Saudi Editor Fired For Offending Islamic Extremists

[Baker]

Mr. Khashoggi himself set the tone in a column written just hours after the bombs exploded. "Those who committed yesterday's crime, which will have a painful impact on the peaceful nature of our nation, are not only the suicide bombers," he wrote, "but also everyone who instigated or justified the attacks, everyone who called them mujahedeen, even everyone who ignored this irregular direction in our religion and nature, or tried to find excuses for it."

The paper has been one of the leading voices calling for openness and reform in the kingdom. After the attacks, Al Watan columnists discussed a plethora of highly sensitive issues, including questioning the central role of the religious police in Saudi society and whether the country gave too much credence to the writings of Ibn Taimaya, a Muslim thinker of the early 14th century.

Ibn Taimaya argued that that religious scholars could assume the task of declaring holy war if their rulers failed to. He is considered a main inspiration for the conservative Wahhabi brand of Islam prevalent in the kingdom.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/28/international/middleeast/28SAUD.html?ex=1054785600&en=43a73dd675b69647&ei=5038&partner=ASAHI

[Genghis Pwn]

I read about this the other day. Very disturbing and disappointing.

[DialecticMaterialist]

Very sad. But that's typical I imagine in the Muslim world.

[jj]

Originally posted by DialecticMaterialist
Very sad. But that's typical I imagine in the Muslim world.

Well, yeah, but how different was it when people in the USA got fired for presenting the Iraqui side, do tell?

We're just the same in this sense.

[DialecticMaterialist]

I don't think you have the right to say that, seeing as anti-war people are able to express their opinions all the time in the US, without fear of being fired or recieving death threats.

[Baker]

Originally posted by jj


Well, yeah, but how different was it when people in the USA got fired for presenting the Iraqui side, do tell?

We're just the same in this sense.

It shows any question of the hardliner Islam teachings that encourage terrorist attacks is still being silenced.

[renata]

Originally posted by DialecticMaterialist
I don't think you have the right to say that, seeing as anti-war people are able to express their opinions all the time in the US, without fear of being fired or recieving death threats.


Remember Peter Arnett?

[Tricky]

Originally posted by renata

Remember Peter Arnett?
...and Bill Mahler.

[renata]

Originally posted by Tricky

...and Bill Mahler.


Psst Bill Mahr :) ( I hope!)

[jj]

Originally posted by Baker


It shows any question of the hardliner Islam teachings that encourage terrorist attacks is still being silenced.

Well, yes. I do agree with you on that particular point.

It's very similar to Peter Arnett's experiences, isn't it? (Don't take that for support of his position, please.)

[Baker]

Originally posted by renata



Remember Peter Arnett?

There was a matter of Peter Arnett honesty in his statements.
I’m not aware of Bill Mahr story.

[Number Six]

Originally posted by Baker


There was a matter of Peter Arnett honesty in his statements.
I’m not aware of Bill Mahr story.

Bill Maher was the host of Politically Incorrect, which aired weekdays at midnight on ABC. Not too long after Sept 11 during the heat of a discussion when someone said the terrorists were cowards Maher said something like "They're not cowards, they're flying planes into buildings, we're the cowards lobbing missiles from 2000 miles away" and got into hot water for it. It was the kind of thing that could be twisted to make it sound bad and that's what happened and people complained and some sponsers pulled their spots. About eight months later the show was cancelled and Maher claims the cancellation was due to that remark.

I can't say for sure why it was cancelled but I watched that show almost every night for years and by the end even I was getting tired of it. I think it had just run its course and would've had the plug pulled soon regardless of whether Maher made that remark. He claims differently, partly I think because he wants to be seen as a martyr in the situation.

As the years went past Bill claimed more and more proudly on there that he says what he thinks no matter what and really I think that was the problem. Saying what you think no matter what simply doesn't make for the most interesting television. He had about ten pet issues and he'd pound them night after night after night and it just got old, for me at least.

I think he has a new show on HBO now but I've never seen it.

[Skeptic]

Well, yeah, but how different was it when people in the USA got fired for presenting the Iraqui side, do tell?

Because getting fired is not the same as having death squads of murderous thugs sent out to kill you for the crime of "insulting Islam".

[jj]

Originally posted by Skeptic
Well, yeah, but how different was it when people in the USA got fired for presenting the Iraqui side, do tell?

Because getting fired is not the same as having death squads of murderous thugs sent out to kill you for the crime of "insulting Islam".

Good, now we're getting somewhere, I think.

[Blue Monk]

I prefer not to focus on the fact that this guy was fired, that's not too surprising, but the fact that there are people in position with their heads screwed on straight that are speaking out.

[Baker]

Originally posted by Number Six


Bill Maher was the host of Politically Incorrect, which aired weekdays at midnight on ABC. Not too long after Sept 11 during the heat of a discussion when someone said the terrorists were cowards Maher said something like "They're not cowards, they're flying planes into buildings, we're the cowards lobbing missiles from 2000 miles away" and got into hot water for it. It was the kind of thing that could be twisted to make it sound bad and that's what happened and people complained and some sponsers pulled their spots. About eight months later the show was cancelled and Maher claims the cancellation was due to that remark.

I can't say for sure why it was cancelled but I watched that show almost every night for years and by the end even I was getting tired of it. I think it had just run its course and would've had the plug pulled soon regardless of whether Maher made that remark. He claims differently, partly I think because he wants to be seen as a martyr in the situation.

As the years went past Bill claimed more and more proudly on there that he says what he thinks no matter what and really I think that was the problem. Saying what you think no matter what simply doesn't make for the most interesting television. He had about ten pet issues and he'd pound them night after night after night and it just got old, for me at least.

I think he has a new show on HBO now but I've never seen it.


Thanks, Number Six I used to watch his show also but never knew why it was canceled I agree this is definitely an unjust firing.
I don’t think it’s quite the same as the Saudi Editor many are often imprisoned for speaking out against the strict Saudi Rule.