Laila El-Haddad at Columbia University

Laila El-Haddad is a Palestinian journalist living in America whose blog, Raising Yousuf, Unplugged: diary of a Palestinian mother, I have been following for some time [long post; scroll down third item from the end]. Having lived in Gaza she knows the subject and her journalistic credentials are excellent. Some of my small group of readers may live or travel to the New York area and are able to hear her in person at Columbia Thursday where she will be participating in a panel discussion on Gaza.

"GAZA: The Biggest Prison in the World?"
A Panel Discussion

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14th 5:30-7:30pm
Location: 702 Hamilton, Columbia University

The Gaza Strip has been consistently described as the biggest prison in the world, with approximately 1.5 million people living in 139 square miles enclosed entirely within security barriers, where all movement in and out of Gaza, whether of people or of essential goods, can be cut off at any time byblockades.

Please join the Arab Student Association for a panel discussion that will explore the ongoing crisis on the ground, bringing together academic, journalistic and humanitarian perspectives.

Domestic politics overshadows all that is happening in America, with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan being the only solipsistic diversions for most people. This sad commentary on the ignorance of our electorate makes me wonder if being the world's wealthiest and most powerful country is an unmitigated blessing.