Not 100% relevant, but might give you some insight into music...
Blue Nippon
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 11:30 PM on August 4, 2008

A lot of it comes from the fact that many of the countries from whom we buy our oil (exceptions are Canada and Mexico, two of our biggest suppliers) tend to have unsavory governments. We directly fund Hugo Chavez's anti-American government in Venezuela, send money to autocratic regimes in the Middle East that have ties to various anti-US and anti-Israel organizations, and have (indirectly) funded civil wars in Angola, Nigeria, and elsewhere. Not to mention that Iran is sitting on a huge pile of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:36 AM on July 31, 2008

Judaism tends to discourage conversion, and traditionally, if you want to convert, the rabbi is supposed to say no to your first three requests in order to discourage you. For that reason alone, I think that if you want to convert, you are going to have to show a real commitment--to attending services, studying Torah, and behaving Jewishly--BEFORE you can begin conversion classes. This also isn't a quick, hourlong ceremony. Conversion generally takes months of study, homework, and effort.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:50 AM on July 25, 2008

Continental operates a shuttle bus from A to C so you don't have to leave one secure area and re-enter another. The link is here. Bus goes from A28 to C71.

Taking the monorail is a huge waste of time--if you are connecting at the wrong time of day (afternoon/early evening especially), prepare to stand for an unnecessarily long time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 10:39 AM on July 20, 2008

Read Inevitable Revolutions: The US in Central America by Walter LaFeber.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:33 AM on July 18, 2008

Judges 19-21, the story of the concubine at Givah, is one of the most screwed up stories in the Old Testament. Wait 'til you see what happens to the strayed mistress...
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 5:48 AM on July 15, 2008

New Jersey's not exactly known for being democratic and fair when it comes to politics anyway, but this happens in New York State as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 1:12 PM on June 2, 2008

The classic is Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:22 AM on June 2, 2008

If you're moving to Israel, ABSOLUTELY log on to Nefesh B'Nefesh's website (even if you don't participate in their program. Tremendous wealth of resources here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 2:48 PM on May 30, 2008

There's a pretty bad winery (with very nice people) in Pigeon Forge, if I remember. There's also tons of mini golf.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:23 AM on May 16, 2008

I'm shocked that nobody has mentioned this, but Eilat in June will likely be 100 degrees plus. Your 10 week old baby will have a tough time leaving the hotel room. Beersheva and the Negev will also be very hot during the summer.

Why not replace the southern part of the country by either spending time in the Galilee and the beautiful, rugged Golan Heights? There are some terrific bed and breakfasts around, wineries, great scenery, history, and plenty to do--from Akko and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:12 PM on May 13, 2008

I second the Deadly Bet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 5:28 AM on May 12, 2008

In N.O. near Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is a little restaurant called Coop's that has fried chicken to die for. Wash your hands beforehand--all they have is latrines.

If you're not in a total hurry, head from Texas up to Santa Fe, NM on the back road (too late to look up a map). It takes you near Carlsbad Caverns (amazing), through Roswell (weird), and past some great desert scenery and random wineries.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 12:25 AM on April 22, 2008

For Egypt, try Al-Ahram, which is published weekly in English. Tends to be focused on geopolitical issues, but is fairly independent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:07 AM on April 16, 2008

It's definitely this show...thanks for the help. Any idea how I might be able to locate a video? Or how I could get the name of the show in Japanese characters so I can search with that?
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 1:09 PM on April 14, 2008

Great...thanks for all the help! This is it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 1:19 PM on April 14, 2008

If you have 3 hours and don't mind some blood and guts, I believe Scarface has some Colombians at the end. I don't know how accurate the accents are, but one of my favorite lines of the movie is Tony Montana's "I don't like f-in Colombians."
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 4:04 AM on April 10, 2008

I can't speak for Eastern religions, but in the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), I'd say that in order for a site to be sacred, at least one of two criteria must be satisfied:
1) Event of major religious significance occurs there (Mohammed ascends to Heaven, site of ancient Jewish Temple, Jesus overturns moneychangers' tables, etc.)
2) Someone very important dies or is buried there

I should add though that this deals with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:28 PM on April 7, 2008

Thanks for the help everyone!
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:46 PM on April 3, 2008

On the wine front: That's true, but the majority of kosher wine is now "mevushal," which essentially means boiled. That means the prohibition of not being contacted by idol worshippers doesn't really apply. I doubt this would honestly affect your participation, even in an Orthodox seder.

That said, I think your best bet is not with Chabad--who will be perfectly nice but show very little interest in you if you're not Jewish (though you will leave toasted and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:08 PM on March 29, 2008

Random Southeast Iowa thoughts:

This is rather low-brow, but the world's largest truckstop east of Iowa City on Route 80. Just to say you did. You can't miss it.

If you decide to stay overnight somewhere, I recommend Des Moines or Iowa City--both fun towns.

Exit 259 on Route 80 is West Liberty, Iowa. If you want delicious Mexican food, try El Torito about 5 minutes from the highway.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 9:17 AM on March 21, 2008

Also, if you're interested, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library is in West Branch, Iowa. Apropos for the times. (There's also the Presidential Inn, a tiny ramshackle motel off I-80).
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 9:18 AM on March 21, 2008

You said you're a grad student, so why not go to your university's medical school (or another hiospital) and volunteer for medical research. For a few days of clinical testing, you might net $500-$1000.

Then again, as this article tells us, it's not necessarily the most fun or safe of activities. And I don't know what you'd do with your grandmother.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 12:06 PM on March 11, 2008

What about getting her involved with an organization such as Seeds for Peace or Neve Shalom? If she wants to be political, she can become an activist for a group such as the American Task Force on Palestine, or she can work with a pro-peace microfinance organization like the Shurush Initiative.

My sense from talking to people in the region (on both sides of the conflict) is that the ISM often creates more problems than they solve, since they tend to seek out... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 12:25 AM on March 11, 2008

One last thing: if a young, single woman tries to enter Israel with the intention of sowing havoc in the West Bank or Gaza Strip, the chances are very high that she will be denied entry and sent on the next flight home. Israeli immigration officials do not screw around with this type of thing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 12:28 AM on March 11, 2008

If you're looking for speed, avoid the I-95 corridor between Richmond and Boston. Swing around on I-81 and take that to I-88/I-90. You'll save yourself the pain of driving through the megalopolis (not to mention quite a bit in accumulating tolls).

Snow is probably inevitable. It's still winter in much of the country.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 4:53 AM on March 10, 2008

Technically, pledged delegates are under no obligation to do anything, as Hillary Clinton reminded America recently. Most likely, they will support whomever Edwards chooses to support. If he doesn't endorse, they will probably support Edwards on the first ballot (folks chosen as delegates tend to be diehards), then spend the rest of the convention being wined, dined, and convinced to cast their votes for Obama/Clinton on subsequent ballots.

In 1924, it took 100-something... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 4:52 AM on March 10, 2008

If you're in New Mexico and have a day, I wholeheartedly recommend driving the backroad from Santa Fe, NM to Pecos (then continuing on towards wherever in Texas you want to go). It's slower than the interstate, but the scenery is great--desert driving--and you will truly appreciate what it means to be alone in the desert. You'll also be able to see Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell, and there are a couple of good wineries along the way.

Get gas before you leave Santa Fe... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 2:58 PM on March 4, 2008

For the Hebrew Bible, I'd recommend The BBible with Sources Revealed by Richard Friedman. If you want to get real in-depth, look up Gary Rendsburg's The Redaction of Genesis.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 8:10 PM on March 3, 2008

Airtoons.com
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:04 PM on February 28, 2008

How about looking through major liberal blogs (DailyKos is the first that comes to mind)...there are thousands of contributors and I'm sure this has been covered in detail there?

Also, maybe take a look at the Lieberman-Lamont Senate race in 2006. That was probably the deepest the struggle got for control of the Party on the war issue, so you'll probably get an idea of who went where...

As for antiwar resistance, I'd look at websites of the major... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:52 AM on February 26, 2008

If you use a desktop, how about a slide-out keyboard drawer?
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:35 PM on February 25, 2008

I know you say you've seen many concentration camps, but if you're in the Lublin area, you should go and see Majdanek. It's practically in the middle of the city and is...uniquely frightening
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 6:21 PM on February 23, 2008

This model in Ithaca, NY for cookies, brownies, etc. may work. Baskin Robbins locations serve Dunkin Donuts in parts of the Northeast, and that seems to work well (though I don't suggest you sell out to either)...
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:51 PM on February 21, 2008

Meron Benevinisti, the former deputy mayor of Jerusalem, has come out in favor of it. He's not too popular in Israel anymore, but he's probably the most prominent Israeli to do so.
posted to Ask Metafilter by j1950 at 7:13 PM on February 21, 2008