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A May 4 morning show on the Egyptian ON TV channel turned into a wrangling match between the two co-hosts, with Nahawand Serry saying that many Syrians still love Bashar Al-Assad and Khaled Tallima saying that the responsibility for the situation in Syria lay "first and foremost with Bashar." "Some people love Hitler," Tallima retorted, and Serry responded that they were free to do so. The bickering degenerated further, with Serry accusing Tallima of subjectivity and of presenting a one-sided picture, and Tallima complaining that he couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Following are excerpts
TV Host Khaled Tallima: How can anyone support the war on terror here, and somewhere else, support a state or a group of states that sponsor terrorism in Syria?!
TV Host Nahawand Serry: I'd like to say something about the crisis in Syria - and this opinion is somewhat different from the one we heard in the report, so that the picture we present will not be one-sided. There are different views. A large part of my family lives in Syria. The Syrian revolution started off very normally. It was like the Arab Spring in our region we were all talking about. Everybody had high hopes, Everybody had high hopes, or think that this regime is good or not. Perhaps the Syrian regime is no better than other regimes. It is like many regimes in our Arab world. I agree with this, but what I don't accept is the claim that all the people in Syria have suffered from the regime.
[...]
I can report on the situation there from what I hear from my relatives. It is not about the regime and the opposition right now. Nobody is talking about democracy or about democratic political elections, in an optimistic atmosphere. It's not like that at all. People say that it's either ISIS and its terrorism or the regime.
[...]
Yes, when it is all over, we can talk about elections, and about whether we really want Bashar Al-Assad or not. This is one aspect of the situation there, but we cannot say that all the Syrians oppose the regime. That's not true.
Khaled Tallima: This is...
Nahawand Serry: Just a second, Khaled.
There are many people who still love Bashar Al-Assad. Many people think that he is one of the best presidents. I'm not here to defend him, but I'm conveying the picture there. There are different opinions. But we cannot talk on behalf of the Syrian people, and say that all the Syrians were harmed, and that they all believe that their president is a murderer. That's not true at all. and that they all believe that their president is a murderer. That's not true at all.
Khaled Tallima: Well, some people love Hitler...
Nahawand Serry: Fine. People are free to love Hitler. I am conveying what the people in Syria say.
Khaled Tallima: What do you mean "free"?
Nahawand Serry: to love Abdel Nasser, to love Bashar Al-Assad.
Khaled Tallima: Since you stated your opinion, allow me...
Nahawand Serry: I didn't state my opinion. I always make sure not to.
Khaled Tallima: Why not? There's nothing wrong with saying what you think.
Nahawand Serry: On the contrary, it was you who stated your opinion. The idea is that you cannot present only your view, or my view, or the views of X or Y. There are several aspects. When we talk about something, we should present all the views. Believe me, there are Syrians who love Bashar Al-Assad.
Khaled Tallima:Can I talk now?
Nahawand Serry: Yes, I'm done. Go ahead...
Khaled Tallima: I have no problem that there are Syrians who love Bashar Al-Assad. This is very normal. There are people who acted like Bashar and still have admirers. Some people derive pleasure from this kind of bloodiness...
Nahawand Serry: Again, that's your opinion.
Khaled Tallima: Can I complete what I have to say?
Nahawand Serry: Fine, but say that it's your opinion.
Khaled Tallima: I am free to say whatever I want, Nahawand.
Nahawand Serry: Free in what way?
Khaled Tallima: That's my opinion, and I want to express it.
Nahawand Serry: Fine, my dear. It's nothing more than your own view.
Khaled Tallima: I'd like to complete a sentence, but whenever I open my mouth...
Nahawand Serry: You've presented your opinion, Khaled.
Khaled Tallima: I haven't yet.
Nahawand Serry: You did, when you interviewed the officer earlier over the phone.
Khaled Tallima: I just want to say that the responsibility for what we see in Syria lies first and foremost with Bashar Al-Assad.
[...]
Khaled Tallima: Who is responsible? First of all, the Syrian regime, and secondly, all the people who flocked in, provided weapons, and supported terror organizations. When I say this, it does not mean that their crime is less severe than the crime of Bashar. As the head of state, he could have spared all the blood that was shed with the decisions he could have made at the beginning. He could have spared all that blood. That's it...
Nahawand Serry: That's also your opinion, with all due respect...
Khaled Tallima:Are you Bashar Al-Assad's lawyer? I want to finish what I have to say.
Nahawand Serry: Just a second. Why do we always turn this show into a presentation of our views...
Khaled Tallima: I'm free to say what I want, Nahawand. I'm free.
Nahawand Serry: No, you're not. The view of the show cannot be limited to your own opinion.
Khaled Tallima: That's impossible. I'm free to say what I want.
Nahawand Serry: So you can state your opinion, and any other view is unacceptable?
Khaled Tallima: No, you are also free...
Nahawand Serry: You only present your own opinion, Khaled. Indeed, you are free.
Khaled Tallima: That's right. I'm free.
Nahawand Serry: It cannot be that your opinion is the only correct opinion.
[...]
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