Sunday, July 26, 2009

The New York Times Found a Pakistani it likes: he is half-white and his name is Daniel

"Mr. Mueenuddin is also a landlord, though he prefers not to think of himself that way. His family’s wealth started in the 18th century with his great-great-great-grandfather, who grew rich as the governor of Kashmir, a territory that is now disputed by India and Pakistan. “I’m not a landlord,” he said, cringing. “I hope I don’t act that way.”He argues that he is a farm manager whose business does well because he treats his workers fairly. He pays them $84 a month, triple the going rate, and instituted an American-style annual bonus system for managers. Last year, the most profitable producer on the farm received the equivalent of more than two years’ salary."" He is bragging about the $84 a month he pays for his workers, but Sri Lankan maids in Lebanon get paid more. Also, notice this sentence: "IN person, Mr. Mueenuddin is more American than Pakistani." This explains why he earned a long profile in the Times. Also, I need some one to explain this sentence for me: "the Koran instructor in the mosque, Hafiz Sahib, who had been low in the pecking order of the village but was honest." When they add "but was honest", does that mean that it is unusual for a person low on the pecking order to be honest or do they mean that Koran instructors are not usually honest?