Mar 24, 2003 | Dollars & Crosses
A private hospital in central Harare was overflowing with the walking wounded, several of whom were sexually assaulted as the army laid into the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) following a two-day strike last week. "I was sleeping naked, and they took me and sexually assaulted me with AK47," said Sonia Kulinji, 47, whose house in an MDC stronghold was invaded by soldiers wielding pipes and weapons in an overnight raid. Doctors later confirmed she had sustained severe genital bruising. Another woman, Sharon Nel, 48, said she had prevented five uniformed men from raping her by shouting that she had AIDS. [from the Daily Telegraph, New York Sun, 3/24/03]
[T]wo opposition MPs were arrested and, according to Amnesty International, up to 500 people were being held on allegations that they participated in last week's strike....
The Zwakwana human rights monitoring group said that Harare emergency wards are treating people for broken bones, bruising and sexual assault after they were beaten with wire whips, iron bars, electrical cords and rifle butts by ruling party militias, uniformed soldiers and police reservists. Witnesses said they saw police and ruling party youth militias taking part in assaults. Staff members at one private clinic said its emergency services treated 200 people....
Speaking last Friday, Mr Mugabe ... warned opposition leaders that "those who play with fire will not only be burnt but consumed". [Guardian, 3/24/03]
Mar 24, 2003 | Dollars & Crosses
Eugene McCarthy, speaking at an event titled "A Threat to Democracy: The Tyranny of the Two Party System," at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Paul: "This is a faith-based war... The worst thing is faith-based religion." (Is there any other kind?) And we're supposed to believe this guy is an opponent of faith when he's speaking at a church, opposing the war with accusations that have no foundation in this-worldly reality? And is he ready to denounce faith-based pacifism as well?Mar 24, 2003 | Dollars & Crosses
Iraqi opposition members are wondering why Iraqi television and radio stations are still on the air at this stage of the military campaign.Those outlets are allowing Saddam to disseminate propaganda to the Iraqi people.
But Secretary Rumsfeld said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that it would be risky to destroy the Iraqi media facilities because they are close to civilian populations. [New York Sun, 3/24/03]
This is scary--it shows that even Rumsfeld has accepted the irrational conditions placed upon this war. It's one thing not to cause unnecessary civilian casualties. It's another thing to refrain from taking necessary military action out of fear of harming civilians. Casualties of all sorts will be minimized if we win this war as soon as possible. But war is war. Bending over backwards not to offend like this does not buy goodwill; the ones who want to be liberated will recognize the necessity of military action, even if it puts their lives at risk--and the ones who don't want us there will find any excuse however trivial to oppose us, regardless of how few civilians we harm.
Comments Chip Joyce,
Doesn't it seem that our obsession not to harm civilians is jeopardizing the lives of our soldiers?
Here's my advocated principle: one American soldier's life trumps any number of foreign civilians. Civilians should not be targeted but they should be risked for the safety of American soldiers.
Our government exists to protect American citizens. When it sends soldiers to fight wars, it should hold them in higher regard than foreigners. Tough choices come with war. To choose otherwise is to unjustly sacrifice our brave soldiers. When it comes down to it, Iraqis are more responsible for their government than our soldiers are. [About the War, 3/24/03]
Mar 22, 2003 | Dollars & Crosses
This in from Baltimore:
Americans who love Ben & Jerry's ice cream, but hate Ben & Jerry's politics, now have an alternative. The Star Spangled Ice Cream Company was founded by three veteran members of the vast rightwing conspiracy who previously knew absolutely nothing about making ice cream. Today, they begin offering consumers super premium ice cream in four politically incorrect flavors: I Hate the French Vanilla, Iraqi Road, Smaller Govern-mint, Nutty Environmentalist.
"We offer conservatives guilt-free ice cream," said Star Spangled Vice President Richard Lessner. "Our super premium ice cream is superior to Ben & Jerry's in flavor and value. Plus, a portion of every purchase of Star Spangled Ice Cream goes to charities that support the great men and women in America's Armed Forces. At last, conservative Americans have an alternative to supporting Ben & Jerry's wacko liberal political causes from world peace utopianism to radical environmentalism. Conservatives now can enjoy a top- end, gourmet ice cream while supporting patriotic causes they truly believe in." [PR Newswire, 3/17/03]
Mar 22, 2003 | Dollars & Crosses
The "Great Satan" has invaded Iraq but students at Tehran University seem pleased at the prospect.
"It will be a good thing to have American troops in Iraq. Perhaps that will bring change to Iran," said Namin, a lanky engineering student strolling to class.
"Maybe that will put more pressure on the regime here." Unlike fellow Muslims in the Middle East or their predecessors 23 years ago who seized the United States embassy, students today are not seething with anger against America and are unmoved by the government's daily references to "the enemy" in Washington. [Guardian, 3/21/03]
Mar 22, 2003 | Dollars & Crosses
This is what the anti-war protestors tried to prevent:"You just arrived," [an Iraqi in liberated town] said. "You're late. What took you so long? God help you become victorious. I want to say hello to Bush, to shake his hand. We came out of the grave."
"For a long time we've been saying: 'Let them come'," his wife, Zahara, said. "Last night we were afraid, but we said: 'Never mind, as long as they get rid of him, as long as they overthrow him, no problem'." Their 29-year-old son was executed in July 2001, accused of harbouring warm feelings for Iran.
"He was a farmer, he had a car, he sold tomatoes, and we had a life that we were satisfied with," said Khlis. "He was in prison for a whole year, and I raised 75m dinars in bribes. It didn't work. The money was gone, and he was gone. They sent me a telegram. They gave me the body."
