On This Blog’s Biases
A little clarification on the political views expressed in this weblog…
In a previous post, many readers expressed a form or another of disappointment — in comments and in emails– that I’m becoming less fair and less balanced.
I want to make it clear that I never suggested before that I was somehow dissociated from what is happening in Lebanon, and I never suggested that I was a “neutral” observer. Perhaps I should have made this clearer before, but I do wear a lot of hats in Beirut Spring, and those are not just the writing, the design and the programming.
Here’s a rule of thumb for the extra sensitive readers: In posts with the category “Plain Talking”, I write with a layman’s voice, without trying to be measured, fair or balanced. I just write whatever comes through my sometimes-angry, sometimes silly and sometimes rude head.
It is in posts with the category “News Analysis” where you should expect the more equanimous, analytical and “balanced” tone that lead some of you to think that this blog was “neutral” . I confess, those are much harder to write (and re-write), and I wish I could write more of them.
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Hello, my name is Mustapha and I blog in The Beirut Spring about Lebanese society and politics. I started in February 2005 after the killing of P.M. Rafik Hariri.
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haha don’t feel like you have to answer to anyone Mustapha!
Everyone is bias! It’s called freedom of speech! And btw you’re the most neutral observer out there! A way to measure neutrality is how well you are at pissing off both sides of the spectrum not at how good you are at pleasing them haha…
Keep up the good work!
Ditto the above comment as well. If someone doesn’t like what they read here, then let them go to al-Manar website.
Keep up the good work.
We are all somehow based if we do not try to put ourselves in the place of our opponent.However how many are ready to understand his opponent.
Moustafa, maybe it is not about being biast but about reading what is unacceptable by others.
You got at least, contrary to many blogs, published analysts from others parties, as a 14 march blog, it is a very rare method and it brings a place for the dialogue.
Congratulation for that.
I am deeply concerned with what is happening in Lebanon, just like you and your readers. I visit your blog daily, and that of others. My views are deeply encrusted in my OWN belief of how Lebanon should be. Although I attempt to be open and somehow objective, I do realize and admit that no matter how hard I try I am biased. I am a Lebanese whom from his early age was made aware of sectarian and religious differences. My vision of Lebanon, and moreover my memory of Lebanon is somewhat different from what prevails today. I owe it to my OWN sens (even if some might label it TWISTED) to keep on rambling. Call a spade a spade, even at the risk of being crude and called names. Stick by your views and beliefs (no matter how twisted they might seem to others), be consistent; unlike those who (supposedly represent us).
Keep on blogging; and no justification needed.
Here here.
Some people simply don’t understand “freedom of speech”. They think that just because you have a blog on the internet, you are supposed to tell them what THEY want to hear and if you don’t, you’re some kind of enemy agent.
This mentality is at the very heart of our problem in Lebanon. People have yet to grasp the very basic tenets of democracy: Freedom of opinion and speech.
You got to know when to fold ‘em, know when to hold ‘em… sing along
As a Brit this blog is my first port of call for info on lebanon..its your blog so write as you wish.
The idiot who accused you of being biased obviously doesn’t know anything about blogging. A blog is a personal journal so it is SUPPOSED to be biased.
What is “bias”? We are not supposed to form opinions based on our knowledge and current information? Bah … we are not sheep.
Mustapha – you do a great job. You have a brain and you use it. You don’t censor posters (that’s real bias) and you don’t deny this access. I’ve read your blog for a couple of years and I’m a non-partisan, non-Lebanese American with no connections to the ME at all other than a thirst for knowledge.
I don’t always agree with everything you write but who always agrees with anyone? Only Kool-Aid drinkers do that.
Ace,
“What is “bias”? We are not supposed to form opinions based on our knowledge and current information? Bah … we are not sheep.”
No no no. You got it all wrong! :)
It’s not a matter of forming your own opinion at all. If you have ANY opinion that disagrees the SLIGHTEST with these immature morons, they call you “biased”.
The word, in their lexicon, simply means “Someone that doesn’t drink our kool-aid”.
Computers are neutral. Human beings aren’t. No need to apologize. This is a blog, not an encyclopedia.
Mus- I don’t know what you are apologizing for. Be who you want to be. As Vilbel says, it’s Freedom of Speech, baby.
Don’t let any moron get to your skin. We should discuss issues here, not attack authors.
Let the MSM be “neutral”.
Blogs are made to express. not to please everybody, but to make them feel, and to make them angry, and to make them come back.
.
Keep writing, Mustapha, as long as you want, whatever you want. Some people just don’t think for themselves.
Mustafa ur no ghassan tuweini this is a BLOG for crying out loud !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mustafa, don’t apologize dude. I mean you have dumbasses like frenchy who have the balls to categorize you as biased March 14 (which you have never hidden from anyone), where in fact he doesn’t have the ball to admit he’s a Aounist.
Hey guys,
Thank you all very much for your readership and support.
But who said I was apologizing? I was just making a few things clear :)
Even if you were a hardcore taliban from afghanistan i would read your blog, mustapha :)
Mus, you’ve got a 100% approval (from what I see on the submissions to date) rating on how you handle the blog. Getting everybody to agree on anything in the ME is an outstanding accomplishment. Freedom of Speech is alive and well! Congratulations – and keep up the great job.
The mere fact you post something like this rises only respect for you.
Michael Totten put it right; this is not an encyclopedia.
You never sensor those who post any criticism against your posts, and I was one of those sometimes; this is true freedom of speech.
Thank you very much
It’s not about bias, it’s about decency and intelligence. That post was stupid, ridiculous, and shameful.
Take, it is here…