Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 404

this diary is dedicated to all who suffer because of war

we love and support our troops, just as we love and support the Iraqi people – without exception, or precondition, or judgment.

image and poem below the fold

(AFP TV)
(no other caption/credit provided by wire service when this image was found)

Ars Poetica (cocoons)
by Dana Levin

Six monarch butterfly cocoons

clinging to the back of your throat–

you could feel their gold wings trembling.

You were alarmed. You felt infested.

In the downstairs bathroom of the family home,

gagging to spit them out–

and a voice saying Don’t, don’t–

– – –

7 Comments

RubDMC on October 20, 2006 at 4:03 pm

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

dada on October 20, 2006 at 4:05 pm

jimstaro on October 20, 2006 at 5:26 pm

Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children – Innocence Lost,
And The Perpetual Conflict Future We Have Given Them!

I posted up a Quick Diary, just before heading to work, at a few other places as well as here at BooMan.
This is the BooMan Link HERE
I just updated that one, and a few others with this:

I posted this up over at ‘Veterans For America’, at my blog spot there as well, along with a few other places.

This is one response I received from that posting:

I served in OIF III as a US Army Infantryman. I was only an e-3 at the time (e-4 now). I was in Falluja, Taji (only for two weeks), but i spent most of my time in Mosul. I was a line grunt. I have PTSD, but i wouldn’t have known it until i got out. It wasn’t till i was on the brink of divorce that i decided to talk to a VA counselor. That’s where i learned that i had a problem and I have started my medication and treatment. I’m not saying I’m cured, but if it weren’t for the medication and the treatment than i can guarantee that i would be in prison now because my anger was that strong. What most people don’t understand is that most soldiers that are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan don’t face the daily struggle that the “grunts” face. I was deployed as an infantryman to Iraq, and i had to become mean in order to survive. It’s what war made me, and that’s why i feel so strongly against the death penalties for these soldiers. When i lost one of my friends in an IED attack, I was on the verge of murdering as many Iraqis as i could. I wanted revenge, and if it weren’t for the fact that my team leader helped talked me down (even though he wanted to do the same), i would have. saying the government is doing their job to scan these soldiers is a BOLD FACE LIE!!! i did a survey once when i got back and that was it. Also, i felt as if I posted my true feelings I would be imprisoned. And if it weren’t for my wife giving me an ultimatum to seek treatment than i easily could have been on the news for killing someone. The government is just trying to cover their own skin instead of standing up for their soldiers. Honestly, I feel betrayed. The soldiers that are being persecuted should be pardoned and should be put in a psychiatric ward so that they can adapt to being normal again. It has saved my life, and I want the same for them.

I won’t put his name down yet, as I haven’t contacted him, need to get a number of links to info before I do.
But what he writes is what the Truth brings out, I saw it in ‘Nam and others saw it in their own Conflicts, most of which Were Civilin Leaders lying about them and Not Understanding What ‘Hell On Earth’ is!!!!!!!!

jimstaro on October 20, 2006 at 5:43 pm

Seventeen years ago I fled Darfur.
But not a day goes by when I don’t think of my family and friends who remain in the region – along with the millions of other Darfuris currently suffering at the hands of a genocidal regime.
Yet, despite the devastation, we must not give up hope. There is something we can do to stop this genocide. It begins with raising awareness to help build pressure on our political leaders to act.
That is why I am so pleased to tell you that this Sunday evening the CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes” will air a story about the genocide in Darfur.
Click here to read more about the segment and to check local television listings.
The Sudanese government continues to deny its role in the perpetration of genocide, restricting reporters from entering the region in order to hide the truth.
Yet CBS correspondent Scott Pelley and his “60 Minutes” crew went anyway, putting their lives in jeopardy. Their report on what is happening is both powerful and devastating.
I know because I was with Pelley and his crew when they filmed this piece. It is haunting and evocative – because it is real. There is no doubt in my mind that after watching this segment, millions of Americans will be compelled to act to stop the genocide in Darfur.
Click here to ask your friends and family to join you in watching “60 Minutes” this Sunday.
Thank you for everything you continue to do.
Sincerely,
Omer Ismail
Fellow at Harvard University’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy
Founder of Darfur Peace and Development Organization

—–
The Save Darfur Coalition would like to invite you to join our Weekly Action Network and commit to take one action a week to help stop the genocide in Darfur. Will you help turn up the heat? Click here to learn more and sign up to participate.