this diary is dedicated to all who suffer because of war and other disasters
cross-posted at DailyKos, Booman Tribune, European Tribune, and My Left Wing.
image and poem below the fold
Iraqi women mourn near the dead body of Khadim Sarhid al-Hemaiyem, the leader of the Sunni Batta tribe and the brother of a candidate in the Dec. 15 election, in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005. Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms broke into the home of al-Hemaiyem Wednesday and killed him, his three sons and his son-in-law on the outskirts of Baghdad, his brother and an interior ministry official said.
(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Futility
by Wilfred Owen
Move him into the sun–
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it awoke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.
Think how it wakes the seeds–
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs so dear-achieved, are sides
Full-nerved,–still warm,–too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
–O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth’s sleep at all?
– – –
read Ilona’s important diary at MLW – Returning Vet PTSD – One Soldier’s Story
view the pbs newshour silent honor roll (with thanks to jimstaro at booman.)
take a private moment to light one candle among many (with thanks to TXSharon)
support Veterans for Peace
support the Iraqi people
support the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC)
support CARE
support the victims of torture
remember the fallen
support Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors – TAPS
support Gold Star Families for Peace
support the fallen
support the troops
support Iraq Veterans Against the War
support Military families Speak Out
support the troops and the Iraqi people
read This is what John Kerry did today, the diary by lawnorder that prompted this series
read Riverbend’s Bagdhad Burning
read Dahr Jamail’s Iraq Dispatches
read Today in Iraq
witness every day
Click on the candle to copy the image into your own comment (you can leave it on my server), and/or rate this one – not for mojo, but to leave a small mark after taking this moment.
” I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.”
from Dirge Without Music
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
for keeping us in touch with reality, however difficult.
…is the same across the world. It is blood that yearns for Peace.
What in the name of any thing is going on there!!?? Can these ppl not live together in the same country and have things go right for a change? To me it would seem that they would want to have a good life now. My oh my, this is such a shame.
PEACE
Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For Innocence Lost!
t r u t h o u t | Perspective
Thursday 24 November 2005
It was hard to feel blessed today as I sat at Casey’s grave here in Vacaville, California. Sure, a lot of good things have happened in my sphere of influence this year, but the blessings are always hampered by the reason for the blessings.
If Casey had not been killed in Iraq in George’s imperialistic war for power and wealth, I wouldn’t be on this path. I wish to God I weren’t on this path. But I am, so here are the blessings I am thankful for this year.
The main blessings that I can thankfully still count are my three children: Carly, Andy, and Janey. They are incredibly wonderful children who didn’t ask for the trail that George Bush has set them on by the murder of their oldest brother. They didn’t ask to have a mom who is away most of the time trying to make the world a better place to leave for them. They didn’t ask for it, but they are handling everything with the courage and integrity that are the hallmarks of Sheehan children.
I can look at the events of the past week or so and be thankful that some Democrats are finally displaying a modicum of courage in speaking out against the war and for bringing the troops home from this monstrosity. I hope we can look toward this with the expectation that the Democrats will finally unite against the immoral occupation of Iraq that has put an empty place at the holiday tables of over 2100 American families.
I can also hope against hope that the war criminals in power that advocate and condone torture and use the same chemical weapons against innocent Iraqis that they hypocritically accused Saddam of using against his own people will finally have to resign in disgrace before a mostly complicit Congress has to impeach them. After George and Co. resign in shame, someone needs to haul them off to The Hague for war crimes trials. That would be something to celebrate.
I am especially thankful for the inspiration that led me to Crawford in August to confront the criminal on his own turf. I am thankful to George, who very predictably did not meet with me and so sparked the Camp Casey Peace movement. I am extremely appreciative for the thousands of Americans who came out to Camp Casey over our three-week miraculous stay, and I am also gratified for the millions of citizens who stood behind us with their prayers and support. The peace movement is gaining momentum, and we will see our troops come home soon. This fact is overwhelmingly miraculous to me.
I have met so many amazing, loving, and delightful people since I started my quest to end the occupation of Iraq. My Gold Star Families are especially dear to me. In their tragedies they have found a way to bring their horrible grief to the forefront of the American consciousness and help America see the terrible price some of us have had to pay. One of my Gold Star Moms had her son commit suicide two years ago as George was smirkingly serving the plastic turkey. Another dad got in touch with me this week to tell me that they are sadly burying their son on the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year. The Gold Star Families for Peace are handling their losses with grace, courage and integrity. The Bush crime family and their cronies can take lessons from them. This administration full of neocon crooks has ruined the holidays for so many people worldwide. I don’t know how they can choke down their turkey!
I am profoundly grateful for the life of my son Casey Austin. He always lived his life with grace, courage and integrity. His life has been a model for me in my resolve to bring his buddies home alive. Unlike George, Casey never got anything handed to him on a silver platter. Casey put himself on a silver platter and handed his young life over to save the lives of his buddies. I am not grateful for the way he died and the too many others who have tragically come home in flag-draped coffins, too. The atrocity has to end before too many more families experience the emptiness of a chair at the family table that once rang with laughter and now rings with sighs and forced, mostly false, mirth.
Since Camp Casey, I do have hope that one of these days our holidays will have real joy and laughter again. I have hope that America is ready to take back our rights, freedoms and responsibilities. I have hope that people will be held accountable for the needless death and destruction they have caused the world. I am intensely grateful for the return of hope.
I also have high hopes that we are at a unique point in history where we will be able to change the paradigm of our existence from one of perpetual war and killing to one of perpetual love and peace. This will be the best blessing that a mom could ever ask for! Maybe next year!
VIDEO SPECIAL | Carly Sheehan: A Nation Rocked to Sleep
Windows Player DSL
Links to Quicktime & RealPlayer DSL & Dial Up At Site
ThanksGiving? What is there Really to be Thankful For, seems Anything that can Come To Mind is Quickly Wiped Out with a Planet of Inhabitants Causing Destruction, in So Many Ways!!
James Starowicz
USN ’67-’71
’67-’68: Meridian Mississippi/Naval Air Station
’68-’70: GMG3, Panama Canal Zone/Rodman Naval Base
’70-’71: GMG3, Coronado Calif, CounterInsurgency/S.E.R.E. School, Vietnam in-Country COMNAVFORV
Member: Veterans For Peace
Bomb kills 34 outside Iraq hospital
I haven’t posted here for a bit due to big pharm’s affect on me these past few days. Other than that I rarely miss a diary of Rubs.
They are very hard to look at. I’ve found the hard ones (they all are but the ones that get me are the children) are the ones I pass along and tell others to pass along.
This diary keeps me awake, aware and active. Rub was one of the people, memories, souls that I took with me to DC. Not only did I take it – but it helped carry me there. This and BoomanActionAlerts will continue to carry me where I’m supposed to go.
Rub’s diary brings tears, hate, heartache, shame, anger… BUT… I’ve noticed it’s also has brought
conviction
compassion
and a sense of community here in this daily thread.
DJ, I hope it is nothing serious and hope you are doing better. HUGS
At age 37 I found out that I’m allergic to poison oak, meaning I get acute systemic allergic reacions to the crud. Meaning measle like rash ALL OVER (I am not exaagerating when I say ALL OVER) plus the extra bennie to the typical scratch crud and spread of poison oak. Dizzy and slightly sick to stomach from steriods, triple dose. I should be able to run for Gov of California soon 🙂 Actually it’s doing super better today. last two days were maddening to say the least. My face is no longer red and purple 🙂
thanks ((((Brenda))))
Hi, DJ – I’ve missed you, and hope you’re OK – or on your way to OK.
There are lots of hopeful flames in these diaries – images of flames and otherwise. More than most, your flame burns strong for all of us.
I’m Ohkay – see above post 😉 Just as Wes Anderson would say “a really bad case” of poison oak. And at a really gnarly bad time, too
Been on the road. Went up to Portland to show the kids that we aren’t actually moving to “hell” or a place that is “going to ruin our lives”. 🙂 Got to pack and sell the house. Moving day is Dec 9th ACK!!!
But it’s all new beginnings. I’ll be able to attend meetings and protests very regularly and with “back up” instead of this loner stuff. 🙂
When I settle in to the temp apt (6 mos lease) that’ll be a good time to help you out with what you need.
You work in these diaries is inspirational and truly I am so glad “I ran into” you on these here internets.
Well I missed that piece of info! If you diaried/discussed it, please point me to it so I can get up to speed.
Portland, Oregon? That’s a beautiful town.
Safe travels/relocation.
Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For Innocence Lost!
Our Own Long Running Terrorists Training Camp
Rebecca MacNeice reports from the 16th annual School of the Americas protest at Fort Benning, Georgia Nov. 18-20 2005. 20,000 people participated in the protest, including 41 who were arrested. The protesters focused their attention on the School because of its involvement in the training of many Central American military officers who went on to commit human rights abuses.
VIDEO SPECIAL | School of the Americas Protest
Windows Media DSL Link
Links To Windows, Quicktime and Real Player DSL & Dialup at Site
ThanksGiving? What is there Really to be Thankful For, seems Anything that can Come To Mind is Quickly Wiped Out with a Planet of Inhabitants Causing Destruction, in So Many Ways!!
James Starowicz
USN ’67-’71
’67-’68: Meridian Mississippi/Naval Air Station
’68-’70: GMG3, Panama Canal Zone/Rodman Naval Base
’70-’71: GMG3, Coronado Calif, CounterInsurgency/S.E.R.E. School, Vietnam in-Country COMNAVFORV
Member: Veterans For Peace
.
THE HAGUE Nov. 24 — When CIA-prisons and detainee abuse in Europe is proven to be true, the Dutch will reconsider their participation in Enduring Freedom by its special forces in Afghanistan.
FM Berhard Bot made this statement in parliament this morning. The State of the Netherlands has formally requested a clarification from the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague earlier this week. A possible use of Schiphol Airport for the spook transport of prisoners by the CIA has been put forward for answers.
The ‘consequences’ FM Bot referred to, is possible suspension of Dutch Special Forces operation under U.S. Command in Afghanistan. Participation of an extension within NATO to the Afghan province of Uruzgan within the ISAF contingent, may also be at stake.
The Dutch right-wing partner in the coalition, VVD Liberal Conservatives, already critized the suggestion by VP Dick Cheney to make an exception for torture by the CIA in Iraq or Afghanistan.
For the new ISAF-mission in Uruzgan, the United Kingdom and Canada have committed forces and Dutch troops are following special training assignments in preparation, and Minister of Defense Kamp has been an advocate for Dutch participation.
Minister Berhard Bot as Foreign Minister has the possibility to veto the committment when the U.S. cannot provide adequate information and when the peace and security mission of the Dutch forces under ISAF interferes with the military operation Enduring Freedom.
The Dutch cabinet has requested written promises of the Afghan government, that prisoners handed over by the Dutch will be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, will not be tortured during interrogation and cannot receive a death sentence.
IT’S TIME TO CLEAN-UP CONGRESS IN 2006!
LEAVE Iraq to the Iraqis
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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