When people feel oppressed and unable to tell the truths that everybody knows, laughter comes as a great, cleansing experience. That is how satire was used in Soviet Russia, in Nazi—occupied Europe, and undoubtedly in all other oppressed nations. That is how we use it in Politically Correct America and Europe as well. Sometimes laughter is the only way.

We don't hear enough about that kind of laughter the Arab and Islamic world, especially in countries where it is impossible to say out loud what everyone is thinking. It is no doubt there, but we don't get exposed to enough of it.

MEMRI reports a delightful article by a Syrian journalist ——— safely printed in the London daily, Al—Quds Al—'Arabi:

Syrian journalist Hakam Al—Baba harshly criticized the poor quality of the Syrian media and its attempts to keep global media developments from influencing Syria. He also derided the censorship in the media, which he claims prevents the Syrian citizens from obtaining information and exercising free thought. He joked that the Syrian media proves that Darwin's theory of evolution can work in reverse, since it has managed to transform the Syrian citizens from human beings back into apes.
Highly recommended. 

James Lewis   5 24 06