Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE police helicopter clattered overhead again last night, and when I went past Saar village, the riot police were there in force, eight protected vehicles and a bus, and the entrance to the village again strewn with rocks and overturned hoppers. I imagined the scene was the same in a number of other villages around the country. And it set me thinking – why, and, at what cost?
Now maths has never been my strong suit, but let’s add up a few things here. Operating helicopters costs thousands of dollars, then there is the overtime of the pilot observers and ground crew, the fuel and maintenance costs. Then there are the costs of the ‘ground forces’, cars, fuel, overtime, injuries to be tended to, the extra cost of the rubbish clean up (some contractors are threatening to withdraw), staff overtime, the cost of tear gas cartridges, the cost of purchasing large supplies of weapons and equipment, the cost of food and drink, for the forces of justice.
There is the cost of lost custom in the village shops, and how do you put a cost on sleeplessness, mental anguish, trauma, for those who just want to be left in peace, those too afraid to speak out, lest the thugs turn on them, and their property.
I imagine that the cost of dealing with the mindless violence, night after night, runs into tens of thousands of dinars, money which could be far better spent on village improvement, schooling, better policing, health care, establishing community centres, conducting literacy courses for the mugs who will never read this letter, because they abhor education and discipline, so condemning themselves to the bottom rungs of society, for life.
So, who pays for all these extra costs – Oh the good ole government, of course, but indirectly, YOU Bahrainis do, because the wasted money should be spent on development and advancement.
The country suffers because people stay away – investors, business-people, tourists – but when there is a ‘hand-out mentality’ among so many, with the government continually picking up the tab for wanton and irrational behaviour, who gives a stuff?
And, I asked why, when this country already has many institutions which allow for the airing of grievances – not perfect, no, but a darn sight better than elsewhere in this region.
The role of an opposition, is vital in any democracy, if only to ‘keep the government honest’ by exposing instances of bad governance, corruption, waste, and to work hand in glove with the media, to ensure that such instances get widest exposure. Alas, the immature leadership of the Bahraini opposition chose to run away from responsibility.
In most democracies, the role of the leader of the opposition is a position of honour and importance, because the word ‘opposition’ is preceded by the very important word, ‘loyal’. The opposition is loyal to the role of the state, the constitution and the people.
While it works tooth and nail to change, amend, modify, cast out government legislation, or even the government itself, it is through a process of debate and negotiation, to win change and concessions by talking, never violence.
By world standards, there is no poverty in Bahrain; nobody starves, nobody needs go without shelter, health care and education, because the government provides it all. Yes, there are issues in relation to job opportunity and the quality of education, but there are earnest efforts being made to address them.
This is indeed, a lucky country and it is sad that many people do not appreciate it as such, as though deliverance can be brought in from abroad, or without working hard.
Remember the adage, ‘oppositionists’ – unless you understand the cost of something, you appreciate the value of nothing.
Winfred Peppinck,
Bahrain.
THE Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) would like to sincerely thank all those who came forward since the establishment of the Commission to record their complaints. As of last Friday, the BICI is no longer accepting phone calls to set up appointments with its investigators.
The BICI is expecting to meet with over 2,000 people, amongst whom are victims and witnesses of the February/March 2011 unrest and their consequences in the ensuing period until September 30 – the final date for such interviews.
However, the BICI is looking forward to receiving further written complaints submitted by email outreach@bici.org.bh in continuation of the BICI mandate and interest in hearing all parties. Complaints will only be accepted if the following documents are included:
The BICI team has exerted their utmost efforts in the collection of the maximum amount of complaints possible and in the record of human rights violations. As a result, the BICI would like to remind respondents to co-operate with the Commission and fulfil the requirements outlined for complaints to be accepted in order to allow the BICI to complete its work in the best manner possible.
BICI, by email.
