I was reading the "New York Times" today and came to the op-eds. There was my husband, Thomas Friedman, supposedly filing from Midland, TX.
At first, I was willing to write the trip off as another one of his 'mental flights,' but speaking to Mrs. K later, I got the low down. Thomas Friedman was craving. He whined all week about how there wasn't one Dairy Queen in all of NYC.
I know there's at least one in New Jersey because we went to the one in Jersey City after we returned from California this summer. Thomas Friedman was in hog heaven, literally.
"Oh my, Dilly Bars! Oh, and I will have a Peanut Buster Parfait as well! Oh, and I'm a little sleepy, so I need some coffee, two MooLatte Frozen Blended Coffees, please, young man. I'm not usually so hungry, as my petite frame attests, but I think I'll be having a banana split as well, for a balanced diet," he yammered on.
Now the man behind the counter might have thought he was dealing with another fat, middle-aged glutton were it not for the fact that the man in front of him was wearing a platinum blonde wig, false boobs and and a red mumu. (Thomas Friedman felt it was beach wear perfect for the Jersey Shore.)
Still, he might have just raised a few eyebrows (it's hard to shock in New Jersey) if he hadn't noticed a couple at a nearby table eating Blizzards. Those are a blend of ice cream and snacks, usually candy, as we both found out when Thomas Friedman asked, in his most girlish, most high pitched voice, what was in the cups?
Immediately he was back at the counter, demanding a Blizzard with a Heath bar, a Blizzard with Snickers, and letting the man behind the counter know that they should both be free since no one had bothered to inform him what was on the menu.
The young man wasn't buying it and Thomas Friedman had to open his change purse and pay for both which he slurped down so quickly I feared he'd get an ice cream headache. He didn't. But he did stay at the counter and was quite upset when a woman came in and order a Blizzard with M&Ms AND chocolate covered cherries.
"You didn't tell me I could have two ingredients in one Blizzard!" Thomas Friedman shrieked in dismay.
Somehow managing to leap over the counter, Thomas Friedman was quickly on the other side and slamming toppings and candies into his mouth while the young man attempted to restrain him. It was no use. Once Thomas Friedman had stuffed everything possible into his mouth, he parked his head under the soft ice cream dispenser and just let the ice cream flow into his open mouth until the police arrived about 20 minutes later.
He was banned from Dairy Queen and I honestly thought it was just that Dairy Queen but he seemed to believe it was all of them in New Jersey.
So he started craving Blizzards at the first of the week and couldn't stop whining about them. Finally, Nicky K gifted him with Larry McMurty's "Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen: Reflections at Sixty and Beyond" and suggested, mainly to get him to shut up, that he go to Texas where they make the best Blizzards.
That's all Thomas Friedman needed to hear and he was off an instant. Hopefully, he wore his business clothes.
Once down there, he began sending in reimbursment requests. When the total bill hit $1984.75 and they were all from a Dairy Queen in Midland on, get this, Wall St., Bill Keller asked exactly how any of this was work related?
Thomas Friedman didn't like anyone questioning him and spent Wednesday pouting but on Thursday told Bill Keller that he'd gone to Texas to write about wind energy.
Bill Keller pointed out that Massachusetts was much closer so Thomas Friedman seized upon the notion that he was writing about wind energy and the Bully Boy.
Keller allowed it and Thomas Friedman's hastily tossed together column, "Whichever Way the Wind Blows" (which does appear to describe his belief system) , appeared in today's paper.
As usual, it was important that Thomas Friedman find a businessman to suck up to. And, as usual, it was important that he not include anything resembling reality because that might require real work. A businessman said it? Good enough for Thomas Friedman.
So when I was talking to my neighbors Jess and Ty, they mentioned it to C.I. who hooked me up with phone numbers to Billie, Dallas and Eddie who actually know a thing or two about Texas since they live there.
They told me that Thomas Friedman had written a supposed paen to the environment without ever grasping that the issue in Texas today, as court cases increasingly demonstrate, is that the windmills pop up anywhere and everywhere. Billie shared that the whole thing was starting to freak many out and remind them of a small town, Van, where the public schools have working oil wells in the middle of campus. Billie once played in a tennis competition at both the middle school and the high school and what stood out was the stench of oil that overwhelmed each campus ("not very far apart from each other"). She said it couldn't have been good for the students to have to smell that all day and that she and others think about that when they contemplate Texas' windmill turbines. Just as the oilwells ended up wherever it was best for the industry, with not a lot of thought for the people around them, so it is with the windmills.
She wondered how anyone, let alone a reporter, could contemplate the topic and not grasp that issue? I explained to her that when a Fat Ass is craving, he only sees the food. Eddie pointed out that many see the 'success' for business as deriving solely from the tax abatements big business is receiving and Dallas told me that many farms are very opposed to the wind turbines.
All three urged me to give Thomas Friedman a good talking to. I intend to do just that. Though he's not been home since I attempted to strangle him, he did send me a list of approved gifts to purchase him for Christmas. (Top of the list the Atelier Makeup Box -- "It's what professionals use! This is a dream gift for any busy man on the go!" he jotted beside the request. At $700, he can keep dreaming.) Which clearly means he's planning on at least visiting our home by Christmas. So I'll share their concerns while attempting to find out exactly what he's lied to me about and exactly what he knows. If he thinks the gifts are going to be his only disappointment, he's in for a very big surprise.
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills)
Friday, December 15, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq, the Iraqi Red Crescent states it's been attacked repeatedly by the US military, the US military announces that three troops have died, the US media attempts to ignore the big Iraq story of the day, Kyle Snyder continues speaking out and Donald the Rumsfled leaves an appointed office but he does not complete a 'tour of duty.'
Starting in England, with the big story. Colin Brown and Andy McSmith (Independent of London) report that Carne Ross ("Britain's key negotiator at the UN") statement in the Butler inquiry (2004) that's only now been revealed and it exposes the lies behind the 'case' for war in England. AFP reports that Ross declared "at no time did HMG [Her Majesty's Government] assess that Iraq's WMD (or any other capability) posed a threat to the UK or its interests." Ross also declared that: "It was the commonly-held view among the officials dealing with Iraq that any threat had been effectively contained" (Al Jazeera).
Though Carne Ross' statements have been kept secret (swept under the 'national security' rug), Last month, he did speak to the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee and note that the intel offered to the public was "manipulated." As Brown and McSmith note, the Commons Select Committee is the body that's brought the information public while an unidentified member of the Foreign Affairs committee states: "There was blood on the carpet over this. I think it's pretty clear the Foreign Office used the Official Secrets Act to suppress this evidence, by hanging it like a Sword of Damacles ovre Mr Ross, but we have called their bluff." The Irish Times declares: "British Prime Minister Tony Blair's case for attacking Iraq has been dealt a new blow with the release of once-secret evidence from a former British diplomat who dismissed the threat of weapons of mass destruction."
As the mainstream media in the US bends over backwards to note Ross' statements, many may be reminded of the Downsing Street Memos and how they were greeted with silence and then derision. AP was the excuse many hid behind with DSM -- claiming they would have run a story if AP had covered it -- if only a wire story . . . Well AP has covered it.
Turning to peace news, Alex Zdan (Trenton Times) notes Tuesday speech Carolyn Ho, mother of Ehren Watada, gave to the Nassau Presbyterian Church where she described how her son became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq ("In studying all the literature, he was stunned by what he saw") which included refusing to accept a "desk job" in Iraq. On last Saturday's RadioNation with Laura Flanders, Carolyn Ho explained that the refusal was for himself as well as those serving under him, "He felt the best thing he could do for his men was to remain behind and speak truth." She is asking for everyone to contact their members of Congress and put pressure on Congress to carry out their oversight role. Monday, Carolyn Ho appeared on Democracy Now! and discussed her own progress when meeting with members of Congress. Outside of Maxine Waters, not much. So those who haven't contacted their Congress members should considering doing so.
Ehren Watada, as Aaron Glantz (IPS) reported, is also the subject of subpoenaes -- the US military is attempting to compell three journalists to testify in court: Sarah Olson, Dahr Jamail, and Gregg Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin). Jason Leopold (Truthout) notes that Olson is "one of few reporters covering the anti-war movement and the voices of dissent" and that she has not decided yet how to respond to the subpoena -- Sarah Olson: "Once you involve a reporter in prosecution, you turn that reporter into the investigative arm of the government."
Another US war resister continues speaking out: Kyle Snyder Washington's Bellingham Herald notes an appearence at the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center. Last weekend, at a speaking appearance, police showed up. Snyder continues speaking out.
Watada and Snyder are part of a movement of resistance within the military that includes
Joshua Key, Ivan Brobeck, Darrell Anderson, Ricky Clousing, Mark Wilkerson, Camilo Meija, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Jeremy Hinzman, Corey Glass, Patrick Hart, Clifford Cornell, Agustin Aguayo, Joshua Despain, Katherine Jashinski, and Kevin Benderman.
Information on this movement of war resistance within the military can be found at Center on Conscience & War, The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline, and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. Appeal for Redress is collecting signatures of active duty service members calling on Congress to bring the troops home -- the petition will be delivered to Congress next month.
Bombings?
As Aileen Alfandary noted on KPFA. this morning ( The Morning Show), two car bombs went off outside US bases in Ramadi.
Shootings?
Qais al-Bashir (AP) reports that Muhsin al-Kanan, a cleric who was tight with British forces, was shot dead in Basra and that a civilian was shot dead in Kut. Reuters reports that "a member of the Iraqi intelligence agency" was shot dead in Diwaniya as was an oil company guard.
Corpses?
Reuters cites hospital sources in Mosul having received 13 bodies today.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Red Crescent states it's the target of US forces. Stephanie Nebehay (Reuters) reports that that the IRC states there has been "a spate of attacks on its offices over the last three years" and in the most recently, according the the IRC's vice president (Jamal Al Karbouli), about a week ago, "US forces had occupied and nearly destroyed its Falluja office, held staff for hours, and burned two cars clearly marked with its neutral symbol." CBS and AP report: "'We have flags, we have everything, we have (the) logo, so they (U.S. forces) know everything, but unfortunately they come again and attack us many times,' Al-Karbouli said. He complained that U.S. forces broke doors and windows at the Red Crescent headquarters "and they didn't find anything, and they left.'"
.
Today, the US military announced: "One Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5and one Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 died Thursday from woundssustained due to enemy action while operating in Al Anbar Province." The US military also announced: "A Task Force Lightning Soldier assigned to 4th Brigade Combat Team,1st Cavalry Division, died Tuesday as a result of enemy fire while conducting operationsin Ninewa Province. Two other Soldiers were wounded and transported to a Coalition Forces’ medical treatment facility."
Tomorrow is the first of two 'big meets' for puppet of the occupation Nouri al-Maliki. KUNA reports that he "will convene another National Reconciliation Conference for political leaders from across Iraq." While he gears up for his conference, Jawad al-Bolani is in Syria apparently not overly concerned with the opinions of US Secretary of State Condi Rice. KUNA reports the Interior Minister of Iraq is there "to discuss security issues as the first Iraqi official to visit Damascus since diplomatic relations were resumed between the two neighboring countries." This comes at a time when Tareg al-Hashemi, one of Iraq's vice-presidents, is in the US and criticizing Bully Boy's 'plan' Al Jazeera quotes him saying: "Imagine one day waking up and finding out that your nation's leaders had completely dismantled all police and military. As a result, there is no one policeman, or state, or federal law enforcement agent, or even one national guard or any soldier to protect you from criminal elements, or terrorists. It will be total chaos. Then imagine that instead of calling back the army and security forces, the authorities in this imaginary scenario decided to form a new army and police from racist militias, some mercenaries and organized crime gangs. . . . This is exactly what has happened in Iraq."
In a lengthy talk/performance with the Washington Post editorial board, Condi Rice attempted to buff her image a bit but mainly demonstrated (yet again) that even her fabled 'expertise' in Russia/the Soviet Union is inflated. The take away should be Rice's declaration, "I find Prime Minister Maliki a strong man." A statement so laughable it begs for a remix and one that will come back to haunt her.
In other things that should haunt, Donald the Rumsfled began a three-day farewell while most Americans wonder, "I thought he'd left already." Today it was time to 'salute' him and watch for the media that makes (at best) an idiot of itself or (at worst) spits on democracy by referring to the soon to be former US Secretary of Defense's 'tour of duty.' The Rumsfled was a civilian. Civilians are in charge of the military in the US. He did not complete a 'tour of duty' but fools and those with no respect for democracy will repeat the nonsense. Roger Runningen and Brendan Murray (Bloomberg News) note this remark by the Bully Boy: "He spoke straight. It was easy to understand him." File it away from the future War Crimes Tribunal should Bully Boy attempt to say he was confused about what was being discussed.
iraq
aaron glantzamy goodmandemocracy now
kyle snyder
radionation with laura flanderslaura flanderscarolyn hoehren watada
the morning show
aileen alfandary
kpfa
dahr jamail
Friday, December 15, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Choke a Moron and Send Him Packing
It's not like I didn't warn him.
That was my first thought when Mrs. K broke the news to me.
I was standing in my kitchen, looking out the window and listening to her over the phone as she passed on what Nicky K had told her.
He hadn't repeated his dress up moment, mainly because I snatched the wig off his head and refused to give it back, but word had gotten out and back to the "New York Times."
I tried to figure out what would have bothered Bill Keller the most? The fact that my husband Thomas Friedman was babbling in public dressed as a woman or the fact that he was in black- face? I was just about pin the bulk of the blame on the name of the establishment, Chunky's Rainbow Lounge, because we all know how concered about appearances Bill Keller, et al. are.
But then Mrs. K clued me in to the loud discussion Nicky K had overheard.
Turns out the reaction would have been the same if Thomas Friedman had done the same act, even in black-face -- though there was no reason for it, to the tune of "Where The Boys Are" and "Stupid Cupid." I gasped. Bill Keller was a Connie Francis fan!
Fanatic it turns out. He was already telling the people working for the arts section that there would be a big roll out for last century's yesterday's news, Gloria Estefan, when her vanity project came out --
"If it gets filmed," I interrupted Mrs K.
Estefan, like her hero Bully Boy, had seen her own popularity tank. Why she thought the American public that wouldn't buy her on CD was dying to see her soon to be fifty-year-old ass as the lead in a movie was a mystery to me and apparently to the film studios as well since they hadn't been lining up to bankroll a film on the life of Connie Francis -- regardless of whether or not it was written by Estefan.
I was telling Mrs K that at the least the Jets had gone away so you could hear "Crush On You" today and bop along with it as you went about your day. But Estafan? She'd broken up the fun group to chases after non-stop schmaltz as a steadily declining solo act.
"I think it's the drama queen connection," said Mrs. K noting that both Connie Francis and Estafan had an inclination to play up the 'drama.'
Which had us laughing and discussing how Francis' nose job scene -- the event that destroys the voice a few loved -- would play out? Would they play it straight? Did they really expect anyone to buy the I-had-a-nose-job-because-of-air-conditioning excuse? Isn't that like three steps below the lie of "deviated septum"?
Mrs. K was going on about how both women loved their wars and I was thinking about how War Hawks make the most mechanical singers and how any of the lousy middle-of-the-roaders Estafan foisted off on the public could have been brought to life by a real singer like Natalie Cole but just lay there and stunk up the airwaves when delivered by the Boredom Is Gonna' Get Ya Estafan.
"There's nothing worse than someone who doesn't grasp that their initial fame was a fluke and that everything after has been one long, slow public embarrassment," I said into the phone and it was like I was Penny Marshall creating a Lenny & Squiggy moment because just then Thomas Friedman entered the room.
"How dare you!" he gasped before turning on his heel and storming out.
Some days I think, "I long for caberet. Instead, my life is like a sitcom."
After I got off the phone with Mrs. K, I heard Thomas Friedman huff "Finally!" as he picked up an extension and began dialing.
I had no idea what he was doing home. I hadn't seem him since I'd de-wigged him.
He didn't look any worse for the wear. Probably ten pounds heavier. Which didn't surprise me because Mrs K had said he'd been eating fast food, going to McDonalds and ordering cheeseburgers, discarding the buns and licking the cheese off the hamburger patties.
What was the obession with cheese?
I wondered if his mother had called him her "little rat" when he was growing up?
Then I heard his voice break from the whispering. If he was getting louder, he was obviously up to no good. So I listened in.
He was yacking about the importance of "brutal honesty" which I doubt he applies to calls of "fat ass." Oh, and he was talking about me.
He was saying that the way he sees it, he's got ten months to "fix" things or he'll be stuck with me for ten years.
Apparently in the world of Fat Ass Friedman, I have no say in the matter.
But then, the colonized rarely gets a seat at the planning table.
"The currency of marriage is pain," he mused with self-enchanted wonder. He was talking about "knocking sense" into me and "the threat of pain," none of which worried me because I could take down Soft, Old and Pudgy with both hands tied behind my back. He was calling himself "Mr. Big" which clued me in that he must have spent the last week crashing on the pathetic and "Sex in the City" obsessed Gail Collins' couch.
As he went on and about "Mr. Big," I wondered why it was always the men with the shortest and stubbiest penises who were so obsessed with size? Then I remember what my grandmother used to say about people always wanting what they couldn't have.
I could hear her saying that in my head.
I could hear her speaking and she was speaking in English.
I could see her standing by her stove in what was your basic kitchen. She wasn't in a hut. Out her kitchen window, you could see cars passing on the street so she wasn't in a "backwater village" which Thomas Friedman repeatedly told me I'd grown up in.
I could see myself sitting at her kitchen table, coloring a picture and nibbling on one of her freshly baked cookies.
I could see her smiling at me and it just hit me how much she loved me and how everything Thomas Friedman had ever told me about the life I couldn't remember was a lie.
"Holy crap!" Thomas Friedman was screaming and I realized I had leapt across the couch, grabbed his neck with both hands and was proceeding to choke him.
Looking into his scared, old, fat and tired face, I saw the pathetic man he was and always would be and told myself, "Betinna, you don't want to spend your days in prison even if most of America would thank you for the mercy killing."
As soon as I got off him, he ran, limping, out of our apartment.
Opening the paper yesterday, I saw, to no surprise, he'd rewritten the whole thing and was back to talking "big." But I bet more than a few readers grasped that behind the hollow pose, he was one frightened, tiny, boy. He should be.
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills)
Friday, December 8, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq; US war resister Kyle Snyder continues speaking out against the illegal war; Bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter Peggy Poop demonstrates that not everyone ages well; over 200 protest the war in San Francisco;
you know it's ugly when the US military dubs children 'insurgents'; and the Rumsfled has one more persona to test before he bows off the public stage.
Starting with peace news within the United States. Kyle Snyder is currently traveling the West coast speaking out against the illegal war. Snyder was heavily and repeatedly targeted by a recruiter who promised the moon and delivered nothing. Because verbal agreements can be broken . . . on their end. On leave from Iraq, Snyder self-checked out and went to Canada in April of 2005. Happy there, speaking out, a job he enjoyed working with disabled children that paid well. Snyder began to consider returning to the United States. As October drew to a close, he did just that and on October 31st, turned himself in at Fort Knox only to self-check out again after discovering that the military that lied to him before had lied yet again.
On KPFA's Flashpoints yesterday, Nora Barrows-Friedman interviewed Snyder. Barrows-Friedman noted his Army Corps of Engineers training and Snyder explained that he thought he'd be in Iraq doing construction "asphalt and concrete, laying foundations for schools, hospitals, roads." Instead, they made him a gunner and "an escort for high ranking officials." He saw a number of things in Iraq, reconstruction wasn't one of them.
Kyle Snyder: The things that I saw there for instance, you know, when we're told that we're liberating the people of Iraq and we're doing positive things you know I expect to at least see the civilians and stuff, you know, accepting us more. And basically accepting what we're doing. But children were flipping us off, they were begging for food and water almost all the time when I was out. I had seen people killed, I had seen people injured and it's just basically what led me to leave the war in the first place were the policies that drove the war. You know, when the Bush administration in 2004 and 2005 were saying 'We're liberating the people of Iraq' like I said I expect to see some of that happening. You know, no matter what rank you are, I think that we deserve to know why we're fighting. And basically it felt like a lie. It felt like a lie. And mainly because we couldn't explain what the mission was.
Despite a warrant for his arrest, Snyder's "going around speaking to povertized areas, mainly African-American and Latino communities, around the country because they're targeted by recruiters and I think that recruiters should tell people the truth." He didn't have that himself. No one was warning him. The mood of the country then was still Rah-Rah, he was targeted heavily in high school (recruiter evern came to his graduation) and he grew up in foster homes. Snyder knows what it's like to think some adult's really interested in you, really concerned about you, only to realize after they were just trying to hit their month's target goal.
Nora Barrows-Friedman: And Kyle, if you were speaking with a young person who was considering joining the military right now, they were weighing their options, what advice would you have for them and what would you talk about with their families?
Kyle Snyder: . . When a recruiter comes up and talks to you, it's not because you're a special kind of person. It's not because you have any type of thing that some other human being doesn't. And a lot of 17 and 18-year-olds assume that, you know? 'Oh a recruiters talking to me because I have some kind of special ability that no other person has.' And they over-glorify it making you know basically the Army into Rambo-like figures and things that you know are in action movies when that's not the case. They really need to look at what they'll be doing. . . . You're a gunner, medic, driver or, you know, an escort. Those are the only four jobs that are in Iraq regardless of what you sign up to do. I'd say, you know, if somebody signed up no matter what branch of service, I'd say it's about an 80% chance you're going to Iraq as long as the Bush administration is in power. So they really need to look at that and understand that, yes, they're going to Iraq as long as, like I say, the Bush administration has their say, the war's going to last. So they just need to understand that. And I can understand people that do join the military and that believe in what they're doing but they need to understand people like me as well --that are lied to to get into the military. And, you know . . . I don't know. That's basically all I can say.
Kyle Snyder is a public US war resister. He is part of a resistance movement within the military that also includes Darrell Anderson, Ehren Watada, Joshua Key, Ivan Brobeck, Ricky Clousing, Mark Wilkerson, Camilo Meija, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Jeremy Hinzman, Corey Glass, Patrick Hart, Clifford Cornell, Agustin Aguayo, Joshua Despain, Katherine Jashinski, and Kevin Benderman. Those are some of the war resisters who have gone public and over thirty US war resisters are currently in Canada attempting to be legally recognized.
When asked to speak about this movement, Kyle Snyder noted, "There's over 8,000 AWOL soldiers in the United States right now, 200 in Canada, 38 have applied for refugee status in Canada and I'm hoping, you know, that they start coming out. And I know that some of them are going to be coming out in the next few months. . . . I could use Bush's words, 'Are we going to solve this problem now or are we going to wait for the next president 5 years from now, 10 years from now when 8,000 Iraq veterans are homeless or hiding in a corner because it wasn't taken care of like it could have been?'"
[Rebecca wrote about Snyder's interview here.]
Information on this movement of war resistance within the military can be found at Center on Conscience & War, The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline, and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. Appeal for Redress is collecting signatures of active duty service members calling on Congress to bring the troops home -- the petition will be delivered to Congress next month.
Tina Kim (WorldNow) reports on Appeal for Redress and notes that Jonathan Hutto and others involved with the appeal will be holding a news conference next Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. to raise awareness on the project which is gathering signatures of active duty service members calling for the US troops to be brought home. The appeal will be presented to Congress in January. Jonathan Hutto was a guest last week on WBAI's Law and Disorder. [Mike noted it here.]
Today begins the National Days of Action to Support GI Resistance, called for by Courage to Resist, which run through Sunday the 10th. Indybay IMC notes: "Other Bay Area Events: On Friday, December 8th, 7:30pm at the College of Marin in Kentfield, segments of the film 'Ground Truth' will be shown, and Iraq combat veteran-turned-war-resister Darrell Anderson will speak. Also that evening, at 7:30pm at the Buena Vista United Methodist Church in Alameda, the film 'The Ground Truth' will be shown, and there will be a panel with Rev. Michael Yoshii, and Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi. That night in San Jose, there will be a reception and fundraiser for Kyle Snyder at 6pm at the San Jose Friends Meeting House. On Saturday December 9th, there will be a peace vigil in support of Lt. Ehren Watada, in front of the MLK, Jr. Library in San Jose from 12-4pm. Read more about these events."
Sunday, the 10th, is also Impeachment Day and click here for David Swanson's overview of the goals and list of events. Action is needed to end the illegal war. And each day it drags on, more and more are wounded, more and more die.
They Kill Civilians, Don't They?
CBS and AP report that, on Friday, "20 insurgents, including two women," were killed in a US airstrike (in the Salahaddin Province). The US military has a breathless press release on it that's all blah, blah, blah until this line: "Coalition Forces also found that two of the terrorists killed were women. Al-Qaida in Iraq has both men and women supporting and facilitating their operations unfortunately." And children too, right?
CBS and AP note that the area's mayor, Amir Fayadh, says that "seven women and eight children" were killed. AFP reporters "found and photographed relatives weeping over several mangled bodies, including those of at least two children, near the ruined homes." AFP also notes that the US military's flack Christopher Garver denies children were killed, even when presented with photographic evidence by AFP. Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) reports that the "charred and bloody blodies laid out" were covered with blankets and "An AP photo showed an Iraqi man who had pulled back one of the blankets and uncovered the face of one of the dead, who appeared to be a boy about 10 years old". Ibon Villelabeitia (Reuters) reports that "grieving relatives showed the bodies of five children wrapped in blankets to journalists."
Bombings?
CNN reports a bombing in Tal Afar that left three dead and a mortar attack in Baghdad that claimed four lives and left eight more wounded. Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) reports: "On the outskirts of Baghdad, three mortar rounds hit a Shiite residential area, killing 25 men, women and children, and wounding 22" according to police.
Shootings?
Reuters reports that Human Nuri ("head of customs in the city of Najaf) and his brother were shot dead in Baghdad while in another Baghdad incident an unidentified person was shot dead and three more wounded.
Corpses?
Reuters reports 18 corpses discovered in Baghdad.
Today, the US military announced: "An improvised explosive device detonated near a Multi-National Division -- Baghdad patrol, killing two Soldiers south of the Iraqi capital Dec. 7. The Soldiers were conducting a dismounted patrol responding to a possible IED, south of the city, when a roadside bomb detonated, killing two Soldiers and wounding two others." And earlier today, the US military announced: "An improvised explosive device detonated near a Multi-National Division - Baghdad patrol, killing one Soldier in the Iraqi capital Thursday. The combat patrol was conducting joint operations with the Iraqi Army to prevent sectarian violence in a western neighborhood of the city when the bomb exploded near one of their vehicles."
And the US military boasted of entering Falluja General, a civilian hospital, on a whim. Blood donors were needed . .. maybe 'insurgents' were present! Screw the rules guiding civilian institutions in warfare, lock and load, baby, lock and load. And it's those incidents and many others that explain why the war is lost.
In legal news, Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin, Patti Ackerman and Missy Comley Beattie are on trial for excercising their right to free speech. To summarize the case so far, a dramatic recreation based upon the reporting of Samuel Maull (AP).
FADE IN:
INT. COURT ROOOM - DAY
Typical municipal courtroom. Well, maybe not 'typical,' it is Manhattan.
We see the DEFENSE TABLE where FOUR WOMEN listen: PATTI ACKERMAN, MISSY COMLEY BEATTIE, MEDEA BENJAMIN and CINDY SHEEHAN -- attracitve women all. They stare ahead intently
FOUR WOMEN'S P.O.V. -- a gnome-like woman, in a faded, tattered Kerry-Edwards: 2004 t-shirt, BITTER PEGGY KERRY, sputters on the witness stand in front of D.A. HAN who smiles and nods in sympathy.
BITTER PEGGY
I was on my way to meet the group, to take their
petition -- then I saw --
Bitter Peggy begins sobbing. hands her a tissue. Bitter Peggy looks over at the defense table and glares.
BITTER PEGGY
Then I saw -- Peace Mom!
Bitter Peggy points a menacing finger. Cindy waves and grins sheepishly.
CUE THEME SONG AND MONTAGE:
Free speech, peace doves, compassion
Peace Mom
Passion, peace sign, bravery
Is Peace Mom
She's tinsel on a tree . . .
She's everything an American should be!
If you find one to emulate
Only one to emulate
Let it be Peace Mom . . .
Peace Mom!*
Han smirks to the defense table as DEFENCE attorney rises and walks to the witness stand.
DEFENSE
Bitter Peggy Kerry, you agree that you were
notified that a petition would be dropped off?
BITTER PEGGY
Yeah, so?
DEFENSE
And you agreed to accept the petition?
BITTER PEGGY
What of it?
DEFENSE
You were on your way to accept the petition and
then something stopped you.
BITTER PEGGY
(shuddering)
Peace Mom.
DEFENSE
Just the sight of Cindy Sheehan was enough to
make you break your agreement?
BITTER PEGGY
Damn right. "Peace"? Please. I'm bitter
and angry and mad at the world. Keep Peace Mom
away from me. Every where she travels, there's always
a chance that, at any minute, peace could break
out! I hate her. I hate her! I hate her!
Bitter Peggy goes into spastic convulsions while Defense looks on. Alarmed, D.A. Han leaps to her feet.
D.A. HAN
Your honor, a recess?
BITTER PEGGY
I'll get that Peace Mom. I'll get her. I hate
her. I hate her like I hate kittens and puppies.
And Christmas! And peace! I hate peace!
War! I must have war! I do want war, I do!
Screw Peace Mom, find me Kill Mom! I want
Kill Mom. Kill mommy! Kill mommy!
FADE OUT
So ends the docu-drama recreation. [*Earle Hagen and Sam Denoff wrote the theme to the TV program That Girl starring Marlo Thomas -- who also was the executive producer of the show.]
In other news of courage, Steve Rubenstein (San Francisco Chronicle) reports on the 200 plus people march yesterday from Grace Cathedral to the federal building downtown which was led by Bishop Marc Handley Andrus to protest the Iraq war. The Bishop was among those arrested and he stated, "God is with all who have suffered in Iraq. This war needs to be opposed. Even though there is widespread sentiment against the war, we need to continue to push for peace. There is good reason to believe this is an unjust war." Zach notes that Wendell Harper reported, from the protest, on yesterday's The KPFA Evening News.
And finally, he's been the White Queen, the Scold, the Nag and, on his way out the door, the soon to be former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld decided he wanted to try on one more persona: Axel Rose. Kristin Roberts (Reuters) reports that the Rumsfled thinks what the world . . . needs . . . now . . . is just a little patience. Just a little patience.
The tragically unhinged Rumsfled declared that Iraq was still 'winnable' "if we have the patience and only if we have the staying power." Rumsfled's "staying power" -- obviously in question now -- can surely take credit for the 655,000 estimated Iraqis killed during the illegal war. To the would-be-Axel-Rose, the world responds, "There's no room for you here, go away, girl, there's no room for you here" (White Stripes).
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That was my first thought when Mrs. K broke the news to me.
I was standing in my kitchen, looking out the window and listening to her over the phone as she passed on what Nicky K had told her.
He hadn't repeated his dress up moment, mainly because I snatched the wig off his head and refused to give it back, but word had gotten out and back to the "New York Times."
I tried to figure out what would have bothered Bill Keller the most? The fact that my husband Thomas Friedman was babbling in public dressed as a woman or the fact that he was in black- face? I was just about pin the bulk of the blame on the name of the establishment, Chunky's Rainbow Lounge, because we all know how concered about appearances Bill Keller, et al. are.
But then Mrs. K clued me in to the loud discussion Nicky K had overheard.
Turns out the reaction would have been the same if Thomas Friedman had done the same act, even in black-face -- though there was no reason for it, to the tune of "Where The Boys Are" and "Stupid Cupid." I gasped. Bill Keller was a Connie Francis fan!
Fanatic it turns out. He was already telling the people working for the arts section that there would be a big roll out for last century's yesterday's news, Gloria Estefan, when her vanity project came out --
"If it gets filmed," I interrupted Mrs K.
Estefan, like her hero Bully Boy, had seen her own popularity tank. Why she thought the American public that wouldn't buy her on CD was dying to see her soon to be fifty-year-old ass as the lead in a movie was a mystery to me and apparently to the film studios as well since they hadn't been lining up to bankroll a film on the life of Connie Francis -- regardless of whether or not it was written by Estefan.
I was telling Mrs K that at the least the Jets had gone away so you could hear "Crush On You" today and bop along with it as you went about your day. But Estafan? She'd broken up the fun group to chases after non-stop schmaltz as a steadily declining solo act.
"I think it's the drama queen connection," said Mrs. K noting that both Connie Francis and Estafan had an inclination to play up the 'drama.'
Which had us laughing and discussing how Francis' nose job scene -- the event that destroys the voice a few loved -- would play out? Would they play it straight? Did they really expect anyone to buy the I-had-a-nose-job-because-of-air-conditioning excuse? Isn't that like three steps below the lie of "deviated septum"?
Mrs. K was going on about how both women loved their wars and I was thinking about how War Hawks make the most mechanical singers and how any of the lousy middle-of-the-roaders Estafan foisted off on the public could have been brought to life by a real singer like Natalie Cole but just lay there and stunk up the airwaves when delivered by the Boredom Is Gonna' Get Ya Estafan.
"There's nothing worse than someone who doesn't grasp that their initial fame was a fluke and that everything after has been one long, slow public embarrassment," I said into the phone and it was like I was Penny Marshall creating a Lenny & Squiggy moment because just then Thomas Friedman entered the room.
"How dare you!" he gasped before turning on his heel and storming out.
Some days I think, "I long for caberet. Instead, my life is like a sitcom."
After I got off the phone with Mrs. K, I heard Thomas Friedman huff "Finally!" as he picked up an extension and began dialing.
I had no idea what he was doing home. I hadn't seem him since I'd de-wigged him.
He didn't look any worse for the wear. Probably ten pounds heavier. Which didn't surprise me because Mrs K had said he'd been eating fast food, going to McDonalds and ordering cheeseburgers, discarding the buns and licking the cheese off the hamburger patties.
What was the obession with cheese?
I wondered if his mother had called him her "little rat" when he was growing up?
Then I heard his voice break from the whispering. If he was getting louder, he was obviously up to no good. So I listened in.
He was yacking about the importance of "brutal honesty" which I doubt he applies to calls of "fat ass." Oh, and he was talking about me.
He was saying that the way he sees it, he's got ten months to "fix" things or he'll be stuck with me for ten years.
Apparently in the world of Fat Ass Friedman, I have no say in the matter.
But then, the colonized rarely gets a seat at the planning table.
"The currency of marriage is pain," he mused with self-enchanted wonder. He was talking about "knocking sense" into me and "the threat of pain," none of which worried me because I could take down Soft, Old and Pudgy with both hands tied behind my back. He was calling himself "Mr. Big" which clued me in that he must have spent the last week crashing on the pathetic and "Sex in the City" obsessed Gail Collins' couch.
As he went on and about "Mr. Big," I wondered why it was always the men with the shortest and stubbiest penises who were so obsessed with size? Then I remember what my grandmother used to say about people always wanting what they couldn't have.
I could hear her saying that in my head.
I could hear her speaking and she was speaking in English.
I could see her standing by her stove in what was your basic kitchen. She wasn't in a hut. Out her kitchen window, you could see cars passing on the street so she wasn't in a "backwater village" which Thomas Friedman repeatedly told me I'd grown up in.
I could see myself sitting at her kitchen table, coloring a picture and nibbling on one of her freshly baked cookies.
I could see her smiling at me and it just hit me how much she loved me and how everything Thomas Friedman had ever told me about the life I couldn't remember was a lie.
"Holy crap!" Thomas Friedman was screaming and I realized I had leapt across the couch, grabbed his neck with both hands and was proceeding to choke him.
Looking into his scared, old, fat and tired face, I saw the pathetic man he was and always would be and told myself, "Betinna, you don't want to spend your days in prison even if most of America would thank you for the mercy killing."
As soon as I got off him, he ran, limping, out of our apartment.
Opening the paper yesterday, I saw, to no surprise, he'd rewritten the whole thing and was back to talking "big." But I bet more than a few readers grasped that behind the hollow pose, he was one frightened, tiny, boy. He should be.
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills)
Friday, December 8, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq; US war resister Kyle Snyder continues speaking out against the illegal war; Bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter Peggy Poop demonstrates that not everyone ages well; over 200 protest the war in San Francisco;
you know it's ugly when the US military dubs children 'insurgents'; and the Rumsfled has one more persona to test before he bows off the public stage.
Starting with peace news within the United States. Kyle Snyder is currently traveling the West coast speaking out against the illegal war. Snyder was heavily and repeatedly targeted by a recruiter who promised the moon and delivered nothing. Because verbal agreements can be broken . . . on their end. On leave from Iraq, Snyder self-checked out and went to Canada in April of 2005. Happy there, speaking out, a job he enjoyed working with disabled children that paid well. Snyder began to consider returning to the United States. As October drew to a close, he did just that and on October 31st, turned himself in at Fort Knox only to self-check out again after discovering that the military that lied to him before had lied yet again.
On KPFA's Flashpoints yesterday, Nora Barrows-Friedman interviewed Snyder. Barrows-Friedman noted his Army Corps of Engineers training and Snyder explained that he thought he'd be in Iraq doing construction "asphalt and concrete, laying foundations for schools, hospitals, roads." Instead, they made him a gunner and "an escort for high ranking officials." He saw a number of things in Iraq, reconstruction wasn't one of them.
Kyle Snyder: The things that I saw there for instance, you know, when we're told that we're liberating the people of Iraq and we're doing positive things you know I expect to at least see the civilians and stuff, you know, accepting us more. And basically accepting what we're doing. But children were flipping us off, they were begging for food and water almost all the time when I was out. I had seen people killed, I had seen people injured and it's just basically what led me to leave the war in the first place were the policies that drove the war. You know, when the Bush administration in 2004 and 2005 were saying 'We're liberating the people of Iraq' like I said I expect to see some of that happening. You know, no matter what rank you are, I think that we deserve to know why we're fighting. And basically it felt like a lie. It felt like a lie. And mainly because we couldn't explain what the mission was.
Despite a warrant for his arrest, Snyder's "going around speaking to povertized areas, mainly African-American and Latino communities, around the country because they're targeted by recruiters and I think that recruiters should tell people the truth." He didn't have that himself. No one was warning him. The mood of the country then was still Rah-Rah, he was targeted heavily in high school (recruiter evern came to his graduation) and he grew up in foster homes. Snyder knows what it's like to think some adult's really interested in you, really concerned about you, only to realize after they were just trying to hit their month's target goal.
Nora Barrows-Friedman: And Kyle, if you were speaking with a young person who was considering joining the military right now, they were weighing their options, what advice would you have for them and what would you talk about with their families?
Kyle Snyder: . . When a recruiter comes up and talks to you, it's not because you're a special kind of person. It's not because you have any type of thing that some other human being doesn't. And a lot of 17 and 18-year-olds assume that, you know? 'Oh a recruiters talking to me because I have some kind of special ability that no other person has.' And they over-glorify it making you know basically the Army into Rambo-like figures and things that you know are in action movies when that's not the case. They really need to look at what they'll be doing. . . . You're a gunner, medic, driver or, you know, an escort. Those are the only four jobs that are in Iraq regardless of what you sign up to do. I'd say, you know, if somebody signed up no matter what branch of service, I'd say it's about an 80% chance you're going to Iraq as long as the Bush administration is in power. So they really need to look at that and understand that, yes, they're going to Iraq as long as, like I say, the Bush administration has their say, the war's going to last. So they just need to understand that. And I can understand people that do join the military and that believe in what they're doing but they need to understand people like me as well --that are lied to to get into the military. And, you know . . . I don't know. That's basically all I can say.
Kyle Snyder is a public US war resister. He is part of a resistance movement within the military that also includes Darrell Anderson, Ehren Watada, Joshua Key, Ivan Brobeck, Ricky Clousing, Mark Wilkerson, Camilo Meija, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Jeremy Hinzman, Corey Glass, Patrick Hart, Clifford Cornell, Agustin Aguayo, Joshua Despain, Katherine Jashinski, and Kevin Benderman. Those are some of the war resisters who have gone public and over thirty US war resisters are currently in Canada attempting to be legally recognized.
When asked to speak about this movement, Kyle Snyder noted, "There's over 8,000 AWOL soldiers in the United States right now, 200 in Canada, 38 have applied for refugee status in Canada and I'm hoping, you know, that they start coming out. And I know that some of them are going to be coming out in the next few months. . . . I could use Bush's words, 'Are we going to solve this problem now or are we going to wait for the next president 5 years from now, 10 years from now when 8,000 Iraq veterans are homeless or hiding in a corner because it wasn't taken care of like it could have been?'"
[Rebecca wrote about Snyder's interview here.]
Information on this movement of war resistance within the military can be found at Center on Conscience & War, The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline, and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. Appeal for Redress is collecting signatures of active duty service members calling on Congress to bring the troops home -- the petition will be delivered to Congress next month.
Tina Kim (WorldNow) reports on Appeal for Redress and notes that Jonathan Hutto and others involved with the appeal will be holding a news conference next Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. to raise awareness on the project which is gathering signatures of active duty service members calling for the US troops to be brought home. The appeal will be presented to Congress in January. Jonathan Hutto was a guest last week on WBAI's Law and Disorder. [Mike noted it here.]
Today begins the National Days of Action to Support GI Resistance, called for by Courage to Resist, which run through Sunday the 10th. Indybay IMC notes: "Other Bay Area Events: On Friday, December 8th, 7:30pm at the College of Marin in Kentfield, segments of the film 'Ground Truth' will be shown, and Iraq combat veteran-turned-war-resister Darrell Anderson will speak. Also that evening, at 7:30pm at the Buena Vista United Methodist Church in Alameda, the film 'The Ground Truth' will be shown, and there will be a panel with Rev. Michael Yoshii, and Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi. That night in San Jose, there will be a reception and fundraiser for Kyle Snyder at 6pm at the San Jose Friends Meeting House. On Saturday December 9th, there will be a peace vigil in support of Lt. Ehren Watada, in front of the MLK, Jr. Library in San Jose from 12-4pm. Read more about these events."
Sunday, the 10th, is also Impeachment Day and click here for David Swanson's overview of the goals and list of events. Action is needed to end the illegal war. And each day it drags on, more and more are wounded, more and more die.
They Kill Civilians, Don't They?
CBS and AP report that, on Friday, "20 insurgents, including two women," were killed in a US airstrike (in the Salahaddin Province). The US military has a breathless press release on it that's all blah, blah, blah until this line: "Coalition Forces also found that two of the terrorists killed were women. Al-Qaida in Iraq has both men and women supporting and facilitating their operations unfortunately." And children too, right?
CBS and AP note that the area's mayor, Amir Fayadh, says that "seven women and eight children" were killed. AFP reporters "found and photographed relatives weeping over several mangled bodies, including those of at least two children, near the ruined homes." AFP also notes that the US military's flack Christopher Garver denies children were killed, even when presented with photographic evidence by AFP. Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) reports that the "charred and bloody blodies laid out" were covered with blankets and "An AP photo showed an Iraqi man who had pulled back one of the blankets and uncovered the face of one of the dead, who appeared to be a boy about 10 years old". Ibon Villelabeitia (Reuters) reports that "grieving relatives showed the bodies of five children wrapped in blankets to journalists."
Bombings?
CNN reports a bombing in Tal Afar that left three dead and a mortar attack in Baghdad that claimed four lives and left eight more wounded. Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) reports: "On the outskirts of Baghdad, three mortar rounds hit a Shiite residential area, killing 25 men, women and children, and wounding 22" according to police.
Shootings?
Reuters reports that Human Nuri ("head of customs in the city of Najaf) and his brother were shot dead in Baghdad while in another Baghdad incident an unidentified person was shot dead and three more wounded.
Corpses?
Reuters reports 18 corpses discovered in Baghdad.
Today, the US military announced: "An improvised explosive device detonated near a Multi-National Division -- Baghdad patrol, killing two Soldiers south of the Iraqi capital Dec. 7. The Soldiers were conducting a dismounted patrol responding to a possible IED, south of the city, when a roadside bomb detonated, killing two Soldiers and wounding two others." And earlier today, the US military announced: "An improvised explosive device detonated near a Multi-National Division - Baghdad patrol, killing one Soldier in the Iraqi capital Thursday. The combat patrol was conducting joint operations with the Iraqi Army to prevent sectarian violence in a western neighborhood of the city when the bomb exploded near one of their vehicles."
And the US military boasted of entering Falluja General, a civilian hospital, on a whim. Blood donors were needed . .. maybe 'insurgents' were present! Screw the rules guiding civilian institutions in warfare, lock and load, baby, lock and load. And it's those incidents and many others that explain why the war is lost.
In legal news, Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin, Patti Ackerman and Missy Comley Beattie are on trial for excercising their right to free speech. To summarize the case so far, a dramatic recreation based upon the reporting of Samuel Maull (AP).
FADE IN:
INT. COURT ROOOM - DAY
Typical municipal courtroom. Well, maybe not 'typical,' it is Manhattan.
We see the DEFENSE TABLE where FOUR WOMEN listen: PATTI ACKERMAN, MISSY COMLEY BEATTIE, MEDEA BENJAMIN and CINDY SHEEHAN -- attracitve women all. They stare ahead intently
FOUR WOMEN'S P.O.V. -- a gnome-like woman, in a faded, tattered Kerry-Edwards: 2004 t-shirt, BITTER PEGGY KERRY, sputters on the witness stand in front of D.A. HAN who smiles and nods in sympathy.
BITTER PEGGY
I was on my way to meet the group, to take their
petition -- then I saw --
Bitter Peggy begins sobbing. hands her a tissue. Bitter Peggy looks over at the defense table and glares.
BITTER PEGGY
Then I saw -- Peace Mom!
Bitter Peggy points a menacing finger. Cindy waves and grins sheepishly.
CUE THEME SONG AND MONTAGE:
Free speech, peace doves, compassion
Peace Mom
Passion, peace sign, bravery
Is Peace Mom
She's tinsel on a tree . . .
She's everything an American should be!
If you find one to emulate
Only one to emulate
Let it be Peace Mom . . .
Peace Mom!*
Han smirks to the defense table as DEFENCE attorney rises and walks to the witness stand.
DEFENSE
Bitter Peggy Kerry, you agree that you were
notified that a petition would be dropped off?
BITTER PEGGY
Yeah, so?
DEFENSE
And you agreed to accept the petition?
BITTER PEGGY
What of it?
DEFENSE
You were on your way to accept the petition and
then something stopped you.
BITTER PEGGY
(shuddering)
Peace Mom.
DEFENSE
Just the sight of Cindy Sheehan was enough to
make you break your agreement?
BITTER PEGGY
Damn right. "Peace"? Please. I'm bitter
and angry and mad at the world. Keep Peace Mom
away from me. Every where she travels, there's always
a chance that, at any minute, peace could break
out! I hate her. I hate her! I hate her!
Bitter Peggy goes into spastic convulsions while Defense looks on. Alarmed, D.A. Han leaps to her feet.
D.A. HAN
Your honor, a recess?
BITTER PEGGY
I'll get that Peace Mom. I'll get her. I hate
her. I hate her like I hate kittens and puppies.
And Christmas! And peace! I hate peace!
War! I must have war! I do want war, I do!
Screw Peace Mom, find me Kill Mom! I want
Kill Mom. Kill mommy! Kill mommy!
FADE OUT
So ends the docu-drama recreation. [*Earle Hagen and Sam Denoff wrote the theme to the TV program That Girl starring Marlo Thomas -- who also was the executive producer of the show.]
In other news of courage, Steve Rubenstein (San Francisco Chronicle) reports on the 200 plus people march yesterday from Grace Cathedral to the federal building downtown which was led by Bishop Marc Handley Andrus to protest the Iraq war. The Bishop was among those arrested and he stated, "God is with all who have suffered in Iraq. This war needs to be opposed. Even though there is widespread sentiment against the war, we need to continue to push for peace. There is good reason to believe this is an unjust war." Zach notes that Wendell Harper reported, from the protest, on yesterday's The KPFA Evening News.
And finally, he's been the White Queen, the Scold, the Nag and, on his way out the door, the soon to be former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld decided he wanted to try on one more persona: Axel Rose. Kristin Roberts (Reuters) reports that the Rumsfled thinks what the world . . . needs . . . now . . . is just a little patience. Just a little patience.
The tragically unhinged Rumsfled declared that Iraq was still 'winnable' "if we have the patience and only if we have the staying power." Rumsfled's "staying power" -- obviously in question now -- can surely take credit for the 655,000 estimated Iraqis killed during the illegal war. To the would-be-Axel-Rose, the world responds, "There's no room for you here, go away, girl, there's no room for you here" (White Stripes).
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Friday, December 01, 2006
Decking the Friedman
I'd been mulling over Elaine's suggestion of hypnosis all week. I did want to know what was lurking in the back of my head but I was also wondering if there was a reason I'd covered it up in the first place?
I mean, I can remember days when I used to wonder why Thomas Friedman wouldn't go around shirtless? Even when we were having sex. Then when he did take his shirt off and I saw, in direct sunlight, enough hair on his lower back to make a throw rug, I wished I'd never known the answer.
Fortunately, I was saved from considering it further when some kids on campus were talking about a hilarious new stand up act.
It was "the new Boart," they swore.
Some comic was dressing up as Diana Ross and blending comedy and music.
Well I love Diana so when they invited me to tag along, they only had to ask once.
There we were at someplace called Chunky's Rainbow Lounge and, judging by the man in Diana drag approaching the stage, "Chunky" was for the performer.
The wig was circa 1984. The song playing was from the seventies, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and the dress was enormous. Well, "chunky" might have been a nicer way to say "obese."
Over the speakers, I could hear Diana's vocals. The guy wasn't trying to lip synch, he wasn't even facing the audience. He sort of swayed back and forth or maybe the high heels just weren't made to support all that weight?
Every now and then he'd twirl some strands on the wig.
It was time for the first spoken part and here's where the guy turned to the audience and I spat out my drink.
The guy's face was Blacker than Diana Ross. That might not be a problem if he'd been black. But it was a White Man, one who looked as though he'd applied shoe polish to his face.
I'm not into minsteral shows, I think they're racist, but that's not why I spat out my drink.
"Diana" was babbling and I missed part of it:
It's off Broadway to Broadway.
For instance,
Airplane hijacking was perfected in the Israeli-Palestinian context,
As a weapon of terrorism,
Thank you, thank you, very much.
And then was globalized.
I love you.
I love you.
"Diana" was babbling on, making some sort of argument that hijacking was tested in the occupied territories and then exported. To "Diana," that meant it was "Off Broadway" and then went to "Broadway."
Now anyone with half a brain can tell you that the facts were wrong and the analogy was false. Dealing with the latter, it wasn't Off Broadway to Broadway that was being described, it was a Broadway show becoming a road show.
And this was immediately siezed upon at my table but I was too busy staring in horror at "Diana."
My husband Thomas Friedman had taken many things from me, robbed me of joy and laughter most days. But for him to dress up like one of my personal heroes was just too much.
He was babbling on about "my girls" and Flo and Mary weren't on the stage so who knows what he was talking about?
But I knew it had to end and had to end right away.
Which was how I found myself walking on stage, ripping the wig off his head as he gasped and punching him in the face.
That actually got a standing ovation.
After he was done screaming, we were backstage, he had an ice pack over one eye and was pacing back and forth, puffing on a tampon he pretended was a cigarette.
"I have a stalker! A stalker!" he said pointing at me.
"No, you have a mortal enemy right now," I replied. "Diana Ross? Off limits. Your black-face performance? Disgusting."
"I can't hear you," Thomas Friedman said moving his hands around. "I'm building a virtual wall to shut you out."
"Let me speak real slowly," I told him, "so that you can understand. You're not known for your racial sensitivities but unless you want to be the next Michael Richards, you stay out of the black-face, you understand me? Two people at my table have cell phones. I doubt 'The New York Times' will want photos of their 'star' columnist on the front of 'The New York Post' in black-face."
Thomas Friedman chewed on his bottom lip a moment before speaking.
"You just can't handle the fact that I make a delightful woman."
"Oh, no, oh no, you don't. You've already given columnist a bad name. You've given 'liberal' a bad name. You've given your paper a worse name. Don't drag womenhood into the mud after you."
"Oh, clever, Betinna. Clever. That's so funny it's . . . it's so funny. Who do you think you are anyway? Chris Floyd?"
"No, I'm the one in this relationship who doesn't try to be somebody else. I'm the one in this relationship who is happy with themselves and with their gender."
"Chris Floyd-er! I invented the Pottery Barn analogy!"
"Oh, well brag a little louder. Just like the Off Broadway & Broadway analogy, it's false. Pottery Barn doesn't have a 'you break it, you buy it' policy."
Thomas Friedman sulked a moment then pointed to my left hand.
"Can I have my wig back now?"
"No. Your Diana days are over."
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills)
December 1, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq, early numbers for November indicate a dramatic rise (another dramatic rise) in the number of civilian deaths, does the puppet of the occupation feel the EARTH . . . MOVE . .. under his feet (nod to Carole King "I Feel The Earth Move"), and the James Baker Circle Jerk continues to raise eyebrows.
Alastair Macdonald (Reuters) reports that the Iraq Interior Ministry has released their statistics for November's death toll in Iraq, 1,850 -- and increase of 44% from their count of 1,289 for October. Macdonald reminds, "Although it does not appear to encompass all violent deaths in Iraq, the Interior Ministry's statistical series has reflected trends".
And for the living? Not much better as Dahr Jamail discussed with Nora Barrows-Friedman on KPFA's Flashpoints yesterday. Dahr explained how the violence was so common, the attacks so rampant, that for fear of their safety, many Iraqis no longer sent their children off to school (approximately 30% was the number given). On the topic of the daily violence and the people effected, Isam Rasheed (Alive in Baghdad) provides a video report from a clinic in Adhamiya where Ahmed Hameed (cigarette vendor) explains how a car bombing resulted in his hand and leg being lost, "I was working and someone left a car bomb. It blew up shortly after they had left. I woke up and found myself thrown against a wall beside my friend Shukri."; Shukri Abdul (owner of the Al-Areesh restaurant) then explains being outside his restaurant speking with an ice vendor when the car bomb went off "And I can remember landing on the ground. I was blown into the air, and when I landed, everything piled on top of me, the pots & corrugated metals." Shurki Abdul also lost his arm and foot and experienced severe damage to his back. This is the daily reality and, as Dahr pointed out, the only area under US control was the Green Zone section of Baghdad but now even the Bremer walls that wall off the section do not translate as 'safe.' Dahr spoke of speaking with a US marine stationed in Ramadi where he was part of 200 US forces expected to provide order to a city of 400,000.
Dahr noted that move to pull forces out of Ramadi and the rest of the Al-Anbar Province in order to send them to Baghdad to secure the capital. Earlier this week, Dafna Linzer and Thomas E. Ricks (Washington Post) reported on a Marine Corps intelligence report entitled "State of Insurgency in Al-Anbar" which tagged the area "a failed province," one that was beyond US control. Also earlier this week, Jonathan Karl (ABC News) reported that, in an effort to 'secure' the capital -- 'crackdown' in any version didn't, the Pentagon is weighing pulling the 30,000 US troops out of the province and redeploying them to Baghdad.
Also addressed by Dahr was the issue of the realignmment on the ground in Iraq's parliament where new alliances are being formed with Muqtada al-Sadr's group and Dahr wondered exactly how much longer the puppet, Nouri al-Maliki, would be in place? CBS and AP report that Tariq al-Hashemi, one of Iraq's two vice-presidents, has stated "he wanted to see al-Maliki's government gone and another 'understanding' for a new coalition put in place with guarantees that ensure collective decision making" while Salam Zikam Ali al-Zubaie (handmaiden to the puppet) has said the fault lies with the presidency (a ceremonial position) and not with the prime minister he (al-Zuabaie) serves under. If the memo Stephen Hadley penned November 8th is taken at all seriously don't be surprised to discover US monies are being tossed around right now in an attempt to ensure that new coalitions will be to the US administration's liking. Tom Hayden (Huffington Post) examines the events and notes "the sudden move by al-Sadr's Shiite bloc, which pulled out of the Baghdad government over al-Maliki's meeting with Bush, provides the anti-occupation coalition with significant, perhaps decisive, power, if they choose to bring down al-Maliki's shaky coalition." [Hayden's earlier reports on the al-Maliki upset are: "U.S. Retreat from Iraq? The Secret Story" and followed that with "Documents Reveal Secret Talks Between U.S. and Iraqi Armed Resistance."]
Did someone say shaky?
Bombings?
Thomas Wagner and Sinan Salaheddin (AP) report a double car bombing claimed one life and left six family members wounded in the Sadiyah section of Baghdad; while mortar rounds "near Muqdadiya" killed three and left 14 wounded; and, in Kirkuk, a car bomb took two lives and left three wounded. CBS and AP note a car bomb in Baghdad ("near a fruit and vegetable market") that killed two and left 16 more wounded. AFP notes, "A bomb exploded in the centre of Baghdad on the east side of the Tigris river, killing three people and wouding 16, while another car bomb killed three people on the outskirts of the capital."
Shootings?
Alastair Macdonald and Ahmed Rasheed (Reuters) report: "Machinegun fire rained from U.S. helicopters in central Baghdad . . . the Interior Ministry said one soldier had been killed and nine people wounded, including five soldiers." Reuters reports three people were killed by gunfire (two police officers, one civilian) in Samawa.
Corpses?
Reuters reports that 20 corpses were discovered in Baghdad and fourteen in Mosul while noting the fourteen had been kidnapped on Thursday.
Kidnappings?
Thomas Wagner and Sinan Salaheddin (AP) report that, Thursday, "Hadib Majhoul, chairman of the popular Talaba soccer club" was kidnapped.
In addition, the US military announced: "A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed during combatoperations here Nov. 30." The death brings to 2,888 the total number of US troops killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war according to ICCC's count and CNN's as well. Twelve away from the 2900 mark.
This as Antonella Cinelli (Reuters) reports that "Italy pulled its last remaining troops out of Iraq on Friday, lowering the tricolour flag at its base in the south of a country where 32 of its soldiers have died since the contingent arrived in June 2003."
Meanwhile, although the Iraq Study Group has released its findings, people continue to ponder the James Baker Circle Jerk. As noted by Amy Goodman (Democracy Now!) today, the James Baker Circle Jerk is rumored to call for a 2008 'withdrawal' that is not, in fact, a withdrawal. It's a continuation of the air war that Norman Solomon has been describing for months now. It's also the James Baker Circle Jerk stroking themselves on the public dollar. The onanistic nonsense not only revolves around the air war, it also pushes embedding US forces with Iraqi police squads and forces.
For those who've forgotten how Patrick McCaffrey died and the battle his mother Nadia McCaffrey has had to fight to force the US government to get honest could see the 'suggestion' as worthy of suggesting. (Patrick McCaffrey and Andre Tyson, with the US National Guard, were killed in Iraq. The US government told the families that the two men were killed by 'insurgents.' In reality, they were killed, June 22, 2004, by Iraqi security forces they were training.)
Addressing the James Baker Circle Jerk on this week's CounterSpin, Gary Younge (Guardian of London; The Nation) observed to Steve Rendall,, "The fact that this study group was necessary itself highlights a flaw in American politics. Democracy should have been able to deal with this, not an appointed study group." As Younge explained the responsibility the group was tasked with was Congress' own responsibility . . . until they outsourced it.
In peace news, Aaron Glantz (IPS) reports that the revelations of the US government spying on peace activists is not slowly plans for the march in Washington, DC January 27th. Among the groups spied on were CODEPINK, United For Peace and Justice, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, the War Resisters League and the American Friends Service Committee.
The War Resisters League will be presenting Sir! No Sir! tomorrow (Saturday, December 2nd) at both seven pm and nine-thirty pm. This kicks off the War Resisters League and the Brecht Forum's Screenpeace: An Antiwar Film Festival that will hold screenings of other films on Fridays during January.
In other activism news, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are asking for a National "Mandate for Peace" Call-in Day, Monday, December 4th. To sign the petition click here. To phone your rep and senators, you can dial 202-224-3121. PDA notes: "On Election Day, voters said enough is enough -- we want a new direction. Let's make sure Congress hears it again by jamming the switchboards on Dec. 4 with our pleas to bring our troops home immediately."
iraqflashpointsnora barrows friedman
dahr jamail
the washington postdafna linzerthomas e. ricks
alive in baghdadaaron glantz
tom hayden
amy goodmandemocracy now
I mean, I can remember days when I used to wonder why Thomas Friedman wouldn't go around shirtless? Even when we were having sex. Then when he did take his shirt off and I saw, in direct sunlight, enough hair on his lower back to make a throw rug, I wished I'd never known the answer.
Fortunately, I was saved from considering it further when some kids on campus were talking about a hilarious new stand up act.
It was "the new Boart," they swore.
Some comic was dressing up as Diana Ross and blending comedy and music.
Well I love Diana so when they invited me to tag along, they only had to ask once.
There we were at someplace called Chunky's Rainbow Lounge and, judging by the man in Diana drag approaching the stage, "Chunky" was for the performer.
The wig was circa 1984. The song playing was from the seventies, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and the dress was enormous. Well, "chunky" might have been a nicer way to say "obese."
Over the speakers, I could hear Diana's vocals. The guy wasn't trying to lip synch, he wasn't even facing the audience. He sort of swayed back and forth or maybe the high heels just weren't made to support all that weight?
Every now and then he'd twirl some strands on the wig.
It was time for the first spoken part and here's where the guy turned to the audience and I spat out my drink.
The guy's face was Blacker than Diana Ross. That might not be a problem if he'd been black. But it was a White Man, one who looked as though he'd applied shoe polish to his face.
I'm not into minsteral shows, I think they're racist, but that's not why I spat out my drink.
"Diana" was babbling and I missed part of it:
It's off Broadway to Broadway.
For instance,
Airplane hijacking was perfected in the Israeli-Palestinian context,
As a weapon of terrorism,
Thank you, thank you, very much.
And then was globalized.
I love you.
I love you.
"Diana" was babbling on, making some sort of argument that hijacking was tested in the occupied territories and then exported. To "Diana," that meant it was "Off Broadway" and then went to "Broadway."
Now anyone with half a brain can tell you that the facts were wrong and the analogy was false. Dealing with the latter, it wasn't Off Broadway to Broadway that was being described, it was a Broadway show becoming a road show.
And this was immediately siezed upon at my table but I was too busy staring in horror at "Diana."
My husband Thomas Friedman had taken many things from me, robbed me of joy and laughter most days. But for him to dress up like one of my personal heroes was just too much.
He was babbling on about "my girls" and Flo and Mary weren't on the stage so who knows what he was talking about?
But I knew it had to end and had to end right away.
Which was how I found myself walking on stage, ripping the wig off his head as he gasped and punching him in the face.
That actually got a standing ovation.
After he was done screaming, we were backstage, he had an ice pack over one eye and was pacing back and forth, puffing on a tampon he pretended was a cigarette.
"I have a stalker! A stalker!" he said pointing at me.
"No, you have a mortal enemy right now," I replied. "Diana Ross? Off limits. Your black-face performance? Disgusting."
"I can't hear you," Thomas Friedman said moving his hands around. "I'm building a virtual wall to shut you out."
"Let me speak real slowly," I told him, "so that you can understand. You're not known for your racial sensitivities but unless you want to be the next Michael Richards, you stay out of the black-face, you understand me? Two people at my table have cell phones. I doubt 'The New York Times' will want photos of their 'star' columnist on the front of 'The New York Post' in black-face."
Thomas Friedman chewed on his bottom lip a moment before speaking.
"You just can't handle the fact that I make a delightful woman."
"Oh, no, oh no, you don't. You've already given columnist a bad name. You've given 'liberal' a bad name. You've given your paper a worse name. Don't drag womenhood into the mud after you."
"Oh, clever, Betinna. Clever. That's so funny it's . . . it's so funny. Who do you think you are anyway? Chris Floyd?"
"No, I'm the one in this relationship who doesn't try to be somebody else. I'm the one in this relationship who is happy with themselves and with their gender."
"Chris Floyd-er! I invented the Pottery Barn analogy!"
"Oh, well brag a little louder. Just like the Off Broadway & Broadway analogy, it's false. Pottery Barn doesn't have a 'you break it, you buy it' policy."
Thomas Friedman sulked a moment then pointed to my left hand.
"Can I have my wig back now?"
"No. Your Diana days are over."
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills)
December 1, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq, early numbers for November indicate a dramatic rise (another dramatic rise) in the number of civilian deaths, does the puppet of the occupation feel the EARTH . . . MOVE . .. under his feet (nod to Carole King "I Feel The Earth Move"), and the James Baker Circle Jerk continues to raise eyebrows.
Alastair Macdonald (Reuters) reports that the Iraq Interior Ministry has released their statistics for November's death toll in Iraq, 1,850 -- and increase of 44% from their count of 1,289 for October. Macdonald reminds, "Although it does not appear to encompass all violent deaths in Iraq, the Interior Ministry's statistical series has reflected trends".
And for the living? Not much better as Dahr Jamail discussed with Nora Barrows-Friedman on KPFA's Flashpoints yesterday. Dahr explained how the violence was so common, the attacks so rampant, that for fear of their safety, many Iraqis no longer sent their children off to school (approximately 30% was the number given). On the topic of the daily violence and the people effected, Isam Rasheed (Alive in Baghdad) provides a video report from a clinic in Adhamiya where Ahmed Hameed (cigarette vendor) explains how a car bombing resulted in his hand and leg being lost, "I was working and someone left a car bomb. It blew up shortly after they had left. I woke up and found myself thrown against a wall beside my friend Shukri."; Shukri Abdul (owner of the Al-Areesh restaurant) then explains being outside his restaurant speking with an ice vendor when the car bomb went off "And I can remember landing on the ground. I was blown into the air, and when I landed, everything piled on top of me, the pots & corrugated metals." Shurki Abdul also lost his arm and foot and experienced severe damage to his back. This is the daily reality and, as Dahr pointed out, the only area under US control was the Green Zone section of Baghdad but now even the Bremer walls that wall off the section do not translate as 'safe.' Dahr spoke of speaking with a US marine stationed in Ramadi where he was part of 200 US forces expected to provide order to a city of 400,000.
Dahr noted that move to pull forces out of Ramadi and the rest of the Al-Anbar Province in order to send them to Baghdad to secure the capital. Earlier this week, Dafna Linzer and Thomas E. Ricks (Washington Post) reported on a Marine Corps intelligence report entitled "State of Insurgency in Al-Anbar" which tagged the area "a failed province," one that was beyond US control. Also earlier this week, Jonathan Karl (ABC News) reported that, in an effort to 'secure' the capital -- 'crackdown' in any version didn't, the Pentagon is weighing pulling the 30,000 US troops out of the province and redeploying them to Baghdad.
Also addressed by Dahr was the issue of the realignmment on the ground in Iraq's parliament where new alliances are being formed with Muqtada al-Sadr's group and Dahr wondered exactly how much longer the puppet, Nouri al-Maliki, would be in place? CBS and AP report that Tariq al-Hashemi, one of Iraq's two vice-presidents, has stated "he wanted to see al-Maliki's government gone and another 'understanding' for a new coalition put in place with guarantees that ensure collective decision making" while Salam Zikam Ali al-Zubaie (handmaiden to the puppet) has said the fault lies with the presidency (a ceremonial position) and not with the prime minister he (al-Zuabaie) serves under. If the memo Stephen Hadley penned November 8th is taken at all seriously don't be surprised to discover US monies are being tossed around right now in an attempt to ensure that new coalitions will be to the US administration's liking. Tom Hayden (Huffington Post) examines the events and notes "the sudden move by al-Sadr's Shiite bloc, which pulled out of the Baghdad government over al-Maliki's meeting with Bush, provides the anti-occupation coalition with significant, perhaps decisive, power, if they choose to bring down al-Maliki's shaky coalition." [Hayden's earlier reports on the al-Maliki upset are: "U.S. Retreat from Iraq? The Secret Story" and followed that with "Documents Reveal Secret Talks Between U.S. and Iraqi Armed Resistance."]
Did someone say shaky?
Bombings?
Thomas Wagner and Sinan Salaheddin (AP) report a double car bombing claimed one life and left six family members wounded in the Sadiyah section of Baghdad; while mortar rounds "near Muqdadiya" killed three and left 14 wounded; and, in Kirkuk, a car bomb took two lives and left three wounded. CBS and AP note a car bomb in Baghdad ("near a fruit and vegetable market") that killed two and left 16 more wounded. AFP notes, "A bomb exploded in the centre of Baghdad on the east side of the Tigris river, killing three people and wouding 16, while another car bomb killed three people on the outskirts of the capital."
Shootings?
Alastair Macdonald and Ahmed Rasheed (Reuters) report: "Machinegun fire rained from U.S. helicopters in central Baghdad . . . the Interior Ministry said one soldier had been killed and nine people wounded, including five soldiers." Reuters reports three people were killed by gunfire (two police officers, one civilian) in Samawa.
Corpses?
Reuters reports that 20 corpses were discovered in Baghdad and fourteen in Mosul while noting the fourteen had been kidnapped on Thursday.
Kidnappings?
Thomas Wagner and Sinan Salaheddin (AP) report that, Thursday, "Hadib Majhoul, chairman of the popular Talaba soccer club" was kidnapped.
In addition, the US military announced: "A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed during combatoperations here Nov. 30." The death brings to 2,888 the total number of US troops killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war according to ICCC's count and CNN's as well. Twelve away from the 2900 mark.
This as Antonella Cinelli (Reuters) reports that "Italy pulled its last remaining troops out of Iraq on Friday, lowering the tricolour flag at its base in the south of a country where 32 of its soldiers have died since the contingent arrived in June 2003."
Meanwhile, although the Iraq Study Group has released its findings, people continue to ponder the James Baker Circle Jerk. As noted by Amy Goodman (Democracy Now!) today, the James Baker Circle Jerk is rumored to call for a 2008 'withdrawal' that is not, in fact, a withdrawal. It's a continuation of the air war that Norman Solomon has been describing for months now. It's also the James Baker Circle Jerk stroking themselves on the public dollar. The onanistic nonsense not only revolves around the air war, it also pushes embedding US forces with Iraqi police squads and forces.
For those who've forgotten how Patrick McCaffrey died and the battle his mother Nadia McCaffrey has had to fight to force the US government to get honest could see the 'suggestion' as worthy of suggesting. (Patrick McCaffrey and Andre Tyson, with the US National Guard, were killed in Iraq. The US government told the families that the two men were killed by 'insurgents.' In reality, they were killed, June 22, 2004, by Iraqi security forces they were training.)
Addressing the James Baker Circle Jerk on this week's CounterSpin, Gary Younge (Guardian of London; The Nation) observed to Steve Rendall,, "The fact that this study group was necessary itself highlights a flaw in American politics. Democracy should have been able to deal with this, not an appointed study group." As Younge explained the responsibility the group was tasked with was Congress' own responsibility . . . until they outsourced it.
In peace news, Aaron Glantz (IPS) reports that the revelations of the US government spying on peace activists is not slowly plans for the march in Washington, DC January 27th. Among the groups spied on were CODEPINK, United For Peace and Justice, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, the War Resisters League and the American Friends Service Committee.
The War Resisters League will be presenting Sir! No Sir! tomorrow (Saturday, December 2nd) at both seven pm and nine-thirty pm. This kicks off the War Resisters League and the Brecht Forum's Screenpeace: An Antiwar Film Festival that will hold screenings of other films on Fridays during January.
In other activism news, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are asking for a National "Mandate for Peace" Call-in Day, Monday, December 4th. To sign the petition click here. To phone your rep and senators, you can dial 202-224-3121. PDA notes: "On Election Day, voters said enough is enough -- we want a new direction. Let's make sure Congress hears it again by jamming the switchboards on Dec. 4 with our pleas to bring our troops home immediately."
iraqflashpointsnora barrows friedman
dahr jamail
the washington postdafna linzerthomas e. ricks
alive in baghdadaaron glantz
tom hayden
amy goodmandemocracy now
Friday, November 24, 2006
A Crossdresser or Two
When my husband Thomas Friedman stormed out last week, I did wonder briefly if he'd show up Thursday when we had a number of guests due for dinner.
"Dinner."
The minute that word crossed my mind, I knew my husband Fat Ass, would show. As his ass and waistline demonstrate, he's never one to skip a meal.
Sure enough, there he was.
We'd sat down, the Nicky Ks, my friend Elaine, my neighbors Rebecca, Jess and Ty. I had just suggested to Ty that he carve the turkey when we all heard the front door open and the clickety-clop of high heels across the hard wood floors.
It was approaching.
And it was obvious in drag.
The only surprise was it was not alone.
It was accompanied by Gail Collins.
Failure and loneliness apparently make for strange bedfellows.
Collins made for a strange drag king. She had a flag on her lapel, a really ugly red tie that had obviously come from Sears, and a dark suit that wasn't black but was striped. For about ten seconds I stared attempting to figure out who the reject from The Big and Brainless Store was supposed to be. Then it hit me, Steny Hoyer. I think it was the snarky smile plastered on her face that gave it away.
Folling Gail Collins was Thomas Friedman.
With new highlights, high heels and a red jacket. That pretty much was it because he was wearing black tights. For a moment, I thought he was supposed to be Judy Garland but had forgotten the fedora.
I was dreading the performance of "Get Happy" and hoping it would come after we'd had time to digest our food.
Sipping her wine, Rebecca remarked, "I didn't know this was a costume party."
Thomas Friedman scowled as Gail Collins/Steny Hoyer pulled out a chair for him/her to sit his/her Fat Ass on. Attempting to ease the tension, Mrs. K observed that she had always enjoyed Nancy Reagan red.
Thomas Friedman was livid.
"Wrong Nancy, you simp!" Thomas Friedman sputtered. "It's Nancy Pelosi red, for your information, thank you very much."
He did this double snap as he said "for your information, thank you very much." I don't believe I've ever seen Nancy Pelosi do that but I've also never seen her on TV looking like a clown yet Thomas Friedman appeared to have applied his rouge with a spatula.
But Thomas Friedman's make up was not why we were all here. We also hadn't all gathered to laugh at his fat ass although that was a bit difficult not to do as the chair groaned and shook each time Thomas Friedman shifted even slightly.
We weren't there for Thanksgiving, really, believe it or not.
I'd invited my friends and the Nicky Ks.
My friends were there to get me through the dinner. Elaine also had an additional reason for being present. I wanted her keen observation and analytical skills at the table to make sure that someone was catching the nervous looks between Thomas Friedman and Nicky K.
The first one came when I stated, "You know I was thinking about Nicky K's Ford Pinto the other day."
Thomas Friedman's eyes bulged while Nicky K busied himself swirling his mashed potatoes nervously with his fork.
"His Ford Pinto?" Mrs. K asked. "I don't believe Nicky's had that car in years."
"I really don't remember it," Nicky K said staring more intently at his potatoes.
"Of course you do!" Mrs. K exclaimed. "He had that thing forever. It was the ugliest thing in the world and always breaking down. But his high school girlfriend told him he'd never amount to anything --"
This prompted a squeal of glee from Thomas Friedman.
"and broke up with him in that car so Nicky would always say that one day he was going to bump into her again and he wanted that car there."
"I really don't remember," Nicky K said, not looking up.
"Oh sure you do, Nicky. Remember the lining hung down over the driver's seat? It was always overheating so you kept a milk jug of water in the back seat. Every other time you'd start it would backfire so loudly people would hit the ground thinking it was a drive-by. Remember?"
Nicky K said nothing.
"I can't believe he's forgotten it," Mrs K said. "He had it forever. Said he was keeping it forever. Then one day, back in February of 2005, he just got rid of the car. I came home and he had a Lexus in the drive way. Don't get me wrong, I was happy to see it go, but it did surprise me. Why did you get rid of the Pinto, honey?"
"I don't think I ever owned a car like that," Nicky K mumbled.
"I believe your wife is confused," Thomas Friedman said in that pompous voice. "You had a Gremlin."
"That's right! I had a Gremlin!"
"No, honey," Mrs K corrected. "It was a Pinto. Remember, you called it your 'Pinto Bean'?"
"Betinna, where are the pies?" Thomas Friedman asked nervously.
"In the kitchen cooling. Eat your dinner. Have some greens. You know how stopped up your colon gets."
Thomas Friedman shot me a dirty look.
The conversation changed and Elaine and I exchanged a look.
I thought about how nervous talk of the Pinto made Nicky K. How insistent Thomas Friedman was that Nicky K never had a Pinto. How neither wanted to talk about.
"I think I remember a trip in the Pinto once," I said cutting off Thomas Friedman's lecture about what he, as Nancy Pelosi, would say to Hu Jintao, the president of China.
"Betinna," he hissed, "I'm talking about my idea for a Green Corps!"
"Your lipstick is smudged," I replied.
Alarmed, Thomas Friedman pulled out his compact while I steered the conversation back to the Pinto.
"Nicky K, did you ever give me a ride in the Pinto?"
"No!" Nicky K exclaimed nervously. "I got rid of it before you and Thomas Friedman were, uh, married."
"So you do remember it!" said Mrs. K nodding.
"Uh-yeah," Nicky said before looking over at a growling Thomas Friedman. "I mean, no. No, I don't. I just, uh, know I never gave Betinna a ride anywhere."
"Well that's nothing to brag about," Mrs. K declared shaking her head.
"No, you gave me a ride once," I said slowly.
"Betinna, for God's sake, stop badgering him!" Thomas Friedman huffed.
"Check your eye make up, one side looks off," I advised causing Thomas Friedman to open his compact again.
"But it wasn't just us," I explained to Nicky K. "I believe Thomas Friedman was there as well. I was riding in the back. Do you remember that?"
"No, no, I really don't," Nicky K said shoving a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
"You really don't?"
Instead of responding Nicky K pointed to his full mouth to beg off responding.
"Oh, Betinna, I am sorry," Mrs. K said in a consoling voice. "The seats in the front were uncomfortable enough, I can't imagine how awful it would be in the back seat."
"Actually, it was rather spacious, as though I was laying down instead of sitting."
"For God's sake, Betinna! No one's even commented on Gail Collins' suit! Does anyone even know she's here?"
Gail was about to pipe up but Rebecca cut her off.
"No, it's sort of like her work at the paper."
Gail Collins pursed her lips and then scowled.
"There is no reason to be so rude to such an attractive, mannish woman," Thomas Friedman snarled.
"When it comes to unibrows, she's up there with Dweezil Zappa. But in terms of Gail's contributions, we all know they were, unlike her eyebrows, miniscule. But, back to the Pinto, though I had plenty of leg room, I do remember feeling it was binding. Do you remember the ride now, Nicky K?"
"Good Lord, Betinna, stop badgering our guests. You're supposed to be the hostess," Thomas Friedman snapped.
"Oh, I am? Your outfit left me a little confused," I replied as Thomas Friedman and I shot dagger eyes at one another.
He blinked first which gave me the opportunity to offer, "I believe, Thomas Friedman, that you were in the car as well. For some reason, I'm thinking it was a trip out of state."
The blood appeared to drain out of Nicky's K's face as he stared first at me and then at Thomas Friedman.
Siezing control of the situation, Thomas Friedman used his hairy, chunky arm to sweep everything off the table.
As all the food, platters, plates, bowls, glasses and flatware crashed to the floor, Thomas Friedman howled, "This is the worst Thanksgiving ever!"
Rising quickly, Thomas Friedman grabbed Gail Collins by the arm and the two of them stormed out.
"What was that about?" Mrs K wondered. "Nicky, do you know?"
"What are you accusing me of?" Nicky K asked, his voice trembling, tears falling from his eyes.
"Oh, Nicky," Mrs K exclaimed with alarm. "Betinna, I think we're going to have leave. This was the first time Nicky's seen Thomas . . . all dolled up since Thomas kidnapped him. I think he's having a post-traumatic reaction. We're going to have to leave. Honey, do your breathing excercise and just remember when Betinna and I came to rescue you."
After everyone else left, Elaine helped me pick up the mess.
"Well?" I asked.
"They're hiding something. You don't remember anything other than being bound and carried in the back of the Pinto?"
"No."
"I'm going to toss out something here, would you consider hypnosis?"
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills):
Friday, November 24, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq, over 200 die in Baghdad on Thursday, war resister John A. Rogowskyj Jr. finds that the US military feels no obligation to follow even their own written policy, Bully Boy's meet up in Jordan comes under attack, and is Nouri al-Maliki on the way out?
Starting with resistance within the US military. Conscientious objector John A. Rogowskyj Jr. was deployed to Iraq at the start of this month. The twenty-two-year-old Marine was deployed, as the Associated Press notes, after a Marine captain recommended he be discharged, after a major said he couldn't serve in compbat duty in June, because a D.V. Odell Jr. ("commander of the Fourth Marine Division") doesn't seem to grasp what a c.o. is the policy that the US military has on them. The AP notes that Odell, a major general, found Rogowskyj to be "theologically confused and [he] does not reflect any officially recognized faith group."
Take that, America's forefathers. The slow witted Odell Junior might also make some time to check out "Selective Service System: Fast Facts" which notes: "Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-interest." By the military's own guidelines, Odell Junior's statements are not only insulting but ignorant. "May be religious in nature, but don't have to be." Rogowskyj was deployed as a result of Odell Junior's failure to grasp the policies the military has set in place. There ought to be disciplinary actions for Odell (busted back down to a New Orleans post?). More likely, everyone will play stupid (well the tone is set from the Oval Office).
Edward Colimore (Philadelphia Inquirer) reports that Rogowskyj declares in the court papers: "I see now that I must separate from the military with all due haste, or suffer without the forgiveness of grace, for defying the truth that I see plainly before me, that violence as a means or end cannot be tolerated."
To repeat for the slow witted Odell Junior, who not only fails to grasp the freedom of religion clause in the Constitution but also fails to grasp official military policy, Rogowkyj need not belong to any church or faith, need not subscribe to Odell Junior's notions of 'old time religion,' in order to be granted c.o. status.
Rogowskyj signed up for the reserves in 2002 thinking he would be helping stateside during national emergencies.
In Iraq, yesterday the violence prompted ABC to break in to their daytime lineup with a breaking news announcement by Elizabeth Vargas on what is being called the most deadly attack in Iraq since the illegal war began. For which ABC got the usual number of complaints, though nothing like the concerned and outraged comments they received in 2003 when they broke in to announce that Bully Boy was carrying a fake turkey around a base in Iraq.
Kirk Semple (New York Times) reports that 144 people were killed. That number is incorrect today and was wrong yesterday as well when AFP reported that 152 were already dead. Today, All Headline News reports that the death toll is now 202, that at least 250 more are injured with doctors not expecting all to live and that "Officials said that the death toll could rise, as body parts and bodies are dispersed throughout the city and could not be counted." The BBC reports that "at least three" car bombs were used in the cooridnated attacks on Thursday followed by mortar rounds and quotes photo journalist Kareem al-Rubaie on witnessing the violence, "I saw a car from a wedding party, covered in ribbons and flowers. It was burning. There were pools of blood on the street and children dead on the ground." Reuters places the number of bombs at six. CNN reported Thursday: "Thursday's attacks, launched within the course of half an hour, were part of a spasm of violence that shook two Baghdad bastions of support for anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr -- the Sadr City slum in the Iraqi capital's northeast and the Health Ministry compound, controlled by the cleric's political movement."
The BBC reports that Baghdad is now under curfew and the Baghdad Airport has been closed. Reuters states that all vehicle traffic is banned in Baghdad for Saturday as well. AFP adds that the airport in Basra has been closed as well as well as "its southern seaports."The 202 dead and counting from Thursday's attack surpasses the previous reported most violent day in Iraq. The BBC notes September 14, 2005 as a day when there were 182 reported deaths in Baghdad.
As if the violence on Thursday wasn't bad enough, rumors floated that Dick Cheney was in Iraq on Thursday. CBS and AP report that the White House denies those rumors. Current rumor is that Cheney was supposed to be in Baghdad and the press would be alerted after landing; however, the violence on Thursday resulted in the trip being cancelled.
Press reports continue to caution that Iraq might be on the brink of civil war which leaves one wondering how they might have reported Sherman's March to the Sea?
The violence and chaos continued today.
Bombings?
CBS and AP report that a mortar attack was launched at the Association of Muslim Scholars in Baghdad leaving four guards injured. This is seen as a retaliation for Thursday's attack as are the multiple attacks, noted by Al Jazeera, in the Hurriay district of Baghdad that targeted "four Sunni Mosques with rocket-propelled grenades" and claimed the lives of at least thirty. Reuters reports one dead and two wounded from mortar attacks in Diwaniya and the bombing of "an office of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's . . . in . . . Baquba". CNN reports that a man set off a bomb "strapped to his body" and one in his car in a parking lot in Tal Afar and killed at least 22 people while wounding 30 more.
Shootings?
Reuters reports that at least two funeral goers are wounded in Baghdad after a US helicopter fired on a funeral.
Corpses?
Reuters reports that thirty corpses were discovered in Baghdad while three were discovered in Mosul. Reporting on Wednesday's UN report, Sabrina Tavernise (New York Times) noted that, in the September and October period studied by the UN, "Sixty-five percent of all deaths in Baghdad were categorized as unindentified corpses, the signature of militias, who kidnap, kill and throw away bodies at a rate that now outstrips the slaughter inflicted by suicide bombers."They do so even when the capitol is under 'curfew' (and the never ending 'crackdown').
In addition, AP reports: "Militiamen grabbed six Sunnis as they left Friday worship services, doused them with kerosene and burned them alive as Iraqi soldiers stood by, and seven Sunni mosques came under attack as Shiites took revenge for the slaughter of 215 people in the Sadr City slum."
The BBC reports the death of a British solider in Basra and notes that 126 British soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war. The British military announces: "The soldier sustained gunshot wounds during the operation and was evacuated to a nearby military hospital. Despite the best possible medical care, the soldier later died from his injuries. The soldier was a member of the Parachute Regiment, on secondment to Headquarters Multinational Division South East, Iraq."
Thursday's attacks and today's is having ripple effects in Iraq that go beyond bombs and bullets.
Tuesday, Charles Wolfson (CBS) reported on next week's planned meet up in Jordan between Bully Boy and puppet of the occupation Nouri al-Maliki. The meet up was quickly announced following the announcement of al-Maliki going to Tehran for a Saturday meeting with the presidents of Iran and Syria. The meet up with the Bully Boy is now in question.
CNN reports that, today, "Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc threatened to withdraw support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki should he meet President Bush as planned next week" and quotes spokesperson Salih al-Aleiki stating: "We announce that if the security situation and the basic services do not improve, and if the prime minister goes ahead and meets with the criminal Bush in Amman, then we will suspend our memberships with the Iraqi parliament and the government." As Robin Stringer (Bloomberg News) notes, it's not an idle threat: "The United Iraqi Alliance, a coalition of Shiite political parties, won 128 of the 275 seats in the Iraqi parliament in December's elections." Should the al-Sadr block withdraw their support, the United Iraqi Alliance would fall from a 128 member bloc to a 98 member one. That's on the condition that all 98 remain behind al-Maliki -- should he find new support his bloc could increase. The second largest bloc, with 53 members, is the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan which successfully backed (with US support) Jalal Talabani for president of Iraq.
The above follows on the heels of Tom Hayden's report (for Common Dreams) that the US is putting out feelers for new governing officials in Iraq which could include the disposing of al-Maliki.
iraq
john rogowskyj jr.
the new york times
kirk semple
sabrina tavernise
tom hayden
"Dinner."
The minute that word crossed my mind, I knew my husband Fat Ass, would show. As his ass and waistline demonstrate, he's never one to skip a meal.
Sure enough, there he was.
We'd sat down, the Nicky Ks, my friend Elaine, my neighbors Rebecca, Jess and Ty. I had just suggested to Ty that he carve the turkey when we all heard the front door open and the clickety-clop of high heels across the hard wood floors.
It was approaching.
And it was obvious in drag.
The only surprise was it was not alone.
It was accompanied by Gail Collins.
Failure and loneliness apparently make for strange bedfellows.
Collins made for a strange drag king. She had a flag on her lapel, a really ugly red tie that had obviously come from Sears, and a dark suit that wasn't black but was striped. For about ten seconds I stared attempting to figure out who the reject from The Big and Brainless Store was supposed to be. Then it hit me, Steny Hoyer. I think it was the snarky smile plastered on her face that gave it away.
Folling Gail Collins was Thomas Friedman.
With new highlights, high heels and a red jacket. That pretty much was it because he was wearing black tights. For a moment, I thought he was supposed to be Judy Garland but had forgotten the fedora.
I was dreading the performance of "Get Happy" and hoping it would come after we'd had time to digest our food.
Sipping her wine, Rebecca remarked, "I didn't know this was a costume party."
Thomas Friedman scowled as Gail Collins/Steny Hoyer pulled out a chair for him/her to sit his/her Fat Ass on. Attempting to ease the tension, Mrs. K observed that she had always enjoyed Nancy Reagan red.
Thomas Friedman was livid.
"Wrong Nancy, you simp!" Thomas Friedman sputtered. "It's Nancy Pelosi red, for your information, thank you very much."
He did this double snap as he said "for your information, thank you very much." I don't believe I've ever seen Nancy Pelosi do that but I've also never seen her on TV looking like a clown yet Thomas Friedman appeared to have applied his rouge with a spatula.
But Thomas Friedman's make up was not why we were all here. We also hadn't all gathered to laugh at his fat ass although that was a bit difficult not to do as the chair groaned and shook each time Thomas Friedman shifted even slightly.
We weren't there for Thanksgiving, really, believe it or not.
I'd invited my friends and the Nicky Ks.
My friends were there to get me through the dinner. Elaine also had an additional reason for being present. I wanted her keen observation and analytical skills at the table to make sure that someone was catching the nervous looks between Thomas Friedman and Nicky K.
The first one came when I stated, "You know I was thinking about Nicky K's Ford Pinto the other day."
Thomas Friedman's eyes bulged while Nicky K busied himself swirling his mashed potatoes nervously with his fork.
"His Ford Pinto?" Mrs. K asked. "I don't believe Nicky's had that car in years."
"I really don't remember it," Nicky K said staring more intently at his potatoes.
"Of course you do!" Mrs. K exclaimed. "He had that thing forever. It was the ugliest thing in the world and always breaking down. But his high school girlfriend told him he'd never amount to anything --"
This prompted a squeal of glee from Thomas Friedman.
"and broke up with him in that car so Nicky would always say that one day he was going to bump into her again and he wanted that car there."
"I really don't remember," Nicky K said, not looking up.
"Oh sure you do, Nicky. Remember the lining hung down over the driver's seat? It was always overheating so you kept a milk jug of water in the back seat. Every other time you'd start it would backfire so loudly people would hit the ground thinking it was a drive-by. Remember?"
Nicky K said nothing.
"I can't believe he's forgotten it," Mrs K said. "He had it forever. Said he was keeping it forever. Then one day, back in February of 2005, he just got rid of the car. I came home and he had a Lexus in the drive way. Don't get me wrong, I was happy to see it go, but it did surprise me. Why did you get rid of the Pinto, honey?"
"I don't think I ever owned a car like that," Nicky K mumbled.
"I believe your wife is confused," Thomas Friedman said in that pompous voice. "You had a Gremlin."
"That's right! I had a Gremlin!"
"No, honey," Mrs K corrected. "It was a Pinto. Remember, you called it your 'Pinto Bean'?"
"Betinna, where are the pies?" Thomas Friedman asked nervously.
"In the kitchen cooling. Eat your dinner. Have some greens. You know how stopped up your colon gets."
Thomas Friedman shot me a dirty look.
The conversation changed and Elaine and I exchanged a look.
I thought about how nervous talk of the Pinto made Nicky K. How insistent Thomas Friedman was that Nicky K never had a Pinto. How neither wanted to talk about.
"I think I remember a trip in the Pinto once," I said cutting off Thomas Friedman's lecture about what he, as Nancy Pelosi, would say to Hu Jintao, the president of China.
"Betinna," he hissed, "I'm talking about my idea for a Green Corps!"
"Your lipstick is smudged," I replied.
Alarmed, Thomas Friedman pulled out his compact while I steered the conversation back to the Pinto.
"Nicky K, did you ever give me a ride in the Pinto?"
"No!" Nicky K exclaimed nervously. "I got rid of it before you and Thomas Friedman were, uh, married."
"So you do remember it!" said Mrs. K nodding.
"Uh-yeah," Nicky said before looking over at a growling Thomas Friedman. "I mean, no. No, I don't. I just, uh, know I never gave Betinna a ride anywhere."
"Well that's nothing to brag about," Mrs. K declared shaking her head.
"No, you gave me a ride once," I said slowly.
"Betinna, for God's sake, stop badgering him!" Thomas Friedman huffed.
"Check your eye make up, one side looks off," I advised causing Thomas Friedman to open his compact again.
"But it wasn't just us," I explained to Nicky K. "I believe Thomas Friedman was there as well. I was riding in the back. Do you remember that?"
"No, no, I really don't," Nicky K said shoving a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
"You really don't?"
Instead of responding Nicky K pointed to his full mouth to beg off responding.
"Oh, Betinna, I am sorry," Mrs. K said in a consoling voice. "The seats in the front were uncomfortable enough, I can't imagine how awful it would be in the back seat."
"Actually, it was rather spacious, as though I was laying down instead of sitting."
"For God's sake, Betinna! No one's even commented on Gail Collins' suit! Does anyone even know she's here?"
Gail was about to pipe up but Rebecca cut her off.
"No, it's sort of like her work at the paper."
Gail Collins pursed her lips and then scowled.
"There is no reason to be so rude to such an attractive, mannish woman," Thomas Friedman snarled.
"When it comes to unibrows, she's up there with Dweezil Zappa. But in terms of Gail's contributions, we all know they were, unlike her eyebrows, miniscule. But, back to the Pinto, though I had plenty of leg room, I do remember feeling it was binding. Do you remember the ride now, Nicky K?"
"Good Lord, Betinna, stop badgering our guests. You're supposed to be the hostess," Thomas Friedman snapped.
"Oh, I am? Your outfit left me a little confused," I replied as Thomas Friedman and I shot dagger eyes at one another.
He blinked first which gave me the opportunity to offer, "I believe, Thomas Friedman, that you were in the car as well. For some reason, I'm thinking it was a trip out of state."
The blood appeared to drain out of Nicky's K's face as he stared first at me and then at Thomas Friedman.
Siezing control of the situation, Thomas Friedman used his hairy, chunky arm to sweep everything off the table.
As all the food, platters, plates, bowls, glasses and flatware crashed to the floor, Thomas Friedman howled, "This is the worst Thanksgiving ever!"
Rising quickly, Thomas Friedman grabbed Gail Collins by the arm and the two of them stormed out.
"What was that about?" Mrs K wondered. "Nicky, do you know?"
"What are you accusing me of?" Nicky K asked, his voice trembling, tears falling from his eyes.
"Oh, Nicky," Mrs K exclaimed with alarm. "Betinna, I think we're going to have leave. This was the first time Nicky's seen Thomas . . . all dolled up since Thomas kidnapped him. I think he's having a post-traumatic reaction. We're going to have to leave. Honey, do your breathing excercise and just remember when Betinna and I came to rescue you."
After everyone else left, Elaine helped me pick up the mess.
"Well?" I asked.
"They're hiding something. You don't remember anything other than being bound and carried in the back of the Pinto?"
"No."
"I'm going to toss out something here, would you consider hypnosis?"
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills):
Friday, November 24, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq, over 200 die in Baghdad on Thursday, war resister John A. Rogowskyj Jr. finds that the US military feels no obligation to follow even their own written policy, Bully Boy's meet up in Jordan comes under attack, and is Nouri al-Maliki on the way out?
Starting with resistance within the US military. Conscientious objector John A. Rogowskyj Jr. was deployed to Iraq at the start of this month. The twenty-two-year-old Marine was deployed, as the Associated Press notes, after a Marine captain recommended he be discharged, after a major said he couldn't serve in compbat duty in June, because a D.V. Odell Jr. ("commander of the Fourth Marine Division") doesn't seem to grasp what a c.o. is the policy that the US military has on them. The AP notes that Odell, a major general, found Rogowskyj to be "theologically confused and [he] does not reflect any officially recognized faith group."
Take that, America's forefathers. The slow witted Odell Junior might also make some time to check out "Selective Service System: Fast Facts" which notes: "Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-interest." By the military's own guidelines, Odell Junior's statements are not only insulting but ignorant. "May be religious in nature, but don't have to be." Rogowskyj was deployed as a result of Odell Junior's failure to grasp the policies the military has set in place. There ought to be disciplinary actions for Odell (busted back down to a New Orleans post?). More likely, everyone will play stupid (well the tone is set from the Oval Office).
Edward Colimore (Philadelphia Inquirer) reports that Rogowskyj declares in the court papers: "I see now that I must separate from the military with all due haste, or suffer without the forgiveness of grace, for defying the truth that I see plainly before me, that violence as a means or end cannot be tolerated."
To repeat for the slow witted Odell Junior, who not only fails to grasp the freedom of religion clause in the Constitution but also fails to grasp official military policy, Rogowkyj need not belong to any church or faith, need not subscribe to Odell Junior's notions of 'old time religion,' in order to be granted c.o. status.
Rogowskyj signed up for the reserves in 2002 thinking he would be helping stateside during national emergencies.
In Iraq, yesterday the violence prompted ABC to break in to their daytime lineup with a breaking news announcement by Elizabeth Vargas on what is being called the most deadly attack in Iraq since the illegal war began. For which ABC got the usual number of complaints, though nothing like the concerned and outraged comments they received in 2003 when they broke in to announce that Bully Boy was carrying a fake turkey around a base in Iraq.
Kirk Semple (New York Times) reports that 144 people were killed. That number is incorrect today and was wrong yesterday as well when AFP reported that 152 were already dead. Today, All Headline News reports that the death toll is now 202, that at least 250 more are injured with doctors not expecting all to live and that "Officials said that the death toll could rise, as body parts and bodies are dispersed throughout the city and could not be counted." The BBC reports that "at least three" car bombs were used in the cooridnated attacks on Thursday followed by mortar rounds and quotes photo journalist Kareem al-Rubaie on witnessing the violence, "I saw a car from a wedding party, covered in ribbons and flowers. It was burning. There were pools of blood on the street and children dead on the ground." Reuters places the number of bombs at six. CNN reported Thursday: "Thursday's attacks, launched within the course of half an hour, were part of a spasm of violence that shook two Baghdad bastions of support for anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr -- the Sadr City slum in the Iraqi capital's northeast and the Health Ministry compound, controlled by the cleric's political movement."
The BBC reports that Baghdad is now under curfew and the Baghdad Airport has been closed. Reuters states that all vehicle traffic is banned in Baghdad for Saturday as well. AFP adds that the airport in Basra has been closed as well as well as "its southern seaports."The 202 dead and counting from Thursday's attack surpasses the previous reported most violent day in Iraq. The BBC notes September 14, 2005 as a day when there were 182 reported deaths in Baghdad.
As if the violence on Thursday wasn't bad enough, rumors floated that Dick Cheney was in Iraq on Thursday. CBS and AP report that the White House denies those rumors. Current rumor is that Cheney was supposed to be in Baghdad and the press would be alerted after landing; however, the violence on Thursday resulted in the trip being cancelled.
Press reports continue to caution that Iraq might be on the brink of civil war which leaves one wondering how they might have reported Sherman's March to the Sea?
The violence and chaos continued today.
Bombings?
CBS and AP report that a mortar attack was launched at the Association of Muslim Scholars in Baghdad leaving four guards injured. This is seen as a retaliation for Thursday's attack as are the multiple attacks, noted by Al Jazeera, in the Hurriay district of Baghdad that targeted "four Sunni Mosques with rocket-propelled grenades" and claimed the lives of at least thirty. Reuters reports one dead and two wounded from mortar attacks in Diwaniya and the bombing of "an office of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's . . . in . . . Baquba". CNN reports that a man set off a bomb "strapped to his body" and one in his car in a parking lot in Tal Afar and killed at least 22 people while wounding 30 more.
Shootings?
Reuters reports that at least two funeral goers are wounded in Baghdad after a US helicopter fired on a funeral.
Corpses?
Reuters reports that thirty corpses were discovered in Baghdad while three were discovered in Mosul. Reporting on Wednesday's UN report, Sabrina Tavernise (New York Times) noted that, in the September and October period studied by the UN, "Sixty-five percent of all deaths in Baghdad were categorized as unindentified corpses, the signature of militias, who kidnap, kill and throw away bodies at a rate that now outstrips the slaughter inflicted by suicide bombers."They do so even when the capitol is under 'curfew' (and the never ending 'crackdown').
In addition, AP reports: "Militiamen grabbed six Sunnis as they left Friday worship services, doused them with kerosene and burned them alive as Iraqi soldiers stood by, and seven Sunni mosques came under attack as Shiites took revenge for the slaughter of 215 people in the Sadr City slum."
The BBC reports the death of a British solider in Basra and notes that 126 British soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war. The British military announces: "The soldier sustained gunshot wounds during the operation and was evacuated to a nearby military hospital. Despite the best possible medical care, the soldier later died from his injuries. The soldier was a member of the Parachute Regiment, on secondment to Headquarters Multinational Division South East, Iraq."
Thursday's attacks and today's is having ripple effects in Iraq that go beyond bombs and bullets.
Tuesday, Charles Wolfson (CBS) reported on next week's planned meet up in Jordan between Bully Boy and puppet of the occupation Nouri al-Maliki. The meet up was quickly announced following the announcement of al-Maliki going to Tehran for a Saturday meeting with the presidents of Iran and Syria. The meet up with the Bully Boy is now in question.
CNN reports that, today, "Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc threatened to withdraw support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki should he meet President Bush as planned next week" and quotes spokesperson Salih al-Aleiki stating: "We announce that if the security situation and the basic services do not improve, and if the prime minister goes ahead and meets with the criminal Bush in Amman, then we will suspend our memberships with the Iraqi parliament and the government." As Robin Stringer (Bloomberg News) notes, it's not an idle threat: "The United Iraqi Alliance, a coalition of Shiite political parties, won 128 of the 275 seats in the Iraqi parliament in December's elections." Should the al-Sadr block withdraw their support, the United Iraqi Alliance would fall from a 128 member bloc to a 98 member one. That's on the condition that all 98 remain behind al-Maliki -- should he find new support his bloc could increase. The second largest bloc, with 53 members, is the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan which successfully backed (with US support) Jalal Talabani for president of Iraq.
The above follows on the heels of Tom Hayden's report (for Common Dreams) that the US is putting out feelers for new governing officials in Iraq which could include the disposing of al-Maliki.
iraq
john rogowskyj jr.
the new york times
kirk semple
sabrina tavernise
tom hayden
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The Girth of the Tabby
Reign in the Great Girth
We've been regular visitors to Golden China Buffet on 227 Lex -- since 2004 -- and here's what strikes me most: Each year that we've come here, my husband Thomas Friedman seems to break wind wiith greater ease and less embarrassment while breathing with greater difficulty.
Yes, the odor is unavoidable. But when we walked down the street into Golden China Tuesday, to the corner booth he favors, his breath -- an odor in and of itself -- was shallow and panting -- his forehead so drenched in sweat -- that for a moment I honestly thought my husband was having a heart attack.
And that's why, for the first time since he returned, it's starting to feel like Thomas Friedman is reaching his spacial-width limit. If he doesn't radically change his diet away from canned cheese and all you can eat buffets, the gas bag nightmare of West 43rd is going to blow out.
For some time now, Thomas Friedman's waist has grown at around 10 percent per month. In 2005, he could wear a 44 waist. By the time 2006 rolled around, he was up to a 56 waist. Before he began wearing women's clothes full time throughout the summer, I had taken to sewing our bed ruffle onto his favorite Dockers as an extension. When a waist grows that fast, year after year, the person can start to think that the laws of nature don't apply to him.
Guess again.
I wrote the above on Saturday as part of an assignment for my English class. We were supposed to write about something or someone we knew. How was I to know my fat ass husband Thomas Friedman would rip me off?
I open up Wednesday's paper and there was "Bring in the Green Cat." I thought, "Strange title." Then I read it.
He'd taken my writing assignment and turned it into his column.
I confronted him about it and, between shots of canned cheese, he told me it didn't matter.
Didn't matter? If I turned it in now, my professor would think I ripped him off!
"Betinna, I never would have let you turn it in," he said spewing bits of cheese over his shirt and tie.
As he licked his tie clean, I burned with rage.
"Let me? Let me! Look, fat ass, you don't 'let me' do anything, I do whatever the hell I want."
Thomas Friedman attempted to wave me away, as though I was Gail Collins or some other simp.
I wasn't going to stand for it.
"Not only do you not 'let me' do anything, but you and your fat ass weigh me down. Now maybe the padded bra you were wearing in your days of dress up leaked into your brain and made you even stupider, but you don't 'let me' do a damn thing. As a matter of fact, you drag me down. The worst day of my life may have been when you returned last month."
"Really?" Thomas Friedman asked struggling to get off the couch.
Huffing and puffing, the sofa groaning beneath his girth, Thomas Friedman finally managed to extract his fat ass from the deep groove it had worn in the sofa cushion.
Breathing deeply he lumbered to the front door, opened it and turned to deliver his exit line.
"I would've thought you worst day was when Nicky K and I threw you in the hatchback of his Ford Pinto."
With that Thomas Friedman was out the door, slamming it behind him.
The hatchback of Nicky K's Ford Pinto?
At first, I thought it was just one of his lame jokes but, as I stood in the middle of the living room, I flashed on something. My mouth was taped. I was looking up, through glass, seeing stop lights flying past above me. My wrists were tied.
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills):
November 16, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq; US war resister Ehren Watada goes on CNN as his father wraps up a speaking to raise awareness on his son; justice for Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi and her family?; confusion remains as to Tuesday's mass kidnapping in Baghdad as Baghdad appears to have been the site, today, of another mass kidnapping; and America speaks to Gallup who, unlike the Bully Boy, actually listens.
Starting with Ehren Watada -- the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq. Last week, the US military announced they would move to court-martial Watada. The court-martial is expected to take place early next year. Last night, Watada appeared on CNN's Paula Zahn Now program. Speaking to Zahn, Watada explained how, as late as September 2005, he was willing to go to Iraq (and had volunteered to deploy with any unit) but "then I began findout out some things about how possibly that our government could have misled, not only the Congress, but also the public, and the world as to the reasons why we were going to Iraq, and there were never any weapons of mass destruction, there were never any ties to al Qaeda or ties to 9/11. And I just -- at that point, I personally felt very betrayed as a soldier, willing to put my life on the line and willing to order soldiers to do the same, that we were sent to go and fight a war were the reasons were falsified."
After Watada's appearance, Zahn had a panel discussion. Joshua Casteel noted "the Uniform Code of Military Justice tells us two things. One is that we have an obligation to obey all lawful orders, but we also have an obligation to disobey all unlawful orders, and -- which includes disobeying orders that are unlawful, even if they come from the President of the United States. Article Six, Paragraph Two of the United States Constitution dictates that treaties that the United States signs on to are to be considered the laws of the land, including among them, the Hague Convention on Land Warfare of 1899, the Neruember Principles, which in 1953, the Department of Defense declared to be official policy. And Justice Jackson, who's the chief . . ." Zahn interrupts to ask if Watada's stand is "justified." Castell replies, "He is one of the few examples of moral courage that we have in the midst of plenty of individuals who show physical courage to go to Iraq and sacrifice for their country. But what we need right now are moral leaders. And Lieutenant Watada is an example of the kind of leadership that reminds us of our better nature and the aspirations of the United States Constitution." Amy Goodman (co-host of Democracy Now!) noted that, "Thousand of soldiers are saying no. The Pentagon doesn't like to talk about this, but Lieutenant Ehren Watada being the first officer to refuse to deploy to Iraq is very significant." A third guest repeatedly interrupted Amy Goodman. For some stranger reason, he appeared to be wearing Mommy's Pantyhose on top of his head. He statements sounded as if they were indeed picked from the crack of his ass in his desperate attempt to unearth his brain. At present, his brain is still believed to be under many layers of s--t.
Meanwhile Gregg K. Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reminds that Watada is facing up to six years if he is convicted in the court-martial to be held next year.
In Iraq today, Reuters reports that "up to six Baghdad minibuses" were "stopped at a fake security checkpoint" in Baghdad and the passengers appear to have been kidnapped.
In other violence today . . .
Bombings?
Reuters notes car bombs, roadside bombs and bicylce bombs in Baghdad -- six bombings in all leaving at least 7 dead and 18 wounded -- while three are dead and one wounded in Mosul from a roadside bombing.
Shootings?
CBS and AP report the shooting deaths of nine during an attack on a Baghdad bakery. Reuters notes an attack in Baghdad that killed a guard of Mosul's governor and left four other guards wounded.
Corpses?
Reuters reports that twenty corpses were discovered in Baghdad, two in Baiji and four in Yusufiya.
Yesterday, the US military announced six deaths of US troops. Today, the US military announced: "A Multi-National Corps-Iraq Soldier was killed by small arms fire Tuesday while conducting combat operations in Baghdad"; and they announced: "Two Task Force Lightning Soldiers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, were killed Wednesday and two others were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle they were traveling in while conducting combat operations in Diyala province"; and they announced: "A Task Force Lightning Soldier assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was killed in action Wednesday by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Diyala province." The total for the month to date is 44.
The total number of US troops in Iraq? According to CBS' David Martin, not enough and never will be based upon John Abizaid's remarks to the Senate yesterday "But when you look at the overall American force poll that's available out there, the ability to sustain that commitment is simply not something that we have right now with the size of the Army and the Marine Corps." Let that sink in. According to Abizaid, a War Hawk who never met a battlefield he didn't go weak-kneed over, there are not enough available foot soldiers in the US army or members of the Marines to do what Abizaid feels needs to be done in Iraq.
Turning to legal news, as noted yesterday, James P. Barker entered a guilty plea for his involvement in the rape and murder of Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi as well as the murder of her parents (Qassim Hamza Raheem and Fakhriya Taha Muhasen) and her five-year old sister Hadeel Qassim Hamza. Abeer, the war crimes took place March 12, 2006 in Mamoudiyah which is a town south of Baghdad. Ryan Lenz (AP) reports that Barker testified to Lt. Col. Richard Anderson that Steven D. Green came up with the plan and, of the rape of Abeer, that "[Paul] Cortez pushed her to the ground. I went towards the top of her and kind of held her hands down while Cortez proceeded to lift her dress up." Barker's attorney makes a strange statement about how the crime results in part from the fact that "The United States Army did not . . . put enough soldiers on the checkpoints." Not enough soldiers at checkpoints? Lenz: "Barker, 23, described changing clothes, then climbing through backyards as the five soldiers left the checkpoint they had been manning to carry out the attack." Well the army was certainly short five soldiers manning checkpoints when the decision was made to rape fourteen-year-old Abeer. In another report filed by Lenz, the issue doesn't appear to be 'staffing' so much as it appears to be oversight: "Barker said he and the others were drinking and playing cards while they manned a traffic checkpoint. Green brought up the idea of raping the girl and killing her family, he said." So, as the story is understood from Barker's confessions, they were on duty, they were stationed a traffic checkpoint, they were in violation for consuming alcohol while on duty, they left their checkpoint." What exactly does Barker's attorney think? That more soldiers would have prevented the five from leaving the checkpoint? Seems like an oversight issue.
The 'repentant' Barker showed 'remorse' by explaining his actions with, "I hated Iraqis, your honor. They can smile at you, then shoot you in your face without even thinking about it." Rape isn't mentioned in his statement; however Abeer was raped and she was shot in the face (below the left eye). She was also smiled at or at least leered because she went to her parents concerned about the way the US soldiers at the checkpoints were looking at her. Her parents made plans for her to go elsewhere to live for her own protection but before that could happen, she was raped, murdered and her body set on fire in attempt to hide evidence.
Whether Cortez, Green, Spielman or Howard is involved, Barker's statements mean we are no longer talking "alleged" rape or "alleged" murder. It's rather sad that the coverage doesn't reflect that.
In other legal news, Australia's ABC reports that John Jodka was sentenced to eighteen months for his role in the death of Iraqi Hashim Ibrahim Awad. Awad was taken from him home, killed and then, to cover up the crime, those involved attempted to pass him off as an 'insurgent.' The BBC notes that Hashim Ibrahim Awad had been a grandfather until he was beaten and killed and that Jodka apologized to Awad's family.
Tuesday's mass kidnapping in Baghdad continues to be a source of confusion. Regarding the number who have not turned out, BBC reports that Abd Dhiab, Iraq's minister of Higher Education, states 80 people are still being held and that "some of those who had since been released were badly beaten." In addition, it appears some of them have been killed. Al Jazeera reports that Dhiab "was told of the deaths by hostages who were freed on Wednesday, but he declined to say how many had died." CNN reports on the puppet of the occupation, Nouri al-Maliki, and his show visit to the fifty-year-old Baghdad University. The photo Al Jazeera runs reveals the lie of 'liberation' -- in Baghdad, Nouri al-Maliki steps out of his vehicle flanked by guards with guns at the ready. The kidnapping took place not at Baghdad University but at the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education (a four story building as opposed to a complex). Al Jazeera reports that Dhiab maintains the kidnapped on Tuesday included "at least 100 employees of two departments in the building, as well as about 50 visitors. Dozens remain unnaccounted for."
Sudarsan Raghavan (Washington Post) speaks with Amir Hassan, a professor at Baghdad University, who states, "We are living in the killing stage. We know that our chances of dying is now greater than our chance of staying alive." Over 155 educators have been killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war. Raghavan also reports that al-Maliki's speech to students included pro-censorship remarks of how "he would ban pictures, leaflets, placards or other politically inspired materials from campuses". Women's rights have vanished, he's attacked the free press (with his 'four-point plan'), he's now planning to ban political speech on campus and CNN reported this morning that he's now relying on warnings ("beware of God's punishment") to maintain whatever questionable power he still has. Kirk Semple (New York Times) reports on the al-Maliki's facade of power crumbling as government officials (Abed Dhiab al-Ajeeli and Ali Dabbagh) quarrel publicly over how many were kidnapped on Tuesday and how many remain missing.
In peace news, Pat Gerber (SF Bay Area IMC) reports on Tuesday's San Francisco Board of Education meeting at which school board members voted "to phase out its JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs over a two-tear period. It is believed that this is the first time any school district has eliminated an existing JROTC program." Tommi Avicolli Mecca (BeyondChron) notes the speakers in favor and against the resultion and notes: "Speaker after speaker on the pro-JROTC side said that while they didn't approve of DADT or even the war in Iraq, they supported the military program because it benefited kids. Of course, they forgot to mention the plight of queer kids who want to go beyond JROTC."
In other peace news, AP reports that with the GOP 2008 convention being held in St. Paul, Minneapolis' the Anti-War Committee "has applied for marching and demonstrations permits from the city of St. Paul. . . . [Jess] Sundin said the Anti-War Committee filed for city permits now to provide plenty of time for legal challenges if they're turned down. It's the first group to file for permits, but many are expected to follow."
A day after Ehren Watada, appears on CNN, his father Bob Watada and his step-mother Rosa Sakanishi wind down a speaking tour to raise awareness on Ehren Watada. The tour winds down on Friday, a full schedule can be found here, and these are the remaining dates:
Nov 16, 7PM, Asheville, NC, Location: University of North Carolina -- Public Presentation, Sponsor: Veterans For Peace Chapter 99, Contact: Tim Pluta, 828-645-1717, timpluta@hotmail.com , Lyle Peterson, 828-206-0245, Ahmad Daniels, War Resister Vietnam Era (appears in "Sir, No Sir!"), Mark Gibney Human Rights, International & Constitutional Law, Law, Ethics and Public Policy
Nov 17, 11:00AM, Asheville, NC, Location: Warren Wilson College, Sponsor: Veterans For Peace Chapter 99, Contact: Tim Pluta, 828-645-1717, timpluta@hotmail.com, Lyle Peterson, 828-206-0245, Professor Paul Magnarella (Peace Studies, Warren Wilson College)
Nov 17, 7PM, Atlanta, GA, Location: The First Iconium Baptist Church, Sponsor: Veterans For Peace Chapter 125, The Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition/Atlanta, Atlanta WAND, Contact: Debra Clark, 770-855-6163, dclark@antiwar.com
In addition, to Asheville and Atlanta, Gregg K. Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reports this event on Sunday:
The Honolulu chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League will hold a symposium surrounding the actions of Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who is the first military officer to face a court martial for refusing to fight in Iraq. It will begin at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the University of Hawaii's architecture auditorium. The featured speaker will be Watada's father, Bob; Jon Van Dyke of the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law and Watada's attorney, Eric Seitz.
Finally, Joseph Carroll (Gallup News Services) summarizes the most recent Gallup Poll that asked respondents in the United States (from November 9th through 12th) what is "the most important problem facing this country today"? The people respond? The war in Iraq was cited by 25% of Republicans, 32% of self-identified independents and by 48% of Democrats.
iraqehren watadabob watada
the new york timeskirk semple
the washington postsudarsan raghavan
gregg k. kakesako
We've been regular visitors to Golden China Buffet on 227 Lex -- since 2004 -- and here's what strikes me most: Each year that we've come here, my husband Thomas Friedman seems to break wind wiith greater ease and less embarrassment while breathing with greater difficulty.
Yes, the odor is unavoidable. But when we walked down the street into Golden China Tuesday, to the corner booth he favors, his breath -- an odor in and of itself -- was shallow and panting -- his forehead so drenched in sweat -- that for a moment I honestly thought my husband was having a heart attack.
And that's why, for the first time since he returned, it's starting to feel like Thomas Friedman is reaching his spacial-width limit. If he doesn't radically change his diet away from canned cheese and all you can eat buffets, the gas bag nightmare of West 43rd is going to blow out.
For some time now, Thomas Friedman's waist has grown at around 10 percent per month. In 2005, he could wear a 44 waist. By the time 2006 rolled around, he was up to a 56 waist. Before he began wearing women's clothes full time throughout the summer, I had taken to sewing our bed ruffle onto his favorite Dockers as an extension. When a waist grows that fast, year after year, the person can start to think that the laws of nature don't apply to him.
Guess again.
I wrote the above on Saturday as part of an assignment for my English class. We were supposed to write about something or someone we knew. How was I to know my fat ass husband Thomas Friedman would rip me off?
I open up Wednesday's paper and there was "Bring in the Green Cat." I thought, "Strange title." Then I read it.
He'd taken my writing assignment and turned it into his column.
I confronted him about it and, between shots of canned cheese, he told me it didn't matter.
Didn't matter? If I turned it in now, my professor would think I ripped him off!
"Betinna, I never would have let you turn it in," he said spewing bits of cheese over his shirt and tie.
As he licked his tie clean, I burned with rage.
"Let me? Let me! Look, fat ass, you don't 'let me' do anything, I do whatever the hell I want."
Thomas Friedman attempted to wave me away, as though I was Gail Collins or some other simp.
I wasn't going to stand for it.
"Not only do you not 'let me' do anything, but you and your fat ass weigh me down. Now maybe the padded bra you were wearing in your days of dress up leaked into your brain and made you even stupider, but you don't 'let me' do a damn thing. As a matter of fact, you drag me down. The worst day of my life may have been when you returned last month."
"Really?" Thomas Friedman asked struggling to get off the couch.
Huffing and puffing, the sofa groaning beneath his girth, Thomas Friedman finally managed to extract his fat ass from the deep groove it had worn in the sofa cushion.
Breathing deeply he lumbered to the front door, opened it and turned to deliver his exit line.
"I would've thought you worst day was when Nicky K and I threw you in the hatchback of his Ford Pinto."
With that Thomas Friedman was out the door, slamming it behind him.
The hatchback of Nicky K's Ford Pinto?
At first, I thought it was just one of his lame jokes but, as I stood in the middle of the living room, I flashed on something. My mouth was taped. I was looking up, through glass, seeing stop lights flying past above me. My wrists were tied.
"Iraq snapshot" (The Common Ills):
November 16, 2006. Chaos and violence continue in Iraq; US war resister Ehren Watada goes on CNN as his father wraps up a speaking to raise awareness on his son; justice for Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi and her family?; confusion remains as to Tuesday's mass kidnapping in Baghdad as Baghdad appears to have been the site, today, of another mass kidnapping; and America speaks to Gallup who, unlike the Bully Boy, actually listens.
Starting with Ehren Watada -- the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq. Last week, the US military announced they would move to court-martial Watada. The court-martial is expected to take place early next year. Last night, Watada appeared on CNN's Paula Zahn Now program. Speaking to Zahn, Watada explained how, as late as September 2005, he was willing to go to Iraq (and had volunteered to deploy with any unit) but "then I began findout out some things about how possibly that our government could have misled, not only the Congress, but also the public, and the world as to the reasons why we were going to Iraq, and there were never any weapons of mass destruction, there were never any ties to al Qaeda or ties to 9/11. And I just -- at that point, I personally felt very betrayed as a soldier, willing to put my life on the line and willing to order soldiers to do the same, that we were sent to go and fight a war were the reasons were falsified."
After Watada's appearance, Zahn had a panel discussion. Joshua Casteel noted "the Uniform Code of Military Justice tells us two things. One is that we have an obligation to obey all lawful orders, but we also have an obligation to disobey all unlawful orders, and -- which includes disobeying orders that are unlawful, even if they come from the President of the United States. Article Six, Paragraph Two of the United States Constitution dictates that treaties that the United States signs on to are to be considered the laws of the land, including among them, the Hague Convention on Land Warfare of 1899, the Neruember Principles, which in 1953, the Department of Defense declared to be official policy. And Justice Jackson, who's the chief . . ." Zahn interrupts to ask if Watada's stand is "justified." Castell replies, "He is one of the few examples of moral courage that we have in the midst of plenty of individuals who show physical courage to go to Iraq and sacrifice for their country. But what we need right now are moral leaders. And Lieutenant Watada is an example of the kind of leadership that reminds us of our better nature and the aspirations of the United States Constitution." Amy Goodman (co-host of Democracy Now!) noted that, "Thousand of soldiers are saying no. The Pentagon doesn't like to talk about this, but Lieutenant Ehren Watada being the first officer to refuse to deploy to Iraq is very significant." A third guest repeatedly interrupted Amy Goodman. For some stranger reason, he appeared to be wearing Mommy's Pantyhose on top of his head. He statements sounded as if they were indeed picked from the crack of his ass in his desperate attempt to unearth his brain. At present, his brain is still believed to be under many layers of s--t.
Meanwhile Gregg K. Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reminds that Watada is facing up to six years if he is convicted in the court-martial to be held next year.
In Iraq today, Reuters reports that "up to six Baghdad minibuses" were "stopped at a fake security checkpoint" in Baghdad and the passengers appear to have been kidnapped.
In other violence today . . .
Bombings?
Reuters notes car bombs, roadside bombs and bicylce bombs in Baghdad -- six bombings in all leaving at least 7 dead and 18 wounded -- while three are dead and one wounded in Mosul from a roadside bombing.
Shootings?
CBS and AP report the shooting deaths of nine during an attack on a Baghdad bakery. Reuters notes an attack in Baghdad that killed a guard of Mosul's governor and left four other guards wounded.
Corpses?
Reuters reports that twenty corpses were discovered in Baghdad, two in Baiji and four in Yusufiya.
Yesterday, the US military announced six deaths of US troops. Today, the US military announced: "A Multi-National Corps-Iraq Soldier was killed by small arms fire Tuesday while conducting combat operations in Baghdad"; and they announced: "Two Task Force Lightning Soldiers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, were killed Wednesday and two others were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle they were traveling in while conducting combat operations in Diyala province"; and they announced: "A Task Force Lightning Soldier assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was killed in action Wednesday by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Diyala province." The total for the month to date is 44.
The total number of US troops in Iraq? According to CBS' David Martin, not enough and never will be based upon John Abizaid's remarks to the Senate yesterday "But when you look at the overall American force poll that's available out there, the ability to sustain that commitment is simply not something that we have right now with the size of the Army and the Marine Corps." Let that sink in. According to Abizaid, a War Hawk who never met a battlefield he didn't go weak-kneed over, there are not enough available foot soldiers in the US army or members of the Marines to do what Abizaid feels needs to be done in Iraq.
Turning to legal news, as noted yesterday, James P. Barker entered a guilty plea for his involvement in the rape and murder of Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi as well as the murder of her parents (Qassim Hamza Raheem and Fakhriya Taha Muhasen) and her five-year old sister Hadeel Qassim Hamza. Abeer, the war crimes took place March 12, 2006 in Mamoudiyah which is a town south of Baghdad. Ryan Lenz (AP) reports that Barker testified to Lt. Col. Richard Anderson that Steven D. Green came up with the plan and, of the rape of Abeer, that "[Paul] Cortez pushed her to the ground. I went towards the top of her and kind of held her hands down while Cortez proceeded to lift her dress up." Barker's attorney makes a strange statement about how the crime results in part from the fact that "The United States Army did not . . . put enough soldiers on the checkpoints." Not enough soldiers at checkpoints? Lenz: "Barker, 23, described changing clothes, then climbing through backyards as the five soldiers left the checkpoint they had been manning to carry out the attack." Well the army was certainly short five soldiers manning checkpoints when the decision was made to rape fourteen-year-old Abeer. In another report filed by Lenz, the issue doesn't appear to be 'staffing' so much as it appears to be oversight: "Barker said he and the others were drinking and playing cards while they manned a traffic checkpoint. Green brought up the idea of raping the girl and killing her family, he said." So, as the story is understood from Barker's confessions, they were on duty, they were stationed a traffic checkpoint, they were in violation for consuming alcohol while on duty, they left their checkpoint." What exactly does Barker's attorney think? That more soldiers would have prevented the five from leaving the checkpoint? Seems like an oversight issue.
The 'repentant' Barker showed 'remorse' by explaining his actions with, "I hated Iraqis, your honor. They can smile at you, then shoot you in your face without even thinking about it." Rape isn't mentioned in his statement; however Abeer was raped and she was shot in the face (below the left eye). She was also smiled at or at least leered because she went to her parents concerned about the way the US soldiers at the checkpoints were looking at her. Her parents made plans for her to go elsewhere to live for her own protection but before that could happen, she was raped, murdered and her body set on fire in attempt to hide evidence.
Whether Cortez, Green, Spielman or Howard is involved, Barker's statements mean we are no longer talking "alleged" rape or "alleged" murder. It's rather sad that the coverage doesn't reflect that.
In other legal news, Australia's ABC reports that John Jodka was sentenced to eighteen months for his role in the death of Iraqi Hashim Ibrahim Awad. Awad was taken from him home, killed and then, to cover up the crime, those involved attempted to pass him off as an 'insurgent.' The BBC notes that Hashim Ibrahim Awad had been a grandfather until he was beaten and killed and that Jodka apologized to Awad's family.
Tuesday's mass kidnapping in Baghdad continues to be a source of confusion. Regarding the number who have not turned out, BBC reports that Abd Dhiab, Iraq's minister of Higher Education, states 80 people are still being held and that "some of those who had since been released were badly beaten." In addition, it appears some of them have been killed. Al Jazeera reports that Dhiab "was told of the deaths by hostages who were freed on Wednesday, but he declined to say how many had died." CNN reports on the puppet of the occupation, Nouri al-Maliki, and his show visit to the fifty-year-old Baghdad University. The photo Al Jazeera runs reveals the lie of 'liberation' -- in Baghdad, Nouri al-Maliki steps out of his vehicle flanked by guards with guns at the ready. The kidnapping took place not at Baghdad University but at the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education (a four story building as opposed to a complex). Al Jazeera reports that Dhiab maintains the kidnapped on Tuesday included "at least 100 employees of two departments in the building, as well as about 50 visitors. Dozens remain unnaccounted for."
Sudarsan Raghavan (Washington Post) speaks with Amir Hassan, a professor at Baghdad University, who states, "We are living in the killing stage. We know that our chances of dying is now greater than our chance of staying alive." Over 155 educators have been killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war. Raghavan also reports that al-Maliki's speech to students included pro-censorship remarks of how "he would ban pictures, leaflets, placards or other politically inspired materials from campuses". Women's rights have vanished, he's attacked the free press (with his 'four-point plan'), he's now planning to ban political speech on campus and CNN reported this morning that he's now relying on warnings ("beware of God's punishment") to maintain whatever questionable power he still has. Kirk Semple (New York Times) reports on the al-Maliki's facade of power crumbling as government officials (Abed Dhiab al-Ajeeli and Ali Dabbagh) quarrel publicly over how many were kidnapped on Tuesday and how many remain missing.
In peace news, Pat Gerber (SF Bay Area IMC) reports on Tuesday's San Francisco Board of Education meeting at which school board members voted "to phase out its JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs over a two-tear period. It is believed that this is the first time any school district has eliminated an existing JROTC program." Tommi Avicolli Mecca (BeyondChron) notes the speakers in favor and against the resultion and notes: "Speaker after speaker on the pro-JROTC side said that while they didn't approve of DADT or even the war in Iraq, they supported the military program because it benefited kids. Of course, they forgot to mention the plight of queer kids who want to go beyond JROTC."
In other peace news, AP reports that with the GOP 2008 convention being held in St. Paul, Minneapolis' the Anti-War Committee "has applied for marching and demonstrations permits from the city of St. Paul. . . . [Jess] Sundin said the Anti-War Committee filed for city permits now to provide plenty of time for legal challenges if they're turned down. It's the first group to file for permits, but many are expected to follow."
A day after Ehren Watada, appears on CNN, his father Bob Watada and his step-mother Rosa Sakanishi wind down a speaking tour to raise awareness on Ehren Watada. The tour winds down on Friday, a full schedule can be found here, and these are the remaining dates:
Nov 16, 7PM, Asheville, NC, Location: University of North Carolina -- Public Presentation, Sponsor: Veterans For Peace Chapter 99, Contact: Tim Pluta, 828-645-1717, timpluta@hotmail.com , Lyle Peterson, 828-206-0245, Ahmad Daniels, War Resister Vietnam Era (appears in "Sir, No Sir!"), Mark Gibney Human Rights, International & Constitutional Law, Law, Ethics and Public Policy
Nov 17, 11:00AM, Asheville, NC, Location: Warren Wilson College, Sponsor: Veterans For Peace Chapter 99, Contact: Tim Pluta, 828-645-1717, timpluta@hotmail.com, Lyle Peterson, 828-206-0245, Professor Paul Magnarella (Peace Studies, Warren Wilson College)
Nov 17, 7PM, Atlanta, GA, Location: The First Iconium Baptist Church, Sponsor: Veterans For Peace Chapter 125, The Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition/Atlanta, Atlanta WAND, Contact: Debra Clark, 770-855-6163, dclark@antiwar.com
In addition, to Asheville and Atlanta, Gregg K. Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reports this event on Sunday:
The Honolulu chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League will hold a symposium surrounding the actions of Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who is the first military officer to face a court martial for refusing to fight in Iraq. It will begin at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the University of Hawaii's architecture auditorium. The featured speaker will be Watada's father, Bob; Jon Van Dyke of the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law and Watada's attorney, Eric Seitz.
Finally, Joseph Carroll (Gallup News Services) summarizes the most recent Gallup Poll that asked respondents in the United States (from November 9th through 12th) what is "the most important problem facing this country today"? The people respond? The war in Iraq was cited by 25% of Republicans, 32% of self-identified independents and by 48% of Democrats.
iraqehren watadabob watada
the new york timeskirk semple
the washington postsudarsan raghavan
gregg k. kakesako
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