Jokes and laughter are the most powerful weapons of man, especially during hard time. They are also the best way to reflect painful facts and events that we face.

Yesterday's failed attempt by the embattled Iraqi minister of trade to flee the country on a commercial flight found its way to people through this cartoon published by the alMashriq Newspaper. The daily newspaper was once a target for the resigned minister, who tried to sue it for publishing statements against the him related to corruption accusations a few week ago. The minister later withdrew the case but that was not enough to save him from the criticism and questioning in the parliament and it was not enough to dismiss the charges against him.

The minister was detained on Saturday after his failed attempt to travel to the United Arab Emirates. Iraqi authorities ordered the pilot to return back to Baghdad airport half an hour into the flight..

The cartoon shows the minister of trade to the right with one of his assistants carrying the bags telling the security guys "I was leaving with the national team to win the Continental championship." The two security men laugh and the one to the left answers the minister saying "what Continental championship! you couldn't even manage the food ration," referring to national ration card which covers basic needs like flour, sugar, cooking oil and other substances.  The trade ministers brothers are accused of taking a $40 bribe for every ton of sugar imported to the country.

The man to the top refers to the airport control who ordered the airplane to rerun back, he says addressing the pilot "as you are" which means "don't leave."