The New York Times today has revealed the details of the torture and deaths of two prisoners in Bagram Prison, Afghanistan.
The details are so horrifying that I felt it needed the skills that Susan employs so well to describe the horror of these deaths.
Yet I have written this diary, despite these feelings, even though I am not going to express fully my outrage and disgust.
The truth is that I was sickened to my soul as I read what the journalists wrote and said in that newspaper.
So if no words from Susan, and certainly from me, would be adequate to express the fullness of my anger at these events, why publish even this small diary?
Because it is to create a sort of silence, even though the Internet does not allow for such a response. It is the only possible reaction that I can make whilst contemplating with disgust what some of our soldiers,what our governments, and what our people have created.
Tomorrow I shall let out my anger and my hatred of what we have become and what is being done in our name.
we are all in this together. A mutual support group for dealing with the trauma of what we have done, and what we have become. If a oxymoronic silence is what you currently require, an oxymoronic response is what I supply.
I feel I a need to do something against this veil of darkness and doom that I feel right now and of which I assume might be felt by other too. Sometimes small symbolic actions can be healing, so I would like to offer the following idea for action:
Tonight at 9.00 pm local time light a candle as a symbol of hope, love and healing for the victims, for us, for humanity. You can put it in the window to share with others. The idea is to create a chain of light around the world. Please join, the more the better.
As I am working from home today, I already lighted a candle and will keep it on all day.
I’m working from home today too, and my candle is already lit.
There are just no words too describe the mixture of disgust, horror, anger, and sadness that these stories bring. The mental image of the young man’s father asking the other 3 men who had been arrested with him what had happened; seeking answers for his son, and their kindness, humanity, and concern for the father’s health, is such a contrast with the brutal treatment they had all received. And they were innocent.
thank you for the idea.
Not to mention that many candles?
Sorry, but we have to get beyond this idea that a few “bad apples” are responsible for “isolated” abuses.
Abuse and torture are systemic, standard operating procedure, in all “police” actions taken by the American military and its contractors. Thousands, probably tens of thousands, of people have suffered horribly at the hands of Americans — whose salaries we other Americans pay.
I think you’re Canadian, Sybil, so I’m not criticizing you. But Americans have to begin to face up to what our country has become.
Matt, I think you and Welshman are both right. My idea with the candles was a first step. There used to be Move On who organized vigils around the world, not that they helped that much, but somehow there was something to do – now Move On has become amazingly silent. I don’t know if it still exist. But that’s besides the point. However, after or better while the candle burns it is definitely time for all of us and especially for Americans to start thinking about what to do. Commenting is fine, but it is not enough. As Ecuador, Kyrgisistan, Uszebhekistan, etc. have shown, people have to unite and rise. I know it can be done – Move On organized millions of people before the war. So that can be done – I am sure they are willing to rise again and maybe more of them than before, but even that is not enough. So it is time to collect ideas and organize them on a big scale. Things like the student filibuster are good ideas, but not big enough. Maybe there is a need for another march on Washington, civil disobedience… or something.
Something to show the world that not all Americans are psychopathic sadists.
Most of all, though, I’m committed to working even harder to take the Democratic party back. One of the things that’s most upsetting to me today — and I’m very upset — is that even though I live in True-Blue New York, I don’t have a single government representative who cares about human rights issues. It’s time to replace collaborators like Clinton and Schumer (who actually suggested in the Abu Ghraib hearings that torture was “understandable” in some cases) with people who will fight for the rights of people everywhere.
And I agree: MoveOn needs to get moving on this issue.
Here’s someone else who’s interested in major civil disobedience:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/19/1719/30130
Somehow we have to link up.
Is it really of any use to still work for the democrats? I have been amazed watching Bill Clinton cozing up to the Bush family and the other day he was babbling about the Iraq situation being a change for Iraqi’s. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I think I saw it on Huffinton Tribune, but can’t find it anymore. So wouldn’t it make more sense to create a new party. I know that takes time. But with the current politicians in the democratic party I am not so sure they will win the next elections, that is if there are elections.
And I am also amazed how most blocks already are moving on to other topics – seems like the torture story is already snow of yesterday. Somehow this makes feel out of sync with most people – because I really care about the torturing, and I think it needs to be addressed. To me it symbolises a basic attitude that flows into all other areas of live.
If only there were an alternative! I think, however, that enough people share our frustrations that the Party is beginning to change, from the grassroots up. It’s going to take a long time but not, I believe, as long as it would take for a third party to become a viable force in U.S. politics.
I’m also encouraged, a little, by the troubles so-called New Democrats are having these days. Clinton (the male one) is, thank G-D, not going to be a presidential candidate again; and I think there’s growing opposition to Clinton (the female one) as well. Maybe this is wishful thinking but I think the future of the Democrats belongs to the fighters.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling “out of sync with most people.” What will it take to get Americans to care about this issue?
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Listened to a conversation just now, an interview with newly elected President of Ukraine. Voted into power after the first election was ANNULLED by the high court. Special remark he made: “The Orange revolt gained a foothold when the Ukraine representative in the Annual European Songfestival was voted #1!”
That is the mark of a revolution, general unrest through unpopular policy by the present regime and the people want change. At the lowest level an uprising can be coordinated and just needs a spark to ignite.
Last Wednesday, CSKA Moscow won the European UEFA Cup against all odds from favorites Sporting Lissabon, Portugal. The first Soviet or Russian club to win an European Soccer cup in history. The crowds in Moscow feasted throughout the night, the masses are becoming involved and can start a movement.
What has a 55 year boycott gained for the Cuban people. During the Cold War, President Kennedy launched initiatives for cultural, educational and exchanges for sports activities between nations. Same thing Nixon did with his ping-pong diplomacy in the early seventies with China. What is left of dialog between North and South Korea, with Bolton | Bush on foreign policy after 5 years of aggravation and noise?
Kiev was taken over by “orange” supporters
ADD AN ORANGE RIBBON TODAY!
To use the momentum of the present anger against the prisoner torture abuse, why not start a simple campaign under all Democrats. Add an ORANGE ribbon to the yellow ribbon on your car, behind windows, in the yard even on pullover, shirt, blouse or T-shirt for the summer. To show the American citizens are launching a protest against the Bush | Cheney policies on Iraq and endangering our sons and daughters’ lives. Everyone can participate, no real cost involved and you can empower each other by being visible and give a wink in appreciation.
Oui – Liberté – Egalité – Fraternité
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Cross-posted on new thread by Diane101 —
by diane101 Fri May 20th, 2005
Oui – Liberté – Egalité – Fraternité
How about we print out the article or make a flyer of our own and stick it under every GD yelloe ribbon magnets on cars ans see if they still support this war. Any ideas friends?
How about something along the lines of “I see you support the troops with your yellow magnet. How about really supporting them and enlisting yourself or your children?”, complete with the local recruiter’s contact info?
EXCELLENT Cabingirl! Short and to the point!!
Matt, I agree that we Americans need to wake up to what is being done in our name. That’s why I spend a fair amount of time reading news from sources other than the MSM, and passing the information along to a wider circle of people who don’t even know what a blog is. In my area, a group of concerned citizens has begun hosting monthly discussion groups about issues like the Iraq war, the economy and social security, in an effort to reach out to more people about things that matter, regardless of political party identification.
That said, I think we all do well to take some time to remember and honor those who have suffered the most in the last few years, regardless of religion or nationality. Then we keep pushing for the truth.
what area do you live in?
Here in Manhattan I’ve been hugely frustrated by how little outrage even left-leaning groups like MoveOn and DFA show toward torture, which I truly believe is the most important issue of our times. Of course I don’t mean that they are for torture, but they don’t seem to see it as something the Left needs to address.
I vent my frustrations by working with organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. But I would much rather see grassroots, American organizations pressing what is after all our government to stop torturing and abusing prisoners.
I live about 40 minutes west of Philadelphia, near Malvern. I have to admit, my particular township tends to be pretty progressive (back in 1936, my local hero, Miss Betty, started a cooperative preschool here that has contributed a great deal to the community). More recently, there has been a strong push towards nurturing that spirit of community, with the local CSA becoming more of a social outlet than just a farm, and the recent start-up of the discussion forums I mentioned above.
Interstingly, when I was growing up here in the 70s, it was staunchly Republican. Boy has that changed! Last fall, my road had many Kerry signs out, and the suckers who kept sticking Bush signs at the nearest crossroads (not in anyone’s yard, mind you) found their signs gone within hours.
With respect to your comments about torture being accepted by even those in the left-leaning groups, I find that pretty shocking, and more than a little depressing. Brutality and murder shouldn’t be accepted by anyone, on either side of the political divide. Maybe part of the awareness in my area has to do with the smaller group nature here, rather than being part of a nationwide organization (in a big city) that encompasses so many things?
Each victim mentioned in the article = two.
I have NEVER bought the ‘few bad apples’ idea and have been monitoring the human rights abuses in both Afghanistan and Iraq since the beginning of the US military action.
I was not being ‘Canadian’ in my comment, I was just too brief and it may have seemed flippant to you. Believe me, I am tormented by the multitude of atrocities being committed and I know only of the few that are reported. I suspect many stories will be left untold until the end of the US military occupation.
There should be a war crimes trial right now.
want to commend the NY Times for doing what they do best. They obviously worked this story hard and built up multiple sources. They have committed journalism in their own proud tradtion.
And whoever had the conscience, courage, whatever to give that report to the Times. That was taking a huge risk–small in comparison to the harm done to other sentient beings, yes, but still a moment of personal courage. Thanks and blessings to whoever did it. May there be many more.
I’ve just begun reading, and am stopping just to say we’ve had many reports about this case. And I’ve written a couple diaries about them, and referred to this case in other diaries. I knew that, if they’d lived, their legs would have had to be amputated.
But nothing has prepared me for this. Nothing.
Thank you so much, Welshman, for covering this.
I feel so horribly that our own citizens did this. Maybe? this’ll put the Newsweek silliness to rest?
This is also why I asked for volunteers on the Open Thread last night to help go through the 2,000 pages here. It’s very tough to read. One needs a large monitor or, even better, a printer to print out the pages so one can more easily read the handwritten text and the poorly copied documents.
There’s much more there.
two Canadians from the Canadian Airborne tortured and killed a Somali
teenager. After the murder was revealed, the two men were charged
and arrested. Later the government disbanded the entire Canadian Airborne
Regiment and called a commission of inquiry into the whole affair.
Let’s hope that the American government will take swift and
effective action in response to the torture and murders of Dilawar,
the taxi driver and Mr. Habibullah in Afghanistan.
About the diary title, these Afghanis do not appear to be “soldiers.”
Dilawar was a taxi driver and Mr. Habibullah was the brother
of a Taliban commander.
Thank you. It is, of course an important point and I can only think I was too distracted by the story itself. I have now corrected the title.
but I’m pretty sure it won’t. We Americans have known about these abuses for two years now, but we’ve refused even to vote out of office the people who instituted our global network of torture networks.
Props to The Times for finally “breaking” this story. Shame on all Americans for allowing this to happen in the first place.
and I could sense the writer’s grief as he told the story.
with some historical background link
Yes, it should be required reading for all.
Here’s the link
Between this diary and Susan’s last evening I am speechless. What have we come to as Americans, as human beings. This is so horrific. I am glad to see the NYT cover this albeit the three years since it occurred. That these American “soldiers” are only being “reprimanded is obscene. They need to be confined for life. They have the taste for violence against humanity now. What else are they capable of. What has our government created?
Guess I wasn’t so speechless afterall.
I read the article late last night and was disgusted to my core. Disgusted with the perpetrators, but more specifically, disgusted with George W. Bush. I lay the blame squarely at his desk. His ascendancy to power in the United States has reaped the abandonment of international treaties and comity, economic disaster, divisive hatred towards our fellow citizens, two wars and torture. He has managed to destroy this country’s idealism in a relatively short period of time.
Last night I offered a silent prayer in response to the article. Today I offer action.
I have a lot of Bush-supporting friends; today they will hear from me about the farce that is the Bush Presidency. Maybe they will finally listen, maybe not. All I can do is try to wake them up one-by-one.
This is a big what if, but I am thinking and have thought for a long time that we have to take this whole business of the Iraq War into our own hands, we the people and get up a worldwide petition, via the internet, spread far and wide by our networking demanding the War in Iraq come to an end and demand that higher ups in this admin. be held to account for their war crimes and deeds.
Do you think it’s possible for us to start something like this? I am willing to get something started if others will join in. I have been contemplating doing a diary on this for quite a bit but wasn’t sure I could get support.
As I have always thought we need to harness the power of the internet to change what we want to be changed.
We could be a force to be reckoned with I am sure of that. Tell me what you think.
Since I wrote this comment I decided to do a diary on the subject I discussed above, please take a look and tell me what you think.
BBC 24 Hours has some interesting headline stories today.
There is a woman who clearly is not well and kept 200 stray dogs in awful conditions and has pleaded guilty and may serve six months in jail.
Tonight there is the Eurovision Song Contest where some of the most awful pop songs ever heard compete against each other in an event that has been running on TVs throughout Europe for fifty years.
The news broadcasts have, of course, been spending a considerable amount of time discussing tomorrow’s soccer Cup Final between Manchester United and Arsenal.
I have heard no mention of the revelations in the New York Times of the brutal torture and death of the Afghans held in Bagram Prison.
Surprised by this, I checked their web site. You will find there that BBC have a good account of the NYT article. Except for one thing, apart from the old and very irrelavant picture of a captor on his knees in a combat zone with a hood over his or her head.
This one thing is the headline: “US report reveals Afghan abuses”.
A news editor buried deep in the BBC feels that the repeated smashing of the thighs of prisoners whilst they are strung by their arms from the ceiling of their cages by chains in a way that leads to their deaths is an “abuse” of them. Just an “abuse”.
I felt it was time to telephone the BBC. I looked at my media contact list. The next major broadcast by BBC TV is 6.00 p.m. There it was, the contact for the BBC 6.00 o’clock Newsdesk. I telephoned.
I got a very refined sounding chap on the telephone and I took him through my two complaints about the headline on the web site and the complete failure to mention this story in their tweny-four hour broadcasts. He listened throughout this without interrupting.
I then did a silly thing. As a product of one of the UK’s Public (that means elite private) Schools, I should have known better when talking to someone of a similar class and background. I finished by dropping into working class familiarity. My bad. “Look, mate, I don’t know what influence you have, but please try and get them to prioritise the news properly”
The guy on the other end of the phone went ballistic. “I don’t have to take that sort of abuse,” he shouted “I don’t have to listen to this, How did you get this number”
Taken aback I said “Hang on. I don’t know why you are saying I was abusive. Can we go over what I just said to see why you felt this? All I said was ‘Look mate…” He interrupted,”Ring complaints. I’ll put you through”. I was transferred to his switchboard, where they gave me a regional number in Wales to which I could make my complaint.
I think that what happened was that the number that I used took me straight through to the editors desk in the news room. They don’t handle the complaints. They prioritise the news and write headlines about the smashing of legs, chaining to the ceiling and killing of prisoners and other abuse of prisoners.
My mistake. You are not supposed to speak directly to the people who are responsible. It is a Britsh thing, you know.
I am very troubled now. You see, in that journalist’s mind I “abused” him. I was doing the same to him as was done in the torture and death of those prisoners. I abused him and the soldiers abused them. I find this difficult to live with but I shall try.