Author Topic: Al Jazeera (Read 2994 times)

Nash · « **Reply #90 on:** April 12, 2004, 07:44:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
The day we start shutting down media outlets for political reasons is the day we all start wondering whether our own media is holding back out of fear of being shut down themselves. You can't have free press for some, you have to have free press for all. If it's not free for all it's not free at all.

Why are radio stations one of the first buildings to get hit in a war?

Nash · « **Reply #91 on:** April 12, 2004, 07:46:41 PM »

Of what? (duh)

Nash · « **Reply #92 on:** April 12, 2004, 07:51:07 PM »

Okay this is where it starts to go beyond my realm of technical knowledge (doesn't take long

)

But the stations would be broadcasting tactical military information?

Nash · « **Reply #93 on:** April 12, 2004, 07:56:27 PM »

They can? Sure they can... I suppose.

What would I do?

I'm not sure I would use the public air waves to tell my troops to attack the hill at 8pm sharp.

Nash · « **Reply #94 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:02:22 PM »

Huh?

That is not to say I don't agree with you, just that I don't understand what yer saying.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #95 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:10:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
There is NO DIFFERENCE between a military radio and a civilian one. It's just that on one they talk about the weather and play music, while on the other one they talk in code ... or if they are a bit more sophisticated they have a neat little box they talk into that scrambles their voice (obviously the receiver must have a similar box to unscramble the message). A military radio is just painted green ... that's all.

How about one that talks about the weather, plays music, and "oh, hey, by the way, kill the infidels!"

Its not as simple as you portray it G, its a bit more complicated than that. Yes, democracy is about free radio, but if Rush Limbaugh started telling republicans to kill democrats, you can bet his "freedom" of the airwaves would be shut down and he jailed. Same goes for the Iraqi radio stations that were shut down.

Nash · « **Reply #96 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:16:49 PM »

Ahhh okay, understood.

A radio station can be turned into a viable means of military communication no different than if it were built for that purpose.

So that answers my question.

I thought it was more along the lines of communication of so-called propaganda to the public. "We will resist them at all costs!" That sort of thing.

Sorry for sidetracking this.

But I think my point still stands. Iraq is as much about hearts and minds at this point as it is about military tactics. For victory, you must have both. If Al Jazeera is hurting the goal of victory in Iraq, why should it be treated differently than a station broadcasting military info?

Westy · « **Reply #97 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:16:55 PM »

"Are you talking to me?"

No. I was replying to Rude's remark much further above.

As for your advice though it's sound. I try not to pigeon hole or label people as many tend to do so easily. I gauge people by thier actions and words, not by a party affiliation or political leaning. For instance I've "known" Lars for a few years and always thought highly of him. He doesn't call people names nor lowers himself to berating a persons character because of a posted opinion. Over this past year I've built up quite a bit of respect for him. He's gotten involved with the process, expresses his convictions clearly, doesn't resor to regurgitating some catchy, transparant party line and over all just does more than the average "talker" in here - myself included.

My reply to Rude was based on past admiration for Rude's wit and prior displays of astonishingly sound common sense regardng online communities, group dynamics and gameplay. But the political debate over the past year or so has served to peel back many personnas to reveal the people behind them ...... Quite a few surprises and not always good ones imo.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #98 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:19:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
If these people are doing crimes, then arrest them and put them on trial.

Crime defined by what law? They were "tried" by military justice, except no sentence was issued in their case, just the station shut down. You gonna push death propaganda? Well, heres some news, you won't operate very long in ANY country, including your own G.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #99 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:24:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
Ahhh okay, understood.

A radio station can be turned into a viable means of military communication no different than if it were built for that purpose.

So that answers my question.

I thought it was more along the lines of communication of so-called propaganda to the public. "We will resist them at all costs!" That sort of thing.

Sorry for sidetracking this.

But I think my point still stands. Iraq is as much about hearts and minds at this point as it is about military tactics. For victory, you must have both. If Al Jazeera is hurting the goal of victory in Iraq, why should it be treated differently than a station broadcasting military info?

Just to throw another angle in your analysis, look at what the Voice of America contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Union, maybe more than we think (Hearts and mind)...food for thought...

Nash · « **Reply #100 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:25:28 PM »

I don't know what that means.....

Ripsnort · « **Reply #101 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:26:55 PM »

I re-wrote it so it sounded better. My meaning is...the Soviets could have "shut down" the Voice of America by means of force (and potentially starting WW3, so its highly unlikely) for the same reasons that the US shut down the rogue Iraqi radio stations.

Nash · « **Reply #102 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:34:31 PM »

My meaning is...the Soviets could have "shut down" the Voice of America by means of force (and potentially starting WW3, so its highly unlikely) for the same reasons that the US shut down the rogue Iraqi radio stations.

Yeah, they would have liked to, for sure.

So what's the big issue with doing this in regards to Al Jazeera I wonder.

Freedom of the press? That's a luxury. It's a different beast altogether over there.

Either you want the US to succeeed or ya don't.

If you do, you can't afford such niceties.

Nash · « **Reply #103 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:41:01 PM »

Missing the point.

It doesn't matter. If Al Jazeera is reporting nothing but the whole entire truth, unbiasedly, yet its effect is to cause an uprising against the US and hampers its goal, then it should be shut down as quickly as if it were delivering military tactical information.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #104 on:** April 12, 2004, 08:42:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nash
My meaning is...the Soviets could have "shut down" the Voice of America by means of force (and potentially starting WW3, so its highly unlikely) for the same reasons that the US shut down the rogue Iraqi radio stations.

Yeah, they would have liked to, for sure.

So what's the big issue with doing this in regards to Al Jazeera I wonder.

Freedom of the press? That's a luxury. It's a different beast altogether over there.

Either you want the US to succeeed or ya don't.

If you do, you can't afford such niceties.

Oh my, sorry, we seem to be discussing two different subjects... my recent posts were regarding the Iraqi radio station shut down a few weeks ago. I have not yet commented on the Al Jazeera article, only posted it.