Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2009 February 14

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February 14

Arab World political rivals

Do each member of the Arab League have their own political rivals and I mean do Lebanon have political rivals?, meaning one party left-wing and the other right-wing, like Bangladesh has two political rivals: one is right-wing(Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and the other is left-wing(Awami League). What about Egypt, Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Sudan and Mauritania?; except the Arabian Peninsula, but if you want to add the Arabian Peninsula, go ahead. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.14.116.156 (talk) 00:32, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

It is rarely as bipartisan as that. In Egypt, for example, the system is dominated by the National Democratic Party, which holds 68% of the seats in the assembly. The primary opposition is the Muslim Brotherhood, which holds 19% of the seats, but because religious parties are illegal, Muslim Brotherhood members must run as independents. Lantzy ^talk 02:12, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

A number of Arab countries have no real meaningful multi-party politics, and the opposition between the faction in power and the main opposition (whether this opposition is a legal open political party or not) can rarely be usefully categorized as a "left"-"right" difference. In many countries, the most prominent opposition force is actually Islamists (as said in the earlier reply). In Lebanon and Iraq, religious differences are at least as important in politics as are first-world-style left-right ideological differences. Some regimes seem to be far more devoted to "careerism" (or staying in power) than to any ideological "ism"... AnonMoos (talk) 03:16, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

There are definitely different parties in the countries that have elected governments. The Prime Minister of Lebanon was assassinated by Syrian influences. The Christian and Muslim Lebanese have had a lot of problems in the past too. The Palestinians in Lebanon and Jordan have been part of political friction in the past (to say the least). In Saudi Arabia, even though it is a kingdom, there are plenty of political forces... for a good insite check out this story: [1]. NJGW (talk) 21:48, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

What does "assassinated by Syrian influences" mean? ៛ BL ៛ (talk) 20:15, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

Rafik Hariri... AnonMoos (talk) 23:12, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

Strange Book

Hello, I'm looking for the title of a book that is supposedly written in an undecipherable language and includes illustrations of fake animals and plants. It is a very old book that was found some years ago. Does anyone know what I am talking about? Nkot (talk) 05:15, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Sounds like the Voynich Manuscript. - Nunh-huh 05:42, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Or a misunderstanding of the Codex Seraphinianus. —Tamfang (talk) 19:56, 19 February 2009 (UTC)

Disfigured Head of Ukrainian State

I was reading something about Fatwas, and for some reason, the image of the disfigured Ukrainian head of state popped into my head. The one with, what I remember as, boils completely encompassing his face. Can anyone please tell me his name? It would be much appreciated. 66.229.148.27 (talk) 06:49, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

That would be Viktor Yushchenko, I think. - Eron^Talk 06:53, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

True, due to dioxin poisoning. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:55, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Reveille plush toys and other items

I'm trying to find some plush toys depicting Reveille (mascot). In addition, I'm also trying to find some memorial items related to the 1999 Texas A&M bonfire log collapse. If anyone out there can help me, I'd appreciate it very much. Thank you.72.229.135.200 (talk) 08:46, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Check your talk page Click here - 76.97.245.5 (talk) 12:24, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

I checked. There was nothing that seemed right, in regards to Reveille. Is there anything available in regards to the bonfire log collapse?72.229.135.200 (talk) 22:13, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

poker for 2?

can two people play poker, for example a wife and husband, or do they need partners —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.120.236.246 (talk) 23:28, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

You shouldn't have any problem playing poker with only 2 people. Tomdobb (talk) 23:31, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Betting (poker) has some details for "When there are only two players" so they don't need a third person. I assume it would not be as interesting a game because if one party folds the game is over. 76.97.245.5 (talk) 00:06, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Since poker is not a "partners" game, it can be played by any number of people. Depending on the variety of poker played, you can play with as few as two (often called "heads-up" play) or as many as 6 (for Draw poker), 7 (for 7-card stud), or up to 20 (for Texas Hold'em), though the practical limit for hold'em is usually 9-10 per table. More than that, you would usually run 2 tables. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 00:58, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

See National Heads-Up Poker Championship. Clarityfiend (talk) 01:43, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

The strategy is quite different for heads-up (ie. two players), but the basic gameplay (with a few modifications regarding who starts the betting) works fine. --Tango (talk) 12:47, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

It would be pretty funny to stop a tournament after you got down to two players. Clarityfiend (talk) 20:58, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

See strip poker. --S.dedalus (talk) 21:33, 17 February 2009 (UTC)