What Does the Octopus Predict for Syria?

SMN No. 6, July 28, 2010

The whole world has raved about the accurate predictions of Paul the Octopus regarding July’s World Cup matches – but could he foresee the future of Syria?

This question was raised ironically by one Syrian blogger who “asked” the Octopus to envisage the effect of the current Syrian economic plan on the lives of ordinary citizens.

The oracle Paul inspired many imitations.

In a July 18 comment on his blog, Walid Al-Sham criticised the latest five-year economic policy of the government which ends this year.

Over the past decade, Syria has sought to make its socialist-based economy more market orientated, but at the same time promises were made to ensure that living standards would not be affected by the transition.

“Syrians have seen no good from the current economic team. The performance of this team impinged on all aspects of their lives,” he wrote.

“It is true that we have private banks, a stock exchange and construction companies… But on the other hand the quality of life of the average citizen has deteriorated.”

He gave examples of growing poverty in the country such as people scavenging in garbage bins or collecting empty plastic and glass bottles.

He added that in stark contrast to the poor exists a class of new rich who frequent malls and ride fancy motorcycles. The blogger also talked about the growing number of smugglers introducing rotten meat into the markets as well as underground prostitution networks.

He concluded that when he presented Paul the German Octopus with all the facts related to the economic plan, the creature started crying for no apparent reason.