The Injustice of Telling the Truth

Some of you may remember my post about my friend, Maryam alSherooqi, who is facing up to 7 years in jail for an article she wrote in one of our local papers, Al Wasat, concerning discrimination in Bahrains Civil Department. That post is here http://coolred38.blogspot.com/2009/02/does-telling-truth-require-apology.html

She has been to court several times and so far nothing has been decided...good news or bad Im not sure.

Anyhow, I couldnt help but feel even more pissed off about her whole case while I was perusing yesterdays other local paper, the Gulf Daily News. I came across a little snippet of news that is not shown on the website so I cant link to it...but anyone can check yesterdays paper if they want to read it.

It appears that while lecturing a college class on history etc last year, an American teacher "blasphemied" the Prophet by attempting to draw his likeness on the chalkboard. Apparently one of her Bahraini female students took exception to this and reported her to the proper authorities. I remember hearing about this teacher sometime last year but didnt really look into it. A lot of the time they just peter out and nothing ever comes of it.

The little snippet of news in the paper happened to mention that this teacher was found guilty and was fined and jailed for 6 months...and then will be deported.

So let me get this straight...."blasphemy" the Prophet you get 6 months in jail and a fine plus deportation. "Blasphemy" Bahrains Civil Department you get harassed by govt officials...threatened with loss of job...your salary is with held with no explanation given...your reputation is shredded by under the table sabotage and innuendo...and your faced with 7 years of jail in a case in which you have not broken any laws, called anyone a liar. or lied in general?

Now I dont believe the teacher who supposedly disrespected the Prophet deserved any punishment merely for drawing a sketch of him on a chalkboard for whatever reason...a simple word of caution by that female student...or any other student should have sufficed....but NOOOO Muslims have to be extreme when it comes to religion...but I also dont get the chasm of injustice being clearly shown here. Are we to assume the Civil Department and those who head it are on a higher footing and deserve more respect etc than the Prophet? Are we to assume that the punishment meted out to individuals who "cause trouble" to the Civil Department and those who head it should be enforced to the fullest extent of the law...but those that blasphemy the Prophet are dealt with leniently?

Should we assume that Bahrain authorities are quite happy to sit by and let a Bahraini Muslim woman, who had a solid reputation, deep respect from her community, and clearly has not broken any law what so ever.. be sent to jail merely for pointing out discrimination at the Civil Department...thus destroying her family life, her career, and her future prospects all because the head of the Civil Department didnt like something he read...but knows to be true?

One question. The MP's of Bahrain have made a mockery of Bahrains reputation as a tolerant and welcoming country. People are talking about leaving Bahrain because it no longer is the quiet oasis in the gulf it was known as before. How many more people will leave, Bahrainis included, once its made clear that jail is awaiting anyone that dares say a word against Ministry heads or anyone else that has a position of power?

I realize jail has always awaited those people who dared speak out...but at least it was hidden just a little bit better before...now theres not even a semblance of attempt at keeping this injustice a secret.

How nice for Bahrain and all its inhabitants.

I hope justice will be served for Maryam al Sherooqi...telling the truth is incumbent upon all of us...even if its against ourselves and our families...last I heard Bahrain considered itself a Muslim country....I guess that only applies in regards to the fact that we have mosques and women wear abayas and hijab. Sweet!!

Your free to say what you want....but know there are consequences!

I find it interesting in the Arab world that many many members of the govt etc will wax eloquently about new freedoms that are being given everyday across the Middle East. New charters being signed...new laws being enacted that are supposed to satisfy the populace that what they want matters...what they have to say is important...and the right to say it can be undertaken without fear of reprisal...or so we are led to believe.

I also find it interesting that all Arab countries routinely round up those that speak in a negative manner about those "in charge"...however "under the table" that talk might be. Journalists....authors...and even the occasional blogger is made to pay for daring to go up against "the man" or in this case the resident King or dictator...and publish any form of disatisfaction. People are happy dammit and we dont want to hear anything to the contrary...or else pay the consequences. At least we in American can publicly finger point at our brain dead president without fear of reprisal...we even do it live on tv...without benefit of those pesky 5 min delay tactics. Good ole Bush made himself a target by daring to lead the last Superpower on earth...and must deal with and suffer the consequences...would be nice if all these overstuffed...bullet proof SUV driven...cant make a "spontaneous" public appearance without first a weeks advance notice so the "surprised" neighborhood can spruce the place up with greenery and paint jobs....could do the same.

A friend of mine works for the Ministry of Education as a Social Worker in one of the govt run girls schools. She is also a writer for the local Arab paper Al Wasat. She has become rather well known for her sharp tongue and continued ass kicking she routinely pens out about the various Ministries but specifically the Ministry of Education because of its unfair practices...its inability to get with the times and update its education process...and the fact that Bahrains children are suffering from this lack of real concern for their future. She has come under fire more than once for airing her views...even though she has been congratulated over and over again for her valid points and audacity to write on such "scandolous" topics to begin with. In the Arab world...its best to leave sleeping dogs lie and all that...to poke the dog can only result in a vicious bite...and she has been bitten at last.

Rather than listen to her and possibly all those around her voice their discontent at the state of education current in Bahrain...she has been blacklisted and removed from her school of 8 years to be sent to one of the worst girl schools in Bahrain...reputation wise its not just a step down in prestige and status....its a freefall....and one shes not likely to recover from.

All this because she is unhappy with the current policies practiced by the Ministry of Education....and because when her pleas for reform etc fell on deaf ears at the Ministry she decided to take it public and let the people know whats going on...and for this, rather than listen to her...possibly gain some insight and improve their practices, or at least pretend to...she is made to pay for causing "dissent" and daring to present the Ministry of Education as anything other than an efficient concerned authority in charge of this nations youth. How dare she take such a step and not toe the party line...the line of "shut up ....do your job...get your salary...and always smile and praise those that least deserve it" if you hope of ever receiving a promotion etc.

Whats the point of being so vocal about "free speech" and our doors are always open for our peoples complaints...and why sit in your cushy chair and call yourself a Minister of anything if your not prepared to listen to the very people you serve and let their complaints improve your actions...why even bother coming to work if all your going to do is collect a salary....you can do that from home...eh?

Many many people in Bahrain prefer to smile and kiss some "royal or ministerial ass"...but some..a very few...but maybe enough to get the ball for reform rolling...have decided they just cant pucker up any more...chapped lips and all. I hope she stands tough...I hope she doesnt let her family and friends convince her she is "just asking for trouble" by standing firm and sticking to her priniciples...I hope she remembers that she has two daughters that consider the future of Bahrain their future too...and so should make her choices with those two in mind...and not let the concerns of her fellow adept 'ass kissers' convince her she is going to take them all down with her. Would be nice for once that instead of stepping on her and pushing her back down in the dirt of silence...they gave her a hand...and lifted her up on their shoulders...better to see her target...and be seen as a force to be reckoned with. I would hazard a guess and declare that if she were actually successful and managed to make some change for the better with her articles etc...then these same people who are urging her to shut her mouth...would then step forward and reap the rewards of knowing her and maybe even declare her ideas were theirs all along. It seems to be the norm for ass kissers...complain secretly....ass kiss publicly...and enjoy the benefits when other peoples harwork and suffering bring about actual change....but at no time...ever ever...will they acknowledge her as having the right to say these things...and giving her credit for having the balls to say what they themselves are too afrid too.

Go Butterfly...your not alone girl.

Hey Dude....where do I park my car?

I walked outside last night to discover a parking ticket on my jeep. My jeep happens to be parked about 6 feet from my door. As some might know by now...I live in Hidd. Hidd is basically one long road running right down the middle of the town with a few smaller roads turning off...and then the little alley ways not much wider than the cars that drive through them. 11 years ago when I moved to Hidd there actually werent that many cars for the amount of people here. It was rather refreshing not to compete with traffic when walking...or when parking. Now days though...Hidd is congested...there literally is no where to park(as in many many places around Bahrain). In my particular little patch of neighborhood...its just the street or nothing. Back behind my flat is the Hidd fish and meat market...but they get extremely irritated and possessive about their small patch of parking spaces. The few times I parked over night there...I went out in the morning to find a sign on my car ordering me not to park there again...I can take a hint(eventually)...but really...where are we supposed to park our cars?

Im really ticked off I got this ticket considering my car was not blocking traffic...there is not a "no parking" sign anywhere in the vicinity...and Ive seen people park in much worse areas and not have a ticket stuck to their window....talk about injustice. Now my problem is...I have no one to complain too. In American if we feel a ticket was given unjustly we can argue against it in traffic court...and quite often the judge will judge in your favour...and sometimes not...but at least your given the chance to air your grievances. Here...what am I to do with a ticket that I believe was given unfairly...suck it up and pay it is all the advice I have been given with much shrugging of shoulders and cursing of the traffic laws and dirth of parking spaces.

Im starting to believe the traffic dept are in cahoots with the Minister of whoever the hell is doing the infrastructure planning in this shoebox size island with a population much to big for it(lets not mention those wide open spaces taking up much the middle of Bahrain...shhhhh...lets not go there)...they are handing out parking tickets left and right...but giving us no options of parking legally in many area...its either park illegally(according to whatever traffic cop wanders by and has a quota to fill) or park a hell of a long way from where you want to be and hoof it to your destination....I know exercise is good for the body...but everyone deserves to park reasonably close to their residence...is that too much to ask for?

It would be nice if I could go drag somebody from the Ministry of Confusing and Destructive Infrastructure Planning down here to Hidd and let them suggest a suitable parking spot for me...so that I dont rack up some more parking tickets while parking a mere 6 feet from my door. Ive currently racked up two...and considering that parking is not getting any better...I can probably look forward to adding to it...yay me....sigh!

When every fils counts!

Most months my salary arrives within the last few days of the month...give or take...so by the first of the month Im ready and able to pay my rent...my electric...phone etc...and buy some food and whatever I need for my children. Most months my bank account is fairly empty pretty much 3 of the 4 weeks until the next salary comes...my salary isnt all that much...and we are 6 people....but we manage to get by with the help of friends and just plain patience.

However, my patience is truly being tested this month as today is the 5th and my salary is still not in my account. Each day that I check I become more upset and worried about the bills not being paid..and thus problems I dont need coming my way. A call to my office informs me that salaries were delayed so increments could be given...well, should I rejoice over that or what? Im not too worried about an increment possibly coming when my landlord is wanting his rent money 4 days ago....Im not worried about an increase in my next salary when I need this salary to buy some much needed food so my kids are not left eating cheese sandwiches 2 meals a day....Im not worried about anything that might happen next month and next salary cause all my attention is focused on this month and this salary....its my right to have my salary for the work I did in a timely manner each month. Why is it my fault they couldnt organize themselves sufficiently to get the salaries out on time? Why should I be put under stress and duress through no fault of my own?

Of course this makes me feel all the worse for those employees that get cheated on a regular basis...who might go months without getting paid and are still expected to show up to work on time or get accused of "escaping" etc...who are still required to work long hours even though there is no benefit for them and their family all because they are trapped in the sponsorship slave trade. I felt sorry for them before...now I feel rage for them.

Who are these owners of companies that no doubt have big fat bank accounts that wouldnt suffer too much if one month went by without some sort of increase? Who are these employers who sit down to dinner with their families not worried in the least that some of their employees might not have that luxery? Who are these human beings that can sleep comfortable at night not giving a second thought to the fact that some of their employees might not be able to sleep worrying about unpaid bills etc...all because the salary they should have for work they honestly did has not been paid? Do these employers worry about salaries not reaching their employees on time the same way they worry when employees miss work and dont have a doctors sick form etc to account for it? They are quick to deduct from salaries but not so quick to make sure they are paid on time.

A quick look at the papers will indicate that the authorities in Bahrain arent all that concerned with unpaid salaries...many labourers and housemaids etc are forced to leave Bahrain with much of their back owed salaries unpaid...where is the justice in that? Who should one turn too when for the most part...nobody really cares how employees are treated here?

Im tempted to name the company I work for(maybe I have in previous posts...not sure)...since Ive heard from others they can be quite unfair when it comes to appreciating work done by us slaves...but I will let it go for now...I shall see what happens tomorrow when I enquire at head office as to why my salary has gone unpaid thus far...if the answer is not satisfactory...then we shall see what my next post and my next letter to the GDN sounds like. Until then...Ive got some cheese sandwhiches to fix....sigh!

What does it take to get that all important "stamp of approval" around here?

My Bahraini friend and I have been running an events business for over a year now...alot of this business is seeking sponsors...or approval...for your idea or event. Every lecture...exhibition...forum etc needs sponsors...a patron...and lots of extras signing up and taking part. So alot of our job is phone calls...emails...and personal visits to potential sponsors and patrons. In this business you expect to have quite a few no's before you get some yes's...its all part of the game...but after being in the game for over a year...here is what I have learned about the business of Events Management...and finding sponsors and patrons.

1. Bahrainis(as those are who we deal with mostly on a day to day basis) are very reluctant to put their ok on something that someone else hasnt okayed first. One of the first questions we will invaribly get is...."who else has agreed to sign up?"

2. Bahrainis will more likely do business with you and give their ok if your someone well known...if your new to the game or someone they dont know...they pretty much wont give you the time of day. If your unknown but come in with someones name as a recommendation(wasta) they will perk up and listen to you....even if they dont accept your proposal in the end...without wasta in most cases...you cant even get an appointment with them.

3. Bahrainis will most likely listen up if I...the American...do business with them rather then my friend...a fellow Bahraini. We both know this so many times when its to our benefit I will be the one that steps forward and deals with the issue...even though she speaks the Arabic and her family are well known. This doesnt mean they will accept the idea in the end....but the chances are better. Im not sure why this is...it would seem the Bahrainis would be more interested in helping each other out then helping foreigners...I mean the constant lament I hear everywhere is that foreigners get all the breaks and Bahrainis get nothing...or leftovers...yet when the opportunity to help another Bahraini in their business is before them....they will refuse without even giving a moment of their time to hear the proposal or business idea.

4. The days of keeping your word...something I noticed way back when I first came here...the proverbial business on a handshake idea...is long gone. How many times have we had verbal agreements from someone...only to have them back out later when we needed written confirmation. Its happened far too often so seems to be some sort of trend. If you cant get it down on paper quickly...its likely you havent really got a deal with them so dont be surprised when they pull out later with some lame excuse. This is a terrible way to do business and I cant see the image of Bahrain improving or benefiting from this in anyway. It makes it all that more interesting when these same people will come back to you later wanting some sort of favour from you...seemingly forgetting they left you in the lurch previously....go figure!

What I find most frustrating is that the ministries on this island are the hardest to pin down...it would seem they are the first establishments that would be willing to help Bahrainis get a foothold and lend a helping hand when they can. Ministers have the power of their very names to give an event a boost up...thats all they have to give basically...their name...and yet so many times they decline...for what reason? What are they loosing by agreeing to having their name at the top of the letterhead or on the banner promoting the event? I have seen some ministers being patrons or sponsors for some very...shall I say interesting....events...and yet for something that deals directly with their ministerial position...they can be quite reluctant. I dont understand the reasoning behind this.

Right now we are on the hunt for sponsors and a patron for our Health & Beauty event. We are looking for sponsors that deal with dentistry...cosmetic surgery...spas etc...anything really that pertains to enhancing health and beauty....we have had many doors closed on us because we havent found a patron yet...so many are reluctant to sign up without a patron stated...what exactly has this got to do with that...the event will go ahead whether or not there is a stated patron...but it seems to be such a stumbling block for the local population. There needs to be a stamp of approval from a "bigwig" before all the "littlewigs" will get in line. Its extremely frustrating and hard to take people seriously...are you doing business or earning brownie points with your "betters"? I just dont understand it. I applaud the sponsors we have found and those willing to sign up even without a patron stated...at least they realize that business is business.

How can Bahrainis expect to decrease the foreign population to any degree when they are so very reluctant to help each other out in even the smallest of ways? It would seem you are more agreeable to doing business with foreigners then with each other...can someone explain it to me cause its not making sense from my side.

Why?...Because its the law!

My youngest daughter does not have a passport at the ripe old age of 14. Previously she was on her fathers passport as a baby but when he had his renewed...she was old enough to have her own. Up until now I never had need to make her one but now the need has arrived and what I thought was going to be a fairly straight forward transaction has instead tuned into headache of brain squeezing proportions.

It would seem that her father is the only one allowed by law to make one for her...why? you might ask...as I did several times...well, apprently nobody knows exactly why...they just know its the law. Now why would there be a law...or even a need for a law..in which the father of a child is the only one that can make a passport for that child? What if there is no father...he died or walked off the face of the earth? Or maybe even abducted by aliens...then what? The child doesnt get a passport? Does the legal authority to make a passport for that child now fall on the shoulders of any uncles or brothers that child may have? How exactly does this work I want to know?

But really, my main concern...the one that is buzzing around my head like an angry bee trying to find its way out...is, why isnt the mother of a child legally allowed to make a passport for her child? What exactly is the point of being the mother of a child if you have no legal rights to do anything on behalf of your child? I find this absurd and extremely gender biased law a slap in the face of mothers of Bahraini children everywhere...Im surprised they dont protest and get pissed off about it like I am. What are they if not a legal guardian of their child until he or she reaches maturity...and as a legal guardian you have the right to do anything that is needed or required for your child. Does the presence of a father automatically negate the parental rights and legal authority of a mother over her children? Must she sit meekly by while all legal authority of her child is taken from her and given to someone else...possibly someone that doesnt deserve nor should have legal authority over that child?

My personal stake in this is that my childs father(such as he is) is no longer in the picture of our family. He has given up parental rights by force...not choice....when he decided his daughters were sexual playthings to use in whatever fashion excited him most. So, believe me when I clearly state that I want nothing to do with him nor do I want anything from him....and yet according to the law in Bahrain I must pick up the phone and call that animal and ask him to make a passport for his daughter...because even though he is scum and has no right to even be free walking the streets...he has more authority in the eyes of the law than I do over my child when it comes to making legal documents. Could someone explain this conundrum to me cause it just aint fitting into my head all proper and sensible like?

Now what should I do...or any mother for that matter...that had a less then happy separation and divorce from her husband...the result being much animosity and whispered prayers of a fire inspired punishment on the Day of Judgement for that "father" that treated his child/children in such a heinous manner...when I approach him and am forced to ask him for "a favour" such as making a passport for "our" daughter...what should I do if he just laughs in my face and tells me to forget it? What recourse do I have in this situation...will the Ministry of Passports see past the redtape and let me apply on her behalf anyway...or will they insist I make nice with dear daddy and get him to agree to do it for her? Do they even consider for a moment the hardships they inflict on women/mothers in this country by making such gender biased laws that officially give all rights to men/fathers...and almost no rights to women/mothers?

And what I really want to know is...why the hell arent Bahraini mothers or mothers of Bahraini children up in arms about this? Protesting outside some Ministry or another...taking time out on Fridays to go hold up a sign and chant slogans about reducing the role of mothers to housemaids and sexual slaves to husbands with no rights over their own children? It would seem Bahrain is not that much different to Saudi in a lot of respects...and with the antics of these Court of Jesters....er MP's....I fear we will be even more like Saudi before too long...and I wonder if Bahrainis themselves will sit quietly by while that happens...silence means acceptance. If you accept your rights being taken away...then you have no "right" to complain about it later...right?

Well...my solution is easy really....bypass the idiotic laws of this patriarchal govt that views women as mere child bearers with no authority over those children...and skip on down to the US Embassy and make her an American passport...a passport that will have more value for her in the future...than the Bahraini passport that is currently being handed out to every foreigner that steps foot on these sands...but not to Bahraini children themselves...if they dont have a father to sign on the dotted line...sigh!

A Not So Comedy of Errors!

Its enough that we are subjected to the daily mindboggling antics of Mindless Blind Idiots zigging and zagging with care free abandon across congested lanes of traffic, through red lights and, quite often, merging into traffic as smoothly as an elephant merging into a rhino at a jungle intersection...but when their careless abandon intrudes into My Personal Space...why is it that things always go from bad to worse...almost as if in accordance with some divinely written script aptly named.."A Not So Comedy of Errors"?

Interesting enough for such a hilarious play...there arent that many actors. In my little fiasco we have just 4...including myself. First there are the 2 Mindless Blind Idiot Giggly Girls mentioned recently in a previous post...I thought I was finished with them way back in Aug but it seems they have returned for an encore. Then there is one Mentally Deficient Computer Operator that can put figures into a computer at the speed of drying paint...but needs directions on how to turn a piece of paper over. And one very laid back Traffic Dept Employee who not only needs a course on customer service but should seriously seek therapy to remove the large chip on his shoulder he has for those that ask him to move his sizable butt and actually do his job. Heaven forbid he earn his peso and help someone else get justice in the process. Then, of course, there is me...Im the innocent bystander that always gets sucked into other peoples nightmares in the movies...you know the one that usually gets seriously abused throughout the movie and is still wondering at the end what the hell happened? That would be me.

Its been proven that stand up comedy is best received when you dont use a whole lot of props etc to make your point. Facial expressions are good...the pinched nose as if something smells(a hint to the customer that its probably you)...staring at the computer screen earnestly as if the winning lotto numbers are there and your pretty darn sure their yours in order to avoid eye contact and thus action must be taken...and the always popular vacant stare...that lets you know someone has taken a mental break and all further talk is useless. Im surprised more employees are not physically harmed by irate customers when these facial expressions are used without thought for personal safety.

Then there is body language...such as a shrugging of the shoulders that says "its out of my hands, what do you want me to do?" And the always popular...heartfelt sigh. When the point has been reached that the employee is no longer listening and the customer is just whistling in the wind...the heartfelt sigh comes out to let you know that you are such a burden on their otherwise sedentary day. There must be some secret night class given for the employees of the Traffic Dept for I swear they were all diploma holders in the Facial Expression/Body Language dept.

At any rate....lets set the scene for this three act play. The first act was way back in Aug when Idiot Giggly Girls tried to play Lets Wipe Out a Whole Family while attempting to flirt and show off their considerable ass(ets) while behind the wheel of a car. End result was my much maligned Jeep having considerable contact with the two Studly Boys who were attempting to get closer to the action. Giggly Girls zoomed off unscathed but not before their license plate number was taken.(although I missed the looks on their faces when the cops showed up at their door later that night...Im sure it was similar to the look any would be criminal would have who thinks she's gotten away clean from the crime...very satisfying for me either way)

Scene two...a full 3 hours at the police station in which much shouting and accusations against myself were slung through the air...it would seem that the two Giggly Girls were seriously pissed off that I had the nerve to take their plate number and drag them into this mess that they had absolutely nothing to do with...they were so innocent that even dear daddy was willing to swear he was there and saw the whole thing...I might add that this accident took place at the top of the bridge going through Muharraq at 11 pm...so where dear daddy was standing exactly and how he came to be there at just the right moment still leaves much for debate about the mysteries of coincidence. 5 full hours in the Traffic Dept the next day resulted in Giggly Girls being rightly blamed for the whole shebang and their insurance having to pay for the lot. Justice was served...lets all go to Burger King and celebrate.

But hold on a minute...dont get up...scene three is the best part. 7 months later when poor maligned Jeep was once again assualted by a Mindless Blind Idiot...a trip to the insurance company left me speechless. It would seem that my name was written as the offending party in the previous accident. What? How the hell did that happen...and how come nobody told me? A quick march over to the Traffic Dept to sort out this little mess is real the true comedy begins.

First it seems that to be involved in a traffic accident in Bahrain is pretty much as common as putting on two shoes in the morning ...in other words...just about everyone has their taste of Traffic Dept follies sooner or later. That place was so crowded and noisy...a riot would have gone unnoticed. I wont bore you with my 3 hours of constant shuffling from one employee to another...each utilizing the facial expressions and body language to full effect...until it was finally determined how my name came to be written as the offender in that accident.

1. first traffic cop writes up his little report...with little squiggly lines and arrows showing the action.
2. desk cop writes up his report putting names in little boxes on front of report but indicating that a full version of events is written out on back of report.
3. computer operator inserts data into computer without bothering to turn sheet over and read full report...only sees some names and quickly types them in.

So my name is written in the offenders box because some lazy employee couldnt be bothered to read and understand before typing. Now here is the truly interesting part...when I suggested to desk cop that they look at old report they will quickly see that the insurance claim was wrong and my name should be removed. He shrugged and said that old reports were kept in the Archives Room...I suggested he move his..ahem...kind self and go retrieve it so we could all finish up and go home. He let me know that while old reports were saved in the Archices room...no care was taken into organizing said room and so to find my one single report would probably be impossible...in other words...he wasnt even going to try.

So, lets get all the details lined up here in my little Comedy of Errors. Giggly Girls nearly shorten my life and the lives of my children playing their deadly games...Computer Operator has other things on his or her mind while typing my report and fails to insert correct data where appropriate...and desk cop cant be bothered to do his job because lazy employees wont do theirs by keeping Archives Room(which is there for just such cases as mine) in a ordered fashion to make life easier for all concerned. So now my name is in the offenders box...my insurance is made to pay...which means I pay eventually...and there is little I can do to rectify this....other than pass out flyers advertising the opening night of my Not So Comedy of Errors and hope its a sellout...Id be crying if I wasnt laughing...gotta love the sheer ineptitude and deeply ingrained "Its Not My Job" attitude that so many here in Bahrain live by. What is it...some kind of Motto?

Anyone Know Exactly What the Minister of Healths Job Is?

I was under the impression that ministers are there to aid people...and that certain people are appointed the position because they are qualified for the job. Add to that the King himself going on about everyone working together to encourage small businesses in Bahrain to get a foothold and a hand out when they need it to prosper etc. So imagine when my partner approached the Minister of Health this past week to ask him for his patronage of a Health and Beauty exhibition we are planning for June. The whole point of the exhibition is to encourage citizens of Bahrain and specifically Bahrainis, to get moving and become interested more in their over all health through exercise and other forms of health issues. We were assuming we wouldnt have to ask very hard...he is he Minister of Health after all...and we see him patroning this and that that had less to do with health before...and yet imagine our surprise when he turned us down. Well, not him personally....his people. The ones that decide whether you get an audience with him or not...they usually make this decision based on who you are or who you know....and not on what idea or purpose brings you there.

So suddenly the one area we thought we didnt need to worry about...getting a patron for our event...is suddenly the most important thing to stress about. Anyone in this business can tell you that without a good patron for your event....sponsors are reluctant to jump on board...as if they need someone "importants" permission or acceptance of your idea before they are willing to accept and help you out. So these little people who wield the "power" at the Ministers office have shot us in the foot basically...without the Minister of Health being our patron for a health related event...what are the chances any would be sponsor would be willing to give their name and financial support to it? Im wondering if the Minister of Health and the King had any heart to hearts lately about just what his job is...and what he can and should be doing for the people of Bahrain to encourage business and help improve the economy in some small way and whether or not he has related all that to his "ass kissers"...oops I mean office staff? Anyone? Its not like we asked him to demonstrate how to do crunches at the exhibition or anything...all we asked for was his name on the advertising banners....was that asking too much?

How can the average Bahraini make a living here through her own sweat and hard work...when all her fellow Bahrainis...the ones with the power....or who think they have power...just want to know who sent her...who her family is...or what she can do for them in return? What happened to just doing something cause its your job?

Pedophiles are our friends...part 2

In todays GDN there is mention of a lecture given by Microsoft director of legal and corporate affairs for the Middle East and Africa Dina Founes> According to her lecture there are no laws in favour of children that fall victim to sexual abusers that entice them over the net.

"Bahrain should introduce laws to protect children from online predators," said Ms Founes.

Which is all well and good and should be done immediately...but is she aware that the punishment meted out to actual sexual predators right here in Bahrain arent all that tough either...so I cant imagine these cyber laws having much affect...if any.

"Children are really vulnerable, especially over the Internet and it is very important for us to be able to track the offenders.

Im curious if sex offenders in Bahrain are tracked and if anyone in the court system actually cares that children are indeed vunerable....and once abused can be set on a course of self-destruction for life.

"Predators are really sophisticated in targeting children and they know how to get to them psychologically.

That pretty much holds true for all predators...cyber or otherwise...anyone care to inform the Bahrain authorities about this revelation.

"It is becoming a major issue and we have to be aware that there are not sufficient regulations to tackle these types of offences, especially towards children."

All the regulations in the world dont mean a damn thing unless those in charge enforce them and punish the offenders in a manner that discourages reoffending...and others from taking that first step towards a child in the first place.

Ms Founes said only Saudi Arabia and Dubai had cyber crime laws and urged more countries to sign up to a Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, which has laws specifically to handle the abuse of children.

So as good as that sounds...the laws "protecting" women arent enforced(those derived from the Quran) with much enthusiam in those countries...so signing up for some council or another hardly seems worth the bother.

"The Internet is a gift that we have but we need to get the proper regulation to deal with it," she said. "It helps to have these laws because it helps in dissuading people.

Children are a gift from God...but we need to give them the proper protection...and when that fails we need to punish the offenders with diligence and enforcement. Anything less is criminal by the court system itself.

"If nobody introduces these laws people feel they might get away with it."

Sounds like the pedophiles and rapists in Bahrain pretty much feel like they can get away with it considering the light sentences handed down.. then most likely cut in half....and then they walk...without even having to be registered as a pedophile or rapists as in America and other places.

Bahrain use to be a fairly safe haven for children to play...letting your child out of your sight was never as fearful a choice made as it is today. By the look of the number of children still playing without an adult presence and by the very young age of some of these children...I would have to assume that Bahraini's have not yet realized the enormity of the danger they have placed their children in. I blame this on the little attention these pedophile cases are given in the media and then the light sentences handed down...its almost like an afterthought in the news....

Parliment squabbled again today....traffic accidents tied up traffic as usual...and, oh yeah, a pedophile was released from jail after serving less then half of his sentence...which wasnt that much to begin with.

Unless and until this country...this supposed Sharia Court system....gives the proper amount of attention this situation deserves...our children will continue to be the playthings of pedophiles and rapists from one side of Bahrain to the other....how many children have to suffer the loss of their innocense before people wake up and pay attention?

Bahrain Needs Missle Defense?

Bahrain-US hold talks on air defence system was a top story in the GDN today...it left me scratching my head...for several reasons.

"Our defence co-operation with the US goes back over 60 years. It has consistently proved its value in maintaining peace and security in the Gulf and we believe that the region will continue to need such co-operation now and in the future," His Majesty said.... would this be the peace and security currently maintained in Bahrain...in which rioters are weekly headline makers and pedophiles and rapists are on the rise...not to mention bodily assaults on just about everyone these days...whose peace and security is he talking about? Bahrain is still considered part of the gulf right?

"Today, we discussed our readiness to confront any possible threat to the stability and security of the Arabian Gulf and, in this respect, we will increase our joint exercises to adapt to the new defence systems? does the Arabian Gulf include Iraq...does this little war going on in Iraq not fall under the "possible threat to the stability and security of the Arabian Gulf"? it must since Arabs in Bahrain are demonstrating all the time about it and the headlines are always going on about it as doing just that.

"Our talks on defence co-operation is consistent with Bahrain's status as a major non-Nato ally of the US. ...which means what exactly...a "major non-Nato ally of the US translates into...we are your servants...ask of us anything oh mighty American Masters.

"We appreciate the support of President George W Bush in all fields, including his support during the current visit to Washington." ....puhleeeeze!!

The first paragraph of the article will be the last mentioned.....

MANAMA: Bahrain is hoping to set up an air defence system in co-operation with the US and acquire the Patriot system to counter missile threats. This was revealed by His Majesty King Hamad after a visit to the Pentagon last night, where he held talks with Defence Secretary Robert Gates and senior officials.....just how many missle threats has Bahrain received recently that the cost of such an extravagance would be warranted? Not to mention...Bahrain is in the middle of an economic crisis for its citizens...if you have the money to spend on war toys for a country that is not in a war and most likely will not be anytime soon...why cant you find the money to help your citizens survive this crisis?....oh yeah I forgot...BD50 is on the way...my bad.

Why is it so many Arab countries are so quick to snap up all these war gadgets...when most of them have a lot of problems at home that will not be solved nor helped by spending small fortunes on needless killing machines?

I have a suggestion for those with deep pockets and not so deep thinking skills...if you got some spare change left over after buying your war toys...how about buy a clue?

How accurate is the government in determining the needy?

Lately there has been the news that the govt will be giving needy families BD50 a month to help with the rising cost of living. I seen the list of names recently in the arabic press...and here is my question. Just how does the government determine who is needy and deserves that BD50?

I ask this question for purely personal reasons actually....and the reason I ask is because while going down the list of names I came across my ex husbands name. Now, from what I understand this money is meant for families that are in need. Considering my ex no longer has his family with him...and is only giving his 5 children the court ordered BD150 a month and claims he cant afford more than that...which I also know is not true...I wonder exactly what he had to do to apply for the BD50 under the label of family man? Obviously he misrepresented himself and his position in his childrens lives...in which case he broke the law...right? I also know that he has his name down for a government house...also meant for families and he didnt bother to inform them that he is in fact divorced now and does not have his family with him...and yet he still is on the list. I know this cause I got some paperwork in the mail the other day...some of his mail still comes to my house.

So lets break this down a little shall we....and so who is the needy one here.

His salary is roughly BD470 the last time I checked...it might have gone up...but we will consider it the same. He gives me BD150 each month for the children. So now he's got BD 320. He lives with his new wife in her house...so he does not pay for rent or anything...all though he might contribute towards it. He uses a company car so does not pay a car loan. Its just him and the wife so I dont imagine his food bill is all that high either. This of course is not counting whatever monies she makes as well.

Now lets see my situation. I make BD300 plus his BD150...so I have BD450 to work with each month. I pay the rent BD100....pay the electric BD30 or so...the phone BD25....the car loan BD110(I might mention that I had a car before the divorce...he took it with him which forced me to get another one)...and a monthly food bill for 6 people...3 of which are boys that seem to have a bottomless pit when it comes to eating. So all of that is roughly BD400...give or take...this is not taking into account the day to day things...like gas for the car...medical for the family...clothes etc that the children might need....so basically my money is gone within a few days of receiving it. All of this without splurging...shopping for fun...and doing without some much needed things. Yet...he is the one getting the bd50 extra to tackle the high cost of living.

Something doesnt add up. What did he show them to prove he needs the money cause I can show them those same things and more? Does the government investigate these "needy" families or just sign them up cause they say they are needy? And when my ex gets his government house...are my children entitled to it considering their names are listed on his application form...all though he seems to have forgotten they exist since then?

I realize everything in Bahrain is done by wasta and that by and large non Bahrainis cant really partake of that particular bartering tool...but my children are considered Bahrainis...so do they fall under the umbrella of help....everyone I have brought this subject up with has basically two differing opinions.

1. You cant do anything about it cause you arent a Bahraini...and your children arent old enough to speak for you....so what can you do but complain?

2. You need to complain to the right authorities and get your rights from him.

Ok, the first sucks cause whether or not Im Bahraini or not shouldnt matter when it comes to getting my children what they are entitled too...whether they are old enough to go get it themselves or not.

And number two sucks cause Ive been to the courts...did the whole legal crap dance...and both judges didnt want to know...they couldnt be bothered with my petition for my childrens rights...so then what? Who are the right authorities to complain to?

I prefer choice number 3...hire a bunch of cowboys to go and kick the ever living shit out of him...and then let him enjoy his BD50...while I enjoy the memory of that vey enjoyable moment.

The laws in Bahrain are archaic when it comes to women and children...these government handouts are shit when they dont reach the ones who deserve it the most....and this whole wasta thing bites the big one...unless your someone that has some...does anyone on here know someone that knows someone that can help me....when my underage Bahraini children are old enough...Im sure they will thank you for it.

Pedophiles are our friends!

Yet once again a headline in the GDN proclaims that one more pedophile is free to re-offend. I cant for the life of me understand the mentality of these judges that are letting these monsters go free! What are they thinking...that he's a good guy in general and most likely wasnt thinking straight when he attacked and molested or raped a small child? Or how about the father that forgave his sons attacker and so the sentence was reduced...how is it the father has authority to do this...the guy didnt crash his car or steal from him so that the father can be lenient and drop the charges etc...this man molested his son...HIS SON for Gods sake...and he forgives him and let him go free? WTF! This means one of two things in my book...either the father doesnt give a rats ass about his son...or the father himself has sympathy and maybe some sort of perverse understanding and affinity for the pedophile...and so forgave him and set him free...which boggles the mind...because it also says that the judge who agreed to the whole thing also has some kind of sympathy and affinity for the monster that molests little children...how else would he agree to such an unbelievable agreement?

Monsters are roaming the streets of Bahrain and when they get caught, convicted and put in jail...they are not treated like monsters but like common criminals that dont deserve the harshest punishment there is.

Bahraini's, you are out there every weekend protesting some thing or another...housing, jobs, Israel, America...cartoons, and hijab and whatever other fucked up nonsense you feel is worth your Friday afternoon to protest and yet the continued predation of your children does not stir you enough to devote even one single protest towards the so called Sharia Court system in your county that is allowing these monsters to walk free? Cartoons can drive you to anger and protest but raping of your children does not? Do they mean so little to you...are you assuming they will grow up and forget all about it...or are you just worried about the scandal that will result from your family name being linked with pedophilia or rape...if this is the case...then dont protest...dont concern yourself...your children will thank you when they grow up and raise their own children the same way....the "We love you son/daughter...but if you get set upon by a monster...dont come crying to us...we cant be bothered" way...I want to weep...

Beyond Hysterical

I make it a habit to not jump to conclusions about a person before I have met them....and I generally can make up my mind within a relatively short amount of time in their presence whether this is a person I want to continue knowing or not. Most people are at their best behavoir when you first meet....so if their "best" behavoir comes off as racist....ignorant....rude....or just plain unintelligent...then I graciously give my salams and go on my way...without doing the usual thing...like make plans for future meet ups etc. My friends find this irritating...but I figure life is too short to spend it in the company of people you really just dont like or cant tolerate....better for them and definitely better for me.

However, people in the spot lite....people in govt jobs etc are there for the whole world to see...and judge...based pretty much on the comments they make in an "official capacity"....I figure they cant say much of anything without some ok from the "higher ups"...whoever they may be...otherwise they make what is commonly referred to as occupational or political suicide...this is when you will see your once former comrads and fellow backslappers jump ship and pretend they never really liked you anyways. Your on your own baby.

Now the MP's of Bahrain are generally a laugh a minute...the shit they come up with is just to hilarious for words sometimes...I can just picture all the wives of these MP's(poor them) sitting at home trying not to cringe everytime a friend calls up and says...."your husband really came up with that idea"...giggles galore. I guess you could excuse them just a bit for their ignorance as they are still fairly new at the whole 'serve the people" process and so we can give them just enough rope to catch them when they fall...or should I say hang themselves with...lol....but...

When your a Minister of some office or another...I cant imagine you attained that spot because you are stupid or empty headed...there must be something taking up the space between your ears....right?...hmmm Im starting to wonder.

Todays GDN has the article about ...

A NATIONWIDE crackdown on homosexuals could be launched in Bahrain, including tougher immigration checks to stop foreign gays entering the country. It would include a study to determine how widespread homosexuality is in Bahrain.

Ok...sounds somewhat paranoid but what they hey...its not my country...I dont make the rules or laws(God help us though against the ones that do)...however this particular comment by committee secretary Jalal Fairooz MP's of the Menbar bloc tickled my funny bone in referring to catching the gays at the airport....

However, he said many homosexuals were slipping through the net because the ministry was having problems determining if they were gay or not.

What immediately came to mind was a group of potential gays being lined up against the wall at the airport....and a naked guy paraded around in front of them....whoever "reacted" was automatically deported....hysterical....Im chuckling just thinking about it....its a cheap and effective alternative to anything Im sure Mr Jalal can come up with...which would proabably involve lots of money and maybe even some body cavity probing....hee hee.

However...lets not leave out the Ministry of Education who are mentioned in this article as well....the comment seems to be irrelevant to the actual subject of gays coming into the country for illicit activities...but its printed in the paper so I am free to comment on it....

He said the study was being carried out despite the fact that the Education Ministry claims there are no homosexuals in schools.

By Education Ministry I assume he means Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi the current Minister? Now, I find that fact that Dr Nuaimi at some point in the past made the claim that there are no homosexuals in schools was referring to the govt schools of course....I would seriously like to know how our esteemed Dr came to that conclusion...did he personally ask all members of the student bodies of all govt schools....several thousand I believe? Did he assume that just because most of these students are considered Muslims so would naturally never engage in the homosexual lifestyle ...or did he assume that homosexuality is not an issue that Bahrainis themselves have a problem with...either with the young or the older group? In other words...there are no gay Bahrainis period...sounds like Ive heard that statement before somewhere...does Iran ring a bell to anyone?

Now heres my problem with that.... other than the obvious generalization....its just a rediculous statement to make by a man in his official position...just makes him look stupid. If this were America and he made that type of statement...boy would he be leaving work with his head beneath his coat to avoid all the paparazzi camera flashes...more giggles.

Lets do the math shall we....several thousand students divided into girls only and boys only schools.....times the number of times one of these said students hits puberty and realizes the capacity to be attracted to and "fall in love" extends beyond regular family members...you know that feeling you get when you realize you are capable of loving(liking) someone not directly related to you....its heady and powerful feeling and usually knocks you off your socks....but here's the kicker...once you come to this realization you take a look around you and what do you see....lots of other girls just like you...or other boys...so what are the chances that the first person you "fall in love with" is another girl or another boy? Does that make you a homosexual...who knows...hitting puberty and discovering you have a sexual identity are not always easy times for teens(dont we all know it)....who are still figuring themselves out as individuals...much less as one of a possible pair....but we cannot claim they are gay just because they are attracted to the same sex...they really have no choice in the matter....if your only choice of potential mates(and our inate nature to procreate means we are always on the lookout for potential partners) are members of the same gender...then we really cant blame them for engaging in homosexual behavoir when given the chance....neither can we claim that it does not exist...that is just beyond hysterical.

Many teens will experiment with gay and straight behavoir....until they figure themselves out...just because you are Arab/Muslims doesnt mean it cant happen to you...or your youth. It happens...ask any staff member of any govt school(of which my best friend is a guidance councellor at the infamous Estakalal Girls School in Muharraq...boy does she have some stories to tell)...engaging in gay behavoir at some point does not mean you are gay...unless you realize that you in fact are...it just means your curious....you want to know...experiment....find your identity in the great scheme of things....is it halal or haram behavoir? I will let others decide that....does it happen...yes it does...of course it does....hands down it does....so for the good Dr to make such a rediculous statement such as that...just makes him look like a homophobe...which I gather most Muslims are....very sad for you....some of the nicest people I know are gay.

ive nevr understood this desire to know what people are doing in the privacy of their bedrooms...yes of course adultery is forbidden and against the law...but unless you actually catch them at it red handed so to speak...what can you do? Same goes for homosexual behavoir...forbidden...against the law...but you cant prevent it from happening..you can only prosecute if you catch them red handed...thats the Sharia Law anyhow...4 eye witnesses to the deed and all.....so to just assume people are engaging in this type of behavoir is not good enough...to deport undesirables because they are gay....as if being gay is a contagious disease and needs to be quarantined before eveyones affected by it...this is just disgusting....and inhumane. As far as I know gay people generally just have sex with other gay people...so if your straight...you dont have much to worry about. They wont hit on you...they wont infect you with their cooties...they wont TURN you for heavens sake!!! I know thats what your really afraid of oh esteemed MP's and Ministers...gay isnt catching....sooner you realize that the sooner you might just let people be....if these homosexuals are coming to Bahrain to engage in illicit activity....I dare say that means there is a market for it here...and we all know that market includes Bahrainis themselves....just a thought.

Since When Does Progress Equal Regression?

In todays GDN there is an article from an expert at the UN, Rola Dashti, in which its stated that Arabs are slipping backwards in major areas...even while they continue to progress in other areas.

"THE sick are getting sicker, the literate are becoming illiterate and the middle class is getting poorer, as much of the Arab world slips backwards, says a UN expert."
Massive progress in improving health and education and combating poverty and gender discrimination is being undone, says UN Development Programme advisory panel member Rola Dashti.

I find this truly alarming as its generally believed that countries continue to advance once they "become enlightened" about certain necessitiies regarding what a country and its citizens need to progress. The illiteracy comment is truly scary...an illiterate nation are just sheep without any input either politically or, in most cases, economically...other than as menial labour.....which, of course, can then be traced to unemployment....and the circle continues.

What I dont understand is how can you start going backward once you have gained that forward momentum? Something truly cataclysmic must occur to stop the wheels of progress from turning...so we must ask ourselves, what has occurred in the Arab world that might be the cause of regression in literacy rates, equality, employment....I mean, the skylines of Arab countries are continually being changed by the addition of new skyscrapers over night almost....private schools are popping up all over the landscape...more women are joining the work force then ever before...so what the hell is causing this regression....and more importanly, why are the Arabs letting it happen? Maybe "letting" is to g eneric a word....why are they not doing more to stop it from happening?

I can only surmise that those skyscapers are being filled with nonarabs who have all the cushy jobs...thus "taking" money and jobs away from the Arabs...which would indicate that the private schools are full of the children of those nonarabs...and maybe not so many Arabs....these children are being forced to learn in govt schools that seriously need to update the education system if they want their children to be able to compete in the scholastic arena...right now its a shame what passes for govt school learning in many Arab countries. Are Arab children growing up with a less than adequate education...are they "learning" all the wrong stuff that wont give them the tools they need to advance themselves and their nations....are they even aware that they are missing out on what should be theirs by right...the best education the govt can afford...and Im pretty damn sure most of these govts could afford a hell of a lot more towards education then currently offered. They are only cheating themselves and their children...and the future of their countries by holding back on the one thing that separates a prosperous people and country from a "regressed" or "backward" one.

I might also point out that the surge in influence of the extreme type Muslims into the landscape may have something to do with it...if they had their way all forms of entertainment...all forms of mixing of sexes...all forms of enjoyment would cease to exist in the Arab/Muslim world...everything becomes haram or forbidden....or even bida/innovated....which leaves a once vibrant and advancing country....listless and unable to garner the energy it takes to give a damn about what happens tomorrow. They are unhappy and feeling powerless with their govts...their economy...their future for their children...and now even the few sources of entertainment open to them are deemed haram...so why fight it....just sit back...watch tv and let someone else worry about it....while all the progress you once made...slips slowly away...

I hope this report from the UN was rather inflated and things are not as bad as those statistics would imply...the Arabs have enough work to do without having to redo work that was hard enough the first time around.