Thursday, February 23, 2017

Lana Turner

Do you know who Lana Turner was?

Eva Arriaga Durán‏@EvaArriagaD 3 hours ago

Lana Turner y John Garfield en 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (Tay Garnett, 1946).

14 retweets17 likes
Bonnie Edinger ‏@Ble6750 5 hours ago

LANA TURNER publicity photo for 'Ziegfeld Girl' 1941 photo by George Hurrell

1 reply7 retweets12 likes
Eduardo V.‏@marxbros2001 7 hours ago

Retweeted SirCarlos (@carlos01101966): Lana Turner's...40's perfection.... http://fb.me/1SO20Jsp2

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She was a very famous movie star.

I'd read a book that had a chapter on her recently and I was kind of impressed.

Then I mentioned it to C.I. and she recommended a book on Lana Turner.

The chapter in that other book?

Wrong.

I'll probably write about it tomorrow night.

But for those who don't know Lana Turner . . .

She was in the MGM school with Judy Garland. Like Judy, she appeared in some Andy Hardy films (Mickey Rooney plays the son of Judge Hardy).

Lana was basically the Demi Moore of her day in many ways.

She was considered sexy and usually turned out to the nines in films (and always in public).

My favorite Lana film is, of course, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (with John Garfield).

But she's also the star of the classic IMITATION OF LIFE which everyone I know saw over and over on TV growing up.

"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMON ILLS):

Thursday, February 23, 2017. Chaos and violence continue, the western press continues to lionize (via coverage) an apparent suicide bomber while ignoring the death of a US servicemember in Iraq, The Mosul Slog continues, and much more.

Two foreign deaths this week in Iraq. A Brit apparently blows himself intentionally and am American dies serving.

Which one did western media glom on?

Which one do you think?

Link to headline article

ISIS Says British Militant Carried Out Suicide Attack in Iraq The possibility that a former Guantánamo inmate had blown himself up stirred outrage in British tabloids, and prompted a strong response from former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The New York Times

Feb 23, 2017

A strong response from War Criminal Tony Blair?

As we noted yesterday, the British suspect was (a) released from Guantanamo at the urging of the British government and (b) apparently handed one million dollars from the British government. And Tony's objection?

That press reports are blaming him for both when the million dollars took place after he was out of office.

Again, of the two issues, begging for the release of a prison who allegedly went on to kill himself and others? That's the one you really don't want to be attached to.

But Tony's always been an idiot.

It's why he gets out of bed each morning, forever convinced that this will be the lucky day the world develops amnesia and forgets his War Crimes.

From the death they can't stop talking about to the one that's barely getting attention . . .

"Pfc. Brian Patrick Odiorne" died serving in Iraq. The death was announced Tuesday.

‏@masslivenews

Ware selectmen held a moment of silence to honor Army Pfc. Brian Odiorne, who died in Iraq. trib.al/lJkriD8

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Jim Russell (MASS LIVE) reports:

Selectmen requested a moment of silence prior to the start of Tuesday night's meeting to honor a soldier and town resident, Army Pfc. Brian Odiorne, who died the previous day while serving in Iraq.
The more than two dozen attending the meeting stood in silence with selectmen.

Tiffany Chan (WWLP) offers, "Massachusetts Veterans Services Secretary Francisco Urena told 22News at a State House military event, that Odiorne’s loss is especially tough, since he was just 21 years old." The young man is remembered by many. Antonio Planas (BOSTON HERALD) includes this:

“He was a very kind and loving soul that always put others first. If you were in need, he’d stay and help even if he just met you. He loved being a peacekeeper, and me and his other brother will miss him more than anything,” Kyle North told the Herald in Facebook messages. “He was my hero. ... Men like him are so rare.”

David McKay (WWLP) notes:

Odiorne was well known throughout the area. He was a machine shop student at Pathfinder Regional High School, and he was also on the football team. He graduated in 2014. Whether it be in the hallways at school or out on the football field, he was known as a people pleaser.
Coach Chris Pope said, “He was just “OD” that was his name, I probably didn’t know his name was Brian in four years of knowing him. Everybody liked him…I’m sorry to his family, it’s a real loss.”

McKay also explains, "If you would like to make a donation to the Pathfinder Booster Club in honor of Odiorne, you can send it to Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School at 240 Sykes Street, Palmer, MA 01069, c/o Booster Club."

CNN notes the state's Governor Charlie Baker declared Wednesday that he had spoken with the family, "I said to them, I’m not calling you as a public official, I’m not calling you as your governor, I’m calling you as a dad to speak to how sorry and sad I am that your son, who committed to serve this country, isn’t coming back."

Day 129 of The Mosul Slog and some are trying to sell it as success.

I guess if US troops openly in combat in Iraq qualifies as wonderful to you, then it's a success.

CBS and AP report, "Iraqi federal police pushed their way into the perimeter of Mosul International Airport on Thursday, taking control of the runway amid fierce exchanges of fire with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants hunkered down in several airport buildings, police officials said." BBC emphasizes, "Foreign troops from the US-led coalition were with the attacking troops, officials told AP, without specifying their nationality."

Sara Hussein and Jean-Marc Mojon (AFP) report:

Senior US officials this week estimated there were only 2,000 IS fighters defending west Mosul, suggesting the jihadist group had suffered heavy losses in the first four months of the operation.

The US-led coalition, which has provided intensive air support as well as advisers on the ground, said before the Mosul offensive began that 5,000 to 7,000 jihadists were in the city.

AFP reporters saw US forces moving into Al-Buseif on Wednesday in convoys of large military vehicles.

A coalition spokesman acknowledged later that US forces had been shot at and returned fire in the battle for Mosul.

"They have come under fire at different times, they have returned fire at different times, in and around Mosul," Colonel John Dorrian said, declining however to confirm if any US troops had been wounded.

So it's a success.

The Mosul Airport has been seized apparently.

It's an end to all those ISIS direct flights to Miami!!!!

The 750,000 people in western Mosul?

The airport seizure means nothing for them.

But the operation has little concern for civilians since day one.

And as Loveday Morris (WASHINGTON POST) notes, while everyone's watching Mosul, the Islamic State appears to be re-entering old territories.

US troops are in combat in Iraq and no one's pretending otherwise at last. Richard Sisk (MILITARY TIMES) offers up new possibilities:

U.S. troop increases in Syria and Iraq could be part of the plan for speeding up the campaign against ISIS that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will present to the White House next week, military officials said Wednesday.
Army Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters traveling with him in the Mideast, "It could be that we take on a larger burden ourselves" in supporting a combined Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish force closing on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, Syria. "That's an option."

The following community sites -- plus Jody Watley -- updated:

The Official Jody Watley Website

Jody Watley.Black History Month. 10 Strong Women.

15 hours ago

iraq

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Iraq

I look at something like this and want to cry.

‏@IraqiPic

Iraqi women in the media in the al-Shaab stadium in Baghdad in the late of 1970s. 

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We've destroyed Iraq.

The United States has destroyed it.

Women's rights are destroyed.

We put Shi'ite fundamentalists in charge -- they have legendary grudges against Sunnis because all the ones we put in charge are cowards who fled Iraq in the 70s or 80s and only came back once we invaded the country.

Now they try to work out their grudges.

They destroy the culture of Iraq and we wonder why there are problems?

Why 'they' can't get along?

Here's a better question: Why did we refuse to let Iraqis in Iraq be rulers?

Why did we turn to religious zealots who had fled the country?

Iraq is in shambles because of us.

"Iraq snapshot" (THE COMMON ILLS):

Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Chaos and violence continue, the western media covers one death while largely ignoring another, and much more.

Another US death in Iraq. Yesterday, it was announced that "Pfc. Brian Patrick Odiorne" died in Iraq.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: February 21, 2017 12:13:25 PM CST

Death of a Fort Hood Soldier

Pfc. Brian Patrick Odiorne

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The Department of Defense announced Feb. 21 the death of a Fort Hood Soldier who died Feb. 20, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Pfc. Brian Patrick Odiorne, 21, whose home of record is listed as Ware, Massachusetts, entered active-duty military service in October 2015 as a cannon crewmember.
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, since May 2016.
Odiorne's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Medal. He will be posthumously awarded the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation by Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
No further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigative process.

For more information contact:

Fort Hood Public Affairs Office
(254) 287-9993
(254) 287-0106
1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave
Suite W105
Fort Hood, TX 76544
usarmy.hood.imcom-central.list.pao-mr@mail.mil

Betty observed:

It's "under investigation."

Which usually means, "Let's stall until the press loses interest."

Reality: The press lost interest long ago.

Another American who should have been somewhere else, not being used to continue the never-ending Iraq War -- a war that his 14 years next month.

14 years.

And Barack swore he would end it.

Liar.

He's a War Criminal and so is Bully Boy Bush.

Mike Glenn (HOUSTON CHRONICLE) notes, "Odiorne was originally from Ware, Mass. - about 80 miles west of Boston. He joined the Army in October 2015 and had been at Ford Hood since May 2016." Anthony Fay and Hayley Crombleholme (WWLP) report, "Since May, Odiorone had been assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, and 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. He entered active-duty service as a cannon crewmember in 2015."

‏@stevewightman1

Honoring #USArmy PFC Brian P Odiorne, died Feb 20, 2017 in Iraq. Honor him so he is not forgotten. 

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Brandon Gray (KCEN) reports on the passing, Samara Abramson (WESTERN MASS NEWS) speaks with those who knes Odiorne:

Odiorne's loved ones said that he stayed in touch with them even when he was busy.
"Even if we didn't get to talk until the next day, we'll make sure that we at least keep in touch, like 'Hey, I'm okay, I'm letting you know I'm safe'," [Kelsie] Delisle added.
Delisle spoke to Odiorne on the phone every night, including Sunday - the night before he died.
"We'd always tell each other every night, when we hung up, that we missed each other and we loved each other and I'll talk to you tomorrow," Delisle explained.
That's what they told each other Sunday night, but Delisle found out about her close friend's death Monday morning after reading a post on Facebook.
"I don't know what to do and I have not stopped crying since then because it feels like I lost a part of me," Delisle said.

Patrick Johnson (MASS LIVE) notes rememberances of Brian Odiorone on social media including this from Brianna Woodman:

I can't believe what I'm hearing... I had just received a message from you the other day asking to check up on your grandmother for you every now and then since you can't always talk to her. I promise I will visit her. This is just so surreal. You were such a kind, gentle, caring person who's heart was as big as your smile. Thank you for serving our country, RIP Brian Odiorne, you'll be missed and never forgotten.

Comment

And he notes Molly Przybyla:

I lost the most incredible man I have ever met. Brian made me who I am today, he broke me out of my shell, and helped me be more confident and out going and I didn't get the chance to tell him that he is the love of my love, the one I was supposed to end up with. We were supposed to get back together but at least I know how he felt about me, told me he never stoped loving me, and I told him I loved him too. I will never forget him, I will always hold him in my heart forever... and noone can ever replace that he's my soul mate and his family will always be my family. I am so sorry, you guys always where there for me and I love you guys and I love you

That's about all from the western press.

They are noting another death, however.

Reports: ISIS suicide bomber was ex-Gitmo detainee usat.ly/2luojqi via @usatoday #smh

British Militant Carried Out Suicide Attack in Iraq, ISIS Says dlvr.it/NRnrGj #news #worldnews

AP notes, "British news media say a suicide bomber who attacked a military base in Iraq this week was a former Guantanamo Bay detainee freed in 2004 after Britain lobbied for his release." Guy Faulconbridge and Ali Abdelaty (REUTERS) report:

Islamic State militants said Abu-Zakariya al-Britani, a British citizen who was originally known as Ronald Fiddler and then cast himself as Jamal Udeen al-Harith, detonated a car bomb at an Iraqi army base southwest of Mosul this week.
The militants also published a photograph of the smiling bomber surrounded by wires in the seat of what appeared to be the car in which he blew himself up.

The Islamic State statements could not be independently verified by Reuters but three Western security sources said it was highly likely that Britani was the bomber and now dead.

Jane Onyanga-Omara (USA TODAY) adds, "Harith, 50, traveled to Syria to join the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, in 2014, raising fears that the money given to him had been passed on to ISIS. He was known to fellow militants as Abu-Zakariya al-Britani." That same report notes that War Criminal Tony Blair is offended by these reports.

He insists that the government he led did not pay the man one million dollars . . . Blair only secured the man's release in 2004.

Really?

Of the two, I think I'd go with the payment. Would you rather be known as the one who demanded the release of a killer or the one who paid him compensation?

Tony Blair's never been smart -- few petty criminals are.

Day 128 of The Mosul Slog.

Maybe Tony Blair can take pride in that too?

The World Health Organization notes: