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ASPB
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 1680
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 Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 3:46 am Post subject: Iraqi Blogs |
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Here are links to three of the best Iraqi Blogs. If you want some insight to what the "truth" is on the ground in Iraq I'd suggest skipping the NYT, WAPO, and the Big 3 TV channels.
Each of these Blogs have links to most of the others that are available. A daily check of the Iraqi Blogs has really helped my understanding and helped maintain a sense of optimism after reading the NY Pravda and the Washingtion Izvestia 
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/
http://healingiraq.blogspot.com/
http://iraqataglance.blogspot.com/
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mikest
PO2
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 377
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ASPB
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 1680
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| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:17 am Post subject: |
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Yes, Mikey
I know these blogs. Anti-American and whiney in order to achieve personal gain at the expense of others! (Kinda sounds like Kerry doesn't it?) Is that like you Mikey? Politically I mean!
If so, that's Ok! Fair and balanced comes from opinions on all sides evaluated by the consumer and either accepted or rejected. This list is unlike the "NY Slimes" and the "WashRag" (also known as Izvestia and Pravda) which are among the propaganda wing of the Elite Collectivists.
Do you know Elite Collectivist or Elite Media are oxymorons in a free society? Think about it!
Oh well, there's still the National Review for a little balance! At least Bill Buckley understands English which is more than I can say for Slimes editors and pundits..
And folks, you should know that the two blogs listed by Mikey are the most anti-American and anti-liberation of the 10 or 12 regular Iraqi blogs.
They almost all list everything available so check them out yourselves.
Hasta manana por la manana!
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On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB |
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mikest
PO2
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 377
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| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah. I like the Washington, moonie, Times for ballance. When the Messiah, as he likes to refer to himself, puts out news you know it's unbiased. Then I check out Chris Ruddy's Newsmax, no partisanship there. And when I want honest reporting, I read Judith Miller at the NYT. Every story she wrote was dead on leading up to the war.
Riverbend was the first person I heard talking about the roundps and torture at the prison. Must have been lying. When our government kept saying that Chalab was loved by the Iraqi's, river was saying that he was hated. Must have been lying. When our govt. said Sdar was marginal in Iraq, river said we needed to watch him because his stature was growing.
Raed wanted the war to work. She is a secular Muslim who was hoping to keep sharia out of the country. She, like so many other Iraqi's, wanted the US to stay and build a peacefull and secure Iraq. She wanted to be able to continue to go out on her own as a woman, but now finds that it is no longer safe. Now she, like so many other Iraqi's wants us to leave. She knows civil war is on the way, but she figures it's coming either way and figures they will battle it out on their own.
BTW The name is Mike. I know you think it's cute and derogatory to call me "Mikey," but that pretty much grew old during adolesence. It's really quite childish and disrespectfull. I think it was last used while I was in 6th grade by people who theought it was oh so funny. After that, they became a little more mature and realised it was childish. Use it if it gives you a chuckle, but it just lowers my opinion of your intellect and maturity. |
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Me#1You#10
Site Admin
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 6503
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| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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Moderator note: Please discontinue the level of personal invective and address issues only.
Thanks |
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Airedale
Ensign
Joined: 02 Jun 2004
Posts: 50
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| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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for yet a 3rd perspective there is this freelance journalist from New York city ;
Back to Iraq 3.0
http://www.back-to-iraq.com/
I stumbled on his site some time ago.
The guy is nuts!
I've been reading his blog for awhile. It's somewhat anti american but,
now he is back in Iraq.
No more net search engine digging up stories.
I thought he would churn out at least two articles a day. Nope.
Here is my theory on this guy.
He planned to win the pulitizer prize for independant reporting in Iraq. Sort of the Michael Moore of freelancers.
Many liked his style but it seems he has "writers block" now that he is back in country. ( of course, I'm sure he is aware Iraqi's would like to take him hostage so he can't get around much. )
I think he is having trouble finding anti american stories without sounding like a "copy/paste" net search engie job.
Seems anything anti american is already out on the newswires in triplicate anyway.
I think he may have a change of heart in reporting.
...if he doesn't end up "loosing his head". |
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ASPB
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 1680
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| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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Good piece by Iraq the Model today:
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/
Take the time to read it!
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On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB |
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War Dog
Captain
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 517
Location: Below Birmingham Alabama
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 12:37 am Post subject: |
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I agree Tom, damn good piece! It's nice to read the truth from the MiddleEast for a change!
Woof!
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Airedale
Ensign
Joined: 02 Jun 2004
Posts: 50
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 1:32 am Post subject: |
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This guy,
http://bootsonground.blogspot.com/
Boots on the Ground
is going back in country some time in the next few months.His was a ground pounders point of view,refreshing,honest personal opinion.
From his site a lot of blogger links can be found. And,from those links...more can be tracked.
This Saudi has an excellent sense of humor poking fun at his "magic kingdom" leadership
http://muttawa.blogspot.com/
The Religious Policemen
Some day,this war on terror will be rolling his way imo.
There is a small sect of godless muslims over there that will force change in the house of Saud.
When you don't have seperation of church and state.
you don't have freedom from religion.
They are the biggest welfare abuse state btw.
If it wasn't for western technology and eastern labor...they would be going under.
And it is happening sooner than you can link.
Bloggers, I suspect they are not on someones payroll, spewing out stories in order to snatch some take home pay.
Maybe they are the future "Freedom of the press" journalists.
Well, they are here now.
ex. I went to a website where a poster put up a copy of an email that was said to be from a Kurd and sent to GWB ( he couldn't verify its authentication ) the day before the UN resolution vote.
I read it.
A "squeeky wheel" type message that didn't want the plight of Kurds overshadowed by the light speed of events now underway over there.
Two days later....it morphed its way into news websites as the real deal.
webblogs are like a box of chocolates. |
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fortdixlover
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 1476
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:49 am Post subject: |
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Fantastic!
Once again, it seems the Left has blinders on to nuance and to what's important.
Under the new government in Iraq, now that fascist dictator Saddam has been removed and a proto-democratic one installed, Iraqi citizens can for the very first time:
1) make their own Internet blog according to their whims;
2) actually express contrarian views about life, politics, or any other topic that pleases them.
And without ending up feet-first in an industrial meat grinder, without watching their wife and children being raped and executed, and without being given a "fair" trial and then placed before a firing squad!
FDL |
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mikest
PO2
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 377
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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The key word in the post by the 101st fighting keyboard brigades post is "installed." We have "installed" a government that we want. How long will it last?
The other is the person saying that I am "pro fascist." In the past he has called me a communist. I can't be both. Fascism is extreme right, communism is extreme left. Since I am far more centrist than you, it looks like fascist would be a better description of your political beliefs.
edited by Moderator! Mikest, stick to the topic and stop the attacks! |
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Marine4life
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined: 14 May 2004
Posts: 591
Location: California
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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The Moderator made a request, please adhere or go. Personal attacks are uncalled for, and only show that you have nothing to add to the discussion.
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ASPB
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 1680
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| mikest wrote: | The key word in the post by the 101st fighting keyboard brigades post is "installed." We have "installed" a government that we want. How long will it last?
The other is the coward saying that I am "pro fascist." In the past he has called me a communist. I can't be both. Fascism is extreme right, communism is extreme left. Since I am far more centrist than you, it looks like fascist would be a better description of your political beliefs. |
I don't think Stalin would agree with you. Communism, like Socialism, is just a step on the path to totalitarianism. Read a little history!
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mikest
PO2
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 377
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | On the far left-wing were the Communists who wanted to overthrow the government and create an equal society as had been tried in Russia in 1917. On the far right-wing were the Nationalists and the Nazis who wanted to scrap democracy and replace it with the rule of a one-man dictatorship. Between 1919-1923 Communists (e.g. the Spartacists in 1919 in Berlin and the Communists in Bavaria also in 1919) and Nationalists (e.g. the Freikorps under Wolfgang Kapp in 1920, and the Nazis in Munich in 1923) tried to destroy the democratic Weimar Republic, but both groups failed. Between 1924-1933 the extremists tried to win popular support through elections instead. Using clever propaganda, and preying on people’s fears, both the Communists and the Nazis were very popular by the 1930s. |
| Quote: | | The Moderator made a request, please adhere or go. Personal attacks are uncalled for, and only show that you have nothing to add to the discussion. |
Just to get the rules straight. It is ok for someone who supports this site and president Bush to label opponents with whatever they choose, but the person being labeled is not allowed to respond in kind?
No, you are not allowed to respond 'in kind'! If you have a problem with what another member says, PM one of the Moderators. We will check it out, and if warranted, either edit their post, or send them a PM! |
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ASPB
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 1680
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:58 am Post subject: |
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From Ali at Iraq the Model. I'm posting in its entirety as it hugely important that we all understand what's being said. BTW his comments about why we are in Iraq are "exactly" what I've believed from the very beginning. I also think GWB and the Administration believe the same thing but can't say so because the requirements of diplomatic doublespeak
| Quote: | Just a guess.
About a month ago, I was watching Al-Iraqyia TV. They were hosting a spokesman of the coalition and the secretary of the Muslim Sunni Cleric Council Harith Muthanna Al-Dhari. They were talking about the revolt in Falujah. That guy was an extremely anti-American fanatic cleric and he didn’t even try to hide his feelings. Still he had two valid points in his argument. They discussed the mutilation of the bodies of the four American contractors and the host asked the sheikh the following questions:
-Do you approve of this action?
-We certainly do not and we have condemned this action.
-How do you explain what happened?!
-As for attacking the contractors, I’ve learned that the people who did it had some relatives killed and imprisoned by the American army. It was a tribal revenge issue, and as far as I know these were not contractors, they were serving with the American army and thus they are legitimate targets for the resistance. What happened later was an act of the mob and you know common people don’t usually consider what they do and follow any stupid and enraged action that release the pressure they have especially when there’s no police to fear.
-Is it true that Fallujah harbor most of the ex-Baathists and Saddam followers and that these are the bulk of the so-called resistance?
-No, that’s absolutely not true. We were always against Saddam and his regime.
-Come on Saddam named Al-Anbar as one of the “white governorates” because its people didn’t take part in the uprising in 1991, and you have had many pro-Saddam demonstrations since the 9th of April there!
-Now that’s not true and let me tell you something you may not know. First there were only two demonstration supporting Saddam after he was caught and that’s how they happened: Soon after Saddam was captured, a reporter from one of the Arab satellite channels, and I don’t want to mention its name, came downtown, gathered a bunch of teenagers, handed each one of them 20US $ and gave them some pictures of Saddam. He then asked them to shout and dance and made a great report out of it. The same thing happened again in exactly the same manner!
Such perspective seems to be valid as it comes from such a source, and I’m quoting this today because I think that what happened yesterday doesn’t differ much from what happened in Fallujah and most of the ugly scenes the media was so keen to show us. The people who were dancing and throwing rocks at the burned cars were common She’at (as it was obvious from their Latmia; the religious ceremony that’s practiced by the common She’at) who ‘happened’ to be there and I guess that these were mainly Muqtada’s followers. As to how they knew about what was going to happen, then I guess this is something that the reporters can help us with. It’s also well known that Muqtada have very strong –and very unexpected- relations with the Wahabbis.
Such disgusting actions happen everywhere in the world and they are only very evident in Iraq because of the difficult security problems and the fact that the media concentrate on this particular scene. These people want us to believe that Iraqis are not worth it, that they hate America and that this process is a total failure, but what should we believe? Can we just dare and question their perspectives? Do we have independent minds that can guide us to see the whole picture? Aren’t there so many positive achievements that happened in Iraq in the past year? If all Iraqis were against the change or they were dormant, then how come all this has been accomplished!? Can we just stop and ask ourselves why the terrorists are so interested in showing their actions filmed to the world?!
These people want us to lose faith in each other and they get help from many countries in the region who are afraid of the change and from some democratic countries that hate the fact that America is on the top. They also get help from many of the major American media who seem to care for nothing other than money.
They tell us that GWB want the world to live in fear through his continuous preach for war on terror. I want to say that GWB and his administration have done the right thing for America, Iraq, the region and the whole world. You may disagree with the way they are managing this but we shouldn’t let your feelings stop you from seeing the truth, and I’m very heartened when I see so many democrats supporting their governments in Iraq. On the other hand, the anti-war people, media and governments want us to give up, they want us to believe that it’s useless, that Iraqis don’t deserve the sacrifices, that the Americans are in Iraq for the oil and that all the American soldiers abuse and hate Iraqis. They want us to live in peace, their peace, with each one of us hiding behind a wall and pointing his gun to the others, “all Muslims are terrorists” “Iraqis are barbarians who don’t understand democracy” “Americans are in Iraq to control oil wells” “this is Hlliburton’s war not ours” they keep shouting. It’s amazing that these people always claim to support peace, freedom and democracy when they don’t even have a vision of how to make that happen! But the truth to be told, they’re one hell of a chorus!
I’ve decided long ago not to trust what these people say and what the media shows me. I’ve decided not to even watch Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabyia. I decide to love and trust the others and not to allow small events committed by few ignorant to shape my views about a whole nation. No my friends, I refuse to be trapped in this momentary dark picture that's far from convincing and that's not just because I'm an Iraqi, it's because I can't let anyone tell me what to believe in.
-By Ali.
- posted by Omar @ 19:23
Comments (138)
The Iraqi trap
Some people think that the American officials didn’t expect such fierce fight from the Islamic groups that keep flowing into Iraq from almost all directions after toppling Saddam. They say that the American army have fell into a trap in Iraq. I want to say that I agree on Iraq being a trap, only it’s a trap for the terrorists not the Americans.
Given their belief in that the war on Saddam and establishing democracy in Iraq was the key stone in combating terrorism, the American administration surely had expected (not planned) this situation as a result of freeing Iraq. The American administration said it more than once that it’s better to fight terrorism outside America than wait until being forced to fight it inside her borders.
This war is good for America in many ways; it eliminated a potential danger, it gives America a good and very much needed ally in the heart of a hostile area, one that is a ‘member of the family’, unlike Israel and Turkey, it secures American interests in the region and makes America safer by attracting the main efforts of the terrorists away from her borders and by building a sort of a nucleus for a democratic Arab Muslim world that will surely diminish the dreadful threat of a combined terrorism and WMDs.
Here comes the question: why Iraq? What’s there about Iraq that makes here the best location for such a battle?
To start with, and from the political point of view, Saddam’ regime was one of the weakest regimes in the world with a very limited support whether from outside or inside Iraq and this fact made that regime much easier to topple than any other dictatorship. The other fact is that in almost all Arab and Muslim countries, the opposition is mainly formed of Islamic parties which makes the change rather dangerous, as it may well result in a theocracy that’s if those parties were ready to accept the change and didn’t fight the “infidels” side by side with their oppressors the dictators since “they’re still Muslims”.
It’s true there are Islamic groups in Iraq and some of them are radical but they’re still much weaker than anywhere else in the Muslim world and are far from being the majority and most of them have accepted democracy even if they dream of a theocracy since they know they have no chance in making their dreams come true with only a minority of Iraqis on their side. Even geography favors Iraq being a plain area with no jungles or mountains that favors the guerrilla fighting (except in the very friendly northern parts).
Now America is of course paying a high price in this battle but it has to be done and it’s incomparable to what she would lose had she decided to leave the terrorists alone. Not only the American officials have agreed that they can afford this high price, as most of the soldiers I’ve met or heard seem to accept and respect their mission along with their families, friends and many other Americans.
That’s about the Americans, but what about the Iraqis? What will they win and what will they lose? Well, the Iraqis have lost and will lose many lives as a result of the terrorist attacks in addition to the economic losses. In return, and at the end of this struggle, they will win their freedom, democracy and prosperity.
From the technical point of view and if we count on numbers and statistics, Iraqis' losses in lives are much less than the regular losses during Saddam’s times with different reasons, and regarding economy and despite the damages that the terrorists are causing, Iraqis' average income is increasing day by day. Iraqis' money was never their money, it was Sadam’s and now it’s back to them. Still this sounds cruel, as does anyone have the right to put Iraqis lives into such “chaos” and risk just because he saved them from a worse situation?!
I think the answer to this question is NO, since it’s still up to the Iraqis to decide between going the hard way or giving up, ask the Americans to leave and go back to “safe” sheep’s life, to the organized and controlled torture, rape, murder and humiliation. This is not very difficult to acieve, it's enough to stop cooperating with the coalition and demonstrating to ask them to leave. The coalition may not oblige but they will certainly lose.
I, being an Iraqi have accepted the challenge and I’m not alone; hundreds of thousands of IP, soldiers, officials and workers in different fields have decided the same by doing their job, cooperating with the coalition and marching persistently towards building their country, maintaining their freedom and embracing the changes towards democracy. Other Millions of Iraqis are supporting this process each in his own way.
We didn’t take the decision of the war, that’s right, but we’ve accepted it with full knowledge of the consequences and that’s why you cannot see one large demonstration asking the coalition to leave. We gained our freedom, after Saddam’s fall almost for free, as most of the enormous losses we suffered before that time were not the result of real attempts to gain freedom; they were in most times the result of mere disapproval with the Ba’athists or were part of the systematic killing to maintain the paralyzing fear at a maximum. Maybe it’s time to pay and this time we are ready because we are free from that fear after seeing the weakness of our enemies and we have seen what we were missing and are not ready to lose it no matter what happens. We will pay the price and we will not surrender or compromise, we will fight and we will win.-By Ali. |
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On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB |
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