Thursday, January 26, 2006
Alive in Baghdad Cross-post, January 26, 2006
In this post over at Alive in Baghdad, I again attempt to discuss the media's failure to draw sensible, nuanced conclusions from events in Iraq. If Hamas, which, btw, just won a major victory in the Palestinian election, is calling for the release of Jill Carroll and all foreign hostages, why does the mainstream press still see little reason to discuss the confusing nuances and contradictions within Iraq's competing/conflicting resistance and insurgent/terrorist forces?
I've recently had an article published by IPS about the ongoing dangers for Iraqi journalists, again repeatedly overlooked by the mainstream media. I'll be posting a segment from that later today.Hamas Calls For Jill Carroll’s Release, and Other Things Outside the Mainstream Press
On Monday a top official of Hamas, Saeed Syam, called for the release of American journalist, Jill Carroll. “Hamas joins those who ask to release American citizen Jill Carroll. Hamas is against the kidnapping of innocent people, of foreigners who are guests in the Arab countries, and those who introduce humanitarians services and help for the Arab people - and for any people in general - especially when they are not interfering in internal Arab affairs. We have declared many times we are totally against kidnapping civilians.”
Mr. Syam is the latest in a lengthening line of militant and anti-occupation leaders to oppose the kidnapping of Jill Carroll. Many of these groups have also condemned the kidnapping of Christian Peacemaker Team members in November of last year.
Despite the recurring and increasing calls by Sunni clerics and others, the mainstream press still has not bothered to question whether we can be certain that Sunni resistance groups are responsible for these kidnappings. Kidnappings have been a constant threat in Baghdad and the rest of Iraq, and they seem to be directed mainly by criminal elements, not resistance or insurgent forces.
Over the last three years we have repeatedly seen instances where those in leadership roles in Iraq have abused their power. It appears to be a running theme across Iraq’s entire history. Recently however, corruption in Iraq’s governing agencies has been exceptionally bad.
