Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in America. I am so thankful to be with my family this year and looking forward to cooking a traditional meal. Friday morning, the day after Thanksgiving, is known as 'Black Friday' -- the biggest shopping day of the year. This is the day when all the stores have huge sales and regardless of what you're shopping for you can certainly find it at a great price. Friday is also Eid and yet another day of family and celebration.

My family and I took a short road trip today to visit some family in South Carolina which we hadn't seen in quite some time. It was so great to see them and have the chance to spend some quality time together. Perhaps this weekend I'll take another short road trip in the opposite direction to Virginia to see some friends I haven't seen in an even longer time. Most people are out of town this long weekend, but the drive will be enjoyable.

The weather here is getting cooler. The leaves are almost completely gone from the trees. And I am looking forward to the journey ahead.

Recently I've had the opportunity to get a firsthand experience with 'attitude is everything.' I'm generally a positive person and try to see the best in all I encounter -- even when it's not looking so good. However, lately I have been in the presence of some overwhelming negative attitudes. I find it takes its toll on me, and over a period of time, I too am feeling rather negative -- and find myself wondering why I'm so 'down.' It then dawned on me it was being in the presence of particular people that brought this on. Though I am unable to completely avoid this person... I am certainly strong enough to overcome it and remember all the good in my life. All the things I have to be thankful for.

In the end we all have something to be thankful for, and in turn, something to be positive about. Attitude really is everything -- don't bring others down to your level, but instead, try to rise to theirs.

Happy holidays!

No need for ''radical solutions'' to Bedouns issue: AlـDuwaisan

Al Watan Daily, 2 November, 2009

KUWAIT: MP Faisal AlـDuwaisan said that the Cabinet''s decision to form a committee to look into the issue of Bedouns (stateless Arabs) is a "positive move" accredited to the government. In a press release forwarded to Al Watan, he hoped that the committee "will be just and really seeks to develop realistic solutions in order to do justice to the Bedouns and put an end to their suffering." He also warned of "not developing radical solutions to this serious issue."

Oddly enough, it had already been decided that 2,000 Bedouns would receive their citizenship every October of every year. Now this is no longer the case? How is it something can be suggested, approved, and passed by a committee and changed by the next one? This is outrageous to me. Not that they had really followed through with the initial 2,000 other than the first year. But now it has to be reviewed and changed? Huh?

The bedoun issue has always been outrageous to me. Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the world, with the most valuable currency, yet if you venture into Jahra and surrounding areas you would almost think you needed a passport to get there. It's a totally different vire of Kuwait.

Of course I certainly understand the concerns of the Kuwait government in just handing out citizenship to anyone claiming to be Kuwaiti without proof, and I respect that. Therefore, why not start with the basics -- their human rights? Kuwait signed onto the Human Rights Act, yet continues to violate it by not providing Bedouns with these basic rights. Yes, there have been some improvements over the years such as allowing them to obtain a driver's license and passports which aren't confiscated upon returning from travel. But these are just the tip of the iceberg.

My suggestion? Give Bedouns their Kuwaiti citizenship with limitations, Perhaps call it a Class IV citizenship? Allow the Bedouns a Civil ID the same as a Kuwaitis. A blue passport -- just like a Kuwaiti. The right to register a vehicle in their name, own a home, free education, and the opportunity for employment. Withhold their Kuwait salary (in an interest earning savings account) until DNA results, or additional information can prove they are eligible for the financial benefits. Once there is proof, give them their monthly salary and back-pay. If this information is never available, and their Kuwaiti heritage is still questionable, deny them the right to a salary -- but continue to allow them the right to education and employment.

In the end this will reduce the crime rate in Kuwait, allow humans to be treated like humans, and most importantly -- get Kuwait in line with the Human Rights Act they signed onto.