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Merthyrmiddleeast

Listed below are comments made by Merthyrmiddleeast between Wednesday, 5th November 2008 and Sunday, 17th May 2009.

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Democracy, the Arab world and the West 1:33pm on 17 May 2009 And then Kuwait went and elected two women MPs. Perhaps there is hope after all - but probably not.
Democracy, the Arab world and the West 08:39am on 07 May 2009 3.

I am male, my friend.

My points were centred on the Gulf region in particular. As that region holds so much of the world's oil supply, I felt it more than appropriate to home in on the lip-service that is paid to democracy in those countries.
Download download download 08:33am on 07 May 2009 Have to agree on the points about video refs. It has worked well in Rugby Union and adds to rather than detracts from the drama.

Interesting stuff about your book too. Coming to the end of my first one and looking to publish this year - insha'allah as they say in these parts.

Andrew

(Jordan)
Democracy, the Arab world and the West 08:23am on 04 May 2009 Having lived in Kuwait and Qatar and travelled elsewhere in the Gulf region, I am of the opinion that those countries are not ones that seriously hanker after any kind of real democracy.

Tribal and family interests are intricately woven into the fabric of those societies and any serious move towards genuine democratic rule would unpick much of that.

It is also the case that democracy might yield results that the West would not be at all comfortable with.

Take Kuwait's recent history for example. Yes, women have the vote there but recent elections have returned more and more fundamentalists, many of whom seem more interested in overturning certain democratic rights and privileges than instituting greater freedoms.

The link between giving women the vote and the advance of fundamentalism might seem odd. The fact is though that many of those recently enfranchised vote for the person that their husband tells them to vote for.
It's getting better, he's getting stro-o-o-o-o-nger ! 11:07am on 12 Feb 2009 Absolutely fantastic news, Chris.

Congratulations from me, the Mrs and the kids here in Jordan.
Excitement in Chicago 08:26am on 05 Nov 2008 Like so many of those who jeered at the mention of the name Obama in the pre-election rallies, those who jeered tonight (a minority it has to be said) did not seem to be upset at their guy losing.

Judging by his wonderful reaction, I think McCain felt that too.
Excitement in Chicago 07:43am on 05 Nov 2008 We are already enjoying our tomorrow here. Believe me, it's fantastic!
Live from Phoenix 07:32am on 05 Nov 2008 The speech was excellent. I especially liked the way he dealt with the banjo hecklers.

Concur on the Sarah Palin comment made in #3 and wonder if #1 is at all serious.

The republicans will need to find someone with at least half a brain to fight Obama in 2012. My money's on Bobby Jindal.

Now that would be an interesting contest.
Excitement in Chicago 07:06am on 05 Nov 2008 Croony,

Cry away. No tears here but the smiles on the faces of all say everything about what this means to this part of the world and certainly to this city and its people.
Excitement in Chicago 06:53am on 05 Nov 2008 Absolutely YouTee!

The Republicans are going to have to rethink their long-term strategy if they are ever going to appeal to the emerging America, an America that will by 2050 be a place where the minorities will be in the majority.

Here in Amman, the sun shines more brightly this morning. The students at my school (owned by Queen Rania) are wishing each other a Happy Obama Day.

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