Syria might not want them but world opens arms to free-thinking women

The international community has lately honored two Syrian women, one in hiding and the other in self-exile. Both prizewinners are shunned and persecuted by the regime in their native land.
Syrian lawyer and human rights activist Razan Zaitouneh was awarded the 2012 Ibn Rushd Award for Freedom of Thought by the Ibn Rushd Fund for Freedom of Thought.
Syrian author Samar Yazbek is to share this year's Pen Pinter literary prize with Britain’s Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
The Ibn Rushd Award for Freedom of Thought will be presented to Razan at the Museum for Islamic Art in Germany on November 30.

Anyone remember the TV sitcom Becker? It was friggin' awesome... Ted Danson is one of the best actors ever ; it was smart and witty compared to other shows.

But one of the things that I remember as well was the intro; it was performed by Jason T. Miller with smooth and sweet blues guitar.

Arms supplies to Syrian rebels drying up: No sign of heavy weapons to fight tanks and aircraft Regional rivalries hamper struggle against Assad
Martin Chulov and Ian Black – Guardian, 11 October 2012

In the battle for northern Syria the most important front is far from Aleppo. It is across the border in the southern Turkish town of Antakya. Here rebels, who now move around with increasing ease, are engaged in daily bids for patronage with those who keep the insurgency running….

The men with the money and influence in Antakya are envoys sent by the Sunni world’s political elite or business leaders. One name comes up more than any other – a Lebanese MP named Okab Sakr.