Liars refuse to be exposed. Swindlers think that they are intelligent although stupidity is their apparent faith. Cowards can not say the truth before the foolish. Naive and stupid people turn into clowns once they assume responsibility. Inefficient people can take up important posts, but they realize how worthless they are compared to the worthy ones. At the end of the Eighties, I had a summer holiday - the first and last one so far. When I was on the beach of Arish, I learnt that Mr. Anis Mansour had become chief editor of May newspaper some years before it was shut down by a decree! After some days, I returned home and went to the newspaper. I knocked on the door of Mansour, who had great value and weight. I shook hands with him and introduced myself. He gave me a warm welcome and did not conceal his appreciation, as if he was urging me to look great.
After that, he asked me: "Is it you who work in eight newspapers?" Here I felt that security agents had told him. Unfortunately, the Egyptian press has been keen on selecting and raising "central security soldiers» since it was controlled by those liars, hypocrites and swindlers!
I laughed and tried to understand what the matter was. I told Mr. Mansour that the information was not accurate. He replied with extraordinary speed: "So, tell me how many papers you work for?" I pretended to be smart and said: "Only six". He cried and said: "Why did you leave two of the eight papers you were working for?"
I understood that he was serious, so I replied: "Because I didn't have enough time." He said: "If you could work for eight newspapers, this means that your may work for even nine or ten." I smiled, sighed and said: "Perhaps, they sacked me due to my weak capabilities." Mr. Mansour laughed and said: "If you weren't talented and able to work, you would be dismissed from all the papers."
He added: "Through this dialogue, I wanted to welcome you onboard with me, as any editor in chief gets his value from the talented and efficient people around him." He surprised me and said: "I learnt this from my teachers and taught it to my students." After that, he asked me to be loyal to the paper and all other papers I was working for.
These are the people who taught me this profession. I learnt what creativity is from them and understood the meaning of 'confrontation'. Therefore, I allow myself to rebel against all "ignorant self-made people" and all illegal - or legal – sons of those whom I like describing as "neo-ignorant". I am glad and have the honor to rebel against those who are trying to re-nationalize creativity and the press because I am convinced that they come from the past and are going to what they deserve (I mean the circle of oblivion).
Although these people are worthless, they can take decisions and carry out the instructions of those who brought them to their posts. But I have faith in myself, my capabilities and the future of my country. I am not rejecting those I am mocking of, but indeed accepting the bright future. This is what I learnt from Mr. Mansour. I wish they could learn!
