Today, the Pakistani Telecommunications Authority forced all internet service providers in the country to block access to YouTube.com indefinitely because of the recent posting of blasphemous content that might offend strict Muslims.

Several reports cited the anti-Islamic and “viral” nature of some content as the motivation behind the mandate. Purportedly, users had become increasingly upset by the resurgence of the incendiary Danish Mohammad cartoons, as well as a Dutch legislator’s exclusive movie promising to smoke out the infiltration of Muslim values in Dutch culture.

But it was unclear whether the government response was meant to appease citizens threatening public backlash or whether it was taking ation to preempt the deterioration of their faith. There were, of course, no illuminating user-generated opinions broadcast on YouTube.

• BBC - Pakistan Blocks YouTube Website
• YouTube - Mohammad Cartoons

And then there is Pakistan. Where one signature?inked in the obscured hours on Saturday night by a military man who?s been ?rescuing? his country for 8 years?at once dissolved the high courts, repealed Gutenberg?s contributions to Pakistani minds, and unplugged all television not controlled by the state.

No TV! We’ve gone over this before. TV’s important… you know? for the kids. Agreed: adults are being arrested without due process, this teetering balance of power has just been transformed into a catapult. But? the little ones– There?s no cartoons! And weird pages missing from my school books. And teachers with muzzles and dogs wearing berets and guns marching around our playgrounds.

Can mommy and daddy really explain?and boy are they ever going to need Inspector Gadget on this one?that their leader just crumbled up the country?s Constitution, and tossed it in the dumpster, just like one of Gadget?s self-destructing messages? And that it?s going to blow… soon… even into their tiny little faces?

Or maybe Mommy and Daddy won’t have to do any explaining. Maybe, just maybe, the kids won’t hear anything over the spell of white noise?

• NYT - Musharraf Consolidates His Control With Arrests
  
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