Why Would an American Write for al Jazeera?

Al Jazeera has been referred to as "hateful propaganda" by President Bush, and, "...a mouthpiece for al-Qaeda and a vehicle of anti-American propaganda" by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld. An al Jazeera banner was removed at the Democratic National Convention, presumably to prevent its being seen in television coverage. Why would any loyal American wish to write a column for this organization?

Sandy Shanks, an American journalist who recently wrote an opinion piece for al Jazeera, explains his motivation in this email conversation with the Dread Pundit Bluto.

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