Saturday, April 16, 2005
What would Jesus do? Part II
I've been sitting on this for a few days now, and i'm not to sure what Jesus would do on this one.Imagine this scenario, you accidently come across a piece of information that could 'potentially topple' a high-ranking public official - destiny has led you to discover a deep dark secret. In a democratic context this could lead to something of Watergate proportions; the resignation of a discredited humiliated MP/minister/officer, a public enquiry, and even changes in the law. What do you do?
(1) do you leak this information to the press, hope that (alsul6a alrab3a- the fourth authority) makes such a media frenzy that the government, MPs and opposing political factions have no choice but to pressurise this person to leave office for everyone's sake.
(2) do you approach the official concerned, blackmail him for the greater good of society and hope he changes his corrupt ways by forcing him to use his powers in office to make real change, in return for you're silence.
(3)do u just pretend you know nothing and turn a blind eye. In our culture, such a scandal would seem disrespectful to an older person, you fear future repurcussions against you.
(4) do you hide you're tracks, pass the information onto someone else who would then have to make decision (1)-(3) and may decide to use it to further their own political agenda?
Just in case you're wondering whether this is a true situation, well, yes and no. No, I don't think in the Middle-East context this would be a scandal, in fact, a major-coverup situation would probably ensue, and as the source of information, you'd probably be hassled for the rest of your life for revealing the truth and exposing a fallacy. Yet would u wish to see the public downfall and humiliation of someone you know, and bear the responsibility of exposing them? What is worse, living with a secret or with the burden of exposing it?
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Hi!
I personally think that living with a secret that you may feel or know can change lives and you just not do anything is such a burden by itself!
Oh yeah! I also think Jesus is amongst us in the form of Marilyn Manson :)
Keep up your interesting updates/observations in yo blog!
Hmm tough one... Jesus would probably the person privately and give him a chance to explain himself, or repent and change his ways. If that doesn't happen, then Jesus might pass the word on to other reponsible individuals who may have the ability to bring change... maybe a representative from Transparency International.
A blogger however would blog about it! :)
You just have to look under the carpet to know the level of corruption around. Maybe its not a secret afterall!
See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil are the three commandments followed in Bahrain! :)
Boy next door :)
Guys,
I'm talking about hard evidence that someone has lied.
What ya say, we try to bring him down like the US bloggers brought down the CNN executive? Chan'ad you up for it??
Personally I don't have the guts!!!
Thanks for that tip BBN,
I'm seriously thinking of deleting this thread all-together! I don't want to be bungled into a suitcase and thrown into the trunk of a car to an unknown destination.
I think they already know about this blog eversince the past 4 months and yes they might even be knowing who you are and what you do for a living - c'mon it's Bahrain - its a free country filled with interesting bugs and juicy flowers.
But the point is to put up a disclaimer on this blog if you decide to continue posting about your 'discovery/expose'.
How much good will that do - I really don't know, however, the disclaimer up on my blog has probably saved me from falling into hot water - many a time. And i still get to keep my dignity by blogging freely, exercise my right to free speech - all under their patronage - which makes me as a student, proud to study in Bahrain during these times of ecconomic reforms :-D
Bahrania.. if you asked your Mum..what would she tell you do..thats what you should do! :)
Regards
Kermit (the frog?)
Cut the crap, Miss!
We know EXACTLY who you are and were you are. Everything is logged and blogged! Do these numbers ring a bell: 13, 45, 45!
When I came across this information, I envisioned frontpage news headlines, feared potential heart attacks, family conflicts, u name it....
In the end I told my parents... they thought it was funny yet disgraceful.... funny the way I found out the info...and disgraceful what it meant...
The thing is I think they're just going to sit on it... I wana see my vision come true ASAP!!
I dunno maybe I should try and make some money out of this somehow too... sell the story to the papers... blackmail the official... if u can't beat 'em, join 'em!!
DIB, loved your comment, its a classic DIB response...I wasn't around when watergate happened...
Kermit, of course i told my mom, its what girls next door do :)
Anon, 13, 45, 45 hmmm lemme c now...no im 34, 28, 34
Odd A;...i might take u up on ur offer ! but remember me not know u u not know me
Do you mind if this info you got gets out in the US before it makes waves in Bahrain?
Say an average of 15,000 copies in circulation per week, overall (50,000 copies) would be and the newpaper will run the story in parts up to 3 weeks.
Area is Boston & surrounding areas & it's immediate publication including permission to print the story online across 50,000+ news sites.
No info on the source except the line "unknown Bahraini citizen".
If you're interested please send an email to areview.me@gmail.com with the subject reading as "ME-Bahrain-May05"
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
BTW - please send an email ONLY if you are serious about the info getting out there - no appologies/etc. will be issued by the newspaper after the story's been printed - and you didn't want it coming out.
And I dont' work there either- just for the record.
Hey Strav,
Like I said before...I have this guilty little piece of conscience thats keeping me silent...
besides why would a US paper be interested in a Bahraini issue... and plus I DONT WANT A US PAPER to profit off what is a local issue...if ALWASAT wants to sell this and make a few pennies then by all means..
I'm not quite sure what you mean by a US paper profiting off this story, but FYI, the newspaper is a non-profit one and is funded completely by student activists - it's more of a awareness one - more of getting the word out.
And if Al Wasat is gonna have this story printed out these folks would still like permission to re-print.
.... about your guilty lil piece, like i said before it's really yo call if you wanna' go public with this or not - no one's forcing you to but it would be helpful if you did, might even be a lesson to others who are u to their ears in dirty biz, etc.
good luck :)
Anon, 13, 45, 45 hmmm lemme c now...no im 34, 28, 34
DAMN! And the height?
(sorry, couldn't resist! ;))
I had no idea what those numbers refered to until Mahmood mentioned height!
Did you know that waist to Hip ratio can be used to help determine obesity! The higher the ratio, the higher the risk of heart disease and other obesity-related disorders.
And no I am not trying to say you are fat! :)
Kermit (the next door frog?)
too much algebra and permutations to think about without having lunch and a drink first... however, I am intrigued as to your statement attributed to the Prophet (pbuh) which applies only to Muslims... why? Are other creeds not worthy?
As yet no one has fully addressed the ethical issue involved...
-"selling" you're story is obviously bad as it stains you're motives for the disclosure...a western phenomenon that is yet to reach ME shores...
-the idea that you shouldn't expose other people's bad deeds (the hadeeth that BBN touched on)... i say this would apply to average joe, but would public officials and their misdemeanours be included in this?
What we tend to find in Bahrain and elsewhere is that there is a lot of backroom gossip, and accusations thrown around that could be based on both fact or rumour, but which are NEVER bought to the forefront. No one ever has the guts to come face-to-face with the accused, as employees, citizens, journalists. I don't think this is just because of fear. There is also an element of cultural etiquette, that it is considers it rude to air suspicion in a direct manner. On the few occasions where this does happen, you can get deep rooted family conflicts, bad doctors carry on practising, corrupt officials get promoted, people not comfortable with taking detailed minutes of meetings, everything is always said off record, ... and so on and so forth...
--froggy..i think ur referring to the BMI..i'm a 18.4 :)
Bahrania..
I just looked up BMI Categories.
Underweight = <18.5
Maybe its time to put some food and sweets in your handbag! :)
Froggy (the frog?)
As to the subject of this post, listen to your inner voice and damn all else. If you feel that with you exposing this person it would do the country and community good, then go ahead and do it, if on the other hand it is just for personal gratification, then there are better ways to get off.
Listen to your heart.
If not, just shut it and move on with your life.
and remember, there is no one without skeletons in various closets...
"يا معشر من آمن بلسانه ولم يدخل الإيمان في قلبه: لا تغتابوا المسلمين، yeah but he's STILL warning non-muslims against vilifying Muslims, rather than preaching tollerance of others and their chosen faiths...
what gives?