I love reading things that leave me thinking "Well, there you go, what else is there to say?" Chuck over at Chuck for... has written such a piece on the inherent violence and destruction of war, and in particular, how much we have insulated ourselves here in America, from its realities.
Warfare is a bloody inhumane exercise and you've been insulated from that fact. There are veterans who know, they say little. If you fault them, you are a fool. To speak to the horrid realities of warfare is to relive them and they have already served you. It is not their job to educate you about the obvious that you ignore. Guns are not magical, they put a small projectile in the air at thousands of feet per second, far beyond the speed of sound, and the target is hit well before the sound of firing reaches it. The effect of that bullet depends on its caliber, speed, and what it strikes, it may inflict a fraction of an inch hole through a body or it may strike bone, shattering it and virtually exploding the surrounding flesh. Military rounds are considered humane, use of destructive bullets is banned. Humane.
The entire piece is graphic and shocking, which for me only reinforces his message. We can wrap ourselves in righteousness and the illusion of humaneness all we want, but guess what? Truth is truth is truth. And here is the rest of it.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Collateral Damage
Collateral damage is a non-descript term used for civilians killed and property destroyed that are not the specific target of an attack. Tends to take the humanity out of things (woudn't want that mucking things up you see).
I don't really do posts or write about Iraq, mostly because it ticks me off too much. There was a bombing in Iraq today.
The U.S. military on Saturday fired missiles at a target about 50 yards away from the general hospital in Baghdad's Sadr City district, wounding more than 20 people and destroying ambulances, hospital officials said
A poster on Kos has this to say:
Of course, the military was aiming at a building occupied by "a criminal element," and by all accounts that building was destroyed. The building happened to be a chapel used by the hospital workers.
But does it matter that there was no intent to hurt civilians?
This kind of incident certainly isn't new. It's hardly even news. Air strikes in this conflict have by now taken out weddings and schools, convoys of government officials on their way to a conference, and a countless individuals that just happened to live in the wrong neighborhood. Of course it's accidental. of course it's regrettable. But if it was your family, would that matter? Would it matter if your children?
One of these days, all of those supporters of this war will be called to account and asked this question. I wonder how they will answer.
And here is the rest of it.
I don't really do posts or write about Iraq, mostly because it ticks me off too much. There was a bombing in Iraq today.
The U.S. military on Saturday fired missiles at a target about 50 yards away from the general hospital in Baghdad's Sadr City district, wounding more than 20 people and destroying ambulances, hospital officials said
A poster on Kos has this to say:
Of course, the military was aiming at a building occupied by "a criminal element," and by all accounts that building was destroyed. The building happened to be a chapel used by the hospital workers.
But does it matter that there was no intent to hurt civilians?
This kind of incident certainly isn't new. It's hardly even news. Air strikes in this conflict have by now taken out weddings and schools, convoys of government officials on their way to a conference, and a countless individuals that just happened to live in the wrong neighborhood. Of course it's accidental. of course it's regrettable. But if it was your family, would that matter? Would it matter if your children?
One of these days, all of those supporters of this war will be called to account and asked this question. I wonder how they will answer.
And here is the rest of it.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Complacency not allowed!
In case you thought it was finally safe to go out and be yourself in Oregon...
Note: This is the case about not having gotten enough signatures to get on the ballot to overturn the Domestic Partnership Law (the judge's decision in February only delayed it, didn't decide it)
From Basic Rights Oregon:
On April 29, the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted plaintiffs’ motion for expedited review in Lemons v. Bradbury, the lawsuit filed by out-of-state groups seeking to revive last year’s failed referendum against Oregon’s domestic partnership law by forcing elections officials to change the way they treat signatures on voter petitions. The original review schedule set by the Court likely would have resulted in a decision sometime next year, but this order means the case could be decided as early as July.
In their motion, the plaintiffs argued that they are likely to prevail, and that the Court should decide the case in time to place their referendum before voters on the November ballot. Attorneys for the State of Oregon and Basic Rights Oregon filed memos in opposition to the motion.
Plaintiffs’ opening brief in the appeal will now be due on May 13, with defendants’ response due June 3 and plaintiffs’ reply due on June 10.
And here is the rest of it.
Note: This is the case about not having gotten enough signatures to get on the ballot to overturn the Domestic Partnership Law (the judge's decision in February only delayed it, didn't decide it)
From Basic Rights Oregon:
On April 29, the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted plaintiffs’ motion for expedited review in Lemons v. Bradbury, the lawsuit filed by out-of-state groups seeking to revive last year’s failed referendum against Oregon’s domestic partnership law by forcing elections officials to change the way they treat signatures on voter petitions. The original review schedule set by the Court likely would have resulted in a decision sometime next year, but this order means the case could be decided as early as July.
In their motion, the plaintiffs argued that they are likely to prevail, and that the Court should decide the case in time to place their referendum before voters on the November ballot. Attorneys for the State of Oregon and Basic Rights Oregon filed memos in opposition to the motion.
Plaintiffs’ opening brief in the appeal will now be due on May 13, with defendants’ response due June 3 and plaintiffs’ reply due on June 10.
And here is the rest of it.
Multnomah County Health Equity Initiatives
Just thought I'd share. I've been to a couple...actually really informative.
Join the Multnomah County Health Equity Initiative in exploring how your health is more than health care or the choices you make. Share your ideas about what we can do to promote health in your community. Your opinion matters!
Saturday, May 3rd
New Columbia Education Center 4625 N Trenton St. 97203
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. When the Bough Breaks
Did you know African American women with college degrees are still at higher risk for poor birth outcomes than white women with high school diplomas? Since genetics is not the issue, what could account for the differences we see in different racial groups? Is it possible that racism affects our health?
Thursday, May 8th
David Douglas SD 1500 SE 130th, 97233
12:00-2:00pm Becoming American
For many people, the United States is the land of opportunity. As a nation of immigrants, why do we see other countries with better health status? Why do recent immigrants have better health outcomes? What can we learn about health by looking beyond our borders?
Thursday, May 8th
David Douglas SD 1500 SE 130th, 97233
5:30-7:30pm Place Matters
Health is more than health care. Where we live, work and play impacts health. The food we eat and the stress we endure contribute to our health. How can investments in education and neighborhoods improve the health of our whole community?
Saturday, May 17th
New Columbia Education Center 4625 N Trenton St. 97203
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Bad Sugar
How many people do you know with diabetes? Is it easy for you to eat fresh fruit and vegetables each day? Political decisions about food can make it easier or harder for you to eat healthy and manage or prevent diabetes.
Thursday, May 22
Multnomah Arts Center 1688 SW Capital Hwy, 97213
12:00-2:00pm More than a Paycheck
In many towns, layoffs and unemployment can be devastating to the economy. It can also impact health, increasing the town’s blood pressure and violence. Did you know your job or lack of a job can impact your health? Did you know it doesn’t have to?
Thursday, May 22
Multnomah Arts Center 1688 SW Capital Hwy, 97213
5:30-7:30pm Becoming American
For many people, the United States is the land of opportunity. As a nation of immigrants, why do we see other countries with better health status? Why do recent immigrants have better health outcomes? What can we learn about health by looking beyond our borders?
More information on the Health Equity Initiative can be found at www.mchealth.org/healthequity
And here is the rest of it.
Join the Multnomah County Health Equity Initiative in exploring how your health is more than health care or the choices you make. Share your ideas about what we can do to promote health in your community. Your opinion matters!
Saturday, May 3rd
New Columbia Education Center 4625 N Trenton St. 97203
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. When the Bough Breaks
Did you know African American women with college degrees are still at higher risk for poor birth outcomes than white women with high school diplomas? Since genetics is not the issue, what could account for the differences we see in different racial groups? Is it possible that racism affects our health?
Thursday, May 8th
David Douglas SD 1500 SE 130th, 97233
12:00-2:00pm Becoming American
For many people, the United States is the land of opportunity. As a nation of immigrants, why do we see other countries with better health status? Why do recent immigrants have better health outcomes? What can we learn about health by looking beyond our borders?
Thursday, May 8th
David Douglas SD 1500 SE 130th, 97233
5:30-7:30pm Place Matters
Health is more than health care. Where we live, work and play impacts health. The food we eat and the stress we endure contribute to our health. How can investments in education and neighborhoods improve the health of our whole community?
Saturday, May 17th
New Columbia Education Center 4625 N Trenton St. 97203
12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Bad Sugar
How many people do you know with diabetes? Is it easy for you to eat fresh fruit and vegetables each day? Political decisions about food can make it easier or harder for you to eat healthy and manage or prevent diabetes.
Thursday, May 22
Multnomah Arts Center 1688 SW Capital Hwy, 97213
12:00-2:00pm More than a Paycheck
In many towns, layoffs and unemployment can be devastating to the economy. It can also impact health, increasing the town’s blood pressure and violence. Did you know your job or lack of a job can impact your health? Did you know it doesn’t have to?
Thursday, May 22
Multnomah Arts Center 1688 SW Capital Hwy, 97213
5:30-7:30pm Becoming American
For many people, the United States is the land of opportunity. As a nation of immigrants, why do we see other countries with better health status? Why do recent immigrants have better health outcomes? What can we learn about health by looking beyond our borders?
More information on the Health Equity Initiative can be found at www.mchealth.org/healthequity
And here is the rest of it.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Divided we fall...
Sara Whitman, of the Bilerico Project, always has some really insightful and thought-provoking posts and today was no exception. Drawing a parallel between white priviledge and the marginalization of the transgender community by the more mainstream queer community (an oxymoron I know), she says:
... how do we do the same thing in the LGBT community? How do we push hard against someone else, make someone smaller, less than in order to feel our privilege?
We divide ourselves, like the people of New Orleans. The "normal" queers can have rights but let's be sure those people can't move in on our rights.
It is ironic, because those who are against us think we're all freaks. They liken us to pedophiles and sexual deviants. As if cutting off one of our arms will make us any more likable to them.
It won't.
We say that transgender inclusion is too hard. We'll be good little queers and dress the right way, look pretty and handsome, play the game the way those in power have dictated the rules. We have, after all, already pushed the envelope to the edge by including Gays and Lesbians.
And here is the rest of it.
... how do we do the same thing in the LGBT community? How do we push hard against someone else, make someone smaller, less than in order to feel our privilege?
We divide ourselves, like the people of New Orleans. The "normal" queers can have rights but let's be sure those people can't move in on our rights.
It is ironic, because those who are against us think we're all freaks. They liken us to pedophiles and sexual deviants. As if cutting off one of our arms will make us any more likable to them.
It won't.
We say that transgender inclusion is too hard. We'll be good little queers and dress the right way, look pretty and handsome, play the game the way those in power have dictated the rules. We have, after all, already pushed the envelope to the edge by including Gays and Lesbians.
Referencing a presentation on white priviledge by Tim Wise, Whitman says:
Watch Tim Wise again. Think hard about the words in our own community, how we fight amongst ourselves, making ridiculous lines in sand to somehow feel more powerful.
We are not part of the club of those in power. We never will be.
It truly is a ridiculous notion of Gay Privilege.
And here is the rest of it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)