If you listen to BBC radio you'd think that the primary response of the Arab world to this day is embarrasment that the Iraqi army was crushed so quickly. They just likened it to the defeat of Arab forces by Israel during the 6 day war. One quoted Egyptian said something along the lines of "I'm embarrased to be Arab".

Could this really be the primary concern of the "Arab on the street"? It seems highly unlikely to me. Based on some intereviews they did it seems that Iraqi's who have access to a phone are overwhelmingly positive (most of them seem to be outside Iraq, hence likely dissenters), elsewhere there's a fair amount of ambivilance (which is pretty much what I feel).

Overall it seems that most Arabs are glad Saddam is gone, but they don't like it one bit that the US led the army that did the job. Almost like they're being contrary simply out of fear of how much power the US and England have demonstrated over the last couple weeks (and the fact that it was demonstrated on their "turf").

I can only go by what I see from the Iraqi people living in Iraq. Tape after tape has been dancing and even a few british and american flags hoisted up.

I mean they dragged the head of sadam (from the statue) through the streets. I see nothing but joy. As for arabs outside of Iraq I find it a non factor. It was never about them anyway.

Oh I hear earlier that BBC was not even covering the statue getting tore down. They were covering a earthquake in India. How true that is I don't know. I have heard from multiple sources that BBC was trying to avoid the positive aspects.

[ 04-09-2003, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Mordenheim ]

Yes, and I lauged my ass off when I saw that one of the flags had Sylvester Stallone as Rocky emblazoned on it :D

But I'm glad they are watching it and are taking notice in an embarrassed and afraid way. maybe it will make some of those other Arab dictatorships feel a little less likely to spout off about the ferocity of their religiously charged soldiers of God.

I don't know where you heard this, but it's total rubbish. They interrupted normal broadcasting for hours and hours and hours specifically to watch the whole liberation of Baghdad, statue and all. It's also been repeated every 15 minutes, as have the scenes of jubilant crowds and interviews with civilians and american soldiers.

BBC radio covered the statue virtually in realtime. I've been impressed with the balanced coverage they've maintained since I started listening to them a few days ago. They appear to me to be far more balanced than any US news source I've seen/heard, which tend to choose "pro-war" or "anti-war" and proceed to ram it down your throat.

Thanks for that clearing that up guys. Like I made very clear, I have no idea one way or the other.

Nothing wrong with balanced if it is honest

So O'Reilly's (FOX) report on the British flagship pulling the plug on the BBC was a joke or something? I had just woken up and don't know FOX news url to see what it was he meant.

Exactly Lil Lil

Either O'Reilly is totally lying (I don'y buy that) or the BBC did cut LIVE coverage of Sadam statue coming down for a earthquake in India. If they did cut into live historical coverage then I know what conclusion I draw from it. If that is fair and balanced then...

[ 04-09-2003, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Mordenheim ]

Yes that's right. That's always been an issue. With Europeans and others oppsed to the war as well. Ever heard of the Roman Empire? A Superpower without checks and balances is a frightening thing. The US can, and will do what it wants, whether with UN sanction, or without.

There is no "right side" in this mess. All have blame at their feet. France, America, Germany, Iraq, Britain, Syria, Turkey. It's a mess. War always is.

Iraqs new "freedom" (and all the 'slavery' pseudo-democratic capitalism brings, such as debt etc) was still bought at a horrendous cost of human life and U.S. taxpayer dollars. New York's economy is down the toilet. Over 100 Americans dead, countless Arabs.

Let's hope things look up from here.

Have you watched C-SPANs coverage? From the bits I was able to catch durring spring break, they are atleast trying to show both sides of the issues.

New Yorks economy has been down the toilet for more then a year now. The war had very little to do with it, the incompetent leadership at the state level had a whole lot more to do with it.

Substitute the word 'muslims' for the word 'arabs' in your second sentence you may begin to understand why it's important. We don't want to encourage anyone to become a terrorist.

As for the BBC comment - that's just anti-British propaganda you're being fed.