[mack]

Saw this on AOL news pop up, so I copied it for all of you. Here it is. Sorry if this is a N8 type post or if it has already been posted.



EDIT: deleted because my umbrella policy isnt AOL lawyer proof!

To sum it up... Saudis band Valentines day...





"Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL." :mumble:

 

[Changleen]

Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL."

Haha - Nice touch!

 

[mack]

Yeah you know, now there going to sue ridemonkey... ha!

They cant sue an AOL memeber...or can they? ?

 

[Changleen]

Yeah you know, now there going to sue ridemonkey... ha!

They cant sue an AOL memeber...or can they? ?

Do you have written permission to post this article? No? Then Yes, they could.

Nah, seriously I used to work for a New Media co. and we dealt with this stuff all the time. Whilst technically, you Mack are exposing yourself to a lawsuit, (and RM to a bit of grief if he doesn't 'take reasonable and timely steps to remove the offending content') the chances of it happening are ultra low. Having said that you did pick AOL to steal it from...

 

[Changleen]

More worrying is that AOL are acting as propaganda agents using valentines day to diseminate the idea that the inhabitants of Islamic countries are just dying to become nice, westernised citizens if only their evil, fascistic rulers would let them - paving the way for US public opinion to move behind your forthcoming military action in Iran, which will be launched on the pretext that removing the current regeime will bring about an internal democratising revolution. Which is, of course, BS.

 

[mack]

Hm, maybe...

But you will never know what they want to be like as long as the big bad wolf is still in power...




EH, why take a chance...

 

[MikeD]

Sorry if this is a N8 type post

Nah, N8 can actually spell.

This was a great article, though:

http://theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4106
"Latest Bin Laden Tape Wishes America "A Crappy Valentine's Day"

WASHINGTON, DC—A new videotape of Osama bin Laden broadcast on the Arab satellite news channel Al-Jazeera Monday beseeched Allah to grant all Americans a "crappy Valentine's Day."

[pic]Above: Bin Laden tears up a "putrid Western Valentine's Day trifle" during his videotaped message.

"This Feb. 14th on the Western infidels' calendar, may all Americans receive no valentines from their beloved ones," bin Laden said. "May the homemade construction-paper mailboxes taped to the desks of the American schoolchildren remain empty, as well. May whomever you ask to 'bee yours' tell you to 'buzz off.'"

Bin Laden called for "romantic humiliation for all Americans of courting and betrothal age."

"Allah willing, embarrassment and tearful rejection shall rule this day," bin Laden said. "Paper hearts shall be rent and trod upon, and dreams of love delivered stillborn. Body language shall be misinterpreted, crushes unrequited, and sincere expressions of affection mocked. Invitations to dinner will be rejected, just as Americans have rejected Allah, the one true God."

During a speech before the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, President Bush condemned the al-Qaeda leader's remarks.

"[Bin Laden's] sinister call for romantic disappointment on Valentine's Day is yet another demonstration of the ruthless hatred this evil individual harbors for the American way of life," Bush said. "He directs rage at even our youngest and most innocent citizens, asking God to quash children's joy by making them receive, and I quote, 'only unwanted valentines bearing the laughable likenesses of out-of-favor pop-culture icons from the recent past, such as the Backstreet Boys and the creatures from Monsters, Inc.'"

"Bin Laden's depravity knows no bounds," Bush added.

According to state officials, bin Laden demonstrated an uncanny knowledge of Valentine's Day customs, in spite of the fact that the holiday is not celebrated in the Arab world. In addition to his allusions to classroom valentines, bin Laden cited heart-shaped candies, valentine personal ads in free alternative weeklies, and foot massages.

"In this infamous February, may all American hearts be crushed like a box of conversation hearts that is tossed carelessly into the bottom of a fellow student's schoolbag," bin Laden said. "We soldiers of Allah pledge with our blood and souls that all pink and red carnations shall wither and drop from their stalks before they make their way to the desks of America's secretaries. Instead of receiving hugs and kisses, they and their extended families shall be besieged with boos and hisses."

Bin Laden added: "May your special Valentine's Day dinner be spent at an overrated restaurant that impoverishes your purse and leaves your stomach churning with indigestible Western cuisine."

Bin Laden did not overlook the innocuous custom of giving stuffed animals as gifts.

"The teddy bear that holds the 'I love you' heart does not love you at all," Bin Laden said. "It is an unliving, unholy thing filled only with stuffing. Just as the Western infidel is not bestowed with the blessings of Allah, so shall he go unloved by the false bear."

The release of the bin Laden tape is consistent with the al-Qaeda leader's inclination to speak out before major American events, such as the 2004 U.S. presidential election.

"Perhaps whoever told bin Laden about Valentine's Day exaggerated its significance," departing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said. "Or, I don't know, maybe he was just itching to release another tape."

The Department of Homeland Security did not raise the terror advisory, recommending that Americans proceed with their Valentine's Day plans. This is in spite of the final words of bin Laden's address.

"Come Monday, as you pry open your fancy, red Russell Stover box, take heed," bin Laden said. "For in the place of tasty caramels and buttercreams, you will find the flaming sword of righteous jihad!"