(تصوير: خليل البوريني – Al-Qabas)

The Kuwaiti ‘political street’ seems to indicate that current MPs such as Rajah Al-Hujailan, Khalid Al-Sultan, Abdulla Al-Roumi, Abdelwahid al-Awadhi, Nasser Al-Sane and Jaber Al-Mohailbi might not run for re-election. A few of these individuals cannot run due to a combination of negative public feedback stemming from their actions (verbal or otherwise) and gossip concerning their business ventures – running would leave them vulnerable to further personal attacks.

Jassim Al-Khorafi stated a while back that he would not run again, but I think that is still up in the air. When he gets that phone call he will run.

Ahmed Al-Sadoun will run again in the 3rd District.

There are reports that Khalid Al-Khalid might run in the 2nd District as opposed to the 3rd (where he had difficulty gaining electoral support).

Aseel Al-Awadhi is still mulling whether to run, but since she almost dislodged Nasser Al-Sane from the 10th position in the 3rd District, she should run, and stands an excellent chance of winning (even without her ‘National Democratic Alliance’ group).

Saleh Al-Mulla (3rd District) will run again.

There is a strong possibility that veterans Mishari Al-Anjari and Talal Al-Ayyar run again.

There are conflicting reports about Ali Al-Rashed, some stating he won’t run, others that he will.

Ahmed Al-Mulaifi might switch from the 3rd District to the 1st District.

These are preliminary reports and subject to change.

The New Welcoming Sign At Kuwait Airport

Last May I posted the following:

“The government is in a much more vulnerable position than it was prior to the National Assembly being dissolved (there are loose ends hanging about…they won’t just disappear into thin air). If the government doesn’t deliver the Five Year Development program (i.e. hospitals, infrastructure, water and electricity) demanded by all faces of the political spectrum: Islamists, Liberals, Tribal, Shiite – and, frankly I doubt they will – a political powder keg will ignite. In other words, I expect the life expectancy of this new Parliament to be one year (I’ll see you at the polls again next Spring).”

Well it has happened hasn’t it? Not that it gives me any pleasure – voting again for the third time in four years is not my idea of progress. The next two months be prepared to listen to more pure, unadulterated electoral bullshit, rivaling a decade’s worth of KUNA wires.

Are you ready?

MP Nasser Al-Duwaila hasn’t made any announcements the last hour.

Rumors tonight – remember…rumors – indicate the following:

• An unconstitutional dissolution of Parliament for two years.

• The merging of both Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s positions.

Discuss.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said that Allah the Almighty said:

There are three whose adversary I shall be on the Day of Resurrection: a man who has given his word by Me and has broken it; a man who has sold a free man and has consumed the price; and a man who has hired a workman, has exacted his due in full from him and has not given him his wage.

Related by al-Bukhari (also by Ibn Majah and Ahmad ibn Hanbal).

“Please merge them Sire.”

If the government’s idea for avoiding future political turmoil consists of the reunification of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister positions (again) than they are even more brilliant than I thought.

Who are their political advisors, Pee Wee Herman, Gallagher and Carrot Top?

Who says Kuwait isn’t a vanguard of development and progress anymore? World’s Longest Shish Tawouk Cooked In Kuwait.

Now if we could only cook up ‘Jaber Hospital’ for starters (I think the project has been in the ‘marinating’ stage for three years).

We’ve had great new mileage out of the blog’s ‘Diwaniya’ concept so far, the ‘Guest Contributors’ have done a stellar job: an entertaining piece by Don Veto (‘Things People Carry As ‘Baggage’ When Travelling’), a politically passionate one by Intlxpatr (‘Smile For Me Baby – Let Me See Your Grill’) – the next few weeks and months expect appearances by some of the brightest bloggers in our stratosphere; they’ll also get their own permanent category slot on the blog (for a hint of things to come check out the right side-bar). If you haven’t been contacted yet, you probably will be. It’s about community; having fun and making a difference.

Next up on the horizon is a new writer called فتح الخير who will blog in Arabic (a ‘Hilaliya’ first).

Can Anyone Fill The ‘Bisht’ Here?

Fancy titles; everyone pursues them in Arab cultures where it is a sign of ‘honor’ and ‘prestige.’ Ministries, companies, governments, even volunteering and social organizations; they their love titles; it fuels their ego even if they perform piss-poorly at their menial tasks. The Minister of this. The 4th Deputy Premier of that. The Vice-President in charge of this. Assistant Under-Secretary in charge of that. Whatever.

They are in denial – they get superficial respect, but are mocked behind their backs – people resent them. Why? Because they don’t deliver the goods; yet these prima donnas have the chutzpah to pick and choose Constitutional elements to further their own self-serving needs. Niccolo Machiavelli (‘The Prince’) said it best, “It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.”