APPEARS THAT SOMETIMES PROGRESS takes odd forms, and baby steps.

Roughly 300 Iraqi journalists, who have worked for 35 days with no pay, went on strike Wednesday, getting their first taste of new-found democracy in Iraq and the negotiations process with the Department of Defense.

“I’m happy to see this happen, it’s a sign of democracy and though the show must go on, people have their rights,” said Ahmad Al-Rilkaby, who heads up the newly formed Iraqi Media Network.

“This is the first strike of the Iraqi media,” he beamed.

The story is here.