My Personal Space: Sheep or Wolf

Monday, September 22, 2008

Sheep or Wolf

11 comments:

a_akak said...: sheep or wolf? wolf or sheep?

I'd rather be proactive and be a wolf than sit and wait to be a prey like a sheep

Fe Aman Allah; September 22, 2008 at 4:56 AM
ibeebarbie said...: Salam PH,

Hmmmmmmm, pondering thought.

Although at times I wish I were a sheep, I believe I'm more of a wolf.; September 22, 2008 at 9:15 AM
on the edge said...: I am thinking ... it could happen !Hum mm , well there is aways the old saying "a wolf in sheep's clothing ." To be a patient sheep just waiting around for something to happen is a hard thing for me to do .To actively go for the throat just like that with no provocation isn't me either , so I don't know .Do I HAVE to be a sheep or a wolf ? Can I be a hawk instead ?
Found this and thought you might like to read it .http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080917/world-news/libyans-await-benefits-of-better-ties-with-west; September 25, 2008 at 6:21 PM
on the edge said...: Sorry it cut off the address .After the adress that was printed out in my last comment ... add this to the end in the browser window and inshallah it will come out .

/world-news/libyans-await-benefits-of-better-ties-with-west; September 25, 2008 at 6:25 PM
on the edge said...: Oh the heck with it ... here is the story !

Wednesday, 17th September 2008 - 17:07CET
Libyans await benefits of better ties with West

Libya's exit from diplomatic isolation has raised expectations for change among ordinary Libyans frustrated with poor services and corruption, as well as improving leader Muammar Gaddafi's standing abroad.

The regime could once tell its citizens a draconian security policy and crackdowns on dissent were necessary to safeguard the achievements of Gaddafi's 1969 Islamic Socialist revolution against foreign plots.

If people found bare shops, if sewage ran in the streets or a power cut plunged homes in darkness, blame could be laid on the West and the harsh sanctions it imposed for two decades.

"The time of living off crises is over," said Saad Djebbar, deputy director of Cambridge University's Centre for North African Studies. "Now there is nowhere to hide. Gaddafi must come face to face with the reality of Libya."

Libya has mended bridges with the West after it abandoned a programme of banned weapons and accepted responsibility for the 1988 Lockerbie airliner bombing.

Deals signed last month with the United States and Italy heralded an end to decades of acrimony between Libya and its one-time arch foe and its former colonial power.

Now, Libyans are impatient for the benefits of Gaddafi's peacemaking and for an improvement in living standards that a series of government reform plans have failed to deliver.

A heavy security presence makes sure any public discontent does not break out into widespread protests.

But after years cut off from the world, aspirations are growing fast as oil revenues surge and satellite TV offers a window on wealthy lifestyles in other oil producing Arab states.

Measured by per capita Gross Domestic Product, Libya ranks alongside Mauritius, Botswana and South Africa as among Africa's richest states. In reality, Libyans complain of poor schools and utilities and must cope with archaic banks and red tape.

Poorly-equipped hospitals and an exodus of doctors means those who can afford it often travel abroad for basic treatment.

"Libyans are becoming more self-confident and aware of what's going on in the world outside," said Oliver Miles, deputy chairman of the Libyan British Business Council and a former UK ambassador to Tripoli. "Expectations are rising and not being fulfilled."

Gaddafi accepts that many of Libya's ills are self-inflicted.

In speeches this year, he blamed graft-ridden state ministries for failing to manage oil wealth and said they should be abolished so that surplus oil money and decision making are handed directly to the people.

Foreigners who have spent time in the north African country say its citizens have become inured to such announcements.

"People are cynical about that now," said Mr Miles. "They know Gaddafi likes making speeches that shock, although there is still a great deal of admiration of him and acceptance of him in the population."

Gaddafi had already proposed abolishing layers of central government and devolving power. One such plan would have given power to shabias, Libya's provincial governments, but came to nothing as budgets were not delegated, Libya watchers say.

They point out that pushing decision making closer to the people could even worsen bureaucratic foot-dragging as officials may still avoid significant decisions without approval from the top echelons of power.

"Functionaries know they won't be fired for doing nothing, but they could get fired for doing something wrong so the default mode is to do nothing," said Geoff Porter, an analyst at the Eurasia Group.

Gaddafi has ruled out reform of Libya's political scene -- parties remain banned and dissent criminalised. But the authorities are now tolerating a cautious public debate about how Libya should be governed.

Some efforts are being made to confront abuses by the state and Gaddafi's influential son Saif al-Islam has called on Libyans to speak up about past mistreatment.

In a speech in July, he said the initiative, named Al Gathafi Call, received hundreds of complaints over two years.

But he insisted the abuses could no longer happen today.

"There is no more beating in Libyan Internal Security, or torture, or arbitrary arrests," he said. "All the rumours you may hear are a lie."

"Now Libya is heading forward; there is development, and everything is improving," he said.

Since the government relaxed a ban on private capital, a formal business scene has begun to emerge in Libya, including businessmen who once operated in shadowy informal markets.

As many as 300 Libyan state enterprises were slated for privatization four years ago but little progress has been made in opening key industries to private capital to improve efficiency and accountability.

Questions remain over whether Libyan small investors will dare buy into firms with no culture of transparency or track record of profitability and sound management.

Western consultants hired to advise Libya on economic reform say that should not stop long-delayed infrastructure upgrades going ahead as the end of sanctions allows the government to attract foreign expertise and capital.

But analysts say proof that Libya's reforms have succeeded will come when ordinary Libyans feel they have a stake in a fairer and more meritocratic economy.

"If Gaddafi's people are still seen building the tallest buildings and handling projects like before and the gap between rich and poor is widening, that would be a component for fuelling instability," said Mr Djebbar.; September 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Anglo-Libyan said...: Eid Mubarak to you and your family

وكل عام وانتم بخير; September 30, 2008 at 3:27 AM
Omar Gheriani said...: Have a Happy and Joyous Eid ... and predators adn creatures of prey may enjoy the eid together!; September 30, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Highlander said...: Eid Mubarak PH :), as for your question I tried to be a wolverine but I'm probably a little lamb LOL. Does that answer your question ?; October 1, 2008 at 6:50 AM
a_akak said...: EID MUBARIK MY FRIEND AND MAY ALLAH ACCEPT OUR FASTING

FE AMAN ALLAH; October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
PH said...: @ everyone :

Eid Mubarak to you all and thanks for the best wishes :).

salaam all; October 3, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Khalid said...: Eid Mubarak to you too, take your acts together and show up with a real post, you have been missed.; October 7, 2008 at 10:26 AM

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