Shakomako

Here's Iraq's "first electronic magazine." Shakomako.net is a youth-oriented, English-language site full of soccer, music, imported movies, politics (more or less in that order), and attitude. There's all sorts of stuff here, including an essay by a diaspora Iraqi who fears the rise of Iraqi consumerism. Some of the writers live outside Iraq, but most seem to be in the country. The site offers a sample, at least, of the youth scene developing in Baghdad.

Comments

[Sparky]

Yeah, having money to buy things...that sucks. Can't we all just live off of the land and love each other? I know I'd rather live in fear of dysentery than have a Starbucks in my country.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Rick Barton]

Interesting... Do we know who's financing this? Would it be to much to hope for, that it is an endeavor of private capital?

They have a contact number and they will have a blog, so we should share the wonders of freedom of speech, capitalism, and the other manifestations of liberty with these kids, and we should warn them that all this groovy stuff could be ruined by the growth of government.

Also, we should apologize to them for the actions of our government and make sure that they understand that our government is not us. Lastly, we should use this avenue of contact to let them know that they are right to insist that our government's troops get the Hell out of their country and that they will be doing us a huge favor by doing so.

[ponnyj]

What is the English-speaking population of Iraq?

[Gary Gunnels]

Anyone who wants to understand the modern middle east really should read David Fromkin's "A Peace To End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East"; its a fascinating book and explains nicely the post-war settlement (post-WWI) that we are still living with.

[paleoturd]

I blame the neocons for this. Damn them!

[Rick Barton]

Check out the; "Al Jazeera: Ballout's Island" link. This link indicates that they are indeed independent, and the article/interview comes to a sophisticated "the medium is the message" conclusion.

[Wee]

Rick,

What the fuck are you waiting for? Why don't YOU tell them your thoughts on the matter, rather than telling US what WE ought to tell them.

Oh yes, that would constitute DOING something rather than just TALKING about doing something.

Rah, rah, chip, chip and the rest of that stuff.

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Johnny]

Very intersting site, I recommend it for those needing a bit of insight into the REAL IRaq...

[Shakomako Staff]

We at shakomakoNET would love to answer any questions that anyone may have regarding Iraq and ourselves. We are hoping to have an update in the next few days. Enjoy.

[Shakomako Staff]

We at shakomakoNET would love to answer any questions that anyone may have regarding Iraq and ourselves. We are hoping to have an update in the next few days. Enjoy.