Awhile back, Everything Morocco and I were discussing in some comments about the origins of Morocco’s cats.

Today, Long Way Home posted about an article on the origins of domestic cats, saying:

However, the scholars can claim a new “first” previously given to Egyptologists. (and don’t we all know the catfight that will start).
Yep, new analysis of cats’ mitochondrial DNA indicates that modern domestic cats originated from 5 ancestrial lineages in the Middle East, and that their domestication began much earlier than previously thought–around the first signs of agriculture between the Tigris and the Euphrates.
In slightly depressing news, the domestic cat is the only subspecies of the 37 in Felidae not endangered or threatened. Good evolutionary experiment on Fluffy’s part, not so good for the tigers and leopards of the world.

This is good to know.  If someone in Fez could please assist me in taking a few pictures of street cats and allowing me to post them to my blog, I can show you how extremely different Fassi and Meknassi cats tend to look.

After a little over six months, and delays due to the Adam Walsh act and the Consulate’s closure, I am happy to announce that Hamza has been granted his visa!

More soon.

Then sign this petition. Mind you, I highly doubt a petition will change anything, but express your right to free speech and free thought anyway, while you still can.

Personally, I think it’s time for Blair to retire.  While I don’t take major issue to him as a person or politician, having only followed his career in the past few years, I simply don’t feel he’s the right person for the job, given how the amount of hatred much of the world holds for him and his ilk.

• Inditex, a Spanish fashion retailer which owns popular company Zara, has given Moroccan textile manufacturers one year to comply with ethical standards, or lose their contracts.

• The Moroccan government is planning to sell 4% of its shares in Maroc Telecom. It will retain 30%. Vivendi International owns a 51% majority.

• The U.N. considers the Moroccan plan for Western Sahara autonomy a priority, saying that the proposal “abides by the international legality and promotes the right to self-determination.”  (Apparently there is a misquote in this article, but I have not been able to confirm)

• A group of Berber activists is creating Morocco’s first friendship association with Israel, which aims to allow Jewish Berbers to keep connected with Berber society and the Amazigh language.

Unbelievable.  Moroccan authorities just jailed 72 year old activist Mohamed Bougrine for supporting prisoners jailed for “attacking religious values in the Islamic kingdom” (Morocco is not, by title anyhow, an “Islamic kingdom”).

So wait a minute.  This guy, Bougrine, who had been to jail before during the days of the protectorate, is apparently just a supporter of these prisoners…he didn’t actually attack religious values (whatever that means).  So now it’s a crime to have an opinion?

This time, the photos are by Mike Lilley.

Photo by Hamza Daoui

Beautiful, huh? This was taken on the road that goes down to the medina/McDonald’s in Meknes. But those aren’t for keeps - they just tape up the streets with multicolored papers so they can paint the red and white stripes that I hate so much (I think it’s a French thing).

And in other Moroccan street news, apparently Casa has finally caught up with the world and now has bicycle lanes! I don’t know how new these are, as I rarely venture into the richy rich neighborhoods, but this picture was taken on Blvd. d’Anfa, Casablanca:

I was tagged by Myrtus to do one of those surveys, which I normally avoid. But, I actually like this one! So…

1) Name your favorite band and singer. (The singer can’t be from the band)

Singer: Grace Slick

Band: U2 or the Beatles

2) Favorite historical politician (domestic)?

Roosevelt.

3) Favorite historical politician (International)?

Hassan II?  Just kidding.  I don’t know.
4) You’re giving a Hollywood pitch (25 words or less) about your Blog — GO

A blog is a place to share opinions, counter the major media, and use your voice to talk about things otherwise avoided. What I do.  (that was difficult!)

5) Other than where you live now, what city do you like?

San Francisco

6) Favorite modern politician? (In office now)

Mohammed VI of Morocco

7) Are you a Wilsonian Idealist or Nixonian Realist in foreign policy?

A little of both

Favorite obscure movie?

Heavenly Creatures

9) What is your favorite restaurant?

Don’t hate, but Pizzeria Uno.

10) Choose a music video on Youtube. Why that one?

I can’t post Youtube videos here, but here’s a link: Moroccan Shrek

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