Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Abu Ghraib in the US
A point brought up by reader Theresa about the crimes that take place daily in American prisons got me reading. Of course, she's right. We don't hear much at all about the prison culture that exists in the US; out of sight, out of mind. And they're criminals, so who cares? But attention does need to be paid to the our justice system. We have the greatest percentage of incarcerated citizens in the world, and its spinning out of control. First time drug offenders and mandatory minimums are filling up our jails and turning individuals with minor offenses into hardened criminals who, on their release, will never again be able to vote, damaging the democratic process, and will forever have 'ex-convict' on their record, making it far more difficult for them to develop meaningful careers. But I digress.
What this article, written by Elizabeth Alexander and posted on the Center for American Progress' website, is really about are the crimes committed by prison (mis)management and the (mis)behavior of the correctional staff here in the US. Exporting to Iraq the same managers who came under fire here for prison abuses is surely a doomed marriage. Abuses by the staff and poor supervision create circumstances where those who have power are left largely unchecked, and we all know what absolute power leads to. Serious reform of the justice system seems to be looming large, especially in the wake of the scandal in Iraq. The damage done to US legitimacy will take years to undo, but if this era forces a spotlight on the American justice system, it may well force the collective political will to shift elements of present foreign policy as well.
|
What this article, written by Elizabeth Alexander and posted on the Center for American Progress' website, is really about are the crimes committed by prison (mis)management and the (mis)behavior of the correctional staff here in the US. Exporting to Iraq the same managers who came under fire here for prison abuses is surely a doomed marriage. Abuses by the staff and poor supervision create circumstances where those who have power are left largely unchecked, and we all know what absolute power leads to. Serious reform of the justice system seems to be looming large, especially in the wake of the scandal in Iraq. The damage done to US legitimacy will take years to undo, but if this era forces a spotlight on the American justice system, it may well force the collective political will to shift elements of present foreign policy as well.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
I had an incredible weekend. Actually, it was just Saturday night that was incredible. The rest of it just focused Saturday night like a magnifying glass does to sunlight.
I was up in the hills of Shutesbury helping some friends out, singing songs and sitting around a fire. It lasted all night. Not one blink of sleep did I get till Sunday at noon. It was the first time, ever I think, that I had been in the woods and stayed up with the birds and treefrogs. To make it more powerful, there was a mighty electrical storm going on, lighting all around us and thunder rolls that would last up to a minute. It rained for a few hours, but keeping the fire going was surprisingly easy.
We had great food, great conversation, and a cigar. Cigars seemed to be a requisite for these nights. There was much more going on, and if anyone's really interested, it'd be a pleasure to share, but not just yet. Suffice to say that afterwards I slept for a solid 16 hours before I felt refreshed.
|
I was up in the hills of Shutesbury helping some friends out, singing songs and sitting around a fire. It lasted all night. Not one blink of sleep did I get till Sunday at noon. It was the first time, ever I think, that I had been in the woods and stayed up with the birds and treefrogs. To make it more powerful, there was a mighty electrical storm going on, lighting all around us and thunder rolls that would last up to a minute. It rained for a few hours, but keeping the fire going was surprisingly easy.
We had great food, great conversation, and a cigar. Cigars seemed to be a requisite for these nights. There was much more going on, and if anyone's really interested, it'd be a pleasure to share, but not just yet. Suffice to say that afterwards I slept for a solid 16 hours before I felt refreshed.
Monday, May 24, 2004
Guess Who's Back, or How I Ended My Vow of Silence by Mentioning It:
As y'all have already read in Jesse's post entitled, "John", I have not graced our blog with my dizzying lack of anything remotely interesting or important to say in approximately 3,888,000 seconds, or 45 days, whichever came first. Well, I'm here to say that I have recently emerged from a basement somewhere in Northern New Jersey (the exact location of which will remain undisclosed for the protection of a highly secretive network of safehouses in which irascible bastards like myself are frequently pickled)and that after such a long absence from this politically and personally charged forum, I feel obliged to make up for lost time with a singularly comprehensive and penetrating perception of the World, as it is: not as it was or will, could've or should've, and certainly not as it isn't. Here we go. As I understand it, we are still under the yoke of a plant, who is under the yoke of an imminent stroke, who is part of a network of corporate and military industries, which are engaged in sustaining democracy at home and at large using a strategy analagous to that of the errant, errr, current Administration's plan for protecting forests from burning down (if we cut down the trees and hide them in lumber mills, where will the evil fire-doers find kindling for their acts of terror?)....the greatest warriors to ever walk the earth, led by fiberglass expert Kenyon Martin and logistical wizard Jason Kidd, have been eliminated from their Quest for the Holy Grail by a group of inbred eunnichs from Detroit named after a friggin car part....the DOD is under serious heat after the discovery of numerous S&M pics were found on Rumsfeld's hard-drive...Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is still missing and police have issued a nation-wide APB (any sightings or hearings of Mr. Kerry should be immediately reported)....Israel has hastened its effort to remove settlers from the Gaza Strip by blowing up a whole bunch of Palestinians in their homes who were in the path of moving trucks....and after intensive study of data fired back from the Spirit Rover, NASA experts have concluded that possible evidence of life once exisiting on Mars is still possible evidence of life once exisiting on Mars....
I know I left out a bunch, but I'm not friggin Tolstoi, give me a break.
Peace to all smart and small, keep it in your heart y'all, walk tall, have a ball, kick a wall.
|
I know I left out a bunch, but I'm not friggin Tolstoi, give me a break.
Peace to all smart and small, keep it in your heart y'all, walk tall, have a ball, kick a wall.
Bush speaks tonight at 8pm
Although WMD still have yet to be found in Iraq (for which even Bush makes jokes about), another disturbing trend has been taking place. Persons of Mass Destruction. Although the world has come to expect periodic flares of violence in the form of self-destruction from the Palestinians who are under a 37 year occupation by Israel, suicide bombing in Iraq has been a relatively recent phenomenon.
Only since early last summer has the resistance to the US occupation incorporated this technique of terrifying urban warfare. What's scarier is that the attacks have increased in sophistication; just last week the President of the Iraqi Governing Council, Izzedine Salim, was assassinated by a suicide bomber using a car packed with explosives.
In yesterday's NYTimes, Op-Ed columnist Thomas L. Friedman wrote about the increasing possibilities of similar terror attacks being imported to the US. Article here.
Bush will be speaking tonight at 8:00 pm to the nation in an attempt revive his sinking poll numbers by trying to convince us that he has a plan for Iraq. He's gonna tell us that free elections will be taking place there, that there's a definite plan for a post-occupation government, and that a UN resolution has been drafted for getting more nations to commit troops to the unstable nation (even as they're leaving).
He'll not admit error, for to do that would admit to weakness, and as we all know, Dubya is beyond error. However, with polling approval numbers in the mid-40's and showing no sign improving, I like to think that there's a certain degree of panic going on, and it makes me smile.
|
Only since early last summer has the resistance to the US occupation incorporated this technique of terrifying urban warfare. What's scarier is that the attacks have increased in sophistication; just last week the President of the Iraqi Governing Council, Izzedine Salim, was assassinated by a suicide bomber using a car packed with explosives.
In yesterday's NYTimes, Op-Ed columnist Thomas L. Friedman wrote about the increasing possibilities of similar terror attacks being imported to the US. Article here.
Bush will be speaking tonight at 8:00 pm to the nation in an attempt revive his sinking poll numbers by trying to convince us that he has a plan for Iraq. He's gonna tell us that free elections will be taking place there, that there's a definite plan for a post-occupation government, and that a UN resolution has been drafted for getting more nations to commit troops to the unstable nation (even as they're leaving).
He'll not admit error, for to do that would admit to weakness, and as we all know, Dubya is beyond error. However, with polling approval numbers in the mid-40's and showing no sign improving, I like to think that there's a certain degree of panic going on, and it makes me smile.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
receptive ears on the hill
As more of the torture scandals comes to light, more House reps and Senators are opening up to senior U.S. Army officers and CIA officials as to how the Abu Ghraib prison has been run by high-level Pentagon civilian officials.
A great article on this here by United Press International writer Martin Sieff.
|
A great article on this here by United Press International writer Martin Sieff.
Monday, May 17, 2004
energy
It seems pretty well accepted, both worldwide and in mainstream US media, that the reason Bush sent us to war (WMD) was a farce. Geopolitics, restructuring the mid-east, gaining a stronghold on a long-term supply of oil; all these complex reasons had a hand in the matter. It is also well acknowledged that the DOD and the White House had not bargained for this prolonged insurgency. In fact, it is estimated that by the end of next year, we will have pumped $300 billion into the war.
As anyone with a car knows, American oil prices have not decreased since the beginning of this war. In fact, there is no end in sight to the increasing price of gas. The market for crude oil has grown since the crises of the 70's due to China's industrialization and discoveries of new oil fields has almost dropped to nothing.
I wonder what $300 billion would have done to eh alternative energy industry in this country. Could Detroit possibly have figured out a way to restructure its plants to begin producing large quantities of hybrids? Could scientists have worked on greater efficiency of solar cells and wind turbines? I know virtually nothing on economics, but $300 billion sounds like a huge amount of money. We probably could have demined the entire world, cured cancer and AIDS, fed and housed the entire world with that figure. Instead, we have Saddam, somewhere, and an Iraqi populace that can't wait to kick us out.
|
As anyone with a car knows, American oil prices have not decreased since the beginning of this war. In fact, there is no end in sight to the increasing price of gas. The market for crude oil has grown since the crises of the 70's due to China's industrialization and discoveries of new oil fields has almost dropped to nothing.
I wonder what $300 billion would have done to eh alternative energy industry in this country. Could Detroit possibly have figured out a way to restructure its plants to begin producing large quantities of hybrids? Could scientists have worked on greater efficiency of solar cells and wind turbines? I know virtually nothing on economics, but $300 billion sounds like a huge amount of money. We probably could have demined the entire world, cured cancer and AIDS, fed and housed the entire world with that figure. Instead, we have Saddam, somewhere, and an Iraqi populace that can't wait to kick us out.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Library Woes
This wonderful library that I've been building since I can't remember is in the process of being disassembled. The NYC city move really requires it. I suppose I could ask family members to store boxes for another few years, but who knows when I'll be able to settle and buy a house. I mean boxes and boxes of books. 15 maybe. I've been carting them around for over 2 years now and just don't have the stamina to keep doing it.
I started the process yesterday and only got through half it, mostly because I kept getting stuck on the various items that have a certain smell to them. Can't get rid of any of the Hesse books; all my Ken Wilbur will remain with me. Most of the massage items. But the rest, the literature, the philosophy and religion, the science and random non-fiction will just have to go. I'm not gonna get even a tenth of what I spent on it, but it will probably help with the the deposit. Unbelievable. I might have to go through it again and be a little less discriminating.
|
I started the process yesterday and only got through half it, mostly because I kept getting stuck on the various items that have a certain smell to them. Can't get rid of any of the Hesse books; all my Ken Wilbur will remain with me. Most of the massage items. But the rest, the literature, the philosophy and religion, the science and random non-fiction will just have to go. I'm not gonna get even a tenth of what I spent on it, but it will probably help with the the deposit. Unbelievable. I might have to go through it again and be a little less discriminating.
Monday, May 03, 2004
Outrage Overload
On March 31st, 4 US civilian contractors working for the security firm Blackwater were killed and publicly mutilated in Fallujah. The ensuing military siege was meant to pacify the city, and to find and kill those who took part in the killings; in other words, it was a revenge mission.
Last week, 60 Minutes II released pictures of US military personnel torturing Iraqi prisoners, and at least one prisoner was killed. As we now understand it, intelligence/interrogation specialists from private firms are very much intertwined with military branches in gathering information from detainees.
Two private firms, Titan and CACI, were contracted to work with the military at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, where the abuses took place. Titan has claimed that its employees were there strictly for translation purposes, but CACI's employees were there to supervise the intelligence gathering and has refused comment to a number of accusations. They are doing their own investigation into the matter. CACI has grown tremendously in the last 3 years, acquiring IT companies, tripling its revenue, and being awarded more contracts monthly.
It is still unclear as to whose jurisdiction the CACI employees might be under. There is a growing sense, however, that because they are US citizens on Iraqi soil, they are immune from the Iraqi courts (thank you ICC). Additionally, because they don't actually work for the US military, it is also unable to hold them accountable for their actions. The government has a 1.5 billion dollar contract with CACI so that their employees can torture Iraqi civilians under immunity.
I have read again and again and again the media using the Bush administration's spin of the events at the prison as 'abuse, mistreatment, terrible acts'. But goddamn it to hell if it wasn't Torture. Torture, Torture, TORTURE. We did not get rid of Saddam's torture chambers, Shrub, we merely replaced Iraqi guards with our own. Sodomized with flourescent lights. Peed on. Beaten until dead. Tortured.
|
Last week, 60 Minutes II released pictures of US military personnel torturing Iraqi prisoners, and at least one prisoner was killed. As we now understand it, intelligence/interrogation specialists from private firms are very much intertwined with military branches in gathering information from detainees.
Two private firms, Titan and CACI, were contracted to work with the military at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, where the abuses took place. Titan has claimed that its employees were there strictly for translation purposes, but CACI's employees were there to supervise the intelligence gathering and has refused comment to a number of accusations. They are doing their own investigation into the matter. CACI has grown tremendously in the last 3 years, acquiring IT companies, tripling its revenue, and being awarded more contracts monthly.
It is still unclear as to whose jurisdiction the CACI employees might be under. There is a growing sense, however, that because they are US citizens on Iraqi soil, they are immune from the Iraqi courts (thank you ICC). Additionally, because they don't actually work for the US military, it is also unable to hold them accountable for their actions. The government has a 1.5 billion dollar contract with CACI so that their employees can torture Iraqi civilians under immunity.
I have read again and again and again the media using the Bush administration's spin of the events at the prison as 'abuse, mistreatment, terrible acts'. But goddamn it to hell if it wasn't Torture. Torture, Torture, TORTURE. We did not get rid of Saddam's torture chambers, Shrub, we merely replaced Iraqi guards with our own. Sodomized with flourescent lights. Peed on. Beaten until dead. Tortured.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Totally seriously you guys
This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow, outstanding comic strip. Here's link for his more recent pieces; he started the strip in 1990. The tab on the sidebar is to his blog and all his archives can found from there. In the Valley Advocate, a free valley paper up here, his weekly piece is published, and each week I checked it out, it always had me laughing. It got to be that I only would pick up a copy just for the comic, I liked it so much. I never thought to look for him online, but I got it. And I'm psyched to be able to go into his archives and read all his old stuff, as well as his blog.
|
Seriously now, troops, what are you thinking?
Bad stuff
more bad stuff
If we thought we had a hard time with the locals before, I can't imagine what's going to happen next. When's the next attack in Europe to happen? In England? In the US? Using military occupation forces to rebuild a country presumes that the occupier have the understanding, if not trust, of the occupied country. Both Germany and Japan had an Allied military presence well into the 80's overseeing the reconstruction of infrastructure and social institutions (schools, banks, hospitals, etc.). These pictures, examples of inhumane and terrible torture on the part of US and British troops, made public yesterday around the Arab world, will most certainly outrage Iraqis. Any illusions they might have had that we were there for their benefit should now be swept clean.
Here's a great chart for the first anniversary of Shrub's 'Mission Accomplished' speech aboard the Lincoln.
The New Yorker magazine posted online yesterday parts of a military report written by Major General Antonio M. Taguba, who was part of an investigation into military police and intelligence officers abuse of prisoners, who were only suspected criminals or 'illiegal' militants. The report quotes:
Breaking chemical lights and pouring the phosphoric liquid on detainees; pouring cold water on naked detainees; beating detainees with a broom handle and a chair; threatening male detainees with rape; allowing a military police guard to stitch the wound of a detainee who was injured after being slammed against the wall in his cell; sodomizing a detainee with a chemical light and perhaps a broom stick, and using military working dogs to frighten and intimidate detainees with threats of attack, and in one instance actually biting a detainee.
and also,
MI has also instructed us to place a prisoner in an isolation cell with little or no clothes, no toilet or running water, no ventilation or window, for as much as three days.
While the military claims that these are unique instances, other investigative groups have said that abuse of this kind has repeatedly taken place during the past year.
Now, I'm no international legal student, but I'm almost certain that abuse, sodomizing, and torture must be illegal under international military law. Power begets power begets abuse of power...
more bad stuff
If we thought we had a hard time with the locals before, I can't imagine what's going to happen next. When's the next attack in Europe to happen? In England? In the US? Using military occupation forces to rebuild a country presumes that the occupier have the understanding, if not trust, of the occupied country. Both Germany and Japan had an Allied military presence well into the 80's overseeing the reconstruction of infrastructure and social institutions (schools, banks, hospitals, etc.). These pictures, examples of inhumane and terrible torture on the part of US and British troops, made public yesterday around the Arab world, will most certainly outrage Iraqis. Any illusions they might have had that we were there for their benefit should now be swept clean.
Here's a great chart for the first anniversary of Shrub's 'Mission Accomplished' speech aboard the Lincoln.
The New Yorker magazine posted online yesterday parts of a military report written by Major General Antonio M. Taguba, who was part of an investigation into military police and intelligence officers abuse of prisoners, who were only suspected criminals or 'illiegal' militants. The report quotes:
Breaking chemical lights and pouring the phosphoric liquid on detainees; pouring cold water on naked detainees; beating detainees with a broom handle and a chair; threatening male detainees with rape; allowing a military police guard to stitch the wound of a detainee who was injured after being slammed against the wall in his cell; sodomizing a detainee with a chemical light and perhaps a broom stick, and using military working dogs to frighten and intimidate detainees with threats of attack, and in one instance actually biting a detainee.
and also,
MI has also instructed us to place a prisoner in an isolation cell with little or no clothes, no toilet or running water, no ventilation or window, for as much as three days.
While the military claims that these are unique instances, other investigative groups have said that abuse of this kind has repeatedly taken place during the past year.
Now, I'm no international legal student, but I'm almost certain that abuse, sodomizing, and torture must be illegal under international military law. Power begets power begets abuse of power...
