You have to smile at the optimism of the people trying to sell tickets to the Bahrain Grand Prix. I am not convinced that thousands of international visitors are going to be swarming into the country after what has happened there in the last 12 months. I have made my feelings on this matter very clear.
I have been asked many times if I intend to go there if there is a race. I have said ‘Wait and see’, but there comes a time at which decisions must be made. One has to book flights and hotels. I have no doubt that whatever happens with the international visitors, the grandstands will be filled with happy-looking, flag-waving Bahrainis. I know if I worked for the Ministry of Information I would make sure that happened.
The problem is how does one know that all these people are going to be peace-loving citizens?
The government says that the race would not be happening if it were not safe and the urgency to hold a race has got nothing to do with the fact that the country’s tourist industry is dying on its feet because of the troubles. They blame the foreign media for this, without explaining why it is in anyone’s interest in the West to make up bad stories about Bahrain.
The F1 circus is setting itself up to be seen as a pro-government group and thus all those involved are going to be perceived by extremists as being against them. We have already seen both sides in the conflict attacking foreigners. My feeling is that because the opposition have been hemmed in by the authorities and have not been able to express their discontent there is likely to a radicalisation of their methods in the future. We all have to drive backwards and forwards through the areas where there has been much protest.
I admit that I am looking at worst case scenarios, and I will be very happy if nothing happens, but I think that one needs to weigh up the risks and benefits before making such a decision. Now we just have to hope that nothing goes wrong.
Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, the man who wrote the report that damned the government’s activities and recommended massive changes, said that the race should go ahead and he is both independent and an expert in these matters. So while I still feel that it is bad for F1′s image to be there and will be a disaster if things go wrong, I am going to go. I feel very strongly that it is actually my duty to be there and to see for myself. And to do my job. Boycotting the race might be a gesture, but a journalist does not become the story, he merely reports it. If things do go wrong and Formula 1 finds itself in a mess then I think that those responsible for the decisions should resign their positions. In any case, there will be little confidence left in their judgement. They are taking a risk that they do not NEED to take, and they should be held accountable for their decisions.
Well said, Joe.
Your front page Peugot advert is wonderfully ironic considering I clicked your name from this thread! Mea, maybe my dark sense of humor.
Of course nothing will happen during the grand prix. That’s beside the point. They will make sure nothing happens to the F1 people. The problems are there before F1 arrives and after F1 leaves.
The study of history shows that controlling people is not that easy, particularly if you have forced them to be extreme.
How do you know protester’s will not be in the Grandstands? Can’t they buy a ticket? How do you stop100 people from jumping the fence and sitting down on the track before the start?
If the race is on let’s hope it’s drama free except for the racing.
Depends. They can’t use their usual tactics- beat the heck out of them and fire tear gas at them- whilst the event is being broadcast in glorious High Definition BernieVision
Good on you for making your position clear. As someone who often tells us you haven’t missed a GP for 20+ years, I totally understand your wish to continue that run. F1 can’t avoid being tied to politics, however much it protests otherwise. Ultimately, if the decision is made to race, then I want to know about that race.
Once in Bahrain, I trust you will provide your usual high level of honest coverage. Regardless of what the Bahraini authorities wish the external perception to be, your readers should be confident you won’t be hoodwinked by a red carpet tour like some other visitors have been.
I wish you a safe journey and look forward to your writings on the event and it’s context.
Continuing the unbroken run of races was not part of the decision-making process…
Sorry, I was unclear! I meant continuing your run as a bonus to your already stated reasons. It would be a shame to break that.
Reporting is your bread & butter, an unbroken run is simply words on the packaging…
While I agree that as an F1 journo you should go, because there is a race there.
I think it quite likely that the rest of the media will be able just gloss over it and live in the bubble.
I think from a fan’s perspective for a lot of races the location, apart from if it’s in your own country is almost irrelevant. Unless it’s a track with history.
Most fans will have no more passion for a race in Bahrain than they do in China or to a lesser extent Abu Dhabi (just because it’s close to the end of the season races seem more important.)
It’s unfortunate but most will completely ignore the political/social issues of a country just because they want to watch fast cars.
So for me; will I watch the race? Yes. Do I think there should be a race there? No. Will Bahrain be mentioned again in the same sentence as F1 for a year once the race is over? No and everyone will ignore what is happening again.
“Boycotting the race might be a gesture, but a journalist does not become the story, he merely reports it.”
I very much agree on this point, but what I don’t understand is the hesitation ! If a journo duty is to report rather than be part of the story no matter the conditions, then why hesitate in the 1st place ?
I was hesitating because I did not need to make a decision.
This is a country which arrested and tortured doctors and nurses who treated demonstrators in the emergency rooms and hospitals they work in: their crime–doing their duty. This is a country where people do not have the right to peacefully demonstrate and express their opinions; rule of law? debatable. Yet, the international community seems to think it’s ok to reward “bad behaviour” by both the government and demonstrators by awarding it a Formula One race as if everything were normal in the country. It may be safe for visiting foreigners, but it is not safe for citizens to demonstrate for their rights. If you do go, would you please report on the situation on the ground, as well as F1 coverage? Foreign journos haven’t been allowed in the country and we really do not know exactly what the situation is on the ground. thanks
Foreign reporters have been allowed in. Just a few have been stopped or refused visas.
Isn’t it even more of an argument to go and have a look if one knows that other journalists and observers have been only reluctantly allowed into the country?
I think there are a few journalist in the F1 crowd who can be trusted to keep their eyes wide open and report truthfully, and Joe is certainly one of those.
Joe,
If there was a race, as a journalist who attends all F1 races, I would expect you to attend to report back what is going on. For the majority of us that read this blog we will not be attending and you are the best source of what it is really like behind the scenes. I for sure will be interested what the folks you meet have to say about the race and the situation in that country, in and outside F1, locals and foreign nationals.
You don’t need to protest by staying away, you have made your comments heard. Now the reporting is the most important aspect to do. Just try to stay out of harm’s way! Thanks for the service you are providing. Good luck.
Wow Joe, I wish my country Venezuela, where we actually elect our president and have a vibrant Independent media, could afford the same dispensation and consideration from many opinion makers in the F1 world, as Bahrain is getting from you.
Our money is “dirty”, our elected president a “dictator” and our F1 driver and GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado is a “typical pay driver”.
With Bahrain, it seems like its OK for the repression and political oppression to continue, now that their PR firms and US and Saudi support, has allowed them to keep any negative info from reaching the western media.
In any case, your decision is the right one given the circumstances. I only wonder if your desire “to be there and to see for myself” could crash against the wall of restriction of movement and extreme security measures designed to prevent common bahrenians from talking to the international press.
Good luck. I look forward to your reports from the Kingdom.
If you would be kind enough to show me where I called the money “dirty” or Chaves “a dictator” it would be helpful. The third point is self-evident. He is a pay-driver, just as Petrov is. He is not bad, but nor is he anything special and he would not be in the Williams without a vast sum of money behind him.
You think Antonio Pizzonia is a more talented driver? What do you think about Maldonado outqualifying Barrichello last year?
Good points you make Joe. With what’s in the news at the moment, I appreciate the need for and work of journalists all the more.
One thing – I can’t see anything at all that would make those responsible for the decisions resign their positions, should things go wrong. They’ve presided over an array of embarassments and cock-ups, resulting in F1 having an unnecessarily sleazy reputation outside the business, and they’ve not shown any signs of doing the decent thing if it inconveniences them or their bank balances. From where I sit in the cheap seats, that is.
Yes , what you say is right but don’t ever expect the responsible for the decision of the formula to resign their positions because if the torurers and the killers haven’t been judged even in this day that bassiouni proved they are guilty , they even got promoted , they will just blame the protesters for protesting without premition and that is there excuse to kill the protesters , the citizens doesn’t need primition to protest in there country , it’s there rights , if we block the streets then they are doing the same , look at the lulu roundabout , they are the ones that blocking it even in this day , when we were protesting in lulu we didn’t block it , the cars can come and move , even if we did block it is that a reason for killing ?. silence /hunger/torture/lie/spread fitna / doesn’t treat the injuries …etc
they are just afraid of this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUMfjMwy84w
thank you for saying your decision on and making it obvious …
I don’t need to tell you this, but I will anyway… be careful.
You have said a lot of things on here that, while they are almost certainly true, are probably not what the Bahraini authorities would like to hear. If they are treating their own citizens this way, I would be concerned how they would treat a journalist that speaks it how he sees it.
Good luck, be safe, and I am very interested to read your views once you return.
true , they focus on every website that talks about Bahrain , if they saw thi they won’t even let you in , look at the last jazera english report , you will see a small part of what the government do
The best point you make is that it is your duty to cover the event. While I respect that, in another sense, I fear that the proof will be in the pudding. In other words, are you there to report only on the race, or to bear witness to something else?
I will report as I always report.
Be safe.
Looking forward to that. Continuing thanks.
Dunno, don’t think it’s anyone’s duty to cover an f1 race (or any other sport). Actually, more egg would be on the sport’s face if journalist chose not to travel to the event for safety reasons. Anyway, will be interesting to read what Joe has to say during and after the race weekend. Hope it all goes well
I’m not sure any of us knows whether you’ll be reporting on a sporting event, a PR disaster or a tragedy, but I just pray that:
1) everyone involved in the event stays safe
2) their safety does not come at a price of death or injury to others
If a Bahraini security person kills even one protester in the name of protecting the F1 event, then F1 really will have some explaining to do.
It’ll be a pretty easy explanation though :
- the protester will be portrayed as a at best a risk-taking maverick and at worst a dangerous terrorist;
- the security people involved will be said to have been put under immense pressure and to have reacted as best they could under difficult circumstances;
- the teams will say “very sad, very sad – now let’s all go to Barcelona and have a party!”
- and the world’s media will talk about it for a day or two until Iran or Syria do something else stupid to take all the Middle East focus off Bahrain again.
I think you should know that they were some employees who have been working in Bahrain International circuit been arrested and dismissed from their work there just because they had been expressed their views in protesting as a simple right in human rights. I am not saying you are not welcome to attend, I just want you to know how you can race in a country that does not respect human rights and gloss their image in front of the world with shiny image to hide the daily crimes that they are practicing it with citizens just because they asked for a democratic country that gives them live in dignity and equality. At the end you won’t feel it till you live there in one of my villages to witness by your eyes what’s the real truth that is hidden.
you are wrong about the reporters , they are not letting them to enter , many reporters didn’t get the visa , it’s the truth , you could see that most of the channels like bbc/cnn..etc or newspaper like new york times or something like that didn’t get the visa , we don’t see in the protests any reporter , only the press tv , even if they let any report to enter they will just take him to super markets and stuff like that , they will just say everything normal and stuff like that , why don’t you come today ?. ofcours they won’t let you , it’s feb and they are silencing us but when you come they will do less attacks but that’s a small guess , they never stopped silence us , they never stoped the violations and they never let the reporters to enter , maybe they will let the reporters enter when formula comes but they will put rules to them , they will not let you go any where you want , they will make you go only specific places and then get back to the hotel and you will see , it’s only a matter of time , just look for the truth while time comes , don’t be silence , silence makes wars which cause deaths and violation…
As a fan, however, I can’t see any moral justification in watching it. It’s very rare that I miss a race but this is one I won’t watch. I fully understand your position but I hope enough fans turn off that it actually impacts the TV ratings.
I’m, glad you made the call, Joe. Did have to be done, and I like to think I would have had the balls. There is no advantage to you to be on the sharp end of whatever politics are keeping hush on whatever is going on.
But let me just say this: My Dear Correspondent, if you need to get bust out of there, Wild Geese style, I am totally in.
– john
And I too in spirit, I regret knees not Wild Geese material any more. Roger Moore is a bit old for that too, it’s more of an Andy McNabb/Chris Ryan job, mind they are probably past it by now.
thank you brother rpaco!
Of course the reason that real story went south was because they were all on their last tour past sell by. So i rather reckoned to be the forward welcome home party, just never saying follow me right behind, understand
joking aside, the thing i rate bout Joe is being a real bloke, doesn’t speculate unless must. So let’s not either.
Joe, would I be wrong in guessing that if you did NOT go racing when the majority of other jounos’s went, you might be jeopardizing your credentials? Or at the least lose access to key people? While going may pose some risk it would seem not going would pose risks of an entirely different sort.
It would seem that if they hold the race you have to go, unless there are mass riots and serious violence in the run up to the event.
No, not at all.
They would be nuts to single out Joe. Even if it all goes swimmingly, having any kind of crack at him would send a signal something really was not all right. Logic.
Any which way, at least Joe’s Our Man In Bahrain. Want your news from the others?
Joe,
Though I am going to purposely NOT watch the Bahrain race, I respect your decision and understand where you’re coming from.
I am still not convinced that the race will happen.
I’m looking forward to subscribing to your e-zine for the first time. How do I pay/subscribe?
You go to http://www.grandprixplus.com and follow instructions. It is easy.
Just what I told the nice lad who handled my moan at my cellular company who was hacked at the BBC flunk. One month of Sky, or 21 (22?) good reads. Hmm, wonder if I got things sorted because of the tip, dear me!
If they’ve been reading your blog, they might not even let you in
!
There is only one way to find out. However it really serves no purpose to keep me out. It will only create more adverse publicity.
Gallows humor, Joe:
this is when DT and The Dude ought to be buying big time life insurance on your backside!
(I presume they already have that, for business purposes, so it is simply a joke in bad taste.)
But the premia just went up . . .
Shutting my gob now, be safe out there!
I’d rather the race was cancelled and done now but I respect your need to be there and obviously hope all will be safe. In light of the tragic losses today in Syria, we owe so much to journalists and photographers who put themselves at risk in order to tell the world what is really happening.
Best wishes.
Who has the final decision to race there, FOM, FIA or the Race Promoter?
You can bet your bottom dinar there’s been some heavy lobbying going on…
be safe Joe
Totally respect your decision, Joe. Let’s hope that they (a) let you in, and (b) you remain safe throughout. Take care.
Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni is a UN War crimes expert. I’ve read “UN War Crime Expert Backs Bahrain GP” all over the place. Why would he lie? lol
Good Luck and be safe despite the UN backing of the race.
Joe,
You’ve been open and frank about your views on this subject from day one. I know that you won’t sugar coat the reporting of anything that you may witness whilst attending this event. But please remember this: you are a first rate F1 journalist NOT a war correspondent, please do not jeopardise your personal safety for the sake of F1. I am grateful that you are going but please If you feel threatened at all then GET OUT. I’m sure every one here wishes you a safe return.
Joe, am just curious (no agenda)…
Did you seriously consider not going? Or did it never reach that point, i.e., before you were paying attention to the issue, not your plans, and your plans became relevant now only because it’s time to make reservations?
I spent no time considering the question. No point in crossing bridges before they are built.
All the best, Joe. Be safe, and remember to pack your kevlar underwear.
Joe, do you believe that there will an almost inumberable amount of militia and other armed forces during the week preceding and then following the GP to ensure the safety of all who will come to this race?
We will see
Joe,
.
I’ve been thinking about your quandary a good bit (driving 90 min. to work requires deep thought
For me, the resolution became clear in an NPR (US National Public Radio) piece this afternoon from a place far removed physically – Tibet. At the end the reporter reflected “in the end our job, as reporters, is to bear witness” to what is happening.
I trust that, for us, you will “bear witness” in Bahrain.
whenever I think I can’t take any more BS or self punishment from my work, NPR is one of those places I seek fresh air. Then I suck it up all again at work, because if I ever get windfall silly rich, going to fund a NPR alike thisaway. Much needed thing, IMO.
As a journalist, Joe should definitely attend and bear witness.
As F1 fans, we should not watch a minute of this event.
Regarding the safety of those attending, it’s clear that the repressed majority could make life very difficult for those who attend. Not only at the track, but at the hotels. Locking down the track is the easy part. There is no “green zone” in Bahrain, the teams and journalists will be spread far and wide throughout the city.
I do expect Saudi Arabia to send an even larger contingent of enforcers prior to the event, but they’re unlikely to be able to save the event from a concerted effort by the protestors.
If they use live ammo against non-violent protestors on the event weekend, the race WILL NOT be run. (I’d bet a large sum on that)
Far more threatening to the event, any time they use tear gas near the track the racers will not be able to race. Tear gas spreads with the wind, sometimes as much as a mile. Ever caught a whiff of the stuff? I have. There is no possible way a race could proceed with CS in the wind.
I do wonder if the repressed majority have been lying low in anticipation of the world’s focus on their nation. Purposefully holding back on the protests, just to spring massive demonstrations when there are a thousand or more journalists in attendance.
If I were running the opposition, that would be my move.
I spent yesterday in college teaching a class of teenage journalism students about a reporter’s duty to be the eyes and ears of the public (and of history) in places that most people don’t get the chance to go to and look at for themselves. The examples I used were the death of Marie Colvin and the experiences of a former colleague of mine and her team last year during the Christchurch earthquake. This falls into the same category… Go. Go safely, but go.
…or I wonder if your time there will be somewhat reminiscent of a tour of North Korea, where every stop and every sight is carefully orchestrated to give the impression of peace, tranquility and happiness…
Lack of principles, and a certain amount of hypocrisy in your choice to go to Bahrain Joe.
We’ve endured your long diatribes about Bahrain for many months here, but when it came time to stand up for what is right, and you had so vehemently espoused, you failed.
I consider that post to be downright rude, but i knew there would some who would spout out such things.
I have explained my position.
If you are so passionate about it, get off your arse and go fight them.
You claimed to be passionate about it, but when push came to shove you caved in.
All that’s left to think is that you are like so many other unprincipled journalists who talk the talk but won’t walk the walk. Or was it that you needed something to write about in the quiet season?
I do not believe that F1 should go to Bahrain. But apparently the sport disagrees with me. I am an observer not an activist and I cannot help if you do not understand what journalists do. Marie Colvin wrote passionately about her beliefs, but she was not an activist. She was a journalist. If the sport decides to go to Bahrain then I am going. I will report on whatever I have to report on and I will say what I think. That is logical. Your position is illogical. You want to stop things happening, but only from the security of your own home. If you are really passionate enough to become an activist, behave like one. Get out there and do something and don’t berate others who are doing their jobs properly.
all that talk and now ur coming. my my my
Your point?
Dear Joe,
I have followed your reports on the Bahrain situation for several months, and although I have often disagreed about whether or not F1 should be going there (occasionally commenting but not always), I very much respect your opposing position.
My only disappointment is that you have reported many times on the problems in Bahrain, and penned specific blogs covering those who say F1 should not be going, but the Bassiouni report – which I would contend is a far more important document than letters to The Times – only rated a single sentence in the very last paragraph of this blog. I would have preferred to see you give your analysis of this significant report when it was released in its own blog.
I look forward to reading your reports from Bahrain, assuming that it all goes ahead as planned. However, your final sign-off on this blog suggests those leaders in F1 should resign if things go badly, and that F1 is taking a risk it does not NEED to take by going to Bahrain. Is that not the same as you taking a risk you do not NEED to take by going to report on the event?
Best wishes and safe travels,
stuart
I read the whole thing and wrote a very long blog post. So if you wish to criticise me, at least get the facts right.
My apologies, but I haven’t yet found it. What date was it?
Here
You’ve got to attempt a full coverage of events and I praise your efforts as laudable. You are committed, professional and consistent as have been your comments on the Bahraini (‘s) situation.
Many thanks and good luck.
Sorry Joe, by ‘report’, I should have said ‘letter to the Bahrain Circuit Chairman, and copied to Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone’, from last week, not the original report from last year. I have read your blog on that report.
stuart
Joe, probably against the majority opinion I’ve read on the comments, but given the situation there I would have fully understood and had no problem (not that my opinion should matter!) with you not going, and there being no Grand Prix + from Bahrain etc. As it is, like others have said good luck and stay safe. It really is a pity the race is being held, but Bahrain seems to be the new ‘great game’ (if it was only all a game) for a few countries (Iran, Saudi, U.S.) that I can’t envisage anyone important enough telling F1 to get a grip and not go. And if their cheque to Bernie clears, then, as always, it’s on…….do you know of any other media organisations that may not go? I remember some hints that the BBC may not have sent (front of camera anyway) people if the race had run last year?
I am stunned to learn that some people believe that journalists display weakness of character if they cover events which they disapprove of.
By that notion, only those who approve of a war would cover it, only those who believe politicians are ethical would report on gov’t, etc, etc.
It may be the silliest notion I’ve encountered, and that’s saying a lot. It never occurred to me that anyone could think such a thing.
People inadvertently project themselves, and most are intimidated by all manner of petty authorities, for fear their greater pettiness be revealed, get a little Uriah Heap about things, or just moan and grumble instead of think. Maybe someone who thinks for themselves is intimidating too, so has to be dragged down. I believe was ever thus.
I’m sure you are correct…
But even with that understanding… to believe that journalists with spine cover only those things which they endorse? Really? That seems a bit much, even for those who prefer to think with their glands (glans?) instead of their brain…
Glad to see you are headed to Bahrain. I think we will all have a better idea of what it looks like once you report back. Hopefully nothing crazy happens and everyone remains safe and calm.
since last year and still am saying the same thing, from outside bahrain you can’t really clearly see what is going on and when you come here you will know for sure that your – fears, judgments, and comments – has no grounds as bahrain is safe, its clear here to us who are living in this land, we go to our work, we go to malls and live our life with no worries …
all are welcome and bahrain is not as the dark image that you have painted it in every thing you wrote about bahrain … April is soon to prove that everything is ok here … all are welcome …
Great. Glad to hear it. Could you explain the mass demonstrations, the Bassiouni report. the need to destroy the Pearl Roundabout, and the recent troubles with demonstrators and media not being allowed in? I would love to hear how you manage to make all these things disappear. You can believe whatever you like, I suppose, but this stuff is not being made up and if it is not properly addressed by the government, it will come back and will bite Bahrain. As I have written many times I wish the best for your country, but it must help itself and not make the mistake and think that repression is the answer.
Yes i can answer all your questions but you will see it more clearly when you are here with your own eyes:
- The mass demonstrations as reported was pushed by hate more than love, pushed by trying to destroy the country rather than building it and all the calls – which was displayed in mass media of how peaceful it was or whatever – is really a good cover up for what was done in the hidden away from media …
- The distraction of pearl harbor was called by the people of Bahrain who stood with the government and we didn’t want to see something that remind us of bad days that – even friends from birth and families which are from both sides of the conflict is now seriously thinking of ending all the love and peace in between – so yeah we don’t want a symbol that remind us of bad days and by the way – this show that media don’t know thing – the roundabout real name is GCC it had six pillars which represent the gulf states and they choose that location – reference to bad history which show that it is never peaceful nor what they claims of lies.
- recent troubles as u call it is that they want go back to the same location and now it is limited access area, we don’t want the Chaos to come back, we don’t want them to block the roads and terrify people in our beloved Bahrain… when we Bahrain seek peace they aim to convey their message that terrorize people and say that they have rights and other things – they don’t have the right to block streets, they don’t have rights to stop people from going to their work and do their business – rights stops when it reach at the people limits – which they don’t understand they want to do whatever they feel like
- media not being allowed in point: if the media is given correct data when they enter the country and approach the right way – they are most welcome and no one can stop them – but if they apply for the wrong visa and give wrong info of where they are staying and that they will get only the news clips that well know international media is paying for millions of dollars so they only take sides and they are money seekers – more than been real media which report the truth and the only truth – which we need the people all over the world to know and understand … be sure Bahrain people do understand and very well educated and do know the great plans set to destroy the region using people around the world
i can go over and over about Bahrain, people, the government, i was born here, raised and lived my whole life – almost 35 years – and whatever you read ether from government reports, international reports, etc you know that you have to be here, see for yourself, live with the people and believe what you will see … if you have been here in Bahrain you will understand what we mean when we in Bahrain are different … we are like a big family and every family have issues – only the family will be able to solve – so this is our nature..
you can as the FIA, FOM, Teams, Drivers & fans … that are here or came to Bahrain … and they will tell you about the Bahraini people …
it’s an open arm invite and be sure am not some spokesman or a PR agent … an just a Bahraini who love every person in this land and always love the ground of Bahrain
Cheers
You omitted to find a way of writing off the Report…
Over here, perhaps we can learn a thing or two from this and take forward looking actions… such as destroying Fort Sumter, dismantling the bridges between Selma and our Birmingham, erasing mention of Vietnam from our textbooks, and pretending that we did not prosecute our own for war crimes despite the fact that in prior wars we imprisoned our soldiers for water-boarding.
Had we known that erasing the reminders of our shortcomings can lead us forward, we could save a great deal of the upset associated with necessary change.
(Truth be told, there are those among us who are now attempting this approach…)
i didn’t understand what you just said never the mind, its my country, am proud of my Bahrain if you see it different its your choice but when you arrive here you will see and know for sure that all the worries you were talking about and all the issues – like it is a war zone here – has no grounds …
Cheers
I heartily approve of the idea that you love your country and are proud of it. Also, I fully agree with you that I don’t truly understand what it happening in your country.
For whatever it might be worth, I come from a country which has had important shortcomings in its history and continues to have them. On some of these matters, we have made important corrections, to the point where I am as proud of our making corrections as I am of anything else. When I examine the difference between the corrections we have made vs. the ones we have failed to make yet, the one big difference is whether we admit our shortcomings. Without seeing the need, no corrections can occur.
At present, both our nations face the need to make repairs to the way we do things. In both nations, some folks see the need for corrections, while others insist there is no need for significant corrections and claim that the push for corrections comes from a small group of outsiders, malcontents, and those who are somehow undeserving. It’s always the same story.
Since the world has never seen a perfect nation, I think it’s difficult for many of us to believe that the upset in your country (or mine) is manufactured by just an undeserving few. Admitting the need for change is not a sign that you don’t love your country, nor does it mean that you are not proud of your country. Rather, it supports the kind of change that will help your grandchildren be even more proud of your country 30 years from now than you are today.
In short: he means you must learn from your shortcomings as a nation. If you ignore your problems from the past, you will just relive them all over again.
Pretending that everything is alright in Bahrain does not mean that everything is actually alright.
If the protesters are suppressed and kept away from your pristine shopping malls, and you only frequent the shopping malls, then you’ll think your area is pretty rosy. Walking around any city’s financial district and shopping malls and upper-class areas are never going to paint a true picture of a region.
Did you do a full tour of all regions of Bahrain and all neighbourhoods of Manama to fully determine the quality of life and fairness of rule in your country?
What can the media gain from making it seem like it’s worse than it actually is? Why are you ignoring Joe’s mention of the Bassiouni Report? Until you can answer those two questions, I don’t consider you a credible source of information for what is going on in Bahrain.
Ahmed makes his point very well.
From his perspective the protestors are terrorists. You would get the same answer from a peaceful person in Northern Ireland asked about the paramilitaries during the troubles.
However, whatever the rights and wrongs of the argument, no one was stupid enough to hold a grand prix in Belfast during the troubles
There you have a point. I think that the levels of extremism in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and Bahrain today are different, but if the government continues to for suppress the opposition as appears to be happening, then it is inevitable that the opposition will become more radical. And creating martyrs will inspire trouble for generations.
Having lived my entire life in Northern Ireland I think I understand what the people in Bahrain are feeling.
I totally agree that you should go there and your reasons are very honest, frank and moral.
Regardless of who’s right or wrong, journalists have a special role because they do not just cover events, the also comment on them. And most importantly they are the ones that will expose anything that that should not be happening.
as we say here in bahrain “Ahlan wa Salhlan” all are welcome
Marshals and other bahraini looking forward to have the f1 2012
Cheers