RIVERBEND's blog: Send it to everyone you know....

[jab105]

I just sent this to all my friends and family, even the republicans!!
This is the exact email I sent out...we got to get it out to people that it ISN'T like Bush says it is in there!!

**************

Please forward this to as many people as you can!

After hearing Bush's speech, I could not believe that there was nothing about WMDs, nothing about Osama Bin Laden, nothing about what the war of terrorism really was about in the first place...have we already forgotten?

This is what the cost of war could have done:
http://www.costofwar.com

As our soldiers die every day, let's please look at the Iraqi people as REAL people, instead of just video images in a distant land...

This blog is written by an Iraqi citizen, please read what she has to say...please read what she thinks of America (and its not what Bush would have you believe)...I read it every day...it is so important!!
http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

(Below is probably one of the most real and moving thing I have read about this war ever!! )
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE OF THIS EMAIL, PLEASE READ THIS!

Tuesday, September 09, 2003

Friends, Americans, Countrymen...
I heard/read Bush's speech yesterday. I can't watch him for more than a minute at a time- I hate him that much. He makes me sick. He stands there, squinting his eyes and pursing his lips, going on and on with such blatant lies. And he looks just plain stupid.

I listened for as long as I could tolerate his inane features and grating voice, then turned off the television. Then turned it back on. Then turned the channel. Then turned it back. Then almost threw a cushion at the screen. Then thought better and decided he wasn’t worth it. Is it possible that someone like that is practically running the world? Is it possible he might see another term in the White House? God forbid…

His whole speech was just an idiotic repetition of what he’s been saying ever since Afghanistan, “Give me more money, give me more power- I’m doing this for you. Bechtel and Halliburton have nothing to do with it.” Doesn’t he ever get tired of saying the same words? Don’t people ever get tired of hearing them?

The one thing I agreed with was this: there are terrorists in Iraq. It’s true. Ever since the occupation, they’ve been here by the hundreds and thousands. They are seeping in from neighboring countries through the borders the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ could not protect and would not let the Iraqi army protect. Some of them are even a part of the Governing Council now. Al-Daawa Party is responsible for some of the most terrible bombings in Iraq and other countries in the region.

Yes. I blame America for that. We never had Al-Qaeda or even links to Al-Qaeda. Ansar Al-Islam are supposed to be linked to Al-Qaeda, but they were functioning in the northern territory with the two Kurdish leaders’ knowledge and blessings.

Then there’s this:

“The attacks you have heard and read about in the last few weeks have occurred predominantly in the central region of Iraq, between Baghdad and Tikrit -- Saddam Hussein's former stronghold. The north of Iraq is generally stable and is moving forward with reconstruction and self-government. The same trends are evident in the south, despite recent attacks by terrorist groups.”

Is he serious? Only yesterday an American armored vehicle was burned in front of the University of Mosul in the north. There have been an increasing number of attacks on British troops in the south- we hear about them everyday. As for Baghdad… it has become a common occurrence. Baghdad Airport is constantly under missile attack and we hear of similar attacks all over Baghdad… or maybe the person who gave him that little fact is the same one who told him where to find the WMD…

“Since the end of major combat operations, we have conducted raids seizing many caches of enemy weapons and massive amounts of ammunition, and we have captured or killed hundreds of Saddam loyalists and terrorists.”

Yes, we know all about the ‘raids’. I wish I had statistics on the raids. The ‘loyalists and terrorists’ must include Mohammed Al-Kubeisi of Jihad Quarter in Baghdad who was 11. He went outside on the second floor balcony of his house to see what the commotion was all about in their garden. The commotion was an American raid. Mohammed was shot on the spot. I remember another little terrorist who was killed four days ago in Baquba, a province north-east of Baghdad. This terrorist was 10… no one knows why or how he was shot by one of the troops while they were raiding his family’s house. They found no weapons, they found no Ba’athists, they found no WMD. I hope America feels safer now.

On top of it all, the borders between Iraq and Iran have been given to Badir’s Brigade to guard. Badir’s Brigade. Unbelievable. I thought the borders needed guarding to prevent armed militias like Badir’s Brigade from entering the country. We have a proverb in Arabic: “Emin il bezooneh lahmeh” which means “Entrust a cat with meat.” Yes, give the Iranian borders to Badir’s Brigade. Right on.

Just a couple of days ago, two female school principals were ‘executed’ by Badir’s Brigade in Al-Belidiyat area in Baghdad. They were warned to resign their posts so that a ‘sympathetic’ principal could replace them. They ignored the threat, they were shot. It’s that simple these days. Of course, that’s not terrorism because the targets are Iraqi people. Terrorism is when the Coalition of the Willing are targeted.

Everyone is asking, ‘What should be done?’. Pull out the American troops. Take them home. Bring in UN peace-keeping troops under the Security Council- not led by America.

Let real Iraqis be involved in governing Iraq. Let Iraqis who actually have *families* living in Iraq be involved in governing their country. Let Iraqis who have something to lose govern the country. They aren’t being given a chance. As long as any Iraqi isn’t affiliated with one of the political groups on the Governing Council, no one bothers to listen.

We have thousands of competent, intelligent, innovative people who are eager to move forward but it’s impossible under these circumstances. There’s no security, there’s no work and there’s no incentive. AND THERE’S NO ONE WHO WILL LISTEN. If you’re not a part of the CPA or one of Ahmad Al-Chalabi’s thugs, then you’re worthless. You can’t be trusted.

I read Bush’s speech… just like I’ve read/heard what feels like a thousand different speeches these last few months. Empty words, meaningless phrases.

The abridged version of the speech…

“Friends, Americans, Countrymen, lend me your ears… lend me your sons and daughters, lend me your tax dollars… so we can wage war in the name of American national security (people worldwide are willing to die for it)… so I can cover up my incompetence in failing to protect you… so I can add to the Bush and Cheney family coffers at your expense and the expense of the Iraqi people. I don’t know what I’m doing, but if you spend enough money, you’ll want to believe that I do."

[Francis]

1. I feel bad saying this

I'm a little suspicious about this blog.
The vocabulary used is varied, probably more than is generally used by the average American or Brit national, no spelling problems.
I think it's just TOO well written

[karlschneider]

2. You would rather it be full of misspellings and grammar errors? Gee,

you're a little hard to please. There are THOUSANDS of Iraqis who speak and write English with far more eloquence than would be found in many parts of the USA. I think your Xenophobia is showing. And no, I do not know anything about the blogger but have no reason to think it's any more bogus than the crap emanating from the White House. Do you?

[Francis]

5. It could be as bogus

Sorry but I question most things I read over the internet that I have no way of corroborating from other sources.
My observations on the vocabulary is hardly xenophobic

[karlschneider]

11. Well, I don't think you can point to any factual errors...google for

"riverbend blog" if you have a little time to spare. It seems authentic to me. YMMV.

[lanlady]

60. I agree with Francis

and I'm no xenophobe. The English is practically flawless, which raises questions about who the blogger really is. The least one can say is that the person was educated in English schools, perhaps as the child of a diplomat? At most, well, she may be an imposter.

[madfloridian]

3. Are you aware the Iraqis are intelligent and well-educated?

I believe Salam Pax (Dear Raed) and Riverbend have been vetted.

[jab105]

4. You are suspicious because she speaks english well?

I think she explained that well in the blog...and if moja from turningpoints believes her and raed believes her, I dont understand why the doubt...

Do you think raed is for real?

[Francis]

6. Not sure

[madfloridian]

7. He is writing for the Guardian.

Think he might be ok? Salam Pax (Dear Raed) that is.

[jab105]

10. Oh yea...

yea, that's true...I'd forgotten...

[jab105]

8. Why?

I mean, is it just because they speak english well...the pictures OF IRAQ, and detailed detailed descriptions alone would have done it for me...

Have you read the blogs?

what about turningspot? The US military guy?

[Robbien]

9. But Salam Pax writes a column for the Guardian

Don't you think the Guardian is for real?

[Francis]

12. The Guardian

isn't writing it
What does it matter, you believe, I doubt I have no problem with that.
I merely commented that I have doubts, even did a "I feel bad saying it"
Um er.... I don't believe in god either

[jab105]

13. The Guardian is hiring the person who is writing it....

If that person wasn't a real person living in the place that he was "reporting" from...then the Guardian and Salam would be in a shitload of trouble...

I mean, do you think that newspapers would just hire someone from a blog without checking to see if they were really who they said they were...

I got no problem with you not believing in God, I mean heck, its pretty hard to verify, isn't it? But, this is a realy person....a lot easier to verify...

I'm just curious why you doubt that they are for real, even if the Guardian doesn't...nothing about God here, that's a whole different subject...

[Francis]

18. See Huttom Inqury

If the BBC report held to account for errant reporting. then all of the above can also be held to account

[jab105]

19. huh?

I dont understand what you are trying to say here?

[Robbien]

23. Any media questioning Bush & Blair are now suspect.

Or at least that is what the government is now telling us. Didn't you get the program?

[Robbien]

14. Sorry for getting snotty

But what did it for me was during the war a reporter for Slate was over in Iraq and hired a translator. When he returned he found out that the translator was Salam. So yes, I believe.

Now, the existance of a God, well I'm sitting on the fence on that one.

[DIKB]

15. He who sits on fence, may get spoke in booty

I deny the existence of the Xtian God, but believe there may be a higher power, but naming it would be insulting. (check my sig)

As for Riverbend, I've checked her blog, and find no spelling or (outstanding) graphical errors, when checked against UK English. I think she's legit, the only misspelling that stood out was "mozlem" and that in fact is a more european spelling of moslem, not the traditional American "muslim" which only adds further credence to her existence.

[Robbien]

16. Ummm, spokes.

Welcome to DU, DIKB!

And yes, the christian god is the one that got me questioning the whole issue to begin with.

[Karenina]

40. There's this little thing called

Edjumacation... ya know before the Murikans decided to blow up the whole country, LOTS of Iraqi wimmenfolks got a heap of it. Some of those BROWN folks may even have the opportunity to spend time with folks in other places. Those kinds of experiences change your language. (I've never lost that "eh?" I picked up at summer camp in Ontario.)

The expressions of "suspicion" on this thread turn my stomach for some strange reason. :shrug:

[sharkbait2]

25. The blog looks suspicious...

It isn't the correct grammatical spelling that is at issue, but the cultural linguistic usage and overly "American centric" focus in the presentation.

Take Salem Pax's blog for example. He is a western educated Iraqi who has plenty to say about the situation there as well as on the topic of American foreign policy. You won't however find him making the odd pleas or comments in the blog which seem to be uniquely of a US domestic political nature.

My 2 cents.

[jab105]

29. But Salam knows riverbend....

he talks about her all the time in his blog!!

[Francis]

43. I agree n/t

[JNelson6563]

41. An FYI for you

I know plenty of folks whose 2nd language is English and they have impeccable grammer, spelling, syntax. Far better than many Americans.

Julie

[MrPrax]

54. So Do I...

and it is damn annoying to get a lecture on verbage use or syntax from some foreigner!!!! ;-)

Besides, there are millions of western-educated people in the world that know a lot about US foreign policy as one thread eluded to as being suspicious?

That's evidence

[qanda]

17. Kick

And as for Riverbend's authenticity-- I too had a twinge of, "She's too good to be true!" However, the details with which she writes could only come from someone inside of Iraq. Also, there are many facts that are backed up later by news accounts. She sounds very eloquent and educated, which I believe many Iraqis were and still are.

[Francis]

20. Oh yes

I think she is is an iraqui
I think she has family in iraq
She lives in America
If I drove down Latimer, pothole,bombsite ,whatever, it would still be Latimer, it would not be the street called the one with the big crater.
Throwing cushions at a TV pic of GW of ia so Western as to be derisable to anyone that has ever travelled.
I repeat myself
Doubtful

[Karenina]

46. Perhaps your time here may be better spent

presenting concrete evidence that Riverbend is a fictional creation rather than reasserting the racist-tinged claim that no Iraqi could possibly have achieved the level of language assimilation the blog displays.

There's a funky smell on this thread that has NOTHING to do with the authenticity of Riverbend. :shrug:

[sistersofmercy]

21. For all you who might be suspicious about this blog...

Someone another chat room turned me onto this blog about a week ago, the plane incident was a cargo plane but not cited in the news until the next day. Furthermore, read the entire blog, it's very touching. Also I have known arabic ppl who speak and write better and more proper english than probably 80% of americans. There are iraqi exiles in canada writing incredible pieces about this war!

[Ein]

32. Yea

I was amazed by how intelligent this person seems, affluent as well. It is all contradictory to my American-ized view of 'lesser civilizations', which I know is wrong but is something ingrained that I've been consciously fighting.

A good person, and someone every American owes a sincere apology.

[Sacajawea]

22. Riverbend sounds legit to me...

I've read all of her posts since she started. Early on she said that she is 24 and that she spent a fair number of years "abroad" when she was rather young. I can't recall if she said she lived in the U.S. or somewhere in Europe, but if it was the US or England that would explain her very, very good English. She also said that she's a college grad, a self-described "geek" with a degree in computer science (or computer something). At the time we invaded Iraq, she was employed at a small company in Baghdad doing programming (or something like that).

This is only my opinion, but, she seems quite legit to me. Her "stories" are full of details and feelings. It all has the ring of truth to it. I know there are people (police, for example) who go online and fake what they write to catch sexual predators who are trying to harm children or young teenagers, so I am aware that people can falsely write almost anything. All I am saying is that what she writes and the way she writes it has the ring of truth to it. To me it seems as if she is giving a vivid depiction of daily life in Baghdad, and I doubt that any of us would want to live that life for even an hour, let alone indefinitely.

[grasswire]

24. what stopped me...

...was the use of internet chat room style jargon, such as the asterisks around a word for emphasis. Also, I wondered about "changing the channel." How many channels are Iraqis getting? Or maybe it is from a satellite disk.

I have no real opinion about the authenticity of the blogger. I'm just pointing out two things that occurred to me as I read it.

[Robbien]

26. When you are in a country and trying like crazy to pick up the language

you pick up the idioms faster than what one would expect. I've done it myself, and watched it happen when foreign exchange students stayed with us.

[sharkbait2]

28. True, however....

you generally pick up the spoken idioms rather than the written idioms. Again, judging solely from the sample above, and I'll take a look at the actual blog, my sense is that the author is either 1. an American in Iraq 2. an American born Iraqi, or Iraqi expatriot who has resided a substantial time in the US.

Aside from the linguistic context, there are also oddities as I previously stated with regards to an overly Ameri-centric context for the presentation.

[Robbien]

31. But when you are in a foreign country, sometimes

being on the internet is friendlier than the natives. So picking up the written word should not be dismissed.

[Minstrel Boy]

34. She's also said

that she lived outside Iraq for a number of years. I know an Iraqi girl about her age, who's been out of the country for just a few years, whose English is impeccable and idiomatic.

[ConsAreLiars]

35. Actually reading it might help

As for your assumption that furriners or Arabs or colored folk (whatever broad stereotype you are relying on) can't speak or write English articulately, well, that's just ignorant at best. I assure you, you are quite wrong in your prejudice, Do you need examples, or wouldn't they matter?

[sharkbait2]

36. If you are addressing me...

... I happen to be Arab, so I make no such assumption. I don't doubt that Riverbend is presently in Iraq. I only doubt whether she is a true local Iraqi, or necessarily Iraqi. I already stated the possibility she is an expatriot.

[Robbien]

39. Hope she is not an expatriot. That has bad connotations.

Just wish we knew what to believe.

[markses]

38. Be extremely specific

You keep talking about these 1) linguistic contexts and 2)"Ameri-centric contextx for presentation." Very scientific sounding, though it says nothing.

Be specific. I saw one poster talk about the use of asterix as emphasis. That's fairly specific, though it doesn't prove anything one way or the other, since if you DO speak and write English, and you DO use English language web sites, you are fully immersed in a culture that uses such significations.

As I understand it, the writer states that she spent a good deal of time in the West during her teenage years. There are some misspellings in the actual blog that are consistent with learned English ("arguement" for example).

If you want to dispute it, have something concrete. For instance, if I was to dispute it, I'd raise an eyebrow at the constant use of "going to" to form the future tense, rather than the more formal "will." I'd also question the extensive use of contractions.

In terms of American-ness, I don't think we can say. Are they getting a good deal of American news? Is this person cruising through American and European websites that highlight the issues she addresses. Frankly, we don't have any idea how informed people in Iraq are about American events, so to make a judgment on that issue is, well, "pre-judgment" -or, rather, prejudice.

[jab105]

30. She works with computers....

so youd expect her to know computer/internet language and shorthand!!

[Minstrel Boy]

27. riverbend is NOT bogus, and here's how I know

I got turned onto her site by a recommendation from turningtables, the blog of a US serviceman in Baghdad. He's MET her. And unless he's bogus too - though he does have a huge gallery of photos that certainly suggest he's where he says he is - she's genuine.

[jab105]

33. LOVE turningtables....

didn't know he met riverbend though...

[Sacajawea]

37. Kick

:kick:

[dutchdemocrat]

42. Her email goes to Thailand

velocall.com.

But that does not necessarily mean she is not there

[dutchdemocrat]

44. I am in the doubting camp myself

Let's Quote her then.

"if I want to hear what Fox News has to say, I’ll watch it."

Where is she going to get Fox in Baghdad?

"For God's sake these people are supposed to be here to help"

Strange thing to say unless she is an Iraqi christian. She would never say "God" but "Allah".

"it was like being caught in a tornado..."

would be meaningless to someone in Iraq.

Most rich Iraqis with enough money to have web access, use Arabic characters on Arabic text websites and their proficiency in English is such that they stick to Arabic.

Here's another thought, many rich Iraqis got out before the war. Why is she still there?

Everything about it screams fraud the more one looks into it. That anyone even discovered it an promoted it - is a sign of the self-promotion journalists are so good at. "Riverbend" not only uses Americanized English - "she" also uses excellent grammar and punctuation that would make any editor proud.

All the folks who have been questioning the validity were wondering if it really was originating from Iraq. I have no doubt it was originating from Iraq, but by their writing they leave ample trails that point to their American upbringing.

This leaves several possibilities - American human shields which arrived with an agenda or third string reporters with time on their hands and an agenda to promote. I opt in favor of the reporters due to the excellent grammar of "riverbend" and the inconsistent "fake" English flaws of "Salam".

The Raed - riverbend debate could be the same person debating themselves or two reporters in the same office! Their fondness of mentioning the NY Times a lot is blatantly obvious:

"The best Iraqi newspaper in english, I actually wish they would have an Arabic edition. Tell you a secret, the NY Times office here makes suer they have a copy of that paper in the office all the time they scooped them a couple of times."

Riverbend is probably a fraudulent blog. How many real Iraqi bloggers are out there on the WWW? Probably none. None have such a mastery of English or the access to computers and satellite transmission facilities. None would journalize in English either.

Salam Pax's photo archive is also evidence. Quality cameras, film and film processing as well as uploading images on the web requires equipment not readily available and of astronomical cost to the average Iraqi. However, all these ARE readily available to the NY Times and all other journalists staying in Baghdad with their entourages.

It's a fake. I am 100% certain of that.

One may want to believe it - no one likes feeling duped - but all the evidence points to reporters laughing loudly while fooling lots of people who will eagerly read their blathering as gospel.

-------------

[Karenina]

47. Wow! After having been the target of ugly "assumptions"

from one knuckle-dragging poster here, I am QUITE suprised at the ones you yourself spew! :wow:

"How many real Iraqi bloggers are out there on the WWW? Probably none. None have such a mastery of English..."

You're SURE NO such Iraqi exists on this earth? I bet NO Africans speak letter perfect German without an accent either. :eyes:

[hel]

49. You say..

Let's Quote her then.

"if I want to hear what Fox News has to say, I’ll watch it."

Where is she going to get Fox in Baghdad?

Satellite TV? You ever heard of it? Salam Pax is watching Fox and CNN all the time as well.


"For God's sake these people are supposed to be here to help"

Strange thing to say unless she is an Iraqi christian. She would never say "God" but "Allah".

Bad argument. I'm a Muslim -an atheist one :)- and I never use Allah instead of God, especially when using it in that context, i.e. God's sake, God forbid, etc. Never heard of anyone who does that while speaking/writing English. (Other than fundamentalists)


"it was like being caught in a tornado..."

would be meaningless to someone in Iraq.

You assume. I also never been to any desert or to the North Pole, but "Unlucky bedouin gets fucked in the desert by a pole bear" is one of my favorite Turkish idioms. It's an expression.

And..

Riverbend is probably a fraudulent blog. How many real Iraqi bloggers are out there on the WWW? Probably none. None have such a mastery of English or the access to computers and satellite transmission facilities. None would journalize in English either.

WHY is it not possible to believe someone not European or American can speak English fluently? Computers are everywhere, in case you didn't know, US Army sent e-mails to Iraqis before the occupation started, telling them not to help Saddam's men. And satellites are very common in all Arab nations. They have the money for it and they love to watch foreign TVs.

Just like she said in her blog, Iraqis were not living in caves before. Your assuming that they all are uneducated and not modern is totally unacceptable.

[dutchdemocrat]

52. It is impossible to be

An athiest Muslim? That is an oxymoron. Much like military intelligence.

An athiest Arab yes....

Look. I am being confrontational. But I think it is important to scrutinize.

People who don't dare to challenge the media often watch Foxnews and believe everything Bush is doing is right. I know it would be nice if she is 'real' and I hope that it turns out that way. But until I see some tangible proof, of which none exists - other than by hearsay, I am going to be hard. Why?

Because I don't like to be lied to. That's all. And after finding out that Bush Battler 'Al Martin' is a liar...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=291403

...I worry about disinformation from all sides. Maybe a lot of people feel that is what it takes to beat the bastards. I don't.

You start accusing me of being a racist for making an analysis of something I don't believe and worries me, then you are no better than those who accuse Democrats of being unpatriotic for opposing the war.

[Karenina]

55. So I take it that anyone describing

a plausible situation in Iraq, ESPECIALLY if it's one of those mudwinnenfolk, MUST be a fraud.

Interesting that you don't apply this logic to the attack that you yourself sustained. But your obvious membership in the "dominant culture" would preclude that, eh?

[hel]

59. That was a..

..joke, used in place of "I'm an atheist living in a Muslim country and has lived as a Muslim until I decided that there is no God/Allah".

And I'm not Arab. Not every Muslim is Arab, fyi.

I never accused you of being a racist, I just observed that you are ignorant about living conditions in Iraq -or any "Arab" nation most likely- and I accused you judging her based on that ignorance. And that attitude is no better than of those who say all Muslims are terrorists.

It is entirely plausible to feel suspicious about anyone, but your reasons for that were quite silly.

[StandWatie]

53. You are just wrong about all this

They have satellite dishes in Iraq, I'm sure if Fox wasn't being beamed in before it is now, as a matter of fact it would probably be the perfect replacement for the old state propaganda network.

"Allah" just means God in Arabic, most Muslim's just use "God" if they are writing or speaking in English.

They do have tornados in Iraq.

[qanda]

62. Riverbend's not the only fake around here...

Unless you're going around the net spewing the same garbage, you should at least attribute your remarks to the original author or website and not act like they are your own!

I thought your remarks sounded familiar, so I did a google and came up with this from another website:

One may want to believe it - no one likes feeling duped - but all the evidence points to reporters laughing loudly while fooling lots of people who will eagerly read their blathering as gospel.

SDAI-Tech1

http://www.habitablezone.com/currentevents/messages/293419.html

[RainDog]

45. I heard Salam Pax on the BBC yesterday morning

...his story is also online at the Guardian...his most recent article.

I don't have time this morning to go find the link, but it was here on DU last night and will be at the guardian online.

He knows Riverbend. She said, earlier in her blog, that she had lived overseas.

Unlike in America, there are people all over the world who speak more than one language and can do so fluently, btw...just another example of America's isolation that this is odd to some.

She's obviously from a wealthier family...her dad worked overseas in some capacity, which would lead to that conclusion from me.

[Francis]

48. It's the feel of it

She doesn't repeat words, she'll look for another word if she has already used one, as someone else said it has a journalistic quality to it.
She tells "complete" stories about instances, eg her neighbour being found after several months, the story hasn't been running on on a daily basis.
It's absolutely ridiculous to say that the mere mention of doubt is implying Iraqi people are too stupid or ill educated to speak English well.
However this writing is in a class of it's own and does not come across as not being written in a mother tongue.
Grounds to say it's false No
Grounds for doubt Yes

[Karenina]

50. Du Sheiße!!!

Yeah, before I send out anything I've written in a language that is not my mother tongue, I get it "vetted." THAT process often leads to a wider understanding, especially between me and the person I ask to "proofread." Your "arguments" here make me so very sad. Your BASELINE assumption is simply racist.

[Karenina]

51. I repeat, MY beef has nothing to do

with the issue of Riverbend's authenticity. It's just SO EASY for white folks to declare, "Well one of THEM could NEVER have developed such a skill. YES, I CAN READ MUSIC! Überraschung!!!"

[Francis]

56. Cool Down

Why on Earth you are so outraged is beyond me

[Karenina]

58. I understand that

as you have probably not been subjected to it.

[madfloridian]

63. If you refer to my use of *vetted*.....

I used it for a good reason. There are many blogs coming out of the mideast now that are suspect, but these two have been proved not to be.

How you got anything racial out of that is beyond me. You don't know me, you know nothing about me.

I found it outrageous for the blogs to be questioned because of their literacy. I agree with you on that. The people who are doing that are obviously not up on things at all.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

57. Speaking of Salem on the BBC ...

Here's a transcript of a webchat he had following the interview:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/webchat/webchat_iraq.shtml

& here's the promo site for his (just released) book, with flash from Aphex Twin & first chapter to download:

http://www.thebaghdadblog.com/promo/

As to the credibility of Riverbend - well, personally I think she is 100% credible & (in a short e-mail exchange I had with her) very warm & willing to offer personal insight.

[Ernesto]

61. riverbendblog is an asset to us all

KICK!