Hijacking Intentions
Between the blatant lies spread by the state TV of Bahrain and the confused reporting of Iran's AlAlam TV based on second-hand sources, the Bahraini protestor on the street is lost in this fight of ideologies. There is a clear fight of influence based on decades old rivalry between the GCC states and the Persian State.
Bahraini forces are using every trick in the book to portray the peaceful protestors as monsters and criminals. Everything from injecting thugs inside the gatherings of protestors
To having the riot police smash cars at random (one could easily guess that the state TV will be accusing the protestors of being the wrongdoers)
And tucking weapons in cars and then claiming that these vehicles belong to the protestors.... to even taking down their own (intentionally or because of their random shooting) to portray this as a battle when the truth is that it is a one-sided brutal assault. The Thai government used this very tactic against the Red Shirts last year to justify the violent breakdown that soon followed.
AlAlam TV is trying to give this an Islamized twist when it's anything but that. Both TV's (and their respective states) are guilty of inciting religious hatred and prejudice. In the end, all states worry about their image and influence. The Pro-King Bahrainis love to point the fingers at Iran and accuse them of being the force behind it all. If the Americans (which seems to be okay with doing nothing on the ground) thought they had anything against Iran on this matter, they wouldn't have blinked twice before using it. It is quite easy to through the blame on others and pretend that your nation is totally fine and could do without those 'alien elements inciting disorder'. It's one of the first excuses used by every dictator in each of the nations hit with demonstrations. It's just too convenient.
The Bahraini protestors doesn't want any of that. This is not an Islamic Revolution. What the protestor wants is a decent life and a heard voice; a job and a place to live. It breaks my heart whenever I see these Bahraini people (young and old) approaching me wanting to wash my car. They struggle to find a job when the traffic officer comes from Jordan, the police offers from Southeast Asia and that x-job is occupied by a naturalized citizen needlessly. This video is a bit old but should provide a glimpse of the strife:
But now, the State, which failed at addressing these issues throughout the years, wants to tell everyone that this citizen is nothing but a maddened wolf. They even go the extra mile with their theatrics by staging scenes to prove their point. Would anyone expect the state TV to say any negative things against the state, though?
After raiding the LuLu (Pearl) Roundabout and burning the tents of the protestors earlier today, the armed forces went to the Salamniya Hospital and effectively shut it down. They don't want protestors treated there (and/or want to show that there are no injured people in need of treatment anyway).
BBC: Bahrain onslaught on protesters
Guardian: Bahrain unleashes forces on protesters' camp
They want to show the nation that they have 'liberated' the hospital and chased away those murderers. And while they're at it, why not wreck havoc and have their masked cameramen shoot their next attraction?
It's a sad, sad day in Bahrain.
Bahraini forces are using every trick in the book to portray the peaceful protestors as monsters and criminals. Everything from injecting thugs inside the gatherings of protestors
Click to viewTo having the riot police smash cars at random (one could easily guess that the state TV will be accusing the protestors of being the wrongdoers)
And tucking weapons in cars and then claiming that these vehicles belong to the protestors.... to even taking down their own (intentionally or because of their random shooting) to portray this as a battle when the truth is that it is a one-sided brutal assault. The Thai government used this very tactic against the Red Shirts last year to justify the violent breakdown that soon followed.
AlAlam TV is trying to give this an Islamized twist when it's anything but that. Both TV's (and their respective states) are guilty of inciting religious hatred and prejudice. In the end, all states worry about their image and influence. The Pro-King Bahrainis love to point the fingers at Iran and accuse them of being the force behind it all. If the Americans (which seems to be okay with doing nothing on the ground) thought they had anything against Iran on this matter, they wouldn't have blinked twice before using it. It is quite easy to through the blame on others and pretend that your nation is totally fine and could do without those 'alien elements inciting disorder'. It's one of the first excuses used by every dictator in each of the nations hit with demonstrations. It's just too convenient.
The Bahraini protestors doesn't want any of that. This is not an Islamic Revolution. What the protestor wants is a decent life and a heard voice; a job and a place to live. It breaks my heart whenever I see these Bahraini people (young and old) approaching me wanting to wash my car. They struggle to find a job when the traffic officer comes from Jordan, the police offers from Southeast Asia and that x-job is occupied by a naturalized citizen needlessly. This video is a bit old but should provide a glimpse of the strife:
But now, the State, which failed at addressing these issues throughout the years, wants to tell everyone that this citizen is nothing but a maddened wolf. They even go the extra mile with their theatrics by staging scenes to prove their point. Would anyone expect the state TV to say any negative things against the state, though?
After raiding the LuLu (Pearl) Roundabout and burning the tents of the protestors earlier today, the armed forces went to the Salamniya Hospital and effectively shut it down. They don't want protestors treated there (and/or want to show that there are no injured people in need of treatment anyway).
BBC: Bahrain onslaught on protesters
Guardian: Bahrain unleashes forces on protesters' camp
They want to show the nation that they have 'liberated' the hospital and chased away those murderers. And while they're at it, why not wreck havoc and have their masked cameramen shoot their next attraction?
It's a sad, sad day in Bahrain.