Yemeni Government Releases Suspended Newspapers

In a striking display of "it must not have been that big of a deal because we are letting you off the hook," the Yemeni government has allowed several print news sources to resume operations. The news sources were suspended for republishing the prophet cartoons. Yemen Times reports:

SANA’A, May 2 — Yemeni Prime Minister Abdulqader Bajammal issued a decree releasing Al-Ray Al-Aam,

Al-Hurreyah and Yemen Observer newspapers, which have been suspended since last February for republishing the Prophet cartoons.

Bajammal issued the decree Tuesday following a meeting with Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS), Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Interior Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi and Minister of Information Hassan Al-Lawzi. The meeting, which came one day before journalists around the world celebrated the World Press Freedom Day, discussed many problems and issues experienced by journalists. The meeting came out with the government’s support for journalist via approving the YJS General Assembly’s meeting on May 25 to elect a new YJS Chief. The new chief will succeed Mahboub Ali who resigned the post due to health issues. The government approved financial sponsorship for the YJS General Assembly’s meeting.

Prime Minister obviously responded to the YJS demands regarding situations of journalists in official media and their entitlements in the new wage strategy, YJS board member Sami Ghaleb said in a statement to the Yemen Times. He added that Bajammal ordered concerned bodies to quickly issue an ownership document for the YJS to have land for its Aden office.

With regard to the dispute between YJS and the government over the new draft press law currently discussed before Al-Shoura Council, Bajammal told YJS the government is not in a hurry to approve the draft law. He demonstrated his government’s care to achieve a draft law meeting YJS’s demands and expectations.

“Though late it was, the Cabinet’s decision is good and reflects insistence of the journalistic community, represented by the YJS, on a broader scope and safe climate for press freedom,” Editor-in-Chief of Yemen Observer Mohamed Al-Asadi stated. It will be the first time for the Yemeni press to normally mark the World Press Freedom Day.

Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ray Al-Aam Kamal Al-Ulefi said: “we welcome the government’s move to pass the law after the attempt to harm reputation of Al-Ray Al-Aam, voice of all people, and its editors, as well as to shut up mouths by illegally suspending the three papers.”

"Illegally suspending the three papers," nicely put.

Open Post Thanks to TMH's Bacon Bits, Jo's Cafe, Bright & Early, Outside the Beltway, Liberal Wrong Wing, Adam's Blog, Samantha Burns and Point Five.

Despite Their Actions, We Must Continue

Today, or was it yesterday according to local time, a British helicopter was struck down in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. While the helo was spiraling towards the ground, groups of Iraqi citizens took the streets and cheered the crash of the helo and the associated column of smoke -- mistake number one. The rest of the story is here.

Reeks of Somalia, yes?

After the helo crashed, British troops arrived to render assistance and were met with a deluge of rocks, bottles and other pieces of hand-propelled debris. Regardless, the Britons continued. Following the initial primitive exchange, Shiite-heads arrived engaged the Britons with small arms fire. Mistake number two -- approximately 30 civilians were injured or killed in the exchange.

These were likely the same Iraqis that cheered the arrival of U.S. troops. The same Iraqis that slammed the soles of their shoes against posters of the previous dictator. The same Iraqis who cheered when the statue was felled. Sadly, the same Iraqis that cheered whenever al-jazeera television broadcasts the beheading of a westerner.

Despite these actions, we must continue in the efforts of Iraqi freedom.

Open Post Thanks to TMH's Bacon Bits, Jo's Cafe, Bright & Early, Outside the Beltway, Liberal Wrong Wing, Adam's Blog, Samantha Burns and Point Five.

Why I Didn't Boycott

My GrandMother and GrandFather on my Mother's side were born in Mexico and Italy, respectively. As such, I am 25% Mexican and 25% Italian -- the other 50% is white Euro blood courtesy of my Father (not that there is anything wrong with that). My Mother grew up in a wonderful home in San California (Marin County), California. Both of her parents came to the States from their native country, went about their business, raised four children, built a business and retired comfortably. Today, when I traveled to San Rafael to visit my ill Mother, I was adversely impacted by scores of "protesters" who shut down Highway 101. Once my wife, son and I arrived at my parent's home, I asked if they realized what was happening two miles north of their home. My Father said that he wasn't aware of the impact, but he wasn't surprised by the "action." My Mother, on the other hand, was a bit put off by the actions. Shortly before we left, my Uncle Joe came by to visit and he chimed in with his views.

Joe recalled that his parents attended citizenship classes, took tests and did their best to make sure that their children learned English and integrated into American society. It worked. My Uncle Joe became the Mayor of his city -- he also earned a commission as an Officer in the Merchant Marines. My Uncles Francis and Miguel owned successful restaurants and dance studios, respectively. Lastly, my Mother was "Rosie the Riviter' during WWII, raised a family, coordinated community, regional and global relief efforts during times of disaster and famine, and is the best GrandMother the world could imagine. Times have changed. Instead of doing everything possible to integrate into society, today's immigrants want everything handed to them on a silver plate.

Sad.

Really sad.

Open Post thanks to The Mudville Gazette, Mark My Words, Committees of Correspondence, Blue Star Chronicles, Basil's Blog, Jo's Cafe, Pirates, Man Your Women!, and Third World County.