Janis Joplin Said....

Janis Joplin said ,
   "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,
    Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now."
in her song " Me And Bobby McGee".

The Libyan people have stood up against all odds and said we count. We're mad and we are fighting back. We want our freedom.They stood up to a dictator and demanded their freedom . You know what ? They got it when everyone said it will never happen . No way you can fight Ghadaffy  and ever win.Take your pick of reasons from below:

He will never let you win .
He is too strong.
You aren't strong enough.
You will never get any support.
 The people are too afraid to stand up for their rights.
Everyone is afraid to fight.

Good thing Ben Ghazi didn't listen to any of those things huh ?

I cam here to Libya the 1st time when I was a idealistic , naive ,pregnant 20 year old that knew nothing about birthing no babies. I came here after having worked for 3 years supporting myself , help supporting my mother. and supporting my new husband until he got his work permit in the US after we married.

I was fully independent.I was hard working. I believed in equality.I was used to thinking for myself and making my own decisions.I thought that would continue to happen when we moved to Libya.I  was so excited to come to Libya and be a trail blazer , a pioneer .

Mohamed's family was a good family.They were  a well educated family that had traveled much and seen the world outside of Libya. They were as open minded as a Libyan family could possibly be in 1972. They welcomed me with open arms and treated me as a daughter of the family. I called Mohamed's parents Bouy ( my father) and his mother , Ommy ( my mother) and I meant it .I felt they were my parents. I also called his sisters and brothers mine as well . I still do to this day.I am honored they call me sister.

We get along like a family , some times it's onions , sometimes it honey.There were times when it was mostly  onions with Mohamed when we lived here in Libya. I had no one to help me . No one had my back. There wasn't any one to turn to .I felt so alone.I never want another  wife to come here and feel like that because she discovered she didn't have any rights like I did.

Those of us (the foreign spouses) that live in Libya, have lived in Libya , or even just visited Libya all have a story.Usually one that ends like this , I had / have no rights because I am a foreigner.  If you never lived here or even visited and you are a foreign spouse, it was for one reason I am sure , the lack of security,the lack of freedom of your rights. Correct?.Now , for the 1st time we have a chance to change that.Change it for ourselves , for our daughters , for our grandchildren from our daughters that married non Libyan men.We can give them what no one gave us ... a chance to have freedom ,equality , and rights. A voice for future non Libyan women married to Libyan men , not just ourselves.This may be the ONLY time in history that this will happen.Don't miss out on your destiny.Your voice counts . Let's hear it.Tell the NTC what you want , your equal rights as a foreign spouse married to a Libyan.

Equal Rights For Foreign Spouses Of Libyans

Todays News

Thank you to all that wrote to me !!!Today is a much better day then yesterday . I got a little more sleep . Seems I am not the only one with this problem. Others I know and have talked with are having a similar problem.We have also had attention deficit problems off and on. Hard to concentrate on simple things like watching an entire movie or reading books . Some can do one but not the other , while others of us can do all , or neither .Stress. But it is getting better .

I got my 1st instant message on my phone from a friend tonight  . The 1st since I think May?So great to send a ms, stating what you want to say and not having to make conversation when you are really not in the mood or busy .Loving it.

The neighborhood shooter is still at large, shooting at will . We never see him . He is like a ghost. We certainly can hear him though. I wish they would catch him soon. We thought they might have this morning when we heard a lot of gunfire but since he has been walking around tonight and shooting , I guess they didn't. Oh well , soon ???

My daughter started a Facebook page for me and my cause. I am so proud of her for her support !It is for the organization of a legal petition to present to the NTC eventually when the new Libyan constitution is drawn up asking for certain rights for (women like me ) foreign spouses/ and children of Libyans married to foreign spouses . I will post the page for you to sign up and /or just show your support even if you are not in either of these categories , later on when I have the page ip here .So exciting to think that after 40 years, the many sacrifices made to live here and raise a family, may actually be acknowledged by giving me and so many others like me, rights that most Libyans take for granted in Libya. I have high hopes that the NTC will add this new law to the new constitution when drafted and ratified.

Some Of This And Some Of That

Lights back on finally at midnight here and blessed AC blasting away.It is now after dawn here in Tripoli , Saturday . I say Saturday because all day yesterday I thought it was Thursday .I opened my emails to find that so many of you have written comments of support in my crusade for the Libyan NTC to allow foreign spouses such as myself to have basic civil rights  in the NEW LIBYA as they are calling it .There are so many foreign wives and even a couple of husbands that are left feeling like a orphaned child when it comes to having the simplest rights taken for granted in other places around the world.Please NTC, don't forget us, we so deserve them.

A few reply's to several people that sent comments......
Son of Zwara : I can so relate to what you said about spouses being able to inherit in the USA . Moe and I owned joint property( our home) , businesses , cars, and each had individual checking accounts when we lived there . All of which he could have inherited if I had died. Would be so nice to have that here in Libya too . Moe has had several strokes ,has a bad heart and I am his main care taker even though he is independent and is able to do most things on his own . I still have to be with him almost 24/7 to make sure he is ok .But I can't inherit our apartment if something , God forbids, happens to him. It would go to our children.It makes me feel very insecure knowing that.You and your wife are so lucky to have one another.Moe and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in June.

Khedegah: Ah, my dear one , I have had you in my prayers almost daily and have wondered how you were.So glade to hear from you at long last . Happy to learn you are safe and sound in Ireland.I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of loved ones in your family here in Libya and will say prayers for them .Zlitan had it hard and our hearts go out to them .I hope you will be able to get your apartment back when you come back to Misurata. It was hit so hard and now parts of Tripoli are starting to remind me of that poor city. I still can't access your blog .Take care little one .

twilatexas : You know you are my favorite oldest niece and I love you too so much !!!!

Anonymous: Thank you so much for your kind thoughts . All the best to you Monica and Massud .

Pinky Tabor: Have thought of you and the kids so many times these last 6 months. Wondering if you were still there in the Philippines or had moved back here to Libya. If your family here were ok .So happy to hear from you ! Blessings little mother.

ibeebarbie: Believe it it not thoughts of you and Amira have entertained me many a time these last few months. I can't wait to get caught up and have continued access to the net to read what the two of you have been up to lately.Thank you for your prayers. The country needs them desperately

Now I have a few things to say about whats been going on here the last couple of days.My heart is breaking . I didn't think it was possible,for I had thought it was shattered beyond breaking anymore.I am seeing on CNN  and on Al Jezzera  things I dreaded and prayed would never come to pass.These are scary days here in Tripoli.I pray for wisdom ,intelligence,patience for the new government and the people.A swift resolution for an end to this conflict .I pray that this NEW LIBYA will become a shinning example for others to follow, but in order for that to happen it must have laws that are followed by all and not slip back into the old bad habits of he who has the most " wasta"( influence) wins.Or he who has the most guns wins.Keep us in your prayers.Counting our blessings , OTE.