Comments on: Trip to Damascus - pt. 3 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/ politically minded tree-hugging hippie posting about politics, religion, work, music, random events and whatnot Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:11:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.1 By: ph http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3790 ph Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:05:15 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3790 By the time I finished reading the post I had totally forgotten what I wanted to comment about :oops: the only thing that stuck in my head was the falafel :heehee: never seen onion ring shaped falfels before they must be hard to make ? Sharp eyes by the way I had to zoom into the photos to see the roundabout and the mosque ;). salaam By the time I finished reading the post I had totally forgotten what I wanted to comment about :oops: the only thing that stuck in my head was the falafel :heehee: never seen onion ring shaped falfels before they must be hard to make ? Sharp eyes by the way I had to zoom into the photos to see the roundabout and the mosque ;).

salaam

]]> By: David http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3799 David Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:06:26 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3799 Too tired to read this one at the moment. Wow, Damascus really sprawls! Back again tomorrow. :) I have every confidence that I have been promoted to the exalted second comment position, the previous second and third having been deleted forever and the author banned for life! Too tired to read this one at the moment. Wow, Damascus really sprawls! Back again tomorrow. :)

I have every confidence that I have been promoted to the exalted second comment position, the previous second and third having been deleted forever and the author banned for life!

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3800 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:07:10 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3800 @ PH: Senile, hm? I don't know, maybe there're special fancy falafel moulds. Don't forget that I already had heart-shaped ones on my first real day there.. @ David: I knew you wouldn't just sit down and read it. :P Yes, indeed. The author has not been banned (yet - if I get called bitch again, he sure will), as I felt I should give this person the chance to probably read my post first (which I don't think he did) before leaving another rant against western tourists. @ PH: Senile, hm?

I don’t know, maybe there’re special fancy falafel moulds. Don’t forget that I already had heart-shaped ones on my first real day there..

@ David: I knew you wouldn’t just sit down and read it. :P

Yes, indeed. The author has not been banned (yet - if I get called bitch again, he sure will), as I felt I should give this person the chance to probably read my post first (which I don’t think he did) before leaving another rant against western tourists.

]]> By: eamonn macfuckgeez http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3802 eamonn macfuckgeez Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:06:11 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3802 lady, if you dont wish to be called bitch. I have the power to throw you out of this country like a rat. and i dont need to continue reading your post after that hideous picture of the mosque and how it was to darken (sorry) brighten your day. because that mosque caused your day to darken, i will give ten thousands reason why it should be darkened again and again. you are not a friend of this country, we are very hospitable to friends. lady, if you dont wish to be called bitch. I have the power to throw you out of this country like a rat. and i dont need to continue reading your post after that hideous picture of the mosque and how it was to darken (sorry) brighten your day. because that mosque caused your day to darken, i will give ten thousands reason why it should be darkened again and again. you are not a friend of this country, we are very hospitable to friends.

]]> By: eamonn macfuckgeez http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3803 eamonn macfuckgeez Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:28:18 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3803 crusader alert, this person should deported crusader alert, this person should deported

]]> By: Mafdet http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3805 Mafdet Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:18:23 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3805 @eamonn macfuckgeez: It was a word-play. It was DARK, she took the pic at NIGHT so she wrote darken/brighten. God, some people are so stupid! @eamonn macfuckgeez: It was a word-play. It was DARK, she took the pic at NIGHT so she wrote darken/brighten.
God, some people are so stupid!

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3806 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:35:36 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3806 Well, maybe you should have read more to see what kind of person I actually am instead of just assuming. Like my sister just explained, it was a word-play. Actually, at first I only had written "brighten". I had not much to write about that day, the picture was taken on the evening of the day, so I included it to increase the passage's worth: <b>it is a beautiful picture!</b> But as it was night, and it is dark in the picture, I saw the clash between my choice of the term "brighten" and the dark picture, so I thought it would be funny to include the crossed out "darken" - as a simple reference to time of day and resulting <b>dark</b>ness of picture. An author's little game on words. It never even crossed my mind that the sentence could be interpreted in a sinister way. And that is because I would never think that way. I repeat: read before you spew insults against ppl. Well, maybe you should have read more to see what kind of person I actually am instead of just assuming.
Like my sister just explained, it was a word-play.
Actually, at first I only had written “brighten”. I had not much to write about that day, the picture was taken on the evening of the day, so I included it to increase the passage’s worth: it is a beautiful picture!
But as it was night, and it is dark in the picture, I saw the clash between my choice of the term “brighten” and the dark picture, so I thought it would be funny to include the crossed out “darken” - as a simple reference to time of day and resulting darkness of picture. An author’s little game on words.

It never even crossed my mind that the sentence could be interpreted in a sinister way. And that is because I would never think that way.

I repeat: read before you spew insults against ppl.

]]> By: eamonn macfuckgeez http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3807 eamonn macfuckgeez Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:17:57 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3807 this is a country where you are not given the benefit of the doubt. obviously we have so many enemies: the last this we want to sleep with the enemy inside this house that we love so much. this is a country where you are not given the benefit of the doubt. obviously we have so many enemies: the last this we want to sleep with the enemy inside this house that we love so much.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3808 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:20:10 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3808 (not much to write about that day) in syria, at day does not end at 00 midnight. it ends somewhere in the unforeseen future. Now I bet you can write more about that day. (not much to write about that day) in syria, at day does not end at 00 midnight. it ends somewhere in the unforeseen future. Now I bet you can write more about that day.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3809 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:24:08 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3809 why dont go and learn hebrew in israel and see how nice the people are there and how clean the streets are, reck your our rede the passage from the holy bible is fraught with meaning... if you just can read between the lines. I am the best of readers. why dont go and learn hebrew in israel and see how nice the people are there and how clean the streets are, reck your our rede the passage from the holy bible is fraught with meaning… if you just can read between the lines. I am the best of readers.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3810 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:47:28 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3810 *sighs* Well, if you <b>do</b> care to read more, you will find that I'm not much of a fan of your political system. But I wasn't much of a fan of the political system of the former Democratic Republic of Germany either, so I guess that makes it ok. ;) But I don't give a damn about all that Axis of Evil crap, cos that is precisely what it is: crap. Quite apart from that, political systems seldom reflect their ppl. Ppl in the Middle East generally are very hospitable. I did not set out to insult Syrians. You might consider that lashing out at ppl for all the wrong reasons will cause you to have more enemies though, while giving someone the benefit of the doubt might eventually lead to a beautiful new friendship.... Well, "sorry", I did not always have time to sit down and jot down notes about every day, and I am rather senile. For that particular day that is all I remember. Maybe we were lazy and didn't really do more. Could be. Not quite clear about your Israel reference. If I encounter dirty streets, or funny or freaky incidents, I will write about that, be that in Damascus, Tel Aviv, New York or Berlin. Actually, the house I rented in Damascus was much cleaner than some of the cheap places I have been renting in Germany at times. And if someone spooky stalks me at the suq I will write about that too. And you know what? With a huge capital city full of Middle Eastern tourists and refugees, I don't even have a clue whether that guy was Syrian or not. And you know what? It doesn't matter. Cos spooky assholes can be found in every country. I am just a cynic. I was quoting the Bible, not discussing if every word inside is absolute truth or not. Fact is, the Bible was written a very long time ago, and it does mention a particular street in Damascus. The conversion of Saul was a very important part of and for the New Testament. And it is written. Doesn't matter if it just said "Straight Street in Damascus" cos that sounded better than, say, "in a sorry old hut in a ditch on the way from X to Damascus". It is written, and it is what ppl believe. And it was written almost 2000 years ago. That alone is awe-inspiring. That Damascus is so old and was so important even back then. *sighs*
Well, if you do care to read more, you will find that I’m not much of a fan of your political system. But I wasn’t much of a fan of the political system of the former Democratic Republic of Germany either, so I guess that makes it ok. ;)
But I don’t give a damn about all that Axis of Evil crap, cos that is precisely what it is: crap.

Quite apart from that, political systems seldom reflect their ppl. Ppl in the Middle East generally are very hospitable. I did not set out to insult Syrians.

You might consider that lashing out at ppl for all the wrong reasons will cause you to have more enemies though, while giving someone the benefit of the doubt might eventually lead to a beautiful new friendship….

Well, “sorry”, I did not always have time to sit down and jot down notes about every day, and I am rather senile. For that particular day that is all I remember. Maybe we were lazy and didn’t really do more. Could be.

Not quite clear about your Israel reference.
If I encounter dirty streets, or funny or freaky incidents, I will write about that, be that in Damascus, Tel Aviv, New York or Berlin.
Actually, the house I rented in Damascus was much cleaner than some of the cheap places I have been renting in Germany at times.
And if someone spooky stalks me at the suq I will write about that too. And you know what? With a huge capital city full of Middle Eastern tourists and refugees, I don’t even have a clue whether that guy was Syrian or not. And you know what? It doesn’t matter. Cos spooky assholes can be found in every country.

I am just a cynic.

I was quoting the Bible, not discussing if every word inside is absolute truth or not.
Fact is, the Bible was written a very long time ago, and it does mention a particular street in Damascus.
The conversion of Saul was a very important part of and for the New Testament.
And it is written. Doesn’t matter if it just said “Straight Street in Damascus” cos that sounded better than, say, “in a sorry old hut in a ditch on the way from X to Damascus”. It is written, and it is what ppl believe.
And it was written almost 2000 years ago.
That alone is awe-inspiring. That Damascus is so old and was so important even back then.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3811 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:12:50 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3811 I am just tired of israelis coming here with a german passport and taking intelligence from the country (like the ynet reporter who came here not so long ago and went to deir ezzour) this is not the only thing i am worried about. I love lattakia very much, and i had a chance to see photoes of latakia in travelpod by some crazy lunatic who posted 29 pics of beduins. there are no bedouins in latakia. but this is exactly what he came here for: to take pics of beduins in an arab country. nothing i will make will change that orientalist image of the country i love. we have been under constant pressure for years now. we have had enough. there are people here. real people, intelligent people, not just goddamn mosques and beduins. I am just tired of israelis coming here with a german passport and taking intelligence from the country (like the ynet reporter who came here not so long ago and went to deir ezzour) this is not the only thing i am worried about. I love lattakia very much, and i had a chance to see photoes of latakia in travelpod by some crazy lunatic who posted 29 pics of beduins. there are no bedouins in latakia. but this is exactly what he came here for: to take pics of beduins in an arab country. nothing i will make will change that orientalist image of the country i love. we have been under constant pressure for years now. we have had enough. there are people here. real people, intelligent people, not just goddamn mosques and beduins.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3812 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:20:32 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3812 it has become a very tiring experience to google syria: lots of hatred in the world, and for what? at some point damn the road you just have to say enough is enough. i am not a beduin, i am not a muslim-fascist, there is much more in syria to offer than those two categories. and we recieve you well ppl. we love you for coming here while there is such great pressure, everyday talk of war. if you really love this country or at least not hate it, you can do a bit more than what you are doing. this is not the result of what we have been doing, but rather world politics which made two disticnt categories: either with us or against us, there is no mid way. now in a couple years there could be a war on syria, more devastating than the war on iraq, and what do you care. i have to care about that. i have to live here. and who is going to recieve syrian refugees like we recieved iraqi refugees: none. like we recieved armenian refugees: none: like we recived st paul: none. and all you could post is picture after picture after picture of this mosque or that: in fact i had an impression you came here to take photoes of mosques and falafel goddmn it-and falafel. it has become a very tiring experience to google syria: lots of hatred in the world, and for what? at some point damn the road you just have to say enough is enough. i am not a beduin, i am not a muslim-fascist, there is much more in syria to offer than those two categories. and we recieve you well ppl. we love you for coming here while there is such great pressure, everyday talk of war. if you really love this country or at least not hate it, you can do a bit more than what you are doing. this is not the result of what we have been doing, but rather world politics which made two disticnt categories: either with us or against us, there is no mid way. now in a couple years there could be a war on syria, more devastating than the war on iraq, and what do you care. i have to care about that. i have to live here. and who is going to recieve syrian refugees like we recieved iraqi refugees: none. like we recieved armenian refugees: none: like we recived st paul: none. and all you could post is picture after picture after picture of this mosque or that: in fact i had an impression you came here to take photoes of mosques and falafel goddmn it-and falafel.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3814 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:23:28 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3814 though i have to admit that the mere act of coming here under such circumstances demands counrage. but i am not going to be sorry for anything. i am just tired of seeing pics of mosques by people who in thier own souls would rather have these mosques demolished. though i have to admit that the mere act of coming here under such circumstances demands counrage. but i am not going to be sorry for anything. i am just tired of seeing pics of mosques by people who in thier own souls would rather have these mosques demolished.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3831 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:25:29 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3831 Außerdem, liebe Dame, ich kann es sich nicht leisten nicht ein Fan von unseren aktuellen politischen Systems. Und Sie wissen es Außerdem, liebe Dame, ich kann es sich nicht leisten nicht ein Fan von
unseren aktuellen politischen Systems. Und Sie wissen es

]]> By: Mafdet http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3818 Mafdet Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:02:05 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3818 Um... Now that's a bit rich: "i am just tired of seeing pics of mosques by people who in thier own souls would rather have these mosques demolished." Hello? You don't KNOW my sister. She would not want mosques demolished. Why should she? She doesn't hate you or Syria or Syrian people or any other Arab people, for that matter. She went there to visit a friend. During her holiday. She enjoyed her stay and she took pics of mosques. Tourists do, you know. If you visit a foreign country you see lots of things that are very different from all the boring things back home. So you take pics of them. Because they're interesting. You say you are no fanatic. You know what? I believe you, but I wish you would stop acting like one. Save your hatred for people who want to harm your country, not for people who visited it and enjoyed their stay, ok? Um… Now that’s a bit rich: “i am just tired of seeing pics of mosques by people who in thier own souls would rather have these mosques demolished.”
Hello?
You don’t KNOW my sister. She would not want mosques demolished.
Why should she? She doesn’t hate you or Syria or Syrian people or any other Arab people, for that matter.
She went there to visit a friend.
During her holiday.
She enjoyed her stay and she took pics of mosques.
Tourists do, you know.
If you visit a foreign country you see lots of things that are very different from all the boring things back home.
So you take pics of them.
Because they’re interesting.

You say you are no fanatic. You know what? I believe you, but I wish you would stop acting like one.
Save your hatred for people who want to harm your country, not for people who visited it and enjoyed their stay, ok?

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3819 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:35:42 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3819 dont get me wrong, but i would like to see a couple mosques demolished, thing is i just dont like it when these ideas are placed within a eurocentric discourse, or a colonial discourse. we would rather look for similarities not differences when touring, especially in this cynical age. and i bet your sister's friend is christian, in the suburb of bab touma. but in any case i am also getting tired of this conversation. i was once in the uk and was told to bugger off to where i came from. the people who told me this did not have to take pains to spend a god gieven day explaining themselves to me. its high time we showed some national solidarity and stopped acting friendly with people who betray our hospitality. is your sister a friend, i dont care, we are 20 millions here in syria we can do without a charity. the best a german can do is 'protest' in a christian like manner when there is a war to be waged. but what will tht help for? its high time all syrians stopped being nice. dont get me wrong, but i would like to see a couple mosques demolished, thing is i just dont like it when these ideas are placed within a eurocentric discourse, or a colonial discourse. we would rather look for similarities not differences when touring, especially in this cynical age. and i bet your sister’s friend is christian, in the suburb of bab touma. but in any case i am also getting tired of this conversation. i was once in the uk and was told to bugger off to where i came from. the people who told me this did not have to take pains to spend a god gieven day explaining themselves to me. its high time we showed some national solidarity and stopped acting friendly with people who betray our hospitality. is your sister a friend, i dont care, we are 20 millions here in syria we can do without a charity. the best a german can do is ‘protest’ in a christian like manner when there is a war to be waged. but what will tht help for? its high time all syrians stopped being nice.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3820 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:39:43 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3820 Well, Eamonn, if that matters, I am a true German passport holder. The thing is, every Israeli who wants to go to Syria would have to resort to deceit like that, I assume (considering that an Israeli visa would have rendered my Syrian visa null and void...), no matter whether he simply wished to go an a holiday, report positively or report negatively on Syria. Just saying. Hm, a beduin in Latakia, preferably on the beach.... ;) Well, if I had seen Beduins I'd have taken pictures as well. Putting them into context might be a good idea then though. (And 29 sounds rather a lot as well.) But like my sister said, if you travel to far places, you take pictures of the things you do not see at home. Like, say, Beduins and mosques. There aren't any true mosques in Germany. Oh, there are apartment buildings with "Camii" signs hanging outside. But a "true" mosque is an impressive building with a minaret, just like churches are impressive buildings with bell/clock towers. So of course I took pictures of the Omayyad Mosque! And pictures of falafel. I'll have to wait till August again to actually go and buy falafel when there'll be a booth selling them at the medieval market a town in the vicinity has. Or I would have to make my own again, but that was quite some work (although they tasted very good, even if I say so myself). And don't forget that these Damascus posts are about a holiday I made. No matter the reasons why I chose Syria for that, in the end I was there to hang out with a friend, have fun and gather new experiences. That is what I am writing about. I'm a bit quirky, so my posts will be quirky. They're just there to tell my online (and indeed real life) friends (and possibly the odd stranger) about what I saw and experienced there. Hopefully while doing that they'll also be somewhat entertaining. Oh, today's hate doesn't only focus on Syria, ppl have become rather paranoid towards Muslims in general, no matter where they live. Ppl can be so short-sighted and prejudiced. "either with us or against us" - now you're starting to sound like Mr Bush. Just my little joke. You see, before the Iraq war that is exactly what he told the German (and French) politicians when they refused to support him. Well, no, I am living in a rather safe little country, but please don't presume what I care about or not. I don't think a war on Syrian soil is that imminent though (if you mean from the direction of the US). Bush won't be president for long anymore, and I doubt the next one will even want to keep the troups in Iraq for long. Bush really got burned with his war on Iraq, and a huge group of the American public wants their troops to come home, no matter how many Iraqi lives that might cost in the end. So I don't think anyone will feel the urge to launch an attack against Syria. The president who did that would <b>really</b> piss off the American public for good. Yeeees, Syria let a lot of Iraqi refugees in, just like Jordan. And these countries were left alone to deal with the flood of refugees by all the rich western countries, I am ashamed to say, my own country amongst them. But Iraqis are not always getting treated well in neither Syria nor Jordan, if truth be told. And these days a lot of them get forced to go back to Iraq. You see, the Caesar that gets mentioned in my posts is not the resurrected Roman Emperor but an Iraqi blogger whom I came to meet in Damascus, as we had become rather close friends over the net. And - believe it or not - I was already caring about what was happening in Iraq and to Iraqis before I came to personally know some through blogging. I just do care if bad things happen somewhere on this world. You are presuming again. I do not want to see mosques abolished, quite on the contrary, I wish my fellow countrymen would stop spinning Islamist conspiracy theories every time someone wants to build a real mosque (with minaret and all the trimmings) in one of our major cities. It's pathetic, the mud-slinging they will stoop to. I don't know about the courage of going to Syria. Returning and passing German customs sure took some more courage. ;) They seemed to be highly suspicious of a lone traveller returning from the Axil of Evil. Well, it would be polite if you at least regretted the names you called me. Well, Eamonn, if that matters, I am a true German passport holder.
The thing is, every Israeli who wants to go to Syria would have to resort to deceit like that, I assume (considering that an Israeli visa would have rendered my Syrian visa null and void…), no matter whether he simply wished to go an a holiday, report positively or report negatively on Syria. Just saying.

Hm, a beduin in Latakia, preferably on the beach…. ;)
Well, if I had seen Beduins I’d have taken pictures as well. Putting them into context might be a good idea then though. (And 29 sounds rather a lot as well.)

But like my sister said, if you travel to far places, you take pictures of the things you do not see at home. Like, say, Beduins and mosques. There aren’t any true mosques in Germany. Oh, there are apartment buildings with “Camii” signs hanging outside. But a “true” mosque is an impressive building with a minaret, just like churches are impressive buildings with bell/clock towers.
So of course I took pictures of the Omayyad Mosque!
And pictures of falafel. I’ll have to wait till August again to actually go and buy falafel when there’ll be a booth selling them at the medieval market a town in the vicinity has. Or I would have to make my own again, but that was quite some work (although they tasted very good, even if I say so myself).

And don’t forget that these Damascus posts are about a holiday I made. No matter the reasons why I chose Syria for that, in the end I was there to hang out with a friend, have fun and gather new experiences.
That is what I am writing about.
I’m a bit quirky, so my posts will be quirky. They’re just there to tell my online (and indeed real life) friends (and possibly the odd stranger) about what I saw and experienced there. Hopefully while doing that they’ll also be somewhat entertaining.

Oh, today’s hate doesn’t only focus on Syria, ppl have become rather paranoid towards Muslims in general, no matter where they live. Ppl can be so short-sighted and prejudiced.

“either with us or against us” - now you’re starting to sound like Mr Bush. Just my little joke. You see, before the Iraq war that is exactly what he told the German (and French) politicians when they refused to support him.

Well, no, I am living in a rather safe little country, but please don’t presume what I care about or not.

I don’t think a war on Syrian soil is that imminent though (if you mean from the direction of the US). Bush won’t be president for long anymore, and I doubt the next one will even want to keep the troups in Iraq for long. Bush really got burned with his war on Iraq, and a huge group of the American public wants their troops to come home, no matter how many Iraqi lives that might cost in the end.
So I don’t think anyone will feel the urge to launch an attack against Syria. The president who did that would really piss off the American public for good.

Yeeees, Syria let a lot of Iraqi refugees in, just like Jordan. And these countries were left alone to deal with the flood of refugees by all the rich western countries, I am ashamed to say, my own country amongst them.
But Iraqis are not always getting treated well in neither Syria nor Jordan, if truth be told. And these days a lot of them get forced to go back to Iraq.

You see, the Caesar that gets mentioned in my posts is not the resurrected Roman Emperor but an Iraqi blogger whom I came to meet in Damascus, as we had become rather close friends over the net.

And - believe it or not - I was already caring about what was happening in Iraq and to Iraqis before I came to personally know some through blogging.
I just do care if bad things happen somewhere on this world.

You are presuming again. I do not want to see mosques abolished, quite on the contrary, I wish my fellow countrymen would stop spinning Islamist conspiracy theories every time someone wants to build a real mosque (with minaret and all the trimmings) in one of our major cities. It’s pathetic, the mud-slinging they will stoop to.

I don’t know about the courage of going to Syria. Returning and passing German customs sure took some more courage. ;) They seemed to be highly suspicious of a lone traveller returning from the Axil of Evil.

Well, it would be polite if you at least regretted the names you called me.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3821 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:43:11 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3821 and why did she have to delete my german post, was a linguistic approach to a possible friendship too good to be true. i have learned you are so keen on using german, and i did at least attempt using the langauge. if you think what makes us special is mosques and beduins you are so mistaken, for even i when i see a moment of truth, even i can speak with tongues like the disciples after the destruction of babylon. some people just need to learn how to listen, and i read your whole of your sisters blog, and i can say it is not bad as other blogs in which people claim to be our friends, and if i had known she was a woman from the beginning i would not have said a word. because you see post-colonial discourse should be coupled with gender discourse. and why did she have to delete my german post, was a linguistic approach to a possible friendship too good to be true. i have learned you are so keen on using german, and i did at least attempt using the langauge. if you think what makes us special is mosques and beduins you are so mistaken, for even i when i see a moment of truth, even i can speak with tongues like the disciples after the destruction of babylon. some people just need to learn how to listen, and i read your whole of your sisters blog, and i can say it is not bad as other blogs in which people claim to be our friends, and if i had known she was a woman from the beginning i would not have said a word. because you see post-colonial discourse should be coupled with gender discourse.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3822 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:44:23 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3822 Ah, you're presuming again. Yes, the "go back to where you came from" approach sadly seems to be a universal flaw of "western hospitality". It is especially "clever" if it's being used on some Arab looking person that has been born in the country he or she gets told to leave. And, no, my Iraqi friends are all Muslims, some of them rather devout. Ah, so your new email address wasn't genuine either. I explained why I deleted the comment. It was meant as a favour to you! Ah, you’re presuming again.

Yes, the “go back to where you came from” approach sadly seems to be a universal flaw of “western hospitality”. It is especially “clever” if it’s being used on some Arab looking person that has been born in the country he or she gets told to leave.

And, no, my Iraqi friends are all Muslims, some of them rather devout.

Ah, so your new email address wasn’t genuine either. I explained why I deleted the comment. It was meant as a favour to you!

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3823 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:49:25 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3823 you are killing me with your niceness but yes my email is true you are killing me with your niceness but yes my email is true

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3824 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:51:58 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3824 and yes i do a regret i called you names, i wont say its not me, iam an occassional bugger and yes i do a regret i called you names, i wont say its not me, iam an occassional bugger

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3825 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:54:53 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3825 i will refer you to a paper by perle dating back to 1996, called "clean break", if you dont think syria is going to be attacked. and a later paper by neocons thinktanks asking to destabliise syria through lebanon. and what did detlev mehlis do? i will refer you to a paper by perle dating back to 1996, called “clean break”, if you dont think syria is going to be attacked. and a later paper by neocons thinktanks asking to destabliise syria through lebanon. and what did detlev mehlis do?

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3826 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:03:08 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3826 i am sorry though i pryed on your privacy, since both mossad and your "real life" friends have access to what you have to say. let them now read what i have to say. i am sorry though i pryed on your privacy, since both mossad and your “real life” friends have access to what you have to say. let them now read what i have to say.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3827 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:03:49 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3827 this wraps up my comments. this wraps up my comments.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3828 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:04:57 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3828 Hm, did the evil email goblin eat my mail, or did you simply not check for mail yet? Either way, I thought it prudent to remove the comment. Feel free to repeat yourself if you really want everyone to be able to read that, or I could try posting it again and editing the time stamp; maybe that'd move it to the original time it was posted. I have never tried that before. Well, that is good. Then I won't have to stoop to calling you a teez. ;) Ok, I am also hoping for some common sense here. The world does not need yet another war. Hm, did the evil email goblin eat my mail, or did you simply not check for mail yet?

Either way, I thought it prudent to remove the comment. Feel free to repeat yourself if you really want everyone to be able to read that, or I could try posting it again and editing the time stamp; maybe that’d move it to the original time it was posted. I have never tried that before.

Well, that is good. Then I won’t have to stoop to calling you a teez. ;)

Ok, I am also hoping for some common sense here. The world does not need yet another war.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3829 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:23:57 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3829 As I wish to some day return to Syria (*hints urgently at the Giving Money to Nice Ladies Fairy*) for another holiday or 2, I do hope no-one who could deny my visa will read this, as I do have the odd political issue with Syria, like I said. But on the other hand, the worst thing that can happen to me is a denied future holiday, and I'm not letting that keep me from writing things the way I see them. As I wish to some day return to Syria (*hints urgently at the Giving Money to Nice Ladies Fairy*) for another holiday or 2, I do hope no-one who could deny my visa will read this, as I do have the odd political issue with Syria, like I said.
But on the other hand, the worst thing that can happen to me is a denied future holiday, and I’m not letting that keep me from writing things the way I see them.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3830 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:38:01 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3830 i sent you an email already. yes i am involved with denying visas; indirectly. but i am a man who works by the rules; i just cant deny you a visa just because you posted a picture with a comment. i sent you an email already. yes i am involved with denying visas; indirectly. but i am a man who works by the rules; i just cant deny you a visa just because you posted a picture with a comment.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3832 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:21:29 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3832 Found it. Well, I hope the ppl in the embassy here in Germany will see things the same way you do, whenever I will apply for another visa. ;) I'm afraid the bigger problem will eventually be my own country's radar picking up on me for travelling to "suspicious" countries that often. Found it.

Well, I hope the ppl in the embassy here in Germany will see things the same way you do, whenever I will apply for another visa. ;)

I’m afraid the bigger problem will eventually be my own country’s radar picking up on me for travelling to “suspicious” countries that often.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3833 eamonn Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:28:24 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3833 the embassey sends visa applications to what is called (attaches branch here in damascus, which sends the applications to another branch where i work) now if say i have a translated copy of your website, i will be able to do miracles: the man at the embassey who will eventually grant you the visa is one of ours, that is an officer at syrian MI. good luck though, i have had enough discussion for one day. the embassey sends visa applications to what is called (attaches branch here in damascus, which sends the applications to another branch where i work) now if say i have a translated copy of your website, i will be able to do miracles: the man at the embassey who will eventually grant you the visa is one of ours, that is an officer at syrian MI. good luck though, i have had enough discussion for one day.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3834 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:30:50 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3834 Hm, just when I think we're starting to get along, you go all weird on me again.... Hm, just when I think we’re starting to get along, you go all weird on me again….

]]> By: 13 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3835 13 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:22:33 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3835 Mel: please do not feed the walking talking waste of oxygen. "even i can speak with tongues" !!!! "in syria, at day does not end at 00 midnight. it ends somewhere in the unforeseen future" =)) Orwell much? Mel, i take back the no-feeding warning: this one's a keeper! Mel: please do not feed the walking talking waste of oxygen.

“even i can speak with tongues”

!!!!

“in syria, at day does not end at 00 midnight. it ends somewhere in the unforeseen future”

=))

Orwell much?

Mel, i take back the no-feeding warning: this one’s a keeper!

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3836 Melantrys Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:27:19 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3836 Hm, make up your mind, habibi. Orwell? :yawn: This cold/bronchitis is eating my brain. Hm, make up your mind, habibi.

Orwell?

:yawn: This cold/bronchitis is eating my brain.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3840 eamonn Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:28:35 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3840 you know what, you are right 13, talking is a total waste of time, this was my point right from the very beginning. now i am starting to see real germans on this sight. as for your friend, she cam only try obtaining another visa. thats the last thing i'll say (saving the oxegen) you know what, you are right 13, talking is a total waste of time, this was my point right from the very beginning. now i am starting to see real germans on this sight. as for your friend, she cam only try obtaining another visa. thats the last thing i’ll say (saving the oxegen)

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3841 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:44:16 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3841 Real Germans? 13???? Presuming again. 13's an Iraqi. Real Germans? 13???? Presuming again. 13’s an Iraqi.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3843 eamonn Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:04:47 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3843 He ran into Amer, who promised that the “cleaning lady” would come at 9:30 to fix the tv problems. When he hadn’t shown up by 9:40 we thought of Saturday and left. Shortly after that Caesar got a call from the dude, and we walked back. Fortunately it didn’t take him very long to fix what had been wrong, whatever exactly that had been. Seemed to have been some problem with the wiring. What a boring day, eh? Here’s a pic to darken brighten it up: (Syrians do not keep their promises: Iraqis who fled their country because they did not want to face up to the neo-crusaders are, what a magnanimous character Caesar is, how cynical he should have this name) it passed your attention that MAYBE Syrians cant just go into your house (you being a foreigner) because MAYBE someone in the SMI was keeping an eye on you. Does the SMI have a reason to keep an eye on you? And a good one too. And the taxi accident my dear unwitting lady shows you exactly that maybe taxi drivers (SMI recruits) were passing information: where does she go? Who does she meet? At what time does she exactly go bed, oh, and, you will love this: does she have a cold or a hot shower? Another foreigner writing about my people and the only people who met here are themselves foreigners: what an experience: next year I am due in Spain: hopefully, I will get to make acquaintance with lots of Germans! And I will take photos to match the photos of the garbage next to Umayyad mosque: lots of drunken german and English people throwing up on the lovely beaches of spain He ran into Amer, who promised that the “cleaning lady” would come at 9:30 to fix the tv problems. When he hadn’t shown up by 9:40 we thought of Saturday and left.
Shortly after that Caesar got a call from the dude, and we walked back. Fortunately it didn’t take him very long to fix what had been wrong, whatever exactly that had been. Seemed to have been some problem with the wiring.
What a boring day, eh? Here’s a pic to darken brighten it up: (Syrians do not keep their promises: Iraqis who fled their country because they did not want to face up to the neo-crusaders are, what a magnanimous character Caesar is, how cynical he should have this name) it passed your attention that MAYBE Syrians cant just go into your house (you being a foreigner) because MAYBE someone in the SMI was keeping an eye on you. Does the SMI have a reason to keep an eye on you? And a good one too. And the taxi accident my dear unwitting lady shows you exactly that maybe taxi drivers (SMI recruits) were passing information: where does she go? Who does she meet? At what time does she exactly go bed, oh, and, you will love this: does she have a cold or a hot shower? Another foreigner writing about my people and the only people who met here are themselves foreigners: what an experience: next year I am due in Spain: hopefully, I will get to make acquaintance with lots of Germans! And I will take photos to match the photos of the garbage next to Umayyad mosque: lots of drunken german and English people throwing up on the lovely beaches of spain

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3844 eamonn Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:06:59 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3844 how about that? Here is another very interesting passage that I will have to translate as adequately as possible: (Besides, it is kind of a hobby, nay, duty of mine to take un-tourist pictures wherever I go. See the famed “Broom behind Pillar in Umayyad Palace” photo I took last year in Jordan.) hm: broom behind the ummayad: in Jordan!!!! Another very interesting passage (To the left of it one of the ever-present huge pictures of Bashar that can be found all over the city.) (I did not go and seek the house of Judas. It is said that the church that had been built there to commemorate this important biblical event has long since been replaced by a small mosque.) (the white car was gone): somebody is going to lose his job in Syria! (I immediately SMSed 13 and demanded that he protect me, but he just messaged something vague about Khalid being harmless back to me. No, really?) so 13 is another Syrian faggot, eh, we must for sure know who he is! What if he was an Iraqi? What if he needed to renew his visa? Better still, what if he was from *****? how about that? Here is another very interesting passage that I will have to translate as adequately as possible: (Besides, it is kind of a hobby, nay, duty of mine to take un-tourist pictures wherever I go. See the famed “Broom behind Pillar in Umayyad Palace” photo I took last year in Jordan.) hm: broom behind the ummayad: in Jordan!!!! Another very interesting passage (To the left of it one of the ever-present huge pictures of Bashar that can be found all over the city.) (I did not go and seek the house of Judas. It is said that the church that had been built there to commemorate this important biblical event has long since been replaced by a small mosque.) (the white car was gone): somebody is going to lose his job in Syria! (I immediately SMSed 13 and demanded that he protect me, but he just messaged something vague about Khalid being harmless back to me. No, really?) so 13 is another Syrian faggot, eh, we must for sure know who he is! What if he was an Iraqi? What if he needed to renew his visa? Better still, what if he was from *****?

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3845 eamonn Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:09:39 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3845 i will teach this iraqi fucker to respect the hand that feeds him, along with 2ooo ooo other iraqis. i will teach this iraqi fucker to respect the hand that feeds him, along with 2ooo ooo other iraqis.

]]> By: eamonn http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3846 eamonn Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:17:08 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3846 all what he could care about was his cock and the ways in which he coule fuck his way through germany (i waoder what the german home office will think of this) all what he could care about was his cock and the ways in which he coule fuck his way through germany (i waoder what the german home office will think of this)

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3847 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:21:57 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3847 Well, the only one proving who he really is are you now: a dirty minded racist. I guess 13 was right after all. We should report you to your ISP for abuse... Well, the only one proving who he really is are you now: a dirty minded racist.

I guess 13 was right after all. We should report you to your ISP for abuse…

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3848 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:31:03 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3848 How dare you question the moral integrity of me or my friends in such a dirty way?! Shame on you yourself for having such a dirty, twisted mind. And for trying to justify your racism with "arguments" and threats about secret police and your exhalted position in the visa office. How dare you question the moral integrity of me or my friends in such a dirty way?!

Shame on you yourself for having such a dirty, twisted mind.

And for trying to justify your racism with “arguments” and threats about secret police and your exhalted position in the visa office.

]]> By: ph http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3849 ph Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:42:57 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3849 Sorry for intruding, but if I was you and with my fair amount of experience with what this person claims to be. It would be best to ignore him, delete his comments and if he isn't in a middle eastern country report him to his ISP. To me it seems like he is bluffing either to get more out of you or because he thinks he is funny; either way whats done is done and its better to just ignore him and end it :). salaam Sorry for intruding, but if I was you and with my fair amount of experience with what this person claims to be. It would be best to ignore him, delete his comments and if he isn’t in a middle eastern country report him to his ISP.
To me it seems like he is bluffing either to get more out of you or because he thinks he is funny; either way whats done is done and its better to just ignore him and end it :).

salaam

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3850 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:42:33 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3850 Well, I blocked his IP now; let's hope this is the end of it for the blog. Am gonna keep the "charming" comments for a while though, as evidence, as the dude had the nerve to report my email address for abuse, and I gave hotmail a link to here for reference. Just act naturally, peeps, and write some nice comments on my post, as if this whole thing wasn't there. ;( I need some cheering up. PH, is your weird email address for real? :P Well, I blocked his IP now; let’s hope this is the end of it for the blog.

Am gonna keep the “charming” comments for a while though, as evidence, as the dude had the nerve to report my email address for abuse, and I gave hotmail a link to here for reference.

Just act naturally, peeps, and write some nice comments on my post, as if this whole thing wasn’t there. ;( I need some cheering up.

PH, is your weird email address for real? :P

]]> By: 13 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3851 13 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:07:34 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3851 oh noes! i am the afraid! oh noes! i am the afraid!

]]> By: ph http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3853 ph Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:28:11 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3853 <i>"if this whole thing wasn’t there. ;( I need some cheering up. PH, is your weird email address for real? :P"</i> So, if you need cheering up you pick on me ?:P Actually it was a name of a computer game I used to play in the 80's so when I was thinking of an anonymous email name for my blog it came up :D. Didn't I say I had experience with these types of people ? salaam “if this whole thing wasn’t there. ;( I need some cheering up.

PH, is your weird email address for real? :P”

So, if you need cheering up you pick on me ?:P Actually it was a name of a computer game I used to play in the 80’s so when I was thinking of an anonymous email name for my blog it came up :D.

Didn’t I say I had experience with these types of people ?

salaam

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3854 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:38:34 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3854 Hey, I wasn't picking on you. :P You gotta admit that your mail address sounds like a fake, made up one. Hey, I wasn’t picking on you. :P You gotta admit that your mail address sounds like a fake, made up one.

]]> By: ph http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3856 ph Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:57:18 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3856 well that it is ............. isn't it supposed to be? I mean from you past and present experience don't you wish you had one like it :lol: well that it is …………. isn’t it supposed to be? I mean from you past and present experience don’t you wish you had one like it :lol:

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3857 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:59:45 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3857 *laughs* Aye. *laughs*

Aye.

]]> By: Lynnette in Minnesota http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3858 Lynnette in Minnesota Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:06:30 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3858 Good God, what have I been missing?! :bigeyes: I dropped by to leave you a link,Mel, and what do I find? Well, actually I don't know since I haven't read through the post or comments yet. :confused: Anyway, I saw <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_90038,00.html" rel="nofollow">this</a> the other day and thought you may like it. *whispers softly* Don't ask what I was doing watching the cooking channel. :blank: Good God, what have I been missing?! :bigeyes:

I dropped by to leave you a link,Mel, and what do I find? Well, actually I don’t know since I haven’t read through the post or comments yet. :confused:

Anyway, I saw this the other day and thought you may like it. *whispers softly* Don’t ask what I was doing watching the cooking channel. :blank:

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3859 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:10:53 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3859 Well, catch up on it as long as most of it is still online. As soon as I get a positive answer from Hotmail, this filth gets deleted. Incidentally, what were you doing watching the cooking channel? Well, catch up on it as long as most of it is still online. As soon as I get a positive answer from Hotmail, this filth gets deleted.

Incidentally, what were you doing watching the cooking channel?

]]> By: Lynnette in Minnesota http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3861 Lynnette in Minnesota Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:11:20 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3861 Well, Good God, <i>indeed</i>! I see you've been trolled. :shock: Hmmm...maybe that recipe will cheer you up. :) Or at least keep you busy for a few hours! :lol: Okay, so let's see...a normal comment on your post... Cucumbers? Mel, really, <i>cucumbers</i>?! The Eggplant was bad enough! ;) At least you redeemed yourself with the other ingredients. I love just about anything with tomato in it. :) And you've gotten me to read more of the Bible then I've ever done. Unlike whats-his-name, I enjoyed all of the photos. I love night photos. Or sunset or sunrise ones. "The Davinci Code" was good, but I liked "Angels and Demons" better. <i>Caesar seemed to particularly be taken in by fertility goddesses (clutching their breasts) and statues and statuettes of naked men.</i> :rofl: :rofl: That naughty man! Lovely post, Mel. Don't let the trolls get you down. ;) P.S. You know, I really miss the preview feature that haloscan has. That way I can check if I've screwed up on my tags. *sigh* Well, Good God, indeed! I see you’ve been trolled. :shock:

Hmmm…maybe that recipe will cheer you up. :) Or at least keep you busy for a few hours! :lol:

Okay, so let’s see…a normal comment on your post…

Cucumbers? Mel, really, cucumbers?! The Eggplant was bad enough! ;) At least you redeemed yourself with the other ingredients. I love just about anything with tomato in it. :)

And you’ve gotten me to read more of the Bible then I’ve ever done.

Unlike whats-his-name, I enjoyed all of the photos. I love night photos. Or sunset or sunrise ones.

“The Davinci Code” was good, but I liked “Angels and Demons” better.

Caesar seemed to particularly be taken in by fertility goddesses (clutching their breasts) and statues and statuettes of naked men.

:rofl: :rofl:

That naughty man!

Lovely post, Mel. Don’t let the trolls get you down. ;)

P.S. You know, I really miss the preview feature that haloscan has. That way I can check if I’ve screwed up on my tags. *sigh*

]]> By: Lynnette in Minnesota http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3862 Lynnette in Minnesota Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:14:23 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3862 <i>Incidentally, what were you doing watching the cooking channel?</i> *sigh* My mother likes it and I was watching television with her. And really it <i>can</i> be interesting. I'm always amazed at how easy others make cooking look! :) Everything you cooked look very good, btw. Incidentally, what were you doing watching the cooking channel?

*sigh* My mother likes it and I was watching television with her. And really it can be interesting. I’m always amazed at how easy others make cooking look! :) Everything you cooked look very good, btw.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3863 Melantrys Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:33:45 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3863 Yes, I have indeed, and I have fed him instead of doing the Delete & Ban right away. We live and learn. Well, the eggplant bit of the recipe sounds ok. Sorry, don't like most of the other ingredients, lol. But thank you for the thought. :) Yes, cucumbers. Why not? Caesar's first reaction when he heard that I cook cucumbers was something along the lines of "But, but, but, you can't cook them! :sick: " So after that meal I asked him how he had liked the cucumbers, and he went like "Oh? I thought that was zucchini." :D You do? Caesar is addicted to tomatoes as well. ;) Haha, well, I'm not much of a Bible reader myself, but I found this on a website (using one of those modern English Bible translations) with info on Damascus, and then I googled until I found a Bible website that could give me the right words. I don't know why I care about that, guess it's the nitpicking part of me. The Bible has to has quaint old language, not modern English or whatever. I particularly liked my introduction to the passage, because preaching the Bible is <b>so</b> unlike me... :rofl: I guess What's-His-Name figured I was <b>really</b> preaching though... *sighs* I don't know; I liked both books; got myself "Angels & Demons" later on in Damascus. :) Hm, maybe I should have added that the goddesses were clutching their own breasts. Wouldn't want anyone to think Caesar was fingering the exhibits. ;) Yeeees, preview is nice, but don't forget that Haloscan does not have my staggering range of smilies. Omar (the German one) had preview on his blog for a while, maybe I should bother him one of these days with annoying questions.... Thank you. :) According to Caesar it also tasted good. :) Yes, I have indeed, and I have fed him instead of doing the Delete & Ban right away. We live and learn.

Well, the eggplant bit of the recipe sounds ok. Sorry, don’t like most of the other ingredients, lol. But thank you for the thought. :)

Yes, cucumbers. Why not? Caesar’s first reaction when he heard that I cook cucumbers was something along the lines of “But, but, but, you can’t cook them! :sick: ”
So after that meal I asked him how he had liked the cucumbers, and he went like “Oh? I thought that was zucchini.” :D
You do? Caesar is addicted to tomatoes as well. ;)

Haha, well, I’m not much of a Bible reader myself, but I found this on a website (using one of those modern English Bible translations) with info on Damascus, and then I googled until I found a Bible website that could give me the right words. I don’t know why I care about that, guess it’s the nitpicking part of me. The Bible has to has quaint old language, not modern English or whatever.
I particularly liked my introduction to the passage, because preaching the Bible is so unlike me… :rofl:
I guess What’s-His-Name figured I was really preaching though… *sighs*

I don’t know; I liked both books; got myself “Angels & Demons” later on in Damascus. :)

Hm, maybe I should have added that the goddesses were clutching their own breasts. Wouldn’t want anyone to think Caesar was fingering the exhibits. ;)

Yeeees, preview is nice, but don’t forget that Haloscan does not have my staggering range of smilies.
Omar (the German one) had preview on his blog for a while, maybe I should bother him one of these days with annoying questions….

Thank you. :) According to Caesar it also tasted good. :)

]]> By: David http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3870 David Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:25:01 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3870 Well, I was going to read some of the post, but when I saw the comment tally I got curious. Sorry to see that your very impolite guest returned with a vengeance! That guy needs to get some help before he goes postal. Well, I was going to read some of the post, but when I saw the comment tally I got curious. Sorry to see that your very impolite guest returned with a vengeance! That guy needs to get some help before he goes postal.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3871 Melantrys Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:42:04 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3871 So you poor man didn't get around to reading the post at all, hm? Well, I don't know; I <b>have</b> started to wonder about his mental state, for his weird mood swings alone... So you poor man didn’t get around to reading the post at all, hm?

Well, I don’t know; I have started to wonder about his mental state, for his weird mood swings alone…

]]> By: Lynnette in Minnesota http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3875 Lynnette in Minnesota Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:02:10 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3875 <i>Wouldn’t want anyone to think Caesar was fingering the exhibits.</i> :rofl: Oh, poor Caesar! Not here so he gets talked about. ;) :lol: <i>I have started to wonder about his mental state, for his weird mood swings alone…</i> They're all over the place, Mel. You wouldn't believe the crap I've had to put up with over at Zeyad's. And just recently I ran into a couple of poisonous "Anonymi" over at the Kid's. *shrug* How they can think I care what people like that think is beyond me! Hopefully you have seen the last of whats-his-name. If he shows up again you can try Mohammed's line (which I thought was good) "Please give us the pleasure of your absence". :) Now I will skip over and see if my trolls have been back... Wouldn’t want anyone to think Caesar was fingering the exhibits.

:rofl:

Oh, poor Caesar! Not here so he gets talked about. ;) :lol:

I have started to wonder about his mental state, for his weird mood swings alone…

They’re all over the place, Mel. You wouldn’t believe the crap I’ve had to put up with over at Zeyad’s. And just recently I ran into a couple of poisonous “Anonymi” over at the Kid’s. *shrug* How they can think I care what people like that think is beyond me!

Hopefully you have seen the last of whats-his-name. If he shows up again you can try Mohammed’s line (which I thought was good) “Please give us the pleasure of your absence”. :)

Now I will skip over and see if my trolls have been back…

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3877 Melantrys Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:08:20 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3877 Well, maybe Caesar should acquire the loan of an internet connection and speak up against us evil women. ;) Yeah, I saw your friends over at the Kid's. But - annoying as they are - they are at least logical. They don't like you for some reason and post filth. They're being consistent. They don't pretend to try and get friendly with you after all (he even apologized again in an email that day when talking seemed to get through to him), only to come back next day with even worse abuse. This Syrian dude is just way weird... He sent me an email this morning full of derogatory crap against Iraqis (and me - and a few more veiled threats), and how they should have put them into camps at the border. But of course he isn't.... what did he say? "i am not a muslim-fascist" Well, maybe not an Islamo-fascist (I think that's what he meant), but his anti-Iraqi rant was sure showing some strong fascist tendencies. Well, maybe Caesar should acquire the loan of an internet connection and speak up against us evil women. ;)

Yeah, I saw your friends over at the Kid’s. But - annoying as they are - they are at least logical. They don’t like you for some reason and post filth. They’re being consistent.
They don’t pretend to try and get friendly with you after all (he even apologized again in an email that day when talking seemed to get through to him), only to come back next day with even worse abuse.

This Syrian dude is just way weird… He sent me an email this morning full of derogatory crap against Iraqis (and me - and a few more veiled threats), and how they should have put them into camps at the border. But of course he isn’t…. what did he say? “i am not a muslim-fascist” Well, maybe not an Islamo-fascist (I think that’s what he meant), but his anti-Iraqi rant was sure showing some strong fascist tendencies.

]]> By: Lynnette in Minnesota http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3878 Lynnette in Minnesota Wed, 05 Dec 2007 22:47:33 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3878 Yeah, you're right. My trolls are somewhat rational. Yours sounds seriously twisted. Malice is one thing, dangerous is another. I hope he gets tired of harrassing you. The e-mails could get very annoying. Maybe try sending him to junk? Yeah, you’re right. My trolls are somewhat rational. Yours sounds seriously twisted. Malice is one thing, dangerous is another. I hope he gets tired of harrassing you. The e-mails could get very annoying. Maybe try sending him to junk?

]]> By: David http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3895 David Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:21:33 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3895 I really like those arches at Bab Sharki and Straight Street! Sometimes I think about building my own mini arch. ;) Sorry I haven't felt much like reading lately. I'll try to get to it though. I really like those arches at Bab Sharki and Straight Street! Sometimes I think about building my own mini arch. ;)

Sorry I haven’t felt much like reading lately. I’ll try to get to it though.

]]> By: Melantrys http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3897 Melantrys Sat, 08 Dec 2007 08:50:58 +0000 http://melantrys.net/2007/12/02/trip-to-damascus-pt-3/#comment-3897 Yeah, ppl have their problems, and there I go, posting picture after picture of arches..... ;) What, you mean, you have only been following the comments and not my fabulous post?! Yeah, ppl have their problems, and there I go, posting picture after picture of arches….. ;)

What, you mean, you have only been following the comments and not my fabulous post?!

]]>