When I ended the post below with the remark that we could help end school shootings by telling children we love them, I wasn't being as trite as it seems.
The Secret Service did a study a number of years ago on school shootings, after Columbine, to try and help schools and parents identify risks. They could not come up with much of a profile (beyond the fact that nealy all the school shooters are male and white). They did, however, identify some common ground among school shooters.
Among their findings...
First, shooters were likely people who were regularly and persistently bullied by their peers. Of course, the most common place for them to routinely interact with their peers is at school. These kids are ostracized for some reason- appearance, behavior, etc.- and this becomes such a common part of their lives that they begin to contemplate violent revenge.
Secondly, shooters are very likely to talk about what they intend to do before they do it. They may threaten to shoot or blow people up. They may even warn friends to stay home on a particular day. But, they talk.
Here's where kindness to a child can have an impact. Loving a child can help to counterbalance, perhaps even immunize them from, the harassment they face at school. If they feel loved, perhaps they are less likely to take such an extreme action that can cost students their lives.
Further, if we reach out in kindness to our children, perhaps they will tell us when things are getting to be too much. Perhaps they will tell us what they feel like doing. Then we can intervene- before it's too late.
I know it's not so simple as saying, "I love you." But the analogy I would use is like people who take a 'baby aspirin' to reduce their chances of a heart attack. Other risk factors have to be dealt with too, and the aspirin is no guarantee.
However, it won't hurt, and it may well help.
GP
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
A Sad, Sad Beginning
As a teacher, these stories make me heartsick. From CNN:
School shooting suspect charged with killing father
A 19-year-old who was taken into custody following a school shooting Wednesday afternoon was charged with killing his father earlier in the day, according to the Orange County, North Carolina, sheriff's office.
The teen fired eight shots at Orange High School, injuring two students and sending others running for cover...
I can't believe that this early in a school year such an event has occurred. Here in Michigan where a new state law requires a start after Labor Day, we don't even have students in the buildings yet. Already a tragedy that has become all too common has struck a school.
My heart goes out to the children from this school, and their teachers and parents.
Help stop school shootings: Tell a child you love them today.
GP
School shooting suspect charged with killing father
A 19-year-old who was taken into custody following a school shooting Wednesday afternoon was charged with killing his father earlier in the day, according to the Orange County, North Carolina, sheriff's office.
The teen fired eight shots at Orange High School, injuring two students and sending others running for cover...
I can't believe that this early in a school year such an event has occurred. Here in Michigan where a new state law requires a start after Labor Day, we don't even have students in the buildings yet. Already a tragedy that has become all too common has struck a school.
My heart goes out to the children from this school, and their teachers and parents.
Help stop school shootings: Tell a child you love them today.
GP
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Point to the Moderates
Muslim Group Picks First Woman Leader
[Ingrid Mattson is the] first woman president of the largest Muslim group in North America...
American Muslims hold varied cultural views on the proper role for women in the faith and disagree on how to interpret Quranic verses about the subject.
Most recently, the community has been debating how far mosques should go in separating men and women during worship and whether women should lead mixed-gender prayer. There is no tradition of women imams, or clerics, at mosques. Still, women have had prominent roles outside of ritual services, founding and leading some Islamic groups throughout North America.
'My position is that women can do virtually everything else that Muslim men can do, but leading the prayer is always relational,' she said. 'It should be about who's in the room.'
While this may not be 'liberal' by American standards, it does demonstrate that devout Muslims can choose to be people of faith and have more moderate views of the role of women than Americans generally associate with the religion.
Moderates in Islam do exist, and in larger numbers that we may know. We must continue to encourage these moderate groups, and cultivate friendships with them. This path- making friends- is a viable method towards the reduction of the terrorist threat. War is not the only means.
GP
[Ingrid Mattson is the] first woman president of the largest Muslim group in North America...
American Muslims hold varied cultural views on the proper role for women in the faith and disagree on how to interpret Quranic verses about the subject.
Most recently, the community has been debating how far mosques should go in separating men and women during worship and whether women should lead mixed-gender prayer. There is no tradition of women imams, or clerics, at mosques. Still, women have had prominent roles outside of ritual services, founding and leading some Islamic groups throughout North America.
'My position is that women can do virtually everything else that Muslim men can do, but leading the prayer is always relational,' she said. 'It should be about who's in the room.'
While this may not be 'liberal' by American standards, it does demonstrate that devout Muslims can choose to be people of faith and have more moderate views of the role of women than Americans generally associate with the religion.
Moderates in Islam do exist, and in larger numbers that we may know. We must continue to encourage these moderate groups, and cultivate friendships with them. This path- making friends- is a viable method towards the reduction of the terrorist threat. War is not the only means.
GP
The Real World Calls
Not being independently wealthy, the Grey Pilgrim needs to stop wandering and work for a living. The school year begins. Students await (not eagerly, I presume). Lessons must be planned. Papers must be graded.
Although I will have less time to scan the news and write, I intend to continue this experiment throughout the school year. I will write- daily, I hope- but a bit less frequently than I have this summer.
I do want to take a moment to thank those of you who join me here at this site. Some of you agree, some don't. That's very good. I've been given fresh thoughts from your emails and comments. I have had the opportunity to hear from people around the globe, which has been a great experience. I will look forward to more insightful thoughts in emails and comments in the near future.
Thank you.
GP
Although I will have less time to scan the news and write, I intend to continue this experiment throughout the school year. I will write- daily, I hope- but a bit less frequently than I have this summer.
I do want to take a moment to thank those of you who join me here at this site. Some of you agree, some don't. That's very good. I've been given fresh thoughts from your emails and comments. I have had the opportunity to hear from people around the globe, which has been a great experience. I will look forward to more insightful thoughts in emails and comments in the near future.
Thank you.
GP
Outrageous Rumsfeld Speech
Today Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld said that any of us who oppose the policies of the Bush Administration in Iraq or dealing with terrorism in general suffer from 'moral and intellectual confusion.'
He also said that people who disagree with him and the President lack courage, and are willing to appease terrorists as there were those willing to appease Hitler in the time preceding WWII.
“But some seem not to have learned history’s lessons,” he said.
I find this speech to be outrageous.
First of all, the man who has led American troops into a war of choice based on bad and/or cooked data is ill-equipped to speak to us about moral direction.
Secondly, this administration has helped to create intellectual confusion- not among opponents but to create supporters- with it's misinformation (such as that pointed out by Sen. McCain recently) and secrecy.
Finally, it should be pointed out that those of us who oppose this administration's policies do so not because we wish to aid or appease the terrorists, but because we believe that it as a result of the Rumsfeld/Cheney/Bush policies we are less safe in a world where terrorism is a real threat. Policies which 'make enemies faster than we can kill them' do us no good.
The lessons of history are there, that is true. Those lessons teach us that when a government misleads its people into a war of choice that is not in the nation's direct national interest, then that government will ultimately lose the faith of its people.
It is especially ironic that Rumsfeld tries to direct our attention to history. When our current affairs are written into the history books, Rumsfeld may feel differently. Our current Secretary of Defense will likely not find himself mentioned along side those who led America against Hitler in the 40's, but with Robert McNamara, who led America to defeat in Vietnam in the 70's.
GP
He also said that people who disagree with him and the President lack courage, and are willing to appease terrorists as there were those willing to appease Hitler in the time preceding WWII.
“But some seem not to have learned history’s lessons,” he said.
I find this speech to be outrageous.
First of all, the man who has led American troops into a war of choice based on bad and/or cooked data is ill-equipped to speak to us about moral direction.
Secondly, this administration has helped to create intellectual confusion- not among opponents but to create supporters- with it's misinformation (such as that pointed out by Sen. McCain recently) and secrecy.
Finally, it should be pointed out that those of us who oppose this administration's policies do so not because we wish to aid or appease the terrorists, but because we believe that it as a result of the Rumsfeld/Cheney/Bush policies we are less safe in a world where terrorism is a real threat. Policies which 'make enemies faster than we can kill them' do us no good.
The lessons of history are there, that is true. Those lessons teach us that when a government misleads its people into a war of choice that is not in the nation's direct national interest, then that government will ultimately lose the faith of its people.
It is especially ironic that Rumsfeld tries to direct our attention to history. When our current affairs are written into the history books, Rumsfeld may feel differently. Our current Secretary of Defense will likely not find himself mentioned along side those who led America against Hitler in the 40's, but with Robert McNamara, who led America to defeat in Vietnam in the 70's.
GP
Monday, August 28, 2006
How do you like your crow??
That's the question for much of the media today.
CNN reports:
The DNA sample taken from John Mark Karr does not match DNA found on JonBenet Ramsey's body when she was murdered in 1996, CNN affiliate KUSA is reporting.
The Breaking News banner at the top of the page reads:
No charges will be filed against John Mark Karr after his DNA did not match evidence from JonBenet Ramsey murder scene, Denver, Colorado's KUSA TV reports.
GP
CNN reports:
The DNA sample taken from John Mark Karr does not match DNA found on JonBenet Ramsey's body when she was murdered in 1996, CNN affiliate KUSA is reporting.
The Breaking News banner at the top of the page reads:
No charges will be filed against John Mark Karr after his DNA did not match evidence from JonBenet Ramsey murder scene, Denver, Colorado's KUSA TV reports.
GP
Past or Present?
We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.
- Edward R. Murrow
It was true during our struggle with communism. It is true during our struggle with terrorism.
Religion and Environmentalism
From the Australian News:
Environmental damage 'threatens poor'
POPE Benedict XVI warned today that damage to the environment has dire consequences for the poor, and called for all Christians to work to save the earth.
The world "is exposed to a series of risks created by choices and lifestyles that can degrade it", the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said in his Sunday sermon given at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
"Damage to the environment makes the life of the poor on Earth particularly unbearable," the Pope said, calling on all Christians to take care of the earth and not deplete its resources, sharing them in solidarity.
I've always believed that environmentalism and religious thinking should go hand in hand. I've generally emphasized the stewardship angle- that we should care for God's gift of this world to us as God would care for it himself.
The Pope provides us with a different angle, but one that should resonate in all religious traditions: economic justice.
Our obligation to care for "the least of these" should extend to care for the environment. As the Pope suggests, there is little question that with environmental degredation and resource depletion, it would be the poor who suffer first, and suffer most.
People of faith should take up the cause of environmentalism naturally. (Pun intended.)
GP
Environmental damage 'threatens poor'
POPE Benedict XVI warned today that damage to the environment has dire consequences for the poor, and called for all Christians to work to save the earth.
The world "is exposed to a series of risks created by choices and lifestyles that can degrade it", the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said in his Sunday sermon given at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
"Damage to the environment makes the life of the poor on Earth particularly unbearable," the Pope said, calling on all Christians to take care of the earth and not deplete its resources, sharing them in solidarity.
I've always believed that environmentalism and religious thinking should go hand in hand. I've generally emphasized the stewardship angle- that we should care for God's gift of this world to us as God would care for it himself.
The Pope provides us with a different angle, but one that should resonate in all religious traditions: economic justice.
Our obligation to care for "the least of these" should extend to care for the environment. As the Pope suggests, there is little question that with environmental degredation and resource depletion, it would be the poor who suffer first, and suffer most.
People of faith should take up the cause of environmentalism naturally. (Pun intended.)
GP
Sunday, August 27, 2006
What do Iraqis Think?
A new poll from the University of Michigan may provide some insight.
I can't verify the accuracy of the poll. I would be willing to give the University of Michigan the benefit of the doubt, however, as capable of doing as good a job as possible in such a poll. It must be terribly difficult to get a scientific sample in Iraq due to the violence and lack of electricity/phone service. Whatever the difficulties, I'm not sure they would slant the results in any particular way.
So, the numbers may be a little off, but I don't have any reason to suspect the overall findings.
If the numbers are remotely accurate, consider the 'battle for the hearts and minds' lost.
GP
The growing sense of insecurity affected all three of Iraq's major ethnic and religious groups. The number of Iraqis who "strongly agreed" that life is "unpredictable and dangerous" jumped from 41% to 48% of Shiites, from 67% to 79% of Sunnis, and from 16% to 50% of Kurds. The most recent survey, done in April this year, also asked for "the three main reasons for the U.S. invasion of Iraq." Less than 2% chose "to bring democracy to Iraq" as their first choice. The list was topped by "to control Iraqi oil" (76%), followed by "to build military bases" (41%) and "to help Israel" (32%).
91.7% of Iraqis oppose the presence of coalition troops in the country, up from 74.4% in 2004. 84.5% are "strongly opposed". Among Sunnis, opposition to the US presence went from 94.5% to 97.9% (97.2% "strongly opposed"). Among Shia,
opposition to the US presence went from 81.2% to 94.6%, with "strongly opposed" going from 63.5% to 89.7%. Even among the Kurds, opposition went from 19.6% to 63.3%. In other words, it isn't just that Iraqis oppose the American presence - it's that their feelings are intense: only 7.2% "somewhat oppose" and 4.7% "somewhat support."
So, the numbers may be a little off, but I don't have any reason to suspect the overall findings.
If the numbers are remotely accurate, consider the 'battle for the hearts and minds' lost.
GP
Conflicting reports
I don't even know how to make sense of these two headlines on the same day:
Levees could still fail in big storm, Corps warns: Despite repairs, barriers around New Orleans vulnerable to storm surge. (from MSNBC)
Feds say New Orleans is storm-ready. (from AP)
For the sake of the people of New Orleans, I hope someone knows what the real answer is.
GP
Levees could still fail in big storm, Corps warns: Despite repairs, barriers around New Orleans vulnerable to storm surge. (from MSNBC)
Feds say New Orleans is storm-ready. (from AP)
For the sake of the people of New Orleans, I hope someone knows what the real answer is.
GP
From the lips of children
When driving home from visiting some friends today, my youngest son, out of nowhere, said, "I hope the cease-fire is lasting."
I was happy to be able to tell him, "It is."
I know there have been moments, and that there is still danger, but the fact that the cease-fire has held is a cause for a major sigh of relief.
And it is great news for the children of Lebanon and Israel.
GP
I was happy to be able to tell him, "It is."
I know there have been moments, and that there is still danger, but the fact that the cease-fire has held is a cause for a major sigh of relief.
And it is great news for the children of Lebanon and Israel.
GP
Friday, August 25, 2006
Reality sneeking in
From CNN/Time:
While President Bush may be getting a slight uptick in his job-approval numbers, the situation in Iraq and Lebanon has been a setback in the war on terrorism, Americans say. According to a new TIME poll, 54% of those surveyed said the U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq has hurt America's standing in the war on terrorism, vs. 40% who feel it has helped. U.S. handling of the conflict between Hizbollah and Israel has caused harm as well, said 51%, vs. 29% who said it has had a positive effect.
As this understanding grows, we can begin to chart a new course.
It is especially encouraging that now Americans are beginning to realize that our security has not been enhanced by the Iraq War, and instead has probably been weakend.
Why now?
Because candidates and voters will have time to evaluate this more enlightened understanding and have a better debate on the path to take in the future as we move to the '08 presidential election. It will take time for politicians and voters of both parties to get their brains around this realization, and create new and better ideas about how to procede towards policies that will actually lessen the likelihood of terrorism over time.
While it's not a "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades" moment, at least it's movement in the right direction.
GP
While President Bush may be getting a slight uptick in his job-approval numbers, the situation in Iraq and Lebanon has been a setback in the war on terrorism, Americans say. According to a new TIME poll, 54% of those surveyed said the U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq has hurt America's standing in the war on terrorism, vs. 40% who feel it has helped. U.S. handling of the conflict between Hizbollah and Israel has caused harm as well, said 51%, vs. 29% who said it has had a positive effect.
As this understanding grows, we can begin to chart a new course.
It is especially encouraging that now Americans are beginning to realize that our security has not been enhanced by the Iraq War, and instead has probably been weakend.
Why now?
Because candidates and voters will have time to evaluate this more enlightened understanding and have a better debate on the path to take in the future as we move to the '08 presidential election. It will take time for politicians and voters of both parties to get their brains around this realization, and create new and better ideas about how to procede towards policies that will actually lessen the likelihood of terrorism over time.
While it's not a "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades" moment, at least it's movement in the right direction.
GP
Exploiting Faith
Interesting pieces on NBC's Today Show (see video here) on a group called "Growing in Grace". It's leader, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, claims essentially to be Jesus. The risen Jesus "integrated" himself into Miranda, the preacher claims. His website says he is "the last manifestation of God in the flesh..."
Watch the video, and see the cult-like qualities. An absolute leader (who can questions Jesus himself?). Lavish donations. The leader living a life of luxury. Families estranged. Miranda says all other religious leaders are liars, and encourages his followers to protest other churches.
It makes me sad to see people who have a true need being exploited. People who want religion, faith, God in their lives, get a con-man instead.
GP
Watch the video, and see the cult-like qualities. An absolute leader (who can questions Jesus himself?). Lavish donations. The leader living a life of luxury. Families estranged. Miranda says all other religious leaders are liars, and encourages his followers to protest other churches.
It makes me sad to see people who have a true need being exploited. People who want religion, faith, God in their lives, get a con-man instead.
GP
Continuing Rupture in the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church continues to struggle not only with the issue of consecration of gay bishops, but also with the election of a woman to be archbishop.
Dallas Bishop James Stanton is among the leaders of seven Episcopal dioceses who have denied the authority of the incoming national Episcopal leader -- Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. The rejection is prompted partly by Jefferts Schori's support for gay relationships.
It falls just short of a complete break -- but in October, Dallas-area Episcopalians will meet to more fully consider their future in the denomination. The six other dissenting dioceses -- including the Fort Worth diocese -- are having similar internal debates.
Notice the fact that the rejection is based only partly on Schori's support for gay relationships. The other part, left unsaid... her gender.
I love this last sentence of the article:
Splitting from the national leaders would create spiritual orphans throughout the region -- including moderates and liberals who may have to leave the churches where they've worshipped for years.
Spirtual orphans. That hits the emotional disruption that is at stake here. People are going to be hurt. Is the pain necessary?
I continue to believe that a rupture is not necessary. I continue to have faith that dialogue- true dialogue with listening as well as talking- can allow us to continue to worship around the same communion table.
Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps there simply is not enough middle ground on the moral issues over which people disagree. But I'd certainly like to see more time elapse, and more true dialogue take place, before churches and diocese begin to splinter off, creating spiritual orphans.
People of faith owe it to themselves and to their brothers and sisters in the faith to give every effort to developing understanding before moving down the path of separation. I am fearful that we are moving down that path entirely too quickly.
GP
Dallas Bishop James Stanton is among the leaders of seven Episcopal dioceses who have denied the authority of the incoming national Episcopal leader -- Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. The rejection is prompted partly by Jefferts Schori's support for gay relationships.
It falls just short of a complete break -- but in October, Dallas-area Episcopalians will meet to more fully consider their future in the denomination. The six other dissenting dioceses -- including the Fort Worth diocese -- are having similar internal debates.
Notice the fact that the rejection is based only partly on Schori's support for gay relationships. The other part, left unsaid... her gender.
I love this last sentence of the article:
Splitting from the national leaders would create spiritual orphans throughout the region -- including moderates and liberals who may have to leave the churches where they've worshipped for years.
Spirtual orphans. That hits the emotional disruption that is at stake here. People are going to be hurt. Is the pain necessary?
I continue to believe that a rupture is not necessary. I continue to have faith that dialogue- true dialogue with listening as well as talking- can allow us to continue to worship around the same communion table.
Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps there simply is not enough middle ground on the moral issues over which people disagree. But I'd certainly like to see more time elapse, and more true dialogue take place, before churches and diocese begin to splinter off, creating spiritual orphans.
People of faith owe it to themselves and to their brothers and sisters in the faith to give every effort to developing understanding before moving down the path of separation. I am fearful that we are moving down that path entirely too quickly.
GP
Thursday, August 24, 2006
From a reader...
In response to the post immediately below this one:
In the Christian world, there are extremists as well- who have twisted the faith to support crusades, inquisitions, racial supremecy, or to justify killing abortion doctors. Fortunately those types of individuals have generally, at least in modern times, been kept at bay, and on the fringe. The writer is correct- our mainstream Christian values are at odds with the terrorists who think they will find themselves a place in heaven by killing innocent civilians.
No religion is immune from being abused.
I will continue to hope and pray that moderate Muslims will be able to take back their faith from those who would misuse it for evil ends. Then a sad chapter in the history of Islam, and the world, can be closed.
I also appreciate the writers comment that "I am dishonored" by the killings. Very interesting. Aren't we all dishonored, as a part of the human family, by the killings? I think so.
If we all seek to bring peace to every facet of our lives, perhaps we can move towards a future with much less of this dishonor.
GP
Our Christian values would never allow us to arrive inThe first sentence at that reply cuts right to the heart of the issue of a key problem that does exist within modern Islam (discussed in general terms here)- that killing leads to salvation. The notion of jihad, as it has been twisted by radical Islamists, has perverted Islam to something that is unrecognizable to a faith whose very name- 'Islam'- shares a root word with 'peace.'
heaven with such ruthlessness. Does the Muslim world expect us to embrace the
death of others as the way to heaven? God will judge and we must show our
disdain for the terrible acts of other humans. I am dishonored by the acts of
humans that take the life of others.
In the Christian world, there are extremists as well- who have twisted the faith to support crusades, inquisitions, racial supremecy, or to justify killing abortion doctors. Fortunately those types of individuals have generally, at least in modern times, been kept at bay, and on the fringe. The writer is correct- our mainstream Christian values are at odds with the terrorists who think they will find themselves a place in heaven by killing innocent civilians.
No religion is immune from being abused.
I will continue to hope and pray that moderate Muslims will be able to take back their faith from those who would misuse it for evil ends. Then a sad chapter in the history of Islam, and the world, can be closed.
I also appreciate the writers comment that "I am dishonored" by the killings. Very interesting. Aren't we all dishonored, as a part of the human family, by the killings? I think so.
If we all seek to bring peace to every facet of our lives, perhaps we can move towards a future with much less of this dishonor.
GP
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Just another day in Iraq
From Reuters:
And not a particularly bad day, relatively speaking.
"Last throes", Mr. Cheney?
GP
MOSUL - Gunmen killed a family of five, including two children, after entering
their home in the al-Zanjeeli district of Mosul 390 km north of Baghdad, a
hospital source said.
MADAEN - The bodies of eight fruit traders were found
with their throats slit by a road in Madaen, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad,
said Ahmed Diabil, a spokesman for Najaf province. The men, who were from Najaf, died on Monday.
RAMADI - Gunmen killed one of the bodyguards of the governor of Anbar in a drive-by shooting in the restive Sunni stronghold, west of Baghdad, police said. The governor was not present during the attack.
MUQDADIYA - Fifteen people were wounded in a mortar attack on a market in
Muqdadiya, 100 km (60 miles) northeast of Baghdad, police and hospital sources
said.
NEAR KIRKUK - Gunmen killed two people on the main road near Kirkuk,
250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.BAGHDAD - The body of Dawoud Salman, an employee in the Shi'ite Endowment, a religious foundation that cares for mosques, was found in the southern Saidiya district of Baghdad, police said.
NEAR HILLA - The body of a man with gunshot wounds to the head was
found near Hilla, 100 km (60 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
BAQUBA - Gunmen killed a police major and seriously wounded his driver as he was heading home in Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of the capital, police said.
MOSUL - Gunmen killed a man in the northern city of Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
YUSUFIYA - A civilian was killed and two wounded when a roadside bomb went off near a police patrol near Yusufiya, 15 km (9 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.
And not a particularly bad day, relatively speaking.
"Last throes", Mr. Cheney?
GP
Sen. McCain on Iraq
From MSNBC:
Come along, Senator. Take the last step.
Let's admit that the American people were misled about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein to our national security. It's only one more little step. You can do it.
"There were no WMD. No yellow cake from Niger. No 'smoking gun that's a mushroom cloud.' No connection to 9/11. No connection to Bin Laden/Al Qaeda."
Give it a try, Senator. The truth will set you free.
GP
Republican Sen. John McCain, a staunch defender of the Iraq war, on Tuesday faulted the Bush administration for misleading Americans into believing the conflict would be “some kind of day at the beach.”
“I think one of the biggest mistakes we made was underestimating the size of the task and the sacrifices that would be required,” McCain said. “Stuff happens, mission accomplished, last throes, a few dead-enders. I’m just more familiar with those statements than anyone else because it grieves me so much that we had not told the American people how tough and difficult this task would be.”
Those phrases are closely associated with top members of the Bush administration, including the president. Bush stood below a banner proclaiming “Mission Accomplished” on May 1, 2003 after the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime. The war has continued since then, with the death of more than 2,600 members of the U.S. military. Vice President Dick Cheney said last year that the Iraqi insurgency was “in its final throes.”
Come along, Senator. Take the last step.
Let's admit that the American people were misled about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein to our national security. It's only one more little step. You can do it.
"There were no WMD. No yellow cake from Niger. No 'smoking gun that's a mushroom cloud.' No connection to 9/11. No connection to Bin Laden/Al Qaeda."
Give it a try, Senator. The truth will set you free.
GP
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Ramsey Case v. Middle East Coverage
From Informed Comment:
Overseas readers who don't watch US-based cable news may not know that there is a news blackout on the 24 hours news stations, which have shown endless hours of useless speculation on a ten year old small town murder case. Why the cable news channels in the US behave in this stupid and lemming-like fashion no doubt has to do with the severe discipline of the advertising market and its dependence on ratings. I.e., news has to generate 20 percent profits, which it cannot do, and so lurid infotainment is substituted. It is also possible that they are deliberately attempting to turn American gray matter into mush so as to ensure that nobody on this continent notices what is really going on around them.But although I mind this pollution of the air waves with something that is not, whatever it is, news, the main thing I mind is the racism. The case of Abeer al-Janabi, the little fourteen-year-old Iraqi girl who was allegedly raped and killed after being stalked by a US serviceman would never be given the wall to wall coverage treatment. That is frankly because the victim was not a blonde, blue-eyed American, but a black-eyed, brunette Iraqi. Both victims were pretty little girls. Both were killed by sick predators. But whereas endless speculation about the Ramsey case, to the exclusion of important real news stories, is thought incumbent in cabalnewsland, Abeer al-Janabi's death is not treated obsessively in the same way. In the hyperlinked story above, CNN even calls the little girl a "woman" at first mention, because the US military indictment did so. Only later in the article is it revealed that she was a little girl. The very pedophiliac nature of the crime is more or less overed up in the case of al-Janabi, even as looped video of Ramsay as too grown up is endlessly inflicted on us.
I believe there is a lot of truth in this statement. I remember that during the time period when the Laci Peterson case was the media's obsession, one reporter went out and found another woman who had gone missing on the very same day, and had been pregnant like Mrs. Peterson, but who had received no media coverage at all. The difference, the other woman was black and poor, not a photogenic middle class woman like Mrs. Peterson.
I've never understood the national obsession with the Ramsey case, and commented earlier on the fact that I find the media's coverage a bit disturbing. Juan Cole's statement puts that obsession in a whole new context for me.
GP
Overseas readers who don't watch US-based cable news may not know that there is a news blackout on the 24 hours news stations, which have shown endless hours of useless speculation on a ten year old small town murder case. Why the cable news channels in the US behave in this stupid and lemming-like fashion no doubt has to do with the severe discipline of the advertising market and its dependence on ratings. I.e., news has to generate 20 percent profits, which it cannot do, and so lurid infotainment is substituted. It is also possible that they are deliberately attempting to turn American gray matter into mush so as to ensure that nobody on this continent notices what is really going on around them.But although I mind this pollution of the air waves with something that is not, whatever it is, news, the main thing I mind is the racism. The case of Abeer al-Janabi, the little fourteen-year-old Iraqi girl who was allegedly raped and killed after being stalked by a US serviceman would never be given the wall to wall coverage treatment. That is frankly because the victim was not a blonde, blue-eyed American, but a black-eyed, brunette Iraqi. Both victims were pretty little girls. Both were killed by sick predators. But whereas endless speculation about the Ramsey case, to the exclusion of important real news stories, is thought incumbent in cabalnewsland, Abeer al-Janabi's death is not treated obsessively in the same way. In the hyperlinked story above, CNN even calls the little girl a "woman" at first mention, because the US military indictment did so. Only later in the article is it revealed that she was a little girl. The very pedophiliac nature of the crime is more or less overed up in the case of al-Janabi, even as looped video of Ramsay as too grown up is endlessly inflicted on us.
I believe there is a lot of truth in this statement. I remember that during the time period when the Laci Peterson case was the media's obsession, one reporter went out and found another woman who had gone missing on the very same day, and had been pregnant like Mrs. Peterson, but who had received no media coverage at all. The difference, the other woman was black and poor, not a photogenic middle class woman like Mrs. Peterson.
I've never understood the national obsession with the Ramsey case, and commented earlier on the fact that I find the media's coverage a bit disturbing. Juan Cole's statement puts that obsession in a whole new context for me.
GP
Monday, August 21, 2006
Public Opinion on the Iraq War
From CNN:
Opposition among Americans to the war in Iraq has reached a new high, with only about a third of respondents saying they favor it, according to a poll released Monday.
Just 35 percent of 1,033 adults polled say they favor the war in Iraq; 61 percent say they oppose it -- the highest opposition noted in any CNN poll since the conflict began more than three years ago.
Fact is, it's too late now.
It's unfortunate that Americans did not think through the matter more completely before being taken into war by the Bush Administration. The question marks were huge, the facts were thin, but the polls then showed that the majority supported the unnecessary war of choice.
It's time to face the fact that most of the public support for Iraq was misplaced vengence- to get "them" back for 9/11 (even though Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11)- and misplaced fear (the fictitious"mushroom cloud" Condi Rice kept talking about).
President Bush disregards the poll:
Despite the rising opposition to the war, President Bush said the U.S. will not withdraw from Iraq while he is president. "In this case, it would give the terrorists and extremists an additional tool besides safe haven, and that is revenues from oil sales," the president said. "Leaving before the job is done would be a disaster," he said.
In one sense, he's probably right. But, none of what he says would be true if the US had not invaded. There would be no terrorist haven in Iraq had the US not created it.
One key error in his statement. It's not "Leaving before the job is done" that is a disaster. It is the job itself that has been a disaster.
GP
Opposition among Americans to the war in Iraq has reached a new high, with only about a third of respondents saying they favor it, according to a poll released Monday.
Just 35 percent of 1,033 adults polled say they favor the war in Iraq; 61 percent say they oppose it -- the highest opposition noted in any CNN poll since the conflict began more than three years ago.
Fact is, it's too late now.
It's unfortunate that Americans did not think through the matter more completely before being taken into war by the Bush Administration. The question marks were huge, the facts were thin, but the polls then showed that the majority supported the unnecessary war of choice.
It's time to face the fact that most of the public support for Iraq was misplaced vengence- to get "them" back for 9/11 (even though Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11)- and misplaced fear (the fictitious"mushroom cloud" Condi Rice kept talking about).
President Bush disregards the poll:
Despite the rising opposition to the war, President Bush said the U.S. will not withdraw from Iraq while he is president. "In this case, it would give the terrorists and extremists an additional tool besides safe haven, and that is revenues from oil sales," the president said. "Leaving before the job is done would be a disaster," he said.
In one sense, he's probably right. But, none of what he says would be true if the US had not invaded. There would be no terrorist haven in Iraq had the US not created it.
One key error in his statement. It's not "Leaving before the job is done" that is a disaster. It is the job itself that has been a disaster.
GP
A Sad Tale of Radical Islam
In an earlier post I reflected upon some of the challenges faced by Islam at present. This article presents an example of such a challenge.
Muslims bullying women into suicide to restore 'honor'
Imagine that a teenage boy walks up behind his sister, points a loaded gun at her head and pulls the trigger. This "honor killing" is carried out in conservative Muslim enclaves that are bound to draconian beliefs. Sometimes, the woman's "offense" is dating the wrong person or behaving in too Western a way. Killing her is seen as a way to restore a family's honor.According to the United Nations, about 5,000 honor killings take place each year, most of them in the Middle East.
But alternative ways are being found to restore "honor" that keeps everyone out of jail. Instead of offering up their sons as killers, family members bully the dishonored girls into killing themselves.The U.N. reports that 36 women in Turkey have killed themselves for family honor so far this year. The deaths are called "virgin suicides."
Hostility towards women that is found among radical Islamists is odd to me, as the Quran is not especially misogynistic in and of itself. But there have developed cultural religious traditions that allow women to be treated so terribly in some sections of the Muslim world.
Just as I refered to some of the challenges faced by Christianity in earlier posts today (here and here), Muslims need to meet these challenges head on, and overcome them. As I said of Christians earlier, if all Muslims can learn to treat one another with love, then love between people of different faiths has a chance to grow- and bring peace with it.
GP
Muslims bullying women into suicide to restore 'honor'
Imagine that a teenage boy walks up behind his sister, points a loaded gun at her head and pulls the trigger. This "honor killing" is carried out in conservative Muslim enclaves that are bound to draconian beliefs. Sometimes, the woman's "offense" is dating the wrong person or behaving in too Western a way. Killing her is seen as a way to restore a family's honor.According to the United Nations, about 5,000 honor killings take place each year, most of them in the Middle East.
But alternative ways are being found to restore "honor" that keeps everyone out of jail. Instead of offering up their sons as killers, family members bully the dishonored girls into killing themselves.The U.N. reports that 36 women in Turkey have killed themselves for family honor so far this year. The deaths are called "virgin suicides."
Hostility towards women that is found among radical Islamists is odd to me, as the Quran is not especially misogynistic in and of itself. But there have developed cultural religious traditions that allow women to be treated so terribly in some sections of the Muslim world.
Just as I refered to some of the challenges faced by Christianity in earlier posts today (here and here), Muslims need to meet these challenges head on, and overcome them. As I said of Christians earlier, if all Muslims can learn to treat one another with love, then love between people of different faiths has a chance to grow- and bring peace with it.
GP
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