Hi.

I agree with you. Democracy demands that we express our political views without worry about violent retribution. Death threats to you are not in keeping with democratic principles. Patriotism is not equivalent to flag-waving, you are a patriot of free speech and democracy.

The fundamental unit of democracy is our right to vote. The fundamental currency of democracy is free expression. Your web site expresses the views of people who see the political landscape differently than do the war hungry followers of Mr. ... and Mr. ...

I hope you get Al-Jazeerah back on line soon. Good luck

Thanks.

I heard about your site in NPR and did wonder what would be the effect. I am very sorry to read that it did have awful consequences.

My wishes that you and your family are safe (and that your feelings of safety may be restored soon).

Hello and thanks for your website.

I'm sorry about the troubles you've had, but it's to be expected in a country where it seems that too few people have the ability to think critically or logically. That aside, it would be nice if people would at least act civilly, but that does not appear to be "in the cards" either.

I've read dozens of news-related websites in the past few months and it seems that every one that posts reader comments shows the same trend: A large percentage of the postings in support of war are peppered with expletives, ignorance, intolerance, aggressiveness and direct threats. While our government uses the fascism of other governments as a pretext for war, our own brand of media-propaganda inspired grassroots fascism is flourishing. You and your website are just one of many alternative media to come under such attacks.

Best wishes for a better tomorrow.

Dear Editor

I was shocked to read today that you have been receiving threats and hate mail, and I am deeply saddened that Aljazeerah is no longer available. But I would like to thank you for your excellent - and brave - work, and I wish you all the best for the future.

I am also an immigrant, though not a Muslim, and I support your right to speak your mind. This country is going through some dark times but we all have to focus now on what we want our country to be like. To focus on what it is not, at the moment, will just bring us more of the same.

I want a country based on the Bill of Rights where people feel free enough to speak their minds. It is by this right that we can discuss freely the path we want our country to take. I want this freedom and support it for you and for everybody.

I want a country that honors the separation of the church (or mosque, temple, etc.) and state so that we can all worship the Creator as we see fit. It is by this right that you can worship the way your conscience asks you to.

Unfortunately we are led right now by an administration that is polarizing the country and the world. It is spreading fear and allowing belligerent attitudes and behaviors to flourish. I pray and I trust that this is a passing phase, perhaps a necessary one, where we bring to light this prevalent attitude and then see to change it.

Perhaps our energy should be applied politically by making sure that all of us, and our friends, vote in the next election and put these current leaders out of office.

Take heart and have courage! There is a saying that it is the darkest before the dawn. Let the dawn come. Be joyful!

Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar

Editor - Al-Jazeera.us

Dear DR. El-Najjar;

I'm sure that it is disconcerting to receive both hate mail and threats on your life. It is deplorable how some act toward disagreement. I am a frequent reader of your site. Not because I find the information at Al-Jazeerah more compelling than other coverage, but because I attempt to understand the Arab / Muslim perspective of the U.S. I find it quite confusing. Most of all, I find your caring Robert Fisk as simply anti-American twaddle that does little but breed contempt in the Arab world for the western hypotheses of Iraqi self determination. 

I can tell you that the American public has no desire to colonize the Middle East. If we see that happening we will vote for an American "regime change" at the next election. The absolute beauty of America is that we not only want, but require a regime change every eight years.

Thus, as you are aware, executive power in this country is fluid and one only has to wait for policy to be changed. That reality seems lost on the Arab street. Although, like many in the world, I am greatly distrustful of the U.S. government, I am also greatly distrustful of the media. The is so little historical perspective and the is so much "unconfirmed" information delivered as fact that one wonders where one can get information that is not cluttered with speculative noise. Your publication is certainly guilty of this (as is Fox, CNN, ABC, the New York Times, etc.)

I am so very distressed over the condition of the Iraqi people that I find myself obsessed searching for news of basic services that the Iraqi's, particularly the Baghdadi's, are in need. There is a dearth of coverage on the real facts behind the status of electricity and water. Would it not be of benefit for Al-Jazeerah to have direct interviews with those who are working on that problem to give "rolling updates" so some of the confusion can be eliminated. It appears that most journalists would rather report the pain than try to explain what is being done.

Now, more than ever, the world needs to know what news can bring them hope. We have enough despair and I would assume that a role for Arabic journalism would be, not only to show the darkness, but also provide whatever light can be seen at the end of the tunnel. In the process I do not propose that you change your editorial bias. If you do track "progress" I think you will differentiate yourselves from the western media. It should be good for business.

Please do not take my criticisms as singling out Al-Jazeerah. It certainly is much better than the typical state run media in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iran and other dictatorship in the Middle East. I applaud your work but I hope that it evolves into something is more focused on the larger picture and less on sensational and anecdotal stories.

Keep up the good work and do not be disparaged. Most Americans have huge hearts and wish only the best for your success and the well-being of the Arab world.

I read some articles from Al Jazeerah, comparing with the CNN bark-styled

news coverage, it's quality against quantity.

The difference is that you are serving the case of the humanity, contrary some

US channels how thinks first on their profits.

Good luck

Dear Mr. Hassan A. El-Najjar, I would like to express my sincere thanks for

your efforts to provide balance in the reporting of the invasion of Iraq. I

really appreciate the opportunity to read different opinions from a part of

the world I am not familiar with. I have been so impressed with the

intelligence and the depth of knowledge of your contributors. Please do not

Dear Dr. El-Najjar,

I read an online article about your struggle against fascists. I'm glad to know you are taking the threats seriously. I hope the threats will not prevent you from continuing the struggle.

Americans are awakening to the threat of fascism. Defenders of liberty are not yet a visible majority, but our numbers are very large -- much larger than the hostile, violent few who threaten, and occasionally assault our side.

I urge you not to give up your struggle against intolerance and war. Even though we no longer enjoy all the freedoms this country once stood proudly for, we still have the tools we need to keep resistance alive. I hope you will remain vigilant and continue the hard work of rebuilding American democracy.

Please visit my web site: www.cincydemo.org

You will see how another community is using the internet to speak during these hostile times.

Sincerely,