Reporter: Mr. Harrison, with all that’s going on in the world today, why did you decide to focus on this (Bangladesh)?”
George Harrison: “Because a friend asked me to help.”
from a press conference for the Concert for Bangladesh
this diary is dedicated to all who suffer because of war and other disasters
we honor courage in all its forms
cross-posted at DailyKos, Booman Tribune, European Tribune, My Left Wing, and TexasKos.
image and poem below the fold
A handout photo from SBS television shows a hooded prisoner being subjected to a dog at Abu Ghraib prison in 2004. The ex-commander of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp urged the use of dogs at Iraq’s notorious Abu Ghraib prison believing they would scare inmates, but did not order their use in interrogations, a military court heard.
(AFP/SBS TV-HO/File)
Mongrel Death Blues
by Joshua Weiner
What’s that behind my back?
What’s that gnawing behind my back?
It sounds like a dog crunching bones for marrow.
Bones here so old, the sun’s dried up the marrow.
What kind of dog splinters bone like that?
Don’t turn around, I hear it getting louder.
Don’t turn, don’t turn, its growl is getting louder.
Oh, don’t you growl at me, nappy rabid dog.
My joints may be cracking, but my bones ain’t buried yet.
I said, my skeleton is talking, but my bones ain’t buried yet.
Hear my belly growling? I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been.
Are you baring pearly whites? I can almost smell your mongrel breath.
Yes, your pearlies, they are snapping, and I can smell your stinking breath.
I’d turn around and pet you, but I’ve given up on pets.
I am reaching for a stone.
I swear my aim is sharp.
I swear my arm is strong.
It’s growing dark, but I won’t miss.
It’s darker now, but I won’t miss.
O shine down moonlight, my whole life has led to this.
– – –
Join CIVIC’s “I Care” photo campaign
put a meaningful magnet on your car or metal filing cabinet
read Ilona’s important new blog – PTSD Combat
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
The candle that DianeL first lit many months ago, and which has become such an important part of these diaries since, is still available here.
You can copy that image into your own comment (you can leave it on my server), craft your own image, and/or rate this one – not for mojo, but to leave a small mark after taking this moment – as a sign that you know, but do not approve, and are not resigned.
“It is like trying to ignite – to pass on the responsibilities as much as possible to everyone else.”
Ravi Shankar
Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children – Innocence Lost!
Standing in the rain
In a company formation
Of ramrod-straight strangers–
Flags, salutes, speeches,
“Taps” on a trumpet,
The militant martial air
Trumps the Ten Commandments,
Salutes the sacrifices made to war–
The sons (some daughters)
Who died in killing fields,
None free to say I disagree
With this mission, sir:
Move up, move out–
No talking, silence
In the ranks…
The surviving vets
Standing mute witness
In the rain
Jan Barry
Peace
peace
I would like to take this time to say thanks to all the veterans here at Booman. Your service has always been appreciated, even through the thick and thin of everything. I appreciate all the military families, too, for w/o their brave and honorable support, you have made it all happen, after all. I shed the tears of sorrow for those who did not make it home, except to be placed in a box for burial….and to those who can not accept that we survived for a reason. I wish to thank all the ppl here in Booman that keep our hope and love always in the forefront of every item and issue we discuss.
To those of which will be considered POW/MIA and their families, I stand with you always.
The love and caring of everyone here has made this a great place for me to reside. The wonderful friends I have made are priceless!
Please give yourself a pat on the back and know I appreciate you all…hugs
To the civilians of all wars who [loose/die] because of being in the wrong place and the right time, I give you my prayers for a peaceful resting place, always.
To the USO, social services of the military, the RC& affiliates, and all others, thanks for standing by our sides/ just being there for us, in time of need.
May what ever your faith is, might it guide you to some sort of peace in what ever your agony is.
I salute you….Love&Peace….Always,
come visit with me here in a place to reflect
read/listen to my favorite poem, called David. Read aloud by VP Gore on our dedication of the above memorial.
…many of the fallen women in Vietnam were nurses.
eight of the names on the Wall, belong to women. All were nurses. Thank you, Rub.
Iraqis shot ‘for wearing shorts’