Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 461

Posted by RubDMC | Jan 20, 2007 | 10 |

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

we have no sympathy for the devil

we acknowledge the power to act that is in us

images and poem below the fold

The bodies of bomb attack victims lie on a police vehicle in a market in Baghdad January 18, 2007. At least 17 people were killed and 47 wounded in car bombings in Baghdad on Thursday as insurgents staged a fresh series of attacks in a bloody week in the Iraqi capital.
REUTERS/Namir Noor-Eldeen (IRAQ)

Vespers
by Louise Glück

In your extended absence, you permit me
use of earth, anticipating
some return on investment. I must report
failure in my assignment, principally
regarding the tomato plants.
I think I should not be encouraged to grow
tomatoes. Or, if I am, you should withhold
the heavy rains, the cold nights that come
so often here, while other regions get
twelve weeks of summer. All this
belongs to you: on the other hand,
I planted the seeds, I watched the first shoots
like wings tearing the soil, and it was my heart
broken by the blight, the black spot so quickly
multiplying in the rows. I doubt
you have a heart, in our understanding of
that term. You who do not discriminate
between the dead and the living, who are, in consequence,
immune to foreshadowing, you may not know
how much terror we bear, the spotted leaf,
the red leaves of the maple falling
even in August, in early darkness: I am responsible
for these vines.

About The Author

RubDMC

I'm a PROUD Massachusetts Liberal who lives just a short stroll from the site of the first armed resistance to another insane tyrant named George in 1775.

10 Comments

RubDMC on January 20, 2007 at 8:22 am

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.
alohaleezy on January 20, 2007 at 8:35 am

Peace be.
olivia on January 20, 2007 at 9:49 am

peace
dada on January 20, 2007 at 10:27 am

United for Peace
DC: 1.27.07

/John McCain: The truth.
jimstaro on January 20, 2007 at 10:47 am

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

A Grim Milestone: 500 Amputees

Last Tuesday marked another grim milestone: the arrival of the 500th amputee. Army officials said the victim, a 24-year-old corporal, lost both legs in a roadside bomb explosion on January 12. He was treated at the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, before landing at Andrews and being taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Soldiers may not get needed mental help
Returning vets aren’t screened unless they say they need aid, officer says

Mental health screening isn’t consistent for U.S. troops returning from war, and if they don’t say they need help, they often don’t get it, the Army’s top medical officer said Friday.
“If an individual checks nothing, ‘I have no mental health issues,’ they’re not necessarily being sent to mental health counseling,” said Army Surgeon General Kevin Kiley, speaking at a hearing on military medical readiness before the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
It is estimated that about 17 percent of returning war fighters have post-traumatic stress disorder or severe anxiety and depression, compared with about 6 percent or 7 percent of the general population, Kiley said.

Psychologist: Navy faces crisis

An experienced Navy psychologist warns that the U.S. military does not have enough mental health professionals to meet the growing number of emotionally damaged war veterans.
Moreover, Navy Cmdr. Mark Russell says, many of the mental health professionals on staff lack formal training in core therapies for post-traumatic stress syndrome. Russell predicts a “perfect storm” of dire health care consequences.
“We cannot provide the standard of care to treat PTSD via psychotherapy when we can barely keep up with new referrals and have to manage crises while filling in for the staffing gaps and vacancies due to deployment, attrition or no billeting,” Russell says. “This is why I have been so outspoken.”

Then he brags:

As a result, he says, the military has a record of returning more than 98% of troops with emotional issues back to their units.

The Parrot

Laura Bush bought George a parrot for his birthday.

She told Dick Cheney, “The bird is so smart! George has already taught him to mispronounce over 200 words!”

“Wow, that’s pretty impressive,” Cheney said. “But you realize that he just says the words. He doesn’t understand what they mean”
.
“That’s okay,” Laura replied. “Neither does the parrot”

.

No ‘Surge’ for Them
Kurdish Force Heads to Baghdad Battle Zone

Chapman says there have been desertions. He expects only several hundred soldiers to show up in Baghdad, out of a battalion of 1,600.
- jimstaro on January 20, 2007 at 11:00 am
  
  In leau of posting over at the clickish dkos you might want to post HERE, I’m sure they’d welcome it as they hopefully grow, or even over at ePluribus.
  - jimstaro on January 20, 2007 at 12:05 pm
    
    Almost forgot.
    
    Tune in this after noon 3PM PT or tonight 6PM ET to ‘The Progressive Radio Network’, online for the About Face show which will be a recorded show continuing the Sunday show, last week, with Members of the Appeal For Redress you won’t be sorry!
    
    Give it a try at 5PM ET as for some reason that’s when it came on last Saturday, if not than it will be at 6PM ET!
    
    And give 60min a call, they taped a show with a few of these Military Personal that has already been pushed aside Twice, it needs to be aired!!
- jimstaro on January 20, 2007 at 12:48 pm
  
  Hush now, little one …
  
  Layla Anwar Since you love economics and you count so well when it comes to figures, dollars and dimes, let us do together a simple calculation. In the 13 years of sanctions from 1991 to 2003, a conservative estimate places the number of dead Iraqi babies to 500’000 .{and the price was well worth it according to M.Albright, your democrat.} Since 2003 , another conservative estimate is 260’000 dead Iraqi kids due to lack of medical care and a health system in total chaos. Amongst the official figure of the Lancet report of 650’000 Iraqis dead, let’s assume that at least 10% of that number were children killed by violentacts. So that makes around 65’000. {knowing that Iraq has a big youth population}. In the latest census by the UN, which was not taken into account when the Lancet report came out, 34’450 {plus} were killed due to violence. Assuming again a mere 10 % were children, that brings my calculation to3’400.
  So a quick summing up will give us a total of : 829’300 Iraqi children Dead. {…} As for the very progressive left and the rest of the apparatchik, well what can I say? They are already dressed in black chadors, beating on their chests, thumping on their heads, wailing in advance, for a improbable farfetched attack on some other country… They have turned their attention from the scene of the crime. Too much for you darlings? A mirror of your impotence or of your sellout? 800’000plus, Iraqi Children dead. I congratulate you. Let your new patron give you 800’000plus, medals as proof of your dedication for peace on earth…
- jimstaro on January 20, 2007 at 5:58 pm
  
  As heard on Wisconsin Public Radio on The Morning Show 1-17-07
  Dr. Edward Tick, author of War and the Soul:Healing Our Nation’s Veterans from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Also, Michael Durant ( author of In The Company Of Heroes ) – about the newest book, The Night Stalkers
  
  You can listen to the show by clicking HERE which will bring up your Windows Media Player. You can also find it at ‘The Morning Show’ link above in the Archived Shows page.
  
  Thanks to Ilona for the headsup about show!
Oui on January 20, 2007 at 6:38 pm

.
(also) for American troops –

Black Hawk down in Iraq – 13 dead

Kerbala ambush kills 5 U.S. soldiers

An earlier report:
U.S., Iraqi forces raid local govt in Kerbala
“They asked to come but permission was not granted so they broke in.”

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 461

About The Author

RubDMC

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