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Monday, June 28, 2004 |
I discovered today that Cpl. Wassef Hassoun, the US marine who was abducted by the Iraqi Response militant group, is from Utah and is Muslim. Because of this, I wonder if the militants are treating him as a traitor of the faith--fighting against the Jihad.
Yesterday, the family spoke (via their friend and spokesperson, Tarek Nosseir) to reporters and offered some beautiful sentiments despite the harsh fate that befalls their son this week.
From the Salt Lake City Tribune today:
"In the name of Allah the merciful, the compassionate, we accept destiny with its good and its bad," [Nossier] told reporters. "We pray and we plead for his safe release and we ask all people of the world to join us in our prayers. May God bless us all."
West Jordan police Capt. Gary Cox said the Hassoun family, whom he said were Lebanese, had been contacted by military officials.
Cox said the mood inside the home "was quite somber. They are obviously concerned for the man."
Judy Hassoun, Wassef's former sister-in-law who now lives in Bacliff, Texas, told the Associated Press that Hassoun joined the Marines after moving to the Salt Lake City area. He is serving his second stint in Iraq, she said.
Wassef is one of six children and is originally from Tripoli, Lebanon, she said, adding that he speaks fluent French and is "very peaceful, but very brave, very loving."
Several of the Hassoun family's West Jordan neighbors expressed shocked.
"You see this on the news but you don't expect to see it in your neighborhood," neighbor Karen Oborn said.
Our hearts go out to Cpl. Wassef Hassoun and his family. They'll be in our thoughts and prayers, as will the three Turkish and Pakistani men who are facing a similar fate of decapitation this week, and as have all the victims.
10:29:51 PM  | |
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The Guardian newspaper in Britain pointed out the fact that Fahrenheit broke the boxoffice record for a Palme d'Or winner in its opening weekend. The record was previously held by Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction from 1994. It's opening weekend take was $9.3 million.
In regards to the successful weekend at the boxoffice, a reader by the name of Luke left a noteworthy comment on the post "The Barometer" over at Discourse.Net.
This is big. I just saw Fahrenheit 911.... It was intense. The crowd was all sorts of different people, really tough to stereotype. Waiting to get in, people were snaked all around the place in lines that are typically found only at Disney World or the premiere of a Star Wars movie. The crowd turned out to be very interactive, with clapping, gasping, applauding, and so on. There was a standing ovation at the end. This is a POWERFUL movie. I already knew most of what is in there, but its heartening to know that now everyone else in that theatre does too... If this country re-elects Bush, we cannot claim lack of knowledge as a defense.
We know all about him. We know what he said.. We know what he ordered. We know who said what about torture. We know who signed a presidential order claiming the power to unilaterally set aside/ suspend U.S. law and ratified treaties.
I have a feeling there may be a rush to register to vote from those who see this movie. It really leaves you wanting to do something to stop these people.
I changed my registration from Republican to Democrat back in December, and for the first time this year found myself contributing to political campaigns... first fifty bucks to Dean, then fifty to Kerry after Dean dropped out, even though I am unemployed. I have a feeling I am not the only one who has paid attention a little more than the media thinks, and who realizes what is going on in OUR name. One thing is for certain, this movie will lead to a few others like me drawing the same conclusions. Hopefully.
Peace.
Atrios from Eschaton, in his post "Heads Explode in Freeperville" posted the transcript of the Fox Sports commentary by Chris Myers on Sunday's race at Pomona pre-race program:
"You think you know Dale Earnhardt Jr.? He advised his crew to go see the Michael Moore movie Farenheit 911. He said hey, it'll be a good bonding experience no matter what your political belief. It's a good thing as an American to go see... and it just shows you that Dale Earnhardt Jr. can reach far beyond the steering wheel."
And finally, also from The Guardian, Gary Younge (in his article "Politics Gets Personal") reported from the opening of the film in Akron, Ohio, and documented his experiences and impressions for the people back in England.
Suzanne Aylward came out of the 7.30 screening vowing "to get everybody I know" to see the film. Aylward was greeted by canvassers inviting her to a meeting to discuss the film and handing out John Kerry stickers and badges, which she declined.
Aylward, who voted Nader last time, is going to back Kerry in November with reservations. "People don't love Kerry because they're not sure what he stands for. But I'm going to vote for him because he's not Bush." One of the Kerry campaigners overheard and shouted: "That's not true. Look at his position papers. Listen to what he says."
Aylward shrugs dismissively and her friend, Bobbie Watson, takes over. "I'm going to politely ask the people I know and who I trust and who trust me, who usually vote Republican or who haven't made up their minds, to at least consider voting for Kerry this time," she says. "I think they'll at least listen to me because they know I'm an open-minded person."
Welcome to the tone and tenor of the personal interactions that are going to assert the strongest influence on the forthcoming presidential election. In debates with friends, family and neighbours, at times hectoring, at others beseeching, filled with venom and vigour on both sides, such a close race is going to be won one vote at a time.
8:47:52 PM | |
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