Yesterday, our crusading Cotillion sister, Jane Novak shared with us that a
popular newspaper in Switzerland, NZZ had picked up on her NYT story about Yemeni journalist, Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani. This is one of the few respected 'conservative' newspapers remaining in Europe. The article was in German but
Jane was able to get it translated. Essentially the article spoke of being impressed that an American housewife could intimidate a Yemeni government enough to tag her with unfounded names, and it highlighted her determination to help a total stranger across the globe in the name of democracy.
The article generated
a massive amount of traffic to her blog and signatures on
the petition shot up by hundreds in just a short amount of time. Europeans were genuinely interested in the fate of al-Khaiwani and free speech in Yemen. It was amazing to all of us as Jane shared this news. We were so excited for global interest and participation. Let me give you an example of a comment left on her story. [emphasis mine]
Comment by Michel C. Zala
5/21/2008 @ 11:27 am
Hello Jane
Great work in many more ways, than you might think.
I myself am US and Swiss Citizen and subscribe to the NZZ, which ( sorry Marcus) would in American Terms be considered as the last truly conservative (not liberal) Paper in Switzerland. You should not be surprised about the amount of visitors, as the NZZ most definitely in Europe is in the same league as the Washington Post, Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, or Intl. Herald Tribune in terms of Reputation and Credibility.
IN Europe, after 8 years of GWB, the image of the ugly American has become as penetrated as never before. It is definitely nice to see a bit of great press to the contrary, demonstrating that we, the people actually mean it, when we talk about the freedoms so nicely defined in the US Constitution - these freedoms we like to share with so many suppressed people. Many Europeans have forgotten that they always could count on us, when these liberties were threatened. They see us as Oil grabbing invaders and do not realize that the American People, as represented by you, actually believe in the right of every individual to enjoy those liberties we Westerners so often take for granted.
It does not come as a surprise to me, that a Swiss Paper took up your story, the Swiss having one of the longest history of fiercely defending their democratic freedoms. I just wish that the Europeans would do more walking rather than talking, as we have a moral obligation to help evolve these autocratic, theocratic, genocidal regimes throughout the middle east towards a regiion [sic] with stable democracies, where anyone can pursue his/her own individual happiness.
Keep up the great work, Jane.
Isn't the perspective interesting and moving? I couldn't help but agree with that last bit but I wanted to make a substitute. I just wish that Americans would do more walking rather than talking. This brings me to the title of my post.
At the time of this writing, there were
1172 signatures on this petition. Of that number, based on Jane's reports, at least two or three hundred of these signatures are a direct result of the NZZ story. But in America, between
the story in the New York Times and
at least 50+ stories in the blogosphere, we could only generate approximately 800 signatures for freedom and democracy? This is shamefully pathetic. So now I'm going to take us to task for it.
Are we so arrogant, lazy, selfish and apathetic that we cannot take 30 seconds to click and sign this petition for a man who is willing to be separated from his family or even worse, possibly die for journalistic freedom and truth? How can the Yemeni government possibly be intimidated by a petition if Americans don't even appreciate the very freedoms we have by signing it?
We have this huge population. We have people willing to fight and die to protect our freedoms and provide them for others. There is safety in numbers in this affluent nation of ours. The number of signatures on this petition should be overwhelming just based on our population. Why aren't they there?
We are a nation of privilege and we don't even realize it. We have such protection of our freedoms here that we forget how important they are. But unless you are a veteran or a member of our Armed Forces, how many of you would be willing to put your life in jeopardy or on the line to stand up for those freedoms? We love the new media - the blogosphere. We love the access to the Internet. But how would we feel if suddenly our site was banned from access to the public by our own government? Have you forgotten how good you have it? Privileged we are, indeed.
We have this tremendous prestige which we should exercise. Where are the signatures of lawmakers (oh look,
here's one), policy-makers, think tanks, political candidates? For that matter, where are the signatures of Hollywood elites, who so frequently champion freedom from oppression around the world? How about prominent journalists who are supposed to be so zealous about the freedom of the press? And what about the blogosphere? Shame, shame on all of you who have dismissed this as worthless or not likely to have an impact at all or not likely to bring you any free publicity. [Editor's note: a HUGE thank you for those of you who
did already sign and blogged about this]
Where is the pride in our freedoms? Where is this passion for causes greater than ourselves? Where is the joy we receive when we take a stand on something so important and the self-respect from making a difference? We are Americans. We want others to know the freedoms we have. It seems others in The West and
other parts of the world can demonstrate their passion for free speech better than we can. Maybe they see their hopes for democracy fading under repressive regimes and Nanny State governments.
We have the power to make a difference. In the past the Yemeni government yielded to outside pressure and a petition for al-Khaiwani when he was jailed on another occasion. Did you get that? He has survived this oppression before. Please don't dismiss this as a waste of time or as something unlikely to have an impact. This is not the case. Jane gives us
an update on al-Khaiwani's trial.
Good news in its own way. The verdict and sentencing in the case of al-Khaiwani has been postponed until an unknown date. It may be as early as next week. Its a ploy to wait until attention is focused else where.
UPDATE: The trial is scheduled for next week. The petition is working and they are hoping we will all just go away. I don't think anything can stop this mission to help him, unless you refuse to acknowledge the urgency and dismiss the very power your signature could have on that petition. You could have a hand in this man's fate and in the fate of other journalists in Yemen.
Put aside your partisanship, your pettiness and your excuses. None of them compare to the importance of Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani's story and his fate.
Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of a journalist in the Middle East who needs our help.
Jane Novak has inspired so many of us by dedicating her website, her emotions and her time to such a worthy cause. God bless her for it and may personal blessings and rewards be bestowed upon you for fighting along side her and al-Khaiwani.
