Clipmarks | arifsali's clips

Michael Jackson and Sufi Poetry

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:38:50 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Amazing personal account by Deepak Chopra.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/a-tribute-to-my-friend-mi_b_221268.html

Clip Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

When we first met, around 1988, I was struck by the combination of charisma and woundedness that surrounded Michael. He would be swarmed by crowds at an airport, perform an exhausting show for three hours, and then sit backstage afterward, as we did one night in Bucharest, drinking bottled water, glancing over some Sufi poetry as I walked into the room, and wanting to meditate.

That person, whom I considered (at the risk of ridicule) very pure, still survived -- he was reading the poems of Rabindranath Tagore when we talked the last time, two weeks ago. Michael exemplified the paradox of many famous performers, being essentially shy, an introvert who would come to my house and spend most of the evening sitting by himself in a corner with his small children. I never saw less than a loving father when they were together (and wonder now, as anyone close to him would, what will happen to them in the aftermath).

Tags: michael jackson, music, sufi, united states

Majority of Americans Approve Complete Ban on Torture

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:43:40 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Makes sense.

Clip Source: www.worldpublicopinion.org

Six in 10 Americans approve of having an international convention saying that "governments should never use physical torture" as a means of trying to get information, while 39 percent say such a ban is too restrictive, according to a new WorldPublicOpinion.org/Knowledge Networks poll.

A majority also opposes nearly all methods for coercing detainees to give information, even when it might be critical to stopping a terrorist attack against the US. Respondents were presented a scenario in which a detainee is being held who is likely to have "information about a possible terrorist attack on the US that may prove critical to stopping the attack." They were then presented a series of methods for coercing the respondent to reveal the information.

Tags: human-rights, torture, united states

Is it just me or the world needs Twitter alternate?

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:02:17 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: How could such a huge phenomenon sustain complete downtime?

I don't get it.

Clip Source: twitter.com

The server at twitter.com is taking too long to respond.

Tags: technology, twitter

One of the Deepest and Largest Step Wells in India: Chand Baori, Jaipur, India

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:51:32 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: The first picture is representative but there are more at the source I'm not clipping.

Clip Source: i48998.posterous.com

Built back in the 10th century, the incredible well of Chand Baori , India was a practical solution to the water problem in the area. The arid climate forced the locals to dig deep for a dependable water source, one that would last throughout an entire year. Chand Baori well is 30 meters deep, it has 13 floors and 3,500 steps.

Tags: india, architecture

The End of Cubicle Dwelling?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:57:44 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Written by Dawn Foster.

Clip Source: webworkerdaily.com

Many of us have left the world of cubicles behind as our jobs increasingly move into the online realm, where physical presence becomes just an occasional part of our work lives rather than a daily grind of commuting in traffic and cubicle dwelling for 40 hours a week. I see more and more people joining the remote web worker ranks every day, and I’m not the only one seeing this trend. According to Seth Godin in a recent TIME article, “The Last Days of Cubicle Life“:

While these the focus on knowledge workers and aren’t new, the rapid increase in the number of remote workers is. According to WorldatWork, “the number of employee telecommuters in the U.S. increased 39 percent, from 12.4 million in 2006 to 17.2 million in 2008.” Businesses are actively seeking to embrace remote working as it lowers overheads

Anecdotally, I seem to see more and more people working remotely from home offices and coffee shops.

Tags: united states, work

Misconceptions of Islam in the West

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:14:13 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: By Akbar Ahmed
Islamic Studies professor, American University

Clip Source: newsweek.washingtonpost.com

In 2006, I traveled to the Middle East, South Asia, and Far East Asia and met with people from the full range of Muslim society. We let Muslims speak for themselves and learned something interesting: when we asked what the greatest threat to the Muslim world is, the most popular answer in each country was the same, misconceptions of Islam in the West. Many Muslims were worried that there was a clash of civilizations and that Americans, in their hostility toward Islam, which they said they witnessed in Western media reports, were leading the charge. The arguments mirrored those I heard in the United States in the years after the 9/11 attacks.

President Obama's speech this morning was a strong statement to Muslims around the world that America is not engaging in a irrevocable clash of civilizations and that we should be building bridges of friendship, respect, and understanding rather than tearing them down. This is a strong step toward bridging the gap between the US and the Muslim world

Tags: cairo, islam, muslims, obama, united states

Belief that is pulsed in the cradle of civilization

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:20:18 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.whitehouse.gov

It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

This truth transcends nations and peoples -- a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

Tags: cairo, muslims, obama, united states

Addressing the issue of women's rights

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:25:11 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.

Clip Source: www.whitehouse.gov

the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.

I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.

And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now, let me be clear: Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons.

Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity -- men and women -- to reach their full potential.

Tags: cairo, muslims, obama, united states, women

People of the world can live together in peace

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:22:18 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.whitehouse.gov

The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Applause.)

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.

And may God's peace be upon you

Tags: cairo, muslims, obama, united states

40 of the "Prettiest" Images

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 08:21:01 GMT

clipped by: zenu1luv
clipper's remarks: Some awesome images! (I need to work on my paint shop pro skills.)

Clip Source: thefairest.info

Tags: images, interesting, photos, nature

Toy Story 3 Teaser Trailer (HD)

Sat, 30 May 2009 01:58:16 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: webwanderings.wordpress.com

[Video]

Directed by Lee Unkrich. The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in “Toy Story 3.” Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2″ and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. Hits theaters June 18, 2010 in Disney Digital 3-D

Tags: movies

the Guardian’s collection of the 20 best Hubble images

Sat, 30 May 2009 05:24:18 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Hubble has given us a keyhole glimpse of the heart of the Milky Way. Most of our view of the galaxy is obscured by dust, but Hubble has peered into the Sagittarius Star Cloud, a narrow, dust-free region, providing this image of some of the oldest inhabitants of our galaxy

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Tags: astronomy, hubble

Penguin release

Wed, 27 May 2009 18:10:01 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.sacbee.com

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds recently released two groups of African penguins back into the wild after being treated for oil contamination. The birds were contaminated in an oil spill off the coast of Namibia on April 8. On May 21, 84 penguins headed back into the sea and five days later, a second batch of 38 birds were released. (13 images)

Penguins walk towards the ocean on May 26

at a treatment center

towards the ocean

A woman directs Penguins

People take photos of penguins

swim into the ocean

Tags: penguin, sea

Bush on Iraq War:"This confrontation is willed by God."

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:16:25 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.alternet.org

In 2003 while lobbying leaders to put together the Coalition of the Willing, President Bush spoke to France's President Jacques Chirac. Bush wove a story about how the Biblical creatures Gog and Magog were at work in the Middle East and how they must be defeated.

In Genesis and Ezekiel Gog and Magog are forces of the Apocalypse who are prophesied to come out of the north and destroy Israel unless stopped. The Book of Revelation took up the Old Testament prophesy:

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

Bush believed the time had now come for that battle, telling Chirac:

"This confrontation is willed by God, who wants to use this conflict to erase his people's enemies before a New Age begins".

Tags: iraq, bush, religion

From Pakistan to United States of America

Wed, 27 May 2009 19:22:47 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Excellent story of exchange student from Pakistan in the United States of America. Highly recommend you read at the source.

Clip Source: mahamraufkhan.blogspot.com

I was placed in Charlottesville, Virginia and was warmly welcomed by Sam, my host dad who is a doctor, Cyndy, my host mom, who is a home stay mom and Anna, my host sister, who is in 7th grade.

I was well aware about the stereotypes regarding Pakistan before coming to USA, but I never knew that people would ask me such odd questions and gladly I know how to resolve these issues. Being a teenager I know every thing matters for esteem and so first I threw my entire ego aside and started to accept things calmly. I made my mind to answer all the questions which create confusions in the mind of people. For example; once a high school friend of mine asked me abruptly “What is your relationship with Osama Bin Laden?” I changed it in a humorous way and said “Yeah he is my uncle!” (And we both laughed)

Tags: pakistan, united states, youth