Thanks to the NYC Bar, the world is now safe for democracy

This week thousands of lawyers in Pakistan protested the the firing of the country's Supreme Court Justice's and the imposition of emergency rule in the country. Commentators have suggested that the reason lawyers are protesting is because they are middle class and can financially afford the risk of being arrested. I would add that they may have also been inspired by Musharraf's firing of the Pakistan's Supreme Court justices.

Not to be left out, the New York City Bar Association sent a letter to Musharraf urging him to reverse his decision to fire the justice's. I am certain that Musharraf is now sitting at home in his pajamas/uniform and reconsidering his decision. "Hmmm, maybe these fancy, shamncy New York lawyers have a point. I mean, here in Pakistan lawyers went on strike, took to the streets, and some were even arrested. But this letter from the NYC Bar Association, now that's something. I'm convinced! Bring back the Supreme Court."

Here is the letter. It is also available at nytimes.com

We write to you today to express the Association’s grave concerns regarding the situation in Pakistan. In suspending the Constitution by a Provisional Constitutional Order, you have severely damaged the balance between security and freedom that was tenuous at best since the original suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry in March of this year.

The Pakistani police have apparently exacerbated this perilous situation by mistreating peaceful protesters. We would remind you that Article 16 of the Pakistani Constitution, in accordance with international human rights standards, guarantees “the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.” However, the protesters, many of whom are lawyers, have relied on this right since protests began and have been violently suppressed and arrested as a result. Reports of pre-emptory arrests, public beatings, and actions taken to stifle press outlets that have broadcast photographs and news of police violence against lawyers have generated outrage within the legal community and among concerned citizens around the world. We are particularly alarmed that such a situation, if allowed to continue, will escalate to the point where many years are required before Pakistan’s constitutional order is restored.

Freedom of the press, freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble peacefully are cornerstones of democracy. However, in the last few days, your government has silenced private news outlets, arrested those who would voice their opposition to your emergency rule, and watched without condemnation as human rights workers, lawyers and other civilians have been beaten and detained.

Likewise, an independent judiciary is vital for the maintenance of a democratic society. By removing the sitting justices of the Supreme Court and replacing them with judges newly appointed under the Provisional Constitutional Order, you have undermined any claim of judicial independence.

Finally, a transparent electoral process is necessary to maintain a polity that reflects the ideas, opinions, and concerns of its citizens. Unfortunately, your government’s treatment of individuals who would question it and the declaration of emergency rule make it appear exceedingly unlikely that Pakistan will enjoy fair elections even after emergency rule is lifted.

The Association, as an organization of lawyers, perceives the actions that you have taken against lawyers and the judiciary as naked attempts to purge the legal system of people and institutions that resist governmental pressure. We strongly urge you to reverse these actions by reestablishing a constitutional order respectful of the rule of law. At the same time, we also urge the release of people being detained by the police without charge. Reports of police torture are exceedingly troubling, as are reports that judges and lawyers in the government’s custody are being denied necessary medical assistance. Only when you lift emergency rule and reinstate the Constitution will Pakistan have the chance to recover its reputation as a great country.

It's Never Too Early for Oktoberfest!

Last weekend I was in Milwaukee for for some early Oktoberfest festivities. Can you believe all that beer I drank!?

Es war viele Spass! We watched the Packers in the Biergarten and during the commercial breaks we danced the polka with our new friends. Cryus is terribly sorry that he missed the whole event...especially the all-you-can-eat roasted pig.

Just Another Persian Party

I'm at my in-laws in Chadds Ford, PA this weekend. Once again, they found a reason to have party. On Sunday, Cyrus's cousin Jila, left to start medical school. Cyrus's uncle is also visiting from Iran this summer. Anyway, we are happy to be home and surrounded (really surrounded) by family.

Final Lotion Negotiations

On Tuesday I negotiated the end of the lease with my landlady. I was very nervous because I had heard many stories about people being gouged for electricity bills. My landlady ended up giving me a very fair price for the electricity bill. She then demanded more lotion. Good thing I remembered to grab some from all the hotels that I stayed at this summer.

Cyrus and I returned safely to New York on Wednesday. By Thursday we were back in full NYC mode - jogging in the park, eating sushi, and drinking margaritas. We still have a lot of unpacking to do. We have to find a place for all our stolen Egyptian artifacts.

By the way, could anyone tell me why there is water falling from the sky? I think it's called rain, but it's been so long since I've seen it.

Finding my German/Armenian Heritage in Sausage

One of my biggest concerns when deciding to spend the summer in Cairo was access to sausage. I enjoy a beef sausage prepared in the German tradition as much as the next Wisconsinite. But I had sampled Arab attempts of the beef sausage in past and it always seemed as if they were just mimicking the process (processing of meat that is).

So, I decided to turn to the Turks. Considering their long-time relations with the Germans, I was sure that the Turks could get it right. But somehow it was still off. Though I knew I was getting closer - there had to be good sausage somewhere in Anatolia.

Alas I returned to my roots and discovered Armenian sausage. A lovely beef sausage served preferably cold, with lots of earthy flavor and the right amount of fat. Unfortunately, it is not as good cooked as it is cold.

This I now know to be true - I traveled half way around the world to a dessert land and spent three months away from my husband only for my journey of self-discovery lead me down the cold meats aisle.

I Love Fridge Cheese

Being from Wisconsin, it is important to me to find good cheese where ever it is that I may be. So, I was very happy to not only find a good cheese, but to find a great cheese - FRIDGE CHEESE! It is a rather salty spreadable cheese that comes in a box. As you can see, the Refrigerator is masochistically cutting into himself and offering me a piece of cheese. And what a fine piece of cheese he is!

Allah is Everywhere - Even Under the Freeway

Here is a picture from one of the mosques in my neighborhood. The picture was taken just before the start of Friday prayers. The mosque is directly underneath a major freeway. As a result they have to turn the speakers up really loud so everyone can hear the "Allah akbar!" over the sound of the traffic. The mosque is also directly in front of the coffee shop where I often work from on Friday afternoons. So, I get an nice show while I work on the internet and listen to Celine Dion being played in the background. Ah, the juxtaposition.

What would you do if it was 100 degrees?

You would do what I did and buy a membership to the Marriott Hotel pool, which is three blocks away. It was pure luxury.

Oh, you might also grab a couple some lotion samples from the locker room in case your landlady comes around again looking for a lotion fix.

Happy Birthday Cyrus!

Today Cyrus turned 31 years old! Once again we were apart on his birthday. But I promise you, Cyrus, that when we return I will take you to dinner at The Boathouse.

What a Guy!

Early this morning my friend Guy left Cairo and returned to New York to be with his girls - wife Advah, baby Miya, and dog Emma. Guy is one of Cyrus's cohorts in the political science department. He was in Cairo for three weeks doing research for his dissertation on the origins of the social security system in Egypt. He had some very successful meetings and interviewed some really interesting people.

With Guy left some of the only hugs that I have received since I arrived in Cairo. It was nice having a friend here to eat fried fish with, especially someone as sweet as Guy. Above is picture of him enjoying some Molikhaya - yes, I said enjoying!

Safe travels Guys and kiss your girls for me!

Tea v. Tequila

Today, my sister Kaitlin is heading off to Mexico. She is doing an eight week study on midwives in Oaxaca. Why does she get to go to Mexico for tequila and tacos, while I'm stuck in Cairo with tea and molikhaya (aka:camel snot soup)?

Have a safe trip Kait. And for God's sake don't eat the cerviche!

Dinner with my Landlady

Today I finally went to my landlady's, Omahhamada, for dinner. She has been calling me almost daily begging me to come visit her. Of course, she does not speak any English expect for "How are you?" and "Bye Bye." As you can imagine, our conversations are very limited and center mostly around food and family. Beyond that, I have no clue what she is saying. As far as I know, I probably bought a car from her today or agreed to get her a visa.

Omahhamada is a rather large, nosy, intense woman who wears a full black hijad. She reminds me very much of my grandmother, Jojo - minus the hijab. I say that affectionately of course. Although she does have a disabled hand, unlike my Jojo. Her hand, of course, did not hinder her from ripping apart a whole fish and eating the whole thing, including the bones. A disabled hand would not have hindered my Jojo either. She did a lot of sucking as well(again, just like my Jojo). She strongly encouraged me to eat the bones too. I considered the fact that if I choked on any of the bones, she probably would not know how to give me the Heimlich, so I tried my best not to eat them.

Her adult daughter who lives in the building also came up to say hello. The two of us connected over her new MP3/telephone with camera. I safely left after a two hour visit.

At this time I would like to thank my Persian family. They have trained me well in how to say "no, I couldn't possibly eat another thing," which one usually has to be repeat at least three times. This lesson, among others, served me well today.

Candy Cane Couches in Cairo

Here is a preview of my apartment in Cairo. My landlady put on the candy cane slip-covers after I moved in to make the apartment more comfortable. She was very proud of them. I would post other pictures of the apartment, but I'm afraid they might end up in some snuff film. Let's just say the apartment is pretty tired.