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Today I decided to play with blog.com to compare their service with other blog engines. I didn't like it, but what really upset me was the fact that they too don't have 'Palestine' listed in their country list. I went double checking the other services, and to be honest, I was shocked that non of listed below services had 'Palestine' in their list.

Therefore, I went on searching for their customer service emails and contacts to file a complain. Then I though the more the better, so I created the pledge (http://www.pledgebank.com/palestineblogs) which most of you must have received by now. (if you didn't, I apology).

So, here is the list:

http://Blogger.com
http://spaces.msn.com
http://360.yahoo.com
http://MySpace.com
http://Blog.com

What you can do? Please sign this pledge, then you can invite as little as 5 more friends of yours to sign it. The most important part is to send an email request asking the blog services to add 'Palestine' to their country list:

Blogger.com Support: support@blogger.com
Blog.com Support: support@blog.com [Done, they added Palestine]
Myspace.com Support: support@myspace.com
Yahoo 360 Feedback: http://add.yahoo.com/fast/help/us/360/cgi_feedback
Spaces.msn.com Form: http://support.msn.com/eform.aspx?productKey=spaces&page=support_home_options_form_byemail&ct=eformts

Here is a copy of my email to them (feel free to use):

Dear Sir/Madam,

I've noticed that your services does not list 'Palestine' in the country list, where the blogger can select his country.
Imagine you are a Palestinian blogger, and you have no choice to identify where you exist and live, because the blog engine that you are using does not identify Palestine in their country list. Is that a denial of existence? Ignorance? Intentional or unintentional bias? We hope note. But then, should 'Palestine' be added? Yes, very much!

Therefore, I urge your respected service to list Palestine in the country list ASAP!

Thanks for your understanding and quick action.

The good news is that MSN Spaces has already replied back to my request:

Hello Haitham,

Thank you for writing to MSN Member Directory Technical Support.

My name is Louie and I am glad to be of service to you.

We appreciate that you have taken your valuable time to provide us your
suggestion to add Palestine in the list of countries in the site.

We are very happy to hear your feedback because it means that we share
the same goal of providing total customer satisfaction to every
customer. This will be forwarded to our product specialist team for
review. As always, MSN is focused on providing high-quality products and
services for our customers. Feedback such as yours enables us to move
another step forward to our goal.

You are valuable at MSN and we look forward to providing you with
consistent and effective service. If you have other concerns, please
feel free to contact us again.

Sincerely,

Louie
MSN Member Directory Technical Support

So it works. At least some positive signs from Microsoft.

Anyway, thanks to all who signed our successful pledge, or emailed me asking what they can do next. Just keep in mind that this is just the start of it, the more the better, the faster they respond, and respond positively.