Job Discussion Forums

[Sheikh N Bake]

The ones I mentioned before used to annoy me with their spectacularly narrow, myopic horizons: as in "Why would I want to return to the States and pay taxes?"

Unmentioned: and not be able to afford a maid. And confront a large-scale society full of challenges and, if lucky, opportunities. A real world...where they might have to contribute.

[veiledsentiments]

[Noor]

Sheikh, perhaps you can elaborate. In what ways is teaching in the Gulf not a contribution to the world? Or perhaps a less valuable contribution? What "real-world" alternatives do you have in mind? Selling insurance or real estate? The production and marketing of consumer goods? Becoming part of the political class? Making war?

I don't consider my own efforts here to be of monumental consequence to anyone, but I would expect that to be the case no matter where I lived. I carry on with my responsibilities in the belief that I may touch one or two lives, and in turn perhaps one or two will touch mine. For me, that's enough for one lifetime.

[johnslat]

Dear Noor,

I believe that the Sheik was writing about "non-working wives" who were playing "Mistress of the Manor", not about "working women," single or married.

"I'll admit I met one or two loser housewives on the Raytheon compound, Korean ex-bargirls and the like, who got off on ordering maids around and pretending the compound was a Newport country club when they played tennis."

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

I certainly interpret SnB as referring to the non-working spouses of teachers... not the teachers themselves.

VS

[Sheikh N Bake]

Noor, you'd make a great left-wing version of shoot-from-the-hip George Dubya. The following are suggestions:

1. Read posts before reacting with emotional rants.

2. "Make war." Yes. Unfortunately. We hope the new admin. will help change things. Meanwhile, in a discussion of war, you might want to include terrorist attacks on US (and others') civilians and interests that have been ongoing since the 1970s.

3. Without the production and marketing of consumer goods, none of us would be enjoying any kind of middle class life--not even with oil production, because oil producers would not be able to sell it. We would all be living in a world-wide North Korea.

4. I am in the same TEFLer boat. Obviously I wouldn't denigrate myself by looking down on others because they do the same thing for a living.

[Noor]

Ah, wives. It was early in the morning and I saw only the new posts on the second page. My apologies for the confusion.

If you don't mind, I'll pass on the discussion of war and terrorism. If you'd like to continue, maybe you could send me a PM.

Sorry to have rattled your cage, Sheikh.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Noor: As I'm sure you've realized by now, the ME boards, particularly the saudi board is a whole different kettle of fish than the Japan board.

And, it's always good when somone is willing to own up to a mistake and, gulp, apologize. A rarity nowadays. Well posted.

NCTBA

[Sheikh N Bake]

Noor: Ditto! Not a problem. It's more about my enjoying rhetorical polemics than actually getting teed off or wishing to lecture. Cheers.

[eclectic]

well Ill give it a go! About that "return to the States AND....."
Hmmmm, can't remember paying any when I was there!

As for terrorist attacks, Ill lean towards Noor: terrorism as we refer to it in the main these days really began in 1948. Anyone know why?

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Er... it wouldn't be the dropping of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem by then-terrorist, later Prime Minister Menachem Begin, would it?

That wuz E-Z! However, to keep the record straight, it happened in '46...

NCTBA

[johnslat]

Dear NCTBA,
Or going back even further:

"Terrorist Attacks
(within the United States or against Americans abroad)
The following timeline lists terrorist attacks against the United States and Americans living either in the U.S. or abroad.

1920
Sept. 16, New York City: TNT bomb planted in unattended horse-drawn wagon exploded on Wall Street opposite House of Morgan, killing 35 people and injuring hundreds more. Bolshevist or anarchist terrorists believed responsible, but crime never solved.
1975
Jan. 24, New York City: bomb set off in historic Fraunces Tavern killed 4 and injured more than 50 people. Puerto Rican nationalist group (FALN) claimed responsibility, and police tied 13 other bombings to the group.
1979
Nov. 4, Tehran, Iran: Iranian radical students seized the U.S. embassy, taking 66 hostages. 14 were later released. The remaining 52 were freed after 444 days on the day of President Reagan's inauguration.
1982�1991
Lebanon: Thirty US and other Western hostages kidnapped in Lebanon by Hezbollah. Some were killed, some died in captivity, and some were eventually released. Terry Anderson was held for 2,454 days."

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001454.html

http://www.newsweek.com/id/183660

http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2001/8/2001_8_46.shtml

Regards,
John

[Sheikh N Bake]

Oh, there were a lot more than that. Well over a hundred attacks against US civilians and interests from the '70s up to 9/11. I think you can find that on a State Department web site, or else a CIA one. One of the bravest ones was pushing an old paraplegic man in his wheelchair off the Achille Lauro. Off the top of my head from the '70s and early '80s I can remember a US airline counter at some European airport being bombed, killing children; a TWA hijacking; bombing a night club in Germany frequented by US servicemen. (That one prompted Reagan's bombing of Khadafi's compound, and after that K. mellowed a bit.)

[johnslat]

Dear Sheik,
If you click on the first link, you'll get a complete list, including the ones you mentioned.
Regards,
John

[saharastars]

Where are we all suposed to be from? I am a little confused ..who are the foreigners and who are the aliens? That would really help- then I'd be able to make judgements accordingly.

As for Jumairah Janes any tips on avoiding them?