Lethal Excitement
An online article from Time , under the title of "How To Decorate Like An Emir" caught my attention. It is on Bush's Middle East tour, written by one of the associated journalists. It was full of mockery towards the Gulf rulers. Insignificant details like palace interiors and food were looked at as well as gifts presented to Bush by different Gulf rulers. Many of the criticisms were uncalled for. The way Bush was received here is the way any president would be in any country in the world. It is what protocol calls for as well as our traditions of hospitality. But the most important part of the article was the "resource curse" and how oil wealth holds us back from democratic development. Democracy has always been an issue held against many. However, such criticisms are expected and the talk for democracy is an endless one.
And with this visit came the heavy shower which we all smiled at since a country like the U.A.E rarely enjoys the feeling of rain. When I was a student abroad, rainy days were considered dull, locking everyone up in their homes and putting them in a gloomy mood as different to here; everyone is filled with joy and happiness.
Suddenly raindrops turn into a mothers tear as she grieves the loss of a son whose life was taken in an attempt to speed drive on the wet streets. At the same time, another mother grieves the loss of a dear one who was the victim of careless driving in the rain. When childish acts are done by supposedly mature people to prove nothing but stupidity and recklessness, they put many lives at risk. It is known that the leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates is traffic accidents. Why put our lives and the lives of others in danger just for a few seconds of lethal excitement?
[10 Comments]
|
