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:: Saturday, August 07, 2004 ::
Al Jazeera Booted From Iraq
This will probably have some negative PR consequences for Iyad Allawi but it's probably a good idea--their whole purpose seems to be only to foment violence.
On a related note, Omar, and the guys at Iraq the Model have been asked by a local Iraqi newspaper to contribute content to the new publication. Omar's also posted on an Allawi press conference in which the interim leader got a little testy with one of the reporters and an update on Sadr's "retarded thugs".
If you're not checking in with Iraq the Model, you're missing the blow-by-blow chronical of the democratization of Iraq. I regard this blog as a compelling historic document that surely, someday, will become a book--movie deals can't be far behind.
Update: Coincidentally, Jeff Jarvis & Co. have come to some interesting conclusions (over a fusion Persian dinner in Toronto) about how to better spread Weblogs, free-speech and by extension--Democracy. Results of the impromptu mind-meld: 1)Promotion; 2)Tools; 3)Hosting; and 4)Detours around censorship.
I might add 5) Security--to the extent that Bloggers world-wide might exert their influence to help (somehow) protect bloggers working in unstable political situations like Iraq (North Korea?).
I'm still concerned about the Iraqi bloggers--their message is completely antithetical to their political adversaries; promoting democracy could very easiliy get them killed. Further, I don't suspect that a blogger's murder would likely be considered newsworthy compared to say a CNN reporter's death while covering a war. Ironically, although bloggers might not enjoy the cushy level of security big-time journalist have, they've got peace of mind knowing the Blogosphere is inherently redundant; if a blogger's taken out, two bloggers will likely step in to take his place (assuming Jarvis' previous 4 requirements are satisfied).
:: Max 10:22 AM [+] ::
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