Crossroads Arabia on critiquing the western media from an Arab point of view.

Stay tuned…

Ms. Petro has every right to her opinion. But as a citizen of a nation built on the values of liberty, equality and justice; a nation that regards a free press to be as important as its three independent arms of government, Ms. Petro also has the right to an accurate and unbiased media beaming into her home on a daily basis. This basic American right, the right to a free press, she, and most American citizens are systematically denied.

This is where Ms.Bundagji gets it wrong. Americans are not systematically denied information. We have information outlets available to us that most of the world does not. I get my information from news magazines, books, international news stories online, television, radio, public meetings, bloggers and private sources. Now compare what is available to me to what is available to the common citizen of the KSA. Who has the opportunity to be more informed?

I like your blog. But you desperately need a “preview” button. I will try again.

I wrote a long, well-reasoned (I think) post only to lose it when I forgot to enter an email address… And of course the “go back” on the browser wiped it out…sigh

Let me summarize: The real problems with the US media are: political spin and sensationalism. Political spin is due to the leanings of their editors and owners views bleeding out into almost every story. Most news “stories” really belong on the editorial page. Sensationalism and lack of real factual reporting are due to competition with internet news sources. By the time you really dig up the facts and arrange the story, it’s old news on the web. There is no looking back, no real retractions or apologies, it is on to the next big thing.

As for war with KSA – that’s absurd. Although some ultra conservative types are still chewing on Saudi citizens involvement in 9/11 and insurgents crossing the border into Iraq… The Kingdom cannot and should not exert old Soviet style control over the lives of its citizens. That, IMHO, is what it would take to prevent/preclude that kind of thing. Besides, I content the radical Islam and the various terror groups are more of a threat to KSA than they are to the west. They’re only looking to kill us and influence our foreign policy. However, they threaten Saudi government, lives, livelihoods, culture, religion – basically everything it means to be Saudi. From what I can see, KSA has been one of, if not the single most steadfast, reliable ally we have in the region. Sure, they haven’t always been “on board” with everything we’ve done. They are an ally, not a vassal. And if we’re smart we’ll value that, listen and consider/use their insights. They’ve always seemed to be reasonable in a region not particularly famous for that trait.

So I’m with you Sparky – love, not war. Besides, it is so much more fun – anywhere!

I am down with the slogan “Make Love Not War” with my own addition and “Make it Anywhere”.

The primary reason we aren’t at war with the KSA is that there’s no reason to be at war with the KSA. There are many steps short of war, including various political pressures (no economic pressures are available) and what’s called ‘moral suasion’–though that’s a bit tough to sell these days.

Importantly, Saudi Arabia is making attempts to rein in the crazies, to reform its education system, to stop terrorist funding, and is itself at war with terrorism. That sort of puts the US and the KSA on the same side and allies rarely go to war with each other.