*kiran muses » Politics

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Kiran — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:31:32 +0000

Today is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which also commemorates the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989. I am honoured to have been asked to read one of my poems at the Toronto Candlelight Vigil to mark the anniversary of this tragic event. The fact is that violence against [...]

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a post from: *kiran muses

The Burqa/Niqab ban controversy

Kiran — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:01:28 +0000

This was written as part of a response to Martha Nussbaum’s opinion piece found here: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/veiled-threats I’d like to share my personal view on the burqa (face mask) controversy. My views are not based on the black-and-white, binary, false dichotomy presented too often by both supporters of the face-mask ban and those who wish to [...]

The Burqa/Niqab ban controversy is a post from: *kiran muses

A cool painting: Influential people, past and present

Kiran — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:41:30 +0000

…apparently, Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante. [with Wikipedia Links & Mouse-over Tags] It’s got 103 of the most interesting figures of history juxtaposed together, and in some cases, interacting with each other, in a timeless image. From Bill Gates to Plato, Bruce Lee to the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, Margaret Thatcher to Audrey [...]

A cool painting: Influential people, past and present is a post from: *kiran muses

Nazanin — “Someday”

Kiran — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:20:33 +0000

Came across this beautiful, articulate and talented Iranian-Canadian singer and activist, Nazanin Afshin-Jan: and a *MUST WATCH* interview with her from AlJazeera English: Nazanin — “Someday” is a post from: *kiran muses

Nazanin — “Someday” is a post from: *kiran muses

The best analysis of the Aafia Siddiqui case.

Kiran — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:59:39 +0000

If you haven’t seen this yet, here’s your chance It’s a well researched critical analysis of this current hot-button issue. Aafia Siddiqui VS (Jews, Zarina Mari, Shazia Khalid and others) by Anas Abbas The best analysis of the Aafia Siddiqui case. is a post from: *kiran muses

The best analysis of the Aafia Siddiqui case. is a post from: *kiran muses

Profiling: Pros and Cons?

Kiran — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:43:10 +0000

A British MP has caused some controversy by publicly stating that profiling of Muslims is to be expected in the light of recent events: He said: “I think most people would rather be profiled than blown up. It wouldn’t be victimisation of an entire community. What I like is that Muslim organizations and Muslims with [...]

Profiling: Pros and Cons? is a post from: *kiran muses

(I’m not a queer or nothing, but…)

Kiran — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:05:40 +0000

Have you ever said, “I’m not gay, but…” or “I’m not bisexual, but…” as a disclaimer before expressing how much you are attracted to someone of the same gender as you? If you are progressive, liberal, and you stand for LGBT rights, have you ever wondered why you need to give a disclaimer like that [...]

(I’m not a queer or nothing, but…) is a post from: *kiran muses

A true American Hero

Kiran — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:24:18 +0000

From Funny Or Die! Gus Porter gets mauled by a bear, but he won’t let the socialist Canadian health care fix him up, so he’ll hike back to America. A true American Hero is a post from: *kiran muses

A true American Hero is a post from: *kiran muses

Cultural Relativism = White Man’s Privilege.

Kiran — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:06:32 +0000

Terry Eagleton is suffering from the racism of otherwise-liberal privileged, white, westerners too afraid to speak up against barbaric religious practices and beliefs. That state is not too bothered about what you believe, as long as it does not thwart the right of others to their beliefs. <snip> There should be laissez-faire in the realm [...]

Cultural Relativism = White Man’s Privilege. is a post from: *kiran muses

Salman Rushdie and Irshad Manji — Moral Courage Conversations

Kiran — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:48:44 +0000

A long but highly insightful conversation between acclaimed authors Salman Rushdie and Irshad Manji on the nature of belief, Islamism, the history of Islam and Quran, and what to do in a world full of crazies on both the Islamist side and the racist westerner side. Rational, thinking people of all varieties will enjoy this [...]

Salman Rushdie and Irshad Manji — Moral Courage Conversations is a post from: *kiran muses

Thank You Sarah Palin

Kiran — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:32:27 +0000

There’s been so much negativity surrounding Sarah Palin’s VP candidacy, I thought I’d try and find something to thank her for…. ————————————– Thank you, Sarah Palin for taking women – and men - back a few notches so fast we all got whiplash. Thank you Sarah Palin for proving feminism right; For showing that men [...]

Thank You Sarah Palin is a post from: *kiran muses

Benazir Bhutto 1953–2007

Kiran — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:13:54 +0000

original image © Reuters Imran Khan voices the question on many people’s minds about the lax security provided by the government. Graham Stewart provides an insightful historical perspective on dynasties and assassinations. Amir Taheri presents the chief reasons why religious extremists in Muslim countries despise democracy. more to come… Benazir Bhutto 1953–2007 is a post [...]

Benazir Bhutto 1953–2007 is a post from: *kiran muses

Kidnapped!

Kiran — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:19:27 +0000

from kcd – A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language – By Randall Munroe Kidnapped! is a post from: *kiran muses

Kidnapped! is a post from: *kiran muses

Stephen Colbert and the End-Of-Year Awards

Kiran — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:27:38 +0000

AP has selected Colbert as its Celebrity of the Year, which makes a lot more sense than the former KGB officer chosen by Time magazine. “It is truly an honor to be named the Associated Press’ Celebrity of the Year. Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year’s Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral [...]

Stephen Colbert and the End-Of-Year Awards is a post from: *kiran muses

United in hate

Kiran — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:43:33 +0000

Extremist Muslims and Right-Wing Westerners can agree on one and only one sociocultural phenomenon: hating gay people. It’s painful for the moderates of both sides to accept, but it is a reality that must be confronted by intelligent people on all sides before any real, positive, progressive change can be realistically forged. United in hate [...]

United in hate is a post from: *kiran muses

Harry Potter Finale Released, The Dark Lord Ascends… Cheney Becomes President! No, I’m Serious!

Kiran — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:47:08 +0000

This should make things even more interesting… Harry Potter Finale Released, The Dark Lord Ascends… Cheney Becomes President! No, I’m Serious! is a post from: *kiran muses

Harry Potter Finale Released, The Dark Lord Ascends… Cheney Becomes President! No, I’m Serious! is a post from: *kiran muses

Somebody will miss the Rapture…

Kiran — Tue, 15 May 2007 20:41:43 +0000

“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for an American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped [...]

Somebody will miss the Rapture… is a post from: *kiran muses

Colbert goes to Harvard

Kiran — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 05:43:30 +0000

Yes, it’s an hour long, and yes it’s definitely worth it. Colbert goes to Harvard is a post from: *kiran muses

Colbert goes to Harvard is a post from: *kiran muses

How To Be an Expert on Anything…

Kiran — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 17:39:14 +0000

Stephen Colbert imparts sage wisdom in Wired Magazine… DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE THINGS UP. Never fear being exposed as a fraud. Experts make things up all the time. They’re qualified to. PICK A FIELD THAT CAN’T BE VERIFIED. Try something like string theory or God’s will: “I speak to God. I’m sorry that you [...]

How To Be an Expert on Anything… is a post from: *kiran muses

Colbert Nation

Kiran — Mon, 15 May 2006 13:38:28 +0000

We’ve been taping, each night, monday through thursday, the new episodes of The Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. Then, over the course of the week and the weekend, we watch them all. It’s a fab system we’ve developed. We don’t miss the antics of the shows, and yet we don’t end [...]

Colbert Nation is a post from: *kiran muses