Toilets... by Jamil Shawwa

The title speaks for itself, but if you allow me and indulge me in elaborating a little on this title, subject, that is vital to all living creatures, humans and animals, the title might make more sense, and less disgusting as some might think it is. First, I have a declaimer to make, this subject has nothing to do with my midlife crises, it is something that I have encountered in the past and still encounters until now. Now, when I was a law student at Cairo University, we had the toilets in the basement, in the law school, and next to them, we had a little mosque where students can pray. It was a shame to have these two areas side by side, however, it would have been ok, if the toilets were decent but they were not, they were awful, not dirty necessary but over all, in my opinion, not human. Moving to Washington DC, we have a nice mosque in the most prestigious street in Washington DC. The view from the outside is majestic, from the inside, it is a combination of people living there, cooking and just having all sorts of things. The toilets as in Cairo law school are in the basement, next to the women praying section, and the view is the same, terrible. You go there to clean up before praying and it is an annoying process that probably make many people feel that praying at home is just much less hassle. I must say though that the wife does not like to go into my bathroom for some reason, she has signs for her and the kids not to come close. So, not fair. Back to he DC mosque toilets; no paper towels, not enough lighting, toilets are old fashion before the industrial age where you have to bend the knees, a hole, no toilets- that goes for both men and women, terrible. I just do not get it, what is the same factor between the toilets in the law school next to the little mosque in Cairo and the toilets in the mosque in Washington DC few blocks from the White House and the residence of the vice president; both places are run by the same mentality, same style of thinking, same people. You can go to the moon, or anywhere, but if you are the same as you were from your began, then nothing changes.

*Tibet to China and India as The Vatican To Italy... by Jamil Shawwa

The Tibet spiritual leader the **Dalai Lama was here in Washington DC few days ago and met our president Barack Obama. Meeting the president even for just a photo opportunity gave the visit a very high visibility and irritated China that does not recognize Tibet as a sovereign nation. China and Tibet have been in conflict for decades and centuries as Tibet tries to maintain it is own identity in face of China. Another player that is not visible here is India, which controls the Tawang province that has the most Tibetan sacred monastery, and it is located on the border of china and considered part of India. It seems to me from glancing quickly through the history of this conflict that China will continue to claim sovereignty over this province as it does over another province though considered a country; Mongolia. The uniqueness of Tibet is not political but religious and spiritual. This uniqueness might give the Tibet a chance to have a special status, it does now but it seems that it is not enough for the Dalai. China can continue to have Tibet under its overall umbrella and issue a special status to Tibet where this province can be a country and has ambassadors, a government and president, or as in the Vatican a spiritual leader. There are few examples here in the world right now, we have Monaco and Liechtenstein but the best example that can be emulated in my opinion is the Vatican. See attached maps and sources for more relevant information.




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* Source Google.
** Tibet practices Buddhism, which is mainly same as China but has its own specialties. For more information, please Google China and Tibet.

*Cafe Talks……Obama’s Middle Name...by Jamil Shawwa

Cafes, Bars, Restaurants have been through history the place where people mix eating, drinking, smoking- though it is getting harder and harder for the smokers to find a safe heaven- with talking. Strangers setting together in one place, either individuals or groups, and just venting. Accordingly, the places that I just mentioned have been a great source of news, gossips, information, conspirators, dating, and love making- stop it, I'm just stretching it- or just as everywhere else in the world the daily hangout place for the retired. So you can, if you want and have the skills- I am not good at it- listen and record all types of stuff that people do. It is amazing the information that you can get hanging in a popular place like Starbucks, for example. I know some people might say but who has the time for all these observations besides you, and the answer is that there are few that are interested in poking in other people’s lives and business if for nothing but just to amuse or entertain themselves. The other day, I went to one of my breakfast places near work and as I was standing outside for a quick cigarette before entering the place that is by the way in Virginia- which used to be the cigarettes capital of the United States before our wise politicians banned it altogether, I mentioned it in another blog here- Any way, I was standing there smoking by few news stands, those machines that dispense papers, as I used to smoke by the toilets in planes, and I came across two gentlemen looking at the cover stories from behind the glass window of the box that has the papers, you have to insert coins to get a copy but these two were not interested in buying a paper per say but just reading for free the headlines. I am not going to mention their ethnicity as I really trying hard to live up to what I write**. One man looked at the other and asked; do you know Obama's Middle name. The other man kept looking at the paper display without answering, so the first one continued- as if the point he needs to make must be made whether that person answered or not- his middle name is Hussein. The man kept looking at the display, maybe he did not know what to answer or maybe he was thinking of how relevant Obama's middle name to the headlines in the few papers on display. All the headlines that morning were talking about Obama's health plan.

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* I will start having a series titled Cafe Talks
**Check my article here, America's Obsession with Color.

State of Emergency...by Jamil Shawwa

It is here, it has arrived, no way to run from it and if I try to run, there is no place to hide. This day is finally here, after two months of anticipation, preparations- mostly psychologically- and anxiety, the day has arrived. I am in bed, still trying to avoid the inevitable, the already done deal. I hear garage door opening, for some reason, I can hear my garage door from my bedroom, very strange. Any way, the car enters the garage, the wife is driving, and garage door closes, slowly and heavily, as if even the garage door is protesting the inevitable. I hear noises; I do not want to leave the room- trying to stall- but whom am I kidding. I leave my room, to the other place, and then back to my room, and down the stairs. I turn off the house alarm, but even the alarm does not want to go off, as if it does not want to open the door without protest. Key door clicks, wife enters and then, the big one is facing me, that is it, it is Sunday that comes once every two months by the minute like a Swiss clock and I'm face to face with her, the joy of my life, the music to my ears, I extend my hand slowly but whom am I kidding, a handshake is never enough, I must give a warm, sincere hug. I open my both arms and I welcome her to my house; my mother -in-law- is here. Enough said, no more words, the ink has dried.

GOULASH! by Jamil Shawwa

Please, do not let me start talking about one of my all time favorite dishes, Goulash. I pay anything - not true, I am not rich- for a good old fashion Hungarian goulash, the real one and not the one the wife cooks. I fell in love with the dish maybe when I was 10 years old, when our parents used to take us to a small by the road cafe and grocery, can you believe it, in the middle road between Gaza City in the Gaza Strip and Ashkelon in the State of Israel, used to be called, Mafkim, maybe the spelling is different. I think the place was part of a *Moshav, I really do not remember, but I remember my favorite dish the Goulash. Oh my God, the taste, the texture and the looks are still in my mouth until now- like, seriously, making love with a beautiful woman that never gets old. Any way, the servers and cooks , whom lived in the Moshav, raised the cattle and grew the tomatoes and potatoes, would bring to your table a hearty, orange red- this is how the fresh tomato broth should look like- ball of Goulash, chunks of beef, potatoes, and tomato broth. I keep repeating myself, cannot stop; the look is fantastic, the taste is heaven. I tried to match the taste in other parts of the world but nothing topped that little, tiny, off the road to Ashkelon, Moshav cafe.
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* For more information, Google kibbutz and Moshav.

Domestic and International Terrorism .....by Jamil Shawwa

The Texan, Andrew Stack III- from Texas, USA- that crashed his single engine plane into a US federal building that hosts the IRS- Internal Revenue Services- killing one person and injured few others is one of those that many consider domestic terrorists. According to news reports, this well off, well educated person, did his terrorist act against America- The IRS is a federal and not state agency, we consider these acts and the law could consider such acts as crimes against the US government- because he was not happy with his life, the loss of his job, angry over the role of the government in society and other reasons.

People who knew him- and I quote from news reports- described him as “brilliant”. People have always said that there is a fine line between brilliance and madness. I wonder if this applies to that person that if survived and tried would have been considered a terrorist.

Terrorism is not related to a specific culture, people, and never a religion, but it is unfortunately part of life and governments must confront it and be ready for it on a daily basis. We have in the US individuals and small groups who live on the fringes of society, who believe that the federal government controls their lives and they need violently do something about.

Unfortunately, those individuals decided that terrorism is the best way although our country is free for all to talk, organize and form anything they like peacefully.

We have seen other domestic terrorists such as Timothy McVeigh who blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995 because he was angry at the federal government, and probably like this angry pilot, just angry with themselves.

The domestic terrorists here are as bad as Al-Qaeda and other terrorists’ organizations; their aim is not to reform or adopt a cause but their purpose is to destroy just for the sake of destruction. These groups and individuals should be mentioned. The freedom of speech and all other freedoms seize to exist for those who choose violence. Now and  throughout history, we have witnessed groups that the world dubbed as terrorists, because they were, but turned into regular political parties in their countries and ironically part of the political system and guardians of peace and stability.

The following terrorist organizations and individuals: *The Japanese Red Army, Andrew Stack III, Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, Timothy McVeigh,**Baader-Meinhof, ***Brigate Rosse, just to mention few are not one of them. They are pure destructive groups.
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* The Japanese Red Army: International Marxist terror
organization that still exists but not as active as it was it the 60s and 70s. Source:www.britannica.com
**Baader-Meinhof- German terror organization that in 1998 abandoned its terror according to a press release. It was active in the 70s and 80s.Source:www.britannica.com
***Brigate Rosse- Italian terror organization that wrecked havoc in Italy especially in the 70s and it reached its climax of terror when it assassinated the former Italian prime minister, Aldo Moro. Source:www.britannica.com

A Quick Drop By Tony's Pizza.....by Jamil Shawwa

The buzz at work is Tony’s Pizza; everyone eats it, talks about it, makes love to it and just short from creating a pizza statue in the halls of the company to immortalize it. I never tried Tony's until couple of days ago when I decided to break my routine and sway from going to my usual restaurants and usual menu to try this so called Pizza Heaven. I'm by the way is a pizza enthusiast, I love it, but I love it plain, original, cheese and tomatoes, thin crust. Well, my favorite is called- as you can imagine- the Margarita Pizza. Through the years, I came across few good ones such as the following places: in Jerusalem- I mentioned it in my Jerusalem piece here- at Richie, in Cairo at few places if I remember well, La Mamma , I think this is how it is called and spelled, it used to be, maybe until now, at the Cairo Sheraton in Giza, adjacent to Cairo. The third one was at the Nile Hilton, Cairo as well, at the Pizzeria. There was also one in Alexandria- Egypt, but forgot the name. Another one was- unbelievably- at the Pizza Hut in London, one of the best pizza and salad bar that I had in my life. In the US there are few, nothing so far tops our New York City Pizzerias and I have couple of places here in Virginia. I drifted as usual, but back on track, I finally went to this Tony's Pizza, and as soon as I entered the place, I was confronted with four persons at the cashier standing in line side by side and amazingly by the order of their height, maybe originally Italians or some Spanish, whom my first impression of them was, what a group of mentally retarded people. I feel terrible to say that, but this was my first impression. They looked at me, from the first second, all of them, with a crooked smile and start whispering and looking at each other. I think the way I felt about them was mutual, because I also interpreted their look at me as look at this jackass, not sure, maybe because I'm expressive, and probably people can read the way I feel from my looks, I make lots of facial expressions. The bottom line is that I truly believe that our first impressions were mutual. Finally, I bought couple of slices, no drinks, I had some in the car and went outside and ate the pizza. It was great, actually, but I am not going back to Tony’s.

*The Israeli Arabs and the Evolving Identity of the State of Israel...by Jamil Shawwa

Years ago and throughout different periods, I came across people who happened to be Arab citizens of the State of Israel.

The original Arab population in Israel is that population that did not leave towns and cities in 1948 after the State of Israel declared its independence and what followed of the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948. My interaction with the Israeli Arabs first came to surface when I went to a boarding school in Jerusalem by the name of St. George school- the actual boarding house was few miles away at the YMCA in Ramallah -the temporary capital of the Palestinian Authority lead by Mahmoud Abbas- we had students from the so called inside the green line- an artificial line that separates the State of Israel from the West Bank according to the **1949 Armistice lines established between Israel and its neighbors (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria).

The students from Israel of course were Israeli citizens, the rest of us were, as my self, Unidentified- Gaza, or Jordanians- mainly the West Bank. The friends and colleagues from Israel always felt torn apart between their citizenship and residence to the state and their historic belonging to the Palestinian people in the historic pre 1948 League of Nations British mandated Palestine. I personally would have advised them that there is no problem; you can be a German Israeli, a Palestinian Israeli and such. No need to pretend that you are ashamed of this and that, no need at all. Back on track, these students always felt- while with Palestinians, from the West Bank and Gaza- the need to show that they are part of the overall so-called Palestinian struggle to gain independence.

Moving to another era that took place in Cairo-Egypt after the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in 1979 following the historic visit to Jerusalem by the late Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat. I stayed for few months in a little hotel in Cairo that was also attended by tourists from all over the world and among them were tourists from Israel that some happened to be Arabs. In that hotel, that I stayed while attending law school at Cairo University, we used to set in the restaurant in the evenings and just talk.

At one time, couple of the Israeli Arabs confided to me, they felt comfortable with me for some reason because the subject is so sensitive, that they prefer to live under Israeli rule than to go back under Palestinian or Arab rule.

These two friends said and I quote" we prefer to live in hell under Israel than to live in paradise under the Arabs" end of quote. I was not shocked, knowing the Arab political system but I was pleased that they felt this way. They are now citizens of the state of Israel, their job is to be smart citizens and productive citizens, and they can of course continue to ask for equality and such as long as they use peaceful means.

The Arabs in Israel live well in their homes and towns, they attend universities and they have representation in the parliament, the Knesset. They still have not reached the top political and military positions but this is normal and things will change for them as long as they remember that they are citizens of Israel and their loyalty should go to the state that they bear its' citizenship.

The political and social systems in Israel will develop as the peace process with the neighboring Arab countries gains solid ground, and once there are peace treaties and normalization of relations among all countries in the new Middle East, the life of the Israeli Arabs will evolve to more relaxed relations.

 The Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will have a state and there will be a Palestinian state in the future, however, the Israeli Arabs must look at the new state as a neighboring state with special ties. They know that they do not want to move there and they know that they want to continue to be part of the state of Israel***. Israel can as the debate goes right now to have it's identity as a Jewish state and in the same time move to ensure a multi-ethnic society that will allow qualified people to govern regardless of their ethnicity. The Arabs in Israel will use their relations to both Israel and Palestine to be one of the bridges that cross the spectrum between Israel and the Arab countries.


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* Israel population consists mainly of Jewish and Arabs. The definition of Arab population in Israel relates to both Muslims and Christians. There are other groups such as the Bedouins and the Druze. The Arabs are exempt from serving in the Military, the Druze and the Bedouins are active members of the State of Israel Defense Forces. The demographics according to the CIA-The World Factbook, total population is 7,233,701 divided as follows: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004)
**Source from Wikipedia
*** Read my blogs: Ahmad Tibi, Danny Ayalon, Khalid Mashal, Avigdor Lieberman. Also, read An Article From Haaretz: Israel & Palestine, Multi-Ethnicity for related details and Jerusalem.

Missed Opportunities....by Jamil Shawwa

What triggered me to write this piece is a news wire about some official stating that and I quote “this might be the last chance to make peace in the Middle East". I have heard this statement few hundreds of times, same statement, different people from different countries. In another context, you hear the words, missed opportunities, all the time and every day. Some mean business opportunities, some might mean a charming woman, or women and some might just mean anything that they should have had or got and missed. Not going to the bathroom in the morning could be a missed opportunity for some. I have my own interpretation for the so-called missed opportunities for peace in The Middle East, in the holy land, the birthplace of the divine religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. I personally do not believe in that statement, Missed Opportunities, I do not believe, I know it sounds weird and it sounds that my midlife crisis is getting worse, but I really think that we, the people form the Middle East or as in my case, the people who originally came from the Middle East, did not miss any opportunities for peace. Peace is not a romantic word, it is not a wish, and it is not something we should only pray for. It is an action, a well, a desire, and it is first a political process. This political process depends on the desire of the countries involved, they want to make peace or they do not, nothing else. It sounds so oversimplifying a historic conflict, but it boils down to the political well and process. My mother God bless her wakes up every morning praying for peace for the Jewish people, the Arab people, Muslims and Christians, and all people on earth. This is fantastic, but we need an action plan with the prayers, I need to see an agenda, and as I said earlier, desire. I was once having lunch at a nice Turkish restaurant in the suburbs of our capital Washington DC- one of the best places for grilled lamb chops- and I heard the server, a Turkish man, replying to us talking about peace by saying, brother, there will never be peace in the Middle East. I am not that pessimistic, and the server could be realistic but I am sure that there will be peace in the Middle East but it will not be any peace, it will not be regular peace, it will be a special peace, a practical peace, a peace of the need, it will start that way. Real peace happens not with governments, but with people talking freely, it happens when the political systems in the Middle East- including Iran and Afghanistan- having regular, secular, maybe Islamic Turkish style governments. When we have due process, when we have elected officials and when we have a liberal system that protects the rights of all people in that part of the world. The Middle East is rich; it is rich by its culture, religions and oil. It is the place where money, power, and religion mix in a very dramatic way, a violent way sometimes. Peace is coming but it will not be a regular peace, it will be a custom-made peace. Finally yet importantly, for some reason, I feel that I have no clue what I am talking about.

Arrogant Bastards... by Jamil Shawwa

The other day, I went with some friends from work to a near by Irish pub. I love those pubs although I no longer drink alcohol. The atmosphere is great, service is wonderful, hosts are very attentive and hospitable and the Sheppard’s Pie is an all time favorite. Any way, we sat at the table, got the menu, I ordered my usual soda soft drink and the girls and boys from the office started to stare at the Beers menu, what a selection, makes your mouth waters. The correct word for beer at the pub is Ale. I took a glance maybe to remember the good old days- read again my blog, A Voice From The Past, to see how I addressed this statement, the good old days. Back to the subject at hand, which is the beers menu, the names were amazing, but one name for a draft beer - fresh, not in bottles- stuck in my mind. The name of that beer was, the Arrogant Bastards. Of course, I just could not set still when the server came around to take the order and I jumped ahead of the group and asked her if they still have arrogant bastards in the place. She looked back, a little annoyed, maybe because every customer tries to make fun of the name and she had it, and said that they are out of the bastards but they are fully stocked with new beer that I might be interested in trying, she does not know yet that I only drink soft drinks, I asked her, sure, and if it is in the menu, she answered back and said no it is very special and that they do not put it in the menu but they offer it for those that ask for and can not get the Arrogant Bastards. I said ok, so what is the name, or brand. She gave me a good look from upside down and said, Jackass. I looked back at my group who blasted in laughter and I fired back, and said that it is fine, get four jackasses to this group. She did not let go and said oh, I thought that you are five Jackasses and not four. The Sheppard's Pie was good though.

Valentines's Day 02/14/2010.......by Jamil Shawwa

The feast of love, Valentine’s Day. We in the USA will celebrate it tomorrow. We will celebrate not only love but will celebrate life with all its components. Tomorrow we will invite that special- or just family- one to lunch or dinner, or maybe just coffee, we will look in the eyes and say, happy Valentine’s Day, thank you for being with me, thank you for sharing this moment with me and thank you for allowing me to love you. I am amazed, trying to be polite here, at some authorities specifically in some Arab Gulf countries who are citing religious reasons for preventing its people from celebrating love. Show me one religion that bans such celebrations. Enough extremism and manipulation in the name of Islam, or any other religion. Religions brought to earth to spread love and humanity and not fanaticism, terrorism and extremism. I am shocked at these backward, no brains that set in their Ivory towers telling people what is right and what is wrong. It is time as we celebrate love, to ignore those Ivory towers, back rooms, voices of darkness and despair, and go out and celebrate love, all kinds of love. It is not for me or anyone else on earth to tell you how you should celebrate or if you should celebrate, as long as it is your choice. Happy Valentine’s Day.

A Voice From The Past.......by Jamil Shawwa

It all of sudden came to me when I heard some people talking about their past in a very emotional way as if the past is everything and as if life stopped and parked at that age, or event, or year. We can learn a lot from the kids, they live and enjoy every moment and they move on, life does not stop for them but it keep going. I read the papers and hear people on TVs, Internet saying this boring over used statement - the good old days- I do not get it, what does that mean. For them, maybe, it means that they were happier, richer, not married- or maybe it means that there were no responsibilities or fewer responsibilities. I hear governments teaching the kids about past civilizations and how everything was great and then these governments stop short from addressing the future. History, what is history, it is life, it connects the past with the present and the future, and it does not stop. Every passing moment is history, and every coming moment is the future. Life is a cycle, a continuation, it does not stop at a station, but it passes by stations, it might park a little but it never stops, it stops only in our minds and hearts. Some people just get off the train of life by choice, set aside and watch the train goes by. They have the talents to make a change, but they do not have the guts to make it happen. I am not sure why I am talking about all these things now, maybe I did not have anything better to write on or maybe I am having a dry spell or something. Maybe I just stopped and decided that it is enough, but enough of what, I just started, I may started late but I know that I started. I also might be fooling myself, but who cares, I am moving, I am in motion, and that all it matters.

Ahmad Tibi, Danny Ayalon, Khalid Mashal, Avigdor Lieberman... by Jamil Shawwa

The Players:

Ahmad Tibi, Member of the Israeli Parliament- happens to be an Arab Member-the Knesset and former adviser to Yasser Arafat, the late Palestinian president.
Danny Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister of the State of Israel and it's former Ambassador to the United States.
Khalid Mashal, Head of the political office of Hamas, the organization that operates and controls the Gaza Strip, as of now.
Avigdor Lieberman: The State of Israel Foreign Minister.

The Occasion:

I watched the other day on C-Span, a program that hosted Tibi and Ayalon among other guests and was struck, kind of, by the tone, the attitudes and the level of comfort both Ayalon and Tibi have shown. As for Lieberman and Mashal, the only reason I brought them to this so called analysis is their resemblance, I can not post their pictures here for some reason, maybe I need to get some technical support from the many talented IT people out there, both men have beards, no surprise, both claim to be part of a group that believe strongly that it is difficult for the two people to live together, or maybe they claim that as I claim that I know some political analysis. Both Mashal and Lieberman- I do not have the honor of knowing either man- are considered according to the media and I quote “extremists". The physical resemblance, again, is amazing. It is not amazing to me though as I know that the Arabs and the Jewish people do look alike, as I mentioned in other blogs, they are cousins, and they both are Semites and came from Ibrahim, Abraham, one of God's prophets on earth. This is for these two, Lieberman and Mashal. Now back to the stars of this article, Ayalon and Tibi. Mr. Ayalon mentioned that Dr. Tibi is a gynecologist, in a statement to show that Arabs in Israel have equal opportunities. I do not think Tibi liked it for the whole world to know what his medical specialty, exciting one, I am sure. I do not why this gynecologist business put me off track, any way Mr. Ayalon mentioned that there are equal opportunities inside the State of Israel between its Arabs and Jewish people and the example according to Ayalon was that the medical school accepted Tibi and rejected him. Tibi is an Arab and Ayalon is a Jewish. Tibi did not like what Ayalon said and he responded by saying and I quote" everything that he succeeded in was because of him and everything wrong with him was because of Israel. Now, of course, I am rolling my eyes to this answer as did Danny Ayalon and probably every person reading this blog. Dr. Tibi probably answered the way he answered because Mr. Ayalon mentioned that he is a gynecologist, although he, Tibi, should not be ashamed of it. My dream was, among other unfulfilled dreams, to be a gynecologist. Back on track, Tibi's statement above was made for the media consumption, in reality he knows that he is a citizen of the State of Israel and in the same time he can continue to work peacefully as he is doing right now to push what he believes in which is the ongoing process of achieving equal rights among the Jews and the Arabs in Israel. The other part of the conversation or the dialogue between the two was the subject of the definition of Israel as a Jewish state. Tibi opposed to that definition saying that by definition, in his opinion, that implies lack of equality among Jewish and non-Jewish. Ayalon fired back by saying that he does not agree and that many Jewish people across history and until now live in countries that define themselves as Islamic or Arab countries and that they did not have a problem living under the Islamic and Arab flags. What Ayalon said is correct historically. The Arab countries in general define themselves as Islamic countries and in the same time, there are non-Muslims that live in these countries. I am not going to comment further, the dialogue really was enjoyable. I think that both parties could have been more at ease before the media. The Palestinians and the Israelis- both Jewish and Arabs- do not need to pretend that they are talking to creatures from out of space or talking friendly with each other is a sin. I know it is politics- I'm pretending again that I know something about politics- and I know that what we sometimes show is not what we really mean, but relax, converse, discuss and just enjoy.

Niqab, burqa and Extremism, النقاب والبرقع والتطرف by Jamil Shawwa

There is another subject that I am sure that I am not qualified to discuss, religions. To me religion is a private matter between a person and God or whomever this person believes in. I am and no other human on earth has the right or the qualifications to tell another human whom to believe or worship. Wars erupted through history and until now when groups of people or individuals have hijacked religions for their own purposes and agendas. In that process, those hijackers have used innocent and sometimes not so innocent humans to advance their usually political accords. Religion is a magic word all over the world that-if manipulated- make people sometimes listen with deaf ears and see with blind eyes, and follow without any logic or reason. People sometimes escape their daily frustrations or desperations into surrendering themselves to their saviors, usually manipulative people- who claim that they will in the name of God left them from their misery into a different world, an imaginary world. We are witnessing great divine religions being restructured by organizations that aim towards destructions and terror not for any purpose except for claiming that they are in the name of God sent to spread peace and justice on earth, by destruction, by terror. What compelled me to write now about this subject is the debate going on in places around the world regarding women covering their faces especially in open societies. As far as I am concern, there is no religion on earth that requires women to cover their faces, it is a choice to cover the hair or the head, a scarf or Hijab, or head cover but not the face. Covering the face or the whole face except for the eyes or even cover the eyes and have a little window for the woman so she can open her mouth and eat and breath has nothing to do with Islam or any other religion, it is brought by fanatics whose job is to spread ambiguity and whose job is to demean women in the name of God. We must in the Middle East start a new way of thinking- the majority of people are moderates but as usual, the voice of terror and destruction is louder- towards having responsible religious people that interpret the religions as religions and not as political documents. The place of religions is in the heart, in the worship places. Countries should refrain from using religions to identify themselves, fight others or just declare who is right or wrong. In our United States of America, freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution; we all can and do worship whomever we want. We still have here in the US as any country those fanatics that as in the Middle East tries to impose a political agenda in the name of religion, who kill doctors that perform abortion on women in legally abortion clinics- The constitution of the United States granted the right of women to choose, either to keep unborn or perform abortion, we have religious leaders who blast other religions. Therefore, the phenomenon again is universal because it relates to human behavior and human behavior is universal. We humans are the same in the very basics. I know that I am naive if I think this religion manipulation will ever seize to exist but I think it can be fought and it can be put under control. It will continue to exist as humans exist but again it can be managed and it can be less destructive. I do not drink- just an example- but my wife does and she has a wine cellar, I am exaggerating, just a cabinet, in the house. Is it my business, not really, do I care, not at all, except when I beg her to give me a bottle or two as presents to friends and she -as usual- refuses.

Negotiations....... المفاوضات by Jamil Shawwa

I have to admit that I have always dreamed to be a good negotiator; I do not think I am though. I am more into do this and do that rather than what do you think and how do you feel. Still I -depend on the situation and the issue- like to have a common ground with the people I am talking with, as long as at the end they follow my lead or at least do not push too much into this negotiations thing- notice that I said talking With rather than To, which indicates equality. The arts of diplomacy, political science, and business teach us that the best negotiations is the one that result in a win-win situation, meaning that all parties, or two parties get something or leave the table with minimum satisfaction. I can go back through history and learn that no negotiations that resulted in a win-lose situation has ever lasted. No negotiations that do not at the end or that do not at the beginning provide a platform for equal opportunities to present each case and argument would last and if it lasts, would not fly or get traction. When I used to travel- it has been few years- I have always read those magazines you find in the back seat of the seat in front of you on the plane- I fly coach, used to set next to the toilets at the end of the plane, it was fun- and I almost always used to find an ad for one of these business coaches that teach business people the art of negotiations or he used to claim that he knows. The title of that ad was and I quote" In life you do not get what you deserve but what you negotiate". I know there are variations to that quote but I have no doubt in mind that in general it is right. Whenever we approach negotiations, any negotiations, with the premise that I am right and you are wrong, then I do not think that anyone can win. In business as in politics, I really think that we have to come to the table with an open mind and heart. It is 100% ok to have demands, to have ideas, to believe that you have this right and that right, but it is not ok, it is not productive and it is not permissible, to come to the table thinking that you have an inherit right to something, that you are above the other and that other must obey and agree to your demands, otherwise - in your mind or action- you would think that person or persons are not peace loving people or that they are not as savvy in business as you are. Having claimed the above, I must say too, that if you are not smart enough, clever enough, just stay at home, do not cry foul if you lose the argument or the negotiations due to your own stupidity, forgive my Chinese. See, I told you that I am a bad negotiator; I have been saying or dictating what negotiations should be rather than leaving the definition to all of us to decide. Who do I think I am. For sure not clever.

Fear.... by Jamil Shawwa

Frasier, the sitcom is one of my all time comedy sitcoms favorites, that is up to the eighths season. After that, Frasier became a dull and very depressing soap opera. Any way, in one of the nice episodes in season four, I believe, the team, Frasier, Niles-his brother, Martin- his dad, Daphne- the health care provider, and another friend of hers, go to a ski lodge out of Seattle, Washington State. In a scene, where the group setting around sipping hot beverage, I think they said that it was made of Rum and butter, they start serenading about how people really should not be afraid in life, that they should take chances, and it does not matter if they win or lose as long as they try. In one of the memorable lines, the father, Martin Crane says and I quote " it is not the times that you have made an ass of yourself, but it is the times that you never tried" the character, Martin Crane is 110% right. His son in the series, Frasier, before that line, had also a line which said," a weak heart never wins a fair lady". Not sure, why I am writing about fear now, but it is amazing how many talents have been buried because they did not trust their guts, they did not go with their instincts and they just sat aside watching the world go by. In business as in life we always say when people hesitate to do something or ask for something, what is the worst that could happen, a No answer. We must be afraid to survive, sometimes. It is normal to be afraid, but not timid. It is normal to calculate but not over calculate. I look back at my own experience and Marty and Frasier Crane lines apply to many stations in my life. What is the solution, nothing, just keep going, be afraid but maybe be you need to know what are you afraid of, or realize that fear is part of life, part of being human. Once this recognition is done, fear will not disappear but it will probably be managed better. Again, why am I writing about fear now, not sure, maybe it is the snow fever and setting at home locked for four days.

America's camaraderie.....by Jamil Shawwa

I have to admit that before coming to America, I never felt of the so-called camaraderie. Probably it is my fault and not the fault of the area that I came from. However, as years go by and with no one telling you what you need to do or feel, as an American you have to feel the community that you live in, the camaraderie, the sense that you belong here and that you need to contribute and give back to the neighborhood that you live in, the state you reside in and the country that under it's flag you feel and breath freedom. This morning was a very small yet grande in it is meaning of what camaraderie means. we have been in Washington DC and the suburbs under snow blizzards for over 4 days, the city and the state are overwhelmed, they can not come by and plow the snow from the resident areas yet, they must and should start by the main streets, highways, and interstates, highways that connect the good old USA. Today, the neighbors started to clean up the street themselves, one neighbor had a little Deere tractor, the other had a snow removal machine, and they just started paving the way not for themselves only but for the whole neighbors. We are around 12 houses in this street that has been blocked by the snow from the main street that connect us with the outside world. I have to say that it was not my initiative, I just followed the lead, and I could not set still at home, watch my neighbors cleaning up the miss for all of us, and do nothing, though it was tempting to do nothing and stay warm in this weather. I was driven maybe by example but really, I wanted to help, I felt empowered when I went out there- with my shovel- in the cold and sweat it out. I felt that this is my neighborhood, my city, my state and my country and I have to give back to the good old USA even in a tiny tiny little thing.

The Super Bowl XLIV by Jamil Shawwa

Do not ask me what is XLIV stands for, I just copied and paste, but after checking it out with some sources, it means it is our Super Bowl #44. It is maybe the biggest sport event and day in the US. Two teams represent the top divisions, Eastern and Western- of the Unites States- play on what America considers the world cup. It is the American football, close to Rugby, but here our players wear helmets and protects their bodies with all sorts of things, because it is and can be a tough game. I sound ignorant, and maybe I should not have written about it but how could I or any body- in America- ignore the super Bowl Sunday. America, even in the snowy areas, is mesmerized in front of its TVs enjoying a full day of events. In America super bowl is not a game, it is a ritual, a war, peaceful one though, a tradition, where families, friends, and people who never met talk about it in their homes, in the stadium, in their cars, planes, cafes, bars, restaurants, in their job, in the kitchen, every where. America today talks only Super Bowl. Americans are unique in the way they watch this game, as I mentioned above, never say a game, and say the super bowl. Now, I have to admit one thing though and I really feel ashamed as an American to admit that I have never watched a full or whole game of professional football in my life. While in Iowa, couple of my dear law professors used to invite me to watch college football- colleges from all over the US compete on a college football championship. Back to the super bowl, it is really a social event, as I mentioned, where people consume tons of fried chicken wings, munches, appetizers, pizzas,tons of beers and soft drinks. it is a feast no doubt about it. Today we are not democrats or republicans; we are not with or against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, today is our day, only domestic, and only the super bowl. America is a world by itself and in itself. America though tries always to extend it's hands to the rest of the world, and feet if necessary- American football is played mostly by hands, soccer is played only by feet- as we have started over thirty years ago to integrate ourselves with the rest of the world in the universe most popular sport, Soccer, in America, football in the rest of the world. We have a league here for soccer and we have an Olympic soccer team. However, nothing compare to the American Football when it comes to the popularity, the passion, and the commercial side of it. Advertisers pay millions of dollars to have their commercial played during half time, the most watched event, maybe, sometimes more than the game itself. Half time events and festivities have become a big part of the super bowl; top of the world singers come to sing sometimes, and tens of millions of Americans attached to their TVs, it is the time to hit them with these commercials, many of them have become so memorable. If my memory is not betraying me, Brittany Spears had a very popular Pepsi ad in one of the previous super bowls. We are all at home today, some because we have no choice because of the snow, but the rest is at home for the super bowl.

PS: Forgive me if I sounded ignorant up there, I just did not know what else to say.

America's Obsession with Color.......by Jamil Shawwa

We, Americans, a nation that is obsessed with color. My daughter used to call my car by it is brand, now it calls it the black car. My wife, the other day asked me to get her glasses box from the car gloves compartment by saying, get me the black thing for my glasses. What black thing, I asked innocently? I am famous of burning my toast, and used to say the toast was burned; now I hear the wife saying, it looks black. When we have snow, people say, the white stuff, what white stuff? I remember people used to describe heroin or cocaine as the white stuff. Kids in schools who if no one intervenes would embrace diversity as a natural way and normal, now their teachers make it a point to tell them that they are different from each other, all in the name of political correctness and embracing diversity. What diversity, what is the point in telling kids, you are black, you are white, and you are this or that. Once, as an employee of a defunct company, I attended a seminar that talked about diversity as a part of various employees enhancement workshops, and the participants, the instructor, started talking about how we are different- people setting in the room- and how we need to accept each other. I was amazed, once this instructor started to talk about these things, people started to look at each other, the atmosphere became rather electrified and embarrassing. We were all a very diverse group people, whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, etc. We were the United States of America in one room. That room was so warm before we started to talk diversity and became so cold once we started to look at each other, trying to figure out who is what and who is not. Before that seminar, we all talked, laughed, and no one really paid attention, or cared to pay attention about the so called differences, after the seminar, we started to look at each other suspiciously.

*The Wife Talks...... by Jamil Shawwa

The scene: early- kind of- morning, wife and husband bedroom. Husband just woke up, lying in bed looking at the window and probably beyond the window, to the scene outside. Wife, what else, changing the daily stuff that people should change at least once a day.
The view: snow everywhere, including the bedroom, figuratively speaking and not literally for those that are wondering.


Husband: the phone rang few moments ago, can you get it for me.
Wife: no, you get it.
Husband: but dear, you are there, just grab it and throw it to me, what is the big deal.
Wife: I tell you what the big deal is, it is you, your laziness, you do not want to move from the bed.
Husband: where shall I go, it is snowing like crazy outside.
Wife, with an attitude, as usual: help me, maybe, for a change.
Husband: I always help, who took the garbage last night, who filled the dishwasher, who gave the kids a bath.
Wife: still, you are lazy now; yesterday is gone, and today is a new day.
Husband: this has been the story of our marriage, no appreciation, no credits, always looking at the negative. You just cannot see the real me.
Wife: oh yes, I can see the real you, lazy, giving orders, loves waitresses, hairdressers, cafes and restaurants.
Husband: I cannot believe it, all this because I asked you to not even bring the phone but throw it at me.
Wife: it is not the phone it is what beyond the phone, it is what the phone means, and it is the symbol that I am rejecting.
Husband: I think I lost you mentally as I lost you physically long time ago, what do you mean.
Wife: I tell you what I mean , it is what you are waiting for, it is that other girl or girls, who knows, it is that other imaginary place that you keep dreaming of, it is the place, the food , the restaurant. You do not like it with me, you never did, and it is always that other unknown that you are looking for, you just looking for an escape, from me and everything.
Husband, shocked and speechless but not surprised: all this inside you, is this the way you really feel, all this resentment, all this even maybe hatred, I can not believed it. How many times do I approach you a day, how many times have reached out for you, how many times I asked you to open up and just talk. You never gave me a chance; you just were indifferent, negative, and passive. You are the kind that keeps things inside boiling, until it reaches the level of no return, until it explodes.
Wife: I had it with you, with your life style, with your laziness; a writer, please, who reads the dribble that you write, who cares about what you think. You are nothing. I do not see any talent in you.
Husband: I should not have asked for that phone.


*Disclaimer:
For entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance with any real life situations or people is just a mere coincidence.
These conversations are not related to any specific person or persons. They are general human conversations from life.

They come in Cans...

The other day, hunger, lack of imagination and complacency lead me to one of these franchise restaurants that are in reality factories that cater to the masses. That restaurant reminded me of Charlie Chaplin famous movie, Modern Times. I went there and ordered my favorite, so unimaginative, Spaghetti Bolognese and I asked the server, if they use fresh tomatoes, and his answer was and I quote, always, freshly prepared out of the cans. Enough said I think. We are losing the small restaurants, the fresh ingredients and the home cooking. Everything these days is mega places, no soul and no taste. Having said that, it is the times we live in and probably we must adapt.

Enrico Macias by Jamil Shawwa

I was maybe six or seven years old when I first heard of the legendary French singer- born in Algeria-Enrico Macias . I loved his songs from my mother who loved his voice. My father-may God bless his soul- used to sing Enrico Macias famous song, Le Grand Pardon, the great tolerance or the great forgiveness. Enrico Macias sang that song for peace between the Jewish people and the Arabs in the holy land in Israel and Palestine and all over the world. Enrico Macias still sings for peace and still hopes to live to see a lasting and just peace in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine. Few years ago, Enrico Macias came to Washington DC and I went with my mother and other family members to see him at a theatre downtown, he was the same gracious artist, polite, accommodating his audience and of course singing for peace. In the middle of the show, he told us, his audience, that the president of Algeria, Bouteflika, has allowed him to go back to his original country to visit and sing. I am not sure if this invitation has ever been materialized but I know one thing that Enrico Macias never give up on peace between the Arabs and the Israelis and never give up on peace between the Muslims and the Jews, the sons of Ibrahim or Abraham. In addition, for sure the peace among the three great divine religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Enrico Macias still sings for that inevitable destiny that no one can run from which is that these two nations, people, have no choice but to live side by side, that they can not run from each other and that no matter what happens neither one can drive the other away from their homeland. So why not making love instead of making war.

The New Employee by Jamil Shawwa

After working for many companies and in many capacities, I came to the conclusion- probably almost everyone knew it except me- that it is up to the person, the individual to make a difference, That we can not set back and expect the company to fit in us and expect the atmosphere be up to our standards, and the co-workers are angels, and the cafeteria is full of whatever we need and that the board offers free Starbucks coffee and free ice cream once a month. If we expect any of the above to happen or to have any of the above as a measure if the company is right for us or not, then we are heading towards a huge disappointment. If we keep switching jobs hoping to find the ideal setting and the right people and the peaceful atmosphere, then we are also heading towards a bigger disappointment. If we setback and expect the company to appreciate us just for being there, then same as the above with the disappointment. Our job is to make things happen, to work to show the company how useful we are to it and not vice versa. In business, anyone is replaceable, if we ever think that any of us is indispensable, then we are setting ourselves to the biggest failure, probably. Show the company what you can do but always be on your guards; there is no job for life.

Final Thoughts:

Define the undefined and implement the defined.

Do not just expect the employee to fit in, but allow them to adapt, give them home,time and mental nourishment and the chance to fit.

The Snow Rush In Washington DC by Jamil Shawwa

The streets of our capital Washington DC and its suburbs in Northern Virginia and Maryland are bustling with all kinds of cars rushing through the grocery stores, gas stations and hardware stores. The reason, the big snow blizzard that we are expecting Friday and through out Saturday. The Washington Post is already describing the coming snow wave as historic. People are battling the cashier lines at the various places to get away with as much supplies as possible as quickly as possible. Gas stations at full capacity, customers are filling up the tanks just in case they are stuck somewhere. We are buying shovels to clean up the snow from our driveways and we are scanning the TV guides for programs to keep us entertained during the expected snow. Schools have already declared that they will be closed Friday and the kids are the happiest among all with the announcement, they are the only ones- God bless them- that are looking forward for snow day. Parents are panicking not because of the snow but because of the thought of the three days weekend with the kids locked inside the house. Trucks with sand to clean the streets are already positioned in strategic places around the capital and the suburbs ready to go on full speed as soon as the storm hits. Husbands and wives are panicking too not only because of the snow and the kids but also because that they have to be stuck with each other for the duration of the snow. Who knows, maybe this projected storm will bring more people to our earth and country, people instead of thinking of work and going out, will be thinking of love and making out.

*Lingerie Talk------ a rest from politics and Analysis by Jamil Shawwa

She: I am not sure which one to put
He: which do you like more
She: I like both
He: you know, you do not have to put anything if you do not want
She: yeah, you wish, I have to protect my assets
He: from whom
She: from you
He: why
She: because....
He: I understand, you have to keep them intact
She: yes
He I'm not that stupid, I understand their function and importance
She: do you
He: I think so
She: ok, if you say so
He: what does that mean
She: nothing, sorry, I did not mean to hurt your feelings, it was just a talk
He: it is ok you did not.
She: so what do you think shall I go with the black and the hiphunger, or the burgundy and the thong.
He: hiphugger, thong, laces, not sure I am following.
She: oh, you are so ignorant when it comes to women underwear.
He: no, I am not.
She: you even do not know their names.
He: well, I tried to look at Victoria Secret catalogue but they have now ten million names for the lingerie, it is so confusing.
She: only to you.
He: well, what happened to the good old straight forward two piece lingerie.
She: still there, got polished, and you are still the same.
He: oh, now you are comparing me with your lingerie
She: yes, both are attached to me.

*Disclaimer:
For entertainment purposes only
These conversations are not related to any specific person or persons. They are general human conversations from life.