Gay Girl in Damascus: Tom MacMaster defends blog hoax

Gerald · 06-13-11, 05:52 AM

The student behind a hoax blog which claimed to be written by a gay woman in Syria has defended his actions.

Tom MacMaster, a US student at the University of Edinburgh, said the blog had been a fiction - but that the facts it contained were true.

His blog, A Gay Girl in Damascus, described life in the Syrian city amid the current political unrest.

It gained a worldwide readership and was closely followed by news organisations.

The blog, dating back to February this year, claimed to document the life of 25-year-old Amina Abdallah Arraf al-Omari, a half-Syrian, half-American lesbian living in Damascus.

Entries covered her social life and relationships, but "Amina" also criticised President Bashar al-Assad and spoke about her role in the growing anti-government protests.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13747761

Note: 13 June 2011 Last updated at 09:19 GMT

Platapus · 06-13-11, 06:29 PM

By now, one would think people would be wary of what they read on the Internets Tubes Blogs.

06-13-11, 06:47 PM

He cartainly gave the murdering bastards in Syria a nice propoganda coup

Gerald · 06-14-11, 02:22 AM

He wanted attention, and he got it....

Castout · 06-14-11, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribesman

He cartainly gave the murdering bastards in Syria a nice propoganda coup

Indeed.

joea · 06-14-11, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribesman

He cartainly gave the murdering bastards in Syria a nice propoganda coup

I agree with you and Castout-there is enough scepticism out there with the "colour revolutions" which did have foreign backing-and similar charges against the Iran protests of a couple of years ago. Now even though the protests are far too widespread and target Western friends as well as adversaries this will give a huge boost to these thugs in regimes still standing in the Middle East. It will probably give some ordinary people or activists who would support these movements in the West pause as well.

Freiwillige · 06-14-11, 09:47 PM

This is what happens when you put your ideology before honesty and common sense.

FIREWALL · 06-14-11, 10:05 PM

How many people gay or not in Syria will be murdered because of his stupidity ?

06-13-11, 05:52 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Gay Girl in Damascus: Tom MacMaster defends blog hoax The student behind a hoax blog which claimed to be written by a gay woman in Syria has defended his actions. Tom MacMaster, a US student at the University of Edinburgh, said the blog had been a fiction - but that the facts it contained were true. His blog, A Gay Girl in Damascus, described life in the Syrian city amid the current political unrest. It gained a worldwide readership and was closely followed by news organisations. The blog, dating back to February this year, claimed to document the life of 25-year-old Amina Abdallah Arraf al-Omari, a half-Syrian, half-American lesbian living in Damascus. Entries covered her social life and relationships, but "Amina" also criticised President Bashar al-Assad and spoke about her role in the growing anti-government protests. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13747761 Note: 13 June 2011 Last updated at 09:19 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-13-11, 06:29 PM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	By now, one would think people would be wary of what they read on the Internets Tubes Blogs. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

06-14-11, 02:22 AM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	He wanted attention, and he got it.... __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-14-11, 10:05 PM	#8
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	How many people gay or not in Syria will be murdered because of his stupidity ? __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

06-13-11, 06:47 PM	#3
Tribesman Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	He cartainly gave the murdering bastards in Syria a nice propoganda coup

06-14-11, 09:47 PM	#7
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	This is what happens when you put your ideology before honesty and common sense.