Saturday November 27, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

Bahrain gets it.

Bahrain understands the dynamic and complexity of tradition in the modern world.

Yesterday King Khalifa appointed four women to serve on the Upper Chamber of the Shura, the equivalent of the consulting wing of Bahrain's parliament.

Of the four women: two were Muslim, one was Christian and one was Jewish.

The Shura itself is composed of 40 members - 30 members were invited to return and 10 were replaced.

The recent elections for Bahrain's Lower Chamber were also significant. The Lower Chamber is balanced by the Upper Chamber and, all in all, they serve to lend voice to and advise Malik al Bahrain, the King.

Despite their openness on certain issues, despite their understanding on blending modern and traditional values - moves for which they should be recognized and applauded, Bahrain is still a monarchy.

Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah