The New York Times notes the achievements—so far—of American blogger Jane Novak (Armies of Liberation) on behalf of the people of Yemen. Here’s an individual who’s making a difference.
While Jane and I have never met, we correspond often. I’m very pleased with the way she’s managed to negotiate the corridors of Middle Eastern politics (and the US government bureaucracy) in her quest to promote freedom in Yemen and the region on the whole. It’s great to see her being recognized, even if that causes heartburn for the government (again, both Yemeni and at times, the American government). She’s doing the right thing, for all the right intentions.
A Living-Room Crusade via Blogging
ROBERT F. WORTHBEIRUT, Lebanon — Jane Novak, a 46-year-old stay-at-home mother of two in New Jersey, has never been to Yemen. She speaks no Arabic, and freely admits that until a few years ago, she knew nothing about that strife-torn south Arabian country.
And yet Ms. Novak has become so well known in Yemen that newspaper editors say they sell more copies if her photograph — blond and smiling — is on the cover. Her blog, an outspoken news bulletin on Yemeni affairs, is banned there. The government’s allies routinely vilify her in print as an American agent, a Shiite monarchist, a member of Al Qaeda, or “the Zionist Novak.”
The worst of her many offenses is her dogged campaign on behalf of a Yemeni journalist, Abdul Karim al-Khaiwani, who incurred his government’s wrath by writing about a bloody rebellion in the far north of the country. He is on trial on sedition charges that could bring the death penalty, with a verdict expected Wednesday.
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12:43,
A Tiara makes the NYT…
About two weeks ago I posted about Cotillion sister Jane Novak, who has become an outspoken advocate for a Yemeni journalist, Abdul Karim al-Khaiwani, who is facing execution for sedition. Since then, so many have signed the petition and blogged this …
15:42,
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16:48,
She is totally cool and I am sure she doesn’t give a darn whatever anyone may think of her. To her it is obvious she believes in what she is doing and it worthy enough to her. Go Girl!
07:26,
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