Quiz: what's the most shocking thing...

This week's quiz:  Which of these is the most shocking thing which happened while I've been away from blogging:

(a)  Jordan holds Parliamentary elections under controversial election law designed to ensure that Islamists (and any other real political party) have little hope of winning and after a steady campaign targeting Islamists.  Islamists lose.

(b)  With no signs of political reconciliation taking place at the national level in Iraq and the Maliki government making clear that as far as he is concerned there will be no further national reconciliation forthcoming, the Bush administration decides that, despite being the avowed goal of the "surge" and of American strategy in Iraq, national reconciliation isn't that important anyway.

(c)  Faced with a region deeply skeptical about the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and President Bush's commitment to getting anything accomplished, the Bush administration proposes a one day conference with some 50 countries attending and no agreed upon framework.  With virtually no chance of anything actually getting done, most everyone agrees to attend.

(d)  In a Blender Magazine interview, Jay Z is asked what he talked about during a recent lengthy conversation with Barack Obama.  Jay Z answers:  "Mostly, we talked about me."

Answer:  (d).   Jay Z usually also likes to talk about his money. 

To be fair to the self-absorbed King, who in the interview assured us that Obama found his career fascinating, his new album Americn Gangster absolutely smolders (track 12 with Nas alone is worth the price of the album).  Not Blueprint or Black Album or Reasonable Doubt good, but I'd probably put it right there in the next tier (and many light-years ahead of the abysmal Kanye West or 50 Cent albums that were all the talk a few months ago).  Should that be considered a surprise, after Kingdom Come?  Maybe...

How the world survived a week of such shocking developments without my blog, I do not know.  Be strong!

Comments

[Aaron R]

The classic line:

But enough about me - what do YOU think of me?

[mbk]

How about the 10-1 Packers going against the 10-1 Cowboys this Sunday? OK, maybe that's not shocking, but if they win, I might have to pay a visit to my local drycleaners.....(http://abuaardvark.typepad.com/abuaardvark/2007/09/dry-cleaners-al.html)

Now I have to find me a good sports bar here in Cairo...

[jonst]

none of them are shocking.

[Eric Martin]

How about the 10-1 Packers going against the 10-1 Cowboys this Sunday?

Even more shocking: It's not on Sunday at all...they play...Thursday!!!!

(cue ominous crescendo)

[Jerry]

Stupid NFL network.
I vote that professor Lynch start posing with stacks of Euros for all of his official photos now.

[mbk]

Ha ha! Thanks Eric!

[SLC]

The real purpose of the Annapolis conference is to demonstrate support and bolster Mahmoud Abbas in the ongoing clash with Hamas. Both Bush and Olmert have bet the ranch on Abbas and if Hamas wins out, they will be left not only with egg on their faces but a disaster of monumental proportions. We've been down this road before in betting the ranch on the Shah of Iran and we see how that turned out.`This is in addition to the fact that Bush and Olmert aren't in much better shape then Abbas is (there is speculation in the Israeli press that Olmert may be indited for corruption after the conference).

[aardvark]

NOOOOOO! Do NOT mention the Packers in public! If you talk about it, the mirage will evaporate. Look- a purple hippo!

[Eric Martin]

Here, here on the stupidity of the NFL Network. And my cable provider for not carrying it. Though the local bars sure are happy to have my extra biz. Might be harder for you in Cairo than it will be for me in NYC though...good luck!

[JB]

Ah, fond memories of Jay-Z and his massive stacks of money. Have to admit I loved Money Ain't a Thang just as i was beginning to seriously follow the politics of the region. So woot for Jay-Z.