Tuesday, June 15, 2004

al Ditto: Citizens of Iraq who want to vent about the occupying American force, the numerous terrorist attacks, or the shade of blue in the new Iraqi flag now have a medium. Talk radio has come to Baghdad -- and it's a hit.

Thousands of residents call in every day, griping almost as badly as Americans, according to news reports:

Unthinkable during the Saddam era, this is Iraq's first talk radio station. It is only a small commercial channel that has sprung up in the maelstrom of the capital, but has already struck a chord with residents.

Freedom of expression is the first ingredient for democracy. And once that freedom is unleashed, it's almost impossible to stop.