REPORTING FOR DUTY
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Apr
26
Roxana Saberi blogburst – Or – Does Our Government Care About Any Of Us?
April 26, 2009 | 2 Comments
US journalist Roxana Saberi turns 32 today in an Iranian prison. After an hour-long trial, she was sentenced to eight years behind bars for “espionage.” She was initially told she was arrested for buying bootleg wine, and then because she was working as a journalist without a license. She’s now on day five of a hunger strike. Today, one of her defense lawyers was denied access to her.
Saberi is a former North Dakota beauty queen educated at Oxford and Northwestern with an extraordinary background.
Don’t worry kids. We won’t let one inconvenient little persecution of an American citizen by an enemy state get in the way of our good faith negotiations with the jihadis.
Asked if the conviction of American journalist Roxana Saberi by an Iranian court constitutes a setback to U.S.-Iran relations, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said ON CAMERA that he “would echo the statement that Secretary Clinton put out on this. The president is deeply disappointed at this news. His thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. And I think we will continue to express the concerns that we have through the Swiss to the Iranian government, and make sure they underscore and understand our deep concern for these actions.” [LINK]
Thoughts and prayers are fine, but how about a couple of these too?
Thankfully, the Ahmadinejad “administration” feels the exact same way:
Following a directive by President Mahmud Ahmadinejad calling for a fair and speedy appeal process for Saberi, 31, her prison term might be commuted. Chances are she will receive a lighter sentence, partly as a result of the pressure. The Ahmadinejad administration has responded positively to Obama’s offer of direct dialogue and does not want the high-profile case to slow or block any potential progress. [LINK]
Nothing to see here folks. Just a simple disagreement among legitimate nations who both deserve respect.
Also from Michelle Malkin’s site:
If you’ve got a blog, please let your readers know what’s happening today on Roxana Saberi’s birthday. The Free Roxana website is here.
This is definitely a moment for bloggers from all sides of the political spectrum to rally. Here’s a blog rally in support of Saberi and others who have dared to express their thoughts freely only to be imprisoned, abused, or killed.
Ditto.
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[...] today is the birthday of some reporter named Roxana Saberi (hat tip: Founding Bloggers). She was imprisoned in Iran for reasons that seem difficult for the “authorities” [...]
[...] Related reading: Gateway Pundit: US Journalist Roxana Saberi Freed From Iranian Prison Jonathan Turley: Journalist Roxana Saberi Released From Jail in Iran The Moderate Voice: Iranian-American Journalist Roxana Saberi Released From Tehran Jail Nazila Fathi and Mark Landler, NY Times: Iran Releases Journalist Convicted of Spying for U.S. Telegraph.co.uk: Journalist Roxana Saberi freed by Iranian appeal court verdict NPR: Jailed Journalist Leaves Iranian Prison Michelle Malkin: Roxana Saberi blogburst Frugal Café Blog Zone: Attention, Bloggers: US Journalist Roxana Saberi Turns 32 Today in Iranian Prison John T. Simpson, Big Hollywood: Why is Hollywood Silent on Roxana Saberi? The New Ledger: Media Held Hostage: Will Obama Respond? Free Roxana Saberi: Free Roxana – Petition: Member of defense team denied access, even though permission had been previously granted NewsBusters: Chavez’s Penn, Or How Santa Monica High Should Hang Its Penn in Shame Tel-Chai Nation: Free Roxana Saberi! Vets On The Watch: What A Tangled Web They Weave Founding Bloggers: Roxana Saberi blogburst – Or – Does Our Government Care About Any Of Us? [...]