Bandargate and rumors

Earlier today I read in the Gulf Times that Dr. Sabika Al Najjar had quit the Bahrain Human Rights Society following disaffection for a report on some incidents relating to the recent elections there. Tonight I read in the Bahrain Tribune that she'd not stepped down, that it was a mere rumor making the rounds.

Recently there were articles in several newspapers stating that Disney was negotiating with some businessman about building a Disney theme park in Bahrain. Subsequently there appeared articles denying such negotiations, saying that it was just rumors and more rumors.

Rumors. This is something that has bothered me ever since reading the first newspaper and blog coverage of the scandal in Bahrain known as Bandargate. When I lived in Bahrain, well before the age of Blackberry and Bluetooth, I was told that if a person stepped out on his or her balcony and sneezed, the whole island would hear about it within 20 minutes. Considering the number of people collecting, photocopying, collating and distributing the 240 pages published by Salah Al Bandar, I wonder how it is that there were no rumors while such activity was underway for some months.

ab initio

Today seemed as good a day as any to initiate a blog. I've been tempted out of hiding many times over the past few years, but let that moment of fear trump temptation. It was frustration at being unable to comment on some blogs unless one had a Blogger account that finally tipped the scales.