Category Archives: Afghanistan

Mask of Silenus

Posted on December 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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From the National Museum of Afghanistan, held by the Musee Guimet and photographed by Thierry Oliver.

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Posted in Afghanistan, Collecting, GAY GAZE: Visual Culture, Photos, Art, Comics, Film, Objects, etc..., History, Human Animals

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John, They’re only Dancing – Marines Shake It! (Hot & Silly Video)

Posted on July 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

These two are just too cute. Barely more than kids, as soldiers usually are, they are caught in a complicated history, their own personal stories intertwined with that of their country at war. Vets, and children of vets, understand how one can despise war and still honor warriors. Many of us still carry the physical and emotional effects of conflicts long past. “It’s complicated” – as they say on Facebook. War is hell, but it is also boredom. In these media days, that’s easily taken care of with a camera and a YouTube account. The Internet is awash with interesting videos made by soldiers with time on their hands. These two mess around to Soulja Boy’s Donk. For a great Lady Gaga Telephone re-do, click here. For an interesting musical political commentary, based on a lyrical re-working of the Beach Boys’ classic Kokomo, click here.

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Posted in Afghanistan, Internet, Iraq, Middle East, Military, Music, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More., Subcultures, Video

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Ding Dong! There’s always another Wicked Witch in the Wings…

Posted on May 3, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Remember the movie? The death of the Wicked Witch did nothing to protect Dorothy and her friends from the Flying Monkeys. Something to keep in mind. Meet the new witch; same as the old witch. Here is a fan video of the Klaus Nomi version of Ding Dong (The Witch is Dead). And here is an audio version from Ella Fitzgerald.

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Posted in Afghanistan, History, Music, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More., Video

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Great quote on Enemy Death from MLK is a Fake.

Posted on May 3, 2011 by | Leave a comment

According an article in The Atlantic, the quote attributed to Martin Luther King in this space and others, is a fake. It is a fast-moving internet meme. Where did it come from? For the mysterious quote, click here. For the update, here.

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Posted in Afghanistan, History, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More., Strange News

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Obama vs. Osama

Posted on May 3, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Obama vs. Osama. Via Comicbook.com, this is a Wondercon comic book convention variant cover of Savage Dragon #145. Pop simplicity aside, it is not over yet. Beware the neo-underwear bombers…

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Posted in Afghanistan, Comics, History, Obituary, Pakistan, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More.

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Martin Luther King: On the Death of One’s Enemies

Posted on May 3, 2011 by | 7 comments

I found this quote especially appropriate today:

‎”I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

–Martin Luther King, Jr.

Words of wisdom…worth considering.

-AidanAbroad

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Posted in Afghanistan, History, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More., Spirituality

Teacher shaves for first time since Sept. 11, 2001

Posted on May 2, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Interesting article in SF Chronicle today: a schoolteacher from Washington State shaved his beard for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He made a vow not to shave until Osama bin Laden was caught. This is what 3,454 days of beard growth looks like.

-AidanAbroad

Photo: Dan Wheat / AP

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Posted in Afghanistan, Beards, Facial hair, Men, SCANDAL: Politics, Crime, Revolution and More., Strange News

Don’t Ask: Camping Soldiers are all a Gaga in Afghanistan

Posted on April 29, 2010 by | 1 comment

Taking a break from the horrors of war, these US soldiers camp it up to Lady Gaga’s hit Telephone. They don’t ask and don’t tell. But they do keep camping and dancing the swiveling hips. Thanks to Joe Jervis of Joe My God for this bit of strange fabulosity.

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Posted in Afghanistan, Music, Video

Bacha Bazi – The “dancing boys” of Afghanistan

Posted on April 22, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Private dancer: The practice of bacha bazi ('boy for play') is growing in Afghanistan. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul-Ahad

The PBS documentary series Frontline has produced an investigative piece on the ancient Afghan practice of Bacha Bazi, translated as “boy play.” Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi reports in The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan. Watch the full 53 minute program on-line at PBS. Ghaith Abdul-Ahad also reported on the apparently growing phenomena in September of last year in the UK’s Guardian.

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Posted in Afghanistan, Video

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