“[I]n times of crisis it’s interesting that people don’t turn to the novel or say, ‘We should all go out to a movie,’ or ‘Ballet would help us.’ It’s always poetry. What we want to hear is a human voice speaking directly in our ear.”
Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003) speaking to the New York Times, as quoted in The Dead Beat by Marilyn Johnson
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
An Iraqi boy leaves a hospital after his wounds were bandaged following an explosion in front of a Baghdad courthouse. At least 28 people were killed across Iraq amid continued political horsetrading over the formation of the next government with Shiites and Sunnis bickering over key government posts.
(AFP/Sabah Arar)
from Credible Information, 1999 – 2003
by Mark Pawlak
For Gary Trudeau
February 26, 2002
The Office of Strategic Influence was established after September 11th
to counter fears that the United States was losing public support
overseas for its war on terrorism, particularly in Islamic nations.
Its object was to use the foreign news media and the Internet
to tell the American side of the story. Plans for the office included
ways to “coerce” foreign journalists and opinion makers
and to “punish” those who convey the wrong message.
“A lot of the world does not like America,”
one senior official had said, “and it’s going to take
years to change their hearts and minds.”
– – –
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
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
Peace
Impeach NOW!
Sectarian fears force Iraqis to flee
Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children – Innocence Lost!
your: adj; of or relating to you or yourself {there’s a reason for adding this, as related to song contents}
After Watching The Above….
Which will Tear your Heart Open, just looking at the Rows of Boots on that Hillside, as this Great Artist shows his Heart in Song!
There’s a Real Good ‘Rendition’ Flash Video of ‘Pinks’ “DEAR MR pRESIDENT” using the Live performance of the song but with Photo’s and written commentary!!
~~~~~
Kent State – May 4, 1970
~~~~~
The 32% {Pass It On}
Youngster Answering Those Who Have Threatened Her!!
Peace Takes Courage
4/27/2006
New Animation
The 32%
*
Goes Well With This:
Subject Line: Where The ‘Repugnant’ Base Comes From, and Their Candidates
Young Americans shaky on geographic smarts
Study finds that many fare poorly at finding Louisiana and Iraq on a map
The Associated Press
Updated: 10:52 a.m. ET May 2, 2006
*
A recent Diary on this Young Lady is why I decided to Post Up a Seperate Diary of her recent Flash, above.
You can read the Diary here: Peace Takes Courage – 15-yr-old gets death threats for anti-war video
Since the Flash she produced, just below, that started the Rash of Threats,
4/02/2006
New Animation
WWJD?
she’s been Rapidly Producing her Responses, note the dates. Leading up to the Last, at top. Lets give her our Support Folks!!!!
4/20/2006
New Animation
Impeach the ‘Decider’
4/12/2006
New Animation
The Time is Now
4/08/2006
New Animation
Broken Promises
Oh and add to the Subject Line of the Article-‘Party Power Brokers’ as well.
will lead to peace!
Throw the bastards out!
.
GENEVA (AP) May 5 — In its 87-page report filed in January — some four years behind schedule — Washington insisted it is “unequivocally opposed” to torture and that its commitment to the ban “remains unchanged” since the U.S. Senate ratified the convention in October 1994.
But the Geneva-based committee, a panel of 10 independent experts who meet twice a year, said the United States’ legal interpretation of torture in Department of Justice memorandums in 2002 and 2004 “seems to be much more restrictive than previous United Nations standards.”
The committee is demanding the United States explain why it established secret prisons, what rules and methods of interrogation it employs, and whether the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush assumes responsibility for alleged acts of torture committed by American agents outside U.S. territory.
“In view of the numerous allegations of torture and ill-treatment of persons in detention under the jurisdiction of (the United States) and the case of the Abu Ghraib prison, what specific measures have been taken to identify and remedy problems in the command and operation of those detention facilities?” the committee has asked.
Amnesty International’s Supplementary Briefing to the UN Committee Against Torture
≈ Cross-posted from my diary — Cheney Attacks Buddy of Bush ¶ No Love for Russia ≈
LEAVE Iraq to the Iraqis
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
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