Airstrike Immunity Challenge

The Wall Street Journal today has an article about the Iraqi cable network al-Sharqiya, an effort to create an entertainment-only media outlet in a country distracted by more serious concerns.

One of the offerings on this fledgling network is a lighthearted reality show called "Labor and Materials" which follows the rebuilding efforts of families whose homes have been bombed into sticks. You gotta admit - an off-target JDAM courtesy of the United States Air Force is the ultimate extreme home makeover. And it's presumably a lot of boffo laughs watching the interactions of building contractors, locals, and the TV film crew as they try to put the place in order while insurgents and Marines chase each other around in the background.

Some may think that this conflagration of the unintended consequences of U.S. foreign policy and reality entertainment is perverse. I prefer to think it's evidence that the folks in Iraq have a highly refined sense of humor. The al-Sharqiya network, which also has sketch comedies and Newlyweds-type shows, is reportedly more popular than al-Jazeera.