Free Fouad II

This week is Fouad's Week. You may have noticed the quotes on the right side of my blog. They're all from Fouad al-Farhan. He's a blogger from Saudi Arabia, who blogs under his real name, not anonymously. He was arrested 2 months ago and it still being held in jail without being charged with a crime. I'm participating in Fouad's Week because he asked that he not be forgotten. Please go to his site and sign the petition to free him.

This is a copy of his post Why Do We Blog? (in English) :

Why Do We Blog?

1. Because we believe we have opinions that deserve to be heard, and minds that should be respected.
   
2. Because societies do not progress until they learn to respect opinions of their members. And we would like to see our society progressing.
   
3. Because blogging is our only option. We do not have a free media, and freedom to assemble is not allowed.
   
4. Because we want to discuss our opinions.
   
5. Because we think.
   
6. Because we care.
   
7. Because blogging has had a positive effect on other societies and we want to see the same result in our society.
   
8. Because blogging is a reflection of the life of society members. And we are alive.
   
9. Because blogging is gaining increasing attention from media and governments. We want them to listen to us.
   
10. Because we are not scared.
    
11. Because we reject the cattle mentality.
    
12. Because we welcome diversity of opinions.
    
13. Because the country is for all, and we are part of it.
    
14. Because we want to reach out to everyone.
    
15. Because we refuse to be an “echo”.
    
16. Because we are not any less than bloggers in other societies.
    
17. Because we seek the truth.
    
18. Because our religion encourages us to speak out.
    
19. Because we are sick and tired of the Saudi media hypocrisy.
    
20. Because we are positive.
    
21. Because blogging is a powerful tool that can benefit society.
    
22. Because we are affected and we can affect.
    
23. Because we love our country.
    
24. Because we enjoy dialogue and don’t run away from it.
    
25. Because we are sincere.