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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Vox populi By Sayed Kashua Hello? Hi. May I speak with Mr. Sayed Kashua? Speaking. Advertisement My name is Bassam, I am from Nazareth and currently live in Jerusalem. I hope I'm not disturbing you. No, not at all. First of all, I wanted to tell you that I love your writing. I follow your articles and usually am very pleased with them. Thank you very much. Thank you. You used to write longer stories, right? Right. So what happened? You stopped? Nothing happened. No reason. I want to ask you something, if I may. Go ahead. The papers prevent you from writing about politics, don't they? Not at all. No. No? Because let me tell you, I and a few of my friends who are also acquainted with your writing are surprised that you have stopped writing your political views. It is because of censorship. No. There is no censorship. Then what happened? About what? You mean to tell me that they give you total freedom to write whatever you want? Totally. And this is what you choose to write? Yes. Why? Is something wrong? No. Not at all. I was just sure that your writing was censored. Why? Because all you write about is how you got drunk, about your wife and all sorts of other nonsense. I don't get it. Well, don't get me wrong, sometimes it's funny but I thought they were not allowing you to write about Arabs and about the war. No, it has nothing to do with my writing. I can write whatever I want. And this is what you want? Mmmm... Well, it's a bit surprising. To tell you the truth, I am surprised. What about? Finally there's a platform for an Arab in an Israeli paper and this is what he writes? No, mmmm..... Don't we have other problems right now, other than your hangovers and your conversations with your wife? You're right. You have to make better use of the platform you were given. Right. Good-bye. I only wanted to tell you that you're right and thank you for calling. Ya allah. He is absolutely right, this man. My body is trembling with shame. I feel my face burning red with embarrassment. What an idiot I am! Truly. Starting this week I'm changing everything. That's it. A new era. I don't care anymore. From now on I'm giving it to everyone. That includes the government, the settlers, all of them! I need to write about Olmert and Rice. I'll show them this week. Ok, first I need a drink, so I can calm down. I must concentrate. So I can give it to them for what they did this week. My God, what on earth did they do this week? The hell with it! For once I've not been reading the papers, not watching the news and the only Web sites I surf are related to culture and cars. No, this man is right. I'm disconnected. Enough! From now on, I'm on it. Hang on, wait a second, ok? Sorry, I just called my father. I wanted to ask him if anything of interest happened this week but he didn't answer. Never mind. What can I write about? I've got an idea. I'll dial *42. Hello? Hello, Bassam? Speaking. This is Sayed. We talked just now. Hi there. I wanted to tell you once again that you're absolutely right and that from this day on things will be different. I'm glad that I could be of some assistance. No, really. Thank you. I just wanted to ask: For this week's column, what do you think I should write about? I mean, what can serve our purpose as a national minority? Well, a lot of things. First we have this business with the Syrians and the North Koreans. What about them? Can I write about that? Clearly, it's an example of political persecution. Not only of the Syrians, but of the entire Arab public. Please write that Israel and America allow themselves to be the world's policemen. Ok. I wrote that down. What else? There's this thing about the poverty and hunger in besieged Gaza. And of course, there's always the ongoing assassinations that nobody even talks about anymore. And there's also Olmert's so-called easements of the Palestinian situation, although in practice he hasn't removed even one roadblock. Write that it's all part of a disgusting media manipulation. Ok. What else? Let's see... I think I have enough for one week. Tell me, Bassam, may I call you again next week? Sure. Be my guest. Ok. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bookmark to del.icio.us Bad publicity Tiv Taam is fighting for public opinion in order to counter a consumer affairs T.V. show. The biggest stage For the first time in its history, Maccabi Tel Aviv will play against the New York Knicks.   1.   Well...Here`s to taking responsibility for your thoughts :) 15:47  |  Good one Sayed 06/10/07   2.   Laughing 22:10  |  De 07/10/07

Today Online Senior Fatah official rules out reconciliation with rival Hamas Responses: 124 Meron Benvenisti: E. J'lem Arabs oppose division of the city Responses: 44 Harel: Constitution must ensure Israel's Jewish identity Responses: 71 Report: Top PA official warns failed summit may spark intifada Responses: 197 Rightists to launch bid to free Yitzhak Rabin's assassin Yigal Amir Responses: 47 Rosner: Can Ann Coulter want Jews to become Christian? Responses: 54 More Headlines 17:47 Avigdor Lieberman: Peace talks could bring about government's collapse 20:00 Yesha halts talks with gov't after settlement construction frozen 21:28 Treasury D-G: Zelekha's conduct is harming Israel's economy 20:54 Lebanese authorities free Israeli held on suspicion of espionage 15:39 Rightists to launch campaign to free Rabin assassin Yigal Amir 16:53 French official: Police on trail of suspect in 1980 shul bombing 20:29 Police question PM in Leumi probe for second time in two days 17:24 Assad casts doubt on Syrian participation in peace summit 18:34 PA furious over move to forbid visitors from bringing prisoners candy 15:37 Two Iraqi children to arrive in Israel for open heart surgery 20:32 Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend Bar Refaeli sues Israeli newspaper for libel 16:41 Israeli scientists build Red Sea concrete reef to lure divers Previous Editions Select Day 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct 07 oct 05 oct 04 oct 03 oct 02 oct 01 oct 30 sep 28 sep 27 sep

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