Kuwait Times

Published Date: July 15, 2010
By Fouad Al-Obaid, Staff Columnist

On any given day, one is confronted with situations that are awkward, bizarre, or even strange. For instance, while driving during off-peak hours on a highway that is supposed to be free running, one wonders why there is a huge traffic jam?

A few kilometers later, it is evident that people are slowing down to witness the accident that took place on the other side causing delays and unnecessary jam! Furthermore, it is not uncommon to hold discussions with people who claim to be wise. However, after a few discussions, and upon putting their ideas to test, the validity of their claims crumble!

In continuing an idea I began last article, whereby, I touched upon the notion that many people are unable to think for themselves in a rational manner, I have stated that people in our part of the world are unable to distinguish between concrete ideas and concepts, and fantasy-like scenarios. We are a society that loves to blabber about everything and anything! We love to complain, and to point fingers all from the comfort of our couches, without much effort placed on seeking solutions.

What our society lacks the most in my humble opinion is a clear understanding of the world and the way it functions. Just as there are natural laws, and to a lesser extent divine laws that are applied by some and disregarded by others.

Overall, we are a nation that is still suffering from hearsay, fantasy-like wishes, and no real work input. To generalize would not render the actual picture of our beloved country justice, however, and without criticizing for the sake of complaining rather for the sake of pointing out the flaws. We ought to realize that the past is good. However, the present is ours and the future is for us to draw and plan for.

With the latter in mind, I urge the government to start fostering and confronting head on a segment of society that wants nothing more than to trample with our collective development. It is the duty of the government to ensure the best interest of the State.

Furthermore, it is the duty of the government to put an end to the enemies of development, some of who do not want to stand up when our national anthem is being recited! Those who sell our country for a cheap price should not be allowed to have a say, let alone be given state responsibilities.

To draft or not is a question that should be placed within the logical framework of a society that is unable, even if it enlists every man, woman, and child to fend of aggressions heads on militarily by our immediate neighbors.

Military conscription, though I acknowledge, is a national duty that every single one of us should work on protecting our home country. Modern means of defense should be considered, whereby we ought to increase our diplomatic effort and step up our soft power capability.

Instead of creating a strong Ministry of Defense, we ought to create a strong ministry of foreign affairs increasing the number of qualified diplomats who would work for the interest of state in established embassies and future embassies that should be built in every single country in the world so as to foster economic, political, cultural relations that would be far stronger in preventing conflict than a strong ministry of defense
fouad@kuwaittimes.net