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

NY Times | Aug. 31, 2004 | SABRINA TAVERNISE

[el_texicano]

Sounds like an opportunity for someone to make some money doing the trash collection.

[el_texicano]

Exacty, the less people are kept in the dark about each other, the better understanding and possibly even tolerance for each other there will be.

[McGavin999]

Best thing in the world that could happen to them. Iraqis are taking to liberty like ducks to water. I keep hearing people say they can't handle democracy, yet they have already had local elections (all their local council have been democratically elected) and they attend classes on democracy. They have already chosen their own council to advise the interim government, and are anxious for their elections in January.

[doug from upland]

Excellent.

[MplsSteve]

I believe that there are some Iraqis out there who are probably thinking the same thing...

"Hey, I can make a lot of money at doing this". They'll get some friends and family members together and start up something local.

I wish the Iraqi people well in their transition...except for the soccer team!

[AngryJawa]

Excellent.

I'm honored, Sir.

Add any bumper stickers today? 8^)

[el_texicano]

You nailed it. Tbe better educated they become, the stronger they will be to run their own country. It really does give you hope to see this type of thing take place.

[Barlowmaker]

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

LOL

[doug from upland]

No new bumper stickers, but over the weekend a guy used my suggestion for his protest sign against Barbara Boxer ---

ABORT THIS FUNDRAISER

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bump!

[hellinahandcart]

Heh. Can't help you, I got married to one of the other people you pinged and moved out of state with him.

So I don't even have to look at the New York Times in the trash cans anymore. ;D

[nicollo]

Magnificent news! Freedom of expression is paramount to self-government. No mistake that it came in the first slot in the American Bill of Rights. As Milton understood long ago, truth cannot be found without free expression of ideas, right or wrong.

Along with free commerce, communication, be it by the internet, radio, or print media, is a crucial freedom without which democracy cannot exist. One of the reasons terrorism exists is that those countries that foment it stifle civilized discussion and dissent. Public venting is the safety-valve of a free and sane society.

As bad as are the NYC protesters, it is by this outlet of public protest that relieves them of some percieved necessity for worser acts. There will always be that fringe that cannot act within accepted boundaries, but thanks to the right of expression for the rest, those who go beyond remain in the far fringes.

[billiamy]

Here is a link to the story, republished by the Tacoma News Tribute.

[el_texicano]

Great news!! And super congratulations on gettin hitched. Best wishes to both of you. (I have a suspicion as to who that "other" might be).

[hellinahandcart]

(I have a suspicion as to who that "other" might be).

Well, it ain't NYC GOP Chick.

[el_texicano]

But, you know, I'm worried now. If you are gone, who's gonna look after NYC_GOP_Chick and keep her in line since you've moved away... 8~}

[SauronOfMordor]

Before talk radio, the leftist media was able to make conservatives feel isolated. That's no longer the case.

Talk radio is the true "free press" that's needed for the continued existance of a free State

[Spirited]

Thank you so much for this post.

It is one of the more hopeful things that I have seen in an age. That kind of activity is a testimony to an earnest on the freedom that Nation may now enjoy.

I pray that it explodes over the entire Nation.

[NYC GOP Chick]

But, you know, I'm worried now. If you are gone, who's gonna look after NYC_GOP_Chick and keep her in line since you've moved away... 8~}

Nobody. I'm incorrigible. :)

[Pharmboy]

Ern, this was above the fold, on the left side on page one. With a picture.

Jamie Scott-Long for The New York Times
Hassan Aziz Ali is the host of a call-in
program on Dijla talk radio.

This is my favorite excerpt which should be read by every individual in the world that has had a problem with our Iraqi incursion:

One such program was broadcast June 30, the day before Mr. Hussein first appeared in court. The program director and host, Majid Salim, asked listeners what they wanted to see happen to him. The answer was something of a surprise for Mr. Salim.

"Most people wanted him executed," Mr. Salim said.

Another time, he asked listeners what they thought about the insurgency that has roiled Iraq, claiming most of the energies of the new interim government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and putting the American occupation in danger of failure.

"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."