"...and after 30 days, we can say anything we want? Cool!"

[shereads]

On the one hand, it's an odd way to introduce freedom. On the other, Saddam would have pulled the plug indefinitely. So this is better, right?

Iraq Pulls Plug on Al-Jazeera's Baghdad Bureau

Government Shuts Down Arab Television Network for 30 Days

By Rawya Rageh
Associated Press
Saturday, August 7, 2004; 7:44 AM


BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The Iraqi government has decided to close the Baghdad offices of the pan-Arab television station Al-Jazeera for 30 days, the government said Saturday.

Al-Jazeera was not given a reason for the closure, said Jihad Ballout, the network's spokesman.

"It is a regrettable decision, but Al-Jazeera will endeavor to cover the situation in Iraq as best as we can within the constraints," he said.

Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's spokesman Georges Sada confirmed the one-month closure, but did not elaborate.

Government ministers have recently been critical of the television station.

During a July 25 interview with Al-Jazeera in Moscow, interim Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari accused the channel of tilted reporting and implied its journalists could be barred from the country.

Zebari described the network's coverage as "one-sided," and also condemned the reporting of several other Arab stations.

"We do not tolerate those who exploited the freedom of the media," Zebari said then. "These channels have become channels for provocation against the interest, security and safety of the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government will not be lenient toward such behavior."

Ballout described the government's decision as "unwise" and said it restrains both the freedom of the press and "right of the Arab people around the world to see a comprehensive picture about what's going on in an important region like Iraq."

Al-Jazeera has occasionally run into problems with authorities in other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and the former Iraqi regime. Unlike Arab state-run media, the station often airs views of local opposition figures and their criticisms of their countries' rulers.

The network has often been criticized for its coverage of the war on Iraq by a number of senior U.S. officials for being an outlet for al-Qaida terror network, broadcasting videotapes and audiotapes purportedly from Osama bin Laden or his aides. Al-Jazeera denied the allegations.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Funny, similar things happened in USA in the 80'ies:

• A movie with Goldie Hawn was censored because the heroïne could think for herself, which was considered too controversial for the Reagan regime.
• The cop series "Cagney & Lacey" was censored several times, as the cops weren't "feminine" enough. Finally, the show was cancelled, because it was believed to give a negative ideal for women to follow.
• Roseanne Barr's first comedy series was cancelled because people (men) were against a fat, outspoken woman being on TV.
• Murphy Brown met a similar fate to Roseanne, although she didn't have to live through hate campaigns like Roseanne, because this actress was tall, blond and skinny.

Then again, censoring TV so that it doesn't show uncomfortably inspiring independent working women, is a much more worthy cause than censoring a TV station for showing only one side of a war... right?

 

[shereads]

In the U.S. of A, where television is little more than an advertising medium, the value of Rosanne or the NBC Nightly News is determined by how much an advertiser is willing to pay for 30 seconds of commercial time. Advertisers care about two things: the show's popularity, especially among the top-spending consumer segment (typically, males 18-49); and in extreme cases, the threat of a boycott.

Murphy Brown actually became a litttle more popular - temporarily - after Dan Quayle publically scolded the show for portraying unwed motherhood as an acceptable choice.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

The New Friendly Al-Jazwhateverstupidmuslimthinglikealquedadamninfidels Broadcast

White Male Announcer Speaking Only English: See Mohammed, See Mohammed BUY AMERICAN YOU DIRTY SAND NIGGERS! See Mohammed, he's a good Iraqi. He's buying good American Nike shoes for his son. Unlike bad ol' uh...Mohammed2 who tried to purchase sandals from a local evil sandal merchant. Now his 8-yr old boy is being raped by our friendly American overlords, I mean rescuers. It pains them to do this but Mohammed2 needs to be punished for his resistance. Now buy, you camelfuckers, or we'll do the same to you. ANd don't try to stop us. You and your infidel god are powerless to Jesus's mammoth rocket cock. Now suck it you fags. Suck it and repent. Thank You, this has been another broadcast from Baghdad.

 

[shereads]

Re: The New Friendly Al-Jazwhateverstupidmuslimthinglikealquedadamninfidels Broadcast

White Male Announcer Speaking Only English: See Mohammed, See Mohammed BUY AMERICAN YOU DIRTY SAND NIGGERS! See Mohammed, he's a good Iraqi. He's buying good American Nike shoes for his son. Unlike bad ol' uh...Mohammed2 who tried to purchase sandals from a local evil sandal merchant. Now his 8-yr old boy is being raped by our friendly American overlords, I mean rescuers. It pains them to do this but Mohammed2 needs to be punished for his resistance. Now buy, you camelfuckers, or we'll do the same to you. ANd don't try to stop us. You and your infidel god are powerless to Jesus's mammoth rocket cock. Now suck it you fags. Suck it and repent. Thank You, this has been another broadcast from Baghdad.

Now, that's just bad marketing, Luc. It might work over the short term, yes. But eventually, you're going to have to enforce the threat. Why go to all that trouble and expense?



If you want people to buy your product over the long-term, you need to make them think it was their idea. What's desperately needed in Iraq is a celebrity spokesperson. And cheap TV sets, so the kids can each have one in their room.

And don't forget electricity. The system has to be up and working before marketing can begin in earnest. Gathering the entire village around the battery-operated TV set at the local newstand is so third world. The real money won't begin pouring in until TV-watching is fun and comfortable.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Originally posted by shereads

Al-Jazeera was not given a reason for the closure, said Jihad Ballout, the network's spokesman.

"Jihad Bail-out"? You're kidding, right?

---dr.M.

 

[shereads]

Re: Re: "...and after 30 days, we can say anything we want? Cool!"

"Jihad Bail-out"? You're kidding, right?

---dr.M.

Wouldn't it be great if we were making this stuff up?

 

[Svenskaflicka]

The most popular product from the West World will no dobut be Monopoly, because of the Get Out of Jail For Free - card.


I know! I know! Bad joke! Bad Svenska! I'm tired and hot and it's past midnight and I've had a blueberry cider!

I'm going to bed now.

 

[shereads]

This is absolutely true, I promise:

On NPR there was a story about Iraq's first "TV reality show," in which families compete to have their bombed homes rebuilt.

I am not making this up. The interviewer asked whether a show like that wouldn't just make people feel worse about living surrounded by rubble. No, apparently it's extremely popular. (Of course, viewers would be limited to the ones who have access to a TV set, so it might not be a representative sample)

I couldn't help thinking that it might be time for "Queer Eye for the Straight Iraqi Guy With No Roof."

Better yet, how about that show called "Trading Places," where families each redecorate each other's homes? Maybe an American family and a Falujeh family could trade. The Americans would outfit the entire house from the Pottery Barn catalog. The Iraqi family would refuse to leave Cincinatti.

 

[Clare Quilty]

I am shocked only that Al-Jeezera wasn't shut down earlier. Of course this pales in comparison to the obscenity of the Bush administration's "free speech zones" right here in the good old U.S. of A. Just think about that for a moment, "free speech zones." This presents a situation that is perilously close to invoking the oath I, and every other service person, took to defend the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.

 

[shereads]

I am shocked only that Al-Jeezera wasn't shut down earlier. Of course this pales in comparison to the obscenity of the Bush administration's "free speech zones" right here in the good old U.S. of A. Just think about that for a moment, "free speech zones." This presents a situation that is perilously to invoking the oath I, and every other service person, took to defend the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.

Clare, if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists.

Fool me once, and you're a fool. But fool me twice and I...and we...

There's a point to be made here, and there's a folk saying that expresses it in a simplistic fashion that Joe Public can appreciate, but I can't remember exactly how it goes. You know what I mean.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Clare, if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists.

Fool me once, and you're a fool. But fool me twice and I...and we...

There's a point to be made here, and there's a folk saying that expresses it in a simplistic fashion that Joe Public can appreciate, but I can't remember exactly how it goes. You know what I mean.

Exactly, like how Jesus personally says in uh...Leviticus 24:huthuthike that "all good Christians and Americans, who are my chosen people, should kill any infidels with a foreign sounding name for 9/11"


I mean. how can you argue with God, mom, America, and apple pie you fucking commie terrorist-sucking faggot.

 

[shereads]

Language! If you can't put a postive spin on your product when it reaches Iraqi television, Luc, the George Foreman Grill is going to put your little upstart sandwich maker out of business.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Language! If you can't put a postive spin on your product when it reaches Iraqi television, Luc, the George Foreman Grill is going to put your little upstart sandwich maker out of business.

Why spin it for them, Fox News says they're all moron infidels and are already sucking good American breasts by now, unless they are terrorists who deserve death for not accepting Jesus.

Hmmm, I'm reminded of what a friend of mine recently said about the whole debacle. Remember these are his words not mine:

"I wouldn't mind so much if we weren't all such hypocrites about it. I mean, let's stop the pretenses, break out the Vader masks, and admit we're the Evil Empire. Let's say, we're stronger than the rest of the world, jacked up on God and patriotism, and we'll take all the oil we want and we'll bomb the shit out of you if you disagree. If we did something like that, I could stomach it better than this 'liberating the Iraqis' shit."

 

[shereads]

Why spin it for them, Fox News says they're all moron infidels and are already sucking good American breasts by now, unless they are terrorists who deserve death for not accepting Jesus.

Hmmm, I'm reminded of what a friend of mine recently said about the whole debacle. Remember these are his words not mine:

"I wouldn't mind so much if we weren't all such hypocrites about it. I mean, let's stop the pretenses, break out the Vader masks, and admit we're the Evil Empire. Let's say, we're stronger than the rest of the world, jacked up on God and patriotism, and we'll take all the oil we want and we'll bomb the shit out of you if you disagree. If we did something like that, I could stomach it better than this 'liberating the Iraqis' shit."

It's called "The Cheney Doctrine." They ran it past Karl Rove and he talked them into doing it this way instead.

 

[shereads]

False alarm! The station closure is just until they "readjust their policy."

The Associated Press
Saturday, August 7, 2004; 8:04 PM

<excerpt>

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Police ordered Al-Jazeera's employees out of their newsroom Saturday after the Iraqi government accused the Arab satellite channel of inciting violence and closed its office for 30 days.

Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said the closure was intended to give the station "a chance to re-adjust their policy against Iraq."

"They have been showing a lot of crimes and criminals on TV, and they transfer a bad picture about Iraq and about Iraqis and encourage criminals to increase their activities," he said. "We want to protect our people."

Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Saturday that the government had convened an independent commission a month ago to monitor Al-Jazeera's daily coverage "to see what kind of violence they are advocating, inciting hatred and problems and racial tension."

Based on the commission's finding, the National Security Committee ordered the monthlong closure, Allawi said.

Iraq's now-disbanded Governing Council, in place during the U.S. occupation, banned the station's reporters from entering its offices or covering its news conferences for a month in January because it had reportedly shown disrespect toward prominent Iraqis.

(If they have a Homeland Security Department already, we're making progress more quickly than I thought.)

 

[shereads]

Maybe a month of "Golden Girls" reruns would calm things down.

 

[Fag-Ash_Lil]

How about broadcasting Charlie Chaplin silent movies?

Or Mack Sennett and the Keystone Cops?

Or are they too anti-establishment?

My favourite is Buster Keaton in 'The General'.

Fag-Ash Lil

PS. Got any ciggies?

 

[Clare Quilty]

Clare, if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists.

Yeah yeah I know "Fool me once shame on you: Fool me twice...we won't get fooled again."

 

[shereads]

You can lead a horse to democracy, but you can't fool him twice.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Maybe a month of "Golden Girls" reruns would calm things down.

Nah - that man-eater what's-her-name would be considered too risqué.