John J. Boria

When Jodie and I marched to protest the third anniversary of the war in Iraq, we were approached by someone with a box of popsicle stick crosses. Each cross bore the name of a soldier who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We taped the crosses onto our protest signs.

Jodie's was John J. Boria. I looked him up and was surprised by a couple of things. One, he wasn't injured in Iraq. Stationed in Doha, Qatar, Captain Boria oversaw Air Force logistics at the Combined Air Operations Center.

Two, though he was a pilot, Captain Boria was not assigned to fly missions.

Three, what happened after his death. On August 31 2004, Captain Boria, a 29-year-old native of Oklahoma, and a friend rented all terrain vehicles and took them out on Doha's sand dunes. Captain Boria's vehicle overturned and he was thrown off. His friend rushed him to the nearest hospital, but nothing could be done for his injuries. Captain Boria was kept on life support until his parents could fly to Qatar two days later.

Forced to make the decision to keep him on the ventilator until his kidneys failed or to take him off life support, his parents chose the later and donated his organs to the people in Doha.

Captain Boria's death allowed four other people in this Arab nation to live, his corneas provided sight for two more.

I understand that culturally, socially and economically Qatar is a far cry from Iraq. Indeed, with the the dominant religion being Wahhabi, Qatar is actually more closely associated to what Americans think of when they think of Arab Iraq.

But, regardless of how Captain Boria's death helped six others, the only way to describe it is as a tragic waste. There should be no reason this man was sent to die for the Orwellian myth of "God and Country." No reason he will not be able to start his own family. No reason he has been reduced to a number. One out of 2,377.

We don't build monuments for soldiers killed in action during ongoing wars. If we did, I wonder if the names would be inscribed with disappearing ink. It's easy to not think about the wars, or what your responsibility is for the death of this man. Or for the deaths of every person killed by the Bush Administration's malicious foreign policy. Weather you supported the war or not, the events that unfold are now your responsibility. And mine.

Because now I have this popsicle stick cross, with the name John J. Boria written on it with blue ink. What do I do with this?

For more about Captain Boria please go here http://www.lifeshareoklahoma.org/lifestories/?idx=31

~Lila
Because Responsible Citizens Clean Up After Their Governmenthttp://goodusgov.org/

Time is limited

to purchase the new T-Shirts of Halabja, Iraq

"I survived twenty-four years of rule under Saddam Hussein, a chemical weapons attack, a crippling lack of clean water in my city, sewage in my home, promises by the American's to rebuild my water station which were later broken because of security and a lack of funding....

...and all I got is this lousy $1 billion dollar embassy for the Americans!"

The estimated cost for providing clean water to the survivors of Hussein worst chemical weapons attack is about $10 million. In April of 2005, the US government pulled money from the project to train and equip Iraq's army and police force, the majority of which are infiltrated by insurgents who then abscond with equipment and training.

When Nuradeen Ghreeb, an Iraqi civil engineer, learned his water project in Halabja had been canceled he said, "If the Americans think that training the Iraqi Army comes before clean drinking water for the people of Halabja, then we can't expect anything from them."

What a dreamer! Doesn't he know that we're not really training the army, we're building an embassy the size of VATICAN CITY complete with "the population of a small town, its own defense force, self-contained power and water" on the scenic banks of the Tigris River. Ownership of the land, 104 acres of the most valuable real estate in Baghdad, has been transferred to the US government. The terms of this transfer have never been made public. We do know that it's utility systems will be independent of the rest of the city.

Fortunately, the Iraqi people can be distracted from the network of cranes and security constructing the 21-building embassy to tune in to watch Saddam's kangaroo trial. Just in case he somehow manages to evade conviction on charges that he ordered the killing of 145 people from Dujail in 1982 after a failed assassination attempt, the Iraqi government announced April 4, 2006, that Hussein's next trial would be for the gassing of 5,000 Kurds in Halabja over two days in March, 1988.

So does this mean we can nowalso take to court the US businesses and government officials that supplied the weapons and then publicly supported the massacre for two years? (Rumsfeld you better start packing!)You know, a court like Hussein's where the entire defense team walks out protesting the court's bias, two defense lawyers are murdered, one is injured, later fleeing Iraq and a judge who retires under pressure that he isbeing too lenient with the defendant. Or does this fall under the creed "Business and governments that make and sell biological weapons of terror don't kill people, even if they provided the logistics to find and deliver said weapons, Hussein and biological weapons of terror kill people."

At any rate, isn't nice to know we have our priorities in order?

~Lila
Because Responsible Citizens Clean Up After Their Government
http://goodusgov.org/

Happy Rwanda Genocide Day!

Today marks the twelve year anniversary of the start of the 100 days of genocide in Rwanda. Tens of thousands are still being tried for their crimes, but you don't see much about this country in the news, no major western media is discussing it. Not even today, in remembrance. Indeed, the only time Rwanda makes it into the media is in regards to Sudan. If there ever was a need to learn the mistakes of the past in order not to repeat them, then the Rwanda Genocide would qualify. Sadly, the genocide in Sudan has been going on for over 3 years and no end is in sight. Instead, the problem is worsening, despite scattered bills passed by the US Congress, as Chad now joins the fighting. (to read about the various bills, check here: http://www.savedarfur.org/situation/uslegislation)

So what has our government learned about genocide? It appears that we have learned that when a genocide takes place it is important to talk about it when it is pushed in our face by some annoying member of the Save Darfur coalition. As for acting...it seems we have yet to learn how to do that. But that's okay, our memories are blessedly short. Sudan will soon fall to the wayside (or way-wayside, as it was never really in the mainstream) like their predecessor, Rwanda. The US State Department's website tells us the "major focus of bilateral relations [in Rwanda] is the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) "transition" program, which aims to promote internal stability and to increase confidence in the society."

But they don't tell us how much USAID has to spend, so I looked it up. $10, 021 for 2006. This money is supposed to go to improving democracy, rural growth and health care. It is less than one penny for every person killed in the 1994 genocide. We've come a long way...

~Lila

Top 10 Reasons Why Abortion Should Be Illegal

Or, Top 10 Reasons the US Needs to Oust the Republicans in 2006 and 2008:

10. When I trample your constitutional rights for warentless domestic spying, I would like more children, aged 0-18, that I can gather information on to lure them to my home for sex -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Press Secretary, Brian J. Doyle http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/nation/14264315.htm

9. I would rather spend your taxpayer money for an ultrasound to view a child in the womb, hoping to convince you not to abort it, than spend money on welfare, education and healthcare for that child after they are born -- Senator Nancy Schaefer http://www.thehartwellsun.com/articles/2006/03/15/opinions/opinions03.txt

8. I think the 50 million aborted children would have been vital to shoring up our economy by filling jobs currently taken by immigrants and working for slave wages -- -- Senator Nancy Schaefer http://www.thehartwellsun.com/articles/2006/03/15/opinions/opinions03.txt

7. Abortion should be saved for special cases such as "hella rapes" or when a woman's been Napolied, and not used indiscriminately, anytime the mother sees fit to take control over her own body -- South Dakota State Senator Bill Napoli http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/billnapoli/

6. It is a travesty to use abortion, unless in the case of incest or rape. Oh, okay, in case the woman's life is in danger...bla bla bla. I don't see what the fuss is about. I can shoot a man in the face and kill hundreds of thousands in my little wars on "terror", but I don't think other people should be allowed to be above the law like this. I mean, the rest of you are just idiots who have to follow my doublethink. -- Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney http://www.ontheissues.org/Dick_Cheney.htm

5. We have an overpopulation problem, no more white babies should be killed -- we need them to combat all the "other" colors of people trying to take over our God-given nation -- Colorado 6th District Congressperson, Tom Tancredo http://tancredo.house.gov/irc/welcome.htm

4. Now that we have that nuclear deal with India so they can wage war with rival Pakistan, we need those aborted fetuses to fill the 5,000 jobs created. Don't worry about currently unemployed Americans, thanks to my dad...I mean Bush, everyone that wants a job has one. -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-04-05T165539Z_01_N05321443_RTRUKOC_0_UK-NUCLEAR-INDIA-USA.xml

3. I believe that only I should be able to decide who lives and who dies, and when I think you should die I will hit you with my car to ensure that happens -- First Lady, Laura Bush http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e1698.htm

2. Women are untrustworthy and so, therefore, abortion is an issue that should be decided by a husband, or at the very least, a man. Because, you know, we men have to work so hard after we've created a child. The physical, social, financial, emotional burdens rest solely on our physical bodies. I don't really see why women need to use abortion as birth control, that's a form a death, you know... -- Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e1698.htm

1. I feel we need to make a place for these unwanted fetuses, at least until they are old enough to take the place of *important* people's kids who have better things to do than serve in the military -- Monkey in Charge George W Bush http://www.ontheissues.org/George_W__Bush.htm

~Lila

Immigration

Here goes... We apparently need a history lesson. Every time something goes wrong we need a scapegoat - yes, "we" the American people. We're so good at it. We're like the angry wife who brings her husband's tardiness from work into every argument. "I may have just lied to you, but you were late 3 out of 5 nights last week!" The politicians pull out the lack of green cards, "I know we're corrupt, spending your great-grandchildren's money on an illegal war, violating your civil liberties, and creating the elitist good-ole boy club ever, BUT we have to do something about all those illegal immigrants crossing the border and burdening the taxpayers!" Ha.

The immigration issue is way too complex for Congress, we need John Stewart on the case. There is no easy solution, just as this is no easy problem. The majority of illegal immigrants are not criminals - there was that one who killed a cop in Denver. But that's just one that I'm aware of. 1/11 million - Hell, I'll take those odds. They are not taking jobs from Americans. You too can work in construction, janitorial services, landscaping, and fast food. They are not depressing American wages - that would be their illegal boss who pays shitty wages. They are changing our culture. But isn't that what the US is all about? I love Mexican food - bring it on! And the language issue - don't you know that a Federal treaty exists promising bilignual education in the southwest? Look it up - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

So a solution for this trumped up problem? Work with the Mexican, El Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc., governments to help them stimulate their economies, so their citizens don't risk life and limb to cross a damned dry desert. Police our borders. Shouldn't we be making sure some creepy pedophile isn't crossing with his step-children? I can't take my children out of the country without notarized permission from their father, shouldn't it work the other way? And then there's that national security issue. If people can cross the border illegally, I'm sure dirty bombs and other hazards can too.

Police our borders, work with other governments to help stimulate their own economies, and remember we're talking about people - not aliens. Those are kept in Arizona somewhere.

Chatty Bush

Why is Bush out chatting up the media circuit like some out of town cousin from the south that we secretly make fun of but enjoy having over at Thanksgiving because he makes the rest of us feel so smart? Is this an attempt to get back in touch with the people? Remind us why we didn't vote for him? In all honesty, I'll walk the country begging for improved ratings if he'll just go back to Crawford and be silent! Clearly his attempt at winning us over with his 2nd grade humor and bad grammar is ineffective. It's embarrassing! Really. I'd love to have the adulterous-Monica scandal back in the White House. Oh, the good 'ole days!