CLEVER-TREVOR, It's a rather long article! I had some time to spare so I undertook translating half of it, hopefully someone will come along and do the rest. I hope you don't mind. ----------------------------------------------- Something happened at the end of last year after the riots in France's immigrant neighbourhoods: it went quiet, very quiet, regarding Europe's "social model." Just a few months earlier, when New Orleans was hit by hurricane Katrina, European media and politicians were rolling in delight at the plight. USA was described as a "third world country", unable to protect its citizens, essentially different from the equitable and compassionate Europe. Then it started burning in Paris, Lyon and Marseilles. An embarrassing silence followed. The American model, with deep divisions and a wide-meshed social protection is hardly something anyone wants to adopt in Europe. But there's a great deal to be learned, for example the issue of integrating immigrants into the labour market. Many OECD studies have shown that Europe has serious problems in this area. This includes Sweden too where the occupational (those working or studying) gap between those born in Sweden and others born abroad is in the region of 15%. In the early 90's when the govt of Somalia collapsed, hundreds of thousands fled abroad. Those who came to Sweden had almost no chance in the labour market: in 1997, the percentage of Somalis who are either working or studying was 10 percent. It's much better nu, around 30 percent. That is still much lower than the national level which is about 77% Benny Carlson who is the associate professor of economics at Lund's University has together with the think-tank Zufi in Malmo written a though-provoking paper: Somalis in Minneapolis - a dynamic business. Many Somalis who migrated to USA chose to live in the northern state of Minnesota and especially in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, The Twin Cities, a big city with a population of about three million. It is estimated that there are about 25 000 Somalis in Minneapolis and they are mostly found around Cedar and Riverside, a district that has always appealed to foreigners. A hundred years ago, Swedes dominated this area; Cedar Avenue was referred to as Snoose Boulevard, Snusboulevard (snus is a moist snuff used widely in Sweden). Somalis constitute, writes Benny Carlson, "Not a prosperous group but a working group and probably a group in dynamic transformation." The level of Somalis either studying or working in Minneapolis is about 55-60 percent. This is more than double the rate in Sweden. The first - and probably the most important explanation is entrepreneurship. Around 800 businesses in Minneapolis are run by Somalis. In 2003, there were 38 businesses run by Somalis in Sweden. The second explanation for this difference, that is partly related to the first, is that SOmalis have constructed something that is referred to as an enclave-economy. People with a similar ethnic background start activities to provide for themselves and to help others - and later on grow wider into the larger community: Small convenience stores become supermarkets. A simple "hole in the wall" becomes a restaurant. Taxi drivers come together and form haulage contractors. At the Safari restaurant, Benny Carlson meets Jamal Hashi, who runs the business with his brother. Initially, they were targeting elderly customers from their own Somali community and didn't even have a menu. But now, not only do they have a menu, but a clientèle of non-Somalis. They have 13 employees: six Mexicans, four Ethipians and three Somalis. Business is going well: "There's opportunity here." The brothers have high ambitions on starting an African fast-food chain. There might even be a restaurant in Sweden says Jamal. But he describes this by quoting a friend from Stockholm: "Man is like a fly trapped in glass that is turned upside down. You feel that your dreams are cracking." Hussein Samatar came to Minnesota in 1994. he couldn't speak English when he arrived. Now he runs a center for new entrepreneurs and points out that "The dollar is green, not white or black." Omer Hassan who was an accountant in Sweden runs a "multi-service company" that helps people with tax-returns, applications and travel documents. he works hard, but says that he is the "Top man on the market." Sheikh Saad Muse, an elder and religious leader holds mini-lectures saying that Somalia lies in a strategic region on the horn of Africa and that Somalis are used to traveling, acting upon situations and adapting: "We can be Somalis, Muslims and Americans at the same time." Carlon's main aim is not to compare Minnesota and Sweden but he establishes the fact that there ought to be "situations that can act as an eye-opener on our side of the Atlantic." His little book, 74 well-presented pages should be circulated in the Swedish Ministry of Industry, Economics and Communications and among those in power at the local level in Malmo, Gothenburg and Stockholm. Action especially in entrepreneurship, for oneself and for others, is the key to successful integration. PS: If someone does the rest, they can start at... Vart femte nytt företag i Sverige startas av någon som är född utomlands.....

A.J & Taliban, Why don't you guys go and read Tariq Ramadan's article on hudud before you throw about accusations? All he said was that hudud be suspended since there was no Islamic country that was ready to implement it. The leaders are corrupt and their govts could not guarantee justice to its citizens. A good example is the Somali lads who were beheaded in Saudi Arabia, a corrupt monarchy. Do you guys think Saudi Arabia is implementing hudud correctly? Here's the article that has caused so much fuss.

Why is he wearing gloves if he can cure AIDS? A childhood friend of his once told me he is a megalomaniac.

Originally posted by Northerner: I dont know. I was big fan of Sampras but i think Federa brings more of an all round game. Sampras had a serve and volley game but he also had more competition in Agasi, Becker etc. Federa doesnt have any competition. I dont think you can call Rodick competition and Nadal needs a few more years. North, Everyone was a fan of Pete Sampras. Sampras' games used to be as struggle and very often were cliffhangers. But Federer is so good he makes good strong players like Nadal and Roddick look average. He has the ability of even surprising himself at times with some breathtaking tennis. Sampras won 14 grand slams in his career and Federer (only 26 years old!) made it 10 with the win down under. By this time next year he might equal Sampras' record, that's how good he is. Sampras was the 'King of Swing' but Federer is simply, THE KING!...and the scary thing is that he is getting better every year.

Originally posted by MKA Yoonis: Viking welcome to the politics section first of all, I believe this is your debut! So I will be really gentle to you! First of all to answer your questions, I would sincerely advice you to learn more about the Puntland State of Somalia, clearly you're ignorant about! MKA, Having a gentle nature is a virtue so keep it up. It's not my 'debut' sxb, I avoid this section because of the clanism that goes on here. Adeer Puntland is the place where visions and heroes are born! Yet another great vision and idea has originated in Puntland which is the concept of federalism! Your response made me get out of this place as soon as I came in. It reeks of clanism and secularism; two -isms that definately makes the fire of Jahanam burn much more intense on your body. :mad: :mad:

Originally posted by SoMa_InC: Viking stop hating on Jose. Monaco were class that season as they eleminated Chelsea who were one of the favourites. Man Utd were also strong but Benni McCarthy was on form and made them pay. I think Porto deserved to win and Jose deserved it as much. Soma, Man U were not at all strong, wasn't that the year Arsenal went unbeaten all season and won the Premiership by a margin (keep in mind that Chelsea came second that year and Man U a distant third)? Monaco did beat a strong Chelsea but it was more because of Tinkerman. This game lost him his job remember? He played a disastrous looking Veron and tinkered with the game a lot. This made the game easy for Giuly, Morientes and co. Originally posted by SoMa_InC: UEFA CUP and CL cups. A feat he accomplished in two years in a row while operating at shoe-string budget. Viking, if Champions League was easy, how come Porto won the UEFA cup the season before? Was it coincidence? Jose sometimes hits the nail on the head of which many people dont like it but please give him the credit he deserves. UEFA cup is not something to brag about for a top team! At best, it is a consolation for missing the top prize. That is the reason the teams that drop off the CL are let to play in the UEFA. Porto played Celtic in that final (I watched it and Mourinho's players were very not being sportsmen, diving all the time, wasting time etc.) and both teams got in the UEFA after they had been knocked out of the CL. Valencia won the UEFA cup the year after, but does that make them great? Not really. Mourinho is definitely a good coach because he gets the best out of his players. But the way he won the Cl is NOT comparable to the other teams. His path was much easier. It was a CL trophy nevertheless. Originally posted by SoMa_InC: Look at how Real Madrid are, the world's best players play for them but have they won any major trophies the last 3 seasons? No! They recruited lots of Managers but still can not win? Sometimes money cant buy success but with Chelsea, Jose has been a class act! Real Madrid is another case altogether. They don't have the best players, they just brought together a bunch of divas and have now topped it with two aging players (Emerson and Canvarro) whom they hope will help them win trophies. The problem with Real Madrid is that they let the hard-workers leave the club (Makelele, the coach Del Bosque etc.) and collected a bunch of divas. The topping on their diva cake was Becks and they never won a trophy since he arrived at the Benarbeu. The arrival of Capello will probably help them win at least one trophy after a disastrous 4 seasons with no trophy. Chelsea are a bit of the opposite if you disregard the last two players they bought this campaign (Sheva and Ballack). All the others are hard-workers with little flair. That is why you can be bored to death watching Chelsea play, even though they win most of the times. You can have more fun watching Man U or Arsenal draw 0-0 because there is a lot more flair in their game, especially Arsenal . Originally posted by SoMa_InC: Northerner, Sxb, our defenders and goalkeepers have been sidelined due to injuries and Jose can not get a replacement as Peter Keynon has auctioned the sale of Robert Huth and Gallas and the only replacement that we had was Khalid Boularouz who is out of touch at the moment. Furthermore Jose was right to criticize the Academy as they were not producing young defenders who can be counted on. The only option he has is to bring in new players and I totally agree with him. This is the worst excuse I've heard and only Chelsea can come up with this. Arsenal are withour three of their defenders from last season (Lauren, Cole and Cambell) and Gallas who was brought in has been injured for a long time. Gunners are playing with teenagers alongside Toure and you won't hear Wenger or the Arsenal fans lamenting on injuries. Man U played almost a whole season without Ferdinand (banned) for 8 months) and Heinze (knee ligament) but did they blame it on the defence? Mourinho sold Gallas, Huth and Del Horno (two good defenders) and he replaced them with Boulharouz and Cole. Huth never played for Chelsea and that's why he moved, so two out and two in as far as the first team is concerned, innit? Originally posted by SoMa_InC: How come Liverpool have so many midfielders and why does Rafa still want to buy Mascherano? It is because he thinks he has lost Mohamed Sisoko to injury and want a replacement for him and I tottaly understand that. Whats your take on the big games this weekend? Liverpool vs Chelsea Arsenal Vs Man Utd Macherano is a talented holding midfielder, a bit like Gilberto. I think he wants him to sit in front of the defence and Alonso and Gerrard will have a lot freedom to run defenses rugged. Chelsea always have difficulties when Makelele is not in the team because Lampard has to fall back a lot. England had the same problem, with Hargreaves they can relax and attack a lot more. Chelsea were beaten 2-0 today and Man U knowing this, they will try their best to avoid defeat. Tomorrow's game? Brain says draw (0-0 or 1-1), heart says 3-0 to the Arsenal! :cool:

Originally posted by MKA Yoonis: 8. Lastly but not least, conscript more Puntland soldiers, who can disarm the capital, atleast another 10000 preferably! Do all people from Puntland support this fake a$$ puppet govt? Were they all against the UIC? Why do you feel that the people from Puntland are capable of doing this "task"? Do they belong to your tribe, if not, do you just think they are the bravest people in Somalia? Or have they receive some secret training that Somalis from other regions haven't undergone?

PS: Don't forgot your 'burqini'...

North, If the team I support conceded 9 goals in two games, were out of all domestic competitions and were relying on beating Barca in the CL... forget the NBA, I'd start watch curling looool. Originally posted by Socod_badne: UEFA CUP and CL cups. A feat he accomplished in two years in a row while operating at shoe-string budget. SB, A very weak Man United in the quarters, Deportivo La Coruna in the semis and Monaco in the final. What a tough way for Mourinho to win the CL! Let's see how the others went... - In 2002/03 Milan beat Ajax, Inter and Juve - In 2004/05 L'pool beat Juve, Chelsea and Milan - In 2005/06 Barca beat Benfica, Milan and Arsenal

*double post*

These so called "Chapati Bombers" are the first EVER stooopid and definitely the most unsuccessful suicide bombers in history! One chickenned out and dumped his bag (Manfo Asiedu), one panicked when it failed to detonate and shouted "It's only bread!" (Ramzi Mohamed) and the others ran for their lives when their devices too failed to detonate (I thought they were not afraid of death :confused: ). It's bad enough that they are brainwashed into killing people they don't even know, but the "recruiters" (or whoever is the mastermind) must be pissed off at the "scientist" who designed these chapati bombs.

Congrats Zu! I'm just gutted I missed the bariis.

rudy, You are one funny man! UK ROSE, I'm not a London girl but this might help... http://www.sunstonewomen.com/Home.asp

There's a name for that, it's called L-U-S-T!

Gunners eliminated L'pool in two cup competitions and put NINE past them in the two games at Anfield... Where is North?

Originally posted by mantra: im not strange, there must be a lot of women out there who find nothing desirable in men...arent there? :confused: Cons, Since you can...what is the diagnosis for the problem above?

Originally posted by Biixi: Boxing got boring how about ....UFC UFC is bordering snuff!

Originally posted by NGONGE: Bees on the other hand, have perfected the foreplay sport; they come to the game already dripping with honey and wax, would you say that qualifies as a candle lit dinner? HAHAHAHA NGONGE...that's a sting! What if the honey-trap is nothing but a parasite? Originally posted by Socod_badne: Just the other day I witnessed a woman faint from seismic orgasm after being frisked at the airport. SB, Not everyone has PAS! :cool:

Condoms 'too big' for Indian men By Damian Grammaticus BBC News, Delhi A survey of more than 1,000 men in India has concluded that condoms made according to international sizes are too large for a majority of Indian men. The study found that more than half of the men measured had penises that were shorter than international standards for condoms. It has led to a call for condoms of mixed sizes to be made more widely available in India. The two-year study was carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Over 1,200 volunteers from the length and breadth of the country had their penises measured precisely, down to the last millimetre. The scientists even checked their sample was representative of India as a whole in terms of class, religion and urban and rural dwellers. It's not size, it's what you do with it that matters Sunil Mehra The conclusion of all this scientific endeavour is that about 60% of Indian men have penises which are between three and five centimetres shorter than international standards used in condom manufacture. Doctor Chander Puri, a specialist in reproductive health at the Indian Council of Medical Research, told the BBC there was an obvious need in India for custom-made condoms, as most of those currently on sale are too large. The issue is serious because about one in every five times a condom is used in India it either falls off or tears, an extremely high failure rate. And the country already has the highest number of HIV infections of any nation. 'Not a problem' Mr Puri said that since Indians would be embarrassed about going to a chemist to ask for smaller condoms there should be vending machines dispensing different sizes all around the country. "Smaller condoms are on sale in India. But there is a lack of awareness that different sizes are available. There is anxiety talking about the issue. And normally one feels shy to go to a chemist's shop and ask for a smaller size condom." But Indian men need not be concerned about measuring up internationally according to Sunil Mehra, the former editor of the Indian version of the men's magazine Maxim. "It's not size, it's what you do with it that matters," he said. "From our population, the evidence is Indians are doing pretty well. "With apologies to the poet Alexander Pope, you could say, for inches and centimetres, let fools contend." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6161691.stm Published: 2006/12/08 13:08:43 GMT © BBC MMVI

Yiddish you mean? Layzie, The bafoon in the article doesn't realise that the oath would be useless. There are people in Europe who don't respect or follow the oaths they take when recieving their citizenships because it's not the Qur'an. Generally, most countries do offer every person his/her holy book for such oaths.

Is it really copyrights concerns or about clanism? Would there be as much fuss here if this low budget movie was called 'Romeo and Juliet'? :confused: Waryaa Paragon, I didn't know you have become a full blown 'genge' fan. Check out the Nameless track called Sinzia, uta ipenda hiyo ngoma.

Hey Paragon! You are right, here I am lurking around Unleash the piece bro. Elysian, Good to see you vännen! Hoppas att allt är väl.

Bob, Niaje beste! You probably haven't seen it before but I posted this piece just over two years ago. And here is the other one.

Originally posted by Maakhir: [Dear Viking Have you really read Huntington's article(1993) and its later expansion 'The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order' (1996)? Yes bro, I read it almost ten years ago so forgive me if I seem to have misunderstood the article Originally posted by Maakhir: The movement of the crazed radicals is universal and it can seep into any country. Somalia is no exception. I think that is the message of the author above. It confronts non-Western ways in terms of legal, culture, forms of governance built on the values and enlightenment of Western civilization. The Islam, esp from the Middle East, is infuriarated by the control of the West over their resources and adminstrations, so it seeks to reverse it through the galvanization of the illeterate in the street. Islamic courts, for instance, is a small entity that could be part of this whole international movement in the Muslim World " [/b] Although the West vs Islamic Civilisation seems to be centre-stage we should not be blinded into the Huntonian view because American hegemony doesn't stop in Baghdad or Mogadishu. American imperialism isn't confined to Muslim lands. Ever heard of the Monroe doctrine? Remember the Contras of Nicaragua? Remember how Pinochet was prefered to Salvatore Allende, how Mobutu was prefered to Patrice Lumumba, how Pahlavi Shah preferred to Mossadeq? The USA has a had a lot of influence and has caused a lot of problems in Latin America more than any other region of the world, and this region can hardly be referred to as belonging to the Islamic civilisation. They have lost their influence in Latin America today because their efforts and funds are directed towards nations rich in natural resources (read oil and natural gas) which is the only way to secure the future of a energy guzzling superpower. Before the Berlin Wall came down, the threat came from Communism. With the Soviet Union dissolved, the threat that has emerged (which challenges American hegemony) is Islam, call it it Islamism, Wahamism, Ithna Cashariya (or Iran) or any other name. Imperialists don't like anyone who stands in their way. Just like the British Empire, the Americans start by calling their opponents deluded, crazy, dangerous and not really part to the masses (the subject races) since they are "happy" with status quo. The tune is the same and the enemy is anyone opposing Pax Americana, not necessarily a Muslim, it just happens that Muslims live around their Zionist pals and inhabit lands rich in natural resources. Originally posted by Maakhir: I am sure you are familiar with Evangelists like Pat Roberton and Billy Graham. Pat is the founder of CBN, Regent University(Prof. Said Samatr teaches here), and he is also the host of the “700 Club”. This man is very influential and sometimes claims that he uses his power to avert catastrophic events. Jerry Fallwell and Benny Hehn are two other evangelists to note. These men advocate the return of Christ shall occur with no single Muslims left in the Middle East. And the only possible way of purging Muslims out of the holy land is by the sword. Billy Graham once advised former president Nixon to bomb the dikes in North Vietnam and Cambodia. I am somewhat familair with the veiws of the Right wing Evangelists who support Israel in order to facilitate the return of the Messiah. It doesn't come as a surprise and their collaborations are mentionned several times in the Qur'an (...don't take them as awliya [friend, protector], they are protectors of each other...). These Christian right wing extremists do seem to have similar views to Muslim extremists but it seems that the only extremism taht gets attention is the one perpetrated by Muslims. Originally posted by Maakhir: Muslims particularly the Wahabist, on the other hand, advocate the same thing, puritanical position in regards to religious practice, although religiously as was prescribed it is the grace of Allah for the return of Muslim power. The Wahabi “confronts non-Western ways” in the Middle East. They advocate, as Bin Laden said over and over, that infidels should be removed from the holy lands...If we allow these radicals attain their goal, traces of history will vanish. Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan attests to this fact when they used dynamites to demolish the Budhist statues. What will happen to Pyramids in Egypt if the Islamist there also takes over? A Muslim's way is the middle path. A Muslims is neither extreme in his views nor is he negligent. Calling Muslims 'kafirs', calling for the annihilation of those who disbelieve or belong to the 'People of the Book' etc is not the Islamic way. The extreme views emanating from the Hijaz are indeed worrying, but this can not be adressed unlessed the Ummah wakes up from the deep sleep we are in and rid ourselves of the various malaise afflicting us, both intellectual and spiritual. The problem is that leaders in predominantly Muslim countries are turning to the west to supress any type of ressurgence of Islamic movements. These despots are kept in power by the west to keep the masses in check and when they 'expire' (like Saddam) they are replaced by new ones. Americans are currently considering reinstating the Baath party because they realised that Iraq is a very difficult country to hold together. To be honest, I don't think that the west is concerned much about 'Wahabism'. They are much wearier of the Shi'a and think that the Shi'a "belt" in the Middle East (parts of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon etc.) could charge the demographics with funding and support from a [perhaps in the future, nuclear armed] Iran. Globalisation is mostly a joke! The poor are being globalised and exploited and the WTO, WB and IMF are the tools used by the west to make this possible. Countries in Africa are poorer now than they were in the 70's and 80's.

Maakhir, Huntington was right when he was talking about the role "core states" have in safeguarding the safety of the members of 'its civilisation'. He claimed that the Islamic civilisation lacked a core state and this is all evident from the way Muslim countries are treated all over the world. But there is a point that he seems to overlook, the fact that a country can deter any hostilty from other civilisations by acquiring nuclear weapons. In Huntington's eyes, USA is the keeper of countries that belong to the western civilisation, but I don't think countries belonging to this civilisation are under threat if they posses nuclear weapons. Germany (or any other country) would hardly invade France or Britain because the consequences can be grave. I agree with Egward Said and he makes evident the mindset of the western imperialists in his works 'Orientalism' and 'Culture and Imperialism'. As long as a nation somewhere in the world is not anglo-saxon (this means that they will not be viewed as a subject or an inferior people who need to be 'led') or/and does not posses nuclear weapons, then there is no guarantee that the "West" will be friendly towards them all the time. Clashes will occur as long as the nation concerned does not comply with the superpowers whims and desires; it doesn't matter whether they belong to the Hindu, Confucian, Orthodox or Japanese civilisation. An updated nuclear arsenal means that this clash is very unlikely to become a military conflict. I think the author is totally misplaced in attempting to tie Huntington's [ridiculous] theories to what is going on in Somalia. Somalia might be a bit similar to Israel, the forces of secularism in conflict with the orthodox.