Normally, as the interim editor of Back to Iraq, I would not do this, but I'm going to put a stop to the posting of off topic comments. Who ever is posting some other journalists work in the comments section just stop. This 'blog, Back to Iraq, is a forum for the works of Chris Allbritton. It is not a free forum for other journalists to post their work to and get free publicity. If you feel you simply must post your works to Back to Iraq, and ride on the back of Chris' hard work, then use the Back to Iraq Discussion Forums. If you continue to clog up the comments section of articles with off topic comments your posts will be deleted. Post a link to the external article, but stop posting the entire article.
Michael
Christopher, have you seen this article yet:
Iraqis, U.S. Forces Restrict Sat Phones
Both sides in the Iraq war are now restricting the use of satellite phones.
Sat Phones Restricted
Hope this doesn’t cause you to lose touch with us!
Whoa. I guess it’s a good thing that Chris is not using Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. as his provider. He has Iridium Satellite as his provider. Good catch on the article, Ron.
Dear Christopher,
keep your path on the way. Everybody who knows a little about wars, understands that the sacred right to be well informed is the first victim of any war. And it is also a cliché.
From now on, as the anglo-american troops are approaching Bagdah, the silence will be the majour Tommahawk.
May God, Allah, anyone, be with you.
Keep on truckin´!
I thought the Iridium satellites were supposed to be plunging into the ocean since the company went out of business. I guess not…
Michael, Christopher,
though I didn’t post the entire article, you may have had my single link post back on March 30 in mind, by Jeffrey Goldberg from the April 7 New Yorker, about the Kurdish situation.
I posted it not to slight Christopher’s great work in any way, nor to give any other journalist “free publicity,” but to contribute to any discussion on topics related to Christopher’s reporting on the northern front, which includes the fighting as well as the people living there. Since not everyone visits the discussion forums, as on any other war-related blog I thought the comments section would be a great place for any addition to that knowledge base, and thought the link would be welcomed. Maybe I was wrong. (Note: the Agonist (http://www.agonist.org/) has split its topic-related comments sections from more detailed discussion forums because of the sheer volume of posts.)
I still feel that each of the comments sections is a good place to post links of anything related not only to Christopher’s works and the topic at hand but also to anything related to whatever he is reporting on. Basically, more people will see it and possibly benefit from it than if it were posted only to the discussion forums. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Si ~ and while you’re good and riled up, Interim Editor, perhaps you could delete the double-posts. (Referring to “This really is such a great idea chris … Posted by jn at April 2, 2003 08:57 AM”) I always cringe inwardly when I note how the shine fades instantly from most literary offerings upon a repeat reading. (I know, I know, people’s “submit” fingers get antsy waiting.) And then please delete the ones who make smart-arsed remarks not in the spirit of “our” B2I, and then ~ just kidding!
“The gitem get money and weapons from the Turkish government and they keep the villagers in line. You don?t want to know how.”
Chris, please don’t be coy like this! The great thing about independent news is that they don’t get to be patronizing — because we complain in the comments section. If you have a story, or information about how the gitem work, tell us; if you only have rumor, tell us! If you just have a bad feeling about them, tell us! You get the idea.
Thanks.
Ron, posting a link to an article is fine. Posting page after page after page of someone elses work, with little to no attribution or indication of where it came from, is unaceptable. Other than that pretty much anything goes. This is, after all, a ‘blog that attempts to foster debate and discussion.
Hey Chris, wasn’t that you at starbucks on 22nd and 6th last night? I noticed that you paid with large bills.
Of course, the above is a theorhetical scenario. But could very much be real.
Would you mind posting just one low-res photo to show people the you really did indeed travel to Turkey? A shot of a Turkish newspaper would be cool also.
It is very possible for you to create .gif files that are almost the same file size as your text dispatches.
Thanks so much for doing this. If one of your incentives was to give those of us thousands of miles away in the West an independent individual’s idea of what it’s like on the ground there, then you’ve succeeded already. Many cheers and take care.
http://www.alalamnews.com/index.htm
a realplayer live TV broadcast from iran it shows a very different view possibly not for the squeamish
So when do I actually get to read unbiased, informative reporting? I don’t think Chris has the insight or background to offer real reporting…the entries simply detail his arrogant adventure. Typically American.
Bitching about American arrogance, typically European.
Amy, you might find Chris’ resume interesting. It details his 13 years as a journalist for various employers. You can find it, on this site, here.
You might also find some of the work he’s done for major news media of interest. Also on this site, in the “about me” box just to your right, you can read his clips here.
johnny,
Depends what kind of Iridium phone he has.
The problem with the original Iridium system, I understand, was that the handsets were bulky and only handle voice & text messaging. I know people that use the old ones still, ‘cause they are cheap, and can still receive short txt messages (free) whist making occasional voice calls out (expensive). Perhaps this is why we’re not getting any pics.
I see on iridium.com that they now have a newer system to handle data… if you have room on your back for a laptop.
Mike,
I bitch about American arrogance all the time. That doesn’t mean I’m European, though…
An American
Port Townsend, WA
Wow, the sound on that realmedia feed SUCKS, but the video is really good. Too bad I can’t understand what they’re saying. AT least there’s an English ticker at the bottom of the screen. If this is Arabic television, why is there an English ticker?
re. Amy’s comment: How is he supposed to detail the toil and stories of Iraq if he isn’t in Iraq yet?
He’s done a great job of giving atmosphere, at the very least, but he’s even done a good job of informing us of the political situation in the surrounding areas — in a personal way.
This sort of macro-perspective (when used wisely) is something refreshingly satisfying, when most other reporting seems to be of the “big picture.”
And I agree, this is no place for pasting massive (off-topic) stories. Like, one time, when I was in Libya…
whining about europeans, typically american.
Hey Chris, wasn’t that you at starbucks on 22nd and 6th last night? I noticed that you paid with large bills.
Now that’s funny!
Isaac,
In a world of internet hoaxes, I’m dumfounded that I’m the only one who actually seeks proof that he’s used the donation money for a trip.
Let’s see some picutures of these companions of yours. The ex-marine. The loyal Kurdish guide.
Like I implied…you could be doing some creative writing from Starbucks for all we know. Please show me different.
-johhny