THE NATIONAL FRAUD (I).

Having worked for a decade under the direction of an economist I was finally convinced that to perform a job you just need to have a great imagination. Watching him build up a budget was like witnessing the translation, in a modern excel sheet, of the traditional “milkmaid and pail” tale, the one that warned about the high expectations on dreams still unrealised. You just needed to increase the price of the raw materials purchased to the primary producer with the cost of transportation, labour, bank interest for deferred payment (a death trap for companies sponsored by state law) and, of course , the profit margin, all pending on the potential customer approval.

Viewed on paper, those budgets were really encouraging, however, once confronted with the reality and their uncertainties, such as a reduction of the budget imposed by the buyer, always ended shattered as the pitcher of milk and consequently, the profit margin always is extracted from the weakest flank: wages. Since intermediation is a form of enrichment based on the correct performance of all the links in the production any setback such as weather, accidents, strikes, holidays or the interruption in the provision of supplies knocks the business down as a house of cards.

WHAT IS THE USE OF THE ARAB LEAGUE IN THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR?

One consequence of the end of World War II was the proliferation of international organizations, a phenomenon that also affected the Middle East. So, on March 22, 1945, when the war had not finished yet, Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (later Jordan), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria, decided to create the Arab League. A foundation three months prior to the approval of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco. Since then, this "exclusive" club has been joined by 16 other countries.

According to the second article of the Covenant of the League of Arab States, "The purpose of the League is to establish closer relations between member states and coordinate their political activities in order to conduct a closer collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider, in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries".

What Have I Done to Deserve This?

She walks with her tattered books and recycled notebooks tight against her chest. She advances hastily through the narrow and muddy streets without looking up from the ground. She does not want to stain her socks because there is no water or soap to wash clothes more than once a week. While she covers her usual route, she hears the nasty comments of some guys who have no other fun than harassing girls who dare to leave the precarious shelter of their family’s tent. She hits a rock and is about to fall but regains balance and keeps walking even though she has hurt her foot. She knows she has torn one sock but holds back the tears. Nothing will stop her. Finally, she reaches the tent- school and breathes deeply. She moves the dirty cloth that works as a threshold and sits on the old carpet. She's safe.

Surrounded by children of different ages, she focuses on what the teacher says and writes in the blackboard that covers the narrow side of the tent. A luxury achieved with great effort. Some restless boys nudges but she does not pay attention to them. She has her Bacaloriat exams in a couple of months and can not waste time with useless distractions. She must make the most of what will give her access to the institute of the nearest city. This will involve an hour trip to go and another to return in an old bus. She will have to go with her shabby clothes and no takeaways. But, for her is a great opportunity to get out from the hole she is stuck in. The University despite being miles and years away, seems a more reachable dream now.

Suddenly, a roar shakes the ground beneath their feet. The tent collapses on them. Luckily is only fabric. The children scream scared but they stay hidden under the folds of the tent. They have nowhere to go: they are Iraqis in a Syrian camp. While bombs are falling all around, Dina prays not to loose anymore members of her family. She does not remember because she was just three years old when her parents fled Iraq with her two brothers, but knows that neither her uncles nor her cousins ​​were so lucky. Ten years in a camp, hoping for a miracle to happen and now they are stuck with the civil war in Syria. And Dina keeps asking herself, what have I done to deserve this?

THE BEGINNING.      

I start this adventure through the unknown but also fascinating digital routes with the hope of a new beginning and the anxiety of the current economic and political situation in which we find ourselves. Everyday news submerge us in another chapter of this spiral of defeatism and despair. Obviously, they are not the ideal setting for any release. But as the economy, and everything that revolves around it, has taken over our daily lives, it is impossible to escape its evil influence.

Uncertainty aggravates our perception of the difficulties we face in the immediate future and reinforces our concern about our medium-term target, just when we thought the crisis slope would decrease. But we can not forget that it is in times of crisis and difficulty when man and woman are able to bring out the best that is within them. There is life beyond the crisis. Perhaps with fewer economic resources but certainly with more inventiveness and creativity. It is with this belief, with which I embark myself on this journey.

I would rather fill the first page of this blog with kinder thoughts, but as said these are not good times but, on the contrary, times to denounce and struggle, to criticise and reproach, to reflect and take on responsabilities, not only for and from politicians and other powers, but by every one of us. In short, a fascinating time in history. These lines and those that will follow, will be the vehicle I will use to unleash those issues that disturb me, those issues that friends, acquaintances and strangers asked me to talk about, those injustices I see every day and, of course, those literary snippets that emerge in the most unexpected recesses of my imagination.

To each and everyone who have been curious to read this short introduction, thanks for taking the time to do it and those that are committed to follow, thanks for sharing your time, I hope I will not to disappoint you.