Comments on: Censorship, self censorship and attempted coups http://ams1.x31.com/~andy/2009/08/censorship-self-censorship-and-attempted-coups/ Telecommunications Consultant Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:49:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: PM http://ams1.x31.com/~andy/2009/08/censorship-self-censorship-and-attempted-coups/comment-page-1/#comment-391 PM Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:38:57 +0000 http://ams1.x31.com/~andy/?p=2141#comment-391 Excellent and thoughtful response to the QL situation. Ironically, the Stratfor article would have put most people's minds at ease, but the mods made sure that didn't happen by the way they overreacted. I've been on QL for almost 3 years and it used to be moderated by 2 guys (Qatari and Ahmad). It is well-known that they are not Qatari and hence their worry about anything that could get them in trouble in Doha. However, I do feel like they always did a good job moderating and were far less inclined to venture into PC-motivated territory than these mods who were brought on board more recently when the number of users grew so much. Perhaps the greatest irony is that I, along with many others came to Doha in 1999 as part of the Ruling Family's move to open up the country and make Qatar (in the oft repeated words of Sheikha Mozah) "a knowledge based society". The establishment of the DCMF (Doha Center of Media Freedom) and its subsequent problems with certain power brokers in the country, made it very clear to me that Qatar is in a marked state of regression. I think this will continue until most of the signs of progress that the country has enjoyed since the Emir has been in power are decimated. As is VERY clear: many Qataris actually desire to be in 7th century Arabia -- as long as their energy sector revenues keep lining their pockets so they can enjoy all the finest frills in life that the West has to offer, without the actual contamination of our "values" (i.e., freedom, guaranteed human rights, religious tolerance, etc.). Regards, PM -- the one who is getting blamed for what you started! lol Excellent and thoughtful response to the QL situation. Ironically, the Stratfor article would have put most people’s minds at ease, but the mods made sure that didn’t happen by the way they overreacted.

I’ve been on QL for almost 3 years and it used to be moderated by 2 guys (Qatari and Ahmad). It is well-known that they are not Qatari and hence their worry about anything that could get them in trouble in Doha. However, I do feel like they always did a good job moderating and were far less inclined to venture into PC-motivated territory than these mods who were brought on board more recently when the number of users grew so much.

Perhaps the greatest irony is that I, along with many others came to Doha in 1999 as part of the Ruling Family’s move to open up the country and make Qatar (in the oft repeated words of Sheikha Mozah) “a knowledge based society”. The establishment of the DCMF (Doha Center of Media Freedom) and its subsequent problems with certain power brokers in the country, made it very clear to me that Qatar is in a marked state of regression. I think this will continue until most of the signs of progress that the country has enjoyed since the Emir has been in power are decimated. As is VERY clear: many Qataris actually desire to be in 7th century Arabia — as long as their energy sector revenues keep lining their pockets so they can enjoy all the finest frills in life that the West has to offer, without the actual contamination of our “values” (i.e., freedom, guaranteed human rights, religious tolerance, etc.).

Regards,
PM — the one who is getting blamed for what you started! lol

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