I consider myself lucky- I never suffered from the post-Azerbaijani-education-system-stress-disorder!

I consider myself lucky. Why?! Well, because I didn't have to suffer from post-Azerbaijani- universities- stress- disorder and the country's long outdated education system. I consider myself lucky, because I took my exams, I got good grades, I never had to pay a penny. I consider myself lucky, I had a parent who too was a professor but who never took a bribe. And I am proud I am his daughter. I cannot even imagine how children of school teachers and university professors feel when they carry the heavy burden over their shoulders of parents who take money every day (that is if they care of course). I consider myself lucky, I never had to endure the unwillingness and disinterest of people who supposedly become teachers because they want to teach (not sure what is there to teach but a bad lesson over and over, every day. Yes, well done, one thing our students learn is currency conversions while the rest of important life equations remain on the pages of books that no one even reads these days). I consider myself lucky, because hearing horrid stories from my friends and cousins who were studying back home, reminded me of how privileged I was for having the chance of actually learning something new every day. 

I consider myself lucky, I was allowed to think, to analyze, to create, to procrastinate when I was at the school. My time was spent in libraries, talking to professors, discussing new opportunities and most importantly being encouraged. Encouraged to read more, to ask challenging questions, to write critical and alternative papers. 

Azerbaijan's corrupted education system is not a surprise. The fact that students are obliged (yes! obliged) to pay bribes to pass exams isn't big news (otherwise, not paying a bribe requires painful fights and lower grades). We all know, in Azerbaijan anything is possible, including a pre-paid diploma. And while many students complain about this, nothing seem to change. Education establishments remain indifferent- because everyone is happy to make an extra penny, even if its at the expense of poor parents who are barely surviving, let alone need to cover the bribes of their children. 

So, when several hundred students of the Baku State University (allegedly one of the most corrupted education establishments in Azerbaijan) decided to finally raise their voices, the provost- Abel Maharramov decided to make a point! No one, not him, not anyone at the school is going to put up with the capricious behavior of "few"students [AZ] who are not even Baku State University students! 

Yes, I consider myself lucky because I never had a conversation with any of my professors or the provost telling me that "had I given the money, I would have passed the exam!"or that "I should keep quiet, otherwise no one would even find the trace of me". 

Well, we all know the trace Mr. Maharramov is leaving behind...

Feudal Fascist regime of Azerbaijan

Corruption, bribery, scandal, war, exploitation, hatred, propaganda, excuses, misuse of patriotism, misuse of tragedies, and more in this to the point speech by Emin Milli.

Must watch especially on the eve of another march (March 10th) held in support of innocent deaths of Azerbaijani soldiers (and reasons behind them)! 

Parliament for sale part 2- why there is no reaction from our very own parliament

A reaction on Facebook from a friend of mine, prompted me to write another post on this video scandal. And its a good point- why none of our so called democratically elected parliament members said anything about Guler Ahmadova's video? Why none of them came forward to say for instance that this is not true about the rest of them, that they haven't paid for their seats, or that they have been democratically elected, or that this is a terrible thing to happen and a disgrace to their reputation as the country's executive body... 

Here is probably why:

- Milli Majlis [MM] has been stripped of its many powers a very long time ago and is afraid to put in practice any of the powers it still posses;

- MM is merely a stamping machine approving everything sent in from "above";

- MM is not democratically elected body;

- MM members are afraid for their seats and mandates;

- As of 2010 MM consists of ruling party members;

and so on and so forth...

Just in- Guler Ahmadova voluntarily gave up her mandate

Yes, I didn't dream of it but its what Ms. Ahmadova said in an article published here [AZ]:

I haven't gone anywhere, I am in Baku, at my home. In order to help the investigation process I have voluntarily gave up my mandate. I continue to live as an ordinary citizen in the country" said Ahmadova in an interview with APA.

 There were rumors that Ms. Ahmadova fled the country following the video scandal, however, she dismissed these rumors. She is angry though. She is demanding Elshad Abdullayev (the man in the video bargaining for the parliamentary seat) to join the investigation.

Now its Elshad Abdullayev's turn. Let him now stop this mailing and video game, come to the investigation, and respond to all the questions on legal basis.

It is not surprising she is angry. After all she is no longer untouchable, and she lost her major source of income. I am just wondering, where does she spend this money, she must be incredibly rich? I doubt she is into philanthropy and is saving money for a greater cause, unless of course, that greater cause is something to do with her and her family?! Who knows... Thats a mystery to be resolved, or not... 

Video of Guler Ahmadova bargaining over parliamentary seat- now with English subtitles

I shared this video in my earlier post on the issue. However the original video was in Azerbaijani. This time you can watch the video with English subtitles. Watch and share! We are yet to see what will happen to Ms. Ahmadova... In the meantime, at least we have confirmed that corruption and bribery in Azerbaijan has no limits. That is why Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (the National Parliament) will never exercise its executive power. That is why non of our "democratically elected" MPs will ever stand by their people, vote on laws that would protect the people. The only body they will stand by will be their President- the one and only, Aliyev All Mighty! And that will always be their Achilles Hill- one mistake, one wrong word, one statement (against the President and his cronies of course) and your mandate is gone, and you are back among those very people you disrespect and fool by fake elections, false promises and look at them from above as if you are untouchable forever...

The full transcript of the video available here.

Parliament for sale and Guler Ahmadova's "surprising" response

This image I am sharing was circulated on Facebook and so I could not resist the temptation to share it here with you. The rough translation of the photo:

"There are so many out there wanting to be parliament members..." (c)- now guess who the author of these words is. Probably wont be that difficult.

Now, back to the scandal- Ms. Ahmadova said the video was a fluke and that it was montage- at this point I want to say Montage my a**! I think our government really considers 100% of its population as dumb! 

As if I cannot tell the difference between whats real and whats not! As if I am (and so are the rest of the millions of fellow Azerbaijanis) imbecile?! We all knew about corruption! We all knew about fraudulent elections! We know that our country is not a democracy and to claim it otherwise is simply dishonest (but hey, what I talking about here- honesty, that is something not in lexicon of our officials)! People are not idiots! The fact that nobody says anything is another story- people are afraid to say or do anything because they are afraid of getting arrested, being beaten up, disappear, lose their jobs, put their families and relatives in danger (and even murdered I am afraid to say)! Everybody knows about millions of stocked away revenues! But to have the arrogance and come out to say that this was a montage is simply UNACCEPTABLE! For once stop treating your people as imbeciles- because we are not! 

Yes, Azerbaijani government is systematically raising imbeciles- like those two so- called sportsmen who beat up Emin and Adnan. Or like those civilian dressed "guards" who carry (or shall I say just shovel) people into police cars during protests. Or those "officers" who knock women down and don't look back but then when it suits them they talk about morality and how much respect Azerbaijani woman has in our society! 

Ms. Ahmadova what you are saying is so desperate of a statement for someone who has gotten herself so deep in sh** that its funny. You are making a joke of yourself. Just accept it and resign with some dignity (if there is any) left in you...