This is what you get when there are no laws, or if there are, they are very ambiguous. That’s the scary part, not knowing what is allowed and what is not, and finding that red line by trial and error is rather expensive.
I for one don’t want to lose a home that I have worked all my life for, nor do I want to lose my and my family’s future playing that “trial and error” game, something that is very elastic indeed as there are no rules to define it. It is left to any middle-manager’s or judge’s whims to decide where it should be.
As a webmaster since 1986, I have seen an awful lot of “trends” come and go. I have seen some very critical posts and and awful lot abandoned threads. I can tell you that I haven’t been as scared as I am now, even though I consciously only approach the red line rather than cross it.
Why?
What’s the big deal about voicing one’s opinions? Would a single voice topple a government? Eradicate an entrenched rule? Or is it a matter of degrees: criticise whomever you want constructively or otherwise as long as that entity is not of a royal family or a government official? Entities one has to hold at a level that would make God Himself jealous? Would you get away with this criticism if you obfuscated your ideas so much that they don’t ring of truth anymore… or sound like words of a madman, or worse, someone who has lost all dignity and whose sole purpose in life is subservience.
Doesn’t the truth matter any more? Don’t the rulers want to hear what the ruled think and what they suffer from? Is this fair; assume that all is well and at some point our day will come with material relief because we either acquiesced to the status quo, or have made it our supreme endeavor to be unthinkingly obedient?
Isn’t it better to voice ones fears, yes, even declared hatreds of perceived oppressors as a first step toward reconciliation? Aren’t these feelings when published are valuable resources to the rulers to understand and repair to the needs of the disenfranchised citizens?
What if the multitudes just adopt silence? Isn’t that akin to a pressure tank which will ultimately explode and bring a whole country down into the abyss of civil disobedience and strife?
In this day and age do we need this? Do we really?
Let’s look at the other side of the coin: what if the rulers adopt a proactive approach with their opponents within their own communities? Don’t they have an unequivocal upper hand? What have they to lose but a little time to listen and think of an appropriate response to what is essentially bad language? But at best it could be an excellent and interactive way to seek cooperative ways out, a middle ground and better lives that we all aspire to. Wouldn’t that in fact strengthen both the rulers and the ruled?
Calm and reason must prevail here. Please. We as a country have suffered the indignity of being viewed so highly by the international community a short three years ago, only to plummet in that same opinion because of these repressive and archaic measures. 2005 doesn’t bode well for us in this regard at all.
When the country is firmly behind the crown prince’s initiatives in reforming labour, economy and education, why is it that a meddling manager once again throws the proverbial spanner in the works? Who is to gain from this second derailment?
Can’t we at least have one year, just one single year where everyone concentrates on the positives rather than having diametrically opposite goals, and we, the people, get trapped in a no-man’s land where the red lines continue to shift?
This uncertainty, absence of laws, absence of common sense is what kills development; something that is sorely needed here on these isles where a not too distant future promises even more troubles with 100,000 souls out of and cannot get a decent job… I am certain that then, the voices that some have haphazardly objected to now will rise even higher, and they will have a resonance that is devastating to all concerned.
That situation will make this one completely insignificant… however it is this situation – if not resolved with logic, patience and forbearance – which will be the seed for much uglier things to come.
Comments
A harbinger of doom
Please Mahmood take care…
someone elese here, on an earlier posting, mentioned that your family needs you.
I must echo that statement again..
Best,
Tim.
A harbinger of doom
The links actually don’t work.
Anyways, I do hope that most government officials realize how much they have to gain from liberalisation and how much they have lost in past repression already.
Take care!
Re: A harbinger of doom
thank you… links have been fixed now.
A harbinger of doom
People are running scared, especially those in power.
As the old adage goes: “May you live in interesting times”.
A long time ago, I used to subscribe to the cyber-utopia philosophy, the internet was the great equalizer between rich and poor, between people of every race and every creed. No-one was better than the other because we were all words on a screen. The Cyber utopians envisioned a day when governments, religions and superstitions and stereotypes would one day be overthrown by the mass of humanity connecting in ways that were never thought possible only 20 years ago.
Today, we may be seeing the birthing pains of that Utopia. Terrorists use the internet to communitcate their hate, but even more so, people are using the web to communicate across boundaries. Would Malik and Steve and Myself and you ever be able to talk in real life? Would such questions about society and religion ever be asked if not for those who would post them for the world to see?
Today, a formerly oppressed Iraqi’s voice is louder than a thousand screaming Liberals (capital L). I have personally reached an epiphany through the dissemination of all of this information. Truth is in the information. The ability to see all sides of things, biased sides, extremist sides, moderate sides: Each side has a kernel of truth. Each side has a kernel of self-delusion.
For those in this world whose belief is found in self delusion; they fear. The Osama bin Ladens who have lived deluded lives, hating everything unislamic, and dreaming of a stone age religion, they fear. The Socialist movement, whose existence is built on the self delusion that Stalinist Russia was perfect, they fear as well. Dictators, such as the Iranians, who directed the lives of their people through repression, they fear the most.
We’re careening toward a new world order, in a sense. No longer is dissent whispered in dark coffeeshops. It’s plastered on the walls of the internet. To those in power, to those who want to control the religion and the beliefs and the thoughts of the people, this is an outrage. Those in power hold power by controlling the truth.
Today, we see the fruits of that. To hold power, they cannot let Truth escape.
Mohammed had one thing perfectly right: a single dissenter, a single non-believer can send the entire monolithic structure careening down in on itself.
Today, these brave bloggers in the Middle East, and elsewhere -are- those dissenters. They are brave enough to stand up and criticise, to be counted. To put their live on the line so that others may live free of the shackles of a government that wishes to control their thoughts, and they do so at risk of life and limb in many cases.
Hats off to you, Mahmood. Your pen is mightier than any sword.
A harbinger of doom
On Instapundit today:
This illustrates, in a mild way, the reason why totalitarian regimes collapse so suddenly. . . . Such regimes have little legitimacy, but they spend a lot of effort making sure that citizens don’t realize the extent to which their fellow-citizens dislike the regime. If the secret police and the censors are doing their job, 99% of the populace can hate the regime and be ready to revolt against it – but no revolt will occur because no one realizes that everyone else feels the same way.
I think that’s the answer to these questions:
What’s the big deal about voicing one’s opinions? Would a single voice topple a government? Eradicate an entrenched rule?
Yes it could. Keep blogging!
A harbinger of doom
i don’t think things are as simple. neither are regimes hated by 99 % of the populace nor are they monolithic in any way. i do have the impression that quite a substantial part of the bahraini population simply wants to live decently, peacefully, and catch up with some of the economic success of their neighbours – which bahrain has missed partly because of past unrest.
i’m afraid the way to achieve change is to keep pressing for more liberalisation but at the same time not threatening the elites in power. anything else seems rather fruitless.
i’m rather optimistic that those in power would appreciate that mahmood’s blog managed to keep this balance perfectly well.
Re: A harbinger of doom
[quote]i’m afraid the way to achieve change is to keep pressing for more liberalisation but at the same time not threatening the elites in power. anything else seems rather fruitless. [/quote]
What happens when the Elites are resistant to such liberalization? You can only push so far without effecting a tidal shift.
Trackback :: Get me the President!
TrackBack from Desert Island Boy
Find your representative and educate him about Bahrain’s desire for progress. How the current crisis cannot be good for democratic reform in the region.
A harbinger of doom
Hey Mahmood, on a lighter note, can you introduce me to any Lebanese girls? I’ve been seeing lots of them on TV the past few days and damn! I think what we really need is more intermingling between our cultures, and I’m happy to volunteer myself.
Speaking of which, are Bahraini women also that hot under all those robes?
— James C.
Sinan Mailk Abdullah
Mabrouk Alaik!
Insha’allah, he will be healthy and a source of joy!
Re: Sinan Mailk Abdullah
DIB writes “Mabrouk Alaik!
Insha’allah, he will be healthy and a source of joy! ”
Insha’Allah, Shukran!
Re(1): A harbinger of doom
Mahmood,
Could you FedEx me some smelling salts? Malik agrees with me. I think I passed out on my keyboard for a minute or two.
Feeling Kinda Dizzy,
Steve
Re: A harbinger of doom
I’m happy for ya, Malik. You might consider making his middle name “Dubya.”
Steve
Re(1): A harbinger of doom
Steve posts “I’m happy for ya, Malik. You might consider making his middle name “Dubya.”
Steve ”
Thanks Steve, as a proper Muslim and seeing that my wife comes from the Middle East, the baby will have my first name as it’s middle name. Although W might not be bad, if it is short for Waheed, LOL!
A harbinger of doom
Well… i’ve checked out Thursday’s newspaper, and there’s an “interesting” piece in Al-Ayam http://www.alayam.com
the headline reads:
[color=red]”Bahrainis Enjoy the [i][b]Freedom [/b][/i]of Questioning Senior Officials” [/color]regarding the 2004 annual report on human rights published by the US Department of State.
I was hoping that either the GDN or BahrainTribune would cover the same topic for those that can’t read arabic. At this time, neither BahrainTribune nor GDN have covered it.
I can’t resist this comment, couldn’t they find [u]any[/u] other positive comment in the report to highlight? In light of what’s going on, what kind of reaction where they trying to get here? Is it a brave attempt at sarcasm, or… brainwashing? (the report labels the latter as journalistic self-censorship)
The full report is available on:
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/index.htm
The section dealing with Bahrain is on: (falls under Near East and North Africa)
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41719.htm
now you can judge for yourself… in light of current events, and compare the ‘journalistic’ style of the alayam piece to the actual report….
on a separate note.. i was browsing through the pictures of the demonstrators, and one sign read: Public Prosecutor = State Security Court….. now that brings flashbacks….
We’re going on about how Bahrain has reformed into a democracy, and disolved the SSC… well now you have the UK bringing in the control orders… and that will eventually lead to the establishment of a similar court… i’m just dumbfounded… seems like no matter where you look.. the future is bleak…
Is there such a thing as democracy? In the case of the UK, is it fair to use people’s genuine fears on terrorism to pass legislation that robs us of civil liberties? then again… you have cases where there is no legislation, or even worse, very vague legislation that paves the way for continuous manipulation….
for more news on the control orders, visit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2003/uk_on_terror_alert/default.stm
comments???
A harbinger of doom
One voice speaking its mind freely is a big deal. You can not have an efficient and productive society without people freely exchanging their ideas, especially their bad ideas. All too often, ideas that seem bad at first glance become sublime with time. If you set the mark for bad ideas too high, no ideas are made public. It needs to be set low to allow for proper circulation of thought.
Black powder was made first with charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter. Saltpeter is made of urine and manure left to ferment for a few months. You have to wonder how those ingredients were first combined. Was there some guy Bob always playing with urine and manure who was walking around telling everyone to add it to everything? I imagine everyone laughed at Crazy Bob adding his crap to everything until the day came that his idea caught fire and exploded: “Hey! Bob’s crap works!” Most inventions are discovered by accident. Those accidents can’t happen unless ideas are free to collide and ferment and form strange new combinations that are tested in the great marketplace of ideas.
Authoritarian regimes, despite their power, have only a slim grasp on the population. They can coerce small groups of the population to intimidate the remainder but they can not coerce a majority of the people simultaneously. The critical mass for a revolution is low. In the American revolution, less than a majority fought and won against the British, a world power. In Wurzburg the Gestapo enforced conformity with Nazi thought over a million Germans with a staff of twenty-eight, half of whom were file clerks and secretaries. They leveraged themselves by enlisting the population as informers on each other, turning in anyone who said something bad about Hitler or the Nazis or just didn’t fit in. Once identified, the targets received letters to come to the Gestapo office for a talk. If they didn’t shape up, a second letter came with a demand for a second talk, from which nobody returned.
My point here is that the threshhold for a successful revolution is low. The forces of oppression can be easily overwhelmed and they know it and fear it. That is why they must crack down so hard on singleton resistors to the regime. From the regime’s perspective, they have no room to retreat. They have to make examples of the first resisters to intimidate the potential resisters behind them. If the general population suddenly turns on them, their grasp on power slips. You can see this in the massive Lebanese resistance to Syrian occupation in the Cedar Revolution and the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine. When the regime loses the will to crack down on resisters, the entire flimsy edifice collapses, as it did in the Soviet Union when Warsaw Pact nations dropped their guard at the border to allow their captive populations to escape.
All that can be begun by one voice, picked up by a chorus of voices, supported by a large minority of the population.
On a separate topic, I don’t share Ethan’s enthusiasm for utopian societies. I’m not much digging Bin Laden’s utopian quest for an Islamic theocracy. The Marxist utopian vision led to one hundred million dead. Utopian societies always fail, sometimes in vast carnage like the French Revolution, sometimes with a whimper like the Oneida Community. The problem with those grand utopian visions is that the pesky humans don’t fit their template and must be remade or eliminated to make the Great Plan work. I much prefer to let the humans find the optimal solution empirically.
What I see the Internet doing is synchronizing the world as part of a larger trend caused by technological advances. When the transcontinental railroad was laid across America it caused all the towns in the US to synchronize their clocks. They could not set their own time based on their local noon anymore. If they did that, nobody would know when the train arrived or departed. Nobody wants to miss the train connecting them to all that good stuff in the modern world. The internet is forcing everyone to let loose of their local prejudices and reconcile their views with a wider world, beginning a messy process of sorting out the best ideas from the worst. Our dialogue here is part of that greater reconciliation.
Steve
Re: A harbinger of doom
[quote]The internet is forcing everyone to let loose of their local prejudices and reconcile their views with a wider world, beginning a messy process of sorting out the best ideas from the worst. Our dialogue here is part of that greater reconciliation.[/quote]
So, in a sense, you do share that Cyber utopia vision. All that utopia is is the bringing of people together, and allowing them to speak. There are those who’d like to go further than that, but I’m no anarchist.
I agree. Utopian societies fail because people aren’t robots.
The perfect Socialist/Communist society cannot flourish because there are lazy people.
The perfect Libertarian society cannot flourish because people are irresponsible.
The perfect Capitalist society cannot flourish because people are greedy.
The perfect Theocracy cannot flourish because people have free will.
The perfect Multicultural society cannot flourish because some people have imperialist cultures.
The perfect Liberal society will strangle itself to anarchy.
The perfect Conservative society will tie itself into a straitjacket.
If there is a God, he created us to find the optimal balance as a society. To reach some sort of ‘societal equilibrium’. This can only occur when people can speak freely about their thoughts without fear of retribution. When Salman Rushdie can speak publically in Iran. When Ibn Warraq can show his true name. When Ali Abdulemam can raise his blog as a banner for those who think that the King of Bahrain is not perfect.
And yes, even when Osama bin Laden can extol the virtues of his ‘paradise’; and have those words fall upon the rocks on the ocean of competing ideas.
Sadly – there are those who, instead of admitting that their philosophy is unpopular, or that their theology is full of crap, or that, they, themselves are a blithering maniac – turn to violence.
‘Convert to my way of thinking, or pay me off or die’
And thus – even a perfect Cyber utopia will fail. Because people are selfish, violent, argumentative assholes who would prefer to kill someone than change or lose power.
Re: A harbinger of doom
The report was front page news in the Tribune a couple of days ago. I only glimpsed through it online, but I got the impression that it could have been much harsher over Khawaja which was treated as an isolated blip. They could have drawn conclusions from the arrest but opted to give the government the benefit of the doubt.
Re: A harbinger of doom
Ethan asks “Would Malik and Steve and Myself and you ever be able to talk in real life? ”
I would talk to all of you. I have no issue with people with dissenting opinions as long as they talk rationally. That is one of the things that makes this country great, that unless you incite violence, you can say pretty much anything you like.
Ethan writes “The Osama bin Ladens who have lived deluded lives, hating everything unislamic, and dreaming of a stone age religion, they fear. The Socialist movement, whose existence is built on the self delusion that Stalinist Russia was perfect, they fear as well. Dictators, such as the Iranians, who directed the lives of their people through repression, they fear the most”
Every society has people like this, America has its fair share as well. The question is how to marginalise such people, because there will always be a certain amount of these types around.
Ethan writes “Today, these brave bloggers in the Middle East, and elsewhere -are- those dissenters. They are brave enough to stand up and criticise, to be counted. To put their live on the line so that others may live free of the shackles of a government that wishes to control their thoughts, and they do so at risk of life and limb in many cases.
Hats off to you, Mahmood. Your pen is mightier than any sword. ”
Indeed, people like Mahmood, even though we have our differences, are doing great work from which all of us will eventually benefit. To further Ethan’s point, the Prophet(SAW) said that the ink of the scholar is worth more than the blood of the martyr.
Re: A harbinger of doom
James writes ”
Hey Mahmood, on a lighter note, can you introduce me to any Lebanese girls? I’ve been seeing lots of them on TV the past few days and damn! I think what we really need is more intermingling between our cultures, and I’m happy to volunteer myself.
Speaking of which, are Bahraini women also that hot under all those robes? ”
That is why I love my family. I am an American of European background and my wife is a Saudi! That is what this world needs more of. I am of the firm belief that what breeds hatred is ignorance. Get to know people from a different culture, get to make friends, and you will find common ground.
Re: A harbinger of doom
Steve writes “On a separate topic, I don’t share Ethan’s enthusiasm for utopian societies. I’m not much digging Bin Laden’s utopian quest for an Islamic theocracy. ”
We have a point on which Steve and I agree. There is no such thing as a utopian society and there never will be, not on this earth anyway. The people condemning one call or movement for a utopian society whilst talking about ushering in a new one are just another in the same line of failed utopians. Things can get better, but utopian? No way.
A harbinger of doom
By the way, trying to bring light to a dark topic, we found out that Insha’Allah, we are having a baby boy! Alhamdulillah! It’s name will be [size=18]سنان[/size]. Masha’Allah, it has a nice sound to it eh? أب سناÙâ€Â
A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery inside an Enigma
Not to detract from your point, but you’re about to bring to life a prediction I made to myself not two days ago.
The matters will stay on the table. Long after the dust settles, maybe after the last race car make sit to the finish line, we’ll see a new phenomenon in online expression. The use of euphemisms.
If anything, literary tradition has shown that the use of euphemism has allowed writers to discuss issues fully and has also afforded them the ability to exaggerate their cases against or for the subject. On the other hand, the ambiguity can yield to perpetual and sometimes insipid debates about meaning and intention.
Case in point: The Revelation to St. John the Divine. Depending on who you talk to and what s/he had for dinner the previous night, it could be apocalyptic prophesy describing the end of the world, a metaphor for facing one’s own mortality, a scathing political commentary on the eminent superpower of the day, or the ravings of an isolated senile lunatic. Some people aren’t even sure of his identity. Traditionally, he’s supposed to be the same John that was Jesus’ disciple, (son of Zebedee, brother of James), but he could very well be another person altogether.
In any case, I fully foresee a greater level of name-calling and scathing commentary as those searching for a voice WILL find creative ways to stay within the LETTER of the law. None of them will be found at the GDN.
A harbinger of doom
This is tough stuff! I wish you luck and commented about your post here.
New group calls for release of website trio
‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
It gets better and better…
Re: ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
I think the saying is “When you’re in a hole stop digging”. Instead, these guys seem to be going for the China Syndrome.
Re(1): ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
I refuse to believe that the whole government is stupid. There are far too many of them in there (over 35,000 public servants?) so that taking even the remotest law of probability MUST result in at least a few with good enough senses to stop the slaughter of the kingdom’s reputation.
The question is, what are they exactly waiting for to effect a change in this dispicable attitude?
Ibrahim Bashmi’s proposal from the Shura Council has been with the government since 2003. My suggestion (offered humbly of course) is to release the trio, and enact that proposal into law.
Re: ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
And it seems as though this idea is catching on fast, even beyond the government. Apparently the UCBstudents forum has been forced to shut down by the admin of UCB (University College Bahrain). Strav has details. My thanks to the Public Prosecutor for setting such a good example for the rest of Bahraini society!
Re(1): ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
Chan’ad cool it. It doesn’t pay to get or be confrontational. This situation is not going to get solved by hystrionics or going overboard. Good sense will prevail.
Re(2): ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
You’re right, sorry. It’s just disappointing to see the direction in which things have been going in the past few days.
We missed you at the meetup last night!
Re(3): ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
I know… but being optimistic allows me to believe in common sense. If not, then anyone want to buy my house? It would be time to pack up and leave. Permanently.
Went to the movies with the wife instead. Sorry. Next time will make it.
Re(4): ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
Okay, let me try to tell you what I’m thinking (hopefully in a calm manner that won’t cause Mahmood’s Den to be labelled as a “hate website”) and I’d like to get your reaction.
So at the end of the Khawaja affair I was convinced that it was one of many healthy tussles that transitional democracies undergo. I viewed it as a tussle between the govt and the opposition, and also between the Reformists and the Old Guard within the regime. I was optimistically hoping that all parties had learned a valuable lesson in the art of politics, and importantly, that Khawaja’s pardon was an indication that the Reformists have put their foot down.
I was expecting that in the following months we might see the Reformists implement some real changes in the government and loosen the Old Guard’s stranglehold. But I haven’t really seen that yet (maybe I’ve not been reading the papers close enough). Asides from Al-Alawi losing the Social Affairs portfolio I can’t recall any significant steps being taken. So, again, optimistically I thought to myself “okay, maybe there are changes being taken place internally, but they aren’t being made public so as to save face and minimize conflict”. But then that idea went out the window when the trio were arrested. The Old Guard managed to repeat what they did just a few months ago with Al-Khawaja.
The question on my mind is whether the Reformists actually have the ability to effect real changes… especially considering that the Crown Prince’s much-needed labour reforms keep getting over-shadowed by these crises. And if the Reformists are able to effect real change, is the time-frame one that most Bahrainis will be willing to accept? And finally, how does one go about lending support to the Reformists without giving legitimacy to the Old Guard?
Oh, and which movie did you watch? Was it any good?
A harbinger of doom
Chan’ad on March 04, 2005 12:24 PM
And finally, how does one go about lending support to the Reformists without giving legitimacy to the Old Guard?
It was some time that I gave up thinking in terms of Old and New guards. ( No. I do not believe it is just another story of bad cop good cop).
The new gurads are simply spineless.
Repeatedy, they have shown themselves unable/unwilling to take a stand for any of the issues that are central to ‘the reform project’ . Just recall the loud noises on stamping corruption out including the parliamentary debate on Pension Fund).
Lots of hollaballo before all fall down squarely at the feet of the Chief Old Guard. The COG himself has not lost any of the real keys of power. He even competes with the new guards on symbols and paraphernalia of power… Consider how he shares with them ‘their’ patriotic songs and poets.
AlKhwaja call for the resignation of COG remains on the table. Only then, probably, we would be able to know how new are the next batch of guards.
Re(5): ‘Hate websites’ to be blocked
Could it be that they were justified in getting them apprehended? Remember they haven’t gone to trial yet, they have just been accused. Don’t jump the gun.
But to be fair, let’s look at this situation from another dimention: what is the limit of freedom? what is the limit to free expression? if we assume we have unhindered freedoms, do we have the right to be libelous, or transcend common decency and swear at people? (yes, I am guilty of both if I am held to the same level as a traditional and professional journalist or publisher, and that is one reason that websites/blogs should be excused as we have no editors we should never be held at the same level as a professional journalist or newspaper. blogs/websites for the most part are personal regurgitation spaces.)
I have not visited bahrainonline.org, and don’t really know the level of intellectual discussion, or whether they really adopt hating the regime as the reason for their popularity. I hope that someone would amplify on this situation so we know and form a real opinion.
However their popularity should be alarming to the government and it should realise that yes there is a sizeable portion of the indiginous Bahraini population who hate them and their existence. They should address this basic truth and spare no effort to correct the situation. And it won’t take much but solid political will and a hell of a lot of courage.
To quash this unpopularity there are several remedies: if the rulers don’t want to be hated at all (a utopian dream which should never be entertained) they should resign. If the rulers want to reach a dignified middle ground where an understanding between all parties; the rulers and the ruled live happily ever after, then both sides should give in a little for the benefit of this and future generations.
They should also mount a concerted effort to face the errors of the past and move forward. Reconcilliation is a tough thing to do, but it is a vitally important step in the healing process. Look to South Africa and now Morocco for samples and examples.
I look at it from a business point of view really, and if I want my company to grow and prosper, I MUST enter into a true partnership relationship with my customers and suppliers. I cannot operate in a vacuum and expect that somehow a tap is going to open and I will be flooded with money. It takes a lot of work.
Running and ruling a country is infinitely more complicated, so it needs more patience and you can’t really go into experementation modes too much. The government is not agile enough to try new markets or even abandon one market and just move to another like any small business can do. It has got to face facts, reality and should never hesitate in firing anyone who does not abide nor accepts the strategy put in place by it supreme leader.
What we have now is a conflict between two houses, which exhausts not only the participants, but the whole country. They should get their strategy reviewed and bought into by all the participants, or if it isn’t the case then a radical change must occur… if the basic premise is for the company to at least survive.
Back to the situation at hand though: all we have done so far is make a stance on principal, which is fine and I still support it. No one should be imprisoned for their thoughts. Full stop. Nor should we as webmasters be imprisoned and held responsible for comments entered on our sites. We simply have no control other than reverting to a static site which does not accept comments. In that case, then most of us will be like shouting in a void and can never accept that our views will be challenged and our thoughts developed and distilled because of these challenges. Nor can we go through everything with a fine toothed comb and delete every comment entered or is slightly off-center, for the same reasons. In this site for instance, we approach 11,000 comments, goodness knows how many comments bahrainonline.org had/has with more than 18,000 members, they’re probably running well over half a million.
What the government should have done instead is take them to a civil court and charge them with libel and let the courts decide if that is indeed the case, fine them if appropriate and let them go, rather than haul them in in the manner they have.
This is complete and utter intimidation which has no place in our world now.
A harbinger of doom
Yes. it is sad that the use of euphemisms these days is in …
I apologise for my part in this.
I thought of Tim’s echoing the statement that Mahmood should take care….
A harbinger of doom
Don’t you find it interesting that you get more comments about your new car than your piece ‘A harbinger of doom’? I think it says something about what people think is more important!
Re: A harbinger of doom
Can’t really blame them. Why should people care about governance and politics rather than the persuit of their own happiness? That’s left to mugs like us (as amateurs no less) to dabble with in the hope that somehow we can make a difference.