Many Happy Returns

Happy birthday fairiegodmother!

Castro isn't sick anymore!

Tell me if this doesn't sound like the definition of "dead":

A Spanish surgeon who had traveled to Cuba to examine Fidel Castro said Tuesday that the ailing Cuban president does not have cancer, does not need additional surgery, and is recovering from his illness.

Omar makes WSJ!

Yay! Omar from Iraq the Model ( http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/ ) is in today's Opinion Journal:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/federation/feature/?id=110009434

Iranian Women Speak Out

http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/12/26/iranian-women-taking-charge-to-secure-their-rights/

http://eteraz.org/story/2006/12/20/205522/20

Even more astonishing, Iran's new Islamic-guided government has established a system of legalized prostitution, through the practice of "sigheh" or "temporary marriages," by which a Mullah arranges a "legal union" between a man and a girl (some as young as 9 years old) for a fee. The so called "marriage" can last anywhere from one hour to 99 years. Under this system, the men are free to enter into as many temporary marriages as they so desire, without having ANY legal obligation or responsibility towards the women and children that they "marry" only to use as sexual objects and slaves.

Not surprisingly, this legalized system of slavery and oppression has led to a growing sex-trafficking industry that is partially operated by government officials and Mullahs themselves. ...