Long Stifled, Iraqis Make Most of Chance to Vent on Talk Radio

NY Times | Aug. 31, 2004 | SABRINA TAVERNISE

[el_texicano]

Interesting how the Iraqis are taking to freedom, particularly speaking out. Admin Moderator, if I have violated any excerpting rules, please help me out here. Thanks.

[Rakkasan1]

reminds me of Rush's famous "Ali Limbaughli" spoof.

[Nateman]

I wonder how many internet cafe's there are in Iraq, if any.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Fascinating!

Looks promising for an early start of grass roots democracy.....

Where is my garbage suppose to go?

[js1138]

I have a child's faith that any nation that allows talk radio will, in the long run, be OK. The mine canary is the continued ability of the people to vent, even if I don't agree with what they say.

[thingumbob]

Bump for this thread.

Now I have a question: "How deep was it buried in the NY Times?"

[prognostigaator]

bump

[AngryJawa]

"Hello Mr. Salim. I'm a long-time listener, first-time bomber..." 8^)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And how did this line get past the editors:

"We asked them, is it terrorism or is it resistance," he said. "A very large proportion, almost 100 percent, said terrorism. They did not like it."

[Coop]

Oh, that's bad.

[Physicist]

If trash collection is such a problem, why don't enterprising people drive pickup trucks around, offering to take people's garbage to the dump? One bag, one dinar, or whatever people will pay. Who needs a government solution?

[fella]

"If I have no gun, there is no one who is going to listen to me. The government has no time to listen."

I guess this explains why our bureaucrats don't want us to have guns openly or concealed.

[lonevoice]

The station is one of the most listened-to in Baghdad, according to its employees, a claim that appears to have merit, judging by its broad following among the city's taxi drivers, housewives, students and late-night listeners, who tune in to a night talk show about relationships.

This is one of the most hopeful articles about the future of Iraq that I've read in a long time. Kudos to the Iraqi entrepreneurs who will someday replace the "celebrity" status previously accorded to wild-eyed Mullahs and suicide bombers.

[thingumbob]

Also a good question....If they allowed that comment to slide, I suspect (call me paranoid if you want) they probably buried this article in a spot where they knew no one would find it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I found someone from New York to ask about where in the paper this article was placed!!!

The Scourge of Yazid can you help us out here?

[Question_Assumptions]

This is actually a big plus for democracy because it let's Iraqis hear from other Iraqis as Iraqis and not necessarily as Shiites, Sunnis, etc. but as regular people.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

How neat! This Iraqi station already has more listeners than tom dashole's sorry excuse at broadcasting.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

This is perfect. Talk Radio comes to Baghdad. People can voice their concerns. Smart administrators will listen and take action.

[el_texicano]

ping to some friends to check this out. If'n ya'll don't mind...

[el_texicano]

Hmmmm, come to think of it I may send Limbaugh a link to this and see if he comments on it.