No Response to Yesterday's Outrage

Apparently that a school is forcing little 8, 9 and 10-year old girls to wear abeyas so as to "prevent the more attractive girls from being harassed by men," didn't draw the ire from women here that I had expected it to. No a peep from a single person in today's Letters to the Editor. Nary a one. Nope, instead half of the letter writers are still fixated on the "hopechange" that took place over a week ago.

A follow-up to yesterday's post on the little nine-year-old girl that was tortured by her father and wicked stepmother is here. The article in yesterday's paper omitted that the stepmother would be receiving 1000 lashes along with a sentence of five years in jail. Is the stepmother going to be given 70 lashes a week until all 1000 have been meted out? The real, biological mother of the little girl believes that the stepmother "was equally culpable in the act for goading him [the father] into using violence... and threatening to leave him if he did not abandon his daughter, as revealed by the father in court." The mother isn't satisfied with the verdict and has instructed her lawyers to appeal it as she "would like to see the stepmother be given the death penalty" as well.

In a recent post about the Egyptian doctor who has been sentenced to 1500 lashes and 15 years in jail for "causing a Saudi patient [a Princess] to become addicted to morphine," it turns out that TWO Egyptian doctors have both received the same sentence for the same "crime." Dr. Raouf Amin [also known as Rauof Al Arabi] AND Dr. Shawki Abd Rabuh have both "drawn angry reaction from Egypt's human rights advocates... who accused the Saudi authorities of unfairly treating Egyptians working there." I questioned whether Dr. Amin [also known as Dr. Arabi] would ever survive the punishment of having 1500 lashes doled out 70 at a time, weekly, and his wife, Tahia, says that his "health is too frail to withstand flogging and jailing." The sister of Dr. Abd Rahub says that her "bother was coerced into making false confessions" and claims "that the Saudi authorities have threatened her brother saying they would imprison his wife who is also working in the kingdom."

A gang of "party girls" have been busted. "Party girls." No. Who knew the Sandbox was such a "hot spot" for "party girls?" Read the article. The group of 21 "Ethiopian illegal aliens" were "working as organizers and entertainers for private parties" who "sang, performed and provided hospitality services."

Another maid has been injured. "An Indonesian made in trying to escape her sponsor jumped from his fifth floor house... The maid made an improvised rope from various pieces of cloth but it was unable to support her weight and snapped, sending her careering [sic] to the ground. The woman had been trying to escape to a nearby relative's [sic] house after being promised work for a higher salary." Her condition "was reported to be serious." I'd be willing to bet there is more to this story than is being reported... The case is being investigated.

There was a story in yesterday's paper about a bus driver "driving erratically" who "slammed head-on into a white Toyota Corolla, killing all three passengers in that vehicle instantly." While I didn't post on it, it has to be mentioned because of the article in today's paper that provides a photograph of the bus driver and gives details... [The photograph, which is blurred, depicts massive "purple discoloration" to his face which, no doubt, are bruises he sustained during his erratic driving episode.] Why is it, once again, that when the perpetrator of a crime - any crime - is not a "local" that his name, nationality AND a photograph can be published in the newspaper? Part of the answer to that question can be found in this article. And by "part of the answer," I mean that in the most minimal sense possible.

Sadly, there is a report of another expatriate worker who has hung himself. I posted on the maid who hung herself the day before... Can someone - anyone - come up with some solution to putting an end to this practice? It has been suggested in the past that perhaps psychological evaluations should be given to workers coming here to make sure that they are mentally - as well as physically - sound and able to handle the experience of being in a strange country without family or friends. Surely such an evaluation could cull out some workers that might be at risk for not being able to deal with a major lifestyle change???

This little blurb says that a fire "that broke out in a wooden farmhouse... revealed the existence of a liquor distillery." I have never seen a wooden house, here. I don't doubt that there are a few - but there are not many, at least not in the Eastern Province, where this fire took place. "When firefighters extinguished the blaze and officials began inspecting the scene, they were surprised to find 14 1,000-gallon tanks full of liquor." I bet they were! Are they sure that those 1,000-gallon tanks weren't gas tanks? How big is a 1,000-gallon tank, anyway?

There has been another beheading. That would make 83 so far this year.

Drunk Camel Herding

On a slightly lighter note – however, in keeping with tonight’s “alcoholic” theme, I found this amusing – in more ways than one – as well as a bit dismal.

Anyone who knows this “area” of the Middle East knows that you can’t just “cross into the Eastern Province from Bahrain.” Go ahead. Grab that Atlas that’s been sitting there on the bottom shelf of the bookcase collecting dust. I’ll wait…

See? Bahrain is an island. And, as is typical for most islands, it is surrounded by water. There is The Causeway. It is probably a good five miles – maybe more – long. I can’t drive from one side to the other – I can drive after getting to the Bahrain side – but I cannot drive from my house to that point – so I’ve never checked the mileage. [Actually, the driving here is, for the most part, so bad, that I take a book if it is daylight and read. It is just too scary to watch the road and other drivers!] Either way, it’s a pretty good hike from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia via The Causeway.

Perhaps the camels swim? I know very little about camels, so if someone would like to set me straight on this, by all means, have at it. Be my guest.

And, I’ve not even given much consideration to the fact that this little old alcoholic Camel Herder has to go through customs – twice – Bahrain to leave, and then Saudi Arabia, to enter, after swimming how far? If you are walking, with your camels, do you still have to pay the crossing fee? How much is it per camel?

The dismal aspect of this is that at 80 years old this man for whatever reason isn’t able to retire and hang out in his tent – in the desert – with his camels and firewater. You’re 80 and you’ve worked all your life – herding camels – it’s time to kick back. You deserve it. And, you’ve taken “personal responsibility” for your actions. You’ve freely admitted that you are a “serious alcoholic” and your “greatest joy [is] to herd camels in the desert while drunk.” What you DON’T deserve six months in jail and 300 lashes! Is there a possibility that perhaps YOU are too short for jail?

I'm raising my glass to the little Old Alcoholic Herder with the Swimming Camels. Cheers!

Which Wine to Order

Life in The Kingdom has certainly provided a more simplistic way to decide which wine should be ordered at dinner. None. You’ll have to have a Diet Coke or tea or water, instead. [Diet Coke is not called “Diet Coke,” here. It is called “Coke Light.” Ditto for Pepsi.] Trying to be appreciative for the “small favors” bestowed upon one in a foreign land, as I was reading this little blurb about restaurants being fined for selling rotted fish, I couldn’t help but think, “well at least knowing which wine goes best” isn’t a problem.