Blogging the democratic revolution
BLOG ROUNDUPS: -Jeff Jarvis has a huge roundup. Even cooler, he found an RSS feed that automatically shows the updates from all the links he posted. Also, Iraqi blogger reactions gethered up. More reactions from military bloggers –More from the Foundation For The Defense Of Democracies. LIVEBLOGGERS: -Roger Simon is liveblogging the TV news coverage. -Manchester is also
I’m about to begin doing my series of Iraq roundups, but I thought I would start off with some satire. You heard me right. Dear Diary, Today started out as a amazing day! I was going to be a part of history and nothing was going to stop me! To my amazement, luck was on my side… there was a polling center right near me! When I got there, I was happy to see lots of other people ready to do their civic duty as Americans! I was a little bit confused by the apparent lack of ethnic diversity, but…
The elections in Iraq are due to be held on Sunday — or late night Saturday if you’re State side. This is looking to be the event of the century, even though it has just barely started. I have neglected to post much about Iraq in the past week, on the run up, because I myself have been reading extensively about the situation. However, during Saturday, I will dedicate all of my blogging time to Iraq. I’m going to do news and blog roundups, post commentary, the whole nine yards. This is a huge deal, and I cannot stress that…
This article from AZ Central details, albeit at times somewhat wrongly or speculatively, that no matter the results of the election, they are scared of the consequences. Apparently, the Shiite majority that is going to arise in Iraq will create problems for just about everybody, despite some benefits. Here is the introduction: DAMASCUS, Syria – With suspicion, uncertainty and dread, governments across the Middle East are waiting for Sunday’s landmark parliamentary election in Iraq. To many, the vote is a deeply worrisome exercise that could produce one of a handful of bad options. Shiite Muslim alliances from Iraq’s majority sect…
I just found this great blog called Stop Censoring Us, only to find out it is done by Hossein Derakhshan, creator of Editor: Myself and Blogs by Iranians. He definitely keep himself busy, so make sure to check out his blogs and support him.
Andrew Sullivan has some preliminary thoughts about standards for the elections in Iraq: Here are my criteria: over 50 percent turnout among the Shia and Kurds, and over 30 percent turnout for the Sunnis. No massive disruption of voting places; no theft of ballots. Fewer than 500 murdered. Any other suggestions for relevant criteria? My question is: If these people are killed, will they be considered grave voters and have their ballots disqualified? I jest. But I would like to know more about the ballot counting and verification process for the Iraq election if anyone has the information.
John at Crossroads Arabia posts an interesting editorial with some interesting commentary about how Hamas, while sponsoring terrorism, is also one of Gaza’s biggest sponsors of social caretaking. I’ve never heard of this, but it could definitely be due to the western media not presenting the information. Either way, it will take some research on my part. Here is what he excerpted: While the overwhelming victory of Hamas candidates in the Gaza local elections may have disappointed Mahmoud Abbas, it must not be taken as a vote overturning his triumph in the election for the Palestinian leadership or his efforts…
Chrenkoff has a new roundup of good things going on in the Muslim world. I wonder how these oppressive theocracies let these stories get out? They must be slacking.
It’s not so often that we see such optimism from Israel. But I guess if even Sharon is confident that the Palestinians are doing their part, then we might actually be seeing something good here. Speaking at a convention of building contractors in Tel Aviv, Sharon said, “I believe that the conditions are now ripe to allow us and the Palestinians to reach a historic breakthrough in the relations between us.” Sharon’s remarks followed a series of steps by the new Palestinian regime headed by Mahmoud Abbas, including efforts for a halt to militant attacks against Israelis and deployment of…
I think this has literally been the most mind-blowing article I’ve read today. Not because it is anything I didn’t know already, but because it’s being reported as the front story on CNN’s website. Although most say they don’t know who the candidates are or where to go to vote, they say they will vote come January 30. That doesn’t sound so much different from the U.S. Except that they’ll actually be voting. What a cool step forward for this country.
The new NGO “Friends of Democracy” website has been setup, and they collect news from locals in Iraq. Very cool stuff. But what I like even more is that they have photos!
Chrenkoff did some statistics analysis of negative media coverage in Iraq. And just like he thought, the bad is oft more told than the good.
Hossein Derakhshan is reporting that Orkut and Yahoo! Messenger will possibly be banned in Iran. This, coupled with all of the other internet shutdowns, shows a real fear among the regime there of the communicative power of the web. They can close their borders, but ideas like liberty transcend any kind of oppression; it’s practically born in us. The internet just helps connect these people, and this ability to organize is something the mullahs feel they need to scratch out. He also has some good comments about lifting the embargo on Iran. I agree. Killing trade actually helps oppressive regimes…
The blogger from Democracy In Iraq (Is Coming) has posted his thoughts on the recent Zarqawi “declaration of war.” He says that democracy is evil, and that it goes against Islam. Of course, in his version of Islam everyone you disagree with must be killed, he doesn’t really follow Islam, but facism, the problem is that he is too stupid to distinguish the two. … I would like nothing more than to hear tommorow that he has been captured and decapitated just like so many of his victims. Even if he continues to live he will never win. He should…
John at Crossroads Arabia strongly recommends an article that relates many facts about the temporary city of two million, Haj. I haven’t been able to read it yet, but anything he recommends tends to be good stuff.
Hat tip to Sisyphean Musings for finding the Iraqi television ads up for download. Pretty cool!
Via Andrew Sullivan, the SMCCDI is reporting that millions of Iranian are cheering the news of U.S. moral support for the cause of freedom, Reports from across Iran are stating about the massive welcoming of President George W. Bush’s inaugural speech and his promise of helping to bring down the last outposts of tyranny. Millions of Iranians have been reported as having stayed home, on Thursday night which is their usual W.end and outgoing night, in order to see or hear the Presidential speech and the comments made by the Los Angeles based Iranian satellite TV and radio networks, such…
We have a lot about Iraq going on with the runup to the elections, so here’s a rundown of what’s on in the news and what some of the bloggers are saying. News: –Purported al-Zarqawi tape: Democracy a lie –Iraq Details Security Plans for Election Day –Civil war erupts online as Iraqis prepare for a great experiment –Iraq ads promote united nation –Iraq PM hopeful calls for U.S. pullout –Germans hold two suspected of dirty bomb plot Blog commentary: –Zarqawi Suckered by Austin Bay Blog –More Zarqawi “Wowee” by Roger L. Simon –Minutemen by Andrew Stuttaford –Zarqawi Tape Commentary at…
The Belmont Club has an excellent thusfar three-part piece called “The Lost Elections.” Here is part one, part 2, and part 3. The title sounds negative, but they are very positive pieces. Check’em out.
According to the Financial Times, the UN will not oversee elections in Iraq. The UN says it cannot observe the January 30 poll because it played a role in setting up the elections, and no other international organisation has stepped in to offer assistance. The absence of international monitoring could undermine confidence in the results of elections that are already threatened by widespread voter intimidation and the boycott of Sunni Arab parties. But I’m sure the New York Times will be right at the forefront ready to declare the election a disaster. In fact, put me down a few bucks…
This really doesn’t come as a surprise anymore. WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Vice President Dick Cheney said on Thursday that Iran was at the top of the administration’s list of world trouble spots and expressed concern that Israel “might well decide to act first” to eliminate any nuclear threat from Tehran. Israel might act first? I’d rather bet in conjunction, whether we acknowledge it or not. “If, in fact, the Israelis became convinced the Iranians had significant nuclear capability, given the fact that Iran has a stated policy that their objective is the destruction of Israel, the Israelis might well decide…
Hossein Derakhshan from “Editor: Myself,” and a guy I respect very much, has posted his concerns over if Bush is referring to invading Iran in his inauguration speech. But, as an Iranian, I have to say who doesn’t like peace and freedom? But what Bush has brought Iraq is not — and will probably not — be freedom and peace. So if I was sure that by invading Iran, innocent civilian wouldn’t get killed by American “smart bombs”, public facilities wouldn’t be looted, and women and children wouldn’t be raped or kidnapped, and generally the country would be in a…
Here is some interesting commentary I came across via Right Wing News. Senator John Kyl is calling on action against Syria and Iran because of their heedless attempts to reinforce terrorism around Israel and Palestine. Some have called on President Bush to “seize the moment,” and quickly broker some kind of a deal. But a better approach is to give Abbas time to demonstrate himself whether he will do what is necessary to achieve lasting peace. The United States should instead focus its efforts on areas that the Israelis and Palestinians simply cannot, namely the external factors that could influence…
Ali from Free Iraqi made a post over a week ago with his thoughts on if Islam is compatible with democracy; or any religion for that matter. To begin with I must say I have a problem with the question itself and to clarify this problem in short, I’ll instead ask this question: Is Christianity compatible with democracy? Or is Judaism compatible with democracy? Before anyone starts yelling at me I would like to provide my answers. I think that one can answer both questions with “yes” and “no”. “Yes” if we consider western societies as Christian societies and “no”…
John at Crossroads Arabia posted an interesting article in which Mecca’s top clericgave a sermon denouncing Muslim militants as being “lured by the devil.” That is a good sign.