Friday, January 09, 2004

Kurds still in the way

Apologies for using that tired old pun again. But....

From Juan Cole:

Nushirvan Mustafa, the number 2 man in the Kurdish Patriotic Union, has demanded that the Interim Governing Council recognize Kurdish plans for a loose federation and a Kurdish super-province by February. If it refused to do so, he called on the Kurdish leadership to announce a campaign of civil disobedience and resignation from the Interim Governing Council, along with refusal to serve in the interim ministries and a boycott of the forthcoming elections. (-az-Zaman.)

Things are definitely heating up in the Kurdish north. And those negotiations that we didn't make to get Saddam?

Also from Juan Cole...

It is amazing to me that the US public puts up with these so-called "news" channels, which have almost no real news. Half the stories are human interest and the other half scandals. It is a scandal in itself.

Juan, Juan, Juan. You need to get out more if that amazes you. I may not have known who Bob Harris is, but I definitely am not amazed that the US public "puts up with" these channels. I believe the majority would not even watch them otherwise. At least that's my take from looking around me and taking note of what seems to be popular TV. Look at the trend in daytime talk shows - from Mike Douglas and Phil Donahue to Jerry Springer and Rikki Lake. (Okay, I'm probably out of date on those already, but if I am, I bet the most-watched shows haven't taken a turn toward the more "civilized" or "intellectual" themes.) These shows aren't on the air because they don't bring in advertising dollars.

Admittedly, though, I don't get out much. Look who's out there! "Reality TV" fans. And Fox Snoozers. And, and, and...well, geez, Juan. You need to get out more.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.

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