From a mass mail from a friend that I actually thought was provoking; it uses a take on Peter Finch’s (Howard Beale’s) best non-sequitor from Network (1976): “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

Just a bonus cookie (pardon the bad pun), the most powerful scene from any movie I’ve ever seen. That includes The Shawshank Redemption. No shit.

Are you Mad as Hell yet?? You should be—-

You didn’t get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.
You didn’t get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate energy policy.
You didn’t get mad when a covert CIA operative got outted.

You didn’t get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn’t get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.

You didn’t get mad when we spent over 600 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn’t get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq .

You didn’t get mad when you saw the Abu Grahib photos.

You didn’t get mad when you found out we were torturing people.

You didn’t get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.

You didn’t get mad when we didn’t catch Bin Laden.

You didn’t get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.

You didn’t get mad when we let a major US city drown.

You didn’t get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.
You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick.
Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you but helping other Americans … well forget that.

Time for Americans to get mad as hell at ALL THINGS that UNDERMINE US, EMBARRASS US, LOWER US in the eyes of the world…and DO SOMETHING to make a positive change…besides bitching and moaning!

Detainees at Abu Gharib.

(Sony Classics) Sarah Denning, Jeff L. Green, Merry Grissom, Daniel Novy, Lynddie England, Shaun Russell, Joshua Feinman, Janis Karpinski, Cyrus King. Directed by Errol Morris.

The legacy of the George W. Bush presidency is a complex one. Most will remember the economic meltdown that precipitated the fall of the Republicans in the 2008 elections. What may wind up as being far more disturbing in the long run was the advocacy of torture that took place at Guantanamo Bay and at Abu Gharib.

In 2004, photographs came to light that seemed to be incontrovertible evidence that the U.S. military was torturing and humiliating Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Gharib prison in Baghdad. Seven soldiers, all below the rank of Sergeant, were convicted in separate Courts Martials.

Morris, disturbed by the photographs, wondered about not what was in the photos, for that was very clear, but what was outside the frames. Many of the pictures seemed staged to him (and in fact were); who was staging them and why?

Janis Karpinski, commandant of the prison (who would later be demoted for allowing these abuses during her watch) makes it clear that there not only was torture going on in her prison, but that it was done by independent contractors engaged by higher-ups and with the approval of the Pentagon. Not only does she claim that she is being made a scapegoat (as are the guards who are depicted in the photographs), she alleges that the genesis for the abuses at Abu Gharib go as far up as former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

The interviews here are curiously emotionless. The camera is an unblinking eye focusing tightly on the faces of the subjects, a Morris trademark. Danny Elfman’s primarily electronic score makes a discordant soundtrack, making the unsettling subject matter seem even more so.

The interviewees are somewhat matter of fact about some pretty horrible things. England, infamous for holding a collapsed Iraqi prisoner named Gus on a leash, was scarcely 20 at the time of the photographs. She was in love with a 35-year-old soldier named Charles Graner, who seems to be the invisible presence staging the pictures and who was one of those sentenced to prison time by the military tribunal (the Army refused to allow him to be interviewed for the film).

They speak about these events with a mixture of sorrow, repentance, resentment and incredulity. More than one of them says that the culture for prisoner humiliation had already been established and they were just following the general pattern of behavior at the time.

It is a disturbing documentary not only for the images of abuse (that are shown in great detail onscreen) but also for its examination of the military mind. The justifications are eerily reminiscent of the excuses given at Nuremberg – we were just following orders. While the military needs the chain of command to function, it is also a soldier’s responsibility to refuse orders that are morally reprehensible. It is also the soldier’s responsibility to act in accordance with the laws of their own country.

The questions Morris asks are legitimate; the answers not always easy nor always given. We will probably never truly see justice rendered for the events at Abu Gharib, nor those ultimately responsible being held accountable. However, this is a gripping film that truly inspires a questioning of what we are told, and what we are not told. We are left to doubt whether our military is acting as representatives of our values. Perhaps that’s the most frightening legacy of all.

WHY RENT THIS: A much more in-depth examination of the atrocities at Abu Gharib than we received from our mass media. A chilling examination as to what happens when soldiers don’t question their orders or their situation.

WHY RENT SOMETHING ELSE: While there are allegations that those higher up in the chain of responsibility went unpunished, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of attempt to ferret out who those people were.

FAMILY VALUES: There are graphic images of prisoner abuse, and descriptions of torture.

TRIVIAL PURSUITS: This was the first documentary to be nominated for the prestigious Golden Bear award, the highest honor given to a participant at the Berlin Film Festival.

NOTABLE DVD EXTRAS: Additional interviews, as well as extensions of the interviews onscreen are presented. The Blu-Ray edition also includes a panel discussion on the use of torture and how the International community can protest it.

FINAL RATING: 7/10

TOMORROW: Curse of the Golden Flower

perang itu adalah:

penderitaan…

kesengsaraan…

duka lara…

perang itu adalah:

kematian tragis…

tangisan hiba…

sejambak ucapan takziah…

perang itu adalah:

mayat-mayat bergelimpangan…

selangit kata sanjungan…

tembakan kehormatan…

perang itu adalah:

kiriman body-bag…

untuk balu yang sayu…

untuk anak-anak termangu…

bunga popi lambang darah tertumpah ditadah

adalah pesta keghairahan menyambut perang itu…

Telanai, 11 November 2002

By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent and Paul Cruickshank
Last Updated: 8:21AM BST 28 May 2009

Among the graphic statements, which were later released under US freedom of information laws, is that of Kasim Mehaddi Hilas in which he says: “I saw [name of a translator] ******* a kid, his age would be about 15 to 18 years. The kid was hurting very bad and they covered all the doors with sheets. Then when I heard screaming I climbed the door because on top it wasn’t covered and I saw [name] who was wearing the military uniform, putting his **** in the little kid’s ***…. and the female soldier was taking pictures.” Link to article

The translator was an American Egyptian who is now the subject of a civil court case in the US.

So, I’ll give you a quick update of stuff to come and then talk about what I really want to post about.

• Our Blog is 1 month old!  Shit yeah!
• We’ve had a little over 500 views in one month and will hopefully gain more.
• Still need to post about the Oakland Zoo.  I’m kind of expecting Megan to do that.
• Megan’s going to Australia and New Zealand.
• Went to the Museum of Comic History and got to see some really neat things (Usagi Yojimbo, Watchmen, Animation, Eisner, Herriman).
• Went to Santa Cruz today.

So, Santa Cruz is what I want to talk about.  It was pretty fun going on the Giant Dipper which is a primarily wood roller coaster about 85 years old.  Putting aside it being a giant tourist trap, it was neat as long as you could recognize the gimmicks. 

The two parts that really bothered me in Santa Cruz, however, were: 1. Seeing Urbanization’s effect on a defenseless seal and 2. Seeing my first (allegedly) Iraq War Veteran homeless.

1.
So, Megan and I decided to take a break from the boardwalk and go onto the beach because I hadn’t been on a nice, sandy, warm beach since my family trip to Maui 3.5 years ago; Puget Sound beaches really just don’t cut it for me.  There was a nice area towards the end of a boardwalk where there was a little cove, a river running into the ocean, and a bit of an escape from the craziness going on at the boardwalk. 

Megan and I soon saw a sign warning us to not bother the seals  along with your typical no dogs aloud sign.  We joked that a seal probably wouldn’t dare come up this close to the insane sounds and lights of the boardwalk.  Moments later, we were proven wrong when I looked up the river and proclaimed “Look, a Seal” in my monotone voice.  Being the curious individuals (humans) that we are, we wanted to get in for a closer look.  However, we are both very respectful of nature and came only within about 20 ft. from the seal so it wouldn’t be bothered by us.  We were briefly enjoying this moment of wildlife so close to civilization when Megan looked up and saw a man with his dog off the leash; she quickly prophesized “that dog’s going to go after that seal.”  Sure enough, the dog ran after the seal passing a dead seagul along the way, and the dog snapped at the seal’s back flippers as it smoothly disappeared into the water.  The owner clearly saw the seal minutes before the ordeal and his one attempt at stopping the unleashed dog consisted of loosely mumbling under his breath “stop.”  Megan was incredibly angry, and I found myself rather embelished with an inconsistent sense of emotion as well but for different reasons. 

These types of events happen probably weekly in this area and probably all over the world… so, I was angry more because that the seal was so used to it that it instinctually cleared its sandy spot on the beach before the dog got there.  I was angry that here this seal was enjoying its time… in an area next to a half-assed amusement park, poorly managed beach with incosiderent people on their vacations, and buildings standing atop the mini cliff overlooking the river.  The seal was making due with what it had, but it should have never been put into this situation in the first place.  The seal’s trying to survive while the humans are merely trying to entertain, and that, in my opinion, grants the seal full entitlement to the area.  We, as humans, are the ones who should be clearing the area for our fellow creatures rather than them having to put up with our habits (smoking, drinking, littering) and clear lack of respect for them.

That’s what angered me beyond anything… the underlying cause as to why a seal has to briskly escape a nuisance remains our distinct desire to conquer and urbanize.

2.
While driving away from Santa Cruz to get on to 17N, I spotted a homeless man at a stoplight from a bit of a distance because he was a semi street down from us.  He looked relatively young, probably in his 30s, with few posessions, and bearded.  His sign read, “Please help, Iraq War Veteran.”  Now, obviously, I can’t trust the sign because he could be lying… but that lack in faith is probably why Vietnam War Veterans are the largest number of people who are homeless because some cynical person might not believe their sign.

I didn’t consider the implications that he was lying at the time and he was too far away to give anything to.  Honestly, I’ve never given anything to anyone who’s homeless.  My parents have set an example of giving their leftover sandwiches to bums and my Mom and sister have occasionally worked at homeless shelters.  Megan has also done some work at the shelter in Tacoma and we’re probably both going to volunteer next year if we have a car.  I suppose I’m just a bit too disenchanted with homelessness because my Uncle’s been on-again off-again homeless.  Nevertheless, it’s a big problem, and I feel we’re all obligated to do something even if it’s just giving someone who’s homeless someone to talk to.

I guess the big thing, for me, at seeing that man today was it possibly signifying a new era for my generation.  Will we be defined as the “Iraq” generation like the “Vietnam” generation has been deemed?  Will this man be the first of many people to scrape on our streets for a living after serving oversees?  Has the American government righted its wrongs of Vietnam for the Iraqi/Afghanistan/Middle East Veterans/The Armed Services servicepeople?  Sure, I don’t have full faith in the Armed services because they’d rather enlist convicts than able gay men and women, but I hope that they will continue to provide benefits for those who have served.  I hope that the American people have recognized our mistake of cursing Vietnam Vets and will still support Iraq Vets even if its another war we don’t believe in.

Ultimately, I believe that a wars a war.  War has its consequences, but one of them doesn’t have to be the lives on the homefront of the people who fight it.  You don’t have to support the war to support the troops.  Even if the troops themselves may have a sore spot here and there (Abu Gharib), it doesn’t reflect the whole.

They have become so bad, so obnoxious even Lanny Davis who works for Republicans is now saying Dick Cheney should be indicted for his actions on torture.  To hell with the past is the past, an excuse every criminal who ever lived wishes could be used as a defense, Davis asserts it would not be difficult to bring charges against Cheney.  But why stop at Cheney?  There’s an entire Administration that was equally complicit in using torture, something illegal, to get people to lie, something also illegal, in order to justify invading a defenseless country, something I hope is still illegal and in the process killing thousands of its citizens, also an illegal act.  If we look at the Bush Administration’s eight years, it was ALL illegal.  I am most offended by the use of torture to get people to lie and even more amused by people who minimize torture, especially waterboarding, and talk about the number of pours of water over a victim’s face not constituting torture.  Nevertheless the fact of the matter, as stated by those who were present, is that some victims were waterboarded scores of times in order to get them to admit to a fictitious link, that didn’t offer up any actionable intelligence, in other words no terror plots were disrupted as a result of anything told by these victims, and the hands of a corrupt Administration, until now not taken to task,  from top to bottom are responsible for this action.  Go visit the links established by the folks at Think Progress which debunk all the torture myths put up by those on the right who sought to justify it.

I can think of nothing more heinous than torturing people to get them to confess to a lie.  In other words, people who knew nothing of a link between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein were tortured until they were finally able to figure out what it was their torturers wanted from them and finally gave it to them.  No wonder Khalid Shaikh Muhammad is supposed to have confessed to doing things that didn’t happen or could be easily proven he had no part of; a human will do or say anything to escape pain once he realizes what it is to be done or said.  Of course, by the time such confessions were given the world had already figured out, been told, that such links didn’t exist, as did neither the WMDs we were told were within a hairs breath of being deployed against us, it was all a lie, sorry, let’s just forget the whole thing and opt for …….change and again, the rule of law is cast aside for political expediency.  The guards at Gitmo Bay and Abughraib are not the only ones culpable for this breach of law and our Nation’s confidence.  One of the measures of greatness is how well the law is equally applied to all regardless of status.  We are failing that measure miserably and we have no one to blame but ourselves.  I’m glad Lanny Davis has come around and sees that Cheney should be held accountable; I hope his list of those who need to be brought to justice grows.  If he needs help compiling it, I’ll be glad to hand him mine; it’s eight years long.

We all get a horrific sense when the name Abu Gharib comes to mind. Under both Hussein’s rule, and the US, many un-nerving situations had occurred.

Firstly, Hussein had thousands of Iraqi’s thrown in for no reason: they were tortured, beaten, and subject to a living hell on earth. The prison was hallowed throughout the streets of Iraq for being the most terrible place in the Middle East. The dictorial regime under Saddams hand used this scare tactic to keep the people hushed – it worked.

A few years ago, we had captured the prison. This clearly marked victory was shortly over-ridden with the usual criticism of the international community. Our soldiers had mocked the core fundamentals of the United States – Liberators. They took perverse  photo’s of prisoners, and like idiots sent them around. This cost them their Military careers.

Currently, Abu-Gharib has been re-vamped and is known in Baghdad as the “Baghdad Central Prison.” What a greater name. A place with such horrific memories should be blown apart, and then a new structure should be rebuilt atop the rubble. Re-vamping the interior and having sports teams is a nice twist: it’s better then what we have in the US, but it aint’ good enoughe.

If the goal is to actually win the hearts and minds of the people, then making something bad much better will send the message of total renewal. Literally, we must renew it, and I am happy to say we also have re-invented it, along with Iraq. People, quite complaining, will ya’ ?

• Date : 12/12/2008
• Subject : Ramsfeld Assumed Partially Responsible For Torture In Guantanamo And Abu Gharib
• Hosted By : Luna Al Shebil
• Video Link : http://tinyurl.com/5tcnhp
• Audio Link : http://tinyurl.com/5lvtru

Photo Credit: Washington Post

We’re back! And so are you, which is great, because it’s time to open Pandora’s box, so-to-speak. You’re probably aware that the issue of the use of torture in the so-called “War Against Terror” (Ooooohhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhh!) has been in and out of the news for the past few years. Several scandals hit between 2004-2007, forcing American politicians, citizens and civil servants (including military personnel) to look twice (and frankly, more critically) at the policies and de facto activities we’re engaging in.

The most famous, of course, is Abu Ghraib and the ridiculous photos that were leaked concerning the “night crew’s” nocturnal shenanigans (which of course were ridiculous only in that they were absolutely absurd and the shenanigans downright inhumane). It was impossible for the government and the Army to deny the improper and un-American behavior of their troops due to the photographic evidence. Yet, today and at the time the Abu Ghraib photos hit the front pages of just about every newspaper in America, somewhere between 30-40% of Americans (depending on which poll your looked at: Gallup/CNN/USA Today, Pew, ABC news/Washington Post) believed torture was acceptable in some cases (especially when used in order to gain information that would prevent a terrorist attack).

This isn’t a new attitude. It might come a shocker to the pure at heart, but torture isn’t a new tactic in American dealings. While it’s not something we like to think about or admit to doing, the fact of the matter is that the United States has tarnished the noble values of our Constitution by using torture since before its famous words were even dreamt of. Well, no more! It’s something we are allowing our government to engage in under the auspices of national security–even though Thomas Pickard, the former director of the FBI, has spoken out about the ineffectual and counter-productive results it will yield. And I don’t know, he might be somebody who knows about these things.

To help us understand this phenomenon, we’re going to take a look at several historical periods where torture was condoned and/or directly used by the United States government. But first–we need a working definition of what is meant when we use the word “torture” that goes beyond Merriam Webster. For that, we’ll need to delve into the United Nations Convention Against Torture (which President Nixon signed and Congress later ratified in 1990), the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and Title 18 of the United States Legal Code.

In Article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment, the UN defines torture as:

1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term “torture” means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.2. This article is without prejudice to any international instrument or national legislation which does or may contain provisions of wider application.

The UN Declaration of Human Rights speaks to issues arising in United States Detention Camps in Articles 5-11:

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

And United States Title 18 states that:

Moshe (2 years) was orphaned by terrorists in India on 26/11

Sara (2 years) with her 7 siblings and 12 cousins were orphaned by terrorists in Syria on 26/10

By Abdulsalam Haykal

Dear Rabbi Krinsky:

I changed my plan and stayed in the hotel room in Chicago to watch your press conference on Friday following the horrific tragedy in Mumbai.  Your commitment to adopt the innocent toddler Moshe, Prophet Moses’ namesake, spoke volumes of the solidarity of your community, and the sense of responsibility you have towards them.

My heart goes out to Moshe in as much strength as it denounces the terrorist attack on the Chabad house and scorn the evil perpetrators. Perhaps what makes a child’s life so precious is the promise of a better tomorrow that lies in it.  What an impression is the daunting idea of having parents killed by terrorist going to have on Moshe? These cold-blooded terrorist have not killed only Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg but also Moshe’s future ability to be a peacemaker.

Gavriel (29) was a man of peace who dedicated his life to the serving human beings. So was Faisal (34), father of Sara, also a toddler of 2 years, and her 7 brothers and sisters. Gabi was killed by terrorists in India, and Faisal was killed by American “hellcopters” in a raid on Syria one month ago. The orphaned Sara and Moshe remind us of Moses, a Man of God whose story and heroism has defined justice. You are a servant of God, Rabbi Krinsky, and probably you recite everyday: “Justice, justice, you should pursue.” The essence of that sacred text is that when we are concerned about others’ justice, they will be concerned about ours.

I worry just as much, like you must do too, about the numerous children that are orphaned everyday in Iraq and Palestine- also by terrorists regardless if they are dressed in a uniform and work under the umbrella of an official flag.  It’s not only when terrorists kill a child that they kill a brighter part of the future. It is also when terrorists kill a father or torture him at Guantanamo or Abu Gharib, or widow a mother, or demolish a home, or besiege a people within a wall…

From Damascus today, I do not have strong enough words to condemn the horrendous crime that orphaned Moshe, and the crimes that do that to countless children in the Middle East and around the world. My fears however are not of terrorism per se, but of its consequences that prevent us from giving future generations the foundation to prosper and live safely, right at home in our region rather than in Brooklyn. My heart goes out to leaders like you who carry on their shoulders the cumbersome responsibility of stopping the terror campaings everywhere, trying not to end as a failed Messiah.

Torture…It’s what’s for dinner!

Well, maybe not, but it might as well be.

When did it all come to this? I thought we left torture behind after the Salem witch trials and slavery.

Isn’t torture an act reserved for demented rapists, serial killers, dictators and rebel armies to engage in?

Evidently not.

It was quite the story when the atrocious methods being used on the “night watch” at Abu Gharib were revealed in pictures.

Check out this video from www.ted.com on how easily humans are persuaded to use torture against their brothers and sisters.

“Bad form,” said the U.S. Army. Just a few bad apples.

But the truth is that many techniques, considered torture by the “civilized” international community (which P.S. we are supposedly at the forefront of), are still being used–more often than not at the now infamous Guantanamo Bay/Camp Delta facility.

And we, the people, have looked the other way. Because we want to eat dinner in peace. We don’t want to think about things we allow to happen by being silent and complacent about their existence.

So my good friend Amira Dughri and I are going to be doing a series on torture, how it’s being used in the U.S. and what’s being done to combat its use.

I hope you’ll join us here at little girl BIG VOICE as we explore this fascinating and disgusting topic. We’re so sure that you’ll be as appalled as we are, that we’ll even throw in a few ideas to use your voice and make a difference!

It might ruin your appetite, but if our efforts are successful, at least you’ll be able to sleep at night.

“Hey, Tina, you’ll be turning seven soon. What would you like for your birthday?”

“Gee Dad, that’s a silly question. You know I want a Toy Airport Passenger Screening set by Playmobil!!”

And really, what contemporary kid wouldn’t want this fine, fun-filled example of a failing bureaucracy in an ever-growing fascist state?

Your child will have fun for hours watching X-rays and trying to figure out “who’s carrying a knife and/or in possession of an unlawful container of banned accelerant or incendiary shoes”.

Each set comes with one passenger with enough melanin in his skin tone to warrant racial profiling and two Office of Homeland Security “officials”–both with TSA screening certification AND proof of two Scranton Public School System administered G.E.D.’s .

The actual screening machine has a hand crank conveyor belt that moves, a plastic bin to place shoes and a metal detector wand that actually makes authentically embarrassing detection sounds, especially when placed near breasts and genitalia.

Perfect for Global Terrorism enthusiasts ages four and up and at ONLY $14.99 , an absolute steal by Playmobil!

And new this spring, you can buy the Full Body Cavity Search Room.  A pair of tiny, opaque surgical gloves and a miniature tube of AstroGlide sold separately.

But wait!!   There’s more!!!!!

Make sure your kids are the first on your block to get a Gitmo Detention Center Play Set and if THAT doesn’t get your progeny excited about the Geneva Convention, how about the Abu Gharib Prisoner Interrogation Fun Four Pack!!!!

Your kids will love this newest Playmobil addition with it’s three nude Iraqi prisoners and one bendable P.F.C. Lyndie England Action Figure.

She comes complete with an Indigo Girls CD, a carton of candy cigarettes and opposable thumbs!!!

.

(Much of this post was published early this past Spring.  Why put up a “used” post?   If this country is teetering perilously on the verge of a violent and difficult fiscal Depression…the likes we’ve not seen since the 30’s and Shirley Temple…then I think it would behoove us all to get used to hand-me-downs and second hand crap.  Thanks Fannie Mae!!!)