How to choose a Gang Name in Kenya

A fine little article from Newsweek about Kenya's gangs

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/ov/archive/2008/01/22/how-to-choose-a-gang-name-in-kenya.aspx?GT1=10755

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Vs. Egypt's Emergency Law

This is what it comes down to. Egypt is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and as such has specific legal obligations to respect and uphold the right to peaceful assembly protected by Article 21 of the treaty. A state may only limit this right if it is “necessary in a democratic society,” and even then in only certain, specific situations. Egyptian police and security forces’ detention of peaceful protestors violates the right to be free from arbitrary arrest or detention. Article 9 of the covenant requires a state party to provide any victim of unlawful arrest or detention with an enforceable right to compensation.

Mideast News debacle Blah Blah Blah etc. etc.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/61072

Worth checking out, sad but true yet funny.

Ghandi's Grandson the Blogger criticizes Israel

The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi called Israel and Jews the "biggest players" in the world's "culture of violence."

Nearly 500 people responded to the blog entry by Arun Gandhi, part of the Washington Post/Newsweek "On Faith" section.
The respondents were divided between those that called Gandhi an anti-Semite and those that added their own criticism of Jews and the Jewish state, as well as examinations of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Jewish identity in the past has been locked into the Holocaust experience," Gandhi stated in his Jan. 7 blog. "It is a very good example of how a community can overplay a historic experience to the point that it begins to repulse friends."
He added that the Jewish future appears bleak, since it is a nation "that believes its survival can only be ensured by weapons and bombs."

In an apology posted three days later, Gandhi said that while he stands behind his criticisms of the State of Israel's use of violence, he should not have implied that all Jews support this.

in a statement released Sunday, the executive director of the American Jewish Committee chided Gandhi.
"To suggest that Jews today are using the Holocaust at the expense of others is reprehensible," David Harris wrote. "Regrettably, in the Internet age, it is difficult for a writer, especially one with a popular family name, to retract such hurtful, misinformed statements, and, indeed, Mr. Gandhi has fallen short in his subsequent apology.
"Let’s be clear. Israel, since its establishment by the United Nations 60 years ago, has sought to live in peace and security with all her neighbors. Israel was not created as a militaristic state, nor has it sought to dominate another people, as Gandhi argues."

Is it possible to be in-love with lust itself?

Oh lust, a past time favorite, many heart throbbed moments over the euphoric changes in chemical constituency that make up sweet, delicious, irresistible lust. Just the word on its own is insatiably sexy. Prompting a slight variable in heart rate. Go ahead, let it slither off your tongue. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

When that intoxicating desire is overflowing in the early days of a relationship, all is right in the world. She's perfect for me, full of vivacious surprises, reminding me of my youth, redefining the word chemistry, knowing my every thought before hand, kissing my wounds and touching the very essence of my soul. The unity as we coalesce into one body in perfect unison, she is my Venus, voluptuous yet so innocent, intelligible yet a real freak. Sound familiar guys, how about this one ladies? He's perfect. His laugh is infectious, the sex amazing and everything he says is magical. Even his obsessive love of sports and the way he leaves his socks scattered about his house is adorable. Well welcome to lust. An all time favorite but unfortunately, for the lust-addicted, it's also ephemeral. So temporary and delicate, these sensational libido-crazed days will inevitably slip through your fingers. All at once you feel her spoontenuity has turned into insecurity and her preomonition into nagging. Then, quite suddenly, you're noticing that his dirty sock trail is actually kind of stinky, that your sex life has taken a dip in favor of the soccer game.

What's happening here? Well in economics it is called the elasticity of demand. After eating one sandwich you may want another, after two ya sure, maybe just one more but after the third, your rubber band is fully stretched out and you become completely saturated. In other words if you measure it by love standards then you are led to believe that Cupid's potent chemicals are wearing off. Now, don't panic just yet and get shit faced over it. There might still be hope cuz a lot of true love relationships started out the same way. Romantic relationships can be broken down into three phases, with each one offering up its own special concoction of chemicals. Not surprising then that the sex-around-the-clock Lust stage is overrun with testosterone and estrogen, a thrilling concoction that keeps you and your flame stuck together like glue and in an initial daze.

So try and learn how to differntiate between the glossy fantasy and creating a lasting relationship. Lust is a common novelty that can only last a few months to maybe a year at most, but identify that and don't get thrown into a rut, looking to fill voids in your persona to compensate for old scars. Many a time both parties fall snuggly into this dilema. Regardless, we all fall in love with lust the very moment we experience its overwhelming God given pleasure and intensity.

Round two, known as the Romantic Love or Attraction phase. Here, the chemicals dopamine (also triggered by cocaine to give you an idea of the high you're on); norepinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and serotonin come rushing in. Talk about an intense rush. It's a time easily identifiable by the fact you're feeling doped up. In fact, its obsessive power can cause you to forget about everything else because, let's face it, who cares about your to-do list when you could be snuggled up together? But, do all good things come to an end?

For real love to kick in, the following must take place. Here, the powerful bonding chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin get released. Personally, they produce a good feeling, although a very serious one, don't try to compare it to the lust days. It results in more practical sentences, such as, "Whats for dinner?" start replacing the more impractical approach of wolfing down just enough grub to energize you for another round in the sack. Why can't we just float around in Cupid's sparkly love dust forever underneath the missile toe and pink clouds galore? Well because a relationship is always a work in progress. It's called evolution, relationships that don't change and adopt to their collective environment become extinct. Case closed. That means sitting down and discussing everything from work, family to their relationship five times a week, besides praying five times a day if you are trying to become devout Muslims together. Fearing for the well being of your soul mate in this life as well as the next. No pain no gain right. Yet it's definitely worth the effort. There is a great comfort in knowing you're not together because of lust alone at this point, welcome to phase three.

When there are little ups and downs -- and big ups and downs -- we have history, we've got faith, and we have a commitment to each other ... it's rewarding having someone we feel intimately understands us. So make sure you take all the above into consideration in order to make the best of what you have on your plate right now. There is a difference as you can see between love and lust and even being in love with lust itself.

This post is dedicated to all those going through the different stages of infatuation, whether on the true path to real love or just in the midst's of being in love with the idea itself.

Egypt should pay for Nile waters - haha!

Can you believe this?

Some African with a psychosis says:
Just as oil is the natural wealth of the Arab world, which the nations hosting Lake Victoria pay for dearly, the waters of Lake Victoria are the natural wealth of the people of East Africa and should diligently be utilised for the benefit of its people.

The Arabs in the north irrigate their dry land to produce food for their people using our Lake Victoria waters at no cost at all, yet no single drop of their oil can reach us freely.

Since the Nile water agreement was reached, the nations hosting Lake Victoria have been kind to the Egyptians to our detriment, and now it is high time we sold our water to them. What is required at this juncture is for Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi to collectively support Uganda where the Nile River starts off, by looking for ways and means of installing a water meter so that we start billing Egypt for the water she uses monthly.

Talk about "De Nial"

Here is the article in it's entirety http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=23&newsid=114092

Israel sues Egypt for Kassams

Check this is out..
Ten families from Sderot, whose loved ones were either killed or seriously wounded by Kassam rockets, are set to file a major suit against the Egyptian government on Monday afternoon, Israel Radio reported.
The families blamed the Egyptian government for deliberately assisting terror organizations in smuggling weapons and explosives into the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, the residents alleged that Egypt assisted terrorists who infiltrated into its territory from Gaza to reach Iran, Syria and Lebanon and return to the Strip with the knowledge they acquired there.
The residents have also alleged that Egypt has assisted terror organizations to smuggle millions of dollars into the Strip which is strengthening their stronghold in Gaza.
Chairman of Shurat Ha-Din organization, Nitzana Darshan-Laitner, is demanding that the Egyptians pay million of dollars in compensation to the families.
Alleged fabricated evidence of Egypt's complicity with terrorists was presented to congress by Israel which is cause for the latest tensions between the otherwise close allies.
Egypt sending more troops to the border will conflict with the Camp David peace accord, plus it is highly unlikely that egypt will support Hamas; an Islamist movement with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood- the Egyptian governments arch enemy. Something is up here, but what exactly, I don't know?

Pakistan - Myth of Islamic Terrorism - True or False?

A very interesting article about pakistan. Is it the truth or just a very convincing point of view? Well worth the read if you are even remotely curious about what is going on in pakistan.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977220041

Egypt weighs legality of divorce by text message

I shit you not, this is for real, an Egyptian court has been asked to rule on whether a husband can send a text message to divorce his wife. AFP says the case stems from the actions of Abul Nasr, a Cairo engineer who declared the end of his marriage in three text messages that were sent to his wife, Iqbal Abul Nasr.
"I divorce you because you didn't answer your husband," he wrote in the last message, according to the state-run Al-Akhbar newspaper.
Under Islamic law, men can end a marriage by making a unilateral declaration of divorce that is repeated at least three times. Some countries have banned the use of cellphone messages to repeat the declaration, but Egypt has yet to rule on the legality of this practice. Cool stuff huh?

CONTROVERSIAL OR JUST PLAIN SILLY?

Sarkozy was in Egypt on an official trip to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. His decision to take his new girlfriend Carla Bruni along brought about mixed emotions. What the hell is wrong with mixing a little pleasure with business anyways huh?
This not only angered some of his political opponents back home who said Sarkozy was blurring the lines between public and private life, but check this out:
Sarkozy also came under fire from Egyptian lawmakers, who said it was improper of him to share a hotel room with his girlfriend LOL.
Independent Egyptian Member of Parliament Gamal Zahran said in parliament that by welcoming Sarkozy and Bruni, Egypt was giving the impression that the Muslim country was "ready to accept official prostitution by heads of state," All foreigners as long as they are not from a predominantly Muslim nation are allowed to shack up with their lovers at hotels here, you don't have to be a head of state to be able to do that!

POEM - IN 2008 - DONT HATE !!

2008 is the year to learn to appreciate. All those around us who may produce results we'd like to emulate.

A year to capitulate.

To give up the hatred, jealousy and instead congratulate one another on jobs well done.

To not trespass and forgive those who trespass against us instead of trying to instigate and escalate the hate.

A time to reiterate, principles of good.

To obliterate, all but our woes in the ways of the Noble and the laureate.

Actions speak louder than words as intentions travel far but can disintegrate, while actions truly disseminate.

Sowing the seed to the harvest we cultivate, pray to the Lord our faults he abrogate and fully exonerate us to never tribulate.

Steadfast and resolute in our resolve to eliminate the ailment of envy and hate in this forth year.

Lets teach with this simple poem, in the year 2008 - the theme may not be to Love, but at least to tolerate.

I challenge everyone, In 2008 NOT TO HATE!

Man even if we were starving I know this shit wouldn't happen in Egypt

Anybody for tenderloin tiny little barbecued puppies?

This is how they keep older dogs under control. By dislocating both shoulders and tying both front limbs behind their back, whith a muzzled snout, all the while the dog is in traumatic shock. Very humane or what or would barbaric be a better word?

Ahhh a feast for a hungry man and what better way than barbecue? No please, go ahead, you first, I insist.

Fresh as can be...

Just skinned under your own eyes, freshness guaranteed.

The final product for a romantic dinner, what a fine delicacy..

No, No, I'm sorry I will never bark again.

If I didn't know better, I would say the Dog above was screaming to leave east Asia and come live in an ARAB NATION, right about now, wouldn't you think so?

Yet we get pounced on and ridiculed by the media and are sometimes called down right ugly Muslim Arab barbarian freaks due to some rogue elements, even though we do as much ass kissing of Israel as we can.

At the end of the day I guess it is pretty clear that we are living in Paradise compared to the above east Asians countries, that are not neccessarily a starving North Korea but such places like china and wealthier south korea that have no shortage of healthy Beef and lamb.

We live in far from perfect world and region to boot Making Africa and the Middle east truly civilized by any measure.

Egypt to copyright Pyramids

Cairo - In a potential blow to themed resorts from Vegas to Tokyo, Egypt is to pass a law requiring payment of royalties whenever its ancient monuments, from the pyramids to the sphinx, are reproduced.Zahi Hawass, the charismatic and controversial head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told AFP on Tuesday that the move was necessary to pay for the upkeep of the country's thousands of pharaonic sites."The new law will completely prohibit the duplication of historic Egyptian monuments which the Supreme Council of Antiquities considers 100-percent copies," he said."If the law is passed then it will be applied in all countries of the world so that we can protect our interests," Hawass said.

He said that a ministerial committee had already agreed on the law which should be passed in the next parliamentary session, while insisting the move would not hurt Egyptian artisans."It is Egypt's right to be the only copyright owner for these monuments in order to benefit financially so we can restore, preserve and protect Egyptian monuments."However, the law "does not forbid local or international artists from profiting from drawings and other reproductions of pharaonic and Egyptian monuments from all eras - as long as they don't make exact copies.""Artists have the right to be inspired by everything that surrounds them, including monuments," he said.Asked about the potential impact on the monumental Luxor Hotel in the US gambling capital of Las Vegas, Hawass insisted that particular resort was "not an exact copy of pharaonic monuments despite the fact it's in the shape of a pyramid."On its website, the luxury hotel describes itself as "the only pyramid shaped building in the world," but Hawass said its interior was entirely different from an ancient Egyptian setting.Hawass's declarations came after the opposition daily Al-Wafd published an article on Sunday called for the Las Vegas hotel to pay a slice of its lodging and gambling profits to the city of Luxor."Thirty-five million tourists visit Las Vegas to see the reproduction of Luxor city while only six million visit the real Egyptian city of Luxor," the paper lamented.Samir Farag, head of Luxor town council in southern Egypt, home to the legendary Valley of the Kings, said that it would be difficult to prohibit use of pyramid shapes."We can't forbid people from using the name of Luxor and copying monuments from (Luxor) city, which is the world's richest city for monuments," he said, adding that "tourists going to Las Vegas doesn't affect our city's business."

hmmm...Conspiracy or Truth

Could this be the proof needed to end all conspiracy theories behind all conspiracy theories?

This shit actually does happen, to our dismay, right here in the middle East. Otherwise how come no one was held accountable for this action then, this is America after all that we are talking about here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNk7WKYFB6I&feature=related

http://www.broadcaster.com/playlist/World_Trade_Center Ask yourself then, why not, is it beyond them? I think not!

F_cking hillarious, too funny

Check out this article:
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=4049

I am so sorry, I just couldn't help myself. In the above article, notice the line way down in the middle that reads "To stand by idly while the blood of others is shed would be un-Jewish." I mean I am trying, I mean really trying to give the Israeli's the benefit of the doubt since they are Egypt's neighbors and we have had some really shitty leaders in the past but how can some one say this while there is an enormous civilian casualty rate with the - yes Jewish Israeli army - whether it be in Palestine or Lebanon. Is Israel trying to draw attention away from it's settlements in the West Bank by drawing attention to Darfur. I believe it's all propaganda no doubt. If powerful people really are sincere about Jewish nature not condoning violence, especially because it had happened to them, why then can't they just stop it. It can't be that hard, I mean really people, come on really.

Nuclear Arabia...WTF

Egypt's September announcement that it will revive its dormant nuclear program and embark on acquiring significant nuclear technology coupled with similar statements from Morocco, Saudi Arabia and other Arab governments appear to be in response to the failure of the international community to hinder Iran's nuclear progress since 2003 has required leading moderate Arab governments to embark on nuclear journeys to acquire a deterrent to Iran's immerging nuclear capability. Moderate Arab leaders worry that an unabated Iranian nuclear program will empower Iran with a nuclear weapon that will enable it to become the prominent military power in the region following Israel.

These Arab leaders have become increasingly uncomfortable with their future position as lagging behind Israel and Iran in a region where Arabs make up the overwhelming demographic majority.

In addition to the sincere Arab desire to acquire a deterrent to forthcoming Iranian nuclear military capability.

The Facebook lawsuit thats still pending!

Before he launched Facebook at Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg worked for two brothers on a project called HarvardConnect.com that also wanted to connect students and alumni.
Zuckerberg later left that project, and showed up with Facebook. The brothers claim Zuckerberg stole their code, and sued him three years ago. The brothers later changed their company’s name to ConnectU.

They’ve been fighting ever since, and all the while Zuckerberg and Facebook have maintained the suit isn’t going anywhere.

Accusing Zuckerberg, Facebook’s 23-year-old C.E.O, of stealing the source code, design, and business plan for Facebook in 2003 when he briefly worked in the Harvard dorms as a programmer for their own fledgling social-networking site, now known as ConnectU.
The plaintiffs have demanded that Facebook be shut down and that full control of the site - and its profits - be turned over to them.

What’s surprising is that this case hasn’t gone away. The stakes have only increased, now that Facebook is widely considered worth more than $1 billion, and as much as $8 billion depending on who you listen to.

Three years later, we’re still no closer to knowing whether he stole code or not. What code did write for them, and was he paid for? How much were these agreements in writing, how much of it was simply oral agreements?

The most likely worst case for Facebook: Zuckerberg and his investors will agree to settle this for many millions of dollars.

GAMAL MUBARAK - WHY NOT?

Why wouldn't we as a people of a proud nation allow GAMAL MUBARAK to be the next president of Egypt just because he is the son of the current president Hosni Mubarak? I mean seriously folks, why not?

In Syria Hafez al Assad handed down power to his son by changing the constitution and reducing the minimum age of a would be president.

In Jordan King Hussein handed down power to his son Abdullah. So why shouldn't Egypt for Pete's sake or for the sake of sidi morsi Abbas ya'll?

Even the infamous Bush is the son of an the ex president Bush Sr. and they are the United Fucking States of America for Christs sake.

Read my prior post on how Egyptians have learned the lessen all too well from neighbouring countries who tried to play the democracy card and got licked all too well. A hell of a lot of people will gladly not only allow him to assume the position of President, but will actually support him. It is a long cultivation in the process.

Having won his bought with leukemia and having recently be wedded Khadija, he is now a very eligible candidate.

What do you think? What's wrong, what are your alternatives?

Democracy just doesnt work around here

Bottom line democracy just doesn't work in the middle east. Not even in Israel, so many folks over there are against the killing of babies by the minute and frankly feel that there government looks silly lobbying world wide and adamently denying it, but too bad for them, they are made out to be soulless pigs and apes. Are their voices heard? Heard, shmurd, please. We are in the land that invented Anarchy, Monarchy, dictatorships secularism and everything else extrordinaire, please people.

Democracy won't work in the gulf and it and sure as hell won't in North Africa. Look at what happened with democracy in Gaza, you don't want democracy in Saudi Arabia or even in Egypt, trust me, thats why people may mock Mubarak, but deep down inside, they accept him over the other alternative. Democracy,..,of death.

Industry

In the past 5 years alone, a nascent industry has burgeoned up out of nowhere. An industry against the religion known as Islam. Many a time has Islam been persecuted but never has an entire industry developed over it. Notice how Muslims who apostate themselves into Christianity become filthy rich. Name one person who has left Islam and lived to talk about it who is not filthy rich or supported by the multi million dollar evangelical machine?

Denounce Islam and you will make dollars and gain friends who would ordinarily denounce you at face value or would take no interest in you what so ever.

Fascinating really. Some would argue that I shouldn't bring this to attention because it is almost like telling teen age high school girls in the west that they could make exorbitantly ridiculous amounts of money if they adulterated themselves into the booming prostitution industry.

Shammed out shortcuts to easy worldly rewards ! Just like the sex industry which is the oldest industry in the world, we now have the 'denounce Islam' industry which just happens to be the newest industry in the world at the time of this post.

Grossly In-congruent

Although Islam to me is a Great religion - as the harder things in life usually tend to reap their respective rewards accordingly - it has more or less become a thing of mere theory with more and more of the masses each day. A style or a fashion statement, an anti authoritarian fad, a terrible misconceived melodrama turned funny.

Traits of piousness in any religion are displayed through actions. Having said that, most of these earnest practitioners of their respective Divine faiths tend to display a thing or two that make them identifiable within a crowd. Such as a white collar as far as men of the Cloth are concerned. A beard for Jews and Muslims. The veil for Muslim woman etc. I won't get into all of them right now but as far as Islam goes, we all know that such physical traits don't do any justice without accompanying actions.

Do these sound familiar; a vocational worker that isn't so crafty but sports the Islamic style beard in a hope to accrue browny points for not being all that knowledgeable in what he is supposed to be, in other words pleading with your more compassionate side or maybe even tryna send the message - I am a terrorist at large - don't mess with me or I might go Bin Laden on your Ass, at best he is a hustler especially when he bluntly wants to charge you an arm and a leg for something he didn't even do properly.

How about having a close relative who aspires to be the GURU of local sheikh-hood, sporting the long beard, short trousers, claiming to have memorised more Quran than you yet has a serious issue with Allah. Meaning he isnt happy with what he has been dealt in life and feels it incumbent upon him to take what his lacking judgement deceives him into thinking is his rightful entitlement. Meaning your lunch for example, trust me, that's to say the least. This is nothing short of the shia ideology to me. A self centered sheikh, whaaaat.., no way, that feels that he has been given the short end of the stick and goes all out tryna get his, including spreading pre-Islamic style lies, using deceit etc? No wonder more and more people are misunderstanding Islam every passing day. The sad thing is, that this fake ass sheikh -- that just so happens to be closely related to me -- admits that he isnt a sheikh, he just camouflages himself as one as it makes him feel at ease. Aaaaagh! Does anyone hear the phrase FASHION STATEMENT?

How about Steven Spielberg's support for Israel and the slaughtering of Palestinian babies, yet has the balls to say that he withdrew as the media consultant for the bejing games because of China's -- get this -- lack of involvement in putting an end to the suffering of Darfur residents. Somebody yell "HOG WASH ALREADY PLEASE," I mean what a hypocrit, please. Although he makes pretty good films.


How about catching a glimpse of a fine young female, due to her sporting her lower half in acrylic spandex or tight ass AX Armani's, only to pry your gaze away from her tightly wrapped butt up to her torso and bust, to find that she is [get this] veiled. In my opinion this is making a mockery of Islamic garb as this confusing at best to most people.

i mean lose the hijab already please. It's also kind of like being at a nude beach, because everyone is nude, nobody really cares because you are supposed to be nude, but when someone with a bikini or a Speedo walks on to the beach, people start checking them out, human intuition makes your mind wander to whats underneath that bikini or whatever. Reason being, it is human nature to want to discover the unknown. Curiosity killed the cat remember.

Now let me move onto family, both my parents have performed their obligatory Hajj, are both Dr.'s, both pray 5 times a day. You would think that they are the epitome of Muslim tolerance and understanding right? Not! I mean I love my parents both to death but their actions and their fighting seriously got me contemplating changing my religion over to Catholicism or something. As did a lot of other things in my family and circle of friends families, such as all the profound charity work that some folks do yet are so damn self centered, egotistical and stubborn, and some times all out rude and obnoxious. However in the end I decided that it is not Islam's fault that about 60% of the people I know that claim to be Muslims are better of if they practiced Voo-Doo. Plus I didn't want to become an apostate and realized that I was insane for even thinking of changing my religion as I love Islam so very much. It is like the promise of a better life just like the American Dream except is concerned with both heaven and Earth and is not really a dream but a logically inevitable leap of faith.

I mean a religion that protects you from all the ills of humanity, that protects the weak, gives people their rights accordingly and is also so grossly misunderstood sounds like a very special thing. The last thing you want when admiring such a private and personal awe inspiring thing such as Islam is a bunch of lunatics running around acting like imbeciles, claiming complete submission to this religion, it can make you feel like a creep for even having anything to do with it. Do you know what I mean?

Taking Personal Inventory ..

It looks like it is clean up time again on this side of the Nile, which ever side that is. It sure seems that I have pissed off a lot of people in one way or the other by just simply being me. Whether it be family members like my mother or one of my many around the way siblings.

Being absent for 10 years in a row and pronounced dead more times than anyone cares to recount, I got away with a certain type of candor upon my return to the vibrant land of the dead. Systematically now though, I feel Egypt's reality is hitting me upside the head and making itself ever more apparent. Getting away with less and less as each few months goes by, not that I am doing anything wrong, but my celebrity status has all but dwindled into future taxable offences.

Having nearly stopped all contact with my mother, saving myself the grief of hearing her shamelessly complain about her ex-husband that she divorced 17 years ago, who just so happens to be my dad. He has been happily remarried after many years and my mother seems to be in extreme denial over here unresolved feelings for the man. Today I was awoken by her call , informing me that she felt bad because I hadn't upgraded my car as I had wanted and that I can choose any car I wanted up to a certain price range. Here comes the good part, pending that I not only relay her feelings to my dad, but I take a nasty message to his wife.

Needless to say, I am still driving the same old piece of shit, which is better than the last form of transportation that I had - my running shoes. Her behavior was another enlightening moment in my life as I saw where I get the out right mental defectiveness that goes hand in hand with addiction, alcoholism and obsession which has prompted me to continue to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admit it.

My siblings that have sided with my dad or are neutral were pleased that I was steadfast and wasn't tempted by a new 08' Civic or Lancer and the others were in disbelief that I didn't even play on her weakness to get a better car. A few years ago, the family wouldn't even say disturbing things in front of me, completely shielding me as if I was a baby. Now I have proven myself to be their rock, the steadfast reformed bad boy who has a world of wisdom to shed on issues from politics, science, psychology, love and my favorite - how to make a buck. I developed the latter way before my using days.

So meanwhile I am building my credit all by my lonesome, averting any cataclysmic family fall outs and hoping to do exactly what I did back in my other home - North America- being completely independent.

Who Do You Think You're Calling Terrorist ..?

In an ever changing world where one already has to go through extreme lengths in order to keep his or her roots & individuality in tact, a new wave of combative antisemitism vs. Islamophobia has arisen. Making it endemically impossible for one to practice the religion of Islam moderately or freely, without being labelled a fundamentalist follower of the cult of death called Islam by radical antagonist elements.

It is almost like their behaviour taunts us easy going Muslims to actually go out and become terrorists or at least be instigated into doing something stupid that would inadvertently make us out to be the savage cult that they so precariously make us out to be. Making the only option to get around such regressive thinking, is to actually join in a little bit, in the smear campaign against Islam. This will avail us the brownie points required to be in their good favor & gain there so badly needed acceptance. What .. ? Not me!

I have seen this malady on the numerous blogs of several Egyptians. The sad thing is the more they are against Islam & say pro Zionist anti-Islamic crap, the more popular this novelty is & their blogs become.

I mean everyone is entitled to their own opinions & everything but seriously, what the hell ever happened to believing in God & Country? What happened to ethics, morality, patriotism, belief and not selling out?

My frustration was vented a short while ago on someones blog, when I said that I was not in the habit of blindly pleasing my ex-colonial captors. Now get this, I was blasted by someone other than your typical Islam hater, it was a pro Islamic fellow whom I have since become pals with. But it was his initial reaction which got me thinking that there must be some sort of unwritten political code in the blog world, where one must adhere to a conceptual norm of moderation in order to appease the common crowd that erected these beliefs, this is what got me curious about blogging.

You are right to think that I would not like to be labelled a terrorist or have my religion made fun of in any way shape or form. But now that it has come down to it, although I am not a terrorist or a terrorist supporter, I will be glad to be called a terrorist before I join in the bashing of my very own religion.

No matter how misunderstood my religion is, your calling me a terrorist does nothing to corroborate your absurd claim that it is a bad religion. On the contrary, it is the simplest & most direct, completely unchanged religion in the Universe, case closed. So go ahead & call me a terrorist if that's what your ignoramus personalities require of you. Meanwhile I will be respecting all faiths whilst you continue not to leave mine alone. Why, because that's what well rounded moderate Muslims do.

Recovery -- Blogging -- Anonymity

The anonymity involved in blogging has allowed this vastly growing pass time to literally develop into a way of life. Empowering different peoples throughout the world from all walks of life, enabling uninterrupted communication, freedom of expression, while all but eradicating the distance gaps and pulling different worlds closer together through the advent of technology.

People can now autonomously express their views, as well as anonymously with the entire world and gain critical feedback, no matter how sensitive the subject matter.

IAnonymity is the main principle behind the most successful recovery program known yet, anonymity is the ruling principal behind the [12 step] anonymous recovery program. Recovering addicts are actually a rare breed, few individuals actually ever recover from this deadly disease. It is frowned upon by our society and considered the lowest of social ills, due to its incommensurable nature and high mortality rate.

Naturally during a recovery process, one would like to keep their private business a secret from every Tom, Dick & Harry, so it is crucial to practice a modicum of anonymity, especially on the internet, where a blog can get literally get thousands of hits within a matter of hours.

Anonymity is an integral variable in the equation. Imagine you had an addictive streak in you and were attending a 12 step anonymous meeting. Could you be sure that some of the less than close colleagues at work, if they were to find out wouldn't gossip, I doubt it. Those trying to recover from gambling disorders or other addictions aren't looking for anyones support. I mean how would that look, in a place where Iyou may have out done yourself, proved your expertise, competence & worthiness time and time again, being a favorite amongst your clients and being branded the most trustworthy? If it were suddenly to become common knowledge that you are attendind 12 step meetings, even with heavy connections in the industry, there would undoubtedly be irreparable damage done to you, as word will get out and there would be anything but a positive reaction career wise.

Quoting one of my buddies who happens to be in recovery:
"My past-using-buddies have all passed away and those that haven't are approaching a slow but sure death, so you see the party for me is so over. The program has taught me things that money just can't buy and has protected me from certain insanity, pain, grief and hardship if not imminent death."

Why anonymity, because it Focuses on the oneness of the group as a whole, not as individuals. Later it focuses on each and every individual, one at a time. Success would be impossible if everyone who enters the program were to just think of themselves. One can not quit and live a psychologically sound & healthy life based on sheer will power alone. A sophisticated battle proven method with a help apparatus can though, if we are willing to partake in the journey. And thank God people have..

There is Sex Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Over Eaters Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Cannabis Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and many more, the most popular being the latter two. Whatever your addiction might be, the 12 step program is the most succesful of all the recovery tools. And get this, there are meetings 24 hours a day all over the world including online.

"When we first quit using, we are not familiar with dealing with any emotions or handling situations with out being intoxicated and suddenly being able to feel things can actually be pretty scary. In time we become equipped and learnt how to deal with situations that used to baffle us."

Another quote from an N.A. member in Egypt:
"So in the beginning I didn't like going to meetings with so many addicts in one room for various reasons. Some owed me money a long time ago that never paid me back and others, I just got a bad feeling about, as if I may have owed them money but had totally forgot about it. Not to mention that I felt that all these addicts wore their hearts on their sleeves, some thought that it is OK to relapse believing if they do, then it is God 's will and the program will always be there when they decide to come back and try again, although a lot never made it back at all. Others more or less quit only for a while in order to lower their tolerance to dope so that when they use again they don't have to use as much to get high. Others gathered to meet up and score, then there was the insane dating scene, 8 or 9 guys taking turns hitting on the same girl, pretty much all at once. And ofcourse the losing suitors calling her a slut, till there was no point in attempting to retain any serenity from these meetings at all as it became futile. Also a great number of folks ended up relapsing and overdosing. However in the end it was well worth sticking around till I found a group that fit like a glove because I was able to recover. It's like finally finding a nice restaraunt where you like the food and ambience and everybody knows your name and you just feel at home being there."

"Yes it was quite the mess until I finally settled in with the right crowd, until I did I was lucky enough to be able to harness the power of anonymity on the net by hanging out in the 12 step chat rooms."

Now that I started blogging I wanted to pay a tribute to the anonymity that makes all of this possible in recovery & blogging.

"After a lot of clean time, I went back to some of the large local meetings and they didn't seem as menacing as before but none the less brought back memories of how timid I was in the beginning. So if anyone has some sort of grave obsession or addiction, I recommend checking out the 12 steps. Believe me if I can do it then anyone can do it, once a person realizes that if there is no pain there is no gain & is willing to go the distance, they will find themselves in a way better place than the one they were in, even before the addiction or obssesion which availed the oppurtunity to address such issues that otherwise wouldn't have been addressed."

My hats off to all the recovering 12 steppers out there in cyber space as well in the rooms they call home groups.

Anonymously..