Jarhead
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If you have no interest in seeing the movie "Jarhead"; or if you plan on seeing it, and don't want spoilers -skip this post.
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The hubby-man and I just watched it. Even though I had friends participating in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and I watched and worried day after day; this movie covers something I never thought of.
We spent 6 months gearing up for The Mother Of All Battles (At least according to Saddam Hussein) And less than 2 months taking back Kuwait.
We sent soldiers trained for combat. Their heads stuffed full of propaganda and ready for "the worst" that War could throw at them... And with superior air power, we (and by "we" I mean the armies of 34 individual countries) we cut off their supply lines, took out their air defenses, bombed their transportation, and gave them some time to get thirsty. All our primed and ready to kill ground troops had to do was hand out water. There's something twisted about that.
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Of Historical Note
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George W. Bush likes to talk about how Americans thought the Atlantic and Pacific oceans kept us "safe" from the rest of the world; and how September 11th was the first time the main body of America had been attacked.
Or, to use his wording:
"And, yet, here you are graduating from high school, the first high school class to ever have seen the 48 contiguous states attacked by an enemy."
-Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Mar. 4, 2002
He has consistently stated that the continental United States had never been attacked prior to September 11th.
I guess he learned all of American history from Schoolhouse Rock; although I think he forgot about the Three Ring Government.
I learned American history from teachers, encyclopedias, and historical novels, and even this song. Because when you're a little kid, listening to the Oldies station with your mom; you can't help but remember a verse like this:
"Well, we fired our cannon til the barrel melted down,
so we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round.
We filled his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind,
and when they tetched the powder off, the gator lost his mind."
Which segue's nicely into The War Of 1812, since that's what the song is about.
On June 18th, 1812; the U.S. declared war on the British-held Canadian provinces. Britain was busy dealing with Napoleon, and the U.S. figured this was a good time to get rid of any and all British presence in North America.
We failed miserably.
But here are some things that the President of the United States ought to know:
*Our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner; was inspired by a battle during the War of 1812.
*The British conquered Maine. All of Maine. Took the whole province away from us.
*The British strolled into Washington, D.C. and burned down the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Library of Congress, the United States Treasury, the Washington Naval Yard, the U.S. Patent Office, and... Oh yeah, THE WHITE HOUSE.
I would say that constitutes an attack on the contiguous 48 states. George Bush lives in the White House, but he can't remember that invading forces looted the place, burned the contents in a pile on the street, and burned the building itself?
I'm sure there's a historical plaque somewhere.
If he would bother to read it, he could improve his speeches by a significant amount. He could (1) appear educated, (2) look like he cares, and (3) show some genuine patriotism.
He could talk about how Dolly Madison (the First Lady, not the bakery) stood her ground in a burning city, saving as many historical items as she could. How (like those brave firefighters on September 11th, blah,blah,blah) she stayed and did what she could after even her bodyguards had taken off. He could talk about how former President Thomas Jefferson gave his personal library to restock the Library of Congress after the war had ended. How brave citizens rallied around the city and defended it from further incursions. And how, after that significant event; Americans repelled every incursion...
But no. He prefers to forget that there was ever an attack on "Uh-mare-can" soil prior to 2001.
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George W. Bush likes to talk about how Americans thought the Atlantic and Pacific oceans kept us "safe" from the rest of the world; and how September 11th was the first time the main body of America had been attacked.
Or, to use his wording:
"And, yet, here you are graduating from high school, the first high school class to ever have seen the 48 contiguous states attacked by an enemy."
-Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Mar. 4, 2002
He has consistently stated that the continental United States had never been attacked prior to September 11th.
I guess he learned all of American history from Schoolhouse Rock; although I think he forgot about the Three Ring Government.
I learned American history from teachers, encyclopedias, and historical novels, and even this song. Because when you're a little kid, listening to the Oldies station with your mom; you can't help but remember a verse like this:
"Well, we fired our cannon til the barrel melted down,
so we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round.
We filled his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind,
and when they tetched the powder off, the gator lost his mind."
Which segue's nicely into The War Of 1812, since that's what the song is about.
On June 18th, 1812; the U.S. declared war on the British-held Canadian provinces. Britain was busy dealing with Napoleon, and the U.S. figured this was a good time to get rid of any and all British presence in North America.
We failed miserably.
But here are some things that the President of the United States ought to know:
*Our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner; was inspired by a battle during the War of 1812.
*The British conquered Maine. All of Maine. Took the whole province away from us.
*The British strolled into Washington, D.C. and burned down the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Library of Congress, the United States Treasury, the Washington Naval Yard, the U.S. Patent Office, and... Oh yeah, THE WHITE HOUSE.
I would say that constitutes an attack on the contiguous 48 states. George Bush lives in the White House, but he can't remember that invading forces looted the place, burned the contents in a pile on the street, and burned the building itself?
I'm sure there's a historical plaque somewhere.
If he would bother to read it, he could improve his speeches by a significant amount. He could (1) appear educated, (2) look like he cares, and (3) show some genuine patriotism.
He could talk about how Dolly Madison (the First Lady, not the bakery) stood her ground in a burning city, saving as many historical items as she could. How (like those brave firefighters on September 11th, blah,blah,blah) she stayed and did what she could after even her bodyguards had taken off. He could talk about how former President Thomas Jefferson gave his personal library to restock the Library of Congress after the war had ended. How brave citizens rallied around the city and defended it from further incursions. And how, after that significant event; Americans repelled every incursion...
But no. He prefers to forget that there was ever an attack on "Uh-mare-can" soil prior to 2001.
Monday, January 05, 2004
Frustrating and Depressing stuff
Sick, wounded U.S. troops held in squalor article written in October.
The Bill of Rights Defense Committee lists cities, counties and states that have passed resolutions, ordinances or ballot initiatives protecting the civil liberties of their residents. The numbers are depressingly low.
Articles relating to the Iraqi War body count, vaccine problems and poor medical care for our troops
Sigh. There's a site out there called Fear Bush. Well... we could fear him... or we could do something about him. We could try and get him impeached, or (gasp) we could vote him out of office.
Sick, wounded U.S. troops held in squalor article written in October.
The Bill of Rights Defense Committee lists cities, counties and states that have passed resolutions, ordinances or ballot initiatives protecting the civil liberties of their residents. The numbers are depressingly low.
Articles relating to the Iraqi War body count, vaccine problems and poor medical care for our troops
Sigh. There's a site out there called Fear Bush. Well... we could fear him... or we could do something about him. We could try and get him impeached, or (gasp) we could vote him out of office.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Aimless Chatter
A question about capturing Saddam Hussein. Why is it that only one newspaper had the headline, "Ace In The Hole"? I think that's funny, er punny.
I don't think it's funny that they caught him. I really thought that the day they caught Saddam Hussein would be a happy day. Not so, sigh. Bush does not need that kind of good PR.
I'm glad the people of Iraq who were fearful of President Hussein's return have less to fear now. I'm glad the man will stand trial for the crimes he is (and will be) accused of. I'm glad Amnesty International has evidence to submit.
But I'm not happy that he was caught.
How much ya wanna bet Bush wants to have the trial in America? Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq, needs to be tried by the United Nations for crimes against his people or he should be tried in Iraq, and punished by Iraqi laws.
A question about capturing Saddam Hussein. Why is it that only one newspaper had the headline, "Ace In The Hole"? I think that's funny, er punny.
I don't think it's funny that they caught him. I really thought that the day they caught Saddam Hussein would be a happy day. Not so, sigh. Bush does not need that kind of good PR.
I'm glad the people of Iraq who were fearful of President Hussein's return have less to fear now. I'm glad the man will stand trial for the crimes he is (and will be) accused of. I'm glad Amnesty International has evidence to submit.
But I'm not happy that he was caught.
How much ya wanna bet Bush wants to have the trial in America? Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq, needs to be tried by the United Nations for crimes against his people or he should be tried in Iraq, and punished by Iraqi laws.
Friday, December 05, 2003
Friday, November 28, 2003
Look, I'm sorry, alright?
I'm sorry for the nuisance, but I just have to blog about this. Bush has Thanksgiving dinner in Iraq. Is he perhaps thankful for their sacrifices? Or was he just looking for some good PR?
Note the info on the side bar. Bush went to Iraq, Senator Clinton went to Afghanistan, and the troops in Bosnia ate alone.
Most of the 1,500 "US Peacekeepers" are from the Minnesota National Guard.
And here I was thinking that the National Guard was designed to guard our nation.
I'm sorry for the nuisance, but I just have to blog about this. Bush has Thanksgiving dinner in Iraq. Is he perhaps thankful for their sacrifices? Or was he just looking for some good PR?
Note the info on the side bar. Bush went to Iraq, Senator Clinton went to Afghanistan, and the troops in Bosnia ate alone.
Most of the 1,500 "US Peacekeepers" are from the Minnesota National Guard.
And here I was thinking that the National Guard was designed to guard our nation.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
at Under Reported:
According to a Nov. 13, 2003 Washington Post article:
The scene was a public library branch in Silver Spring. As Cathy B. Johnson entered, she was "astounded" to see a television set in the main lobby. It was muted, but it was very definitely on, and it was spewing pictures as only a TV set can.
Cathy saw red. She marched over to a librarian and asked why library patrons -- and young patrons in particular -- "couldn't have one place in the world where they were not bombarded by TV."
According to Cathy, the librarian pointed out that the set was aimed at a waiting area, where people sit until they get a crack at a public computer terminal.
The TV was on, Cathy says the librarian told her, so that those lying in wait "would have something to do."
Open mouth.
Gape in astonishment.
As Cathy promptly said to the librarian: "They couldn't read a book?"
Sorry, your gaping isn't done.
Cathy quotes the librarian as replying: "Internet users don't like to read."
also
According to a Nov. 14, 2003 UPI story:
The number of U.S. casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom -- troops killed, wounded or evacuated due to injury or illness -- has passed 9,000, according to new Pentagon data.
In addition to the 397 service members who have died and the 1,967 wounded, 6,861 troops were medically evacuated for non-combat conditions between March 19 and Oct. 30, the Army Surgeon General's office said.
Medically evacuated for 'non-combat conditions' they said??? Are they seriously trying to say that nearly 7000 service members were so badly wounded that they had to be removed from the country, but it's not combat related? What, they all got heat-stroke? Starvation, maybe? Perhaps complications from unhealthy living conditions??? Ooooh, I'd better stop. I could rant all night over this one. If you want to make yourself sick, read the article, then scroll down to the two pictures of young men with that physically fit, fresh scrubbed, just-out-of-boot-camp look... and note the missing parts. That bit particularly upset me, because both men look a lot like my hubby did when he got out of the military, except he still has all his bits.
According to a Nov. 13, 2003 Washington Post article:
The scene was a public library branch in Silver Spring. As Cathy B. Johnson entered, she was "astounded" to see a television set in the main lobby. It was muted, but it was very definitely on, and it was spewing pictures as only a TV set can.
Cathy saw red. She marched over to a librarian and asked why library patrons -- and young patrons in particular -- "couldn't have one place in the world where they were not bombarded by TV."
According to Cathy, the librarian pointed out that the set was aimed at a waiting area, where people sit until they get a crack at a public computer terminal.
The TV was on, Cathy says the librarian told her, so that those lying in wait "would have something to do."
Open mouth.
Gape in astonishment.
As Cathy promptly said to the librarian: "They couldn't read a book?"
Sorry, your gaping isn't done.
Cathy quotes the librarian as replying: "Internet users don't like to read."
also
According to a Nov. 14, 2003 UPI story:
The number of U.S. casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom -- troops killed, wounded or evacuated due to injury or illness -- has passed 9,000, according to new Pentagon data.
In addition to the 397 service members who have died and the 1,967 wounded, 6,861 troops were medically evacuated for non-combat conditions between March 19 and Oct. 30, the Army Surgeon General's office said.
Medically evacuated for 'non-combat conditions' they said??? Are they seriously trying to say that nearly 7000 service members were so badly wounded that they had to be removed from the country, but it's not combat related? What, they all got heat-stroke? Starvation, maybe? Perhaps complications from unhealthy living conditions??? Ooooh, I'd better stop. I could rant all night over this one. If you want to make yourself sick, read the article, then scroll down to the two pictures of young men with that physically fit, fresh scrubbed, just-out-of-boot-camp look... and note the missing parts. That bit particularly upset me, because both men look a lot like my hubby did when he got out of the military, except he still has all his bits.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Fighter jets are loud
T'other day, a friend told me she was awakened at 4 in the morning by fighter jets flying over her house. Being in St. Louis, this is a fairly common occurrence since 9-11. There's an air force base just across the river. We can always tell when something is going to happen, because I'll hear jets leaving Scott AFB, and Chasmyn will hear a different group overfly her house.
Today's Alienation News has this: "Since Saturday, people in the Highlands of Scotland have been witnessing large movements of US warplanes overhead. Experienced observers say the large numbers are reminiscent of those that preceded the bombing of Iraq in 1998 and military strikes on Libya in the 1980's as well as the first Gulf War." and more.
I remember going the the VP Fair and watching the airshows. I remember oohing and ahhing along with the rest of the crowd as the deafening Harrier hovered just feet above the Mississippi River. I remember the thrill of seeing F-15's blaze overhead. I remember actually touching an Apache helicopter.
Then I remember sitting in history class, watching old footage of military parades in countries were were told not to like. I realized there was no difference between our airshows and their parades. Both were displaying military power to thrill and subdue the masses.
I'm a machine junkie. I love the beauty of a well designed craft. I can pinpoint the moment I became interested in warplanes. I was at camp, and something black, with funny backward wings brushed the treetops over my head and crashed. We could all see the smoke. The adults insisted there was no airplane. They said the smoke was from a little forest fire, that was quickly controlled... nothing to worry about. When I left camp a few days later, the adults pretended not to see the caravan of military vehicles on the side of the highway. I went to the library and looked up war planes. None of the silhouettes looked like the thing that crashed. It piqued my interest. Some small part of me is still looking for the name of that plane. It was probably an experimental craft, so I'll never know. But it was enough to open another avenue of learning for me. I really got into the engineering behind experimental aircraft. I just had to research how rockets, jets and the sound barrier work. I love the whole cone of resistance thing.
So, knowing what I know, I used to get a thrill seeing afterburners glowing in the sky. Now I just see it as an intrusion of sound, and a reminder that soon there will be more deaths. I've seen enough stealth fighters to last me a lifetime.
T'other day, a friend told me she was awakened at 4 in the morning by fighter jets flying over her house. Being in St. Louis, this is a fairly common occurrence since 9-11. There's an air force base just across the river. We can always tell when something is going to happen, because I'll hear jets leaving Scott AFB, and Chasmyn will hear a different group overfly her house.
Today's Alienation News has this: "Since Saturday, people in the Highlands of Scotland have been witnessing large movements of US warplanes overhead. Experienced observers say the large numbers are reminiscent of those that preceded the bombing of Iraq in 1998 and military strikes on Libya in the 1980's as well as the first Gulf War." and more.
I remember going the the VP Fair and watching the airshows. I remember oohing and ahhing along with the rest of the crowd as the deafening Harrier hovered just feet above the Mississippi River. I remember the thrill of seeing F-15's blaze overhead. I remember actually touching an Apache helicopter.
Then I remember sitting in history class, watching old footage of military parades in countries were were told not to like. I realized there was no difference between our airshows and their parades. Both were displaying military power to thrill and subdue the masses.
I'm a machine junkie. I love the beauty of a well designed craft. I can pinpoint the moment I became interested in warplanes. I was at camp, and something black, with funny backward wings brushed the treetops over my head and crashed. We could all see the smoke. The adults insisted there was no airplane. They said the smoke was from a little forest fire, that was quickly controlled... nothing to worry about. When I left camp a few days later, the adults pretended not to see the caravan of military vehicles on the side of the highway. I went to the library and looked up war planes. None of the silhouettes looked like the thing that crashed. It piqued my interest. Some small part of me is still looking for the name of that plane. It was probably an experimental craft, so I'll never know. But it was enough to open another avenue of learning for me. I really got into the engineering behind experimental aircraft. I just had to research how rockets, jets and the sound barrier work. I love the whole cone of resistance thing.
So, knowing what I know, I used to get a thrill seeing afterburners glowing in the sky. Now I just see it as an intrusion of sound, and a reminder that soon there will be more deaths. I've seen enough stealth fighters to last me a lifetime.
Friday, October 31, 2003
Happy Halloween
My favorite day of the year. I got on the computer, scanned the Yahoo News, and ruined my day.
So don't read this if you'd rather have a war-free day.
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One headline says "Two Iraqi Civilians Killed During Protest" but that's not the real story.
The real story is that after an incident at a marketplace (the headline story) US troops moved into an area full of mosques. People came out. Someone started throwing rocks, and someone else started spraying the crowd with bullets. How would you feel if you were gunned down as you exit the church of your choice?
In related news, "al-Qaida Warns of 'Painful Strike' " . They threatened a wave of attacks in US occupied Muslim countries. " Al-Qaida "is getting ready to stage devastating attacks during the month of Ramadan against Americans that will make young boys' hair turn gray," said the e-mail, whose authenticity could not immediately be verified. It added attacks in Iraq were possible."
Three days later, Iraqis were dropping like flies. They're killing their own people to stir up dissent. Actually, I don't think terrorists have a "people". I don't think they give a shit about anyone but themselves.
Enjoy your Halloween. Enjoy your Samhain. This year's dead will be walking some very crowded streets.
My favorite day of the year. I got on the computer, scanned the Yahoo News, and ruined my day.
So don't read this if you'd rather have a war-free day.
-
-
-
-
-
One headline says "Two Iraqi Civilians Killed During Protest" but that's not the real story.
The real story is that after an incident at a marketplace (the headline story) US troops moved into an area full of mosques. People came out. Someone started throwing rocks, and someone else started spraying the crowd with bullets. How would you feel if you were gunned down as you exit the church of your choice?
In related news, "al-Qaida Warns of 'Painful Strike' " . They threatened a wave of attacks in US occupied Muslim countries. " Al-Qaida "is getting ready to stage devastating attacks during the month of Ramadan against Americans that will make young boys' hair turn gray," said the e-mail, whose authenticity could not immediately be verified. It added attacks in Iraq were possible."
Three days later, Iraqis were dropping like flies. They're killing their own people to stir up dissent. Actually, I don't think terrorists have a "people". I don't think they give a shit about anyone but themselves.
Enjoy your Halloween. Enjoy your Samhain. This year's dead will be walking some very crowded streets.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
There is a St. Louis medic who recently was called to Iraq. He sent a wish list to an e-mail list I'm on. I've met him. He's a great guy. I know our troops are disgustingly under supplied. I know Iraqis are, in certain areas, selling food to the soldiers. Food they pay out of pocket for, because our government can't get the supply (Halliburton) lines working. It hits you a lot harder when someone you know has to send requests for the most basic of items, tho.
(edit)'s wish list if anyone is interested in sending things.
I'm doing pretty well out here, there are a few things that would make life a bit easier. this is a compiled list, from several shop members, friends so with no particular order, here is the list.
* Velcro straps, the kind used to secure electrical cords, about 15 inches long, this is available at Lowes, runs about $6 a pack I think
* 8-15 foot extension cord grounded (3 prong) if possible
* decent size box of trash bags, 13-20 gallon best, think kitchen trash can size.
* lots of real Kleenex, flu season right around the corner, and we are the flight medicine office so we see everybody.
* beef jerky, peppered 1st choice, teriyaki 2nd choice, local stuff lousy
* sweat pants and zip up sweat jacket, size large to xlarge, losing a little weight
* sets of crayons... we get local kids in here as patients some times, colouring books as well if possible, nothing religious though. Muslim country
* Halloween supplies... candy as long as not chocolate, it will be far past melted when it gets here, please send this part soon.. so it gets here in time please!
* looking for White Castle mustard packs, and Taco Bell sauce packs. lots of requests for those...
* the jug of peppermint soap, but I don't think I need that big of a bottle, I got that at Wild Oats, actually need pint-quart size
* dryer sheets would be good , unscented, so I don't attract bugs.
almost any non perishable food, chips count as non perishable , we tend to share our care packages with the folks around here, (edit) you work in Hospital, you know how it is.
sorry to ramble, hope everybody is doing well
hope to see you before tooo long
(edit)
(edit)'s wish list if anyone is interested in sending things.
I'm doing pretty well out here, there are a few things that would make life a bit easier. this is a compiled list, from several shop members, friends so with no particular order, here is the list.
* Velcro straps, the kind used to secure electrical cords, about 15 inches long, this is available at Lowes, runs about $6 a pack I think
* 8-15 foot extension cord grounded (3 prong) if possible
* decent size box of trash bags, 13-20 gallon best, think kitchen trash can size.
* lots of real Kleenex, flu season right around the corner, and we are the flight medicine office so we see everybody.
* beef jerky, peppered 1st choice, teriyaki 2nd choice, local stuff lousy
* sweat pants and zip up sweat jacket, size large to xlarge, losing a little weight
* sets of crayons... we get local kids in here as patients some times, colouring books as well if possible, nothing religious though. Muslim country
* Halloween supplies... candy as long as not chocolate, it will be far past melted when it gets here, please send this part soon.. so it gets here in time please!
* looking for White Castle mustard packs, and Taco Bell sauce packs. lots of requests for those...
* the jug of peppermint soap, but I don't think I need that big of a bottle, I got that at Wild Oats, actually need pint-quart size
* dryer sheets would be good , unscented, so I don't attract bugs.
almost any non perishable food, chips count as non perishable , we tend to share our care packages with the folks around here, (edit) you work in Hospital, you know how it is.
sorry to ramble, hope everybody is doing well
hope to see you before tooo long
(edit)
Saturday, August 09, 2003
I never added Where's Raed? to my blog links, because you can find links to him everywhere.
I was catching up on his adventures in Baghdad tonight and read this:
The following conversation I was told about by G., but he is so lazy I will tell you about it myself. Inside the Convention Center (or as sometimes called The Iraq Forum), G was at the cafeteria waiting to buy a bottle of water when a man came and asked for a sandwich.
- is it Iraqi meat?
- yes sir it is
- are you sure it is Iraqi?
- Yes it was bought here
- No no, was the lamb slaughtered here in Iraq? Are you sure it didn’t come from Saudi?
- Sir, it is Iraqi. But even if it came from Saudi, the meat is also Halal there.
- No you don’t get it. They are not Shia muslims.
Usually it wouldn’t matter; everyone has his small little weird demands. But the problem was that the guy who doesn’t like Saudi meat because it is not slaughtered by Shia muslims is the head of an Iraqi human rights committee. Yeah, all humans are equal but some are more equal than other, aren’t they?
another little story, Raed’s mother is Shia muslim and they used to live in Saudi (which is Sunni central). One day she was asked by someone who got the courage to come up to her, they asked whether it was true that Shia muslims have little tails and they are allowed to marry their sisters.
Would anyone please remind why we need religions?
:: salam 10:25 AM [+] ::
I was catching up on his adventures in Baghdad tonight and read this:
The following conversation I was told about by G., but he is so lazy I will tell you about it myself. Inside the Convention Center (or as sometimes called The Iraq Forum), G was at the cafeteria waiting to buy a bottle of water when a man came and asked for a sandwich.
- is it Iraqi meat?
- yes sir it is
- are you sure it is Iraqi?
- Yes it was bought here
- No no, was the lamb slaughtered here in Iraq? Are you sure it didn’t come from Saudi?
- Sir, it is Iraqi. But even if it came from Saudi, the meat is also Halal there.
- No you don’t get it. They are not Shia muslims.
Usually it wouldn’t matter; everyone has his small little weird demands. But the problem was that the guy who doesn’t like Saudi meat because it is not slaughtered by Shia muslims is the head of an Iraqi human rights committee. Yeah, all humans are equal but some are more equal than other, aren’t they?
another little story, Raed’s mother is Shia muslim and they used to live in Saudi (which is Sunni central). One day she was asked by someone who got the courage to come up to her, they asked whether it was true that Shia muslims have little tails and they are allowed to marry their sisters.
Would anyone please remind why we need religions?
:: salam 10:25 AM [+] ::
Saturday, May 10, 2003
I just finished reading 16 posts from Salam Pax, and whew...what a read. I remember sitting on my comfy American butt, flipping through news channels, thinking of this stranger in Baghdad. Salam Pax was my one tenuous link to what might be going on over there.
Tonight I read about how he couldn't buy water, because looters had broken into the mint and stolen wads of cash, plus the plates and paper to make more. How many people hoarded their Dinars preparing for this war, only to have them rendered useless because the American military sat and watched a few ruthless thieves instead of stopping them? How do you get an American soldier to do something about the looting before his eyes? (no kidding) You run in front of the tank shouting "Ali Baba! Ali Baba!" -sigh
The good news is that my link-across-the-world is alive and his family appears to be intact. I can't imagine what he's going through, but his words are incredibly vivid. He's a voice in the wilderness, shouting out the injustices of all the parties involved, and I pray for his well-being.
Tonight I read about how he couldn't buy water, because looters had broken into the mint and stolen wads of cash, plus the plates and paper to make more. How many people hoarded their Dinars preparing for this war, only to have them rendered useless because the American military sat and watched a few ruthless thieves instead of stopping them? How do you get an American soldier to do something about the looting before his eyes? (no kidding) You run in front of the tank shouting "Ali Baba! Ali Baba!" -sigh
The good news is that my link-across-the-world is alive and his family appears to be intact. I can't imagine what he's going through, but his words are incredibly vivid. He's a voice in the wilderness, shouting out the injustices of all the parties involved, and I pray for his well-being.
Thursday, April 24, 2003
What the ...? A tip of the hat to AlterNet.org for this Bush Administration 'oops of the day'
Dangers of blinkered vision
The Washington Post reports, "Bush administration officials say they underestimated the Shiites' organizational strength and are unprepared to prevent the rise of an anti-American, Islamic fundamentalist government in the country." A State Department official told the Post, "I don't think anyone took a step backward and asked, 'What are we looking for?' The focus was on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein."
April 23, 2003 @ 5:41PM
Dangers of blinkered vision
The Washington Post reports, "Bush administration officials say they underestimated the Shiites' organizational strength and are unprepared to prevent the rise of an anti-American, Islamic fundamentalist government in the country." A State Department official told the Post, "I don't think anyone took a step backward and asked, 'What are we looking for?' The focus was on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein."
April 23, 2003 @ 5:41PM
Sunday, April 13, 2003
I typed something wrong, can't get to the link. The site is superhero designs journal And here is what she had to say...
Hitting
Yesterday, while I rode the BART train downtown, a woman tried to get her 2-year- old to sit in his stroller. He was crying and wriggling around and the woman was getting more and more incensed, shoving him into the stroller, whacking him on the legs, picking him up, hurling him back into the seat again, hitting him on the back, hard, over and over again...
We all watched this scene frozen in our seats, eyes wide, shocked, not knowing what to say.
Finally, a man walked slowly up the aisle, kneeled down beside her, and said calmly, “I know this is a frustrating situation for you, but you can’t hit him.”
She began to cry then, and stuttered through an explanation about how the child was hitting her and he won’t get in his seat, etc.
The man repeated, very gently and very matter of factly, “I understand this is frustrating for you, and you can’t hit him.”
She stopped. The baby stopped crying. And then she got off the train.
Through the hot tears that poured down my face as I left, I felt so grateful for this man for teaching me something so important, so fundamental and beautiful about how to serve... I didn’t know what to say, if it was my “place” to say anything, if this woman would get even more angry if I did. And so I was silent.
It made me think of all of the places in my life where I’m not saying anything, and maybe I should be. It made me think of the war, and how we are watching this violence, sometimes like silent bystanders, amazed and horrifed that it’s even happening.
It made me think that someone needs to kneel beside our world leaders and say,
“Hey. I know this is a frustrating situation, but you can’t hit them.”
Hitting
Yesterday, while I rode the BART train downtown, a woman tried to get her 2-year- old to sit in his stroller. He was crying and wriggling around and the woman was getting more and more incensed, shoving him into the stroller, whacking him on the legs, picking him up, hurling him back into the seat again, hitting him on the back, hard, over and over again...
We all watched this scene frozen in our seats, eyes wide, shocked, not knowing what to say.
Finally, a man walked slowly up the aisle, kneeled down beside her, and said calmly, “I know this is a frustrating situation for you, but you can’t hit him.”
She began to cry then, and stuttered through an explanation about how the child was hitting her and he won’t get in his seat, etc.
The man repeated, very gently and very matter of factly, “I understand this is frustrating for you, and you can’t hit him.”
She stopped. The baby stopped crying. And then she got off the train.
Through the hot tears that poured down my face as I left, I felt so grateful for this man for teaching me something so important, so fundamental and beautiful about how to serve... I didn’t know what to say, if it was my “place” to say anything, if this woman would get even more angry if I did. And so I was silent.
It made me think of all of the places in my life where I’m not saying anything, and maybe I should be. It made me think of the war, and how we are watching this violence, sometimes like silent bystanders, amazed and horrifed that it’s even happening.
It made me think that someone needs to kneel beside our world leaders and say,
“Hey. I know this is a frustrating situation, but you can’t hit them.”
Sunday, March 30, 2003
I am so glad we live in a country where we can openly scoff at someone ;)
Once again I highly recommend Saddam's Cyber Palace
Once again I highly recommend Saddam's Cyber Palace
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Wrongness in the form of Saddam's blog
Here's some excerpts:
Well, I've almost used up all my Scuds, which is actually pretty good, since I didn't have any to begin with. HA HA HA!!!! Anyway, I better stock up for what promises to be a long seige. I'm going to head over to my favorite store for supplies.
They're bombing me again. I can wait them out, though. Sooner or later, they're bound to run out of bombs.
This whole situation points out the fundamental problem with democracy: Every few years they have these things called elections.
That is not fair to dictators like me.
:: Sunday, March 23, 2003 ::
My son Uday is not looking too good. I have had propped him up in a chair in the corner ever since we dug him out from under the 50 tons of collapsed concrete and steel. I had to use a bicycle pump to reinflate his body, which actually worked better than I expected. But now he just sits there. I talk to him, but he won't answer.
One of my cabinet aids, Abdullah, said that's because Uday has been dead since that initial missile strike Thursday morning. I thanked Abdullah for volunteering his opinion, then shot him. I don't need negative vibes like that. Not at a time like this.
On the bright side, I have been informed that we have captured some POW's. See? I'm feeling better already.
:: Saddam "No Nukes Here" Hussein 8:56 PM [+] ::
That last bombing raid caused my son Uday to fall out of his chair. I had to lift him back up and duct tape him in place. Granted, he's still dead, but I think he's getting better.
I asked Uday earlier to clean up some of the debris lying around the bunker, but has he? No! He just stays in that chair, slumped against the wall. If it weren't for the duct tape holding him upright, he'd be srawled all over the floor. Sometimes I wonder if he is truly a product of my loins, or if his mother cheated on me. I would ask her, but I can't remember which of my wives bore him.
He's always been a little lazy, but this is ridiculous. I can't help but feel he is taking unfair advantage of this whole being dead thing.
Here's some excerpts:
Well, I've almost used up all my Scuds, which is actually pretty good, since I didn't have any to begin with. HA HA HA!!!! Anyway, I better stock up for what promises to be a long seige. I'm going to head over to my favorite store for supplies.
They're bombing me again. I can wait them out, though. Sooner or later, they're bound to run out of bombs.
This whole situation points out the fundamental problem with democracy: Every few years they have these things called elections.
That is not fair to dictators like me.
:: Sunday, March 23, 2003 ::
My son Uday is not looking too good. I have had propped him up in a chair in the corner ever since we dug him out from under the 50 tons of collapsed concrete and steel. I had to use a bicycle pump to reinflate his body, which actually worked better than I expected. But now he just sits there. I talk to him, but he won't answer.
One of my cabinet aids, Abdullah, said that's because Uday has been dead since that initial missile strike Thursday morning. I thanked Abdullah for volunteering his opinion, then shot him. I don't need negative vibes like that. Not at a time like this.
On the bright side, I have been informed that we have captured some POW's. See? I'm feeling better already.
:: Saddam "No Nukes Here" Hussein 8:56 PM [+] ::
That last bombing raid caused my son Uday to fall out of his chair. I had to lift him back up and duct tape him in place. Granted, he's still dead, but I think he's getting better.
I asked Uday earlier to clean up some of the debris lying around the bunker, but has he? No! He just stays in that chair, slumped against the wall. If it weren't for the duct tape holding him upright, he'd be srawled all over the floor. Sometimes I wonder if he is truly a product of my loins, or if his mother cheated on me. I would ask her, but I can't remember which of my wives bore him.
He's always been a little lazy, but this is ridiculous. I can't help but feel he is taking unfair advantage of this whole being dead thing.
Monday, March 24, 2003
News on the news front. Reporters keep asking "experts" if we have enough "force" to do the job. What they mean is "can the combined militaries and all their vehicles and armaments etc. kill all of them without killing any of us?"
DUH. War is MESSY on all sides. The networks are trying to make up for it with snazzy theme music. Fox has a stirring march, heavy on the drums of war. MSNBC takes a more somber tune, in keeping with the rising death toll. I watched CNN for a good long while, and they never took a commercial break. Maybe they haven't found a composer yet?
But wait, there's more!
The nevy has brought in dolphins to help find mines in the gulf. I thought the navy had abandoned dolphins as unreliable...? How much of Bush's 75 BILLION dollar request goes to dolphin food?
In the "it's not fair" category, we have these scrolling across the ticker-
Iraqi's are pretending to surrender, then shooting at us! it's not fair!
Republican Guard are wearing civilian clothes, and shooting at us! it's just not fair!
15,000 republican guardsmen will fight to the death around Baghdad! How rude!
Russia refuses to freeze Iraq's bank accounts, they're using human shields, and shooting from hospitals and mosques! Don't they know "the rules of war"?
sheesh
Since when was war fair? Fair war is called diplomacy.
DUH. War is MESSY on all sides. The networks are trying to make up for it with snazzy theme music. Fox has a stirring march, heavy on the drums of war. MSNBC takes a more somber tune, in keeping with the rising death toll. I watched CNN for a good long while, and they never took a commercial break. Maybe they haven't found a composer yet?
But wait, there's more!
The nevy has brought in dolphins to help find mines in the gulf. I thought the navy had abandoned dolphins as unreliable...? How much of Bush's 75 BILLION dollar request goes to dolphin food?
In the "it's not fair" category, we have these scrolling across the ticker-
Iraqi's are pretending to surrender, then shooting at us! it's not fair!
Republican Guard are wearing civilian clothes, and shooting at us! it's just not fair!
15,000 republican guardsmen will fight to the death around Baghdad! How rude!
Russia refuses to freeze Iraq's bank accounts, they're using human shields, and shooting from hospitals and mosques! Don't they know "the rules of war"?
sheesh
Since when was war fair? Fair war is called diplomacy.
Sunday, March 23, 2003
One small thing. I (gore-hound that I am) went looking for articles on the footage of our POW's that US media won't show. btw, a good choice. It's nasty. However, if it's against the geneva convention to "make p.o.w.'s an article of curiosity" how come we can get away with footage of us giving food or water to the p.o.w.'s we have taken?
I understand it's a difference in scale, but isn't it the same action? Is our media not presenting people as articles of curiosity to a curious u.s. public?
I understand it's a difference in scale, but isn't it the same action? Is our media not presenting people as articles of curiosity to a curious u.s. public?
Friday, March 21, 2003
This morning I was reading Yahoo News, and found an article titled U.S. Marines Rip Down Saddam Portraits When I read this section - Safwan, 375 miles south of Baghdad, is a poor, dirty, wrecked town pocked by shrapnel from the last Gulf war (news - web sites). Iraqi forces in the area sporadically fired mortars and guns for hours Thursday and Friday. Most townspeople hid, although residents brought forth a wounded little girl, her palm bleeding after the new fighting. Another man said his wife was shot in the leg by the Americans.
A few men and boys ventured out, putting makeshift white flags on their pickup trucks or waving white T-shirts out truck windows.
"Americans very good," Ali Khemy said. "Iraq wants to be free."
Some chanted, "Ameriki! Ameriki!"
Many others in the starving town just patted their stomachs and raised their hands, begging for food.
A man identifying himself only as Abdullah welcomed the arrival of the U.S. troops: "Saddam Hussein is no good. Saddam Hussein a butcher."
An old woman shrouded in black — one of the very few women outside — knelt toward the feet of Americans, embracing an American woman. A younger man with her pulled her away, giving her a warning sign by sliding his finger across his throat.
In 1991, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died after prematurely celebrating what they believed was their liberation from Saddam after the Gulf War. Some even pulled down a few pictures of Saddam then — only to be killed by Iraqi forces. -
I started sobbing. I feel such grief for these people. I feel such anger that they have continued to be subjected to that kind of fear. I think I know why we didn't fully invade in '91, and I'm afraid we won't finish the job this time either. We need this to be over.
A few men and boys ventured out, putting makeshift white flags on their pickup trucks or waving white T-shirts out truck windows.
"Americans very good," Ali Khemy said. "Iraq wants to be free."
Some chanted, "Ameriki! Ameriki!"
Many others in the starving town just patted their stomachs and raised their hands, begging for food.
A man identifying himself only as Abdullah welcomed the arrival of the U.S. troops: "Saddam Hussein is no good. Saddam Hussein a butcher."
An old woman shrouded in black — one of the very few women outside — knelt toward the feet of Americans, embracing an American woman. A younger man with her pulled her away, giving her a warning sign by sliding his finger across his throat.
In 1991, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died after prematurely celebrating what they believed was their liberation from Saddam after the Gulf War. Some even pulled down a few pictures of Saddam then — only to be killed by Iraqi forces. -
I started sobbing. I feel such grief for these people. I feel such anger that they have continued to be subjected to that kind of fear. I think I know why we didn't fully invade in '91, and I'm afraid we won't finish the job this time either. We need this to be over.
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