Severed Internet Cables

Once again we are faced with the problem of broken submarine Internet cables. This seems to be a reoccurring problem for us here in the Middle East. Yet again, in less than a year, we find ourselves with sporatic, at best, Internet service and therefore virtually cut off from the outside world.

Not only has this affected the Internet, but there is also a problem with the ATM machines. They are apparently working again, but they were all unavailable for a while. Earlier this year when the cables were cut, we were left without ATMs or the use of credit cards for several days. It makes you realize how dependant we have all become on this technology.

There are many rumours going around about sabatoge (mostly involving Americans), but while I am living here, I prefer not to go too much into that. For the moment the verdict is out on the current cause of the problems. I just hope that I will be able to publish this post since I keep losing my connection :)

Video: Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoes at Bush

The BBC reports:

A surprise visit by US President George Bush to Iraq has been overshadowed by an incident in which two shoes were thrown at him during a news conference.

An Iraqi journalist was wrestled to the floor by security guards after he called Mr Bush "a dog" and threw his footwear, just missing the president.

This seems to be the big news this morning, but should we be surprised? After all that has been inflicted on the Iraqi people by this administration in the guise of "liberating" them, it should not come as a shock.


Here is the video:

Also according to the BBC:

In the middle of the news conference with Mr Maliki, Iraqi television journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi stood up and shouted "this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog," before hurling a shoe at Mr Bush which narrowly missed him.

It has been widely mentioned in the media that in Arab culture throwing shoes and calling someone a dog are terrible insults. Wouldn't they also be terrible insults in the West? I should think it is not only limited to Arabs. However, as mentioned by the BBC:

Correspondents said the attack was symbolic. Iraqis threw shoes and used them to beat Saddam Hussein's statue after his overthrow.

I am sure that there are many people that are very happy to see him leave office next month, but is it fair to place all the blame for the problems in the US and abroad on him? Let's not forget that Vice-President Dick Cheney, a career politician who has pretty much been in the White House since he was the White House Chief of Staff under President Ford (excepting the Clinton years), has been next to him throughout his years in office.

A Little About Myself (but not too much)

Hello! I am an American expat currently living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I have been here for a few years now, and while there are many things that I love about the Middle East, I am thinking of moving to back Europe in a couple of years. Before coming here, I spent over 10 years in Europe (living mostly France, but also the UK and the Netherlands), and there are many things about the lifestyle that I miss terribly (oh, the cafes...). As for the United States, after having travelled quite extensively and having experienced many different cultures, I can't see myself ever returning to live there. It's just not the place where I feel the most at home.

Hopefully, through this blog I will be able to share some of my many experiences, and also help a few people out there understand that it is possible to want more out of life than what is offered in the United States (as far as I am concerned) without being anti-American.

I hope you enjoy what I have to share and happy reading!