My son gave me a word-a-day calendar this year. It gave us something in common to talk about.
Sometimes I feel like that's all I have time for. To write one comment a day. Write one letter a day. Post one sign a day.
And every single day, the great well-meaning mass of people I live among remind me of how much more pleasant life can be when you stop worrying so much. Quit trying to change the world.
Why do I have to force people to think about bad things?
And I find this attitude strange. As if, examining the contradictions in your environment is the same as arguing. I don't think I'll change anyone. But I am a recovering addict - not to recognize bullshit when you see it is to begin to die.
Only to yourself of course.
The of Peace and Justice Times had an editorial recently which said,paraphrased,
that Bush is remaining in power because Americans want a King. He rules by fiat and divine right, and we gladly abdicate our need to hold him accountable in return for a clear conscience and the freedom to fill our minds with crap, and someone to blame.
Anyone who enjoys knowledge for its own sake and feels a moral obligation to intelligence knows how fun this makes you to be around.
But happiness, like self-examination, is the truest of revolutionary acts. I like myself when I can say, like Galileo, "And yet, it moves".
One word - "Disgust" -
" Soldier Quits Army in Disgust at 'Illegal' American Tactics in Iraq"
"I did not join the British Army to conduct American foreign policy," he said. He expected to be labelled a coward and to face a court martial and imprisonment after making what "the most difficult decision of my life" last March.
Instead, he was discharged with a testimonial describing him as a "balanced, honest, loyal and determined individual who possesses the strength of character to have the courage of his convictions".
One soldier. The first.
One word - Nightmare
In his book, " Kill! Kill! Kill!", author/Staff Sergeant Jimmy Massey says he and other Marines in his unit killed dozens of unarmed Iraqi civilians because of an exaggerated sense of threat, and that they often experienced sexual-type thrills doing so.
Three first-person accounts of the Iraq Invasion have been reviewed recently.
Massey's is the only one acknowledging the cost of killing on the mental health of the soldier, and the Bush regime's institutionalized callousness towards both the ill-trained -and -equipped American military and the Iraqis they were supposed to protect.
"Overall, we have to look at the (Bush) administration in terms of responsibility for the atrocities and the murder at the checkpoints," he said, questioning "the level of brutality instilled in the Marines."
One version of the epic boots on the ground novel.
He has yet to find an American publisher.
"But I can look at myself in the mirror".
One word - Torture.
One picture of one man became the symbol of American brutality and brought attention to Abu Ghirab.
The public face of shame-as-torture has taken his notoriety as a bully pulpit to stop prisoner abuse.
"Mr. Qaissi has traveled the Arab world with his computer slideshows and presentations, delivering a message that prisoner abuse by Americans and their Iraqi allies continues.
Despite the cruelty he witnessed, Mr. Qaissi said he harbored no animosity toward America or Americans. "I forgive the people who did these things to us," he said. "But I want their help in preventing these sorts of atrocities from continuing." "
One voice.
Today's Word?
March.
