I found this a lot funnier than I should have. I actually went to find the originial version after I watched the translation, and it’s definitely not a word-for-word translation, which is slightly disappointing. I’d like to see someone actually do a literal translation and then, perhaps, put it back into hip hop. (via)
Melik Kaylan, writing at Forbes.com, argues that the notion — held forth by Reza Aslan — that Islam is undergoing a full-fledged reformation seems to lack much support: “To be precise, and pace Aslan, Islam is undergoing a counter-reformation without having lived through a reformation. When will our bien pensant institutions resist the suave appeal of the “useful idiots” in our midst?” He does see some hope in the Iranian revolt: “Iranian citizens can help spur a true Reformation in Islam by sweeping away their turbaned and bearded tormentors back to the moderation of the cloister. They have the good taste, cultural depth and independence of mind to see the absurdity of their condition.”
I’ve been reading Real Live Preacher’s stuff for several years now. His stuff is great, and this is no exception. He visited an Orthodox church and tells of his experience: “I LOVED IT. Loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it. In a day when user-friendly is the byword of everything from churches to software, here was worship that asked something of me. No, DEMANDED something of me.” (via)
Reihan Salam suggests that the rhetoric of Glenn Beck is actually good for America: “Beck’s great strength is that he’s a kind of national therapist for some of America’s craziest people, few of whom are willing to go in for professional help. Without Beck and O’Reilly and even Olbermann, how exactly would these people let off steam? I don’t want to know.”
Google rolled out a sneak preview for developers of their forthcoming Wave platform for communication and collaboration. At first blush, there’s a lot to like about this approach. It will take some getting used to, especially since e-mail has become so ubiquitous. In an age where e-mail has been joined by instant messaging, Twitter, texting, wikis, and so many other communication tools, it’s not surprising that we’ll start to see a platform that integrates them better.
- Did #MancowMuller fake his waterboarding for cheap publicity? Sounds like that’s the case. Not surprised. http://tinyurl.com/mjoyc6 #
