A Blogger gets arrested in Kuwait for an anonoymous comment offending the Emir....I have nothing but utter contempt for the people in charge!
If things like the arrest of a blogger are a source of concern for the safety of democracy within an unofficial dictatorship such as the one we're living in for the couple of years, then it's high time for everyone to reconsider the freedom-and the price it imposes-are both things to be valued and defended, and not bartered and sold.
Kuwait was NEVER the bastion of freedom, or democracy, or any of the values we hear about during the election campaigns in Kuwait. The only thing that made us different was the very close relationship we-as Kuwaitis-have with our 'designated' rulers. I say 'designated' because that's exactly the arrangement that started the Al Sabah's rule in Kuwait, ever since the 18th Century, when the merchant families of Kuwait chose Sabah I (Bin Jaber) to be their mediator. I dare anyone-including the family members themselves-to say otherwise. But it's people like Bashar Al Sane and Jassem al Qamis who are part of the wave of change that is enforcing the realization of these values within our own society.
On the other hand, this may just as equally be a message from the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry to the Kuwaiti blogging community, informing us that the Ministry is keeping us in check, and is monitoring our comments and activities, both online and-quite possible-offline as well. If that's the case, then shouldn't they be able to differentiate between an administrator and an anonoymous commenter? Seriously....c'mon, seriously!?
If things like the arrest of a blogger are a source of concern for the safety of democracy within an unofficial dictatorship such as the one we're living in for the couple of years, then it's high time for everyone to reconsider the freedom-and the price it imposes-are both things to be valued and defended, and not bartered and sold.
Kuwait was NEVER the bastion of freedom, or democracy, or any of the values we hear about during the election campaigns in Kuwait. The only thing that made us different was the very close relationship we-as Kuwaitis-have with our 'designated' rulers. I say 'designated' because that's exactly the arrangement that started the Al Sabah's rule in Kuwait, ever since the 18th Century, when the merchant families of Kuwait chose Sabah I (Bin Jaber) to be their mediator. I dare anyone-including the family members themselves-to say otherwise. But it's people like Bashar Al Sane and Jassem al Qamis who are part of the wave of change that is enforcing the realization of these values within our own society.
On the other hand, this may just as equally be a message from the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry to the Kuwaiti blogging community, informing us that the Ministry is keeping us in check, and is monitoring our comments and activities, both online and-quite possible-offline as well. If that's the case, then shouldn't they be able to differentiate between an administrator and an anonoymous commenter? Seriously....c'mon, seriously!?
All I know is that, with people like these fellows, Kuwait's true voice will always be heard! Blog on boys...
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