“According to several news media the 22 year old rapper was arrested on Thursday 6 January in Sfax for releasing a song critical of government policies, but according to Al Jazeera the rapper was released on Sunday 11 January.

Ben-Amor – also known as “The General” was arrested after posting a song on the internet titled “President, your people are dying” that talks about the problems of the youth and unemployment.

The song came out as students, professionals and youths mounted a series of protests over a shortage of jobs and restrictions on public freedoms.”

Here’s a blurb on Ben-Amor and his work with an embedded video of him rapping called “Rais le Bled” (link: http://www.afronline.org/?tag=hamada-ben-amor ):

“Jan. 11, 2011– Malek Khemiri, Hamada Ben Amor, El Général. In Tunisia these are the new faces of the protest against Ben Ali’s regime. Their answer to the bullets shot by the Tunisian police? Rhymes and rap. A musical style that has become popular among young people thanks to the social media. Watch El Général’s video message to president Ben Ali.”

The direct link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4kEm7vvgjs

I scoured the ‘Net but I couldn’t find the lyrics to link here.

Meanwhile, you wrote: ‘Maybe that finally broke the Tunisians of the oft-cited Arab “habit” of living in denial about their problems, and inspired them instead to look among themselves for answers.’

Sure looks like it to me, too.

Just like America Rahm called us Retards the Former WH Press secretary hates us but on the other hand every year less people watch the News/Propaganda channel or read the News/Propaganda papers instead more people read blogs.