Sunday, April 06, 2008

Obviously An Endangered Species


In preparation for a general strike called to protest the rising prices and level salaries, the powers that be seem to have decided to round up some of the local bloggers who have been instrumental in calling for the strike. Living out in the boonies, I wasn't planning on going into town anyway and I have no plans on spending any time at all out in the current sandstorm, so I imagine that I'm probably safe. I'm also not all that convinced that a march or strike is going to be all that effective in fighting the inflation that afflicts Egypt and so many other places as well. I do find it interesting to note that there is a statute on the books, "Article 124 of the Penal Code punishes all those who shirk their work obligations with a prison sentence of 3 months to one year" and I wonder why it isn't used against the clerks in government offices who'd rather drink tea than work...or maybe against the plumber who gives you three appointments one after another and never shows up for any of them..

As a general rule, I don't comment that much on politics. It's not a healthy thing to do in Egypt as can be seen in the article to which the title links. On the other hand, as a housekeeper I'm a great believer in the disinfecting power of sunlight, so let the light shine.

copyright 2008 Maryanne Stroud Gabbani

3 comments:

Susan said...

What do you cook up in that outdoor over, MA? Bread? Brick oven pizzas?

Maryanne Stroud Gabbani said...

That's the outrageous barbecue that a friend ordered built. The bread oven is just behind. Nice to have.

Queen O'Danile said...

hahahaha--reminds me of that movie "El Erhab Wal Kebab"---Adel Imam gets nowhere with the government workers at Al Mogaama and somehow ends up a terrorist. I sure WISH they apply that law to the government workers--and hire those folks who would be happy to have a job and do the work properly...ah Egypt...gotta love it!