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Making Basra Safe for Theocracy
Ever the cockeyed optimist, President Bush continued to insist this week that progress is being made in Iraq. Yet, as of Sunday morning, August 28th, it appeared increasingly likely that Sunni negotiators will urge their supporters to vote "No" on the flawed Constitution that Shiites and Kurds have agreed on. Their decision to oppose ratification could not only lead to rejection of the document at the polls, but also add fuel to the raging insurgency.
If that prospect were not enough to wipe the perpetual smirk off the President's face, one would think that two harrowing stories by Timothy M. Phelps, published on Thursday and Friday in New York Newsday, were more than enough to do the trick. These reports chronicled the rise of sectarian violence, and palatable loss of religious and intellectual freedom, in Southern Iraq.
As Phelps reported in his August 26, 2005 piece, “In new Iraq, a shaken faith”:
“For Yousef Lyon and other Christians in Basra, the downfall of Saddam Hussein has meant a terrible loss of religious freedom.”
"The social club where Lyon and his friends would gather in the evening to play dominoes, where families danced or listened to live music on holidays, is closed. Wedding celebrations are held quietly at home.”
"Of course, during the Saddam regime it was better," said Lyon, 40, a member of the city's small Armenian community. "Now we are afraid from the religious parties that maybe they will throw a bomb at us."
"Not just the Christians, but many of the city's minorities - from obscure sects like the ancient Sabeans to the Sunni Muslims who used to run Iraq and still predominate in the rest of the Arab world - live in fear of the hard-line Shia religious parties and their militias that now rule Iraq's second-largest city."
"Freedom has been curtailed for women, too. Several decades ago, almost no woman in Basra covered her head. Now, they all do, under fear of harassment or worse. Women working for foreign companies or governments, and those considered to have loose morals, have been marked for death by the militants - two Iraqi sisters who worked in the laundry at the American compound in Basra were assassinated last year."
In an August 25, 2005 story, "Deadly place for Shias", Phelps reported on the murder of a university professor, and on the campaign of terror being waged by members of religious militia:
“The day before, the body of Jumhour el-Zergany, his university mentor, had been found dumped alongside the road. Zergany had been tortured, his arms broken, before his tormentors finally put three bullets in his head. His crime, the professor said, was that he had converted years before from Shia to Sunni Islam and had dared to hire religious Sunni professors in the history department that he chaired.”
“A police van was seen by witnesses to have stopped Zergany's car at the time of his disappearance, and police vehicles and sometimes men in police uniforms have been involved in others of the hundreds - perhaps as many as 1,000 - assassinations in Basra in the past 18 months.”
“It is not just Sunnis who are being targeted in this majority Shia city, the professor said, but other Shia as well. All professors - particularly those interested in politics, like himself - are in danger. And not just professors, but judges, and doctors and journalists. And politicians who are seen as secular alternatives to the clergy now in power. And those, especially women, who work for foreigners. And Christians.”
“U.S. and Iraqi sources say it is often police intelligence officers who commit the killings. British forces, which patrol this region, made a deal to integrate the religious militias here into the police in return for the militias' disbanding. But they never stopped serving their former masters, the Shia clerics who lead the political parties now in power."
I urge everyone to read these two disturbing reports from the front lines in their entirety. They offer no answers, but should prompt every sensible American to to ask themselves two important questions:
One, do many ordinary Iraqis quietly wish that Saddam were back in power? Two, was the ultimate establishment of a Shiite theocratic state in southern Iraq the noble cause that President Bush asked Casey Sheehan to die for?
I submit that this latter question needs to be publicly asked, and asked again, and again, until it's been satisfactorily answered. Cindy Sheehan has tried. But so far President Bush has chosen to duck her challenge, and emotionally cut and run. So let me now join the Camp Casey chorus, and pose a few questions that I'd argue the American people have every right to have answered.
Should American soldiers continue to die to protect the right of Shiite clerics to impose their will on the people of Basra?
Will the resulting government in these Southern provinces be any more reflective of "American values" than was Saddam Hussein's regime?
If this regime was never likely to reflect widely accepted norms for secular democracies in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, then should our soldiers have even been thrust into harm's way in the first place? After having been warned repeatedly that ethnic and religious strife were inevitable in the aftermath of Hussein's removal, the President cannot credibly claim that this turn towards an Iranian-style theocracy in the South was somehow unexpected.
Would the Founders & Framers have considered this a proper use of the blood and treasure of the United States of America? I think not. For instance, the first son of an American President to later assume his father's office, John Quincy Adams, on this specific issue, wrote in 1821:
"Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own."
The second son of an American President to later assume his father's office, George W. Bush, has stationed our soldiers in the crossfire of a bloody religious war, with many perishing so that either Sunni radicals/terrorists or Shiite fundamentalists might gain the legal authority to ultimately dominate the people of Iraq. If there ever was a fight that American military personnel have no business being in the middle of, this is it. And if there ever was a nation-building project that the international community had to agree to patiently pursue together, or not at all, this was it.
President Bush, the time for faith-based spin and self-delusion has ended. The time for honest and forthright answers has arrived. For perhaps for the first time in your life, acknowledge your mistakes. Take responsibility for your actions. And start leveling with the American people.
We can handle the truth. We need to know whether you can handle the truth - about your awful judgment as Commander-in-Chief, about this calamitous war, and about posterity's inevitable condemnation of your reckless Presidency.
If given an opportunity here, this is the theocracy in action that some would prefer to see. Fortunately there were some more level headed individuals in this story. However, rabid movements can gather steam with just a few determined nut jobs.
Church: God Punishing GIs Over Gays
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050828/ap_on_re_us/soldier_funeral_protests
We can handle the truth. We need to know whether you can handle the truth - about your awful judgment as Commander-in-Chief, about this calamitous war, and about posterity's inevitable condemnation of your reckless Presidency.
Posted by Matthew Carnicelli at August 28, 2005 12:21 PM
Matthew,
The answer is simple. He can not accept the truth because Bush is delusional.
Matt
Excellent piece - broad perspective we need, more as seen in the foreign press where there seems to be more objectivity
Posted by: Amy at August 28, 2005 11:35 AM
They are NOT wearing American military uniforms, as near as I can tell. The PBS Frontline piece I saw a few months ago showed them in their 'private security' uniforms or in ordinary civilian clothing, some mixed with camouflage material (in green - not the brown/beige camouflage fatigues now worn by US military in Iraq), but NOT American military uniforms. All, however, were armed, some are ex-military - US and otherwise (Columbia and El Salvador have been mentioned in recent articles in the last couple of weeks in e-newsletters from ICH and TO) - but the mercenaries have not even been trained in warfare, according to the Frontline show.
A few months ago a man from MN who worked for DynCorp (I got the spelling off of the TV station's web site and Googled it after they interviewed his widow) was killed in Iraq. I'd heard about these "private security firms" before in connection with the torture at Abu Ghraib a long time ago, but didn't know the name of any of the "private security" firms at that time since none were mentioned. I suspect some of the torture might be done by these "private security" people, but not all, so I'm sure the DOD would likely try to pin most of the torture at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo on the "private security" people and not regular enlisted personnel (another reason I want those videos and pictures released that haven't been yet - I want to see who's on them) - altho when regular enlisted personnel are pictured, they can't escape charges being brought against them. The people being tortured likely wouldn't know the difference between regular military and mercenaries from "private security firms" hired by DOD, I suspect. A torturer is a torturer, and what uniform (if any) they may or may not wear is irrelevant to the person being tortured. The mercenaries are being paid for by DOD via the US treasury in any case, wherever they're from or whichever company hired them (Halliburton is only the most conspicuous).
DynCorp, and KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root) are Halliburton subsidiaries. Blackwell is another name mentioned from the Frontline show, but I don't remember with whom they are affiliated. There are also several mercenary (private security) companies with Asian ties who are in Iraq, according to Frontline and a couple of written pieces I've seen.
I have posted links to stories I've read about mercenaries on this blog site, as well as to the PBS Frontline show, but I don't remember the dates for any of them.
It's a source of fascination to me that no one in the US (MSM, "press corpse") has made a fuss about the salary discrepancy between mercenaries (foreign mercenaries are paid about 1/3 less than US mercenaries) and regular salaries paid to US military personnel.... If there are an estimated (unverified) 25,000 mercenaries in Iraq - no one knows how many mercenaries there are in Iraq - (supposedly providing food and other services, as well as guarding Halliburton trucks), I wonder what the true number is, and how much of the DOD budget (taxpayer money) is paying for their services - guarding Halliburton interests in particular - at those outrageous salaries mentioned in the article?
Curiouser and curiouser.... When King George and Rummy can't find enough reserve and guard troops to supplement regular enlisted military personnel, they simply hire mercenaries from both the US and foreign countries....
I don't know about the mass graves for mercenaries (haven't read anything about that yet), but it sounds like something the Bu$hCo administration would do with foreign mercenaries, even if they do bring American mercenaries home to bury, as happened with the DynCorp employee from MN who was killed in Iraq....
(repost and additional paragraph 'cuz I didn't see the thread had changed....)
One, do many ordinary Iraqis quietly wish that Saddam were back in power? Two, was the ultimate establishment of a Shiite theocratic state in southern Iraq the noble cause that President Bush asked Casey Sheehan to die for?
Posted by Matthew Carnicelli at August 28, 2005 12:21 PM
IMHO....
(1) Likely, yes, and with good reason, from what I've been reading. They had good water, electricity 24/7, jobs, plentiful food, no one was bombing most of the cities 24/7, the US provided WMD and weapons that did kill the Kurds and others Hussein disliked, but most of Iraq was doing reasonably well under Saddam Hussein, and they didn't have to fear for their lives every time they walked outside the doors of their own homes, or wonder if their homes would still be standing when they got back....
(2) Shi'ite, Sunni, whatever.... Which faction wouldn't make any difference to Bu$hCo as long as he and his cabal of crooked corporations would be allowed to go in and divvy up and confiscate any part of Iraq it could for the oil beneath the sands of that country.... Bu$hCo will support whichever faction will allow the corporations to dictate who can or cannot "rule" Iraq as a puppet democracy - and support Bu$hCo and Halliburton and other corporate crooks... er, cronies... of theirs....
A while back I read that the original name for this wacko war was "Operation Iraqi Liberation" but because that comes out to OIL, they changed the name to "Operation Iraqi Freedom".... It's about oil and who controls the flow and the price of oil in Iraq and the Mideast (mostly per PNAC)... it always was....
Which religious faction rules Iraq is irrelevant to Bu$hCo; it's only his speech writers who have to pay attention to piddly little details like that so they can play on sheeple's sympathies for one facton or another, for women (or not).... etc. Pseudo-"noble causes" are the job of speech writers... not Bu$hCo and corporate crooks who are raking in billions (eventually trillions) of dollars for their executives....
If oil and profits from that oil can be misconstrued as some semblance of a "noble cause" the bottom line is still oil and corporate profits....
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050828/ap_on_re_us/peace_mom
Pro- and Anti-War Demonstrations Hit Texas
CRAWFORD, Texas - Several thousand people descended on President Bush's adopted hometown Saturday, attending a rally supporting him or arriving for the last leg of an anti-war demonstration near his ranch.
{{{ The photo of pro-war demonstrators has people lined up single-file, I noticed. The pro-war numbers are lower in this article, but if the single-file banner-holder photo - without people behind those lined up single-file - is any indication, I think the pro-war - listed as "Bush supporters" in articles, I noticed - numbers are still inflated.... IMHO. I started looking through the photo slide show, and noticed very, very few pro-war supporters, but I did notice that now there are a lot of close head-shots of Cindy Sheehan, which (IMHO) distorts the numbers we've seen of pro-peace demonstrators over the last few weeks... the single head shots with few people in the background, if any, make it seem like Cindy Sheehan is the only one protesting Bu$hCo's war.... Media manipulation through pictures....}}}
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/ts/081005sheehanvigil/im:/050827/480/txlm10408272344
{{{Photo link - Kudos to whoever made the giant hand with the peace sign!!! Notice no crowds behind the single file people who are holding up a long banner :-) Click the forward and backward arrows to get more photos.....!!!}}}
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/ts/081005sheehanvigil/im:/050828/480/txlm10908280222
{{{ :-) Check out the smile from the woman wearing the CodePink T-shirt while the deputy shakes his finger at her....}}}
Excellent article, Matthew!!! Very, very interesting. Thank you for all your research, and for taking the time to relay this information to us.
While reading your article, a deep feeling of sadness came over me, just reading thus far:
“For Yousef Lyon and other Christians in Basra, the downfall of Saddam Hussein has meant a terrible loss of religious freedom.â€
Now, mind you, my eyes fell on the words "the downfall of Saddam Hussein has meant a terrible loss of religious freedom", and my heart just sunk. It is so sad. Then, my eyes went up and caught the word "Christians". You see, freedom of religion trumps all names of religions. They are moot without the necessary freedom to make a choice whether or not one wants to take a religion, as we all know. I am experiencing profound sadness to learn that religious freedom was more apparent before Hussein's fall than after this hideous farce of a war entered into with the false name of "freedom".
Take Karen's post earlier, where she notes that Bush's words sound so far disconnected from his heart. I hope I can have the time to forward this article to people in the religious right who need to see what this war for profit has done to Christians in Basra. Even those who may not appreciate the value of religious freedom for everyone will see, and need to see, what this lie has done for the cause of "their kind of salvation".
Freedom is the real loser.
I will be gone for a time, out of town, and away from a computer. I am going to care for my parents. If I am able to come back when planned, I am home only very briefly, then on to another trip out of state for work. I will be experiencing computer and blog withdrawal!!!
-- Mayor of New Orleans orders mandatory evacuation of residents as Category 5 Hurricane Katrina targets city.
Our thoughts and prayers go to our On To Victory for the Dems who is in this area.
OTV4D, we wish you well! Keep us posted when you can!
http://news.yahoo.com/fc/world/hurricanes_and_tropical_storms
Mayor orders evacuation of New Orleans
I saw a blurb about this earlier on the first three minutes of a Sun. morning TV show where the mayor was speaking, but at the time it was only an advisory, not a mandatory evacuation... now it seems that's all changed? (Or likely MSM got it all mucked up earlier, including the sound byte which wasn't the complete statement???)
Thinking about y'all in The Big Easy.... Get to safety and stay there until the hurricane has passed and you can get back to New Orleans..... please.
Listen up, you Christo-Fascist bullies:
It's high time someone told you outright that you must be suffering from holy water on the brain, if you think we can't see you for what you are: a klavern of counterfeit prophets waxing psychotic for other cretinous hypocrites.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10009.htm
{{{ By Phil Rockstroh. He writes in the style of Mark Morford... Excellent read!!! }}}
NonnyO,
I got a CNN Breaking News Alert about the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans. More:
http://www.cnn.com/
OTV4D's posted on the 26th about being closer to Baton Rouge, but if the storm hits she will be swamped too. Here is a repost of her post on the 26th:
*****
Gas prices going up. Again.
You heard it here first, folks. The newly updated track for Hurricane Katrina has moved more to the west, this will put possibly a category 4 hurricane whirling through the central Gulf of Mexico.
On a direct collision course with most of the major deep-water oil wells in the Gulf.
Expect pump prices to rise next week, because oil workers have to be evacuated to safety.
And if a Cat 4 hurricane hits New Orleans directly, that's a catastophic scenario, as N.O. is below sea level. I'm closer to Baton Rouge, but a direct hit to N.O. will swamp us too. No pun intended. BR is home to one of ExMobil's largest oil refineries and many smaller refineries. This killer storm is very bad news for gasoline prices.
Posted by: on.to.victory4Dems at August 26, 2005 05:43 PM
I think Matt's article today would make an awesome documentary.
We shall stay the course....we must complete the mission...the security of the nation depends on winning the war in iraq....we will fight them over there...we must honor the dead by risking more honorable men and women....
We have a President tangled in his own web, unable to justify personal agendas any longer. Reason and Logic will not support the actions of the White House, he is left with hollow sound bites with no meaning.
And yet few in the Senate or House raise their voices. They play along, weak and ineffective leaders of this Nation.
Cindy Sheehan shames our Government, not just the President. Where are the voices of our Senators and Congressman? Where are the demands to justify the War, the bloodshed, the cost, the reasons for plunging this nation into this Debacle?
Senators stood and deplored the behavoir of a President before the Nation, because he had sexual relations with an Intern.
Those SAME senators cower, tremble and refuse to question the Behavoir of a President leading this Nation over a Cliff.
We dont have a Corrupt Presidency, we have cowardly Senators in the Democratic party.
Doea anyone Here truly believe Paul Wellstone would be silent?, Or Paul Simon? or Congresswoman Barbara Jordon?
They would be standing alone if need be, they understood the Nation comes before their office.
Posted by: Toolmaker at August 28, 2005 01:59 PM
M.I.A.: Land of the free, home of the brave.
(sans troops in harms way)
Posted by: Toolmaker at August 28, 2005 01:59 PM
Indeed. And why are they silent? Who are they afraid of?
I've got it. (Or I've had it, either one, take your pick.)
The people who support this war should fight it.
Let 'em "puh-raise the lord" with camoflauge outfits on in sand and heat, and ride in humvees with no protection while they're waiting' for their protective gear to get to them from Ma Ma.
If I hear one more Sunday go to meetin' holey roller stick up for this demented regime and war, they are going to hear it straight from me. You support it? Get over there and fight it then, it's ALL YOURS.
Let us have a laugh while we garner ideas from General J. C. Christian. He's got ideas on getting Young Republicans to join the Armed Forces and support this war in deed, not words alone:
http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/
The people who support this war should fight it.
Let 'em "puh-raise the lord" with camoflauge outfits on in sand and heat
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at August 28, 2005 02:23 PM
Doesn't being "anti-peace" make one anti-Christ?
W... on the horns of a dilemma.
Indeed. And why are they silent? Who are they afraid of?
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at August 28, 2005 02:10 PM
TSP,
Simple answer: The military industrial complex.
Doesn't being "anti-peace" make one anti-Christ?
W... on the horns of a dilemma.
Posted by: monkey at August 28, 2005 02:29 PM
Not in every case. But in one specific case, however..........
The Sunrise Report (sort of) from Crawford
We just got reconnected...BIG rain storm last night and this morning...but as everything here at Camp Casey II, the rain was a welcome inconvenience cooling us down and cleansing the world.
The inter-faith service held today was very moving with Christianity, Judaism, and Islam represented as well as a secular sermon with those of all faiths encircling the orator in a show of respect and solidarity.
The Reverend Al Sharpton gave a rousing sermon and is now meeting with Cindy.
This morning the tent was filled with the scent of 3000 roses that had been delivered to adorn the crosses in Arlington West.
Two counter protestors were screaming profanity from the road as they walked past the camp. As they reached our parked cars, they began pulling off bumper stickers. As they passed Ann Wright, one of the group leaders, one of the counter-protestors shoved Ms. Wright by pushing her shoulder.
The Crawford Sherrifs promtly arrested the two and whisked them off to jail.
The Madame is heading North with the message...
And the message is PEACE.
Indy
THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE
(words & music by giant - baum - kaye)
You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You’re the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
You fooled me with your kisses
You cheated and you schemed
Heaven knows how you lied to me
You’re not the way you seemed
You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You’re the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
I thought that I was in heaven
But I was sure surprised
Heaven help me, I didn’t see
The devil in your eyes
You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You’re the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
You’re the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
Lord O' Mercy, them church folks was screamin' profanities at our peace folks, den done gone and got deyselves arrested??? They better go back to Sunday School.
What would St. Peter have to say to George Bush once he stands before the Pearly Gates of heaven on judgment day? Has he been a good Christian? Has he led a pious life according to the teachings of Jesus?
In the world of Roy Moore, it is more important for Christians to display their faith by placing a huge granite rock with the Ten Commandments inscribed on it in a court room rather than to follow those tenets of Christianity. For the Bush family, patriotism is displayed by appearing before huge American flags and wrapping themselves in red-white-and-blue bunting even as they chip away at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Symbols trump substance any day for these Christians and patriots.
According to childhood friends, Bush used to blow up frogs with firecrackers and shoot them with BB guns. As several therapists have pointed out, this cruelty to animals is a trait he shares with many serial killers.
Bush was embroiled in a scandal at Yale when it was discovered that he branded pledges at his fraternity with red-hot wires.
A drunken George W. Bush once challenged his own father to a fight, "mano a mano."
Several therapists have commented about Bush's sadistic tendencies and his lack of empathy. A recent book, "Bush on the Couch; Inside the Mind of the President," written by the respected Justin A. Frank M.D., is one of many attempts to describe Bush's inherent cruelty. The book points out how comfortable Bush is being outside the law, whether it is his two arrests at Yale, his DUI, his apparent AWOL status in the Texas National Guard, alleged insider trading, possible perjury or his reported drug abuse.
Polls report that many of those in the Red States believe that Bush is "likable" and the candidate they would most like to have a beer with. This about a man who mocks and ridicules those with whom he disagrees. A reporter who asks a foreign politician a question in French was derided as being an "internationalist." A citizen who expressed his displeasure with Bush's policies was told, "Who cares what you think?" He makes fun of bald journalists. He has cruel nicknames for aides. He calls Karl Rove, "Turd Blossom."
During his father's presidential campaign. Dubya served as the "loyalty enforcer", the heavy who was brought in to fire or chastise disloyal campaign aides. He once yelled drunken obscenities at reporter Al Hunt in front of his wife and young child for an innocuous statement that he had written about his father. Unaware that his microphone was on, he called a New York Times reporter an asshole. According to White House insiders, his conversations are laced with profanity.
Dick Cheney recently told a respected senator who is critical of his war profiteering to go "f*ck yourself." Bush failed to admonish his vice president. Is this a Christian sentiment? Who would Jesus curse?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/07/17_wwjt.html
Truth & fellow DCPers,
and especially those of you who have enjoyed New Orleans hospitality in years past...
I am near Baton Rouge, we are currently hosting numerous evacuees, from the New Orleans area here at my home. The forecast for New Orleans is as bad as the tv newscasters are predicting. The city is below sea level, and N.O. has never been hit directly by a storm of this magnitude in modern times. It will indeed be a catastrophe, the govt. officials are predicting thousands of casualties.
Here in the BR area, we are prepared for 80 mph winds and lots of rain from Hurricane Katrina, but we are inland and we are situated considerably higher than New Orleans. We expect to be without electricity for days, so I will prob. be off-line for awhile. We'll be playing Scrabble by flashlight and waiting for civilization (in the form of electricity & air conditioning) to return.
I'll post again when I'm able. Pray for the people of New Orleans, for the ones who can't get out, and for the ones who will return to total devastation.
This really seems like it is going to be castastrophic for the greater New Orleans area, as well as for Biloxi, MS.
This is a link to a documentary series about what New Orleans can expect if a hurricane of this size were to hit. Catastrophic:
http://www.nola.com/hurricane/?/washingaway/
Let we forget:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/082805X.shtml
from Boston Globe: Rove's Role
Nice visual on how hurricanes work & N'awlins in http://lemonde.fr
Blessed are they that defend their masters:
Taken directly from 1st Hallucinations 12:21
"And verily, Halliburton's beloved servant took offense at the Senator's words and thus spaketh to him: 'Go now and ****eth thyself.'"
http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/2004/06/blessed-are-those-who-defend-their.html
OTV4TD's,
Thank you for letting us know!!! We are glad you will be safe. I have seen a documentary about what will happen to New Orleans if it indeed hits. We will be praying for everyone there, each of us in our own way!
Stay safe!!! Contact us again when you can!
Posted by: on.to.victory4Dems at August 28, 2005 03:24 PM
I have an large number of friends in NOLA, and am quite worried for the Crescent City and all those in the path of this storm.
Having been through a few of these in FL of late, I can say, "I know how you feel." Don't be a hero, get outta town.
Best wishes to all...
Posted by: monkey at August 28, 2005 03:16 PM
Yeppers. I have read several articles this week telling of Dubya's short fuse and cruel tendencies. He is clearly out of touch as far as how real America lives, what our needs and desires are, and clearly unable to empathise and sympathise with any "Merikuns" who don't live his privileged way of existence. Some say there is hell on earth, and I think he is about to experience it.
What time is Katrina scheduled to possibly hit New Orleans? It shows thousands of motorists bumper to bumper on the freeway struggling to get out of town and to safety.
Can anything be done by anyone to hasten their evacuation? This is deadly! National Guard? (Any that are left that are not in Iraq)
Can they air lift people out?
OTV4D's,
I am glad you are on higher ground, and that you were able to help several others by hosting them in your home!
Where are the New Orleans National Guard Troops?
Is this a case of kill the patient to eradicate the disease?
Here is a thread on the Lousiana National Guard:
http://dailykos.com/story/2005/8/28/105541/380
How about this link; Bush cuts money to New Orleans for hurricane preparation -- it's the biggest cut in a single year on record!
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20050606/ai_n14657367
OTV4D - stay safe!
Here is a link I saw on http://www.afterdowningstreet.org
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/fc/World/antiwar_movement/opinion___editorials/SIG=123186c2n;_ylt=AoQfJtJErOs1TWFXndPcNERH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA2ZGZwam4yBHNlYwNmYw--/*http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/dhenninger/?id=110007167
All of us may want to read it and comment on the beliefs expressed by this author.
WHO is the majority? Do we agree with him? What does his message say to our movement and how we can make sure we are indeed the majority and not just the loudest.
OTV4K,
I'm glad you're staying safe and able to help others out. Don't let those 80 mile/hour winds blow you away.
How about this link; Bush cuts money to New Orleans for hurricane preparation -- it's the biggest cut in a single year on record!
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20050606/ai_n14657367
Posted by: Bert/DiAnne at August 28, 2005 04:52 PM
That article HAS TO BE SPREAD far and wide throughout the South. People have to know what their President has done "for" (to) them. This is precisely what happens to beneficial civil projects when we are engaged in this mindless war that does nothing to help "average" Americans. Those benefiting from the Iraqi war could care less what happens to the people and small businesses of NOLA.
OTV4D,
We are with you.
I happened upon a televised religious service this a.m., and kept it on because it was one of those massive congregations, and I wanted to see if I could glean any insight into the other side of Christianity.
This guy is named Ed Young, he is the lead pastor of something called Fellowship Church - one of the 10 largest congregations in the country. See www.edyoung.org .
His basic message - phrased in a very religious way, was....
In a nutshell, deconstructed, his message was "Don't trust your feelings. Feelings can get you in big trouble. Feelings can cause you lots of problems.(exact quotes)" and Just do what you are told.(my translation - can't recall his exact wording on that part.)
He gave examples of how sometimes he doesn't feel like coming to church (just like them), sometimes he doesn't have good feelings toward his wife (just like them). Connected with them that way. But....don't listen to your feelings -they'll get you in trouble. Repeated over and over and over.
So basically, to put it in political terms, one of the ten largest congregations in the country is being told to put those bad feelings aside - sic - don't trust those feelings of unease toward the president, toward the war - just do what your leader tells you to do.
Interestingly, the homily at my catholic jesuit church was maybe from the same verses, only the message was more -think less about yourself and do whatever you can to help others. You may not want to, but you should. Same idea - framed VERY differently.
I found this to be an intersting look into the religious right, and how they serve their kool-aid.
see also www.fellowshipchurch.com for more on Ed Young.
Posted by: Bert/DiAnne at August 28, 2005 04:52 PM
That article HAS TO BE SPREAD far and wide throughout the South. People have to know what their President has done "for" (to) them. This is precisely what happens to beneficial civil projects when we are engaged in this mindless war that does nothing to help "average" Americans. Those benefiting from the Iraqi war could care less what happens to the people and small businesses of NOLA.
OTV4D,
We are with you.
Posted by: oncall at August 28, 2005 05:16 PM
Yes...and as those try desperately to get out of harm's way in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the Peace and Truth rally in Crawford meets, let us think of the billions of dollars that could have and should have been spent on America, Americans, and our homeland in areas of Social Programs and Homeland Security.
What is it going to take to get more of us off our butts and out there speaking up?
Posted by: on.to.victory4Dems at August 28, 2005 03:24 PM
Thank you, OTV4D - and thank you for being yet another inspiration to me today for helpful people like I know exist in this country who take in neighbors and help neighbors in troubled times, just like everyone in Camp Casey I & II are doing, however and whichever ways they can help for any reason whatsoever.
Just last night was another story of a fellow in the southern end of this state who ended up with leukemia AND lung problems, and he is on oxygen all the time, and he and his wife and eleven children had refused neighbors' help in the past, but now that he's had a successful bone marrow transplant from his sister (the only compatible person tested!), and the medical bills are mounting and he and his family ok'd help from their neighbors - finally! The little community had an auction, a huge pig roast (they ran out of meat, had to go buy more - people came from miles around that little town!), and a community benefit dance, and I don't remember what all, but his neighbors were so happy to be allowed help... the fellow and his wife were in tears because they were so grateful, but the neighbors sure felt better for having finally been allowed to help to the best of their ability! They've raised a nice sum of money and someone opened a bank account for people to send money to who don't live nearby.
All of which proves my point: Most people - in America and around the world, such as with the floods in Europe where I've seen film of people being airlifted out by helicopter on BBC news, and the tsunami, etc., (and as 9/11 aftermath proved) - will always try to reach out to help other people in times of trouble to the best of their ability in large and small ways. It's only Bu$hCo and their ilk who prove how 'un-helpful' and selfish less than one percent of the world's population can be.... but today I'm trying not to think of them because recently I've read and heard about so many wonderful people who exist in this world who just love to help out their fellow human beings to the best of their ability when they can - and are allowed to....
It's the one thing that gives me hope that this nation might be able to get back on the road to being the better nation we were prior to the 2000 Selection that showed the world this nation could err on the largest scale possible and have the most remarkably stupid person ever as head of this country (by selection or a rigged election four years later).
I will be watching MSM tonight for news about Hurricane Katrina - MSM usually gets weather right, even if they totally mess up nearly everything else. I do know New Orleans is below sea level and I saw a special on PBS a long time ago about what would happen if they had another catastrophic direct hit from a hurricane like they had in 1965 or so, and I'm hoping they don't have to take a direct hit. The bad weather otherwise will be enough of a disaster.
Thank you OTV4D for once again proving my point about how wonderful people can be in times of crisis and being an example for helping out neighbors, as Indy and Madame and others are doing helping out at Camp Casey. I hope, OTV4D, that you have plenty of emergency candles, water, batteries, food, many games for a variety in case this lasts longer than expected - hope you have a battery-operated radio where you might get news and weather updates, too - and I'm sure the people staying with you will be a wonderful help to you with things they bring, or pool resources to acquire, while you wait out the storm. When my mother died and I knew her husband would have a house full of extra people, I went into 'what would Mom do mode' and the first thing I suggested for the 'what to get' and grocery list was toilet tissue and kleenex, and then added the food list for what I knew neighbors might not bring. Helpful neighbors are the most wonderful people to know in times of crisis!!! :-) I know whereof I speak since I was helpless after my triple lumbar fusion back surgery five years ago and was pretty well useless for a whole year (and under doctor's orders not to lift anything at all), and my neighbors did all kinds of heavy lifting, brought my groceries upstairs to my apartment for me, took out my garbage, etc., etc. I still can't lift much, and it's a humbling experience to have to ask for - and allow myself to receive - help with lifting heavy stuff, still, because I feel like such a nuisance when I have to ask for help. Funny thing is, whenever I see those former neighbors and once again mention how grateful I am for their past help, I get this blank look from them.... they've totally forgotten how much they've helped me!!! Go figure.... (But they're still my 'everyday heroes' for their kindness and generosity....)
Stay safe, all of you, and we'll be thinking of you and wishing you well, and looking forward to hearing how you fared after the hurricane passes through.....
Big Hugs to all..... You are truly an INSPIRATION!!! :-)
Posted by: Bert/DiAnne at August 28, 2005 04:52 PM
Yep... those links just proved my point above....
The LA National Guard should be at home on our own soil to help out wherever Hurricane Katrina hits landfall.... not over in Iraq or anywhere else in the world. Those National Guard troops are supposed to be under the leadership of the governors of each state to help out at home in times of crises when needed. That's their whole purpose, and the reason they exist in each state!!!
IF everyone's really lucky the damage will be less than feared.... but hopefully, if needed, Guard units who are actually still on our own soil from other states can be sent to help out people in LA - or wherever Hurricane Katrina actually hits landfall - so there will be someone who can help the hurricane victims.....
Posted by: Carol at August 28, 2005 05:23 PM
Carol,
I received an email from a lady who I was friends with over thirty years. She is now a pastor. I had been sending her fact based articles about this administration, and the religious right's relationship to it.
Her reaction and request was for me to cease sending her any further articles about our President, because she "loves our President". She also asked me to cease sending her any further articles about our President's leading aides and administrators, and to be sure to remember that we should not judge, only pray.
My report to her was that I was not wrong, I do not feel guilty, and that maybe she should lick a different finger and put it in the wind to find the real message about what God wanted her to do about this situation America is in today.
There is a scripture, I can give it if anyone wants it, that instructs Christians to judge people who claim to be Christians, but their lives show they are not living or acting like a committed Christian would. We are instructed to tell the sheep from the wolves in order to protect the rest of the flock from the wolf, or wolves!!!!! That is our job!!!!!
Christians, as Matthew has indicated in his previous articles, can take scripture and depending upon their agenda, make it say anything they want.
The sermon you listened to today on television is preached often, but in the intended context I rather believe it is meant to encourage Christians to do good when they don't feel like it. To take a soft approach in a dispute, perhaps, for the intention to de-escalate a situation that could otherwise escalate into a full blown feud. Or to share with others when one may feel like being selfish. You see? Scriptures and sermons can be twisted and used to manipulate people as well as to encourage and edify them.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself "Is this going to be a positive thing for everyone involved?" Agape love, the love Jesus taught, is love that is in tune with the complete truth, but is intent on it's actions doing what is in the best interest of all involved. Lying in the River of Denial, letting people steal, lie and cheat, kill and bully others, and neglecting the needs of those you were entrusted to protect, is not edifying for anyone. These monsters must be stopped.
My friend can pray all she wants, I pray too. But I know we need to do something.
Truth shall Prevail,
I was thinking about what you said about Fox news and competing with CNN in your area now, as well as much of the west. This is absolutely a whole new market and perhaps it's a way we can help the west meet the east.
I firmly believe we MUST get a REAL news channel up there immediately--it doesn't have to be "progressive" just LEGITIMATE!
How can we make this happen? Do you have local access channels?
Howdy from Camp Casey II
The media are once again converging on Camp Casey II as we await the arrival of Martin Sheen.
Helicopters are buzzing as Mr. Sheen will arrive within minutes.
Last night a strange man came to join us after hours. He was speaking of the need for violence to take the country back and many told him this was a Peace protest but he persisted and he was promptly asked to leave. He did not. Earlier today he continued his antics and was told he would be arrested if he did not leave. He then came out where I was volunteering directing traffic and loading and unloading shuttle vans. He tried to act as though he was a volunteer directing traffic and so the head of security called in the Sherrifs and the infultrator was given the option by the sherrif to either leave on the next shuttle or be arrested.
We just had two wedding ceremonies performed...love and peace is in the air at Camp Casey II.
More later...
Indy
Check this out:
http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/31-40/33news03.htm
(surprise, surprise!)
We just had two wedding ceremonies performed...love and peace is in the air at Camp Casey II.
More later...
Indy
Posted by: Indy at August 28, 2005 06:06 PM
Indy,
Congratulations! We know how it is when love is in the air! We wanted to be invited, but, we're happy for you anyway!!! (heh heh)
Posted by: sparrow at August 28, 2005 05:45 PM
Sparrow. By local access channels do you mean local NBC, CBS, and ABC channels? We get those, they have stations in the nearest city.
Our basic cable package is expanding quite a bit Sept. 6th. We got CNN news, and The History Channel, TNT, C-Span (one), and several others. We will now get Faux news, MSNBC, and many others, and they will be included in our basic cable package. We will get C-Span 2 also. Now I will be able to get Jon Stewart, and I am pretty excited about that.
We also have been getting PBS.
Someone that blogs on the DCP blog was talking about our need for a REAL news station or network a few months ago, I think it was Cyrano, you might want to ask him.
Check this out:
http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/31-40/33news03.htm
(surprise, surprise!)
Posted by: sparrow at August 28, 2005 06:07 PM
Things are really heating up...wonder what the reaction will be to these ads. How ugly is this all going to get?
The message/campaign makes a valid point but I believe kids and families are 'off limits.'
Truth,
Local access channels are not the majors--abc, cbs, nbc, but instead are channels that local area residents can "buy time" on.
Posted by: sparrow at August 28, 2005 06:07 PM
The good ol' Iconclast.
The cluck stops here. LOL.
Brk. Brk brk brk, Burawwwwk, brk brk brk.
Posted by: sparrow at August 28, 2005 06:27 PM
Oh, yes, we have a local access channel. All it is used for is to list honor students, anniversaries, and birthdays.
I have never seen film on it. Only stills.
Indy,
It is good everyone kept their calm. That sounds just like something Uncle Karl would do.
I am going to go bananas for two weeks without being able to read the blog or post.
I have online access for only a short while, as many others here are waiting to use my 1 computer!
Thank you all so much, for all the well wishes. It will indeed be a "rough" week or so here in the BRouge area, but we will survive. I am not so sure for the city of New Orleans.
The weather is turning "squally" here, we expect the eye of the hurricane to come ashore south of New Orleans about 8 AM central time tomorrow morning. We expect about 12 hours of rainfall here.
My husband & I have opened our home to several relatives and their neighbors, as they evacuated N.Orleans, but that is the norm here, not the exception. Everyone on my street has extra vehicles parked in their driveways, lots of people from the lower areas, finding a safer place to stay here in the BR area. We are expecting another family to arrive here momentarily, they left New Orleans at noon today, so what is usually an hour's drive has taken them over 5 hours! Traffic is bumper to bumper fleeing N.O. and will prob. remain so through the night or until the state police closes the bridges and overpasses.
The LA National Guard has one of the largest national guard groups in the nation, deployed in Iraq. I have no time to discuss that right now, but we are indeed shorthanded with our National Guard in Iraq instead of here, to handle domestic crisis.
Again, thank you all, kind friends, for the well wishes. I will share your warm wishes with my houseful of New Orleans evacuees.
I'll post again when I can.
OTV4D aka~ Rosemary
Press asks some questions!
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001050097
What do all of you think of this article?
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/5136894p-4674088c.html
To me it looks like their pitting families of victims of war against each other.
How can we get this paper to understand that they are missing the broader issue?
Heads up:
On Sunday, August 28, the CBS television news magazine 60 Minutes will report on the crisis in Darfur. Please check your local listings.
THE KILLING IN SUDAN -- The horrible images of genocide are captured for a report on the mass murder and subsequent refugee crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. Scott Pelley reports.
You can find more information about the program on the 60 Minutes web page.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/08/...main13502.shtml
Just poking my head in for a sec...busy pre-positioning and coordinating disaster response teams for Katrina. We're really maxing out our resources, and there's another storm forming out in the Atlantic already. I'm worried that we'll exhaust everyone responding to Katrina and not have enough folks available to stage for Lee, Maria, and the other storms yet to come this year. There's going to be a lot of flooding inland, up the Mississippi River valley, too. This is what we get for ignoring Kyoto.
OTV4D, keep safe. All the team members I've talked to down in the storm's vicinity (some of whom can't evacuate too far, because they are first responders) have a real note of panic in their voice, something that's not comforting to hear in people who have dealt with disasters for years.
Fortunate Sons Don’t Like Grieving Mothers
http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/
Yet another convenient way to control the media...
Report: More journalists killed in Iraq than Vietnam
(Reuters) -- More journalists have been killed in Iraq since the war began in March 2003 than during the 20 years of conflict in Vietnam, media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Sunday.
Since U.S. forces and its allies launched their campaign in Iraq on March 20, 2003, 66 journalists and their assistants have been killed, RSF said.
The latest casualty was a Reuters Television soundman who was shot dead in Baghdad on Sunday, while a cameraman with him was wounded and then detained by U.S. soldiers.
The death toll in Iraq compares with a total of 63 journalists in Vietnam, but which was over a period of 20 years from 1955 to 1975, the Paris-based organization that campaigns to protect journalists said on its Web site.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/28/iraq.journalists.reut/index.html
Check out this website
http://www.barrelsofblood.com
Filled up the tank lately?
http://dailykos.com/story/2005/8/28/135744/296
Kerry on energy:
http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/home.cfm
This summer gas prices are rising quicker than the thermometer dial, and it is American families and small businesses who are paying the price. At a time where families should be spending their hard-earned dollars enjoying time together and getting ready for the new school year, the Bush administration's irresponsible energy policy is causing Americans serious pain at the pump. Record high gas prices are only the latest glaring reminder that we need a new energy policy that doesn't keep American families at the mercy of foreign oil, and sending dollars to nations who would do us harm. It's time to tap America's strength - our markets, our invention, our innovation and our values - to control our own destiny. It makes sense for our environment, our economy, our security, and our families.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5239709,00.html
Jesse Jackson encourages diplomacy not assassination
Ira, where are you? It's time to start talking energy again. Our refineries and offloading platforms for oil are going to be knocked dead by Katrina...oil prices are going to skyrocket some more...time for an energy plan that doesn't depend on oil!!!
The people who support this war should fight it.
Let 'em "puh-raise the lord" with camoflauge outfits on in sand and heat
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at August 28, 2005 02:23 PM
Doesn't being "anti-peace" make one anti-Christ?
W... on the horns of a dilemma
I agree 100%.
I listened to MSM national news about Hurricane Katrina. So far, all computer models have the hurricane hitting New Orleans directly around 10 a.m. tomorrow morning (don't know if that's Eastern time or Central Time zone), or 25 miles either side of a direct hit on the city with storm surges potentially as high as 25 feet (about up to a fifth story in a tall building). If the waves and water surges get that high, the whole city of New Orleans will be under water because that's higher than the levies, from days to weeks or months, depending on whether or not the pumps by levies will be operable - or inoperable if the water is too high. The city of New Orleans is between Lake Ponchartrain and the Mississippi River, below sea level, and there is literally nowhere for the water to go if it goes over the levies.
People who have no way out of New Orleans are going to the super dome (stadium) there; neither ABC nor CBS indicated whether or not it was above sea level or how well the stadium might stand up to the hurricane or high water and storm surges.
Right now Katrina is at Category 5 with winds about 160 mph, and might potentially go down to Category 4 once it hits land ("the difference between being hit by a train or an 18 wheeler" according to a hurricane person each talked with). IF the hurricane does not take a last-minute turn east or west (which it could still do), it seems New Orleans could be destroyed - and even if it does divert one directon or another, New Orleans will still be hit hard, and other cities on the coast in other states could be hit as hard, but at least they are not below sea level like New Orleans. Storm surges could also push water up the Mississippi River where it normally flows out into the Gulf.
One of those networks mentioned the fact that something like 3000 LA Guard personnel are in Iraq, but Guard units from surrounding states are on alert to go to LA to help out hurricane victims. (Damn Bu$h and his insanely stupid war in Iraq that sent Guard troops overseas!!!)
LA has a LOT of oil refineries around New Orleans. If they are badly damaged and out of production, the price of both gas for cars and fuel oil to heat homes could go sky high - something like 40% of the nation's fuel oil is processed in LA refineries, and somewhat less (? about one third?) than that is refined for gas for cars. IF New Orleans takes a direct hit, it will be bad for the whole nation, in other words, and worst for the residents of the area immediately hit. Crews have shut down and evacuated oil rigs in the Gulf.
I've been checking my handy-dandy atlas, and if the hurricane takes a sharp turn to the east, Biloxi (Mississippi) and Mobile (Alabama) and the Florida panhandle will all be affected, and west of New Orleans involves potentially Galveston and that area of the Texas coast - it seems they'll all get hard wind and rain in any case. I can't see anything along the coast where there's a relatively unpopulated area where one could hope the eye of the hurricane would go instead of to areas we know are heavily populated.
IF Hurricane Katrina maintains its Category 5 status after passing one of the Gulf regions where the water temperature could reduce it to Cat. 4 before hitting land, and IF it hits New Orleans directly, it will be the most powerful hurricane to hit that area in recorded history. Or so said news reporters on ABC and CBS, supposedly quoting experts on hurricanes.... (Can I be allowed to dare hope they were being overly-dramatic about the hurricane for a change????? I am fervently hoping the danged hurricane turns at the last minute and finds the only unpopulated stretch of coast not shown on my atlas maps to hit land, however......)
Veritas...LOOK at this too! Blood for oil?
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=ia&ID=IA23605
Posted by: Indy at August 28, 2005 06:06 PM
GOOD move to call the sheriff!!!!!!! Such an obvious agitator must have been a Rovian-type of plant to agitate peaceful protesters... which had the potential of having a good excuse to get the peaceful people arrested because they would have been framed by someone evil.
GOOD for all of you to keep your heads and keep the protest PEACEFUL!!! {{{I did a happy dance for a bit because I'm so proud of all of you for keeping everything PEACEFUL!!! :-) }}}
Posted by: sparrow at August 28, 2005 06:44 PM
Yes, they're missing everything Sheehan and other PEACE movement people stand for!!!
MSM has been watching too many reality TV shows where people are pitted against each other on purpose.... (IMHO). Now they're doing it to ordinary citizens - a kind of psy-ops move to keep people agitated against each other, not seeing the common ground that everyone who lost someone (or has the potential of losing someone) is really on the same side, since none of us who still have our sanity wants/wanted any of those people on either side of the Atlantic to die for any reason whatsoever, especially for Bu$hCo and corporate control of oil.....
Suz, I'm with you...these guys think of our soldiers as pawns in some deadly corporate chess game.
Nonny...were you around when Camille hit in '69? That's long before my time but I'm hearing a lot of comparisons. Of course that hit a bit further east, but there was widespread devastation far, far inland. And that was before there was so much development along the coast.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/28/iraq.journalists.reut/index.html
Posted by: monkey at August 28, 2005 07:28 PM
Oddly enough, this story made MSM - don't remember if it was ABC or CBS (I was switching back and forth between both), but it did make the news... and it was apparently Americans who killed the soundman and Americans who have the reporter in captivity....!
Posted by: Veritas at August 28, 2005 08:41 PM
No, I was living out west then, and don't even remember it (I'm in summer tornado country, have never been near a hurricane). Two previous hurricanes have been devastating to New Orleans (from MSM tonight), and Camille was listed as one of them, but the other previous hurricanes that hit New Orleans were not up to Cat. 5 status, so if Katrina hits directly, it will be the worst.
I'll be watching MSM tomorrow morning, as I'm sure they'll have live coverage (if possible) of the whole thing, or at least updates from weather maps and people in weather centers who track hurricanes.
Has anyone seen Tutterfly? I miss her lately!
Reuters soundman killed in Baghdad,police blame US
28 Aug 2005 15:14:19 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Alastair Macdonald
BAGHDAD, Aug 28 (Reuters) - A Reuters Television soundman was shot dead in Baghdad on Sunday and a cameraman with him was wounded and then detained by U.S. soldiers.
Iraqi police said they had been shot by U.S. forces. A U.S. military spokesman said the incident was being investigated.
Waleed Khaled, 35, was hit by a shot to the face and at least four to the chest as he drove to check a report from police sources of an incident involving police and gunmen in the Hay al-Adil district, in the west of the city.
"A team from Reuters news agency was on assignment to cover the killing of two policemen in Hay al-Adil; U.S. forces opened fire on the team from Reuters and killed Waleed Khaled, who was shot in the head, and wounded Haider Kadhem," an Interior Ministry official quoted the police incident report as saying.
"I heard shooting, looked up and saw an American sniper on the roof of the shopping centre," cameraman Kadhem, who was wounded in the back, told colleagues who arrived at the scene.
The only known eyewitness, he was later detained by U.S. troops and was still in custody six hours later despite Reuters' requests that he be freed to receive medical attention. His precise whereabouts were not clear.
Two Iraqi colleagues who arrived on the scene minutes after the shooting were also briefly detained, then released.
"They treated us like dogs. They made us, ... including Khaled who was wounded and asking for water, sit in the sun on the road," Reuters Television soundman Mohammed Idriss said.
Asked to comment on the incident, U.S. spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Steven Boylan said it was being investigated.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC845853.htm
The message/campaign makes a valid point but I believe kids and families are 'off limits.'
Posted by: cali dem at August 28, 2005 06:26 PM
If the kids are minors, I agree; leave minors alone and don't talk about them. (As with Limberger's comment about Amy Carter as a young teenager about 12-13, which was decidedly in bad taste!).
A long time ago some MSM show had something about this.... think around the time the twins were lambasted when they spoke at RNC (?) and when one of them got caught with a fake ID and drinking underage (where were the SS agents to keep her out of trouble?).
Over legal adult age at 18, they're fair game for the media (or so said those reporters in their opinion).... and if the kids of the politicians who support the war haven't enlisted in the military and support the war, "Why haven't they enlisted and volunteered to go to Iraq?" is a fair question.... But only if they're 18 and older.... (IMHO)
Has anyone seen Tutterfly? I miss her lately!
Posted by: Carol at August 28, 2005 09:09 PM
I've been wondering the same. I know her mother was ill recently and she had been taking care of her mother....
Posted by: sparrow at August 28, 2005 05:12 PM
Sparrow - you still here?
I read that article. Several comments:
First, I know you know that it is written by a Wall Street Journal editor - conservative by nature. And some propaganda involved.
Second - the article assumes/implies that our protest is against the troops, as it seemed to be during Vietnam. Maybe I'm naive, but I haven't heard anyone protesting against the troops. Our protest is against the war for lies, is it not? Our protest is against the administration.
I think the one thing the article points out is that we need to be putting our money where our mouths are and actively supporting the troops with our actions, as well as our words.
The sign in my rear window of my car says "How, exactly, is W supporting the troops?"which hopefully will get someone to stop and think and maybe realize that he is not doing anything - it's all words.
We need to make sure we're not all words as well. Someone a while back suggested that we raise $ to buy the most up to date bullet proof vests to send to the troops with notification that is was coming from the democrats. (was that you? was it TSP?) I think it's a great idea.
I also think that a lot of the troops know the war is a sham and just want to get themselves and their buddies the hell out of there.
Posted by: Carol at August 28, 2005 09:40 PM
Yeh, I'm here for a little while. I'm glad you read the piece.
Though this man writes for the WSJ, I wanted to look at the issues of those online communities that he mentioned. He implied, imo, that those communities were the "silent" majority, much like those "voters who voted 'values'" in 04. It got me thinking about our strategy and how we connect with "supporting" the troops in non-political ways.
I think that man was not unbiased but instead it worried me by his using that comparison. Since most people who have delved into the fraud and suppression of 04 KNOW that the value voters DIDN"T win the election for GWB as the media proclaimed. BUT is this their way of trying to sneak in a little more "hidden" voters next time around?
and speaking of phoney-balony elections...here's more on our last one...
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBYOBL0YCE.html
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state's highest court is revisiting a dispute over last year's presidential election in New Mexico.
State Supreme Court justices are scheduled Monday to hear arguments from lawyers for last year's Green and Libertarian presidential candidates who say the state wrongly handled their request for a recount. snip
They submitted a deposit of $114,400 and contend that was the proper amount based on a formula in state election law.
However, the state canvassing board decided on Dec. 14 that the candidates could have a recount but only if they paid $1.4 million - an estimate of the full cost of the recount - as an upfront security deposit.
Posted by: NonnyO at August 28, 2005 09:18 PM
IMO, if they are old enough to go in the army, they should do it, and lead other young men and women by showing they agree with their parents, that this is a "noble" cause, and that no sacrifice is too high. And I'm talking about the sons and daughters of every single person who is all for this war, from the President and Vice President, the Cabinet Members and the rest of the administration, and kids from every single family who voted for Bush in '04. This is THEIR WAR. And until they go, I don't think one more son or daughter of truly noble Americans should go, or enlist.
They'd have a hard time fighting a war with no military that was willing to do their dirty work.
As Cindy Sheehan reminded us, "The President works for us."
I am not against kids enlisting and being stationed in America, we sure could use our own National Guard in the areas affected by the hurricane right now. I'm not even against them enlisting and being stationed in countries where they are truly needed, and are accomplishing their mission, be it war or guarding the peace.
I am against blood for profit.
I am going to ask another question: Why isn't anyone reporting the real reason we are in Iraq, and why the mission we were told we were there to accomplish, i.e. peace, democracy, freedom for men and women (what a joke), to improve Iraqi's standard of living (another joke), and to train their army? We are doing none of those things. Why aren't they reporting from the front page of every newspaper, and shouting from their anchor chairs about the many military bases we have built in Iraq?
Why aren't they? What are they afraid of?
Same answer? Are they afraid of what happened to that AP soundman and cameraman? Are they afraid of the Military Industrial Complex?
What are we going to do???
How can we stop this???
This post ought to be called Making New Orleans safe for Man/Womankind, tonight and I hope it will be dedicated, Casey to N.O all of tomorrow.
We should all be praing for their safety--this is no joke. And Nonny, thanks for your concern but Galveston, Houston and even Baton Rouge seem to be safe and in all likelhood will get no rain or wind as we are far away and on the clean side of Katrina. In fact we have a family that drove here from Slidale, Louisiana just north of N.O,staying with us who tell us they believe that they will never see their cherished home again.
Tutter, are you OK? We truly haven't seen a post from her for many weeks. Also I know there was a N.O. blogger here several weeks ao , we all hope you are ok as well.
My complaint tonight is hearing Sen. Vittner from N.O.(actually Baton Rouge),Hailey Barber, Trent Lotte and others in the way of Katrina talking about how they expect the costs to repair N.O to exceed the $30 billion spend after Andrew and maybe as much as $65 billion. Yes these same folks praising FEMA and the need for federal money who make a living bashing the federal govt and telling us how they want to dismantle the federal govt. Even Bush is chiming in on telling us that the federal govt has money to help for rebuilding. Yea I thought our $200 billion dollars was already earmarked for Iraq. We should gently remind these folks that the federal govt is not our enemy and that the reverse Robbinhood, redistribution to the wealthy won't be helping those poor folks in N.O.tonight.
Nonny as they say But for the grace of god and a front that is pushing this storm a few degrees east into N.O. it truly would be striking Galveston and Houston, instead and I would not be on this blog tonight.
I ask Indy, Defarge and all those paying attention in Crawford to please pray tonight as well for the people and their safety stranded in N.O. and the Superdome. Right now everything pales by comparison.
We should all be praying for their safety
Ira,
I'm praying!!! I can't quite imagine being down there and just watching and waiting for this thing to blow ashore.
It must be terrifying. God bless 'em, every one.
Ira,
I think all of us are praying. We've seen the destruction of previous storms and know that even with the media "reporting it" they're only reporting what they deem "necessary."
I remember some posts from last year that told us the media didn't tell us about ALL the dead and wounded and that they made it better than it was.
I know the storm will do incredible destruction but I hope everyone escaped as far as they could!
Posted by: Carol at August 28, 2005 09:40 PM
"We need to make sure we're not all words as well. Someone a while back suggested that we raise $ to buy the most up to date bullet proof vests to send to the troops with notification that is was coming from the democrats. (was that you? was it TSP?) I think it's a great idea."
Carol, it wasn't me. Sounds like it might have been Tut or OnCall. Personally, I would donate to that, but it does irk me to have to donate money when those soldiers should be getting the best damn protection money can buy. When G.E., Halliburton, and all the rest of the buzzards are scamming and falsifying their invoices (Halliburton claimed it paid an executive supervisor tens of thousands of dollars a year, I believe it was $90,000.00, and when investigated the guy didn't even have any people to supervise, and did hardly a thing that year.)
"To me it looks like their pitting families of victims of war against each other, said sparrow."
that was exactly my thought when Bush gave his speech in Salt Lake City and seemed to be encouraging families to join him in his war cry. That is really disgusting to pit military family against military family to support his failures.
And incidentally, oil prices will very likely skyrocket tomorrow. Our Progressive leaders 'should be 'demanding that 10 million barrels from the strategic oil reserves be opened tomorrow morning to calm the markets. That is what Clinton and Ruben did. If this is not a national emergecy, what the hell is. If not now WHEN?
TSP -
I'm with ya.
Ira,
Where are our Progressive leaders these days, anyway? Wasted opportunities abound.
Good night all. Gotta hit the hay.
God save New Orleans.
Posted by: Ira at August 28, 2005 09:56 PM
There may be no atheists in foxholes... and I am officially an atheist after some 30 years of religious historical studies (and reading the Bible twice, cover-to-cover)....
However, tonight I'm praying to every godess/god I can think of, and touching every good luck symbol, charm, and picture I have, crossing fingers and everything else, and hugging my cat for comfort... for the safety of everyone on the Gulf Coast.... Louisiana, in particular, since it seems highly probable that New Orleans just may take a direct hit, and if not The Big Easy, another LA city, the residents of the Texas coastline, Mississippi coastline, Alabama coastline, Florida coastline..... and any places inland that will be dumped on with heavy rains and wind and other damage.... I just want everyone to be SAFE and come through all this alive and well...! (And I'll bawl as much as the rest of you if lives are lost....)
I just saw Yahoo news headlines that sound alarming saying a million people could be left homeless IF (IF!) Hurricane Katrina hits near or on any of the predicted areas. I can't honestly tell if the internet and MSM news are being too alarmist, or if they actually have valid information (MSM just does not register high on my 'trust meter' any longer!).
EVERYONE in the Gulf Coast area.... My heart is with you ALL....
And, it seems I'm in good company since everyone here is sending well wishes to our friends in the path of, or near, Hurricane Katrina....
We're all Nawlinians...
City of New Orleans
Words and music by Steve Goodman
Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinios central, Monday morning rail
15 cars and 15 restless riders
3 conductors and 25 sacks of mail
All along a southbound odyssey
The train pulls out of Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passing trains that have no name
Freight yards full of old black men
The graveyards of the rusted automobiles
Singing good morning America, how are you?
Saying, don’t you know me I’m your native son?
I’m the train they call the city of new orleans
I’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
Dealing cards with the old men in the club car
Penny a point, ain’t no one keeping score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels a rumbling ’neath the floor
And the sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their fathers’ magic carpet made of steel
And mothers with their babes asleep
Rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel
Singing good morning america, how are you?
Saying don’t you know me, I’m your native son?
I’m the train they call the city of new orleans
I’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
Nighttime on the city of new orleans
Changing cars in memphis, tennessee
Halfway home and we’ll be there by morning
Through the mississippi darkness rolling down to the sea
But all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain’t heard the news
The conductor sings his song again
The passengers will please refrain
This train has got the disappearing railroad blues
Singing good morning America, how are you?
Saying don’t you know me, I’m your native son?
I’m the train they call the city of new orleans
I’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
The Boston Globe: Rove's Role
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/082805X.shtml
Rove's record, according to the Boston Globe, has been consistent. Over 35 years, he has been a master of dirty tricks, divisiveness, innuendo, manipulation, character assassination, and roiling partisanship.
Iraqi Activist Taken Up by Bush Recants Her Views
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0828-02.htm
Another "defector" who previously supported pResNitwit......
World Anger at US Bid to Derail UN Reform
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0827-03.htm
{{{ I wonder if the other UN member countries could just let everything coast along and do nothing whatsoever on anything until after Bolton's out of his appointed office - kind of an 'inactivity filibuster'?!?!?}}}
Leak Shows Blair Told of Iraq War Terror Link
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/082805A.shtml
Despite repeated denials by Number 10 that the war made Britain a target for terrorists, a letter from Michael Jay, the Foreign Office permanent under-secretary, to the cabinet secretary, Sir Andrew Turnbull, makes the connection clear.
{{{ Ka-ching....! Another lie brought to light! There's a link to the original memo, too. I wonder how many times bloggers and columnists and experts have said Bu$h's attack on Iraq have said his war is making more terrorists, not fewer?!? Haven't we all said Bu$h is the poster boy for recruiting terrorists? I certainly have....}}}
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050829/bs_nm/markets_oil_dc
Oil surges over $70 on Katrina
{{{ Already the corporate criminal vultures are circling....}}}
http://news.yahoo.com/s/washpost/20050827/pl_washpost/fda_delays_decision_on_plan_b_contraceptive
FDA Delays Decision On Plan B Contraceptive
{{{ Oddly enough, this story made MSM (ABC - Terry Moran's voice and face showed his displeasure, although his words were more-or-less neutral!). The way Moran's script read was that the FDA would wait to hear from American citizens about this, but - of course - no web address or email address was given out....}}}
~~~~~~~~~~~~
News blurbs that looked interesting and took my mind off of the approaching hurricane for all of 60 seconds each....
I am going to ask another question: Why isn't anyone reporting the real reason we are in Iraq, and why the mission we were told we were there to accomplish, i.e. peace, democracy, freedom for men and women (what a joke), to improve Iraqi's standard of living (another joke), and to train their army? We are doing none of those things. Why aren't they reporting from the front page of every newspaper, and shouting from their anchor chairs about the many military bases we have built in Iraq?
TSP, we really are trying to do those things in Iraq, but it is impossible when the country is in such a state of chaos. We are shipping a lot of specialists and special equipment over to train the Iraqis, but we cannot even secure an area long enough to get them trained...and the Iraqis in training are more likely than not to get shot on their way to be trained. Same thing with the infrastructure. We keep trying to put it up, it keeps getting destroyed. Now things are so chaotic that areas have to be 'secured' before we can build, or train, or teach. And it is nearly impossible to secure anything over there now.
I had hoped that when we left the Iraqis might be bound by a sense of national pride and band together to move forward...but now I fear that civil war will result no matter whether our troops are there or not. We are just making it more and more likely, as all sorts of foreign factions are pouring into the country.