Happy New Year

Irish Prayer (St. Patrick via this Irish American blogger)

May the road rise to meet you, 
May the wind be always at your back, 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
May the rains fall soft upon your fields, 
And, until we meet again, 
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.


I wish good things this year for all of you out there who are reading this continual string of ramblings.  I hope you find peace, prosperity, happiness and kindness along your journey.


Have a wonderful happy new year.

Bedoun Civil Rights Movement: Maybe 2012 will be the year?

I love that more children and Kuwaitis are taking part in the cause to end statelessness in Kuwait.  I am cautiously optimistic about the future for Bedoun in Kuwait.

Re-post from the Arab Times
Sorry about the formatting. I'll have to change it later.

Stateless Arabs, Known As Bedoun, Hold A Portrait Of The Amir And A Huge Kuwaiti Flag, During A Protest Demanding Kuwaiti Citizenship And Other Rights In Jahra, Northwest Of Kuwait

Rally Hears Of Amiri Order To End Bedoun Misery‘Our Blood Is Kuwaiti’

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 30: Thousands of bedoun gathered Friday at the Asha’aby Mosque square in Taima under the slogan ‘Our blood is Kuwaiti’ carrying flags and banners holding pictures of HH the Amir and HH the Crown Prince.

The number of demonstrators suddenly increased after Friday prayers following which special police forces threw a cordon around the area perimeter.
According to organizers about 5,000 bedoun demonstrated for what they call their rights. Children in large numbers also attended the demonstration.

Addressing the demonstrators Sheikh Athbi Al-Sabah said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud has received orders from HH the Amir to ‘end the misery’ of the ‘bedoun’.

 He reiterated the bedoun who deserve to be naturalized will be given citizenship and called on the demonstrators to protest peacefully and legally in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior to get their rights.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Dr Ebtihal Al-Khateeb said during the demonstration the issue of bedoun has taken a long time to be resolved because of what she called ‘mutual deficiencies’ of successive governments and the bedoun themselves.

She pointed out humans must enjoy freedom, justice, and equality, in addition to the right of belonging to a country.

Al-Khateeb then called on the demonstrators to continue their journey as they ‘have legitimate demands that are not up for begging’.

Another activist, Fatma Al-Ali, stressed the bedoun issue has clear parameters. Addressing the Kuwaitis she said, ‘the bedoun from the 1940s until the 1980s are the current bedoun’.

No one has entered the country after the invasion because the US had sealed the borders between Kuwait and Iraq. Whoever says that they are Iraqis must file a lawsuit to end this suffering, said Al-Ali.
Dr Fahd Al-Samawy who is contesting the National Assembly elections from the area called on the government to resolve this issue away from parliamentary gain-making which comes at the expense of the feelings of bedoun who have waited long enough to get the their rights.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud earned praise for his statement on the bedoun issue and sources say it made a very good impression on bedoun protesters, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

The protesters lauded the manner in which the security apparatus handled the demonstration and singled out the traffic police for additional praise for preventing traffic jams.

Chairperson of the media committee of the Kuwaiti society monitoring parliamentary performances Faisal Al-Harbi, who was present at the gathering, said some bedouns are more respectable than some of the lawmakers who are trying to exploit the issue to make political gains. He urged authorities to find an immediate and lasting solution to the problems of the bedouns.

Participants in the gathering bemoaned the absence of former lawmakers who promised to stand by them and said former MP Musallam Al-Barrak who was to represent the Popular Action Bloc was nowhere to be seen.

Top security leaders of the Interior Ministry including Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Major General Mustafa Al-Zuhabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs Major General Mahmoud Al-Dousari and Commander of Operations Major General Abdullah Al-Mihni were present at the gathering site.

The bedouns at the gathering repeated the pledge “With God as our witness, we pledge that our loyalty would be to him, then to the nation and then to HH the Amir; we pledge to always defend our country Kuwait with our life, money and children under the leadership of HH the Amir. We promise never to stop defending our aspirations for nationality.” They raised a 50-meter-long flag and flew kites bearing the image of the country’s flag besides singing the national anthem.

A Kuwaiti woman had also participated in the gathering and demanded that authorities solve the problems of the bedouns. She spoke about her plight when she was captured by Iraqi forces during the invasion.

Hello

For.... (you know who you are)

Christmas in Virginia

We didn't have a white Christmas but it has been lovely anyways.  I got here closer to the holiday than usual and although it was good for me in some ways (I couldn't shop so that saved me some money), I haven't had enough time to spend with my family before Christmas day itself.  The build up to Christmas is always fun and I'm sorry I missed it.

My sister, husband, and my nephew and his girlfriend went to Nemocolin Resort which is kind of a tradition for my family the day after Christmas.  I would rather be here in Virginia, so I gracefully (I hope) declined.  I'm doggy sitting so they know their babies are safe.

I'm so happy to be back here.  I really needed to get a break and even here it has been hard to just let go and relax.  I guess I shouldn't check my e-mails; I'm always telling Stella that and here I am, upsetting myself with stupid stuff that I can't fix and that won't make a difference in a week anyways.  Fekit.  Whatever.  Maybe they are just signs that I should be doing something different/better.  I'm realizing that my quality of life has been suffering lately and I'm probably too lazy or stupid to do anything about it - gotta change that.

Life is too short.

And speaking of which, I took my life into my own hands just today:  went shopping at Tysons Corner the day after Christmas.  Oh.My.God.  Well, I did it the Professional Shopper way:  I arrived early - just as the stores were opening; parked my car back-end first (for a quick get-away later) close to the door.  I wore comfortable shoes.  I stretched before I left the house.  Then I tackled the crowds.  I waited in line in Macy's (The Hottest Store on The Planet - not in terms of "cool", but in terms of "Dayam!  It's frickin hot in here!") behind 3 women who had coupons and exact change.  For some unexplained reason, they paid for each of their items separately and counted out change.  I thought I was going to blow a gasket until the woman behind me started chanting, "Oooooooh saaaaaaa." and handed me a 15% off coupon.  All was good.

I'm usually dying to buy shoes, but I have finally admitted (to myself mostly) that I just can't wear platforms and spikey heels.  Blame it on my ass and perhaps a distinct shift of weight to the nether regions, but they are no longer comfortable.  Gone are the days when The Romanian and I would put on 4" heels to go shopping.  It aint happenin.  I have just about all the shoes I need, seriously.  Although I should look for maybe another pair of closed-toed heels for Kuwait.  I just can't find any good leather shoes there.

I miss Desert Dawg.  Today, I saw a young girl walking a Bishon/Poodle mix puppy ("beeshapoo") and it looked just like Desert Dawg when she was a young thang.  So cute and adoreable.  Desert Dawg is pushing 15 years old this year and she still runs around like a puppy (Mashallah).  I miss those days when she was small enough to fit in my pocket or a handbag.  I think with no children, I am destined to buy toy dogs and be that weird old lady.  Maybe I am already.  Again... whatever.

I saw some incredibly gorgeous young Arab guys in line behind me at J. Crew and couldn't help but staring.  They must have thought I am some kind of a cougar.  Sometimes I think I should have married one of those cute guys who asked me when I was the age they were, but then I probably would have been a stay-home mom and not financially independent enough to feel comfortable buying 9 pairs of shoes on a whim (if that's what I wanted - The Miami Incident).  I guess everything can be viewed as a trade off.  Is it just me or are some of these young guys WAY better looking than they were when we were their age?  Dayum.

So, the sun is setting now and I'm going to take a bath and drink some more champagne.  I hope all y'alls had a very merry Christmas in the company of people who love and adore you.

Peace.

Clothing Design Courses

Phuckwits

Do you ever tire of dealing with phuckwits?  Want something more out of life? 

That's right..... it's vacaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaation time!  Time to unass the A.O.  Mr. Jose Cuervo, here I come!  I love you, baby.  You make my life complete.

Sometimes, ya just got a get on a plane and get the fek outa Dodge.

Stella, I know you are reading this and stop checking your company e-mail.  It isn't worth it.  Stella!!! Look up the word!  Vacation:  Noun.  A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.  It says NOTHING about checking your e-mails, worrying about contracting obligations or dealing with PHUCKWITS.  Barry Bear, would you please bring her yet another case of wine and educate her on what she's supposed to be doing?  Oh.My.God! I shoulda gone with her to Germany and assisted in vacation-related activities in order to be a good role model. 

(Heavy sigh.)

We are fighting a never-ending battle.

And now, on to my personal life.... (where it is about the same). 

I'm never going to see eye-to-eye with the very nice, yet very stubborn Southern Bedu.  He is a great guy (for someone else).  I am speechless (and you know how hard that is to accomplish).  I don't want to complain about it because seriously - he is SUCH a nice guy.  But... Oh... my.... God.  I just can't do it anymore.  I'm tired.  I'm frustrated.  I'm at the point where sharp objects have become a danger.  I've tried everything (and so have well-meaning friends who have tried to talk to him about it) and nothing works, so... oh well.... and I don't want to hurt him either.  Better just to leave it like that.  Toba.  Enough. 

The other night, I almost exploded, but I held it together.  The Romanian kept telling me that my blood pressure was up because my chest was turning red and blotchy.  Stealth sent me SMSs from across the counter telling me to remain calm.  I try really really really hard not to be completely evil to people who are visiting my home (unless a line is crossed - which it was).  I offered to leave (yes ME - in my own home) - and I finally did; going to my room and locking the door.  Stealth kindly escorted SB to his car.  Stealth has become a very good friend - and VERY good at reading my eyes.

Many a well-intentioned friend has told me that if I lower my expectations, I can not be disappointed.  (Lowering my personal beliefs is something else - not going there.)  I think that my expectations have been very very very low of late and why should that be?  Why shouldn't I expect to be treated the way I deserve to be treated?  Why shouldn't I expect that someone would treat me with the same level of care that I would bestow to them?  This girl is just going to lay it out there and if I get disappointed, so will dude.

Flowers.  Romance.  Little cards.  Kind words and actions that back them up.  Communication.  I don't think these are expectations that a man can't deal with.

Bedoun Protest for Civil Rights - December 19

If you are not a Kuwaiti card-carrying citizen, it is illegal to protest and there is a 1000KD fine.

Bedoun Civil Rights Movement: December 19, 2011

Police break up bedoon protest

Published Date: December 20, 2011

Kuwait Times
By B Izzak, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: Elite special forces and police yesterday fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse thousands of stateless people or bedoons who demonstrated in Taima area in Jahra. A number of Kuwaiti activists joined the bedoon protesters amid tight and extraordinary security measures in which hundreds of police and special forces took part. The protesters gathered in a square they call the freedom square for the second time since Friday.

Police warned the crowd to disperse and gave them just 30 minutes to leave as they cordoned off the area and prevented people from entering and even sent journalists and photographers back. As the crowd swelled, special forces started firing the tear gas and used hot water cannons. The protesters were pushed back inside the residential area which is exclusively used by the bedoons, who are estimated at around 106,000.

Security men continued to chase the protesters inside the narrow streets as the bedoons and their supporters gathered in several groups in different places in the residential area, as a police helicopter hovered overhead. No injuries were reported as the Kuwaiti Progressive Movement claimed on its Twitter account that rubber bullets were also used but this could not be confirmed by an independent source. At least 12 people were arrested during the chase, including the reporter of Al-Rai newspaper Anwar Al-Feker, who was also beaten up and later detained during the storming of the National Assembly last month.

The chase continued until late yesterday as several Kuwaiti political and youth groups called for another gathering opposite the Assembly in Kuwait City to express their solidarity with bedoons and to press the government for resolving the decades-old humanitarian problem. Police cordoned off the area and demanded the civil identification cards from people going to the square to make sure only Kuwaitis were allowed to gather in accordance with the law that prevents non-Kuwaitis from demonstrating. A numberof Kuwaiti activists refused to enter the square because police demanded the civil IDs and moved to a location near the main square which is used for rallies.

In a statement late yesterday, the Interior Ministry warned illegal gatherings and demonstrations are banned regardless of their goals because it is a flagrant violation of the law and security procedures. The statement said "despite interior ministry warnings, various groups of illegal residents along with activists in Taima area attacked policemen, injuring the field operations commander and caused other damage".

Security men were compelled to use smoke and percussion grenades and water cannons to disperse them, despite attempts to convince them to present their case through official channels, yet they did not respond to the attempts to calm down. Several demonstrators were arrested," the statement said, adding the Interior Ministry will not allow anyone to compromise the country's security and attack security men while violating the law. It said "gatherings and demonstrations must meet the legal conditions according to law 65/79 which bans motorcades, demonstrations and gatherings on roads or public squares. Kuwaitis who participate in such activities will be jailed for two years or fined KD 1000 or both.

The statement said item 34 of law 31/70 amending some of the rules of the penal law said that anyone who participates in a gathering of at least five persons in a public place, with the goal of committing crimes or disturbing public security, then remains in the place after police orders to leave, will be punished by a one year jail sentence and a fine of KD 100 or both. The statement concluded by saying the Interior Ministry will be strict in dealing with any illegal gatherings or demonstrations in the future.

Bedoons have been protesting since February this year to demand Kuwaiti citizenship and also other basic rights like education and healthcare which they were deprived during a government crackdown in 2000. Bedoons insist they are Kuwaiti citizens but were deprived of nationality because of several reasons beyond their control, while the government insists that many of them do not qualify for Kuwaiti nationality because their ancestors came to Kuwait decades ago and threw their passports because they wantedto become Kuwaitis and enjoy benefits associated with nationality.

Former MPs strongly condemned the police action against the bedoon protesters, insisting that the security crackdown will only complicate the crisis. Jamaan Al-Harbash said what happened yesterday is a serious violation and such security tactics will not resolve the problem, while Askar Al-Enezi said beating the bedoon protesters will only complicate the problem. Waleed Al-Tabtabaei called for granting bedoons all basic humanitarian services immediately and then grant citizenship to those who deserve.

Six Kuwaiti political and social groups called for a vigil later today to support a solution for the bedoons and urged police to eschew violence against peaceful protests. "Believing in the just cause of the bedoons, the signatories call for speeding up the conclusion of a humanitarian and just solution for the cause of the bedoons without any delay or procrastination," the six civil society groups said in a joint statement.

Separately, the public prosecution yesterday questioned five former opposition MPs over the storming of the Assembly on Nov 16 after interrogating four other ex-MPs over the same charge and releasing them on bail.Former MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Khaled Al-Tahous, Al-Tabtabaei and Al-Harbash were interrogated almost all night on Sunday and were released on KD 3,000 bail each. Yesterday, the public prosecution began questioning former MPs Salem Al-Namlan, Falah Al-Sawwagh, Mohammad Al-Mutair, Faisal Al-Mislem and Mubarak Al-Waalan and they were expected to be freed on a similar bail.

The former MPs were charged of instigating to storm public property, damage of public property, assaulting security men and others which were all categorically denied. Al-Barrak told reporters at the end of the questioning that the prosecution also interrogated him on what he said at a public rally and accused the interior ministry of trying to manipulate the charges.

Doggy Style: Bark in the Park

(I'm sorry - I had to go there....  Come out and mingle with the bitches*!  Celebrate, bitches!)

K'S PATH's 'Bark in the Park' is a dog-centric event with fun competitions for canines, funny races for dogs to compete in with their humans, children's entertainment and a variety of vendors, to be held Saturday 21st January 2012 at the Mishref Fair Grounds. A fun day out for the entire family, especially the canine! For the event program or more info, please visit the K'S PATH website http://www.kspath.org/, email events@kspath.org or call (+965) 67001622.

(*  bitch    /bɪtʃ/ Show Spelled[bich] Show IPA

noun

1. a female dog: The bitch won first place in the sporting dogs category. )

Sign the Petition: Human Rights for the Stateless

I have heard that there will be members from the international press and several international human rights organizations at tonight's sit-in.

Below is from American Girl's blog.

A petition has been generated in hopes of bringing further attention and support to the Bidun case and their desperate need of basic human rights. The petition has a signature goal of 50,000, so please support this very important cause by taking a moment to sign here and by sharing this with others you know.

Bidoon Sit-in Tonight at 8pm

I received another warden notification from the embassy this morning, advertising a sit-in.  I love the "Emergency messages".  I suspect that they are promoting the cause because they let us know before the media.  THANKS youse guys!

"A sit-in to demonstrate solidarity with the Bidoon (stateless people) is scheduled potentially for 8:00pm at Determination Square on Monday, December 19 in downtown Kuwait City.  There are also reports of possible demonstrations in support of Bidoon rights tomorrow afternoon at Taima in the city of Jahra around 3:00 pm.  An increased police and security presence is expected in these areas."

I wonder if they'll bring out those shiny water cannons again.  It reminds me of my current events classes growing up in school and the study of the Civil Rights Movement in the States.  If only theyse guys had dogs that could attack people who are peacefully demonstrating, it would be very much similar.

I admire people who are willing to risk so much for their beliefs.

Bedoun Civil Rights Movement: Arrests and Trials of Kuwait’s Stateless Protesters: Mona Kareem's Blog

Re-post from Mona Kareem's Blog

Kuwaiti riot police use water cannons to disperse stateless protesters (AFP, Yasser al-Zayyat).

"There are at least 120,000 Bidun jinsiyya (without nationality) in Kuwait today suffering from the lack of human rights. They cannot legally obtain birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates. The same applies to driving licenses, identification cards, and passports. They do not have access to public education, health care, housing or employment. And while they face some of the state’s harshest discrimination policies, they have no recourse to the law and its courts. Simply stated, the Bidun, who are equal to about 10% of the Kuwaiti population, do not exist.

...On the 12th of December, the stateless attempted to protest again to state their demands and to show support for those who were going on trials for protesting. Around 31 men were in court for ‘illegal protesting’ and were released as the judge decided to adjourn the case to the 23rd of January. Kuwaiti and stateless activists showed up to the court hearing to show support as the interior ministry refused to give permissions for any sit-ins. Kuwait Human Rights Association issued a statement condemning the trials and stating that the Kuwait constitution grants the rights to peaceful protesting and thus none should be prosecuted. Parliament members did not have a say in this and the only political bloc to have issued a statement in solidarity was the leftist Taqadomi movement. According to their lawyer Mousaed Al-Shammari, the 31 men might get 3 to 5 years jail sentences.

...This Friday, as reported by activists, tweeps, and news agencies, riot police used violence against stateless protesters and more than 20 men were arrested, among them two journalists who were later released (Fahad Al-Mayah and Hamad Al-Sharhan). According to a report by AFP: “Kuwaiti riot police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday to scatter hundreds of stateless protesters demanding citizenship. The police sought to break up a crowd of 400 people gathered after noon prayers in Jahra, raising Kuwaiti flags and banners that read: We demand Kuwaiti citizenship.” Stateless activist Mousaed Al-Shammari was reportedly arrested as he was trying to convince protesters to leave. Some wrote that he is now on hunger strike protesting his detention. According to a report by Reuters, there were also minors beaten and arrested in Friday protest."

- - -


I'm just re-posting and will leave it to readers to draw their own conclusions.  Mona is a Kuwait-born Bidun posting from London.

Fog in Kuwait

Photo Credit:  Mohannad Shaheen, Flicker

We drove back from the desert near Khiran last night (okay, early this morning - around 3 am) and experienced the most beautiful, surreal and mystical fog that I have encountered for years.  It was around the coastal areas (between Khiran and Dubaiya) and so thick in some places that people slowed down to around 40kph and put their flashers on (and I'm not just talking about the Indian guys who normally do that while driving the middle lane).  It was dense in some areas and almost a feathery water-color through the street lamps in other places.  It wasn't a high fog:  It seemed to be lingering right around the street lamps, dipping down onto the road.  It  was as if someone had intentionally placed it there, or maybe painted onto the landscape with enormous brush strokes.

I love fog and consider it an adventure to be part of,  but you don't really get to experience it around here.  We used to have a beach house in Maine close to the Canada border and there was the same kind of mystical fog there that rolled in like waves and enveloped everything into white.

I've experienced fog like that in Kuwait only 2 other times in Kuwait; although I have to say that last nights was the most beautiful and almost magical; intertwining layers; dense in some places and banded lighter areas in others.

In the desert in February, 1997 near Julai'a when the fog rolled in (the infamous "night I lost my earring"), we sat in the desert with no camps in sight (which seems very strange now if you know how many camps "pollute" the Julai'a area now) around a camp fire, with no sound... when the fog rolled in, was very strange and isolating.  The next experience came on the way back from Kabd several years ago.  It was so thick that we lost our bearings of where we were driving and even considered going back to spend the night.  All times I have experienced fog in Kuwait, it has been around 2:00 to 3:00 in the morning.

I think that the fog we get during the day is a lot different. I call it "fusty" - a combination of fog and dust.  For the real fog in Kuwait,  you've got to be out late and be in the right place at the right time.

It is unfortunate that it is almost impossible to capture on film (or maybe I just don't have the right high-tech equipment to do it).  Driving conditions in Kuwait are dangerous at any time, but when you suddenly drive through fog in the wee hours of the morning on the highway, you tend to pay closer attention to the road and what might be in front of you or coming up from behind than trying to locate your camera.

Do me a favor?

This may sound really crazy, but can youse guys do me a huge favor and add my friend on Twitter?  He's kinda got a thing going - a competition - with his friends and he wants people to follow him to increase numbers.

Follow him on Twitter

@mohammedq82006

Thanks you guys.

Let's make this an early Christmas

for Mohammed. 

Polls/Surveys in Kuwait

Can they get any more sexist?  Women complain.  Men are lazy, disorganized, uncleanly, and insensitive.

Gee, no wonder the divorce rate is so high here.

So far (on the Arab Times), "Always watching TV with remote in hand" is the winner.

That, ladies, is a no-brainer/easy-fix:  Smash the shit out of the remote.  The End.



Soldier and Camel

I saw this online.  A mother from Fullerton California (only identified as "Sue M") sent this to the Ellen show of her son, Steve, in Iraq.  I love this photo.  (I watercolored it.)

Serving Tea on Doowas is now Illegal in Mubarakia

(This photo was taken at Muhallab restaurant over a year ago.  

Doowa is the coal warmer.)

These little tea warmers (coal plates) are traditional in Kuwait.  They have been used for years in Mubarakia for warming tea. It was especially comforting in the winter months to go down to the souq and have tea at the end of a meal and have it served on little doowa at the table.

Now, the phucking baladiya (municipality) has made them illegal as they are coal burning and someone might get hurt.  They never have before.  Why now?

Is every little scrap of Kuwaiti tradition being destroyed by idiots?

I HATE what is happening to this country.

Bedoun Civil Rights: Stateless: How Misconceptions Feed Injustice

Re-Post from Mona Kareem's Blog:

How Misconceptions Feed Injustice

Statelessness is perhaps one of the most neglected issues in the world. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that statelessness affects more than 12 million people across the world. But because governments do not recognise these citizens-of-nowhere, there are no reliable records of the number of stateless individuals across the globe, and the number may be significantly more. Millions of people are living with no records, documents, education, health, or employment. The UN states: “Possession of nationality is essential for full participation in society and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of the full range of human rights.” 

Testosterone Advertising

I saw this ad on Facebook today and so I'm giving in more ad space here on my blog.

This is great!  I just know there are many many man-boys out there dying to go see one of these to determine if they can finance it in time for the desert season.  Why?  So you can outdo the guys in the chalet/tent next to yours, of course!

This is right up there with the Bubba Boat Test.  The person who posted/wrote the ad must really have their finger on the pulse of the country; knows just what the psyche here is like.  I frick-in LOVE it. 

(What I don't love is how much damage this could do to the desert environment, but it is still funny.)

L O Y A L T Y