[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?"

[AngryJawa]

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

[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.

[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...

[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.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bump!

[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.

[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.