It wasn't worth the 23 hour flight.
I was very curious as to what the Iraqis thought of the recent news paper scandal the administration is going through. So I recently went to Baghdad and sat down with an Iraqi to find out his thoughts.
ME
Hi. Thank you for joining me.
Muhammed Hassan
???
ME
Can we get a translator in here.
(time lapse)
ME
I'm sorry about that. How are you doing?
MH
I'm doing well. We had electricity for a little while today.
ME
That's good to hear. Now do you know about what has been going on with the newspapers in this country?
MH
Yes.
ME
So you know the administration has been controling the media here?
MH
Yes.
ME
And putting in stories that favor them?
MH
Yes.
ME
And what's your opinion on all of this?
MH
On all of what?
ME
The newspapers.
MH
What about them?
ME
They are controled by the government.
MH
And?
ME
It's wrong! The newspapers should be controlled by the people!
MH
WHAT!?!?!
ME
Part of a functioning society is freedom of the press. The government shouldn't have a say in what they print.
MH
YEAH! That would be great. Then the people could write whatever they want! They could even write bad things about the government. What a great idea! Is this how things are in America?
ME
Yeah!
MH
That must be great. You have the ability to keep the government in check. We already hear their side of it from them. This way we have an opposeing view. No more important stories not being payed any attention to. No more lies in the newspapers. No more talking heads simply repeating talking points that the government has given them. For as long as I can remember, the newspapers have served as a simple piece of propaganda for the President. We have always had to go to alternate sources to get the real story. If you are telling the truth about this free press of yours, then the people of the United States truely are free!
ME
You know what? Nevermind. Forget I ever said anything.
ME
Hi. Thank you for joining me.
Muhammed Hassan
???
ME
Can we get a translator in here.
(time lapse)
ME
I'm sorry about that. How are you doing?
MH
I'm doing well. We had electricity for a little while today.
ME
That's good to hear. Now do you know about what has been going on with the newspapers in this country?
MH
Yes.
ME
So you know the administration has been controling the media here?
MH
Yes.
ME
And putting in stories that favor them?
MH
Yes.
ME
And what's your opinion on all of this?
MH
On all of what?
ME
The newspapers.
MH
What about them?
ME
They are controled by the government.
MH
And?
ME
It's wrong! The newspapers should be controlled by the people!
MH
WHAT!?!?!
ME
Part of a functioning society is freedom of the press. The government shouldn't have a say in what they print.
MH
YEAH! That would be great. Then the people could write whatever they want! They could even write bad things about the government. What a great idea! Is this how things are in America?
ME
Yeah!
MH
That must be great. You have the ability to keep the government in check. We already hear their side of it from them. This way we have an opposeing view. No more important stories not being payed any attention to. No more lies in the newspapers. No more talking heads simply repeating talking points that the government has given them. For as long as I can remember, the newspapers have served as a simple piece of propaganda for the President. We have always had to go to alternate sources to get the real story. If you are telling the truth about this free press of yours, then the people of the United States truely are free!
ME
You know what? Nevermind. Forget I ever said anything.