Job Discussion Forums

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

I started a Wikipedia article for Ms.Phillips (and other teachers considering teaching in Kuwait). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Phillips_Detained_Educator_in_Kuwait

If the Wiki editors decide to keep it posted, I ask others to update the article if the situation changes.

Consider adding to the discussion in order to keep the article from being deleted

Thanks

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Well done Kiefer!
The story seems to have dropped off the front page of the Arab Times.
Maybe that's a positive sign since the Kuwaitis are now probably very embarrassed and want it settled quietly. Fingers crossed.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

Sheikh Radlinrol, some good people who watch over Wikipedia content are, understandbly, on the fence about deleting the post. I've tried to give it their requisite neutral POV and to cite the original research. If you and others could go to the page and in the talk section, comment on why you believe the page should not be deleted, it would help our colleague's morale (if nothing else). Also apply any factual edits as necessary. Wikipedia gets priority SEO and if the post stays, it will probably come up on a search in a day or two. Thanks

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I don't understand how Wikipedia works. So, I can't figure out how to post anything.

I suspect that the problem may be the section on Ms Phillips version of her conversation with the Kuwaiti man. That is rather a 'he said/she said' thing. I think it would be sufficient to suggest that such actions can be done by influential people in these countries. Thus one can end up not even knowing that there is a problem until one attempts to leave the country because no court case or notification of the individual is required.

It might also be good if you could link to any articles on the other teachers who have had legal problems this year. I heard something just lately about a teacher at KU jailed because when cleaning out his desk to leave, one of the items that ended up in the trash was a Quran. (another pitfall of the teachers not knowing Arabic) Does anyone know of anything about a link for that case?

VS

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

I revised the Wikipedia article and eliminitaed much of the "he says'. "she says" and anytrhing else that didn't ring neutral POV. Wikipedia transfered the article to here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Phillips_detention_incident

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

Our colleague is headed home.
http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/nonmembers/emergency-resolved.htm
Due to the efforts of BBS management and the broader BBS community in conjunction with expert Kuwaiti legal counsel, the situation regarding our Deputy Middle School Principal has been resolved.

We would like to thank every member of the Kuwait community and the parents of BBS students who have supported BBS throughout this process, and special thanks to the Kuwait Human Rights Society for their extraordinary support and empathy during this situation.

007 · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:00 pm Post subject:

The conclusion is that, in a country, like Kuwait or Saudi Arabia, if you have no independent justice system, no teacher unions, no freedom of personal liberty, no independent media, corruption and wasta, then you expect anything to happen to you, regardless if you hold uncle Sam�s passport or not!

In countries like Kuwait or Saudi Arabia things cannot be done with a polite talk and coffee as VS suggested. In these countries things are done according to your connection with top people, especially the emirs, businessmen, and so on. And if you are well connected, you can solve your problem by single telephone call!
Just look how many people from Philipines, Pakistan, India, banghaladesh, etc, have been abused and their rights taken from them, and nobody helped them, and they are millions of them in the Gulf countries.

Also, in the case of Phillips, I blame Uncle Sam for his double standard towards the Gulf countries and towards his American citizens. In one hand is repeating the same �symphony� of �western democracy� model and its benefits to the ME region, and in the other hand is supporting the corrupt Gulf governments, knowing that they are not �democratic� government!!!!!
I think Uncle Sam is ready to sacrifice people like Philips for his �hidden agenda� in the Gulf.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Most of what 007 says is absolutely correct but I don't think you can compare Ms. Phillips' situation with that of citizens of the other countries he mentions who get into trouble in Kuwait or Saudi. I don't imagine much sleep was lost in Washington over this matter but I'm sure that had it gone on much longer, pressure would have been brought to bear on the Kuwaitis. The governments of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc. can do little or nothing even when one of their people is facing amputation of the head in Chop square, downtown Riyadh.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

As usual 007 totally misses my point. In this part of the world, it is face-to-face that works... not letters. But, of course, everything that happens everywhere to everyone is the fault of the US government in our resident racist's opinion. Besides the agenda of the US is strikingly clear for all to see... control of the oil. Ms Phillips is merely irrelevant to them.

Thanks to all the people - Kuwaitis and her fellow teachers who helped out.

Do we know for sure that she has left the country? - with her possessions I hope.

VS

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

Does anyone know the full story about the lecturer from KU whose bin contained the Quran? Is he/has he been in jail? Is there a resolution to his detention in the works?

007 · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:02 am Post subject:

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

It would piss me off but I can 't imagine anyone else anywhere in the world doing anything at all about it.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The person may end up with a few people not liking him or her, but the government would not step in. The person would have zero legal problems and I personally consider the idea of a person being arrested and jailed for this act to be considerably worse than his act.

But this ignores the fact that the fellow probably didn't even know what it was when he threw it away.

It is actions like this that give the Middle East a black name...

VS

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

I have a few questions-
1. Did this lecturer throw the Quran and the picture in the bin?
2. Is so why did he have them in the first place? Did someone dump them on him because they didn't want them or were they abandoned as we do with thing we don't want? I would never give something precious to me to someone who didn't want it.
3. If my Bible had been found in the bin what would have happened?
4. Has this guy been arrested? Is he in jail? What is happening here?