New Poll In My Blog: How's the Mail?

I'm curious how Businesses, Government entities and individuals interact with each other using regular old-fashioned posted mail in Kuwait. Seems to me that whenever someone posts a letter it's touch-and-go when it comes to promptness and/or efficiency.

If we're going to become the glorified Financial Center in Kuwait, basic requirements like a proper mail service should be on the table, or at the very least discussed somewhere among the many threats of grilling sessions and financial scandals that are going around these days.

Case in point: One day, while nursing my urge to buy myself a shiny new iPhone 3G from Ebay, I mistakenly left the seller to ship my 'already purchased' iPhone directly to Kuwait's Mumtaz Postal service, without thinking of emailing him my Aramex details. That was back in March, and I haven't received my iPhone yet, nor can I find it anywhere within the Post Office network in Kuwait....I wouldn't want to say that it's been robbed (OOOHH!! Perish the Thought!!), i'll just settle for 'lost beyond hope'.

Which led me to think how in the world do businesses such as banks, financial institutions and Ministries contact their parties with sensitive documents like banks statements, Court Summons, or simply a 'get well soon' card in Kuwait.

I hope you can participate by answering the poll to the right, and invite other do to so as well. It would be curious to see how Kuwait's residents contact each other if one day electricity blacks out Mobile & email services in town!

Thanks in Advance

I Blame the Liberals!

When one reads into the history of Kuwaiti Politics, one can clearly see the powerful influence of the Islamic-themed political movements and their achievements and attempts to further their political agendas. Digging further, one may also be taken aback at their efficiency and organization before, during and after each and every parliamentary elections. Using technological advancements such as PDA's (that access a centralized database of potential voters, complete & updated with names, addresses, phone numbers, relatives, acquaintances, affiliations, voting centers, voting status, all updated in real-time) one can only stand as an admirer to their level of dedication that these people represent with regards to the democratic voting process in Kuwait,

On the other hand, (AND IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION) their direct opponents, the Democratic Forum/National Democratic Alliance,or the "Liberals" as they are sometimes referred to, barely made it through with their endorsed MP's (officially or otherwise), notwithstanding the in-fighting and lack of a clear line of leadership and succession within the Movement, even though they are supported by a large number of Kuwaitis, who either oppose the Islamists or the tribalists, or both. 


Moreover, they are not as organized, or as united as, say HADAS or the Salafists, and in some cases, rely mostly on self-funded endorsements, and enjoy some media representation from influential Businessmen and families, as opposed to tribal and/or organizational endorsements and support. By itself, it sounds like this Movement is struggling for survival, and as clearly illustrated during the latest defeat in the Student elections recently, it's more likely than not that they will soon be wholly overrun by the tribalists and Islamists in the foreseeable future. Unless they pay the effort to organize themselves into more of a Political Pressure group rather than a concoction of like-minded individuals, it's questionable whether they will survive another election.


I assume, in my limited understanding of how politics and the media go together, that  the main reason why they're so behind their counterparts is because the majority of Kuwaitis dislike them, or because the majority of Kuwaitis favor "religious" over "legislative" social justice, it's simply exposure, no matter how differently each is practices, since they both conform to the ultimate goal of institutionalizing and effecting justice among the society


HADAS and the Salafists both seem to have  well-oiled PR machines, with very effective spin doctors, not to mention the advantage of religious piousness among the masses to support them, especially among the politically uninterested. Not altogether a bad thing, but considering the fact that the "Liberals" are accused publicly and loudly of being Atheists and pursuers of social vice due to their belief in certain equalities, it comes as no surprise that rumors such as those circulated against their MP's citing them as drunkards, profiteers, etc. had developed a great deal of resonance within the broader Kuwaiti community. 


Strangely enough, people tend to have short memories, especially in light of the Al Islah Society's terrible comments against Women last year, or HADAS' members dancing the Debke with supporters of HAMAS's resistance, etc...


It's not about exchanging criticisms and curses between the Movements among the dailies and blogs, nor is it a matter of public seminars and maintaining the momentum of attendees, (who are usually the same crowd anyway!), it's about winning the hearts and minds of the people. It's about telling everybody about what you believe in but in a constructive and compliant manner, commensurate with the background and affiliation of the listener. It's about using excerpts and examples of successful Liberalism and Secularism, and how these values conform to any religion, not just Islam, when speaking to the religious crowd; It's about using Academic proof and Historical evidence when discussing these values to the educated crowd. 


In short, it's about saying the right thing at the right time and to the right people.


Sadly, Movements like the National Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Forum lack these elements in my view, aside from a few successful attempts overall, but not nearly enough to keep the momentum. By that, I mean keeping the ideals and directions and agenda of the Movement fresh and updated in the minds of the people all the time, and not seasonally, as in the run-up before the elections. Given, their supporters in parliament have made strides in the very short time they've been in office so far, but as I said, their supporters, individuals, and not part of a political pressure group like the Islamics and the Tribalists.

Personally, I blame the Democratic Forum. In the absence of clearly defined roles of leadership and succession, coupled with blurred boundaries of jurisdiction among their executive managers. It's as if they were an amateur club playing politics, not refreshing their gene pool every few years, as should be the case.


Maybe their opponents do have a point in their many criticisms of the Liberals. Maybe they are selective in their membership; maybe they are profiteers; maybe they are in fact representative of the small social elite, or the 'untouchables' that the underdogs label them. How are we to make the distinction in the presence of very little (if at all) rebuttal of these accusations?  Logic is one thing, awareness is another, both are equally important. More coverage is needed for any entity in order to push forth it's agenda for collective acceptance.

Quotes to Remember (And some to live by!)

In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant. ~Charles de Gaulle

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear. ~William E. Gladstone, 1866

Truth is not determined by majority vote. ~Doug Gwyn

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other. ~Oscar Ameringer

The problem with political jokes is they get elected. ~Henry Cate, VII

Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party. ~Winston Churchill

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. ~Aesop

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. ~George Jean Nathan

Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least. ~Robert Byrne

I judge a religion as being good or bad based on whether its adherents become better people as a result of practicing it. ~Joe Mullally

In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson

Men will wrangle for religion; write for it; fight for it; die for it; anything but live for it. ~C.C. Colton

To die for a religion is easier than to live it absolutely. ~Jorge Luis Borges,Labyrinthes, 1962

I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge

The faith that stands on authority is not faith. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

People who rely most on God rely least on themselves. ~Lemuel K. Washburn, Is The Bible Worth Reading And Other Essays

We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the same sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart. ~H.L. Mencken

If God doesn't like the way I live, let him tell me, not you. ~Author Unknown

Live truth instead of professing it. ~Elbert Hubbard

A man generally has two reasons for doing a thing. One that sounds good, and a real one. ~J. Pierpoint Morgan

In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank nor station nor prerogative in the republic of the grave. ~John James Ingalls

We didn't all come over on the same ship, but we're all in the same boat. ~Bernard M. Baruch

Before God we are all equally wise and equally foolish. ~Albert Einstein

In politics, an organized minority is a political majority ~ Jesse Jackson

Citizenship is what makes a republic - Monarchies can get along without it! - Mark Twain

We adore titles and heredities in our hearts, and ridicule them with our mouths. That is our democratic privilege. - Mark Twain

In a true democracy, every man and woman is taught to thing of himself or herself. ~ MK Ghandi

The spirit of Democracy cannot be established in the midst of terrorism, whether governmental or popular. ~ MK Ghandi

The death of Democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and undernourishment. ~ Robert. M. Hutchins

Abuse nobody, and if a man abuse thee, and lay upon a vice which he knoweth in thee; then do not disclose one which thou knowest in him. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Every man who shall beg, in order to increase his property, God will diminish it. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

When the bier of anyone passeth by thee, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to thy feet. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

All actions are judged by the motive prompting them. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Every Muslim who calls a Muslim infidel will have the epithet returned to him. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

It is unworthy of a Mumin to injure people's reputation; it is unworth to curse anyone; and it is unworth to abuse anyone; and it is unworth of a Mumin to talk vainly. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Refrain from seeing and speaking of the vices of mankind, which you know are in yourself. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Do you love your creator? Love your fellow-beings first. - Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Ministries Cplx Veg Market

I had to visit the Ministries Complex this morning, and this is what I found, exactly opposite the main entrance, in full view of every passer-by, including police!

Long live Kuwait, the future Financial Hub!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Opinions & Response to the "Hayef" Doctrine

Effects of MP Hayef's latest vocal attempts at using logic (which suspiciously resemble those made by a can of beans negotiating their way through a Cow's digestive system) have been strong, to say the least. Skimming through today's newspapers alone, I found many articles & opinions that are against this recent attempt by the MP at dehumanizing and patronizing the Kuwaiti Society. I choose these words deliberately, since a human is representative of 'free will', the elimination of which  would ultimately reduce the average human to an automaton, unwillingly obeying rules & laws without question or opinion. I also mentioned 'patronizing' because, when all else failed, MP Hayef is attempting to either force his issues or otherwise force his will onto the mass, in a very clear attempt at reigning in it's freedoms and rights.

Here are some of what I've found in today's newspapers alone;

From Today's Alwatan

Dr. Rola Dashti

Dr. Shamlan Y. Al Essa

Dr. Ali Al Tarrah

Hassan Ali Karam

From Today's Alqabas

Ali Al Baghli

Naji Saoud Al Zaid

Tariq Al Alawi

From Today's Al Anbaa

Main Headline

Evidently, of course, there are other opinions that are 'in line with' MP Hayef's opinions, and as someone who believes in the right to be heard, I think it's prudent to mention that there are other voices who think that this is a valid issue that is worthy of note. (I just choose not to waste any effort in promoting them on my blog-it's mine after all!)

I hope one day that we can get through to these people, so they can see just how far away from Islam they can be sometimes.

Hayef's at it again!!

Here's another wonderful idea; Forget the Economic Crisis, forget the rising deficit & unemployment & continuous disintegration of basic services. Mohammed Hayef finds it appropriate to ask for the opinion of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs as to the interpretation of 'appropriate' dress code for women!

For those of you who don't know the implications of this apparently curious move,

1-Revert to Article 2 of the State and System of Government, as stipulated in the Kuwaiti Constitution.
2-Revert to Article 1 of the Kuwaiti Election laws as stipulated in the Kuwaiti Constitution.
3-Revert to Article 29, 30 and 35 of the Public Rights & Duties as stipulated in the Kuwaiti Constitution.
(The English version of the Entire Constitution of Kuwait can be found here.)
By themselves, these articles surmise a Constitutional Loophole; Who is to say what the Women's Dress code should be? OK, Islamic Sharia stipulates that a woman must wear the hijab, and in seeing how MP Hayef is pricking at this issue now, one can surmise that he is making an attempt to build a case for the complete implementation of the laws of Women's suffrage as outlined in the Constitution--very commendable, at face value.

But wait...here's a thought; Revert to Article 5 of the Public Rights & Duties as stipulated in the Kuwaiti Constitution (which regulate State Symbols), and then watch this clip;

And Again here;

So, it seems to me that MP Hayef finds it appropriate to NOT stand up for the National Anthem, in reference to a Fatwa by the Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs, while at the same time, using a Loophole in the Constitution to justify the negation of Women in Parliament.

Now, and in closing; MP Hayef, a sworn Kuwaiti MP, refuses to respect the state's emblems, as stipulated in the Constitution while evoking a few religious edicts-in other words, breaking his oath, while at the same times, he maneuvers to enforce his ideals and opinions onto the general public using the same constitution which he swore to uphold and protect. In their opinion, I suppose, they believe that they are bravely defending both the constitution and their religion by taking up these acts.

In contrast, just take a look at this clip, and then decide how bravery is outlined;

Al Talea Website Hacked??

Taking my usual routine of browsing online newspapers, I tried to access Al Talea's Website (www.taleea.com) through my bookmarks list, when I was surprised to see that my anti-virus program altering me that it was a malicious website. Whether it was hacked or not is unknown to me, but I'm sure that it's not something intended by the Editors of the site!

Zayid Al Zaid: It's not just an attack.

I woke up yesterday morning to the disturbing news about the attack on Zayed Al Zaid, the editor-in-chief of Kuwait's first e-newspapers, Alaan. Personally, I've not followed this gentleman's editorials or writings to as much as I would have liked, but once I read all that there was available about his attack, it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Since Dr. Ahmed Al Baghdadi's court ruling in June 2004, I've noticed that many people began to reconsider the repercussions of critical writing within the usual newspapers, to the point where they seem to have become conscious of the so-called clandestine idealogical terrorism, mostly due to the influences of Religious organizations and unions and what they can do to critical columnists and journalists.

Take an example from the past, Dr. Ahmed Al Baghdadi. Given, Dr. Al Baghdadi's controversial article does have many faults, mainly it's insensitivity towards those at the opposite side of his idealogical spectrum, and yes, he was wrong, PhD or not, to consider (at least publicly) a religious education as superior to a Scientific & Artistic education, but at least when it was time to deal with him, it was done through the courts and within the legal framework of a civilized and democratic state, exactly how it should be, if at all.

However, with Mr. Al Zaid, things went straight from a civilized state to a lawless jungle! Ironically, immediately before the attack, he had just given a lecture about the level of transparency in Kuwait, in light of a recent large project initiated by the Government. Rumor has it that he got a call on his mobile, then walked to his car and was about to drive off when an unknown assailant walked over to him and bludgeoned him with a non-lethal weapon on his face!

If we regard this incident, at this stage of the investigation, as related to Mr. Al Zaid's constant exposure of corruption among all levels of the Government (which may certainly be the case, as past history would dictate!) one may certainly begin to re-think his position as a critical writer of Kuwaiti Politics.

According to how the Al Watan places it, it seems that we've entered a stage in our lives where the only rule is the rule of harm & threats, should anyone even think about criticizing anyone. Al Qabas, however, decided it would be more appropriate to place this news item onto it's last page in it's printed version.

It is a sign of things to come where journalists in a thriving Democracy are physically attacked for their attempts at exposing the truth. I can only hope & pray that I'm wrong about what's to come.