PHOTO OF THE DAY
First Lady Melania Trump and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games | September 23, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
C.I. told me about that photo.
Melania Trump. I need to remember her name.
I wrote about her in "Racism" and I really do think that some of the things being written about her are racist.
And I marvel over how mere months ago if anything had been said racist about Michelle Obama, the same group now making racists comments about Melania Trump would have been having a field day. But if you're Black, you long ago learned that they use racism on the left as much as they do on the right.
They used racism to stop Keith Ellison this year alone.
They're in the gutter on both sides.
And some, on both sides, are not. Applause for those people.
Why are people obsessing over what shoe Melania wore to what appearance?
What does it matter?
They trivialize her and try to make her 'the other.'
That's racism.
Prince Harry.
That's why C.I. told me about the photo.
I've never had a royal crush.
I think I remember seeing Princess Diana's wedding.
But it might have been awhile after (years?) on videotape.
My aunt on my father's side watched it in real time.
She was a huge admirer of anything royal.
(The only one in our family who was. Though my mother did think Charles' brother Andrew was cute.)
Well, confession, about two years ago, I started seeing photos of Prince Harry and I have developed a bit of crush on him.
He's a cutey. And more for his energy than his looks. That's not an insult to his looks, he's good looking. But in a good photo of him, he's just energized and full of life.
"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMON ILLS):
Tuesday, September 26, 2017. The day after the historic vote in northern Iraq.
Yesterday, a historic referendum was held in northern Iraq. Results above from RUDAW, the official results will be released later-- some day two to three days but Susannah George (AP) reports the results are expected this evening. .
RUDAW explained the referendum as follows:
More than five million people are eligible to vote when the people of Kurdistan head to the polls on Monday, September 25, to decide whether they want to leave or stay with Iraq.
With an estimated global population of between 30 and 40 million, the Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups without a state. Under the post-WWI Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916, Kurdish lands were divided between Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Kurds in all four parts of what is known as Greater Kurdistan have faced persecution, discrimination, and genocide, and have fought at times for greater rights, autonomy, and independence.
In Iraq, Kurds make up 17 to 20 percent of the total population. In the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, Kurds have had a semi-autonomous government since a no-fly zone was established over their lands in 1991 after the first Gulf War.
The new Iraqi constitution that came into effect in 2005, after the US-led invasion of 2003, recognized the Kurdistan Region as a federal region with its own legislature and armed forces, the Peshmerga. Both Erbil and Baghdad have accused the other of violating the constitution.
The September 25 referendum will take place in Kurdistan of Iraq only, not neighbouring countries.
It's worth noting that this vote was put together in about three months. It's also worth noting that provincial elections were supposed to have taken place throughout Iraq earlier this year, then pushed back to September, then pushed back to next year.
Yesterday, a historic referendum was held in northern Iraq. Results above from RUDAW, the official results will be released later-- some day two to three days but Susannah George (AP) reports the results are expected this evening. .
RUDAW explained the referendum as follows:
More than five million people are eligible to vote when the people of Kurdistan head to the polls on Monday, September 25, to decide whether they want to leave or stay with Iraq.
With an estimated global population of between 30 and 40 million, the Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups without a state. Under the post-WWI Sykes-Picot agreement of 1916, Kurdish lands were divided between Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Kurds in all four parts of what is known as Greater Kurdistan have faced persecution, discrimination, and genocide, and have fought at times for greater rights, autonomy, and independence.
In Iraq, Kurds make up 17 to 20 percent of the total population. In the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, Kurds have had a semi-autonomous government since a no-fly zone was established over their lands in 1991 after the first Gulf War.
The new Iraqi constitution that came into effect in 2005, after the US-led invasion of 2003, recognized the Kurdistan Region as a federal region with its own legislature and armed forces, the Peshmerga. Both Erbil and Baghdad have accused the other of violating the constitution.
The September 25 referendum will take place in Kurdistan of Iraq only, not neighbouring countries.
It's worth noting that this vote was put together in about three months. It's also worth noting that provincial elections were supposed to have taken place throughout Iraq earlier this year, then pushed back to September, then pushed back to next year.
Voters in Zakho can not wait until morning. They already started to build lines. #KurdistanReferendum
Kurdish Authorities Set to Declare 'Yes' on Independence, Despite Iran and Turkey Threatening War
Iraqi Kurds are voting in an independence referendum today, amid rising tensions and international opposition aje.io/p4x76
Turnout high as Iraqi Kurds defy threats to hold independence vote reut.rs/2xFTUgM
At least one area appears to have voted "no."
"No to referendum in Alqush" a town of 100% christian population this morning, Nineveh plain, Iraq. They want to stay part of Iraq
While the US White House opposed the vote, at least two members of the US Congress applauded it.
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel issued the following:
Engel Statement on Kurdish Independence Referendum
09/25/17
ENGEL STATEMENT ON KURDISH INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM
WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:“For decades, the Kurdish people have endured campaign after campaign of atrocities, so it’s no wonder that they seek self-determination to protect themselves in the future.
“The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has played an important role in hosting nearly two million refugees from Iraq and Syria. Kurdish participation in the Global Coalition against ISIL has been critical to weakening the group and will be vital to our shared goal of ISIL’s final defeat. Now, with ISIL’s demise in sight, the Kurdish people face additional threats from Shia militias seeking to exacerbate sectarian and ethnic tensions.
“I firmly believe in the Kurdish right to self-determination.
“With so many urgent issues at hand, including ISIL’s final defeat, the return of displaced people, a recovering economy, and political complications in the KRG, I urge Kurdish leaders to use the mandate created by this referendum to address these important issues.
“Now that the Kurdish independence referendum has concluded, I urge all parties in the region to find a way forward that will build a strong home for the Kurdish people. The Constitution of Iraq recognizes the administrative role of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the Central Government in Baghdad must continue to honor its commitments to the Kurdish people and the KRG.”
And US House Rep Trent Franks' office issued this:
September 25, 2017
Press Release
Washington, D.C.
– The Iraqi Kurds vote in a referendum today for independence from
Baghdad. Congressman Trent Franks has been a long-time proponent of the
Kurdish people. He has previously proposed an amendment to the defense
authorization bill to directly arm the Kurds who are fighting ISIS, and
he has been one of the key figures promoting Kurdish nationalism on
Capitol Hill. As the votes are cast today, Rep. Trent Franks released
the following statement:
“Baghdad has failed to secure Kurdish rights and effectively protect the Kurdish people from members of the Islamic State and other violent forces, and as any nation in our international community has the right to self-determination, especially if that people faces existential threats, I feel the United States is obligated to support their bid for independence – if it is in our national interest. After all, when America sought its independence as a sovereign nation, we were supported by sympathetic world leaders. It is now time for the Kurdish people to receive the same blessing.
“Thank God for the Kurds – they have delivered countless groups and individuals from the hands of ISIS. Without their armed defense of northern territory, and the protection of over 2 million refugees, the medieval horrors of ISIS could have been much more widespread. During the darkest days of the Iraq War, Kurdistan remained a sanctuary of order in the midst of sectarian chaos.
“If the Kurds can show through their actions that their key ally is the United States of America, and they are neither an ally with the Islamist Sunni regime in Turkey nor an ally of the Islamist Shia regime in Iran, the United States will always gladly support them.
“While the Obama administration dithered and fought efforts to arm and support the Kurds, the Trump administration has the opportunity to stand with a noble people in their time of need. A free and independent Kurdistan can represent hope for peace in the Middle East.
“Even as I stand with the Kurds, I must add I encourage them to support the self-determination of other groups in the region, such as the Christians of the Nineveh Plain, the Yezidis of Shengal, and the Turkmen of Tal-Afar. The Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syriac Christians and their coreligionists may soon face a similar decision, and I encourage the Kurds to respect their decision regarding the Nineveh Plain.”
“Baghdad has failed to secure Kurdish rights and effectively protect the Kurdish people from members of the Islamic State and other violent forces, and as any nation in our international community has the right to self-determination, especially if that people faces existential threats, I feel the United States is obligated to support their bid for independence – if it is in our national interest. After all, when America sought its independence as a sovereign nation, we were supported by sympathetic world leaders. It is now time for the Kurdish people to receive the same blessing.
“Thank God for the Kurds – they have delivered countless groups and individuals from the hands of ISIS. Without their armed defense of northern territory, and the protection of over 2 million refugees, the medieval horrors of ISIS could have been much more widespread. During the darkest days of the Iraq War, Kurdistan remained a sanctuary of order in the midst of sectarian chaos.
“If the Kurds can show through their actions that their key ally is the United States of America, and they are neither an ally with the Islamist Sunni regime in Turkey nor an ally of the Islamist Shia regime in Iran, the United States will always gladly support them.
“While the Obama administration dithered and fought efforts to arm and support the Kurds, the Trump administration has the opportunity to stand with a noble people in their time of need. A free and independent Kurdistan can represent hope for peace in the Middle East.
“Even as I stand with the Kurds, I must add I encourage them to support the self-determination of other groups in the region, such as the Christians of the Nineveh Plain, the Yezidis of Shengal, and the Turkmen of Tal-Afar. The Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syriac Christians and their coreligionists may soon face a similar decision, and I encourage the Kurds to respect their decision regarding the Nineveh Plain.”
###
While some were happy regarding the vote, others were less so and threats and intimidation also took place.
BREAKING: Turkey's Erdogan denounces Iraqi Kurds' vote, says Turkish army is at Iraqi border, ready to take "necessary steps."
Erdogan just threatened to invade Kurdistan...
#BREAKING Iran closes border with Iraqi Kurdistan: foreign ministry
Erdogan says his country is considering all options ranging from military intervention to economic sanctions against Iraq’s Kurdish region
Iraq's army and Turkish forces conduct joint military drills after divisive Kurdish referendum aje.io/3twhc
As the Iraqi military joined with Turkey to intimidate the KRG, this Tweet probably summed up the absurdity best.
Kind of funny that Iraqi army ran away in the face of #ISIS in Mosul, but flexing muscles against Kurdish people for holding a referendum.
In other news, Monday saw mass executions carried out by the Iraqi government. In response, Amnesty International issued the following:
Responding to the news that at least 42 people were executed
in Iraq today on “terrorism” charges, Lynn Maalouf, Middle East Research
Director at Amnesty International said:
“Today’s mass execution is a shocking display of the Iraqi authorities’ resort to the death penalty to try to show they are responding to security threats.
“There can be no doubt that individuals who carry out deadly attacks against the civilian population should face justice, but the Iraqi authorities need to recognize that carrying out executions is not the answer and will not make the country or its people safer.
“The death penalty is an irreversible and reprehensible punishment that should not be used in any circumstances and there is no evidence to show that it deters crime more than any other means of punishment.”
“Today’s mass execution is a shocking display of the Iraqi authorities’ resort to the death penalty to try to show they are responding to security threats.
“There can be no doubt that individuals who carry out deadly attacks against the civilian population should face justice, but the Iraqi authorities need to recognize that carrying out executions is not the answer and will not make the country or its people safer.
“The Iraqi authorities have a deplorable track record when it comes to use of the death penalty. In many cases previously people have been put to death after deeply unfair trials and in some cases after being tortured to ‘confess’.the Iraqi authorities need to recognize that carrying out executions is not the answer and will not make the country or its people safer
“The death penalty is an irreversible and reprehensible punishment that should not be used in any circumstances and there is no evidence to show that it deters crime more than any other means of punishment.”
The following community sites - plus Jody Watley, BLACK AGENDA REPORT, PACIFICA EVENING NEWS, Tavis Smiley and Cindy Sheehan -- updated:
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