On that Iraq War---and where we are now

From producer, writer, director Michael Moore's Facebook page earlier today:

You might have seen that on Monday President Obama will likely nominate former Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, to be Secretary of Defense.

But what you probably haven't seen – because everyone has forgotten – is that back in 2007, Chuck Hagel went totally crazy and told the truth about our invasion of Iraq. Here's what he said:

"People say we're not fighting for oil. Of course we are. They talk about America's national interest. What the hell do you think they're talking about? We're not there for figs." 

 Link:    The Costs of War for Oil | FPIF

 

On the insanity that is Iraq

I've written about this before so I'll make this brief but I just don't understand, can't understand the insanity of bombing and blowing up and maiming and killing people in your own country--your fellow countrymen and women (children, too, at times)--for some "purpose" you imagine. Yesterday, there were reports out of Iraq that, now that the US troops have, for the most part, left that country finally, Iraqis are starting to blow up and kill each other again. A headline this week: Iraq bombings kill 60, revive old fears 16 bombs blown across Baghdad alone and 60 people killed. I always assume that it's because of Sunni vs. Shia differences but that just makes it worse, to me. First, it's worse because it's killing for your religion and second, it's far worse because not only are they fellow countrymen you're killing or trying to kill but there are also such small differences, really, between the two religious sects. It is truly insanity. How does a world deal with this kind of mentality? If you can't make it internally, as a nation and a people, how can anyone on the outside of the country help you? And the answer is, of course, they can't. Links: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-sectarian-divisions-20111223,0,3829851.story; http://www.thejournal.ie/iraq-vp-blames-prime-minister-for-violence-312904-Dec2011/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

The financial costs of George W. Bush's Wars?

"The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion – a major victory for Osama bin Laden, whose announced goal was to bankrupt America by drawing it into a trap." - Noam Chomsky

What the US Military is and does, among the good work

Nine minutes and 54 seconds of details from the Iraq War the government and military don't really want us to pay attention to. This includes information on Pfc Lavena Johnson from right here in Missouri--Florissant--who was killed by "friendly fire". According to Wikipedia, " She was the first female soldier from Missouri to die in Iraq." We owe Pfc Johnson and all the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan far more than what they're getting. We need to know what our government and military is doing, all in our name. We need to bring them home. Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaVena_Johnson; http://lavenajohnson.com/; http://lavenajohnson.com/2009/05/sbs-dateline-on-lavena-johnson/; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr1iOxS2T7w

It's still the "Iraq War"

Some people in government have suggested or even stated that it's no longer the "Iraq War" and that it's over. Yeah, well tell it to the soldiers over there. News out today: June deadliest month for U.S. in Iraq since '08. Link: http://news.yahoo.com/june-deadliest-month-u-iraq-since-08-140256370.html

Good news out of Iraq

From online news today: Alleged Al Qaeda Members Sentenced To Death BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi court on Thursday sentenced 15 alleged al-Qaida members to death for their role in the 2006 wedding party massacre of 70 people, considered one of the most horrific attacks carried out by Sunni-led militants during the insurgency. Thank goodness. Maybe more countries can see Al Qaeda is no good way to go. Link to original story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/16/alleged-al-qaeda-members-sentenced-iraq-massacre_n_878144.html

This is not good news

From NPR last evening:

Iraqi Leader Reconsiders U.S. Troop Withdrawal 

Damn.

Sure, they talk big.  They say they want us out.  Then, when it comes down to "crunch time", they bail.

They want the security we provide, sure.

But surely they want our money, too.

Boy, are we suckers.

We are the "War Pigs"

Ozzy was prescient:

Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death's construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
Oh lord yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor
Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait 'til their judgement day comes
Yeah!

Now in darkness world stops turning
Ashes where the bodies burning
No more war pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees the war pig's crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan laughing spreads his wings
Oh lord yeah!

Face it, America--yes, you--WE are the war pigs of the world.

No one remotely comes close to us on spending on war, missiles, weapons, etc.  We outspend all other nations by huge margins.

It's us who are in Afghanistan, against most of the people's will.

It's the US who has 50,000 troops still occupying Iraq.

It's the US who has over 700 different military installations across the world.

Sure, we used to be the peacekeepers.

No more.

Now we're the ones threatening too much and too many across this same planet.

While we can't spend for our children's schools and health care and streets, sewers, highways, bridges and other infrastructure, we're spending huge, absurd, ridiculous amounts on war and weapons of war.

First you need to know this.  We all need to be aware.

And then we need to demand change.  Change from our government.  Change from our legislators.

Surely this is not the people or country we want to be.

What say we really honor our military and veterans and stop the endless war?


Happy Memorial Day.

Indeed.

Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/black_sabbath/war_pigs.html 
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/black_sabbath/#share

Funny but seems we are one weird culture, too

At the vortex of our culture and technology. 

These crack me up but at the same time, make me think we are one crazy culture. 

We pay billions of dollars to attack another country and instead of having our men and women--our soldiers, our brothers and sisters--over here with us, they're in the middle of a foreign desert where they're not wanted, fighting, sure, but also "killing time", making music videos.

We have really odd priorities, at least.

Enjoy the weekend, y'all.

Possible good news out of Iraq

According to a story on NPR, there is word that Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maliki is "talking tough" and saying he wants all US troops out of Iraq by the previously-set deadline.

Thank you, Mr. Maliki.  We couldn't agree more.

Here's the jist of the article:

It's long been assumed that the withdrawal deadline of December 2011 would be renegotiated — that Iraq might need some kind of troop presence beyond then. But lately, it's looking like the United States and Iraq might have to come up with another plan.

Over the past two years, U.S. troops have remained in Iraq under a treaty between the two countries known as a Status of Forces Agreement.

The treaty is set to expire at the end of this year. But American generals and Iraqi politicians have long hinted that the two sides might reach a deal to extend the deadline — if, of course, the Iraqi government formally requested it.

But in an interview Maliki granted The Wall Street Journal last week, he said the existing agreement is "sealed" — and subject to neither extension nor alteration. Still, he did seem to leave open the possibility of a new agreement.

No, no, Mr. Maliki, stick with the plan.  Throw our butts out.  Have us bring ALL our soldiers home.  You run your country and let us stick with ours.

Hopefully this isn't just a ploy on his/their part to get yet more money out of the stupid Americans.  You know, "Well, we might let you stay a while longer if you'll give us $X million to stay in the meantime--but only for a while..."

And hopefully this means our soldiers can come home sooner rather than later.

Of  course, in the meantime, it also means that George W. Bush's, Dick Cheney's and Halliburton's ridiculous, huge and extravagant "embassy compound" we built over there--the largest in the world--will go to some waste but hey, we knew that when they started building the ignorant thing, didn't we?

Link to original post:  http://www.npr.org/2011/01/04/132632709/in-surprise-iraq-may-enforce-withdrawal-deadline

Did you hear the one about the war crimes?

US General Accuses Bush Administration of War Crimes

Wednesday 18 June 2008
by: Matt Renner and Maya Schenwar, t r u t h o u t | Report

Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (now retired) served as the deputy commanding general for support for the Third Army for ten months in Kuwait during the early days of the Iraq occupation. In a statement released today, he bluntly accuses the Bush administration of war crimes and lays down a challenge for prosecution.

In 2004, Taguba released a classified report detailing abuses committed at Abu Ghraib Prison. The "Taguba Report" (executive summary) urged Pentagon officials to follow up on its findings by enforcing adherence to the Geneva Conventions in interrogations.

Taguba retired in January 2007, later alleging that Pentagon officials had ordered him to retire for being "overzealous" in his criticisms of the military.

In light of ongoing Congressional investigations into so-called harsh interrogation techniques, and on the heels of Congressman Dennis Kucinich recently issuing articles of impeachment accusing President Bush of, among other offenses, authorizing torture, we present Taguba's latest statement for your consideration.

The full Physicians for Human Rights report outlining the medical evidence of torture perpetrated by the United States can be read at their website: www.physiciansforhumanrights.org.

I don't get it

I don't understand people's enjoyment of and interest in horror movies.

In the first place, there is such beauty in the world.

You don't think so?

Photograph flowers. Any flower. Heck, a dandelion.

Then look at it and see if you don't see brilliant, temporary, exhilarating color and vibrancy.

In the second place, you want terror? Instead of some phony, nonsense, fiction fright someone dreamed up, go read everything you can get your hands on about Union Carbide and what they did to so many people in India.

Read what US President Andrew Jackson--and a whole lot of other people--did to the Native Americans.

There's terror for you. There's unimaginable fright.

Imagine a whole people whose religion, language, culture, way of life and spirituality is taken away from them.

That's terror. That's horror.

And that's what we did to Native Americans.

No wonder so many became alcoholic and were otherwise wrecked.

And then there's the burning and death and mutilation that came from Union Carbide's chemical plant explosion near poverty-stricken people in India.

Terror. Unbelievable, unexpected, unimaginable--nearly unreported--terror.

And then there's what the greedheads--from President George W. Bush on down--are doing to America and Americans for the last 7 years. The list is a long one.

From what has happened in Iraq for the last 5 years, to hundreds of thousands of people being either killed or maimed--both Americans and Iraqis--to the raping of the American public for profits, the lists--yes, lists--are long of wrongs, horrors and horrible things visited upon people.

But some want to spend what little time we have for "entertainment" with a horror movie.

It's a luxury I don't appreciate. It's a luxury I don't understand. It's a luxury I don't have any patience for.

It really makes me angry.

Another of many reasons why you, the American people, need to know what your government is doing

US Seeking 58 Bases in Iraq, Shiite Lawmakers Say

http://www.truthout.org/article/us-seeking-58-bases-iraq-shiite-lawmakers-say

Leila Fadel, of McClatchy Newspapers: "Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed 'status of forces' agreement that will allow US troops to remain in the country indefinitely. Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another US demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq. Lawmakers said they fear this power would drag Iraq into a war between the United States and Iran."

From www.truthout.org. Check it out.