Posted on 06/13/2004 1:34:17 PM PDT by wagglebee
In the surest sign yet that the U.S. liberation is beginning to have a lasting impact Iraq's culture, Baghdad now has its own talk radio station - where callers are allowed to complain about anything as long as they don't incite violence.
"There are no Rush Limbaughs here - yet," reports Newsday. In fact, the station, dubbed Radio Dijla, has a rule for its hosts: Don't butt in with opinions.
Still, the rules don't seem to inhibit listeners from dialing in. So far, callers' most pressing issue is the lack of electricity, reports the station's founder, 34-year-old Ahmad al-Rikaby. And yes, there are complaints about life under U.S. occupation.
What about that U.S. media obsession, Abu Ghriab?
The Radio Dijla founder made no mention of the prison abuse scandal among his list of hot topics.
Instead, Baghdadis want to know why, for instance, if the U.S. can put a man on the moon and repair oil pipelines in record time, it can't provide air conditioning amid the city's 100-degree heat?
Another big difference from its American cousins: Radio Dijla is forced to operate under intense security. Guards standing behind sandbags protect the station, while al-Rikaby keeps a submachine gun nearby just in case.
Most of the station's talk jockeys are young women with little radio experience. They listen patiently as callers flood the phone lines - "18,000 attempted calls on its two lines every day" - says Newsday.
Numbers like that suggest Iraqis are eager to take advantage of their newfound freedom.
Before the liberation, talk radio in Baghdad was limited to al-Shabab Radio, run by Saddam's murderous son Uday. Callers were allowed to discuss only love and poetry, but anti-government talk was strictly forbidden.
The Radio Dijla founder made no mention of the prison abuse scandal among his list of hot topics.
Well this is sure to upset the leftists in America.
"Mega Akbars from high atop the Dome of the Rock in the Prestigious Mohammad-the-Hun Chair, it is *I*, Mufti Rushti Al-Im'baugh, with talent on loan from ALLAH!"
No incitement to violence allowed? Guess they won't be getting Air America.
Dittos!
"Talking with one-half my brain tied behind my back because the Taliban cut the other half out."
Talent on Loan from Allah ?????
Damm You! LOL!!!!!
"But they can't handle the truth!"
Yes, caller. I only say that to anger the infidels, you see. Isn't that right Bo bin-Snerdly?
I don't think Air America would get any rating there either.
"Hey Iraqis, it's us, the guys who were against your liberation!"
That's GOOOOD! ROTFLMAO! I wonder who's the "call screener"? LOL.
They want more electricity? HINT: Stop blowing the s**t up!
LOL!
I'll bet Al Franken is very popular in Falluhjah.
Next on the Howard Al-Stern show: Lesbian goats.
Time to start up a bunch more stations.
STFU...can't you people do anything for yourselves? Isn't freedom a little bit more important? I'm really starting to hate these people.
"why, for instance, if the U.S. can put a man on the moon ...., it can't provide air conditioning amid the city's 100-degree heat?"
Well, for one thing, it helped that we didn't have some Islamofascist morons indiscriminately assassinating astronaut candidates, or firing RPGs at the launching pads.
It's gonna take time, prolly something like a generation or more.
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