So, What's Your Point?

We’ve been witnessing Administration finger wagging for years now.  I don’t recall an instance, however, when it came back at them like this.  Maybe “Old Europe” has finally had it with America’s “New Middle East.”

In the body language department, look at Condi’s eyes.  One reason she has her head cocked is because she’s a little teed off right now.  The other reason is to establish a higher plane for her gaze.  By elevating her field of vision, she negates (at least, from her mind) the very existence of Javier Solana’s gesture.

Regarding this attenuation of vision, Digby highlights Mark Lynch’s comments about BushCo’s spectacular missed opportunity in Lebanon.  (Lynch’s site, Abuaardvark, is indispensable for its coverage of Arab media, and gives generous play to the visuals, as well.)

Finally, check out this protest image close by the ASEAN forum (where the top pic was taken).  in the background is Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers.  It’s a not-so-subtle reminder of how the Administration’s embrace of 9/11 evolved into a perceived war on Islam.  (Is the second “Rice” supposed to read “race?”)  It’s also one photographer’s clever aside on how the WTC has been turned into wallpaper.

(hat tips: Brian, Bob)

(image 1: Dita Alangkara/A.P.  July 27, 2006. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  in YahooNews.  image 2: Vincent Thian/A.P.  July 28, 2006. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  in YahooNews.)