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Love and Hate for Kuwait

Are you in Kuwait? Do you have news, a story something to contribute? Send it in!

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Miskan.com
I just opened a new site for my new project. Its called Miskan and is located at www.Miskan.com. Its a PhotoBlog.

posted by Mark | 3:01 PM

Monday, August 09, 2004

KuwaitBlogs

I opened up KuwaitBlogs, which is a listing and hosting of Blogs from and about Kuwait. So if you wanted more content about Kuwait, now you have a nice list of blogs to pick from.

posted by nibaq | 11:25 AM

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

You guys are back?

I just read your last post :D
I never stopped blogging... got my own personal blog : Rampurple

posted by Rampurple | 6:45 PM

Monday, March 01, 2004

Reborn
We are back.. kind of.
Me and Timbuktu are currently MoBlogging in Kuwait.

You can check my Moblog by clicking here
and click here for Timbuktu's Moblog

posted by Mark | 1:51 AM

Sunday, June 01, 2003

The Good Times
Since this is the end of qhate, I went through the archives and pulled out my favorite posts. Going through the archive it felt unreal that all this shit happened just a while ago. Everything is soo back to normal in Kuwait that it feels like the war happened a few years ago and not just 3 months ago..

Anyway, here are my favorite posts from the earliest to the latest:

Life of a Soldier in Kuwait
Freaky Dust Storm Pictures
Pre-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The First Siren
Just a bit of fun
My Latest Adventure
Wolf Blitzer

CNN also have a DVD on the war. For more info on it click here.

Goodbye Everyone... again

posted by Mark | 10:16 AM

Saturday, May 31, 2003

Goodbye qHate

The time has come.

With qHate, we got to keep track of a piece of history in Kuwait. We witnessed Kuwait preparing for war, during the war, and post-war. I tried to allow people abroad to feel and know everything I feel, know, and see during these times. Now it is time to move on.

.... Before your eyes well up... I would like you all to know that you have not gotten ridden of us yet..... On Sunday 15th June, we will be launching our new website: plus965..... dedicated to Kuwait.

Goodbye qHate!

posted by Rampurple | 10:41 PM

Friday, May 30, 2003

Entertainment....hmmmmm.... nightlife as most of the world knows it....does not exist in Kuwait. Meaning, in Kuwait, there are no clubs or pubs. Alcohol is prohibited. So here is what most people do:

In Kuwait, you have a wide variety of restaurants and coffee shops from all over the world. So meeting friends for lunch or dinner is counted as entertainment.
Shopping or simply wondering around in a mall....this is a very popular past time in Kuwait.
Ice Skating (indoor skating rink), beach, volleyball.... these are some more things people do for fun in Kuwait (at least the energetic or somewhat athletic people).
Another popular recreation in Kuwait, is driving up and down the Gulf Road (this is a long stretch of road next to the Gulf).
Private gatherings in homes is very popular. People invite their closest friends or business associates home. Alcohol is often served since most people seem to have alcohol in their homes. We usually play cards/board games/ video games. Or, simply watch a movie.
Speaking of movies, we have movie theatres in Kuwait as well. So people can go watch a movie.

I think I covered the basics..... if anyone in Kuwait is reading this and can think of more things please let the people out there know.

posted by Rampurple | 5:04 PM

Ideas

Since some of you have decided to keep on visiting qHate, and I cannot find much to write about....and my fellow bloggers seem to have disappeared.....

...I have an idea (that rarely happens!):

How about you guys tell me what you are interested in? Is there anything about Kuwait or the Arab world you want to know about? I am not saying that I know everything...but I would ask around about the things I don't know about.....and don't forget people can always join in the discussion and set me right or state their own opinions. What do you guys think?

posted by Rampurple | 12:59 PM

Thursday, May 29, 2003

Dust Storms

The dust storms are not so bad nowadays. It increases the amount of dust in our homes but not a lot. When we got those really bad dust storms a few months ago I had a hard time breathing in bed, especially since my bed is next to my window. The dust storms we get now are mild. They don't affect us in any way. Today, the weather was nice, perfect for the beach actually.

As for humidity, Kuwait weather is not really humid compared to other Gulf countries such as Dubai. Also, in Kuwait I haven't really felt the heat yet. Every place in Kuwait is fully equipped with good airconditions.

Last week, I realized I cannot seem to get in my car in the afternoons. You see at work I park my car under the sun all day. My car has a black interior so that means trouble. I couldn't even touch my gear. That was quite easy to solve. Just got some shades for my windows. I place them on when I park my car. So now my car is tolerable during the days.

posted by Rampurple | 6:36 PM

Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Sorry Guys

It has been a while since I have posted...and my recent posts have not been anything interesting either. The reason for this is.....well....because I don't really find anything interesting to talk about. Life is back to normal in Kuwait (like I have mentioned before). Yes, Blair is here to thank Kuwait for supporting the allies, and Bush will be here next week as well for the same reason. I don't find that's suprising.
Only thing I am waiting to see is that if the same number of people will travel this summer or not. Usually, in the summers Kuwait is practically empty. Families leave for vacation to avoid the heat. This year with SARS, no one will go to the FarEast. With Arabs having a hard time getting visas to the US and most European countries, then it would be quite hard for them to go those areas. Also, most Kuwaitis don't seem to find it a good idea to go to Syria or Lebanon either.

So really that is more or less what is going on in Kuwait now. Weather hasn't been too good either. I look forward for the weekend to go to the beach.....and with my luck we get mild dust storms...I think this whole dust storm thing is crazy.

So, in short....the reason I am not posting much is because I don't want to bore you with my everyday issues.

posted by Rampurple | 8:47 PM

Saturday, May 17, 2003

Little Kid Update

Today, there was a small piece about the kid in the newspaper..... I thought the article was quite ridiculous...it stated that the little kid was in better spirits and is walking "nicely."

posted by Rampurple | 10:04 PM

Monday, May 12, 2003

What it's really like here

When qHate got started it was not intended to be a war blog....but it became one naturally. Now that the war is over, I guess it is actually time to inform you of what Kuwait is like.

Well, now that the war is over, we are all back to our normal lives.

Today, I went to a certain company in Kuwait for a photography shoot. Half an hour after being there, I realized I was the only female in the building. All the employees were male, including the people in the kitchen. Later I found out that this corporation does not hire women and is owned by a muslim extremist. Which also explained why the chairman barely touched my hand when I came to shake hands with him.

What I am suprised about is that, this chairman owns some of Kuwait's finest internationally known hotels and restaurants. The man is obviously well educated as well. How could such an intellectual man be so sexist and behind in the world. Anywhere else in the world this is a sexual harassment case. By the way, there is no such thing as sexual harrasment here in Kuwait. Men and Women alike get sexually harrassed everyday, and it is just part of nature. Passes are done so regularly that a person has an automatic reaction to it. It is freaky. I remember when a pass was first made at me, I freaked now it is more like part of daily life. Don't misunderstand me, no one has laid a hand at me and I would kill whoever would do so, but there is no need for the hands to move.....eyes and words are enough.

posted by Rampurple | 8:34 PM

Sunday, May 04, 2003

Real Laugh

Thanks to one of our readers, I got a kick out of this

posted by Rampurple | 1:51 PM

Powell must hear the opposition

"If Powell is coming here only to convey a message, then he need not bother, as Syria would certainly relay the message to fraternal Lebanon." Tueni said.

The Lebanese crack me up sometimes.....the above statement is very true, yet sad to read.

posted by Rampurple | 9:55 AM

Iraq will win the war!

Hahahahahahhaa.......what do you mean the war is over?

posted by Rampurple | 9:42 AM

...need someone to trust?

Trust Tarek Aziz with your secrets!

"We're learning, for example, that Tariq Aziz still doesn't know how to tell the truth," Bush said. "He didn't know how to tell the truth when he was in office, he doesn't know how to tell the truth as a captive."

posted by Rampurple | 9:36 AM

Friday, May 02, 2003

A Little Bit of Humor

After numerous rounds of "We don't even know if Saddam is still alive",
>Saddam decided to send George W. a letter in his own writing to let his
>friend know that he is still in the game.
>Bush opened the letter and it appeared to contain a coded message:
>370HSSV-0773H
>George W. couldn't figure it out so he typed it in and emailed Colin
>Powell. Colin and his aides had no clue either, so they sent it to the
>CIA.
>No one at the CIA could solve it so it went to the NSA and then to MIT and
>NASA and the cc list got longer and longer.
>Eventually it arrived at the Feds.
>Dr. Greenspan looked at it and replied the next second: "Perhaps the
>President would wish to look at the message up-side down"

posted by Rampurple | 1:24 AM

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Good or Bad?

Ziad linked to the following article.
I wanted to comment on it a bit. A lot of you might think all this freedom is a good thing. Honestly, when I read this article I couldn't manage to smile about it. Do you guys remember the split up of USSR? Same old stories..... prostitution, alcohol, exceeded freedom. Let me explain....the amount of prostitution I am talking about is massive. You would find a whole town of prostitutes and cabarets. As for alcohol, you will be suprised by the different types of "Johnnie Walker : Black Label" you would find and at different prices. They would get cheaper brands of whiskey and place it in a Black Label bottle and then sell it for more.

Each country has their own laws and norms. For example, in Kuwait, sex scenes are censored, zionism is censored, public affection is forbidden, prostitution is illegal, alcohol is forbidden, there are no clubs, gambling is illegal, and not all books and movies are allowed into Kuwait. This does not mean we should call for a "regime" change. I really wish people stop paying attention to little things such as these and look at the big picture.

Yes, me and millions of other Arabs are glad Saddam is gone. Yet, we are not stupid. We all know the US and England didn't interfere for the benefit of the Iraqi people. Not for the chemical weapons either, not because Iraq posed a threat to the US, and not because of September 11th. I am sick and tired of hearing those bullshit stories. Please people, I am pleading with you, don't lose the point. We have a lot more unanswered questions. Where is Saddam and his regime? Where are the WMD? Where are the Kuwaiti POWs?

Also, I am sick and tired of religion being included in everything. From both the West and the Arabs. Stop involving religion in politics! Religion was never meant for this. Moreover, I would live to tell all the ignorant non-Arabs, not all Arabs are Muslims. Also, just like Christianity has different sects so does Islam. Islam was never supposed to be interpreted as a violent religion. The war on Iraq has nothing to do with Muslims and Christians.

posted by Rampurple | 9:44 PM

Monday, April 28, 2003

Did the US murder journalists?

Robert Fisk in this article believes that the US "murdered" reuters crew and Al Jazeera crew in Baghdad as well as in Kabul. Could this be?

There is a lot of speculation on what happened that day. Some people seem to believe that the Palestenian hotel was targetted so that no one will pay attention to the airport. You see, this was the same day that the US got full control of the airport and the first plane landed there. That plane left with people aboard. Saddam, and other important officials disappeared with all their families. Could it be that a deal was made between Saddam and the US that day, and Saddam fled. The US said that they were expecting fierce battles in Baghdad....then why did they enter with just 3 tanks? Why did Iraq put it's major defense in the South and nothing in Baghdad or in the North? Also, remember when the Iraqis took over the airport...it was 3 big groups of republican guards....the US later said they used a bomb, that had never been used before, and got rid of them....there was no footage of this, and there are no signs of evidence of this. What really did happen in Baghdad the day it feel to Anglo-American hands?

posted by Rampurple | 11:34 AM

Sunday, April 27, 2003

I found them!

I was reading What Really Happened and realized the brought up a good point:

Reporters from the following newspapers have claimed they were the ones who found the Iraqi intelligence documents:

Telegraph
Toronto Star
Sunday Telegraph
Chronicle
ABC News
Sunday Times

........so who really did find them?

posted by Rampurple | 9:41 PM

Crazy Weather

It is raining in Kuwait.... I don't recall it ever raining at this time of year in Kuwait.

posted by Rampurple | 1:36 PM

Saturday, April 26, 2003

Duuuuuuuuuuh

A Stupid War

(Ok you guys, I think I will get back to my full-time job now....)

posted by Rampurple | 10:32 AM

Criticising the Media

Here are two articles I found concerning the Media during this war:

Media filtered realities of war
US media losing global respect

What amazes me more, is that we have reached a time where the media can actually be criticised. What I mean is that before there were only a few major networks and no one was capable of criticising them, simply because, we never saw anything else. Today, we have so many major networks in the world, as well as many new types of media that the legendary giants such as CNN and BBC can actually be criticised. Now, I am not saying they are all bad. What I do think though is that we, normal people, were able to watch CNN, BBC, Fox, Al Arabiya, Abu Dhabi, Al Jazeera, etc. and decide who was right, who was wrong, or even pick up the truth from each network.

posted by Rampurple | 10:28 AM

Oil and Isreal

Ofcourse the US wants to shut down UN's control of oil in Iraq, then how else can they secure Iraqi oil for Israel?

posted by Rampurple | 10:20 AM

UN Speaks!

Anan declares that the US-UK war on Iraq is illegitimate!

Mr. Anan,

I regret to inform you that the war has started over a month ago and Bush will soon declare the end of war combat in Iraq. A new war might start somewhere else soon. Mr. Bush hasn't decided where yet but has a list of countries in hand. I suggest you start preparing your speech for that war, leaving the name of the country blank for now. Maybe by the time comes your speech will be completed and you will be able to say it on time.

Thank You For Your Support,
With love and no respect for the UN
Ram

posted by Rampurple | 10:17 AM

Predictable

Didn't I also say this will happen? Not just in Basra but most of Iraq if things don't improve soon.

Damn I am good...maybe I am the next Nostradamus.

posted by Rampurple | 10:10 AM

Rich Troops

Didn't I tell you this will happen and that it was wrong?

posted by Rampurple | 10:07 AM

Declarations

Bush is to declare the end of war combat soon.

Wow!

What is it that determines the combat is over? I am sure some shooting will remain from the local people. Also, is this war victorious even though Saddam wasn't caught and nobody seems to know about his whereabouts and that's if he is alive? No WMD was found either.... so ermmmm war over...but both sides lose and win?

Iraqis won because they got rid of a miserable regime, but lost because they are now left with an extremely unstable country that will take years and years to fix up. Also, let us not forget the loss of the innocent lives of civilians.

The US won because the got rid of the regime, that gave them a bonus in the world's perspective but what a lot of questions have been asked by the world.......Where the hell are the WMD you guys have been talking about for years, where is that nutcase Saddam?????

posted by Rampurple | 9:50 AM

What To Do?

More Iraqi officials are being caught....but the US is pondering over the questions of what shouldbe done with those that have been caught already. Reports say that the thought of asylum has been denied for Tarek Aziz.

posted by Rampurple | 9:33 AM

Friday, April 25, 2003

Set Phraselator on Obscene

I knew the US Army was being taught phrases and simple arabic before entering Iraq, but always wondered what they did with those Marines. Well they have some cool tech to help them in that their learning and speech department;The Phraselator.

with this is device, you just speak in to it, and then it will translate that to the language of choice.

posted by nibaq | 1:11 AM

Tarek Aziz in US hands

There are unconfirmed reports that Tarek Aziz has surrendered! Aziz was Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, the second highest ranking official in Saddam's regime.

(thanks solar)

posted by Rampurple | 12:10 AM

Thursday, April 24, 2003

Complicated History

I found this article quite interesting. It shows how complicated history in the Mid-East is. To my knowledge, there are some details that I believe are wrong, but in the Lebanese war everything was confusing and everyone has their own perspective.

posted by Rampurple | 8:58 PM

Trip to Umm Qasr

I went up to Umm Qasr early this morning. The border is just a bit over an hour drive away from Kuwait City. There are 3 checkpoints before you get to the border. 2 Kuwaiti and one American. I think they are a complete waste of time. The Kuwaiti checkpoints are easy to bypass. The Americans are a bit harder and have to "call in" to check on cars they are not sure off.

Passports are required at the border along with the press tags. People who are not residents of Kuwait are required to stamp a Visa on. These are the latest Kuwaiti regulations.

Along the road, I noticed marines and the 3rd infantry leaving Iraq and the 4th infantry going in.

Funny things I noticed: At one of the Kuwaiti checkpoints there was no one standing. I looked around only to find that the Kuwaitis have a small "kiosk" set up. A Kuwaiti officer was sitting in a diwaniya setting right outside. By diwaniya I mean traditional sadu cushions placed on the ground and typical Kuwaiti coffee and tea pots placed.

Also, right at the border, I noticed a few foreign troops (I presume British), lying down on the floor with their "guns" behind "sandbags" placed in front of them. Then, I noticed a Kuwaiti officer sitting on a cushioned leather chair with his gun and "sandbags" placed high so they can cover him. I thought that was pretty pathetic.

Anyways, I went into Iraq. For some reason I was excited. Umm Qasr was approximately half an hour away from the border. I thought it would be smaller. I wish I can tell you some new information, but I really cannot. It looks like everything we have been told. Poor people. Kids running on the streets begging. I must admit though, it is a breathtaking place. I just cannot get over the fact how it is like from a different time. I am sure though that other places in Iraq are not like that.

You have to keep in mind though that when I woke up this morning, I woke up in an air-conditioned home, checked my mail while getting dressed, synched my pda, listened to the radio, got into my car, met up with people in Kuwait City ( a really modern looking city) and then travelled back in time. The more north I went, the more behind things got. Umm Qasr is around 100 km away, and yet so different.

To be frank, I wasn't so shocked by the poverty. I don't know if it is because we have been seeing it on TV on a daily basis, or if it is because I have seen this type of poverty before.

posted by Rampurple | 8:05 PM

More Looting

BBC reported yesterday that an engineer for Fox News was arrested with stolen
paintings. He has been fired.

(Thanks BJ)

I also heard a couple of American troops were caught with a few million dollars as well.

posted by Rampurple | 7:57 PM

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Iraq, Iraq, here I come...

I am going up to Umm Qasr in the morning. I am really excited about it. I will keep you guys posted tomorrow.

posted by Rampurple | 9:37 PM

Yooooopiiiiiiieeeee

Oil is flowing in Iraq again. Eletricity has returned to Karbala and Saddam is still not found.

posted by Rampurple | 5:59 PM

Feel the joy

Thanks to our friend Ziad I read this article and found it a good read. It sorts of puts things in the proper perspective.

posted by Rampurple | 5:54 PM

More from Gibran Tueni

In this article, Gibran Tueni still shows his approval for the US military action in Iraq. He adds that it is crucial for the Arab nations to offer support for this effort as well as it is the responsibility of the Arab media to portray the true image of what is going on in Iraq instead of portraying provocative images and reporting.

Another stand up ovation for Gibran Tueni.

posted by Rampurple | 1:01 PM

World News

What is going on around the world today?

US fears Hizbullah retaliation in Lebanon
Rumsfeld calls for regime change in N. Korea
US seeks to rebuild Iraqi army
US is losing confidence in finding WMD

Lebanon, Syria, N.Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, hmmmm people can we find more people to add to the list? Lets help out the Pentagon.

posted by Rampurple | 9:33 AM

Aw Shucks

I was watching Sky News, and I saw this piece on that Iraqi kid Ali who lost both his arms in the bombing and is currently at Ibn Sina hospital in Kuwait. They had a spokesman from the hospital who gave the following statement, bad grammar and all:

"We felt very bad for Ali, so we bought him Playstation. Now, he has toy just like any normal boy!"

Wow, what do you give the kid with no legs? A fucking bicycle? The kid CAN'T HOLD THE FUCKING CONTROLLER. HE HAS NO ARMS.

This is why I've lost all faith in modern medicine.

posted by Oilrig | 12:17 AM

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Iron Maiden

Did we need this evidence of torture? I think we all knew it already.

posted by Rampurple | 5:44 PM

Hush Hush

Iraqi Soldiers? What? Where? When? How?

posted by Rampurple | 4:46 PM

Terrorism Eexceeding the Limit

I think that this is pathetic!

posted by Rampurple | 1:13 PM

Kuwait Attacks Syria

I have read this in Arabic throughout the last week. Thanks to Douglas (a loyal reader of Qhate) he sent me a link of where I can read this in English and be able to show it to all of you. I really cannot comment on it at the moment because I don't think I can be objective about it since I have a love & hate relationship towards Syria.

posted by Rampurple | 10:34 AM

Monday, April 21, 2003

Tikrit

I don't know how reliable this source is, but according to them Iraqis in Tikrit were upset to see fallen statues of Saddam.

posted by Rampurple | 9:24 PM

aaaaaah....that's where the WMD are !

Iraq destroyed the WMD before the US before the war. Doesn't make much sense to me. If Saddam was going to destroy them, then why didn't he simply do so when the UN had asked him to do so. He knew a war will start if he did not get rid of them. Also, he could have used them and came out victorious instead of losing. I would think that is how Saddam would think...or else why would he even have WMD if he wouldn't even use them. Don't tell me it is because he will look bad to the world. He would rather look evil and be victorious than be hiding in some cave.

posted by Rampurple | 9:16 PM

Americanizing Iraq

Guess what? Burger King and Pizza Hut are starting business in Iraq tomorrow! Why am I not suprised? Kuwaiti franchise holder, Al Homaizi Foodstuff, is the company opening them.

A spokesman for the two restaurants, Atef Bassent, said: "I hope we will do good business here."

Full Story Here

posted by Rampurple | 9:10 PM

Regarding my earlier post

Seems like satellite dishes were not allowed under Saddam's regime. I believe a person used to get 2 months prison time if caught. Satellite dishes were hidden. My bad.

posted by Rampurple | 5:19 PM

Saddam's son in law surrenders

Full story here.

I am sure he would have wanted to defect earlier when Saddam was still in control.

posted by Rampurple | 4:43 PM

Question

Something has caught my attention: I remember reading today on some site (can't seem to remember which one), that Iraqis are watching satellite channels for the first time, since it wasn't allowed under Saddam's regime. Salam Pax said that he watches satellite channels such as Al Jazeera, BBC, and Al Arabiya. For some reason i prefer to believe Salam Pax. You see, since the majority Iraqis don't have money at the moment I am sure they are not capable of satellites under these circumstances. Also, if they were no satellite dishes before, then how did it enter the market already. I thought imports had not started yet. Yet, why would the media lie about that as well. I will go back and try to find that site.

posted by Rampurple | 4:40 PM

about the site

some of us are in kuwait, some of us are not. some of us are kuwaiti's, some of us are not. this site is about kuwait and how our lives are currently changing.