing sites for amphibious craft during an invasion, the paper said. Other special units were deep inside Iraq on secret operations to prepare landing strips in the desert for airborne troops, the Evening Standard added. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=123&art_id=qw1048106341207B262&set_id=1

Originally posted by Ameenah: Could it be that you've made an assumtion because your disability bothers you? Somebody sounds like Dr. Phil on Oprah Well said Ameenah.

Originally posted by YACQUUB: round the numbers till Number 4 When your cousin sees this, She will kill you YACQUUB. I hope you are not in hidding already

Visit http://www.midgaan.com if you want to gain a better understanding on the plight of this ostracized Somali tribe from a victim's perspective.

Even though I talked to most of you in private, I would like to say THANK YOU for the warm congrats. To all the nomads who came Mobb_Deep Leamante Jabarti Sophist Jamaal-11 Shaqsii London_Lad Ameenah muna Alpha Barwaaqo Muraad Shujui-1 Yacquub Rookie_of_the_Year and all the others that I am forgetting You were never parsimonious when it came to showing love to a fellow nomad. Thanks again.

We all missed you BUUBTO. Welcome back sister.

(Source: BBC) Coke is no longer it. Or at least it won't be if Tawfik Mathlouthi has anything to do with it. Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision Mr Mathlouthi is the French entrepreneur behind Mecca Cola, a new soft drink designed to cash in on anti-American sentiment around the world. He hopes to make Mecca Cola the soft drink of choice for Muslims everywhere and thus push out that icon of American capitalism Coca-Cola. It is all about combating "America's imperialism and Zionism by providing a substitute for American goods and increasing the blockade of countries boycotting American goods," Mr Mathlouthi told BBC News Online. It is not the first time Coca-Cola has been the target of a "buy Muslim" challenge. Zamzam Cola, an Iranian drink named after a holy spring in Mecca, has won an enthusiastic reception in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Coca-Cola has dismissed Mr Mathlouthi's move, saying he had "identified a commercial opportunity which involves the exploitation in Europe of the difficult and complex situation in the Middle East". "Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision," the company said in a statement. Popular anger against the United States over its support for Israel amid the Palestinian intifada has sparked a campaign to boycott American products throughout Arab countries. US exports to Saudi Arabia declined by more than 40% in the first three months of 2002. Coca-Cola admits that along with other businesses, it has "felt some impact of such boycotts," though it does not elaborate. The company insists that it is "not affiliated with any religion or ethnic group" and does not engage in politics. Demand for bottles of Mecca Cola - which bear the slogan "No more drinking stupid, drink with commitment" - is already soaring. Launched in France just two months ago, the drink is now being exported to Britain, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Next week the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark will join the club, Mr Mathlouthi said. And in one month's time the drink will go on sale in the Middle East for the first time. Mr Mathlouthi says that two million bottles, each holding 1.5 litres, have already been sold and the demand for advance orders has been phenomenal. It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics "We have orders for 16 million bottles and in England alone orders for two million bottles a month," Mr Mathlouthi said. The first businesses to sell Mecca Cola were what Mr Mathlouthi described as "small ethnic shops in Muslim areas". But now the drink can be found on the shelves of large cash and carry supermarkets in France, Belgium and Germany. One of the main attractions for buyers, Mr Mathlouthi says, is the fact that 10% of the profits go to charities operating in Palestinian territories and 10% to European NGOs. When asked how the company ensures that the money it provides to Palestinians does not get channelled into terrorist activities Mr Mathlouthi says the aid is never given directly as cash. "We give help by providing clothes and goods, or by paying the costs of the construction of schools there," he said. "If we give money we give it to Unicef," the United Nations Children's Fund, he added. The other 10% is passed on to NGOs based in Europe who are working to promote peace around the world, he said. Mr Mathlouthi is not concerned that his incendiary "Don't drink stupid" logo may encourage anti-American sentiment, a growing problem worldwide. "It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics," he said.

It is 8:00am in Minneapolis. I am hearing reports that some radio in Iran is reporting that Osama is captured 2 hours ago by Pakistani forces. The US has denied it and it is trying to confirm the report with Pakistan. It could very well be a lie. Update us if you find any info nomads.

I'am representing Flemingdon Park Kool_Kat knows where I am talking about. Maan, all of you are from the "westiga". It is not fair.

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/membship/veto/vetosubj.htm

Welcome back Lazie.

My premise is that if the unreliable Saddam fights for only 90 days, the patience of the American public will start to ebb, and the cavalier Bush would have his hopes undermined forever. That is the only way Saddam would be a winner in this war.

Waryaa, MACRUUF, adiga Instead of helping me get the best xalwa in the world (MACMACAANKA XAMARWEYNE), you intercepted any shipments and kept everything for yourself. It ain't fair man. Saxib, all is good and well. Alhamdulilah.

It was cool reading how the English tried to justify their defeat by an army lead by a teenage girl. The Europeans were actually more barbarian that you actually know. The Africans are going through that stage now. Boy, no wonder why the French and the British really hate each other. ------------------ Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in the village of Domremy in North Eastern France. Her parents were peasants, and Joan never attended school. Like all children of the working classes in those days, she helped with chores from an early age. She was deeply religious and spent hours praying in the church. From a young age she claimed to hear the voices of St Michael (the Archangel) and two saints, St. Catherine and St. Margaret. When Joan was born, England and France had been at war for about 100 years. The details of the war are extremely confusing, but the relevant part is that they were, at that time, fighting over who should be King of France. The English had won lands in North Western France. Henry V was King of England and Charles VI was King of France. All French Kings were crowned in Reims, a city in the Northern part of France controlled by the English. After the English won the land they signed a treaty with France. The agreement was that Charles could remain King of France, but that when he died, Henry would rule. Unfortunately Charles and Henry both died within a very short time of each other. Charles had a son, (also named Charles, later known as Charles VII). Henry also had a son (later known as Henry VI) whom the English claimed should be King of France due to the agreement between the two countries. When his father died, Charles, at that time known as the Dauphin, quickly claimed the throne for himself. The French people refused to accept that he was King until he had been crowned in Reims. The English were determined that would never happen, and started trying to take even more French land. The Duke of Burgundy, a French Duke, was helping the English. He wanted to eventually take the crown for himself, or at least gain more land. With no King in charge, the French were losing and it looked fairly certain that they would eventually control all of France. Into this stepped Joan. The voices, which until then had given her only general guidance, began telling her she must save France from the English. She was instructed to go to the leader of the French Army, telling him she could lead France to victory and have Charles crowned. She was seventeen years old at the time. With the help of a local baron, she found her way to Charles. She managed to persuade him that she truly heard voices, and that God would help her get him crowned. Although it is unclear why Charles believed her, legend has it she told him things that only he could have known. Charles was convinced that Joan and the voices were genuine, and he agreed to give her a small army. He also gave her a suit of white armor and a sword. The English had recently captured Orleans, a city about 80 miles from Paris. This is where Joan started her mission. She led her small army against the English, and was wounded. Her men, seeing her bravery and determination to fight on, were inspired. They retook the city of Orleans for France. Joan became known as the maid of Orleans. The French rallied behind Joan and supported her. With their help she won several more battles. The English were losing ground quickly, and Reims once again belonged to the French. Charles could now be crowned King of France. Joan and her Army escorted him to the cathedral in Reims, where he was crowned, in July 1429. Once he was crowned Charles decided that he ought to negotiate with the English and the Duke of Burgundy. Joan and her voices, however, had different ideas. She was determined to fight on and rid France of the English forever. Joan continued to fight but began to lose battles. She was captured by the troops of the Duke of Burgundy in 1430, at the Battle of Compeigne. The Duke sold her to the English. The English could not admit that a teenage girl had beaten them in battle. They needed to prove that she had used trickery, sorcery and witchcraft to do it. She was imprisoned in a dungeon and tortured. The English wanted her to admit that she had lied about the voices. They also wanted her to agree to remove the men’s clothing, which they said was against the Churches ruling. Joan refused and remained in prison. Charles no longer had any interest in Joan, she had given him what he wanted, the French crown. Now she was just a nuisance and an obstacle to him negotiating with the English. He made no attempt to rescue her or buy her back from the English. Joan remained in prison, growing weaker and more tired daily. She finally agreed to remove the soldiers clothing and signed a statement that she had been wrong. In return she was supposed to be allowed to visit the church. The English had lied. Remember that she could neither read nor write. She probably had no idea what it was that she was admitting to. She again insisted that the voices had been real, and put her soldiers clothing back on. They now had the proof they needed to have her tried and convicted of heresy and witchcraft. She was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Because she was found guilty of being a witch, she was to be executed by fire. She was 19 years old. On May 30, 1431 she was burned at the stake. Charles did nothing to save her, and neither did the French people, who only shortly before had claimed she was a heroine. After her death Charles decided that it wasn’t a good idea for people to believe she had been a witch or heretic. That would mean that he had been wrongfully crowned. He set about having her name cleared. Thirty years after her death the Pope claimed she had been wrongly accused and that she was not guilty of any crime against the Church or God. She was eventually canonized in 1920, becoming St Joan. The church never stated whether or not her visions and the voices she heard were real. She was made a Saint because she was convinced that God had ordered her to do what she did, and she followed those orders. Her absolute faith in God and obedience of what she believed were His instructions are what made her a saint.

If you want to get something out of this country, you HAVE TO LIE TO THE IMMIGRATION and say somebody is chasing you and your whole family is murdered. lol. I actually had the apportunity of meeting General Abshir in Minnesota. The man is a very religous man with a lot of piety and respect for others. He is an affable man at the zenith of his old age. When I was growing up, I used to hear stories like "General Maxamed Abshir has never told a lie and never missed a prayer" or "The German government wouldn't help Somalia as long as he was in jail". I guess some of those stories are true. His son was finishing college when he was diagnosed with MS and that is why he came here ... just to be next to his sick child. I am sure he wouldn't have a difficult life back home as he is from a very wealthy and affluent family. But, it is a very difficult to leave your sick child on bed or take him to Somalia. ------------------------------------ U.S. diplomats fighting for Somali living in Eden Prairie Eric Black, Star Tribune Published March 6, 2003 SOMA06 A retired Somali general whose prodemocracy efforts cost him 12 years in prison and whom one former U.S. ambassador calls "the greatest living Somali" is now living in Eden Prairie but has been turned down for permission to remain in the United States. A group of U.S. diplomats who consider Gen. Mohamed Abshir Musse a loyal and valuable U.S. ally are working to get him that permission. Abshir, 76, expressed no anger Wednesday over his situation. "I expect nothing but good from my American friends," he said, and believes they are doing all they can for him, including a special bill in Congress that would enable him to remain here. If, in the end, he cannot legally remain, "I'll have to search for somewhere else," Abshir said. Some of his friends were more emotional about what they consider the injustice of someone with his life history being subjected to the threat of deportation. "General Abshir has done more for the United States and more for stability in his own country than any other Somali," said retired diplomat Peter Bridges, who was U.S. ambassador to Somalia in the mid-1980s. Bridges, two other former U.S. ambassadors to Somalia and three other former U.S. officials responsible for U.S. relations with that region signed a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell asking that the State Department support the special bill. The letter said Abshir's assistance to U.S. military personnel during the ill-fated 1992-95 "Operation Restore Hope" had saved many American lives. "People ought to stand up for their friends," said Martin Ganzglass, a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Ganzglass first worked with Abshir in the 1960s when Abshir was Somalia's top policeman and Ganzglass was a Peace Corps worker assigned to give legal advice to the fledgling Somali republic. "He spent a lot of years in prison, essentially for being pro-American when the Somali dictator was pro-Soviet. Then when he got out, he was busily helping the Americans during Operation Restore Hope, providing intelligence and security to our people. We owe the guy more than to leave him . . . under the threat of deportation." The U.S. government has not literally threatened to deport Abshir, and his legal status is murky. He has not been granted U.S. asylum, but since his arrival in 2001, he has had permission to care for his 27-year-old son who has multiple sclerosis. That was a temporary status, subject to periodic renewal. The last time he sought renewal, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) asked him for a visa and a passport and a ticket out of the United States to prove that he had plans to leave. But Abshir hopes to stay and has no such ticket. He told the INS about the bill but received notice that his application was denied and that no further appeal was possible. Somalia, which has been declared a potential haven for terrorists, is among the countries under special scrutiny since Sept. 11. Ganzglass said a male from such a country who lacks firm legal status must consider himself susceptible to arrest and deportation proceedings. But the INS is barred by court orders from deporting anyone to Somalia on the grounds that it has no government able to receive deportees. Abshir lived in Saudi Arabia before he came to the United States. The possibility that he could be sent back there is unclear. Tim Counts, spokesman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the INS is "aware of the situation and we are looking into it." Abshir was leader of the National Police when Somalia gained independence in 1960 and gained a reputation for professionalism and incorruptibility, according to his U.S. admirers. Democracy thrived briefly in the 1960s, but when the government tried to steal the elections of 1969, Abshir was the highest ranking official who refused to go along. Seen as a threat by a new dictator, Abshir spent 12 years in custody without being charged with a crime, he said. Upon his release, he joined a group agitating for a restoration of democracy and was imprisoned again briefly. He left the country in 1998 for Djibouti, then Saudi Arabia, then Minnesota, believed to be home to the largest number of Somali-Americans. For two years, he has lived here with his wife and three of his seven children. They are all supported by their married daughter and son-in-law, who is a U.S. citizen. Abshir's wife, Mariam Musse Gul, said that for lack of Social Security coverage, their ailing son no longer has access to medical care and cannot afford needed medication. She and the children may also face legal problems when their visas expire in a few months. But all of them are covered by the special bill, which is their best hope for a secure future. It is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Thomas Petri, R-Wis., who was a Peace Corps worker in Somalia in the 1960s and knows Abshir from that time, according to Ganzglass. Ganzglass said he had been told that the State Department appeal stands rejected as a matter of policy. "State doesn't take a position on private bills," he said. The bill is currently "languishing in subcommittee," Bridges said.

Good piece Shaqsii. How's the "BZ" endeavour you were involved in? Glad to see you around.

Sophist, Jamaal and the rest, glad to be back to the posting mode guys. My honeymoon is over and I am back with much vigor. . Ogun, in the writer's world, it is not so much the verbose style of the writer that exposes his/her weakness, it is the writer's lack of a true bent for sophistication that is mostly held up to ridicule and scorn. But in this forum, it is very easy to see complaints anyway. At times you will see nomad implying that the "base character" of hebel and hebel is resurfacing because of his/her verbiage or lack thereof. I have seen cases where nomads have vituperated those who use wordy rhetoric. Other times you will notice nomads being vocal about the lack of an acute sense of phrasing in some of the posts here. The reality is that some of us aren't too keen on assauging atleast a vestige of their own anxiety about other people's works. I have never had any problem with nomads using wordy styles or lacking it for that matter. I actually find sophist's writings, to be artful, even though sometimes archaic. He has a great acumen for giving nice anecdotes and he is, most of the time, vigilant not to sound pompous. Atleast that is the impression i got when I met him in London. As long as the nomad is not confusing the readers with arcane jargons that bolster a nonsense babbling, we shouldn't be vapid about his message, neither should we berate his efforts. We have so much to learn from each other, specially in the Camel Milk Threads forum. Let us be positive towards each other. BTW, OGUN, I don't think Sophist was insulting the young lady.

I missed all of ya. But how many of you actually missed me? None? So I was missing you all of these days for nothing huh? Waar kuwani maxay ahaayeen. Welcome back nomads. It's great to have you all here again. One luv.

Originally posted by Lefty: I absolutely agree with those of you who want the capital city to be moved from Mogadishu to somewhere else. It's not obligatory and it can be moved to somewhere else in any time. IF Eldoret meeting brings a new and stable Federal Government, I heard the top runners for the capital city right at this moment are Hargeisa, Boosaaso, and Hobyo. So don't be surprised if you hear a new capital city in the future!

I think there are couple of threads about scholarships on here. I found one posted by Lady Husla and here it is http://www.somaliaonline.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000116

Jazeera, welcome to the nomads' site. McGill is a good school. It is ranked up there as one of the world's top learning institutions in Engineering and Medicine. University of Toronto and McGill University are probably the two most prestigious schools in Canada. I think alot of Somalis think they need to master French in order to get into McGill, but that is probably an assumption. I have never been to Montreal, but I heard it is the Paris of North America. I heard it is also very cold, but then if Somali students can live in Toronto, Minneapolis and Columbus, Montreal is going to be an acceptable choice.

Jazeera, welcome to the nomads' site. McGill is a good school. It is ranked up there as one of the world's top learning institutions in Engineering and Medicine. University of Toronto and McGill University are probably the two most prestigious schools in Canada. I think alot of Somalis think they need to master French in order to get into McGill, but that is probably an assumption. I have never been to Montreal, but I heard it is the Paris of North America. I heard it is also very cold, but then if Somali students can live in Toronto, Minneapolis and Columbus, Montreal is going to be an acceptable choice.

Look at what "Ethiopian sport analysts" are calling us. -------------------------------------- Waves of Criticism Expected as Ethiopia’s Footballers Write Another Chapter in their Hall of Shame Ethiopian fans in Addis Ababa are reacting angrily to the woeful performance of their national team in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup currently being held in Tanzania. Despite going to the tournament by holding the title of defending champions, the Waliyas lost two of their opening three matches and remained at the bottom of Group B with a single point, courtesy of their goalless draw with Zanzibar in the opener. The Waliyas followed up the opening day draw with a whopping 3-0 defeat at the hands of Uganda. Midfielder Anteneh Alamirew offered the Cranes their opening goal early in the game. But the Ugandans deserved well their victory in a typically one-sided affair. Ethiopia’s misfortune continued to haunt them to their third match as they underwent another defeat, this time 1-0 against lowly Somalia. Despite falling in the echelons of continental football over the last 25 years, Ethiopia had never lost to Somalia, scoring dozens of goals against the troubled East African nation. But they opened yet another chapter in their ‘Hall of Shame’, which angered all Ethiopians. In interviews they gave to Addis Tribune, fans vowed to abandon following local football again. “I will never go to the Addis Ababa Stadium,” said Melaeke, a physical education student at the Addis Ababa University. “Ethiopian football has just confirmed that it is dead and buried for good,” another fan said. Ethiopia still has a match against Rwanda. But they do not have any chance of progressing to the second round even if they are successful. But while fans back at home will not be enthusiastic about the team’s fortunes, all fingers of blame will be pointing at the team’s German coach, Jochen Figge and his assistants. After vowing to change the team’s fortunes when taking over the reins in August, Figge will certainly be the most unhappy person following the team’s shameful showing in Tanzania. The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has not spoken officially about the German’s future. But speculation is rife that the former Guinea National team coach could face the axe if he fails to provide a concrete justification for his team’s demise. Sources close to the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) say that the coach’s contract depends on the team’s performances in the African Nations Cup qualifiers. But the Tanzanian debacle would be sufficient enough reason to sack the German coach. http://www.addistribune.com/Archives/2002/12/13-12-02/Waves.htm

Originally posted by OG_Moti: Sister Taqwa very good analysis loooooooooool@ OG_Moti, Taqwa is probably shaking his head.

Sad to hear this. May Allah forgive her for that sin. I wonder if she was muslim. The Harvard article about the incident sums up her profile and it doesn't say anything about her being a muslim student. Harvard has strong Muslim associations that would have commented about her death. I hope she took the Shahadah sometime in her life because she is the daughter of Caasho Xaaji Diiriye Xirsi afterall. Ilaahey ha u naxariisto. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=255849 http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=255683 http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=255714