Bahrain's king gives out cash to families

[Joanne98]

Source: UPI


MANAMA, Bahrain, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- In an effort to stave off anti-government protests, Bahrain's king has paid $2,650 to every family "as a sign of appreciation," an official statement said.

"On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter and as a sign of appreciation for the people of Bahrain who have approved it, King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa has ordered 1,000 dinars ($2,650) to be paid to every Bahraini family," BNA, the country's official news agency, said.

Bahrainis approved a national charter in February 2001 that restored a parliament dissolved in 1975. However, in February 2002, Bahrain became a kingdom ruled by a constitutional monarchy, the Kuwait Times noted. Online activists have been calling for wage protests and demanding political, social and economic reforms, the Times said.

When anti-government protests erupted in Tunisia and Egypt, Bahrain's government announced measures to support food prices and assist families in need, the Times said.





Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/02/13/Bahrains-king-gives-out-cash-to-families/UPI-97001297601681/

[ThomCat]

1. That is a very smart ruler.

To the poorest families, that will be a huge amount of money, and may make a big difference in their immediate well-being. Though, a short-lived difference.

To wealthy families, that will be a pittance, and they'll probably just put it in the bank and forget about it.

So the value of this gift is inversely proportional to your family's wealthy. The less you have, the more valuable this gift is. That's probably exactly what he needed.

It's not really what those poorest families needed. They needed recurring change, or permanent improvement, not a one-time gift. But, this might be enough to prevent unrest and political change if King Al-Khalifa is even slightly popular.

This shows that he's a hell of a lot smarter than most other political leaders.

[StarsInHerHair]

2. getting a little desperate hmnmm?

nt