Monday, May 9, 2005
Cindy Sheehan's Mother's Day LetterChindy Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq at the beginning of
the war, has a powerful,
important piece on michaelmoore.com. Here
are a couple of paragraphs: 9:57:08 PM | The families of these soldiers are also departing on a long
tour of
banalities uttered by well-meaning, but let's face it, uninformed
people. I hear these phrases over and over again: "Time heals
everything", "Casey's in a better place", (oh really, I didn't know
that
home with his mom was such a bad place to be), "Casey wants you to be
happy", "Casey died doing what he loved doing", (he did?), or, my
favorite, "Casey died defending his country". Let me assure the reader,
phrases like this do not help. They are cliches for one thing, and for
another, none of them are true. None of them help a grieving family. If
you, the reader, is ever in the situation facing a mom who had her son
brutally murdered, God forbid, I will give you hints on what does help:
hugs (lots and lots), make sure she eats, make sure she drinks plenty
of water (tears are dehydrating), make sure she hears wonderful things
about her child, bring boxes of tissues and toilet paper, and bring
yourself. Leave your tired and impotent cliches at the door.
Of course, the most tragic thing about the 1579 is that not even one should be dead. Our "president" cheerfully rushed this country into a needlessly horrendous and devastating invasion. Our "president" thinks stolen elections confer a mandate. Our Congress cheerfully relinquished their Constitutional responsibility to declare war. If they had any courage or honor they would claim that right back and end this travesty. I have a feeling our mis-leaders will be having a nice day with their moms or their children on Mother's Day. As they are eating their brunches and giving and receiving bouquets of Mother's Day flowers, they probably never even think about the moms in this world that their insanely reckless policies have destroyed. It never enters their wicked brains that they have ruined Mother's Day for so many families. This is a tragedy. Unfortunately the number is now 1606 in Iraq (182 in Afghanistan), soon to be revised up, no doubt. There is no end, is there? 
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"The Marines' Flawed Body Armor"This
makes me so sad. Over 1600 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq,
along with countless (literally) Iraqis who have been blown up, maimed,
and murdered. 8:31:07 PM | If I hear another republican say he or she "supports our troops," I'm going to be sick. Our government cares so little for them they are sending them off without any equipment at all or completely worthless equipment, as the Air Force Times discusses. What a mess.
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Some New Orleans pictures...I'm back in Chicago and, once again, back to reality. Why can't I live a life of constant distraction? Oh, the joy. Here are a few pictures from New Orleans and one from our trip back to Chicago. We were lucky enough to be down south for the Jazz Fest, New Orleans' premier music festival (or food festival -- it's up to dispute!). We only went the last day, but what a day! Three servings of Prejean's gumbo and a fantastic tribute to John Coltrane. It just doesn't get any better than that!  The Original Prince of Wales Social and Pleasure Club's second line poses for pictures before heading out. What a blast!  A baby on a leash. I just couldn't resist; seeing those parents led around by a toddler was too funny.  The last moments of Jazz Fest 2005. What fun!  A duck family on the lagoon's edge in beautiful Audubon Park.  Breakfast for 99 cents. ATM for 99 cents. Po boys 24/7.  Tchoupitoulas matresses and shopping cart, on display. To the right, out of the frame, was a dried up Christmas tree. What is it about objects out of context? They are given whole new meanings, I think.  "Berry-Go-Round" ride on the move, being towed on Interstate 57 just outside Memphis. I'm going to miss that drive, believe it or not. I love the flatness, the ocean-like vistas the fields and cleared forests create. And the sky! Immense! Stretching across eternity...
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Last update: 8/24/05; 8:16:29 PM .
