Who is Mahmood?
It’s very hard to summarize your life isn’t it? What can you really say about yourself other than born on whatever date and in wherever country or town? What schools, college or university you went to? So what? Just about everybody on the planet does the same – give or take.
I guess you’re here because you want to know a little bit about me, that’s fair enough. You want to know who is behind this site, or just feeling voyeuristic.
I am a person.
Enough? No?
Ok, I’m also male.
More?
My achievements so far include being a husband of 16 years, father of two girls and a boy. Have two stupid dogs, 3 cars one of which is up for sale. I’m my own boss. I own and operate a company that attempts to make life easier for creative professionals to tell their stories better and faster, so they can produce more. At this moment I’m enjoying moderate success, but put in another place I could do a lot more. I’m certainly not as financially stable as I want to be.
I have always excelled in my studies and enjoyed maths and science most.
I’ve had many hobbies through my life and still participate in most I started a long time ago, the format might have changed, but the enjoyment is still there. I have always been fascinated by the visual arts having a father who is one of the founders of the contemporary art movement in this area of the world is bound to rub off on you.
At school I started the first ever photography club. I have entered just one photography exhibition in Bahrain, and won 2nd prize. I should do more and participate in these exhibitions more often.
I’ve also am fascinated by computers and their potential. Especially communication and how that marriage can bring disparate peoples together. I started one of the first BBS (bulletin board service) in the Gulf in ’86. Called it Stray Cats BBS and proceeded to commandeer my wife’s monthly salary to pay the telephone company! I put a stop to that in ’91 I think much to my wife’s happiness!
I became an aircraft avionics maintenance engineer, did that for 10 years, realized that I wasn’t going anywhere fast so I went to the States and came back 3 months later with a commercial pilot’s license. The 2nd Gulf War started soon after my return, so employment opportunities for pilots disappeared.
Started my company and left the airline industry behind.
Now I try to dispel the image that Muslims and Arabs suffer from – mostly by our own doing I have to say – in the rest of the world. I am no missionary and don’t want to be. I run several internet websites that are geared to do just that, create a better understanding that we’re not all nuts hell-bent on world destruction.
I hope that I will be judged that I made a small difference.
Mahmood Al-Yousif
1st June, 2003
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Tariq Khonji of the GDN sent me ten good questions to answer for his “60 seconds interview” spot in the paper, published on 6th February 2006, obviously there wasn’t enough space there to publish all of my replies, but reading it in print gave me the idea that it would be good to attach these to my About page:
1. How long have you been blogging and how did you get into it?
Since 2001. I got into it simply to test internet technologies I was helping develop together with over 40 programmers around the world; specifically that development created the Xaraya content management system which is available free to whoever wants it. The blog was just simple entries to test the system. As people started to visit the site and interacted with those “posts” by entering comments, Mahmood’s Den took a life of its own.
2. How popular is your site? What kind of visitors do you get and how many?
Mahmood’s Den’s popularity surpassed all my expectations. It currently receives an average of 4 million hits, about 1.2 million page views and around 175,000 unique sessions a month! The cross section of visitors, judging by the comments entered, belong to a wide cross-section of political and social backgrounds and I am thankful that for the most part, they are courteous and genuinely interested in understanding this part of the world which they see through my eyes.
3. What is your background and how did you become so politically outspoken?
By training I was an aviation electronics engineer, I’ve changed my career twice since then and now am a businessman dealing specifically in broadcast equipment and professional systems.
To understand my outspokenness you have to understand what a blog is: in its basic form, a weblog is nothing more than a personal web-based diary or journal in which a person records his or her thoughts and discusses issues that person is interested in.
My posts reflect my hopes and frustrations with the socio-political environment in Bahrain and the apathy and insincerity of some parliamentarians whom we have wrongly elected to the first parliament of my era, coupled with my frustration at the dogmatic interpretation of Islam by extremists which has sullied its good name in the international and national arenas and I find unrepresentative of the tolerance that Islam is.
4. Are you pleased that the blogging scene has grown so rapidly in recent years? How does it feel to be the first?
I am always happy to welcome another blogger into the burgeoning Bahraini blogosphere. We are an active bunch with disparate backgrounds, ages and disciplines. The one thing we have in common is our passion for our convictions.
Being the first is neither here nor there. I am privileged to have inspired many a friend and site visitor to start their own blogs and start discussing their own points of view. This has increased Bahrain’s awareness of the world, and conversely the world’s awareness of Bahrain as one of the pioneers of free speech in the Arab world.
5. How did the handle ‘The Blogfather’ come about?
You have to thank my good friend Nader Shaheen for that honour. I have no idea what brought that term into his head while he was entering a comment a while ago; it seems to have stuck and was further perpetuated by my other good friend Amira Al-Hussaini. It does make me feel old however!
6. Do you think that some of the blogs out there are being too negative? What do you think a blogger’s responsibilities should be?
A blog is a personal space. You cannot force that space’s owner to be a good person if he or she doesn’t want to. Peer-reviews normally will take care of overly negative spaces just as happens in real-life. They would simply be shunned if their writing does not hold any water, nor contribute positively or constructively to a situation. They will simply be forgotten.
They will not be forgotten; however, if they receive unwarranted and heavy-handed attention by official channels by closing those sites down or restricting their access as a disciplinary action, in fact experience has shown that their popularity will sky-rocket. Time will take care of them. Their freedom to voice their opinions, even if negative in the extreme, should be respected. People are intelligent enough to make their own mind up whether to return and re-visit that blog or just move on… most will choose to move on, there are millions of blogs out there to choose from.
7. Why do you think blogging has grown so much in popularity?
In this new era we are experiencing, people have found their voice. Although quite a number of them continue to blog anonymously, a lot more have chosen to write under their own name, especially in Bahrain. More so now under the assurance of his majesty King Hamad in the interview published in the local press on Feb 4th in which he categorically stated that freedoms of expression are sacrosanct; much to the detriment of the archaic and stringent laws which our elected parliament is trying to foist on us.
I think every writer, citizen and resident of this country should be thankful for having such an enlightened leader who has proven time and again that he himself accepts constructive criticism, and that feature has now started to slowly percolate throughout the establishment.
So blogging, with the easy-to-use interfaces and mostly free availability of hosting engines, was chosen as platforms of choice by individuals to voice, organise and discuss their thoughts.
As people love to discover other places, peoples and minds, blogging has become the excellent bridge between cultures and is quite a popular way to disseminate “real” information distanced from official channels and traditional news sources.
8. You obviously invest a lot of your time on the blog. What do you do when you are not blogging?
Feel guilty that I should do some honest work to put food on the table. That feeling soon passes and I return attention back to blogging!
9. What does your family think about the blog? I understand that your daughter sometimes gets embarrassed when you write about family life.
They’ve gotten used to it. It did generate unwanted attention sometimes as people who read my blog assume that by reading my writings they know me personally and regard me as a friend, or enemy, which I do not mind and welcome. Unfortunately a minority extend that familiarity further by assuming that they know my wife, children and dogs too and expect them to reciprocate!
10. Are there any funny incidents involving your blog that you would like to share?
By having the blog, I have gathered quite a number of new friends both in and out of Bahrain whose company I seek and cherish. They have certainly give more value to my life and I am privileged to know them. There are hundreds more of course who are still anonymous and would like the opportunity to meet them, in their own time, one day.
One of those anonymous friends stopped me at the Seef mall a while ago and asked for my autograph. I know how a celebrity must feel now! Not an unpleasant experience and I was flattered by it.
Comments
Your site…
Excellent site Mahmood!
obi-wan
[url]http://www.aliencorp.com/[/url]
About Mahmood
I am very disappointed that I haven’t discovered you earlier. Well done.
Re: About Mahmood
Thank you Rob! All citations are welcome.. I didn’t realize I was popular enough to be on LGF, and see what context they lumped me in!
Re(1): About Mahmood
I must be blind this morning, I couldn’t find the link on lgf. did a search and that didn’t bring up anything either!
About Mahmood
Most excellent. I’m going to mention you tommorow in my blog. http://robfindlay.org Oddly enough i found you because you were linked at “little green footballs” a right wing anti-muslim website.
Rob
About Mahmood
Here is the link where you are mentioned.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=8763_Palestinian_Parenting#comments
did you check out my page?
http://robfindlay.org
htt[://robfindlay.org/blog.html
Re: About Mahmood
Thank you for that.. I’m not a fan of lgf and never will be. I visited their site a few times to try to see the rationale they’re using, but it looks that they’ve got grudges that they can’t solve so it’s better just to postulate, shout and brand everyone against their opinion a traitor or other choice adjectives.
Yes I did visit your blog! Very fine one and wholly recommended! I’ll blogroll you on mine as well. Unfortunately the internet service has a problem with DNSs at the moment and I had to visit your site through an IP. I hope it gets resolved soon…
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How odd.
My ISP can be kinda hinky somtimes. They don’t totally understand how DNS works yet 🙁
Rob
Kudos Mahmood!
Hmm the first intelligent Arab I have seen! man the guy is a linux hacker to boot wow!! u rock! ok now I have seen everything, hope you represent a shining example of the new progressive, globally aware, modern, intellectual arab man. Someone of Edward Said’s class? Salam walaykum! John.
Re: Kudos Mahmood!
Thank you for your kind words John… there are many other Arabs who are much better, and more active than I. My hope is to just share my views peacefully so that the decision makers might stop for even a second and think before they shoot their mouths off!
Am I of Edward Said’s class, not by a mile! If I can contribute even a smidgeon of what Said did, I would be a very happy man indeed! God rest his soul in peace.
About Mahmood
interesting place, shall lurk here for a while
About Mahmood
Assalamu alaikum Mahmood 🙂
I’m linking you at hijabman.com
About Mahmood
Well done…
I was a Stray Cat from 1989 to 1990 (one of the few who actually sent the BD. 20 membership fee!!) Nice to see that you are still active online…
Impressive site. Keep it up. I wish you all the best.
Re: About Mahmood
Unbelievable! A comrade in arms!! welcome back and this time you don’t need to send me any dosh!! Phew, that brings some pleasant memories…
Re: Kudos Mahmood!
Not to diminish Mahmood’s wit and intelligence, there are many of his ilk around the world – much more intelligent than you obviously after reading your ignorant comment about Arabs. Where do you live? In a bubble?
Stray Cats BBS
HEY!! Man, I was a big fan of Stray Cats BBS. I remember back then I used to sneak in the phone line under the carpet so I can dial-up after my parents went to bed. When we moved to Qatar I ran a BBS myself there. Those were the good ol’ days.
I think I managed to get banned from it at some point. I think I uploaded some vulgar BASIC text-based adventure game (inspired by Leisure Suit Larry series). Those were my early programming days — now I do a little more contructive stuff (http://www.arabeyes.org/) 😉
Of course this was back then.. I have calmed down quite a bit during college and even more with work. I have my own blog (http://elzubeir.fakkir.net/) and did link here in an entry.
There are many Arabs who think like Mahmood, but they do remain to be of somewhat elitist community. Unfortunately a lot of the liberal ideas displayed in your site are not popular among the mainstream Arabs.
If I do come down to Bahrain (I visit often since a lot of my friends and my parents live there), I would love to meet you. I am currently working in Dubai (which you are apparently very fond of). Dubai, the city of contradictions, is not exactly as great as you make it sound — but it most certainly beats the hell out of every other Arab city/country I’ve been to.
About Mahmood
I enjoyed your site. I was curious about you when I noted that among blogs you have listed, you listed a few that are clearly either pro-Israel or Jewish…nice to know that a need to discover commonality rather than differences is stil alive and well. Note that LGF is much less crazy than are those posting comments to his site. I blog regularly at http://www.israpundit.com (pro-Israel site), and at my own http://goodshit.phlap.net this latter site is only for the mature, since it does contain among other things some earth moving photos of women (aka babes), but you seem to pass the age test…my best to you, Postroad [at}hotmail.com
About Mahmood
Your site is most refreshing.
I would assume private aviation is something unheard of in the Middle East?
If you are ever down this way give me a holler and we’ll go flying for the day.
http://abcd.freewebsitehosting.com/Flying/
About Mahmood
Mahmood, you are a wonderfully expressive writer. I have enjoyed viewing your site (and many opinions), and point of view. You have shed light on many things that I probably would never have heard about when it comes to society in Bahrain and the Middle-East.
At a time like this, it is important for people to take the time to explain, and understand, that the perspectives within Middle East are more diverse than we have been led to believe and not everyone there is a card-carrying extremist- which is how the media in America portrays the region.
Though I am certain you enjoy blogging on this site, I would like to thank you for doing it so well! I hope you continue on for a long time, and prosper in your endeavors.
Furthermore– your site looks great!
About Mahmood
“we’re not all nuts hell-bent on world destruction.”
Mahmood,
Have you considered running a quote along these lines at the top of your homepage? Of course, there’s a lot of competition out there, so it’s nice to be able to encapsulate a theme upfront. More important, though, we’re always reading in the mainstream Western press that most Muslims aren’t hell-bent idiots, etc., but it’s always secondhand, often said by a long-time non-Muslim Western observer of some sort. I’ve often thought, Wouldn’t it be nice and informative if could have a series of columns in our local (Bangkok) paper by some representative normal Muslims from around the world?
Best,
Susan
About Mahmood
Nice work!
About Mahmood
Nice work!
About Mahmood
You never change! How are you old man? I really miss the old days of Stray Cats, Flyers and the rest of the BBS community. Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Hisham
Re: About Mahmood
Hisham! Welcome aboard! It is wonderful to have you here man… good old times!
Re: About Mahmood
Man, you make me laugh out loud! Shows how small some cultural gaps really are.
About Mahmood
Well said.
Re: Your site…
Great site.
This is the first time I have seen a web site like this,at least by a khaleeji. I don’t usually like to write anything in most sites I visit, but yours is alot different. The usual sites are in Arabic (mainstream) and discuss the usual things.
However you site seems to be very liberal in comparison with other Khaleeji sites, not that it’s a bad thing. It seems, correct me if I am wrong, that you represent the more westernized and liberal Khaleeji people.
Anyways the site looks good and your blogs are very interesting to read. Hope to come back again and read some more.
Re(1): About Mahmood
Great site Mahmood. I spent an entire hour browsing around and really enjoyed it. I’ll be back daily. Heaven knows it’s refreshing to find a voice of reason in the ME. When you hear all the bad news one often wonders if it’s just because the media is only reporting the bad news, or if the bad news is all there really is. Reading your blog gives me fresh hope that it’s the former, not the latter.
The sad thing is that the general lack of open condemnation amongst Muslims regarding the beheadings, kidnappings, suidicde bombings etc. has probably lead to a very wide-spread perception that the majority of Muslims approve of this type of behaviour. I really don’t know how this perception is going to be reversed. Blogs like yours certainly helps, but is it enough?
PS : I read LGF as well. One of the problems of LGF is that the distinction between [i]radical[/i] Islamists and the [i]rest[/i] of Islam is not always as clearly drawn as it used to be. In the beginning, LGF always made a clear distinction, but i think now it’s mostly assumed that readers will automatically know who they’re talking about. LGF has raised a lot of money for moderate Muslim groups and Iraqi political activist groups. The comments section on LGF is a pretty vile place though.
About Mahmood
Great Site Mahmood, I actually got to know from the xaraya list and have been reading your blog for a long time….ehhh but i only registered today (confession: I registered to see how xaraya handles this kinda stuff…)
About Mahmood
Salaamu Alaykum bro Mahmood.
Great, interesting and diverse life experience you have! Keep it up!
Regards,
Bill Ainashe
Washington, DC.
http://www.ainashe.org
About Mahmood
Mahmood,
Great site, and great insight! Appreciate having you here.
Best Regards,
On the Mark
http://worlddebate.blogspot.com
About Mahmood
Well, I’ve finally plucked up the courage to drop you a line and say hi. I’ve been lurking around here from time to time, thanks to Stinni’s blog. I find your blog a really facinating insight into Middle Eastern culture. I don’t understand a lot of the politics (the stuff that doesn’t get mentioned on CNN!) but that’s OK because I’m still learning a lot. Blogs like yours and Stinni’s do much to dispel the myths that people sometimes have about different cultures and that can only be a good thing. I am a Canadian ex-pat living in the UK, married to a Brit (but we’re thinking of emigrating back at some stage) and if you want to check out my blog, go to http://knipe.org.uk/blogs/carla . Feel free to drop me a line as well if you have time!
Best Wishes,
–Carla
Re: About Mahmood
Carla thank you for dropping by. It’s a pleasure to make your acquantance!
I think it’s our infamous Steve who said in one of his posts that now one does not have to depend only on the CNNs or Guardians for news, with the advent of blogs, you can go directly to the source, hence get much more of sight and insight into what’s going on in the world.
To me that’s very true, even more important is what you allude to, that is, crossing continents and making friends, the we get to be really good friends too as we tend to display our dirty laundry, our innermost thoughts and rip them apart without a second thought!
All the best to you and Stinni (hope she’s back to blogging again :))
About Mahmood
eh………… nice nice!
About Mahmood
Dear Mahmood,
I spent close to 20 years in the Middle East, teaching English – 19 in Saudi Arabia and about half a year in Iran (my timing wasn’t too good; I arrived in August of 1978, just a few months before the “Islamic Revolution” there). I’m writing to congratulate you on this great blogsite, which, I think, could be said to add another plank to the bridge of mutual understanding that we in the West and you in the Middle East so desperately need to build.
There are far too many inane and dangerous stereotypes floating around these days. I’m appalled and dismayed when I read a lot of the postings on various sites which are filled with hatred, ignorance and downright stupidity. I’m also dismayed and appalled by the foreign policy of my country (the USA), which, in my opinion, seems to have been formulated by people who have been blinded by their unrealistic, arrogant agendas. Either that or they’re simply dumb. Hmm, maybe both come to think on it.
So, it’s refreshing and encouraging to see websites such as yours – and that of the heroic “Religious Policeman,”
http://muttawa.blogspot.com/
who, unfortunately, seems to be inactive at present.
I’m writing a series of articles about Saudi Arabia for “The New Mexican”, a Santa Fe, New Mexico newspaper. I’d be honored if you’d take a look at them and tell me what you think.
http://www.freenewmexican.com/readersnews
If you do decide to scan them, please feel free to be as critical as you may need to be. I try to keep in mind that my viewpoints are not the only way to see things – and may even be totally off-kilter
However, I truly believe, if we can come to see how, despite our differences, we are so very similar in so many ways, that we can learn to respect each other and live far more peaceably in this sometimes crazy world.
Regards,
John Slattery
About Mahmood
I just came across this website:
http://www.muslim-refusenik.com/index.html
which was mentioned in Thomas Friedman’s latest article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/03/opinion/03friedman.html?th
entitled “Brave, Young and Muslim”
The lady’s ideas remind me a lot of G. K. Chesterton’s remark about Christianity:
Some say that Christianity has been tried for nineteen hundred years and has failed. But I say the problem is that Christianity hasn’t even really been tried.
Regards,
John Slattery
Re: About Mahmood
[quote]John Slattery: I’m appalled and dismayed when I read a lot of the postings on various sites which are filled with hatred, ignorance and downright stupidity. I’m also dismayed and appalled by the foreign policy of my country (the USA), which, in my opinion, seems to have been formulated by people who have been blinded by their unrealistic, arrogant agendas. Either that or they’re simply dumb. Hmm, maybe both come to think on it.
…
I’m writing a series of articles about Saudi Arabia for “The New Mexican”, a Santa Fe, New Mexico newspaper. [/quote]
Hmmmm. Somebody who hates America who happens to be a journalist. What an odd coincidence. Thank goodness we all know that the “liberal media” is a conservative fiction or else posts like this could convince us otherwise.
Steve
Re(1): About Mahmood
I’m considering changing my login name to “Infamous Steve The American.” It does have a ring to it, doesn’t it? I am enjoying the irony of you citing such an infamous character as having insights worth repeating.
Infamous Steve The American Extremist!
Re(1): About Mahmood
[quote]John Slattery: I’m appalled and dismayed when I read a lot of the postings on various sites which are filled with hatred, ignorance and downright stupidity. I’m also dismayed and appalled by the foreign policy of my country (the USA), which, in my opinion, seems to have been formulated by people who have been blinded by their unrealistic, arrogant agendas. Either that or they’re simply dumb. Hmm, maybe both come to think on it.
…
I’m writing a series of articles about Saudi Arabia for “The New Mexican”, a Santa Fe, New Mexico newspaper.
Hmmmm. Somebody who hates America who happens to be a journalist. What an odd coincidence. Thank goodness we all know that the “liberal media” is a conservative fiction or else posts like this could convince us otherwise.
Steve [/quote]
Steve, at what point can someone have an issue with American policy and not be called “anti-American” by you? As an American, do we not have the right to have issues with US policy? If not, if we do not have this basic right without being attacked and labeled, what is the use of having freedom of speech in the first place?
The man said nothing about hating America Steve. He stated nothing more than the people coming up with American foreign policy are stupid. If attacking American policy and policy makers is grounds for someone being anti-American and “hating America” I would say you certainly qualify to be “anti-American” for your comments on Bill Clinton and his government! Or does this litmus test only count when it is Republican policy makers and leaders being criticised?
If you have an issue with the ability of Americans to voice their minds about their policies and the outlook to others in the world I suggest you move to a country where freedom of speech does not exist that way you do not have to worry about dissent ever again. As for me, I realise that dissent and criticism form the very basis of this great country and I would not seek to take it from anyone. That is the difference between you and I Steve, I will never call you “anti-American” because I feel your views are harmful to this country and the future of all of our children. You have that right to voice your views. You, on the other hand, feel free to brand anyone who questions American policy as “anti-American.” Steve, I can honestly say that I have never seen a more “anti-American” view of things in my life than yours. But thank God you have the right to voice it.
About Mahmood
[b][color=blue]WE LOVE YUSIF![/color][/b]
Great article! Kudos to you! You are an inspiration to us all. Keep up the great writing! I’m a fan for life!
May God bless you and yours!
May he open the minds of everyone, even the most sceptical.
[b][i][size=18][color=red]BLOG ON!![/size][/color][/i][/b]
About Mahmood
Oops….wrong post
Re(2): About Mahmood
[quote]Malik: Steve, at what point can someone have an issue with American policy and not be called “anti-American” by you? [/quote]
When it is supported by solid reasoning rather than simple-minded name-calling, the signature of dimwitted anti-Americans everywhere.
[quote]Malik: As an American, do we not have the right to have issues with US policy? If not, if we do not have this basic right without being attacked and labeled, what is the use of having freedom of speech in the first place? [/quote]
Freedom of speech does not mean that only one side has the right to voice opinions, as you would wish. And nobody is losing the right to criticize America, as you absurdly claim. Like most liberals, you wrongheadedly consider criticism censorship, an infringement of your freedom of speech because you can’t defend your positions from intellectual assault. The irony, of course, is that you want to suppress other’s freedom of speech when it opposes your ideas. Yours is a distorted concept of freedom of speech where none would have the right to dissent from your opinion.
And when a speaker is a knee-jerk anti-American, I will label him or her appropriately. Get used to it.
[quote]Malik: The man said nothing about hating America Steve. He stated nothing more than the people coming up with American foreign policy are stupid. [/quote]
Malik, you are becoming a parody of yourself. This is like saying, “I don’t hate your wife but I think she acts stupid.”
[quote]Malik: If attacking American policy and policy makers is grounds for someone being anti-American and “hating America” I would say you certainly qualify to be “anti-American” for your comments on Bill Clinton and his government! Or does this litmus test only count when it is Republican policy makers and leaders being criticised? [/quote]
Ah yes, the old Malikian leap from one topic to another. You know, Malik, I think I could almost write your responses for you, they are that predictable.
[quote]Malik: If you have an issue with the ability of Americans to voice their minds about their policies and the outlook to others in the world I suggest you move to a country where freedom of speech does not exist that way you do not have to worry about dissent ever again.[/quote]
Exactly my point, Malik. If you have an issue with me voicing my mind about US policies and other people’s opinions, I suggest you move to a country where freedom of speech does not exist. I’ll be staying here in America where we are free from silly little wannabe Stalinists such as yourself who want to silence opinions that differ from yours. Freedom of speech is a bitch, isn’t it, Malik?
[quote]Malik: As for me, I realise that dissent and criticism form the very basis of this great country and I would not seek to take it from anyone. [/quote]
Then you should be supporting my dissent from the journalists opinion of America and my criticism thereof. But you don’t, do you? Freedom of speech is only for your side, isn’t it? But I do love how you twist the meaning of freedom of speech to try to shut down dissent and criticism. You’re really quite the artist at twisting rhetoric around so that you seem to be arguing for what you are really against.
[quote]Malik: That is the difference between you and I Steve, I will never call you “anti-American” because I feel your views are harmful to this country and the future of all of our children. You have that right to voice your views. You, on the other hand, feel free to brand anyone who questions American policy as “anti-American.” Steve, I can honestly say that I have never seen a more “anti-American” view of things in my life than yours. But thank God you have the right to voice it. [/quote]
Malik, it only took you two sentences to call me anti-American after you said you wouldn’t. Good luck trying to slap the anti-American label on me and making it stick. I particularly enjoyed the part about my views being dangerous to the future of all our children. Joe McCarthy could not have said it better.
Steve
Re(3): About Mahmood
[quote]Malik: Steve, at what point can someone have an issue with American policy and not be called “anti-American” by you?
When it is supported by solid reasoning rather than simple-minded name-calling, the signature of dimwitted anti-Americans everywhere. [/quote]
But when I have provided facts you just resort to the “you hate America” and “you are anti-American” responses. Who decides what is solid reasoning and who doesnt? Is it you? When former CIA expert Michael Scheur states that it is American policy that cause these extremists to attack us, is he being “anti-American?” Do you think, as a CIA expert for over 20 years, he has the facts to make this statement based on “solid reasoning”, or is the best selling intelligence expert just making statements of “dimwitted anti-Americans everywhere”?
[quote]Freedom of speech does not mean that only one side has the right to voice opinions, as you would wish. And nobody is losing the right to criticize America, as you absurdly claim. Like most liberals, you wrongheadedly consider criticism censorship, an infringement of your freedom of speech because you can’t defend your positions from intellectual assault. The irony, of course, is that you want to suppress other’s freedom of speech when it opposes your ideas. Yours is a distorted concept of freedom of speech where none would have the right to dissent from your opinion. [/quote]
You are the one who doesnt understand Steve. If you were really interested in debate you would not yell “anti-American” everytime someone says ANYTHING remotely critical of the US. Everyone has the right to dissent, but when you call someone’s patriotism into question when they say something that you dispute, you are trying to silence them! You dont like being called an extremist, why do you turn around and do the same thing to others?
[quote]And when a speaker is a knee-jerk anti-American, I will label him or her appropriately. Get used to it. [/quote]
And when you are pro-American in the most knee jerk, reactionary way, I will call you on it as well. But I will not bring your patriotism into doubt even though I am firmly convinced your ideas on foreign policy would be the ruin of this country for me and my children.
[quote]Malik, you are becoming a parody of yourself. This is like saying, “I don’t hate your wife but I think she acts stupid.” [/quote]
Steve, it is entirely possible to love something and at the same time recognise the flaws with that same thing. Is everything you love perfect? I doubt it, if you recognise that the things you love might not be perfect and need some changing, does that then mean you must hate it? As a patriot I think it is an Americans duty to try and promote what they think is the best direction for American. I do not think you or those the exact opposite are really anti-American. I think those who sit and do nothing are the people most guilty of this if anyone is. What I cannot stand is how you, and those like you, play to people’s base emotions and fears to try and get them to shut up. Crying “anti-American” is just another way of saying “I dont agree with you, shut up.”
[quote]Malik: If attacking American policy and policy makers is grounds for someone being anti-American and “hating America” I would say you certainly qualify to be “anti-American” for your comments on Bill Clinton and his government! Or does this litmus test only count when it is Republican policy makers and leaders being criticised?
Ah yes, the old Malikian leap from one topic to another. You know, Malik, I think I could almost write your responses for you, they are that predictable. [/quote]
Steve, of course you refuse to answer the question. I am simply applying YOUR standards to a different scenario.
[quote]Exactly my point, Malik. If you have an issue with me voicing my mind about US policies and other people’s opinions, I suggest you move to a country where freedom of speech does not exist. I’ll be staying here in America where we are free from silly little wannabe Stalinists such as yourself who want to silence opinions that differ from yours. Freedom of speech is a bitch, isn’t it, Malik? [/quote]
Steve, I am not the one trying to silence people with my labeling, that is yourself staring at you in the mirror. I have called you a bigot and extremist, but I try to avoid that because I do not want to get caught up in your name calling. You have the right to say what you wish WITHOUT having your patriotism called into question and without being labeled with the intention to shut you up. Your calls of “you hate America” are just that, trying to get people to shut up. Who defines what is American Steve? It isnt you, so where do you get off telling people whether or not they are “real Americans” or not?
[quote]Then you should be supporting my dissent from the journalists opinion of America and my criticism thereof. But you don’t, do you? Freedom of speech is only for your side, isn’t it? But I do love how you twist the meaning of freedom of speech to try to shut down dissent and criticism. You’re really quite the artist at twisting rhetoric around so that you seem to be arguing for what you are really against. [/quote]
I support your right to dissent, but why do you always have to call names? Why is everything you dont agree with labeled “anti-American?” Why do you claim that everyone who differs from your point of view “hates America?” I am all for freedom of speech Steve, that is why I try to avoid labeling people, especially with terms that are meant to shut down debate. I guess I could call you “racist” and “sectarian” everytime you go off on one of your wide eyed generalisations about Islam, Muslims, and Saudis, but I do not. Why? Because these terms, like your “anti-American” terms are ones that are meant to stiffle and still debate.
[quote]Malik: That is the difference between you and I Steve, I will never call you “anti-American” because I feel your views are harmful to this country and the future of all of our children. You have that right to voice your views. You, on the other hand, feel free to brand anyone who questions American policy as “anti-American.” Steve, I can honestly say that I have never seen a more “anti-American” view of things in my life than yours. But thank God you have the right to voice it.
Malik, it only took you two sentences to call me anti-American after you said you wouldn’t. Good luck trying to slap the anti-American label on me and making it stick. I particularly enjoyed the part about my views being dangerous to the future of all our children. Joe McCarthy could not have said it better. [/quote]
Again, it is clear that you cannot even see how your labels can be directly applied to yourself. I will not call you anti-American, but I certainly feel that your ideas are unhelpful for the country and that they do not lead us in the right direction. By all means feel free to show me how carpet bombing a quarter of the world’s population will help us, but stop calling me or anyone else “anti-American.” It just wont stick. I love America, I live here dont I? I love America to actively lobby in any way I can concerning the mistakes we are making with our foreign policy. Being active in your civil life is one of the real ways to seperate those who really love America and those who hate it.
Re(4): About Mahmood
[quote]Malik: Steve, at what point can someone have an issue with American policy and not be called “anti-American” by you?
Steve: When it is supported by solid reasoning rather than simple-minded name-calling, the signature of dimwitted anti-Americans everywhere.
Steve: But when I have provided facts you just resort to the “you hate America” and “you are anti-American” responses. Who decides what is solid reasoning and who doesnt? Is it you? When former CIA expert Michael Scheur states that it is American policy that cause these extremists to attack us, is he being “anti-American?” Do you think, as a CIA expert for over 20 years, he has the facts to make this statement based on “solid reasoning”, or is the best selling intelligence expert just making statements of “dimwitted anti-Americans everywhere”? [/quote]
Again, the Malikian switcheroo. I have accurately called the journalist anti-American because he name calls without facts. You object to that by falsely claiming that I have called Scheur an anti-American, an entirely different and unconnected event. Of course, it’s a non sequitur and a lie. Do you concede that your journalist fits the description of anti-American based on his name-calling or will you continue to flee your argument?
[quote]Steve: Freedom of speech does not mean that only one side has the right to voice opinions, as you would wish. And nobody is losing the right to criticize America, as you absurdly claim. Like most liberals, you wrongheadedly consider criticism censorship, an infringement of your freedom of speech because you can’t defend your positions from intellectual assault. The irony, of course, is that you want to suppress other’s freedom of speech when it opposes your ideas. Yours is a distorted concept of freedom of speech where none would have the right to dissent from your opinion.
Malik: You are the one who doesnt understand Steve. If you were really interested in debate you would not yell “anti-American” everytime someone says ANYTHING remotely critical of the US. Everyone has the right to dissent, but when you call someone’s patriotism into question when they say something that you dispute, you are trying to silence them! You dont like being called an extremist, why do you turn around and do the same thing to others? [/quote]
Some people’s patriotism is in question. I’m happy to point that out. You think reflexive treason should be sacrosanct, immune from criticism. We disagree there.
And I note that you still don’t defend your trash-talking journalist as a patriot, but rather object to the rather obvious reality being pointed out.
[quote]Steve: And when a speaker is a knee-jerk anti-American, I will label him or her appropriately. Get used to it.
Malik: And when you are pro-American in the most knee jerk, reactionary way, I will call you on it as well. [/quote]
You won’t win me over with flattery, Malik.
[quote]Malik: But I will not bring your patriotism into doubt even though I am firmly convinced your ideas on foreign policy would be the ruin of this country for me and my children. [/quote]
Nice rhetoric, Joe McCarthy. You could make your rhetoric even more alarming if you claimed my ideas on foreign policy would kill puppies. Sweet, innocent, cute puppies. And Steve The American is killing them.
[quote]Steve: Malik, you are becoming a parody of yourself. This is like saying, “I don’t hate your wife but I think she acts stupid.”
Malik: Steve, it is entirely possible to love something and at the same time recognise the flaws with that same thing. Is everything you love perfect? I doubt it, if you recognise that the things you love might not be perfect and need some changing, does that then mean you must hate it? As a patriot I think it is an Americans duty to try and promote what they think is the best direction for American. I do not think you or those the exact opposite are really anti-American. I think those who sit and do nothing are the people most guilty of this if anyone is. What I cannot stand is how you, and those like you, play to people’s base emotions and fears to try and get them to shut up. Crying “anti-American” is just another way of saying “I dont agree with you, shut up.” [/quote]
Yes, it is indeed possible to love America and criticize it, even castigate it. It is also possible to hate America and pose as a patriot while trashing it.
[quote]Steve: Exactly my point, Malik. If you have an issue with me voicing my mind about US policies and other people’s opinions, I suggest you move to a country where freedom of speech does not exist. I’ll be staying here in America where we are free from silly little wannabe Stalinists such as yourself who want to silence opinions that differ from yours. Freedom of speech is a bitch, isn’t it, Malik?
Malik: Steve, I am not the one trying to silence people with my labeling, that is yourself staring at you in the mirror. [/quote]
Another false claim. If I’m trying to silence anti-American criticism, I’m doing a lousy job. Somebody should fire me.
[quote]Malik: I have called you a bigot and extremist, but I try to avoid that because I do not want to get caught up in your name calling. [/quote]
Thank goodness you avoided that.
[quote]Malik: You have the right to say what you wish WITHOUT having your patriotism called into question and without being labeled with the intention to shut you up. Your calls of “you hate America” are just that, trying to get people to shut up. Who defines what is American Steve? It isnt you, so where do you get off telling people whether or not they are “real Americans” or not? [/quote]
Actually, you don’t have a right to say anything you please without having your patriotism called into question. If you call for the overthrow of the US, your patriotism is in question. If you constantly castigate the US with lies, myths, and half-truths, your patriotism is in question. Since the 1960s, many befuddled Americans have confused criticism with patriotism to the point that they actually believe that only criticism, however insane or unfounded, is patriotic and support of America is always immoral. I am here to disabuse them of that notion and take pleasure in doing so.
If a particular recipient of my anti-American label is undeserving, then s/he or her fan should be able to correct my error with a fact-based rebuttal. However, such inarticulate scorched cat reactions are typical of anti-Americans who have been correctly branded.
[quote]Steve: Then you should be supporting my dissent from the journalists opinion of America and my criticism thereof. But you don’t, do you? Freedom of speech is only for your side, isn’t it? But I do love how you twist the meaning of freedom of speech to try to shut down dissent and criticism. You’re really quite the artist at twisting rhetoric around so that you seem to be arguing for what you are really against.
Malik: I support your right to dissent, but why do you always have to call names? [/quote]
Pot. Kettle. Black.
Nuff said.
[quote]Malik: Why is everything you dont agree with labeled “anti-American?” Why do you claim that everyone who differs from your point of view “hates America?” I am all for freedom of speech Steve, that is why I try to avoid labeling people, especially with terms that are meant to shut down debate. I guess I could call you “racist” and “sectarian” everytime you go off on one of your wide eyed generalisations about Islam, Muslims, and Saudis, but I do not. Why? Because these terms, like your “anti-American” terms are ones that are meant to stiffle and still debate. [/quote]
Gosh, I guess I should be thanking you for taking it so easy on me. The roses are in the mail along with a nice fruit basket. Enjoy!
[quote]Malik: Again, it is clear that you cannot even see how your labels can be directly applied to yourself. I will not call you anti-American, but I certainly feel that your ideas are unhelpful for the country and that they do not lead us in the right direction. By all means feel free to show me how carpet bombing a quarter of the world’s population will help us, but stop calling me or anyone else “anti-American.” It just wont stick. [/quote]
Well, Malik, you are entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong. Feel free to convince who you can that your ideas are better than mine. I’m happy to to do intellectual combat with you. And if my anti-American labels don’t stick to the donkeys I pin them on, then so be it. But reflexive anti-Americans get no free pass from me. I will continue to call them on it. I expect it will be painful at times, as it should be.
And this nonsense about carpet bombing is silly. Carpet bombing was last used by America in WWII and not since. It’s an obsolete tactic. It’s just as goofy as claiming that America is pouring boiling porridge on a quarter of the world.
[quote]Malik: I love America, I live here dont I? [/quote]
So did Mohammed Atta.
Steve
About Mahmood
Hello Mahmood!
This is my fourth month in Bahrain and I must say I am fortunate to have discovered your blog early on because you gave me a wider perspective on Bahrain. In fact, I take GDN and BT seriously only when you quote them. 😉
How I wish everyone on the planet can be as open-minded as you are!
atb.
GBY!
nig.
(btw, am Nomel, a Filipino! ngilongos@gmail.com)
Re: About Mahmood
I just happened to click to this story. It is about wasta and he gives a link to this blog and actually a quote by myself about wasta. Good article.
About Mahmood
I’m taking a lot of “Arab Studies” courses in the USA. I’ll bookmark this blog as it seems to come from a moderate type of Arab culture that is often lacking from the Western perspective of Arabic society.
About Mahmood
I just scanned your site, and enjoyed it immensely. Mahmood, you are too funny.
-Miss Kala’ in Dallas Texas
Re: About Mahmood
Thank you Miss Kala’ and you’re welcome!
Re(1): Kudos Mahmood!
I would like to know more about moderate to liberal Arabs. Especially, as I am an independent American woman, educated, married forever, two independent daughters, two achieving grandchildren, excellent sons in law. It disturbs me when I hear of women not able to drive, wearing clothes (burkas) that make them anonymous, of honor killings, and rape, and in some places denied access to education. Yet I also read of leadership among Arab women so I know that education exists and some women are struggling to improve the lot of all Arabic women but doesn’t that mean the men must be enlightened before all this can come about in any universal manner?
trainee at the BIC
hey Mahmood
nice work… well done
i do all my research from your site, after checking ours ofcourse :).. it’s a really useful one, i get all the infos i need and couldn’t find in our site 🙂
but i think your logo is not suitable with the theme, the colours you’re using, and the picture
i don’t know much about web designing, but i took a course (an introduction to it)..
trainee at the BIC
if you want i can design one for you and you check it out
if you’re intrested just send me your picture and the other pictures you need to show in the banner too 🙂
Re: trainee at the BIC
that’s very kind of you, thank you!
the last time I changed the picture I almost had a riot on my hand, and I know that another theme has been designed and hopefully coming my way soon. so let’s hold on ’till then?
there’s nothing stopping you experimenting however, the pictures are at http://flickr.com/photos/mahmood let me know when you get something going for me to have a look… good luck!
About Mahmood
nice work Mohammad
this is my first time in such website!! i’m afraid i will become addicted to your site:)
best wishes….
Cool Mahmood?
Salam alaikum and eid mubarak! I stumbled upon your blog while surfing other people’s blogs… anyway, what I wanted to say was that you (we) don’t have to compromise our religion to be accepted by the western society. I know many muslims try to be cool and stuff… and as a result they criticise Islam, break shariah rules just to be seen by westerners as a modern person, change their lifestyle that include lots of haram stuff…etc However the result is the opposite, I do have many western colleagues and what they always tell me about Muslims who behave in such a way is that they do not have respect to them. Because as I realized they do know the benefits of following shariah and they do respect the truthful God-fearing Muslims very much. What I want to say is that, brother do not be one of them! Especially when you already have a family and children, don’t you think you should be a better Muslim father? Because westerners never really care about you bro Mahmood, I think it’s time you care about yourself and your family and make sure they will live a halal life after you are gone. Sorry for the lecture… was not my intention to… just wanted to voice out my opinion.
Re: Cool Mahmood?
Thanks for the lecture, now kiss my ass and eid mubarak to you too.
About Mahmood
Great website. Found your article on OOo <-> MySQL integration invaluable.
Re: About Mahmood
thanks.. I need to update that howto for version 2 of OOo. I’ll do that over the next couple of weeks.
About Mahmood
hey Mr Anonymous
Please define exactly what you mean by a westerner? is australia, japan, Taiwan and hawaii included?
Also, you said “Because westerners never really care about you bro Mahmood, I think it’s time you care about yourself and your family and make sure they will live a halal life after you are gone”
I care about Mahmood and I care about my many Muslim, Christian, jewish, agnostic, black, brown,purple and green friends. (OK the thing about green friends isn’t true)
So please grow up, become a little bit more adult
Johnster
About Mahmood
and a last quick question Mr Anonymous
if you ran the world, would you permit me to voice my kaffir opinion like this or would you consider this haram?
Johnster
Re: Cool Mahmood?
Anon Muslim: “I know many muslims try to be cool and stuff… and as a result they criticise Islam, break shariah rules just to be seen by westerners as a modern person, change their lifestyle that include lots of haram stuff…etc However the result is the opposite, I do have many western colleagues and what they always tell me about Muslims who behave in such a way is that they do not have respect to them. Because as I realized they do know the benefits of following shariah and they do respect the truthful God-fearing Muslims very much.”
You know about as much about how non-Muslims think as you you know the back of the moon. Speaking for Americans in general, I can tell you we respect anybody who is honest and treats other people with respect, regardless of their religion or background. That tends to leave out those Muslims who strictly follow Islam, which demands disrespect for non-Muslims and allows, through the doctrine of taqqiyya, to lie when convenient in infidel lands. There are no benefits to Sharia, which is an intolerant system of law that keeps its people ignorant and poor. Installing Sharia is a ticket to the back of the parade of human progress. That’s why nations that follow Sharia are not full of people launching rockets to the moon, but rather full of people who deny that such things are even possible.
Steve
About Mahmood
Loved this site.
It did make a difference in my latest perception of muslims as terrorism-producing conglomerate.
Thank you, Mahmood, and let me tell you that after reading your site I do understand why Cat Stevens accepted Islam. He probably was hanging around with ppl like you.
zivag
About Mahmood
Your site is very imformative and fun. It gives detailed explanations about whatever topic present and I am a very avid addict about your site.
Hope you can cut off the stupid stuff like about i dunno.. things that will never help us in life thanks.
About Mahmood
U site imposible . me no understand what u say about da stoopid stuffs like gils and stuff sorry .
thank mahmood
Ashok
About Mahmood
Your site is a breath of fresh air! Well written, funny and highly intellegent! I look forward to exploring your site and getting to know you!
Re: About Mahmood
You’re too kind :blush:
Thank you for your kind words and you are more than welcome here!