Shlonkom Bakazay?

Car bomb kills former Lebanese Prime Minister. Ignoble fate...my oh my. Where do I possibly begin about Rafik Hariri and the situation that could arise?



Update:

I wasn't going to get into it all, but here's my armchair expert-analysis:

First, let's not kid ourselves. This is serious. And before I get to that, apparently a friend of a good friend of ours was injured very badly and is in critical condition in the hospital right now. I hope he gets better. update: It turns out that this friend of our close friend is Dr. Basil Fleyhan who was Hariri's minister of finance. They went to high school together. Here's a website you may visit to pay your gratitude to the Fleyhan family and their loved ones. I just found this out. I had no idea until now. My family's thoughts go out to him in this very difficult time. We hope and pray for him.

This is the situation: Everybody knows Rafik Hariri is both a Sunnah and basically works for the Saudis buying up tracts upon tracts of land and essentially at war with his Christian counter-part, President Emile Lahoud. This basically means Hariri works for Americans (in a sense). Now, one of the possible situations and what people around me are talking about at the present time is that when all is said and done, because of the mess caused by this bombing the US will now tell Syria to keep Lebanon in order.

Let me explain: The current American administration has bigger fish to fry now. We expect a big Christian opponent of Hariri's to be hit next. And this could spark another cycle of violence in Lebanon. Let me be frank by saying this was an extremely sophisticated attack. And it was not a mere coincidence, personal vendetta, or the fact that this guy was basically the most powerful man in Lebanon. Hariri travels in convoy with armored vehicles everywhere. Without a doubt, then, this is a carefully orchestrated plot to change things in Lebanon.

I sense, at the moment, the US is frightened at the fact they didn't get what they wanted in the Iraqi elections. The prospect of Hizbollah allying with a new axis of power, Baghdad-Tehran, is a bit too much. Imagine a Baghdad-Tehran-Damascus axis. How would America handle this? The US wants to attack a secular regime in Syria and a theocratic regime in Iran at the same time. How is that going to work?

And it could also be that Syria is forcing America's hand. Remember, Syria is controlled by the secular Baath party and President al'Assad does not want Islamic law or any sort of clerical rule in Syria. Meaning, Hariri is the opposition to the Lebanese government and Syria. So, they wanted to take him out before he could get back into power next time. (There's also some change in election law being discussed in Lebanon. Currently, a Maronite Christian must be president now. And a Sunni Muslim must be prime minister. I'll try to get more on the proposed changes at some point.)

Also, I have just heard Paris wants an international investigation in the incident because they don't trust either the Lebanese government or the Syrians. This story is developing, but it's a sign that the Lebanese government is not to be trusted for the most obvious reasons. Funny how logic works. We'll see what happens with it.

Back to the micro: Anyhow, we know Lahoud's in Syria's pocket. And we know that Hariri was a sworn enemy of Lahoud. And we know that these two were destroying Lebanon. It was almost as if they were carrying out some sick ego-game by battling one another through economic means...leaving the Lebanese populace to the wolves. And...(from comments)...Nobody wants to go back to Lebanon. It was one of the most vicious wars to ever take place. But Lebanon could be the reasoning to invade Syria by the US. Honestly, right now, I'm afraid of Lebanon burning to the ground again over external politics.


We have no idea what we could be on the cusp of. The power of the Shia is already being felt across the region. And this will only lead to more blood-shed and possible war. These are extremely disheartening times.

Could this be the return of Michel Aoun? Or will Syria be redeploying forces into Beirut at the muffled behest of America?

More later perhaps...

lim.

update redux: I just read what JC--Juan Cole--had to say about the bombing today after frantically speaking about it with friends and family for hours. And he mentions it could be related to the fact he is worth billions and because he's mafia-sketchy. In other words, something could have happpened that we have no knowledge of at all. Absolutely. This is a possibility. But, personally, I doubt it.

And it's also true that Hariri "worked" for the Syrians too. I didn't mention that before. But, yea...the reason why I said he works for America now is because he essentially rejected the way things were going in the Lebanese government last year and aligned himself more clearly with American interests. It was the case of the town wasn't big enoug for both Lahoud and Hariri. One of them had to go. And it was Hariri that resigned, yet maintained his powerful stature in Lebanon. Meanwhile Lahoud remained the president and "Syria's good boy".

I must state that my opinion as far as Lebanon goes is biased, but I've tried to remain as unbiased as possible when explaining it to you. I'm serious when I say this. It's also complicated beyond belief being from the family I'm from...so, excuse me while I try and decipher things for you. I have trouble deciphering them myself. But I know what my gut tells me. And that's all I've included here.

So, Hariri was one corrupt leader...yet Lahoud was just as bad. In ways, there is NO WAY one could come to this conclusion unless you had my experiences. No matter what way you look at it...this is a terrible thing to happen for Lebanon's peace and security and in general. I PRAY to GOD this will not get violent. It would completely destroy my heart.

We have this sort of saying..."In the Arab world when you close one hole, it opens up in a different place."

Lets hope things turn out ok. Wow...I don't believe this. I feel like the whole world is playing a terrible joke on me.

limmmmmmmm

There are "Issue Focus Reports" giving summaries of newspapers around the globe to assess the POV of different readerships. Here is the one about Iraqi elections. Yea, diplomats and staffers at the Department of State do not tend to read much news. They absorb it in the abridged version most times. The following is from the 1 Feb. edition about the Iraqi elections.

KEY FINDINGS

** Global media more positive about elections than any development since fall of Baghdad.

** Dailies praise voters for their "courage and determination," term poll "auspicious."

** Still, "a rough road" lies ahead; some fret about possible rise of "Iran-style theocracy."

** Critics label elections "neither free nor fair," say only U.S. withdrawal can lead to peace.

If you couple Eric Margolis' story, Paranoia Grips the US Capital, with those images from Kentucky...you get an uneasy feeling. And if you're me, you expect Boykin's God-fearing, cross-bearing, special-ops teams to come dropping through your ceiling with a message from Jesus' General. Ufff ya ufff. It's funny because I have family swearing to hand me over to the FBI if they come for me. Great. I feel so alone. Somebody help me please. [via spitting image]

The CIA has been sent to the doghouse. Too many CIA veterans criticized or contradicted Bush's and Cheney's phony claims over Iraq and terrorism. So Bush has imposed a new, yes-man director on the agency, slashed its budgets, purged its senior officers, and downgraded CIA to third-class status.
Rumsfeld's new, massively funded SSB will become the Pentagon's CIA, complete with commando units, spies, mercenary forces, intelligence gathering and analysis, and a direct line to the White House. The Pentagon has just effectively taken over the spy business.

The Pentagon's new spy arm will be largely excluded from Congressional oversight or media examination. Its special operations teams will roam the globe, all under cover of "deep black" missions of which no records will be kept, and no questions asked.
Equally worrying, the Pentagon's new special-ops units are headed up by notorious religious fanatic, Lt. Gen. William Boykin, who calls the U.S. Army "the house of God" and Islamic insurgents "agents of Satan." He warned Muslims, "my God is bigger than your god, which is an idol."
Boykin's command will now dispatch post-modern Christian crusaders to cleanse the world of Satanic Muslims and other miscreants...

O brother where art thou faith in man?

liminal

The wise man speaketh.

If you were poor, a Native American, a small farmer or an ecologist, you probably did not vote for George Bush.

It is therefore not so surprising to find that all these sectors of society have come under attack, from the Republican administration's new fiscal budget.

However, if you were an army veteran you may have expected to escape spending cuts. But even this slice of American society, one that largely voted for Bush, finds itself the subject of financial "rollback".

...

"There is a very simple principle that goes a long way towards explaining decisions of the Bush administration. If some policy is beneficial to wealth, privilege and power, it should be promoted.

"If some policy is beneficial to the large majority of the population but of no particular concern (or even marginally costly) to wealth, privilege and power, it should be undermined."

...

Chomsky sees the budget not as a series of cuts but rather "to reorient (spending), so that it is even more focused on the interests of extreme wealth and power than before".

Before these spending hikes the United States already spent more on its military than the next 15 biggest national armies combined together. Even nuclear weaponry is set to get a boost to defend the US against "new threats, terrorism, failed states" as outlined by Condoleezza Rice in her Paris speech.

...

But perhaps most surprising are the cuts in assistance to US military veterans. Some of whom will who see a 114% increase in their long term drug bills, plus a one-off $250 subscription fee.

As well as a reduction in the number of nursing home places held for them. Do these cuts fit with the idea of opponents coming under fiscal attack?

"The administration's opponents are the large majority of the US population," says Chomsky. "The general 'starve the beast' strategy is hardly concealed, though few are willing to tell the truth. Namely, that the 'beast' they have in mind is the "great beast", to borrow the phrase of the Founding Fathers, the dangerous public."

Will anybody hear the screams ?

lim.

Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.
-Albert Einstein

Here I'm going to put a list devoted to the discussion that's been going on about the post causing a bit of a stir. I'll also include posts specific people have taken an effort to make about the matter. I think it will be useful. I'd like to get as many people sounding-off about this in one place.

1. Metafilter: "incredibly weird military recruitment drive/sermon/men's night out thing in a Baptist Church." One of my favorite link-aggregator sites has over 70 comments. What a treat.

2. Daily Kos: Here are all the pages associated with the story on dK. My diary (40), another, open thread, Alan S's diary

3. Jesus' General: My favorite new satire blog. There are 35 comments, but you'll have to go to the original post because they're haloscan comments. Nice.

4. The All Spin Zone: One of the cool things about this happening is that I've read a number of blogs I never would have otherwise. Here's a Koufax finalist. Go to the original post for 27 comments.

5. Robust McManlyPants has a post: God's Army.

6. Apostropher:
Triumph des Willens II

7. Syzygy has 30.

8. Spitting Image: an awesome blog.

9. Zentastic: Another great site I would have never known about probably. Charity Solutions and the Rapture

10. Killoggs: There's a link to a Rapture Ready discussion board. Yikes!

11. dunneiv: another cool blog. ah'riginal post

12. The infamous Billmon at The Whiskey Bar gets comparative. How cool...

13. Bilo Boffin's post

14. Bouillabaisse's post

15. Pourquoi Pas?'s post: What would fascist Jesus do? and its 15 comments.

16. Jesus loves dropping bombs on brown people. BB post.

17. Yay Hooray's BB exchange, many comments.

18. Yella Dog post and comments

19. Chaos Digest's post and comments: a good summary of my role, too

20. Nothing New Under The Sun - post and comments(22)

21. Bartholomew's Notes on Religion - Commentary, Comments, Related Stories***good one

22. What will the neighbors say? - Commentary(via Alabama!)

23. Digital Warfighter - Commentary/Comments

24. Liberal Street Fighter - Commentary&Posts

25. Rigorous Intuition - post and comments

26. Bene Diction Blogs On: Commentary, Comments, Related Stories: Very Good Post

I'll try to put more soon. I'm juggling a million things at the moment. Some life-changing things are going to happen soon. See you l8r!

liminal

Juan Cole gives an election roundup that's worth checking out for sure.

The London Independent reveals,

Training of Iraq's security forces, crucial to any exit strategy for Britain and the US, is going so badly that the Pentagon has stopped giving figures for the number of combat-ready indigenous troops

Maybe there isn't an exit strategy.

The sleight of hand over troop numbers provoked a sharp clash during Condoleezza Rice's Senate confirmation hearings to become Secretary of State. After she quoted Pentagon figures claiming 122,000 Iraqis had been trained, she was told by Democratic Senator Joseph Biden: "Time and again this administration has tried to leave the American people with the impression that Iraq has well over 100,000 fully trained, fully competent military police and personnel. And that is simply not true. We're months, probably years, away from reaching our target goal.

Oh, great.

Pentagon covers up failure to train and recruit local security forces

An excerpt of Keld's post:

Approximately 5,500 US Troops have deserted, gone into hiding, sent to jail and some have escaped to Canada. What if the funnel to Iraq, called Shannon Airport, were to be transformed into a sanctuary for US Troops resisting the Iraq War by requesting asylum in Ireland? asks the Indymedia Ireland:

Damien Moran of the Dublin Catholic Worker said “We encourage members of the US Military refusing to participate in this illegal war to seek asylum in Ireland. We encourage members of the US Military landing at Shannon Airport to refuse to reboard the planes bound for Iraq.

I'm sure it's only a developing story. And I'm sure it will be squashed and squashed over and over again. These snippets of the reality developing are welcome signs. Let's spread such information around always.

Thanks Keld!
;)
Lim.

ps: Here's the original version.

ppssst: Also check out a short animation, with sound effects of machine guns even, advertising this "Men's Night Out" from the Porter Memorial Baptist Church website.

pppssst: PLEASE NOTE, BELOW THE LINE OF STARS ( * * * * * * * ) MY WRITING IS IN BOLD AND LOCOMONO's WORDS ARE IN ITALICS


Here are the small versions of the screen shots I took of the original post by locomono on fark.com:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,16(original post view on fark)

I did repost them to FARK, but they seemed to have gone to TOTALFARK (the membership part of the site). I'd just like to clear that up. Thanks!

Peace to all my habbibis,
liminal

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



This first picture is the American flag clearly covering up the cross.

First off, this is absolutely true and only happened about an hour ago. I am a Christian, a republican and support the war in Iraq, but this pisses me off in ways I cannot explain even to myself. This is not a debate thread, after you read this and look at the pictures, if you post anything it will be reactions, advice, or simple opinion. I know there are a lot of military personal in this forum and I would love to here what you have to say about this but if this turns into a flame war I will be extremely upset with whoever's involved. Now on to the story

The other day my dad tells me we're going to a "guy's night out" banquet. Innocent enough sounding, right? Well I haven't done anything that could be considered a favor for him in a long time, and it seems important to him if incredibly boring so, what the hell I'll go. He picks me up at the house around six. I nearly walk out the door about 5 times each time remembering something I've left behind, the last thing I go back for is my camera.
In the car conversation goes as awkwardly as it usually does with my dad,
"What is this thing anyway? Just sitting around card tables talking about good ‘ol days?"
"Probably not they've got one of the guys from the battle in black hawk down to talk about his time there"
Thinking to myself, at least that doesn't sound too bad, "Cool enough. Where is it, are we gonna get there on time?"
"Oh, it's right up the street at porter memorial"
So, that's kinda weird that it's at a church, but whatever. Churches are relatively cheap to rent out during the week.

When we get there traffic is crazy, there must be two thousand people coming to this one church. It's kind of odd that there are three squad cars just to stop traffic and let us all in, but you know what they say, "when enough people gather together in harmony, the fuzz come to break it up"

There's a humvey and black hawk helicopter sitting outside with corresponding units, half the people that are walking in with us are wearing service shirts. Whether air force, army, marines, coastguard, ambulance driver or fireman, all these guys get a check from Uncle Sam. Ok, I don't have any problems with men in uniform, unless I'm drunk outside and they're cops. A door opens and we're headed into the basement for pork barbeque sandwiches, chicken quarters, refried beans and slaw. On the way I glance guardsmen setting things up with that military motion you don't lose in civilian life until about a year out of boot camp. We tell old war stories full of gore and glory and times we almost bought the farm, as we eat. Without any of that kind of story of my own I told him about a PI named John Landrith killing three armed kidnappers with a rusty old meat cleaver to save a seven year old. It's well received in the basement of a church while we eat our Oreo minis. When our meal is done the mass is herded to the sanctuary were we watch the history channel's documentary on the events of black hawk down. When the lights come up my earlier discomfort is redoubled. I realize something is very ********ed up, and start taking pictures. What I see reminds me of footage from the third right the way patriotic imagery is thrown around bugger all. What you’re looking at is government mesh thrown over the steps to the balcony, and a huge flag covering up all but the tip of a huge cross in the first picture, and the huge amount of people sitting below various armed forces banners in the second. There was a nice POW one behind me. I apologize for the poor quality but it’s a new camera, and I’m still learning how to use it, especially in low & mixed light conditions

Here’s a close-up of the Marine donated supplies they made such a big deal about. They were effectively his pulpit.

Mike could you do me a favor and open a thread where-ever we do debates these days, and link it. I would really apreciate it. I mean this as more of an informational, and reation thread, but it should be discussed

BTW no, I'm not done. It still gets worse

[enter ME, Liminal, once again]


:O
liminal

l e b a n e s e
s u n r i s e

loWculture

LOOK, I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED RIGHT NOW. I CANNOT MAKE HEADS OR TAILS OF ANYTHING. THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ME, KNOW I HAVE A STRONG VOICE. I SEEM TO HAVE LOST IT RECENTLY AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE. BEING SKEPTICAL AND HOPEFUL ALL AT ONCE IS A TERRIBLE FEELING.

THERE ARE SOME FACTS RISING TO THE SURFACE THAT ARE TRULY BOTHERSOME.

FOR SUCH A MINOR MINORITY AS MY FAMILY, CHOOSING SIDES IN A SECTARIAN
CLIMATE IS NOT THE MOST IDEAL WAY TO GO ON WITH LIFE IF YOU WANT TO
TRULY BE FREE. AND FREEDOM FOR ALL IRAQIS IS A GREAT QUESTION BY ITSELF.

YES, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE...SO WE MUST BE AWARE IN ORDER TO WARD SUCH BAD DEVELOPMENTS OFF. WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO BE INTELLIGENT, DILIGENT, AND TOLERANT WHEN
FACED WITH SUCH ENORMOUS CHALLANGES. WE MUST BUILD A FUTURE TOGETHER.

WRITING IN CAPS MIGHT HELP TEMPORARILY,
BUT IT WON'T SOLVE IRAQ'S PROBLEMS.
AND SO I ANNOY YOU BY DOING THIS.

AM I LIVING IN THE PAST?

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR

THE RECENT RISE IN

SECTARIANISM?

IT'S SIMPLE, REALLY. WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

IF WE DON'T COME TOGETHER TODAY, WE WILL BE LIVING IN HELL TOMORROW.

NOT THAT THIS ISN'T HELL TODAY. WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS THIS?
TORN BETWEEN THE LIGHT AND DARK...

SO, YES, THE ELECTIONS WERE A GOOD EXERCISE, NOW WE MUST BUILD
ON THEM IN ORDER TO STAVE-OFF UNSEEN LEVELS OF VIOLENCE.

IT'S NOT TRUE DEMOCRACY, BUT IT'S A BEGINNING...ISN'T IT?

OR IS IT NOT? RIGHT NOW, I QUESTION THIS VERY THING.

IT BANTERS BACK AND FORTH IN MY BRAIN
WITH NO
CONCLUSIVENESS.

LIM

Don't miss River's latest post excerpted below. And go vote for her in every category she's nominated in to win the Koufax Award. Sure, some days I feel more optimistic then others. But it's one thing to feel good about those images of people going to vote, it's another thing altogether to be REALISTIC.

We’re hearing about various strange happenings at different voting areas. They say that several areas in northern Iraq (some Assyrian and other Christian areas) weren’t allowed to vote. They also say that 300 different ballot boxes from all over the country were disqualified (mainly from Mosul) because a large number of the vote ballots had “Saddam” written on them. In other areas there’s talk of Badir’s Brigade people having bought the ballots to vote, and while the people of Falloojeh weren’t allowed to vote, people say that the identities of Falloojans were temporarily ‘borrowed’ for voting purposes. The stories are endless.

In spite of that, we’re all watching for the results carefully. When the ‘elected’ government takes control, will they set a timetable for American withdrawal? That would be a shocker considering none of the current parties would be able to remain in power without being forcefully backed by America with tanks and troops. We hear American politicians repeatedly saying that America will not withdraw until Iraq can secure itself. When will that happen? Our current National Guard or “Haress il Watani” are fondly called “Haress il Wathani” or “Infidel Guard” by people in the streets. On top of it all, to be one of them is considered such a disgrace by the general population that they have to wear masks so that none of them can be identified by neighbors and friends.

...[A WOMAN'S DRESS-CODE in BAGHDAD is an ISSUE. WHY? ]

“Please dress appropriately next time you come here.” The man said to me. I looked down at what I was wearing- black pants, a beige high-necked sweater and a knee-length black coat. Huh? I blushed furiously. He meant my head should be covered and I should be wearing a skirt. I don’t like being told what to wear and what not to wear by strange men. “I don’t work here- I don’t have to follow a dress code.” I answered coldly. The cousin didn’t like where the conversation was going, he angrily interceded, “We’re only here for an hour and it really isn’t your business.”

“It is my business.” Came the answer, “She should have some respect for the people who work here.” And the conversation ended. I looked around for the people I should be respecting. There were three or four women who were apparently ministry employees. Two of them were wearing long skirts, loose sweaters and headscarves and the third had gone all out and was wearing a complete “jubba” or robe-like garb topped with a black head scarf. My cousin and I turned to enter the room the receptionist had indicated and my eyes were stinging. No one could talk that way before the war and if they did, you didn’t have to listen. You could answer back. Now, you only answer back and make it an issue if you have some sort of death wish or just really, really like trouble.

Young females have the option of either just giving in to the pressure and dressing and acting ‘safely’- which means making everything longer and looser and preferably covering some of their head or constantly being defiant to what is becoming endemic in Iraq today. The problem with defiance is that it doesn’t just involve you personally, it involves anyone with you at that moment- usually a male relative. It means that there might be an exchange of ugly words or a fight and probably, after that, a detention in Abu Ghraib.

If it’s like this in Baghdad, I shudder to think what the other cities and provinces must be like. The Allawis and Pachichis of Iraq don’t sense it- their families are safely tucked away in Dubai and Amman, and the Hakeems and Jaffaris of Iraq promote it.

At the end of the day, it’s not about having a Sunni or Shia or Kurd or Arab in power. It’s about having someone who has Iraq’s best interests at heart- not America’s, not Iran’s, not Israel’s… It’s about needing someone who wants peace, prosperity, independence and above and beyond all, unity.

I WONDER IF IRAQIS CAN HOLD ON TO WHATEVER UNITY IS LEFT IN THEM. I WONDER UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS IF IT IS HUMANELY POSSIBILE.

It's becoming more and more difficult for me to hold back my emotions regarding Iraq.

Watch for more candid-talk from me.

I'm sick of being nice.

L to the L

He answered many questions recently at the Daily Kos. They are worth checking out immediately. Here are a few answers to wet your appetite:

SusanG: How did the interview with Gannon come about, given that it was a small-time conservative news outlet?

Ambassador Wilson: Gannon called me and identified himself as the White House Correspondent from Talon News, a conservative news organization. He wanted to do a wide-ranging interview on my position on the war as well as the Niger mission and the leak.

While I had never heard his name or the name of his organization before, I was happy to do it. I have long felt that it is readers and viewers of conservative media who could benefit from a more balanced discussion of what is at stake in our policy and the actions of our government. At one point I recall Gannon as saying he was a traditional conservative (distinguishing himself from the neoconservatives, who in my judgement have totally captured our foreign policy). Speaking to the Times and other mainstream media is fine but those readers and viewers are generally better informed and often of the same perspective. It is those on the other side to whom we need to address the issues even more than to those with whom we already share views.

SusanG: Did you enter the interview fearful of "landmines" being set by the other side?

Ambassador Wilson: I never thought that I had anything to fear from landmines. I told the truth from the beginning. There was never anything to hide.

SusanG: Were you struck immediately during the course of the interview by the fact that he discussed the internal memo?


Ambassador Wilson: As to the memo, I knew nothing about it other than a Post journalist had told me there was one circulating which he characterized as having been written by somebody who was not at the meeting where I was asked if I would be willing to go to Niger. The fact is Valerie was not at that meeting. Neither she nor I had any ulterior motive in this. It was not until almost six months later that I began to speak out on the war question and even when I did, I always believed that WMD was a legitimate reason to be tough on Saddam. The trip to Niger is only relevant because of the 16 words and the fact that the only evidence to support the yellowcake charge the US turned over to the IAEA (as they were required by Article 10 of USUN 1441) were those forged documents relating to Niger. The only information the British apparently shared with the IAEA was a trip to the region by an Iraqi diplomat a couple of years previously. As it turned out, the CIA had told both the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the White House almost four months before the State of the Union address that it believed the British had "stretched" or "exaggerated" the yellowcake allegation. All of that was in the Senate report but unfortunately, was overlooked by the mainstream media.

Back to the memo, when Gannon mentioned it to me, I told him I knew nothing about it but repeated that my wife was not at the meeting at which the subject of a trip to Niger was broached with me. I may have mentioned that I had heard that there was a memo out there but had no other knowledge about it. I still don't.

SusanG: Are you comfortable letting it be known that you've spoken with me?

Ambassador Wilson: I have no problem with your saying you have spoken with me. I have no reason not to ensure that the truth is told and I am tired of the way in which the Republicans have smeared my family and myself for no reason other than to perpetuate their lies to the American people. I did not like fascists when I fought them as a diplomat for 23 years and I don't like them now in my own country.

And here are the rest: Daily Kos :: Plame & Propagannon: Joe Wilson Speaks Out

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Niki recently. Here is her and several others pre-emptively denouncing a war on Iran. I, alongside them, denouce such actions completely. Here is their mission statement. Raed also has some great posts on his blog about the ramifications for such insanity at the present time. And please, everybody, understand that I believe Iraq should not have been handled in such a fashion. And least of all Iran should be handled how we see Iraq is being handled. Now, North Korea has nuclear weapons...and they will not be touched. Much to the ire of the current administration, they have proven nuclear weapons are a deterrent. So, diplomacy and pressure from other methods for the freedom of Iranians and North Koreans must be the path. There is no other way my friends.

Liminal

No War on Iran!: Mission Statement

The escalated public discourse about a possible military attack on Iran has alarmed many Iranians in Iran and its diaspora. As Iranians who are concerned about the implications of a war on our country, we have created this weblog to build a platform for preemptive dissent. In addition to our concerns about the fatalities of war, we are also troubled by the suppression of dissent in the U.S. and in Iran, and believe that war profoundly perpetuates civil repression.

And this makes me even angrier...and like public image's song, anger is an energy. Well done spiderleaf.
Daily Kos :: Valerie Plame Leak Timeline II... the case is made (Gannon)

Grrrr... this makes me so angry. You have no clue. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan Tries To Explain Jeff (Gannon) AND NOW FAILS...AND NOW BACKFIRES...DIVORCING THEMSELVES TOGETHER FROM REALITY.

The U.S. military is to beam its own news coverage to millions of Americans.

Moving on from its phase of embedding journalists, or as some would say, 'a policy of restricting and controlling the flow of information,' the Pentagon will now produce and disseminate the news itself. It will be beamed to the public at no charge. The service will emanate from what is known as the Pentagon Channel, an internal public relations television unit within the Department of Defense. It was set up nine months ago.

The government-run TV service will be channeled to the public through EchoStar Communication's Dish Network which will offer the Pentagon Channel to its more than 11 million viewers on a no-cost basis. Programming will appear on the network's public interest channels and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dish viewers will be kept up to date with current military news and information including Department of Defense news briefings, military news, interviews with top defense officials, and short stories about the work of military people.

'We appreciate Dish Network's decision to carry the new Pentagon Channel on their satellite TV system,' said Defense Department spokesman Larry Di Rita. 'Their support helps us fulfill our mission of providing timely military news and information.'

[via Marie @ daily Kos]^ [via big news network]

Pentagon to broadcast to millions of U.S. homes

How about male Heidi Flice (sp) flippin' out those escort-services like hot-cakes only months ago?

What can I say? I love Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame. I hate imaginary news reporters like JD Guckert... or was it Jeff Gannon? So watch John Aravosis of AmericaBlog on Aaron Brown. How do they get away with it time after time and still remain in office? These crooks and liars...

And won't Karl Rove go to jail or be fired or something? Why? Because & Because & Because & Because we demand answers...
YOU
Crooks and Liars
and here's an 8.9MB (bigger version for those of you broadbanding).

Indeed, I'll say that again. I'm a sucker for satire, so please visit Jesus' General...excellent! And he even linked me. Whomever says, "how could you approve of such an image after taking the kentucky church-recruiting fiasco so seriously?" IT'S SATIRE, not a place of worship. And, well, you obviously don't know me.

And ANYBODY that has anything (even a blogad) about the late senator Paul Wellstone, gets my vote. Boxer and Wellstone would have formed the dynamic duo, or rather like Vultron, if he was still alive. That is a terrible terrible loss for not only the United States, but for the entire world.

Oh, now I'm sad all of the sudden. Let me go to the onion or something.

Buh'bye,
lim.

I was wondering about Colby and whether or not he was going to be going back. Of course, I assumed that when he told the Department of Defense, the United States Army, and the United States Army Reserve to go SUCK his you know what...that he wouldn't be returning. It's good to hear it's official. I'm going to read River's book, then Colby's. That's what I'm going to do. I can't wait. And, of course, I've already read all of River's blog...and all of Colby's as far as I know. Though it's not-so-mysteriously disappeared. And anybody that think's I'm crazy for adoring these two truth-tellers, well they can...

It's too bad he feels restrained to not write as he did before. That's a damn shame. I hope everybody's well. All is well on the eastern front this fine day...

Of course, the same cannot be said for the near-east. Expose the lies that hypnotise the masses' who are asses eyes.

out,
lim

This blog is no longer a blog written by a soldier.

It's written by somebody, who wanted to be a soldier, and was a soldier, and fought the best that he could while a soldier, in Iraq, who served his fucking country, and is now a civilian. And is O-U-T.

And it's also written by somebody who is too scared to post anything up on this blog, for fear that no matter what he says or writes from here on out, will either come off as, 'self-absorbed' and/or 'whiney.'

As for 'Soldier's Mom' who said...

'I'll probably read the Esquire piece but not sure I want to read the book -- on the fear that it will have been edited and sanitized to appeal to a broader audience...'

All i can say to you is, other than spelling and grammar, the books not going to be 'sanitized' to appeal to the masses, AT ALL.
And the people that know me best, know, that I would never do anything to appeal to a 'broader audience.'
And I intend to keep it that way.

The way I look at it, is either people will 'get it,' or they wont.
And that’s the way it should be.

There's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time.

Check out Daily Kos, definitely check out Norm at onegood move, and please give Fark.com a big "what the fark is up?! ya still farkin' around?" And my hat is entirely off for locomono for bringing this out of the woodwork in this manner.

Oh, incidentally, this is my Daily Kos diary.

;)
liminal

I heard this earlier tonight on the analog radio, so I had to post it here. You must listen to this, it's really such concise, informative, and engaging conversation about serious matters. Click here to go to the official webpage--->NPR : Barbara Boxer: Rice Hearings and the 2004 Vote
Or click here to listen!

Just in case you didn't catch the website on the photo of the banner in the post:

Check out this short animation, with sound effects of machine guns even, advertizing the "Men's Night Out" where that insane pictoral account of military recruitment in a Kentucky church that I caught on Fark.com via locomono (see screenshots if you missed it).

PMBC Men's Night Out January 28, 2005

Gannon the fake reporter for a fake news organisation asking the president, vice president, and w.h. press secretary scott mclellan fake questions. Complicity is obvious.
Who is Jeff Gannon? MSNBC's Keith Olbermann Reports. Video via Norm and Onegoodmove!

sometimes we wonder why air is so indifferent to lungs
our breath sometimes catches upon sighs azif on rungs
of ladders on stilts in skies so high
we wander and plunder our souls so nigh

because if we were to stumble from depths above
to the bottom of the sea into a coral of love
we would have no chance at survival intact
at best, our bones would be broken in bits, it's a fact

sometimes we wonder why we can't fall soft
from these skies we traverse in our minds so aloft
from the sun to the earth our bodies may break
but if one lands on the other, one body may take

whom would you let land on you?
whom would you sacrifice everything to?
when we go along we hope we may find
a person so strong that can be landed on,

oh but really, if i were so unbecomingly romantic
i'd put a line like "i'm in a love so frantic"
that i'd die for you and cry boo hoo
yea, sure, that's what we really want to do

so, again, when we go along we hope we may find
a person to let land on one's forgiving behind
so they'd be sure to survive in the rough reef below sight
that comprised of love until the wet dust you did bite


(3 1/2 min steam of consciousness speed poetics, you like?)

dowd on madame hawk's scripted questions

Zeyad just posted this wise advice:

Now that the euphoria of elections day has worn out, many Iraqis sense that the political future of the country is a bit more clear than it was before January 31. Immediate steps should be taken by the interim government, with the assistance of the international community, to arrange an urgent conference for Iraqi national reconciliation.

Invitations should be open to all Iraqi political and social groups, regardless of their repsective ideologies and their current stand from the occupation and the ongoing political process in the country. It is also essential that this conference includes elements of the former political order if possible, provided that they have not committed crimes against Iraqis whether in the past or in the present, as well as delegates from the largest and most influential tribes in the dissident areas and senior clerics from all over the country, encompassing religious and sectarian differences.

Many political groups that boycotted the elections are now softening their tone and are sheepishly asking for a role in the political process, trying as much as they can to save face at the same time. The Association of Muslim Scholars, the Pan-Arab, Nasseri, and Socialist movements, the Khalisi group and the Sadrists are among the first groups to call for such a role. Had there been no elections, this could not have been possible.

There is already a consensus among the different political powers that drafting the permanent constitution should not be done solely by the elected National Assembly. This in order to safeguard the interests of the part of the population that did not participate in the elections and to reassure Iraqis that everyone has a say in their future. No longer will one group, no matter how large its support base, dominate over others.

I truly hope that Iraqi politicians realise this and can work to achieve it, leaving aside their personal interests and differences for one moment, putting the prejudices of the past behind them, and listening to what Iraqis have to say. For it is Iraqis, and Iraqis alone, that are the key to solving this whole mess.

Apart from a minority that would rather burn down the country than see someone else in power, I am confident that most Iraqis are weary of all the violence, chaos and bloodshed. It is therefore the utmost duty of Iraqi politicians, the occupation authority and the international community to seize upon the moment and to quit beating around bushes.

It is time to involve the Iraqis themselves, to give them the final word. Iraqis do not wish for their country to be a "frontline on the war of terror", as Bush recently stated. Iraqis do not wish for their country to be a battleground for reactionary bearded cavemen waging their holy wars. Iraqis do not wish to be fuel for the wars of neighbouring countries. Iraqis want to live and let live. Iraqis want what you have.

# posted by zeyad : 2/9/2005 07:49:33 PM

Healing Iraq

So people don't think I'm inventing anything:

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14

You might need a quicktime plug-in to view them in your browser.

Peace to all my habibbis,
liminal

Mark of JSF enlightens me about a campaign of conflation:

This is old news now but I don't check the Electronic Intifada as much as I should.

Laura Reanda follows the campaign by various Zionist organisations, led, it seems, by the World Jewish Congress, to conflate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism and to have both anti-Zionism and anti-semitism specifically condemned by the UN.

And neither do I, it seems. Missed it completely.

Jews sans frontieres: More on Zionism, anti-semitism and the UN

There are many great points made in this article by Jude Wanniski. Let's get our feet wet:

When it comes to the elections held in Iraq on 30 January, the greatest confusion among the American people is in failing to understand Iraqi nationhood.

There are practically no US citizens who think of themselves as being Protestant, Catholic or Jewish before they think of themselves as Americans.

When it comes to Iraq, though, Americans have been educated to think that all Iraqis think of themselves first as members of a Muslim sect, and only then as Iraqis.

The difference is crucial, in that the erroneous assumption is leading President George Bush, the US government, and American intellectuals on a path that ends with a break-up of Iraq into three independent states, one Kurdish, one Sunni and one Shia.

Iraqi nationalism is indeed a force that has been both misrepresented by the media and underplayed as an important concept in civil life. By keeping the fabric of civil life in Iraq so torn for so long, it feels as though this American administration has designs on destroying Iraqi nationalism. I could be wrong, but this could be a part of the grand plan for the region. I think Iraqi nationalism is stronger than such designs though. Good luck trying to destroy it. Because in the end...I'm telling you: there is no way. Simple as that folks.

Also, this will be a great segue into the NY Times book. I believe in many ways the NY Times not only misreports US foreign policy. It also tries to pull the ol' this is reality to the masses, when in fact...it's NOT! For instance:

While the influential newspaper The New York Times editorially inveighed against such division after the elections, its commentary pages have been hospitable to those who are advocates for division.

On 1 February, Peter Galbraith, a long-time advocate of Kurdish independence, was given the lead space in paper to repeat his call for division.

The very next day, Leslie Gelb, president emeritus of the influential Council on Foreign Relations, repeated his argument that "the only workable government would be a confederation with three largely autonomous regions".

I might have been of a similar mind had it not been for my contacts in the US intelligence community who assured me that the most powerful political force in Iraq is nationalism, not sectarianism, and this explains the election turnout better than anything we have been reading and seeing in the news media.

The "S-Factor" ...or "The Sadr Factor"...or "The Whether You Like It Or Not Factor": No matter what you think of Muqtada Al-Sadr, he has shaped up to be quite the fiesty nationalist. And because he is from such an influential family, people will also gravitate toward him. Moreover and with my deductive reasoning at its dullest, I have the feeling that if things get really rough with more electricity and water cuts, lack of security and martial law, not to mention the fact that there are no jobs and schools are still in complete disrepair...then you have a recipe for (drum roll)...A NATIONALIST UPRISING! And that's when the troops will get kicked out of Iraq. So, improve Iraqis lives or face the ultimate consequences. Yea, I said it. And many Iraqis out there know it's true...and don't even try to tell me I'm a "firebrand cleric sympathizer". Because one of the very last things I want is mass chaos in the streets. The situation now will seem like a complete cake-walk to what could develop. And that's why I stay up night after night after day after day blogging (when I have the chance... even when I don't have the chance), trying to get some word out about the possible hysteria we could be facing. And then if Iran happens? Forget about the "Roadmap" in Palestine and Israel. And probably forget about oil getting out of the gulf, too. The possibilities for the region and the world are frightening. Perhaps it's being too sensitive to the issues and too pessimistic for some to stomach. But frankly, I don't give a rat's ass. That's how I feel and I'm gonna say it until it gets through somebody's--even one person's--head.

And yes, I'm an Iraqi Nationalist damnit! I'm American too! So screw my shoe. And I'm an American Nationalist in many ways, yet so so ashamed of this awful excuse for a government. I don't like the way things are headed at all. Where are our Thomas Paines??? Where are our Martin Luther King Jrs??? Ted Kennedy or John Kerry are supposed to fill such large shoes? Sorry, no dice.

"Say huh?! I'm confus'ed...Iraqi Nationalist and American Nationalist? How is that possible?" Well, IF you could push the little daisies up through your skulls maybe you'd realize WE live in a globalised world. And I am a product of the process our world is going through each day. You better get used to it baby. Like Hanan Ashrawi said...let's have a more humanized globalisation. And I hope I see the day where there is some form of global democracy. Then I'll know my children will be safer then I can imagine them being at the moment.

So, the Iraqi electorate...yes, I like the sound of that (esp. when it means something...unfortunately now, it doesn't mean as much as it eventually should). So, the Iraqi electorate were offered essentially sectarian slates of anonymous candidates to elect in order to form their constitution. This is a dangerous game that is being played out. I guarantee it.

Here's Wanniski again:

Stephen Pelletiere, a former CIA analyst of Middle East affairs who has been following developments while in retirement, some years ago explained to me that for most of Iraq's history since the break-up of the Ottoman Empire after the second world war, sectarianism was the rule, nationalism only nascent.

It will, of course, look like a puppet government to the insurgents.
It was only during the eight-year war between Iraq and Iran that nationhood took root and blossomed, as Shia, Sunnis, Kurds and Turkmen fought shoulder to shoulder to defend their secular government against Tehran's call for Shia fundamentalism in a theocratic state.

I believe this is true, or the people of Iraq of all sects would not have submitted to the cost in lives to defeat the Iranians. And that includes the Kurds, 85% of whom fought against Tehran's attempt at the time to spread theocratic fundamentalism across the Islamic universe.

It is true that early in the war, many Iraqi Shia deserted to the Iranian side, believing they would be welcomed with open arms, but they were thrown in POW camps instead.

As Iraqi and Iranian Shia encountered and killed each other in battles over Shia cities such as Basra, the spirit of nationalism must have taken hold as the Iraqi soldiers chose to defend the homeland instead of laying down their arms to welcome their "fellow" Shia from Iran.

With this perspective, it immediately becomes clear why the elections were essentially meaningless: The way the balloting was constructed, there was no venue for an expression of Iraqi nationalism. There was no nationalist party.

The electorate was offered essentially sectarian slates, and even those were created either by Iraqi exiles who had sided with Iran during the war that gave birth to Iraqi nationalism, or which were identified with clerics such as Ayat Allah Ali al-Sistani, an Iranian by birth who will be biased in favour of a theocratic state or something close to it.

The only nationalist on the scene, the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, sat out the election and so did his nationalist followers. The American press played it incorrectly as a boycott by Sunni Muslims, but it was rather an abstention by Iraqi nationalists. Al-Sadr is of course a Shia, but first and foremost he is a nationalist.

The New York Times reported for several weeks that al-Sadr was negotiating with Ahmad Chalabi, another Iraqi exile who had sided with Tehran in the war, but obviously nothing came of that.

It was preposterous in any event to think al-Sadr would team up with a man he would have to see as a quisling. Chalabi not only teamed with the Iranians, but was an architect of the American war against his own country.

The very idea that the American-appointed prime minister of the interim government, Iyad Allawi, would hold a similar post in the new government arising out of the elections is ridiculous, but of course that is what the Bush administration is negotiating to achieve.

It would simply confirm to the Iraqi nationalists that the US agenda is a permanent imperialist outpost in Baghdad, to manage the oil regions and protect Israel against any threats real or imagined, come what may.

One of the things we always tend to forget when we get "good news" from Iraq, as there appears to be with the voter turnout, is that as bad as Saddam Hussein may have been in his 30 years in power, the number of Iraqi men, women and children who died as a result of US sanctions and war - to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction that it did not have - is in the order of one million, or one out of every 20.

The way the balloting was constructed, there was no venue for an expression of Iraqi nationalism. There was no nationalist party.
This is why Americans had to hope the weapons inspectors would find WMD and the imminent threat they would pose to the region and the world. That alone would have undermined the anti-war arguments and given justification for the invasion and the dozen years of killing sanctions.

The president and supporters of the war can celebrate the election, but they in no way alter the facts on the ground. The election was meaningless.

AND NO, okay...I don't believe the elections were entirely meaningless. They were certainly psychically significant for a great number of people. And that I am both happy and proud of...but that's NOT the point people. It's how elections were constructed and made out to be the savior of the people. Sorry, but elections cannot feed a single person. Not yet. That's only for highly developed social welfare states in Scandanavia, isn't it? In fact, as we've seen, some people were threatened with their already meager food rations to be taken away if they DIDN'T vote. Do you believe that crap?

Ok. I might as well put the rest of "Hey" Jude's article:

I have rarely agreed with Senator Ted Kennedy on any major issue, but he is positively correct when he says there will be no chance of improvement in Iraq until the United States is gone.

The internet is now bristling with reminders of Vietnam and how the national elections there in September 1967 offered so much promise of victory. For example:

US Encouraged by Vietnam Vote: Officials Cite 83% Turnout Despite Vietcong Terror
by Peter Grose, Special to The New York Times (9/4/1967: p. 2)

WASHINGTON, Sept 3 - United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 per cent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong.

The size of the popular vote and the inability of the Vietcong to destroy the election machinery were the two salient facts in a preliminary assessment of the nation election based on the incomplete returns reaching here. Pending more detailed reports, neither the State Department nor the White House would comment on the balloting or the victory of the military candidates, Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Thieu, who was running for president, and Premier Nguyen Cao Ky, the candidate for vice president….

Before the results of the presidential election started to come in, the American officials warned that the turnout might be less than 80 per cent because the polling place would be open for two or three hours less than in the election a year ago. The turnout of 83 per cent was a welcome surprise. The turnout in the 1964 United States Presidential election was 62 per cent.

What do I expect now? It will be another several days before the interim government announces the election results and some while before the prime minister and vice presidents are chosen.

It will, of course, look like a puppet government to the insurgents. Can it be turned around? Perhaps, but that would take a nationalist movement, the likes of which we have not yet seen emerge.

Jude Wanniski is a former associate editor of The Wall Street Journal, expert on supply-side economics and founder of Polyconomics, which helps to interpret the impact of political events on financial markets.

Let me ask you a few questions: What would you do if you were invaded by a foreign force and things got worse and worse? Now, what would you do if you invaded yourself? Although all the dissonance I experience on a daily basis is real, my mind is clear. How? It takes some work, but I manage. I wouldn't be of any use to anybody if I let myself lose focus of what matters. And I'm personally not experiencing half of the agony many Iraqis are currently experiencing. But because I have a great deal of family that are indeed going through each and every terrifying moment of this insane war, I have a large stake in it. And I take my privelege of living the life I do seriously. Who said that wise thing..."If we can change ourselves, we can change the world"? So like wittle bitty Samwise Gamgee (sp?) in the toughest of times, I believe there is some good left that is worth saving...in both myself and others. And I'm trying my best to do my part first inside, then out,

lim.

An Iraqi nationalist party is needed

In an attempt to clear the mental palette, I return to Hagakure's 1st chapter.

To give a person one's opinion and correct his faults is an important thing. It is compassionate and comes first in matters of service. But the way of doing this is extremely difficult. To discover the good and bad points of a person is an easy thing, and to give an opinion concerning them is easy, too. For the most part, people think that they are being kind by saying the things that others find distasteful or difficult to say. But if it is not received well, they think that there is nothing more to be done. This is completely worthless. It is the same as bringing shame to a person by slandering him. It is nothing more than getting it off one's chest.

To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not. One must become close with him and make sure that he continually trusts one's word. Approaching subjects that are dear to him, seek the best way to speak and to be well understood. Judge the occasion, and determine whether it is better by letter or at the time of leave-taking. Praise his good points and use every device to encourage him, perhaps by talking about one's own faults without touching on his, but so that they will occur to him. Have him receive this in the way that a man would drink water when his throat is dry, and it will be an opinion that will correct faults.

This is extremely difficult. If a person's fault is a habit of some years prior, by and large it won't be remedied. I have had this experience myself. To be intimate with all one's comrades, correcting each other's faults, and being of one mind to be of use to the master is the great compassion of a retainer. By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man?

Update 4: Here's the efficient version of this post if anybody is interested. I hope that helps those of you doing dial-up. Sorry it took me so long. BYE, liminal

Update x3(*place) & clarification: .tiff screenshots of the church military recruitment drive that locomono went through[via fark.com screenshots below], not me! There seems to be a bit of confusion with some people thinking I went to the church in *Lexington, Kentucky, because they didn't read the post all the way through or click on any of the links!

So people don't think I'm independently inventing anything. I still had the window open when I noticed the whole thread went down. So I took screen shots as proof. Here's where these pictures originate via locomono's post on Fark.com :

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14

You might need a quicktime plug-in to view them in your browser.

I did repost them to Fark, but they seemed to have stayed on Totalfark (the membership part of the site). I'd just like to clear that up. Thanks!

Peace to all my habbibis,
liminal

* * * *

I'm just going to post two pictures first and the story. I'll comment more later; one thing though: What is the difference between Muslims trying to defend their homeland by recruiting from mosques and Christians trying to defend their homeland by recruiting from churches? And this is coming from an old school Iraqi Assyrian Orthodox Christian. In plain speak, I think both are wrong any way you cut it. This absolutely blows my mind. This is another one of those whatever happened to the separation of church and state moments. Onward Christian soldier.


This first picture is the American flag clearly covering up the cross.


This picture apparently shows banners of the various branches of American Armed Forces hanging from the pews.

Now here's the story told by a self-proclaimed Republican, remember...locomono, whom I completely agree with besides the fact he supports the war:

First off, this is absolutely true and only happened about an hour ago. I am a Christian, a republican and support the war in Iraq, but this pisses me off in ways I cannot explain even to myself. This is not a debate thread, after you read this and look at the pictures, if you post anything it will be reactions, advice, or simple opinion. I know there are a lot of military personal in this forum and I would love to here what you have to say about this but if this turns into a flame war I will be extremely upset with whoever's involved. Now on to the story

The other day my dad tells me we're going to a "guy's night out" banquet. Innocent enough sounding, right? Well I haven't done anything that could be considered a favor for him in a long time, and it seems important to him if incredibly boring so, what the hell I'll go. He picks me up at the house around six. I nearly walk out the door about 5 times each time remembering something I've left behind, the last thing I go back for is my camera.
In the car conversation goes as awkwardly as it usually does with my dad,
"What is this thing anyway? Just sitting around card tables talking about good ‘ol days?"
"Probably not they've got one of the guys from the battle in black hawk down to talk about his time there"
Thinking to myself, at least that doesn't sound too bad, "Cool enough. Where is it, are we gonna get there on time?"
"Oh, it's right up the street at porter memorial"
So, that's kinda weird that it's at a church, but whatever. Churches are relatively cheap to rent out during the week.

When we get there traffic is crazy, there must be two thousand people coming to this one church. It's kind of odd that there are three squad cars just to stop traffic and let us all in, but you know what they say, "when enough people gather together in harmony, the fuzz come to break it up"

There's a humvey and black hawk helicopter sitting outside with corresponding units, half the people that are walking in with us are wearing service shirts. Whether air force, army, marines, coastguard, ambulance driver or fireman, all these guys get a check from Uncle Sam. Ok, I don't have any problems with men in uniform, unless I'm drunk outside and they're cops. A door opens and we're headed into the basement for pork barbeque sandwiches, chicken quarters, refried beans and slaw. On the way I glance guardsmen setting things up with that military motion you don't lose in civilian life until about a year out of boot camp. We tell old war stories full of gore and glory and times we almost bought the farm, as we eat. Without any of that kind of story of my own I told him about a PI named John Landrith killing three armed kidnappers with a rusty old meat cleaver to save a seven year old. It's well received in the basement of a church while we eat our Oreo minis. When our meal is done the mass is herded to the sanctuary were we watch the history channel's documentary on the events of black hawk down. When the lights come up my earlier discomfort is redoubled. I realize something is very ********ed up, and start taking pictures. What I see reminds me of footage from the third right the way patriotic imagery is thrown around bugger all. What you’re looking at is government mesh thrown over the steps to the balcony, and a huge flag covering up all but the tip of a huge cross in the first picture, and the huge amount of people sitting below various armed forces banners in the second. There was a nice POW one behind me. I apologize for the poor quality but it’s a new camera, and I’m still learning how to use it, especially in low & mixed light conditions

So, I can't help myself. I'd like to share locomono's utter disbelief and completely repost the thread in this discussion forum.

They were ready to start the show, so after a raffle for all five branches of the military t-shirts, UK basketball tickets, and Famous Dave’s BBQ coupons(the caterer), we were subjected to a really shitty Rockapella group wearing camo with cackies, and singing mixed Christian rock and patriotic numbers.

About then I was given a bulletin. Roughly the same time they had all active members of the armed forces stand up for aplause, then all former members, then the fathers of active members (Remember this is supposed to be a father son thing, guilt trip anyone?)

Then our state National Guard ceremonially presented colors, i.e. this is now a military function. I think they were the only ones that didn’t say that pledge of allegiance, but maybe their lips moved and I didn’t hear it. I was way back. This was the first time in my life I said the pledge of allegiance with any hesitation at all. I guess I don’t like doing it in a place of greater allegiance, especially when it only barely has “under god" in it anymore. Right after when the shity Rockapella group sang the national anthem a couple people shouted “Amen!” at the end. I started to get sick right then.

After that, they had guys wearing the traditional US uniforms over time walk out in order while scenes from a Jesus movie I cant recall played. I was never aware of voodoo style witch doctors, or Indiana Jones being members of our military (far left and second from right respectively in the first pic). I think it’s kinda funny that unless I’m wrong that fellow on the far left of the second pic is wearing a confederate uniform. I know it’s ridiculously bad taste but yes, that really is Jesus on the cross in the first picture…in behind our troops. When the final modern troop stepped out too the front and center he thrust his rifle one handed into the air to shouts of approval, the Jesus footage was still playing, and at that particular point even my dad was uncomfortable.

At this point Captain Sturecker preached to us in full dress uniform about his early faith was based in fear of going to hell, but now he doesn’t need to fear death, and about his experiences in the black hawk afair. In particular he prayed after his first drive back to base (If you‘ve seen the movie, he was the humvee driver with the injured man on strecher in the back. He was also the guy that said, “The difference in between heroes and cowards isn‘t the fear it‘s what they do with it”), and after that even though the vehicle was shot to hell, he had no casualties. He even watched an RPG barely miss its’ mark and deflect off his hood. Every word of this might be true, but it was also part of a “The lord will protect you in the military” themed sermon. I have never had both respect and disgust for a single individual with such volume in my life. When I asked him for a picture with him holding the same bible he is in the sermon picture I think my attitude came off as “fan boy”.

Here’s a close-up of the Marine donated supplies they made such a big deal about. They were effectively his pulpit.

Mike could you do me a favor and open a thread where-ever we do debates these days, and link it. I would really apreciate it. I mean this as more of an informational, and reation thread, but it should be discussed

BTW no, I'm not done. It still gets worse

Even as I had already taken these photographs of something that I clearly know is wrong, hell we ended with “I‘m proud to be an American”, after a sermon and a combined rendition of all the services anthems. I was conflicted. I knew, and know that almost all of the people I’m depending on to bring this to light disagree with me on virtually every issue. I wasn’t going to release this unless they were recruiting. They were.
Jesus himself only got mad once. It was because merchants were using the church to sell their wares, he flipped their tables, seized a whip, and attacked them. This day the answer to “what would Jesus do?” is grab one of the m-16s laying around and start kneecapping.

This is a close up of strucer's nametag just to make sure I got the name right, and the tag on the recruitment dummy, as they both attach at least two people involved with this mess.

As I leave you with the final images I plan to of two of the ancient flags that surrounded the stage, and The banner at the front door I have to express regret that even a very small portion of my country is as religiously militaristic as the whole world already believes it to be. I myself think of this as a huge fuster cluck of the balances that are already there being missed.

If you have any questions feel free to IM or PM me. I have huge 5 mega pixel raws to prove it was me.

And if you still try to tell me this administration will not attack Iran, there is no way I would remotely believe you. And I even question how they will manage to do such an insane thing. Instead of a draft (at least for the mean time), we have such sick invasion of places of worship? I am not sure which is worse. Wow...wow...wow.

I'm truly speechless. This is very significant. This has to be illegal. How can this be?

:O
liminal

The soft and the pliable will defeat the hard and strong.
-Lao Zi