Inside Raif Badawi’s Prison Cell

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

An Exclusive in The Gad About Town

Raif Badawi is one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent prisoners—a political prisoner, certainly, a young blogger who was convicted of insulting Islam in his essays on his web site and then flogged as a part of that punishment; but other than a 750-word article that he dictated over the telephone to serve as an introduction to his book, “1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think,” he has not been heard from in years. His face is known to millions, and sentences from his eloquent writings are seen on thousands of placards and internet memes celebrating freedom of speech, but he is in danger of being reduced to a symbol.

One of my sources in the “Free Raif Badawi” movement shared with me this weekend a glimpse inside Raif Badawi’s current prison existence. This source requested anonymity but encouraged the writing of this article, and I will reveal neither the name nor even the gender of the source. This individual has indirect contact with Raif Badawi and communicates regularly with two other sources inside the prison complex in which Raif Badawi is now being held. We will not betray any information that can compromise Raif Badawi’s security or condition, so I can not quote Raif Badawi directly. I myself have not had contact with Raif Badawi.
Read More

Today in History: April 17

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

Legend has it that on this date in 1397, Geoffrey Chaucer (above) first recited The Canterbury Tales at the court of King Richard II. History has not recorded the date, but the likelihood that he did recite it one evening at court is great, and this date has been passed down for centuries as the date that this took place.

* * * *
Mickey Mantle made his major league debut for the New York Yankees 65 years ago today at home against the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees won, and Mantle went one for four.
Read More

Social Disaster on Broadway

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

“Noises Off” is one of the most popular comic plays of the last forty years. If you have ever seen it performed, you know it can be hilarious; the film version proved that there are some plays that can not be made into movies because they are so completely theatrical.

This is a story about the original Broadway production and an apology from me to Victor Garber, who starred in it.
Read More