Monday, June 9

An Open Letter to the President of Egypt


Dear General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,

Congratulations on being "democratically " elected President of Egypt. The Egyptians need a strong leader for the country, not  some pansy ass  dictator like the ones Syria, Libya and Turkey got. They turned out to be narrow minded, greedy despots surrounded by sycophants and supported by an  oppressive military and foreign influences.

You knew what to do amid the chaos of weak leadership. You took control and know what's best for the people and they better appreciate it by golly.

However if I may, I would like to offer some historical perspective to help you avoid some of  the pitfalls that come with the job of ruling a country with an iron fist.

First, charm the people, it cuts down on all the bitching. Like Hitler did, give eloquent speeches geared to fill the average countryman with pride. How they come from a long and illustrious history. Remind them of how special they are, not like the (fill in the blank) who are obviously to blame for all the countries ills.

Second, let the people have fun. Let that annoying but popular comedian Bassem Youssef  have his show. His ridiculous satire will make people think they not being fooled, relieve them of the stress of living under a strict regime and give you an honest temperature of social/ political environment rather than the word of all those power hungry, lying, yes men who suck up to you.

Third, provide a superficially improved economy. Encourage the tourists to come back. Let the  people have music, games and pirated movies. These are great ways to make them feel content and rich. Let them play on the internet or on video games for hours ad nauseam. They will  be less inclined to revolt with all that mindless distraction. It's worked wondered in America and China.

So with this advice, Allah willing, you won't end up an old man with dyed hair clinging to delusional power or end up shot in the face like that loser Qaddafi. Good luck!



Sunday, June 1

Yes All Women and Men Can

Most phenomenon have a tipping point. The current news stories about the o going cultural/political war against women all seemed tame and harmless until a nut job recently took out his immature frustration out on seven people-- especially women. It got men and women talking to each other about the rampant misogyny in our society and it's about time.

I expect the usual sound bites from the media when there is yet another mass shooting but this one got my attention with some rather astute observations from surprising voices. Men. A certified nerd zeros in on the myth pushed by Hollywood that nerdy guys will always get the hot chick. A persistent and irritating plot line that I always found offensive and wildly unrealistic.

Bishop Ken Robinson in his Daily Beast article put his finger on something known all too well by women:
" It is difficult for those who are not subject to discrimination and denigration to believe that it’s happening right under their noses, especially if they belong to the group that is perpetrating societal bullying. White people are shocked to learn that African-Americans are routinely followed around stores while they shop because of the color of their skin and their perceived likelihood of being thieves. Able-bodied people rarely notice the barriers that riddle the world which keep the disabled from participating in society. The threat of violence against women, because they are women, goes unnoticed by most men."

This conversation needs to happen everywhere, In India where the national sport of gang raping/ murdering of women occurs on a regular basis. In Afghanistan where young women  attempt suicide rather than  be forced to marry some shriveled up old man. In China where female infratricide is still the norm where males are more precious and if they can't find a women locally they buy them.

Women are fed up being treated as cattle, sex toys or prizes for the male ego. Men have to recognize the value of the other half of humanity if the species is to evolve. 

Let's keep talking.