Saudis behead Indonesian maid

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi authorities on Saturday beheaded an Indonesian maid convicted of killing her employer, the Interior Ministry announced.

In a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the maid used a pillow to suffocate her employer Aisha Al Makhaled and then stole her jewelry in the southern province of Asir.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery are executed in public with a sword.

The maid is the second person to be executed this year in the desert kingdom, according to an Associated Press count.

I've been thinking about this whole debate around gun culture on OlyBlog, and I've got a couple of questions. The first is, what exactly is the point of posting so much gun-related material on OlyBlog? Does anyone really think that there are going to be converts to the cause? I was looking on the NRA website and I noticed something interesting: there isn't a shooting range in Olympia, Lacey or Tumwater. Hmm. Why is that? I'm guessing that the population here wouldn't generate enough business to support it. So, first question: What's the goal?

Then, I think about the response to my offer to set up another blog for the gun folks to have their own chat-space. Why isn't this of interest to the local gun lobby? The only thing I can come up with is that they don't actually want to talk to each other, they want to argue with the rest of us. Is this possibly the case? Why would it be more attractive to continue to battle about these issues with a group of hardened pacifists (or folks otherwise resistant to gun culture)? I'd really like to know.

I want to emphasize (again) that I'm not against the occasional post about gun-related events or occurrences that are local in nature. That's what OlyBlog is for. I am against the evangelizing about the benefits of gun ownership.

If there is no resolution around this issue (like the creation of another blog for that stuff) then here's what's going to happen: I'll begin making posts that catalog the senseless and entirely avoidable deaths that occur as a result of easy access to handguns. I'm absolutely certain that I can exceed by a factor of 10 the number of lawful uses of handguns for self-defense. In short, we can use statistics, or we can do it the hard way.

I hate it.  At least Washington has the backbone to stand up for it's sovereignty and refuse to impliment it.  It is nothing more than a backdoor attempt to create a National ID, and further track and restrict citizens.  Once the damn thing gets implimented, airports and Federal buildings are off limits without one, creating a group of second class citizens. 

How many here support it in the name of "security" and how many would deny the federal government the option of denying the several states the right to decide how to issue their own documents? 

In 1996 I saw the deep similarities between butoh dance and Poekoelan (Indonesian-American Kung Fu).

A few other Evergreen students explored both, but I pursued Poekoelan as far as I could. I was one of two top ranked students. Frankly, I was second in the class to Mitch Belote. His devotion was matchless. I, however, spent my other credits in the dance department and gradually more and more with doranne crable's butoh troupe, Kagami (the Japanese word for mirror).

Laurie Meeker described Poekoelan as a 'broken mirror system'. Each practitioner brought their own individuality to the style. The similarities (or synchronicities) continued right up until the end of my time with those teachers.

I often envisioned a meeting between the two groups.

Here are some notes from the last millennium, written with an actual typewriter on a recycled Dance O' Dance flier in which I find parallel or complementary choreography for the 'critters' and the 'practitioners'.

Spot the ball.  Measure to figure out where you need to be.  Dispute the spot.  Re-spot.

First Down.

Trying to tie this into something I am doing on the OpenCarry.org Washington Forum.  Basically the idea is a regular dinner/lunch/whatever meetup to talk guns or whatnot.  Firearms and open carry optional.   

Rather than make this an event posting, I'll open for Q & A about this series of events.

Bowl for Kids Sake is a national fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  The basics are that your team raises donations to bring to the event of which you participate (many divisions - cops/firefighters, banks, corporate, community, etc.) and we put on the bowling party, complete with pizza and soda (beer is purchased by participants, in appropriate settings).

During the event, we have times for "crazy bowl" - through your legs, lying on the floor - and usually a dance contest, as we hire a DJ to boost the fun.

If you love to bowl and want to help kids, this is a great time.  If you bowl like me, and want to help kids, volunteer to be a part of an event.  You can raise money if you'd like and practice your pizza eating skills.

Questions?

Reservations Required.

Worthington Center, Saint Martin's University, Jan 24th 7am-8:30 am

This event is our annual philanthropic breakfast, an opportunity for Big Brothers Big Sisters to share our past, present and future and a chance for the community to support us with time and donations. 

There will be a few speakers, Bigs, Littles, administrators and others, a great locally produced video and a plated, sit down breakfast.  No admission or donation required, but candidly, the purpose of this event IS to raise money.

For futher information or reservations, call Larry at 360-943-0409.

Hi Everyone,
This upcoming show will be the last Olympia performance of the annual Sex Workers' Art Show. The SWAS began here in Olympia 11 years ago, and has since developed into an acclaimed nationally-touring show, seen by over 10,000 people each year at colleges, theatres, and galleries across the country. We've been lucky to be able forge connections with all kinds of people, and have become a small blip on the national radar of dialogue about feminism, workers' rights, capitalism, and sexuality. It could never have happened without the support, generosity and compassion of the Olympia community. Below is some information about the show, you can also visit www.sexworkersartshow.com. Thanks and love to everyone who has come to the shows over the years, and I hope you can all make it out for our last hurrah!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th 8pm
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets $12 at the door or online