Shlonkom Bakazay?

All pictures were taken in the summer of 1990, about a month before the invasion of Kuwait. This was just one of our visits. We left two weeks before the invasion. We had no idea that anything strange was happening when we were there. This summer was perhaps the best time of my life. I was only 12.

News & Analysis: Water main attack affects two million in Baghdad

Several of my friends and family in Baghdad have alerted me in the past few days about this problem that is approaching a critical point now. A couple of them don't have water at all. A few others have some water but it is filled with bacteria. When they drank it they got very sick. So, it is undrinkable water. Now, as you know, is summer. And it is as hot as hell. The electricity service is still shite, so there are times when you cannot run the AC because the small house generators cannot handle those levels. So, what you have are temperatures around 45 degrees celsius (115 degrees F), no cooling so you sweat, no water so you get dehydrated...

It's not a good formula for success.

Here's something I found. I was aghast that nobody has mentioned it yet in the MSM. Please help me get the word out by linking to this article in your blog. Thank you.

BAGHDAD, 22 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - Two million Baghdad residents have been without drinking water since 19 June after saboteurs targeted a major water main in the capital.

'The attack on the water pipes was a shock to all residents. Insurgents are not only killing innocent people but also destroying the daily lives of millions of people,' Amer Salman, a senior Baghdad governorate official, said.

Salman added that they were working hard to repair the main but said that it may take up to a week to have it functioning properly again, although small-scale pumping may start within two days.

The Mansoor, Yarmouk, Kadhimiya, Baya'a, Ghazaliya and Hay al-Jame'a districts in Baghdad are the worst affected.

'Every day I have to drive 10 km to reach to a public water pipe where I can get water for washing, cleaning and drinking. My air conditioning [AC] machine needs to be filled with water manually every three hours,' Kamal al-Jumaily, a Yarmouk district resident, said.

The AC machines, which have to be filled by hand, are cheap to run and are to be found in most Iraqi homes. They are particularly necessary in the summer when temperatures may reach 50 degrees centigrade.

Local doctors have reported an increase in diarrhoea and other illnesses related to the consumption of dirty water.

'Children have been the most effected, due to the dirty water being consumed now. Some families are using public pipes and unsafe wells, which are known to be contaminated,' Dr Ahmed Ibraheem, at Yarmouk general hospital, said.

Ibraheem added that during the last water shortage in the capital in January, more than 200 cases of illness through consumption of contaminated water were reported, but they fear the number could be higher now as sanitation has further deteriorated in the capital.

In a desperate measure, many residents have started to dig wells in their gardens.

'The heat is increasing and in place where we acquire more comfort, Iraqis are suffering even more now from power and water shortages,' Mahmoud Abbas, a Bayaa district resident said.

It is nice that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his team feel as if they have achieved closure on their prisoner abuse issues and are ready to move on. The problem is, they are still in deep denial. The Bush administration has not only refused to face the problem squarely, but it is also enabling a pervasive lack of accountability.

Domestic closure is also a smoke-screen to the greater problems caused by this stubborn denial. Because the resonance of Abu Ghraib on the future of the world if this complete lack of accountability continues shall have far-reaching implications. In other words, we've only seen the beginning of the problems that could result from their denial failing to subside.

Stop hurting America. Stop hurting the world. Denial is your worst enemy.

Speak of the devil...

Great to hear Iraq's justice minister being concerned about justice.

Iraq's justice minister has accused the US of concealing information about deposed president Saddam Hussein that could be damaging to "many countries".

Abdel Hussein Shandal said it seemed there were "lots of secrets" that the Americans wanted to hide.

Saddam Hussein is set to go on trial in Iraq over alleged crimes against humanity, but no date has been set.

Mr Shandal spoke to the AP news agency on the eve of a major conference. US officials did not immediately comment.

"There should be transparency and there should be frankness, but there are secrets that, if revealed, won't be in the interest of many countries," Mr Shandal said.

"Who was helping Saddam all those years?"(emphasis added)

Real Iraqis wanting a real reconciliation leading to real justice in the future shall not let this one die. I am more sure of this than most things. And it is very much in the interest of America to reveal some of these secrets and to own up to their past grave mistakes if they want the average Iraqi's goodwill. Until then, there's only going to be suspicion and animosity at America's real intentions.

Wake up. Own up. Because there will be no let up concerning these secrets.

Lying to yourself only hurts yourself. Making soldiers and Marines currently in Iraq pay for these lies, these secrets, with blood and death is a heinous crime occuring each day.

I say they're both irredeemable blowhards from the fiery depths of hades.

There are few people I've sincerely hated in my life. These former buddies happen to be two of them.

Bolton blocked.

Update: Now that I think of it, in the last 60 years (and you could say more) governments of the US (Britain, and France for that matter) didn't really pursue stability by essentially appointing dictators in the region. American governments pursued compliance. American governments pursued obediance. American governments pursued oppression of the masses for the sake of American interests. If this is considered pursuing stability, it's a crock of shizzle. Anyway, I am still surprised she said this. Now, I want action.

"For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region, here in the Middle East, and we achieved neither."

Anaconda grew some brass balls or was this a long time coming?

You decide.

I wonder how this statement folds into the context of the speech. My curiousity has been piqued.

But as always, talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words, the proof is in the pudding, and whatever other cliche you'd like to add to the bin of BS. And that is what this administration's calls for "democracy" are at this point, parroted cliches that mean very little because they've been repeated over and over again. And there's nothing worse than a tired old cliche, besides perhaps the penultimate gasp of air one takes in the lungs waiting for the last gasp which leads to the path of the darkness of death. If these words are said and not followed through by stopping both direct and indirect support of dictatorships, it would have been better if she didn't say it.

I'm waiting with bated bollocks to see the proof behind these words. And so are 300 million people who have been subjugated by US foreign policy.

If you don't like the effects, don't produce the cause. Meaning, if you don't like it when dictators stray away from the script and get out of hand, stop supporting dictators and let the people decide what kind of government they want. And you are complicit in the jailing of dissidents and squashing of freedom and liberty if you continue to offer limitless military aid and cash flow to these mini-Stalins. You produce the causes by continuing to support the likes of Saddam Mubarak, Saddam Fahd/Abdullah, Saddam Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein, Saddam Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Saddam formerly known as Sodom. (I could go deeper into the list, but that should do for now.)

Cause in the end, we're all getting sodomized by US foreign policy. And I mean all of us. The US reflexively sodomizes through the implementation of such insane and assymetric acts of physical aggression. So I wonder when Americans will wake up to the fact that the Cheney administration is ruining America. Bolton is like the penny Cheney tosses into the fountain as he wishes for world dominance. A tool for the impossible neocon vision of the world. Watch the Emperor appoint the bastard without consulting the Senate. And this is only one of the many abuses of power.

RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Tackling Another Major Challenge in Iraq: Unemployment

sign in using,
(username) kos at dailykos dot com
(password) dailykos

for newspapers that require registration use these to avoid having to register. another combination that might work,
(username) dailykos
(password) dailykos

of course, if you wanted to go through another step use bugmenot.

Turning the heat up; more memos from Downing Street flood the internet.

AP's Thomas Wagner: Memos Show British Fretting Over Iraq War & the almost identical AP story via Newsday (for shits and giggles): Memos show U.S. push for war

Why the different headlines? We may deduce these memos are finally making their presence felt in the US.

And they beg so many old and new questions, while helping connect dots that were unconnected before their release.

What do Powell/Bolton/PlameBeingOuted-WilsonBeingPunished-for BlowingWhistleOnForgedNigerDocs/DSM/ElBaradai have in common? It's worth a long hard thought and several official investigations. Check Hunter's recent diary for starters.

Bonus link: Army recruiter (and you know I love this topic) helps a kid pass his piss-test, recommends him to use a forged high school diploma, and urges him to move to a nearby town to help process his background check faster. Investigative reporting at its finest.

You'll want to read this.

reBloggin' to get my juices flowing...

I'm not sure if it's working. So...How bout them scopitone gals? Britain seems pretty leaky these days. It's not just about the DSM either. I wonder if widdle Blairy is wary angry because he's getting his own and the collective UK salad tossed on some trade-off guarantees made by ol' Georgy Porgy in exchange for letting the whole war thing slide. I get the feeling this is the case. But what do I know?

DAMNNNN, so CLOSE!!! I almost faked it there. Could you tell? That was pretty damn good, but I can't fake my outrage. I'm generally numb right now. And believe me, it's not just because Iraq is a mess. Of course such constant stress of mass death and destruction of loved ones has particularly worn on me lately, but I've got a whole lotta other kibbeh nayya on my plate still. And you know I like it raw. (I am secretly fantisizing about putting a picture of Ol' Dirty Bastard in the place of the ancient and exquisite minaret in Samarra that was torn up by foolish people. Don't ask. For a dash of dystopia perhaps...)

Truth is when it comes to anything to do with computers lately, I'm a bum in the sun. Computers provide rare recourse for me these days. Sitting in front of the screen, bah...where has my electronic joy gone? A couple months ago I had to stop blogging for a while...had no choice in the matter. But now, I have a fast connection and everything...I just can't. What's the deal? (This is meant to serve as a blanket alibi for losing touch with most people I know in the past 3-4 months.)

I will tell you, since my parents are reading, I'm a bit upset I've been left out of a family trip. I've got a lot on my plate now, sure. But when do opportunities like this come up? So many of us in one place at the same time. And it could have been done if planned properly. You can't imagine how disappointed I feel about this right now. It makes me want to punch a hole in the wall. (Inside joke)

Anyway, waa waa, boo hoo...where was I? Being a bit random, I know, but I gotta get some words down. Oh yea, I can't use computers well lately. I'll try and shake a tail feather on it again tomorrow and see what I come up with.

You say leaks?
I say, open the flood-gates!

The Observer | International | New US move to spoil climate accord
The Observer | International | UK had advance alert of jail abuse
US lied to Britain over use of napalm in Iraq war

The scopitone was the fore-mother of the music video. Click pic for sample of "I've got the world on a string". And here's a great one two and three (awesome!) en Francais.

Yay bedazzled.

"Two children are held by G.I.'s after their parents were killed when soldiers fired on the family's car near Tal Afar, Iraq, on Jan. 18."

Grazie Diana.

Further into the details...

Extremists target Al Jazeera.

Shukran Cieciel!

And read this.

Update: Check out the Downing Street Memo visibility stats! June 1: 1504 Blog Postings, 254 News Articles...then June 19: 6885 Blog Postings, 1800 News Articles. I have the feeling it's much more than this, though.


*****


And believe me, I'm much obliged to throw some links at the world. It's the least I could do. Really.

I shall include links galore
about a certain Downing Street whore
so terribly easily bought for war.

And you tell me, what for?

To make some friends some monies.
To eff the world to the degree of a million bunnies times three?
To force democracy
onto a people from hypocracy's throne
to reap null?

And how many people
need to be killed
for morbid insanity to really feel thrilled?

Thrilled are we?

What are you thrilled for?
For more people to be killed more?

My brain feels sore.
And what a torturous bore is war when so far.
But what a torturous chore for my family who I adore.
Yes, my brain's sore for sure.

What's the score, you silly whores that want the wars?

How many more shall you plan, how many more?

Reference:

• DowningStreetMemo.Com
• AfterDowningStreet.Org
• Wikipedia Page on the DSM

More specific items:

• Video of the meeting concerning the DSM in the Capitol building a couple days ago.
• Walter Pincus' buried (as in A18) May 13 Article in the Washington Post.
• Walter Pincus' front page story June 12, Wapo again
• Michael Smith tipping his hat to bloggers in his June 12 article in the London Times.
• BBC tipping its hat to bloggers for reviving the Downing Street Memo in the American press.
• Is 'Downing Street Memo' a smoking gun? CSM, June 17
• British documents portray determined U.S. march to war
• Downing Street Memo gains traction in the U.S. Press

The original memo published in the times gave intent away. The several other secret documents that were leaked afterward provide the memo's context. This goes a long way to prove intelligence was fixed. Along with the fact that the existance of these documents have not been denied by either Bush or Blair. Bush should be impeached. Simple as that. The press briefing on November 12, 2002 where the White House gave assurances of "war as a last resort" were lies. Also, I think it's most interesting how the saga of Joe Wilson and Valarie Plame is rearing its head once more. The fact that the Niger documents were forgeries begs the question: Was it merely a piece in the puzzle to frighten America and the world into war?

Obviously, yes without a doubt.

Jack Straw to Tony Blair, Memo [scanned pdf, text] dated 25 March 2002 [via AP]:

``If 11 September had not happened, it is doubtful that the U.S. would now be considering military action against Iraq,'' Straw wrote. ``In addition, there has been no credible evidence to link Iraq with OBL (Osama bin Laden) and al-Qaida.''

He also questioned stability in a post-Saddam Iraq: ``We have also to answer the big question - what will this action achieve? There seems to be a larger hole in this than on anything.'

"There seems to be a larger hole in this than on anything" ??? WTF?! ...you incompetent imbeciles! So it basically goes like this: "September 11th, September 11th, we have the right to destroy all brown people now, September 11th. Did I say, "destroy brown people?" ehm, I mean we bring good tidings and democracy with our precision-guided armaments." It brings to mind what Richard Clarke said Rummy's rag-tag crew had specifically pressed him for after the 911 attacks: To search for any links to tie Iraq to the 911 attack. But boy did they ever drop the ball. In fact, the entire Richard Clarke episode smacks of the two sentences in the Downing Street Memo, "Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy." Clark was not compliant to neocon desires to fix facts, so character assassination ensued as he highlighted exactly HOW they dropped the ball both before and after September 11.

And of course, I must add...

Will it all have been worth it in the end? All the lies, all the deceit? As of now, it doesn't appear worth it. Will it be in 10-20 years? Who knows! The fact that the world is up in arms about the Downing Street Memo doesn't mean much to the average Iraqi. But if we'd like some real reconciliation, clearing up the DSM and making sure all parties involved are held to standards of international law (especially the Blair government since they are a signatory party to the ICC and other international treaties).

I'd say a series of embarrassing lawsuits against the Blair government uncovering more lies is in order.

Oh, and impeachment for Bush would be fitting and, might I say, marvelous.

Baheyya ventures far in describing the situation and offering her feedback on America's "Arab Democracy" with flying-dagger style precision. Ahso... Incredible writing!!! (hat tip to Abu Aardvark for making me aware of this piece.)

A taster:

This is a debate about what sort of “doctrine” American policy should adopt in its management of the Arab world. It is a debate in which Arabs are objects, problems, threats, inscrutable masses, sometimes self-appointed advisers and confidants, but never political agents with their own political projects and visions, projects that might include—horrors!—an end to American meddling in Arab affairs. Arabs are either dangerous terrorists, or intransigent ruling elites, or destabilising demagogues, or foaming-at-the-mouth nationalists, or power-hungry Islamists, or ambitious counter-elites, or submissive women, or wily women, or desperate immigrants, or hyperbolic alJazeera newscasters, or uppity intellectuals. Each requires a discrete and smart strategy of neutralisation, containment, or mobilisation, as the case may be. Arabs, it must be said, are still not allowed to have their own experiences, make their own choices, learn from their mistakes, and develop their own political institutions. Powerful foreign governments and their local subsidiaries are ever at the ready, making sure Arab citizens are bound in a straitjacket of tutelage.

And I can't help it, but post another:

Real democracy means all political forces subject themselves to the unforgiving and decisive game of electoral politics. Real democracy means non-interference by the American government and its client Arab regimes, under whatever guise or guile. Real democracy means no one gets excluded or defined out of the political game, and real democracy is when the outcome of electoral contests is never preordained. Real democracy means the end of the tutelage of any one social force over the others, and the beginning of a genuine, undoctored, organised, and periodically repeated process of public choice-making that goes by the name of elections. Election rules are to be decided through public debate, not behind closed doors by ruling parties who then trumpet them as “incentives for competition.” Everyone must be put to the test of elections, no excuses, ifs, ands, buts, or maybes. And let the people be the judge.

Arab regimes have long made clear that they will stop at nothing to make sure this does not happen, and therefore they are the single biggest obstacles to democratic development. If the U.S. government can stand not to set any preconditions and instead accepts the fundamental uncertainty of Arab electoral processes, then it will gain maximum credibility and respect as a promoter of democracy, because it will have respected the choices of Arab electorates, no matter how unpalatable to the American government. But if it stipulates preconditions, intervenes to shore up its supporters and marginalise its challengers, and continues to engage in age-old realpolitik while claiming the mantle of democracy promotion, then its already dangerously depleted credibility will plunge to sub-zero depths, if it hasn’t already got there.

Yow'zaaaa! Every word of it is worth a close read, though.

Explain this to me.

An hour before dawn, the sky still clouded by a dust storm, the soldiers of the Iraqi army's Charlie Company began their mission with a ballad to ousted president
Saddam Hussein. "We have lived in humiliation since you left," one sang in Arabic, out of earshot of his U.S. counterparts. "We had hoped to spend our life with you."

"We can't tell these guys about a lot of this stuff, because we're not really sure who's good and who isn't," said Rick McGovern, a tough-talking 37-year-old platoon sergeant from Hershey, Pa., who heads the military training for Charlie Company.

Um yea, well, no kidding.

Do you see how bad it's getting?

Hellllllllllloooooooooo? Helllllllooooooooooooooooo?

I learned something from President Bush finally.

Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator. Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.
Mubarak is a dictator.

Who believes me now?

Also, the NY Times picked up the story weeks after the incident happened, which perhaps means a sea change has taken place within the administration. The story has been resuscitated. That hardly ever happens. And to my knowledge such a thing has not happened in a long time with something like this. I mean, don't expect anybody in the current administration to admit they need to press Mubarak more, but...yea. We know how that goes. (Billmon describes the dynamic of this sort of thing in one of his latest posts.) I am heartened by this development nonetheless.

So, everybody now! CATAPULT THE PROPAGANDA!

Pff.

Lim.