Buzberry...
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege- Unknown
The NBK Fiasco

I am an NBK customer. I’ve always been, and I will remain one. They are an exceptional monetary agency. Recently, they seem to have the ambition of becoming a center for strategic studies.
For the second year in a row, NBK has hosted a lecture series on issues that pertain to strategic and security issues. How this is a bank’s role is up for discussion, but my problem is with their selections. This year, NBK invited Secretary Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State to be their keynote speaker. In introducing the speaker, Deputy Chair of the bank, Nasser Al-Sayer characterized Powell as “a personality that has acquired admiration and respect both in the United States and abroad.” Al-Sayer, or his speechwriter, probably overlooked the fact that Powell is also an internationally renowned liar.
On July 1, 2007 Powell was invited to speak at the Aspen Cultural Center where he stated, “I tried to avoid this war. I took him [Bush] through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers.” Nevertheless, Powell had no problems valiantly entering into the UN Security Council’s chamber on February 5, 2003 where he misconstrued evidence and blatantly misinform the international community on Iraq’s “nuclear threat.” A threat that we now know never existed after 1994.
I realize that Kuwaitis reflect a sense of homage towards Powell given his role in 1991, nevertheless, it is shameless to invite him. He is, in my view, a liar, and a man with no integrity. If had integrity, he would have resigned instead of humiliating himself before the world in February 2003. Can someone please try and explain why NBK would even give him a platform? He’s obviously using it to gain a better position elsewhere, so why allow it
Sources:
Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Picture 1, Picture 2
Posted By:
MHG
3-4-3

I think that this is the best tactic formation for the National Assembly in Kuwait. Since nothing will ever please some people, even if they pick members of the government themselves, it won’t take a long time until they find out that the choice wasn’t right. In addition, I personally believe that because there is nothing else to do (yep nothing else to do is why I’m writing), some of the MP’s stir things up by attacking others and talking about corruption. I forgot what corruption means, and since some MP’s like an offensive style, a 3-4-3 formation will offer an adequate offensive, which many try to seek; but nevertheless the defense are usually exposed!
** Apple’s new software – leopard – is breathtaking. FAH has it for free if anyone is interested!!
Source:
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Posted By:
Alvaro
Freedom of Information Law: In Kuwait!

For an extremely long time, Kuwaiti legislators have failed to focus on their most important job description: Legislating. Today, however, I came across one of the most important parliamentary bill proposal, probably in the history of the State. Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, will be introducing a bill in the upcoming parliamentary session that allows for Kuwaiti citizens to retrieve information from any government agency, regarding any issue they wish to learn about. The bill obliges the government to provide the information in no more than 15 days (renewable for another 15 pending that the application requires information from other governmental entities), provided that the information required is not barred.
This legislation is by no means new. Over 200 States have enacted similar laws, collectively referred to as Freedom of Information Legislation. While a constructive and pivotal addition to Kuwaiti law, the peril to the current draft is that it does not specifically indicate the type of information that can be retained. An additional hindering factor is if the applicant does not receive the information in 15 days, (or 30 maximum) their request is rejected, de facto.
While the bill is an important step, I do hope that it will be revisited to take into account the importance of specifying the type of information that can be withheld, and the need to inform applicants directly that there request has been denied.
Sources:
Link 1, 2
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Posted By:
MHG
FREE HALEH NOW!

For twenty-four consecutive days, the Iranian government has detained one of Iran’s premier scholars, Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, Director of the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson Institute.
Haleh is known to have been a compassionate, kind, eager and influential scholar. She was detained after one of her frequent visits to her mother, who is 93 years of age and resides in Iran. She is known not to have been involved in Iranian politics, yet as of yesterday she was officially charged with espionage and denied council, which the Iranian government claims is her request. Nobel Laureate, Shirin Ebadi volunteered to represent her, but was denied the right to do so.
I personally know Haleh, she is a decent woman and one all her friends and colleagues pray for. You can visit her site for more information, and if you’re a facebook user, then please show solidarity by joining her group as well.
Source:
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Posted By:
MHG
Mabrook!

His Majesty Bashar Al Asad, was “elected” president of Syria again, after a 97% poll favoring him. Unlike other Arab dictators, His Majesty was keen on granting his people democratic elections by providing a ballot for people to check ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Oh, and a minor side detail, is that there were no other candidates! Grazie!
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Posted By:
Alvaro
والله ما سمعت بدجلا أكبر من هذا

في الأشهر التي مضت قمت بإعداد بحث لأحد موادي في الجامعة حول دور الإسلام في الساحة العامة في دولة الكويت. وإستدنت في تلك الورقة إلى مراجع عديدة ومن أبرزها ورقة بحثية أعدت من قبل مؤسسة كارنجي للسلام الدولي وقام عليها الباحث نيثان براون تحت عنوان “الدفع نحو سياسية حزبية؟ الحركة الدستورية الإسلامية في الكويت.” وإن كنت أختلف مع الباحث حول عدد من الأمور وناقشتها بغزارة في ورقتي، الا أن دهشتي كانت للرد الموجه للباحث من خلال رسالة بعثت إليه من قبل عضو المكتب السياسي في الحركة السيد محمد حسين الدلال وذلك في تاريخ ١ أبريل ٢٠٠٧م
والقضية الأساسية التي سأتطرق إليها ليست أعمال الحركة، ذلك لأن كافة القوى السياسية في الكويت تخيم على أعمالها علامات إستفهام عالقة وتكبر أحيانا وتصغر في أحيانا أخرى. إلا أنني سأتطرق إلى افتراء الحركة على الأسرة الحاكمة في الكويت وعن معتقدات الحركات الأوصولية التي تحاول حدس تشويهها.
فقد تطرق الباحث في ورقته إلى أمرا مهما للغاية وهو السجال السياسي القائم بشكل مستمر بين أقطاب السياسة والحركات السياسية في دولة الكويت ويفسر ذلك بعدم إعطاء مؤسسة من مؤسسات الحكم الكف الغالب مما يهمس البرلمان ولا يجعل له دورا فاعلا في تحديد مقومات الحكومة ولا يبسط سلطانه على أعماله-براون ص ٤- وفي الرد المقدم من الحركة يشيد الدلال بهذا ويضيف “حالة التأزيم والإحتقان راجع إلى طبيعة النظام السياسي والدستوري الكويتي والذي بنى على أساس نظام هجين من توزيع السلطات بين رئيس الدولة من ناحية والأمة من ناحية أخرى ويرجع السبب إلى رغبة الأسرة الحاكمة في فترة إعداد الدستور في عام ١٩٦٢ إلى الابقاء على عدد من السلطات الرئيسية في يدها وعدم وجود القناعة الكاملة بالحياة الدستورية لدى أعضائها فإن النظام الدستوري والسياسي لا يعطي أي من طرفي السلطة الصلاحيات اللازمة والكاملة لإرادة شؤون الدولة”--الدلال ص ١-٢
ليس الهدف هو مناقشة إيمان الأسرة الحاكمة في الديقراطية ففي ذلك حديث مطول، إلا أن رد الحركة ألقى يد الإتهام إلى الأسرة الحاكمة والتي كانت في تلك الحقبة-مؤمنتا أم خاضعة-تتجاوب مع البرلمان والمجلس التأسيسي برغبة من عميدها الشيخ عبدالله السالم الصباح طيب الله ثراه، وفي الحقيقة فإن الدستور الكويتي على عكس ما يصوره الباحث والحركة الدستورية قام بفصل السلطات بكل ما تحمله الكلمة من معنى حتى الأمير نظر في سلطاته وكيفية ممارستها. علاوة على أن الأسرة الحاكمة رغبة من أمير الكويت الراحل الشيخ عبدالله السالم بأن يكون الدستور نابع من منظور شعبي بحت؛ إمتعنت عن التصويت على بنوده. واللجنة المراجعة لمواد الدستور كان في عضويتها شيخا واحدا فقط ولم يصل لغايته لما كان للصف الأخر الأغلبية في الحديث وهذا كان لب الحديث الذي نوه إليه النائب أحمد السعدون في ندوة “إلا الدستور” وفصٌل السعدون تلك الحادثة. والدستور الحالي صودق عليه من قبل الأمير دون أي تعديل أو تنقيح. والسجال السياسي الذي نشهده الأن إنطلق في عام ١٩٦٧ حينما زورت الحكومة نتائج الإنتخابات وأستقال على أثرها خمسة نواب ومنهم العم عبدالعزيز الصقر رحمه الله، والعم يعقوب الحميضي والعم أحمد الخطيب وغيرهم
وفي معتقدات الحركة تطرق براون إلى أن الحركة الدستورية في واقع الحال هي مجموعة ضغط لها دورها في العمل السياسي تختلف مع القوى الوطنية الأخرى-براون ص ١٤-١٥-وجاء رد الحركة في هذا الشأن لتؤكد بأنها “تمثل الواقع الإجتماعي والقيمي للمجتمع الكويتي...وتستمد جزء كبير من قيمها من أصول ومبادىء الدين الإسلامي “ كما صور الدلال الحركة بأنها رادعة للحركات العلمانية التي تخالف القيم الشرعية والدستورية القاطعة، مطالبتا في الوقت نفسه تلك القوى بالشفافية والموضوعية --الدلال ص ٣-٤
ولكي نفهم كلام الدلال علينا أن نعي منطلق الحركات الأوصولية الإسلامية. في حديثه لجمعية العلاقات الخارجية البريطانية عرف الدبلوماسي البريطاني المحنك هيو لي في محاضرته المعنونة ب “مراقبة الإسلام من داخله ودونه” بأن الحركات الأوصولية ومنها حركة الإخوان المسلمين-حدس منهم- تسعى إلى رد الفقه إلى أصله فتغلق باب الإجتهاد وترجع للقرأن والسنة النبوية في تصريف الأمور. وهدفها الأسمى هو أسلمة الحادثة وليس تحديث الإسلام. وما نراه من كلمة أساسية في رد الدلال هو أن الحركة تستمد جزء كبيرا من قيمها من القيم الإسلامية وليس كلها. كلمة تعزف على أوتار الذاكرة وتعيدني لكتاب الدكتور طلال أسد بعنوان “تشكيلات العلمانية: الإسلام والمسيحية والحداثة” حين وصف السياسيين الدنيين بأنهم في ظل الوضع السياسي القائم تتبنى الحركات الدينية دور السياسي العلماني حيث أنها تعتمد على تهميش الفريق الأخر وتسعى لإستغلال الظروف من أجل كسب أصوات الناخبين وإستخدام مجموعة متنوعة من سبل الإتصال بهدف الوصول لغايتها
وإن الحركة الدستورية الإسلامية كغيرها من الحركات الأوصولية التي تتبع تعاليم حسن البنا ومن بعده السيد قطب تسعى لأسلمة الحداثة من خلال السلطة القائمة وهذا حديث الجزء التالي من هذا المقال الذي يأتيكم قريبا بعون الله
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Posted By:
MHG
Article 36

There is a serious movement in Kuwait nowadays concerning some articles in the constitution (distoor). Following the constant blocking of some political forums on the internet and some blogs from either the government or internet providers, a group of bloggers with the help of some MPs are trying do defend there rights and freedom. The article in question is article 36 which says, “every citizen is free to express him/her self either by speech, writing, or otherwise within the rules and situations set by the law.” This statement is a part from the article that the movement is concerned about. They are saying that given this freedom they should not be blocked or harassed by anyone especially the government and for that matter the article should not be changed. The constitution also stated that in order to change anything it has to be for more freedom and wellbeing of the citizens. At the end it took His Highness the Amir to resolve the matter in a family meeting that our constitution is not going to change. So my question is who want to change anything in our constitution when we are not living (citizens or government) by its laws? If u have a say on this subject please let me know your view.
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Posted By:
OZM
URGENT!

NEWS ALERT: STUDENTS AT A US UNIVERSITY DUE TO STRIKE AGAINST US POLICIES IN IRAQ
March 29, 2007: Medford, MA; Tufts University:
It has been officially announced here today by the Tufts Alliance for Peace and the Tufts Community Union (Student Government) that students of this prestigious institution will begin a ‘Walk-Out’ strike on April 19, 2007 for an indefinite period as the community’s response to President’s Bush unwillingness to cooperate with Congress and his continued rejection to ending the Iraq War.
The ‘Walk-Out’ strikes entail that the university’s entire student body (7,000 students) would launch a civil non-cooperation movement by “setting aside normal academic routine.” The university’s academic council is due to meet today to discuss the administration’s response and the repercussions of the intended ‘walk-out’ on the university.
A major problem that already faces the strike is time. Not only does it coincide with the university’s annual open-house reception to welcome incoming students, but is also only ten days away from the final exam period.
Of historical significance, “walk-out” strikes by students in the Boston-Metropolitan area have known to have direct impact on US policies. The thirty-five day ‘walk-out’ of 1969 held in Harvard Square by students of: Harvard, MIT, Tufts, and Boston University forced upon the White House to announce its willingness to discuss with congress a withdrawal plan from Vietnam to take over the course of two years, triggering the end of the Vietnam War.
Buzberry.com will be following this important event, and will update you with more news in due course.
Source: Photo
Posted By:
MHG
Dirty Politics

Numerous countries with major nuclear programs exist in the world today, including the United States of America, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. As mentioned in the http://www.bis.doc.gov/News/Archive99/NSGint, there are “442 nuclear reactors throughout the world each producing materials with the potential to be used in nuclear weapons,” not forgetting to mention the numerous other countries who have uranium enrichment programs. The question I would like to ask is: Why is Uncle Sam targeting Iran? Is it for the same reasons of the war on Iraq? Is it to impose their power on the world? Or is it simply because of the abundant resources that they are going to take control of? i.e. Oil.
According to www.thebulletin.org/minutes-to-midnight/nuclear, the United States holds by far the largest nuclear arsenals in the world, with 10,000 weapons. This is what I call hypocrisy. How shameful is it that the United States of America, the country with thousands of nuclear weapons, is threatening to use strategic nuclear weapons against Iran, which is believed to have none. Why on earth does the “Greatest country in the world” hassle Iran and no other country but Iran? Is it because it is the ‘Islamic’ Republic of Iran? What about Israel, France, and the UK? Or does “Wasta” play a role in it?
What really makes me worry is that the US made their plans to complete an enormous air strike before the war on Iraq, which is mentioned in www.vicepeace.org/iran. Back to hypocrisy, how on earth does the US plan to use weapons such as “bunk busters” which are considered nuclear weapons, to destroy other nuclear weapons (Iranian nuclear factories)?
In conclusion, a war on Iran isn’t the ideal solution; this will only cause more problems in the region. Keeping in mind the war on Iraq and how the Iraqi’s are still suffering. This doesn’t mean I am with Saddam Hussein’s regime, I just don’t agree with the U.S foreign policy. Not only do I believe, I insist that the solution to this problem is to stop the manufacturing of all nuclear weapons in every country without excluding any countries starting from Washington, London, Moscow, and all the way to Haifa and Tel Aviv.
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Posted By:
AJK
Freedom Of Speech? Try Xuman!

In Senegal, rappers have a more advanced role; perhaps the unlimited democracy in that region drives them to step in a new outlook. DJ and rapper Xuman, who is currently placing the final touches on his new album, has introduced politics and criticism of the government in his lyrics. Xuman targets the youth of Dakar, motivating them into making the right choice for the nation. He believes that the youth have the so-called most powerful ‘weapon’ today – the voting card. Momodou Kasse, the Senegalese Information ministry adviser, quotes “If there wasn't this freedom of expression, I am convinced that rap would not be developed in this country.”
It is really stunning to see such democracy in a nation where surrounding countries suffer from civil wars and oppressive regimes. Meanwhile in the Arab world, the allegedly civilized and educated democracy (people) strides towards a democracy of violence and hatred- towards the ‘other party’. Since we never learn from our own mistakes, never learn from the westerners, I hope we will one day learn from struggling nations. Grazie!
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Posted By:
MHB
بقيناها طرب...صارت نشب
الكل في الكويت يقن تمام اليقين-وإن كانت الأكثرية لا تتكلم-بأن هنالك قلة قليلة من أفراد الأسرة الحاكمة الذين يتميزون بفصاحة اللسان وإمكانية الإدلاء بتصريحات موزنة ومدرسه في الوقت نفسه. وإن كنا نستغرب عن سبب تدافع غير الفصيحين من أبناء الحكم نحو التصريحات التي ليس لها مضمون أو جوده، حتى أنها لا تنطبق عليها معايير "التصريح" وإنما هي "زلة لسان" إلا إن الأدهى والآمر أن يقع من إتفق عليهم الناس بأنهم فصيحوا اللسان بفخ نتعجب كيف وقعوا فيه.
لا أدعي بأنني مطلع في أمور الرياضة المحلية أو العالمية لكنني أحمد الله أن أعطاني عقلا أميز فيه وأستخدمه حتى أفكر وأتجنب الوقوع في الأخطاء. والخطء المقصود ليس مثلما يتوقع البعض بأنه متعلق بالرياضة، لكنه فاجعة وقعت علينا من فم من لقب بعراب الرياضة الكويتية-الشيخ أحمد الفهد الصباح-
فقد قام الشيخ أحمد بإدلاء بتصريح لقناة الكاس الرياضية بعد خروج المزورق كان أزرق في السابق من منافسة كأس الخليج الثامن العشر المقام مؤخرا في إمارة أبو ظبي الشقيقة. والتصريح يبدو كان على العجالة حيث كان الشيخ أحمد متوجها إلى مكان أخر.
وفي جوابه للسؤال الأول والمتعلق بردت فعل الشارع الكويتي قام "الفصيح" بالرد بأنه ليس مسؤلا في الإتحاد ولكنه يأمل من المذيع الكف عن التذاكي في أسألته لأنه "ربى مثله الكثير في الإعلام" وفي الرد على السؤال الثاني حاول تغيير الموضوع من هزيمة الكويت وإتهم بطريقة دبلوماسية (بائت أيضا بالفشل وبإمتياز) بأن قطر تتشمت في الكويت ونسيت خساراتها!
لو نظرنا في تفاصيل التصريح نرى بأن الشيخ كان في قمة التوتر وهذا أول الخظأ لأنه من الفترض أن يتفادى التصريح حتى يهدأ ويعي ما يقول. كما أن إسلوبه غير اللائق أبدى للمتفرج وكأنه متعجزف لا يحترم الناس ولا يعمل لأحدا مقام أو حساب "كما يقول أهل الكويت "ماخذته الشيخة
The Extinction of Liberals in Kuwait

According to Amir Taheri, an Iranian journalist in the National Review Magazine, liberalism in Kuwait is extinct. Taheri believes that: “The term "liberal" has assumed two meanings. In the American sense, liberalism means a cocktail of state intervention in the economy, a comprehensive welfare system and a good dose of political correctness — all with a bit of anti-Americanism as the cherry on top. In its European sense, liberalism means limiting the role of the state, an emphasis on individual rights and private enterprise, and support for free trade in a global market economy. In both senses, liberalism also means not only tolerance for but also active encouragement of alternative lifestyles, support for equal rights for all minorities (especially gays and lesbians), and a belief in the relativity of cultural and religious values. Kuwaiti "liberals" do not believe in any of that and did not offer anything resembling a liberal social, political, and economic program. In fact, the reason for their failure is that they were not liberal at all.”
Mr. Taheri did a questionnaire to prove his point and some of the questions addressed were:
1) Would they campaign to abolish polygamy and temporary marriages? Would they support equal rights for women in divorce and children's custody? No.
2) Would they accept gay and lesbian couples as legitimate? Again: No.
3) What about abolishing state subsidies that eat up a third of the oil revenue? No.
“It only takes twenty years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.” -Robert Anton Wilson
Does liberalism truly exist? Or do you agree with what Mr. Taheri states, “It never existed?”
Let me have your views.
www.nationalreview.com
Posted By:
AJk
Photo from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asam/376262930/



