Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 335

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.

for our community, physical and virtual
posted from YearlyKos
image and poem below the fold

A photo of Army Capt. Douglas DiCenzo holding his son Dakin, now 16-months is seen next to a box containing his ashes during memorial services Sunday, June 4, 2006. DiCenzo, 30, was killed when his Humvee drove over a roadside bomb in Baghdad.
(AP Photo/Jim Cole)

I Have Been Living
by Jane Mead

I have been living
closer to the ocean than I thought–
in a rocky cove thick with seaweed.

It pulls me down when I go wading.
Sometimes, to get back to land
takes everything that I have in me.

Sometimes, to get back to land
is the worst thing a person can do.
Meanwhile, we are dreaming:

The body is innocent.
She has never hurt me.
What we love flutters in us.

– – –
support Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

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

11 Comments

RubDMC on June 10, 2006 at 10:38 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.

“It is like trying to ignite – to pass on the responsibilities as much as possible to everyone else.”
Ravi Shankar

jimstaro on June 10, 2006 at 10:44 am

Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children – Innocence Lost!

Why good people kill
Iraq murders reveal the warping power of conformity and dehumanization.
Rosa Brooks
June 9, 2006

ARE AMERICANS good people?

Our troops were sent to fight an unnecessary war, without adequate resources or training for the challenges they faced. At the same time, senior members of the administration made clear their disdain for the Geneva Convention’s rules on war and for the principles and traditions of the military. Belated and halfhearted investigations into earlier abuses sent the message that brutality would be winked at — unless the media noticed, in which case a few bad apples would be ceremoniously ejected from the barrel, while higher-ups would go unpunished.

jimstaro on June 10, 2006 at 3:23 pm

Historic Congressional debate and vote
on School of the Americas

After five years, the silence in Congress has been broken.

Your work and the amazing contributions of over 40 national religious, labor and political organizations delivered an incredible vote today in what is possibly the most conservative Congress in U.S. history. Because of you, for the first time in six years, we won the debate, and we had a vote in Congress that garnered the support of 188 Representatives who voted to cut funding the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC, including almost 30 Republicans!

Today’s session was a critical day in our ongoing campaign to close the School of the Americas and to bring accountability to a “school of shame.” Now we know where Members of the House stand – and who we need to target. You now have the opportunity to invite at least 55 Members who voted with us but who aren’t yet co-sponsors of HR 1217 to sign on to our bill to suspend and investigate the SOA/ WHISNEC. See the final Roll Call.

This week you successfully leveraged more pressure on Congress than was leveraged on any other issue, you had the Republican leadership in the House worried about the vote. At the last minute, the right wing pulled out all the stops to get the bare minimum of votes needed – 218 – to defeat the amendment.

Our bill, HR 1217, is still alive! Today’s amendment vote is a good marker for us, and it will continue to serve as a tool for educating Members of Congress. Today’s vote will keep up our momentum as we continue to build support for HR 1217!

Our supporters won today’s debate hands-down. Representatives Lowey (NY), the ranking member of the House; Barbara Lee (CA), of the Human Rights Caucus; Schakowsky (IL); Meehan (MA); Kucinich (OH); and McGovern (MA) laid out strong arguments in favor of cutting funding to WHINSEC, citing serious concerns over human rights abuses, over the harm the institution does to relationships with Latin American nations and over known human rights abusers returning to WHINSEC.

Each Representative in favor of the amendment gave compelling and specific examples that supported their arguments. Those speaking against the amendment were not nearly as eloquent — and didn’t even have enough speakers to fill their time!

We have had an unprecedented level of success with our bill, HR 1217. We have more Republicans as co-sponsors than we’ve ever had; about 30 Republicans voted with us today; and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House Minority Leader, a majority of the Human Rights Caucus and Budget Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA) are on board with the bill.

We have made incredible strides forward, and we know that one day this school of torture, this school of coups, this school of repression will be closed down for good. We are continuing to grow our movement here in North America. Three South American countries have already pulled out of the school, and more may be on the way! Across the Americas, major social change is happening, and people’s movements continue to elect leaders that listen to the will of the people. There is much about which we can be hopeful. Now as we continue the momentum you must take action!

Read more about actions you can take to close the SOA.

cotterperson on June 10, 2006 at 10:53 am

[IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/cotterperson/bluffvuriverwcloudsatsunset.jpg[/IMG]

May all people be safe at home.

cotterperson on June 10, 2006 at 10:56 am

Peace.

ask on June 10, 2006 at 11:00 am

Iraqi insurgents vow to continue fighting

alohaleezy on June 10, 2006 at 11:06 am

since George declared “Mission Accomplished”.

Out of Iraq NOW!

Impeachment NOW!

olivia on June 10, 2006 at 12:53 pm

One cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.
~Albert Einstein

peace

Damnit Janet on June 10, 2006 at 1:09 pm

Sometimes a human just has to say “no more”

Fleet Week in Portland… and the fuckers have their fingers on the triggers of their guns. So we’re going in to protest the militarization of this country. Fuck Bush and Fuck his hired killers and his fear tactics.

2:00PM, Saturday, June 10th
Salmon Street Fountain – Waterfront Park

We’ll be gathering along with the War Resisters League Draft Counseling Project, PPRC, The No War Drum Corp. and other counter-recruiting organizers to challenge the militarization of the Rose Festival
and confront the lies of the military recruiters.

—

My husband is scared shitless about this one. The fuckers have been standing on the docks with their bad ass guns. Fleet Week used to be fun. Now there are security “check points”. Guns armed and aimed at CIVILIANS.

I’m going to go do my part.

Peace. Love.

dada on June 10, 2006 at 1:16 pm

Winter in America

supersoling on June 10, 2006 at 7:20 pm

RubDMC on June 10, 2006 at 10:38 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.

“It is like trying to ignite – to pass on the responsibilities as much as possible to everyone else.”
Ravi Shankar
jimstaro on June 10, 2006 at 10:44 am

Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children – Innocence Lost!

Why good people kill
Iraq murders reveal the warping power of conformity and dehumanization.
Rosa Brooks
June 9, 2006

ARE AMERICANS good people?

Our troops were sent to fight an unnecessary war, without adequate resources or training for the challenges they faced. At the same time, senior members of the administration made clear their disdain for the Geneva Convention’s rules on war and for the principles and traditions of the military. Belated and halfhearted investigations into earlier abuses sent the message that brutality would be winked at — unless the media noticed, in which case a few bad apples would be ceremoniously ejected from the barrel, while higher-ups would go unpunished.
- jimstaro on June 10, 2006 at 3:23 pm
  
  Historic Congressional debate and vote
  on School of the Americas
  
  After five years, the silence in Congress has been broken.
  
  Your work and the amazing contributions of over 40 national religious, labor and political organizations delivered an incredible vote today in what is possibly the most conservative Congress in U.S. history. Because of you, for the first time in six years, we won the debate, and we had a vote in Congress that garnered the support of 188 Representatives who voted to cut funding the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC, including almost 30 Republicans!
  
  Today’s session was a critical day in our ongoing campaign to close the School of the Americas and to bring accountability to a “school of shame.” Now we know where Members of the House stand – and who we need to target. You now have the opportunity to invite at least 55 Members who voted with us but who aren’t yet co-sponsors of HR 1217 to sign on to our bill to suspend and investigate the SOA/ WHISNEC. See the final Roll Call.
  
  This week you successfully leveraged more pressure on Congress than was leveraged on any other issue, you had the Republican leadership in the House worried about the vote. At the last minute, the right wing pulled out all the stops to get the bare minimum of votes needed – 218 – to defeat the amendment.
  
  Our bill, HR 1217, is still alive! Today’s amendment vote is a good marker for us, and it will continue to serve as a tool for educating Members of Congress. Today’s vote will keep up our momentum as we continue to build support for HR 1217!
  
  Our supporters won today’s debate hands-down. Representatives Lowey (NY), the ranking member of the House; Barbara Lee (CA), of the Human Rights Caucus; Schakowsky (IL); Meehan (MA); Kucinich (OH); and McGovern (MA) laid out strong arguments in favor of cutting funding to WHINSEC, citing serious concerns over human rights abuses, over the harm the institution does to relationships with Latin American nations and over known human rights abusers returning to WHINSEC.
  
  Each Representative in favor of the amendment gave compelling and specific examples that supported their arguments. Those speaking against the amendment were not nearly as eloquent — and didn’t even have enough speakers to fill their time!
  
  We have had an unprecedented level of success with our bill, HR 1217. We have more Republicans as co-sponsors than we’ve ever had; about 30 Republicans voted with us today; and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House Minority Leader, a majority of the Human Rights Caucus and Budget Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA) are on board with the bill.
  
  We have made incredible strides forward, and we know that one day this school of torture, this school of coups, this school of repression will be closed down for good. We are continuing to grow our movement here in North America. Three South American countries have already pulled out of the school, and more may be on the way! Across the Americas, major social change is happening, and people’s movements continue to elect leaders that listen to the will of the people. There is much about which we can be hopeful. Now as we continue the momentum you must take action!
  
  Read more about actions you can take to close the SOA.
cotterperson on June 10, 2006 at 10:53 am

[IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/cotterperson/bluffvuriverwcloudsatsunset.jpg[/IMG]

May all people be safe at home.
- cotterperson on June 10, 2006 at 10:56 am
  
  Peace.
ask on June 10, 2006 at 11:00 am

Iraqi insurgents vow to continue fighting
alohaleezy on June 10, 2006 at 11:06 am

since George declared “Mission Accomplished”.

Out of Iraq NOW!

Impeachment NOW!
olivia on June 10, 2006 at 12:53 pm

One cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.
~Albert Einstein

peace
Damnit Janet on June 10, 2006 at 1:09 pm

Sometimes a human just has to say “no more”

Fleet Week in Portland… and the fuckers have their fingers on the triggers of their guns. So we’re going in to protest the militarization of this country. Fuck Bush and Fuck his hired killers and his fear tactics.

2:00PM, Saturday, June 10th
Salmon Street Fountain – Waterfront Park

We’ll be gathering along with the War Resisters League Draft Counseling Project, PPRC, The No War Drum Corp. and other counter-recruiting organizers to challenge the militarization of the Rose Festival
and confront the lies of the military recruiters.

—

My husband is scared shitless about this one. The fuckers have been standing on the docks with their bad ass guns. Fleet Week used to be fun. Now there are security “check points”. Guns armed and aimed at CIVILIANS.

I’m going to go do my part.

Peace. Love.
dada on June 10, 2006 at 1:16 pm

Winter in America
supersoling on June 10, 2006 at 7:20 pm

Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 335

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RubDMC

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