The following is only a look at realpolitik or plain old opportunism in our world today. For many years, the Western countries' reactions to political events in other countries follow a trend: a trend of hypocrisy

Serbia is not a client state ---> West support Kosovo
Now Kosovo will be a client state. Today, George Bush announced the selling of arms to Kosovo. He said, "I hereby find that the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to Kosovo will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace."

What Kosovo needs is not arms.

Spain is a Western country   --> West does not support Basques

Algeria is a client state          ---> West does not support Imazighen in Algeria

Morocco is a client state      ---> West does not support Imazighen in Morocco

Turkey is a client state          ---> West does not support Turkish Kurds 

Iraq WAS NOT a client state  ---> West supported Iraqi Kurds

Iraq IS now a client state       ---> West does not support Iraqi Kurds

China is not a client state but a commercial ally   -->  West does not support Tibetans

Sudan is not a client state of the West but provides China with Oil ---> West does not support Darfur refugees

These double stantards reflect the hypocrisy of the West when it comes to human rights, tyrants, oppressions, and freedom.

My book ”Still Moments: A Story about Faded Dreams and Forbidden Pictures” was published in June 2005. Before it reached the market, I had decided to send a complimentary copy to the FBI agent who interrogated me. In the book, I referred to him as Agent Bob.

On June 16, I went for my daily exercise at Four Seasons, a local health club. I swam my daily laps, and was in the steam room where my eyes fell on The Pantagraph, Bloomington-Normal's local newspaper. I was flipping through the newspaper pages when I saw a title that brought me to a stop. The title read, “FBI Agent Remembered.”

I started to read the article out of sheer curiosity. But soon, I realized that the FBI agent who was being remembered in the article was the one who interrogated me on January 22, 2003. I had referred to him as Robert H., but his full name was Robert Hardesty.

According to the news report, Agent Hardesty fell during training on June 2, and passed away four days later. Officer down Office has a memorial page about him. His former employer, Porter County Sheriff’s Department has a web page about his career.

I was sad that agent had died. I felt sad for his children and his wife. His death disappointed me. I was even sadder when I realized that I could not offer him a free copy, and maybe get him to see life from the side of the interogee.

You might have seen the picture before. It is that of my niece Fatima in 1984 when she was only fours years old. At that moment, I was dabbing into photography, which was my favorite pastime. A printer who saw it offered to make New Year postcards. It magically became a hit in Algeria.

In 2006, Fatima, who holds a law degree, got married and the following picture was taken at her wedding.

When Fatima will reach her old age, I probably will not be around to take a picture of her. Instead I am sharing another picture of another Fatima, who lived in my village. She made some of the most beautiful Berber carpets.

 In Algiers, Algeria, plenty of social interactions take place in the streets. Old women, usually wearing the white veil called Haik, go shopping and stop to rest to discuss life. The picture above was taken more than 23 years ago in Downtown Algiers.

I swear I did not ride a Berber magic carpet to come to America. When I first came to the USA, I had to explain many things about myself.

When I indicated that I came from Africa, the first question was: "why was I not very black?" (I am more brown).

The second had to do with my French accent when I spoke English. I had to explain that France occupied Algeria for 132 years, and time did the rest.

The word "Berber" is mostly associated with the Berber rugs, which are known for their special loops. I consequently have found myself spending hours and hours visiting carpet stores where I felt very comfortable and happy to see the word "Berber" on many colorful carpet brochure. The word "Berber" written in giant display made me feel important.

Even Sunday newspaper ads about Berber carpet at $0.68 and $0.99 (such as the one below) per square foot made me happy.