Saturday, March 27, 2021

Where is TINA!!!!!

For weeks now, I've been noting HBO MAX's upcoming documentary on Tina Turner called TINA.  It starts streaming today.


So where is it!!!!!!


I keep going to HBO MAX and referssing and it's not there.


I've even tried searching.  I get the two minute trailer.  


Did I get the day wrong?  No.  The trailer says March 27th.  So where is it!!!!


As a Tina fan, it feels like I've already been waiting forever for this.


And I already took a pass on the Aretha special limited series on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC -- because some of her family is objecting to it.  I don't want to watch if it's causing them pain.


So I'm waiting and waiting and now still waiting for Tina Turner's TINA.  Where is it?


I'm going to post this, work out and then try again to see if the documentary is up yet.

 

"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMO ILLS):

 Friday, March 26, 2021.  Migh the AMUF be repealed and would that end the Iraq War?  Joe Biden finally gives a press briefing, Moqtada al-Sadr offers to disarm others, and much more.



Andrew Desiderio (POLITICO) reports:


The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday advanced a measure to repeal a nearly two-decade-old authorization for the use of military force in Iraq, lawmakers’ first effort to claw back their war-making powers under President Joe Biden.

The panel’s action, which sailed through with support from Democrats and Republicans alike, scraps the 2002 authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against Iraq, which at the time was led by Saddam Hussein. A similar push is already underway in the Senate, where Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) have proposed repealing the 2002 AUMF, in addition to a 1991 measure that also authorized military force in Iraq during the first Gulf War. 

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the committee’s chair, said the outdated authorizations serve no operational purpose and argued that existing threats can be addressed by the 2001 authorization, which dealt with terrorist groups in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.“There are continuing threats from Iranian-backed militants. There are threats from ISIS and al Qaeda. That said, the 2002 AUMF doesn’t help us deal with any of these threats,” Meeks said. “Our forces would stay under Iraq under the 2001 AUMF, and the president can always defend America and our forces under Article II [of the U.S. Constitution].”


So even the repeal of the AUMF, if it happened, wouldn't end the continued occupation of Iraq by US troops.  SPUTNIK notes:


The 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq (AUMF), passed in October of that year, made the forthcoming US invasion of Iraq in March 2003 legal under US law. It built on the AUMF that was passed in 2001, in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda that killed 3,000 people. The 2002 law further extended the principle of pre-emptive strike that was at the heart of then-US President George W. Bush’s military doctrine that became the US War on Terror.

However, while a couple of Republicans sided with their Democratic colleagues in voting for the resolution, some said it was too soon to shred the 2002 AUMF, since a replacement for the 2001 AUMF hasn’t been implemented yet.

“Real AUMF reform requires Congress and the administration working together on actual text to replace the aging 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to provide authorities needed to keep the American people, and, most importantly, our deployed troops, safe from terrorists,” said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the leading Republican on the committee.


REUTERS adds, "The U.S. Constitution gives the power to declare war to Congress. However, that authority has gradually shifted to the president as Congress passed AUMFs that did not expire – such as the 2002 Iraq measure, as well as one that allowed the fight against al Qaeda in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks."  The authority has shifted by custom, not by law.  By law, only Congress has the right to declare war.  By refusing to hold that power, they have allowed the executive branch to use it and courts can recognize custom.  


Meanwhile,  a parade took place in Baghdad yesterday.  David M. Witty Tweets:


Iraqi Rab’ Allah (ربع الله) militia conducts driving parade in Baghdad to protest US occupation, slow government, & demand to lower dollar exchange rate.



PRESS TV adds, "On Thursday, a number of armed Iraqi groups took to the streets of the capital Baghdad in a show of force, demanding the expulsion of all foreign forces from Iraq."  Staying with the topic of militias,  Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is back in the news.  Also covering the parade, MEMO notes:


An armed Iraqi militia yesterday threatened to target US forces and their agents in the country, Anadolu news agency reported.

The Rab'Allah militia made the threat during a military parade with weapons in the streets of the capital, Baghdad.

"The Iraqi people are living in the darkness of the brutal American occupation and a complicit and puppet government," the movement said in a statement, adding that its fighters have travelled across the capital "in a threatening message to the Americans and their agents".

The movement published photos of its fighters riding in pickups and carrying machine guns and RPGs in Baghdad.


These militias are now part of the government forces and Mustafa al-Khadimi has become the second prime minister in a row who, despite officially being over these forces, cannot control the militias.  ARAB WEEKLY reports:


Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr is increasingly wanting to appear as a statesman while his political ambitions to hold the reins of the executive authority in the country are growing.

Earlier in February, the populist Shia cleric said he backed early elections overseen by the UN, in a rare news conference outside his home in the Iraqi shrine city of Najaf.

Iraq is meant to hold earlier parliamentary elections this year, a central demand of an anti-government protest movement which erupted in 2019 and involved Sadr’s supporters.

The elections will be taking place under a new electoral law that has reduced the size of constituencies and eliminated list-based voting in favour of votes for individual candidates.

Sadr’s supporters are expected to make major gains under the new system.

In November, Sadr said he would push for the next prime minister to be a member of his movement for the first time.

With eyes on the executive authority, the Shia cleric has been calling recently for control of the weapons’ chaos in the country so as to curb attacks by armed factions on foreign forces, their supply convoys and the headquarters of the US embassy in Baghdad.

Sadr’s calls come even though the Shia cleric himself is at the head of the most powerful militias in Iraq, the Peace Brigades, which are seen as a heir to the Mahdi Army militia that had previously led an offensive against government forces under the rule of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.


The Mahdi Army was 'disbanded' in 2018.  Ir was active again by January 2020.  Mostada was once a movement leader with even some of his harshest critics hailing him as the potential healer of Iraq.  That was 2018.  But Shi'ites began turning on him in 2020 as he went from supporting the protests to opposing them to supporting them again to attacking them.  His ambition apparently was too much for him to control, let alone conceal.  


This ambition is at the heart of his proposal to disarm other militias.  Others.  Not his own.  It would give him a leg up that might make up for some of the popular support he has lost since early 2020.  


Joe Biden has a lot of ambition as well and look where it's led him -- he's not just President of the United States, he's Joe Bomber, destroying Iraq.  Chad Garland (STARS AND STRIPES) reports:

  

The U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State has conducted more airstrikes in Iraq this month than it did all of last year, destroying scores of enemy positions and killing dozens of terrorists.

Coalition jets carried out over 150 strikes against ISIS fighters in the mountains south of Mosul this month, U.S. and Iraqi military officials said earlier this week. An analysis of previous coalition strike data shows fewer than 120 airstrikes were carried out against ISIS in Iraq all of last year.

Including Iraqi air force and army aviation operations, a total of 312 airstrikes have destroyed 120 enemy positions and killed 27 terrorists, Col. Wayne Marotto, a spokesman for the military coalition, said in a tweet Wednesday.


Maybe Joe does have a 'plan' for ending the Iraq War?  End Iraq itself by bombing it out of existence?  


Biden Bluster was on display yesterday as Joe finally held a press briefing -- his first since being sworn in as president.  Ted Rall Tweets:


Biden held his very first news conference on Thursday, bringing to a close the longest amount of time in which an American president has held off hosting such an event in modern times. Your take depends on your politics.



Joe used a lot of words to say very little -- certainly nothing worth applauding.  Patrick Martin (WSWS) observes, "Biden pronounced on a number of other topics, ranging from the filibuster (he is not yet prepared to overturn it), to Afghanistan (he said the US would not meet a May 1 withdrawal deadline but would be gone by the end of the year), to his expectations for the 2024 election (he said he and Harris would run for reelection, but was unsure what his opposition would be, or if the Republican Party would even exist) to North Korea (he said that it was the most serious foreign policy issue facing the United States)."

Former US House Rep Justin Amash Tweets:


Obama said we’d leave soon. Trump said we’d leave soon. Biden says we’ll leave soon. It’s been almost 20 years. End the war. Leave Afghanistan now. No more excuses. Bring home the troops.
1:45 PM · Mar 25, 2021


Jimmy Dore Tweeted:


So far : Zero questions on the $2000 checks lie, $15 minimum wage lie, Foreclosures, Evictions. American corporate news media-FUCK YEAH!!
1:02 PM · Mar 25, 2021



I'm seeing nothing at ANTIWAR.COM and I checked the US Green Party's feed for some form of critique.  Guess everyone was busy?  Or maybe Biden just bores everyone into slumber?  THE KATIE HALPER SHOW did cover the  press briefing.  






New content at THIRD:




The following community sites updated:







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Friday, March 26, 2021

Not content with polluting the Earth, we set our sights on the Moon

Did anyone see Arnold's TOTAL RECALL? I saw it and Colin Farrell's remake but I'm really thinking of Arnold's. He visits a colony on Mars. Thee is no oxygen on Mars. A torn piece here or there and everyone could die. Or they could die by the oxygen being intentionally removed, as happens in the film. I always think about that when people talk about colonizing other planets. A. Tarantola has an interesting article at ENGADGET:

NASA’s Artemis program will mark a significant milestone in US space flight history when it lifts off in late 2024. Not only will it be the first time that American astronauts have travelled further than LEO since the 1970s, and not only will it be the first opportunity for a female astronaut to step foot on the moon. The Artemis mission will perform the crucial groundwork needed for humanity to further explore and potentially colonize our nearest celestial neighbor as well as eventually serve as a jumping-off point in our quest to reach Mars. Given how inhospitable space is to human physiology and psychology, however, NASA and its partners will face a significant challenge in keeping their lunar colonists alive and well.
Back in the Apollo mission era, the notion of constructing even a semi-permanent presence on the surface of the moon was laughable — largely because the numerous lunar regolith samples collected and returned to Earth during that period were “found to be dry as a bone,” Rob Mueller, Senior Technologist in Advanced Projects Development at NASA said during a SXSW 2021 panel. “That was the common wisdom, there is no water on the moon, and so for many years that was the assumption held in the [aerospace] community.”
It wasn’t until the late ‘90s that a neutron spectrometer aboard NASA’s Lunar Prospector mission found telltale evidence of hydrogen atoms located at the moon’s poles, suggesting the potential presence of water ice. And it wasn’t until last October that the SOPHIA mission detected water on the sunlit surface of the moon, rather than only squirrelled away in deep, dark lunar craters.
“We had indications that H2O – the familiar water we know – might be present on the sunlit side of the Moon,” Paul Hertz, director of the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, said at the time. “Now we know it is there. This discovery challenges our understanding of the lunar surface and raises intriguing questions about resources relevant for deep space exploration.”
Based on this new evidence, Mueller estimates that there should be enough water ice available to “launch a vehicle like the space shuttle every day for 2,000 years. So there's a lot of water on the moon. The trick is, is we have to find it, access it, and mine it, and then economically use it.”
The revelation that the moon holds a cache of water — which can be used to both quenchslake an astronaut’s thirst and power their rocket — could set off a resource grab the likes of which we haven’t seen since the days of the forty-niner, Pete Carrato, Senior Consulting Engineer at the Bechtel Corporation, noted during the same panel discussion. “So, the next gold rush to me is to the south pole of the Moon, and it's a harsh environment.”


The next "gold rush"? Terms like that and "colonization" do not instill trust in me. And "a space shuttle every day for 2000 years" may seem like a lot; however, if the past is any prediction, once a space shuttle started, you can be sure that they would overdue it, doing many a day. And then they'd play dumb with a "How did that happen" pose -- the way we do here on Earth over and over.

Don't think we'll pollute and dirty the Moon? Right now, there's no one on it. And yet . . . THE WEATHER CHANNEL reports:

In a bid to establish artificial power sources on the Moon, American space agency NASA is working with several commercial companies in order to design vertically deployable solar array systems. Once deployed, this reliable, sustainable power source would support lunar habitats, rovers, and even construction systems for future robotic and crewed missions.
These solar array systems will be autonomously deployable up to 32 feet high, and retractable for relocation if necessary. The designs will also be created in a way that ensures the systems remain stable on steep terrain, be resistant to abrasive lunar dust, and minimise both mass and packaged volume to aid in the system’s delivery to the lunar surface, as per the NASA statement.
These vertically deployable systems will differ from the existing space-rated solar array structures and deployment systems, which are designed for horizontal surface deployment or microgravity usage. This is quite intentional, as the vertical position and the height of the energy source will help prevent loss of power at the lunar poles, where the Sun does not rise very far above the horizon.
When low-angled sunlight hits rocky formations like hills and slopes near the lunar poles, it casts a shadow over the surface—shadows that can block horizontally structured solar arrays from obtaining light. A tall, vertical solar power structure, however, would increase the likelihood of getting uninterrupted light. Therefore, these solar power designs could help enable continuous power for habitats and operations, even in areas shaded by rocky features.

So that -- that and our past behavior -- is why I don't see us being careful custodians of the moon.

 

"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMON ILLS):

 Thursday, March 25, 2021.  A look at the media.


Starting with the media.




That's RISING and that's RISING proving just what a waste they are.  It's not like they filed anything important on Iraq -- the Iraq War hit the 18 year mark over the weekend.  But here they want to file on how US Vice President Kamala Harris will be joining former president and forever womanizer Bill Clinton for an event about empowering women and girls.  Bill is credibly accused of having raped Juanita Broaddrick and he did have a highly inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky which was, honestly, harassment after he's needing her to be silent about that affair.


There is no reason in the world that a sitting vice president should be taking part in this nonsense.  The optic are wrong, just for starters.  


But where does RISING get off criticizing anything about this event for women and girls?  They bring on two guests and nither are experts in empowering women and girls nor are they women.


This is not why media is supposed to exist.  This is lazy and it's sexist. 


Of and when Krystal leaves RISING (and her podcast with Kyle as well), let's hope she's not planning to guest on other shows because the pattern she's set is that women don't make up half the world and they certainly shouldn't make up half the guest list.


Is it really too much to think that, in 2021, half of RISING's guests could be women?  Is it really reaching to expect that a segment like this would feature women?


They are the problem.  RISING is the problem.  


Right now, some are slamming Senator Tammy Duckworth for her declaration that she wouldn't vote for anymore Biden cabinet nominees unless they were minorities until Joe nominates an Asian American cabinet official.


"Race quotas!"  And other nonsense many hissed.  


First off, it wasn't Tammy alone.  Senator  Senator Mazie Hirono also joined her in that stance.  They have both backed off.  


They shouldn't have.  Tammy and Mazie were not asking for a full cabinet, they were asking for one official.  And all Joe's offered in terms of diversity has been officials -- meaning he's got no iversity in thought, no diversity in programs.  His administration is run of the ill generic with the exception of skin tone, sexual orientation, etc.  The individual is the diversity -- not the programs, not the experience, not the outlook.  So if that's all he's offering, that's all he's offering.


And Mazie and Tammy are well within their rights to make demands.  Sadly, they didn't stick to those demands.  


The Krystal Balls of the world go merrily along the way reinforcing every double standard and every barrier that has existed for years.  As a co-host of RISING, she should be inviting women on air.  But she barely does.   And that's why people have to make demands.  It's 2021 and Krystal Ball has the power to invite on her show whomever she wants.  She misuses that power on a daily basis.


Krystal, if women aren't good enough to make up half the guests on RISISNG, maybe they shouldn't make up half the hosts?  How would you like that if it were your ass on the line?


I don't like women who refuse to help other women.  I don't like women who climb their way to the top over the bodies of other women.


This really needs to end, I'm damn tired of it.  


Let's also remember that we're nearing the end of what's supposed to be Women's History Month.  Did you see any outlets up the number of women that featured this month?  No, of course not.  They keep doing their 1/3 of the guests female and we're all supposed to look the other way.  


It's disgusting.


Staying with media, let's move to HARD LENS MEDIA.



That's a hard hitting commentary from both hosts in the video above.  US House Rep Pramila Jayapal has introduced a bill for Medicare For All and she states "that means that we now have a bill number. Medicare For All is officially HR 1976 "


And?


The hosts are correct that she and others refused to Force The Vote back in January.  More to the point, does Pramila Jayapal think she's the first person to introduce this bill?


Has she never heard of Dennis Kucinich?   Here's  then-US House Rep Dennis Kuccinich doing just that in 2008.  And here's Dennis two years prior to that talking about another bill that he introduced for Medicare For All that session.  We could go on and on with this.   If Jayapal wants credit for doing something then she needs to do something unique.  Introducing a bill?  She's not the first on the Moon with that action.  


Staying with the media, MEMO offers:

 

The United States is to resume strategic talks with Iraqi officials next month regarding the status of combat troops, a senior Biden administration official said.

The talks will be the first set of US-Iraq meetings under President Joe Biden and are expected to set the tone for the relationship between the two countries during the next few years, the Associated Press reported.


Is that the language now?  If it is, I'm fine with it.  But I do want to know if this is now the official language?  For years and years, they've not been called combat troops -- they were just there to advise and train, remember that?


They're combat troops, they've always been combat troops.  But the press has played language games and pretend.  Now MEMO (and AP before) are saying combat troops.  


MEHR NEWS AGENCY reports:


Logistics convoys affiliated with US terrorist forces were once again targeted in Iraq, Al-Mayadeen reported.

According to the report, a roadside bomb exploded near a convoy of American terrorists in Diwaniyah province in Iraq. Ashab l-Kahf group claimed responsibility for the blast.

Another roadside bomb targeted a convoy of US troops in Dhi Qar province in Iraq. Oliya al-Dam group claimed responsibility for the blast.



Again, they are combat troops.


We're going to again note IAVA is hosting a FACEBOOK Live event:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2021
CONTACT: press@iava.org

New York, NY – On Thursday, March 25th, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO Jeremy Butler will be joined by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL) and IAVA Member Advocates Sarah Letts and Corey Foster for a Facebook Live event focused on women veterans and burn pits and toxic exposures. The event will conclude IAVA’s virtual fly-in advocacy week. 

“As veterans, we know the importance of working together for the greater good,” said Ranking Member Bost. “That’s exactly how we’re going to get veterans back to work and fully recovered from COVID-19, improve services for women, support those suffering from toxic exposure, and more. I’m ready to listen and learn from these leaders on Thursday about the challenges post 9/11 veterans are facing and the solutions IAVA is bringing to the table.”

Throughout the week, IAVA’s Member advocates are meeting with lawmakers from both parties to discuss the crucial issues facing the veteran community, including impacts from burn pits and toxic exposures, the veteran suicide crisis, the needs of women veterans, equitable access to VA healthcare, and more. Videos of the event will be recorded and available on IAVA’s website and social media channels.

“IAVA is laser focused on raising awareness and enacting real change for veterans and their families,” said IAVA CEO, Jeremy Butler. “And what a fitting way to end our advocacy event – with fellow veterans and Ranking Member Mike Bost, rallying for the betterment of our veteran community.”

This Facebook Live event will provide an overview on IAVA’s history of advocacy across legislative issues, including women veterans and toxic exposure. The event will also highlight personal stories from IAVA Member Advocates. There will be time allotted for viewers to ask questions throughout the event. 

“I am so appreciative of the opportunity to represent IAVA members and veterans in general in discussing my experiences of combat toxic exposure, from burn pits to poorly treated water in degrading plastic bottles,” said Sarah Letts. “And I am encouraged by the focus on the treatment of and services for women veterans. Please join us in this important discussion.”

“I look forward to having a candid conversation about the needs of female veterans and the impact of burn pits and toxic exposures,” said Corey Foster. “It’s critical that as a collective group we raise awareness about these important issues so we can facilitate positive change for veterans and their families.”

Biographies of the Member Advocates for this week are available here. IAVA’s CEO Jeremy Butler and Member Advocates are available to meet with the media upon request through press@iava.org.

WHO:        

Jeremy Butler, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Representative Mike Bost (R-IL), Ranking Member of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Corey Foster, Member Advocate

Sarah Letts, Member Advocate

WHAT:     

IAVA Announces Facebook Live Event with Ranking Member Bost During Virtual Fly-in

WHEN:     Thursday, March 25th at 5:00pm EST/ 2:00pm PST

WHERE:   Join the Facebook Live event here. The event is open to the press.

Jeremy Butler serves as IAVA’s Chief Executive Officer. Jeremy joined IAVA with 15+ years of experience providing substantive and strategic counsel to leaders in high-profile government and private sector offices, including the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. He graduated from Knox College with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy Reserve. Butler regularly contributes to national media outlets across the country.

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

###



That's later today.


Mike's "They were all better than Joe   " isn't showing up on the links but it did post as did the following:










"





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Thursday, March 25, 2021

Audio report of Jon Hamilton discussing bonobos

Last time, I noted a great NPR text report by Jon Hamilton.  It was about bonobos.  And I noted it really needed an audio segment.  I think it still does; however, Jan e-mailed to inform me that Jon Hamilton discussed bonobo back in January on NPR's SHORT WAVE.



Again, I want another segment, a newer one.  But thank you, Jan, for letting me know about the one above.

 

 

"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMON ILLS):

 Wednesday, March 24, 2021.  Iraq and the US set to hold talks regarding the US' continued presence in Iraq, IAVA gears up for a FACEBOOK Live event, and more.



Qassim Abdul-Zahra (AP) reports:

The Biden administration is set to resume strategic talks with Iraqi officials next month on the withdrawal of remaining U.S. combat forces in the country and other matters related to the bilateral relationship.

The talks, which began in June under the Trump administration, would be the first under Biden, who assumed office in January. The discussions are meant to shape the future of the U.S.-Iraq relationship and will touch security, trade, climate and more, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

 


Yesterday afternoon on Air Force One, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the above.


 Q    I have a question about Iraq.  We’re reporting that Iraq has asked for the start of talks about withdrawing the remaining U.S. troops.  Can you confirm that you’ve received that request?  And do you know when those talks will be starting? 

 
MS. PSAKI:  I’d have to check with our national security team on an update on that, and DOD as well.  I can venture to do that when I — when we finish our gaggle.


Later, Psaki would issue a statement.   ASHARQ AL-AWSAT quotes her stating:


This will be an important opportunity to discuss our mutual interests across a range of fields from security to culture, trade, and climate. The meetings will further clarify that coalition forces are in Iraq solely for the purpose of training and advising Iraqi forces to ensure that ISIS cannot reconstitute,


No, Joe's not pushing for troops to leave.  The president of the United States was Senator Joe Biden when the push for war on Iraq started and he voted for it.  He's issued 'apologies' that were meaningless because he never did anything but offer words on the spot and then quickly move on to another topic.  He has no desire to atone and he certainly won't cop to what he did.  Instead, he blames Bully Boy Bush.  In most cases, when a politician claims that they were outfoxed by Bully Boy Bush, the village idiot of the world, I tend to roll my eyes but I guess Joe is just about dumb enough for it to be true.  Regardless, Joe is responsible for his actions and his votes.  He has refused to take responsibility.  Which might go a long way towards explaining why even the threat of court action wasn't enough to make Hunter Biden pay child support for his child?  Only when Hunter's finances risked exposure in court in the midst off a presidential election did Hunter finally agree to make child support payments.  Dead beat dad.  Again, maybe Joe's refusal to take responsibility sets that example?


Jen Pskai's words, by the way, are also quoted by Akanksha Arora  (India's REPUBLIC WORLD) but credited to an unnamed "senior administration official."  That report was filed before the official statement so either the coordination was already in place or Jen was the anonymous source. Sura Ali (RUDAW) notes, "Three government officials said Iraq sent a formal request to the US, reportedly via US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller, requesting a new round of talks on bilateral issues, specifically on the withdrawal of the some 2,500 troops left in the country."  DEUTSCHE WELLE adds, "Former president Donald Trump pursued a policy of bringing US troops home from what he termed 'endless wars,' in a bid to fulfill a 2016 presidential campaign promise."  Ellen Mitchell (THE HILL) explains:


Washington and Baghdad in June began negotiating the U.S. troop presence in the country under the Trump administration, and in September it was announced that more than 2,000 of the 5,200 troops there would withdraw.

Then in November, the-President Trump ordered another 500 forces to be pulled from Iraq by mid-January, going against the recommendations of military and national security leaders.


At THE LAS VEGAS REVIEW- JOURNAL, Gabrielle Olya wonders, "How Much is President Biden Worth?"  I'd say a grown adult who helps start an illegal war -- one that goes against his won faith and one that the head of his Church spoke out against -- is pretty worthless.  Even more so, I'd argue, when 18 years later, US forces are still in Iraq and instead of pulling them home the same worthless man wants to keep them there longer.


But Olya isn't writing about one's soul or core, she's focused on the money -- just like Joe Biden.  (How much will his loyalty to financial institutions cost him in the mid-terms -- we're already hearing about it in Zoom chats?)  Olya writes:


President Joe Biden’s net worth is $9 million.

Biden once described himself as “the poorest man in Congress.”

His salary as vice president was $230,700.



Joe's a private dancer, a dancer for money and any old music will do.



Reminder, TINA!, the documentary on Tina Turner, starts airing this weekend on HBO MAX.  Tina also released a new book at the end of last year, HAPPINESS BECOMES YOU: A GUIDE TO CHANGING YOUR LIFE FOR GOOD.


Water is a big issues in the Middle East and it's a big issue for Iraq.  Their neighbors Turkey and Iran keep building dams that threaten Iraq's rivers.  In addition to that, there is the heat.  RUDAW reports:


Drought has wreaked havoc on farming in the plains near the city of Kalha in Iraq’s southern province of Maysan.

Local farmer Abu Nzar, 52, is desperate for water to irrigate his dried out fields.

Maysan is hardly the only Iraqi province to suffer from a water crisis. Experts blame climate change, as well as the blocking of water flowing into Iraq from dams in neighbouring Turkey and Iran.

“We had created a stream from the Euphrates, but it no longer reaches here,” said the farmer, who notes that many nearby farmers have abandoned their fields and moved to the city. “If this water scarcity is not resolved, we too will be forced to leave because farming these lands without a local water source costs too much.”

According to a 2020 report by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and a number of other non-governmental organizations, water shortages have triggered almost 15,000 new displacements in Dhi-Qar, Maysan and Basra provinces as of January 2019.


Back in 2018, Suadad al-Salhy (ARAB NEWS) reported:


Iraq has been negotiating with Turkey and Iran to minimize the effects of the two countries’ water policies on its territories, Iraqi Deputy Minister of Water Resources Mahdi Rasheed told Arab News on Wednesday.
Rasheed said that the talks were aimed at finding common solutions to an expected water crisis in the summer.
Iraq mainly relies on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and rainwater to provide its fresh water needs. Both rivers originate from outside Iraq, and Turkey, Iran and Syria have controlled the release of water into Iraq for decades.
A decline in rainfall during the past two months, increasing rates of evaporation caused by high temperatures and a lack of water imports from Turkey and Iran, mean Iraq’s southern provinces have been suffering a serious shortage of water.
The crisis is expected to worsen after the completion of the Alesso dam and Turkey’s announcement of its intention to fill the dam’s reservoirs in March.
Iraq last week filed a formal request to Turkey to postpone the filling of the Alesso dam from March to June to help Iraq “overcome the period of water scarcity.”


A myriad of problems face Iraq.  This includes the legal system.  Earlier this week, Sura Ali (RUDAW) reported on the arrest of Ibrahim al-Sumaidai.  She now provides an update:


An Iraqi lawyer and activist has spoken of his detention on allegations of “insulting public authorities” after his release on Monday. 

Ibrahim al-Sumaida'i was taken to an unknown location and placed in solitary confinement after a raid on his house in Baghdad on Friday, he said in a statement on Tuesday. His phone was searched and he was unable to leave the room to use the bathroom, he said.

Iraqi security forces arrested Sumaida'i late on Friday, acting on an arrest warrant on the charge of "publicly insulting public authorities" issued by the Al-Karkh Investigation Court in Baghdad, after a representative from the Supreme Judicial Council filed a lawsuit against him.

The warrant was issued following "his attack on official institutions, describing them with bad words that go beyond the limits of the freedom of expression," according to a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council on Saturday, who said he had made “indecent comments” in a WhatsApp group chat with group MPs and journalists.

"The court asked me to apologize for what I said, and I repeat my apology in this statement," said Sumaida'i, adding that he is "astonished” that authorities have lodged lawsuits against people “for having opinions.”

He was released on bail on Monday.

 

CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq also reported on the arrest Sunday.

In veterans news, Sara Wilson (PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN) reports:

A bill to establish a veteran suicide prevention pilot program passed unanimously through committee in the Colorado State Senate last Thursday, laying the groundwork to further empower local organizations that serve veteran communities.  

Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, a Marine Corps veteran, introduced the bill in late February as one way to address veteran suicide and suicidal ideation. It calls for the Colorado Department of Human Services to establish a five-year pilot program in El Paso County, the home of the Air Force Academy and the region in the state with the highest population of veterans.

The program would partner with local nonprofits to offer “no-cost, stigma-free, confidential and effective” behavioral health care for post-9/11 veterans and their families, according to the bill text.  


Staying with the topic of veterans issues, IAVA is hosting a FACEBOOK Live event this Thursday:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2021
CONTACT: press@iava.org

New York, NY – On Thursday, March 25th, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO Jeremy Butler will be joined by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL) and IAVA Member Advocates Sarah Letts and Corey Foster for a Facebook Live event focused on women veterans and burn pits and toxic exposures. The event will conclude IAVA’s virtual fly-in advocacy week. 

“As veterans, we know the importance of working together for the greater good,” said Ranking Member Bost. “That’s exactly how we’re going to get veterans back to work and fully recovered from COVID-19, improve services for women, support those suffering from toxic exposure, and more. I’m ready to listen and learn from these leaders on Thursday about the challenges post 9/11 veterans are facing and the solutions IAVA is bringing to the table.”

Throughout the week, IAVA’s Member advocates are meeting with lawmakers from both parties to discuss the crucial issues facing the veteran community, including impacts from burn pits and toxic exposures, the veteran suicide crisis, the needs of women veterans, equitable access to VA healthcare, and more. Videos of the event will be recorded and available on IAVA’s website and social media channels.

“IAVA is laser focused on raising awareness and enacting real change for veterans and their families,” said IAVA CEO, Jeremy Butler. “And what a fitting way to end our advocacy event – with fellow veterans and Ranking Member Mike Bost, rallying for the betterment of our veteran community.”

This Facebook Live event will provide an overview on IAVA’s history of advocacy across legislative issues, including women veterans and toxic exposure. The event will also highlight personal stories from IAVA Member Advocates. There will be time allotted for viewers to ask questions throughout the event. 

“I am so appreciative of the opportunity to represent IAVA members and veterans in general in discussing my experiences of combat toxic exposure, from burn pits to poorly treated water in degrading plastic bottles,” said Sarah Letts. “And I am encouraged by the focus on the treatment of and services for women veterans. Please join us in this important discussion.”

“I look forward to having a candid conversation about the needs of female veterans and the impact of burn pits and toxic exposures,” said Corey Foster. “It’s critical that as a collective group we raise awareness about these important issues so we can facilitate positive change for veterans and their families.”

Biographies of the Member Advocates for this week are available here. IAVA’s CEO Jeremy Butler and Member Advocates are available to meet with the media upon request through press@iava.org.

WHO:        

Jeremy Butler, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Representative Mike Bost (R-IL), Ranking Member of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Corey Foster, Member Advocate

Sarah Letts, Member Advocate

WHAT:     

IAVA Announces Facebook Live Event with Ranking Member Bost During Virtual Fly-in

WHEN:     Thursday, March 25th at 5:00pm EST/ 2:00pm PST

WHERE:   Join the Facebook Live event here. The event is open to the press.

Jeremy Butler serves as IAVA’s Chief Executive Officer. Jeremy joined IAVA with 15+ years of experience providing substantive and strategic counsel to leaders in high-profile government and private sector offices, including the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. He graduated from Knox College with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy Reserve. Butler regularly contributes to national media outlets across the country.

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

###


And we'll winddown with this from Disabled American Veterans' Tom Jenkins:


Twelve years ago, Donna Joyner had to make a difficult decision when her husband, Dennis, needed rotator cuff surgery on his shoulder. When his arm was put out of commission, Dennis—a triple amputee who was injured during his Army service in Vietnam—temporarily lost the use of his last remaining limb along with his ability to push his wheelchair.

Donna, who worked for the DAV Department of Florida, chose to resign from her full-time position to take on the full-time role as her husband’s caregiver—a role she had already been performing throughout their 40 years of marriage.

“It was really tough because that decision was made in about a day and there was no choice,” said Donna. “We just dealt with it. And, you know, at first I was furious. I had two years until I actually would get a pension, and everything went out the window. At first I was like, ‘Gee, what else?’ Then I thought of my husband whom I would do anything for. It’s just what you do.”

For the next 12 years, the Joyners kept moving forward with no formal medical training and no means of compensation for Donna’s role as a caregiver, including her lost wages and retirement income. Dennis, a member of Chapter 16 in Orlando who served as DAV national commander from 1983 to 1984, not only personally knew the importance of having a family caregiver but also knew the struggle that thousands of others like them faced.

The Joyners finally found relief last year. After years of helping DAV’s push for disabled veterans of all eras to be made eligible for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers—the program that provides training for caregivers, along with a modest stipend and respite care, among other resources—the expansion of which began Oct. 1. On that date, in accordance with the VA MISSION Act of 2018, the VA began accepting program applications from Phase 1 veterans, those whose injuries or illness was incurred on or before May 7, 1975.

For Dennis and Donna, the timeline from submitting their application to receipt of support services was a matter of weeks—and the program has already made a world of difference.

“It provides a lot of different resources,” said Dennis. “It provides contact with the caregiver’s office in your area. You can call and talk with someone if you need advice, assistance, or they can help you figure out certain things.”

In addition to an extensive training program, caregivers like Donna have answers and support for issues that have loomed over them for decades.

“It was quite scary, not knowing what would happen to Dennis should something happen to me,” said Donna. “Thankfully, I did have family backing me up. However, I think of all the people that don’t have that, and where do they go? Now they have a resource to go to. Now, I can turn to the caregiver program and say, OK, we need some help in this direction.”

“The expansion of the comprehensive caregiver program for families like Dennis and Donna Joyner has made a world of difference in their day-to-day lives and provided more peace of mind about the future,” said DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem. “This program provides needed training, support from VA staff, and tips that remind caregivers it is important to take care of themselves so they can provide the best care for their veteran or loved one. Dennis can rest assured that if Donna is no longer able to care for him at some point, there are now other options. For Donna, just the acknowledgment and support this benefit brings helps her continue on in this critical role and feel like she is not alone anymore.”

Along with the changes to the caregiver program, the Campaign for Inclusive Care, created to actively include caregivers in veterans’ medical care, will now begin to filter across the VA. The campaign, in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, aims to equip medical professionals with training to better support both veterans—specifically those receiving geriatric, polytrauma and traumatic brain injury care—and their caregivers.

Veterans with a 70% or higher single or combined service-connected disability rating are considered eligible within the Campaign for Inclusive Care.

For the Joyners, changes like these have been a long time coming, and despite the decades of financial difficulty and emotional strain, the support comes at a crucial time for them and for many veterans of Vietnam, Korea and World War II.

“You take on a lot when you’re a caregiver,” said Donna. “I might be getting older, but I’m doing probably more than ever.”

 

Learn more

Learn more about the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers at dav.la/2ls and the Campaign for Inclusive Care at dav.la/2lt.

 


The following sites updated:








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