Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 357

this diary is dedicated to all who suffer because of war and other disasters

we honor courage in all its forms

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

cross-posted at DailyKos, Booman Tribune, European Tribune, My Left Wing, and TexasKos.

two images and poem below the fold

A man slumps on the driver’s seat of a vehicle after he and an engineer working for the North Oil Company were killed by gunmen while heading to work in Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, July 11, 2006.
(Slahaldeen Rasheed/Reuters)

– – –

Iraqi police remove the body of a man from his truck who was killed by unknown gunmen, Tuesday, July 11, 2006, in Kirkuk, 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq. Unknown gunmen killed an engineer with Iraq’s North Oil Co. and his driver in the early morning, police said.
(AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed)

– – –
an excerpt from Notebook of a Return to the Native Land
by Aimé Césaire
translated by Annette Smith and Clayton Eshleman

At the end of daybreak. . .

Beat it, I said to him, you cop, you lousy pig, beat it,
I detest the flunkies of order and the cockchafers of hope.
Beat it, evil grigri, you bedbug of a petty monk. Then I turned
toward paradises lost for him and his kin, calmer than the face
of a woman telling lies, and there, rocked by the flux of a
never exhausted thought I nourished the wind, I unlaced the
monsters and heard rise, from the other side of disaster, a
river of turtledoves and savanna clover which I carry forever
in my depths height-deep as the twentieth floor of the most
arrogant houses and as a guard against the putrefying force
of crepuscular surroundings, surveyed night and day by a cursed
venereal sun.

At the end of daybreak burgeoning with frail coves, the hungry
Antilles, the Antilles pitted with smallpox, the Antilles dyn-
amited by alcohol, stranded in the mud of this bay, in the dust
of this town sinisterly stranded.

At the end of daybreak, the extreme, deceptive desolate eschar
on the wound of the waters; the martyrs who do not bear witness;
the flowers of blood that fade and scatter in the empty wind
like the screeches of babbling parrots; an aged life mendacious-
ly smiling, its lips opened by vacated agonies; an aged poverty
rotting under the sun, silently; an aged silence bursting with
tepid pustules,
the awful futility of our raison d’être.

At the end of daybreak, on this very fragile earth thickness
exceeded in a humiliating way by its grandiose future–the vol-
canoes will explode, the naked water will bear away the ripe
sun stains and nothing will be left but a tepid bubbling pecked
at by sea birds–the beach of dreams and the insane awakening.

At the end of daybreak, this town sprawled-flat, toppled from
its common sense, inert, winded under its geometric weight of
an eternally renewed cross, indocile to its fate, mute, vexed
no matter what, incapable of growing with the juice of this
earth, self-conscious, clipped, reduced, in breach of fauna
and flora.
– – –

The pity I once had for foreign troops in Iraq is gone. It’s been eradicated by the atrocities in Abu Ghraib, the deaths in Haditha and the latest news of rapes and killings. I look at them in their armored vehicles and to be honest- I can’t bring myself to care whether they are 19 or 39. I can’t bring myself to care if they make it back home alive. I can’t bring myself to care anymore about the wife or parents or children they left behind. I can’t bring myself to care because it’s difficult to see beyond the horrors.

from Riverbend’s blog, Baghdad Burning, July 11, 2006

– – –
read This is what John Kerry did today, the dKos diary by lawnorder that inspired this series

love and support the Iraqi people

join CIVIC’s “I Care” photo campaign

raed in the middle’s blog

support the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC)

support CARE

support the victims of torture

read Riverbend’s Bagdhad Burning

read Dahr Jamail’s Iraq Dispatches

read Today in Iraq

love and support our troops

read Ilona’s important blog – PTSD Combat

support Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

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

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

put a meaningful magnet on your car or metal filing cabinet

support a young heart with an old soul peace takes courage (multimedia)

poetry matters poets against war

support the troops and the Iraqi people

witness every day

While speaking at the YearlyKos 2006 Convention in Los Vegas, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner said (and I paraphrase from memory): “George Bush, incompetent idiot, blah blah blah, went to war in Iraq when the real threat is in Iran.” (my emphasis)

There was a brief pause after his statement, and I regret that I wasn’t brave or quick-witted enough to yell “Bullshit!” into the silence. But the moment passed, Warner picked up his next thread in perfect cadence, and I bit into my box lunch apple.

So now what?

I’m gonna let him know that I think his statement is bullshit, and why. I’m starting here. If anyone knows of other ways, please put them in this thread.

Thanks.

10 Comments

RubDMC on July 13, 2006 at 2:14 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

Damnit Janet on July 13, 2006 at 10:15 pm

It looks like I’m going back to Ft. Lewis again.

Suzanne Swift

JULY 15th 2006: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE HONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR SUZANNE SWIFT

Saturday, July 15th marks a national day of action to call for an honorable discharge for Army Specialist Suzanne Swift, who turns 22 on that day. Protests will occur at the gates of Ft. Lewis (exit 119) beginning at 12 pm with a press conference at 3 pm…

Same fucking exit I was on for Lt. Watada. When will this end, Rub? I have a hard time with the base protests. They’re very…. well, scary.

dada on July 13, 2006 at 2:26 pm

supersoling on July 13, 2006 at 2:42 pm

BrendaStewart on July 13, 2006 at 2:54 pm

That which Riverbend said has got to be the worst feeling ever to carry around in a heart. This is so sad….almost unbelievable. I have read her posts since day one she would post. She has changed over time. This is not good as a human being to feel ,like this. Even the likes of her sanity is wearing thin. Peace…what else can we say. Please help us get those replacements in our congress to stop this madness. The whole world is depending on us. Do not let the crime family get by with this any longer. The time has come!!!!! once and for all..it has come. We all must stop in the name of all humanity sake, it must come to an end.

BrendaStewart on July 13, 2006 at 2:55 pm

olivia on July 13, 2006 at 3:06 pm

Somewhere, in desolate, wind-swept space,
In twilight land, in no man’s land,
Two hurrying shapes met face to face
And bade each other stand.
“And who are you?” cried one, a-gape,
Shuddering in the glimmering light.
“I know not,” said the second shape,
“I only died last night.”
~Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Identity

peace

jimstaro on July 13, 2006 at 5:16 pm

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

BETWEEN THE OOH’S AND AHH’S
By Dennis Serdel: VFP #50, VVAW, Vietnam 1967-68 (one tour) Purple Heart Americal Div. 11th Brigade, UAW GM retiree, Perry, Michigan

The night was as black as charlie’s pajamas.
But flares were being sent up
into the Southern Cross
and tracer bullets were crossing the sky
and twirling around like a child’s sparkler
on the 4th of July.
It was the 4th of July in Vietnam 1968
and almost everybody was celebrating,
smoking pot, drinking beer and whiskey.
Every so often, there would be a “mad minute”
where everybody flipped her on automatic
and unloaded clips for a minute or a little longer.
One bunker was going ape with machine gun tracers,
“Who the hell is that ?”
asked one of our guys to his buddies.
“It’s Sarge,” one answered, “he’s all messed up
on pot and whiskey.”
Another answered in the dark,
“he’s been just hooking tracer rounds together
and just shooting tracer rounds.”
On the LZ that night, the celebrating went on
until everybody was calling it good,
except for Sarge with the machinegun’s
noise and tracer rounds.
Finally, someone said,
“Look, a couple of us better go down there
and tell Sarge to quit.
Two walked down there
and after a while, Sarge stopped.
A little girl was hugging her daddy’s leg
and looking up to the Starry black sky.
Then a firework burst like a star
and wiggly red travelled down
like an umbrella, then a blue star burst
and a wiggly blue umbrella fell
and a white star boomed
with a big thumping boom
that shook the air
and all the children would go
“Ooh” and “Aah.”
Sarge stood in the crowd and watched
as all the parents became little children too
and began to “Ooh” and “Aah”
and point with their fingers
while holding their little ones.
Old Sarge wondered what day
charlie picked as their Independence Day.
Then he realized he had been shooting
at God that 4th in Vietnam
under the Southern Cross
and feelings rose from the heart of his chest
flowing up into the emotions in his head,
his eye’s watering up.
After all these years,
the war still bothered him
and he didn’t know why.

The Yellow Rogue From Texas

By Ron Gillis: Member Veterans For Peace

There’s a Yellow Rogue from Texas who moved up to DC
His pockets full of oil stock, He’s screwing you and me.
His daddy always paid the bills no matter where he went
And his brother rigged the voting so now he’s president.

He’s the slickest little hustler that Texas ever saw
He proved that with connections you don’t worry ’bout the law.
You may talk about Dick Nixon or sing of Bill’s cigar
But the Yellow Rogue from Texas beats both of them by far.

Repeat Vs. 1

The Yellow Rogue is quick and slick, he sure can talk the talk,
It’s just that when the bullets fly, he’s one more chicken hawk.
Back when the Southeast Asian war sent thousands off to die,
The chicken hawks stayed safe at home, while others paid the price.

Repeat Vs. 1

He looks great in his pilot suit, a hero on TV,
He just can’t stand the smell of death, he has an allergy.
The Yellow Rogue’s no pacifist; he speaks what he thinks right
But if it puts his ass at risk, he disappears from sight.

Repeat Vs. 1

The chicken hawks are sitting high, they’re making money still
They buy and sell while others die and think they always will.
It’s up to us to face them down, to stand and speak what’s true
Then run the bastards out of town, the whole damn thieving crew.

ask on July 13, 2006 at 5:42 pm

More Troops May Be Needed in Baghdad, U.S. General Says

Damnit Janet on July 13, 2006 at 10:13 pm

RubDMC on July 13, 2006 at 2:14 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
- Damnit Janet on July 13, 2006 at 10:15 pm
  
  It looks like I’m going back to Ft. Lewis again.
  
  Suzanne Swift
  
  JULY 15th 2006: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE HONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR SUZANNE SWIFT
  
  Saturday, July 15th marks a national day of action to call for an honorable discharge for Army Specialist Suzanne Swift, who turns 22 on that day. Protests will occur at the gates of Ft. Lewis (exit 119) beginning at 12 pm with a press conference at 3 pm…
  
  Same fucking exit I was on for Lt. Watada. When will this end, Rub? I have a hard time with the base protests. They’re very…. well, scary.
dada on July 13, 2006 at 2:26 pm
supersoling on July 13, 2006 at 2:42 pm
BrendaStewart on July 13, 2006 at 2:54 pm

That which Riverbend said has got to be the worst feeling ever to carry around in a heart. This is so sad….almost unbelievable. I have read her posts since day one she would post. She has changed over time. This is not good as a human being to feel ,like this. Even the likes of her sanity is wearing thin. Peace…what else can we say. Please help us get those replacements in our congress to stop this madness. The whole world is depending on us. Do not let the crime family get by with this any longer. The time has come!!!!! once and for all..it has come. We all must stop in the name of all humanity sake, it must come to an end.
BrendaStewart on July 13, 2006 at 2:55 pm
olivia on July 13, 2006 at 3:06 pm

Somewhere, in desolate, wind-swept space,
In twilight land, in no man’s land,
Two hurrying shapes met face to face
And bade each other stand.
“And who are you?” cried one, a-gape,
Shuddering in the glimmering light.
“I know not,” said the second shape,
“I only died last night.”
~Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Identity

peace
jimstaro on July 13, 2006 at 5:16 pm

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

BETWEEN THE OOH’S AND AHH’S
By Dennis Serdel: VFP #50, VVAW, Vietnam 1967-68 (one tour) Purple Heart Americal Div. 11th Brigade, UAW GM retiree, Perry, Michigan

The night was as black as charlie’s pajamas.
But flares were being sent up
into the Southern Cross
and tracer bullets were crossing the sky
and twirling around like a child’s sparkler
on the 4th of July.
It was the 4th of July in Vietnam 1968
and almost everybody was celebrating,
smoking pot, drinking beer and whiskey.
Every so often, there would be a “mad minute”
where everybody flipped her on automatic
and unloaded clips for a minute or a little longer.
One bunker was going ape with machine gun tracers,
“Who the hell is that ?”
asked one of our guys to his buddies.
“It’s Sarge,” one answered, “he’s all messed up
on pot and whiskey.”
Another answered in the dark,
“he’s been just hooking tracer rounds together
and just shooting tracer rounds.”
On the LZ that night, the celebrating went on
until everybody was calling it good,
except for Sarge with the machinegun’s
noise and tracer rounds.
Finally, someone said,
“Look, a couple of us better go down there
and tell Sarge to quit.
Two walked down there
and after a while, Sarge stopped.
A little girl was hugging her daddy’s leg
and looking up to the Starry black sky.
Then a firework burst like a star
and wiggly red travelled down
like an umbrella, then a blue star burst
and a wiggly blue umbrella fell
and a white star boomed
with a big thumping boom
that shook the air
and all the children would go
“Ooh” and “Aah.”
Sarge stood in the crowd and watched
as all the parents became little children too
and began to “Ooh” and “Aah”
and point with their fingers
while holding their little ones.
Old Sarge wondered what day
charlie picked as their Independence Day.
Then he realized he had been shooting
at God that 4th in Vietnam
under the Southern Cross
and feelings rose from the heart of his chest
flowing up into the emotions in his head,
his eye’s watering up.
After all these years,
the war still bothered him
and he didn’t know why.

The Yellow Rogue From Texas

By Ron Gillis: Member Veterans For Peace

There’s a Yellow Rogue from Texas who moved up to DC
His pockets full of oil stock, He’s screwing you and me.
His daddy always paid the bills no matter where he went
And his brother rigged the voting so now he’s president.

He’s the slickest little hustler that Texas ever saw
He proved that with connections you don’t worry ’bout the law.
You may talk about Dick Nixon or sing of Bill’s cigar
But the Yellow Rogue from Texas beats both of them by far.

Repeat Vs. 1

The Yellow Rogue is quick and slick, he sure can talk the talk,
It’s just that when the bullets fly, he’s one more chicken hawk.
Back when the Southeast Asian war sent thousands off to die,
The chicken hawks stayed safe at home, while others paid the price.

Repeat Vs. 1

He looks great in his pilot suit, a hero on TV,
He just can’t stand the smell of death, he has an allergy.
The Yellow Rogue’s no pacifist; he speaks what he thinks right
But if it puts his ass at risk, he disappears from sight.

Repeat Vs. 1

The chicken hawks are sitting high, they’re making money still
They buy and sell while others die and think they always will.
It’s up to us to face them down, to stand and speak what’s true
Then run the bastards out of town, the whole damn thieving crew.
ask on July 13, 2006 at 5:42 pm

More Troops May Be Needed in Baghdad, U.S. General Says
Damnit Janet on July 13, 2006 at 10:13 pm

Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 357

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RubDMC

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