Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
This does not sound like ordinary tear gas to me, and there are many reports of it on Twitter:
SailorChik Hydrogen cyanide is still made for agriculture. Anyone in #Yemen smell bitter almonds at protest site? Wondering. half a minute ago via TweetDeck
der_bluthund Calling all in #Yemen - BZ Agent use possible:http://j.mp/fUC16 <== Does this match known symptoms of sufferers? @womanfromyemen 1 minute ago via TweetDeck
LGBTarabs RT @Dima_Khatib Doctors in #Yemen: unknown types of gas R being used against protesters-paralyze the nervous system of victim (Horrific!!) 6 minutes ago via web
brrhom #Saleh orders to kill people. #Yemen 6 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone
SailorChik @Dima_Khatib Nerve gas was supposedly banned but would not be surprised if it's still in use #yemen 7 minutes ago via TweetDeck in reply to Dima_Khatib
Afaf_ who will forgive this criminal Ali Saleh? he's attacking unarmed people by his security forces, using nerve gas mixed with hot water! #yemen 7 minutes ago via web
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Jul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
While Obama complains about being teased for those Dumbo ears. The mental collapse is now in full gallop, and the whole world knows it. But one more golf outing will patch him up, by golly.
And, of course, there was this hissy fit. After decades of wondering how the world would be different without America, now we see.
My deepest regrets to the families and friends.
Edited on Mar 11, 2011 at 10:37pmJul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Well, I'll muster a smidgeon of sympathy for the Yemeni people when they deliver Anwar al-Awlaki to the American embassy, trussed like a turkey. Otherwise, don't expect me to shed a tear.
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Let's see, Kenneth--you think that the entire Yemenese people, presumably including any children in the vicinity, are collectively guilty and thus deserve no concern when poison gas is rained upon them indiscriminately? You know, I just walked out of the Holocaust Museum, Kenneth. The sentiment, "Poison gas? Big deal, those people don't deserve my sympathy" has a remarkably ugly sound to me right about now.
Sep '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Keeping it classy, Kenneth?
May '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
You may feel that way, Kenneth, but I really wish you had resisted making a callous remark that didn't move the conversation forward at all.
(Because it's negative I held this comment back for an hour to make sure I really wanted to post it. If you tried doing that with some of your incendiary comments you might offend fewer people.)
May '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Not cool or funny, Kenneth.
Jul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
First, let's not jump to conclusions based upon a few Twitter feeds. The death toll in Yemen over the past 48 hours is five - all killed by police bullets. It's highly unlikely lethal gas was used; it appears more likely it was a disabling agent mixed with water.
Second, it is probable that the protests, which have been violent in nature, are being driven by radical Islamists. The State Department describes Al Qaeda in Yemen as, "the biggest threat to the U.S. homeland."
Third, if the people of Yemen choose to give haven to Al Qaeda and, specifically, to Anwar al-Awlaki, while their government at least makes efforts to cooperate with the United States, I'm on the side of the government we know, rather than the the unknown which would follow its collapse.
Fourth, to conflate unproven allegations of the use of "poison gas" with the Holocaust and then tar me on that basis is really over the top.
I did not mean to be "cool" or "funny"; I really meant it.
Oct '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
So potentially killing innocent people with poison gas is no big deal, but bullfighting is an unspeakable atrocity? Nice set of priorities you've got there.
Jul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Mike LaRoche
So potentially killing innocent people with poison gas is no big deal, but bullfighting is an unspeakable atrocity? Nice set of priorities you've got there. · Mar 13 at 1:35pm
"Potentially killing"? Since there is no proof that anyone was killed, that's an interesting formulation.
At least the bulls aren't rioting, bearing automatic weapons and setting fire to public buildings.
Jul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
I find it amusing that, for 9 hours, none of the commenters here, other than Sisyphus, rushed to this thread to bemoan the supposed gassing in Yemen, which now appears to be a Twitter-generated myth.
But when Claire posted her rebuke of me, which appeared in the Contributor Feed sidebar - you promptly charged in to pile on.
Poison gas in Yemen? Yawn.
Kenneth said something controversial? Red alert.
Sep '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
The allegations of nerve gas use by doctors in the region have been all over western media including Sky News since Thursday March 10th. I quote from this blog, run by a self described Orthodox Jew, when covering the story:
Edited on Mar 13, 2011 at 2:03pmJul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Pseudodionysius: The allegations of nerve gas use by doctors in the region have been all over western media including Sky News since Thursday March 10th. I quote from this blog, run by a self described Orthodox Jew, when covering the story:
Edited on Mar 13 at 02:03 pm
Mar 13 at 2:02pm
Doctors in the region? I've seen exactly one doctor quoted: an Iraqi doctor. What is an Iraqi doctor doing in Yemen? What motivated him to rush to the scene?
As for the veracity of doctors, I commend to you Ayman al-Zawahiri - or the doctors of the University of Wisconsin.
Sep '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
The Australian news feeds are quoting 3 different doctors and you'll note I used the standard journalist preface of "allegations", since the doctors are reporting symptoms rather than blood screenings. And also, this:
Source: Global Voices Online. Conspiracy theory or legitimate gripes by the Yemenis? Hard to say right now, but given that poison gas has been used in the Middle East before, I can understand why its getting some attention.
Edited on Mar 13, 2011 at 2:33pmJul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Claire asks, "Where are the media?"
In this case, the media were acting as they should; reserving judgment in a confusing situation, rather than rushing to judgment based upon anonymous Twitter feeds and the statement of a single doctor, whose political affiliations and motivations are unknown.
Strange, is it not, that the supposed deployment of "nerve gas" was so ineffectual that not a single death has yet been reported?
Sep '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
And, most of the media covering it are also reporting claims of canisters that say "manufactured in the USA" -- there is a type of tear gas that has a cyanide component and if deployed incorrectly would explain the almond smell in the air, though of course Middle East governments never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
As for reserving judgement, here's the headline from Sky News:
'Nerve gas' used on Yemen protesters
Edited on Mar 13, 2011 at 2:46pmJul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Pseudodionysius: And, most of the media covering it are also reporting claims of canisters that say "manufactured in the USA" -- there is a type of tear gas that has a cyanide component and if deployed incorrectly would explain the almond smell in the air, though of course Middle East governments never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
As for reserving judgement, here's the headline from Sky News: · Mar 13 at 2:45pm
'Nerve gas' used on Yemen protesters
Of course, it is well known that the United States provides nerve gas to Yemen, right?
May '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Kenneth, I did not "pile on" for the pure joy of criticizing you. I found your comment upsetting enough that I carefully composed a polite reply, then waited to make sure I wasn't just offering a knee jerk response before posting it an hour later.
And yes, I saw Claire's comment in the contributor's sidebar and clicked on this link because of it. I do that every day when a headline or comment catches my eye. That's why the contributor's sidebar is there.
If you don't want people to respond to inflammatory remarks then don't make them.
Edited on Mar 13, 2011 at 2:51pmSep '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
"reporting claims"
I'll type slower next time, so you can read my posts more clearly.
Edited on Mar 13, 2011 at 2:51pmJul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Respond all you wish. Who am I to deny you a little joy?
Edited on Mar 13, 2011 at 2:54pmJul '10
Re: Yemeni Protesters Gassed: Where is the Media?
Pseudodionysius
"reporting claims"
I'll type slower next time, so you can read my posts more clearly. · Mar 13 at 2:50pm
Edited on Mar 13 at 02:51 pm
You miss my point. The idea that the US would supply nerve gas to Yemen is laughable - and in and of itself, the claims that someone saw nerve gas canisters labeled "Manufactured in the USA" demonstrates that the whole thing is a hoax.