The Ministry of Trade and Industry is raising a lawsuit against a local hotel for hosting the 'Star Academy' cast and crew. Just hosting them, you know, like offering them rooms. Not for holding an orgy. Not for holding a huge Caligula-style bash. Not for hiding fugitives. Not for refusing to pay employee salaries. Just for offering room and board to a bunch of wannabe singers and a tv crew.

"Kuwait aims to be a financial hub" my keister.

(Link: AFP)

I wasn't particularly overjoyed with the election results, although I did relish the fact that HADAS (Islamic Constitutional Movement) lost 3 seats, some interesting progressive individuals such as Saleh Al-Mulla and Mohamed Abdeljader won seats, alongside the old favorites Ali Al-Rashid, Adil Al-Sarawi, Abdullah Al-Roumi, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Mohamed Al-Sager, among others.

Aseel Al-Awadhi came very close to knocking Nasser Al-Sane off the #10th position in the 3rd District, it was a great showing on her part; she single-handedly carried her party's torch almost to the finish line, while her partners (who were expected to 'carry' her) Khalid Al-Khalid and Faisal Al-Shaye bit the dust, way behind her. I cannot help but think the 'National Democratic Alliance' miscalculated its candidate choices and distribution of said candidates; certainly Abdulmohsin Al-Medaj, who lost in the 1st District seemed isolated and in need of more support from his party. Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, a popular, smart 'Alliance' candidate would have served the party more efficiently in either the 1st or 3rd District instead of the bloodbath at the 2nd District, where he was in direct competition with other liberals (i.e. Ahmed Diyan), members of his own party (such as Mohamed Abdeljader), and moderates (Haitham Al-Shaye, for example)

Old warhorse veterans Ahmed Al-Sadoun, Musallam Al-Barrak, Ahmed Al-Mulaifi, among others are back, and more political sparks are bound to fly.

Additionally, the fight for the Speaker's chair will be formidable, with potential challengers Ahmed Al-Sadoun, Nasser Al-Duwaila, Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Essa, and maybe Hussein Al-Huraiti vying for the position. Either way, former Speaker Jassim Al-Khorafi won't hold on to his position as effortlessly as last time.

The government is in a much more vulnerable position than it was prior to the National Aseembly 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).

I just returned from voting, a swift, proficient and relatively effortless democratic exercise (the Interior personnel were top notch, patient and helpful to the voters).

The school I voted in was relatively bare; I did not have to wait at all (I love voting at 4pm!).

On leaving the car and proceeding by foot to the voting area, one is bombarded by dozens of electoral employees shoving candidature cards and other literature into one hand. Once one reaches the school, Interior personnel check one's Citizenship Card to make sure they haven't voted already.

On entering the educational premises you check the alphabetical lists on the wall, locate your name and 'room number' and proceed to the specified area.

Once you walk into a room - divided up into three sections: one section with approximately 15 observers, the other section with three stands for voting, and a large table with the a judge and an assistant - they proceed to examine your Citizenship Card, reading your name aloud and then handing you a ballot.

You then proceed to a stand and choose four candidates by marking a 'check' inside the box.

Voting is great, it leaves you feeling thrilled, like you did your bit for your country.

Let us hope today signifies a new, productive era for Kuwait. Tonight will tell, but either way, the public, the people, have done their bit.

Now the government needs to step up to the plate and formulate a development program for Kuwait.

But for now, check out 'It's Over, I Voted' post from two years ago.

Exterior of the Surra Clinic and Cooperative (click to enlarge)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not 'social' individual, not social in the Kuwaiti 'political animal' sense of visiting diwaniyas, campaign headquarters, and 'getting out the vote'

"What's gotten into you?" relatives and close friends ask.

But the answer is simple really...The country is in a severe state of gridlock, buffered by corruption, waste and inefficiency. Now we have no control over who the government appoints to run the country but we do have the power to make the right choice on May 17.

I have seen first-hand how the xenophobic, backward mentality of some Parliamentarians have personally affected me, notably the preparations for segregation in my kid's private school. That is just one example.

All around us, we can see that the 'situation on the ground' is getting progressively worse every year. We've reached a situation where regular citizens are pleading for more hospitals, basic services, basic needs, while the government turns a blind eye - we are one of the richest countries in the world with one of the most dilapidated network of systems and services.

It wasn't always that way.

Parliament, a democratic institution, is supposed to protect and cultivate more freedoms, not push for less. It is supposed to legislative - and if the government lacks a program - it is supposed to fill that void and push for a better tomorrow. If the State cannot fill a void, if the Parliament cannot fill a void, then a 'shadow government' will fill it, and that is exactly what has happened.

Under normal circumstances I would vote for individuals who are closest communally with a comparable background and analogous ideas - but not this time. This time I am voting for individuals of high caliber, who care about this country, who want to develop the country, individuals who recognize that oil will run out in 30-40 years and will help develop Kuwait's infrastructure, services, human resources...

I will vote for individuals who respect and love Kuwait - not those who love their perception of where they stand in Kuwait.

I will vote for courageous, sincere individuals whether the jaws of victory far elude them or not.

I choose not to negate the value of my vote or opinion.

I choose not to be cynical.

And if I dislike the results on May 17th, I will continue to value our democracy and uphold our constitutional rights.

An interesting Financial Times article by Andrew England entitled 'Kuwait Pays Price for Democracy'...

An excerpt:

"But blame has also been heaped on the state's leadership, with critics saying the executive lacks direction and strategy. Kuwait's rulers have been drawn from the al-Sabah family since the middle of the 18th century, and family members fill the key posts of crown prince and prime minister, as well as many cabinet positions.

Some Kuwaitis blame problems on feuds within the ruling family, while one parliamentary candidate proclaimed that "the family has exhausted itself and the whole of society".

"It's not the system, it's the people. How people are abusing the system or hiding behind it to not do anything," says one analyst. "People are hesitant to step up to their responsibilities, both the government and the assembly."

(LINK)

Two days left until you cast your ballot May 17th.

I'll have more to say later on but for now...do your homework, scrutinize candidates, vote your conscience.

A few days ago I attended the campaign inauguration of 2nd District candidate Mansour Al-Muharib at Dahyiat Abdulla Al-Salem. His guests included Adil Al-Sarawi and Saleh Al-Mulla.

It was a rousing event, a collective cry by the three distinguished candidates to combat corruption and to develop Kuwait's economy and infrastructure.

Scope TV's Kafia Ramadan

Adil Al-Sarawi

Al-Muharib Greeting Saleh Al-Mulla

Guests Greeting Muharib

You loved Kuwait and it loved you back.

May you find peace in the hereafter.

The Al-Sager-Al-Saeedi Confrontation on Al-Rai TV

محمد الوشيح Mohamed Al-Washee from Al-Rai TV is a tough interviewer, at times his belligerent style bordering on rudeness; nevertheless, the man does his homework and his 'Election 2008' interviews are dynamic, devoid of the usual Kuwait media bullshit...

Al-Washees's candidate debates have also added to Al-Rai TV's lustre and credibility this season.