نعي غير فاضل

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The complete list of all Gifts given to American Officials by King Abdullah II of Jordan since the year 2000

Here you go. The complete list of all that was given (publicly) by king Abdullah of Jordan to United States Officials in the years 2000-2006 excluding 2004 ( I wasn't able to locate the respective document). My thoughts on the list are as follows:

• I admire the effort the US government puts into being the transparent organization it calls for. They are not perfect. However, through the Freedom of Information Act, one can uncover as much information about any person as long as it is unclassified.
• The sight of such gifts was an eye opener for me. Jordanians can only dream that their government will ever create and publish such reports.
  
• As shown below, the monetary value of all gifts combined isn't that much. However, once compared to gifts given to US officials from some European leaders, for example, we would see how extravagant the below gifts were.
  
• I liked seeing many "local" gifts, such as olive oil and local art.
  

Calendar Year 2006

First Family

Household item: 91⁄2′′ x 91⁄2′′ Rosenthal frosted purple glass square plate bearing the image of a Black Iris, Jordan’s national flower, etched with the Royal cypher on the top and ‘‘The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 2005–2006’’ on the bottom. Rec’d—December 30, 2005. Processed—January 3, 2006. Est. Value—$96

First Family

Household items (12): Five 2′′ x 21⁄4′′ silver coffee cups and three 2′′ x 4′′ wooden bowls, with both the cups and bowls featuring gold-tone Arabic Calligraphy symbols of Happiness, Love, Health, Well-Being and Blessings; three 31⁄4′′ x 31⁄2′′ metal coffee jars covered in fabric and with accompanying wooden lids and 91⁄2′′ x 91⁄2′′ Rosenthal frosted green glass square plate laser-etched with the Royal cypher on top and ‘‘The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 2006–2007,’’ on bottom, with both the jars and frosted plate bearing the image of an olive branch. Rec’d—December 19, 2006. Est. Value— $499.

Vice President

Silver knife and sheath. Rec’d February 7, 2006. Est. Value— $500.

Vice President

Custom-made western saddle. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$6500. Disposition Archives Foreign. Italian crib

linens by Martini. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$1891. Disposition—Archives Foreign. Jordanian gold baby coin. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$350. Disposition Transferred to General Services Administration.

Gucci baby carrier and teddy bear. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$920. Disposition—Ar- chives Foreign.

Tiffany baby rattle. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$223. Disposition Archives Foreign.

Small Links silver box. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$140. Disposition—Archives Foreign.

Two Links silver-plated baby frames. Rec’d—May 27, 2006. Est. Value—$110. Disposition—Transferred to General Services Administration.

Vice President and Mrs. Cheney

Original abstract painting by Jordanian artist Hassan Jallal. Rec’d—January 4, 2006. Est. Value—$500. Disposition—Archives Foreign.

Four small acrylic boxes with wood and mother-of-pearl inlaid lids. Rec’d—January 4, 2006. Est. Value—$200. Disposition—Ar- chives Foreign.

Hand painted floral glass plate. Rec’d—January 4, 2006. Est. Value—$75. Disposition—Archives Foreign.

Vice President and Mrs. Cheney

Coffee set including cups, bowls, canisters, and glass tray. Rec’d—December 29, 2006. Est. Value—$375. Disposition—Archives Foreign.

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense.

Abstract painting in Plum & White, Decorative Plate by Rosenthal, Set of 4 Decorative Boxes, Wood Gift Box. Rec’d—January 4, 2006. Est. Value—$385. Disposition Pending transfer to General Services Administration.

Gabriel Bitol, Special Assistant to the Democratic Staff Director Committee on Foreign Relations

Decorative boxes with painting. Rec’d—January 16, 2006. Est. Value—$400. Disposition With the Secretary of the Senate.

Calendar Year 2005

President

Leather-bound book: ‘‘Holy Bible (King James Version)’’ with carved mother of pearl cover accented with the image of a starburst and ornate mosaic design, printed in Great Britain and held in a 91⁄2″ x 7″ red satin lined wood box with hinged lid, covered with a veneer of mother of pearl accented with abolone image of a flower and ornate mosaic design. Rec’d—September 22, 2005. Est. Value—$500. Location— Archives Foreign.

Desk accessory: 9″ x 7″ photograph of President Bush and His Majesty King Abdullah II in the Oval Office; signed by donor and held in a sterling picture frame accented with the image of the royal seal of His Majesty King Abdullah II. Rec’d—September 22, 2005 Est. Value— $400. Location— Archives Foreign.

Collectable: cream steel dualwheel- drive, off-road Rokon- AB23 Desert Ranger motorcycle with tow bar and trailer exclusively developed by the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau. Rec’d— September 22, 2005. Est. Value—$4500. Location—Archives Foreign.

Stephen Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Desk accessories (2): 81⁄2″ letter opener and 61⁄4″ magnifying glass; handles of mother of pearl and ornate sterling design. Rec’d—March 23, 2005. Est. Value—$337. Disposition— Archives, Staff Gift.

Stephen Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Desk accessories (2): 6″ x 51⁄2″ x 1″ desk note pad holder with a hinged ‘‘Kuhn’’ sterling picture frame lid with gold crown and a 5″ sterling and leather ballpoint pen printed in silver with crown and donor’s name; frame holds a print of the Monastery at Petra; held in a white satin lined blue velvet latched. Rec’d— September 19, 2005. Est. Value—$345. Disposition— Transferred to the General Services Administration, Government Property.

Scott N. Sforza, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Communications for Production.

Desk accessories (2): Nino Cerruti designed pen set ‘‘ebonite noir with Iridium point’’ 51⁄4″ black and silver fountain pen and 51⁄4″ ballpoint pen, held in black leather box with royal crest. Rec’d—March 15, 2005. Est. Value—$408. Disposition—Transferred to the General Services Administration, Government Property.

Vice President and Mrs. Cheney

Fitted wooden box filled with toiletry items, candy, candles, silver- plated vases, handmade paper journals, a silver brooch, and a square Rosenthal china plate. Rec’d—January 5, 2005. Est. Value—$850. Location— Archives Foreign.

Vice President

Scimitar 308 Winchester Presentation Rifle with engraved barrel and Night force, 3.5x15–50, scope, in presentation case. Rec’d— eptember 22, 2005. Est. Value—$14,120. Location— Archives Foreign.

Sterling silver box with Jordanian seal, lined with burled olive wood. Rec’d—September 22, 2005. Est. Value—$550. Location— Archives Foreign.

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense.

Desk Set—Sterling Silver Photo Top Note Pad and Pen. Rec’d—October 13, 2005. Est. Value—$450.00. Location— Transferred to General Services Administration.

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense.

5 Boxes Assorted Treats, Bottle of Consecrated Holy Water from the River Jordan, Assorted Dead Sea Bath Products, Large Box of Dead Sea Bath Products, 1 Jar of Royal Jelly in a Decorative Box, and 2 Bottles of Extra Virgin Olive Oil packaged in boxes. Rec’d— ecember 23, 2005. Est. Value— $150.00, $570.00, $90.00, $80.00, $45.00, and $60.00 respectively— Total $495.00. Location Transferred to General Services Administration.

General Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gift Set in Wooden Box: Candles, Candy in jars, Urns, Notebooks and Pin. Rec’d—January 10, 2005. Est. Value—$380.00. Location Transferred to General Services Administration.

General Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Assorted Olive Oils Aromatherapy Gift Set. Rec’d—January 26, 2005. Est. Value—$110.00 and $38.00 respectively—Total $490.00. Location—Transferred to General Services Administration.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Senator.

Leather Desk Set. Rec’d—November 13, 2005. Estimated Value—$800. Location—Official Use, Displayed in SR–464.

Calendar Year 2004 (wasn't able to locate)

Calendar Year 2003

President

Desk accessory: 9″ silver limited edition series (1056/2000) Cartier letter opener with time piece embedded in one end; held in a red leather presentation case. Recd—June 4, 2003. Est. Value—$1210. Archives Foreign.

First Family

Artwork (2): 111⁄4″ x 11″ black and white watercolors of architectural details from the temples at Petra, by Anna Kudribshova; both are matted and held in 201⁄4″ x 191⁄4″ silver- and gold tone frames. Recd—September 18, 2003. Est. Value—$1500. Archives Foreign.

First Family

Desk accessories: 51⁄2″ x 51⁄2″ ivory stationery; held in a 6″ x 6″ sterling silver note pad holder engraved with Arabic characters. Recd— ecember 4, 2003. Est. Value—$350. Archives Foreign.

Desk accessory: 4″ x 3″ sterling silver oval paperweight. Recd— December 4, 2003. Est. Value—$150. Archives Foreign.

Desk accessory: 7″ sterling silver letter opener engraved with Arabic characters. Recd—December 4, 2003. Est. Value—$100. Archives Foreign.

Desk accessory: 111⁄2″ feather fountain tip pen. Recd—December 4, 2003. Est. Value—$100. Archives Foreign.

Blakeman, Brad, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Appointments and Scheduling.

Desk accessory: Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Black Silver Fountain Pen. Recd—June 4, 2003. Est. Value—$425. Transferred to the General Services Administration.

Card, Andrew H., Jr., Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff.

Olive oil (4 bottles, 750ml each): ‘‘Jordan’s Treasure’’ extra virgin olive oil with pourers held in custom wooden presentation cabinet with crest. Recd—June 10, 2003. Est. Value—$202. Government Property.

Desk accessory: Mont Blanc ‘‘Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue’’ fountain pen with sterline silver cap and black base with Arabic engraving on cap. Recd—June 10, 2003. Est. Value—$470. Government Property.

Haines, Mary A., Deputy Executive Secretary for Scheduling and Advance (National Security Council).

Desk accessory: Nino Cerruti designed pen set ‘‘ebonite noir with Iridium point’’ black and silver fountain pen and ballpoint pen, held in black leather box with royal crest. Recd—June 54, 2003. Est. Value—$496.Government Property.

Jenkins, Gregory, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Advance.

Desk accessory: Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Solitair Doue Black Silver Fountain Pen held in leather presentation box with crest on lid. Recd—June 4, 2003. Est. Value—$370. Government Property.

Rice, Condoleezza, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Olive oil (4 bottles, 750ml each): ‘‘Jordan’s Treasure’’ extra virgin olive oil with pourers held in custom wooden presentation cabinet with crest. Recd—June 4, 2003. Est. Value—$202. Government Property.

Desk accessory: Mont Blanc ‘‘Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue’’ fountain pen with sterling silver cap and black base, with Arabic engraving on cap. Recd—June 4, 2003. Est. Value—$470.

Desk accessory: 51⁄2″ x 51⁄2″ ivory stationery held in a 6″ x 6″ sterling silver note pad holder engraved with Arabic characters. Recd— ecember 4, 2003. Est. Value—$350. Government Property.

Desk accessory: 111⁄2″ silver trim black feather quill pen with metal nib. Recd—December 4, 2003. Est. Value—$100. Government Property.

Collectable: 81⁄2″ x 81⁄2″ Rosenthal white porcelain square plate with gold and blue intricate designs on the rim and an Arabic inscription in the center; stamped with the Royal cypher and the Quranic verse, Surah II:115 on the back. Recd-December 4, 2003. Est. Value— $250. Government Property.

Desk accessory: 111⁄4″ x 9″ mouse pad framed by sterling silver engraved with Arabic characters. Recd—December 4, 2003. Est. Value—$250. Government Property.

Vice President

Wood and leather box containing a quill pen, brown leather strips with attached beads, Rosenthal square porcelain plate, and sterling silver desk set (memo pad holder, paperweight, letter opener, and silver frame for mouse pad). Recd—December 8, 2003. Est. Value $1150. Archives Foreign.

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense.

The Hashemite Coins of H.M. King Al-Hussein bin Ali, 11/3/ 2003, $1,000.00. Transferred to GSA.

Colin L. Powell, The Secretary of State of the United States.

Pen—black plastic, 18 karat white gold nib, sterling silver cap with gold plating, Mont Blanc, together with a notepad in sterling silver with gilt crown having a framed print of Petra to lid. Date Received: 6/4/2003. Estimated Value: $900.00. Disposition: Pending transfer to the General Services Administration.

Donald Burnham Ensenat, The Chief of Protocol of the United States.

Pen—Montblanc. Date Received: 6/13/2003. Over Minimum Value. Disposition: Pending transfer to the General Services Administration.

Richard Lugar, U.S. Senator

Recd.—October 15, 2003. Elegant pen set. Est. Value—Over $100. Displayed in SD–450.

Calendar year 2002

President

Box: 11″ x 61⁄4″ x 2″ silver box lined with burled wood, with Jordanian seal and signature etched on lid; held in a red leather case. Rec’d— ay 8, 2002. Est. Value—$1,000. Archives Foreign.

First Family

Home accessories: 11″ x 4″ glass candle plate; 41⁄4″ x 41⁄4″ wooden and stone coasters (6) with nautical theme; 6 navy blue and beige placemats with sea shell decorations; 6 navy blue cloth napkins with sea shell decorations; 6 blue and orange ceramic cups with nautical theme; and 4″ x 6″ stoneware picture frames (2) imprinted with outlines of sea life. Rec’d—January 15, 2002. Est. Value— $671. Archives Foreign.

Candles: three square, scented candles. Rec’d—January 15, 2002. Est. Value—$30.

Chest: 22″ x 153⁄4″ x 101⁄2″ wooden chest with glass lid containing various nautical items including shells, star fish, and smooth pebbles. Rec’d—January 15, 2002. Est. Value—$60. Archives Foreign.

Hardcover book: ‘‘The Little Book of Aqaba’’ set on glass display with glass magnifying bar and painted ceramic tile. Rec’d— January 15, 2002. Est. Value— $65. Archives Foreign.

Vice President

Sterling silver notepad. Measures 4″ by 6″ with the Jordanian crest and a lithograph of the Monastery at Petra. Rec’d— March 12, 2002. Est. Value— $225. Archives Foreign.

Mrs. Cheney

Multi-color wool rug, handwoven by the Bedouin women of Jabal Bani Hamida for the Jordan River Foundation, a group dedicated to helping Jordanian women form micro-businesses making traditional crafts. Measures 80″ by 60″, Rec’d—March 12, 2002. Est. Value— $150. Archives Foreign.

Calendar year 2001

President

Crystal vase (10″ x 41⁄2″): handmade Swedish frosted glass with crown engraved on top and a landscape design underneath; wood base with brass plaque and a wood display case (14″ x 83⁄4″ x 81⁄2″) also included. Recd—April 10, 2001. Est. Value—$600. Archives Foreign.

First Lady

Large pine wood chest with crown latch and inlaid with design of crown; containing a wooden bath brush. Recd—April 12, 2001. Est. Value—$200. Archives Foreign.

Collection of beauty products contained in chest: two packages of three bars each of soap (mineral, scrub, and black mud); three small burlap bags filled with Dead Sea salts; two bottles of Dead Sea bath salts; one natural sponge; one bees wax candle; one pottery jar filled with Dead Sea bath salts; and one pottery jar filled with Dead Sea mud. Recd—April 12, 2001. Est. Value— $200. Handled pursuant to Secret Service policy.

Vice President

Odalisque Dead Sea Products: assorted toiletries for men and women, including shampoo, soap, and bath salts. Recd— April 16, 2001. Est. Value— $302. Handled pursuant to Secret Service policy.

Colin Powell, Secretary of State

Cigarette box, 71⁄2″L, sterling silver, lid engraved with the Royal Jordanian coat of arms and the facsimile signature of King Abdullah, by Kuhn, Germany, #27 late 20th century, fitted case, gross weight 20ozsT. Rec’d—April 4, 2001. Est. Value—$500.00. Pending transfer to GSA.

Edward M. Kennedy, U.S. Senator

Square Plate, Arabic design, teal, red and blue. Recd.—February 26, 2001. Est. Value—$150. Deposited with Secretary of Senate.

John F. Kerry, U.S. Senator

Two Rosenthal China Plates. Recd.—January 26, 2001. Est. Value—Exceeds $100. Deposited with Secretary of Senate.

Calendar year 2000

Edward S. Walker, Jr.—Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs.

Loneines Watch; Recd—June 9, 2000; Est. Value— $750.00; Turned in to GSA.

President Clinton

11″ × 6.5″ × 2.5″ sterling silver box with a hinged top and a black, green, and mother-of-pearl mosaic title design reminiscent of the Church of the Lions; Recd Unknown; Est. Value—$500.00; Archives Foreign.

Three navy and 18 kt. gold S.T. Dupont pens and pencils.

Navy and 18 kt. gold S.T. Dupont lighter; Recd—October 24, 2000; Est. Value $500; Archives Foreign.

President and First Lady

5.5″ diameter silver dish with a cabochon sapphire, engraved in Arabic, $350.

4″ silver bracelet with three 3″ tassels and encrusted with small sapphires, $450; Recd—October 23, 2000; Est. Value—$800; Archives Foreign.

First Lady

(1) Two bags of coffee. (2) Four boxes of chocolates. (3) Box of nuts and dates. (4) Two containers of mineral salt. (5) Two containers of Middle Eastern candies. (6) Jar of dried flowers. (7) 600 ml of Rivage Natural Dead Sea Minerals Body Mud Mask. (8) Bottle of clear, unmarked liquid. (9) Bottle of Al-Derra. (10) Two Jordan River all natural olive oil soap bars; Recd—January 5, 2000; Est. Value—$125; Accepted by Another Government Agency.

(1) 74″ × 106″ cream-colored tablecloth with a green border and an orange, yellow, and green butterfly motif, $165. (2) 15″ × 72″ gold- one table runner with gold balls along the edges, $45. (3) 14″ diameter purple and white floral handpainted relish tray in a wooden basket, $50. (4) 3″ × 5.5″ straw pouch. $5; Recd—January 5, 2000; Est. Value— $265; Archives Foreign.

source.

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Only on mab3oos: A complete list of all Gifts given to American Officials by King Abdullah II of Jordan since the year 2000

هسّا انا مشغول شويّ. بعد ما جهّزت سنة ٢٠٠٦، طلع إنّو الشغلة بدها قعدة ابو ٢-٣ ساعات. فاطوّلوا بالكم

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Abu Mahjoob and Burger King

Remember this:


Now this:

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Wasta Rocks. You people are just jealous

What is there to complain about. If you are from a well connected family/tribe, wasta is all you need. It is the key to success. It is the key to prosperity.

• If you got 55% in Tawjihi, some Makruma will take care of sending you to some university, all expenses paid.
• If you needed your passport/ID/Driver License renewed, just send it with a murasil and have the big guy make a few phone calls.
  
• If you needed the street in front of your house paved, just invite the concerned official for a hearty Mansaf.
• If your cousin needed a job, just call up your MP to get his network...working.
• If your already big company wanted to win the next bid for a government project, just say so. That's all it takes.
• If Mu'tah is too far for you, just have baba call someone to get you into JU.

Otherwise, if you are economically and "wastakly" disadvantaged, then

الله لا يردّك. إحنا إيش جابرنا نساعدك يا حفرتل. البلد هاي للّي معو. و إللّي معهوش يروح يبلّط ستين بحر. و إللّي مش عاجبه، أعلى ما بخيله يركبو.

الاردن أولاً سكرز

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King Abdullah's generosity (what boggles my mind)

In a country of an "official" unemployment rate of 12% (the actual is more like 20 with a very high underemployment rate), where many families lack adequate heating at home, where many children are malnourished, where many families can not afford health care, where more than 15% of the population lives on less than $2 a day, his majesty is living a starkly different life style.

In a report by the Office of Protocol at the American State Department listing gifts given to US federal employees and elected officials, King Abdullah is noted for being the second most generous of them all. only to be outdone by, who else, King Abdullah, of Saudi Arabia this time.

Gifts given to American officials by king Abdullah of Jordan include:

• Emerald and diamond necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings estimated to be worth $147,000 (to Condi Rice)
• Necklace and earrings along with a jewelry box valued at $4,630 (to Condi Rice)
• A steel dagger valued at $345 (to Gen. Peter Pace)

This list comes from a government that is relatively much more transparent, a government that does not allow its officials to keep such gifts, and a government that does not need such gifts. Only insiders at the Royal Court would be able to tell of the gifts given to other non-public personalities in exchange for god knows what.

What I don't understand is why would the king spend such exuberant amount of cash on these gifts, while the wife of the Japanese prime minister gave a $100 worth of decorative pillows. Jordan could have benefited from keeping the money and from publicity of choosing traditional Jordanian, and a lot less expensive, gifts, such as artisan sand bottles, embroidery, or other really nice manually woven rugs from the Bani Hamida project.

This is the news report. once I find the actual report on the state department's website, I will link to it.

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Linux Just works. Period.

First of all, I would like to thank Za3tar for having the OpenSUSE logo on his blog. For I would not have heard of it otherwise. Specially not with qwaider bashing everything not Microsoft.

After burning the image, installing OpenSUSE, then adding on foxmarks to Firefoxe, I was up and running. The cost of having a working OS is less than a dollar, which is the cost of the blank CD I used. With SUSE, as is the case with all Linux based systems, you get OpenOffice and a host of other cosmetic features (such as desktop effects).

However, I must admit, I had some trouble with burning the iso image, since Roxio has a burn by track as a default setting rather than burn all disk at once. Also, I am sure that Linux, and all open source software for that matter, will benefit from an enhanced Graphic User Interface installation process.

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البنشرجي Ramos takes a page out of the play book of غوّار الطوشة

I am driving off minding my own business, when all of a sudden I get the sure feeling that one of my car's front tires is flat. I kept hearing the sound of metal hitting the pavement. I stop, get out, and find that a screw had found a comfy place by penetrating one of the tires. I turn back to go home only to find that an intersection I had passed earlier was full of nails and screws. I head home cursing the screws and all metal objects. A few blocks later, Señor Ramos was sitting on his nalgas complaining of a slow day. What gives!

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Is Practicing Islam Habitual or Convictional?

In Spanish, Ojalá is used in speech as to mean hopefully. The origin of the word is Insha' Allah (إن شاء الله) or 'God willing'. The Spanish mostly are unaware of the meaning nor the origin. However, it is used because it already exists in the language and has an understood meaning. Therefore, using the word Ojalá became a habit without actually intending Allah as the granter of the favor, wish, or permit to do something, have something happen, or being helped to accomplish a goal. After all, Spanish speakers are Catholic for the most part.

In the Muslim world, the story is the same.

A look at the practices and the overall societal conditions of Muslims in Muslim countries reveals the dismal status of of all things Islam made sure to have a say in. From the treatment of neighbors to the treatment of citizens, and from the quality of education to the professionalism of all those holding jobs, the list goes on of ignorance of Islamic teachings and the reason Muslims practice, or claim to practice, Islam.

In the Arab world, where my experience stems from although other parts of the Muslim world don't differ that much, hearing religious terms and statements in peoples' speech is a given. Officials' oaths, swearing, and other religiously distinctive matters, such as marriage and inter-family relations, are just a few examples. However, taking Islamic teachings to ones heart is seldom the case.

We all hear of the uproar from religiously affiliated personae the minute some semi-dressed singer takes the stage. "this is haram," "This goes against our religion," and "someone is attacking our religion" are just a few reactions to events that happen almost daily. However, those same crying voices forget that these events have a far less effect on the lives of Muslims than the way they, themselves, perceive Islam and claim to practice it.

So what if a cartoon was drawn? So what if Nancy used her body as a talent?

Do we forget about women being slaughtered in the name of honor? Do we not criticize the government for short comings in the name of عيب، ما بيصير? Do we allow the waste of lives on our roads because of non-existing respect to laws and rules? Why do we blindly support officials and whom ever supports them and puts them in their positions?

There are too many questions to ask with only one answer: الله بيفرجها. The problem is that many Muslims leave it all to الله. As if they don't have a mind of their own or as of they have no use for it.

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Who Wins by throwing shoes at Bush?

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Why Arabs Will Never Be. Ever. (6)

I buy an item off of ebay. Instantly, I receive an email form the seller with a tracking number. I click on the number and it takes me to the website of the shipping company. Over the few following days, I either get emails form the Shipping company or I check myself, the progress of the shipment down to the minute and city. The whereabouts of the item are tracked meticulously until it reaches its intended destination, me.

I won't fully fault Arab governments for the archaic postal systems in Arab countries. Arabs, the people, get a lot of the blame too. Actions, such as defacing street signs and dismounting building numbers, are guaranteed to certify the residents as equally imbecilic.

This post was brought to you by a contribution form مجوهرات سكجها.

سكجها: وسط البلد، شارع الرضا، ثاني دخلة على اليمين، بجانب ابو العبد للفستق و خلف ملبوسات الوحش، إذا وصلت سرفيس العبدلي، يو ونت تو فار. من الافضل المشي من حلويات حبيبة اللّي في الخشّة بإتجاه الشارع الرئيسي، و من ثم المشي عالشمال ٥٣ خطوة و بلّش إسئل بالعالم إللّي حواليك

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In the Absence of the مقلوبة, The Burrito Rules

I was blessed to land in San Francisco, the land of the Burrito, when I had arrived in the states years ago. For Burritos were a hunger savior of no peers. The burrito is simply a large flour tortilla wrapped ala شاورما with stuffings of rice, beans, a type of meat, And Salsa. Many variations exist that add to the above list of ingredients lettuce, sour cream, avocados or guacamole, and cheese.

The Possibilities are endless. However, the similarities are striking between the Burrito and magloobeh. If you ever try مقلوبة فول، زهرة، أو باتنجان wrapped in shrak bread with some سلطة خيار و بندورة and boneless meat (Chicken or Lamb) thrown in, you would be enjoying a convenient Middle Eastern meal with San Franciscan/Latin touches!

and/or

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Why Arabs Will Never Be. Ever. (5)

On a Saturday Afternoon there is nothing really worth watching on TV. So, I thought I would give the Channel I always skip a visit: World TV. Programs on this channel are usually produced by organizations and governments of their respective countries. There are Greek, Persian, Assyrian, and there is a 30 minute recorded Arabic segment. What really pisses me off is that 22 Arab countries and their 300 million mala6ee5, aren't able to produce a worthy programming targeting their nationals abroad or the the world audience. Countries, such as US, France, Germany, Korea, Russia, and India all have their own fully fledged channels. A country like Greece, which has a population of 12 Million, is able to broadcast a few hours of programming, on World TV, geared towards the local Greek expats and towards informing the general public of Greek culture and any concurrent events sponsored by local Greek associations and social clubs. Instead, Arabs have elected to let موزة، سعاد، و رانيا create YouTube videos.

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Marriage Issues Qwaider Will Never Write About

Let's state the obvious: Qwaider hasn't left a stone unturned in his quest of becoming the next Opera Winfrey of marital issues. However, most of the issues discussed border on, and sometimes dive into, the over-consumed, over-repeated, easily-predicted points in the life of a married couple. From honesty to jealousy to being affectionate, its all common sense to the one with sense unless your audience is an Arab, stone age prospective husband/wife-to-be.

Therefore, to cover the less talked about, or never will be talked about by Qwaider, issues, here you will have a list of some important points to the will-be-husband/wife and some carefully thought out suggestings:

• Let's say you have just had a great Mansaf. You're sitting in front of the TV about to make a huge "announcement." You would:

A) Regret those single life days;

B) Cough loudly to cover it up; Or

C) Just excuse yourself and get your ass to the bathroom or another room to...release

• Let's say you're flipping through TV Channels and came across Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. You would:

A) Stop and watch until after Adrianna Lima Makes her appearance;

B) Ask for a-never-will-be-granted permission from Maioush;

C) Say you have to do some work, go to the home office, and watch a live stream online

• You had that Mansaf above earlier in the day. Now, you're in the bathroom. You would:

A) Warn ahead of time and see if anyone else wants to use the bathroom;

B) Light up candles and use a half can of Febreeze;

C) Have anticipated the situation and already have more than one bathroom.

• Let's say you have arranged for a Halo duel online with some other geek just like yourself. All of a sudden, Maioush calls and says: habib alby, ya rou7y, allah ma yi7rmny minnak, I just ran into a friend from high school and invited her over for dinner (which is the exact time of the halo play date). You would:

A) Tell the truth and hope for a reschedule;

B) pretend you have a violent diarrhea;

C) apologize to the geek and hope to reschedule without either one of you crying.

• You invite the in laws over, both sides. Maioush makes her best food and Qwaider makes one plate. would you

A) give credit;

B) keep praising your god damn Macaroni Bechamel;

C) change the subject

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Arabs reliance on sayings and proverbs صدق إللّي قال

Ever wonder of the useless gibberish called امثال شعبية people say all the freakin' time. Arabs just over do it by never saying it as it is, while deluging in proverbs instead of saying something directly. What makes it even worse is injecting religion into the middle until the words إنشاء الله, Arabs' culture, and language have become synonyms.

In many instances, the use of such sayings became the mode of getting away from reality and thinking rationally and logically about the subject at hand. Take الله بيفرجها for example. The use of this term signals defeat and procrastination. When you just give up, and say الله بيسّرها, you are effectively sitting on your ass and praying that الله will do your work for you.

In other sayings, the terms are used to justify shortcomings, incompetence, and/or ignorance. For example, the proverb إللي مالو حظ لا يتعب ولا يشقى implies that luck is the only driving force behind success. Forget about good work ethic, being proactive, and having a strong desire to achieve your goals. If you are not lucky, you better stay home until الله يفرجها.

Ignorance is no stranger in the Arab world. In the field of proverbs, it is amplified. When a son is an idiot, the father will more likely say ثلثين الولد لخاله. If the son was a genius, however, the father's stance would be فرخ البط عوّام. As if genetics never existed nor that the father had any role in conceiving the son.

This post was brought to you by the makers of Mazola. Mazola: من زيته قلّيلُه

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Yet Another One Bites the Dust

Lostwithin is lost for good this time.

I think she fell off this same window.

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Do High Achievers and the Educated Suffer from more Boredom than Others

For one, they might over think things and regard them as Silly. Another would be that they are too preoccupied by academics to have fun, thus whatever is on this blog seems weird and "aha" generator. I am saying this because a week ago I started using statcounter. This tool shows the host name of the visitor along with where they came from and where they left to after exiting. I noticed that many visitors hail from some prominent universities. To name a few, I have seen hits from Purdue, Yale, Princeton, Harvard, and Berkeley.

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I hate Asians at Costco

Have you ever noticed how Asians just flood Costco at Lunch and Dinner times. They come in with the whole family crowding and pushing around the sampling tables.

I really feel bad for the usually older lady in charge of warming up and portioning out some samples of a new item. Then she would be invaded by armies of hungry Asians.

Hey bastards, why don't you get the AmEx/Costco card. You will save the annual fee and stop swarming the sampling stations to gain it back one bite at a time.


This post was brought to you by مصلّح بوابير الكااااااز and readers like you.

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These are Actual Jordanian/Palestinian Family Names

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The Right Person in the Right Position. The case of the Jordanian Government.

Thouqan Qudah, Minister of of State, isn't even a Highschool graduate!

Nader Al Dhahabi, Prime Minister, is an Air Force person. Aside from his PA Masters, he holds an Aeronautics Masters.

Naser Lozi, Chief of Royal Court, is a Civil Engineer.

Amer Al Hadidi, Minister of Trade, has a Mechanical Engineering Degree.

Muzahim Muhaisin, Minister of Agriculture, is a Civil Engineer.

Kamal Nasser, Minister of Political Development, has a Maritime Law PhD.

Bassem Saleh, Minister of Labor, is a Chemical Engineer.

Maher Madadha, Minister of Public Sector Reform, has a Masrers in Finance.

Alaa Batayneh, Minister of Tansport, is an Electric Engineer.

Abdul Rahim Okour, Minister of Parliamntery Affiars, has a BA in Sharia.

Nasser Judeh, Minister of Media and Communications, has a BS in Foreign Service.

All info was derived from official government websites.

Update: This just released news report (Al Ghad) sheds a little more light on Nepotism in Cabinet formation in Jordan.

This entry was brought to you by way of a grant from Wahbeh Butchers and readers like you.

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رسالة الى الشعب الاردني المخرفن (راتد إكس

رسالة الى الشعب الاردني المخرفن:

إخواننا المزارعين البقر..........................................بدُه علف

(الحج مازن القبّج)

الخرفنة بتكون واحد من ثنين:
١) تكون خالص كازك يعني مشرّت، لوح، طبرة، طنجرة، حيط، أو
٢) إنك تكون خاروف يعني أهبل، عبيط، بينظحك عليك بسهولة.

مع أن المعنيين الاثنين (او إثنان، حلّ عنّي بطّلت أعرف أعرب) ينطبقان على الشعب الاردني، إللا اني بدي احكي عن المعنى الثاني.

ولكم و بعدين معكم. بلاد العالم كلها صارت و إنتوا لسّاتكم زي البقرة الحلوب. حليبٌ لا ينضب. على كل حلمة في مسؤول حكومي و للّا شركة محتكرة السوق قاعدين بمصّوكوا لحتى تنشفوا.

كل يوم و الثاني الحكومة بتطلع بضريبة جديدة و ممتلاكات الدولة بتنباع، و ترخيص من هون و خصخصة من هناك لمّا بطّل في بالبلد خصاوي و المواطن قاعد ولا عند باله. كل ما تعمل مقابلة مع مواطن ماكل هوا، بقللك "يعيش جلالة الملك، و ابعث سلامي للحكومة الرشيدة، و اطال الله بأعمار المسؤولين الافاضل."
طيب يا خوات الشلن والله انه قليل اللي بصير فيكوا. شعب مندعس على رقبته و مش قادر يتنفس، نفاق إجتماعي مشرّش، و جهل متفشي= دولة مثل الشياه. قطيع بقر و راعي.

زي ماكنتوا تسمعوا و إنتوا صغار:
الساكت بتروح عليه و السكوت علامة الرضى.
بس شكلكم إنتوا عايشين حسب:

الكلام من فضة و السكوت من خبز

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إلقاء القبض على مصدر مجهول

تمّ إلقاء القبض على المتهم "مصدر مجهول" خلال ساعات الفجر الاولى اليوم الاربعاء بعد نجاح جهود قوات الامن الحثيثة.

المتهم مجهول، و المعروف أيضاً بإسم "شخص غير معروف"، حسب وثائق المحكمة الجزائية بانهُ قد قام بنشر معلومات كاذبة و وهمية عن نية الحكومة الرشيدة بأن تتبنى نظام منع فساد. و كان المدعو مجهول من ذوي الاسبقيات، حيث ورد عنّ مصادر موثوقة في وزارة الداخلية و مديرية الامن العام بأنهُ قام بتحريض أعضاء مجلس النواب على القيام بواجباتهم الدستورية.

و تعود خلفيات القبض علي المتهم أثر إستطاعة أجهزة المخابرات بالتعاوان مع مدرية الامن الوقائي بأن يضبط المتهم بالجرم المشهود، حيث تمّ عمل تسجيلات صوتية للمتهم من خلال مراقبة هاتفهُ الشخصي. و قد كان بإمكان مدونة مبعوص الحصول على نسخة من التسجيل الصوتي و الذي يبيّن بوضوح أقوال المتهم المثيرة للإشمئزاز. من بين هذه الاقوال على حدّ تعبير المتهم بأن "مجلس النواب مجلس خول" و أن "أعضاء مجلس الوزراء ما هم إلا شلة سرسرية و زعران."

و قد تم إحالة المتهم إلى المدّعي العام و تثبيت تهم الذمّ و القدح و النيل من شخصية الاعضاء النواب و الوزراء


تمّ إعداد هذه المدونة من خلال منحة من محلّات السمهوري لصوبات البواري و دعم من قراء المدونة.

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Tomorrow's Entries on Qwaider Planet

It's been a while since I have posted the controversial, daring, and exciting list of my predictions for what Bloggers on Qwaider.com will write about next. Today I come to you with yet another list of the best, accurate predictions that will keep making the rounds in cyberspace.

آفاق علمية: شركة إنتل الامريكية تطرح شرائح بينتيوم 4 ذي السرعة الفائقة في الاسواق العالمية. غداً على آفاق علمية: إختراع جهاز محمول/متنقّل صغير لتخزين الموسيقى

Coconut and Lime: The recipe of the year: how to make water melon stuffed lamb with a garnish of hareeseh and a side dish of كوارع

أسامة الرمح: أيَم ذا غريتيست. آي سيد ذات بيفور آي إفن نيو آى واز

مدونة محمد عمر: Granada, te extraño tanto انا شو إللّي مقعدني بهالبلد إللي ماكل روح الخلّ

Jazarah: Classic Ads of Arabia… أحِبِ توتو، أها أها آي، ليلي و نهاري عليه، أها آي. أز أز ياتوتو، أزأز يا توتو، لوّ أزأزوني حأز أز ليه!

Maioush and Qwaider (a team post):
بحبك يا أمر، يا روحي، يا حياتي، الله مايحرمني منك يا إلهي
فكرك العالم زهقوا من قصة قيس و ليلى تبعتنا

Za3tar: I poked my daddy on Facebook. He already sold me as a pet!

Bakkouz: Your guide to Wine. Just pick a bottle you imbecile.

The Black Iris: The Death of A daughter of a Salesman. Tomorrow: the Adventures of Fayiz Sawyer and Huckleberry El Majali.

360East: The Count Down to the intro of the iPho...nah, screw it, I am getting a Nokia N97.

Hareega: Movie Review: "Night of the Day of the Dawn of the Son of the Bride of the Return of the Revenge of the Terror of the Attack of the Evil, Mutant, Alien, Flesh Eating, Hellbound, Zombified Living Dead"

lost within: I Dig Dido, Dali, and Diseases. Dermatologists are Delusional.

andfaraway: Check out the latest content I copied and pasted. (I gave credit!)

askadenia: I am vindicated, finally. I am not a schizophrenic.

Kinzi: When do I stop praising this hellhole and start saying the truth about Jordan?


تنويه: I usually write about those I read for or notice their posts repeatedly. If you are not up there, there is a 95% chance that you suck big time. However, being on the list does not in anyway guarantee you from not being a suckie blogger. و لذا إقتضى التنويه.

This post was brought to you by the Anti-Predictability Foundation and Readers like you. Be Original Suckers.

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Stupid Thai people and their Protests!

I really don't understand these people at all. I mean shouldn't they stick to making knock off watches and send themselves to Arab countries to work as drivers and house servants? Shouldn't they stick to their profitable profession of a prostitution, I mean vacation, destination for Wealthy Arabs of the gulf? Shouldn't they stick to their Mai Tai and Duck Stews?

I think Thai people should leave politics and grassroots organization to Arabs. After all, Arabs are the best at instilling democracy. Arabs are the best at enforcing accountability. Arabs are the Bestest at making sure a system of "checks and balances" is always in place. Arabs are khwat shilin when it comes to rallying behind separation of the three branches of power. Arabs are:

"أُمةٌ ضحكت من جهلها الأمم"

This post was brought to you by a grant from مضارب عشائر "تلحس بعضك" and readers like you.

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