Comments on: American teacher stuck in Kuwait http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/ A blog by Mark and Nat, a married couple who are living in Kuwait. Mark works in Advertising while Nat works in TV. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:59:50 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: DC http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-463243 DC Sat, 02 May 2009 00:07:31 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-463243 I'm an attorney in the US, and I can tell you that there is no restriction on travel due to a civil lawsuit. You can someone for a billion trillion dollars, but you can't go to the US Government and demand that they hold the person's passport. The only time the court can put a travel restriction on someone is when the person is charged with criminal offense. Even if you are charged with a criminal offense though, typically it has to be something serious like a felony before the court would confiscate your passport. I’m an attorney in the US, and I can tell you that there is no restriction on travel due to a civil lawsuit. You can someone for a billion trillion dollars, but you can’t go to the US Government and demand that they hold the person’s passport. The only time the court can put a travel restriction on someone is when the person is charged with criminal offense. Even if you are charged with a criminal offense though, typically it has to be something serious like a felony before the court would confiscate your passport.

]]> By: Deak http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-440861 Deak Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:35:45 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-440861 What ever happened to Katherine Phillips? The teacher stuck in Kuwait. I would like to know when you left there. I would like to share a story with you. Thanks, Deak. What ever happened to Katherine Phillips? The teacher stuck in Kuwait. I would like to know when you left there. I would like to share a story with you.

Thanks, Deak.

]]> By: mohammad http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-428980 mohammad Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:07:34 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-428980 It is a sad story to hear BUT, what if a kuwaiti teacher in the US held a child in school with out telling his or her parents what would the police say, she did not listen to the parent, so as if she was in the STATES she must be held responsible. becouse if a kuwaiti commit anything in the US he or she will not be treated diff. so why should an American be treated diff. DO YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYING. It is a sad story to hear BUT, what if a kuwaiti teacher in the US held a child in school with out telling his or her parents what would the police say, she did not listen to the parent, so as if she was in the STATES she must be held responsible. becouse if a kuwaiti commit anything in the US he or she will not be treated diff. so why should an American be treated diff. DO YOU GET WHAT I’M SAYING.

]]> By: Blogorrhoea http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-398196 Blogorrhoea Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:42:08 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-398196 It is better having Western educated Kuwaitis or Arab American teachers to teach in Kuwait as they can generally be expected to have a better handle on disciplining truant local kids than say, some white expat teacher from the American Mid-west. Further make no mistake, Kuwait isn't exactly the most favoured destination for overseas contract teachers from the West. In no particular order - Oman, Bahrain, Dubai / Abu Dhabi always have been, It is better having Western educated Kuwaitis or Arab American teachers to teach in Kuwait as they can generally be expected to have a better handle on disciplining truant local kids than say, some white expat teacher from the American Mid-west.
Further make no mistake, Kuwait isn’t exactly the most favoured destination for overseas contract teachers from the West. In no particular order – Oman, Bahrain, Dubai / Abu Dhabi always have been,

]]> By: Fatima http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-328746 Fatima Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:37:09 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-328746 I'm a BBS student, that teacher was not very friendly, I think she had it comming sooner or later. Some Americans assume that because they've been teaching in Kuwait for a number or years, they're better/more powerful than everyone else. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutley. By the way, if any physics tutors happen to be reading this, I need one.. urgently. I’m a BBS student, that teacher was not very friendly, I think she had it comming sooner or later. Some Americans assume that because they’ve been teaching in Kuwait for a number or years, they’re better/more powerful than everyone else. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutley.

By the way, if any physics tutors happen to be reading this, I need one.. urgently.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-234457 Nancy Sun, 15 Jul 2007 06:39:00 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-234457 Just 'deserts'....hee haw hee haw. Just ‘deserts’….hee haw hee haw.

]]> By: H http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-232029 H Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:39:47 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-232029 An English-speaking teacher criticizing Kuwait (or, more appropriately, nonsensically bashing in this case- Jim/Christina) is expected to use proper, coherent English. An English-speaking teacher criticizing Kuwait (or, more appropriately, nonsensically bashing in this case- Jim/Christina) is expected to use proper, coherent English.

]]> By: NXS http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-229229 NXS Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:24:11 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-229229 I had the urge to respond to this article when it started. Many tried to question to be fair that we're still in the dark about the real story,and haven’t heard the other party (Kuwaiti)yet. “sorry to say you are *fu*ed” “ “You have to keep in mind that these people are ignorant to our ways of the world, they are mental lack common sense and humanity” “the kuwaitie chldren here have absolutely no discipline or structure in fact they are nothing short of uncivilized animals who can get away with anything” Shame on you and your wordings. Yes the Kuwaitis are arrogant and they don’t have such fairness and many things, but I have seen another side of them too because I knew how to respect my self and keep my arrogance and dignity too. I haven’t seen any differences when it comes to live in the richest places in America, Europe or Arabic countries. Rich people all behave the same mostly. Their money speaks before their ethics NOT to mention the late story of Paris Hilton. So, in general No difference of rudeness of any nationality with their wealth. I hardly found a western person coming to the Gulf area for the passion of the profession. Tax free salary, roundtrip tickets, furnished housing. What about the below the standard teaching by saying these children are dumb or slow learner, and fooling the parents by tutoring their children (5-15 KD an hour) to make another undercover salary to avoid taxes. By the way, getting free dinner or gifts. Let us not forget that. Christina, about time to re-think about the truth! I’m not going to be attacking you as much ASKING you. Are you really qualified English teacher? IF, yes. I feel so bad for the school who is hiring you. May be you are getting that job through wastah too, because of your husband position! ! !? Good English teacher won’t write that many mistakes and bad wording. Stupid mistakes such as: their, children, their, and more of your wordings lack the ethics of teaching). I‘m not majored in English but teaching and administration was my job in Kuwait. Don’t try to defend your self to my answer. What compelled me to answer your response because of my Arabic heritage and years of work in Kuwait. You need to unlock your horizon to learn about the world. You said in your notes: “It’s unfortunate though that you have no protection being single”. I lived 16 years in Kuwait as single and not a person tried to attack me or intimidate me,,, in fact I used to be amazed being nice and witty and never dated a Kuwaiti, all of the sudden a western teacher in less than a month dressed with gold gifts? ? Beside, I took some western teachers to the police station to apologize for revoking the law by drinking or driving violations to be removed, because some used to come with fake driver license because their own original was revoked from their own county. I only blame the Kuwaiti government that they don’t run background check before hiring them to teach their children. I witnessed also some who worked as spies for another country and carry 2 passports. I’m trying my best not to turn this issue into politic. BUT, If you are British or American, then look into your own leaders whom chosen by the people with their arrogance and the Yale graduate who can’t put two sentences together. So, wake up and stop being ignorant because one American teacher got banned for some reason we are still don’t know. For me reading that she was in Kuwait for 6 years, it gives me the doubts if she has been a mistress to some and there is a child and the father wants the custody? I have the right to assume all stories till we hear the truth which I don’t care for it, I have seen enough from the western thinking that they are above every one. I’m defending the truth here and as proud Arab national looking into our history that contributed to all fields of education. “what else can you expect from a people whose ancestors rode camels and slept in the desert” What you expect of United States of many people on drugs, molesters, abuser, foster homes, lack of education, go to colleges and don’t know how to read, adding to the FDA, FCC, Corrupt of the senators or house of the representative of lies and sexual affairs…etc. Please stop insulting a tiny nation and see who is the jealous one ? Be smart and study the first transportation of mankind. “These kuwaities can be bad bad bad” What are you doing in Kuwait if they are that bad. Your husband can find very good job in his profession or may be he can’t as doctors have to pay a lot of insurance to practice in US today. I wish I can write my stories of the ignorance of the American. I wish also for the Kuwaiti to wake up and stop treating westernized people with high respect for their greediness. Very soon and eventually Ms. Philips will write a book and sell her story as every one else. "God is good and the man responsible for hurting you will indeed get his “just Deserts”as he will rot in Hell ……." Are you acting on behalf of God too? Good teachers have passion to forgive NOT curse. Let GOD be the judge. You are a disappointment to the field. I had the urge to respond to this article when it started. Many tried to question to be fair that we’re still in the dark about the real story,and
haven’t heard the other party (Kuwaiti)yet.

“sorry to say you are *fu*ed” “ “You have to keep in mind that these people are ignorant to our ways of the world, they are mental lack common sense and humanity”

“the kuwaitie chldren here have absolutely no discipline or structure in fact they are nothing short of uncivilized animals who can get away with anything”
Shame on you and your wordings.

Yes the Kuwaitis are arrogant and they don’t have such fairness and many things, but I have seen another side of them too because I knew how to respect my self and keep my arrogance and dignity too. I haven’t seen any differences when it comes to live in the richest places in America, Europe or Arabic countries. Rich people all behave the same mostly. Their money speaks before their ethics NOT to mention the late story of Paris Hilton. So, in general No difference of rudeness of any nationality with their wealth. I hardly found a western person coming to the Gulf area for the passion of the profession. Tax free salary, roundtrip tickets, furnished housing. What about the below the standard teaching by saying these children are dumb or slow learner, and fooling the parents by tutoring their children (5-15 KD an hour) to make another undercover salary to avoid taxes. By the way, getting free dinner or gifts. Let us not forget that. Christina, about time to re-think about the truth!

I’m not going to be attacking you as much ASKING you. Are you really qualified English teacher? IF, yes. I feel so bad for the school who is hiring you. May be you are getting that job through wastah too, because of your husband position! ! !? Good English teacher won’t write that many mistakes and bad wording. Stupid mistakes such as: their, children, their, and more of your wordings lack the ethics of teaching). I‘m not majored in English but teaching and administration was my job in Kuwait. Don’t try to defend your self to my answer. What compelled me to answer your response because of my Arabic heritage and years of work in Kuwait. You need to unlock your horizon to learn about the world. You said in your notes:

“It’s unfortunate though that you have no protection being single”.

I lived 16 years in Kuwait as single and not a person tried to attack me or intimidate me,,, in fact I used to be amazed being nice and witty and never dated a Kuwaiti, all of the sudden a western teacher in less than a month dressed with gold gifts? ? Beside, I took some western teachers to the police station to apologize for revoking the law by drinking or driving violations to be removed, because some used to come with fake driver license because their own original was revoked from their own county. I only blame the Kuwaiti government that they don’t run background check before hiring them to teach their children. I witnessed also some who worked as spies for another country and carry 2 passports. I’m trying my best not to turn this issue into politic. BUT, If you are British or American, then look into your own leaders whom chosen by the people with their arrogance and the Yale graduate who can’t put two sentences together.

So, wake up and stop being ignorant because one American teacher got banned for some reason we are still don’t know. For me reading that she was in Kuwait for 6 years, it gives me the doubts if she has been a mistress to some and there is a child and the father wants the custody? I have the right to assume all stories till we hear the truth which I don’t care for it, I have seen enough from the western thinking that they are above every one. I’m defending the truth here and as proud Arab national looking into our history that contributed to all fields of education.

“what else can you expect from a people whose ancestors rode camels and slept in the desert”

What you expect of United States of many people on drugs, molesters, abuser, foster homes, lack of education, go to colleges and don’t know how to read, adding to the FDA, FCC, Corrupt of the senators or house of the representative of lies and sexual affairs…etc. Please stop insulting a tiny nation and see who is the jealous one ? Be smart and study the first transportation of mankind.

“These kuwaities can be bad bad bad”

What are you doing in Kuwait if they are that bad. Your husband can find very good job in his profession or may be he can’t as doctors have to pay a lot of insurance to practice in US today.

I wish I can write my stories of the ignorance of the American. I wish also for the Kuwaiti to wake up and stop treating westernized people with high respect for their greediness.
Very soon and eventually Ms. Philips will write a book and sell her story as every one else.

“God is good and the man responsible for hurting you will indeed get his “just Deserts”as he will rot in Hell …….”

Are you acting on behalf of God too? Good teachers have passion to forgive NOT curse. Let GOD be the judge. You are a disappointment to the field.

]]> By: Niceguy http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-228919 Niceguy Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:21:00 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-228919 So much for the poor teacher trying to get everyones support to escape the Demon Kuwait.......Only a few days ago, there were urgent appeals to get her out of Kuwait because supposedly her physical safety was in danger. ISR was asking school personnel to resign their own positions, knowing full well that it might be hard for them to get new positions at this late date. This forum, and others, was full of diatribes against Kuwait and Kuwaitis. And today, Ms. Phillips is complaining again, but this time because she can't come back! And ISR, instead of asking why she made a fool of them, is asking people again to resign their jobs, so that she can go back to hers!.. So much for the poor teacher trying to get everyones support to escape the Demon Kuwait…….Only a few days ago, there were urgent appeals to get her out of Kuwait because supposedly her physical safety was in danger. ISR was asking school personnel to resign their own positions, knowing full well that it might be hard for them to get new positions at this late date. This forum, and others, was full of diatribes against Kuwait and Kuwaitis.

And today, Ms. Phillips is complaining again, but this time because she can’t come back! And ISR, instead of asking why she made a fool of them, is asking people again to resign their jobs, so that she can go back to hers!..

]]> By: Christina http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-228883 Christina Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:27:00 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-228883 God is good and the man responsible for hurting you will indeed get his "just Deserts"as he will rot in Hell ....... God is good and the man responsible for hurting you will indeed get his “just Deserts”as he will rot in Hell …….

]]> By: Christina http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-228866 Christina Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:02:26 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-228866 My Dear Katherine sorry for your devasting plight but sorry to say you are *fu*ed.. I am an english teacher living in kuwait for over a year and i know full well about the corruption and wasta influence. It's unfortunate though that you have no protection being single and without wasta influence of your own. Before i began teaching i was briefed by my husband ( an orthopedic surgeon here in kuwait)as to how these kuwaiti people are and how to handle them and for that reason i kept my nose clean and took things in stride. You have to keep in mind that these people are ignorant to our ways of the world, they are mental lack common sense and humanity ..and should be treated as such it's the only way you can keep your sanity when you were raised with morals and values that you try to impliment but cannot. This man who has caused you such despair did so knowingly and without loosing any sleep simply because he had the power to do so.. no doubt in my mind that you followed standard procedure and did your job . I know myself after teaching in two schools already that the kuwaitie chldren here have absolutely no discipline or structure in fact they are nothing short of uncivilized animals who can get away with anything .Don't even try to put them in thier place or you will surely loose. What do you expect these children to be like when the parents hand over their kids to house maids to raise and they spend most of their lives runing wild because the parents are too damn lazy to do it themselves. These kuwaities can be bad bad bad and they are proud by their oil and money..which the prince of kuwait generously gives them just for being kuwaitie..They don't work ,they don't need to they walk around i thier white and black dress lazy as a cut buck expecting the foreigner to bend at thier knees ,most are uneducated and are jealous of us foriegners. ...what else can you expect from a people whose ancestors rode camels and slept in the desert. ..now that they have money they buy brand new modern vechiles and ride them into the dirt just like they did the camels with no regard for money .Most don't even possess a liscense for what ever thats worth as thier are no rules on the raod in kuwait. Ahh i could go on all day guess i'm more or less venting and thinking better you than me katherine but i truely am sorry for your troubles and if i were you i would post your story in an uncensored newspaper where you have a chance of the right person seeing it and may be able to help you. Exhaust every measure you can even if it means kissing ass ..if not there is a chnace you could be stuck here in kuwait forever..it's just like that once they put a ban on you ther eis no way out....Pray honey.. big hugs Christina All_yours_darlin@hotmail.com My Dear Katherine sorry for your devasting plight but sorry to say you are *fu*ed..
I am an english teacher living in kuwait for over a year and i know full well about the corruption and wasta influence. It’s unfortunate though that you have no protection being single and without wasta influence of your own. Before i began teaching i was briefed by my husband ( an orthopedic surgeon here in kuwait)as to how these kuwaiti people are and how to handle them and for that reason i kept my nose clean and took things in stride. You have to keep in mind that these people are ignorant to our ways of the world, they are mental lack common sense and humanity ..and should be treated as such it’s the only way you can keep your sanity when you were raised with morals and values that you try to impliment but cannot.
This man who has caused you such despair did so knowingly and without loosing any sleep simply because he had the power to do so.. no doubt in my mind that you followed standard procedure and did your job . I know myself after teaching in two schools already that the kuwaitie chldren here have absolutely no discipline or structure in fact they are nothing short of uncivilized animals who can get away with anything .Don’t even try to put them in thier place or you will surely loose. What do you expect these children to be like when the parents hand over their kids to house maids to raise and they spend most of their lives runing wild because the parents are too damn lazy to do it themselves. These kuwaities can be bad bad bad and they are proud by their oil and money..which the prince of kuwait generously gives them just for being kuwaitie..They don’t work ,they don’t need to they walk around i thier white and black dress lazy as a cut buck expecting the foreigner to bend at thier knees ,most are uneducated and are jealous of us foriegners. …what else can you expect from a people whose ancestors rode camels and slept in the desert. ..now that they have money they buy brand new modern vechiles and ride them into the dirt just like they did the camels with no regard for money .Most don’t even possess a liscense for what ever thats worth as thier are no rules on the raod in kuwait. Ahh i could go on all day guess i’m more or less venting and thinking better you than me katherine but i truely am sorry for your troubles and if i were you i would post your story in an uncensored newspaper where you have a chance of the right person seeing it and may be able to help you. Exhaust every measure you can even if it means kissing ass ..if not there is a chnace you could be stuck here in kuwait forever..it’s just like that once they put a ban on you ther eis no way out….Pray honey..

big hugs

Christina All_yours_darlin@hotmail.com

]]> By: Niceguy http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-226803 Niceguy Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:56:43 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-226803 'Katherine Phillips, the American teacher who had been banned from leaving the country after disciplining a Kuwaiti student and subsequently landing in a court case, has left Kuwait, according to information sent to the Arab Times Monday evening by an official of the International Schools Review (ISR). “I have received an e-mail from Katherine Phillips to say that she and her parents are out of the GCC,” said Barbara Spilchuk, who is the Online Teacher Advisor with ISR, in an e-mail to the Arab Times late Monday evening.' ‘Katherine Phillips, the American teacher who had been banned from leaving the country after disciplining a Kuwaiti student and subsequently landing in a court case, has left Kuwait, according to information sent to the Arab Times Monday evening by an official of the International Schools Review (ISR). “I have received an e-mail from Katherine Phillips to say that she and her parents are out of the GCC,” said Barbara Spilchuk, who is the Online Teacher Advisor with ISR, in an e-mail to the Arab Times late Monday evening.’

]]> By: M http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-226485 M Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:07:07 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-226485 An important point that everyone is missing here is the fact that the person that is being 'tried' for this is this Katherine teacher. Based on what she's saying, she followed school procedure. This Marzouk person should hold the school accountable not the teacher. An important point that everyone is missing here is the fact that the person that is being ‘tried’ for this is this Katherine teacher. Based on what she’s saying, she followed school procedure. This Marzouk person should hold the school accountable not the teacher.

]]> By: Jim http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-226264 Jim Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:57:43 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-226264 Hi there, I know Kay personally and it is sad that Al Bayan has slid to such a low. The Admin team are weak and like the families in Kuwait will not challenge the family that is doing this because of reprisals (not physical but others that would make life difficult). I wish the American government would pressure other Western governments to do the same to Mr. Marzouk, put a travel ban on him from entering the US/Canada/Europe until this case is expedited. I'm certain this case would be resolved quickly once he realized he too is stuck in the sandbox known as Kuwait. Hi there,
I know Kay personally and it is sad that Al Bayan has slid to such a low. The Admin team are weak and like the families in Kuwait will not challenge the family that is doing this because of reprisals (not physical but others that would make life difficult).
I wish the American government would pressure other Western governments to do the same to Mr. Marzouk, put a travel ban on him from entering the US/Canada/Europe until this case is expedited. I’m certain this case would be resolved quickly once he realized he too is stuck in the sandbox known as Kuwait.

]]> By: Danny http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-225520 Danny Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:17:28 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/information/american-teacher-stuck-in-kuwait/#comment-225520 Mark, I understand you have been a long time in Kuwait. What do you think of this situation? Mark, I understand you have been a long time in Kuwait. What do you think of this situation?

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