rivervision

the people i talk to here are concerned for the children. yes, i tell
them, so am i. the news here shows stuff from al-jezzera, abu dhabi, and
sky news. along with their own. skynews is in english. i read the
bottom, bush will do this for as long as it takes.. i wonder *what* is it
that it takes? the pictures from al-jezzera and abu dhabi show pictures
that i am sure the american mass media is not showing. they won't, they
don't want to put faces on "collateral damage."

the tears i have felt in my throat since last wednesday came out last
night as i watched the pictures. i didn't need to understand the greek to understand what i was watching. i now believe that all the americans who
are for this war need to come this close too it, including w. maybe its
just because this is my first trip abroad, but i really feel closer.. so
much closer.

the greek people. i talk to them and they say "the children," yes, they
are all concerned about the children. what about the children. i echo
them over and over. no, the pictures i see.. so many children.

there are military cars and ships in the harbor. i ask what they are
for, a nd now one answers. i will go to skala eressos and meet the women
from sappho travel-- a brit and a greek - they have helped me immensly, i
hope they will give me a straight answer to that question.

i have learned to read the words iraq, baghdad, moscow and wahsington in
greek. i picked it up really fast. i have too. and i have registered
with the embassy, somethi8ng i wouldn't do if it weren't for this.

yesterday i walked by a school, there was a banner there, i don't know what it said but it had a peace sign on it. i am taking pictures of all
the peace graffiti. maybe i will email the pictures to w. maybe he will
hear then.

my thoughts are of my own safety, but they are also for the safety of the
iraqi's. i'm homesick, but they are loosing their homes and their
lives. yes, when i come home my dedication to this cause will be even
greater.

yes, i hate w. bush for this war. it only continues to grow. i talked to
a man yesterday and he says bush is a fool. i tell him that he is up for
reelection in 2004, he says "too long from now." i agree with him. he
says they don't hear us, i tell him to have faith, that someone will hear
our crys for peace.

so, thats it from here today. do't loose faith. the greek school
children certianly aren't. they are out again today.

Comments

My thoughts are with you while you travel. I can see you walking with the children.. Taking pictures of all the things that will help you fight for the peace we all need so much.
I know I have said this to you in person before, but thank you for what you do my friend, thank you for caring enough about everyone to help us all toward peace.
Carrie

Posted by Whytekitten at March 28, 2003 7:52 PM

Below are the words of Katrin Michael.

Dr. Katrin Michael is a Chaldean (Christian) from Northern Iraq; she joined the Kurdish-based Iraqi resistance movement in 1982 to fight against Saddam Hussein’s regime. A victim of chemical bombings by Saddam’s forces, she fled Iraq in 1988. She has been living in the United States since 1997, where she is a leading advocate on behalf of Iraqis persecuted by Saddam’s regime. Following is an op-ed she wrote in Newsday on March 13, 2003

No one in Iraq is immune from Hussein's brutality - not even the closest members of his family. He even executed two of his own sons-in-law in 1996. But women are especially targeted as part of his broader policies of intimidation. A commonly used form of torture is to bring in a detainee's female relative, preferably his wife, daughter or mother, and gang rape her in front of him. Members of the Iraqi opposition in exile receive videotapes of their female relatives in Iraq being raped.

Women who criticize or merely offend Hussein are accused of being prostitutes and regularly beheaded in public. His son, Uday, often leads these beheadings. They occur in Baghdad, as well as in smaller villages throughout Iraq. The heads of the executed women are hung on the doors of their houses for all to see.

I am saddened when I see people who sincerely care for the fate of the Iraqi people resist the American-led effort to remove Hussein and restore hope for the Iraqis. We cannot do it alone. Iraqis had their closest brush with freedom in 1991, during Operation Desert Storm. I regret, as do most Iraqis, that the United States and its allies allowed Hussein to quash this resistance and remain in power. Those who care about peace and justice for the Iraqis should not make the same mistake again.

Hussein will never leave power willingly. He will never give up his weapons or allow the Iraqi people to live in freedom.

Nuff said.

Posted by a friend at March 28, 2003 10:24 PM

http://www.womenforiraq.org/

Posted by a friend at March 28, 2003 10:35 PM

Brooke, you know I love you, but after hearing about the chemical attacks on communities and the "human meatgrinders" into which Iraqi citizens were fed into while fully alive, I can't help but think that despite the atrocities of war, we are doing the right thing. Maybe not for the right reasons, but Hussein and his whole group must be removed and the people of Iraq must be given their freedom.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/World/2020_iraqiwomen030321.html

Posted by chel at March 29, 2003 6:30 AM

please get over yourself. We all can access the foriegn news and you are not the only one who travels. Quit patronizing those of us who have a different view than you do and acting like we are blind. Damsad sadam killed my husband's family members and gassed my kurdish friend's extended family wiping out over 40 of them. We also grieve for the children. Hate Bush? It is this emotion that is the cause of the problem not Bush.

Posted by celticmetis at April 5, 2003 6:03 AM

I honestly think that if we were to go to Iraq, live there and go thru the things that some of the people there have gone thru, or to lose some of our family the way that some of them have, I think that we all would have a diffrent look out about this war. I have family and some very, very close friends in the war. Yes, I wish that this war would not have to be but they are willing to go and protect our country so that we can have our freedom here! If all of these weak bellied people that want to go and protest the war would stand up for our country and be brave and strong, and back up our dear PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH!!!!! WOULD BE GOD FEARING PEOPLE, JUST THINK WHERE OUR COUNTRY WOULD BE!!!!! SHAME ON THESE AMERICAN PEPOLE! Just think, if our fore fathers would have been like people are today. These people are slaves. The war was fought in our country against slavery years ago. What kind of people are we who don't want others to enjoy the freedom we have. If we don't stand for something we will fall for anything. If others would not have fought for us WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE FREEDOM, THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW !!!!!
Think about this, if all the people in America would just take 5 minutes out of their day and say a prayer for our country and for our troops what a difference this world would be! We need to pray that God gives President Bush wisdom daily for the steps he must take. I would not want his job! What thanks are we giving him? Complaining? If you don't agree with him, pray for him but stop complaining. I believe he is doing his best to bring peace. Peace is not easy to come by. Even Jesus had to die to bring freedom from sin to our souls. BUT people do not fear GOD any more!!! Some day they will!! So long for now I hope that this will just make one person think and give there life to the Lord! Bye. Wes

Posted by Wes at April 14, 2003 12:41 PM

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