NPR is the radio station of, by, and for liberal elites. I typically listen to their news reports at the top of the hour and occasionally will spend more time there when they have interesting guests or discussions. Their slant is clearly and distinctly to the left and this is not a problem when they report the news. However, when their slant causes them to misreport or simply to ignore the most important news, their ignorance is decidedly not blissful.
This morning, rather than my usual 5 minutes of attention I listened carefully to their morning news show,
The Takeaway, as they discussed events in the Middle East, with an emphasis on Bahrain, Libya, and Egypt.
The discussion of Libya was fair. They did report on the danger facing the protesters (ie, the Libyan security forces have never shown much restraint when it comes to protecting Qaddafi's private kingdom) and that the security forces fired into the crowds yesterday, killing at least 15 (and probably much more.) There was little mention of that fact that the worst fascists are the least likely to be deposed and there was some reason for hope the that Libyans will be able to remove their regime. However, their discussion of Egypt and Bahrain were, to be generous, lacking.
In fact, their discussion of Bahrain was nothing less than astonishing. For almost ten minutes they discussed the violence there and its impact on the neighborhood. They interviewed a sports reporter who was in Bahrain for the Bahrain Grand Prix race (which at the time had not yet been canceled but has now apparently been canceled because of the violence.) They then interviewed a BBC reporter for his insights on the impact of events on the Bahrain banking industry (in competition with Dubai, et al, to be the primary banking hub between the Muslim world and the Global Economy) and they made some mention of the problems facing America in our confrontation with Iran should our Fifth Fleet lose its base in Bahrain. What was astonishing is that in the entire story there was no mention made of the religious dimension to the violence; there was no mention that it is the Shia majority protesting against the Sunni rulers that is the key issue in Bahrain; most egregiously there was no discussion at all of the likelihood (certainty) that Iranian agents were involved in every aspect of the uprising. Nor was there mention of Iranian claims to Bahrain, an oil rich island that would enhance Iran's portfolio. This is not news reporting; this is non-news reporting. NPR managed to obfuscate more than they illuminated.
In their discussions of Egypt, they continually referred to today's gathering in Tahrir Square featuring Yusuf al-Qaradawi's first sermon there in 30 years, as a demonstration celebrating the protesters victory over the government of Mubarak.
Here is a picture and some tweets from Tahrir Square:
Excerpts from his sermon and a photo of Tahrir
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Egyptians on Meydan Tahrir will pray the Salat El Ghaib (prayers for the absent) for "All those who died during Mubarak's 30 year rule" about 3 hours ago via web
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Al Qaradawi delivered the last speech in Egypt in 1981 after the assasination of Sadat & has been banned ever since. Via @AlArabiya_Eng about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi says that there are three million people. They will pray both noon & afternoon prayers. Amazing scenes. Will take a page grab. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: To the brave Egyptian army, I ask you to open Rafah border crossing so that Gazans can get the supplies they need. about 3 hours ago via web
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Emotions surge: Qaradawi: I pray that God as he has let me see a free Egypt to see a free Quds (Jerusalem), so I can deliver a speech there. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: to Arab leaders, don't lie to your people & trick them, respect their minds. This is my message to Arab leaders. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: One final word to Arab leaders, don't fight history, you can't delay the day when it starts. The Arab world has changed. about 3 hours ago via web
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There are more people praying together in Cairo's Meydan Tahrir than in Mecca today. about 3 hours ago via web
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Al Qaradawi has probably never & will probably never again deliver a sermon to two million people. This is the highlight of his 85-year life about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: It is the right of all Egyptians to have all their rights, but we must also have patience so our brothers in the Army can work about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: The army must transfer power to a civil rule as soon as possible. Away from this gov who sent camels & ran over protesters in cars about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: I ask the army to free immediately all political prisoners who lived for years in jail due to emergency laws & military courts about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: I ask the army to free us from the cabinet that Mubarak has appointed who is responsible for so many crimes. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: Tareq El Bishri (who is responsible for the constitutional amendments) is great intellect, fair and wise (+ tons of praise) about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: In my first sermon after his (Mubarak's) terrible speech, I said the Egyptian army won't be less patriotic than the Tunisian army. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: I salute the Egyptian army, who are the protectors of the Egyptian people & stood by them, I always believed so. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: I call on Copts today who have protected Muslims & stood by them to prostrate with them as a thanks to God. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: I was in Cairo & a Christian Egyptian came to me to thank me for pulling the people together. about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: To all Egyptians, the Quran mentions Egypt five times, it is the only country, it says "Enter Egypt by God's will in security" about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: Don't let anyone steal the revolution from you. Those hypocrites who will wear a new face that suits them. Guard your revolution about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: I wish to kiss the hands of everyone of you for what you have done. The revolution hasn't ended, it is continuing to build Egypt about 3 hours ago via web
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Qaradawi: You had patience & that is why you succeeded. Over state security, snipers, torture & camel riders. I congratulate you all. about 3 hours ago via web
- Qaradawi: There were the poor & the rich, Muslims & Christians, men & women all were one working to free Egypt from tyranny & evil
There is news from the world, much of it unsettling, and there is “news” from the world, a more comforting mix of Freedom and Peaceful Revolution, without the danger of passionate, America hating, viciously misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, and paranoid religious sentiment discomfiting the anchors at NPR.
The Takeaway from the Takeaway? If NPR represents state of the art reporting on the Middle East, no one should be surprised that our government is completely unprepared for events and we are all flying blind.
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