April 22, 2003

I was disgusted watching the American press coverage of the war, they were so one-sided. I could point out 100 examples of this, but just to point out one is that I constantly heard reporters and commentators referring to Iraqi soldiers as "The bad guys" instead of a more responsible neutral characterization such as "The defenders" or even "The opposition" would be more tolerable.

Your site was like an oasis from the Zionist controlled American news media, it provided very fair and balanced coverage.

It does not surprise me at all that your life has been threatened I am sorry to say, it seems to me that the average media outlet here in America is as guilty of propaganda as any other country and that anything that attempts to be fair and balanced must be stamped out.

Sometimes I think I must be living in upside-down town.

Sincerely,

Lorie Green

Albany, New York

Dear Hassan,

I was so sorry to find that you had been coerced into taking down the site.

Those people who call themselves 'patriots' are actually turning the word into something disgusting. They have totally misunderstood what patriotism is all about, whether from ignorance or by design.

The atmosphere that these people are generating prevailed in the early days of Nazi-ism and throughout the Soviet era. They believe they are defending freedom when, in reality, they are putting themselves in a cage with all those who hold differing views outside.

Those who are threatening you should feel ashamed but, unfortunately, they are just the kind of people who are devoid of something called a conscience.

You've been doing a fantastic job, Hassan, and I do hope that one day soon, when the time is appropriate, we'll see it back on line.

Best wishes,

Linda Heard

Athens, Greece

I was very disappointed, though not surprised, to read of the threats against the editor of this website...

Unfortunately, a small minority of the people who sing praises of America and its personal freedoms don't realize that 'With Freedom Comes Responsibility'... That responsibility is to be TOLERANT of differing viewpoints. We have a system of government which allows us to express our personal views (right or wrong) and even affect change in our leadership by voting on a periodic basis.

Would the people who so treasure our many freedoms- yet attempt intimidation with threats- prefer to live under a dictatorship? There, thoughts or words not supportive of the government, or its leaders, could bring similar threats- even torture or death- against themselves, from their own government... I submit that very few people would prefer that situation.

(At this point let me add that I disapprove of Mr. Bush's decision of going to war with Iraq without the support of a valid world-represented alliance.) Certainly, I have found the typical al-Jazeerah report to be a bit 'slanted' toward a middle-eastern perspective, but I wonder why that would be? Are 'western' journalists not slanted toward an 'Anglo' perspective? Of course they are... However, only by seeing things from as many perspectives as possible can we make truly educated decisions about any given issue.

A problem some people (all over the world) have is that they only see with blinders on- that only 'their way' is the right way. What a boring world this would be if we all thought and acted the same!

Sadly, some Americans think we are the only culture in the world- going even as far as thinking we are a 'pure' culture- without realizing that this is a very new country, developed from the combination of so many other cultures... (The old phrase 'Melting Pot of the world' comes to mind.) We are so very proud of our few hundred year heritage in the US, yet so many of our citizens cannot fathom a cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years- as much of the rest of the world has.

May God bless the world, and bring some peace- and tolerance- to her inhabitants... I look forward to being able to read the al-Jazeerah reports again very soon.

Mike Willis

Nashville, TN

I just want to say that your site was my first stop in my morning news review. When I wanted a good laugh and sincere dose of American myth I went to CNN. When I wanted to know what was actually going on, I went to your website. I was also able to correspond with several of the journalists who provided content for your site as well. This was valuable to me.

As Canadians, we view the US under a microscope due to our proximity. Our cultures are very similar. Probably more similar at times than we Canadians want to admit. Yet I and many other Canadians are very disappointed in the US. Now I would be the first to say that not all of Canada sides with me on this. There is a large contingent of Canadians who supported the US during this conflict. In fact adds were put in US papers by Canadians who did not agree with our lack of support for the US with regard to the war.

Keep in mind that those adds were put in by scared businessmen and political opposition parties who know there is a federal election coming around the bend in Canada next year.

Also keep in mind that the US threatened Canada with trade sanctions ("security trumps trade"). Furthermore we get all the same US propaganda on our cable networks too. Hence the fear and threats dished out by your government have had their effects up here as well.

As such I cancelled my cable tv in January. The newspapers are just as bad. And yes the Canadian newspapers often smell like they are hot off the US press. I, like many people, chose to search for alternative sources of media via the internet. That is how I found your website. It definitely filled an information void for myself and many other in Canada. And yes I know that internet media should always be questioned for its validity and factual content. Its hard to know if the person who writes for an alternative site was really there, at the scene of the crime as say they were. But then again, watching major networks with brand name anchors (who you have grown to trust) doesn't really instill a lot of faith either these days. Using the brand equity of a familiar face to pedal misinformation on a major new network is tragic. But then again, its all about ratings.

The US treated this war like a reality tv show. It was branded, packaged and then sold to the US and the world. Unfortunately, the Americans really did not want to see the real reality of it. Dead children, and bombed neighbourhoods don't go over very well in the US. That's not what the US stands for. So when those images were finally shown to the public, to no surprise, Al Jazeera was condemned, hacked and ultimately lost a reporter. I wonder what would have happened if CNN's website had been hacked or its office fell prey to enemy munitions. The uproar in the US would be heard for months. I am sure a cruise missile would have been sent to an unexpecting civilian target in revenge. Yet when it happened to an Arab news service, it was justified because this particular network was not deemed "responsible". Not surprising.

The images and content your site provided made the average American and the rest of the world question their countries actions and their personal beliefs. You have provided a valuable second side to the war in Iraq. Accordingly, they have tried to silence you. You and Hollywood have reached the masses, and this has caused a stir. Sad.

I don't think you will have trouble getting someone to help you set up your website outside of the US. If that is what you need to do then do it. And even if you decide not to relocate the site, you have to know that many more will likely be created as a result of your efforts.

Thanks for insight. And I hope you stay safe and free in the "land of the free".

Kind Regards

Terry Spencer, Canada.

I can not express better than others did on how useful & truthful your work has been.

It is too bad that you felt that you had to shut down.

I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD TURN OVER YOUR CASE TO THE FBI BECAUSE NOBODY IS SUPPOSED TO THREATEN YOU! AND THE FBI WILL BACK YOU UP AND GET THE PEOPLE THAT THREATENED YOU ON RECORD!!!

THANKS AGAIN,

DANIEL FEDKO

WEST VIRGINIA

USA

Please keep up the excellent reporting you have been doing. As an American who firmly believes in the principles this country was founded on and is supposed to stand for, particularly the right of freedom of speech, I'm simply disgusted by the attacks on you. The US government should be aggressively defending your right to publish and should be taking concrete steps to protect your web site and your people.

Please remember that you have the support of many people around the world despite the attempts by some to damage your organization.

Dave Mullins

California, USA

Dear Gentle Sir,

As soon as I heard about the death threats against you, I wrote to the newspaper in Dalton to express my disgust at their appalling behaviour, I also tried to contact the Sheriffs department but found it closed!

I do hope you will be persuaded to continue and maintain the site- hopefully with renewed vigour, as you perform a vital service to many around the world, not merely to Daltonians.

I am sure that the literate and reasonable residents of whence, as I in England, will come to value your service of balanced and intelligent presentation of news and opinion, as an asset for the community.

If I may make one other appeal to you, I would suggest that you glance once more at the pictures of children injured and dying in Palestine, and ask yourself- 'Can I let down these little innocents who have suffered so much?" And "What of my apprehensions when compared to the daily horrors they endure?"

We are all 'marked men & women' you know. The Zionists never forgive nor forget any who oppose their psychopathic schemes, even in the slightest. While the wonderful, ancient hatred they cherish and nurture, is vast; encompassing all of humanity, and eventually, as we all know, will finally consume them.

All the weapons we need against them is the truth, unremittingly stated.

Lies and the machinery of death, wielded in support of whatever ostensibly good aims, will only serve the interests of the 'World Terror'.

All the power we could ever need, comes from our love for humanity and faith in its enormous potential, freed from the power of darkness, which, from the beginnings of humanity (this potential) was all we ever really possessed anyway.

Yours respectfully

John Bayldon

Dear Editor,

A regime that burns books, (Nazi-Germany, and the Spanish Inquisition burning the Koran),

A regime that kills journalists, a regime that shuts down News-agencies websites, because all of them were telling the truth,

Keep on doing the right thing: inform us!

Rose De Fraine (a Belgian fighting for her right to know.)

http://www.aljazeerah.info

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