So now I know what all the scuffuffle in parliament is all about. According to today’s Bahrain Tribune, that scion of knowledge and unbiased reporting, the right honourable Abdulla Al-A’ali is fuming against the Speaker of the House for editing the Naturalisation session where fists were almost used before it was broadcast, primarily because:
“I don’t know how I will have face to run for the next elections when my constituents have no clear idea on my performance in the Chamber,�
Note that his concern is not tirelessly working toward a better life for Bahraini citizens as a whole, like our dear friend the right honourable Jassim Al-Saidi, he’s only concerned with his own constituents and constituency. Conveniently ignoring the first principle of parliaments and democratic institutions and that is although your constituents got you there, you work for the WHOLE people of your country.
So the guy is concerned that he won’t have “face” to face his constituents in the next elections, completely convinced it seems that he and his like are even going to be able to contest it. Judging by how gullible the people of those constituencies who chose them in the first place in particular, they should be excused for making sure-fire plans for re-elections. No “pregnant dips” on those election ballot papers to worry about, they will be surged back into parliament on a land-slide regardless of my personal fervent wish that they be under that slide rather than be borne on top of it.
These are the kind of people who have been chosen this time around. They have failed miserably in even the most basic tenets of carrying on a conversation, let alone act as balanced politicians. The worry now is that the people who elected them would think that their shenanigans ARE part of parliamentary life and a de facto standard of the machinations of any parliament. Hence, I wouldn’t blame the right honourable Abdulla Al-A’ali for wanting to start a specialised TV channel to broadcast their sessions live. I personally might benefit from designing, supplying, and commissioning such a station, that being my job, but I wouldn’t think that it would be anything close to journalistic television.
My suggestion to the honourable MPs and their speaker is to just point a video camera at a fish tank and broadcast the resulting signal. Much more entertaining, informative and true.
Comments
MPs looking for fame
Mahmood,
C-Span in the states has done a good job of keeping our bunch of morons in quasi order as well as providing the jackasses a place to spew their retoric on TV to whoever wants to watch it. Some of them do and you think they are the Energizer Bunny because they keep going and going….. I think a channel like that in Bahrain would be a good idea, as long as YOU get the contract to hook it up!
ciao!
Mark
Re(1): MPs looking for fame
I don’t know how one goes about breaking the chain of Tribal Loyalty. While there is no such thing in a practical sense in the US as Tribal Loyalty we do have something just as sinister and that is PARTY Loyalty. Those who BLINDLY vote because this person belongs to a particular party. This has softened a bit in the past 15 years or so but there are still plenty that will only vote one way. Making your elected representatives actions public is a good way to expose what needs to be exposed. The medium of TV is best as it leaves little doubt as to what was said and done when things are running LIVE. Perhaps the fact so many could loose “Face” will help change some minds, then again perhaps that fact alone will stall a C-Span type channel in Bahrain.
Good Luck Mahmood and I hope your proposal will become a reality.
Ciao!
Mark
MPs looking for fame
Let’s not be too harsh – all MPs look for attention, that’s their raison d’etre. What’s the saying – politics is show business for ugly people; one of the few dependable rules in life I think.
MPs looking for fame
[quote] politics is show business for ugly people[/quote]
So friggin’ true!
[Modified by: AdoRe (adore) on June 05, 2004 09:21 PM]
Re: MPs looking for fame
Funny thing is I submitted the proposal two years ago, and still waiting…
MPs looking for fame
No, let us be harsh on all the politicians for they need to be watched like children. If left unchecked and apathy from the public is rampant than the point of democracy has failed and we truly get what we deserve no matter what country we hail from.
Politics is politics yes, but it not without some measure of control. One of the best and time honored measure is open access from the public and a free press. A little sunshine has a way of exposing the weeds, a little more has the power to wilt them.
ciao!
Mark
Re: MPs looking for fame
If that is the rule – then we must be best available place in the world to do politics – long live those luscious bearded ones …
Cut – to a scene in a parlaiment. A groovy lookin Deputy Dawg prototype character comes suavely into the room … ‘Hi, my name is Abdel Wajood. Abdel Khulood Abdel Wujood. And I like my constituents shaken, not stirred.
NOT!
MPs looking for fame
you know what really gets on my nerves? its that i’m sure that there are retards out there who WILL re-elect these uneducated bums. if only there’s a way to show people the true colors of these losers. what makes people so blind to this whole situation is beyond me.
MPs looking for fame
I dunno if these guys will all be up for re-election. If Al Wifaq join, then there is going to be some serious campaiging going on in the next round! I only hope that the campaigning will polarize around agenda’s and not tribal, religious, gender loyalties ..
Re: MPs looking for fame
That’s the real danger isn’t it? Tribal, sectarian and gender loyalties. Gender loyalties in particular is the concern as although women constitute more than 50% of eligible voters, not a single woman got through the last time around.
Some say that most women will just vote how their husbands, fathers, brothers tell them to, rather than what they themselves believe in.
If Al-Wifaq gets in, they will get in with a land-slide thanks in large part to the women vote!
Late Night with Mahmood
lemme think about it…. okay I’ll do it!
rrrrrrrringrrrrrring – just woke up and discovered that I’m STILL in Bahrain! Damn!
Your enthusiasm is really infectious and had this been another country where they allow such a thing I wouldn’t hesitate a bit, but unfortunately you know that everything is controlled under a veneer of transparency and freedoms of the press and media. So, although the idea is great, it just cannot be done here at the moment.
What really surprises me is that this site is not blocked yet! Maybe I should set a couple of administrators from outside of Bahrain just in case that happens!
MPs looking for fame
If I was a citizen of Bahrain rather than someone who visits now and then I would offer to run his campaign. We could make him “ugly looking” if need be but I think his mug shot is just fine. Heck you MIGHT start a new trend in Parliment if Mahmood was elected. Mahmood would be good for Bahrain if opted to run for a seat, but I think Mahmood wants to be a family man and for that I respect him even more. When and if Mahmood decides to run I will wish him the best. However an even better idea would be for Mahmood to have his own TV show. LATE NIGHT WITH MAHMOOD.. Live from vibrant seaside downtown Manama .. Where nightly Mahmood could do his thing.
Mark
MPs looking for fame
I gotta believe Mahmood is right; because in a country that is just beginning to take baby steps in reforms, you can’t give them an excuse to silence people. I think this blog is evidence of some of those reforms all by itself, and that is very important.
On the other hand, if the MP’s are looking for fame, there isn’t a politian in the world that can resist more press. Once they stand up there and say they are going to promote civil rights or women’s rights, they can never go back. Can’t you just see Mahmood’s top nightly news reporter, Jasra, saying, but didn’t you say last week…..
Marlene
Going to register one of these days.
Re: MPs looking for fame
Gosh Mark, you don’t want to really unleash me on the airwaves and unsuspecting bearded multitude now do you? I would have thought that this web diary is more than enough!
Though your idea does have merit though on both fronts, a Late Now with Mahmood segment after ripping parliament a new one in the morning! But as I probably could do a better job ripping them a new one on the airwaves, I might just concentrate on that career!!
MPs looking for fame
Mahmood,
I can’t let the concept of LATE NIGHT WITH MAHMOOD go. I just can’t. Sounds good in English at least. If I was a mystic I would say it is your destiny. I am not a mystic but I think it is a GREAT IDEA and Bahrain is perfect for the setting.
Just think how you could unleash what so many feel LIVE on TV on not only the beards but anyone else who deserves it. You could have segments such as “Unleashed with Mahmood” “The Hot Seat” where local politicians or MP’s come in and take 10 questions from you. Other things like the weekly “Top Ten Beard List” a “Deputy Dawg Award” the patterned “Jackass of the Month award” (for me please) and a special year end TWITBTHIFDS award. You could also have special things like the “I Fu’d up and spilled coffee on my Thobe award” for that special someone who normally is a decent person but for some reason just “fu’d something up” Man the list and ideas can go on and on.
It doesn’t have to be all politics. Interviews with Nancy when she struts back into town and other celebrities from the world or Bahrain. Think of the ad sales. I can see you being the Letterman, Carson, Leno, O’Reilly of the Middle East. Spotlight the good things being done also. Promote a small local business once a week, promote the cause of the Bahraini Orphanage which I know is dear to your heart. (All please take the time if you can afford it to make a small donation to this worthwhile charity, the cause is a worthy one) Diabetes awareness, etc., etc etc.
Sunshine wilts weeds. Just think of all the acid reflux you could give those who desperately need more!! Plus all the extra autographs you would be asked for at the mall! Mahmood I say be like NIKE and DO IT!
I say GO FOR IT. You know all the TV technical stuff, your wise in the local affairs of Bahrain. Roast em in the morning and Grill em at night.
Ciao!
Mark
MPs looking for fame
Mahmood ..
Mark does have a very good point …
MPs looking for fame
I was going to suggest that Mahmood run and straighten out parliment, but he’s not ugly enough.
Re(1): MPs looking for fame
Agreed.
I guess, (and hope), that over time, as women become more comfortable with the political process, they will learn to vote on issues and not out of blind loyalty. This will happen only when people start running based on issues, and structure their camapaign accordingly. This will take time to happen, a few elections at least… What might speed up this process are polls …
MPs looking for fame
Bahrain is past the Baby step stage. They are now waking and are going to learn to run. Question is when. I have enjoyed watching this process and transformation taking place in Bahrain. I feel positive I will be able to continue watching from here and in Bahrain at times, the furthur developments and growth towards a Bahraini form of Democratic rule.
Mark
Re: MPs looking for fame
True. Especially as this blog (and I make no claim for its intelligence nor belligerence in any way or form) continues to be aired, then the reform process is certainly entrenching within the social norms. Even “worse” sites continue to be unharassed as far as I can tell like muntadayat.org which is blatant in its members and guests swearing at the ruling family (which I think is very crass and uncultured, you can get your thoughts across without sustained profanity).
As to Jasra being a reporter, damn, SHE should have her own show and I would wager that her show would be much more highly rated than whatever I can devise for mine!
Hell, she should start her own blog too!
And as there is no compulsion in religion, likewise there is no compulsion to register on mahmood.tv. As I don’t sell (nor intend to) advertising, the number of members is really immaterial. The one major benefit of registering is however the ability to edit your own posts should you wish to. Other than that, I’ve designed the site to be as open as possible for guests and registered users.
Re: MPs looking for fame
10 years, or another 2 elections would be the litmus test I think, and within that timeframe some elders would have retired, let’s see the effects of whoever replaces them. At the very least they would (should) be more daring in their thoughts, and that goes for both parliament and the government.
Re(1): MPs looking for fame
How flattering! Normally people pay to shut me up!! Personally, I think Mahmood needs to recruit Steve .. we need to bring him out of the Dark Side and have him see the light. He needs some serious orientation time though .. plus fundamental lessons in cuisine and music. I think some Shawarma and Nancy Ajram are in order…
Jasra Jedi
MPs looking for fame
‘At the very least they would (should) be more daring in their thoughts.
The question is .. in which direction.
Re: MPs looking for fame
Well democracy is encompassing, and I would be happy enough if debate ensued and ideas discussed with the proviso that both sides of the discussion respect the others’ opinoins and not ram their ideals down the other side’s throat.