LP: American media silent over mass protest in Bahrain

This is a rather strident article. I am linking to it just to bring to light the fact that interesting political events are occuring in this normally rather sedate and picturesque island...

LP: American media silent over mass protest in Bahrain: "Friday's peaceful march saw an estimated 80,000 people,roughly 12 percent of the Gulf state's total population,demanding constitutional reforms. They called for greater power for the elected lower house of parliament, which currently is subordinated to a handpicked upper chamber, the consultative council,an arrangement that leaves all real legislative power in the hands of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. They also demanded a constitution ratified by elected representatives, rather than the current charter, which was imposed by royal decree in 2002.
This action signaled the refusal of the Al-Khalifa dynasty to relinquish the absolute power it has exercised since declaring its independence from Britain in 1971.