Here is the sequence of events in this hypothetical scenario:
43% of Jordanians are estimated to be smokers. The Jordanian parliament just banned smoking in public places, imposing a $22-$35 fine and a jail term exceeding a week on violators. 95% of those smokers will ignore the ban, as is the habit in the Middle East to challenge authority on every thing inconsequential to undermining dictatorship.
The light at the end of the tunnel, however, is that should authorities choose to actually enforce the ban; most smokers will be able to talk things with the arresting officer over a cigarette.
But really, this is perhaps the best resolution to come out of the Jordanian parliament since the media began paying attention to what comes out of that building.
What makes the ban even more exciting, fines increase to $700-$1200 for those who light up in places such as daycares and kindergartens (Al Jazeera Arabic), and it inspired Pennsylvania to finally pass a smoking ban.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Jordan Authorities May Imprison 41% Of Population
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Saddam #2
The Egyptian (relatively) independent newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm (The Egyptian Today) has a variety piece on an Alexandrian by the name of Mohammed Bashar, 58 who happens to be a "screaming lookalike" (shabah saarikh) of Saddam Husain. Many a time has he walked down the street and people stare at him, then ask God to have mercy on his soul. In addition people have started to call him Abu Oday and Qusay (Saddam's two sons).
This fame, however, has resulted to him being chased by the "mafia of Saddam autobiographies and its brokers" who will just not leave him alone. A director had offered him the sum of money of his choice to act in a film about his lookalike, however after his initial acceptance he pulled out when he found that the film wanted to distort the sex life of the dear departed president.
Apparently this screaming resemblance did not kick in until he hit his fifties (and the American occupation of Iraq) and resulted in him being chased by Gulfies to be photographed together with Saddam.
And his wife's response to all of his: "Better that he resembles Saddam and not Bush, or he would be beaten up in the street!"
Speaking of which, does anyone have a link to the story of the Iraqi who resembled Bush? He seemed to be having an OK time of it.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Arab-American FOB Street on Politics: What they're saying about the primaries
Since newspapers and media seem to be perenially interested in what the "Arab Street" has to say, I will be bring the "Arab-American FOB Street"s commentary on the Primaries and Candidates:
Senator Hilary Rodman Clinton:
“I want Hilary to win cause I just want to a woman in the oval (perhaps, "obal"?) office”Senator John McCain:
-my father
“McCain is crazy and old. It is like he is held together by staples.”
-one of my 30 cousins on my father's side of the family
“But I tell you something. This McCain is…A good singer”
-my uncle’s sarcastic reference to McCain’s infamous rendition of “Bomb, Bomb, Bomb” set to the beat of The Beach Boys' famous cover of the Regents 1961 song "Barbara Ann."
Refer to video appropriated titled "Bomb, bomb, bomb":
[Refer to the skewer for appropriate imagery of the candidates]
