http://tinyurl.com/3m9y7qv

Well it's good to see the government and Met still have some sense left.  But they are not the only ones to fail to understand that censorship doesn't work nearly as effectively as proactive positive use of media.


It's the same with most repressive governments.  They really don't get that not only are their long term prospects for survival generally better but also their potential for accumulating personal wealth and ensuring personal survival massively improved by making the populace feel comfortable and apathetically compliant than by repressing them and stirring up dissent.


Dissenters - rebels - are highly committed.  But most people are not.  But if you make them feel unhappy, repressed, fearful and so on you give the dissenters something to work with.  Help 'em feel comfortable and lazy and they'll put up with all kinds of stuff that would help the dictators and governments do what they want.  Let 'em talk freeely.  Let 'em insult you if they want.  Sticks and stones...why would the dictator care about words.  He or She can use them just as effectively to win friends and influence people. 


Hugo Chavez knows that.  And it's really pissing off the Americans isn't it?


It's a really simple principle.  I'm stunned more don't use it.


That's why there's really so little chance of the Emiratis joining their bretheren in Bahrain or Yemen or even KSA in fomenting dissent.  They would have to give up too much.  And the rest of us are here as expats...to earn money or enjoy an easy life.  We're not going to be making a fuss anytime soon.


Places like Nigeria and South Africa could do well to learn that lesson.  And still the Pres. could live like an 18thC European Monarch if so desired!