[aageneral] Emperor Has No Clothes
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Title: Emperor Has No Clothes
Author: Jan A. Larson
Word count: 550
Copyright: (c) 2005 All rights reserved.
Emperor Has No Clothes
By Jan A. Larson
Last week, The Sun, a British tabloid, published a front-page
photo of imprisoned former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in
his underwear. Predictably, this became news and just as
predictably, there were howls of protest that Saddam's rights
were violated and that the photos would further inflame anti-
U.S. sentiment in the Middle East.
A USA Today report [1] on the incident suggested that the
release of the photos "... were certain to offend Arab
sensibilities and heap more scorn on an American image already
tarnished ... ."
By contrast, a Fox News report [2] indicated that The Sun said
that the unidentified U. S. military official that provided the
photos had hoped their release would deal a "body blow" to the
Iraqi insurgency.
What seems most likely? Insurgents, already committed to
killing anyone that doesn't share their radical view of the world
are suddenly going to become even more outraged at the United
States or the insurgents are going to put down their guns and
bombs and sit in a corner and cry like a three-year-old because
of an embarrassing photo of a ruthless ex-dictator?
The Sun spokesperson that came up with that whopper needs to
be institutionalized.
While the release of photographs of detainees goes against U. S.
military guidelines and may be violations of the Geneva
Conventions, it is quite unlikely that a single photo would be the
last straw for anyone who is not already opposed to everything
the U.S. does in the region. As President Bush commented, "I
don't think a photo inspires murderers. These people are
motivated by a vision of the world that is backward and
barbaric."
Unlike the phony Newsweek account of the desecration of the
Koran that inspired rioting and killing in Afghanistan, the photo
of Saddam seems to have gotten mixed reviews in the Arab
world.
The USA Today story quoted a few that were outraged including
Jordanian salesman, Rawad Nasr, who said the photos were
"shocking" and "an insult to human beings."
One can only wonder what Mr. Nasr had to say about the photos
of the beheadings of Nicholas Berg and others at the hands of
the "insurgents."
On the other hand, in Bahrain, 21-year-old Ali Yousef said, "I
don't care about Saddam, he was a ruthless dictator and he
deserves worse."
No doubt that the reaction to this story depends on one's
perspective.
The Arab television network Al-Jazeera, not widely regarded for
an objective view of world events, did not show the photos, for
"ethical and professional reasons," according to the Fox story.
Spokesman Jihad Ballout said, "The photo was demeaning to
Iraqis."
There is perspective for you. Al-Jazeera won't show any photo
that may be "demeaning" to Iraqis, but they certainly don't have
a problem showing footage of beheadings.
The bottom line to this story? It all depends on your perspective.
Someone decided to make news by releasing photographs that
shouldn't have been released, certainly not knowing what the
world reaction would be.
The Sun used them to boost sales. Those that oppose the U. S.
actions and presence in Iraq denounced them. Those that are
glad Saddam is out of power got a laugh. I, for one, don't really
care one way or the other. At the very least, we now know that
the answer is "briefs."
[1] http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-05-20-
saddam-photos_x.htm
[2] http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157243,00.html
-----
Jan A. Larson publishes a weekly commentary, "What is the
Deal?" at the Pie of Knowledge
(http://www.pieofknowledge.com). His work also appears on
NewsBull (http://www.newsbull.com), OpinionEditorials
(http://www.opinioneditorials.com), American Daily
(http://www.americandaily.com), ChronWatch
(http://www.chronwatch.com) and The Conservative Voice
(http://www.theconservativevoice.com).
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you choose this article for publication.
Title: Emperor Has No Clothes
Author: Jan A. Larson
Word count: 550
Copyright: (c) 2005 All rights reserved.
Emperor Has No Clothes
By Jan A. Larson
Last week, The Sun, a British tabloid, published a front-page
photo of imprisoned former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in
his underwear. Predictably, this became news and just as
predictably, there were howls of protest that Saddam's rights
were violated and that the photos would further inflame anti-
U.S. sentiment in the Middle East.
A USA Today report [1] on the incident suggested that the
release of the photos "... were certain to offend Arab
sensibilities and heap more scorn on an American image already
tarnished ... ."
By contrast, a Fox News report [2] indicated that The Sun said
that the unidentified U. S. military official that provided the
photos had hoped their release would deal a "body blow" to the
Iraqi insurgency.
What seems most likely? Insurgents, already committed to
killing anyone that doesn't share their radical view of the world
are suddenly going to become even more outraged at the United
States or the insurgents are going to put down their guns and
bombs and sit in a corner and cry like a three-year-old because
of an embarrassing photo of a ruthless ex-dictator?
The Sun spokesperson that came up with that whopper needs to
be institutionalized.
While the release of photographs of detainees goes against U. S.
military guidelines and may be violations of the Geneva
Conventions, it is quite unlikely that a single photo would be the
last straw for anyone who is not already opposed to everything
the U.S. does in the region. As President Bush commented, "I
don't think a photo inspires murderers. These people are
motivated by a vision of the world that is backward and
barbaric."
Unlike the phony Newsweek account of the desecration of the
Koran that inspired rioting and killing in Afghanistan, the photo
of Saddam seems to have gotten mixed reviews in the Arab
world.
The USA Today story quoted a few that were outraged including
Jordanian salesman, Rawad Nasr, who said the photos were
"shocking" and "an insult to human beings."
One can only wonder what Mr. Nasr had to say about the photos
of the beheadings of Nicholas Berg and others at the hands of
the "insurgents."
On the other hand, in Bahrain, 21-year-old Ali Yousef said, "I
don't care about Saddam, he was a ruthless dictator and he
deserves worse."
No doubt that the reaction to this story depends on one's
perspective.
The Arab television network Al-Jazeera, not widely regarded for
an objective view of world events, did not show the photos, for
"ethical and professional reasons," according to the Fox story.
Spokesman Jihad Ballout said, "The photo was demeaning to
Iraqis."
There is perspective for you. Al-Jazeera won't show any photo
that may be "demeaning" to Iraqis, but they certainly don't have
a problem showing footage of beheadings.
The bottom line to this story? It all depends on your perspective.
Someone decided to make news by releasing photographs that
shouldn't have been released, certainly not knowing what the
world reaction would be.
The Sun used them to boost sales. Those that oppose the U. S.
actions and presence in Iraq denounced them. Those that are
glad Saddam is out of power got a laugh. I, for one, don't really
care one way or the other. At the very least, we now know that
the answer is "briefs."
[1] http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-05-20-
saddam-photos_x.htm
[2] http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157243,00.html
-----
Jan A. Larson publishes a weekly commentary, "What is the
Deal?" at the Pie of Knowledge
(http://www.pieofknowledge.com). His work also appears on
NewsBull (http://www.newsbull.com), OpinionEditorials
(http://www.opinioneditorials.com), American Daily
(http://www.americandaily.com), ChronWatch
(http://www.chronwatch.com) and The Conservative Voice
(http://www.theconservativevoice.com).
########################################################
Looking For Quality Content?
The Syndicator provides free, quality syndicated articles
for your website that are automatically updated each week.
Syndication feeds include:
Business/Sales
Internet Marketing/Promotion
Web Design/Development
Biz Tips
Web Design Tips
Home & Family Matters
Dinner Ideas
Health & Fitness
Horoscopes
AngelVoice
Headlines
and more...
http://www.web-source.net/syndicator.htm
########################################################
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