The Jewmanist

Hebah Ismail, an Egyptian-American Harvard Law student flew to Israel to do research on human rights. From the Harvard Law Record:

A warm smile and easy laugh reveal Hebah Ismail’s unthreatening, gentle personality. An American citizen, this 3L of Egyptian descent works with the International Human Rights Clinic on projects related to Bedouin land rights. Hebah wears a hijab. She still does not know which of one, or combination, of these characteristics prompted the immigration personnel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport to deem her dangerous and deny her entry to Israel.

Profiling at it’s best…

After going through her computer, including the external hard drive, the line of questions continued. While most of those originally holding Ismail appeared rather young, a man in his 30s and clearly in a position of authority took over the interrogation.

Ismail recounts how this man introduced himself.

Every year around this time, we always hear about this so-called “War on Christmas”. Why do these talking heads like to drag the solstice through the muck? I’d like to go an entire season without hearing about this baloney. The very folks who yack about persecution started said “war” by attacking other people’s holidays that existed long before Christmas. Whether Winter Solstice or Hanukkah (and so on), it seems quite selfish and ignorant to make everyone celebrate what’s supposed to be a very meaningful holiday only to Christians.

I’d find this “persecution” bit quite laughable if it weren’t so insulting. I don’t know if its the Jew or the atheist in me that is put off more.

I don’t care enough about Christmas to wage a war. And it’s not anymore noteworthy than anything I’ve (or anyone else has) celebrated.

As some of you may know, I moved from Los Angeles to Miami not too long ago. I grew up here so I’m no stranger. It’s almost eerily familiar. One of my main motivations for moving out west was my degree in Film Production (U of Miami, 2003) and it was much better served out there. As much as I loved (and still do) the art of making short films and other related media, I think I may have preferred to study motion graphics or web design. Still, the experience and journey is worth it every moment.

Barbie has always been known to stir up controversy. Her tiny waste, tiny feet, huge boobs, and revealing outfits have always been there to comfort young girls everywhere. Which is precisely what has always been what stirs people up. Now that version is put to shame with Burka Barbie!

Barbie has always been best-known for her revealing costumes and impossibly pneumatic figure. For her 50th birthday, though, the queen of the toy shop has apparently decided it’s time to take a more modest approach. A new exhibition of the globally popular doll has her appearing in a traditional burka.

The look, which will come as a surprise to those who remember previous incarnations as an air stewardess and a French maid, is part of a Mattel-backed anniversary celebration of dolls in multicultural outfits created by the Italian designer Eliana Lorena.