Hiatus

August 14, 2008

Over the past few months I have been trying to juggle the responsibilities of maintaining a current affairs blog and of writing a book length doctoral thesis. As a result I have not done justice to either (I haven’t even managed to cover the developments in Kashmir, for example). I persisted out of a sense of responsibility. But with deadlines approaching and funding running out the demands of finishing the doctorate takes precedence. Although I had hoped with new contributors the blog would continue, but the way it has worked out I am still having to do as much as I was before. Not all have the same priorities, and maintaining a blog takes a lot of commitment and time. At present, unfortunately, I just don’t have enough of the latter (and I’ll spare you the more mundane reasons). So after today I won’t be updating this blog until at least October (unless it is something particularly pressing) when my friend Ann and I launch our new media project.

For some time Ann and I have been contemplating a joint project that we hope to replace our respective blogs with. It will more than a mere political website; we are hoping to establish an important media platform that not only offers a more substantive alternative to the mainstream, but also holds MSM’s feet to the fire. Ann is someone with an ever higher degree of energy and commitment than myself and she is gifted with a fiercely logical mind and an infectious sense of humor. The prospect of collaborating with her is immensely exciting.

25 Responses to “Hiatus”

  1. Rumple_Stiltskin24 Says:

    Good luck.

    Wish you every success with the thesis and future projects.

  2. Freeborn Says:

    Steer clear of all those counter-analytics and mono-causals and you’ll pass that PhD with flying colours!

    Many thanks for keeping this blog going so consistently and well for so long.The time you’ve put in has been greatly appreciated by your news-hungry audience.You’re going to be sorely missed.

    Best wishes with the new joint project.

  3. Patrick Says:

    I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your analysis since I first came across this blog a few months ago. I wish you well, and look forward to remaking your virtual acquaintance in the future.

  4. deanne Says:

    Muhammad, Dave and to the other blog contributors. Over the last few days, I had been contemplating a message I’d wanted to leave to you guys expressing my appreciation for your mammoth efforts in maintaining The Fanonite. So, it’s quite sad to read your unexpected post today. Naturally, I have some regret that I hadn’t acted sooner, but I still don’t feel that I can adequately convey how much I’ve appreciated your blog as a daily source of real news and inspiration.

    Muhammad, I wish you all the very best with your PhD and for your collaboration with Ann. My heartfelt thanks.

  5. deanne Says:

    P.S I just wanted to add that I’ve also enjoyed reading the posts by Rumple_Stiltskin24 and Freeborn.
    Best wishes.

  6. Miles Becker Says:

    This has been one of the very best sites on the web. Thanks.

  7. MAC Says:

    Thanks for the work so far. I will be waiting for October.

  8. Sabaa Says:

    The Fanonite has been one of my daily fixes and I’m constantly promoting it to others. Your excellent blog posts will be greatly missed Muhammad.

  9. buntnessel Says:

    good luck from me as well ;)

  10. homeyra Says:

    Your project with Ann sounds great and a much needed one. Looking forward … till then good luck with your thesis and thanks for all you have done so far.

  11. Yaldrum Says:

    Having just finished my own thesis, I can understand the pressure one is under, best of luck with your wirteup and then viva. Your blog shall be missed a lot, and thanks for every thing you had done, will be waiting anxiously for October and your new media project.
    Best of Luck again.

  12. Michael Thompson Says:

    read you in the Autumn………good luck!

  13. Agustin Says:

    Dear Idrees,

    I know by experience that a thesis is time and mind consuming. Do not despair, fo not give up, just take your time and devote your efforts to finish it and then you will have the time and strenght to keep on working as usual.

    Best, Agustin

  14. Sana Says:

    Good Luck with your thesis and hope all goes well. The media project sounds very interesting and I am sure all of us look forward to it. Though I wondered if there is any possibility for others trying to help out in anyway.

    Many thanks to all the people who have been posting here.

    Best,
    Sana

  15. Master Physicist Says:

    All the best for the thesis.

    Make sure Israel lobby doesn’t sabotage during examination :)

  16. TimothyL Says:

    I will miss you!!!

  17. Ali Says:

    Breaking the Silence
    introduction and Q&A with JOHN PILGER

    Online booking
    now available

    6.30pm, Friday 26 September
    Logan Hall, Institute of Education
    20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL

    “There are only two superpowers left, the USA, and worldwide public opinion. If we remain silent, victory over us is assured.”

    In 2003, Breaking the Silence exposed the horrors that US and British imperialism unleashed upon the Afghan people. John Pilger will bring the film up to date and answer questions afterwards.

    Tickets: £8, concessions £5

    To book tickets phone the ticket hotline: 020 7819 1190
    (online booking will be available next week)

    Tickets also available at Bookmarks, 1 Bloomsbury Street, WC1 – phone 020 7637 1848

    Link to Book online:

    http://www.swappeal.org.uk/events.html

  18. Ali Says:

    Dear Idrees,

    I hope all is going well for you. Now October is not far and i am looking forward to your excellent posts and new prject with Ann.

    “Fanonite” has been an essential & healthy food for thought :) – Thanks.

    Peace,light & love
    Ali

  19. Bruce Jeffers Says:

    http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

    9/25/2008 (Baramulla, India) – A pro-India politician is gunned down by Mujahdeen.
    9/25/2008 (Herat, Afghanistan) – Eleven guards at a construction site are murdered by religious radicals.
    9/25/2008 (Kandahar, Afghanistan) – Talibanis take down three locals with two bombs.
    9/24/2008 (Kot, Pakistan) – Islamic militants blow up a girls school and kill two local soliders in a separate incident.
    9/24/2008 (Diyala, Iraq) – al-Qaeda gunmen ambush an Iraqi security patrol, wiping out thirty-five souls.
    9/24/2008 (Yala, Thailand) – A 30-year-old hospital gardener is murdered in cold blood by Islamic gunmen.

  20. BB Says:

    Bruce Jeffers

    You keep good count of Islamic extremists but you left out th extreme violations of humans lives by your NATO and US forces. The number of hellfire missiles and drone attacks that killed hundred of innocent villagers in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
    The news you have provided is no news since CNN and BBC has telecasted them tens of times.

    The last bit about a muslim gunman killing a grandener is very intersting. Since here in West every day there are school shootings, beheading and cannibalism in a bus by devout a Chirstian(canada), child molestation and pronography but no body mentions the faith of those wrong doers in the news…..


  21. Hey Idrees,
    Its Iain Campbell who did campaigning with john and Joyce here. Promised I’d send you some writing and music things before but have omitted to until now. I hope you can find some things you like here.

    http://www.do-neimagi-ne.blogspot.com
    and
    http://www.myspace.com/doneimagineiambnecessnosionundom

    thanks for your efforts lately and good luck!

  22. naj Says:

    Missed the October deadline?
    I finished mine on Friday! pfewh!

  23. shahbaaz Says:

    waiting…..

  24. but you are back on counterpunch? Says:

    but you are back on counterpunch, why not here?


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