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The Last Lie... An Editorial By Christy
(Christy sent this piece in).
Not too long ago, seemingly out of the blue, I was suddenly bombarded by forwarded emails. We all know the type. Patriotic themed and usually opening with a Mexican 'joke'. All of them had buzzwords in them like 'Freedom' and some even threw in Jesus for no apparent reason at all. In one such email, I was 'reminded' that 'only Jesus and US Soldiers were ever willing to die for me'.
I remember staring at that line for a long time, thinking nothing, trying to think nothing. The words just sat there in front of me, and without meaning too, I started thinking about its meaning. I started thinking about what the sender wanted it to mean to me. I started asking myself had I ever known anyone else willing to 'die for me'?
I remembered a Mexican who once loved me, and yes, I had no doubt he would have lay down his life for me, had he been asked. My mother, certainly typical of 'mothers' would die for me. My lover, a good and honest man, him too, if it came to the ultimate sacrifice to be made in my name, I have no doubts he would volunteer to lay down his life for me. For any of those 3 and for my own children, I also would gladly face death so that any one of them could live.
And yet the words still sat there, telling me only Jesus and U.S. Soldiers were ever willing to die FOR ME.
Now, I get the Jesus thing. Even if it only makes sense in a religious context, that is how religion works. Believe it anyway, even if it seems somewhat conflated. I wasn't around to commit any sins, so saying He died for my sins may seem like hubris, but I guess it all depends on your own personal theology.
Which leaves us with the part about US soldiers dying for me. Let's stop here for a moment, as we examine the conflicts my nation’s soldiers have been involved in since my birth during the final stages of the Vietnam War. Much of my early life was shaped by that distant conflict. The politics of it, the freshness of the wounds and pain. The confusion. The lies. Our population had to grapple with a military loss, handed to them by an unlikely enemy.
As I sat there and looked at that email, I could not help but ask myself did any of the soldiers who died there, actually die 'for me'? As far as I know, not a single Vietnamese could have affected my freedom, or threatened my life, or even the lives of those around me. My nation’s soldiers killed over 3 million people in that conflict, and for the life of me, I can not think of a single benefit to myself or anyone I love or even know that was gained by their sacrifice. All I ever saw of it was a bunch of dead people, who died for no damn reason, except to fill the coffers of war profiteers. As far as I can see, no one except war profiteers gained anything from it at all.
And yet, for all my life, I was told even by the smartest of people, that the U.S. Soldiers who died there, 'were dying for me'. At what point does a talking point become an insidious lie?
And now here we are, in yet another distant conflict that was started with the most bold and obvious lies possible. Once again we are killing foreign people in foreign lands. Our soldiers die, their people are dying, for no rational explanation at all. Our nation has gained nothing but scorn and bankruptcy for it, yet still the killing goes on. We have become known torturers, and I suppose there are those who will still insist we had to torture people, because they are being tortured for me. As if my life is somehow better for it.
I am fully aware that many people who read this will say 'How dare she!?' How dare I suggest they are NOT dying for me? Because they are not. I would never sacrifice my nation’s soldiers so callously and for no gains. Some will claim I have no love for our soldiers. What I want to know is how they can claim to love our soldiers while justifying sacrificing them for lies and talking points? The ones that claim to be the most patriotic among us, have no qualms about sending these men and women to die for lies, yet they will question my patriotism for suggesting they are not dying for me. That I gain nothing for it, they can not hear. They will not hear it. Their lie is exposed when I say no Iraqi could have ever been a threat to me or anything I know.
If U.S. Soldiers are not dying for me...Then what the hell are they dying for? That is a much better question than to wonder about my own desire for them to live to fight another day.
As I sat there and looked at that email, I decided it would be the last lie I would be told. It is the Last Great Lie. An All American Lie. A lie calculated to make us feel too guilty to question its truthfulness. If they are dying 'for me' then I must be grateful, right? We all must be, because to question it makes us 'unpatriotic '… ungrateful…UnAmerican.'
Which is strange, because killing and torturing people for no reason at all except the greed of war profiteers is what I would say is the very definition of 'UnAmerican'.
For the rest of my life, this lie will never again go unchallenged. The blood of my nation’s soldiers will not be thrown onto my conscience in order to ease the minds of others who also can not fully explain what our soldiers are dying for.
Wow.
Um, can you please edit the title?
It just kinda looks strange. Instead of 'from' how about 'by'...? TY!
And TY Monkey!
YW Christy.
I have been unable to articulate it the way you did, but I just this instant primal "anger" comes over me whenever someone throws the "they are fighting and/or dying for our freedom" mantra out there.
Like your sentiment, I have never felt my "freedom" was in danger of being taken away by anyone, certainly not by Iraqis, and not even by terrorists.
Oh, the irony in having substantially LESS freedom now courtesy of my own government, all while being TOLD it's for my own good.
Dumbocracy?
Damnocracy?
An awesome piece Christy!!!
Oh...and title edited...better?
Monkey-Christy...
It's what ticks me off so much about them saying 'Support our troops' when they clearly don't!
That brings to mind...
A few days ago, as I was driving to work, my daughter and I passed a vehicle with some of those ribbons. It brought to mind the fact that we suddenly realized that it was a novelty to see those ribbons! Use to be there were yellow ones, camaflauged ones, pink ones, blue ones, etc... And lots of "W's" with those yellow ribbons that said, "Support our troops."
So wtf? Suddenly because Bush's ratings lower than a postage stamp people felt the urge to remove their "Support our troops" magnets?!!!
That to me speaks of just how UNSUPPORTED they truly were and are!
People who supported our troops still have their peace signs out, their Kerry-Edwards stickers on, and their End the war, or bring our troops home stickers. That hasn't changed.
Clearly, the other side thinks of it like a hockey game that once the season is done, you remove any signs of your 'losing team'. In this case, the people who lost were our soldiers.
Forgotten by those who waved their patriotic ribbons and flags. While those who got beaten up for being 'unpatriotic' still proudly push the issue of peace and real Veteran's care.
An excellent piece, Christy. You've articulated things I've been unable to find words for. You are so right!
On this occasion, as on others, we've simply sent our young military personnel not to defend but to kill and annihilate to satisfy our paranoia. "Just in case". But they do not die for me. And those who died in Vietnam did not die for me.
In this, Christy, you speak for me also. Thankyou.
After-work Cartoon & Cocktail Hour
film festival
Yes Sparrow, better, TY!
I appreciate it you guys. It always bugged me, and I tried for years to articulate it, too, but I guess it took that email to kinda put it into the proper perspective for me.
All the blank spots are because YouTube is down.
Barack Obama - The Tide Is Turning
The Tide Is Turning
I have no idea who Roger Waters is supporting in this thing (and I hasten to note that this video was created without his permission), but when I heard Senator Obama's historical Philadelphia address last week, this song, "The Tide Is Turning," from Waters' underrated 1987 album Radio KAOS kept running on a loop in my head.
The song and the speech compelled me to take a break from the snark to assemble this mash-up as a tribute to everyone who has endured this seven-year-long dark ride; and to everyone who hopes that America can and will change for the better.
Until recently, I honestly didn't think it was possible. And even though it's only the beginning, Senator Obama's campaign is clearly our best shot to, at the very least, turn the tide against this seemingly interminable darkness.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-tide-is-turning_b_93391.html
Christy
Thanks for sharing this piece. It's eloquent as always.
Unfortunately, the soldiers, like the uninsured, are dying to fulfill the ideology of the reactionary forces in oil and construction, not for the greater good of the nation.
"If we leave Iraq," says McCain. "The consequence will be genocide." What does he call a million Iraqi civilians dead in 5 years?
Which is strange, because killing and torturing people for no reason at all except the greed of war profiteers is what I would say is the very definition of 'UnAmerican'.
For the rest of my life, this lie will never again go unchallenged. The blood of my nation’s soldiers will not be thrown onto my conscience in order to ease the minds of others who also can not fully explain what our soldiers are dying for
Bravo girlfriend.
BUSH'S TWISTED JOKE ABOUT IRAQ
U.S. steps up unilateral strikes in Pakistan
Officials fear support from Islamabad will wane as Musharraf loses power
By Robin Wright and Joby Warrick
washingtonpost.com
March. 27, 2008
The United States has escalated its unilateral strikes against al-Qaeda members and fighters operating in Pakistan's tribal areas, partly because of anxieties that the country's new leaders will insist on a scaling back of military operations in that country, according to U.S. officials.
Washington is worried that pro-Western President Pervez Musharraf, who has generally supported the U.S. strikes, will almost certainly have reduced powers in the months ahead, and so it wants to inflict as much damage as it can to al-Qaeda's network now, the officials said.
Over the past two months, U.S.-controlled Predator aircraft have struck at least three sites used by al-Qaeda operatives. The attacks followed a tacit understanding with Musharraf and Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani that allows U.S. strikes on foreign fighters operating in Pakistan, but not against the Pakistani Taliban, the officials said.
About 45 Arab, Afghan and other foreign fighters have been killed in the attacks, all near the Afghan border, U.S. and Pakistani officials said. The goal was partly to jar loose information on senior al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants, by forcing them to move in ways that U.S. intelligence analysts can detect. Local sources are providing better information to guide the strikes, the officials said.
‘Shake the tree’ strategy
A senior U.S. official called it a "shake the tree" strategy. It has not been without controversy, others said. Some military officers have privately cautioned that airstrikes alone -- without more U.S. special forces soldiers on the ground in the region -- are unlikely to net the top al-Qaeda leaders.
The campaign is not specifically designed to capture bin Laden before Bush leaves office, administration officials said. "It's not a blitz to close this chapter," said a senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing operations. "If we find the leadership, then we'll go after it. But nothing can be done to put al-Qaeda away in the next nine or 10 months. In the long haul, it's an issue that extends beyond this administration."
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23820893/
My latest salvo at the NY Times. Let's see if they print this one:
I honestly don't believe that Hillary need withdraw from this race. The reason that Florida and Michigan tried to move up their primaries was because they believed that their votes should count for something. And they should - but just NOT in this primary. Rules are rules - and everyone knew what the ruler were going to be before the first vote was cast. And there's no reason why this race shouldn't go on - except for the fact that Hillary has turned to the dark side, and has everyone wondering if she isn't attempting to so sabotage Obama's general election chances that she'll get a chance to run against either a 76 year old McCain, or perhaps a GOP Vice-President, in 2012.
Hillary needs to be made by Party elders to cease and desist in her scorched earth campaign against Obama; she needs to fully acknowledge (for instance) that Obama is every bit as prepared to be Commander-in-Chief as was her husband, the actual President of the United States, in 1992. Bill, not Hillary, was the actual President of the United States, and he had no foreign policy experience whatsoever before coming to the White House. None. Zilch. Zero. Hillary has "pretend" foreign policy experience. She didn't even have a security clearance. This is a completely made-up issue, especially in light of her cheerleading for the Iraq debacle well into 2005. It's likely going to take a lot longer to get out of Iraq than either Democrat thinks at this point - and Hillary deserves to be held accountable for her role in enabling this foolish military adventure. If her actual foreign policy experience makes her more qualified to be Commander-in-Chief, then Mark Foley must be the most qualified person to run the Congress' intern program.
It's time also for Hillary to renounce spin, and begin running an intellectually honest campaign. And how about she lose the chip on her shoulder - and this truly ugly notion that it was "her turn". Life is unfair, and if the American people, for whatever reason, decide you don't get a turn, then you don't get one - regardless of whatever agreement you had with your husband.
It's the will of the people that matters - not your ambition, your vanity, or insatiable craving for power. Hillary is hated by Republicans, but she could leave this race also deservedly, and perpetually, despised, by progessives. It's her choice. Let's hope she chooses more wisely than she did in October 2002.
For context, this was in response to Nicholas Kristof's column:
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/your-comments-on-my-hillary-clinton-column-2/#comment-38691
March 27, 2008 8:31 AM
Matthew Carnicelli said:
Right on.
Military warns Bush over mounting Iraq strain
President told of pressures facing troops and families as he plans for future
WASHINGTON (AP) - Behind the Pentagon's closed doors, U.S. military leaders told President Bush Wednesday they are worried about the Iraq war's mounting strain on troops and their families. But they indicated they would go along with a brief halt in pulling out troops this summer.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff did say senior commanders in Iraq should make more frequent assessments of security conditions, an idea that appeared aimed at increasing pressure for more rapid troop reductions.
The chiefs' concern is that U.S. forces are being worn thin, compromising the Pentagon's ability to handle crises elsewhere in the world.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23822394/
I was reading this, about how ',arriage' has fallen to a 110 year low...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/mar/27/socialtrends.gender
And I got to this part and it felt like I feel down the rabbit hole..
'The Church of England attributed the fall in marriages to a "continued trend of couples delaying marriage or avoiding it altogether, not least the mistaken idea that cohabitation is a form of marriage".
A spokesman for the church said marriage remained the best option. "Marriage affirms the goodness and rightness of love between a man and woman, affirms this in the public sphere, beyond private arrangements, and is the best option for couples to grow together in mutual support."
You know, when in the hell, in the whole history of man and woman kind getting it on, did 'marriage' become the EXCLUSIVE concept of the church?
They act like before the first church was built, we all just kinda stood around looking at each other funny while wondering what to do with our pee-pees.
"...mistaken idea that cohabitation is a form of marriage"
Then what IS it a 'form of' then? And if 'cohabitation' were so easily dismissed, then why are 'husbands and wives' expected to live together?
Most of the miserable people I know are miserable because the 'got married' and tried to live up to someone elses unnattural concept of what 'being married' is suppossed to be.
The most stable couples I know are unmarried in the church yet have a perfectly viable biological commitment to one another in spite of anything anyone else thinks.
It is just wierd to me that somewhere along the line, we went from two people meeting, hitting it off, pairing off and getting it on, to whatever the church now defines it as.
It is no wonder people are not taking up some modern concept of 'marriage', when those concepts are so twisted and unnattural that anything other than those modern standards will not be recognized as normal human behavior.
It is just freaking strange.
Look at this headline, same paper, same day,
Nearly half of marriages doomed for divorce, study finds
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/27/britishidentity.divorce
And they wonder why no one is in a rush to get married anymore.
Crazy crazy crazy.
Well, if demographics mean anything, I am going into the Drive-Thru Divorce business.
Over 50% Served
Hillary's Only Path To The Nomination: Disenfranchise Hundreds Of Thousands Of Voters
I wrote previously about the hypocrisy of Hillary's doublespeak about being so concerned that every voter's voice is heard in Florida and Michigan (just as long as they didn't have much of a choice when they cast their votes), while basing her path to the nomination on hijacking the will of the voters via superdelegates and switching pledged delegates, essentially overturning 10,000+ voters with each delegate gained. Well now she is at it again, saying that pledged delegates are just like superdelegates, and they can switch at anytime (and implicit in this, is that they should switch, and switch to her, since that is the only way she has even the faintest chance of winning):
Conts.
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/03/hillarys-only-path-to-nomination.html
Bush defends Iraq progress, scolds Congress
The president criticizes calls from Congress for troop withdrawals
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - President Bush on Thursday defended the slow pace of progress in Iraq, asserting "it is not foot-dragging" as Iraqi politicians try to reach agreement on political, security and economic goals.
Bush derided calls from Congress for troop withdrawals or deadlines so that the military could focus more on the anti-terror battle elsewhere. "This argument makes no sense," he said.
Bush offered his assessment of the war in a speech before a military audience of more than 1,000 people at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton.
Within weeks, Bush is expected to endorse the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. Petraeus has proposed a pause in troop cutbacks to assess the impact of having withdrawn five combat brigades since December. He has argued that it would be reckless to shrink the American force so rapidly that the gains achieved over the past year are compromised or lost entirely.
Bush suggested that Iraqi officials were able to make more progress than the U.S. Congress.
"They got their budget passed," the president said. "Sometimes it takes our Congress awhile to get its budget passed.
"Nevertheless some members of Congress decided the best way to encourage progress in Baghdad was to criticize and threaten Iraq's leaders while they're trying to work out their differences," Bush said.
"But hectoring was not what the Iraqi leaders needed," he said. "What they needed was security. And that is what the surge has provided."
Bush asked critics of Iraq's political progress to consider the enormity of the task.
"They're trying to build a modern democracy on the rubble of three decades of tyranny, in a region of the world that has been hostile to freedom. And they're doing it while under assault from one of history's most brutal terrorist networks," Bush said. "When it takes time for Iraqis to reach agreement, it is not foot-dragging, as one senator described it during Congress' two-week Easter recess. It is a revolutionary undertaking that requires great courage."
Bush was referring to comments made in a television interview last weekend by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. He told CNN on Sunday that there has been too much "foot-dragging on key governance questions in Iraq" and that putting off troop withdrawals would only exacerbate it.
The president pointedly took on the Democratic case for troop withdrawals.
"No matter what shortcomings these critics diagnose, their prescription is always the same: retreat," Bush said. "They claim that our strategic interest is elsewhere and if we would just get out of Iraq, we could focus on the battles that really matter."
But, he countered, "If America's strategic interests are not in Iraq, the convergence point for the twin threats of al-Qaida and Iran, the nation Osama bin Laden's deputy has called the place for the greatest battle, the country at the heart of the most volatile region on earth, then where are they?"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23828282/
Un. Freaking. Believable.
Today's Must Read
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/todays_must_read_304.php
I am shocked that I can still be shocked.
McCain's Website - Bill Clinton featured in video appearance as soon as you arrive!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5274491
Christy
I would think marriage would decrease in importance as an institution as we are less agricultural and have more population control. The regions of the globe that lag behind still have arranged marriage, extended families etc. Where those are no longer relevant, marriage is not as crucial either.
By the way, this NY Times poll indicates that Obama, then McCain, then H Clinton are seen as more likely to unify the country.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/poll-obama-mccain-most-likely-to-unite-nation/
The TX caucusses are coming up (district) and the delegates out of that go to the state convention. People can make calls to assure that the delegates follow through.
The will of the people must be followed or there will be horrible consequences - either soon or later but it's a law of nature, just as a rubber band will snap back when pulled and break completely if pulled too hard (or allowed to become worn and weak)
Blasts in Baghdad's Green Zone kill 1 American
Iraqi government struggles to control south as Shiites pursue revolt
-snip-
Gunmen kidnapped an Iraqi civilian spokesman for Baghdad security operations Thursday and killed three of his bodyguards after torching his house in a Mahdi Army stronghold in the capital.
The attack targeted Tahseen Sheikhly, a Sunni who often appeared with U.S. military and embassy officials at news conferences to tout the successes of the crackdown on sectarian violence that began in February 2007.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23788065/
Surgery
What a stunning legacy of abject misery and hopelessness this president will leave in his wake... and yet, he will have accomplished much of what he set out to do.
No wonder anything this loser touches turns into a nightmare.
22-Year-Old Given $300M Defense Contract To Arm Afghan Forces
By C. J. CHIVERS
Published: March 27, 2008
Since 2006, when the insurgency in Afghanistan sharply intensified, the Afghan government has been dependent on American logistics and military support in the war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
But to arm the Afghan forces that it hopes will lead this fight, the American military has relied since early last year on a fledgling company led by a 22-year-old man whose vice president was a licensed masseur.
With the award last January of a federal contract worth as much as nearly $300 million, the company, AEY Inc., which operates out of an unmarked office in Miami Beach, became the main supplier of munitions to Afghanistan’s army and police forces.
Since then, the company has provided ammunition that is more than 40 years old and in decomposing packaging, according to an examination of the munitions by The New York Times and interviews with American and Afghan officials. Much of the ammunition comes from the aging stockpiles of the old Communist bloc, including stockpiles that the State Department and NATO have determined to be unreliable and obsolete, and have spent millions of dollars to have destroyed.
In purchasing munitions, the contractor has also worked with middlemen and a shell company on a federal list of entities suspected of illegal arms trafficking.
Moreover, tens of millions of the rifle and machine-gun cartridges were manufactured in China, making their procurement a possible violation of American law. The company’s president, Efraim E. Diveroli, was also secretly recorded in a conversation that suggested corruption in his company’s purchase of more than 100 million aging rounds in Albania, according to audio files of the conversation.
This week, after repeated inquiries about AEY’s performance by The Times, the Army suspended the company from any future federal contracting, citing shipments of Chinese ammunition and claiming that Mr. Diveroli misled the Army by saying the munitions were Hungarian.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/world/asia/27ammo.html?_r=1&ex=1364270400&en=c04d358a662752c5&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
Didn't ya know?
Bush: Spiraling Iraq Violence "A Very Positive Moment"
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/27/bush-iraq-positive/
NMP, I agree and that is an excellent point about marriage and rural vs. motropolis priorities. I'll be thinking on that one for a while.
But, see, we see 'marriage' from a biological standpoint, our animal brains can't help it, it is not nor ever was about 'religion', so the fact it has become pretty much the sole domain of religion is totally freaking creepy.
BTW, just because I am ego drunk, I have to tell you what I just learned how to do. I can now paint black into black, using the exact same paint and getting different tonal effects.
I can put a shadow inside a shadow inside a shadow...!! I have been trying to do it for years!
Yes, I learned it by accident, but still...
So. Freaking. Cool!
I know, I know. My spelling still sucks though.
So much for my ego. Nevermind.
Spelling is in the aye of the bee holder.
Buzz Me Anytime
Christy
Well I think people mate up according to the biological imperative - the species is programmed to try to reproduce itself (like in the book "The Selfish Gene") - but in the older societies, partners were "chosen" by the family.
My brother thinks Jenna Bush ought to be married off to a Palestinian but the couple would live in the Gaza Strip. That would prevent war, I think. That's the way they used to do it in medieval Europe. They would marry off a couple of twelve year old offspring of potentially warring kings.
The Bush, Clinton, McCain and Obama families all have daughters that could be married off to North Korean, Iranian and Chinese guys. It would be alot cheaper than aiming nukes at each others' cities.
Hagel:
Facts During Run-Up To War Were
"Certainly Misrepresented"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/politics/
Sitting at the IVAW house in DC, with some of the best-informed guys around. This is their life--fighting back against what was done to them and the Iraqi people. The place is beautifully organized, well-stocked, and positive.
It gives me hope to see young guys who could be staggering around the streets feeling sorry for themselves, devoting themselves instead to peer counseling, mutual support, truth-telling, and resistance.
BTW, Resistance is the name of their cute puppy.
http://ivaw.org
What a stunning legacy of abject misery and hopelessness this president will leave in his wake... and yet, he will have accomplished much of what he set out to do.
Truer words were never spoken, and that is the shame of it. I cannot even imagine, committing so many innocent Iraqis to their deaths for the thrill of it. So many innocent souls lost to this psychos whims.
Siegelman to be released from prison.»
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/27/siegelman-to-be-released-from-prison/
YESSSSS!!!! HAHAHA!
It is on now bitches!!!!!!!
karl, you better run boy, RUN!
Kangroo...et al...
Have you heard the saying:
If you kill one person, you are a murderer.
If you kill one hundred, you are a psychopath.
If you kill one million, you are a king.
I guess W wants to go down in history as the first murduring psychopathic king in American history.
And remember...God told him to do it.
CNN update on Gov Seligman. Karl Rove says any allegation of his involvement is "false and foolish". And Karl would NEVER lie.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/27/house.siegelman/
Royalty Loves Companies
Iraq’s Prime Minister was staring into the abyss today after his operation to crush militia strongholds in Basra stalled, members of his own security forces defected and district after district of his own capital fell to Shia militia gunmen.
With the threat of a civil war looming in the south, Nouri al-Maliki’s police chief in Basra narrowly escaped assassination in the crucial port city, while in Baghdad, the spokesman for the Iraqi side of the US military surge was kidnapped by gunmen and his house burnt to the ground.
Saboteurs also blew up one of Iraq's two main oil pipelines from Basra, cutting at least a third of the exports from the city which provides 80 per cent of government revenue, a clear sign that the militias — who siphon significant sums off the oil smuggling trade — would not stop at mere insurrection.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3631718.ece
On the main page, Richard wonders what happens if 4000 bodies fall in a forest (or desert) and no one is listening...
TSP:
Thanks for saying that. Thank you. Nonetheless, as a moderate Democrat and fan of the Clinton's I hope you realize that it is uncomfortable, if not impossible, for me to continue to patronize the DCP.
I am disengaging in stages. Steps I guess one might call them. Personally, I like the idea that we are simply going our separate ways. There is no harm nor shame in that, to my mind.
God Bless and All the Best, and GOTV 2008!
Chuck in Houston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLg0hAdfh2k&feature=related
Sally Goodin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByYSkRGrMqw
Little Birdie01:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYLpzvKDRls
No Surrender:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJqULQpGTQ0&feature=related
We've always rocked.
And remember...God told him to do it.
YESSSSS!!!! HAHAHA!
It is on now bitches!!!!!!!
karl, you better run boy, RUN!
Hell Yes, you sonofabitch
CCR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DksGi7B5BdM
Hey Indy how you going,are you still in New Orleans, make sure you are around on the night of the election, I might need a shoulder to cry on again, if another election is stolen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtoUb5ULcjY
Hey Indy, G'Day how the hell ya going, are you still in New Orleans, make sure you are around on election night, because I might sure as hell need another shoulder to cry on, if another election is stolen.
abqJohn G'Day from Down Under.
Bear Stearns CEO Sells His Holdings For $61.3M
NEW YORK — Bear Stearns Cos. Chairman James Cayne on Thursday sold his holdings in the embattled investment bank ahead of its expected acquisition by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Cayne sold 5.66 million shares for exactly $10.84 a share for $61.3 million. However, it was not known if those shares were dumped into the open market or if Cayne sold them to another party.
A spokesman for Bear Stearns would not comment on the sale.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/27/bear-stearns-ceo-sells-hi_n_93790.html
Flashback: Wright's Letter To NYT About Obama
In March 2007, New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor published a brief story about how Rev. Jeremiah Wright had been uninvited from delivering the invocation before Barack Obama's official presidential announcement.
Wright responded by writing the following letter:
March 11, 2007
Jodi KantorThe New York Times9 West 43rd StreetNew York,New York 10036-3959
Dear Jodi:
Thank you for engaging in one of the biggest misrepresentations of the truth I have ever seen in sixty-five years. You sat and shared with me for two hours. You told me you were doing a "Spiritual Biography" of Senator Barack Obama. For two hours, I shared with you how I thought he was the most principled individual in public service that I have ever met.
For two hours, I talked with you about how idealistic he was. For two hours I shared with you what a genuine human being he was. I told you how incredible he was as a man who was an African American in public service, and as a man who refused to announce his candidacy for President until Carol Moseley Braun indicated one way or the other whether or not she was going to run.
I told you what a dreamer he was. I told you how idealistic he was. We talked about how refreshing it would be for someone who knew about Islam to be in the Oval Office. Your own question to me was, Didn't I think it would be incredible to have somebody in the Oval Office who not only knew about Muslims, but had living and breathing Muslims in his own family? I told you how important it would be to have a man who not only knew the difference between Shiites and Sunnis prior to 9/11/01 in the Oval Office, but also how important it would be to have a man who knew what Sufism was; a man who understood that there were different branches of Judaism; a man who knew the difference between Hasidic Jews, Orthodox Jews, Conservative Jews and Reformed Jews; and a man who was a devout Christian, but who did not prejudge others because they believed something other than what he believed.
I talked about how rare it was to meet a man whose Christianity was not just "in word only." I talked about Barack being a person who lived his faith and did not argue his faith. I talked about Barack as a person who did not draw doctrinal lines in the sand nor consign other people to hell if they did not believe what he believed. >>>cont
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/27/flashback-wrights-lette_n_93820.html
Iraq Government In Emergency Session As Battles Rage
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL2423186320080328?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
A British view of the Clinton's dishonesty:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article3634746.ece
Roger Cohen was also rather good in yesterday's column:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/opinion/27Cohen.html
roo, the interesting thing about the strife now in Iraq is the number of defections from Maliki's government, army and police. The Iraqis see the Maliki government as American. That's the way I see it. And since this is the case - Iraq is definitely into civil warring now. Only Iraq can solve the problems that America et al have created. Only Iraq can restore life from the rubble that once was home.
I just found the wierdest thing.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Cowboy.jpg
Wikipedia has it wrong about this photo. It is not who they think it is. The picture is usually just called 'The Unknown Cowboy'.
Want to know who he is?
His name was Jack Hand. A real SOB. When this pic was taken, he was on the run from a posse out of Wyoming for raping a 13 year old girl.
I also know pics exist of him sitting next to Baby Face Nelson and Bonnie and Clyde.
How do I know this, because he was my great grandfather.
We also have pics of my grandmother as a little girl, sitting on Baby Face Nelsons lap with a Tommy Gun on the table.
Republican Party Responds to Siegelman Release
Birmingham, AL - The Alabama Republican Party is disappointed in today's ruling by the 11th Circuit Court and their decision to release former Governor Don Siegelman pending his appeal of the 6 counts of bribery and the 1 count of obstruction for which he was convicted.
Representative Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn), Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party stated "the former Governor's release pending appeal does not change the conviction by a jury of his peers. It would be premature to turn this development into anything other than a formality."
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=8080803&nav=0RdE
Sounds like somebody is getting nervous.
Parts of Basra were relatively quiet in the morning following the withdrawal of some fighters to the outskirts of the city however much of the city is seeing intensifying armed clashes. Eyewitness reports say that groups of Mahdi Army withdrew to the outskirts of the city after GZG forces backed by British tanks and US warplanes tried to eradicate them from areas that are strongholds of the Mahdi Army. Some witnesses confirmed that a group of the Mahdi Army captured two vehicles belonging to the GZG army type there are reliable reports that GZG barracks have been overrun.
One of our members in the city says that withdrawals appear to have been planned long before as part of a defense in depth strategy. Our members and contacts in city say that there is still a lot fighting going on. They also say that reports in the British media that british troops and aircraft are not involved in the fighting is a flat out lie and that British tanks are heavily involved. .
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/03/28/iraq-is-falling-apart/
Time is saying Foe news is in trouble without georgie
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1725955,00.html
Republican Party "disappointed in his release pending appeal...?"
Jeezzzzzzzzzz you'd think that Siegelman committed murder. But then again, nowadays, the republican party stands for guilty-period. And the facts surrounding the case indicate a lot of Republican and judicial obstruction of justice.
catching news on the run .. about Bush & Rudd confabbing about Iraq. Looks like Howard passed on some of his beliefs to Rudd, and Bush will do same to McCain. Discouraging.
Iraq itself is a mess - talked to the mother of a soldier who just called from Baghdad and had been in fighting last night. She can't even stand to follow the war right now.
It can't happen fast enough. They deserve all the trouble they get.
Oh boy, this will get up the noses of the competition!!
Rice hails Obama race speech as "important" for U.S.
Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:55pm EDT
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2832854120080328?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
I know Rudd was to be talking to Bush but I don't believe that he holds a single belief that Howard held. Hell, Howard is travelling the world on a speaking tour bad-mouthing Rudd's whole stance on Iraq. He's still that arrogant - even though he lost an election on the strength of it. Australian combatants will be withdrawn in the next few months from Iraq. Those engaged in civil construction and training will remain for a while longer. Rudd does, however, plan to send more troops to Afghanistan and his world tour is to encourage others to increase the numbers there.
Bush doing the same to McCain is a no-brainer because McCain wants the Iraq war to continue - he's even gone beyond Bush's wildest dreams it seems to me.
Most Australians won't be too happy about sending them to Afghanistan either, so Rudd may lose big numbers over that. However we'll see. There is absolutely no point in continuing the current state of things there either. Things are getting worse, not better. And with Bush's support of a coup dictator - Musharraf - how can things possibly improve in that region? Opium was the best ever crop and financial gain for the *enemy*. God - the place is almost desert where the stuff is grown - and no people around except taliban. Where's the herbicide? Or do we only dump stuff like that when we can dump it on our own people - friendly poison?
Ok here it is .......
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/03/28/1206207413013.html
And the picture with that article is interesting. What does the body language say there, with Bush kind of splayed right across the table and yet Rudd appears to be the one in tight control. Even facial expressions are a contrast. Not at all up to date with body language here - what do you think, karen?
Hi Indy.
Welcome back!
Getting Mrs. Clinton
March 28, 2008
I think we've reached a signal point in the campaign. This is the point where, with Hillary Clinton, either you get it or you don't. There's no dodging now. You either understand the problem with her candidacy, or you don't. You either understand who she is, or not. And if you don't, after 16 years of watching Clintonian dramas, you probably never will.
That's what the Bosnia story was about. Her fictions about dodging bullets on the tarmac -- and we have to hope they were lies, because if they weren't, if she thought what she was saying was true, we are in worse trouble than we thought
Snip
What, really, is Mrs. Clinton doing? She is having the worst case of cognitive dissonance in the history of modern politics. She cannot come up with a credible, realistic path to the nomination. She can't trace the line from "this moment's difficulties" to "my triumphant end." But she cannot admit to herself that she can lose. Because Clintons don't lose. She can't figure out how to win, and she can't accept the idea of not winning. She cannot accept that this nobody from nowhere could have beaten her, quietly and silently, every day. (She cannot accept that she still doesn't know how he did it!)
http://online.wsj.com/article/declarations.html
Wow woz, that is about the most disconnected, superficial greeting I've ever seen. Bush looks like his whole being is clear in another room.
Rudd looks kinda jolly. He's having a nice time anyway. The food is probably great, even tho' the company looks pretty grim.
Cognitive dissonance--yeop!!! I was just thinking that earlier today.
Wow woz, that is about the most disconnected, superficial greeting I've ever seen.
Georgie looks really over the moon in this one Karen
And the good news is - he's sticking to his view of pulling out the troops by mid year!!!!
Thanks karen - It stunned me. And you're right, GWB does look as though he certainly isn't in Rudd's space. And he wasn't.
Roo - not like Georgie and Johnnie in their matching Indonesian jackets like the idiot twins they are. Which one in that picture above would you trust?
I would not trust ANYONE standing next to georgie.
Just being in the same room with him seems to infect people with murderous glee, infinite greed and willful ignorance.
Charges dropped against US Marine over Iraq massacre
March 28, 2008
Military prosecutors have dropped all charges against a United States Marine accused of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the 2005 shooting deaths of 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians at Haditha.
The charges against Lance Corporal Stephen B Tatum, 26, were dismissed "in order to continue to pursue the truth seeking process into the Haditha incident," the Marines said in a statement.
A Marine spokesman declined to elaborate on the decision, which was not announced in open court.
"To ensure the remaining cases are brought to closure in a fair and just manner, further discussion of this case is inappropriate at this time," Lieutenant Colonel Sean Gibson said.
Lance Corporal Tatum was one of eight Marines charged in the November 19, 2005, killing of 24 men, women and children at Haditha that triggered international condemnation of US forces.
He faced 19 years in prison if convicted on all on all charges.
Iraqi witnesses say angry Marines massacred unarmed civilians after a popular comrade, Lance Corporal Miguel "TJ" Terrazas, was ripped in half by a roadside bomb.
Defence attorneys maintain that the civilians were killed during a pitched battle with insurgents in and around Haditha.
Prosecutors have dropped charges against four other Marines in the case.
- Reuters
http://www.uruknet.de/?p=m42532&hd=&size=1&l=e
'What are the Clintons doing continuing to promote McCain's candidacy? It's getting to the point that Bill is coming close to pulling a Lieberman in terms of undercutting the Democratic Party in the 2008 election. He's trying to diss Obama and promote McCain at the same time.
To what end?
Whatever it is, it's not putting the Democratic Party and the country first. It's the Clintons hedging their bets at the expense of the Dems.
There's a point at which Senator Hillary Clinton supporters have to decide whether they are members of the Democratic Party or of the Clinton Party.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorblog/073
Rinse. Repeat.
'..Clinton supporters have to decide whether they are members of the Democratic Party or of the Clinton Party."
Amen and hell yeah.
No Justice
Justice for the innocent of Iraq, soon the charges will be dropped on all of them, and no one will face the consequences of their actions, only the families left behind to grieve
Prosecutors have dropped charges against four other Marines in the case.
Siegelman is out.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Governor Don Siegelman of Alabama, released from prison today on bond in a bribery case, said he was as convinced as ever that politics played a leading role in his prosecution.
In a telephone interview shortly after he walked out of a federal prison in Oakdale, La., Mr. Siegelman said there had been “abuse of power” in his case, and repeatedly cited the influence of Karl Rove, the former White House political director.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/washington/28cnd-siegelman.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1206756437-2O7MQ+nL0brYg4k8YL6hCg
In other encouraging news, Iraqi police in Baghdad are apparently deserting en masse to the Mahdi Army
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/186156.php
Ed Shultz was reporting that some superdelegates were telling him that the Clintons told them if they moved to "Obama" then they were cutoff from future 'favors'.
Well, what a surprise. No conviction. No penalty. They were sent there to murder civilians. And murder them they did. Like the pregnant Iraqi woman being raped on that video you posted here the other day, roo. The 1st rapist was so proud to have his grinning face on camera - what a trophy he has huh? There'll be no charges. No convictions. No consequences. And for the IVAW men and women who are desperately trying to make things right, it's these atrocities that taint them all. Sadly.
Surely we don't expect more - we've had this for 5 long years. My Australian friend living in Japan said after seeing that video......
"Oh Wendy who was behind the camera, at first i thought maybe a soldier wanting to expose the indecency, then no maybe just for home movie footage, but then the pregnant woman and that last scene ... what the! was he raping that woman and proud to be on film and that other soldier's comments to the camera about having shot them all. I am totally confused and distressed. Is this what the war has done to these young men? I guess so esp when they are recruited with less intelligence than Bush, no they probably have more but makes no difference. What's even more sad is that they will return and become the latest war heroes.
"Yes I agree with the womans comments. But while we may all empathise about our young men being sent off to fight such wars I'm afraid with that sort of mentality and behaviour I say leave them there to suffer the consequences when it's all over. I have no empathy for them what so ever."
That video was from the film 'Redacted'. What do you want to happen to them? They are ACTORS.
I know it was traumatic, but it was also most likly filmed IN JORDAN.
And do not think 'no one' will pay for Haditha. My kids will pay for it, and so will my grandkids and their grandkids too.
Is there no shame? How can anyone - anyone at all - believe that the Clintons are better than the Bushes? Lying, Cheating, Warring, Breaking Promises. It's the same when it's done by Democrats as it is when it's done by Republicans. What's wrong with the party leaders? Well, we really know the answer given all the stuff they've allowed to pass through both houses and not a tiny hint of impeachment.
The Democratic Party faithful who were so thrilled after the last election, will be absolutely enraged if this is allowed to go by without a whimper.
Filmed? With actors? Shame that wasn't made clear when the video was posted. Who knows nowadays, with *trophy* collecting?
And are all the written accounts of Iraqi women who've been the victims of rape by American soldiers? They're untrue also?
Iraqi police in Basra shed their uniforms, kept their rifles and switched sides
James Hider, Times
Abu Iman barely flinched when the Iraqi Government ordered his unit of special police to move against al-Mahdi Army fighters in Basra. His response, while swift, was not what British and US military trainers who have spent the past five years schooling the Iraqi security forces would have hoped for. He and 15 of his comrades took off their uniforms, kept their government-issued rifles and went over to the other side without a second thought....
continua / continued
Iraqi police in Basra shed their uniforms, kept their rifles and switched sides
James Hider, Times
Link: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3635838.ece
Yes it is a shame.
What is even more shameful is everyone from here to freaking Japan are so willing to believe it at face value.
"woz said:
And are all the written accounts of Iraqi women who've been the victims of rape by American soldiers? They're untrue also?"
Is there a SPECIFIC case you would like to talk about or are you just willing to believe all my countrymen are murdering rapists?
You think we don't know? You think justifying the sentiment anyway will make it any more REAL for us by condemning ACTORS?
The first rule of this war is believe NOTHING you see or hear.
Not until you are sure. ONLY THEN will it count.
Everything else is just bullshit.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
FUCK YOU GEORGE W BUSH.
We get more documentaries here than you do there Christy. And I'll never forget My Lai. But you were too young for that. There are more atrocities happening in Iraq than any of our wars ever before, because the combatants were trained that everyone in the suburbs and cities was the enemy. One after another after another after another of the IVAW testimonies was about that very issue. A dead Iraqi was nuthin compared with a dead American.
I give up Christy. I don't fight. I don't go to war. I walk away. It's not worth the grief.
Our nations soldiers were not the only soldiers committing atrocities in Vietnam.
I am glad I don't remember it.
All war is immoral, and putting young people into immoral situations always ends badly.
You get more documentaries than we do? Exactly how does that deal with the issue of the fact that video was a MOVIE? Other than changing the subject?
Walk away?
I wish I could. Somebody has to watch the movies I guess.
documentaries - that tell the real stories - occasionally with actors but depicting real events Many American ones that just don't see the light of day over there
Not all of us are in the dark over here.
I won Best Female Cadet of the Year in ROTC once, and to this day I am convinced I won it, because I was the only cadet that knew how to assemble, fuel and light a lantern.
Wow, that was a total flashback. I was hoping I wasn't that damn old yet.
Ouch.
Christy
I was once the Betty Crocker Homemaker of the Year. I knew how a cow was cut up into "cuts" of beef, mostly from restaurant work.
About the documentaries - many many are shown in France about what is going on - that we don't see.
Any time there is something here like Hurricane Katrina, French documentary makers show up.
"French documentary makers show up."
HAHAHA!
I love the French.
Another Times post. Whether it gets posted is anybody's guess...
Hillary can stay in the race for the duration. Why schedule primaries later in the season if you have no intention of allowing them to be meaningful?
The problem the party faces today has nothing to do with Hillary's continued presence in this race, and everything to do with the specific tactics that her campaign has employed.
You can even argue that it has everything to do with the "character" of the Clintons, in adopting a "kitchen sink", scorched earth approach. But it has nothing to do with the fact we have a contested race.
What has to happen here is that every time Camp Clinton brings up an intellectually dishonest argument - like Hillary's imagined greater preparedness to be Commander-in-Chief, using a standard that would have all but guaranteed George H.W. Bush's reelection in 1992 - they get blasted by the pundits, Dean, and party elders, including elders supporting her campaign.
Or, if she ever says anything again like "you can't choose your relatives, but you can choose your pastor", then you allow the wisdom of her choice to remain married to Bill to become a legitimate issue as well. This person is living in the flimsiest of glass houses, and she has either no clue or little honesty.
The adults in the Democratic Party have to assert themselves and demand that both remaining candidates run intellectually honest campaigns. They have to be Democrats and Americans first, and supporters of a specific candidate second. Let both Obama and Clinton run on their intellectually legitimate positions, and let the people decide.
*****
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/clinton-says-shes-in-it-for-the-long-haul/