Aljazeera Fan

I have to finally admit my deep secret: I love reading www.aljazeera.net!

When I am feeling a little down, I get a little boost out of seeing things from the... well... we will just call it the "other side".

Seriously, take a gander at some of the topics covered on Aljazeera:

Sonic Booms Cause Bed Wetting. Okay, so maybe that isn't the EXACT title, but that is what the article says... Seems that every time the Arabs fire off a couple of rockets at Israel, the Israeli Air Force gives the West Bank a wake up call at morning prayer time - that is to say, F-16s popping the sound barrier at low levels over the city. A "gentle" reminder that the IAF wants you to get your neighbor to stop shooting rockets... This of course, causes bed wetting and depression:

"Repeated attacks of that kind have resulted in widespread bedwetting and behavioural changes, depression and anxiety symptoms, in both children and adults."

Notice that they said that the adults wet their beds too... ummm... The depression (can't speak to the bed wetting, you are on your own with that one Akmed) in the West Bank may come more from the near 100% unemployment and the fact that they live on one of the most disputed plots of land in the whole world. Yep, that would depress me....

It seems that there is a bit of paranoia when the fine folks think that Tony Blair came to the aid of Aljazeera when GWB wanted to drop a bomb on them. I think what Blair probably said is, "Aljazeera is da' bomb!"... and Dubyah of course responded with, "Sure, why not?" with Blair going, "No Dub...it IS da' Bomb...not drop da' bomb!"

You know how Clinton-esque Blair can be.... George Clinton that is...

On the cultural front, it seems that Aljazeera has found an unlikely friend in the Rev Ken Hutcherson, pastor of the Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Washington. Seems that Rev Hutcherson agrees with the Islamic fundamentalists - from a philosophical, if not theological, standpoint - on the gay rights bill. Makes you wonder if Rev Hutcherson is really happy about being the headliner in an Aljazeera article. Then again, fundamentalist whackos all gotta stick together!

If you really want a walk down totally not funny lane. Take a look at their comics. There is no link, but you can get there from the home page. Seriously, beyond not being funny... I simply just don't "get" some of them. The others... well... just suck.

And the best for last: The Code of Ethics page is good for a laugh or ten. Let's take a quick look, shall we?

1. Adhere to the journalistic values of honesty, courage, fairness, balance, independence, credibility and diversity, giving no priority to commercial or political considerations over professional ones.

Okay... so it is hard to stop laughing long enough to hit CTRL-C on the next ones...

5. Present diverse points of view and opinions without bias or partiality.

6. Recognize diversity in human societies with all their races, cultures and beliefs and their values and intrinsic individualities in order to present unbiased and faithful reflection of them.

Well... it is not looking too good for the editorial staff... so let's just go to number 9... 9... 9...

9. Distinguish between news material, opinion and analysis to avoid the pitfalls of speculation and propaganda.

I think I will just leave this post on that note.... take a look... gauge them against their code... then think about one of them reading CNN or Fox... and realize that the 4th Estate just generally blows these days - no matter how you look at it.