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
Carol Lucalzi, mother of Marine 1st Lt. Michael L. Licalzi, and his twin brother Gregory Jr. walk past members of the Patriot Guard Riders holding American Flags after his funeral service at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn, N.Y., Saturday, May 20, 2006. Licalzi died May 11, 2006 as a result of a vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Lot’s Wife
by Anna Akhmatova
translated by Max Hayward and Stanley Kunitz
And the just man trailed God’s shining agent,
over a black mountain, in his giant track,
while a restless voice kept harrying his woman:
“It’s not too late, you can still look back
at the red towers of your native Sodom,
the square where once you sang, the spinning-shed,
at the empty windows set in the tall house
where sons and daughters blessed your marriage-bed.”
A single glance: a sudden dart of pain
stitching her eyes before she made a sound . . .
Her body flaked into transparent salt,
and her swift legs rooted to the ground.
Who will grieve for this woman? Does she not seem
too insignificant for our concern?
Yet in my heart I never will deny her,
who suffered death because she chose to turn.
– – –
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
Impeach.
Bomb blasts in Baghdad market kills three: police
.
BAGHDAD – GREEN ZONE (BBC News) May 21 — Mr Blair’s arrival in Baghdad from Kuwait was shrouded in secrecy, and comes amid continuing violence. Two blasts this morning claimed at least five lives.
The new government was sworn in on Saturday and Mr Maliki vowed to use all means necessary, including “maximum force”, to restore security. The new government has vowed to crack down on terrorism – but key ministries still remain unfilled.
Blair: “It has been longer and harder than any of us would have wanted it to be …
Is that statement a recognition he made a grave error? – Oui.
Three Iraqis standing on a bridge look down as one of them pours petrol onto a burning British military vehicle after a roadside bomb attack which slightly wounded two British soldiers in Basra, Iraq. AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani≈ Cross-posted from my diary — Tony Blair Secure In Green Zone Visit ≈
LEAVE Iraq to the Iraqis
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
…and the restoration of the integrity that used to be exemplified by those flags.
Peace
Impeachment Now!
peace
Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children – Innocence Lost!
If you did it was a Great Tribute to those who are serving, Not For Country, But By Being Sent They Watch Each Others Backs Hoping Against Hope Of Getting Out Of There ALIVE!!
But I ask the question/statement for another reason. Did it strike you that most of those profiled with injuries were ‘National Guard Troops’? Think who else is a known National Guard, at one time, in another space, but Avoiding The Debacle Of That Time, through a Duty ‘Never Finished’!!!!!
Hamas Or Chaos?
by Nathan J. Brown, TomPaine.com
Before trying to collapse the Hamas government, Israel and America should consider what would replace it.
~~~~~
Posted on Mon, May. 22, 2006
His photo is an icon, his life a shambles
At home and suffering from stress disorder, ex-Marine has turned against Iraq war
BY DAVID ZUCCHINO
Los Angeles Times
~~~~~
Iraq War Veteran’s Suicide – He was Swallowed by Pain
Mehul Srivastava
Jeffrey Lucey joined the Reserves to help pay for college; he wasn’t prepared for what happened next
~~~~~
GI Special 4E22 Last Letter Home.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IVAW
P.O. Box 8296
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Phone: 215-241-7123
E-mail: ivaw@ivaw.net
Iraq vets back Murtha on Haditha massacre revelations