Muhammar Loves Condi

My favorite photo story of the week is about Muhammar Gaddafi (or Muammar el-Qaddafi) and Condoleeza Rice. It seems Gaddafi has what can only be termed a heavy crush on Condi, as shown by a photo album found by rebels when they overtook his compound in Tripoli.

Rebels leafed through the album Wednesday after finding it as they rummaged through Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound.

And while the State Department termed it, “deeply bizarre” and “deeply creepy, ” I think it’s deeply funny. Why Gaddafi fell in love with the neo-conservative Rice is for psychiatrists to determine. There has been no comment from Rice, but you have to wonder if she feels just a little bit flattered.

As Gadaffi himself said in 2007, "I support my darling black African woman," he said. "I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders. ... Leezza, Leezza, Leezza. ... I love her very much. I admire her, and I'm proud of her, because she's a black woman of African origin."

For me it becomes not necessarily the photos of the uprising in Libya that is most memorable, but a simple photo album kept by someone with an attack of grade school puppy-love.

Check out photos taken of the rebels leafing through the album here

IN THE LOUPE Information

I find it hard to get things done in the summer—too hot, people out of reach, no motivation. But I’ve found it is imperative to push forward anyway.

We have decided to set the premiere of IN THE LOUPE to after Labor Day. It’s almost like waiting for the new school year to start. People will be back in town--more focused and ready to work.

We are hoping to have work submitted to us here. If we like it, if we think it would be of interest to others, we’ll run it. But don’t just send us an email that says—“look at this.” If you’re want your work featured on IN THE LOUPE you have to take an active part in presenting it to us.

We’re looking for short films, Kickstarter and Emphas.is pitches, book projects, work that deserves a wider audience, and any good ideas you may have.

So even though it’s summer—start thinking about what you can do to get others to see your work. Become an advocate of your own photography, not just a bystander waiting to be noticed. It’s up to you! We’re just offering you the platform.

And check out the IN THE LOUPE blog