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Letters to the Editor
Your opinion counts! This is where you can say it to all of Kuwait!
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21 April 2008 - 06:12 PM
Last Post by:CEB |
Army major pleads guilty in $5.8M bribery deal WASHINGTON
Aug 13, 2008 6:02 PM
- An Army major pleaded guilty to bribery charges Wednesday and admitted he had a $5.8 million deal to steer military contracts for bottled water and other supplies to favored companies.
The guilty plea by Maj. James Momon Jr. is the latest development in one of the Justice Department's largest military contracting fraud investigations.
Momon, of Virginia, served as a contracting officer at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait in 2005 and 2006. He succeeded Maj. John C. Cockerham, who pleaded guilty in January to money laundering as part of a $9 million bribery scheme involving bottled water contracts.
Cockerham, of Texas, has been cooperating with investigators since pleading guilty in a San Antonio federal court. As part of his plea deal, Momon agreed to do the same.
Momon admitted Wednesday that he accepted $1.6 million in bribes and had a deal to accept a total of $5.8 million. He pleaded guilty to two counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy. Bribery carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, conspiracy up to five years.
"Today's guilty plea should be a very clear message to all who seek to defraud the Army that we will catch you and we will bring you to justice," Brig. Gen. Rodney Johnson of the Army's Criminal Investigation Command said in a statement. "When an individual or a company participates in this type of illegal activity, it's only a matter of time before our special agents track you down."
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Local News
MP wants YouTube blocked
Published Date: September 30, 2008
KUWAIT: MP Abdullatif Al-Ameeri appealed to the government to uphold Kuwaiti values by taking firm action against inappropriate celebrations or behaviors during Eid holidays. He argued that it was unreasonable to conclude the holy month by engaging in immoral acts that violate Islamic codes of conduct and Kuwaiti traditions, reported Al-Rai.
He urged the Ministry of Information to ban improper celebrations from being held in hotels and also asked the Ministry of Communication to block the YouTube website for broadcasting content that is offensive to Muslims. He added that he supports personal freedom but it should be regulated in a manner which respects religion and traditions.
Meanwhile, MP Mohammad Hayef Al-Mutairi threatened to interpolate the Minister of Communication Abdulrahman Al-Ghunaim if he does not resolve three issues immediately. Hayef urged Al-Ghunaim to take measures to revive the coastal area situated near Kuwait University, block the YouTube website and do away with the telecom firms' contradictory practices in accordance with contractual obligations, reported Al-Rai.
Hayef added that YouTube website broadcasts pornographic material that go against Islamic values and Kuwaiti culture. He suggested that the government take strict action on the lines of the Chinese and Turkish governments that blocked certain offensive websites.
This must be a case of misguided good intentions or something, because apparently, while having an acceptable and understandable reason for this impending motion, someone has forgotten something along the way. Excuse me, but am I confused? While Youtube does have some very pornographic material on it, most of the material is not at all, and is ordinary stuff that ordinary people put up, including some very interesting stuff on Islam along with a lot of other useful informative stuff too. If you want to attack pornographic material, then wouldn't it be more appropriate to go after the satellite channels? I have always wondered "what tha." when I happened across one of those channels being broadcast on both free and pay satellite channels right here in Kuwait. Some of that stuff is beyond pornographic, and all widely available in Kuwait. Puleez. excuse me for being naïve. but aren't those channels being widely viewed in diwaniyas, private homes, and even public places all over Kuwait?
I wonder why the MPs aren't going after those people, who not only allow, promote, and sell blatant pornography, but those also who pay for it. Also, even on the ordinarily "good" channels, like MBC4, etc. there are often things that I have a mini heart attack over, so what gives?
Dear sirs, ministers, royal family, and others, if you are going to go after something as benign as Youtube, that, while, yes there are many "bad" things, there far more things of benefit, you need, perhaps, to divert your attention to more pending issues right here in your backyard first!
Aug. 19, 2008
Re: The above article
FINALLY!!! THANK YOU!!!!
It’s about time that something is being done about the rampant bribery problem. While Kuwait isn’t the only place in the world where this is happening, it is certainly one of the richest, and thus, the bribes are some of the richest too.
While this doesn’t cause any financial hardship to the companies that find it acceptable to participate in such illegal and immoral activities, it should cause a serious problem with their consciences (but apparently it doesn’t).
I’m glad that these investigations are taking place and that real people are being brought to justice and exposed in front of God and the world as the criminals that they are. Let this be a lesson to them, to the companies, and to anyone else thinking about doing the same thing!
I have one question though….
Why aren’t the Kuwaiti companies that are involved in the bribery issues with the US government also being tried? Didn’t they also participate in the bribing? If all companies took a stand on this issue no one could demand bribes at all!!!
I’d say it’s about time that we all stood up as a whole and started to refuse to pay bribes. It makes no difference if it’s one dollar, one dinar, or 1 million. A bribe is a bribe no matter how you look at it. It’s wrong, and that’s that. So, let’s all work together as those who are contracting and those who are bidding to stop the issue of bribery at its roots and stand up for fair business practices all over the world.
Mia
14/6/2008
I haven't written in a while because I've been so busy working on a project that is very important to me. So please forgive! BUT, I must say something now about a recent discovery. What the heck is going on when well known private schools hire teachers who aren't qualified to do the work. This was the shocker! At my own daughter's school they have recently hired a teacher whose degree was purchased over the Internet. How do I know? I personally verified that while working for another educational facility. How is it? I have no idea! But, now the dilemma is.. what to do about it? Obviously diplomacy is in order here, but I want to scream!!!!! Readers, please write about what you think about the situation of these fake diplomas coming straight out of the diploma mills? Write in our forum here or on the blog. I for one, am disgusted, because I worked hard for my degrees and don't appreciate the thought that someone who bought theirs could just walk in, and worse of all, TEACH OUR CHILDREN! We have to do something about this!!!!
29/3/2008
I read an article today about cleaning up the environment that lifted my spirits and made me happy to know that I was a part of this great place. An enterprising group of people, including students and others got together and helped to clean up the environment. Many businesses participated in the event with sponsorships and donations, which made things nice. I, for one, am so proud of all those people who spent their free time cleaning up other people's messes. I don't ever want to hear comments like: "Why can't I throw the papers out the window.. we have people to pick it up!"... WHAT?????? We also have trash cans, and we can pick it up ourselves. As for aluminum cans, well.. I, for one, would rather collect them in a bag and leave them close to the trash where they can easily be picked up for recycling, and make some poor street workers (or trash worders) some extra cash, which is so desperately needed by them. rather than throw them on the road as I'm speeding down the highway. If we all do it, it will get done. Hand in hand!
Mia
29/2/2008
It's the last day of the month now, and National Day is over, even though people are still trying their hardest to celebrate it. Sunday everyone will be back to the grind and things will go back to normal. So, I hope that we can get on with the important things. I was driving in the city the other day and saw one of those dreadful "tarsheed" signs. I thought they lost that campaign. You know, that's the one where we are supposed to be saving energy by turning off lights? I don't think anyone told the people of Avenues Mall about that one. And I don't think that any of the ministries or other buildings were informed either, based on the amazing energy consumption that must be required to light all those extra National Day lights, but maybe those don't count. Must be it's only the houses, apartments, and individuals that have to pay.... hmmmmmm.... and that multi-billion dinar surplus? ... Maybe that can be used to buy some solar panels.. what do you think?
Mia
20/2/2008 OK.. I know people talk and talk about this but I'm going to do it again! This is really something that we should do something about here in Kuwait. What's up with the people who barrel down the shoulders of the highways during the morning traffic? People! If we respect our fellow man, the world will go right for us! That is all we need to do. There are so many ways to respect each other and that is just one simple one... I know you're late for work, so am I, but doing that doesn't help, and it could cost someone's life!
25/2/2008
I read this editorial today, and it struck a chord with me (not a good one either)...
We are Kuwait!
Published Date: February 25, 2008
By Meshary Alruwaih, Staff Columnist
Kuwait Times
Every 25th and 26th of February I wish I had an apartment on Gulf Street so I could witness all the celebrations of the National and Liberation days without getting foamed and encountering obnoxious teenagers and reckless drivers. But since this is not a possibility for me, I choose to stay at home, away from all the action and reflect with my wannabe-intellectual friends on the country's affairs and its outlook toward the future. Boring? Maybe, but no foam!
We also recalled our memories of past national days dating back to 15 and 20 years ago when Kuwait was still young; when Kuwait was still in its 20s (as a sovereign, recognized nation-sate) we sensed the difference between the 47th and the 27th national days. We agreed that feelings of confidence and pride in being Kuwaitis have aged and lost their fame and instead fear, worries, and jealousy dominate our shy celebrations. We did not agree on why. Were we just too young and an easy target for irrational pa
triotic feelings that glorify everything about one's home? Or have we had our time and is now the time for Dubai and Doha to shine and enjoy the fame of confidence and pride?!
Well, I believe that during the last three decades, national days were celebrations of the state, and Kuwait was the perfect state. Since then, the world has changed; the compression of space and time through modern means of communications and global telecommunications infrastructure has created a new global reality that is hospitable and even encouraging for individuals. Their ideas, initiatives and achievements are a global reality that has changed the meaning of what is national. The state is no longer
the only representative of the nation, nations are now represented by their private sectors, businessmen, scholars, political activists, movie stars, environmentalists, thinkers, sportsmen, and scientists. National holidays are now celebrations of national stars not just of the state.
Kuwait lacks stars; we lack Kuwaiti individuals who can take advantage of this ongoing process of compression of time and space. Filling our sky with fireworks and foam for two days won't fill the years-long void of stars. So if you want to feel the celebration in your heart, be a star. These celebrations are celebrations of you and me... we are Kuwait!
Meshary@kuwaittimes.net
My take on things....
I agree that people get a little out of hand on National Day here, but it's just people wanting to have fun for the most part. Yes, some hooligans get out there but they are kids and generally not thinking straight. In their minds it's just another way to have fun, and they aren't thinking about how they are bothering people.
It's nice being in a place where people are always looking for something to celebrate! Don't you think? Would you rather have rioting, protests, and anarchy as many other "most civilized" countries have on a regular basis? Would you rather have looting and mayhem? I know I'd rather have it just like this! Dancing in the streets, a little foam, and some laughter never hurt anyone.
I don't agree that Kuwait lacks stars. I think Kuwait has plenty of stars, but that many of them simply aren't allowed to shine the way they could or should. Let's worry less about how people celebrate and more about how they shine! If you want to rally for something, rally for that and maybe you, with your energy, can get the governmental forces to do even more positive things!
Mia
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