Frank

Because this blog is in part a class assignment, I've been asked to use this first post as an introduction of sorts. With that in mind, fire up the bongos! Please allow me to introduce myself...

My name is Ranjit (pronounced Run-jeet) Arab. Yes, I know what you're thinking ("did he say A-rab?"). It is indeed my name. However, it's worth mentioning that I'm not of Arabic descent (nor am I a Muslim). Of course there's nothing wrong with either, but simply to clarify, I have lots of people assume that I'm either one or both (when, in fact, I'm neither) and so, unfortunately, it leads to some confusion.

So, why is my last name Arab, then? Well, the "short" answer is that my ancestor (something like a great-great-great grandfather) was a scribe in India for a Muslim king (called a nizam). My ancestor was literate in several languages, and he quickly became a valued and trusted assistant to this king. In return, the king bestowed the name "Arab" on him (as if to say, I consider you one of us...). There's some idea of what the family name was prior to that (I've heard that it literally translated to "black bird," which I think is pretty cool...) but few official records remain and "Arab" has been the family name for at least a couple of centuries now.

After 9/11, my folks told me they'd have no problem if I decided to change my last name. When I was younger--in high school--my father received an early morning call in which an anonymous, angry voice promised to blow up our house that afternoon simply because of our last name ("all you damn A-rabs deserve to die..."). Pretty scary stuff. My folks reported it to the authorities and it was handed over to the KBI. My folks warned me not to go home straight from school that day. Naturally, I didn't listen. I rushed home and drove around the block wondering if I'd see the house explode (I was certain it wouldn't happen and that it was just some lunatic, but you never could be sure...). Anyway, the house didn't explode, and the guy was eventually caught (some idiot in Alabama).

More recently, my name was "used against me" when then member of the State School Board Connie Morris told a reporter that I was a "terroristic threat" simply because I sought to interview her for a documentary film I was making on the immigration issue.

Connie is no longer an elected official, by the way.

Anyway, I thought long and hard about changing my name but eventually decided not to...why should I? I mean, "Arab" isn't a four-letter word (well, you know what I mean...). Besides, the name was given as a compliment--a gesture of appreciation for crossing barriers and working with "the other." Finally, it's my name. Why should I have to change it simply because people can be ignorant?

So THAT's what's in a name (put that in your goatee and stroke it, Billy Shakespeare...)

Okay, so on to this blog. I'd like to provide a humorous--but sometimes serious--look at current events with a strong emphasis on politics.

With that in mind, let's continue with today's "What's in a name" theme with a spotlight on [/drum roll] Karl Rove, who recently said he was stepping down as Bush's top adviser so he could spend more time ruining his family. [/rim shot]

What's in Karl Rove's name? Well, for starters, I was certain his middle initial was "F" (as in he F'ed up the Republican Party, he F'ed up the country, he F'ed up Valerie Plame's cover, he F'ed up the federal attorneys...) but was surpised to discover his middle name is...Christian. Is there a church official reading this? Can we get a ruling here--isn't that inherently blasphemous? How does he keep getting away with this stuff?! ...

Karl Christian Rove, you're a clever, clever swine...and a damn fine rapper too!

That's all for now...Karl, notice how I didn't warn you about the doorknob on your way out. Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind if it hit ya where the good lord split ya (after all, it's where most of your brilliant ideas originated).